THE GRAND JURY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 7

THE GRAND JURY.

We suppose that it. is impossible that the question of which Mr T. E. Taylor has given notice in Parliament with regard to the abolition of Grand Juries can be discussed: without reference to particular cases that would better be 'eft out of consideration. Tho cliflt■fwlly ir. such a coimoction is obvious. It is the occurrence of these particular cases that pointedly provokes discussion on the point. Upon' its bare merits, an exceedingly sound case may be made out for tho elimination of tho Grand Jury from our existing judicial system, since it constitutes at once an anomaly and an anachronism, serving no good" or useful purpose, and capable, of being sometimes used for the actual frustration of justice. Sorno whilo back a member of the Supreme Court Bench argued that the prcsoirt system, including the empanelling of the Grand

Jury, should 'on account of its effectiveness in tho past, and despite occasional miscarriages of justice, be "jealously preserved in its' entirety in the future." This opinion represents fairly enough the strictly conservative standpoint ivhich resents any attempt to revise or improve the methods of justice that have been handed down to us from the traditional past. But, unfortunately for this view, experience shows that, in actual practice, no one is more convinced of the unfairness of the position he occupies than the grand juror himself. Either he acquiesces in the fact that ho is a figurehead, and in a more or less perfunctory fashion goes through the expected 'routine, or, in the vain hope of to some extent justifying his office, lie occasionally takes upon himself the responsibility of trying a prisoner, of deciding that the charge is unfounded, and of throwing out the bill in connection with it. lleally it should stand to reason that, where the investigation in the lower court' has been conducted before, a magistrate of trained intelligence, an accused person is not committed for trial unless a. prima facie case has been established against him. So long as it is a mere superfluity tho existence of the Grand Jury is not intolerable to the community, but when, as in Christchurch the other day,a Grand Jury, with necessarily only a partial presentment of. the evidence before it, declines to return a true bill in a case which has excited painful and widespread interest, the question of whether it is desirable to retain this relic of the past in our judicial system forces itself prominently upon public attention. The argument for the abolition of the Grand Jury is invested with greater, strength > when, apart from present-day considerations, the subject is studied, purely from an historical standpoint. Tho origin of tho Grand Jury dates back to Anglo-Saxon, times, when twelve good men and true, freeholders all, were nominated to present or accuse persons who on common report were deemed guilty of any crime. But this privilege of presentment has long ceased to be exercised; nor-is there' need to-day for a Grand Jury to perform its ancient function of protecting prisoners from tho too zealous prosecution of the Crown. Happily the time is long past siuco corruption in high places consented 'to criminal prosecution as penalty for a political or ecclesiastioal offence, There only remains the sentimental prejudice against any interference with a legal procedure which, forming part and parcel ,of the British Constitution, is regarded as in a senso sacred. But in a. democratic Dominion such sentimental objections usually receive short shrift, and the Government may reasonably consider whether legislation should not be introduced to place the legal procedure of New Zealand upon a footing that will bo more consistent with the feelings of tho period. \

CHARITABLE AIE SUBSIDIES. What the precise effect may be .of tho new system under which, in terms of an amendment that was inserted in the Hospitals and Charitable .Institutions Bill 'ate or. Thursday night, the Government ".subsidies to Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards.will be graduated it is not easy to determine. The system may prove entirely equitable in . its operation, as tho Minister ■• anticipates it will. But it is by no means certain that it will not operate harshly, in many instances. What is perfectly evident is that a change of distinct importance has been effected m the system under which subsidies -arc payable,, and that this nil's'.been done at exceedingly short notice. It is very doubtful whether the members of the Charitable Aid Boards throughout the Dominion will have had any sufficient opportunity of considering tho proposal which has now been inserted in tho measure and of gauging the probable effect of its ndoptior m their respective districts. And it ts certainly to bo regretted-that they were not consulted concerning the arrangement of which the introduction

is- now contemplated. The ; object which the Minister has in view, of. so graduating the subsidy' as to relieve the burden upon the poorest'. and. most heavily rated districts may be, and probably is, entirely commendable. Simultaneously with. this it is designed -..by him. that the. subsidy is 'to be reduced wherever the expenditure upon charitable aid per head of tho population increases, the theory being that in this way a tendency on the part of a. Board towards extravagance in administration may be checked, The Ministerial argument apparently rests on the assumption that where the expenditure' .on charitable aid increases there wasteful methods obtain. We need hardly point out that such an assumption is by no menus necessarily sound. And it seems to us to bo quite likely that the application of the principle which, based on this assumption, has now been asserted in the new proposal relative to 1 subsidies may prove positively unjust in seme cases. If we are mistaken in this view, so much tho better; but, whether this bo so or not, we should have moro confidence in the scheme of graduated subsidies if, before its adoption by the Legislature, tho local authorities' that are interested had had nu opportunity of taking it into their careful consideration.

It is anticipated that the overhead railray lino as far as the cutting opposite the Cavorsliam Gasworks will lie brought- into service by the Railway Department early next month.

The alteration and re-laying of the King Edward street line of tramway was completed on Thursday night,' and tradio was resumed yesterday morning.

A conference of gentlemen representing tho City Council, Otago Harbour Board, and Hay Town Beard was held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon in connection with the proposal to acquire the Anderson's Bay Inlet for a recreation reserve. The conference, which was presided over by the Mayor, was taken in committee, hut we understand that the discussion proved abortive, as though a resolution was carried the members were not unanimous, and some of those present would not agree to bo bound by it. The resolution carried was to the effect that the City Council and the Bay Town Board withdraw all opposition in the meantime, and assist-in-getting legislation passed to vest the- foreshore of the harbour in tho Otago Harbour Board.

A meeting of the council of. the ■ Otago Rifle Association was held last evening, when it was decided to hold the thirtyninth annual prize firing meeting at Pelichet Bay Range on January 1 and 3. A programme on very similar lines to that of last year was drawn up and adopted. There will be se-yen matches and' a' teams match, and two of th§ seven will be for

Cadets. Last*year only one match was allotted, to Cadets, but as the primary schools arc armed with an inferior weapon to that used by the Defence Cadets it was doomed fairer to place two matches on Iho programme—one for Defence Cadets and one for primary school Cadets. The size of the bull's-eye at 200 and 300 yards will be 6in in order to conform with Trentham conditions. Competitors will be allowed to use the 'back sight, as permitted by the New Zealand Rifle Association, except that aperture . sights attached to the dial shall not bo allowed. The condition for deciding tics has been altered, and in future these will be decided by firing three shots at the longest range. Tho other rules and regulations are practically the same as those governing tho competitions last year.

' A consignment of 2954 cases of butter was shipped from Duncdin by tho Monowai yesterday for Wellington, there to bo transhipped to the lonic for shipment to tho London market. This is the largest quantity that has been exported from Dunedin so far this season.

For some years past representations liave been made to (he Railway Department to run an excursion train to Jlcnlcy, Titri, and Waihola on Saturday afternoons, tho same to connect with tho 1.15 p.m. train from Duncdin to Mosgicl,.and tickets at excursion rates to bo made available for return.up to Monday night. In response to theso appeals, the department has now decided to institute such a train by way of ait experiment for a period of three months, and the first will run on Saturday, December 4. Tickets will bo issued from Dunedin and. Cavcrsham to Henley, Titri, and Waihola, available for return up to Monday night. The Railway Department will not collect the launch faro from those intending to journey to Taiori Mouth, but it has been informed that tho proprietor of tho launch that runs from Titri to Taicri Mouth will charge Is return up to Saturday, and Is 6d if tho return is mado on Monday. Tho boat faro from Henley to Taien'Moidli'will bo Is'6d'return up to either Saturday or .Monday.

Our Wellington correspondent states that Mr Phillipps has given notice to move for a return' showing the total cost to ihe Dominion of Ihc attendance of tho Prime Minister and his secretary (or secretaries) at the recent Naval Defence Conference in England, the return to include travelling, secretarial, and all incidental expenses; also for a return showing'the' cost ot—(1) the .trip to''England'with tho Prime Minister of tho'i'-SolieiioKgehoral (Dr Fitchelt).' (2): the visit to' England of Detective Cassclls upon the occasion of tho Prime Minister's attendance at tho Naval Defence Conference, ihe return to include travelling and all incidental expenses.

His .'Worship tho Mayor (Mr J. 11. Walker) .intimates .t.lia,t. he .will be pleased to meet ...those., interested •in Hospital Saturday a.V..<the- Town Hiill on Monday evening, at 8 o'clock. ■' ' ■'

A tilt. ■ at. the Legislative Council was indulged in by Mr T. E. Taylor in the House of Representatives last evening (says our Wellington correspondent). lie did not know, ho said, how tho members of the Council could find it in their hearts to take their honorarium. They only sat for about an'hour a day on the average, and he did not .knp'w; ,hpw they .filled in the remainder.!:.! _ trtejiiiie. -Two or three of' them were often scan wandering about tho lobbies, but where ihe others were tho Lord.bnly knew.—(Laughter.) Three members of tho Council were in their gallery whilst Mr Taylor was speaking

The Port Chalmers Navals . went into camp at Mussel Bay last evening for their annual 16 days' training. It is the intention of Captain Richardson, -artillery instructor for .the Dominion, to be present to supervise tho instruction. Tho recent rain lias not left the camping ground—the recreation reserve-in so damp a condition as was expected, due no doubt to the improved drainage.

A formal resolution in favour of universal military training, promulgated by the Christchurch City Council, came before the Roslyn Borough Council last night, Cr Washer said he thought that, the proposal brought forward by Sir Joseph Ward for compulsory military training was in every way to bo commended. In their own dis trict, their corps only had 63.men out of a population of over 3000. That was most unsatisfactory. Cr Masterton agreed that compulsion was ; necessary, and it was decided to support the action suggested by the Christchurch Council.

A railway employee at Gore, who possesses a wife, and family of 13 children, and against whom the- magistrate refused to make an order at the last court on a judgment summons for pictures supplied him or his wife- by an artistic firm, had again to answer another judgment summons. This was in respect of groceries supplied. _.him., from a Mataura establishment, and the amount of the order was £19 4s 3d. The man was questioned as to his income by Mr W. F. Inder, acting for the judgment' creditor, but he reiterated his previous contention that his wages of 9s a <lay gave him no margin after providing for his wife and family. The magistrate, as in.-.a previous case (says the Southland. Times), declined to • make an order, and suggested that the firm allowing such credit to a worker with a largo family had indulged in a gamble which' had not come off.

" We have had the most exciting experience of our lives," remarked Captain A. E. Ilolling'worth, of the Tyscr steamer Indradovi, upon the arrival of that vessel at Melbourne last week from New York. The forecastle head, upon which thousands of lons of water has descended during furious storms, presented \ badly-strained and shaken appearance, whilst Iho starboard iron rail for about 50ft had been bent and broken by the seas. .The weather which wrought- this and other damage was encountered between the Crozets and Kcrgueleu Island, in about latitude 46J S. The wind, which was blowing with cyclonic strength from the south-east, brought up enormous cross seas, in" which the liner plunged and laboured prodigiously. Rushing along her decks with overwhelming force, the immense weight of water carried all before it, and several of (he crew had narrow escapes. It was at this stage of the storm that practically all the dama-e was done. In addition to (ho destruction of the starboard railing, and the injury | 0 the forecastle head, the skylight of'the engine-room was smashed; the wheel-box and steering gear were carried away, as well as other damage of a loss serious nature inflicted to the ship's fittings. Subsequently the vessel was "hove to" for three days. Heavy seas in the meantime swept her decks, which were constantly flooded.' Finer weather ultimately setting in, the Tndradevi was put upon liar course for Albany, where her bunkers were replenished before the voyage to Melbourne was continued.'

A Wellington telegram states that in con- ' ncction with the proposal of the Napier 1 Borough Council to exclude Chinese from < ■the municipal baths, the Chinese Consul Olr Hwang), on being interviewed bv a , New Zealand Times reporter, said 'the presence of Chinese citizens in Napier was . their right io participation in municipal '' advantages, to which they, as ratepayer* i contributed. No country in tho world! objected (o ■ privileges by all citizens of! whatever colour or condition, provided th«y ■, observed the law. Moijovcr, this touched ' . the question of national politic;. • i Shearing is now practically in full swing throughout Otago and Southland. There is « a scarcity of blade shearers, and some of • the sheds arc working without the full' complement of hands. The number of I machine shearers available is just about < equal to requirements. The Australian hands are beginning to arrive hero, and should assist materially in improving the ; supply. Tho fact of shearing operations'

absorbing so much labour has made it difficult lo secure farm hands; consequently there is plenty of work in the country for. ploughmen, milkers, etc., and the demand is likely to continue for .some time to come.

The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, has accepted the invitation of the Otago A. and P. Society to ba present at the summer show, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday next, and has intimated that he will bo present unless any very special circumstances prevent him from doing 60. Tho whole of the arrange-, monts for the show are well forward, and all that is required to make it the most successful on record is suitable weather. : '

Outbreaks of diphtheria in .'households' have frequently been attributed to. disease among fowls and to dirty fowlruns,' and there are cases on record where, when fowls were dying in uumbers, diphtheria was very prevalent among children and others. A case has just come to light in Southland where a pot paroquet was apparently responsible for tho communicating of tho germs of diphtheria to.a young woman. Tho paroquet .was noticed-to be gasping for breath, and had a-whitish froth about tho open beak.. The young woman' handled the paroquet frequently utitil the bird died a few days later, and three days afterwards she' herself exjierienced a sore throat, and in nino.days was found to be suffering from a mild form-of diphtheria.

At the last meeting of the Works Committee of the Roslyn Borough Council Cr A. M'Millan tendered his resignation, but the other members strongly urged him to continue in office until the end of. the financial year, as his services were, greatly, appreciated. . Cr..M'Millan has v acceded to the request, and occupied his Usual'seat at'tho council table last night.

At the Outram Court yesterday Mr 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M., dealt with two charges of obscene language .preferred against Herbert Christie, of Allanton. Inspector O'Brien prosecuted, and Mr Hanlon appeared for.the defendant, The allegation was that defendant.-used 'the language complained of at MomOna, Schoolhouso-'Hiir-ing an entertainment, ;and. .also used improper lauguago in the. school ground.. Evidence was given- by Patrick O'Leary, J. A. Begg, W. Begg, and Constable Southgate. Both charges were dismissed. Samuel Shaw, farmer, of Berwick, was charged that, on September 30.. at Berwick, lie was in possession of certain sheepskins from which tho ears had previously-been removed,- contrary to section <!4 of""Tho Slaughtering and Inspection Act, 1903." Mr Hanlon represented the accused. A dealer who purchased the skins from accused did not notice- whether the cars were attached. When ho took possession of tho skins he tcok them along the road to another settler's house, and put them inside a fence. If was then discovered that tho ears had been removed from some of the skins. Mr Hanlon urged that the evidence brought to show possession of the .skins was not satisfactory. .The'case-;was dismissed.

The Hon. T. Fergus, Vice-consul in Now Zealand for the Argentine Republic, sends us a copy of a poster oalling attention to the International Agricultural Exhibition which is to bo held in Hie Argentine from June 3 -to July 31 next. The poster gives certain statistical facts relative to the development of the Republic. The Exhibition promises to ,bo .one. of exceptional magnitude, to' wlucli ,"Eiu;qp«ui, American, and Asiatic countries" are 'sending exhibits. Mr Fergus, having been requested to lay the facts before the agricultural, -pastoral, mining, and mercnntilo comrminiiios, informs us that ho will bs ha,ppy to give any information in his power to those persons desirous ot exhibiting or of simply going to visit tlio exposition.

Tho Poverty Bay Herald states that there is good reason to .believe that tho statement published by a Taranaki newspaper recently that there is a probability of half a million pounds of British capital coming to' New Zealand for the purpose of thoroughly exploiting the oilfields is correct. For eomo time, the Herald says, British capitalists interested in oil ventures have been casting their eyes in this direction, and their attention is now being specially directed to New Zealand on account of tho decision of the Defence Conference that a. naval base for tho PacihV station shall.be established at Auckland.

An ex-banker, in a letter in tho Wellington Post, says that of fivo largo established banks in New Zealand ■ three pay their officers well, (ho fourth pays badly, and tho fifth shockingly. It is from the officers of this fifth bank that all tho letters of discontent which appear in tho newspapers periodically must come, only to be contradicted by an official in a better paying institution. In..this fifth bank, ho says, not .only, aro tho clerks underpaid, but tho managers and senior officers receive shocking salaries. Managers in country branches on an average receivo from £200 to £275 a year. If thore is a residence attached to the bank, from £25 to £75 a year is deducted of! the manager's small salary for rent. There aro often instances where the manager does not. require tho ronidenco attached to the office. It is in tho centre of a town, with no ground, and lie has children, and wishes to get into a healthy suburb. In. that ease he is allowed to do so, but the tank, rent is deducted off his salary every month, and he pays his suburban rent as well.

A Wellington telegram states that injustice Edwards's decision was given yesterday in a case in which tho.frusf.ce3 of the Wanganui Jockey Club sued for tho recovery of damages for trespass alleged to have ben committed by suburban residents across tho racecourse. Tho defendants denied that the racecourse was in (ho possession of the plaintiffs, and justified their. acts as being ; n the exercise of a public right of passage over, the racecourse. His Honor said that it was not necessary or expedient to attempt, to determine whether or not the plaintiffs proved their title or whether the defendants had established a. public right of passago across tho land. It was certain that for : pver half a century the public had until recently.'passed unchallenged across the. land,' but -whether the attendant circumstances were such as to establish a public right he did not find it necessary to enter into. The persons in possession of the course are tho stewards ■of the Wanganui Jockey Club, and plaintiffs' claim was based not upon the possession of the stewards, but upon their oflico as trustees, and the plaintiffs must therefore fail in the action. They were nonsuited, with costs on the lowest scale.

A test case of importance to tramway passengers was decided by ...Mr., lviddell, S.M., :it Wellington yesterday. The corporation prosecuted a passenger who paid a penny for one section, over-rode it. and sat silent when the conductor subsequently made the general but not specific request, "All fares, nloase." The magistrate held that a general audible request, such as

"All fares, please," put the onus on the passengers lo tender their fares! The defendant, was convicted, and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution', with the option of 48 hours' imprisonment.

In a letter to Mr W. Brown, of this city, a Uuncdin le.-ide'ut who is now on tour in Britain gives an interesting account of a to the birthplace of Burns. Ho says: "We took the electric car from Ayr to Alloway. The cars now run ali the way to Biirns's Monument. We got off at tlie cottage, and wore surprh'od to see quite a village built there since my bst visit 29 years ago. The front door of the cottage is closed, and a sign up on the thatch tolls that this is Burns's birthplace, etc. At the end of the cottage is an entrance by turnstile into grounds at the rear lieaiitifully laid out in walks and flower beds, and a museum in which arcstored relics of Burns of every description. An entrance fee of 2d is charged. Thero aro for sale postcards and eonvenirs of ■ many varieties. I saw the old family I Bible, wgll preserved, in, which are re-

corded the births and deaths of the family, in Burns's own handwriting; also the original-copy of 'Tarn o' Shantcr,' in his handwriting too. Thero is a famous painting thero of 'The Cottar's Saturday Night,' but I don't remember the artist's name. I could have spent the day there, but after buying some postcards and souvenirs wc passed on, and walked to Alloway Kirk, only a short distance. The old caretaker showed us around, and we saw the grave and headstone of ' Souter .Johnnie '—his namo was John Davidson; also the family burying-grouud of Burns's • father. The old kirk is standing the wear and tear of time very well. It had become a, ruin some years before Burns was born. The old caretaker recited several verses of ' Tain o' Shanter' for us, and pointed out the position of Mimgo's Well. We realised all so perfectly that we felt sure we would have seen' the witches if it had only been dark enough. We- next went to the Monument, and inside is quite'a little museum of relics. Wo saw the Bible given to Highland- Mary on the occasion of her ■engagement to Burns—given across the strpam, L ,.a tributary of the River Ayr; his ;mark'aS,'a,. Freemason is seen on the-first page. Wc saw also the pair of drinking glasses--presented to Clarinda,-.and Jean's wedding ring. The grounds here arc beautifully laid out, and thero is a charge of 2d for admission. Next we went to the auld Brig- o' Doon, quite-'- near-by. The river was much swollen, and we could imagine Tarn being found 'deep drowned' in it and fulfilling his wife's prophecy. The- old, brig has one .arch, and is in good repair; "arid looks as if it would last many a century. It is on a by-road, and .there ,is lij (jo. traffic on it now. We camo-beck to Ayr,.i..Mid crossed over- the temporary bridge-/ and had a good look at the auld brig now undergoing repairs; some of tha arches are- sprung and somo ■ already repaired, but the work seems to be progressing slowly—in fact, I saw no workmen engaged on it, though the scaffolding is up--'all along it. back .over the new brigand .wont V.Ta'ih. p'.Shantor's old tivi-stbivjy thatched inn, where I ."must confess wo tasted the 'barley bree.'"

The "refusal given by Andrew Carnegie to the application of the Parnell Borough for a . grant for tho erection of a Public Library has (says our Auckland correspondent) produced some perturbation and feeling amongst the members of the council. At the.last meeting several members referred to the snub given them, somo saying that the slight was deserved,' " if they could reduce their corporate dignity so far as to apply for such, a grant." The Mayor, however, took a milder view, and said that tho plan submitted had been unnecessarily elaborate, and ho suggested some modification. Ultimately it was decided to advertise for suitable .plans for a building not to exceed £2500, a'premium of 10 guineas to be offered for tho accepted design, which will become the property of tho council.

A young New Zealandcr of the -name of Stewart proved himself one too many for a gang of London confidence men .recently. He was strolling through the National.Gallery when a stranger, well-dressed and most affable, got into conversation with him about the pictures, and mentioned in a casual scrt of way that he, too, came from " down under." The upshot of the meeting was that the stranger invited the New Zcal.v.iJer to lunch next day. Although he was already suspicious of the affable one. Mr Stewart thought he would see it through. So ho. went to lunch, and was entertained with a story of how ono of the stranger's " pals!' was going into partnership with a well-known Wellington business man, Mr Kennedy Macdonald, in the purchase of a sheep run for £20,000. " How many.acres?" ask'e'd Mr.Stewart... "Fifty," replied the-, stranger! " And how many sheep to the acre will tho land carry?"

"Oh,' aboiit four."'"'"'This' is all most interesting," remarked the New Zealander, who found it difficult to keep a straight face over this story of a.50-acre sheep run for £20,000. Just then tho inevitable second man arrived with a wonderful story of a horse that wai absolutely certain to win at adds of 10 to 1 that .afternoon. The Now Zealander was invited to put some money on. Ho said he would go to his hotel for hi? cheque-book and return in an. hour, and they arranged to meet accordingly. But ho had had quite enough of both of them, and very wisely ho never went back.

In the courso of an article in a Manchester newspaper, Mr Edward Noble, the author of " The Grain-carriers," . reviews the toll of tho sea for tho' past 20 years, and discusses the causes which were probably responsible for the loss of many of Britain's ships. Taking tho period of 1886 to 1906, during which 1 tramp vessels, :■ both steam and sail, multiplied enormously, •ho says that 1114 ships were listed as " missing,", and he estimates the number of 1 officers and seamen who perished at 15,892. In one-year as many as 101 ships mysteriously disappeared, but in other years as few as 26 vessels failed to put in an appcuraiico at thoir destinations. • Mr Noble condemns tho practice of sending old ships to sea, laden with heavy cargoes, and declares that very many vessels arc undermanned. Tho surveys, ho asserts, are ineffective- and absurd, and ho complains of tho action of tho authorities in permitting deck cargoes. " Nor ono tithe of the vessels which pass through our dock gates aro surveyed in any sense at all,", he says, " and ~q.. little mora than ■ a year ago -we wiped out by a -stroke of tho pen the legislation" for which Plimsoll fought, and in tho place of it set up the law of Mr Lloyd-George."

A point which may have an important bearing on tho question of whether a criminal ■ comes within tho definition of "habitual criminal" cropped up in the Supreme Court at Christchureh this week: (says a. Press Association message). A .pris,oneIv..had1v..had just been convicted of falsepretences' and forgery-and uttering, and- his record—an ; extremely bad put ■in his Honor's- hands when sentence was to be passed. '.' His Honor remarked that a, mtmber,p£.the convictions detailed on the rccoTd _ !iact~{aTcen place in Melbourne, and there was no proof of their accuracy. Ho thought that there should bo some system of proving Australian convictions. The Crown''Pr&oputor remarked that the NewZealand, coVrVictkms were sufficient to bring the prisoner within the defiuitioni His I-lottdr replied that while that was so, 'h« would h'lVe liked to have been further fortili'ctl, £ by the Melbourne record. before taking the step which he proposed to take.

There is Jiving in Ohristiania (the Morning Post .states) a gentleman who is reoi'ted to-have solved an important technical problem, which is familiar to electricians, and. \\hich "occupied Mr Edison's attention for years'wJlo claims to'have invented'a dry cicelies accumulator, which is at once cheap and easy of construction, and the weight of which is little more than This accumulator has. a capacity. of 60 volts, and is capable of working a machine requiring £ horse-power. An ordinary accumulator of the same efficiency weighs not much .'under, lowt. The inventor hopes to increase the ixnver of his apparatus to 100 volts, with a corresponding increase in its efficiency. As to duration, the experts express' the .highest interest in the invention, which,, if satisfactory in this respect,, may mark an epoch in the development of electric locomotion, and in the practical distribution of electric force. Patents have been applied for in soveral countries. The inventor is of German origin, and was formerly a teacher of music.

The well-known firm of jewellers Stewart Dawson and Co. have just made an extensive addition to their Loudon premises in Resent' street.. "This addition

has a frontage to Regent street of 88ft, and, with the exception of the "Treasure House,"' already well known as tho firm's place of business in London, is the finest jewellery establishment in Great Britain. The lirm announces that all Now Zealand visitors are welcome to call and inspect the new premises, the fitting up and general appearance of which are generally,admitted to excel anything hitherto associated with die jewellery business.

The Primitive Methodist Church in this country, as in the Homeland, gives considerable attention to work in the rural districts, and this is necessarily a considerable item in its missionary expenditure. Last year the Dunedin circuit secured premier place by raising £100 for this work, and whilst the local claims have become since then much heavier by the addition of two ministers to the previous 6taff, thus doubling tho number, every effort is being made to donate,a substantial amount. , With his usual generosity, Mr Glendining has placed his beautiful grounds at its disposal, and the Mayor and Mayoress have promised their presence and patronage. Given.fine weather next Saturday, the fete should prove popular and produce satisfactory finanoial results. « TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES. St. Paul's Cathedral.—S a.m., holy communion; 11 a.m. (preacher,- Vcn. Archdeacon Gould); 6.30 p.m. (preacher, Rev. Canon Woodthorpe). First Chute!" a.m. and 0,30 p.m., Rev. J. B. Macdonald. Russell street: 6.30 p.m., Rev. Dr Watt.

Primitive Motkodist. Churches. — Dundas Street: 11 a.m. and 6,30. p.m., Rev. G, Ivnowlcs Smith; 2.45 p.m., missionary meeting. Kcw.:. 11 a.m.', Mr S..F. Benton; 6.30 p.m., Rev, S. Bailey. Highcliff: 11 a.m., Rev. J. B.' Sue>b'ng; 7.30 p.m., Mr S. F. Benton. Fairfield; 11 turn., Rev. G. Bandy. Abbotsford: 11 a.m., Mr E. Warburton; 6.30 p.m., Rev. E. Bandy. N.E. Valley (Glenroy): 11 a.m., Mr J. W. Commissions; 6.30 p.m., Rev, J. B. Suckling. Roxburgh Methodist Church.-ll a.m. and 7 p.m:, Rev. M. A, Rugby Pratt. Knox Church-11 a.m. and G. 30 p.m., Rev. R. E. Daviss. :. , .

Methodist Central Mission.—ll a.m., Rev C. Dnllaston; 3 n.m Bible Class; 6.30 p.m.. Rev.-W.'.Slade. ' '

A.K Valley Presbyterian Church.—ll a.m and 6.30 p.m., Rev.- H. B. Gray. Gardens:' i p.m., Mr H. D. Bedford. Opoho: 11 am Sister Young; 6.30 p.m., Mr Make. Musselburgh Presbyterian Church. —630 P.m., Rev. R, R, M. Sutherland. Oddfellows' Hall, Rattray street.—6.3o p.ia Dr Comniin.

St. Andrew's Church.-ll a.m., Rev. R iairmaid; 6.30 p.m., Rev. E. A.' Axolsen' Kensington branch: 6.30 p.m., services All Saints' .Clyurch.-S. .a.m.,... holy communion, 11 a.m. (nrcacher, Very Rev the 'Dean); 6.30 p.m. (preacher, Rev. R. Bray'j '■ Trinity Methodist Church.-ll a.m., Rev. It. H. Wylie; 6.30 p.m., song service. Wbodhaugh: 11 am Rev. P. W. Fairc.'ough; fc3o pm Mr A. S. Wansbrongh. N.i Valley (Glcnaven): 11 a.m., Mr P. Williams(S.3o p.m., Rev. S. J. Campbell. Cargill Road Methodist Circuit.-Cargill Raid: 11 a.m., Mr E. Dowland; 6.30 p.m ?°r J ",?A EHis - r, St ' ¥ th u "■'"•- Mr E Aslin;-6.30 p.m., Rev. R. H. .Wylie. -Broad Bay: n_a.ni., Rev. S.J,- Campbell. balvation -Army, Dowling. street.—7 am and 11 a.m., 3 p.m. mid 7 p.m.—Services South Dunedin Presbyterian Church.—U' a.m_.,.Mr J. Eeid; 6.30 p.m., Rev. R. Fai r . maid.

Moray Place Congregational. Church—ll a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Rev. G-. Heighway ' Oddfellows' Hall, Albany street.-7 nm. .Spiritual Scientists. '

Hanover street Baptist ChurcL-ll a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Rev. V. Hay.

Tl„ ,„ ml° T ">? ? a " to -- m O"<W night/ ■The ferry steamer Maheno will run regular STFT to f , K " sso!l % Broad Bay, and Portobello on Saturday and Sunday. An address will be delivered at the r?i s< f„r? l °- m <«Pw at the T.M.CA entitled Influence in Science and Religion" The speaker will be Mr R, Brand. °" "

The D.I.C. having secured the contract for he uniforms for the Of ago branch- of the Baden-Powell Scouts, „ re „ ow prepar( , d l^

Tno big boot sale at Simon Brothers' George street, continues this week. Genuine bargains, including new goods just landed.— Advt. ' . ' --.'

We recommend for watch., clock, and jewellery repairs A. J. Shaw, 13 lUttray street. Absolutely the test, in Dunedin.ActVt,

Woltics in jewellery and silverware for the \ruas season aro now being opened up at Messrs G. and T. Young's showrooms, 88 Princes street. The public 'are cordially invited to pay & visit of inspection.—Advt.

31ood .forrmi..about a ■thirteenth of the total ..weight of the body. .If your blood ■ is impure good health, is ■ impossible..," Sulfarilla" • tablets will cleanse and'purify your blcod and- skin. Marvellously successful. Is box; all chemists.—Advt.

( Ladies!— You should .wear our famous beat-em-all kid gloves at 2s 6d pair; without doubt tho best valuo on the market; every pan- guaranteed; in shades of brown and beaver. Only procurable at Mollisons Ltd - Advt.

Who is Pmkb BicK?-The most 'reliable Watchmaker ana Jeweller, opposite Colle, Palace, Moray place. Dunediit, Ch»reei briefly inodorate.-Advi. ■