LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2505, 26 March 1902, Page 54

LOCAL & GENERAL.

At a conference of representatives from the C'lutha and Bruce County Councils and the Balclutha Borough Council it was resolved that the Clutha County Council continue to have rontrol of the Balclutha traffic bridge, and that for the purpose of repairing the bridge application be made to the Government for a loan of £1500 for 41 years, and also to apply the subsidy of £1 for £1 up to £1500 voted by Parliament ; each of the three local bodies to pay an equal pioportion of the loan. As the bridge is in a dangerous condition it was decided to ask the Government to instruct its officers to proceed at once with repairs, and that at least three recesses for passengers be formed on the bridge. A vote of thank 3 was passed to Mr James Allen, M.H.R., who was present. Tlip Wellington section of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Union has endorsed Mr Belcher's proposal for an independent Labour party, »nd urges the advisability of drawing up a direct labour platform. A report which las been furnished to the New South Wales State Minister for Works shows that a very large quantity of timber is inspected by the officer of the timber branch of the Works Department for the New Zealand Government and' other public bodies in New Zealand During the 12. months ended December 31, 1901, the following timber ha& been inspected, branded, an:t shipped from New South Wales to New Zealand : — 4-9,022 lineal feet of round piles, of a value of £6655 ; 1.287,595 super, feet of girders and Fawn ironbark and hardwood, of a value of £35.877: 231.879 hardwood sleeper*, equal to 5,410,510 super, feet, of a value of £47.341 ; or a total value of £69,875. This i o exclusive of the Clarence River, where the New Zealand Government have an inspector and assistant stationer, and whence a large quantity of timber :s shipped for tho Now Zealand Railway Department. The -New Zealand Governmen pays all expense-! in connection with the inspection, and the eo*t to them is about 1| per cent, upon the total value To those who hav<> to sojourn in hot countries, or vrhoie business compels them to travel through the torrid zone or the Red Sea, the invention for creating and circulating cool air. for which Messrs Norris and Baldwin (of the firm of Scott and Co., 40 Dowling street) have recently obtained protection in Xpw Zealand, will come as a boon. Pending obtaining patents throughout the world (for which, we understand, arrangements have already been made), an exact description of the machine cannot be given, but it can be said that it i 3 compact in form, easily removable from place to placs, and appears in every respect thoroughly efficient. The advantage to residents, in India and all hot countries of being able to turn on at any moment, at will, a nice cool and refreshing current of air cannot be ever-estimated. To the miner, toiling and sweating at his work in the bowels of thp earth; to the traveller, stretched in his bunk, perspiring, wearied, and sleepless while pacing through the Red Sea, what could be more delicious than a breath of cool air generated at will? These advantaged, it is claimed, are obtainable through the medium of the machine referred to, and iU application in many other ways is equally apparent. We understand that a machine on a larger scale than the model shown to one of our staff is now in course of construction and will shortly be on exhibition to the general public. It need only be added that these machines, can be sold at such a price as to bring them within the reach of all. "Sympathy" sends £1 Is towards tie Hewitt fundl Miss Anna Northend Benjamin, an American magazine writer and lecturer, was buried' near Paris on January 23. Although only 27 years of age, she had made a name m journalism as an impressive war correspondent. She was the only female correspondent who reached Cuba before the surrender of Santiago, and she entered the city the day after it capitulated. In 1899 she again acted as war correspondent in the Philippine Isles, and was the only woman journalist who served in both campaigns. Miss Benjamin afterwards, visited Japan and Korea, and was in Peking just before the Boxer outbreak. She then proceeded overland to Vladivo«tock, Siberia, and Moscow, being one of the only three American women who I have eroded that country. During the hearing of the tailoresses' dispute in the Arbitration Coutr on the 19th I Mr P. Hally, president of the New Zealand Federated Tailoresses* Union, mentioned that the union's effoits to induce the Auckland tailoresses to agree to the came standard of wages a-9 that enjoyed by (ai!oi'e«ses in the other towns of the colony had cost them something like £2000. The City Council* estimates of the pioposed expenditure and revenue for the year 1902-3 were submitted at lust week's meeting. The expendituie, which totals £45,751, include^ the following items: — City work 1 ?, £12,150; street lighting, £2700; sanitary, £1214 16s; Fire Biigado, £1163 10s; salaries, £2829: linking fund, £2484; loan interPbt, £14.669 12e 6d ; bank interest on overdraft, £2400; Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, £2700 ; Domain Board (the Botanic Gaidens), £700; and Town Belt and rerreation reserves, £825. The revenue is set down- at- the same amount as the expenditure. It includes £26,600 which is derived -from general and special rates, £9200 from rents, £5050 from licenses, £3000 transfeired from the water and gas depart«e&t*t £900 traagfejy^J frouv the abattoir

interest account, £450 Government subsidy, and £275 from sanitary fees. The rateable value of the property on the valuation list for the year is £266,000. The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on the 19th, when there were present — Messrs P. Tresedei (in the chair), R. M. Clark, R. Wilson, W. T. Talboys, and the Hon. H. Gourley. Twentyfour cases of relief were dealt with, and accounts amounting to £112 6s 5d passed for payment. The Secretary reported that the cost of maintenance for February wa-s £263 19s 4d for 249 inmates, equal to 5s 5d per head per week. Parcels of books and papers from Mr J. B. Cannon and of clothing from Airs Arndt were received with thanks. c Last year the sum ol £6265 wae spent on city works, and in the ensuing year it is proposed to expend £12,150. The bulk of the increase of £3865 will be spent in channelling. The Education Board had several tilt= at Mr G. Hogben (Secretary for Education) and the Education Department generally on Wednesday afternoon. First jf all the chairman made some strong remarks anent the dilatoriness of the department in replying to communications from the board, and had a fairly stiff "telegram on the subject despatched straightway to the Minister. Later on the chairman submitted a list of schools for which teachers could not be procured, the reason given being that the ealariea were too small to induce teachers to go to the Siberia of the province. It was, continued the chairman, one of the blessings of centralisation in education matters At a further etage in the board's proceedings a circular was read from the department intimating that certain documents — dealing with technical education instruction — had been sent out to teachers, and in a very pronounced manner the board gave the Secretary of Education to understand that the teachers of the Otago district were under the jurisdiction of the Otago Education Board, and that in future similat communications must be sent per medium of the proper channel — namely, the Education Board. Altogether the board and the Education Department do not seem to be on too friendly terms. The usual morthly meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children was held in the Town Hall, by the kind permission of his Worship the Mayor, on Monday, the 17th inst. There waa presentMr R. Chisholm (president, in the chair), Meedames Wise, Macdcaald, Withers. Miss Sbaud, and the secretary. Apologies were received from his Worship the Maj r or, Mrs Reynolds, Mrs Denniston, and the Rev W. Curzon-Siggers. A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with, the following letter being worthy of vote: — "In response to the Rev. W. Curzou-SiggeTs-'s letter in to-day's Times I forward you cheque for cae guinea in aid of the funds of the society referred to. — I am, etc.. — Alex Gaeden. — p,S, — Would there be any possibility of getting the Government to gubbidfc*e moneys collected for thi* and similar kind of work. — A. G." Last week the City Council received from Me3sr-3 Noyes Bros, their detailed estimate and their maximum estimate for the conversion of the tramway py^tem. The detailed estimate is £160,8^1 bd Id, and the maximum estimate £170,000. The amount, the Mayor stated, is somewhat higher than wa<- anticipated, but Messrs Noyes Bro s . explained that the increase is accounted for by certain extra works which have been rendered necessary on account of alterations made by the council in the original scheme. Mr P. Goyen, Chief Inspector of S'choo 1 * for Otago, was last week granted a wellearned two months' leave of absence to enable him to visit aud inspect the Australian State system of education In granting the leave, the boavd, by reioluf ion. expressed the hope tnat Mr Goyen would eujoy liis holiday. 1 Cr Christie objects to the proposed transfer of £3000 from the gas and water ac- ! counts to the mnioicipa] account on the J ground that every department tliould be so)i- j supporting, and that it in unfair that gas | consumers should have to pay for thope who burn kerosene in the back blocks. Up to date, he says, over £30.000 has been transferred from the gas account to the municipal account. A crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Moagiel Baptist Chun h on Wednesday, 19th. in connection with the inauguration of the twentieth year of the church's history and the eighth of the ministry of the Rev. F. W. Boreham. The reports vveie in every way c.u ouragine Interesting acklrc-res were delivered by the Revs. D. Borne and F Slunei (of North East Valley), and the Rev. R Fairmaid (of West Taieri). The choir rendered a number of selection* with admirable skill and attractiveness. A London cable announce 1 ! the death of Mr Nicholas Chevalier, the well known artist. The decea-ed gentleman paid a visit to New Zealand m the sevecitie«, and lv.> pictures did much to bring under notice the bcenie beauties of this colony. Tho=e who spent many hour* in the excellent art gallery connected with the New Zealand and Sonth Seas Exhibition in 1889-90 will recall the pleasure derived from the pictures he kindly lent for evhibiticxi These were:— "Not "L6tt, but Gone Before." " Mount Cook." "The Convalescent," " Manapouri from the Eaot," and " Lake? Wanaka and Hav.ea.' 1 'We understand that, at the conference which to*ok place on Wednesday bftwecn the directors of the Mornmgton Tramway Company and representative* of the Mornington Borough Council, it was> after di--cussion, intimated by Mr J. Mitchel'. n» ■hainnan of the comnanY. that the din-clc,™

had decided to offer the -whole concern — plant, freehold, end concessions — to the council at par (about £12,600), the com oil taking over the company's debenture lability. An alternative proposal wa= also placed before the conference, that the corporation should guarantee debentures to be isued by the company for the construction of extensions, the company paying the interest and forming a sinking fund which would in the course of time practically give the corporation the tramways for nothing. Many of our readers will recall the vi^>.t last year of Mr Baker, the director of the South African Compounds Mission, who made a tour of the colony. On his return to South Airica Mr Baker, finding 1 c could not get back to the Transvaal, employed his time in work among the na f ive and Boer refugee camp?. We observe from the Natal Witness that Mr Baker delivered a lecture at Pietermaritzburg to a crowded audience on " A Tour in New Zealand.'" The Chief Justice of Natal (Sir H. Baie) presided. After drawing attention to the mission at Johannesburg, Mr Baker, with the aid of some beautiful views, took his audience on a tour through New Zealand from "Auckland to the Bluff, including views of the Buller and Otira Gorges. The accompanying remarks were unusually accurate and very flattering to New Zealand and New Zealauders. This colony he believed to be onb of the fairest gems in the British dominions. The natural scenery he thought second to none in the world. The soil was good, there wa3 not a reptile in the land — not even a reptile press, — and the inhabitants were very hospitable. In conclusion, he referred to the wonderful influence exercised by Mr Seddon. Tho Chief Justice referred to the lecture as well calculated to make everyone desire to see New Zealand. They were not there to enter into the merits or demerits of the political controversies of that wonderful land, but of this they were certain : that Mr Seddon was a true Imperialist. This war in South Africa had brought the parts of the Empire closer and closer in one true Imperial bond, .•Hid in the accomplishment of that end Mr Seddon had rendered most valuable service. The remarks of the Chief Jus-tioe were greeted with applause. Now that Queen Victoria's birthday is no longer a public holiday (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent), an amendment will be required in the Banking Act to enable the banks to keep open on May 24-. In any amending act that may be introduced the whole question of bank holidays will no doubt come under review, and the three Saints' days will probably be struck out. The Lands and Survey Department is opening up for settlement the Maytovv.ii estate, near Waimate^ purchased by the Government from Messrs Hardy and M'Govorin. It is to be cut into 11 farms from 10 to 60 acres. The other estate is known as Lyndon No. 2, and l;e» in South em Nelhon. It was bought from Messrs D. and A. M.'cFarlane. A portion of this laud will be cut up into six farms, and the r.st into t'.iree small grazing runs, and it will be thrown open for selection on April 21. The Education Board discussed in private on Thursday matters relating to the appointment of teachers to work in South Africa. The only decision made public was that the board could not sco its way to grant leave of absence to feaeher? who might be appointed. This, ol course, means that teachers who take the risk of going to the Transvaal and the Orange Free State for 12 months' work cannot expect to have their situations kept open for them here. We understand that the North Canterbury Education Board ha* taken up a similar position.

An Auckland Presa A c ->ociHtioii telegram f ays :- - " The Premier ha-> received tlie fo!I'ming ral'lcgram from the Aq;ent-ger.eral : ' 1 ha\p selected for appointment as balneologitt Arthur Stanley Wohlmann, M.D.. London. His family is English, and cf 200 years' standing.' " A pathetic incident in connection with the death of the old man John Walker, who wu* killed by falling over a terrace tvhile returning home from Diinhaik. was disclosed at the inquest (writes our Palmerston correspondent). A little tlog owsed by the deceased remained on watch over the body, without food and during very m e'ement weatlier, from Saturday evening until the body was di-ci\ti-ed on Tuesday mornipg.

Mr T. Mackenaie. M.H.R. for WaiUma. ha» during the week \i-ited the P.ilnifn-ton, Goodwood, Flag Swamp, ainl Waikutuiti j-oition- of his constituency It wa-. rep re spntrd to the memhtr by the set'leta at (ioodwood that they found the ac eonimoda lion at the railway siding quite inadequate for t he requirements <>f the c'l-tnc'. Espe dally if that -o regarding the lark of any suitable convenience for bending away the produce from the creamery. Mr Mackenzie promised to bring the matter before the Miniver with a view to getting the im provement- required.

Lord Salisbury =aid a few wnuh abv.it Home Rule at the Con-titution Club. Lon don. on February 5. He had cv idently bce'i moved to thi« deliverance by the recent declarations on this subject of " tl-e orthodox lcadtr" and the "'semi-orthodox leachr" of the Liberal party No one. he "-Vie', mvs 1 " expect from the utterances of Engh-h Liberals any security against the daijgr-is winch threaten lit in 111 1 eland. The X:< tic nah't Iri«h loved u> no better than they did >ear« ago. The ho«ti!'ty of Iriih members had been lately e\pre c f»od in lapgva<je mrr.bitter and uncompromising than had ever bsen heard from tho lip- of Parae'.l .n O'Connoll : and all the military information we had derived in Africa proved that if Ireland could have the opportunity of ac ■ ourrmlauns arms and ammunition >" »l»mdd

find her threat to our Empire much m_r3 serious than we had experienced from the Boer«. The duties of the Unionists were, therefore, not limited to South Africa. Lord Salisbury's speech offered no olive branch, and nothing remedial to Ireland. We have to acknowledge receipt of £1 from "D. B." for the Hewitt fund. The charges of vjaint-stealing from the T'moo Company came on before Mr Carew . S.M., at the Police Court on Friday, when one charge against Archibald and John Walker, foreman painters at Port Chalmers and Dunedin respectively, was partially heard and then adjourned till Tuesday. Tho Crown Prosecutor appeared for the Police Department, producing a number of witnesses, of whose evidence the most damaging to the accused was that given by an employee in the Dunedin paint-shop under the accused John Walker. It was disclosed m the evidence that the Port Chalmers Congregational Church had been painted with supposedly unrighteous materials, and the contractor, Archibald Walker, had generously donated a guinea to the church funds. An unfortunate case came before the Roslyn Borough Council, on Friday, being that of a man, with a wife and family, who was suffering from consumption, and till recently had been employed at a large biscuit and confectionery establishment. Under instructions from the Health Department his employers had to dismiss the unfortunate man, though he was a fir=t-cla«s worker and still able and willing to work. Being left practically destitute, he wrote putting his case before the council, the members of which expressed much sympathy with him. The Mayor (Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R.), speaking on the subject, said 't was the case of an honest man who could earn £3 a week, but the law said — and rightly pc — that a consumptive should not be employed in the preparation of food s . The point was, however, that if the Government deprived the man of his living while he could still earn it they should go further and grant him special provision for keepiug himself. A case of this sort shovred th<» necessity for establishing a sanatorium, where a man in a like position could perhaps recover His health, whereas under the existing conditions he and his family were likely to become a burden to themselves and 'o the community, and a danger as well. The case was ultimately referred to the Charitable Aid Board. Not finding adequate in size the lar^e factories and warehouses already at their disposal, Messrs Ross and Glendining contemplate a still further amount of building in the near future. The extension of their business has made- the building of another mill advisable, and prpparatioiis are already being made for its erection at the Kaikorai Valley, adjoining the present mill. The new building will be 220 ft by 160 ft in dimensions and w ill of course be fitted with all that is latest in the way of machinery. It should bo completed in about six months, and ths Kaikorai Mills will then be quite the largest woisted and woollen mills in the colony. In addition to this, the firm hare at present approaching completion in High street a warehouse exactly a counterpart of the present building — of four storeys (including the basement), antl 120 ft by 66ft in dimensions. Messrs Ross and Glendining also intend to convert their old Stafford street warehouse into a hat-factory, the machinery for which is even now being put in place. In addition to making felt hats of all kinds from wool and fur, the firm intend going >n for the manufacture of straw hats, whicn, on a large is almost entirely a new industry in the colony. The buflding will be extended 50ft in the rear, where the engine and boiler-house will be erected. Much indignation vva3 expressed at the Roslyn Borough Council meeting on Friday at the action of the Hospital, authorities in refusing to admit a case of diphtheria that had occurred in the borough. The result was that accounts for medical expanses amounting to nearly £40 were sent in to the rouncil for payment. It was pointed out that the council paid annually to the Hospital Board the sum of £131, and cctmc-illors objected to .the board thus them with an expense of this kind, which might be repeated without limit.

" They take our subscriptions, but will not take our patients." was the summing up r { the situation expressed by the Mayor One couucillor suggested that a fever hospital be established by the council in Roslyn on its own account, but was not supported The account- bad been apparently su'umitted to tin- council at the instruction of the Health Department, and the council ccpie^-cd the opinion that they »pre not 1 abl<? A resolution wa« passed that the whole of the account-, in tin- ca-e of the girl lillen Birse be referred to Dr Ogston, the health officer for the district, with the r?que«t that he scrutinise the items', a= in the opinion of the counc li some of the charges were exce^iive, and that he s-liould cupply full particulars of -the ea*e A further motion w.i« ako passed that the council should pay the amount and deduct it from the amount payabl" to the Hospital Boaid for the en-t'mg- — «r. and. if the board cho*e to s-ue. tiie couirjil to make a te--t case of it

It is undi rstood that the hrense* to sell hquor at railway lefrohment-roome will not be renewed by the Government at the expiration of the present contracts.

Tlte f'ouncil of the Churches:, in accordance with a strongly e\prp?=-ed desire, as well as to tarry out its own frequently declared convift'on. appointee' a committee to initiate a movement throughout New Zea'and for the suppression of the totalizator. The com mi t tec have met. the following gentlemen

being present : — Revs. J J. Lewis (president of the council, in the chair), J. Gibb. W. Saunders, Messrs W. Powell. A. S. Adams, H. H. Driver, Wilkinson, and Duncan Wright. It was resolved to present the following petition tc Parliament: — ''To the Honourable the House of Representatives, in Parliament assembled. — The petition of the undersigned showeth : (1) That gambling is widely prevalent and manifestly on the increase : (2) that it is a demoralising practice to the individual and bane-ful to the best interests of the community ; (3) that the totahsator, so far from lessening the evil as designed, has increased the gambling spirit, has added to the number of race meetings, and has induced people of all ages ond both sexes to indulge in the gambling that has the sanction of the Legislature. In view of the above evil results of the totalisator. your petitioners earnestly plead for its entire suppression, and as m duty bounu will ever pray." Copies of the above are to be circulated in all parts of the colony, so that it may have the force of a national petition. An Order-in-Council made by King Edward on September 26, 1901. under "The Colonial Solicitors Act, 1900," places solicitors of the State of New Seroth Wales under that act. The result is that New South Wales solicitors may obtain admission to the profession 'in England or Ireland by merely complying with certain formalities. This will be to give solicitors of that State a considerable advantage in seeking admission to practice in South Africa. It is not open to New Zealand to come under the act, owing to the inferiority of the qualifications in this colony, which prevent our professional men receiving recognition elsewhere. At the conclusion of the Roslyn Borough Council meeting on Friday the councillors made a unanimous request to Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., that he would again stand for the position of mayor of the borough for the coming year. Mr Mackenzie pointed out that his time was noces c arily limited, but he felt much gratified at the compliment paid him, and would accede to the request. Of the way in which the councillors had worked and supported him in the past year he could not speak too highly. In the compensation case the Public Trustee (as the legal personal representative of Archibald M'Lean, deceased) v. the First Chance Gold Dredging Company the Arbitration Court on Saturday gave judgment for the plaintiff for £400. Our Roxburgh correspondent telegraphs: — James Austin, a young man residing at Gorge Creek, was up before the local justices on Saturday on a charge of stealing a saddle and- breeching, two guvs, and some rabbicskins belonging to different parties. He was convicted, but sentence was deferred until Monday evening For the election of .members of the Conciliation Board of Otago and Southland industrial district the following nominations were leceived by Mr Stubbs (returning officer) on Saturday, the last day for nominating: — Mr John M'Gregor (of Dunedin, ironfounder) and Mr William S'-ott (of Dunedin, outfitter) ,'uominated by the employers, and Mr Robert Ferguson (of North-East Ta-lley, bootmaker). Mr Patrick Hally (of Dnnedin, bootmaker), and Mr William Hood (of Dunedin, upholsterer), by the workers' unions As only two ha\e been nominated to represent employers on the board. Messrs M'Gregor and Scott are duly elected for a period of three years, but an election will be held on Wednesday to decide who will fait on the boaid to represent the workers.

The Hospital returns for the week past show the number of patients at the beginning of the week to have been 105 ; 17 patients were admitted during the week, and 19 were di-charged, leaving a total number of 103 now vi the institiitica

Bishop Julius, of Christehurcb, considers that the cablegram from Londcei concerning the Anglican Conference on the questions of confession aud absolution was considerably mixed. The conference referred to was merely an informal one, promoted by the Bishop of London in order to bring the different parties in the Church to consult together. The conference had no authority, and was not necessarily representative It seems to have agieed tl.at private confessicas in the Chinch of England are lawful but not obligatory. The Bi=hop told a Press leporter that the latter part of the message, dealing with the remission of sins and the discipline of private confession, seerm to be uo confu«ed that it ix unintelligible.

Pending the alteration." to tl-e Teleg-aph Office, caused by the addition.- now being nidd^, tin' iii-tnim<*nb- and the operating <-Uff lihvp lrf>en removed U, the Stock Xx change Building. Aftei the morning work had been got through on Sunday, the change was made, and by 5 o'clock in the evening everything « a - ul good working order. Con-idering that «omc hundreds of wires and connection had to be handled, much credit is due to Mr A. J. Talbot. the «emor c !erk, who had charge, and Messrs Brown and Leslie, who asn>-ted. When tested, all the wires were found to ba in excellent working order.

A meeting of the Wesleyan lo:ai preacher*! of Dunedin was held in Stafford street Hall ou Friday evening, when 18 members, including four ministers, were present. Mr P R. Pari", after a very saji^factory examination, wa-> accepted a B a fully accredited local preacher. Sister Olive w\t also accepted. Mr Paul Williams* was received from Lawrence circuit. It was •■tateJ that a service would be held in Maori Hill in future on Sundays at 11 a.m. A resolution of kindly sympathy v ith the d?uglitcrof the late Rev John Nelson in tlinr b reavemenl was uacsed ; aLo, unou hib re

' mov»l to Auckl*s«r, a resolution cxp, i"g the appreciation of the *iem-»ers of the services of the Rev. J. J. Lewis during hi-« sojourn in Dunedin. A meeting of the LocaiS Preachers' Mutual Aid Association was also held. The Secretary reported that thelibrary of the late association was now rt the service of members at 58 Princes streer. Two new members — Messrs W. Asher and; W. King— were enrolled. It is probable that the Premier, during the Conference of Colonial Premiers irt London at Coronation time, will make some reference to the theory lie propounded in a speech in Suva. Fiji, in which he said that, as a result of the South African war, the colonies would probably henceforth be represented on Imperial councils dealing with important policies, and more particularly the defence and commerce of the Empire. The dislocation of the railway traffic caused by the floods on Monday entailed a considerable loss of revenue, and the totai bookings- only amounted to about 250 tickets for all stations. This, of course, represents much less than an ordinary day s . traffic. During Saturdiy, Sunday, and Monday, over 6in of rain felt in Dunedin. Mr BaKour contends rhat the present House of Commons, unlike its predecessors in the palmy days, of our parliamentary' history, ia remarkable for a' diffused level of mediocre loquacity. Deducting the front Opposition benches, or, rather, some five or six occupants of each, there are some 400 or 500 members, every one of whom can fepeak about as well as every other, all of whom insist, not on being heard — for no one listens to them, — but on talking with a view to reports in their local newspapers. The result is that the House of Commons is losing the ear of the nation, and, save on great occasions, ceases to interest it. — World. The Chicago Tribune-, which keeps an embarrassingly watchful eye on the yearly output of murders, hangings, and lynchinga in the United States, has just published its record of such matters for the year 1901. It reports that in 1901 thero were 118 legal executions— one than in 1900— and 135 lynchings, which outdistances by 20 the total for the previous 12 months. Of these, 121 occurred in the Southern States and 14 in the Northern, as compared with 107 in the South and 8 in the North in 1900. The negroes supply the bulk of the victims — 107 in 1901 and the same number in 1900. Only 19- of these were lynched for alleged criminal a'-ault, 59 on the suspicion of murder, and the rest on various pretexts, such as arson, and even theft. The Irish party attaches great importance to the eviction of the tenants at 40 farms on „ Lord De Freyne's estate in Roscon-.mon County, Ireland, for refusal to pay rent, and intends to make a fierce parhaaientary struggle over the matter. Mr John Redmond says not only are the 40 tenants evicted, but hundreds prct-eeded against. The country thereabout is alive with police, who patrol the roads day and night, force themselves into people's houses, and in pv cry way create a reign of terroi. Fifteen public men of the region have been imprisoned for merely taking part in meetings of a political nature. Many others are being prcuccutec'. Everything has been peaceful so far, but the Government are aot so extraordinary/ that we can help bein^ anxious lest \ioleuce occur. The cause of all this trouble is the Government's refusal to face the unanimous demand of the liish people that it pass legislation giving compulaory powei to buy out landlords, and thus restore the lands to the Irish people. Lord Dillon's estate, next to Lord De Freyue's,, was bought out by tho Government, and the tenants who bought the land are paying 50 per cent, less for the land than formerly. The De Freyne tenants naturally wish to do likewise, but the Government, instead of tiying to effect a settlement, poured in au army of police. Mr John Dillon, former chairman of the Irish party, caid : "I agree with every word uttered by Mr Redmond. The trouble, although for the moment confined to Rescommon, inyohe» a principle of vital interest to Ireland. If the De Freyne's teaante succeeded it will be impossible for the Government to re-ist longer our claims for a settlement of the Irish lmd question. The whole future of the Irish national movement is seriously affected by tl.O strujffle proceeding on the De Freyne and neighbouring estates."

Speaking on the question of rating on the unimproved value in the Hou'o la-t session, Mr Symes, M.H.R. . said: "A gentiemau from Christchuieh bought a section of land near my own property for which he paid £1 per acre. He never did a stroke of work upon it. and did not even put a fence around it. After he had kept it for some four or fi-. c years I worked out the rates he paid on it. and they amounted to about 16s. Whew a purchaser wanted to buy it he refused £4 an acre. We made roada for him. and were rated on £4 and £5, and some higher even than that, while he was paying at the r^te of £1 only. A small portion of land was wanted in that locality for a cemetery, n.nd it was thought that a portion of this man's land could be got for the purpose. The local body was thinking of takiag it under the Public Works Act, but before doing co he wag written to. His reply was that he would sell five acres, but that he would want £20 an acre for it. That is how the 'present system of rating works out. We mtict have rates, and the only fair thing that we can rate is that which none of v-> has produced. That is the unimproved land. The men who build mansictis ara the men we want in this country, because th»y employ every description of labour under the suu. I "«ay that the taxing of a man's improvements on his land is legalised robbery. That i- my opinion "

At a meeting of the Invercar^ill Employers' Association, held on Friday ami attended by 12, the i-orretary (Mr R. Allen) reported that about 30 employers had expieiised their intention of joining the ae«>cistion. It was decided to adopt rules uirnilar tv tho'-e governing the Otago A=sociatica. and that sw soon a* 50 member* had l.rr-n enrolled a general meeting would be cal'-& for the purpose of electing office-bearers