THE MELBOURNE UNEMPLOYED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 15

THE MELBOURNE UNEMPLOYED.

FOOLISH KINDNESS. MELBOURNE, June 26. The distribution to the unemployed of poi*tion of the 300 bottles of champagne and £100 worth of gifts given by Lord Hopetoun, to which a brewery company added six barrels of beer, resulted in unseemly scenes. *"" The distribution was made from the unemployed secretary's shop. Loafers and drunkards swarmed to the door, crying out for a dole of beer. After two hours the crowd became so noisy and drunken that the police stepped in, and advised that the distribution, be &tojjucd.

The proceedings were su=pended for- an hourAltogether 112 bottles 1 of champagne were given away, but the receiving people were mostly druuken men and women. Not one out of every 10 recipients was a sober or decent person. The bottles were subsequently sold by their recipients, the ruling price to publicans being 5s and one long beer. Then the money went to provide a spree for small knots of men and women. Finally, after an enterprising photographer had been crushed through a window, apparatus and all, the proceedings were abruptly stopped. LONDON, June 25. Prince Komatsua, the Japanese Envoy to the Coronation, was entertained at lunch at the Mansion House. In the course of a speech, he said that he trusted that England and Japan would both deepen and extend the friendly relations whereinto they had entered. The Premiers, the Agents-general, and the foremost notabilities attending the Coronation have been invited to attend an "at home " to be held in Mr Chamberlain's London residence. MELBOURNE, June 25. Lord Hopetoun's gift of £100 and 300 bottles of champagne was yesterday distributed amongst the workless. 1 It is j-umoured that ex-Premier Peacock will be included in the Coronation honour^. ' SYDNEY, June 25. The Government has distributed £2000 to the poor through txie .benevolent institutions iv honour of the Coronation. The Premier states that if this sum is insufficient the Government will provide what is necessary. The Cabinet will consider the releasing of a number of prisoners to mark the Coronation. ADELAIDE, June 25. Over £2600 has been contributed to the Coronation fund for the relief of the poor. Over 15,000 half-crown tickets will be issued for food and clothing.