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Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 11

Our Grcymouth correspondent informs us that it is rumoured that serious trouble is imminent at tho Blackball colliery. The miners, by 300 votes to 3, demand the abolition of the midnight shift, on which about a dozen men are employed. A strike is freely talked of.

The Minister of Lands has arranged with the Postmaster-general to have a poster giving a summary of all the Crown lands advertised as open for selection sent to, every post office at the beginning of each month for public information. In future (say-s a Press Association telegram) any land-seeker will bo able to go to the nearest post office and obtain information regarding tho Crown lands available for application.

A correspondent supplies us with the following analysis of the statistics of drunkenness in the dominion :—“ In the police statistics laid before Parliament by the commissioner it is stated that in the year 1911 the convictions for drunkenness per 10,000 of the population of the Commonwealth were 133.2, and in New Zealand 112.3. -This last figure assumes the population of New Zealand to bo 1,123,000, which is probably too great. But, adopting the commissioner’s data, his method of stating the matter conveys little idea of the extent of drunkenness, for few people think in millions or have much practical grasp of what a million moans. If the results were stated differently the public would perhaps understand the matter better. In that year (1911) the number charged with drunkenness is given as 11,599 (10,896 males and 803 females), and if the population, taken at 1,123,000* be divided by 11,699 the quotient 96 is the number out of which one offence arose against 95 against whom there was no charge. If that aspect of the question is further examined it will show that each week one such offence arose out of 4992, and each day one out of 35,040 inhabitants. Similarly in 1912 the charges

are given as numbering 11,884 (11,076 males and 808 females). That means one out of 94.5 persons during the year, or one per week out of 4914, or one per day out of 34,492. If statistics may be relied upon there will therefore be to-morrow 34,491 persons sober and one drunk. That one t>c'rson, however, will probably be a repeater, for the commissioner points out that of the male offenders 38.12 per cent, and of the females 61.38 per cent, had previous convictions recorded against them, whilst 5.97 per cent, of the males were not permanent residents of New Zealand.”

Advice of importance to trappers and dealers in opossum skins has been received by tlio Acclimatisation Society from the Minister of Internal Affairs, notifying that only the skins which wore held in possession on the 4th instant —the date when the protection was reinstated —may now be sold. The society is sending its ranger through the district to see that all trapping has been stopped, and it is its intention to deal promptly with any offenders.

An expert to inspect and report on the condition of the red door herds in the Otago and Waitaki-Waimato districts is advertised for in the Gazette by the Public Service Commissioner. Applicants must possess expert knowledge respecting the means of checking the deterioration of heads. The appointment will bo for three months, with a salary of £3 10s per week and 10s per day travelling allowance.

According to a Budapest report (says a cable message to the Sydney Sun) Countess Szochonyi, formerly Miss Gladys Vanderbilt, is about to institute proceedings for a divorce. It is rumoured that as a resul of his gambling operations on the Vienna Bourse Count Szechenyi has lost his wife’s dowry of over £1,000,000. Countess S/.echenyi is the daughter of the late Cornelius Vanderbuilt, and a sister of the Duchess of Marlborough. It is only a little more than five years ago since she married Count Laszio Szechenyi, a well-known Hungarian nobleman. The Count, who is now about 33 years of age, is, or was, a Court Chamberlain, and a lieutenant in the reserve. The wedding took place at the V anderbilt mansion, in New \ ork, and was a gorgeous affair. Three hundred guests were present, and the wedding presents were valued at £250,000. By the marriage settlement the Count received a gift of £1,000,000, but it was so held in trust that ho could use only tho income.

The Management Committee of tho Canterbury Domestic Syndicate reported to the Shoopowiiers’ Union on A\ ednesday that great difficulty had been experienced by tho British Women’s Emigration Association in gc-tting even small parties of domestic helps to come to the dominion. In the opinion of Air W. Maofarlane, chairman of tho committee, though the Emigration

Association had no doubt done its best, any scheme to bo successful would need the support of tlio Government, as tho work would have to bo carried out in a more extended manner than any private syndicate could manage. During the last 12 months 21 maids had been sent out from England and generally had given satisfaction. Three girls should also arrive in tho beginning of September. The local syndicate advocated the appointment of a special lady emigration officer in England with whom tho Emigration Association and tho Syndicate oould co-operate.

As the debate on the Financial Statement must take precedence of ordinary business, no Bills can be advanced any further towards becoming law until tho debate is concluded. It was anticipated, and it is still the general opinion, that the debate will go on for some time yet, but it ;s impossible to say with certainty that it will not collapse suddenly, as it very nearly did on Thursday, when Mr Brown saved tho situation at tho very last moment. One of the periodical meetings of the Government party- in the House of Representatives was held on Saturday morning. Tho Prime Minister states that a fairly long list of Bills was put before the meeting as the Government programme for the session. An outline of tho effect of them was also given, and, in the course of subsequent discussion, members expressed general approval of the Government proposals. The Prime Minister expressed ihe opinion that tho session would end about tho time lie previously estimated —late in November. He admits that there is a big programme in sight, but he states that he is well satisfied with the progress already made.

Our Wellington correspondent informs us that the Bill providing for the amendments to the Arbitration Act will be introduced this week. The Prime Minister, in reply to a question, stated that he was unable to give any indication of any of tho proposals to bo embodied in tho Bill. All ho would say was that the Bill was practically ready for submission to the House. The Land Bill, lie said, was also in print, but not quite ready for introduction yet. The coming of the Arbitration Bill means that the Labour Bills Committee will lio kept very busy for many weeks ahead. It is now engaged on the Shops and Offices Bill, and it is anticipated that this will occupy it for at least three weeks yet.

Eighty teachers met at Masterton on Saturday (says a Press Association message) to Jay before Slir Walter Buchanan and Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P.’s, the necessity for improving tho conditions of tho New Zealand teachers. Sir Walter Buchanan was absent through illness, but, after hearing what had to bo urged, Mr Sykca promised to lay before tho Minister of Education (he request's of tho institute. Stress was laid on the need for improvement in salaries, and it was urged that payment should not bo based upon the attendance. It was also urged that supci'an.nuation should be granted on the best' three years, and not on tho last three years. '

Duels in early Wellington were the subject of air interesting little discussion at the Early Settlors’ gathering on Wednesday night (says the Wellington Post). The president (lion. J. E. Jcnkinson) mentioned the duel between Dr Featherston and Mr Wakefield. Could anyone say definitely where it took place? Mr John Waters could. It was at Newton in the direction of the park, and ho remembers seeing the two men returning homo after the contest. He recalled another duel, also, between men named Ross and Brewer. That took place in a brick kiln situated near where the present museum stands. Yet another duel, but not of a serious nature, was mentioned by .Mr 11. M'Kenzie. There was a woman in the case, and one of the duellists was a young schoolmaster. The other duellist appeared for the fray displaying a great expanse of white shirt front, which, following the/schoolmaster’s shot, was all bespattered with red. The schoolmaster was hurried away to the bush, and supplied daily with food and news of his “ victim.” At last he was told that the “ victim ” was dead, and that ho himself would have to fly from the country, lie was smuggled away to Sydney, and later to England, where, years afterwards, ho met the man ho had “ murdered.” Then ho learnt that he had been the butt of a cruel practical joke. In the duel his pistol had been loaded only with red currant jelly.

A case of an uncommon nature came before Mr H. Y. V iddowsou, SUM., at the City Police Court on Saturday morning, the Commissioner of- Taxes proceeding against J. A- Searle, a non-resident agent, on a charge that he had acted as agent in tho dominion, not being the holder of a warrant in the prescribed form from the Commissioner of Taxes or a Collector of Customs so to do. Mr Fraser, K.C., who appeared for the commissioner, said that ttie information was laid under section 10 of “ The Land and Assessment Act, 1908.’’ Tho defendant arrived in Auckland on tho 22nd June last as the representative of two firms in Sydney. He had taken no steps to obtain a warrant authorising him to do business in the dominion, and he had worked from Auckland to Dunedin. Tho maximum penalty for the offence tho defendant had committed was £SO, but tho department simply asked for such a penalty as would net os a deterrent. Tho defendant would still have to pay his tax. Mr W. O. MacGregor, who appeared for the defendant, and entered a plea of “ Guilty,” described the Act as being harsh and unjust in the extreme. His client was totally unaware of the existence of any such Act, this being his first visit to the dominion. He (Mr MacGregor) asked that only a nominal penalty bo inflicted. Mr Fraser stated that

ho had wired to tho Collector of Customs in Auckland, and received a reply that the defendant had been warned upon arrival of the necessity of having a warrant. This was denied by both the defendant and his counsel. A hue of £5, with £1 8s costs, was imposed.

At tho Police Court at Invercargill on Saturday (a ’ Press Association message states) a young native of Niue, Esinl Mispa, was charged with being an undesirable immigrant. The accused, while working on Maiden Island, had a dispute with another native, whom he fatally stubbed. The Resident Commissioner of Niue refused to allow him to land, ae the murder did no* take place on the dependency under his control. Inspector Norwood said that tha papers concerning the reason why tha accused had been sent to New Zealand had been forwarded to Wellington by the captain of the boat. The accused, had beett unable to pass the immigration test. Tha magistrate (Mr Cruiokshank) said that Nina Island was one of the Cook Group, and tho Cook Islands belonged to New Zealand, \ and was not then the accused a New Zealander? The whole affair bristled with law points from beginning to end. Tho accused would bo just as cornfoftable in gaol as on ship. Mr Cruiokshank therefore ordered him to bo detained in the Invercargill Prison until word was received from Wellington as to what action would be taken.

„ According to Mr Justice Cooper Isays a Press Association telegram from AuckiandJ it is entirely improper for inquiry agents in serving writs in divorce proceedings on respondent women to seek admissions on the allegations contained in the citation papers. The remarks made by his Honor followed on an intimation by an agent in evidence that he had asked the woman on whom lie had served the paper whether sha had any admission to make. “It is utterly improper,” said bis Honor, “ for an a gen* to go armed with a petition and then ask the respondent woman if she has any confession to make. It is not a proper practice, and I will make it a rule not to accept such evidence unices it is supported by independent 'evidence. It is no part of the duty of the person serving a process to extort any admissions.”

At a meeting of the Farmers’ Union and A. and P. Society Joint Committee on .Shearing on Saturday it was mentioned (says a Press Association message from Timaru) that a proposal was being made by Sir W. C. Buchanan, M.P., to have the regulation regarding sheep-dipping altered. At present the North Island dipping season begins in January, and the South Island season in February, and North Island sheep dipped in January and brought to the South Island that month have to b,o dipped again. The proposal is that the South Island season also begin in January. The farmers agreed that this would not suit the south as lice d.o not breed so early, and January dipping would bo useless. So far as the South Island was concerned it would ho bettor to put the season cn a month. The number of patients remaining in tho Hospital at the beginning of last week was 145. Forty-four were admitted during tho week, 39 wore discharged, and there '.vero two deaths (Jane Featherston and Thomas Young), tho number remaining in tho institution at the close of tho week being 143.

A Timaru resident who journeyed to Christchurch on the 2th had a rather unpleasant experience (say* tho Timaru Post). He put up at a leading hotel, and after strenuous day congratulated himself upon his comfortable quarters. Ho was very tired and was soon deeply wrapped in slumber, from which ho was aroused at an early bout of the morning by a housemaid, who gave iho unpleasant information that his nether garments wore reposing in tho hall. A hasty examination revealed tho fact that two or three .pounds in cash had been taken. It later transpired that four other lodgers had al.so suffered. Tho thief in every case adopted tho method of taking the clothes into tho passage to search them. The Timaru visitor was fortunate in that he placed a fairly large sum in gold and Ha watch under his pillow.