PUBLISHED EVERY EVENINGGISBORNB, MONDAY, SEPTEMBEB 80, 1895.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIL, Issue 7448, 30 September 1895, Page 2

PUBLISHED EVERY EVENINGGISBORNB, MONDAY, SEPTEMBEB 80, 1895.

A SATISFACTORY REPORT. A statement, often made by persona of a dyspeptic disposition, or who are too much given to viewing everything from its worst aspect, that crime is on the increase in this colony is proved to be wholly without foundation, in fact, in Colonel Hume's report on the prisons, recently laid before Parliament. From.it we learn that on the Ist January, 1894, there were 502 prisoners in gaol, of whom 406 were males and 46 females. During the year there were 3,561 prisoners received and 3,508 discharged, leaving 555 remaining at the end of December last. In 1893 the number of prisoners was 3572 males and 724 females, so that it is clear that last year's record shows a great improvement on the previous one, in fact there was a decrease of 173 in cases dealt with. The figures compiled by the Registrar-General show that at the end of last year the total population of the colony was 728,121 persons, and as at that time there were 555 persons in gaol, it will be s«en that the proportion of prisoners Avas less than one per 1000— the exact percentage being ■0762. So far as the numbers are concerned they completely disprove the contention of those rash individuals who, without any accurate data on which to base their arguments, assert that offences against the law are becoming more frequent. When we examine the tables for the two past years, and compare the number of prisoners sentenced to various terms, we find further proof that there is a marked decrease in crime in degree as well as number. It will not be denied that thoao persons who were sentenced in 1893 and 1894 to penal servitude were guilty of more heinous crimes than those incarcerated for a few months. In 1893 there were 47 'prisoners received who had been convicted and sentenced to penal servitude, but in 1894 only 32 were so sentenced, showing a decrease of 15. Those incarcerated for periods of one year and upwards with hard labor numbered 119 in each year. In 1893, 469 persons were ordered to be kept for bard labor fop

three months and upwards,whereas in 1894 only 455 were similarly punished, being a small decrease of 14. The figures relating to offenders whose unlawful proceedings were not of such a serious nature as to warrant a longer terra of imprisonment wifch hard labor than three months, are distinctly encouraging, for whereas 2,155 persons were serving short sentences in 1893, there were only 1,899 in 1894, a decrease of 256. The records are also favorable to last year in the case of lawbreakers sentenced to simple imprisonment, the figures being 176 and 154 respectively for the past two years. From this it will be seen that not only has | there been a numerical reduction, but the offences of prisoners have nob been of such a serious character. An interesting table attached to Colonel Hume's report shows the number of previously convicted prisoners received from 1890 to 1894, from which it appears that more than a third of the inmates of Her Majesty's gaols are either chronic or intermittent visitors -a fact which testifies to the excellence of prison fare and accommodation ! Even among this class a gratifying decrease is observable. In 1890 the number of prisoners previously convicted was 2,154, in 1892 it had fallen to. 1,973, and on 31st December last to 1,865. The report is most satisfactory, but it is not by any means singular in this respect this year, for Colonel Hume's figures for several years have shown that there has been a sensible reduction in crime every twelve months, a fact which completely disproves the assertion, sometimes made, that New Zealanders are morally retrogressing, and slowly but surely going to perdition. Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for the principal handicaps to be run for at the P.B. Turf Club's spring meeting close od Friday next at 9.30 p.m. A telegram from Wellington to-day states that the Monowai with English mails to 7th September left San Francisco for Auckland on the 19th September (contract date). The Alameda with colonial mails to 7th Sept. reached 'Frisco on the 26th Sept. (due date). We are informed that Mr McKerrow will arrive here shortly in order to report on various blocks of land now under offer to the Government. The Minister of Lands has also signified his intention of visiting the district. The Government steamer Hinemoa has during the year steamed 30,839 miles, having been to the Chatham and Kermadee Islands, besides three times to the Auckland and Campbell Islands, and Bounty Islands. We would direct the special attention of the ladies to Messrs Pettie and Harper's new advertisement, announcing the opening up of consignments of spring and summer novelties. A reward of £10 is offered for information that will lead to the conviction of the person who hanged two dogs at Waiohika last night. The action was a cowardly and cruel one, and it will be a pity if the perpetrator remains undiscovered. Mr Sleigh arrived by the Tarawera yesterday from Dunedin to take charge of the local office of the Union Steamship Company, during the temporary absence of Mr D. Dougherty who has been granted sick leave. Mr Bull arrived from Weatport by the same steamer, he having been appointed to the position vacated by Mr Matthews. The result of the Examination in Theory of Music, held in June, has been received from the head centre — Trinity College, London. It is gratifying to note that all the candidates who presented themselves have passed, some obtaining full marks. The following is the pass list;— Senior Honors : Charles James East, 67 ; Senior Pass : Charles James East, 88 ; Intermediate Pass : Ernest Chriep, 83 ; Junior Passes : Greta Orr, 100 ; Clare Buchanan, 100 ; Mary Feiguson, 97 ; Mary O'Brien, 95 ; Mary McUormick, 84; Florence Menzies, 79. The first two were prepared by Mr H. G. Spackman, and the others were instructed at the Convent. The Rev. Mr Jordan, vicar of Tauranga, had fully intended to preach at Holy Trinity Church yesterday, but when the s.b. Tarawera arrived yesterday morning the appearance of the weather was so inauspicious thab Mr Jordan, having doubts as to being able to continue hiß journey northwards by the Australia which leaveß to-morrow morning (and which he feared might be detained by bad weather) decided to continue his journey in the Tarawera. Hence the congregation of Holy Trinity were prevented from listening to a gentleman who has a good reputation as a preacher. It is with great regret we have to announce the death of Mrs R. N. Ryburn, which took place at her residence/ Waikanae, at two o'clock this morning. 'She deceased lady, who waa generally Gsteemed, was first attaoked with inflaebeia^ followed by pneumonia, but the immediate cause of death was heart disease, from which Bhe had suffered for many years. She Was a daughter of the late Rev. J. Hamlin, and was living at the Whakatu mission station in this district forty years ago. At that time her father waa stationed at Wairoa. Great sympathy ia felt for Mr Ryburn and family in their &ad bereavement. I The attention of sheepfarmers and others interested ia drawn to a fresh announcement by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile | Agency Co, Ltd, in connection with the visit of Messrs Pottie & Sons' representative to this district. As will be seen Mr Booking , purposes holding meetings on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week at convenient points in the country, and on Saturday at the Masonic Hotel. Mr Booking arrived •in Giaborne yesterday, and has already been interviewed by a number of residents in the district. All the meetings are advertised for 2 p.m., and as they will no doubt be both instructive and interesting a good attendance ia looked for. Mr J. Hotson, who has just returned from his London visit, gives his views to an Age interviewer. On the meat question he says, " I do not think anything is to be gained by opening up retailshop3. Todeal directly with them would require very great command of capital, and I think the attempt would most likely break down. I met with one remarkable instance of effective distribution which small shopkeepers would have to contend with. A costermonger told me it has been bis practioe for some time past to invest £20 every Saturday in Australian frozen meat. This he ordinarily sells clean out the same night for £27 10a. • What do you do on the other days of the week V I asked. ' Oh v said the man, ' Stay at home, or drive out the missus and kids.' " The Trinity College of Music, London, is sending to New Zealand an examiner in pianoforte, organ, and violin playing, and singing. As it is hardly probable that Gisborne will be large enough to constitute a centre, Mr H. G. Spackman, the local secretary to the College, will conduct an examination in these subjects at an early date, due notice of which will be given. As to the utility of these examinations there can hardly be two opinions. Learners work in a much more thorough and earnest manner with an examination in prospect, which is a far more healthy stimulus than practising for display alone, or to please imperfectly cultivated tastes. Further information may be obtained from Mr E. Chriap, where a list of pieces to be studied may be seen, or from the local secretary. When Mr Ward was in London he delivered himself of the following : — •' I wißh to tell you this : The Ministry of the country have never said to any man that he must hand over his estate at a particular price to the Government. The idea does exist in the minds of some people that under pressure or force this can be done by the Government. I tell you in this nineteenth century no Government in our country could attempt to do such a thing. If they attempted to force people to hand over what belongs to them against their better judgment, and at prices not satisfactory to them, no Government would be able to continue in office in New Zealand, democratic as it ia said to be, for very long." Yet the other day the Ministry took the Ardgowan Estate by the very method Mr Ward told the people of London they would not think of taking a property. The taking of Ardgowan was quite within the law, but Mr Ward should not have made the statement, for it did not fit in with the Land for Settlement Act, and the people of London must think him quite ti peculiar man by this time,

At a meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board on Thursday a letter was read from Lloyds' committee stating that it had come to their knowledge that dredging was to be discontinued, and also calling attention to a statement that steamers of deep draught Lad to be placed in a dangerous position to enable them to leave the wharves. The chairman was instructed to reply to the letter, pointing out the erroneous nature of the statements. At the meeting of the Waiapu Diocesan Synod on Wednesday, the following motion, proposed by Mr J. Thornton and seconded by Mr H. S. Tiffen, was lost -.—That having regard to the unauthorised nature and unsuitability of the title " Lord," as applied by courtesy to colonial bishops, this Synod hereby records its conviction that its use as a mode of address should be discouraged, and would respectfully urge the same upon the attention of the bishops of this province. A meeting was held at the „ Criterion Hotel, Napier, on Friday evening for the purpose of resuscitating the Hawke's Bay Sports Protection Association, when delegate? from the following clubs attended :— Pirates Football Club, Wanderers' Bicycle Club, Napier Rowing Club, Napier Football Club, Hawke's Bay Cricket Association, Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, Waiapu Cricket Club, Napier Swimming Club, Junior Cricket Club, United Cricket Club, and Unioa Rowing Club. Mr Lusk presided. It was decided to revive the association, and the following officers were elected : — Chairman, Mr H. B. Lusk : secretary and treasurer, Mr A. C. Norris ; committee, Messrs H. B. Lusk, G. Fleming, J. Cowell, and W. Kiely. The old rules with slight alterations were read and adopted. — H.B. Herald. Our better halves say they could not keep house without Chamberlain's Cough Remedy. It is used in more than half the "homes in Leeds. Sims Bros., Leeds, lowa. This shows the esteem in which that remedy is held where it has been sold for years and is well known. Mothers have learned that there is nothing so good for colds, croup, and whooping cough, that it cures these aiimentß quickly and permanently, and that it is pleasant and safe for children to take. For sale by E. D. Smith, wholsesale and retail agent. — Advt.