NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12749, 22 March 1910, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

C The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr T. A. Field, is making arrangements for a deputation of members of the Chamber to visit Murchison during the Easter holidays, to confer with the local Corresponding Committee. Members who intend to join the party are requested to communicate with Mr Field as early as possible. Owing to the indisposition of Madame Elderhorst, her pianoforte recital, which was to have been given in the School of Music last night, had to be postponed. It is Madame Eklernorst'9 intention to give the recital after Easter, when holders of tickf is for last night si entertainment will >c admitted free. % Since leaving England in February, 1908, Mr Mayers and the Barnardo Boys have held over 600 service's and meetings, and have raised -nore than £16,000 for the Barnardo cl ild rescue work (says an Australian pi per). This sum is to be expended in i. new hospital to be erected in the Barnardo Girls' Village as an Austr ,lian tribute to Dr Barnardo' s memo -y. A rather remarkable claim for compensation was received by the Paimerston Borough Council at its last meeting, reports the "Alanawatu Times." The claim set forth that complainant, in stepping off the footway in front of the post office on to the roadway, in avoiding surface water, had -slipped into the trap of the waterway, falling into five or six feet of water. Through this mishap he had caught a severe cold, suffered considerable shock, and spoilt a suit of _ clothes. The- borough engineer said the cover of the trap was of wood, and though he had never before known such a thing to happen, it may havo floated off. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee to make enquiries. The Government intends to reintrpduce in Parliament next session the Bill providing that absconding husbands who go to Australia may be dealt with there instead of having to be brought back to New Zealand at the cost of- the wife or her relatives. The Bill provides for reciprocal relations between the Dominion and Commonwealth in regard to this question. — "Post." Colonel John Pollen, M.D., C.1.E., president of the British Esperanto Association, who arrived in Auckland by the P. and O. steamer Mongolia, •said in conversation with a "Star" representative: "I hope to meet in New Zealand many of my 'samideanot 1 (people of the same idea). Esperanto is gaininp; rapidly in China, Japan, Poland, France, Russia, and the United States. The V.M.C.A. is an active agent in the spread of the language. Esperanto is not intended to take the place of any national or natural ianguage for ever. It is simply meant to be a second < language for all riationsj just as Hindustani, is the second language.throughout the Indian Empire, in addition to the national tongues spoken there. It will not check or interfere, with the spread of the English language in any way; it will largely Jielp the stxidy of English by foreigners. Briefly, Esperanto helps all and hurts none." , . Referring to Dr Findlay's prison reform scheme .the ."Lyttelton /Times", says :— "The Hon. Dr Findlay is removing from this- country the reproach that in its prison methods it has lagged behind some of .the older lands/ Since"he assumed control of the Department of Justice he has initiated a series of reforms dealing both "with matters of general pollcjand with details of -general administration, and his work r is certain to bear good fruit in the years to come. The day has passed when in educated and civilised communities imprisonment was regarded simply as punishment for the violation of the laws. Thoughtful people have come to realise that a large proportion of the men and women who pass before the Courts in connection with various Offences can be reformed if proper methods are employed, and that the State is considering neither the welfare of. the criminal nor its own interests by inflicting punishment without attempting to uplift the offender. Modern prison treatment, therefore, consists in the application . to the gaols of reformatory methods. _ Dr Findlay has made a careful' study of the subject, and he is bringing to bear on the prisoners of New Zealand the system developed from the experience of other countries. His scheme of reform cannot fail to have a most salutary effect. ; Those who are in search of the very latest in long' coats for winter wear, should call at Mrs. Anstice's, and see their new styles in these goods. The .very/newest .cut, and, colourings are shown, and, thongh the, quality . of 'these garments ! is so solid, the prices, ; are exceedingly reasonable. ihe whole showing is on© well worthy of your inspection. Call and see it.*