NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5808, 15 July 1885, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS.

[PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CAPTAIN OF TIIIS OHETI FINED. Auckland, July 14. Captain Kobertson, of the steamer Oreti, was fined £100 and costs, for lauding sheep at Onchunga before being inspected. MACGREGOII AFLOAT. The stranded steamer Macgregor was towed iuto harbor, from Kawau, by the Glenelg. THE SCUTTLED BRIG The brig Transport, maliciously scuttled at Makarau, on the night of the 4th, is now afloat and repaired. The cargo of baulk timber is uninjured. Insured in tho South British for £800. The scuttling remains a mystery. A preliminary enquiry will be held at Kaipara, after which the matter may oome before a nautical court. WRECK OFF THE EAST CAPE. It is feared the wreck seen off the East Cape by the s.s. Rotomahaua is the Auckland schooner Waipu, Captaiu .[Nicholas. The crew were (J. Nelson, E. Miller, E. Essecks, G. Mills. REDUCTIONS IS AUCKLAND. Auckland, July 15. At a special meeting of the City Council last night, a resolution was passed reducing all officers' salaries by 15 per cenf. It was also decided to discharge 50 men from the labor gangs employed on street works, etc. WRECK OF THE BRIGANTINE HELENA. Nelson, July 13. At the Court of Inquiry into the wreck of the brigautiue Helena, the Court found that the loss was caused by a serious error of judgment on tho part of the captaiu, by keeping a course too far to the southward, and that he is further to blame for not taking more active steps to save the vessel after the accident. His certificate would be suspended for three months, and he was ordered to pay the costs. WARING TAYLOR SENT TO IIOKITIKA. Wellington, July 14. Wi Waring Taylor has been, sent

to Hotitika Gaol, where he will serve bis sentence. THE 'FRISCO MAIL Wellington, July 15. The City of Sydney, with June English Mails, left San Francisco for Auckland, ou the sth instant, one day late. The Australia, with June Colonial Mails, arrived at San Francisco, from Auckland, on the 12th, two days in advance of time table date. EFFECT OF LEGISLATION. Chhistchurch, July 14. To-day, iv anticipation of the passing of Mr. Bradshaw's motion, the directors of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company have decided to work all young persons in their employ 5.V days a week, and pay them for that time. Previously they got a half holiday on Saturdays, and made up the time by working half an hour extra on other day, and were paid for six days. DEFRAUDING THE RAILWAY DEPART. MENT. Christchdrch, July 15. The charge of conspiring to defraud the Government brought against Thos. Hough and Robert Dudley, was concluded last night, and the prisoners were found guilty. The sentence was deferred until tho eight similar cases against the railway employees have been heard. FIRE AT SYDENHAM. Two cottages at Syclenham, the property of the late John luglis, were destroyed by fire last night. Insured for £200 each in the Phoenix Office. CANDIDATES F&R THE BRUCE SEAT. Dunedin, July 1 5. Four candidates are in the field for Bruce: D. Reid,jun., Jas. McDonald, and the former members, W. Hutcheson (late of Wellington), and J. C. Anderson.

DR. WANSTALL'S LECTURE ON ALCOHOL. A lecture was delivered at the Good Templars' entertainment on Friday evening (June 10), by Dr. Wanstall, on the action of alcohol on the human frame. The lecturer was listened to with great attention, and at the close of the meeting the appreciation of the audience was marked by a hearty vote of thanks. The lecture was enlivened and made interesting by numerous illustrations and quotations. The following is a summary of the lecture :—: —

In physiologically explaining how alcoholic drinks act on the system of mankind, I must first mention that alcohol is the active principle of all iht ixicating drinkF, the habitual use of which, except in very moderate doses, induces more than luilfot all our chronic diseases, My object in this address is not to show that the abuse of alcoholic drinks is an argument against their use, but tho pernicious effect of alcohol, except in moderate doses, on the human system generally. It is through the medium of water in the body that all its vital functions are carried on — no other liquid can act as the solvent for the food taken in the stomach, and take up the products of decay, and convey them out of the system. Alcohol possesses so marked a physical, chemical, and vital influence upon the human Bystcm, that the constant use of it, except in small doses, insidiously undermines the vital powers. The assertion that alcohol, like salt, is a valuable adjunct to other articles — in largo doses decidedly harmful, in small beneficial — is in a measure true, for ex-sanguine and anoemic individuals in certain cases derive marked benefit from the use of this stimulus ; yet it must be mentioned that all that salt is, alcohol is not. Salt is an indispensable ingredient of our diet, is contained in the blood, also enters into the composition of the tissues ; an overdose merely causes a craving for water, which speedily works a cure. Alcohol not being a natural component of either the blood or tho tissues, an! its presence in the circulation beini; entirely unnatural, the blood is freed from it but slowly. Much mischiof is therefore often done, especially to the nervous system and liver, while this narcotic poison lurks in the human system. Alcoholic liquors, and especially spirits, in doses usually regarded as compatible with, if not conducive to, health, and far short of what is necessary to affect the brain, in many pers >ns undermine the foundations of health, by causing disorders of the liver and kidneys. The smallest doße in sime disorders o£ these organs is very injurious. Cirrhosis is most commonly tho result of the direct irritation of the liver by alcohol. Many fuels show the great influence the nervous system has upon the secreting organs, causing functional derangements and structural disease of the liver. We arc in possession of the known facts of the use o£ this organ, but in considering the origin of many of its disorders is to pass from fact to supposition. Deficiency in facts necessitates conjecture, and it is a remarkable fact that the leading physicians in England and America, especially the Crooninn lecturers on the liver, assert thit many complicated disorders of the liver aro referable to tho direct influence of alcohol. The constant use of alcoholic liquors is obvious, in their injurious effects, when a demand is made on the regenerative powers for the repair o£ injuries, by accident or disease. Surgeons can tell you that the simple adhesive process known as " union by the first intention " is the best, or else for a re-formation of tissue by the "scabbing process," alcoholic stimulus frequently prevents the reparative procesp after these fashion?, consequently it must bs accomplished by suppurating granulation. The digestive powers are frequently much impaired by provoking tho languid stomach to increased exertion by spirituous liquors. A temporary benefit seems to be derived, but the ufter effect is a " loss of tone " from the too great activity to which the stomach has previously been forced. The more any organ of the body is exerted too much, bo its vital powers will be prematurely exhausted. The essential conditions of health arc fresh air and exercise, both mental and physical, with sufficient intervals of repose, und to bo as strictly temperate in our diet as cautious in using alcoholic stimulants. These conditions are essential in order that the community of which wo are members may have the benefit of all the health, strength, valour, aud patriotism of which humanity in its most exalted condition is capable. Tho sum and substance of my observations in all parts of the world are that an intemperate person may be won ruther by a kindly disposition towards him than by either standing aloof, or else wounding him in his weak point by pity. Remember, too, that an ounce of help is worth a pound ol pity. Also avoid arguments and disputes generally, especially on the question if total abstinence, as such arguments frequently only engender strife. A good example is v far better legacy to leave behind one than a large sum of money to the temperance cause, and ts live the higher Christain life ever remember the Divine command, "If it bo possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." If we then endeavour to do all the good we can by example rather than by precept, by help rather than by pity, our pathway through life will be pleasant, and wo shall find the world is not so bad as 6omo folks imagine it to be.