The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, MAY 15, 1899.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11525, 15 May 1899, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY MONDAY, MAY 15, 1899.

Eedugtion of taxation, administration of public works expenditure hy local bodies, extension of the Old Age Pensions Act, election of Legislative Councillors, placing railways under contro: of experts, retention of freehold land tenure, individual freedom or. the Prohibition question, and last, but not j least, purity, of administration ; these constituted the chief points dwelt upon j by tho Leader of the Opposition in ht3 addiess at the 'Jhealre Royal ou Friday night. Captain Russell met with a cordial and sympathetic reception, and created a distinctly favorable impression by the moderate, though at the same time forcible tone cf his criticism of the Government. Upon the question of reduction of taxation we are quite at one with him, and doubtless his remarks will rpeotviith general approval. It is an extravagant system of finance which taxes the people to the extent of £390,717, the actual excess of revenue over expenditure in the last financial year, over and above what is necessary to carry on the government of the country, Every article of clothing we wear, much of the food we eat, articles of every day use, dairying utensils, and a hundred and ono other things aro unduly taxed so that a surplus of revenue may be shown at the end of the financial year. It is bad finance, and presses with particulary severity on the working classes. A change in the system of carrying on public works is desirable, though it is ope.i to question whether placing the administration of expenditure in the hands of local authorities would mend matters much. Some local bodies ate in every way competent to carry out public works on a largo scale, while others fail so lamentably in small matters that to entrust them with important works would be to ccurt failure. Before Captain Russell's idsa can be satisfactorily carried out out local government laws want revißing and Consolidating. The old jigo pensions question bristles with difficulties, ' and the chief, perhaps the only merit of the present Act, in our opinion, is that it has brought • matters to a head ; the question' has been toyed witb, more or less serionsly, by other countries bosides "New Zealand for a long time without any sntisfactory result. Mr Seddon has boldly tackled it, and imperfect ana 1 crude though the Act ie, it is a beginning and our Legislature •shust rerforce go on with it, modifying and improving it as experience seems to dictate, until some day wo may have a fairly perfect measme. Captain Russell would not limit the age to 05 years and over, but would give pensions to thoso who through the nature of their voca tions in life become prematurely aged, a3 woll as to those who through accident or otherwise become debaricd from obtaining a livelihood ; he would also adopt a contributory system, making use of the Government Life Insurance Department^jw tho jiurpose. Ibis is something U«trthe scheme of national insurance proposed ly the late Sir Harry AtkiDßon, which, admirable enough in theory, is almost impossible "of practical application. A more likely extension of the Act is in the direction of making the pension payable to every one, rich or poor, who has attained the j stated age ; &nd, to make the financial part of the scheme secuic, the earmarking of certain sources of ie venue for the purpose Tho cost of providing for universal old ago -pensions would of course seem heavy, but really it would be nothing moro than compulsory indirect payment of premiums. Legislative Council reform is nn^tlu<r difficult matter to deal with ; in the opinion of some people tho second Chamber is useless, but there have been many occasions upon which it has amply justified its existence. Captain Russell would make the Chamber elective, nith enlarged constituencies ; but wo dread tho idea of addiog another olection, with all its turmoil and expense, to the already formidable list. A perfect system has yet to be dovised ; lifo membership has its evils since it retains in Parliament men who by reason of their age or infirmities are totally unfitted to discharge legislative duties ; nomination by the Government of the day for a fixed term is calculated to lead to servility of aiembors to the powers that be; an elective Chamber would perhaps obviate theso objections, and on that ground may bo worth a trial. Tho experience of New South Wales in placing its railway system under tho control of tho lato Mr Eddy seems to afford a valuable object lesson to this colony. Unfortunately such men as Mr Eddy aro not to Lo met with every day. If such n man could be found to innnngo tho New Zealand railways his vr.lue could not be overestimated. In advocating tho retention of the freehold tenure, Onr.fenin Russell, whether bj ovMsLhl or not wo do not know, omitted to suggest a safeguard ngninst the ac quisition, wf building up <jf fcuge estates

by individuals. With every belief in the fre< hold tenure, which breeds a patriotism and love of the soil which no leasehold system can do, we yet would guarJ against indivduals beins; permitted S to acquire unlimited areas of country to the exclusion of settlement. With the principle of roading before settlement we are quite in accord; it is, in fnct, a policy persistently urged in our colums. On the prohibition question Captain Russell showed that he has the courage of his convictions, and prohibitionists knov|c!xactly what they have to expect from him should he b 8 placed in power. It is something to know that. .Regarding purity of administration Captain Rus^ sell had much to say, and while leaving no doubt in In 3 hearers' minds as to hi 3 meaning he studiously refrained from making his charges personal. Everyone niU3t agree that pure and honest government is a thing to be strived for. i There is, however, a fairly widespread idea that absolute purity is almost impossible of achievement; that it is only a matter of degree ; that all parties in the State have moro or less sinned in that respect; und that the charge 3of corruption J brought against the present Government are exaggerated. Certain it is that many of tho electors are tired of hearing them repeated, and would prefer to be left to draw their own conclusions and lo express their opinions through the medium of the ballot box. And after all, wbat are they to believe, that the colony is rapidly drifting to ruin through bad government, or that it is prospering under Mr Seddon'a government as it has never prospered before ? Even M.r Rolleston freely admitted the other day that he had never known' the colony so prosperous, and the details of the revenue ot the past year show an elasticity which bears witness to this great fact In face of this many of the electors will no doubt, find it difficult to believe that the present Government s as bad as it is painted.

Captain Edwin wired to->day : — StroDg west to south-east winds ; glass rise ; tides poor ( and weather continues cold. Sixteen applications were received by the Hospital Board for the position of wardsman at the Hawera Hospital. M. G. Duffy (Auckland) was appointed A number of cases were set down for bearing in the Magistrate's Court to day (Monday), but they were all eiilur adjourned or settled out of Court.' As the s.b. Gairloch carried tho Trisco mail to Onehunga this morning, she will not leave to night, as u-iual, but will sail to morrow as advertised. On Thursday next the Taranaki Riflea will hold a practice at the range, with Martini-Enfield rifles. Shooting w-ll commence at 2 p.m., weather permit 1 iug. lhe s.B. Takapuna left Wellington at noon to day for Nelaon, and leaves Nelson at midnight to-night for this port, arriving here about noon to-morrow. Tho vessel proceeds to Onehunga on arrival of tho express tiain to-morrow night. At the Police Court to-day (Monday) a man named Edward Reardon, who wag only released from gaol on Saturday, was charged with *"c;ng dunk on Saturday evening aiul wif'i usi.ig obsc< mliinomge, •For die fir^t o&lco ho was" fined 5i and costs, and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment on the second charge. Professor Richardson, the well-known exponent of the art of boxing, who is no stranger iv New Plymouth, intends giving an exhibition at the Theatre Boyal on May 24th, particulars of which will be advertised in a day or two. Iv the meantime the Professor, who is staying ! at the Taranaki Hotel, is open to give lesions in the "noble art" of self-defence He is accompanied by a rising boxer named S. Bower, who is an adept at ihe game. On Thursday next Mr Newton King will sell by auction a number of properties in the estate of the late Mr J. 0. Btaarland. This sale will offer a splendid opportunity to persona wanting either residential or business allotments. The* Bonithou Estate is oxc l'ently situated for residential purposes, several of the sections commanding good view?, and its convenient situation to both town and breakwater should render* it especially attractive to those in want of suburban sites. Tho DevoiNStreet property has a splendid frontage to Devon-street, aud at the low Up'.ot of £3l) per foot, inclusive of buildings, thould be a rare chance for lavestors. Some consternation was caused among members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at the meeting to-day (Monday) by an intimation from the AuditorGeneral to the effect that in future all declarations as to receipt of travelling expenses must each carry a 2a 6d scamp. Mr Major said it was a piece of stupendous folly to make such an imposition, and he had no doubt (Kit any sjne Government would, when the position was fully explained, grant a remission of tho amount. Several speakers strongly com men ted on the fact that the placing of the stamp ob the declarations was hard on the ratepayers an the amount would have to be included in membera' expenses. To illustrate the fu'l force of this one member pointed oiit that ihe money bd paid each month would com f ortab y keep four or five orphan children. The Board fiually decided, on Mr Mackay's motion, that the memorandum bo referred to the headquarters of the Department for an explanation ;and tba clerk point out that as the matter of non- stamping the declarations has been going since 1885, thtBoard would like to know under what circumstaucea such a drastic change Ins been made. Mr If. McKonzio tho member for Moiucka, who mado himself somewba conspicuous in the House last session, has been distinguishing himself as a member of the Westpo-t Harbour Board. The Westport Times reports that at n recent meeting of tho Board a most, acrimonious aud heated discussion took plnco . between Mr MclConzie and thChairman, aud (iuully things became so warm that the Board adjourned till 430 p.tn , on the mo: ion of Mr lleevys, secondod by Mr O'Retrau. When the Board resumed, Mr McKonzio continued his obstructive tactics, contending that an amendment he moved, questioning tho accuracy of ti special meeting minute, should be put, although the minutes had been confirmed. A aeries of painful scenes occurred, in whijh very bittor language was used as between Mr Ml* Kenzio and the Chairman, and when Mr O'Regau ventured a strong protest against the attitude taken up by Mr Me's Kenzie some warm exchanges took place between those gentlemen. At one stage of the proceedings the Chairman instructed tho Seoretary to remove Mr McKenzie, but this was not done, and ultimately, every attempt to commence buiinest having failed, the Board adjourned till a later date. Mr and Mra Raynos beg to tendor their heartfelt thanks to their many frieuJs for kind sympathy and the very many wreaths received aa last tokens of respect for their boy Arthur. 0 CHAMBERLAIN'S PAIN BALM CURES OTHERS, WHY NOT YOU? My wife has been using Chamberlain's Pain Balm, with good results, for a lame shoulder that h^s pained her continually for nine yearn. We have tried all kinds of modioines aud doctors without receiv injr any bouefit from any of thorn. One day we Baw.au advertisement of this medicino and thought of trying it, whjch, wo did witli tho bobi. of satisfaction, olio bus iibed only ono bottle and her shoulder is nlinoMi; v/Al. — .\nni.i-ir Ji. j\(ri f.m'T, Mil ■• h- >t. . . ?7. ■ '. ;• ,-• -.('.> by tho Now }'„.. -„' t ;..-.'•; . i-.p . i.-^iMty.* Woods' GrudL, i'opyorminl Cure fci Couyha und Oo!c|fi never faiia 1/0 «nd 2/G/>

A. . big line of potatoes were sold the other day in Hastings for £1 per ton. The borough of Newton (Auckland) will henceforward be known as Grey ■ vLynn. Mr T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., is to give addresses at Auckland and Parnell this month, Mr Andrew Carnegie, the American millionaire, his contributed £50,000 to the proposed Birmingham University. The s.s Rotoiti is expected to arrive at the breakwater between 7 and 8 o'clock this evening. She leaves for Onehunga after the arrival of the express train. A resident of Feilding claimed £25 damages for having a sound molar extracted instead of tho one which he wished drawn. He was awarded £3 and costs. During his short stay here Captain Russell paid a visit to Mr Butterworth's Old Curiosity Shop, and inspected the lar£e collection of Maori curios, in which he manifested great interest. The surgeon of Christchurch Hospital has complained to the Board of being a victim of a system of espionage and tyranny by the Chairman, and the Board has asked the Chairman to resign. Oamaru has an aristocratio horse-trainer-Sir Andrew le Fleming, who designates himself ''horse training expert," announces in the local paper that he is prepared to undertake the training of horses for saddle or harness. The Hawke'a Baj Herald gives currency to a rumour that Diotrict Judge Kettle will be appointed to the Supreme Court Bench, to fill the vacanoy caused by the retirement of the Chief Justice, Sir James Prendergast. Replying to a temperance deputation at ] imaru the Hon. W. Hall Jones promised to bring before his colleagues the question of amending the local option law, so as to providefor the appointment of scrutineers at local option polls Tho sB. Gaiiloch arrived at the breakwater from Onehunga shortly after 5 o'clock this morning, aad left on a return trip about 7 o'clock, with the outward 'Fiiaio mail, which hid been brought from Wellington by special train. Di-cussiog the question "Wbat chill we do with our girls," thp North Otago Times mentions that at a social i unction held recently in Oamarn, at which about 270 young people were present, there were about 25 youDg men and 245 young wdmeii. The desirability or otherwise of introdaciug another grade, "Choicest, ' starting at 95, in butter, was debated at the Taranaki Farmers' Club,, meeting on Saturday aftoruoon As an outcome of the discussion, a resolution was passed that the time has not arrived for the institution oi a higher grade.

Atluvercargill last week, G. W. Perry, hotelkeeper, was sued for £200 dannges for punishing Winifred ilealy, a servant, by placing her ovtr his knee, aud "punishing her ps you would a child." On account of her sex and the iudigaiti' the Magistrate gave judgment for £55 add coses — an txpenßiro spanking.

That it 13 an ill wind which blows no one good is illustrated by the large shipments of producb now being taken from the colonies for the American troops at tho Philippines. Tho Taiyuau, which left Sydney the other day, included in tha manifest of her cargo for the Puili,is piues 3-36 cibes aud 114 bags potatoes and 20J3 case* onions. fcJho also Lad ou deck 20 live bullocks.

No further news has been neard of the s.s. Perthshire. The Dunedin agent, according to a telegram, gives it aa his belief that there is no cause for uaea&iues?, even though the vessel should not turn up for another week or twd. A Steamer is to be despatched to-day (Monday) from Sydney to thoroughly search the Tasnun Sea. : A trial of a new propeller, which has been patented by Mr Belk, of Palmerston North, took place last week. The pro* peller is couf tructed on the principle of an auger, and although it was tried under several disadvantages it is sail it left no doubt in the mind of those who saw the trial as to its efficiency for the work The experiment was tried on a very small model in a bath, but it is to be tested on -a much larger sialo shortly. * The individual who throughout the colony was known as "The Hermit of Island Bay " i* now living with his rela tions at his homo in Ireland His name ia Porcy, and he ia staying with hia brother, a captaia in the army. The erstwhile recluse lived for about fourteen years iv a cave at Island Bay, Wellington, and the " Hermit 8 Gave " was one of the favoUrite eights to' whfch country cousins visiting the city were treated. The London correspondent of the Evening Post, writing iv connection with the forthcoming "Birthday honours," says

there is "some vague talk of a Knighthood being offered to Mr John McKenzie, Minister of Lands, on bis arrival in this country, and of a like honour being offered to Mr 11. J. Millar, Speaker of the Legislative CouWl of New Zealand. lam unable to' Bay whether tbere iv Any foundation for this expectation, but either is poshible, aud neither seems specially improbable. ' Thj question of tin inspection of milk for fa 'oi tit use wa* dUeiiiaid at the Tara naki Farmers Club on Saturday afternoou. Mr Marfell, in introducing the su! j^ct, suggested that the O'ub siould take the matter up in such a way as to ensure customers being supplied with the pure article. Mr Okey said moat of the local

bodies woro willing to go into the question, but woro afraid it would entail on thtm the cost of tha iusptc'.ion. Several oilitr tn inborn spoke on the subject, and k Rtonied to be generally conceded tint iho present system vwu unsatisfactory, but no resolution was passed. \At Wangnniu on Thursday, Mr FI. W tt AJ , sentenced Michael McDulf 10 two months' impriso mentfor

using obacouo lauguigo, aud the Magis-tiatsad-iud (hut ho hoped it would be a lesson to accused and others of his class

During the hearing ot the cm one of the « itnesses seemed disinclined to repeat the indecent language complained of in the summons, and the Magistrate^ rem irked thnit they wore not sj mcaiy-inouthed when converging together. No doubt they could rattle oil bid language better tluu they coald say their prayers. In his description of Macquirie Harbour, on the wtst coast ot Tasmania, Mr NapUr Bell Bays :—*' A striking peculiarity is tho erratic and peculiar character oE tho tides There U ouly one tide in 24 houra and the average height at the heads is only 2ft Gin. . . . For half the yea-* high water is at night, and for tha other half in the day time. Sometimes for days together there ia scarcely any tide, and the water does not run in or out. 'linn without apparent cause the tide will commence to rush into the harbour day and nigh l ; with great force until the wator has riaen insiJe from 3ft to Bometitnos sft ; und then it will start to ebb out with great velocity, sometim's ebbing for two or three days, with just a slight check at, high water of the sea " A curious custom in connection with tho birth of an heir to the earldom of Oar- | narvon is observed at Higholere castle. The traditions of tho family requiro that on such occasions 500 gallons of beer should bo browed, and that the cask remain uuopened until the heir attains his majority. From oak grown on the flighclere estate a Newbury cooper has* made a hugo cask hoopod with brass, and bearing a coronet and inscription plate of the same rnotal. The inscription runs :—: — 11 May llighclore flourish. This cask of ale, containing 500 gallons, was browed iv commemoration ot tho birth of Lord Porchoater, born Nov. 7, 18 ( J8. Albert Stroathfield, butler, Higholere castle, 1 R0!)."

For Bronnhhl Coughs take Wood) Groat Pepporm in t Cure, 1/flaud 2/8°

Vto ouly TwaaM .•'•. Pausy brirj'l itE.u. Jjcoi CH Uatmual. Pure ami nneet, witb tho urouia uf ripe^harvest fields.**