GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 1896, 27 November 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[by telegraph.] "Wellington, Not. 26. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. In the Legislative Council, m reply to Hon. Mr Hall, Colonel "Whitmore said the Government intended bringing m a Bill this session to remedy certain technical defects m the Counties Act which prevent its working. Colonel Brett's motion that it is desirable that the Volunteer system should bo re-or-ganised was agreed to. The Marine Act Amendment Bill was read a third time. The Christchurch Local Board of Health Bill's second reuding was negatived on the voices. « HOUSE OF BEPRESENi'ATIYES. Tho House met at 2 30 to-day. SALE OF THE LUNA. Mr Fox brought up tho report of the Disqualification Committee on the sale of tbe p.s. Luna, which was that no better price could have been obtained for her m the Colony, but that, as a rule, Government property should bo cold by auction and not by private arrangement. NEAV BILLS. The Law Practitioners Act Amendment Bill (Mr Shccb.au), the Civil List Act Amendment Bill (Mr Shcehan), the Employment of Females Act Amendment Bill (Mr Burns), tho Quecnßtown Waterworks Amendment Bill (Mr Mandors). BILLS PASSED. Tho Sale of Food and Drugs Bill, the Public Libraries Bill, the Oatuaru Harbor Board Amendment Bill, and Mining Companies Amendment Bill were passed through Committee and read a third time. BILL DISCHARGED. The Registration of Dogg Bill, and the Otago Harbor Board Management Bill were discharged. SOUTH KAKAIA EOAD BOAIID BILL. The House then went into Committee on the South Rakaia Road Board Bill. Mr J. Wason mr mediately moved that tbe Chairman leave the chair, and this was carried by 24 to 23. It wns stated that Mr Fox had left the House after the doors were ordered to bo locked. Tho Sergeuiifc-at-Arms was sent for him, and the Chairman said it was reported that ho hid got out ©f a window after the doors were locked. Mr Fox denied having got out of the wiudow, but said be had lef b the Chamber by tho doors on finding that he had not paired on tho Bill. None of tho doora he passed through were locked. He would not commit burglary by breaking out either through a window or a locked door. ' The Chairman said he would not call on Mr Fox to vote. He would, however, order a fresh division. On tho Bcoond division the numbers were 24 on each Bide, and the Chairman gave his casting vote with the noes. Temuka CnoBAL Society. — This Society will give their third quarterly conceit tonight, m the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. Catholic Chubch. — Mr Duval laid the foundation-etoue of a new Catholic Church at Geialdine yesterday. Habbob Commission. — The Commission were occupied yesterday m examining the plans sent into them, and will continue taking taking cvidenco to-day. At their roqtu-Bt we shall not publish any more of the evidence until their decision is finally made known. TIMAKU AND ChBISTCHUBCH CbiCKET Match. — This match will tnke place on the grounds of the Timaru Cricket Club on Friday next. Tho Timaru team will be — Messrs E. F. Blundell, H. Evanß, J. S. D'Emden, 0. S. Fraser, M. J. Godby, A. St. G-. Hatnersley, M. J Knubley, W. F. Neilson, A. Perry, C. T. H. Perry, R. Rutherford j emergency man, Mr J. Flint. A subscription ball -will be given m the evening m the Mechanics' Institute, for which tickets may be obtained from members of the Committee. Time no Value.— So our respected Resident Magistrate must think. Very frequently the Court is not opened, m consequence of the absence of the gentleman who presides at the judicial Bench, until fifteen or twenty minutes have elapsed after eleven o'clock — the time the Court is supposed to open. Yesterday morning, after eleven o'clock had struck, before proceeding with tho business of the day, Mr Woollcombe left the Odd-fellows' Hall, to inspect the new Courthouse m North-street, and did not return till after half-past eleven. Really, this is too bad. Every one who has any businesß there is kept waiting about, losing valuable time. Resident Magistbate's Coubt, Geealdine. — At tho Resident Magistrate's Court, Geraldino, yesterday, before Dr Fish and W. K. Macdonold, Esq., J.P.s, a man named Sanford was charged with breaking into the house of William Kennedy, Rangitata Island, and stealing therefrom wearing apparel of over the value of £5. The Bench considered tho evidence substantiated the charge, and committed the prisoner to tako his trial at tho next sitting of tho Supreme Court. Sanford was also arraigned on a charge of stealing from the same complainant on a previous occasion certain articles under the value of £2, and this being within the jurisdiction of the Court, he was dealt with summari'y, and sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labor. Subsequently he waß charged before DrFiah and L. Walker, Esq., J.P.'e, with having on the Ist of July last, burned a house, belonging to W. K. Mbcdonald. This charge was substantiated by several articles, which were m. tho house previous to its being burned, being found m the house of the prisoner at the time of his arrest, and tho Bench considering a prima facie case had been made out,, he was committed to take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. The Catholic Mission m Cheistohuhoh. — One of the most extraordinary spectacles ever witnessed m Christchurch (says the Zyttelion Times) took place last Sunday morning at the Catholic Chapel, m connection with the Mission services. Throughout his sermon, which was characterised by the utmost simplicity of language, Father Henneberry held the complete attention of his hearers, and at its close be referred m a few vigorous sentences, which seemed absolutely electrical m their effect, to the wisdom of total abstinence, and tbe blessings attendant upon its adoption, referring to his Lordship the Bishop of Wellington, who was present, ai au example who might m this respect well be followed . The reverend Missioner then called upon those present to take, the pledge from him, then and there. A pause came, and then, amid tho dead silence, the .single word " Arise ! " Instantly some 1500 of the congregation were standing, and with tho right hand elevated, they repeated after Father Heunobery the following pledge : — " I promise to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, except used medicinally by the direction of a medical man, and to discountenance the oousß and practice of intemperance." At the evening service the pledge was administered to a large additional number, and during the week a special certificate will be issued to each person who has thus taken the Father Matthew pledge. Next Sunday the exact number will, be > announced, and a special temperance procession will tako place. At the close of the service last evening, Father Hennebery said he had the 1 great gratification of announcing that he had m Christchurch administered the pledge to more persons at one time than on any former occasion save one, which was at a mission service held ia Boston.

Tisiabu Hospital— From a report of the proceedings of the Hospital Cummijflion yesterday which appears elsewhere, it will be Been that it was decided not to advise the Government to throw the institution open to all the medical practitioners m tbe town, as was requested by the petition. Alteration m Railway Time-Table. — We would call the attention of our readers to the alterations for the summer m tbe hours of starting of the afternoon trains between Timaru and Oamaru. Particulars will be found m our advertising columns. Value of Turkish Commerce to Great Britain. — Tin; exports of Great Britain were last year £4,500,000 to Russia, and £6,000,000 to Turkey. Great Britain has therefore a large pecuniary stake at issue, and we shall confine our remarks to this. Russia, write the Messrs Samuel Downes and Co., of Liverpool, m their circular, lias a prohibitory tariff which seriously curtails our exports to that State ; m fact, ns an able and versatile writer phrases it, " sbe has bolted her doors against British industry by raising her import duties and fostering her home industry." It cannot, therefore, surprise our agricultural readers that manufacturer generally are opposed to Russia having a preponderating influence hereafter m Turkey, or even a slice of Turkish territory, contending that such influence, or such acquisition, would ba followed by tlio almost futuro banishment of British manufacturers from this great Eastern market, and this would be the case were Rus3ia to acquire Constantinople. It is idle to suppose that she would have a different fiscal policy m tho Straits of Marmora to that which now prevnils m her territories bordering on Iho Black and Baltic Seas. Tbe Prime Ministers of England during this generation, Russell and Palraerston, Gladstone and Disraeli, Mid last — but the greatest — Peel, have alike been solicitous to create new markets, to find now pullets for British manufactures, and would it not avgue a decadence of national ambition, an inability to appreciate her true interests, if Great Britain now failed to uphold the interests of hor citizens who aye embarked iv Turkish commerce ? A great and growing market like Turkey could not be replaced, so keen aud fierce is international competition. An English Ministry, of whatever color, that would allow so valuable and increasing a branch of our export trade, involving £6,000,000 per annum (the reader should capitalise the value — our estimate would ba £120,000,000 to €150,000,000), even to be jeopardised, would incur a very grave responsibility. To-day some persons expressed a confident opinio" that the relations between Russia and Turkey, and Russia aud Great Britain, would not be interrupted by war. We do not, however, sliaro m it, for the reason that a better opportunity may net occur f o Russia to carry out hor long-cherished designs of gaining Constantinople. In supplementing these remarks m thei.: circular of the 28th August, the Messrs Downcs state that our cotton trade with Turkoy proper is greater than with any other foreign country. — Home paper. Curious, is Thue. — The ciso of Vhomme a la fourchelte, upon whom Dr Leon Labbo performed'gaslrotomy with at least temporary success a few months ago, is brought to mind by nn instance of swallowing foreign bodies recorded m a recent number of tho Southern Argus (S.A.). A convict m tho Q-undagai Gaol, undergoing a term of imprisonment for stealing a ring, used to gain a living by travelling from town to town, giving performances m which he offered to swallow any article his audience might select. The ring for the stealing of which ho had been convicted he had Bwallowed, and he asserted he could swallow a bagful if he got them. The prisoner is at present being treated by Dr McKillop, visiting - surgeon to the gaol, with the- view of making him d'sgorgo a steel Albert chnin and a large brass ring. Tho chain can be distinctly felt at tho bottom of the stomach, and the patient says he swallowed it nine months ago, and that it is the only articlo ho lias any difficulty about. Ho avers that he has bad two pounds weight of jewellery m his stomach at one time, and that he has harbored watches m that viscus for twenty-f mr hours. The gaoler is said to have a co'lection of Albert chains, pen-knivee, brass rings, &c, which he asserted he had succeeded m causing the prisoner to vomit by means of emetics. This case (says tho Lancet), if correctly reported, presents features worthy j of being studied from a physiological point of view. Prime Ministers' Salaries. — Apropos of Mr Gladstone's correction of tbe statement m " Dod's Peerage " to the effect that he was m receipt of a pension of £2000 a year, the Pall Mall Gazette considers it worth while to recall the fact that the " Cabinet pensions," at the disposal of the Crown are only four m number, the present holders being, Lord Beaoonefielcl, Sir George Grey, Mr Walpole, and Mr M. Gibson ; payments of Lord Beaconsfield's being of course suspended during liis tenure of •' an office of emolument." Each pension is of fche value of £2000 a-year, the recipient having to make certain declarations m respect of his income previous to accepting it. It may be doubted whether a less lucrative profession than that of an Englibh politician exists under tho sun. Lord Russell told a Committee of the House of Commons that he found his Balary as First Lord of tho Treasury inadequate to meet the exponsos entailed on him by his position as Prime Minister. So sensible was the late House of Commons of this fact that it was only at the earnest request oE Mr Gladstone that his salary as First Lord of the Treasury was not raised to £8000 a year. -Notice had been given by a member of a motion to that effect, and there can be no doubt thnt it would have been carried. In former times the cose was otherwise. The official gains of Lord Sutherland, while Minister of James 11, have been estimated at £40,000 a year. At a much later period the younger Pitt, as First Lord of the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exohequer, and Warden of the Cinque Ports, received at least £10,000 a year, and had two residences rent free. And, perhaps, it is not too much to say that seventy or eighty years ago£lo,ooo a year wont quite as far as £15,000 a year will go now. Not indeed, that Pitt cared for these things. It was only m deference to the almost positive command of George 111 that he accopted the Lord Wardenship of the Cinque Ports, while m 1788-9 he gave a more decided proof of his contempt for money. It wns feared that a regency might have the effect of depriving him of power, and the merchants of London made no secret of their intention of raising a sum of £100,000 as a gift to the Minister. Pitt, on his part, was firmly resolved to decline the present. A Strange Speculation. — Recently a woman, who gave the name of Ellen Wilson, was brought before Mr Ellison, at a London Police Court, charged with being drunk and incapable whilst m charge of an infant. Detective Berry stated that he had ascertained that about throo or four years ago a young lady was taken under tho protection of a gentlemen of good means. A large house with servants was taken at the West-end, and every comfort bestowed upon the lady. The gentleman seemed anxious that a child should be born. This not being the case, the lady, it was paid, resorted to the expedient of arranging with Ellen Wilson, who was at the time m one of the lying-in hospitals m London, that she should come as wet-nurse, bringing her newly-born infant. This was agreed to by Wilson, and within a short time the child of the latter was represented as that of the lady, the gentleman fully believing it. Again, some fourteen months afterward, Wilson, at the request of the lady, went to the lying-in hospital and obtained an infant from a 'young woman just confined. That infant was also represented as belonging to the gentleman. He Btill believed it and continued to pay the greatest attention to the lady. From something that came to his knowledge, however,, he was induced to give up the establishment at the West-end and take a residence for the lady not far from Blactfriars Bridge on the Surrey

side. Here she pretended again to be enceinte, but filling to procure a child as upon the former occasion, she stated that she had a miscarriage. Shortly afterwards she wrote to the gentleman and advised him not to come near the house aa the children had the smallpox. Thia was totnlly untrue, but was evidently a design to keep the gentleman away from the house, as she had taken up with a tradesman m Walworth. She still, however, received the monetary assistance from the gentleman, which was stated to he some £200 a year. Some eight or ten days ago sho again sent for Wilson to obtain another child, and, acting under instructions, she proceeded to Lambeth Workhouse and there saw a woman who had recently been confined. Wilson told her that a lady had lost her newly-born child and required one to fill its place. Every comfort was promised for the child, who was to be the heir of an estate. The mother agreed to part with her infant, and a few days after gave the child to Wilson. The mother of the child and Wilson left the workhouse together, and no doubt afterwards bad some drink, the result being the condition m which Wilson was found. After the statement made by Wilson, Berry went to the house where the lady was living with a tradesman and asked to see her. The tradesman Baid she was out, but declared that she was near her confinement. The officer waited some little time, aud then the lady came m. After some further conversation it was admitted by her that buo was not enceinte. The whole proceedings, it was thought, was for the purpose of obtaining money from the gentleman under whose protection she was supposed to be. The woman Wilaon on Monday made nn application to the lady for tho restoration of her child, which was granted, and sho left with it, intending to return to her husband m Yorkshire.