The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1880.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3526, 16 January 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1880.

After a struggle of close upon five years with the House of Commons, Mr Bradlaugh bas been successful m taking the oath and his seat. The manner m which this end has been secured has not been altogether satisfactory. The House has not formally retreated from the position which it originally took up m this matter, but Mr Bradlaugh bas secured by a kind of fluke what the Bouse has always refused to concede openly. It was on the 3rd May, 1880, that Mr Bradlaugh, having been elected member for Northampton, first made his appearance at the table of the House of Commons. "When the usual oath of allegiance was tendered to him he refused to take it, not on account of his well-known Republican proclivities, but because ho did not believe m God, whose name he was required to call upon to witness the solemn act. He offered to make an affirmation instead, but this was refused. Subsequently, on May 21st, be offered to take the oath, but did not conceal the fact that he should regard the appeal to the Supreme Being as a pure matter of form, without any special significance. The House refused to accept the oatli on these terms, and a Committee being appointed to consider the question, recommended that the hon. gentleman be allowed to affirm. A resolution to this effect was moved by Mr Labouchere, but was negatived by 275 to 230 votes. The next day Mr Bradlaugh again presented himself before the Speaker, and claimed to be allowed either to take the oath or affirm, and this being denied by the House, a scene of much excitement ensued. Mr Bradlaugh refused to withdraw, and was taken into custody and imprisoned m the Clock Tower. Nest day, however, he was released by vote, and MiGladstone moved his famous resolution accepting an affirmation m lieu of an oath m such cases. This was strongly opposed by Sir Stafford Northcote, but ultimately carried by 303 votes against 2A9. Thereupon, under this resolution, Mr Bradlaugb affirmed, was admitted, and voted. But his troubles were not yet over. The validity of the resolution of the House to over-ride the statutory obligation to take the oath was tested m the law courts by an informer named Clarke, and decided against Mr Bradlaugh, who was ordered to pay a fine of £500. Qn the 9th April 1881 the honorable gentleman was again elected for Northampton. Once more he presented himself and offered to take the oath, but was not allowed to do so. Persisting m the assertion of what he believed to be his rights, he was forcibly removed. A fortnight later he again attempted to take his seat within the bar of the House, aad once more was ejected amid considerable excitement. Time after time he has repeated the attempt to qualify himself to Bit and vote as a representative, but without success until the present session. On February 11th, 1884, he attended, and actually administered the oath to himself amid a 6ceue of uproar seldom, if ever, paralleled m the House. The Speaker called upon him to withdraw, and on the motion of Sir Stafford Northcote, a motion was passed excluding Mr Bradlaugh from the precincts of the House until he should engage not further to disturb the proceedings. At the opening of the present session, Mr Bradlaugh, having been once more elected for Northampton, seems to have been too sharp for his opponents. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, as Leader of the Lower House, had written to the Speaker urging him not to allow Mr Bradlaugh to be sworn, but the Speaker ruled that the resolution of the late Parliament was not binding on its successor, and therefore he must ignore the letter. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach thereupon attempted to speak, but as he himself had not been sworn he could not be heard, and Mr Bradlaugh, for the time at any rate, carried- his point. The question of objecting to take the oath is no new one. At one time a newly-elected member was required to take three oaths — the oathsof allegiance, supremacy and abjuration, but by the 2lßt and 22hd Viet., c. 48, one oath was substituted for these. Until the passing of the Catholic Relief Act m 1820, members of the Roman- Catholic Church were unable to take the oaths required of members. To meet their case a special form of- oath is now prescribed to be taken by them. A remarkable incident occurred m the House of Lords m 1852. „ Viscount ; Claucarty, a Pro. : testant ' peer, presented himself to be sworn, and asked to be allowed to take

the Roman Catholic oath, as be entertained conscientious scruples to tbe oath of supremacy. This, say« Siv Erskine May, he was not permitted to do; and he then desired to take the oath of supremacy with a menial reservation, but this claim was also refused and be withdrew. Until 1858 Jews were unable to take the oaths, because they were compelled to swear "on the true faith of a Christian." In 1850 Baron Lionel de Rothschild who, during the two previous sessions had been one of the members for the City of London, but had not taken the oaths and his seat, was allowed to be sworn on the Old Testament as being most binding on his conscience, but when he proposed to omit the words "on the true faith of a Christian," adding "so help me God," he was directed to withdraw, and the House refused to allow him to speak or vote until he should have taken the oath "m the form appointed by law." It was not till eight years afterwards tbat an Act was passed admitting Jews to Parliament, and Baron Lionel de Rothschild was able to take his seat. Usually when a member declines to be sworn m the prescribed form, the House declares his seat vacant and orders a new writ to issue. This was not done m Baron Lionel de Rothschild's case, and for nearly 11 years he was a Member of Parliament without being able to speak ■or vote. He was entitled to all the other privileges of a member, however, and was actually added to the Committee appointed to draw up reasons to be offered to the Lords at a conference for disagreeing to the Lords' amendments to the Oaths Bill — the Bill which permitted him subsequently to take bis seat iv the House as a fully qualified member. Acts have been passed allowing Quakers, Moravians, &c, who have conscientious scruples against taking an oath to make an affirmation m lieu thereof, but, as we have seen, Parliament has steadily held out against allowing an avowed Atheist to take his seat as a legislator. It remains to be seen whether Mr Bradlaugh will now be quietly allowed to take his seat, or whether we shall hear of the whole dispute being again raised. Most people will be glad to see such a paiuful and troublesome question settled either one way or the other, but there is a general feeling, we fancy, that it ought to be decided openly and straightforwardly, and not simply blinked for the moment, to be the cause of further trouble hereafter.

The recent long spell of dry weather has brought the question of irrigation prominently to the front. In these circumstances a return laid on the table at the last meeting of the Asbburton County Council, showing the mileage of water-races flowing through the Ashburton County, and their cost for construction and maintenance, will be read with interest. North of the Soutb Ashburton river, it appears, there are 510 miles of waterraces, which cost £16,08(3 for construction, and are maintained at a yearly expense of £527. Sonth of the same river there are 300 miles of races, cost of construction £8963, and cost of maintenance £380 per annum. These latter, however, are now under contract for maintenance for one year at £200 per annum. Taking everything into consideration, it is said the races can be maintained at less than £1 per mile. The chief cost of construction is m head-works, as the races themselves are constructed at less than an average of Is Gd per chain. These figures should be very encouraging to the ratepayers of those districts m South Canterbury now going m for irrigation works.

Fabhebs' Co-operative Association. — A dividend of seven per cent is now being paid by the Canterbury Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association. Assault. — A case m whicli a young man is charged with assaulting a woman will probably come on at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. BazAAB — It is announced m ouv advertising columns tins morning that a bazaar and gift auction will be held at Pleasant PoiDt m aid of the Manse Fund of the Pleasant Point Presbyterian Church on Easter Monday. Delayed Traiit. — The North express train was about an hour late m reaching Tiruaru yesterday afternoon, owing, we understand, to tho engine's funnel having to bo changed between Dunedin and Falmerston. The Fieb Beigadbb' Demonstration' at Napibr. — ihe contingent of the Timaru Fire Brigade "will leave for Napier to-day, as will also the Naseby (Otago) one, which arrived hero yesterday afternoon, and spent the night m town. G-ehaldisb Fmweb Show. — The second exhibition of the Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society will be held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday next, the 21st met. Entries will be received up to 10 o'clock that morning. Bonouon Council. — Wo would remind our renders that the Dominations of candidates for the scat on the Borough Council rendered vacant by the continued absonco m England of Mr J. S. Gibson, must be sent iv to the Town Clerk's office beforo noon on Thursday next. Hameeslby v. Wiiite.— As there seems to be some misapprehension m reference to this caso, heard at Christchurch tho other day and mentioned m our columns, it may be. as well to state that defendant is not the well-known solicitor of this town but a grocer living m OhrUtcburch. Cwckbt. — A match will be played to-day. Lawyers and Bankers v. the World, on the ground of the T.C.O. The following will represent tho Law and Banks: — Mcs <rs C. Perry, Hamorsley, Knubley, S. G. Raymond. F. A. Raymond, F. W. Smith, Lindsay, J. Hughes, Maclean, Hassell, Vallnngo, Fish, IVfntthias and MeTntosh. Au express will leave the Bhip Hotel at 2 p.m. sharp. Intercolonial Weather Exchange. — New Zealand —Fine weather ; slight decrease m pressure, but still high m the North ; winds N.W. and N.R. and light except fresh N.W. at tho Bluff; overcast and slight Bhowors m the extreme North. Australia — Fine weather, high pressure, especially to tho E. and 8.E. ; winds light, nnd from N. and N.E. Barometers -In Now Zealand : At Russell 30.2 ; Wellington and tho Bluff, 30.1. In Australia : At Albany, 30.2 ; Portland, 30.2 ; Hobart, 30.4 ; Sydney, 30.3. Publication Received. — Wo have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of " Stone's Dunedin and Invercargill Directory for 1886," published by tho proprietor, Mr John Stone, 79 Princes street, Dunedin. It is a wellbountl, neatly-printed volumo of 4iß pages, fixclusive of advertisements. In addition to a directory it has some excellent maps, a capital gazetteer and a host of other useful information. It is a publication which no business man interested m the districts named should be without. ' . ; TeMpbbAUCE.- — In response to Mrs Judge Ward's invitation a preliminary meeting of ladie3 took place yesterday, when Mrs Ward gave a most interesting account of the progress of the movement as maintained by the women of Christchurch and elsewhere, which had the effect of encouraging those present to bear their share m the great work of temperance reform now going on. Mrs Ward leaves to-day for Invercargill, but promised to visit Timaru on lier return,_ when she will probably i addrees a piibKo meeting. ■•<■•',

Evangelistic Services. — Mrs C. D. B. Ward will conduct evangelistic services m the B:iptist Church, E street, to-morrow evening. Oincus. — Messrs Sharman and Sloodley'a grand international circus opened for one night only on the Market Reserve, last night, and were greeted by a crowded audience. It will be remembered this circus played for a short season when m Jimaru some few months ago, and during their stay drew large audiences. The various members of this grand little troupe acquitted themselves remarkably well, their performances on the tiglit-ropo, trapezo, horße back, etc., being well applauded, while the fumous horso Salamander also received his share of the ap« plause. Taken altogether, this circus i» one of the best that have visited Tiraaru for some time past. Sfdden Death at Ouaki. — News reached Geraldine yesterday that Mrs Wadsworth, the wife of Mr Thomas Wadsworth, of Orari, had died very suddenly. She was going about her ordinary household duties, when she was seized with a fainting fit. She recoverod, but m a short time she had another, and her friends thought she was about to be seized with a third, when she expired. A doctor was sent for, and upon his arrival ho found that she was dead. A post mortem examination was held yesterday morning, and the inquest waa to take place some time during the afternoon. We learn that Mra Wadsworth's sudden decease has cast quite a gloom over the people living at tho Orari, where she was held m great esteem.

Killed by a Wasp. — The death is announced of Mr G. M. Crawford, who for thirty-five years was correspondent of the Daily Neios at Paris. Mr Crawford was stung by a wasp. Symptoms of blood poisoning showed themselves, and he died shortly after. Ho wastho original of Warringtonin Fendennis. John Eldbb a>-d Co. — The well-known ship-building firm of John Elder and Co., Glasgow, has been registered as a limited liability compauy, under the name oftho Faii-field Engineering and Ship-building Company. Owing to the wording of the deed of association, it is believed that tbo company intends to commence the manufacture of ordnance. Pbicb of AtriooEAPHS. - The men of the day have all their prices m the catalogue of autographs, published by Charavay. M. Floquet, Preßiient of the Chamber, is to be had for 2f. 50c. ; 11. Lockroy, who waS elected at the top of the liet for Paris, is quoted 50c higher ; 3f. is also the value of a letter by the Communist Lisbonne ; M. Clemenceau's handwriting is to bo had for 4f. ; 11. Eochefort and M. de Freycinet rank together at 6f j Louis Michel is down at Sf. ; and 11. Jules Ferry, m spite of his unpopularity, is Btill worth lOf. ; Mr Gladstone's autograph costs 20f. ; Prince Bismarck's 30f. for a signature alone, and lOOf. for a letter all m his own handwriting.

TnE LATB PEOFK6SOE FAUCET/I.— Mr Teslio Stephen's "Life of Henry Fawcett" has been published. In his early boyhood Fawcett declared that he would be a Member of Parliament, although the avowal was invariably laughed at by his schoolfellows. He set about training himself m the following mauner : At the age of fourteen we learn that "he preferred study to boyish sports, and, m spite of prohibitions, would desert the playground to 6teal into a copse with his books. He was best at mathematics, caring little for Latin and French. He learned long passages by heart, and would wander m the fields repeating them aloud. In an old chalk pit, which was a favorite green-room, he would gesticulate as he recited, till passing laborers had doubts as to his sanity." Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophoaphites is especially adapted to all conditions where the tissues are wasting away from inability to digest and assimilate ordinary food. The combined virtues of the Cod Liver Oil and Hypophosphites produce a marked effect m such cases. — They restore the wasted tissues, create an appetite, make new blood, heal the inflammation of the throat and lungs and increaso the flesh. In short they form the finest combined food and medicine that can be given the invalid. — [Auvr.] 12 Tiie Life of an M.P.— An M.P., deploring the evil effects of London habits on the health, said that were it not for the American Co.'s Hop Bitter 3, he could not live through with the irregular hours he was forced to keep. Sid he :" As soon as I feel weak and exhausted from long night sessions and meals at irregular hours, I resort to my Hop Bitters instead of stimulants. They regulate my bowels, and keep my appetite good, my brain clear, and my Btrength and health are preserved." See [Advt.] Alcoholic FATnur. — The chronic debauchee feels that he positively cannot eiist without his alcoholic stimulation. To quit drinking or to continue the habit brings doath all the same. Such a man can find m American Co.'a Hop Bitters properly used, a perfect panacea for the drunkard's cure. .Read.— [Advt.] The Bad and Woethxess are never imitated or counterfeited. This is especially true of a family medicine, and it ia positive proof that the remedy imitated is of tho highest value. As soon aa it had been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to steal the notices m which the press and the people of the country had expressed tho merits of H. 8., and m every way trying to induce suffering invalids to uso their stuff instead, expecting to make money on tho credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up m similar stylo to H. 8., with variously devised names m which the word " Hop " or " Hops " were used m a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. AU such pretended remedies or cures, on matlor what their Btyle or name is, and especially those with the word " Hop " or "Hops" m their name or m any way connected with them or their name, are imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them>< Touch none of them. TJge nothing but genuine American Mop Bitters, with aclußter of green Hop" on the white label, and Dr Soule's name "'•otto m the glass. Trust nothing else. «ggf Druggists and Chemists are warned t.ust dealing m imitations or counterfeits. — [Advt.] That Husband of Mine is three times tht man ho was before he bogan using "Wella Health Ronewer." Druggists. Mosea, Mosb am' Co.. Sviinnv. Oonoral Aawite.— TAnvr.l (2 Don't Die m the House. — " Rough on Rats" clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, inseota, moles, jackrabbits, gophers. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, eenoral a«ronta — |Ai>vt. |

SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. James A. Graclo and Co., through B. Maclean— Will sell collio pups to-day ; goodwill of lease of livery stables, horses, etc., on Tuesday.. it. Walton and Co., Chriatchurch— Will sell freehold property on Oth pros. W. Collins and Co.— Hold salo of produce, otc., today. H. Turnbull and Sou— Regular weekly market toJaj". William Masllu— Will hold important sale ot land m Timaru on Oth prox ; cloariDg s»]e of farm stock on 21st inst. I L. Morris, Pleasant Point— Wants tenders for tying and stookiiiL'. Geialdino Floral Society— Hold second annual exhibition on Thursday. T and J. Thomson- Are opening out new goods, W. S. Armitage— luvites tenders forcuttinij, stookBoard and residence to be had— Apply at offico of this paper. I'lcasant Point Presbyterian Church— Bazaar and gift auction on Easter Monday. 11. Jackson— Special notice re dipping. Timaru Cricket Club— Match this afternoon. Baptist Church— Mrs Ward will conduct services toKuncral notico— One.