The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1892.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5517, 20 September 1892, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1892.

The American letter received by the Dunedin Star contains some suggestive information concerning the labour question, m certain aspects presented by tbe position of affairs at Carnegie's Homestead works. The unionists at Homestead, we are told, have issued an address which proclaims tbe doctrine that while working men own their own labour, tbe owners of industries and of properties on which industries are carried on, do not own those industries or properties, as the workers they employ are joint owners with them. The Star's correspondent treats this doctrine, from one point of view, satirically. Whilst appearing to complicate the labour question, it simplifies its solution. The doctrine having beea enunciated, it must be accepted or repudiated, and tbe workmen will know more clearly where they etand when the decision is given. In the meantime it is not the law of tbe land. It is well that a body of workmen, somewhere or other, should declare for this doctrine m plain terms, as people generally can hereafter gauge tbe more accurately tbe position assumed by tbe workmen m tbe majority of large strikes. In the great Loudon duck strike, m many large strike* since, down to tbe present ooniiict at Broken Hill, the fighting tactics of tbe strikers have been based upon this doctrine, tbougb it has not been definitely stated that the Homestead men put it into words. The picketings, the assaults on non unionists, the injury to property, all the activities tbe bodies of strikers display, are recognisuble as the practical outcome of a belief, acknowledged or unacknowledged, that employment m any-Jarge industrial concerns gives tbe employee a vested interest in 'the future management of that concern, and even m the management of all other concerns of a similar kind. It may be said that this ,is an exaggeration, and that the utmost the strikers really though' not' ostensibly claim, is a vested interest in' the employing power of a concern m which they are employed. This, however, does not cover tbe whole ground of claim ; there are also claims on the property, through demands concerning rates of wages, and claims to a voice m the management, concerning the taking on and dismissal of bands, and so fortb. Now that these claims have been pat m definite form, any given strike may be examined m the light of thiß doctrine, and an opinion be tbe more easily formed as to the justice of its aims snd methods. As tbe Star's correspondent says, the legislator must consider these claims very carefully and. righteously, and determine whether they ought to be crystallised into law or not. Instead of doing permanent harm then, the Homestead strike may prove " an object lesson furthering tbe establishment of a wise public, policy between labouremploying institutions and working people. Each is going to know better, as the result of tbe individual and public inquiry growing out of this deplorable incident, what public law must be as to tbe ownership of labouremploying enterprises, and what labour unions and labourers must determine as the field of their practical and practicable operations." There can be little doubt as to what the public law must be. To admit that employment gives the employee the slightest vested right, to continued employment, and the power to enforce that right by law, apart from any agreement with his employer, would subvert the whole industrial organisation. There must be numerous ways m which tbe lot of labour may be ameliorated and oppression put down, but we cannot conceive that a law upholding the extreme claims now and then made by strikers is among them. I OWN & COUNTRY, ■ ' <» A nor'-wester was blowing orer the mountains all yesterday, but it did Dot reach the. coast the wind here being southerly. Ooniidersbla interest is boiog tafcqn id the Temuks Town Board elections, there being eleven nominations for fire »aoanciei. All the old board hate been, re-ttominnted; although one, Mr Votor Coira, is ab«ont from me colony. Ho iB, however, on his way from Home , and is expected to arrive m a few weekiv ■ .

At the committee meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday, there were present tho ohairman und Messrs Xesohemaker, Hill, Stumbles, Morris and Gibson. A raoomrmiudalion wns prepared for ttia Board concerning tlio tenders fpr combined tug and dredge, and agrood to — but not unanimously. Tho Canterbury team of footballers passed through Timaru on their way home from Dunedin last night by the express. Ihny wero mot. by a large number of footballer?, and the hon. see. of tho Rugby Union called for three cheers as tho train moved off, a call whbh was responded to honrtily. Mr O. E. Hugo leotured last evening it the Oddfellows' Hall upon pliysioguomy to o good house. The lecture was principally upon the expression of faces, and by means of numerous illustrations the theories of the speaker were fully brought home. •- The walls of tho hall arc oavsrod with portraits and sketches, whioh are well worth inspection. This evening Mr Hugo leolures on tho shape of hands. He will then lecture m the country districts, due notice of which will be given. The Yen. Archdeacon Harper will deliver the third of bis series of leoturea with limelight views, entitled "London, and English Cathedrals," m »id of St. Mary's Sunday schools, on Thursday ovoning next. The first two lectures were very popular, and were well attondod. This promises to bo equally good, a« the pictures are entirety new, and have not been exhibited hore before. Mi Wileox hoa kindly promised his limelight, and will undertake the management of it. A private telegram from Oamsru says the Bain pier Company opened thero lust night to an onthimuetio audience, and the building was full to the doors. Tho most hearty appreciation was bestowed on ' The Green Lnnee of England." Such a success has not been teen m Oainaru before. Mr Alfred Dampior'e appennnce was greotod with cheers, and he had repeatedly to bow hie acknowledgements. Wo once more remind our readers that tho company will appear at the Theatre Boj&l this evening, There is m Taranaki a very useful institution known as tho Taranaki Scenery Preservation Sooiety. Its objects are : — " 1. To endeavour to preserve beautiful scenery or historical sit;s, whether publio or private property. 2. To prevent the unnecessary destruction of bush, especially along the banks of rivers and m steep places. 3. To encourage tree planting and the general beautifying of publio reserves. 4. To publish guide books, puraphlots, &0., and by means of photographs and otherwise to make known the beauties of the district. 6. And generally to endeavour to make travelling easier and p'.eafanter." Wo should like to see a similar society estsblisned m South Canterbury. Soms Invercargill carpenters are makiDg hay rakes to oompeto with tbo imported American article. Small tradesmen, the Southland Times remarks, are beginning to realise that there are directions m which they may use their energies to their own advantage, besides adding to the prosperity of the community. Much money has been lost and despondency created m these colonies by the failures of attempts to fly too high m industrial pursuits. We have, frequently, tried to make thrashing machines before we had compassed the construction of the simple rake to collect the loose straws to be threshed, we have sought to make articles whioh our limited population could not nse up m sufficient quantities to pay for the' plant and wages required to produce them. The Wailri F.O. mot Temuka m Temuka on Saturday, aud the game resulted m one of the best contested of tun season. The junior team, who had the assistance of Storey, Qillospio and Armitage, played up splendidly and during the first spell it was thought tho seniors would go down, but the sterling play of the Waihi backs, particularly A. Opie and A. Shallard, saved them time after time. No score resulted m the first spelt. In the second spell A- Opie by a splendid run ncored behind the posts, from which try a goal was kicked. From this oat the play went up and down the field, neither side having much advantage. Tho game ended m a win for Waihi by a goal to nil. We are pleased to any the game was played m a moat friendly spirit. Mr J. McOaskMl carried the whiatl c and gave every eatiafaotion. A most enjoyable social ovoning was spent m the Library Hall, Bt. Andrewe, on Thursday last, when about 30 gentlomou from the Otaio, Makikihi and surrounding districts met to say good bye to Mr D, McLaren, late of Bankfield estate, and to present him with a amall memento of tbeir esteem. Mr D. Stowell occupied the chair, and Mr Ljall, manager of tho Pareora Estate, the vice-obair. Mr James Moehan, of IVTakikihi, proposed the toast of tho oveninp , " The health of D. McLaren," m a very neat speech, and Mr Molraron mado a feeling reply. Mr A. Sutherland, manager of Bskbauk, was called on to present Mr McLaren with parting gifts m the shape of a diamond scarf ring, topaz seal, set of topaz studs snd links, and a gold albert chain and sovereign case. In accepting those handsome presents Mr McLaren said that it required no auch valuable articles to convince him of thoir kindness and esteem. During the evening a long list of toasts were gone through, snd several good songs and recitations were given, three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrsj McTjaron bringing a most enjoyable evening to a oloso. At the Baptist Church on Sunday evening the Bey. 0. 0. Brown reviewed the letter of "Tangata Maori," on Christianity and the Maoris, which appeared m our oolumnt lust week. He looked upon the writer of t lint. letter as representing nine hundred million of heathens, who asked to bo freed from thoir superstitions, but the answor they rcuoirad from Christianity confuses mid bnwililorn them ; Ohristianily has so many fnoo» mid go many voices. Mr Brown freely adiußM that the English raoo is fust (ti"ii>K up its belief m Christianity m the variou* formi (v whioh it is presented, as n eyntem of faith rotten to the core, hopelofsly rent miurulur, and helpless to renew the vigouf of itn youth. Mr Moody, the famoue evangelist, only two months ago declared that GO per cent, of the English working men wore hoil.ile to it. "Tangata Maori 1 ! " taunt about shutting tho Bible out of eohools Mr Brown endorsed, every Christian should try to mond ouch » godless law. The Motive's romark to the Bishop of tho diocese, "phyeician heal thyself" was edifying indeed; what answer! could the good bishop make to it ? He quite I agreed with "Tangata Maori " whon he said it were better to havo left the Maoris with their real belief m an umeen spiritual world than to destroy that and give them only a make-believe m its stead. Tho Christian religion, m its original purity and oimplioity, the praacher claimed, i» tho grandest, oobloet, and most perfect evor given to man, but its modern apostate forme mflet bo swept away by taa'relurn of the Messiah.

Mr W. Boedell, farmer, Pleasant Point, applies for a patent for a " chain manure drill." Tlio Guraldino County Acclimatisation Society intond to try agoin to arrange for the opening of tho Mackenzie. Lakes for the netting of trout. Tho Mackenzie Count; Council are supporting thorn m their effort. Attention is particularly directed to the advertisement olsowhero roapooting the Seadown school concert and dance. An excellent program mo has been arranged, and a mod enjoyable ovoning abould be spent. The West Coast Times eajs:— Tho Aceli' matigntion Society received a consignment ol young fl»h by the Waipora on Sept. 11th which were promptly released m Lak« Mahinapua. The consignment consisted ol 33 perob, 226 carp, 25 oat fish, and 20C tench, all very strong and healthy. Only twe or three were lon on the way round fron liyttclton. It is understood that m two oi threa years fUbing with tho red may b< resorted to iv the lake. Mr Barton, tb< secretary, speaks very highly of the America! cat fish, which grew to a weight of six pounds furnish good sport, and are of a deWcioui flavour. They are also especially suited t< tho lake. It is proposed to release tho ne* eupply of flab, principally peroh, m Laki Kanieri. There sro row on view m Messrs Bule anc BadcliQVs shop window m Beswick street i couple of art specimens which have attrnctec a lot of attention. They are the work o Mies Beatrice Part ridge, of Cbristohurcb, i daughter of Mr Partridge, who wna at ooi time n jowollcr m Timaru Miss Pattri^gi is a lr.oniber of the Canterbury Sohool of Art and m addition to obtaining jnouj locu honours, carried off a bronze medal at th Indian and Colonial Exhibition, which vra held m London. The speoitsons on view ii the shop named are "English pond scenes,' — .oil paintings on mirror plates ; and for si young on artist are exceptionally well done The colouring io most tasteful, and th scenery admirably depicted. All lovers o painting should certainly have a look at th pictures. Post ofßco orders, bank draft?, and notes oheques, promissory notes, coin, and so on, o a total value of £6518 18s 61, were found ii letters opened m tho Doad Letter Office o the colony during the posityoar. In additioi an aneriod barometer, a gold watch and chhin a silver watch and chnin, 2 silver watcbea, ! gold rings, and several other articles o jewellery, one half pennyweight, of gold, ! pocket knife, a pair of spectacles, and i passage tiokefc from Westport to Wellingtoi were received. There were 89R unclaimei registered letters, 214 letters without sd dresses, 481 letters itnperfeotly addressed, 2 letters posted with previously usod stamps 1223 newspapers and 515 b ioks and othe articles without addromes were received at thi office; while 12 letters with libellous ad dresses were intercepted, and 4587 lettsn were refused by the people to whom thej were uddressed. Mr Edward Trogoar, Ohief Inspector undei the Factories 4et, bai recently issued three ciroulars dealing with tho working of tb( Act. The wooloheds, barns, milkineohedo &o , of producers on farms, stutioos or runs are not to be considered factories. Wool sheds or premises used by exporters, agente and others m pressing or preparing wool foi manufacture are factories. Factories and workshops engaged m " intermittent in' dustries " are to be exempt from the atriot interpretation of Seotion 58 of the Factories Act. That is to Bay, that the hours of laboui are not to be strictly limitod if tho Inspector is satisfied that the timo of work does not pros upon employees m a manner which prevents them having reasonable periods ol rest and relaxation. Under '' intermittent industries " are to be classed freezing and meat preserving works, jam factories, and laundries m seaport towns, these being employments^wherein the work people have periods of compulsory idleness or slackness, Dairy faotories, butter aud cheese factories, and creameries are aleo to be considered at "intermittent industries." There baa been a large mortality among sheep on turnips m the Wyndhatn district oi Southland during the winter now passing away, and the loss was so serious that careful enquiry haß been made into the cause of it. The question usually asked when an epidemic occu'B among live stock, is " What is the cute for it," but the proper question to aek is " What is the cause of it ?" A contributor to tho Southland Times, with tho latter question m bis mind, has pointed out that soil, climate, and manure, and condition ac to ripeness, each and all affect the feeding value of the root". He points out that m a wet season turnips do not ripen so soon as m a dry ono, and if fed oil too soon may cause mischief. Unripe turnips are not only deficient m sugar, but contain aoids which are positively unwholesome. On tho other hand iv over-ripo orops much nf the nugar of a mature root is converted into woody fibro, and thus one of the most valuable food constituents is lost. It is not sufficient to havo a largo crop of turnips to put sheep on ; quality is as important at quantity. We have received from Mr P. W. Hutton a cop; of " Aids to Experimental Science," a little work intended to assist sohool toaoUere >a giving ecionce lesson* to their classes, and to atsiit candidates for D certificates m preparing theinielvei. Tho author is Mr Andrew Gray, headmaster of one of the AuoMund district schools, snd the work has boon carefully revised by oompotent soienoo tenabsrs m the colony. The subjects treated •re matter and energy, conditions of matter, gravitation, mechanical powers, sound, light, heat, magnetism, elootrioity, chemistry, physiology aud health, with something .about soils and manures. The principles under each hend are briefly stated, and the bulk of the work is taken up with directing how to make experiments illustrating those principles. The work slone is not a sufficient text book on any subject, but as an aid it must prove very useful. The price, Is 63, is low enough to enable every teacher to have one, and it appears to us that possession of it must lead to the making of many of the experiments, even for mere amusement's sake. The simplest methods and materials are generally recommended. There are perhaps rather too many chemical experiments whioh are labelled " dangerous j" yet there is an advantage m gaining eiperienoe, under oompetent direotion, of how to eonduot dangerous experiments. Cur publio eohcols would be all the better for more soience teaching It is impossible to teach any science m the cohools, it would be absurd to pretend to do so, but it 1b quite possible to teaoh boys and girls th»fc there are suoh sciences rs those enumerated above, aud give them an idea of what they are, so that they will not m aftersohool life present a dead wall of ignoranoo towards tciontiSc facts and allusions they may nioet with m their experienco or readiogs. ' . ■ |

( A meoting of the Garrison Band Committee 11 was held last evoning when a quantity of routine business was traneacted, but nothing , of public intoroot. i A. committee meeting of the Labour Sports i was held at the committee rooms on Saturday at Waimale, Mr T. Brown presiding. Tin canraesera' report having been read it was , found that about £40 m trophies and money could bo given for prizes. Besides deciding ; to bare sevoral minor events it was ro«olved ; to have a £10 handicap to be oalled the Union Handioap, a £5 tug-cf war 10 men on end: eide (Some and Colonial) ; also £8 for light : and heavy weight wrestling. After deoidinj to hold tho Bports on the 20th of Ootobor anc J instructing the secretary (Mr J. O'Brien) t< j get out the programme as soon as possible , the meeting terminated. > After the Government parade jesterdai ! evening Colonel Bailey met tho officers of thi ; garrison and representatives ef the . Gar risen 3 Match Committee, when a quantity of bnsi 3 ness was got through. Amongst other thing i it we^ deoided to reopen the range whioh ha , boon closed for extensive alterations, by i s triangular match between representatives o 3 the garrison corps on Thursday, 29th mat t Canvas targets will be used m future fo; 9 cliaa-firing, prastioa and matches. The worl on tho range has been carried out by tbi J Garrison Match Committee, and it is ci i peoted that with the improvements made thi 3 shooting can be oonduoted much faster am f bettor m every way. » A Government parade of the Navals an< a Rifleß was held joßtorday evening. Ther b was a good muster of both corps, eaoh of whiot , |was excerciaed separately m company dnl I under its own ofßoers and non-commiesionei o officers. Very good work woo done, and th s parade was dismissed about 9 p.m. W a learn that Colonel Fox is expected to mak " his formal ii spec! ion m South Cantcrbur 0 some time noifc monlb. Our volunteers ha< >• been working hard for some lime to Re " themselves m readiness, dieses for officer f and non-commissioned officers being heli c weekly, as well as extra drills. Ihe < Battery parade this evening, when a ful i t muster is specially desired.