The Observer.

Observer, Volume 2, Issue 32, 23 April 1881, Page 336

The Observer.

Saturday, April 23rd, ISSI

Now that a contemporary has been committed for trial for trial for libel, it is quite likely that ■we shall have a regular series of newspaper prosecution?. Already there are rumours 'of actions against two daily papers in the province, and it wouldn't at all surprise us if certain persons who shall be nameless were to seize this opportunity to have a slap at us. The fact is the public is very ignorant of the law of libel. To hear people talk on Thursday last one would have imagined that Mr. Wickham had been tried and practically convicted, whereas his case hasn't even been gone into. A magistrate possesses no sort of jurisdiction in a criminal libel action. All such cases must be tried at the Supreme Court, and the R.M.s power is limited to receiving proof of publication and dismissing the case if palpably frivolous. Everyone who knew anything knew that Mr. Wickham must be committed ; indeed it would have saved a long and useless sitting if lie had confessed publication to begin with. Those who look upon the case as all done and over may be interested to know that Mr. Labouchere, the editor of Truth, has been prosecuted criminally on three or four occasions, and each time received a triumphant acquittal. The most famous action was that brought by a so-called Turkish Pasha named Lambri, whom Labouchero found out cardsharpino- and most cruelly exposed. Lambri "went for Truth straight, and endeavoured to prove his innocence, but he failed utterly, and had to leave the country in disgrace. Mi". Labouchere is a rich man, and the money cost of defending actions matters little to him. The consideration of expense is, however, an allimportant one to the colonial journalist, who, before he attempts to expose a palpable job or s\vindle, has to make up his mind whether he will stand the odium and money loss of a libel action. People often say, " Why don't you show up this man or brand that one with his shame." They are moat anxious to ogg yoH. on into a difficulty ; but say, " I'll do it it you'll agree to stand half the ' racket,' " and see how quickly they withdraw.

It is very generally understood that Mr, Rees lias no animus against Wickham personally, but only wishes to get at the writer of the objectionable articles— said to be a Mr. Gannon, of Gisborne. The editor of the Lance has of course refused to give up the necessary information, and announced his intention to stand the affair out, come what may. This determination ia in strict accordance with newspaper etiquette. An editor is boimd to stand by his contributors, and conceal their identity

unless they deliberately deceive him. For instance, supposing A. sends us a par. accusing B. of bigamy, and we insert it without inquiry, we become responsible for the consequences. If, however, we ask A., " Are you qitite sure the story is true?" and he replies, "Yes, I am," and we find afterwards that he has deliberately lied to us, then we are justified in sacrificing him. A regular contributor is of course expected to be more careful than a casual one. He is paid for his work, he knows the rules of the paper he writes for, and also that the editor places confidence in him, and he has no excuse for running his chief into danger.

An _ awful letter has come to hand from "Junius," pitching into us (to use a vulgar phrase) /'like one o'clock" for inserting " Brutus's " re])ly after announcing our intention to close the correspondence. We have got into this scrape through trying, like iEsop's old man with the donkey, to please all parties. Here are the facts:— Some Aveeks ago "Junius" sent in an article entitled " Piety as one of the Fine Arts." Presuming it to be a racy tirade against hypocrisy, and knowing it came from a trustworthy and valued contributor, Aye postponed reading'" the copy " till it Avas set up in type. When Aye did peruse it Aye Avere astonished and rather annoyed to find that the writer, instead of indulging in a social skit, had entered on a theological discussion from a free-thinking point of vieAv, and revived a number of Tom Paine's most notable arguments. The article was in point of fact quite unfitted for the Observer's columns, and if it had been sent in by a paid contributor we should even at that time (and notwithstanding the labour lost) have unhesitatingly rejected it. When, however, Aye remembered the trouble "Junius " had kindly taken over the article, and that its rejection (after correcting proofs, revises, &c.) would seem most ungracious, Aye hadn't strength of mind to give the necessary order.

This weakness it soon became apparent was a great mistake. "Piety as a Fine Art" created a most unpleasant sensation amongst the orthodox folk. They one and all declaimed against it in no measured terms, and censured the Observer severely for crivinc- pn l> licity to such views. Why people should be so desperately afraid of reading the honest opinions of a free-thinker we don't profess to know. Their faith must be of a very oi m . cracky character if it can be affected by newspaper scribbling. However, the fact remains that a great many very worthy persons are afraid of perusing heretical lucubrations, and consider the insertion of an article like " Junius'" an offence against society. Well, on the following Saturday we allo wed the Broad Church party as represented by " Brutus" and "Certainty " to have their say in the Observer, and here it was fully intended the matter should end. 'Junius," however, prevailed on us to let him have a word more, and as Aye were anxious to give this gentleman the amplest fair play, we also inserted the letter of another contributor backing up his views. When these were published "Brutus" wrote in a much-injured tone, urging that as he belonged to the attacked party he had a right to the last word, and his demand seemfno- a reasonable one, we allowedhim a few lines. Now •Junius" wants to have another say. He claims that he was the opener of the discussion and that he is entitled, by all known laws of debate, to the last word. We can't exactly see the force of this law, in fact " Brutus's " contention that the attacked party has a right to the final retort, appears by far the most reasonable. This once, however, we will give wav and allow "Junius" to be heard, but any other communications on the subject will only be inserted as advertisements. The discussion has degenerated into a personal squabble, and is neither interesting nor edifying.

To the Editor : Sir,— As "Brutus" seems resolved to persist in obtruding splenetic ignorance on the public instead of knowledge— which of course is but the natural and best* course to adopt when either a cause is weak, or if strong, where its champion is impotent to show its strength— it only remains for me to perform a very easy duty and which probably your readers will consider a very superfluous one namely, to point out that in every essential my article on "Piety" still remains unanswered for the simple reason that there is no logical answer to the exposure of hypocrisy and error and that when an answer is attempted it is to hoped that the attemptor will not fall into a mistake that "Brutus" has fallen into viz of assuming malicious insinuations to be ar<ni'ments. I altogether refrain from commentV the personal remarks made by "Brutus" firstly because, as it happens, I can well afford to do so ; but also because, even were it other wise, the weakness of the vessel cannot possibly affect the quality of the wine. My cause is too good to tempt me to degenerate, like "Brutus " into personalities, although the persotmel of Brutus otters indeed a tempting theme were I so disposed. Junius

An amusing incident occurred at Oneliunga during last Aveek. A quantity of dried shark was lying on the wharf awaiting shipment to Wanganui for Mete Kingi, an influential chief of the Ngatiawa tribe, who had been up here attending the Orakei and Waitangi meetings, and, as is the usual custom with natives when returning, he was taking home with him about a ton of this much-prized and high-smelling fish as a present to his tribe from their Northern friends. Two tradesmen — residents of Oneliunga, but claiming birth north of the Tweed — together with an engineer, whose accent denoted that he also came from somewhere thereabouts, were passing down the wharf, when they espied Mete's collection of the finny tribe, and instantly conceived that an excellent opportunity had presented itself of having a lark with a friend of theirs who looks after the business of a certain butcher in Queenstreet. The conspirators forthwith selected a good specimen of shark from one of the bundles, and after cutting oft' the fins they carefully wrapped it up in paper and labelled it "Fresh Barracouta : A present from the chief steward of the Stella to Mr. D n." An apprentice from the ironworks close by was deputed to deliver the parcel, which it is said he did in a surprisingly short space of time, and landed it on the counter in the shop where Mr. D. was biisily engaged in attending to his customers. The apprentice then looked round, and, perceiving the said customers, with compressed lips and puckered-up faces, heading for the doorway, and Mr. D., with an ominous cast in his eye, making a bee line for the parcel, he decided that something was wrong, and, thinking discretion the better part of valour, headed swiftly up the street, not deigning to look back till he readied a spot from which he thought he might safely venture to take a last peep at the shop. There, on the pavement, stood the irate Mr. D., with his left arm describing an angle of forty-five, the hand grasping firmly his nasal organ, while the right arm performed sundry evolutions in the air anything but reassuring to the apprentice, who it is said has since decided to carry nothing but closely sealed canned fish in future. Mr. D. — who by-the-way is a very nice gentleman — would like to interview the party who .sent the shark.

That Avas a very affecting scene at the meeting of the .South British Insurance Company the other day, when the ex-manager (recently from Europe) did the Job Trotter business. After the formal routine of the meeting was over Abraham looked anxiously round, apparently expecting some shareholder to rise and propose a welcome to him (Abraham) on his return to our shores. Seemingly, however, it was a matter of perfect indifference to the shareholders whether Abraham ever " returned to our shore" or remained to wrestle with pigeon French in company Avith the impulsive Stannus, in the south of France. But the irrepressible Abraham was equal to the emergency, and, as no one else moved in the matter, proceeded to remind the meeting that he "had returned to our shores ;" that Avhen the report of the previous half-yearly meeting reached him in North Wales, and he read the sentiments of affection and esteem expresse towards himself, his feelings Avere "too many for him," and he dropped several tears into his porridge ; that though he Avas obliged to tear himself aAvay from further association with the Company and sever his his cordial and affectionate relations "with the staff, still he •would watch over them in spirit, and remember them in his deA^otions. Of course complimentary remarks were made by several present in reply to Abraham's modest speech, but they were confined to congratulations on his restored health. Strange to say, no expression of opinion fell from their lips to the effect that the interests of the Company had in any Avay suffered by the loss of Abraham. One shareholder, Aye believe, had conceived the idea of proposing a resolution, but the meeting closed before he had time to write it out. It Avas to the following effect : "That while congratulating Mr. Boardman on his improved physical condition, this meeting trusts that he Avill not incur the risk of a relapse by again reneAving his connection Avith the Company."

_ In old days it used to be considered undesirable, and even reprehensible, for doctors to tell patients suffering from heart disease, consumption, and similar complaints of their

danger. Latterly, however, a habit appears to have grown up of blurting out the truth at all hazards, and occasionally the custom leads to most disastrous results. Proof positive of this was brought under notice a week or two a^o A gentleman whom we will style A. came out to New Zealand last May for his health. He knew he had a weak chest, and that it behoved him to be careful, but. till a month or so ago, when, not feeling very well, he consulted ui\ a., he was quite unaware that there was anything wrong with his heart. Dr. X told the poor fellow the truth with almost brutal frankness, and the result was that the shock of the discovery killed him. Never very stronothe announcement of his danger wholly unstrung his nerves, he knocked off work at once and within a fortnight succumbed to the disease. We quite believe he would have lived much longer but for this misadventure • at any rate the fact remains that the doctor's speech was the main cause of his last illness

The unfortunate people of Newmarket have suffered grevious annoyance from stinks allowed to become a nuisance on Government land. They have appealed to resident Ministers, peripatetic Ministers, stray Premiers, and all they could catch. Deputations and members of the Assembly have represented the case in vain. All through the hot weather the thing has been going on. At last, after months of delay, and when the cold season is coining in, the nuisance is to be abated. Newmarket, must, we suppose, be thankful at any rate, but surely it is time such a system, compelling people to worry a whole Ministry, and to put into movement a whole host of Uncler-Secre-taries over a local matter that ought to have been settled in a couple of hours on the spot, should be brought to an end.

Tliis is a fact : A certain ex-Mayor from a certain New Zealand city Avas doing the "grand tour "of the Australian Colonies. At this time lie had not ceased to be Mayor. In Sydney he invested in a shilling book on "Etiquette." On the passage to Melbourne, when Neptune gave him a respite from mal-cle-mcr, the Avorthy ex-M. became deeply absorbed in its contents. During the Exhibition month accommodation was scarce in Melbourne, and the ex-M. had to share his sleeping apartment with a fellow-passenger, who had a penchant for practical joking. Observing the ex-M., both on deck and in his berth, constantly and studiously perusing one particular book, his curiosity became aroused. One morning the book was, by a fatal oversight, left lying about, and after being carefully inspected by the practical joker, was hidden underneath the ex-M.'s mattress. This was most painful, and from early morn till dewy eve the proprietor of "Etiquette" was instituting inquiries from stewards and others regarding its whereabouts. The practical joker sympathised with his loss, and asked if he was placed in any particular dilemma. "Well," said the ex-M., "how should I act about cards?" "Oh, that is simple enough," said the p.j. ; "you should tie together with red silk two cards— one inscribed Mayor of , and the other with your real name. That is the correct thing to do." On clit that the ex-M. spent much valuable time in hunting about for red silk thread, greatly to the amusement of his fellow-passengers.

We much regret to have to announce the death of Mr. R. Blevin (till recently foreman printer in this office), which occurred on the morning of Friday last, after a brief illness of little more than a fortnight. Mr. Blevin was born and commenced life in Liverpool, where by dint of sheer hard work he at a comparatively early age got together a thriving printing business. Unfortunately he was not strong, and perpetual application, combined with an infamous climate, proved too much for him. About twelve months ago his medical men ordered him to a sunnier land, and, their mandate being imperative, he had to sell his business at a sacrifice and come to New Zealand. At first the change seemed to do the poor fellow good. He picked up wonderfully ; and when the Observer started, in September last, applied for a frame, and was appointed foreman printer. The workmanlike manner in which the first issue was turned out elicited a great deal of complimentary comment from the trade, and established Mr. Blevins reputation as a first-class hand. He was indeed a

most valuable auxiliary. Employer and subordinates alike respected him, and, though his authority m the composing room was unquestionable, no one ever heard him use a rough word or make an illnatured speech. Mr. Blevm devoted much of his leisure to serious pursuits. His piety was not of the objectionably obtrusive kind, but it was very real ; and many can bear testimony to acts of unostentatious kindliness and generosity. The deceased leaves a young wife and two little children, who will return to their friends in England.

A couple of young girls, living in a boardinghouse at Ponsonby, played an awfully mean trick the other night on another young and attractive maiden, living in the same house. They all had some cake and colonial wine together, and in the unsuspecting one's glass was poured a small portion of tincture of asafcetida, which, as every one knows, smells like a conglomeration of onions, bad eggs, decayed vegetables, and a host of other disagreeable things too numerous to mention. The prank-playing damsels knew that the unhappy maid's lover, Mr. Charles — > of the Bank of invariably called on Sunday night, and they also knew that while she could not detect flavour of "the asafcetida in the wine, nevertheless, it would produce to her aforesaid Charles the impression that she had been eating onions by the peck. Poor, pretty little unsuspecting thing ! She was radiant when she Hew to the door and admitted the manly form of her heart's affections ; and she did not observe, as they were locked in a close embrace, that as his lips met hers, drawing a dimple in the back of her neck, that a look of wild, unutterable horror spread over his noble lineaments a dusky palor. He cut the embrace short, and they went and took their places on the cosey tete-a-tete in the corner. Then she noticed tliere was a far-off, troubled look in his eye, and he shifted about uneasily, as if vaguely aware that something was the matter, but he couldn't exactly tell what it was. She couldn't detect the odor, which resembled the day before yesterday's fried onions, and which was lingering dreamily around on the soft, warm air.

"Dearest," asked she, shyly, " what is the matter ?" " Nothing, sweetheart, nothing, that is— nothing," answered lie, as his gaze flew swiftly from one object to another. " But there must be," said she, leaning forward. -'You are not yourself to. nig lit. You have something on your mind. Tell me, darling;" and she tried to gaze into his face, while he dodged her with a look in his eyes like that of a hunted wild beast. ' ' My love, you are not well, " said she anxiously, as she wound her arms about his neck and drew his head about until their faces nearly touched. '• Wh-h-hat is the matter?" and she tenderly sighed her soul full in his face. "Oh, great Godfrey!" lie groaned, as the fatal simoon struck him. " You— that is, I —am not feeling very well." "But, dearest, you seemed all right when you came in," she persisted, lovingly, and then she sighed again, bang up his nose, and he jumped like a goaded mule and kicked over a little table. "I know I did," said lie, nervously picking up the poker and abstractedly putting it into his coat-tail pocket. " I know I did ; but I'm awfully bad now. I'm afraid I'll have to go," he continued, as she leaned over toward him again. " I think lam going to have scarlatina." "Gracious Charles," said she ; " can it be that you are ill?" "Yes," answered he as he arose and ran the poker through his hair in an ill-directed, agitated, manner. " Good night, darling. Don't kiss me," he continued, shuddering; "you might catch the fatal scourge," and he burst out of the door and disappeared. The young girl, as she Avandered distressed and musinoout of the room, next tackled a gruff old lodger, who, in pretty strong language, convinced her of the fact that she had been eating something exceedingly nasty, and then she discovered the joke by asking the same girls who had played the trick on her in an agonised tone of voice if her breath was really perceptible. They exploded with ill timed levity, and then told her all. She says now she never will have anything to do with them again as long as she lives ; and as for poor Charles, well .