The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1880.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 383, 7 February 1880, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1880.

In the recent case of libel, Anderson v Kirkbride, Mr Justice Richmond sarcastically remarked that he understood that untruthfulness was the preogative of the journalistic profession. The case itself justified tho somewhat severe reflection, and however anxious New Zealand journalists may be to repel such a charge, they cannot, as a body, deny tho accusation. An American humorist once remarked that it was easier to say a smart thing than'a true one, and it has been ttiemisforluue of many journalists to sacrifice truth to smartness, Again, unfortunately, the ablest journalists are frequently the slaves of passion. They have strongsympathies, and still stronger antipathies, and they seek less to discover what is true or right than they do to hit their enemies and to back up their friends, Another weakness of New Zealand journalism has been professional jealousy. Instances aio frequently apparent of one newspaper systematically abusing and vilifying another for this reason, totally ignoring the fact that the proper iiso of ajournal is to redress public rather than private grievances. The gradual growth. of newspaper literature in this colony will probably remove these blemishes off the press. Tho recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the case v of Anderson v. Kirkbride will go a long" way towards bringing about a better state of things. Ono of the ablest and oldest journalists in" the colony, and one who by his keen wit, and outspoken frankness has done much good service amongst us, has-been pilloried as a "literary blackguard." The lesson is a severe one, and it is not likely to be without its influence on the Press of the colony. In the long run, truthfulness, moderation, and forbearance, are the best safeguards for the prosperity of the Press. The cut and slash style of journalism, the reckless [hitting at any head which presents itself, and the dragging up of personal and private matters in the.columns of a public print are sure to weaken rather than to strengthen a paper, however much they may at the time amuse or interest a section of the public, The open and undisguised contempt recently expressed by a Judge of the Supreme Court for the newspaper literature of New Zealand, will, we hope, lead to a much needed reform.

The first election ot trustees for the Caßtlepoint Rabbit District will be held on the 6th March, at the Public Hall, Tenui, Mr Alexander McHutchon lias been appointed returning office. Two stone-breakers ai'e wanted by Mr Alexander at the Opaki Bridge Contract. Mr G. Burslem, runs a'fouv horse drag from the Taueru to the Wairarapa Race?!

Applications close on Monday next fof the post of Secretary to North Wairarapa Benevolent' Society. A meeting of Stewards of Wailieii"a Races will be held on Monday evening next at the Waihenga Hotel. We hear that a raid is about to be made on the unregistered dogs of Masterton and that many a bark will soon be lost.

We remind our readers of Mr Girdlestone's sale in the Hall to-day. lorns and Fergusson also hold their sale of land at Featherston at 2 p.m. this afternoon. All applications for licenses at the ensuing silting of the Licensing Court must be lodged in duplicate with Mr Freeth, at Featherston, by next Wednesday. The adjourned case from Thursday's sitting of the R. M. Court, York Bros, v. Tawavoa, Debt £6 6s Bd. was to have been heard yesterday morning, but nono' of the parties put in an appearance. The Wellington correspondent of tlio Waikato'Times describes the" two-headed child" now being exhibited at WilhV street as "an abomination preserved inspirits of wine in a bottle."

We are requested to state that the church parade of the Greytown Volun teers will take place in the evening, instead of the morning as previously arranged. Members of the Corps are requested to meet at the Post Office at 6.30 p.m. At the election of members for.the Waiohine River Board of Conservators, about thirty ratepayers were present. Messrs Haigh, Hammerich, Caselberg, and Gallagher being the only gentlemen nominated,' were declared duty elected!; We do not think a better selection could have been made, as they are all practical business men, and this fact probably accounts hi a measure for there being no opposition, At a meeting of the Board held afterwards, Mr Caselberg was.reelected Chairman, and Mr A. L. Webster clerk to the Board,

If being., first in the field is a good omen, Mastevton should make some show in the coming football season, though it is. quite early, for .the formation of a club; seeing that the cricket season is not yet but, and wo hope to see many good matches before its close. We expect to hear of a meeting of the Greytown Club being held soon, 1 and some interesting matches. between the ..two clubs during the season And we liopeJalso to.Bee all the Wairarapa Clubs join the Rugby Union Football Association of Wellington,; ; ." .

. .. .- . . . ... v* ■;■.- To-day. is.the''monthly*'paY;day'of- the' Masterton Building Society., ' .'■ '■'. j.' The ; : ordinary monthly :meeting'o£'|he Mnsterten./Hospital-eommitteej.xwilk'be •held bh Tuesday |?| ■ v\, j■--• Each;-.night the Icomefe <npw : yiaiting i.h this quarter of the glotie^sSo^va' more,brilliantly, tt-ia about preventable Bpecimen we have seen aiiiice thebig thing in'lßsß. •-■•.r**;--..:.,-x^S - ThefWairarapa Race's .are gpod, s and we hayVa;pr^Dt;c.t; : | :of-fine'iyeather,''-so tins' popular/I'meetingli We have" heard' nothing as yet aboutT band. ,;

The Yen Archdeacon Thorpe holds service at St Mark's Church, Carterton, on Sunday morning and eveijing. On Monday, at 8 p.m., a meeting pf parishioners takes place in the schoolrd'om, when the advisability of having a' resident clergyman will be discussed, j

The Trsubadours had a/fair house for their third, performance at';Masljerton last evening; and ; may be congratulated on being able,-, by their superior merit, to run three nights with us during'the present period of depression, To-night they play at Carterton, when we trust; they will command-the big house whiclijthey deserve". ■ '". ' ,:')'"-i '! The appearauce of-STcomet i$ causing much excitement in scientific circles. It has been seen during thelast three nights, and the tail extends from; the horizon to near the star Luta—about 25 degrees. It is slightly'curved, narrow and blight, and inclines to the ecliptic at abpt 8Q degrees, It is visible in the S. W. at/Sunset, and is beliov ed to be travellinsj towards the sun, Mrs Fisher, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, who was the lucky winner of the first prize in Ames it North's sweep, refused £3OO for her chance the night before the race. . It is stated that she afterwards sold half her interest for £IOO. (Deducting the usual 10 per cent commission, Mrs Fisher would therefore have netted £450 through Foul Play, having won the race for the Cup. ' • < '

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Masterton Town Land Truatees'was held last evening. Present—Messi'B Ronall (chairman), •Feist, IVrigley, and Gray, The newly appointed Tmstee, Mr Hare, took his seat for the first time, It was reported that no rent had been paid on a part of section 70 sold in 1878 to Mr John Soupor, and it. was resolved that the Trust, re-enter and take possession of the land/ The voters' list was tabled, and-it,.was resolved that the special meeting' for hearing ejections be fixed' for the 23rd inst,