THE TIME O' DAY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5038, 30 May 1895, Page 3

THE TIME O' DAY.

[by the sentinel.]

P Wklumtox, Tuesday. POISONOUS CARGOES. A largo English ship—the " Earnock," from Liverpool —lay alongside the Queen's Wharf tho other day discharging lier cargo. 1 happened to bo down the pier and for some time I watched the crew hoisting up some casks of what I took to be cement, and damping them down on the wharf in such a careless manner that presently the boards were strewn with a whito powder which leaked out as the barrels were rolled into the goods sheds. Presently someone discovered that these casks contained one of the deadliest of poisons known namely arsenic. After this discovery had been made, more care was taken in discharging tho casks, and the poison was carefully swept up and thrown into the harbour for the benefit of the fish who woald for the nonce ™ possibly realise what sea-sickness meant, Now the' Kiirnod;' was crammed to the combings of the batches with a very large general cargo, most of which was no doubt sprinkled with the arsenic as the casks were stowed on top. Possibly some of the cargo consisted of articles which are daily used for human consumption, such as groceries, salt, etc. It is quite likely that such was the case with a large general cargo as the " Karnock" carried. 1 need hardly point out how easy it would be for arsenic to find its way into loosely made eases containing currants, raisins, and the other hundred and one odds and ends which we daily purchase from the grocer. It will thus be : seen what a deadly danger stares us '< in the face from Ihecarelrss.stowage : jaLof poisons on hoard ship, to say ▼ nothing of the furl her danger which ] might result from the storage of I leaking poison casks in a shed con- ' taining all kinds of articles of ' general merchandise. The question ' is so serious that 1 think special regulations should be made for the ' storage and subsequent landing of f poisonous guods, just as is the ease ( withgunpowderand i.tlierexplosivcs. i A barrel of arsenic is infinitely J more dangerous to human life than [ a keg of gunpowder would be.

ixniuxAXT ixsn:i:i:s. There can be no doubt that the the people in Wellington who pay Fire Insurance premiums have a great deal to grumble at, as regards theexorbituiit rales they are charged. The long immunity which Wellinglms enjoyed from any serious fire and the splendid water supply, for which latter, by the way wo are heavily rated, are arguments, from the

insurers point of view, for a substantial reduction of premiums, in to this the ratepayers pay the maintenance of an expensive fire-brigade solely, it would appear, for the . benefit of the Insurance Cumpaniei, who except as ordinary ratepayers, contribute not one farthing towards its support. The Insurance Companies, with one or two exceptions, have formed an Association, by means of which they keep up a high tariff, and turn a deaf ear to any suggestions for a reduction in the premium rates. There is no doubt, that the Companies are acting foolishly, and before long they will lind this out, to their cost, for 1 am told that several powerful Companies, unrepresented here at present, are in negotiation with the lnsurerers Protection Association, to start in business in Wellington, with a view of effecting insurances at rates at least 50 per cent, below those now existing. The rates must come down, the Insurance Companies must j||j. Insurance in Wellington, at existing rates, is not one of the necessaries of business life.it is a positive luxury. While sympathising with the insurers, one must not, however, disregard the fact, that Wellington is, perhaps, from an insurance point of view, one of the most dangerous towns in the world, on account of the numerous wooden buildings which cluster so thickly together in our principal thoroughfares. In fact, no office or combination of offices, doing business in this city, is able to give cover to all the " block risks." Most of the blocks are now only partially insured. Heavy premiums might therefore be reasonaby expected. But 30,40,50 and even CO shillings per centum, is so unreasonable, that it looks very much like blackmail.

I'OM.Ct: IXSI'KCTIOX. jßy the recent re-arrangement of Alice Districts, consequent upon me despatch to England, of Inspector Pender, two men are now supposed to perform the duties which, formerly, were found almost too much for three. Inspector Thompson, who, by the way, is an immense favourite in Wellington, will have an especially hard time of it. Ho will have charge of an enormous district, which includes the whole of the Wellington Province, part of Taranaki up to New Plymouth, and Nelson and Marlborough. How will it be possible for one man to adequately supervise this large, populous, and important district? The idea is absurd; it is asking a mini to undertake almost 1 an impossibility. Had Inspector Thompson the winged sandals of the fabled Mercury himself, he could not, even then supervise, with any degree of thoroughness, the police in all parts of his district. Although this arrangement is reported to be only of a temporary nature, I hear Jhut it is contemplated to retire Aspector Pender, upon pension, oil i«'s return to (he Colony, so that it is more than likely it will ho permanent.

THE .POIiICE AND I'ATIIOXAfii;, Not so long ago, the Police, as a body, were composed of a very superior class of men, both mentally, morally, and physically, A largo per centage are, even now, in every ivay, a credit to the Force, lint the police service is gradually becoming deteriorated by some extremely undesirable additions to its ranks, in the shape of lecruits from the Permanent Artillery Corps. Host of tlio men coming from the Artillery, are proteges of the Government, and possess no other qualifications for ■the Police Force, beyond that of being of tho "right colour." 'formerly it was the custom to sub. Mit candidates for admission to the Police Force, to a searching examination as to their fitness in every respect, for the position, Now-a-days, every Dick, Tom, and Harry, who has been a failure in everything «!, provided lie has influence with pojvers that be, gets into the ■jnanent Artilleiy, and serving in ithat corps for the regulation period, lie is eventually drafted into the Police at a higher rate of pay. At one time, the Permanent Artillery lad tho reputation of being com- 1 posed almost entirely of educated

and reputable young mon, It it not so now, patronage lias changed that. The worst of it is, that not only is tiic Artillery Corps deteriorating in tone, but it is, in its turn, contaminating tho Polico Forco. To sneh n pass have matters gone, that the sujiciior mon in tho Artillery, refuse a transfer into the Police, while (he steady, respectable Constiiliii) keenly feels that the credit of tho Force, which has liithci'lu been abovo suspicion, is now broming seriously impugned. Hcceni Police Court disclosures, in which certain ox-Artillery men have played a prominent part, will show that wii.it I am now staling, is no idle go.va'p.

lIA.'NJXG IS I.OXDOX. Scene Lambton-quay ; TimeHigh iiiion and a bright sunshiny day. Dramatis persona. A young Englishman recently arrived fiom London, dressed in the West fashion, with trmisorn carefully rolled up as if topruiccttliemfrom the imaginary slush of f.he streets. Twosmall boys, Colonial.-;, of the street tjomin type, eyeing the fashionably dressed stranger closely. Thus one small urchin to the other, " Say Bill, does that ' masher' think its rainin' ?" The oilier: "No, you fool, it ain't rainin 'ere, but ho thinks its rainiu' in London!" Now chum (aside): "These beastly 'cawlanies' they don't undeistaid these things here." (exit). A SEW UliAl, FUJI.

The well-known le*al firm of Whitaker and Itussoll, Auckland, of which JIrC.E. Button, 11.11 R., is a member, proposes very shortly to open a branch establishment in Wellington. Mr Button has anived in Welline.'oii in connection with the matter, and will be engaged in arranging the opening until tin; session begins. During this session Mv Billion will be the resident partner in charge, and it is quite possible ihat eventually he will reside hei e altogether to conduct the linn's Wellington business. I understand that the linn of Whitaker and Russell have found it necessary to open a branch in Wellington on account of their extensive legal connection with the Bank of New Zealand, the Assets Company, and IheN.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Mr Billion will he much in demand in non-conformist church circles as he has acquired a considerable reputation as ut lay preacher in all parts of the t'Himy.

Till: CLEAT LOTTERY SCHEME. I again have it on the best authority tbiil it is the intention of the Globo Assets Company to introduce a Bill inlo Parliament next session for the pin pose of legalising their great Lottery Scheme. The promoters of the Bill have every confidence that it will pass both Houses, for it will have tho linn support of the Government. The weak part about the scheme is that it is proposed, I understand, to put up estates valued, at £750,000 to be placed by lottery in one year. Now it is manifestly impossible that even if tickets were offered for sale all over tin; world, that this amount would be placed right oil'. It would be much better to have a series of lotteries of say £IOO,OOO each, and to invoke the assistance of the great " George Adams," the promoter of the well-known racing "consultations" in Australia, in getting the tickets sold, George Adams, by the way, only sold £50,000 worth of tickets in the Dank of Vim Dioman's Laud Lottery out of £250,000 worth originally offered.

A lIISIIOI'AXDAX ODDFELLOW. The new Bishop of Wellington is a man of many parts. He is sure to be a success for he shines in such a variety of ways, The Bishop has lately astonished the ecclesiastical community by appearing as an Oddfellow ami vastly enjoying himself at the Oddfellows' dinner on the Queen's JJirthnight. He made a really excellent speech, I am told, and appeared to culerinto tho spirit of the gathering with much gusto, despite the fact that he had no doubt refused an invitation to the Governor's dinner in honor of Her Majesty's Birthday which took place on the same evening. Bishop Wallis is beyond doubt ontlicrighttiackfor he thoroughly appreciates the fact that it is "one touch of Nature which makes the whole world kin." EASIIIOXAIILE fIIATEIIXITIES.

The Bishop announced at the Oddfellows' banquet that in the event of the proposed "Hebekah" Lod"e being started, he would promise that Mi's Wallis would become a member, a remark which was greeted with applause. It is not, I think, generally known that Lady Glasgow is a member of the women's lodge in connection with the Foresters' fraternity, and which was named Court Lady Glasgow in compliment to her Ladyship. Several other leading ladies of position in Wellington foflowcd Lady Glasgow's example in becoming a Forester, or rather I should say a Forestress. To become a member of a women's court of a friendly society is now quite the latest fashionable freak, and a freak which undoubtedly is sure to be productive of considerable good, be the motives for joining what they limy, Anything' which tends to weld together in a common cause, the various elements of society is ii step in the right direction. At Home much active interest is taken by ladies of the highest rank in Friendly .Societies, and 1 am glad to see that the barriers of exclusively are being gradually broken down here also.

the itoiiki: axd tiii; kxkuitiiood. Everyone is wondering, notwithstanding the semi-oOicial denial by the Ministerial organ, whether the Premier really was ottered a knighthood or not, Some people confidently assert that Mr Scddon was offered the honour, if honour it be, but true to his democratic principles, ho resolutely refused the distinction. If this statement is true, then Mr Scddon is deserving of every credit for his unllinching fidelity to his principles, although havingbeforehimtheiineexampleset him by his late revered chief—Mr Ballance—who passed on his proffered knighthood tohiscolleaguo Sir Patrick JJuckloy-lhe Premier could hardly do otherwise. Other and belter men than Mr Scddon have fallen tothetGinptalion.nolably Sir Robert Stout and that much protesting Liberal of New South Wales —Sir Georgo Dibbs. There is no doubt that had Mr Seddon been offered and accepted a political knighthood,his political mam would speedily have become a thing of the past. It would have been the beginning of the end, Tjio question now arises: Is Mr Ward hanging about in London so long in the hopes of. receiving somo titular distinction ? The Birthday list may not bo all complete Thero may bo a oliarico yet both for Mr Ward and the other

; NowZealanders.whohnvc apparent I been left out in the cold, ' THE GOYEItNOItSHII' OK NEW SOUTH WALES. i Although Lord Glasgow has i: 1 formed tho press that be has not y ' received any official information : regard to tho cablegram which r cently stilted his name wnsmentiom in connection with the Governorsbi of New South Wales, I am informe that it is not at all an improbabilit ho might receive the nppointmen Lord Glasgow ktipmoiuujmta wit the party now in power in lilnglaiu and his friends and relatives ai intimately connected with th Liberals in politics. His Excellenc was sent out to this Colony by M Gladstone's Government, -ind he ha been such a distinct sucioss as Governor hero, that it is not at all mi likely they might like to reward hit with a more important position, mor especially as they seem to have con siderable difficulty in finding amor suitable man. It is, of courso, n use anticipating the selection, but i Lord Glasgow does leave this colon; New South Wales' gain will cer tainly be New Zealand's great loss A UIIAN'CK FOR S01li:0XE. The New Zealand Guvemmon lave been asked by the Colonia Ot!ic3 to recommend asuitablopersoi as an Inspector of Stock for tin Falkland Islands, the main qualifi cation fortheoilice being, it is stated that he must have a thorough know ledge of scab. The salary is £4OOI year and there would be but litth chance of spending it in these remote Islands, for from all account,' living is cheap and there is no great need to keep up appearance! even in Port Stanley—tin population of which is not mucl more than 1,000. The population ol the whole group in 1888 was 2,000 Here is a chance for some enterprising young farmer with a good knowledge of stock who has found pastora' pursuits, under existing condition* in this Colony, a somewhat slow way to fortune. There ought to be arusl for the appointment, but it may hi presumed that in this, as in every, thing else within the gift of those ii: in power, that none but those of Ik right colour need apply.