The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1898. THE SEAMEN'S FRIEND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9458, 9 June 1898, Page 2

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1898. THE SEAMEN'S FRIEND.

The death of Mr Samuel Plimsoll, M.P., who earned for himself the well-deserved title of " the Seamen's Friend," has removed from the House of Commons a plnlanthrophist and reformer, whose efforts to ameliorate the lot of the British merchant seamen have done more for " poor Jack " than any other public man has hitherto attempted. Up till a few years ago a scandalous state of things obtained in Britain as regards the safety and comfort of the sailors on board merchant vessels. Ships were allowed to go to sea that were utterly unseaworthy, and the accommodation and food provided for the men were totally unfit for those who had to go in them. Dishonest shipowners frequently loaded these vessels with rubbish, which they insured as valuable cargo, in the hope that tho " coffin ships " containing it would never reach port, and that they might bo able to collect the insurance on hulls and cargoes, which were falsely described by their owners. Overloading, too. was common, and shipping disasters in consequence far too frequent. Like all true reformers, Mr Plimsoll drew down upon himself the enmity of those whose inhuman and dishonest practices he sought to ptit a stop to, but nothing daunted the i deceased reformer stuck manfully to his task, and by means of a Royal Commissicti brought to light a state of things which fairly astonished the people of England. He proved his acoueations up to the hilt, and succeeded in awakening tho British Parliament to a sense of their duty in tho matter, with the result that laws were passed forbidding the Customs authorities allowing unseaworthy vessels to be sent to sea, and an order to be issued compelling all British ships to have plainly painted on their sides what is now known asPlimsoil's mark, showing the proper load line, beyond which it is not legal to immerse a vessel. The men's accommodation and food, too, were made better, and the lot of the sailors on merchant vessels flying the British flag consideiably ameliorated' ! whilst the safety of all on board was further protected by compelling owners to supply proper boats and life-saving appliances in case of shipwreck. That these wise amendments of tho merchant shiping laws have resulted in an immense saving of life and property there cannot be the slightest doubt, or that the comfort of tho men has been gieatly improved through Mr Plimaoll's effoi ts on their behalf. The deceased was a man of avoiy quiet but determined nature ; ho saw a great wrong being porpetuated and set him&elf tho unthankful task of having it rightpd nnd ultimately succeeded. No praise can be too groat for such public services, and the seamen of Britain cannot feel too grateful to the man who sacrificed so much of his timo and comfort on their behalf. To him and to his memory thoy owe a deep debt of gratitude, for he was indeed " The Seamen's Friend."

At the Wellington Supreme Court the Grand Jury threw out the bill against Madeline Cross, charged with infanticide.

The Mana, coal laden from Westport, went agronnd at noon on entering the Patea River just inside the Heads yestorterday. She is not considered to be in a dangerous position.

Dr Orpen, who was brought back to Auckland by Dotective Maddern in tho Mariposa on the charge of the murder of Susan Harriot Campbell McCullum, has been remanded till Tuesday.

If Japan nnd England are united (says the Japan Times) they will be masters of the situation. Their union is the only guarantee of peace in Asia, and, may be, m the world.

The general excellence of the Tiger tens is attested by the fact that there is a large and increasing sale for this favourite beverage. Messrs Keith and Lennard are the local agents.and are prepared to Bupply it in any quantity.

A Christchurch resident, Mr J. H. Mander, has perfected an ingenious machine for facilitating votingat elections. A company has been floated, and arrangements made to secure the patent rights of the apparatus throughout the world.

The House of Commons, by a majority of 188 votes, has rejected an amendment proposed by Colonol Millward, Conservative member for Stratford-on-Avon, on the Budget Bill for the remission of taxation on the clergy who derive income from tithes. ,

The attorneys for New Zealand of the N.Z. and River Plate Co. have received cable advice that the directors have resolved to pay an interim dividend at the rate of 5 per cent per annum, for the six months ended 30th April, the dividend to be payable on lßt July.

In connection with the litigation regarding the Selaiic railway in the Transvaal,it is alleged in Pretoria that Kruger's secretary, the chairman, and a number of members of the Volksraad and of the Executive received bribes to secure concessions.

Mr John Bollard, M.H.E. for Eden, addressed his constituents at Devonport on Tuesday evening. His speech throughout was in condemnation of tha general administration of the Government. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously.

In Hawks's Bay the natives are becoming interested in golf. Last Satuiday the Napier Club met the Petane Club. The players in the latter were mostly Maoris, and the scores were as follows : — A teams — Napier 2, Petano 24. B teams — Napier 5, Petane 54. In no case was a native defeated.

Mr C. L. Duigan advertises for sale two good building sites, each three-quarters of an acre, on St John's Hill ; also one acre section with six-roomed house adjoining. The land is of splendid quality, fronts a good road, and ia within easy distance of town. The exceptionally easy terms offered should commend themselves to buyers.

At a meeting of ladies in Westport, it was resolved : " That a female ward be erected in the Westport Hospital by the women of the Buller district, such ward to be called the ' Gladstone Memorial Ward,' and that the necessary funds be raised by a subscription of not less than sixpence from each woman in the district."

The annual meeting of the Eastown Fire Brigade was held after praotice on Monday last. The following officers were re-elected : — Captain, G. P. Holland ; lieutenant, J.Cronin; foremen, M.Keegan and R. Wilson ; committee, E. Butler, M. Keegan, H. Richardson. Five new members were elected, which brings theßrigode up to its full working strength. '

It is an interesting and rather curious coincidence that the broader details of Mr Headon Hill's story, " The Zone of Fire," published last autumn, forms a complete forecast of the recent events in the Soudan, which culminated in the big fight on Good Friday. The tedious wait in camp, followed by tho march out into the desert, and the crushing defeat of the Dervishes, might well have been written after the event instead of some time before. The author, of course, takes no credit to himself on this account, it being merely an instance of a writer's imagination foreshadowing the couise of events which have now actually taken place. A second edition of this book his just been issued by the publishers, Messrs C. Arthur Pearson, Limited, and can be had from Mr A. D. Willis, bookseller.

A young man named Vincent had his thumb nearly taken off yesterday while ■working at the circular saw at Messrs Greaves and Co.'s. The sufferer was attend to by Dr Tripe.

A draughts match, town v country, haa been fixed for the evening of Thursday, the 23rd instant, atMrW. Hogg's refreshment rooms. During the evening the prizes won in connection with the various tournaments, will be presented.

The first shipment of frozen meat from the Aramoho Freezing Works will be sent away on Saturday by the Huia, and transhipped at Wellington on the Delphic Mr Mitchell is sending away equal to 6000 carcases.

On Monday evening next the members and friends of tho Baptist Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society are to be favoured with a looture on "The Crusades" by tho Rev R. 11. Ryburn. Admission is free, and all are invited.

Seven Maoris last week went out to the Mangapoaka district behind the Waikopiro, on a shooting expedition. Their bag for the week was 300 pigeons and two wild bullocks. Two Ormondville men in the same district secured 57 pigeons in one day. — Napier exchange.

There should be a lavge attendance this evening at the popular concert given by the mumbevs and friends of St. Paul's Young Men's Society in St. Paul's Hall. A. really excellent programme ' has been prepared, including songs, instrumental selections, and recitations. Amongst the vocalists is Mr W. Andrew, of New Plymouth, who will contribute "The Midshipmite." The full programme will bo found in another column. The concert commences at 8 o'olock.

Wo observe from the report of the University Senate that Miss Flora D. Ross, daughter of the Rev. J. Ross, Turakina, has secured the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She has had a distinguished college conrse, having gained a university scholarship of £40 a year for three years and has now received the above degree. We are pleased to see also the name of Mr R. H. Rockel, headteacher of the Turakina Public School, among those who have recoived the degree of B,A.

The benefit concert tendered to Miss Colia Dampier in St. Paul's Hall yesterday afternoon was well attended. The beneficiare played three violin solos, all of which were enthusiastically encored, and was associated with Miss Hatherly (harp) in two dueta. Vocal solos were contributed by Mrs Ramsay and Mr F. Hatherly ; a pianoforte selection was given by Miss Huxtable; and Miss Hatherly played a harp solo. All the items were well rendered and encored, the concert proving most successful.

At a meeting of the retiring committee of tho Waugnnui Chess and Draughts Club last night a sum of £6 10s was \oluntarily subscribed towards the improvement of their room in St Hill Street. This forms a handsome nucleus of a fund to ereot a building suitable for all matches and the requhements of the yearly increase of members. When completed it will be a ciedit to the town. We congratulate the committee on their enterprise, and hope they will be well supported by tho other members at tho annual general meeting to-morrow night.

Tho first of the present series of winter oveuing entertainments was held at the Cosmopolitan Club last evoning, when there was a good attendance of members and their lady friends. The chair was occupied Mr G. Spriggens (president). Songs were contributed by Messrs J. T. Muir, W. rinches, and W. Hall, the latter being encored ; recitations wereiendered by Messrs Connell and Waters ; Mr F. Hathorly played a violin solo (encored) ; and two interesting lectures were given by Captain. Collins and Dr Ilatherly. Tho former related some of his experiences when lesideul in China, and the latter referred to a visit to Now Ciilotloiua, and gave his impressions of the island. Mr J. K. Manning officiated as accompanist, and also played an overture. Kefieshments were handed round by tho com-

mitteo of the Club during the evening.

Churoh services and tho Band of Hope have been revived at Spnngvale after going by default for some considerable time. On Sunday last the Rev. G. Bond conducted a service at the Wesleyan Church at that suburb, the building being packed to the doors. Last evening tho first of a series of Band of Hopo meetings was hold, when there was again a large attendance. The chair wns occupied by Mr D. Jones, and a most enjoyable programme of instrumental and vocal selections and locitations was rendered. Songs were contributed by Mrs Comrie, Misses Cathro, Austin, and Jones and Messrs J. Sheehy, Wilson, A. Roots and XJ. Braithwaite ; vocal duets by Mr and Mrs Roots and Mrs Comrie and Mr Wilson ; pianoforte duet by Misses .Andrew and Jones ; violin solo by Master J. Comrie; piano and violin duet by Masters E. and H. Randal ; and recitations by Miss A. Jones and Mr S. Jnrrott.