A Play With a Moral.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 16, 19 October 1910, Page 4

A Play With a Moral.

So seldom does the Church commend the stage, that it is worthy of special note when a minister from his pulpit speaks favourably regarding a performance at the Theatre. On Sunday the Rev. Henry Steele Craik, preaching to a large audienee in Beresford-street Congregational Church, Auckland, said that the existence of the theatre in the Empire to-day was largely due to the fact that the Church first employed the stage as a means of teaching an ignorant peasantry Bible stories by means of tableaux. The Church had now lost its hold upon that medium of instruction. The theatre had become a place of amusement, and, in the hands of men who were catering for the public taste rather than ministering to the ideal life of their fellows, the stage had become a synonym —in the minds of many good people—for much that is low and unworthy. They were, however, faced with the fact that the theatre had come to stay. It was now a fixed factor in modern civilisation. The problem was not that of abolishing it, but that of purifying it —a problem wholly in the hand's of the public. The serious playwrights of to-day, he was glad to say, ■were out to make the theatre a factor in the education and uplifting of the people, and real problems were put before the public eye. “The Passing of the Third Floor Back,” now being presented in Auckland, was a serious play, seriously and sympathetically played. It was a source of great satisfaction to him personally, and it must be to all those who had the publie welfare at heart, to realise that two young New Zealanders came before the public, supported by an altogether excellent company, in a play of that type. Success in such a venture was somewhat problematical. Speaking as a mere layman, he thought that this particular company could most creditably produce a more popular kind of play, but the management was to be congratulated on putting before the publie something that would cause them to think seriously, that would, if the public allowed it to do so, preach an eloquent sermon, and which would stir men and women to the nobility of life. Mr Craik then applied a moral by referring to the stranger—He who had not where to lay His head, whose influence upon a man’s life was towards honour, service, or self-giving. Masses for the Dead. According to a judgment of the Supreme Court delivered this morning, a bequest for masses for the repose of the soul of the dead is lawful. The ease, over which the question arose occurred at Palmerston North. The late Mary Sellars, in her will, directed the trustee to expend a certain sum to hare

masses offered up for her soul. Mr. Ju* live Cooper said tlmi in Buglaud such a trust and direction would be void, as a superstitious use. Bequests do and for the support of the Roman Catholic Church ought to stand on the same footing as bequests to any other religious denomination recognised by law. The tenets of the Romen Catholic Church are not illegal, and the saying of masses for the repose of the soul of a dead person could not, in the judge’s opinion, be said to be against public policy or immoral. Protestants did nob believe in the efficacy of sueh masses or subscribe to the doctrine of purgatory, but members of the Roman Catholic Church did, and there were many thousands in New Zealand. His Honor held that the bequest was for a good, charitable use, and that it was a valid gift. Costs of all parties to the suit are to be paid out of the estate. Engine Shed Burned. A destructive lire occurred at three o’clock on Sunday, when the Gore railway engine-shed was burned to the ground. The building contained two locomotives, one, class K, used on the express between Gore and Kingston, and the other, class F, a shunter. A gale liad been raging all night, and the structure being of wood, was quickly demolished, before any effort eould be made to remove the engines, lire brigade was powerless to do any more than prevent the spread of the flames to buildings in thd vicinity. Had the wind been from the opposite direction, it is highly probable that a number of shops in the main street (some forty yards away) would have been destroyed. A pumping plant in the building, consisting of a high-power oil engine and pump, was seriously damaged. The two locomotives present a most dilapidated appearance in daylight, all the light fixtures being buckled or torn off by the excessive heat. There will be no interruption in the train service, as a special arrives here to-night from Invercargill with other locomotives. The origin of the' outbreak is a complete mystery. An Auckland Target. A deputation of members of Parliament waited on the Hon. D. Buddo (ActingMinister for Education) on Friday, and requested him to put on the list of subsidised targets one invented by an Aucklander. Mr. E. H. Taylor introduced the deputation, and mentioned that it was rumoured that the reason why this particular target had not been officially favoured was because the chief of the eadet forces had some interest in another type of target. Major MacDonald, who was present, absolutely denied this, declaring that he liad not a cent’s worth of interest in any target. ‘ In order that members may judge of the merits of the respective targets, the one which has not yet been exhibited at Parliament Buildings will be placed in the committee room for their inspection. Boy Scouts and the Governor An official invitation to the Governor to visit Feilding on December 7th, for the Boy Scuots field day, was sent by relays of Boy Scouts from Feilding, through the Walra.ra.pa. The dispatch left at 6 in the morning, and went through Woodville, Pahiatua, Eketahuna, Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston, Kaitoke, Hutt, Petone, and tq Wellington Government House, a distance of about 150 miles. Bank Returns. Bank returns which are now available for the quarter ended September 30 enable the following comparisons to be made: Liabilities, September, 1900, £24,073,748; September, 1910, £26,730,828. Assets, September, 1909, 409; September, 1010, £28,135,040. In the September quarter of last year, as will be seen, assets exceeded liabilities by £2,017,661. This year there is an excess of £59.5.756. Dealing with individual banks the assets ami liabilities for the quarter just ended are as follows: Liabilities. Assets. £ £ Bank of New Zealand 13,841,009 11.273,328 T’nlon Bank 3,379,424 4,176,124 Bank of New South Wales 3,540,278 3,564,989 Bank of Australasia 2,155,566 3,390,451 National Bank 3,814,550 3,730,249 Totals £28,730,827 £26,135.041 The aggregate deposits, comparing thig

September with last, show an increase of £2,587,686. The movement in fixed deposits shows a total decrease of £54 ,105 when compared with the corresponding quarter of 1909. The New Zealand banks show decreases, while the three Australian banks show increases. Coming to free deposits, all the banks show individual increases, amounting in the aggregate to £2,219,31. Advances show An increase of £133,308. The advances in llie June quarter amounted in the aggregate to £16,236,228, so that there is an increase in the period now under review Of £290,861. Discounts decreased by £126,921. The difference between the Amount borrowed and the amount lent to the public is nearly five millions. In 908 the public was indebted to the banks io the extent of £907,952. No Presents, Please. The Church of England Missionere now working in the Dominion wish it to be known that, while deeply grateful for the kind thought prompting parishes find congregations to make presentations to the missioners, they consider it inadvisable that any public presentations in return for work done in any parish, Should be made. Coastal Lights. Inquiry was made by Mr. Herries last yeek as to the Government’s intention respecting the erection of lighthouses this year. The Hon. J. A. Millar replied that this matter would be provided for in the Public Works statement. It was intended to erect a first-class light on the East Coast at Flat Point. A site Surveyed upon Flat Point had been reported upon by Captain Bollons as being unsuitable, and they were now investigating the merits of a site on Castle Point. It was also intended to erect a light on Gable End Foreland, but as this was unsuitable, they were still surveying. Mr. Poole urged the necessity for the erection of a better light on Cape Farewell. The Minister for Marine said at times there was a haze around Farewell, and p. first-class light would not show through this. The present light was suitable for all-round shipping, particularly for Golden Bay and the West Coast. The Minister also announced the Government’s intention of purchasing another steamer with a carrying Capacity of 1,500 or 2,000 tons to take the place of the Hinemoa, which is to ibe sold. *■' Sowing Seeds of Discontent.” Under the heading “Disquieting Disclosures,” the “Dominion” publishes an interview with a Raratonga resident, at present in Wellington, severely criticising the administration of the Cook Islands by the Resident Commissioner (Mr Kman Smith), in which it is alleged that the natives are in a dangerous state Of ferment. The Hon. Jas. Carroll, Minister in charge of the Cook Islands, when approached upon the subject, said discontented Europeans were sowing seeds of discontent amongst the natives, but. so far as he could see, the administration was very good. Whatever little differences there were they were quite easy Of adjustment. University Methods. Professor Haslam, of Canterbury College, does not agree with the thirteen professors and educationists who have signed a petition to Parliament, stating that university administration and methods in the Dominion are unsound, and asking for a Parliamentary inquiry, it is stated in the petition, among other things, that sound learning is not promoted for the development of professional training in medicine, education, law and applied science. In regard to the first of these subjects, Professor Haslam said to a reporter that it was only natural for numbers of students to go home to study, because the hospital at Otago, where the medical school was established, contained fewer beds than the Town Hospital at Cambridge, England, and the authorities at Cambridge would not give a degree on experience in the latter institution. The fact that in 1909 fortyeight New Zealanders passed medical examinations at Edinburgh alone, and that in 1908 only eighty-one students were enrolled at tlie New Zealand medical school, was not proof that the university administration in the Dominion, as far as medi-

cine was concerned, was bad, unless indeed it was a bad thing to give a degree at all without further hospital practice than Dunedin could provide. As to objections to Home examiners, he thought that the New Zealand University should have the best that could be obtained. It was contended that the present method of examination was expensive and cumbrous, but, when the subject was inquired into by the Senate, It was shown that it would be at least as expensive to have the examining done in the Dominion, and there was no doubt that it would be much more cumbrous. There would have to be a board of examiners—one examiner from £ach college in every subject—and they would have to met together for a considerable time at great inconvenience. At Cambridge perhaps three or four examiners lived in the same street, and they sometimes took several days discussing the proper place for the results of one student’s examination. That kind of thing occurred in connection with every subject. On another point it was urged tliat the Home examiners were not in touch with the teachers or the colleges in New Zealand. As a matter of fact, they were as closely in touch with them as professors in one centre were in touch with professors in another centre. In any case there would probably be an improvement in the present system on account of Mr. Joynt having been appointed the University agent at Home. As to the difference in expenditure in the North Island and the South Island, referred to in the petition, fees were made absurdly low in Wellington in order to attract students when Victoria College was founded. Besides that, the district was extended as far as Westland. That college, consequently, attracted large numbers of student's, and the expenses were less. The proposals set Out in the petition were in the direction of centralisation whether intended to go in that direction or not, and centralisation, of course, meant Wellington. North Auckland Band Contest. The annual meeting of the Gisborne City Band was held last week, and attended by leading citizens. A motion ed ‘by many leading citizens. A motion was passed inviting the North Island Association to hold the 1912 contest in Gisborne. The necessary guarantee of £5OO was raised by the Acting-Mayor (Mr. William Pettie) in half-an-hour, and Mr. Pettie states that he can get £ 1000 if required. An influencial committee of leading citizens was appointed to take the initial steps. Jettisoned. The Prime Minister on Friday had oecassion to have a bill discharged from the Order Paper, on the ground that it was unnecessary, being a duplication of another measure. Private members forthwith set to work to jettison numerous legislative propositions 'brought down earlier in the session, but which at this stage of the session have no prospect of passing. These included the Gaming Amendment and Bookmakers’ Abolition Bill (Mr Newman), New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Amendment (Mr Fisher), Bookmakers Bill (Sir W. J. Steward), Registration of Barmaids Bill (Mr Ell), Legislature Amendment Bill (Mr Fisher). Dispatch from Lord Crewe. Lord Islington transmitted to the House of Representatives on Friday the copy of a dispatch from Lord Crewe, .Secretary for State for the Colonies, acknowledging the receipt of the address passed by the Legislature of New Zealand in regard to the death of His late Majesty, King Edward Seventh, and the accession of His Majesty King George V. His Majesty commanded his Excellency to convey to the Council and the House of Representatives his sincere thanks for their expression of sympathy and -loyalty, and for their good wishes for his reign. Wi Pere on Defence. When the Legislative Council met on Thursday, the Hon. Wi Pere indicated his readiness to participate in the discussion upon the Defence Amendment Bill, now engaging the attention of the Upper House. He remarked that having l>een detained, he had missed the train he intended travelling by. In retaliation, he would speak until the Council rose. The Speaker: You must not threaten the Council in that way. Proceeding with his speech, Wi Pere

declared that the measure was the moat important WU ever presented in the House. The bill had the speaker's wholehearted sympathy. The minimum age, however, he considered not so satisfactory. What was jibing to be done with the 40,000 Maoris in New Zealand? Were they not going to be trained, too—they and their children? Women and youths under 17, too, should be trained, and the older men. New Zealanders must take care to learn the use of the rifle. The Dominion could not do better than train thoroughly the Maori. Why was the Maori exempt?. A Runaway Girl. The body of Effie Burns, aged 19, daughter of Mr. John Burns, of Balclutha, was found in Molyneux River on Saturday. It appeal's that the deceased was anxious to go into service, but her father refused her permission, and in consequence she ran away from home on June 1. The following night her father found her at the house of Mrs. Weir, situated a few chains from the river. He then gave her five minutes to pack up her belongings and return home. She went to the room where her things were, and shortly afterwards her father went to the room, but the girl had disappeared, and no trace of her was found. The King's Coronation. There is much speculation concerning the representation of the Dominion at the Coronation celebrations at Home in June next. A few days ago Sir Joseph Ward announced that the Imperial authorities had extended an invitation to the oversea Dominions to send the Prime Minister and six representatives of the respective Parliaments. Since then a suggestion has emanated from Home that the Ministers for Agriculture of the various portions of the Empire should also be invited to the Old Country at the same time. If this proposal is adopted, 'the JjegTisflative Council will likely be represented ‘by the Speaker (Sir Charles Bowen), and possibly the Attorney-General (Dr. Findlay), whilst the ‘Speaker of the House (the Hon. Guinness), and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Massey) would no doubt have first claims. In view of the fact that the general elections transpire next year, a proposal has been mooted that the session should be postponed till August, and the elections put off till early in the New Year. This proposition will be certain to meet with strenuous objection from the .Opposition, whilst the selection of the remaining representatives is also beset with difficulties. Water Power. A deputation representing Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay waited on Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. R. McKenzie last week, and protested against the omission of Waikaremoana from the Government’s water power proposals. Sir Joseph Ward intimated that it was intended to proceed with the development either at Waikaremoana or Te Reinga Falls. The matter had escaped his memory in the House last night. A further sum of about £320,000 would require to be added to the amount mentioned. Worship of Athletics. Dean Harper, Sub-warden of C heist's College, speaking at the presentation of prizes won at the school sports, referred to the growing worship of athletics. “ 1 would like to take you back to the dark past,” he said. “ Fifty years ago I was a pupil here. You of the present day have far greater advantages than we enjoyed. We had for a running and cricket ground a tiny strip of land cleared from the tussock at a spot near Victoria Lake. A few months ago 1 was in England, and visited some of the most famous schools in the world. I saw some of the playing fields, and, though they may have been more expensive, I think that I can say honestly that they were no better in quality. This is not going to be a long speech. I shall merely say that I believe in athletics. In the years 1 referred to I took part in them. I was in the eleven, and you will see my name blazoned in golden colours on the board in the pavilion. I was captain of a football team of a rather poor sort. I took part in the sports, and even won races. Athletics arc a grand thing, but in theso days there is a tendency to dwell too much upon them. While in England I was told that whatever degree a man might hold, he could not hope for a place

in some of the great eeboeie if he were lacking in athletic qualifications. Besides having a body, I would remind yo« again that you have a mind, which is equally in need of training. I do not say that you do not train it; I only emphasise that you should do so. It may be considered that I have chosen an inopportune time, the afternoon of a festival, for saying such things. 1 do not think so. AU over the world men are losing their sense of the proportion of things. There is a very ancient and familiar quotation—the masters who take sixth-form boys could translate it—“ Mens sana in corpore sano.” It is necessary to do more than attend to the body. Dr. Neligan's Departure. Dr. Neligan, who sent in his notice of resignation as Bishop of Auckland in July last, owing to ill-health, and has since been continually under the care of his medical advisers, left by the Tonga riro at 4 o’clock on Friday, accompanied by Mrs. Neligan and family, and will sail by the same vessel from \\ ellington for London on the 20th inst. Under the advice of his medical attendants, the Bishop will spend twelve months in complete rest upon his arrival in England, with the hope of restoration to health. The resignation of the retiring Bishop takes effect as from to-morrow, the Ven. lArehdeacon Calder having been appointed vis Commissary during -the vacancy of the See, and he will preside over the Synod, which meets next Friday for the purpose of electing a successor to Dr. Neligan and for the transaction of general business. A presentation, consisting of a purse of 400 sovereigns, subscribed by friends and admirers of the bishop was made to Dr. Neligan on board the steamer on Friday. Mrs. Neligan was also the recipient of a handsome presentation on behalf of the ladies of Auckland. Bishop Neligan requests us to publish the following; — TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DIOtESW OF AUCKLAND. Dear People,— I want to send you, alike from Mrs. ■Neligan and myself, a message before we sail from the city and diocese wherein God has given us countless blessings during the past seven and a-half years. We have tried to write to or see as many of you as we could, and thus personally thank you for your brave and kind words to us. We say good bye to you and our work here with sincere sorrow. You and the work will ever be remembered in our prayers. As we look back, we are conscious of many failures in many directions. We ask our Heavenly Father to pardon them. He “is not extreme to mark what is done amiss,” and we know that you, our proved friends, will believe that we have just honestly tried to do our best in the work to which God has called us. During these past five months Mrs. Neligan and I have been greatly strength cned of God through the kindly words of countless friends all over the Diocese. The women of the Diocese tell me what Mrs. Neligan’s influence and work meant to them, and that they knew she was their friend. The men tell me a thing, over and over again, from all parts oi the Diocese, that makes me further thankful: they regarded me as their friend. More than these two facts no man can well want as cause for thanksgiving. I can never adequately express what the clergy have been and always must be to me. This I know: No Bishop has ever had such a loyal band of men behind him. The same is equally true of the laity. I know they have trusted me as I trusted them. The outcome of such mutual trust has been: God has granted success to all our joint work in His service. May f add a few parting words of advice? Be true to God. Be loyal to your Mother Church. Avoid “ party ” spirit and strife. Think “big” and you will be “ big ” and keep the Diocese “big.” Trust your fellow man. Believe in him as you rightly expect him to believe in you. Remember the best is always in front: GOD. Therefore, service is always a grander thing than success. God ever bless you and yours, and have you in His keeping. — Your faithful friend and Bishop, etff’. (Sgd.) M.R., Auckland, October 14, 1910. A Sad Occurrence. The dead body of Mrs. Dawson, ii-wow of the late Colonel Dawson, was found floating in a well of about 3ft diameter, at the back of her residence, -at Ellerslie

6m Monday week. At the inquest a Kin of deceased said he was satisfied that the occurrence was puretyaccidental Bis mother was a very early riser, and was in the habit of going into the grounds lightly dad on awakening. Prola bly she went to water the pony, and had a fainting fit. An open verdiet was returned. i ■ . Reunion of Old Colonists. There was a very large gathering at the reunion of old colonists in St. Andrew's Church on Monday last, when the Rev. Isaac Jolly, moderator of the Presbyterian General- Assembly, presided, and short addresses were delivered by members of various denominations. Subsequently luncheon was served at the Choral Hall, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. I„ J. Bagnall) presiding. Among some of the oldest colonists present at the gathering were Mr. Thos. Coyle, 95 (“Jane Gifford"); Mr. J. Emblin, 90; Mrs. Susan Robertson, 85 (“Duchess of Argyle”); Mr. A. Fairburn, 83; Mr. Jonathon Winks ("Jane Gifford”). Northern Railway Commission. it is intended to set up the Royal Commission to inquire into the route of the Northern Trunk railway beyond McCarroll's Gap in time to permit of the work being examined during the coming summer, so the Minster for Public Works advises Mr. St all worthy. Excursion to Rotorua. Amongst other matters which were brought under the notice of the Government by the Rotorua deputation a few days ago was the subject of running special excursions to Rotorua. The Minister for Railways has since addressed the following reply to Mr. MacDonald:—"With reference to your representations in regard to the request made by the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce that special trains at excursion rates should be run at regular intervals to enable the public to visit the tourist and health resorts at Rotorua, I have the honour to inform you that, at the solicitation of those interested, experiments were made some time ago of running trains to Rotorua at very low rates, but the results were so disappointing that the running of trains had ultimately to be abandoned for laek of support. The business proved altogether inadequate to pay the expenditure incidental to the train service, and on the latt occasion on which it was proposed to run a train the arrangements were cancelled owing to the insufficiency of the support being given, after a considerable amount had been spent in advertising. Tickets at holiday excursion rates are issued to Rotorua on all general public holidays, tourist excursion tickets at very reasonable rates are issued throughout the year, and a daily express service is run from Auckland, which amply meets all the requirements of the traffic. In these circumstances. I regret that, after giving the representations very careful consideration, I cannot see my way to agree to the proposal at the present’ truie.” To Cost Two Millions. On the second reading of the Aid to Water Power Works Bill, proposing a loan of £500,000, the Prime Minister' outlined proposals for the development of the Dominion's water power by the Government. He stated that the expenditure would be £1,975,000, for which £60,000 would be for surveying. He gave the following details for different localities:— Otago, 10,000 horse power, to be developed from the Teviot at a cost of £300.000, including cost of transmission. Southland, 10,000 horse power, from Lake Hauroto, at a cost of £350,000. Canterbury, 10,000 horse power, from latke Coleridge, at a cost of £270,000, t hough ly ultimately 28,000 horse power could be developed. West Coast, 3000 horse power, by an extension of the Kumara water race. The Midlands railway tunnel would be worked by electricity developed in Canterbury, and would absorb 1000 horse power. Wellington and suburbs, 10,000 horse power, to be developed at the Hutt, at a cost of £30,000. Palmerston, Feilding, D-innevirke, and Masterton, 6000 horse power, to be developed at Makuri Gorge, at a cost of £200.000. Auckland City and southern part of province, including Bay of Plenty and

Waikato, 10,000 horse power, to be developed at Kai tuna, at a eost of £320,000. - • - «» North of Auckland, 3000 horse power, at a eost of £lOO,OOO, to be developed from the Wairoa Falls. Sir Joseph Ward added that the three first propositions to be undertaken would be those at Lake Coleridge, Kaituna, and Hutt, which would be begun simultaneously. The surveys of these would be begun without delay, and the whole of the schemes would be finished within four years. The loan expenditure in that period would be half a million per annum. Sir Joseph Ward reviewed the present scales of charges to consumers of electric power in the various places where it is now available. Dunedin was the lowest, but he stated that the Government would be able to make a profit by charging 2d. per unit for light and Id. per unit for power, which was lower even than in Dunedin. The Country's Defence. A stirring appeal on behalf of national training for the young men of the Dominion was made by the AttorneyGeneral <Dr. Findlay), in moving the second reading of the Defence Bill in the Legislative Council last week. The opinion was expressed by the Hon. Captain Baillie that the country would never get better trained men than the volunteers. The harbour defences, he urged, should be put in order. The need for guard against the predominance of the military spirit was emphasised by the Hon. J. T. Paul. Generally speaking, he thought the bill was worthy of support. L*ndue haste was being shown in raising the age limit to 25 years. The country was undertaking a tremendous burden of £650,002 per annum. The Attorney-General: It is only a fraction of what people in the Old Country are paying. Hon. Mr Paul: I know that very well. I deplore as much as anybody what is spent by the nations of the world on defence. At the same time it is possible that the enormous expense will be a blessing in disguise, and that sooner or later nations will come to realise the folly of the present system. Miner's Terrible End. A stocking mining fatality, whereby a young miner named Matthew Berryman lost his life, occurred at Waihi on Saturday during the change of shifts at the Waihi Company’s No_ 2 shaft. Berryman had just completed his shift at No. 9 level, and was coming up in a cage with five other men—Steer. Willoughby. Collins. Fugill. and MeLeary—when the accident occurred. MeLeary, who was standing opposite deceased, states that when the cage was within about 10ft of the surface deceased looked up <as is often the habit of miners when nearing the brace). He then suddenly fell over sideways, and shot into the shaft before his mates could lift a hand to save him. The unfortunate fellow was precipitated to the bottom of the shaft, a distance of over 900 ft. When picked up it was found that every scrap of clothing had been torn from him during his terrible drop. His body was shockingly mangled, and part of the head is missing. ' How deceased came to fall out of the cage is a matter of conjecture, but it is possible that when he looked up a temporary dizziness seized him. The men in the cage state that deceased spoke quite rationally and cheerfully when coming up. and it is evident that whatever occurred was quite unexpected. Dec-eased jammed one of his fingers during the day, and it is possible that a slight faintness might have followed on the cage suddenly entering fresh air. Before entering the cage Berryman referred to the injury in a light manner. Deceased was single, aged 26. and a son of Matthew Berryman, one of the old Thames miners, who was underground shift boss in the Silverton mine 14 years ago. Native Bird Protection.

Mr Rhodes, M.P., advocates that we should reverse our plan of legislating on the subject of animal protection and adopt the American plan. The Americans start off by protecting everything, and exempt certain things, some as vermin and others as game. Ours is the' reverse method. He put this view forward on the third reading of the Animals Protection Amendment Bill, and received support from Mr G. M. Thomson, who' remarked that the native canary, for instance, was not on the list of protected

birds. Mr Thomson suggested that pamphlets should be issued* summarising the provisions of the law regarding the • protection of native fauna. -eMessrs. Ell and Hanan urged that more of our seenie reserves should be declared sanctuaries for native birds, and that guns should not be allowed on them. The Hon. T. Mackenzie said that he would like to do this, if possible, the only difficulty being the rabbits on them. Many of our seenie reserves had been declared sanctuaries, and here the native Bird life was on the increase. Mr Mackenzie agreed with Mr G. M. Thomson’s idea of a pamphlet. Mr Allen suggested that Education Boards might take steps to instil into primary school children a respect for our flora and fauna. The bill passed its final stages. Railway Rates. So far as differential rates are concerned, there is no such thing in existence on the New Zealand railways, states the Hon. J. Millar, in reply to a question by Mr Massey. The local conditions vary very materially in the different parts of the Dominion, even those separated by short distances only, and to meet these local conditions, and as far as possible secure to the railway traffic arising m the various localities served by the railway, it lias been the practice for years past to make what is known as “local rates.” Each local rate is based on the circumstances existing at the time, and there is no such thing as making a rate for the benefit of one district or part or section of the community as against the other. Every local rate has for its sole object the securing of traffic to the railway. An impression appears to prevail that every local rate should be equal for the same distance irrespective of conditions. Following this out to a logical conclusion would mean that the classified rates only would prevail on our railways, and, as a result, tens of thousands of pounds of revenue would be lost annually to the State, which has invested a large sum of money in the construction of its railways. No good purpose would be served by complying with the request, and if the existing local rates'were all abolished to-morrow they would of necessity have to be succeeded within a week by another set of local rates, if the Department wished to retain the traffic, and such local rates would necessarily need to be made on the same basis as the existing rates. Bank Clerks and Marriage. In reply to Mr Nosworthy’s question as to whether the Government would introduce legislation prohibiting banks from preventing their employees getting married before their salary reached £2CO per annum, the Premier states that anything that can Ire done in the direction proposed will receive his hearty support. He promised to enquire from the banks as to whether the proposed legislation was necessary. The Knyvett Case. With a view to more definitely ascertaining the provision that is being made in the Defence Bill for the hearing of ex-Captain Knyvett’s appeal against his dismissal, Mr J. S. Dickson (chairman of the Knyvett Defence Committee) is at present on a visit to Wellington. It is intended, Mr Dickson states, to bring an appeal. whenever the bill becomes law, and on the arrival of the new Commandant of the Forces. No disrespect is intended towards the defence authorities in waiting for Colonel Godley’s arrival, nor is it suggested that a fair trial would not be obtained if another officer convened the court martial. Satisfaction is expressed by Mr Diet-son regarding the provisions which govern the holding of court martinis, and this, he thinks, is due to the reeent to secure a retrial for Captain Knvvett. Wh : lst it may not be competent for the court martial to hear charges asa’nst Colonel Robin. Captain Knvvett will, no doubt, have the right of calling t' at officer as a witness, should he so desire. Y.M.C.A. Building The trustees of the Auckland branch of the Y.M.C.A. Association met last week and eame to a decision in regard to the new building to be erected. A brick structure of five storevs is to be built, and in addition to modern eorveniences for such an ineti-

tutfon, provision is to' be made for maiden tial quarters. The appearance of the building will be in keeping with the fine site it will occupy. Mr. Wiseman, architect, has received instructions to prepare the plans and specifications, and tenders for the work will be called in due time. - ‘ - Conflagration at TamnaranwL A disastrous fire broke out at Taumarunui early on Wednesday morning, and resulted in the destruction of nine business premises, as follows:—* Patterson, photographer. Thwaites, chemist. Cairney, fruit and lollies. Gardiner, billiard saloon. Slattery, hairdresser. Cockfield, fruiterer. Fischer and Co., butchers. Kiely’s Crown supper-rooms. Meyenberg’s cycle depot. Some of the goods in the buildings destroyed were saved, but they were mostly absolutely destroyed. Barnett’s building was badly burned. His stock was removed, but is practically valueless. A lot of goods were removed from the premises occupied by Mr. Fanthorpe, who suffers heavy loss by removal. The fire brigade, under Captain Riches, worked splendidly, and only its supreme efforts saved Simmons’ private betel. The fire was extinguished at 3.30 a.m. There were no accidents. A light wind and a shower prevented heavier losses. The block destroyed was mainly composed of old buildings. Had there been any wind the whole side of the street must have gone. The fire presented a fine spectacle. Lack of water and fire-fighting appliances were responsible for the heavy losses. It is estimated the total loss is about £3OOO. Mr. Hine s Charges, The Committee to investigate Mr. Hine’s charges met on Wednesday, when Mr. Hine formulated charges as follows: (1) That Charles Edwin Major, while a member of Parliament in 1904, sold to the Government the property of Frederick Bayly. at Toko, and that he received commission. (2) That C. E. Major and Walter Symes, or one of them, received commissions from Alfred Bayly for selling property to the Government. (3) That W. Symes, in 1900 and 1908, charged and received from a number of West Coast lessees of native lands commissions or sums of money for preparing and conducting petitions to Parliament on their behalf. (4) That W. Symes, in 1905, while an election was in prospect, in which Symes intended to become a member, being then a member, did threaten a certain newspaper that he would use his influence as a member to prevent Government advertisements from being given to the said newspaper unless he received the support of or was treated to his own satisfaction by the said newspaper during the election contest. (5) That Thomas Kennedy MacDonald, in or about 1904, and subsequent years, while a member of the Legislative Council. either alone or with his then partner, a local agent, conducted the sale to the Government of the property of John Motley Leigh, at Nainai, and the properties of other persons, and received from Leigh and the vendors of other properties commissions or other sums of money, and divided the same. ‘ . (6) That Henare Kaihau, in or about 1906. conducted the sale to the Government of a portion of Te Akau block and received from the vendors commission or other sum of money. Mr. Hine said he also had other charges of which he had information. but it was not easy to get persons to give evidence, so he did not think it fair to make specifis allegations at present, but asked to ba allowed to formulate suc-h charges later if necessary. On the motion of Sir Joseph Ward, it was decided that a copy of each of the charges be sent to each of the persons -mentioned therein. ■ ■ Sir Joseph also moved that the charges be referred to two judges of the Supreme Court for investigation and report. The committee decided to take till ten to-mor-row morning to consider Sir Joseph Ward’s motion. The Opium Evil. An amendment of the Opium Act has been introduced by the Hon. T. Mackenzie with a view to preventing the importer

tion of any article or preparation containing opium, which may be rendered suitable for smoking. It is also provided that it shall not be lawful for any person to sell any preparation of opium suitable for smoking in any larger quantity than is prescribed by regulations. The bill also makes it- illegal to sell to any