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Library Committee. —This body will meet at Mr Ward’s office on Saturday evening next, at 8 o’clock. Interesting to Voters. —All those intending to vote to-morrow, should peruse one or two clauses of the “ Regulation of electors Act,” and the “ Corrupt Practices Prevention Act ” which now appears in our advertising columns. Past and Present. —Speaking of the time when the honorarium to members of the House of Representatives was “ nothing (more that what it pretends to be, an allowance for genuine expenses, when each member was allowed LI a day.” The Timaru Herald, in its issue of yesterday, says : “In those days the standard of the members was five hundred per cent, higher in every respect than it is now. It is not too much to say that the great majority of the House in those days consisted of men who have no equals in the present House, outside of a narrow circle of half a dozen or so. We do not mean that they were all gentlemen, or men of education even, though most of them were ; but they were all men of public character, and definite political standing. We have before us an old photograph of the House of Representatives elected in 1861, just twenty-two years ago, and wo cannot look at it without a painful sense of the deplorable decline of political calibre that has taken place in that Chamber since then. The House then consisted of only 53 members instead of 95 as at present ; but that small number included Sir David Monro, Sir Frederick Wold, Sir Edward Stafford, Sir Dillon Bell, Sir William Fox, Sir William Fitzherbert, Sir Maurice O’Rorke, Sir Cracroft Wilson, Judge Richmond, Judge Gillies, Colonel Nixon, Major Atkinson, Mr Domett, Mr J. C. Richmond, Mr Mantell, Mr Crosbio Ward, Dr Foatherston, Mr John Williamson, Mr Carlton, Mr Ormond, Mr Saunders, Mr Thomas Russell, and Mr Reader Wood. There were plenty of others quite as good as these, probably, whose names never came into equal prominence with theirs. But here are 23 out of 53 who might take their place in any representative assemblage in the world, and easily hold their own in point of political ability or strength of character, with any they would be likely to meet there. We wonder where twenty-three would be found to match them in the present House, or twelve; or six— or three!

Mr Saunders at Longbeach.—Mr Saunders met about fifty-live electors at Longbeach last evening, and received a unanimous vote of confidence.

Temperance. —Mr Thomas Taylcr has secured the premises adjoining his shop in East street, which he intends opening as temperance refreshment rooms, with a private room for ladies. His notification appears elsewhere.

Cheap Excursion. —The Railway Department have notified in this issue their intention to run an excursion train from Ashburton on the 21st inst., in order to give ovoiyone an opportunity of witnessing the Exhibition. The fares are fixed at extremely low rates.

Masonic Concert. —The Masonic concert, which takes place to-morrow evening at the Masonic Hall, promises to be a great success. A programme is before us, from which it appears that a large number of solos, instrumental and vocal, will be rendered, besides part songs and duetts. Mr Horace A. Gates will act as conductor. We trust there will be a bumper house.

The Late Affiliation Case. —At the R.M. Court, Christchurch, yesterday, Wm. Mahoney, a printer, was brought up on warrant charged with having neglected an order of the Ashburton Court to pay 5s a week for the maintenance of his illegitimate child, and with being suspected of intending to leave the colony. He was ordered to find sureties for obedience to the order, himself in LSO, and two sureties in L 25 each ; in default, three months’ imprisonment.

Tab Stranding of the s.s. Westport. —The Westport in stranding in Horseshoe Bay, yesterday, made a hole in her forehold and broke the lower part of her stem. She went ashore in a dense fog. There were six fathoms alongside where she struck. She had on board 2,700 sacks of wheat from Timaru. Having thrown overboard 800 sacks of wheat she floated off the rocks. tier watertight compartments saved her. She is now beached alongside tho Akaroa jetty. Supreme Court. —ln the Supreme Court, Timaru, yesterday, the following sentences, postponed from the previous day, were passed ; Edward Ford, larceny, two years ; Charles Heatly, horse stealing, six months ; Thomas Christie, forgery, two years; John Thomas Healey, uttering, two years ; Frederick Cullamore, found “ Guilty ” of larceny, six months ; Frederick Wellsmore, found “ Guilty” of embezzlement, two days imprisonment, having bean in gaol four months. This concluded the session. Old Men’s Home. —An entertainment that had been looked forward to by the inmates of the above institution with a great deal of interest was given last night by the choir of St Stephen’s church, aided by a few friends. It consisted of pianoforte solos and duets, part songs, readings, a recitation, and two wellrendered violin solos with pianoforte accompaniment. At the finish of the concert the audience expressed their appreciation of the rendering of the various items by a hearty vote of thanks, and three cheers for the performers.

Ashburton Debating Society. —This society since its formation, a few weeks back, has had a very satisfactory career, its members now numbering fifty-six. The attendance last evening was the largest since its establishment. Owing to the number of adjournments of the meetings in consequence of the Town Hall being engaged for other purposes, it has been decided to hold the society’s future meetings in the big room at Saunders’ Buildings, which has every convenience, includthe comfort of a fire, added to which consideration, Mr Saunders has kindly consented to let his room at a nominal rental. At yesterday evening’s meeting, the VicePresident (Mr J. E. Buchanan) presided. It was resolved that Mr O. Hogg be elected a member of the committee. The subject of debate was then proceeded with—“ Should capital punishment be enforced”—Mr Lawrence taking the affirmative, Mr Townshend the negative side. A long and spirited debate ensued, eventuating in Mr Lawrence carrying, by a majority, that “ a murderer is not deserving of mercy.” It is intended to give a private entertainment next week in Saunder’s Buildings, at which members will be allowed to introduce two friends. From the interest taken in it, it promises to be a great success. One member (Mr H. M. Jones) has kindly promised his piano, and a very pleasant evening may be anticipated.

Oua Gaol Birds. —ln the report of the Inspector of Prisons presented to Parliament Captain Hume speaks very favorably of the general condition and management of the New Zealand prisons. He states that the work of reorganisation is proceeding steadily and systematically. The conduct of tho prisoners is generally good, and there are no serious prison offences te report. Classification is receiving due attention. Much expense was saved by the transfer of tradesmen prisoners from one prison to another, where they were required for special work which, had they not been available, would have involved additional expenditure. Tlie majority of the male criminals in New Zealand is not of an habitual and hardened class, but mostly incidental offenders driven to crime under the stimulus of drink. The female convicts are almost all of the most degraded class, and long past all possible chance of reformation, He does not object to the education of prisoners, but only to the method hitherto pursued bore. The number of prisoners is 5,360, and the net cost per head is L - The net cost at the respective gaols (shillings and ponce omitted) is —Addington, L 27 ; Auckland, L 22 ; Dunedin, L 39 ; Hokitika, LOO ; Invercargill, L 52 ; Lyttelton, L 34 ; Napier, L2B; Nelson, L7B; Taranaki, L 53; Timaru, L4O ; Wanganui, L 54 ; Wellington, L 43. Of the total prisoners 3,721 read and write,and 61 are of “superior education.”

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18820615.2.7

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 663, 15 June 1882, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,318

Untitled Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 663, 15 June 1882, Page 2

Untitled Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 663, 15 June 1882, Page 2

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