The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1886. Toner v Herring.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1268, 19 June 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1886. Toner v Herring.

The result of the case Toner v. Herring, heard at the Tiraaru session of the Supreme Court on Wednesday last, provides abundant food for reflection, and furnishes some interesting and instructive lessons. We have no fault to find with the verdict ; it was fully sustained by the evidence submitted to the jury, and the learned judge interpreted the mysterious law of libel with his accustomed clearness and impartiality. But at the same time we feet sure that a very large majority of the people of this county, in fact every one who has an acquaintance with the real merits of the case, would have been better pleased if the result had been different. It is impossible to excuse the tone of the letter written by Mr Herring to the “ Press ” newspaper —the letter upon which the action for libel was founded—but were we at liberty to refer to all the attendant circumstances we should have little difficulty in showing that the author was more sinned against than sinning, and had he elected to adopt a less honorable and independent course he might have escaped the penalty he is now suffering. But quite apart from this feature of the case Mr Herring is entitled to a considerable measure of credit for the courageous and public manner in which he has attacked a monstrous social evil. We know nothing of the domestic condition of the plaintiff Toner, and we have no desire to impugn his integrity, but it is within our own knowledge that every word Mr Herring has written in respect to the morality and surroundings of a large class of our fellow colonists is absolutely correct. This is not a matter fori jgargument; it is really beyond dispute, and if anyone has a lingering doubt on the subject let him make a personal inspection or prosecute a few enquiries at the nearest police station. It must not be supposed we are attempting to defend the course adopted by Mr Herring, we : celieve he was guilty of a serious error <

of judgment, but it was one of those , [ errors which are committed by genuine, single-hearted and philanthropic reformers —men who seek beneficent ends by any honorable means that come to hand. Mr Herring is impulsive and just a little inclined to be ♦severely critical; his standard of morality is beyond the grasp of ordinary mortals, and many ol his aspirations are doomed to disappointment. But as a colonist, as an upright and generous man, he is without a superior in this country, and

we trust the lessons he.has received—the lessons of patience andjmoderation —will not damp the ardour he has displayed in the prosecution of h»s great undertakings. Constable Bourke has probably learned something from the remarks made by the learned Judge, and has intelligence enough to profit by his knowledge. Mr Baddeley, who inflicted the sentence upon Toner in the lower Court, has doubtless watched the recent proceedings with

considerable interest, but, so lar as we

understand the matter, the additiona

evidence elicited in the higher Coun

places his decision beyond criticism. The public generally have again pressed upon their attention the facts that we must never assume that which is in-

capable of proof, and that the only thing certain about litigation is its uncertainty. Let them ponder on these truisms, and join with us in hoping that the epidemic of libel actions which has afflicted this part of the country for some years has now run its course.

An assistant mistress for the Ashton school is wanted.

This evening—Meeting of Committees, Ashburton Racing Club and Ashburton Hunt Club, at 8 o’clock. Mr Collins’ sale at Chertsey has been postponed until Wednesday June 23. An advertisement referring to the sale appears in this issue. . , .

We notice that Woodroffo’s Glass Blowing Exhibition will open in Ashburton on Thursday next. The exhibition is said to be a wonderful and interesting one, and has attracted large audiences elsewhere.

Yesterday afternoon a very pleasing ceremony took place at the Ashburton school. Miss Harband, the headmistress, has resigned her position here in order to enter upon a more responsible sphere of duty at the West Christchurch school, and as she will be leaving Ashburton in a few days, her fellowteachers and the pupils at the school determined to bestow upon her some token of their esteem prior to her departure. This token took the form of a very handsome writingdesk, which was presented to the recipient yesterday afternoon by Mr J. C. Duncan, the Chairman of the School Committee. In making the presentation Mr Duncan expressed the regard which was felt for Miss Harband by all who knew her, and their regret at her approaching departure.

The first of a series of sixpenny entertainments to be given in St Stephen’s schoolroom during the winter months took place last evening. Owing to a large number of counter-attractions there was only a small audience, and several ladies and gentlemen who had promised to assist were prevented from attending. The Rev Mr Ottway pre-

sided, and during the evening gave a most interesting and instructive description of a

ride from Napier to the Hot Lakes—the scene of the recent volcanic eruptions. Vocal and instrumental items were rendered by Mesdames Crisp and Claridge, Misses Gates and Orr, and Messrs Gates and Orr. The entertainment was a most pleasant one, and as even more attractive programmes are promised for the remainder of the series, we expect to see these gatherings grow in popularity.

An " Ingleside” meeting, in connection with the Ashburton Caledonian Society, was hold at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening. There was a very large attendance, composed of members of the Society, their families, and lady friends, and the proceedings, which were characterised by Scotch hospitality and good humour, passed off with the greatest eclat. Mr Donald McLean, the President of the Society, delegated the duty of organisation to a fellow clansman, Mr Mac Lean Dunn, and that gentleman was eminently successful in the discharge of his trust. Mr Charles Eeid acted as M.C., and arranged popular and national dances, which were followed up with much ivr it by the younger members of the audience. Miss Kidd presided at the piano, and appropriate songs wore rendered by Mrs Dunn, Misses Dick and Kidd, and Messrs Craighead (2), Dunn and Kneen. The Society’s piper. Mr A. McKay* delighted his countrymen with the “pipes” and violin, and national dances were tastefully executed by Messrs Gallie (Timaru) and Maoqueon (Ashburton). Messrs Steven and Duncan Macqueen also contributed pipe music, and Mr J. C. Duncan, the Secretary, and several prominent directors of the Society, were indefatigable in their efforts to make a success of the gathering. The “Ingleside” broke np shortly before midnight, and we venture to say every member of the large company was delighted with the entertainment provided.

No clue what ever has been found by the Melbourne police to the discovery of the murder of James Lane, the corn-store dealer, who was so mysteriously murdered within half-a-dozen yards from the street in Colling, wood on Saturday night, May 28. A suit of old clothes was found on a vacant block, which was thought might have been thrown away by the murderer, but the owner was afterwards discovered, and he explained that having got work, he had bought now clothes, and, being ashamed to take his old ones to his boarding-house, had changed suits in the dark at the spot referred to. At tho inquest only formal evidence was taken, and an adjournment was made for a fortnight to allow the police to make inquiries.

A Washington correspondent has picked up a bit of interesting information regarding cigarette smoking. It appears that a great many boys are applying to be apprenticed to the navy, and, according to Major Histon, the commander of the marine barracks at Washington, the first question asked when they come up for examination is, whether they smoke. They usually answer in the negative. The thumb and fore-finger of the right hand are then examined, and in the majority of oases, are stainedj yellow from cigarettes. As soon as this tell-tale mark is discovered, the boy is examined by a surgeon for evidences of heart-disease, and the result is that one-fifth of all the boys who apply, are rejected on account of cigarette smoking*

Victoria is admittedly the home of Australasian manufactures, and, so, far, there has been no noteworthy check to the dc velopment of this important branch of the I national resources. Mr F Stuart at a recent meeting of the Victorian Chamber of Mann, facturer’s said: “ We have'made solid progress in'the industrial arts, and are cultivating manufactures with earnestness and success.” During the last five years the number of factories has increased 30 per cent., the number of hands employed, and the value of buildings and machinery, by 50 per cent. There are now in the Colony about 3,000 factoiies, turning jout 120 different .kinds of productions, with a capital value of nearly £11,000,000, employing 50,000 hands, and paying over £5,000,00# per annum in wages. It is estimated that the value of manufactured goods in Victoria in 1885 reached fully £20,000,000.

The 'New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, has received the following cablegram from its ,London office, dated 16lh June, 1886 :—The wool sales opened with spirit to-day. Greasy merino and line greasy crossbred have advanced Id to lld per lb ; clothing and combing, washed, 2d to 2|d per pb ; and scoured, 21d to 3d per lb on the closing rates of last series. For coarse greasy crossbred the market is firmer. The attendance of both Home and I foreign buyers is good, and competition by I both is active. Foreign buyers are operating with confidence. The sales comprise about 325,000 bales, and the opening catalogue contained 13,000 bales ; 27,000 bales have been sent direct to the manufactureing districts.

In the Legislature Council yesterday afternoon a motion by the Hon J. Bathgate embodying lengthly resolutions having for their object the recommendation that the Council advise the Government to take away from the banks the privilege of issuing payer currency, and establishing a State Bank of Issue was carried.

A meeting will be held in the Temperance Hall, Tinwald, on Monday evening to discuss Town Board affiairs and to consider the advisableness of dissolving the Town District-

At the E.M. Court this morning, before Mr K. Alcorn, J.P., W.|F. Thompson was brought up on remand charged with horsestealing. Ob the application of the police the accused was discharged from custody, owing to the difficulty experienced by the prosecution in collecting evidence.