The Evening Star. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 3777, 2 April 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1876.

A raw days since we were shown the plan of a building about to be erected for a “ Servants’ Home”—an institution lately projected by some considerate and kindly dispositioned ladies, with every prospect of success. We should have liked some other title for it, for there is in these Colonies a disposition to associate the idea of the dependence of servants at Home upon eleemosynary aid with institutions bearing similar names, however different their constitution. Inis, however, should not be thought of by those who find it for their interest to use it during the short periods between changing situations. They must remember that a name does not detract from the comfort that wiU be found there, just as a rose would smell as sweet and possess its own peculiar beauty had it been called a turnip. Ihe advantages to both employed and employers will be mutual. If through the medium of such an institution those who require help have an opportunity of ascertainmg the character and qualifications of women willing to accept service, not the less will servants have opportunity of ascertaining the reputation ®£ heads of households, and the peculiarities of the duties they will be expected to fulfil. Thus in this view only there will be for both classes the first requieom[Olt of entering upon engagements with knowledge of what each has to expect; and as a consequence satisfactory arrangements are the more likely. But for the special class for whom this institution is in-

tended, mucli greater benefit may be anticipated. Alosfc of them arrive in the Colony with no friends or respectable acquaintances to whom to appeal, or under whose protection they can place themselves should they 1)?, f» r even a short time, out of a situation. :f unfortunately they have not had work for a sufficient time to enable them to save enough to pay for a few weeks’ lodging, or if they have not chanced to form intimate acquaintanceship with same kind friend who will give them shelter for a while, they are exposed to many privations and temptations to vice that may prove their ruin. The pressing demand for female service that has prevailed.-for years has been the safeguard of hundreds, and this is not likely to diminish so long as the vast disproportion between the numbers of the sexes is maintained. W* believe it to be perfectly true that in this Province no woman capable of working need ba without a place, or without a husband of some sort or other j but that is not exactly all that is wanted. Neither the place nor the husband may be suitable, and it is desirable, therefore, that, at small expense to herself, a woman may be able to wait a little and choose either the ope or the other; or at least be in a position to say “No," without starvation staring her in the face. Independence iu such matters is a guarantee for self-respect, and this is a very important element in a good domestic servant. It is therefore intended and expected that the proposed Servants’ Home shall be self-supporting, and that all that it is requisite to provide are the building and furniture. The subscriptions already received and promised, although not sufficient for the cost of the building, justify the committee in proceeding with it; and we trust the benefits likely to accrue from it are so apparent as to secure its early construction. We believe it is intended to ask the Provincial Government to supplement private contributions according to the customary scale; md we know no institution that has a fairer claim upon the public purse. Immigrants are induced to come here by agents of the Government, through certain representations ; and although there is an agency hj« re, through whose assistance they are enabled to secure places in the first instance, women at any not even then to be altogether considered as having been given sufficeut start, and thus be beyond the care of the society into whose midst they have come. They encounter many disadvantages in a Colony. Usually young when they come from Home they have not acquired experience in the world’s ways to enable them to detect imposture, or to rough it unharmed ; nor is it their customary destiny to do so. Therefore, although it may and ought to be enough to give a man a start iu his new life, and let him henceforth fight his way, some consideration is due to women. They should have the means of respectable association, even when not engaged *o?* but waiting for domestic service, and this will be provided by the institute. We think, also, that a Servants* Home may tend very much to raise the character of families employing female servants, ‘ for as none but respectable women will have the advantage of the institution, so none but respectable employers accustomed to treat their servants properly will be likely to secure their services. With regard to the building itself we have one word to say : we have no doubt the plan is a very good one in most respects, but on examining the details we observed no provision made for the ventilation of some of the dormitories. This is a common fault, and even where a supply of fresh air is attempted, it is usually on so unsound a principle as to prove more mischievous than a close room. We recommend the committee to give special attention to this point, and to make it a sine qua non for the sake of the health and benefit and comfort of those who may make use of the institution.

Another squatting firm—Oakden and Brown—have made a donation of LIOO to the funds of the Oamara hospital. Messrs D. Hutcheson and W. Murcott are already in the field for the representation of Moeraki in the Provincial Councial, and rumor speaks of a third possible candidate.

In a rifle match with Riverton, at ranges of 200, 500, and 600 yards, five shots at ach, the Oamaru Bangers made a total of 401 against their opponents 372. Oamaru thus won by 29 points. • The notorious Sullivan is still in Melbourne Gaol. The 4 Bruce Herald’s ’ correspondent says he does no work, but spends his time in reading, and seems quite satisfied with his quarters. It is probable he will be shipped to America if the Victorian Government gets a chance.

An experiment is being tried with the Nelson training ship, Melbourne, to test the question as to whether measles has been propagated in the Colony by contagion, or whether it has arisen, from a certain condi* tion of the atmosphere. The Nelson has been put in quarentine, and for nearly three months communication between those on board and those on shore has been stopped. There are over 400 boys iu the ship, but up to the present time not a single case of measles has occurred amongst them. An accident occurred at Mosgiel yesterday, whereby Robert Snowdon, farm laborer m the employ of Mr John Andrew, of the Grange, received serious injuries. It appears that through a swagsman laying his swag alongside the road whereon Snowdon was driving a two-horse team, the leader shied, and before it could be {quietened the driver was knocked down, the near wheel passing over his body. Dr Inglis was promptly in attendance, and although little hopes were at first entertained of hia recovery, he is now progressing favorably. A poor little collie dog at Greymouth was the ' übj ect of no end of litigation. A man named Ryan purchased the puppy from a man named Lee, but the animal was afterwards claimed by a butcher named Cunningham, who sued ’•yan. After an adjournment the dag was ordered to bo transferred to Cunningham. Then Ryan sued Lee for expenses incurred in defending the action brought by Cunningham. and that little dog was the subject of much law aud precedents. We are told that the learned counsel on either side quoted extensively from 44 Ohitty on Contracts,” and " Law of Warranty,” and the doctrine of caveat emptor, as laid down by Lord Holt, which particularly enjoins buyers to keep their eyes skinned. Ryan, however, recovered L 5 and costs, and the precious little collie, who was said to be severely attacked with distemper and other maladies, must have cost the parties something like LSO.

At one o’clock this morning a fire bioke out at Fern Hiil in the stables of the Club, which were totally destroyed, the flames having, before the alarm was given, obtained a complete hold of the building, which consisted of light, old wood, and burned like tinder. In the stables were two valuable horses—one tho property of Mr Henry Driver, the other belonging to a cabman named John Gibson—which were burned. Gibson was tho last person ia the stable, he having taken out; two horses a quarter of an hour before the fire broke out. He states that he used a stable lantern, that he put the candle out, and that everything was all right when ho left the stable. The stable being de tached, the fire (which gave forthra very strong flame), was confined to it, but the flag-pole, close by, fell with a tremendous crash, the guys supporting it giving way. None of the property was insured. The building is valued at Ll5O, and Mr Gibsen estimates the loss of his hors# and some harness at L 45.

The Rev. 0, Hark's lectures on Dickens and the Tower of London, were thoroughly successful at Oamaru, bat the local paper takes exception to the lecturer styling him* ?elf “ Reverend.” “ There is a certain fitness in things and it does not seem to ua fit that any gentleman, howsoever undoubted his talents, who takes to the boards as a ‘ pro* fessional,’ advertised, not to sav puffed, dla theatrical star, with • posters,’} blue, and red, and rainbow, with agents in advance, jnst as the Beskins- 1 'olvillo, the English Opera, or any other entertainment, should carry with him, and everywhere ap* pear in the dual capacity of an actor and a minister of the Church.” And to the end of the chapter the ‘ North Otago Times ’ calls him “Mr” Clark.

The representation of “ The Lady of Lyons at the Princess’s last evening was in every .way satisfactory. Miss Howard makes an excellent Pauline, playing well throughout, and especially so in the third act and final scene of lie last act. She and Mr Steele, who can always be seen as Melnettewith pleasure, divided the honors, being called before the curtain at the end of each wa * LadyjDeschapnelles, Miss Willis the Widow Melnotte, with only one fault -her appearance was too youthful for the character; and Mr Mnsgrave capital as Colonel Damas. After the drama, John Moran sang and danced, and played his inimitable bone solo, to the evident satisfac* tion of the audience. To-night “The hiew Magdalen ” will be played. +

A special meeting of the Per A, Angus, and Mearns Association will be held in Murray’s Hotel this evening, at eight o’clock. The Cup Match, between the Press and merThe return match between the Union and Lxceisior crews will take place to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon, at 3.30 p.m. The Union crew were victors last time, pulling in their own boat, 10-morrow the crews change boats and pull again over the same course, starting from the Town Jetty.

By our advertising columns we notice that rf ® S e Z; J ‘ of Timaru, will preach in "J? Temperance Hall on Sunday morning and evening. We hear that in a few months the Primitive Methodists of this city expect to have a imuster stationed among them. In the meantime the services will be conducted by lay preachers, and occasionally by ministers now laboring in the district. Mr Ward is the first minister who will preach. IfH*