The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1893.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 112, 11 March 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1893.

There is a belief gaining strength | every day that the totalisator is doomed. We are told by a contemporary that the opponents of the machine in the House of Representatives may reckon Mr \V. Hutchinson as one of their strongest allies. At his meeting recently in Dunodiu, in reply to one of his constituents, when asked whether he was in favor of the abolition of the machine, he said ho had no hesitation whatever iv pledging bis word that he would do all he could to do away with it. We understand that Mr W. C. Smith, M.H.R., of Woodville, intends to renew his onslaught on the machine as soon as the House meets. These gentlemen will be largely supported in whatever they attempt to do by other members, who formerly, if they were not for, were not against tho machine ; but have since been disgusted by the greed of Metropolitan Clubs, in charg ing tho public the amount of the Government tax. In this the clubs have over-reached themselves, and thus jeopardized their most prolific source of revenue. People who put their money on the machine were content — when they were winners — to pay ten per cent., but the additional im post of one and a half per cent, has strained their good nature to its utmost limit.

The New Zealand Medical Association which is assembled in Auckland, has passed a resolution pointing out to the Government that the low rate of mileage allowed to medical witnesses at coroners 1 inquests carries great hardship, and that the law in regard to the necessity of certificate of death before burial is ineffective. In this part of the colony medical men have no reason to complain of the low rate of mileage allowed them, for the very excellent reason that they are very seldom called in as witnesses. Of course the alleged reason for this is economy on the part of the Government, but we are not so sure ourselves on that point.

The larrikins on the Makino road have been making themselves more than usually objectionable lately. In fact it is not considered safe for any women, old or young, to puss along the roads after dark. Several instances have occurred where they have been insulted grossly, by these pests to society. The sooner we have additional police here the better. In the meantime we would suggest to heads of families and others who care for the protection of the weaker sex, that they take some steps themselves to abate the nuisance by obtaining the names of the principal offenders, and instituting legal proceedings against them. We can state that the very heaviest penalties will be inflicted on convictions being obtained.

Although the Ministerial press protended to thiuk that uo effect was made in Auckland by the speech of tho Leader of the Opposition, tho Hon Mr Rolleston, yet the Ministry have deemed it wise to send up Sir Robert Stout, who delivered a political speech there last night in defence of the Government. This is significant.