CORRESPONDENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2016, 27 February 1907, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL,

To the Editor of the Times

Sir,—Will you allow me a little more space in your valuable columns to make a few remarks with regard to Mr Levey’s letter in Tuesday’s Times. Mr Levey gets away Lom the point altogether, and makes a statement about me not following bis instructions, etc. Mr Levey also seems to think that I did not tell tho truth when I told him that I was taking a course of lessons in engineciing; I think, sir, I can prove to your satisfaction, also Mr Levey’s (if he is still in .doubt) that 1 was, and am still, studying a course of engineering. I would like to add in conclusion that my fooling are not a bit hurt. “Nuff scd.”—l am, etc., HERBERT INGRAM,

WORK AND WAGES.

THE SITUATION IN THIS DISTRICT.

Thro was no change to report yesterday in regard to the freezing works labor trouble. Tlio slaughtermen did not return to the Gisborne Slieopfiirmers’ Moat Freezing Company, and all that was dono in regard to the handling of sheep was a little clearing up by tlio hands on the ordinary stall'. At/ Messrs. Nelson Bros.’ Tarulieru works tlio proceedings of tlio previous day were repeated, though the spirit of humor seemed to a large extent to have evaporated, and some expressed a desire for a climax of some sort to end the dreary waste of time. Before the slaughtermen commenced work the acting-manager, Mr. Feldwick, addressed the men, on behalf of Messrs Nelson Bros. Acting under instructions he made the proposal to abide by any decision of the Arbitration Court, and to make the award retrospective from that day in case an increase should ho granted. The men, however, did not' show any disposition lor conciliation in that direction, and intimated briefly that they intended to abide firmly by their demand for an increase to 25s per hundred. The men then continued tlioir “work” as nearly as possible keeping to the average apparently agreed upon, two per hour, tlio animals dealt with being lambs. Mr. Feldwick advised headquarters at Tomoana of tho decision of the men, and last night tho men held a meeting to consider what their future course of action should be. The general disposition of the men seems to bo a disinclination to continue a lino of action that deceives no one, and some are said to bo eager to precipitate matters, tliere being some disappointment that an ultimatum was not received from the Company on Monday morning. It is acknowledged that unless some arrangement can bo come to it would be folly to continue tlio two sheep an hour conditions. Tho Tarulieru works fortunately is getting a good clearance by tlio Tyser liner Marere, which loads about 15,000 carcases; while from the Gisborne works the steamer Rangatira will to-day commence to take a largo number of carcases. Efforts by Mr. Isliorwood, Inspector of Factories, acting for tlie Labor Department, to got the men to come to some torms with the masters, have not had any immediate effect, hut have helped to maintain the good fooling that exists, notwithstanding the struggle.

Yesterday the Directors of the Gisborne Sheopfarinors’ Company had a mooting with a committee of the men. They pointed out that they could not treat with the men individually in disregard of the Arbitration award, but offered if the men wore loyal to tlioir union and adhered to the application for a variation of the existing award, they were quite prepared to discuss any reasonable terms. They would give the men plenty of time to consider this, and would not 1 hurry them at all. Whether tlie men came into line or not, the factory would go on, and lie pointed out that a great pastoral district like this was not in the same position as Wellington. It was also stated that there was no desire to let red tapeism stand in tlie way of dealing with a fresh award.

The men deny that there is any connection between tlie local strike and the trouble elsewhere, and scout the idea of there being ally truth in the report that tlio whole trouble had been engineered from Australia.

Stock was coming in from all quarters for both works, but tho facilities afforded by he nework of telephones in the district has been of great service in preventing much inconvenience that might have ensued in regard to stock coming to hand for freezing. At both works satisfactory provision has been made in that respect, and it is possible for both works to be kept shut down for a time without the heavy loss that might under some conditions be entailed. At present the desire of the employers is to meet tlio men in what they consider to be a fair spirit, and the one pleasing feature of the whole affair is that not the least bitterness of feeling lias been shown on either side. MESSAGE TO ACTING PREMIER. The following telegram was despatched by Mr. C. A. DeLautour, managing director of tlio Gisborne Shoepfarmers’ Coy., to tho acting Premier last evening:—“ln view of some 100 men, mostly Australian, impeding tlie whole industry of slieopfarming in the colony, would you consider tho advisability of arranging for the immediate despatch from England or the Cape, of 100 qualified butchers or assisted immigrants, tlio freezing companies guaranteeing employment?’'’ ..

Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday.

It is estimated there are 28-1 slaughtermen in Canterbury, 200 of whom are Australians, of a floating population. The number of Australians slaughtermen in tho whole colony is 300, and it is estimated they contribute in fares to the steamship companies £2700 per annum. There arc more Australians in Canterbury this year than usual. The Exhibition is an attraction, and they come here rather than go to the Argentine. Probably next year they will prefer to go to the Argentine if the conditions here do not improve.

The slaughtermen have struck, and tho freezing companies are notifying their clients not to forward stock, till further advised.

Without warning. of any kind all tho slaughtermen employed at the freezing works in Canterbury went out on strike to-day. The action was tho direct result of a meeting the men hold last night, and the ferment of tho last few weeks. The companies’ overtures were ignored and evoked no direct reply from the men. Tho companies recognise tho distinction between the men who are endeavoring to enforce the demand and members of the Slaughtermen’s Union, which has held back throughout, and announces it has nothing to do with the agitation, but unionists are involved in tho strike, which is one of the most important experienced in tho colony. The companies mean to go on as far as possible with assistants who are not on strike. These will take the place of tho slaughtermen and their places be filled with such casual labor as may be available. They intend in the meantime to kill only what are known as preservers and potters. A good class of mutton for the freezing market is not to bo killed yet awhile. ASHBURTON, yesterday. The butchers at Fairfield works did not resume work this morning. Nearly a full board of butchers assembled at 8 this morning, and although sheep were penned ready for them, after consultation amongst themselves they left without starting. .Subsequently they went in a body to the manager’s office and stated they were dissatisfied with the rate of pay, and desired 25s per 100. As the manager could not accede to the demand, the men left the works, one delegate being left at the works to receive any communication the company might make.

TIMARU, yesterday. Killing operations at Smitlifield freezing works are now at a standstill. One slaughterman left on Saturday last, a small number followed his example yesterday, and the balance left in a body this morning. They went to the works but refused to start. It is stated here that the Smitlifield slaughtermen struck today by reason of advice received from North Canterbury slaughtermen last niglit. There are no freezing sheep waiting to he killed at Smithfield, the last having been disposed of on Saturday last. There are numbers of potters . and preservers to slaughter, but all booking of freezers havo been stopped.

STRIKE GENERAL THROUGHOUT CANTERBURY.

CHRISTCHURCH, last night. Following upon the meeting held last night the slaughtermen at Islington and Smitlifield works belonging to tho Christchurch Meat Co., and also at the Belfast and Fairfield works, belonging to the Canterbury frozen Meat and Produce Export

Coy., did not commence work this morning. As the Puroora slaughtermoil arc still “out,” tho strike is general throughout Canterbury. Mr. W. Murray, managing director of the Christchurch Meat Coy., informed a reporter that the men had given no notification this morning that they did not intend to start work. Last week, howover, tho Coy. received an anonymous letter, emanating from irresponsible men acting apart from their union, to the, effect that they would discontinue work if their demands were not' granted. Tho ollicors of tho union, who had previously taken no part in tho men’s action, had made no special movement at this juncture. With the rest they did not start work this morning, and the Company had received no communication from them of any kind. Mr. Murray had no further statement to make on the position. Mr. F. Waymouth, managing director of tho Canterbury Frozen Meat Co., confirmed the announcement of a general strike. Ho stated that thore wore no freezers on hand at tlio Canterbury Frozen Meat Coy’s Works at present, except a few at Fairfield. The week would have been a slack one in any ease at Fairfield, as notice had been received from Ashburton that owing to the improved pastures farmers wore holding hack their sheep till they wore heavier. The Companies would advertise, instructing clients generally not to send any further stock to "the works until they wore advised. Although tho slaughtermen had gone out, the other departments at the factories wore working. It was proposed to limit slaughtering operations for the present to “potters” and “preservers,” which would bo disposed of by the slaughtermen’s assistants, and by tho casual labor that would he employed. He thought thore would be no difficulty in obtaining a .sufficiency of casual labor in tho country to carry oil the works till ' the strike ended. So far the Company had not considered tho question of obtaining labor from Australia. Ho thought that a large number of other workers would bo ready to take employment as slaughtermen if they were convinced that they would not be interfered with by tile men on strike. To guard against any possibility of trouble of that kind, he had received a Ministerial assurance that if the circumstances seemed to require it, he was to apply at once to tho Inspector of Police to have men sent to the works'to maintain peace and older. It is stated that advice has been received locally that tho Wellington employers have made an agreement with the men by which the latter will receive 123 s per hundred. The agreement will he ratified by the Arbitration Court. It is said that news to this effect has emboldened the local men to strike. The number employed by the Canterbury Meat Co. is 65 slaughtermen at Belfast, 50 at Fairfield, and 30 at Pareora. Roughly speaking, tho Christchurch Meat Co. has 70 slaughtermen at Islington, 45 at Belfast, and about 40 altogether at its works at Oamaru, Burnside, and . Picton, which are not in this indusj trial district, and aro not affected by I the strike. i The retail trade of the Christchurch | Meat Co .will not be affected by the ; strike, for tho slaughtering will be done at the municipal abattoirs instead of at the works. The slaughtermen at the abattoirs aro permanent hands, and are paid 10s per day, and up to the present there are no signs of dissatisfaction among them.

STRIKE IN SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL, last night, The slaughtermen at Ocean Beach and Wallacetown struck to-day. They ask for 25s per hundred, the usual batch of holidays to be paid for at double time, ami 2s an hour for waiting time over an hour. As there is no slaughtermen’s union in Southland the Arbitration Court cannot touch the matter.

STATEMENT BX MINISTER OF LABOR.

INVERCARGILL, last night. Hon. Mr. Millar says that ho is determined to have the law enforced, and has instructed tho Court to take strike business before anything else. BURNSIDE WORKERS. DUNEDIN, last night. So far as Burnside is concerned, there is no indication of any trouble with the slaughtermen, and the general opinion seems to be that they will await) the result of the strike among the men in the North, and fall in with any decision arrived at. They are not working under any award.

SYMPATHY WITH FREEZING COMPANIES.

CHRISTCHURCH, last night. At a meeting of tlxe executive of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, held to-night, the following motion was adopted:—“That the committee of the Canterbury Employers’ Association expresses its sympathy with the freezing companies in the trouble they are having with the slaughtermen, and trusts that the great damage being done to the whole of the producers of New Zealand will continue for a short time only.”

Work at the freezing works at Belfast and Islington will be resumed to-morrow with as many casual hands and slaughtermen as can bo procured. Tho companies have not much stock coming in, and it is expected that what work comes forward can bo dealt with. It is not anticipated that there will bo any trouble between tho casual bauds and the strikers to-morrow.

THE PAREORA CASE. TIMARU, last night. Proceedings for a penalty against 24 slaughtermen’s assistants at the Pareora freezing works, under section 15 of tho Amending Act 1905, for breach of award, were taken this afternoon before the Arbitration Court, Judge Sim presiding. Evidence was led showing that the works were idle on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, through the defendants closing the works. Mr. G. Raymond for defendants, submitted that as the award was made in June, 1905, and tho Act (first making it an offence to strike) did not come into operation till the end of October of that year, the Act did not apply to the award. The second contention was that the Court’s jurisdiction to make ail award is limited to cases in which there is an existing industrial dispute, and in this case there was no dispute, the parties having arrived at a mutual agreement. Mr. J IV. White, Crown Prosecutor, in reply, said that these arguments were more ingenious than sound, and if allowed it would be impossible to get a conviction on any award made before October, 1905. The Judge announced that bis decision would be given in the morning. Later.—Mr. Raymond, in bis argument, contended that the defendants acquired rights and incurred liabilities of duties under the award that the Act of 1905 would not alter, but in the absence of express words to the contrary subsequent legislation would not impair or alter those rights or duties if it would restrict their right to leave their employment in concert and impose a penally for nil otherwise legitimate action. He pointed out that there was nothing illegitimate in striking at. common law, nor was that right abrogated by any of the industrial legislation until section 15 of 1905 was passed. If the strikers committed any breaches of the terms of the award they were liable prior to that Act t'o no penalty whatever. Their rights in respect to tho award were partly contractual and partly of status, but whatever those rights were limy were vested rights. Under these circumstances lie contended that an Act passed after file award would not act retrospectively if it lessened those rights, and all decisions showed that except in procedural statutes retrospective interpretation was to he considered. For a second contention he submitted that the award was invalid, being made without jurisdiction. It appeared on the face of the proceedings that after the reference to the Court was filed a complete agreement between the employers and tho union was entered into and filed, and that the award simply embodied the terms of that agreement. Tho jurisdiction of tho Court was limited to industrial disputes, and when the award was made an industrial dispute no longer existed. Numerous authorities were quoted in support of tlio case. Mr. Raymond remarked that it differed from tho Wellington one, which was a case of breach of agreement, and the contentions of Mr. AA\ Skerrctt (for defendants) in that case wore not open to him in this case, tho present defendants being alleged to ho under an award.

Air. AVliite briefly replied, contending that the Act must apply to all current awards, and to offences committed subsequent to tlio passing of the Act. if the defendants were not liable to a penalty it would he impossible to get any convictions whatever except under awards made since October, 1905.

The child that just “feels had” and can’t toll why, needs Stearns’ AVine, the matchless and delicious tonic for children, renewing appetite and aiding digestion from the first dose.— Aclvt,

BOROUGH COUNCIL. Last evening an ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was hold in tho offices of the Council. Present: The Mayor (Mr John Townley), Crs. Harding, Whinray, Webb, Sheridan, Lysnar, and Rees. The. minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, tlio Town Clerk read the outward correspondence, which was approved. STREET METALLING. Mr A. Fordo Matthews wrote saying that tho following was quoted from a letter written to him by the Borough Engineer: “When you called at my office for the purpose of ascertaining what the Council’s requirements were in connection wth the formation and metalling of new streets, I showed you a plan which I consider embodied all that the Council had insisted on.” This plan was called a standard plan, and believing it to be so he made it the basis of his plans and specifications for the construction and metalling of Score road at The Point, ICaiti, subsequent to calling for tenders he learnt that the Council did not adopt the engineer’s plan but added lcorbing and much increased the amount of metal. Under these circumstances he asked the Council to exempt this road from conditions that were made subsequent to the calling for tenders, all precautions to meet the wishes of the Council having been made. Tlie Council acceded to Mr Matthews’ request. Mr DeG. Eraser, county engineer, wrote calling attention to the manner in which some of tho excavation is being carried out at the waterworks contract on the Arai-Tokonui road ; on visiting the locality on the 4th inst. he found a considerable quantity of tho centre of the road near Wilson’s excavated for the pipe lino, leaving no room for wheel traffic, nor was any temporary access provided. The filling in of tho trenches was not satisfactorily done. This portion of the road should he kei>t to its original level as the filling showed signs of subsidence. Where" traffic would be interrupted the County Council should ho improved so as to advertise the fact to prevent inconvenience. A temporary line should be opened if possible. He understood that a considerable portion of the pipe line would pass along narrow cuttings that have been metalled. He was directed to ask the Council to see that the contractor reinstated tho road properly and supplemented the metalled portions that have been excavated with additional broken stone.

The Council instructed their clerk to write to Mr Inspector Wilkinson, pointing out the inconvenience to the public. LETTER FROM THE WATERWORKS ENGINEER,

Mr. R. Hay, Waterworks Engineer, wrote enclosing the ordinary monthly certificates, also one for Messrs. Jones, Burton, and Coy., for inspection of plans in England. The amount was made reasonable at his special request. The works generally are not progressing very rapidly, but are being carried out effectively. The road near ‘Waingake was considerably cut up during the late wet weather, and the contractor was notified that he must take every care to accommodate the public traffic. In some places it will be necessary to close the road for short periods. The county engineer has approved and he (the waterworks engineer) will take the necessary measures when required. The rain was very heavy in the Arai district, and the creeks were in flood. Samples of water after 30 hours’ rain from the pressure tank were perfectly clear and the flow was not discolored, while neighbouring creeks were discolored. ALLEGED PALTRY ANSWER.

Air. John Warren, Clerk Cook County Council, wrote informing the Council that in granting timber for a culvert at Crawford Road, Kaiti, it was not understood that so large a quantity would be required as to build a culvert 66 feet' long, and stated that the Council would only supply timber for a culvert of 25 feet. Cr. Lysnar said it was a very paltry answer.

Cr. Whinray said he thought the culvert should be 60 feet; long. Cr. Harding said the County Council thought they were giving sufficient.

Cr. Rees: Did not the Count; Council offer the timber for the cul vert 1 ?

The Town Clerk: Yes, but when they saw tho plan they thought 60 feet was too much.

Cr. Harding: This Council asked for a donation of £lO. The County Council were giving more than they had asked for.

Cr. Sheridan: The County ratepayers would prefer that the whole of the timber were geven and that a decent job were made of the culvert. I think our Clerk should write to the County Council stating that we accept timber for a 25 feet bridgo, but that our Engineer thinks the culvert should be 60 feet, and tliai this would be more for the convenience of County ratepayers than for Gisborne residents.

The Mayor said they did not want any friction with the County Council. He moved that the offer bo accepted. Cr. Sheridan seconded. Cr. AVhinray moved that the Council ask for tho whole of the timber necessary for a 60 feet culvert. It was resolved-to accept timber for a 25 feet bridge, and ask for more. THE SYDNEY PLAGUE. The District Health Officer, writing to the Mayor re plague in Sydney, recommended a caroful inspection of the whole of the borough, with the immediate removal of all filth or other refuse that might bo lying on the sections. He also recommended that a reward bo offered for all dead rats.

The Mayor: AA’e have done everything the district officer recommends except offering a reward for dead rats. All refuse must he burnt.

Cr. AVhinray said it' was vegetable rubbish that was most dangerous. This stuff would not burn. Shopkeepers should he made to clear off paper and straw. The Sanitary Inspector was instructed to sco that all refuse was promptly removed. THE TOAVN’S COAT OF ARMS.

Air. Hugh Pollen, Colonial Secretary’s Office, AA’ellington, wrote asking for (say) 24 impressions of tho coat of arms of the town for the High Commissioner in London. Gisborne having no coat of arms, the Council could not comply with tho request.

ROEBUCK ROAD LAND ARBI TRATION.

Messrs. Clirisp and Coleman wrote that they had received the enclosed letter from Nolan and Sheet, in reference to payment of Roebuck Road land. They only consent to a single arbitrator. Alessrs. Nolan and Sheet wrote to Alessrs. Chrisp and Coleman, stating that they had no objection to the question of compensation being referred to arbitration, hut prefer one arbitrator, and stating that they would lie satisfied with Air John Coleman, Air. AA T . F. J. Anderson (of Alessrs. Alurray, Roberts and Co.), or Air. J. B. Kells.

Tlic Council declined the suggestion, and decided that arbitration should proceed in the usual way. THE ROEBUCK ROAD BRIDGE CONTRACT. Air. P. AlcLoughlin wrote on Feb. 26th to the Alayor, as follows:—Dear Sir, —On Feb. 6tli I received written notice from your Engineer to dis-

continue driving operations on my Roebuck Road bridge contract at pier 11 until the arrival of the steelwork. As there seemed no apparent reason for this I saw Mr. Gibbon, who would not, however, recede from tho position ho had taken up. I subsequently wrote Mr. Gibbon informing him that as it seemed positively of no moment' whether we stopped at pier 11 or pier 12 I would continue to drive pier, as it was a matter of some importance that I keep my men employed as long as possible, at it is a most difficult matter to get skilled workmen in the district. On Feb. 18tli I received a further communication from Mr .Gibbon containing positive instructions that I was to await tho arrival of steelwork. My attention was further drawn to a clause in the specifications referring to the matter. I have read the specifications carefully, and I can find no reference to stopping at pier 11 until the arrival of steelwork. There is certainly a clause which says that the contractor may proceed to erect the ten beam span piers, but the rema n-

ing piers are not to be put in position till tile slope drawings are delivered to the contractor. The shoo drawings, I may explain, are iho-e s< lit from America, and are generally slightly different in working centres to those drawings on which tenders are called. I now call your atcoi’tmn to the fact that I have been ill possession of the advance copy of shop diawings of some months, and the v hole of the pics already driven have been placed in position in accordance v. : th those drawings, an! in contradistinction to the originals. This, of course, with Mr. Gibbous’ concurrence. Therefore, after having proceeded so far, I fail to see why it is necessary to suddenly discontinue Your specifications suggest that the steelwork would be supplied in about six months. It is now nine months since the contract was let, and there seems to be 110 positive information as to when the steelwork will arrive. Tho delay is causing me much inconvenience, and in view of the positive instructions of your Engineer to await' the arrival of the steelwork, I have to notify you that I may find it necessary to hold your Council liable for detention. I attach for your convenience tho shop drawings, and the originals, which please return.” ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Town Clerk read the Engineer’s report, as follows: — “Metal and Gravel Contracts: The contractors for cartng stone from Patutahi have been somewhat hampered in their operations, owing to difficulty of approach to the quarry face, but the County Engineer assures me this has been attended to and any delay in the loading up obviated. “Gravel is coming forward as quickly as possible and is being spread *n Lowe street. When this street :ms been finished I propose to coat Root and Williams streets, both of which require metalling very badly. “Drainage: Air AI. W. East has made application for permission to construct an eathernware socket pipe drain in Carnarvon street from Palmerston road to the Tarulieru river. I see no objection to the drain beiny constructed provided the pipe are not of less dimensions than 6in., and that the Council has tlio right, at any time it may desire to do so, to connect at any point or points. But in my opinion it would be better for the Council to construct a storm water drain from Gladstone road to the Tarulieru and charge Mr East a proportion of the cost. Such a' drain would materially assist in relieving Gladstone and Palmerston roads of a large quantty of surface water. If the Council would entertain the construction of the. drain, I would prepare plans and estimates and submit them at the next meeting. “I am informed that an 18 inch brick culvert exists in Lowe street, between Tarulieru river and Gladstone road. If proper gullies were constructed at the intersection of Gladstone road and Lowe street, ‘ a considerable portion of the Gladstone road storm water could be intercepted and the existing water crossing filled in. It would be a very great improvement and would disjiose of the nuisance of a wide sheet of water flowing down the channels as far as Reads’ quay in wet weather. “Tarulieru Bridge: Attached hereto is a letter from the manager of Nelson Bros., Ltd., objecting to the erection of the Roebuck road bridge. On tho 19tli iiist., in consequence of complaints made by the engineer of the works as to impediments to free navigation of the river at that point, I went up in the company’s launch, The position of the bridge and tho approaches thereto were freely discussed, together with what they considered to be all the attendant impediments and dangers to navigation caused by the piles of the bridge at that point. Yesterday the county engineer and I made a very careful inspection of the river in the locality in question. Again this morning in company with yourself and the engineer of the works I made, another inspection and a sa result it was arranged that a practical test should be made at an early date ,and so for tho present tho matter stands. Lytton road: I have prepared a plan showing the proposed permanent levels of Lytton road, which I should be glad if the Council would take the necessary steps to adopt. As it is a boundary road it will bo necessary to get the County Council’s approval of the plan. I have instructions to form up Stanley road and as a considerable quantity of material is required for the purpose, it could he conveniently obtained from Lytton road. Both these roads carry a large amount of traffic, and it will bo necessary to metal them as soon as they are formed. As soon as the County Council’s approval is obtained a contract could be let for the work, including the metalling if the Council so desired.

Tlio Alayor, referring to tlio alleged obstruction by the pile driving at pier 11, said the matter would he investigated at once, and they would see wlioher there was any obstruction to the navigation of the river. It was resolved that Air. AlcLoughlin’s letter ho referred to tho Engineer to reply.

Cr. Lysnar, on. tlio question of drainage, raised by Air. East’s application for a storm water drain, proposed that the Engineer should present a report to their next meeting A temporary scheme of drainage might he adopted that would serve the town for the next five or eight years. It would bo a storm water scheme. He emphasised tho importance of tlio Council adopting such a scheme for the whole borough. Tho Engineer said that he had suggested a 6-inch instead of a 4-inch pipe.

The Council instruced the Engineer to prepare a report for tho next meeting of the Council.

Tho Council adopted .the plan of Sutton Road levels, and after the transaction of some routine business, adjourned.

Describing a visit which she once paid to Lyttelton Gaol, Aliss Roberts, of tlio AA'omen’s Christian Temperance Union, said she was surprised at finding many of the prisoners such fine moil. Referring to one of them, she said slid did not think she had ever met a more gentlemanly fellow. Ho had evidently been well educated, and lie lifted his hat and behaved generally with great politeness. But when she visited the cells and learned that 1 the men ate their dinners there in absolute loneliness —a tiling she never liked herself—and spent tho long evenings by themselves without any attempt being mado to educate them or put anything hotter into their minds ; she thought that there was something wrong in the treatment. Every care was taken of them physically, but' it was surely time to go a step beyond that-, and do something for their minds,