The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 1, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 899, 1 October 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 1, 1910. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

During the week Berlin has been the scene of serious strike rioting. The military charged the mob, and a large number of casualties are reported. The riot is described as unparalleled since 1848. The military were compelled to use the flat and point of their sabres, and the mob retaliated with beer bottles, glasses and other missiles. During last Wednesday’s encounter two hundred and seventy three persons were wounded. The authorities have restricted access to the riot area to residents and have closed the taverns. Some English and American newspaper correspondents while after “copy” stopped their motor car to watch the police driving the people through the open space called the Kleinetier Garten. Half a dozen policemen, after driving a couple of young girls through the bushes, returned to the pavement, and a detective immediately ordered them to attack the motor car. They thereupon ruthlessly slashed the occupants of the car with sharpened sabres. Wile (Daily Mail), received a nasty blow on the head from the flat of a sword. Dr Shasv (New York Sun), was struck heavily on the arm and face, the blow being broken by the car. Tower (Daily News), was struck and badly bruised, and Lawerance (Reuter’s), was struck repeatedly over the right arm and shoulder, having both hands cut and the tendon of the middle finger of the right hand laid bare. It is stated that the police evidently desire a monopoly of reporting matters.

Mr Hike’s charges of “ Tammanyism,” against the Government in connection with certain laud purchase transactions has been referred to the following select Committee for investigation : —Messrs Allen, Buchanan, Fraser, Massey (Opposition), Myers (Independent), and the Premier, Hon. Mr Millar, Hanan, Graham and Reed (Government). The Opposition moved that the charges be heard before two Supreme Court judges but this was defeated. During the debate of the Financial Statement, Mr Hine declared that “ Comissions are charged by members of Parliament who helped to place on the statute book an Act known as the I,and for Settlements Act, and then acted as commission agents to sell land to the Government. . . . The Premier

knows very well who did this,” and later he made the following assertions: (x) An M.P. acted as the agent for the vendor and received a commission. (2) Two M.P.’s acted in collusion and received a commission. (3) An M.P. divided a commission with a laud agent. (4) An M.P. received a huge commission running into four figures. Mr Hine refused to give names except before a Royal Commission. It would have saved much valuable time had Mr Hine named the men whom he charges with corrupt practices. The Committee will report their investigations within a month and the report will be awaited with much interest.

As proof of the desire of leading theatrical companies to visit Foxton if a proper hall were available, it may be mentioned that we have received a letter from Mr George Musgrove, making enquiries about the seating capacity and the stage and dressing-room accommodation of the principal hall in Foxton, also asking for an opinion as to the probable financial result of a one-night visit, about the end of December, by Miss Nellie Stewart and her company in “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury.” The company travels with 35 people, and complete scenery and orchestra. Under the circumstances we cannot recommend Mr Musgrove to include Foxton in his itinerary as there is barely room on the stage to ‘‘swing a cat ” ; there is no ‘‘grid” to accommodate scenery, which would have to be brought from outside between the acts. In fact, the present primitive building, which does duty for a public hall, is absolutely unsuitable from every point of view for the accommodation of even second-grade companies. We hope the Council will take into serious consideration the desirability of erecting a suitable town hall to meet modern requirements.