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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5325, 22 April 1878, Page 2

To any student of the manners and customs of the nineteenth century, unless perchance familiarity has dulled his perceptive faculties, it must be a very evident fact that the one blot more prominent than another on the page before him is adulteration. That this is a very marked feature among the vicious practices of the age, is amply proved by the mass of legislation which has been brought to bear upon it, more particularly and to a greater extent in the old country than in the colonies—legislation far exceeding in bulk ail that has been done to check intemperance, and, alas, as barren in its results. Adulteration in articles of food is a very serious crime, and so far of greater gravity than false weights and unjust balances, in that it is more difficult of detection, and more pernicious in its effects; yet tradesmen accept the position that in these days of competition trade cannot be carried on without it,—a false position to oyr mind, —and adulteration is consequently universally practised, openly or secretly, as the case may be. Chambers of Commerce will not, merchants and retail traders dare not, interfere to check the. evil, and thus the public suffer while manufacturers are enriched. We have said that adulteration is practised to an increased extent, owing to its difficulty of detection, and in proportion to it. While this is true of what may be termed the unneoessaries of life, and while we think that in such cases the remedy may very well be left in the hands of the victimised; yet, when it affects the staple diet of the people—our bread, milk, sugar, beer, &c.—every power the law can lend us should be put in requisition to stop this pernicious and growing evil. We have a Government analysist, one of whose duties it is to analyize any suspected instances of adulteration which may be submitted to him ; and though his duties in this particular direction are now well nigh nil, yet there is no reason why this should always be the case. It only requires that a bold and decided step should be taken, on the part of a few of those who now prefer putting up with the imposition to exposing the impostor, to deal a fatal blow to adulteration in such articles at least as are of our own produce or manufacture. Nor would it be a matter of difficulty to organise a system of surveillance by which the whole colony would be greatly benefited. As in Great Britain the several county divisions, or “ hundreds,” have their travelling inspector of weights and measures, who at any time has power to pounce upon and examine all the weights and measures in his district, so each of the counties into which New Zealand is now divided might have its travelling inspector and analysist, who could combine both duties in one, and bring the law to bear upon any gross case of adulteration which came before his notice. Such a system, we believe, in point of general advantage and utility might well rank in the same degree of importance with

drainage schemes, sanitary laws, and all the thousand and one efforts that have been made to check drunkenness, among which last it would prove ss efficacious as any, and would soou bear fruit iu the increased health, wealth, and sobriety of the colony at large.

One of the first measures to be introduced under the auspices of Government next session will be a “Brewers and Publicans Bill.” The intention of the measure will be to prevent brewers becoming themselves proprietors of hotels, by which they compel a sale of their beer whether good, had, or indifferent. Mr. Charles O’Neill will, it is said, be a candidate for the electoral district of Cheviot, when rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. Harper. Mr. O’Neill will stand in the Grey interest, and as the Kaikouras, to a man, are against Sir Cracroft Wilson, a lively contest may be expected. Sir Gecrge Gx'ey returned to Wellington yesterday by the Hinemoa. A cricket match will take place to-day at Mr. Whitehead’s paddock between the Drapers and Grocers,

A telegram received from Blenheim last night says that the statement made that “ Mr. Henderson had been defeated twice” is incorrect, he having only been defeated once. The skating rink was very fairly patronised on Saturday afternoon. A number of experts on the rollers went through some very difficult movements with apparent ease. No doubt as the riuking season advances the place will be largely patronised. Anniversary sermons in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday school were preached in the Manners-street Church yesterday morning evening. The Rev. A. Reid occupied the pulpit in the morning, and the Rev. J. W. Williams in the evening. The church was well filled at both services.

Two chimneys caught fire in the city at noon yesterday, and the fire-bells giving the alarm, the quietness of the streets was soon dispelled. The kitchen chimney of Mr. Brittain, chemist, Lambton-quay, was the first of the two to catch fire. Prom the volumes of smoke which it belched forth fears were entertained of a serious conflagration, but a few buckets of water sufficed to put it out. Shortly afterwards flames were seen issuing from the kitchen chimney of the House of Representatives, and the fire brigades transferred themselves and their engines to that • quarter. No damage was incurred in either instance. There was but a very short sitting of the Resident Magistrate’s Court on Saturday. James Craig, an old offender, was fined 10s,, or in default 48 hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness.—Henry Parker, for a similar offence, was fined 55., or 24 hours’ incarceration.— William Kernel was arraigned before the Court for assaulting George Josef. The police in this case asked for a remand, as there was another man implicated in the affair, who had not yet been found. His Worship, Mr. Crawford, R.M., remanded the prisoner until Friday. Mr. Gordon Allan appeared for the accused, and asked for bail, which was granted. The prisoner, however, was unable to obtain sureties, and he was taken charge of by the police. The depth of water in the reservoir yesterday was 5 feet, 9 inches, and in the distributing basin 22 feet. It has been suggested, that a cottage should be erected at the basin as a residence for the custodian, as it is very necessary that some one should be ou the spot,, especially at night. One day last week, after the water had been turned ou at the reservoir it was shut' off in town, and the result was that the basin filled to overflowing, and the water pouring over the sides out up the gravel and left some considerable furrows. The damage done, as it happened, was not serious, as the custodian, who lives in the gully below the basin, discovered what was the matter some hours afterwards ; but had he not done so, more serious results might have ensued. It certainly seems most desirable, it not absolutely necessary, that a man should he constantly ou the spot, and should therefore have a residence as close to the basin as possible.