NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8354, 14 February 1913, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

In response to an appeal front tha Wellington hospital authorities, tha Miramar Municipal Baud will play in Seatotm Park on Sunday afternoon next, when a collection in aid of tho hospital funds will be taken up. Tho hospital committee yesterday decided to ask permission for tho hospital collectors to attend in Government House grounds to-morrow, on tha occasion of tho vice-regal garden party. It is hoped to considerably swell tha •‘Hospital Saturday and - Sunday”' fund in this way. A word of caution in regard to expenditure was sounded by the hospital treasurer, Mr Baldwin, at yesterday's meeting of tho hospital committee. ‘ 1 We are over-drawn now in our spending power,” he said, “and wa must ask the staff to keep within the limits.” The conference of Education Depart* ment inspectors continued its deliberations throughout yesterday at Parliament Buildings. The proceedings wort taken in committee, tho main subjects of discussion being the syllabus and draft new regulations. These will bo further discussed in committee to-day. Reference to land and income tax receipts was made by tho Hon, W. Fraser in a statement of revenue and expenditure published yesterday. Tha Minister anticipated that tho receipts under this head for the current year would bo at least £75,000 above tha estimate. This increase was inadvertently printed as “ 75 per cent.” A motion by Mr F. T. Moore wa* carried at yesterday’s meeting of tho hospital committee, “ That a report ha prepared showing the number of charge-nurses appointed since the institution of the system and the number, of resignations.” Tho charge-nurse system has been in operation for about eighteen months. , Altogether there are nine of theso nurses, and there have been three resignations this month. The Inspector-General of Hospitals, Dr Valintino, has informed tho Wellington Hospital committee that tha Government will pay the full cost of maintenance of delirium tremens case* treated in tho hospital. Tho question as to whether tho full cost will bo borne by tho Government when permanent arrangements had been made for provision for this class of patient ha was referring to the Minister of tha department. Under Mr Ji Wiggins, foreman, lata of Wellington, the staff of tho Newcastle Council’s electrical department is making excellent progress with tho iwork of installing tho new lighting system, tho groat benefit of which is freely acknowledged (writes a correspondent). The lighting of the promenade and sheds on the beach is now most satisfactory* and the improvement in this respect is much appreciated ,by the. many thousands of people who resort to the waterfront on the hot evenings. , At a meeting of the'Socialist party on Wednesday night the following resolution was carried: ‘‘That the Socialist party does not identify itself with tho formation of any new union whore a union is already in existence in the trade.” It was decided to publish tho resolution lu tho press and to read it at Sunday’s meetings. . The party decided not to contest seats at the municipal elections, and to write to America protesting against the imprisonment of Eugene V. Debs and other workingolass leaders. Tho party ha* decided to hold Paris Commune celebrations in March next. An appeal for co-operation in making a Supreme'effort to rid tho Dominion of the liquor traffic was made to the Methodist Conference by, tho executive of the New Zealand Alliance yesterday. The chairman of the executive wrote that it was high time that tha problem of the liquor traffic were got out of the way in order that other pressing social reforms might receive the attention they deserved. The conference was therefore appealed to for its united and resolute support of the democratic vote campaign. Without dis. cussing the merits of the request, tho conference deputed tho Revs. J. Cocker and O. W. J. Williams to draft “a suitable reply.” ■ During the hearing of divorce cases at the Supreme Court yesterday, Mr T. M. Wilford asked Mr Justice Chapman if he had noticed the number 1 of divorce cases which came before tha court where the parties had been married by a registrar. His Honor remarked that ho could not say he had. He believed tho majority of marriage* in New Zealand were performed by registrars, and there were statistics on the subject. It was more common that there were no children of the marriage. “In four out of the eight cases I heard to-day there is no issue of the marriage,” ho added. Mr Wilford replied that that showed what a tie children were—ho meant tie in a good sense, not a had one. The Dominion competitions to be held in April next will be the largest ye* attempted by the Christchurch Compe titions. Society. Tho syllabus now issued shows a marked improvement on that of last year, some twenty-five new classes .having been inserted in tho elocutionary, vocal, and instrumental sections, thus making the programme tha most comprehensive in tho Dominion. The committee has been fortunate in securing the services of Mr J. G. McNicholl and Herr Carl Sauer, both of Melbourne, as adjudicators in the elocution and musical sections respectively. Both these gentlemen havo had a wide experience in judging competitions in Australia, and come with excellent credentials. It has been decided to allow choirs competing in the- senior section to substitute an “own choice” anthem in place of tho test anthem stated in the syllabus. Competitors are reminded that entries will close on March 18th. Books of words, conditions, etc., may bo obtained from any music dealer, or will be posted direct on application to the secretary. Some consternation has been caused among the clergy in England by the outspoken criticism of the Bishop of Carlisle (Dr Diggle) in his New Year pastoral. In referring to tho way in which some of the clergy under hi* charge neglected their duties, he said: “Two or three of tho clergy are approaching _ the brink of exposure for their habits. Others seem afflicted with incurable indolence. The less they have to do, the worse they do it. Others are dull and listless. I'hey get through Sunday, but Sunday docs not shine through them. Their ministry is not ministry, but mechanism. Ibcy Jo not visit sympathetically. They lake little loving interest in thoii P €!y pie, and consequently their people take little loving interest in them, except to write to me when vacancies occur, and say how dearly they would like to see them promoted. Their churches are shut from Sunday to Sunday, and on Sunday they are empty.” Although tho bishop was referring specifically to clergy in bis own diocese, the English clergy as a whole are indignant at the want of worldly wisdom displayed by him in speaking so plainly.

The second draft of stations for the ensuing year will bo presented to the Methodist Conference to-morrow morning and discussed on Monday. , Notice is gazetted that an allowance at a rate to bo do term i nod from time to time by tho Minister (not exceeding 4s a day) shall bo payable to married post and telegraph linemen while in camp and away from homo, except that ■when travelling they shall bo paid tho usual travelling-allowance only. Mr H. F. Allen, local secretary for tho Auckland Exhibition, reported at last night’s meeting of tho Industrial Association that there was ©very prospect of there being largo entries from Wellington. Ho had received a number of applications for space, and more •wore expected to come to, hand. A practice performance of “Carmen” will ho held tins evening in St. John’s schoolroom at 8 o’clock, and intending members aro invited to attend at 7.30, when Mr Maughan Barnett will test their voices. There will bo some important announcements to make to members during the evening. “ Somehow or other, I don’t know how it is, there seems to bo in tho heart of. Now Zealand people a deep distrust of tho parson.” This admission by a speaker at the Methodist Conference last night, during the discussion on tho Bible-in-schoola question, raised quit© a storm of protest among clerical members. ' Tho manufacture of tobacco, says tho “Waikato Argus,” is attaining the dimensions of an important industry in Hamilton. The industry has boon carried on successfully for time, and the demand for the tobacco has grown to such an extent that a new company is being floated to extend the business. While Messrs Macaskill and Carver, of Lower Hutt, were driving a horse and trap through Lower Hutt at 1 o’clock yesterday morning, they drove into an open drain across tho street. Both the occupants of tho trap were thrown out, but ncithef received serious injury. To attract attention the firebell was rung, and a number of firemen turned out, who, with tho assistance of the borough workmen, extricated tho horse from tho drain. At the final meeting of tho joint committee of the Allen farewell banquet accounts totalling £92 2s fid were passad for payment, and it - was reported that a balance of £2 18s 9d was available. It was decided to apply this surplus towards tho cost of reprinting the speeches for circulation. The conw mitteo recorded its great appreciation of the work done by the hon. secretary Captain A. G. Hume, and tendered him its warm thanks. In reference to tho new slip which is to bo constructed.- in Evans Bay 1 to accommodate vessels up to 400 tons, Mr H. F." Allen (secretary) mentioned at last evening’s meeting of tho Industrial Association that complaints were made that the slip would not bo largo enough. The opinion in shipping and other circles was that it should have been built to take ships of 1100 tons. It was a matter for disappointment that the slip was not to bo or a bigger size.' In time of war it would not be any use having to send battered ships to Auckland to bo repaired ; they should bo capable of being docked'at Wellington. Mr D. .Robertson: That’s tho whole trouble. That dock should have been finished. Under fresh regulations of the Post Office Savings Bank just gazetted provision is made for the withdrawal of deposits by telegraph. On receipt of an application for payment by telegraph, the Postmaster shall, provided that a specimen signature of the depositor has been lodged with the Postmaster, and if he is satisfied that a sufficient amount is standing to the credit of tho depositor in the Savings Bank to allow of payment of the required amount, and upon receipt by him of tho sura of sixpence, or, if sent as “Urgent,” one shilling, for the cost of the telegram to and reply from the Chief Postmaster of tho district, send a telegram on the form approved by the Postmaster-General to tho Chief Postmaster, stating the name of the depositor, the number of his book, tho name of the district, and the amount required. _ Two Russian trappers were in Christchurch last week. Their headquarters (says tho “Evening News”) are at Irkutsk, Siberia, and their names are Kurtzman and Hahn. Their area oi operations .covers the world, and they hunt and trap animals of every description with coats of fur. They axe here to-day and gone to-morrow, and their visit to Christchurch was of the “flying” order- Possibly they might be back again in five years’ time. Both wore magnificent specimens of manhood. Possibly the rigours of a subArctic climate contributed towards this, and possibly their occupation developed physical fitness—it certainly required courage and groat hardihood. As a result of their captures they were able to show magnificent specimens of skins of Arctic bears, black bears, Bengal tigers, and South African lions, with skins of smaller beasts. Tho visitors loft Russia some tuns ago on a tour ot the world, taking with them a collection of skins .which they had been ten years in getting together. Their tour included Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They Jure now on their way back to Russia, as, before leaving, one of them had to deposit a large sum of money with the Russian Government as a guarantee that he would he back in time to serve his term in the army. An insight into the condition of affairs which too often prevails in the backblocks is obtained in an extract from tho Health Inspector’s report furnished to the Stratford Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (says the Stratford “Post”). After stating that he had the Opinion of a local doctor that « child “died from sheer neglect,” tho Inspector goes on to describe another hlackblocks house, where scarlet fever had been notified. “Isolation of tho Eatients is impossible in the small ouse. When I arrived the two convalescent patients were running about with their bare feet on tho wet ground, with three healthy children. I warned tho parents of the consequent dangers of a relapse, end advised them to keep tho patients dry and warm, and to isolate them as much ns possible from the other children, and on no account to let thorn sleep in tho same room as those who have not got tho disease. Previous to my visit the patients, were sleeping with children who had not got the fever. I advised tho mother who is nursing the patients to use plenty of sheep dip, which they have in abundance, for bathing patients, and washing floors and articles of clothing.” Tho Inspector added that the roads rendered it impossible to take the chjldren to tho Stratford Hospital. The journey would take two days, and no doctor had seen the children to certify that they could stand tho journey. The doctor had not visited the patients because tho cases wore mild, and the people could not afford to pay tho doctor’s fee, which was £ls 15s for one visit to this out-of-the-way place, j

The following vessels aro expected to bo within wireless range of Wellington this evening: Ulimaroa, Wimmera, Victoria, Maunganui, Zealandia, Marama, and Navua. Tho inward Vancouver mail is now expected to arrive at Auckland on Sunday by the Marama, vyhich is running late. The lato arrival of the English mail at Vancouver detained tho vessel at that port. The mail is expected at Wellington on Monday. , Constable McCabe, of Adelaide, arrived in Wellington yesterday to arrest on warrant a man named Jory, charged with failure to make provision for the maintenance of a child. Jury will appear before tho Magistrate s Court this morning. The first autumn show of the .Taranaki Agricultural and Pastoral Association will bo hold on February 20th and 27th, and tho innovation is apparently fully appreciated by all classes of the farming community m the west coast districts. Tho secretary of the association intimates that entries are coming to hand freely, and that all classes in the various departments are well filled. To-morrow is the last day on which entries can bo received. The examiners of the Inspection of Machinery Department held examinations recently at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Eltham,' Gisborne, Greymouth, Hamilton, Invercargill, Kohukohu, Masterton, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Tiinaru, Wanganui, and Wellington. Candidates sat for the following classes of certificates; Firstclass marine engineer, second-class marine engineer, third-class marine engineer, river engineer, marine enginedriver, and engineers of auxiliary powered vessels other than steam (both for sea-going and river trade), extra firstclass engineer, first-class stationary engine-driver, second-class stationary engine-driver, locomotive and traction engine-driver, winding engine-driver (for mining certificates), and electric tram-driver. Of the 284 candidates 205 were successful. A step which may be taken to be ominously near the extreme has lately been taken m respect to a number of youths in the Southland military district who have failed to fulfil their obligation to render personal service in terms of the Defence Act (says the “Southland Times”). From time to time numbers of young fellows have been arraigned and asked to show cause why they should not bo fined for their failure ,to render service, and some of them have escaped any penalty. But the numbers of the latter have i been comparatively Jew, and' those who did not find a convincing excuse were fined. Even when fined those who were determined to shirk their obligation required further attention in order to bring them to book. Having neglected to pay their fines a considerable number of them have been served with summonses to attend compulsory detention drills, and should they be so foolish as to endeavour to evade tho clear terms of tills last summons it is Considered not it all unlikely that they will bo seen attending tho drill-hall under police escort. In a criminal case at the Supreme Court at Christchurch recently it transpired that two constables, after receiving a verbal statement from a boy, went along to tho man accused, and after taking a written statement from the boy in the presence of the accused, asked tho accused to make a statement, and took one down in writing from him. During the continuation ot tho case subsequently, when one of the constables was being examined in the witness-box, Mr Justice Denniston said that without wishing to censure the constables, who had no doubt acted from the best motives, ho had to point out that they had been guilty of an improper act. They had followed a course it was not judicious to adopt. The police were entitled to obtain statements from persons against whom they had up till then not sufficient motive to arrest, and they were entitled to make inquiries once they arrested a man, but after receiving a statement sufficient to cause them to arrest a man, no matter what statement he made in respect to the matter, they were not entitled to ask for a statement from him. They could only take one from him if he volunteered one. The duty of a constable in such cases was td keep his moutb closed and his ears open.