The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31. CURRENT COMMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8041, 31 January 1906, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31. CURRENT COMMENT.

The Immigration returns for 1905 again show the excess of arrivals over departures to be less than last year. During 190*1 the colony gained 10,350 persons; during 1905 only 9300, while (lining 1903 the gain was 11,270. The 9300 persons who arrived in the colony last year, do not represent the true permanent gain, as they include tourists. The immigration returns are closed on December 31st, in the middle of the tourist season, and as the tourist business of the colony, particularly from Australia steadily increases, we have at each New Year a largo number of tourists in the country, thus increasing to an undue extent the nominal increase by excess of immigration over emigration. It is some comfort

to know, says n contemporary, that the United Kingdom still contributes 1 the greater number of our immigrants . other than from Australia, and that ' though the Australian influx is fail- 1 ing under the influence of good sea- 1 sons, British immigration is more ' promising. During 1904 we received from the United Kingdom, by ' excess of arrivals over departures, 1 2,720 persons, while last year we re- : ceivcd 3,G99. Over 1000 aliens of various nationalities, including 240 Chinese, were also received into the colony. llow to encourage British immigration is, of course, the principal problem to he settled. In past years immigration from the British Isles more than quadrupled what it is now. A very desirable class of people come to the colony, but we get too few of them. Canada is doing her utmost to attract British immigration, while Australia is also taking steps in the same direction. It, therefore, behoves the Government of New Zealand to take such measures as will prevent this colony being left behind in the race.

Tiie circular issued by the Department- of -Justice to the S'ipendiary Magistrates of the colony with regard t.o juvenile offenders will be received with a chorus of approval from which we do not expect, to bear a dissentient voice. Though New Zealand has led the way in many humanitarian experiments, it has lagged behind several other colonies, and even some of the older countries, in making provision, according to the language of the circular, " to save child offenders from the degrading inlluence and notoriety which are inseparable from the administration of justice in criminal cases, more especially in the large centres of population." In South Australia a Children's Court is an accomplished fact, and New South Wales is also moving in the matter, while in New York, Chicago, and other American cities the fame experiment has been tried with the same gratifying results. In New Zealand some of our Magistrates have already acted on their own initiative, and the Minister of Justice commends their action, and expresses the hope that it may become general. Whatever is done in this way must, of course, as the Under-Secretary points out, comply with the law as it present stands, and " there should lie no suspicion of secrecy or the avoidance of a proper publicity." The keeping of juvenile offenders awaiting trial entirely clear of the gaol or lock-up, the fixing of special times for the hearing of charges against, them, with express notice to their parents, to the press, and to the representatives of benevolent and religious organisations specially concerned with thy care of children are the main feature of the scheme which the Minister asks the Magistrates to adopt, with the cooperation of the police, who arc receiving special instructions ou the point.

Mr Bam'odr will find ono consolation in tlie .shades of opposition ; he will have more time for golf. According to liis intimate friends, so says a writer in "Oassell's S'agizine," there are three things to which he is devoted—politics, music and golf, and the hest loved of these is golf. When he was Secretary for Ireland, it was deemed inadvisable for him to expose himself more than was necessary to the risk of Fenian outrage, so lie played his golf under guard. A detective walked before liini and one behind him as he went round the links, the pockets of each bulging with revolvers. He is not a champion, but great players speak of liini with reverence, simply because he is such a thorough sportsman and so devoted to the gamo. His methods of learning are held up as models by professionals to their pupils.

Thk endeavour that is to be made to have permanent provision provided for the housing of the valuable library oi the Polynesian Society in the new Technical School buildings is one that should commend itself to the (ioverninciit. The Society is gratuitously performing a task of national, if not of world-wide importance, and it is not creditable to the Government of the colony, which boasts a deep interest in air pertaining to the history of the native races of New Zealand and the Islands, tliat substantial assistance is not afforded in this great work of piecing together the fragmenUl historical legends of the Polynesian races. Within a vcrv few years the sources of historical and pliilogieal data that the Society is making such praiseworthy clVorls to preserve, will have disappeared. and probably not till then will the value of the work of the Polynesian Society be generally recognises and acknowledged. Meantime it is of the suprcuiest importance that the valuable records and library of the Society should be provided for, so that so far as possible provision will have been made for their preservation. The idea of providing a room in the Technical School is an excellent one, sn the double purpose of providing a safe sanctuary for the records, and also bringing these absorbing books directly under the notice of the students, would be achieved.

Three inches of rain fell at Blaytiev, N.S.W., ou Monday iu forty-live minutes. Mr C. T. Mills announces thai: lie has started business as accountant, in-siu-iiuce and general commission agent. We wish him every success. The Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation of London, one of the oldest ami wealthiest Companies in the world, advertise the appointment of Mr C. T. Mills as District Agent for Taranaki, The name of the Oram railway station on the Stralford-Whanga-nioiiiona railway has been altered to ; Doughis-i'oad, lo correspond with the ■ name of the I'ost Ollice at the settlement. The (iovcriiinciit is considering I lie question of malting a gr.-inl to finish the road to the Mountain House. Sir Joseph Ward telegraphed to Mr E. M. Smith, M.ILR., to that effect on Tuesday,

Great public spirit is beiag displayed by the ladies in connection with the Recreation Sports Ground fund, and it makes a person wonder whether it would not be advisable to have representation from the fair sex on all public bodies. A New Plymouth lady who endeavoured to separate two fighting dogs the other day, came between them just as they viciously snapped at one another; the result was that she was so severely bitten on the leg that surgical aid had to be secured, Messrs O. Samuel, Fraser, Corkill, and the President of the Polynesian Society have been appointed a special committee to communicate with the Education Board and the Government respecting the proposal of making pro-1 vision for a room for the Society in the new Technical School building at New Plymouth. Attention is directed to the missionary meeting to be held at St. Mary's Church, New Plymouth, this evening. Addresses are (o be given by Bishop Neligan and Captain Sinker, of the Royal Naval Reserve. The addresses should be well worth hearing and should attract a record attendance.

A general meeting of the South Road Tennis Club was field on Monday evening, a good number of members beiu<; present. Mr R. W. Dixon (President) controlled the meeting. Rules were drafted and committees formed. Several new members were proposed. The membership of the Club is now over thirty.

The Mayor of New Plymouth (Mr Richard Coek) his received intimation from the private secretary of the Governor that Lord Pluuket will pay an ollicial visit to New Plymouth on the 21st February, it that dale would be convenient to the citizens. Mr Cock has replied that the date will be made convenient, aud tint the town will he glad lo receive a visit from llis Excellency.

There is a young man in Hastings, says the Hawke's Bay " Herald," who has applied for sections of land at nearly every land ballot held iu the North Island during the last two years, without success, lie has endeavoured to buy out Government tenants without avail, and he is still waiting for an opportunity of investing his limited eanital in a,Government leasehold. The " Hot Lakes Chronicle " stalethat it has been informed that Hie con slruction of the waterworks at Rolorua is to be carried out by the Public Work; Department, aud not by private con tract, These works will involve an expenditure of between £20,000 and -t'3o, 000, aiul will afford employment to ; large number of men. As soon as tin pipes ill-rive iu the colony il is proposci lo make a start with the work

The pupils of the Steal ford disl rid sehooh', accompanied by teachers anparents, will hold their annual scasidi picnic at Moturoa oil Thursday. A; usual there are luany New Plyuioutl people arranging to spend the day al the harbor with them. Mr Cullis Chairman of the New Plyuioutl: Central School Committee, is makini arrangements for the convenience ol the visitors.

Referring to the question of the State providing free school hooks, the Premier fears tlmt this could not he done. Something, however, should be done to bring about a uniformity of hooks throughout the colony, and by this means save parents considerable expense. In the United Stales something like SOU,01)0,0(1!) dollars were being expended annually in education, and, says Mr Scddon, we must keep pace with that progressive country in this and other matters.

Mr J. K. Logan, Superintendent of Electric Lines, is at present in Tarnnaki completing arrangements for the installation of a complete metallic circuit jof the telephone system between New Plymouth and Wanganui. The circuit has been already completed between New Plymouth and Waitara, and as far as Stratford on the Wanganui line. There is already an appreciable improvement on these lines, the annoying vibration and humming usually associated with long-distance speaking having considerably diminished.

The Fire Brigades Conference, which has been silting at Nelson, lnis decided that next year's Conference shall he held iu Christchurch. It was announced that the Government intended to introduce the Fire Brigades Bill early in the session, Pule 12 of competition conditions was altered to read that either party shall have the right to appeal to the Conference against the decision of the Protest Committee. Music hath cluirms, but not too early in the morning. At least this proved to he the case at a certain hotel ou Saturday, says the liawcra " Star." It is reported that a.member of one of the bands, not feeling inclined for bed, annoyed another bandsman by playing his instrument, No one couhi sleep, so the offender was hunted, and took refuge up the tire escape, front which he was ousted, but made his way to the roof. Here he thought he was perfectly safe, and continued his " music" to the very great annoyance of all who were unfortunate enough to he close. "Gentle persuasion" failing to have the desired ell'ect, the hose was brought to the scene, and tfio disturber's ardor was dumped immediately, «iih the re. suit that ho allowed himself to be captured and brought to earth. Then the

whole house fell into slumber. Men who shave themselves should luiu formed of Ihe excellence and siuooth-eol-ing qualities of the "Kiwi" razors. Have ail even temper, extraordinary keenness of edge, do not vibrate when cutting into an extraordinary heavy beard, and give you a clean, luxurious shave. even if you have the touchiest skill. Stake me prove these statements. I will change your razor as nflen as you Ijkc until vqii are .salislied. Kl\V{ is the name, (.jet it at J. Avery's he place fnr men's sundry noeds, Devon street,—Am-

Ilig risks arc run by cyclists who ride Willi no bell or lamp. The local authorities are watching for "law breakers. Don't run any more risks, when you can get a good outfit, or any separate article to complete your cycling kit at J. Hurle's' opposite the l'ost. Office, and at prices low enough to touch the group,!]. Repaiis of all clusses aie a special delight here, and we are only salislied when our customers arc with our work.—Advt MERIT HEWARDEI) BY COURT OV JUSTICE.

The acknowledged good qualities anp success i|f Hasdiih 4N» Sqn's' EiKm.ym X'l'tlAOT have brought out many imitations, and one case was just tried in Ihe Supreme Court of Victoria, before his Honor Chief Justice Sir J Madden, K.C. M.(1.,e10. If|s honor, In giving Judgment, said ibid wlii.nevei' an article is commended I. ■ Hie |iuh!|o by reason ol' Its good quality, etc., il not permissive to iinitulo any of ils tealiueN. Restraining the imitators' perpetually from doing so, he ordered them to pay all costs. We publish this to afford the people an opportunity of protecting iheinselycs, and of securing what is proved beyond all doubt bv skilled witnesses at the Supremo Court of Victoria, and by many authorilies during the last 31 years to be preparation of genuine merit, viz. The fin.vri.vii S.iximii & Sons' Puitii Vul.ithjj JSL'wuvm tamer,