The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3935, 9 August 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1881.

In Riving judgment last evening in the cases brought against Mr Ehrenfried by the Collector of Customs for breaches of the Beer Duty Act, in not properly affixing and cancelling a stamp, the Magistrate said " there bad been no intention on the part of the defendant to defraud the revenue, the breach of the law having been made by a subordinate." This Temark was much called for, and we are pleased that Mr Kenrick thought well to make it, as many rumors were current, and so many statements had been made by malicious persons, that the impression was general that some serious breaches of the law had been committed by Mr Ebrenfried. We are pleased to be able to call attention to the remark s of the Magistrate. The cases were decided upon their merits, and no advantage, was taken of techni calities by the solicitors for the defendant, who, in their addresses to the Bench, confined themselves solely to pointing out the true interpretation of the wording of the Act of the Legislature. The informations laid under the 29th Section of the Act, and which were the most serious in their consequences, were withdrawn by the prosecution " because the charges could not be substantiated," so that Mr Ehrenfried has been simply fined for breaches of the provisions of the Act—not for an attempt to evade the payment of the duty, or to defraud the revenue of the colony.

From the tenor of the discussion on Mr Thompson's motion suggesting a reduction on all salaries amounting to 10 per, cent, in the aggregate, but not to apply to salaries of £200 and under, it would appear that the House is not disposed to allow the Government to make capital by their generosity with Civil servants in view of the forthcoming elections. There is considerable force in the remarks of several of the speakers that the country is not yet in a position to warrant the payment of large salaries; still we are not one of those who believe that Civil servants should be under-paid. - The mode adopted by the House last session, under the depressing statements made by Major Atkinson, in taking 10 per. cent, -off all salaries, was a most unfair one, and operated most UDJustly, and the attempt now to reduce salaries in a pro rata way is. equally unfair. Civil servants as well as others should be paid salaries in proportion to the value of their duties, and if by reason of long servitude, men have gained experience and knowledge in the affairs of the state, fair consideration should be given to the possessor of such knowledge and experience. The House should either depend upon the sums recommended by the Ministers, or should go seriatim through the estimates and vote each salary. We can, quite understand that Ministers should perceive with annoyance such reflections as Mr Thompson's motion carries with it, and consequently express their disapproval. Yet they should also be aware * that if their actions in such matters were not occasionally questioned, temptations to grant favors to some servants and not to others might be cast in their way. Mr Thompson's motion may well be looked upon as a want of confidence, and is well characterised by our.special as one of the class of "surprise" motions, for which ihe present session has beconfe famous. The subject is to come up for discussion again.

The Warden's Court was opened this morning, and the case of Porter v.McOombie was called, when the Clerk of the Court said Mr Kenrick had been obliged to leave for Paeroa early this morning, and therefore could not attend. The case would therefore be adjourned to Thursday next.—Mr Porfier said he ha i at considerable expense brought his witnesses from Paeroa, and would have to pay their expenses here until Thursday. He considered that it was very unfair to him to adjourn the case, and asked who would be liable for the costs.—Mr Allom advised Mr Porter to bring the question up when the case was called on Thursday..—The Court was adjourned.

It is with regret, .that we chronicle the death of Mr Francis Daykin, late inamiger of New Whaumine, who died at his residence, Mount. PJeasant, yesterday.

Wb have "to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of J. J. Miller's sporting pamphlet containing the last season's principal performances of all horses nominated in the principal races in Australia. The little book must be of the greatest use to sporting men, and "those anxious to peruse it may have it by calling at our office.

Mb Gordon is to be asked to allow himself to be nominated for a commission in the Engineers.

AN influential meeting of 80 ratepayers of the Kauaeranga riding wt»s held in St. George's schoolroom last evening, with the view of securing the return nf Mr Q-eorge W. Bull as a member of the County Council. The Chairman (Mr McKenzie) after some preliminary business, called on Mr Bull to address > the meeting. Mr Bull in his address stated that he was seeking election at the earnest solicitations of a large numbor of the ratepayers, and that he himself bad been convinced for some consideral time that a eh nge was required in the representation of the riding. Mr Bull also took occasion to deny the statements made by certain interested parties that he had been brought out by Mr Deeble. He could say he was perfectly independent, of that gentleman, but at the same time would feel thankful to that gentleman if he recorded his vote in his favor. After a strong working committee had been formed, the treating closed with the usual vote of thauku to Che chairman.

A STTBYBTOB, named Thomas Anderson, blew out his brains at Hawera yesterday with a carbine. He was in chnrge of the survey at the b »ck of Mokaia, on a native reserve. He started out with his party, and when they bad got out a short distance he told the men to go on, and he would foil w. He went back to the tent, and committed the act. The cook conveyed the naws to the men, but when they returned life was extinct. Deceased came to New ZeaUnd years ago, and wae one of the surveyors who were turned off the uimate Plains by the natives. For the last few day* deceased had been desponde' t, and hardly spoke a word.

• Thebe was a meeting of the Liberal Association last night, at which Mr Wood read extracts from Mr Sealy's pamphlet. A most animated diccussion on the subject introduced followed.

Thb committee, we learn by telegram, appointed by the caucus of the Auckland members to wait on the Government to ask whether they would increase the number of North Island members on the basis of population (including Maoris), interviewed Mr Hall to-day, and re eived a directly negative reply. Th? result will be that the North Island members, in conjunction with the Westland tmd Nelson members, will not allow the bill to puss.

The cook of the steamer Stormbird was again remanded at Wellington to-day, owing to the absence of the warrant, which was delayed through the steamer being bar bound at Wanganui.

In the House this afternoon, the Petitions Committee recommended the payment of £75 to Mr Hugh Mcllhone, in addition to the salary drawn by him as Inspector of Miners' Rights.

" Wuppetesfitukquseunnoowehtunquoh" is the new nuoie tor a tobacco much used by persons who do emoke. A man tried to.get aome the other dny, und nearly dislocated hiß jaw when asking lor ib. He now sticks to the tobacco he has always used, and which he states he cannot get better than at MoLtveb's, Brown street, Grahamstown.—[Advt.J