AT THE CORNER.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5173, 15 August 1885, Page 2

AT THE CORNER.

[BY NEMO.]

Memo sum, humani nihil a meaUenv.ni puto,

Our Fire Brigade members are an enthusiastic painstaking and hard working body of volunteers ; and from all I can learn attend their practices regularly and attentively, but .there is one thing which could be done I think with advantage to the two local brigades, it is a common practice elsewhere, and very easily accomplished It is this: obtain a cup to be competed for in brigade drill, and have one or two days set apart every year for the competition, In many southern towns, where two or more brigades exist, this system is followed and with most beneficial results ; the spirit of emulation would be encouraged, and efficiency aided by such a proposal being adopted. I seriously commend this suggestion to the Brigade members for their considerntion. x x x There was a good deal of wrong displayed in a certain embezzlement case heard in the Auckland R.M. Court a day or two ago. The prosecutor informed the Court that he paid the prisoner, who was his confidental clerk the extravagant salary of £5 per month. Quoth his worship, " Don't, you think that rather a low salary considering be has to support (?) himself." The good man blandly replied "I was his only friend.' 1 Save us &o. X X X Goody-goody legislature is now assuming large proportions in the colony, a perusal of the recently passed Gaming and Lotteries Act, which comes into operation on the Ist of November next, shows to what extremes representatives will go. Provision is made that any person publishing or exhibiting or causing such things of any placard sign or advertisement connected with sporting, sweeps, or money prizes, showing that any horse, office, or room is kept for betting or in connection with gambling on any race, sport, game, fight, &c. ; or exhibiting lists with a view to inducing people to resort to them, is liable to a penalty not exceeding fifty pounds, or in the discretion of the justices may be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two months. In the case of persons by letter, telegram, handbill, card advertisement, &c, giving advice a& to bet, wager, or sweep lottery, &c, or make on behalf of another person a bet, or wager, or take part in sweeps, lotteries, &c, with intention to induce persons to apply to such houses or offices, or inviting any person to take part in those dreadful proceedings—every person so inducing is liable to similar penalties as in the last case. X XX j The Postmaster General is empowered, if he should suspect that any communication containg money or other valuable in connection with bets, sweeps, lotteries, <fee, is being forwarded, by Gazette notification to prevent the registration or delivery of such communication ; and this notification shall contain the name and address, real or,fictitious, of those concerned. This nice little clause certainly provides that if any such letter be posted it shall not be delivered to the person addressed, but shall be sent to the Dead Letter Office, iv Wellington, and if posted in JSTew Zealand, be returned to the sender, but if not, be sent to the colony or country from whence it came. No money order shall be issued in favor of, or paid to any such person so described, that is, persons so notified by Gazette. / X X X Every person who shall buy a ticket or take part in, as a member, of those unholy things is liable to a penalty not exceeding ten pouods. This extremely righteous act allows one concession of virtue; it doesn't apply to certain lotteries now recognised by the law such as Art Uuions, &c, and even admits the harmlessness of five shilling sweeps, up to a total of five pounds, and that the whole sum without deduction, be paid to the winner. Perhaps"'people will be com" polled to say their prayers at regular and specified times before another generation passes away.