The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 795, 16 June 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1881.

We havh received a copy of the new Licensing Bill which tne Hon Mr Dick is to introduce into the Assembly. It only contains two hundred and twenty-nine clauses. This number, however, is sullicient to make it a sort of " whole duty of man" to tho unhappy licensed victualler, who is supposed to he more familiar with each one of them than he ever was with his Church Catechism. The Legislature directs every act, deed, ami intention of the Licensing Court, the the license holder, and every officer connected with one or the other. One and all are mere mechanical figures, without the slightest pretence to discretion in the exercise, of their several functions. Members' of Licensing Committees are appointed in vast numbers, but they may only be heard through their chairman—the paid officer of the Government, They are worthy and intelligent gentlemen off the licensing bench, hut on it they are mere satellites, shining by the reflected light of the I\.'>l., who presides over them, The machinery essential to selling a glass of beer is vast, awful, and cumbrous, and if anyone doubts thefictlet him nad the 229 clauses of the new Licensing Bill. The one bright feature of the voluminous measure before us appears to be the repeal of some fifty General Assembly and Provincial Acts—a costly collection' of abortive legislation which is to be consigned to oblivion, (hefeature of the new nieasuro appears to us to be extremely liberal, ft constitutes more licensing districts than there are public-houses in the colony. Many a licensing committee will not have a solitary, hotel on which it may browse A Highway district is a licensing district, so is a County riding, and each ward of a divided borough is a distinct, separate, and independent licensing district, with a distinct, 'separate, and independent licensing committee. We assume that the frainer of the Bill, for the sake of unison, wished to have as many licensing districts as there were clauses in tho bill, Among, tho new features of the bill are the club licenses. A tax of 120 per annum is to be laid on each private club-, and the manager is liable to pains and penalties if he sells any liquor to be carried out of it. Private clubs, too, come under the local ;option clauses, which arc a special noveltv of the new measure, and which are pretty certain to be warmly discussed in both Houses of Parliament. It is proposed that next January a poll in each licensing district shall be ■taken, and the ratepayers shall through the ballot-box say whether they want any more publicans' licenses, whether they want any moro hotels, whether they want any moro clubs, whether they want any more sellers of that which cheers' but not inebriates, in bottles, and whether they want any more public billiard-rooms, If they say 110 there shall, for the space of three years, he no more new public houses, clubs, bottle shops or billiard tallies, when the momentous question will again ho put to them. If they say yes the licensing committee may, after fully perusing and studying the 229 clauses of the Act, grant or refuse them at its discretion—if it happens to have any, or feels capable of exercising any. We scarcely ■ think the option clauses will pass through the Assembly in their present shape. In a progressive colony like New Zealand certain localities take rapid strides in a period of three years, and if liquor traffic of a legitimate character be not allowed to expand with ;tho; natural increase of population there will be an encouragement of. illegitimate traffic which will not be "conducive; to-reform, In the bill, vested interests are .not only protected, but in ''many ' -instances a .monopoly jwill holders of licenses, wbich.will eliminate that " competition;! 1 awhicb. raises the character of'hotelsi as well as; other 'in-;

stations. The present measure,-if 'it passes, will only be expennientaNs.- . faraa.its ne>vclanses gb. jjiiaiiptiißi^ ryearYor willVreiidpi" % ' billj necessary; with jp'erhapsiati) ' Additional huiidied,claiisek';'lf'eyerf i df^;Pariia•' , '' ment it will'he when the cost of ithig immense mass of legislation on liquor comes home to us. There is oho ono omission in the Act, which might be; remedied with : advantage., Hvery policeman is practically an Ins|ieclor of public houses, but- every i policeman is move or less influenced by local considerations A competent •' travelling inspector, who .had no con- [ neetion ■ with- the - police; department. > would do more in the way of securing 1 the icomf'orfc and. convenience of the [ .public' who take their ease at their inns than a dozen licensing committees ' : or' 'fifty' ] policemen.?. ;'ln "preserving '" order, the latter are,;.of course, indispensable ; but in securing a comfortable home for rich and poor travellers an intelligent inspector, who was an / expert in hotel management could do good work which could hardly be expected from constables.

In the Legislative Council on Tuesday last in.reply to Mr Wilson, Mr Whitaker. said the return of all money paid by the colony to Sir J, Yogel was ready and would be presented immediately. The various sessional committees' were also appointed, and an address in reply of the usual stereotyped character agreed to. : In the Lower House the Select Committee was appointed, Messrs Wallis and Hutchison complaining of the Government favoring their own supporters, Mr Bunny was placed on the Library Committee and the Waste Crown Lands Committee. Mr Bunny's motion, "That a return be laid before this House, giving the names of those members of the Civil Service whose services have been dispensen with since the Ist of January, 18S0; stating the departments they severally belonged to, the salary and compensation received by each; also a return giving the names of all persons appointed to the Public Service from the same date,. showing the department to whicheach is appointed and thoir salaries," was agreed to, Mr Collins moved the address in reply in the customary complimentary terms, and, though lie said nothing new,' was well received. Mr Pulton having seconded'it, Sir G. Grey rose and com-! plained that the policy laid down in the speech was not adequate to the colony or in unison with the wishes of the people. He denied any increase of prosperity; it was the hope of the colony which had increased. He then ran amuck at the Goveruriiont for robbing the innocent Maori and the poor man. Ho expressed-his determination that tho people of New Zealand should rise as one man'' (i.e., he would rise for thorn) and ask for their money to bo returned to them.; Tho. institutions of the colony were detestable and abominable. Ho proposod to bring down a local self-government bill to put matters straight, Mr Wakefield in reply rebuked Sir Geokge for raking up old quarrels. He claimed that Sir George had been rejected by the HSuse mid the country and stood alone. He hoped, however, that the General Government would bring down a local self-government bill, or if they did not, that some private member other than Sir George would do so. BtWalms said the Governor's speech was nothing but " eauld kale hot again." The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr Bunny.

Tenders uro invited by Mr J. Burrows nf Gladstone fur falling 700 a jrw of scrub in 100 acre blocks. Messrs Williams and Barker invite tenders for splitting piles for the new school buildings at Masterton.

Messrs F. H. Wood & Co. hold a stock and furniture sale st Carterton to-day.

Meiiilierß of the Garrick Club aro requested to iiiect this evenir.!.' at the Town Hall.

A meeting of the General Committee of the Mußiciton Horticultural and Indus, trial Society takes place this afternoon. The now liochabito Tent in Masterton already numbers moro than 40 members. Messrs Bnpp & Hare advertise 350 bushels of first-class seed potato-oats for sale.

The criminal sitting of the Supreme Com tut Wellington is fixed for tho 4th of July. The VVhiteliiw case is the only one at present set down for hearing of any general publici'iiteiest, A whaling company now forming at Auckland has bmialit the barque Especuhidor lo cruise oil' the ftew Zealand Coast.

The Havke's Bay Jockey Club intend having a one-day meeting on 11th October. The programme includes the following:—Hawkes Bay Guineas, 105sevs; Handicap Hurdles, GOsovs; Spring Handicap, SOOs'jvs ; Maiden Plate, 50sovs. The grounds of the Masterton Hospital have recently been dug and ; improved thereby making tho building and its environs much'more presentable. At the sitting of tho Licensing Com* at Greytown on Tuesday, the applications of Mr Junes for tho Foresters' Arms Hotel and Mr ijuin for the Greytown Hotel were granted, there being no objection from the police er public. No freali applications were made. An inquest will be held at Horokiwi to- day on the body ot the infant child of Josephine Gormlev. It appears that the mother of the infant at G o'clock on , the morning of the 13th, while in bed noticed that her child was apparently all alright but four hours later found that it was dead. She can give no reason as to how the child died,

A great deal of curiosity has been manifested recently by persons walking along Queen-st.,. Masterton, at the appearance of: a white flag nailed to the top of the telegraph post at the Post Office corner, and another in a similar position" near'tho' Railway Hotel. After making many enquiries without result, we were at.last informed that it was'-' tho Kurupuni footpath.". What our informant meant, we presume, is that Cr Russell is utilising the telegraph poles to get a tine'line for laying off the footpath at the lower end of the town, and we can ouly express the hope that the plan adopted may prove a, good one. Messrs Muir & Dixon Bros.' workshops present just now pretty good illustrations", of the variety and quality, of their work,; Uld brakes may be seen that have Btood many a heavy loud and bad'read at'last: takon to undergo repair, and be turned out again almost equal to new. Handsome new brakes, complete and, in, course.of construction, light but strong buggywagons, and many varieties of vehicles are in the, difforeiit; departments,):;ln .the painting room there is a handsome brake just' completed to; the order''of; Mr'E.- ; Jones'of ithis'to'wn,; which for 'finish: and'■: strength would be,hardito. ; beat.,.'Buggy:,; wagons seem about :| tp become the popular. 'V.ehicles'ambi)g'farra>i:B l i /'biecdua^ :1 it8 ) theirnanie signifies,'theyi'conibine the elegance of the one witktbe.strengthjand,] usefulness of the other, and; Messrs Mui*' and;Dixbnißros:'have 'already/i orders fo r one or twofrtvhand.; : . • ;i;.•;;,;: -My::

'•; Mijpf of 'the letter sont by Mi' Renall Minister of Lands will ■appear jitf jfo-monw's issue. £.'-■! H'-k\ ..'■■•■■' | ■! jThj ijg|ilaveekly drill of the Greytown Was held on Tuesday evening, i'Drill Instructor Bezar put tnemitlirougu various evolutions, in which 'they.aciruitted themselves very creditably. After drill the Volunteer Quadrille Club 18 c6uples""dan'cetl"to the strains of the band, thus testifying to the continued popularity- .meejaiijgs.. .

,A meeting of the finance committee of tlio Musterton Fire Brigade was held yesterday. Present—Messrs Payton (chairman) Renall, and Brown. ,■ The .secretary reported their outstanding' (debts /to the amount of L 25 lfJs'lOJ, and wily some small arrears of 'subscription's' tomoe'f them with.. It was decided to bring/the; accounts under the notice of the Borough Council, withya view "to obtain a qrartt'in' aid. ■....: HA:]. X.i; .'>. \J '■'. ■' ('.

': At a meeting held at the Institute, Greytown, on Tuesday evening/it-was' decided that a wliist and chess.club be formed. The : rate' of SubsoViptibn'be '6s per annum, The members to meet twice a ; week,!to' phiy' ; chesß; and ,-whist alter-: riately. 'Now' 'that-tlie club lias beerf started we hope to hear of the members, patronising it well, for it is'ah institution we should like to see in every township of the Wairarapa. ',,.. ~.,

: Henry Johnston was locked'up last evening at Masterton on a cljarge'of horsa stealing. , The! warrant had been issued by' the Napier Bench,anda description' of the prisoner wired all through the various districts. As soon, as,he, came into Masterton fie ww politely! received. by Constable Fleming, and provided with free lodging duriug his stay in this-town, On being arrested ;hegaye -his.',name.as Thomas Devonport,-, but. this ,dld ;not avail him. He willbe brought before ; a J.P. to-day, and probably remanded to Napier, .;-;■';:?:*;! !,-:■-..•! ■■:

I The terror of Greytown,'viz!,' the'biili stag, is dead at last. For the past week he had. been making things pretty lively for the settlers of Papawtti; iEmm continually sticking up Uom'ebodyj. in- 'fact had established quite a Reign of Terror there. To leave home in that locality without being armed would be an "act of madnoss,, as ..you would, most; certainly, be in danger of being capsized' in a stagnant pool or a bull-rush. Testerday after- ' noon Mr Stag got up to some of his usual, ■pranks, but: this time fell foul'of someone who was armed" ala Eobinson Crusoe," and the consequence was he received his quietus. ; ■',';''

The Masterton Football Club had a good practice yesterday afternoon," at which about, 26 i members, turned/.out, Sides were picked by Messrs MoKenzie, and O'Connor, and a good game |ensued, resulting in favor of the latter's side, by ono goal'.to two'tries; The following players will'engage thoother mcmbers'of the Club,on Saturday, next, after which, the teams to play against Greytown will bo picked:—Harrison, J. Perry, B. Perry, T. James, M. Meredith,, Ooydhouse, L. Svetison, E..Hounslow, J. Campbell, C, Hare, McLachlan,' Bagge, Beerc, C. Vallance, R. Harvey, J. G. Collins, J. Williams, MePliee, W. D'Arcy, Ngature. The ball will be kicked off at 8.80 sharp, but players are requested to beVon. tho ground at 3 o'clock. : . '

Ameetiug of the" Greytown School Committee was held on Tuesday' bvening. Present-Rev H. Vcre White (Chairman), W. G. Beard, W. Bock, F, H. Wood, It, A. Wakeliii, and J. Cotter. Tht niinules of I he previous meeting-were read and coiirflmed, and correspondence inward aiul outward read, The Treasurer reported'Credit;Balance at £ls Os lid Accounts amounting to £8 14s 8d were passed for payment, Subscriptions towards the late School- Bee of Jl Os Gd were received. .The' head 'Master reported the number of scholars on the' roll were 250, the average attendance 192. A vote of thanks was passed to the : Trustees for. kindly, allowing-the use of Town Hall for.School purposes, Messrs Bock and Cotter were appointed visitors for the ensuing month, and some matters relating lo fire-places hi schoolroom ■ and the fence round the master's house were left in their bauds. The meeting, then adjourned. .

■ The regular;monthly/ meeting, of' .'the Masterton School Committee was held last evening. Present—Messrs Boddinnton (in the chair), D'Arcy, Tile, Rusaofl, and Payton. The niinules of'the previous nicetiim having been read and confirmed, the Treasurer reported a credit balance of 110 lis 4d. : A letter was read from the architect;, of the; Board-stating, that Messrs Williams and Barker's tender for' the new school building had been accepted.A communication: was [received ; from the Institute Committee, stating the charges which would for the future be mailefor the use of tho committee: room ; arid it' was agreed to take the room,,subject to them. A notice was received,from,the, : Education Board nf itlie reduction;of capitation grant. In consequence'of. -the reduction it was resolved to ask the Masterton Town Lands Trust to give their annual grant of £3O-per annum for the Heneral purposes of,the Committee, instead of for a specific object; and to point out that an increase ;of: the amount ; of grant would be an advantage to the school. Also to notify the assistant inastor that the Committee were np lqnger in a poaitionto pay. his house'.rent.;; Ailetter wasjeceived from Mr Marshall; urging the claim of his daughter ; to a -vpupiU tenchership.i .fhe'i Secretary was instructed to reply.that'-the'-Comtiiittee would give her claim; a/profoVeiiGe whenever a vacancy for a female'pupil teacher arose. ;Mr Donald, Donald resigning his [appointment oh/thV Committee, and Mr A. W. Reiiall .was. elected in his placo. iThe headinaslet reported, an average at-teadance;of-292 foi-UHe past month, and suggested' the '.desirability of forming a school cadet:corps:. .Messrs Boddington, D'Arcy, arid Payton were appointed a subcommittee to report on the advisability of establishing'the proposed corps. Messrs Renall and -'Russell were' appointed as the next visitingi'members, .•'•'.'■■•' ■•: ,*r'-:^:•/•;, :■-.; , '