The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1882. GAOL BIRDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1089, 2 June 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1882. GAOL BIRDS.

Ik our last issue, Mr R. S. Hawkins pointed out in eloquent and forcible tenns "the whole duty of man" towards criminal classes, Wo have not a word to say against the principle he laid down; it is not only a sound one in political economy, but it is also embodied in the records* of the first Christian era, and has been an article of faith, if not one of practice, for more than eight pen centuries. It is rather the practical application of the question which is at issue, and in this respect difficulties have to be faced, Take, for example, the agitation now general throughout New Zealand which emanates from compositors. The printers of New Zealand form an association which is regulated by trade rules, and whose interests are jealously guarded by duly appointed representatives. The object of the organisation is to raise the members of the craft to a position of comfort and independence ; to make the fratenity respected by employers and by the goneral public. Such an association has vested interests, and we think that even Mr Hawkins will admit that it is entitled to guard them without its members being charged with either a want of intelligence or honesty. Of course, under any circumstances, the defence of vested interests is a selfish act, but civilisation has not reached that stage when such selfishness can be dispensed with, and the society or individual which discards it would suffer the fate of the weakest—"they would go to the wall." As compositors are taking a leading, if not the foremost place in the 'agitation against teaching prisoners skilled trades, it will bo sufficient if we state the case from their point of view. They object to their ranks being recruited from gaols, and we very much doubt if any other craft or profession would bo more liberal than they are, They also object to the competition of cheap printing labor, which takes out of their hands the easiest, and often the. most profitable jobs which they have been accustomed to execute. They feel that where printing is taught in gaols the fat meat goes to the criminal, and the lean meat remains with the journeyman, Our object is merely to point out that the cost of the reform of criminals should not be placed too much on the shoulders of any one class in the community. The representatives of the printers' unions of New Zealand are decidedly honest, intelligent, and respectable men. If an appeal were made to them to do their share with others towards the reform of ex gaol birds, they

would, wo feel sure, respond as generously as any other section of the population in New Zealand;-but it is unreasonable to expect them to foster a serious trade rivalry in the gaols of the colony. :

For some years past the Catholics of New Zoaland have held aloof from the aoculur education granted by the state, and have demanded that their own denominational schools should receive State subsidies. Yesterday the House by 47 votes to'2o declined to alter the existing Bystem under which a national education is given. If Parliament continues to maintain - the position which it has taken up we believe that the Oatholio party will in time recognise the folly of agitating for a concession, and will allow their children to attend the public schools of the colony. There are hosts of Christians in this country who cannot by any legal enactment or moral suasion be reconciled on even the simplest and most elementary religious questions. While this continues to be the case the Parliament is quite right in declaring that religious differences shall not be imported into any measure which is necessary for the welfare of the State. It is said to be a bad case where doctor's differ, but where religionists are at variance interference is madness,

The Masterton lown Lands Trustees meet this evening, "Gas" is ihe subject for diaoussion at the meeting of the Masterton Debating Society this evening.

A meeting of the Wairarapa East County Council will be held at Masterton to-morrow.

To-morrow is the monthly pay day of the Masterton Building Society. The subject of the illustration which we publish in our literary supplement tomorrow is" King George's Sound,

There will be archearsal.by the Garrick Club tonight, I

Messrs F. H. Wood & Co. hold at Greytown to-morrow an unreserved trade by auction to close consignments, An inlands parcels post lias been established in Great Britain, Seven pounds woight is sent for a shilling.

A first of a series of winter entertainments in aid of the Library funds, will take place at the Carterton Institute on Wednesday the 7th inst.

A porliou of the cargo of meat ex ship Dunedin, from Port Chalmers, has been placed in tho market at Glasgow, and is realising 7d per pound, Mace and Miller proved too attractive for tho Greytown Fire Brigade last evening. The general meeiing therefore stnida adjourned until next week. Messrs Harvey & Sons, of the Waipoua Tannery and Wool Works, are endeavoring to keep paco with the times and are turning out every description of leather except sole leather, for the manufacture of which they are about to import the necessary machinery. The local saddlers and shoemakers prononnce the article turned out by this energetic firm to bo really first-class, and as the price is the same as the Wellington leather, and thus saves carriage, Messrs Harvey and Sons mid a good demand, so muoh so indeed that they have a difficulty in keeping up the supply. We have been shown a sot of buggy harness made of the local article, and competent judges pronounce it to be superior to anything imported. The manufacture of trotter oil is now a feature of the tannory.

The Post understands that Major' Bunny, the officer commanding tho Wairarapa Volunteer District, has suggested to his brother officers in Wellington the desirableness of holding a meeting of volunteer officers to consider the recommendations of the Volunteer Board so soon as these are formally laid before Parliament, and that such a meeting will probably take placo, The usual fortnightly meeting of the Wasto Lands lJoard was held at the Crown Lands Office yeßterday. Present: Mr J. G. Holdsworth, Commissioner (in the chair), and Messrs Bunny, Beeth'am, Mason, and W. Waring Taylor. Mr Beetham asked what' was done in the case of a piece of Crown land adjoining Mr Hugh McMaster's holding, and asked that the Chairman be requested to confer with the Chief Surveyor with a view of co-operating with Mr Drummond, so that the whole matter might be put before the Land Court at tho next meeting. The Board then adjourned. The following circular has been issued by the Education Department to tho variaos Boards in the colony :-I have the honor, by direction of the Minister of Education, to inform you that Governmenfc_ has decided to consider school buildings as national buildings, which, in case of destruction by fire, should be rebuilt at Government expense." The effect of this is to do away with the necessity of the Education Boards or School Committees insuring buildings, It is understood that Government do not intend insuring school buildings as the annual outlay for such a purpose would be very considerable

The result of the poll for the Borough auditors yesterday, was in favor of Messrs Haihaway and lorns, who recorded 88 and 80 votes repectively, Mr W. Selk followed with 49, and Mr Dalrymple with 6. Mr Hathaway by an active canvass secured his premier position at the polling booth,

The Lyttelton Times tells the following anecdote of Sir Arthur Gordon's governorship of the Mauritius:-" A levee was to bo held at Port Louis, In tho days of former Governors no Chinamen had over taken part in these receptions, but Sir Arthur, having determined that all hia subjects should be represented, intimated to the leading Chinese residents his wish for their presonce in Government House, The aide-de-camp employed was carelul to impress upon them the necessity of bringing their cards, This the Chinamen promised not to forget. Nor did they. When their head man appeared to make the usual bow bolore his Excellency, he drew from his sleeve one of the twentyfour packs that are ever associated with the countrymen of Ah Sin, and offered it to the astonished aide."

Mace's Combination Troupe drew a crowded house in Greytown last evening, a largo number being present from the Lower Val|ey and Featherston, Professor Miller received quite an ovation for hjs display of strength and endurance. The other portions of .the programme were received with continuous hursts of applause, the audience corisistiripf with one except tion (and that a native lady) ot the male element. The finale was a boxing.bout botween Mace and Miller, and although the local talent were kindly -invited to step up and try conclusions, the invitation was not accepted.

The small steamers in the Wellington harbor are reaping quite a harvest through the visit of H.M.S. Nelson, and the reductions they have made in the charges to and from the wharf and ship have had a very desirable effect, for the largest number'of visitors that, have as yet been on board in one day were conveyed there yesterday, four steamers being constantly employed in running to and fro the whole afternoon. The •courtesy and attention shown by the officers and crew is spoken of in terms of the highest praise by tlio visitors, arid makes the visit one that is not likely to be soon forgotten,"

TheMastertonVolunteevreoruitaparade this evening,i»idafterdfiUa meeting of tlib finance committee will be held. , The Direotdra of the Wellington Meat Frying Company |h'old a meeting this afternoon, at which the Bhore freezing machinery is pretty, certain to be ordered.