The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1882. INDIGENT AND SICK POOR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1104, 20 June 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1882. INDIGENT AND SICK POOR.

Major. Atkinson last Friday intimated to.the .House that the question of .the' indigent and sick poor had been engaging his attention for some considerable time past, and that;he waS prepared to grapple with it, Such an offer speaks volumes in-favor of the courage and : humanity of the Colonial Treasurer, but we fear that he has notsufficientlj guaged the difficulties of the problem which he proposes to solve. He says that, there are threecourses opehto, ( %-.&r.st, a poor rate; secondly, a combination of consolidated. fuM,,and private tenevolen"ce.j : and : thirdly,, a national assurance scheme, The last-named alternative is supposed to be a preventive to pauperism, but ho\v,.may it be.asked, is it possible to make the. idlem'an : industrious,; the improvident man prudent, the drunken man sober! No amount of national insurance will do. this, and as long as the main springs .of poverty and, misery are!left unchecked 'tlie-'pbor wiU'be charge ; ori* the'commu'n%.'<The old text, ''The poorge have "always '■ with • you," -<■ has . been .literally ':• true', for. eighteen ;hundred :y,ears, and we feel,.,assured ;; tliatj:ii will outlast Major ArainsoN's time, The tot course,.a poor rate, is

altogether objectionable. The secondmentioned isHho-onqnow. in practical ■ operation, bui.is|open|.to two(,^erious •objections': -fivstips regards voluntary conlrM|ong, the!|jbene^ent^re^Qn- 1 duly weighted,, and tile hardhearted escape altogether; .and secondly, as regards the consolidated fund, there is no.adequate check "on; its expenditure.. Where one,body,finds the-money, and another speiids it, it is only'in human should ' be, a 'certampmpunt of -extravagance,: ■ Still,Itlie position is one (which it is difficult' to avoid. Assuming that-the poor and indigent ;:kre;to be iprovided: • for," .two' questions naturally arise.; Mrst,!'where is the money to'come'from? and secondly, who is to spend it?. To -the. latter query, there can be but.one satisfactory answ'er];anUthat is,." The local bodies." •■': Th e; efficient administration of hospital arid charitable aid absolutely demands local knowledge and atcentiqn, It, would,be .better if the raising of necesswy ways;and means.could be also-thrown on local bodies, but as they ai*o .at present .sitii ated, this is impracticable, ibecause thoy; are themselves in. many instances indigent and sick, The moiioy must fconie for 'the present; : as'; the Colonial, ..Treasurer' proposes, 'frdm the.consolidated fund,, but.some effort should;-;-be ( ma'dei;to ;prevent -it from being, too'lavishly expended. Last the \ colony, prly; ; if9o;6oo, • or ! something per head on population:' "Let. the Go- : vernnie,uti.;,'thr6\V'„ .on '.counties,-, and boroughs absolutely the maintenance of the siclnihd indigent, andgive tbem four shillings per Jiead' oil' the popular' tion.witbin their'boundaries to defray the cost of such a. service, with 'permission to spendany surplus as ordinary revenue.. ; We;l]elieyo..that the:result would be economical' l administration, arid that a large balance. out of .the Government grant would be available for roads and bridges,' 'ln the Wa'ilarapa,; for exanip]e J .,a-.surn'of over : wonkl'Ve' obtained for the maintenance of our two hospitals and occasional..poor relief. .Under the existing system, the joint cost must be at ■least two thousand .pounds; but with a rigid supervision ■ through local bodies the expenditure- miglit jjbssibly.be reduced to .-£1,500:' In- proposing, to charge the entire maintenance of hospitals for the current year against the .consolidated fund,' : Mnjoi* Atkinson takes one step towards placing .the question on a, proper footing j ;;the other step; which is equally-necessary, is tomake counties-and Boroughs absolutely responsible for the administration of relief' to 1 the, sick • and • poor within their respective boundaries; If the Government' : <iid not care to give a capitation allowance to local bodies to enable them to undertake hospitals' iind charitable aid, it might apply a moiety "of .the'property tax as-.a sub;' stitutc.. •.- : -'. " '. ■. .-.,.,:..,;,.;:'' v-

The cable'stiitiori at Alexandria, Egypt, has been temporarily closed, . : •'■■• "•"Mr. Wardell, E.iYL sitsat'Carierton to-morrow.- •...

; , The. .Ma'ste'i'ton.Borqugh Council meet 'this'ev.oning.. • ..; .','...

At ri sitting; of the licensing Committee' held-at Tinui on Friday last before Mr E, Ci.Smylli, Acting Chairman, and Messrs' Groves:, Peach,' and Belhss, Jhe applica-* tions of A. Owen,C.;Kogei ; s..'J.;A. Sinip. son, J. W. Baker, dndA.' Burling' for a renewal ■of their licenses 'were ; granted, there being no opposition on the: part of the police'or the public. . ',■

A telegraniihns reached the"Otago Daily Times,";from Sydney, stating that Hew Zealand producers, are foolish to glnt that market ;with .potatoes.and oats, misled by market reports. The telegram adds thata;quant.i.ty v .,pf' go'od oats were withdrawn from.sale ..at 2sßdper bushel.

The time for - receivincc fenders for hush-falling by tlie'..Welling.ton:-,Oity Council is extended to the Gth.df iluivi A meeting ofvthe Greytown Masonic Lodge will bo hald'.oh'-Friday next; for the initiation of new- members -and the installation of officers. It, will be.followed by a. banquet at 8r0.. : Jdhes'.VForestera'. Hotel. '..••■ '? ~,

The election of.- officers.S of Court. Marquis of Normaiiby, A'tyiJV. fakes place at the Foresters! Hall,-Carterton',, on Thursday evening. three of the chairs^will'call liov a ballot., ~ ;" ' ~: '' ; '•■■'•

A meeting: of. .the' Dramatic Club was held last; evening, Mt Clayson in the Chair,. .It,was decided'to' play "Mis "White" and "The Waterman" at Cartertoh'on Thursday"; the 29th. inst., and'to put in rehearsaifor Maslertpn.tlie. famous comedy" The'Heii'-at-Law." ; . Weunderstand that the members of the Club are considering the advisability of performing their "piece de resistance,"the " Ticket of Leave Man" at Greyto'wDi' ''

Tenders are invited for additions to'a buildin? at Masterton. PlanVand specifications to'be seen at Mr J, F, Ward's shop. _ ■. .•;

We believe that there is a'fair prospect of that.portion of Bannister Street .which; ia opposite the Club Hotel being widened' Several property holders in'the' vicinity have oxpressed tlieniselves willing, to 'im< tribute tov'ards the coat of the work and ; there ia a nrobability of the .Insurance Companies assisting the :

Messrs Gilpin and Pftrd6h.jo{. Feathers* ton are about to dissolve partnership.':'.;.

The Featherston Mutual improvementand Debating Society me'efc^liis.evening.. The subject for debate is, ,'.';Hns the time' arrived when New Zealand;should have' steam' communication direct with■{Bi&•land." . V,,W The sixth of the series of : winter'evening entertainments took place at the In•Btitute, evening,. Caytj, Tully occupying"™ chair. 'There wasnot a very large attendance, as -the; wea--tlier'was Unfayorable. i The; overture was •nicely played; by the Misses McMaster 1 , Mrs White also contributed a pianosold,: Songs wero given by Miss M.Wyett, and Messrs Tovey, Wickerson, .Black, and•B'ellj the three first-named being encored, .Duets were sung by Mrs Spratt and Miss' Wyett, and by Messrs Black and Wickerson. . .A recitation by Mr Heard was very successfully given and; received prolonged applause, • Messrs Tovey and Bla'ck/ahd Rev.'.H. V. White gave some readings, the. former keeping the audierice'inia continual state of laughter. God save' the Queen terminated the programme; The'.'Secretary of. the;' Wairarapa Hospital,';openedf.some :pf„the Hospital Boxes on Saturday last, with the, follow-ing-resulti-fßox at Mri Jones', 'Foresters Arms,<l6a'6d; atQuih's dreytown Hotel 12s 9d| at Bank of New Zealand 7s 5d at Hospital 3s 3d ;'at Bank of Nbw.;Zealand/Oarterton^ tute, l£d; at Mr Ray's Taratah'i Hotel.' 13s6d,

Matthew's j Jjadieß'-'Wqri ; be held oh Satiird|y| school-. i:om]3, cdtoWencitfglat;!^^. Telograpbjofficea thafwill he an ornament to the prejerit buiiding has (with'repeated patching ilp) done duty forjnumberoty.ejirs, buthas long been foundto'.be ( lu'cotiVßnientiy'small;' The new offices will be Built"'on that piece, of land adjoining jresenj, and from whaTwe learn .building nejf | ;l)8 added 'to J the present! will be the postmaster's residence. -Mr Black: has' arrangedJwith Mr jeot'tp l)r jDemon'S'' l appro^l) ) (pr. ftsor..tion ofctlie'new council chambers-to carry on thej public business, during-the time the work is proceeding, so' before long we expect to hear of the work being started. <Mr Tawhai' Bp'ealiingi recently in the House jof j. Peptesentatives; said:—" We, the Maoris, 1 thought'" 'the. missionaries' people who descended, from; t ' Heayen,; were to,dpus).bm'e.good, and bring about but wef have" since 'dia-: covefed'that'the'seyery people have been ; our bane, When;they came among us they told.us tO:pray with upturned faces,; rand try all we could to enter the kingdom: of Heaven. ; While wo were engaged in; carrying out these direction's -they grabbed ouriand from uriderour feet:"*'' !:

We notice that the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile ;:Agency i; Companyi have increaßeitheirreser'vefund from £170,000 to 1200,000;,.. We are. glad:to learn -that the, local office at-Mastertbh' is .extending 1 its: business very. considerably .both by increase of exports and by Home indents. The church parade oh Sunday, and the usual drill of the Carterton Eifle Volunteers'.on Monday' were but poorly 'attended,' riot a score of men being present on either; occasion. The officers present were Lieuts.' Bennett and Crawford, and Surgeon Watts.' ■ After tho drill on Monday .ovening,' a letter was read from the kte,l&tecaptain,.iiitiinati))g that he was desirous- of handing over the property of the corps under his control. Sergt.' Clifton . and the' two lieutenants were, appointed, a,'committee to receive and jioialVeaine on behalf of the company. It was further'resolved that tho funds of the corps Bhould still remain in Ihe Bank of. New Zealand, and that MrSnodgrass bo naked to continue to act as .treasurer;

Messrs F. H. .Wood. &■ Co., advertise for sale a waggonettp and harness, and a spring trap and harness. The same firm sell on Thursday! June 29th, at Carterton, four hundred fruit trees from Mr D.' Barrail's Tividale Nursery.

* Hassell and Co; .report Wellington prices for past week as under:—Flour, 112 to £l2 10a; oatmeal,,£l7 ; pollard, in good demand at M to £1 10e; bran, M lOa; chaff, £3 lo;'onions, £G ; -potatoes, £2 lßsto & ; oats, 3s Gd to 3s 9d; foils' wheat, \k to 4s 6d; barley, 3s 6d to 4b'; beans, 5s Gd per bushel; maize, very litt)o in market, 5s 6d;; peas, 4s Gd; bacon and hams, new cure, guaranteed, *9d; butter is much inquired for, and prirao salt sells readily at Is; fresh' do. Is 3d; to 7d. '■ Fruit—Oranges, 10aj lemons;. 20s: mandarins, 15a; apples, 10s to 128 per case; pineapples, 8s to 10s per verdnz, • Eggs, 3s perdoz, Poultry is not much in demand and prices rule low.

It is understood that the departure of H.M,S,iMiranda with his Excellency the 'Governor, has been further postponed till Friday, v next, ' .. '.■■■■ At aiqeeting of the Greytown Philhar : monio'Sooiety's Committee held yesterday afternoon; Mr W..0. Cuff in the chair; .'a concert committee composed of Mrs Tully and Miss Doherty, and Messrs Cuff, Roualdspnj iwere appointed, the conductor staling that they would be able'to • give a concert in about six weeks, j Messrs Cuff, Gray, and Black, ; were appointed a committee to canvass for subscribing members. The Secretary reported that there were fifty-five members' on the roll of the Society.

' -There were two caucuses of the Opposition, report*! the N.Z. Times, held yesterday,, of whioh the following account lias been' issued for circulation:-" A .meeting,'.called'by .'Mr Feldwick, was held at the Parliamentary Buildimjs today; MrDeLatourintho chair. About •25 .peraona were present. A previous meeting had been held during the forenoon at which it had been agreed that a common organisation was necessary if any useful criticism was to be done, and that it was not necessary to appoint a leader. At the meeting in 'the afternoon it was agreed that a common' base of opposition should be agreed to,,a;nd,-with that object all Opposition and* independent membefs .should be invited by Messrs Steward and Feldwick on Wednesday evening next to decide what form tho organisation should !kfo. In the meantime all members present to.be independent to take such a :.courSaas they mighty think fit. Sir G, Gfey was present,"'" ••

Measra-.Eapp and Hare's trap horse bolted with its vehicle in Church-street .this"afternoon, bat was fortunately captured before any mischief was/done to either animal or vehicle.

• The circular issued by. the Masterton School v Cbmmittee,: inviting parents to 'contribute towards the expense of gravelling the playground has been liberally responded' to, The cash receipts up to date amount to Ll4, and promises of L 8 in money and the use of seven or eight teams have been made.:; '

This morning about ten o'clock Mr W, lornß' ttas. oroßsing -the; Kuamahunga at ; Potirau when be'observed a strange object in the .water, oh the Masterton side of the ■river.' Ori : ihvestigation he found it to be the corpse of an old Maori, the head lying beneath the water and the feet out of it, "The body'was' perfectly nude and there : was ho indication of the cause which led -td its position, The body has been subsequently identified as that of Kapuna, a ;hfttive belonging "to ! the To Ore Ore pah. Thb jjpju'oo will'this evening bring it into ■lfSfertoniland Dr Spvatt, the Distriot •pdroner, will liold the customary inquest onit. lV The Buamahunga was high last evening, but when the body was found it had. gone down again, ; < i