The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1888. Corporal Punishment for Arson.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2921, 11 June 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1888. Corporal Punishment for Arson.

At a recent meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, a proposition to recommend corporal punishment for the crime of arson was discussed, but came to nothing, The question is one of considerable public interest in a town like Masterton, where crushing rates are charged for insurance, It appears to us, however, that the weak point with regard to incendiarism is not the nature and gravity of the punishment meted out to the convicted offender, but the unwillingness displayed by the Insurance Companies to detect and prosecute culprits. The conviction of a lire raiser is so rare that it matters very little whether he has penal servitude as a punishment, or is castigated or cremated, The estimates of the Insurance Companies put down half the fires that occur as wilful, and yet with scores of cases of incendiarism on all sides none but the feeblest efforts appear co be made to discover the perpetrators of the crimes. Is a state of affairs like this creditable to the Companies or satisfactory to the public? Corporal punishment is not the deterrent required. There is no difficulty now in punishing a man if he is found out, but the hitch is finding liira out, If corporal punishment were applied to managers of Insurance Companies for all cases of incendiarism in which the guilt was not sheeted home to tho culprit, instances of lire raising would become loss frequent, and insurance rates could be lowered at least 50 per cent. The insurance business as carried 011 in this Colony is something like a fraudonthe public. The honest trader pays double rates fov tlip benefit of the fire raisers, and the insurftl)c,e offices can draw their dividends with GCrtfl-inty and equanimity. The offices all combine together to fix a uniform rate to cover all anticipated losses by incendiarism, As PHP p.ffice they collect from the public so mayty pounds in anticipation of the cjaims fife raisers, and practically follow the good old rule of the "least said the sooner mended." If instead of all being leagued together they against each other in open competition lliflf) tjieywould have to exercise the utmpst against incendiarism in .order to make a .diyj(lend, Now they can take such .calamities a;) tlxry gope, find if they should happen to em J!(W,'a)lthey have to do is to slide up iJiffl ftfw and fleece tho public, When a |jus: picious fire occurs everybody knows that a prosecution on the part of tho Insurance Companies is about the most improbable contingency that can arise, and tliaj even when a plaiu prima facie case of frwuj lies before jiiem -tliey fail iu their duties.' .Gorpo»al pu^iimeiit'is as .fitting a punishment far earless atiMipco managers as it mm- "U ever it were intpoduped for latter, we might totete ft only .qii tho ground, that tho incendiary in firing a building frequently endangers

the safety of human life. To obtain a few paltry pounds of insurance money, he often takes the risk of burning sleeping children in their beds. No punishment could be too severe for men who knowingly endanger the lives of others for their own pecuniary advantage. Still, as long as determined and intelligent efforts are not made by Insurance Companies to detect and expose incendiarism, increasing the punishment for it will be a poor deterrent. If, as we have reason to believe, the public are paying double the sum tliey ought to be taxed by the Companies, in order to provide for fire-raisers' compensation, there is ample ground for the intervention of Chambers of Commerce, and if these bodies cannot devise a better remedy than the wlnp-pingofnever-to-be-detected lire-raisers, they must be a singularly lymphatic organisation.

The success of frozen meat shipments from this district is becoming marked, and returns recently received by exporters are of a most encouraging character. We have before us a sample statement of sale which proves the value ofthe London market to the Wairarapa grazier. It refers to a consignment of 50 lambs shipped per Kaikoura, the sale weight of which aggregated 18211bs. These lambs sold for £SO 14s Bd, equal to Gfd per lb; the charges on them amounted to 3d per lb, leaving the net returns at lis Id per carcase, plus lid, the allowance for fat and skin, making the price realised by Mr James Btuckey 12s net per lamb. We understand these lambs, which averaged 3Glbs in weight, were bred from Lincoln ewes by Southdown rams, which apparently make the best lambs for the London market, and, if for that market, also for New Zealand, as they come to maturity much earlier than any others. We believe Mr Stuckey was the first in 'this district to advocate this cross for lambs, and has been successful with fat lambs since commencing,and as showing how they come out, not only as lambs, but as two-tooths we might instanoehis young sheep at our show last year. There is a small but very select flock of Southdowns at Rangitumau, which the proprietor hopes to still further improve by importations when the ports are open. Cf this there is now we believe some prospect.

Sir Georgo Grey has accepted the invitation of the Mayor and burgesses of Greytown for the 22nd inst-

On our third page will be found tho rinking and other events for the week taking place at the Drill Hall.

The regular monthly meeting of the Thistle Lodge S.C. takes place on Wednesday at the Masonic Hall, Bannisterstreet. Miss Jessie Bidwill was thrown from her horse at Waihenga on Friday afternoon and dislocated her shoulder. Miss Bidwill is progressing favorably under the care of Dr Bey.

The regular monthly meeting of the North Wairarapa County Council takes placo to-morrow. A deputation from the Borough Council will wait upon them with reference to the administration of Charitable Aid.

A public meeting will be held in the Institute this evening to elect a committee of management of the School of Design, Employers of labour, merchants, and others interested in art as applied to trade are especially invited to attend, The chair will betaken at half past teven o'clock.

The following statement shows the total value forwarded from the various Wairarapa caihvay stations for the year ended 31st March, 1888 :-Mangamahoe £1523 0s lOd ; Masterton, £9,493 19s; Carterton, £9,934 19s; Greytown, £0332 17s; Featlierston, Cross' Creek, and Summit, £889013s Id.

Mr 11, J. Haigh has been appointed architect to the Masterton Building Society, and hislocwiihnm Mr lto.vlatt, is now preparing plans fur the new otlicos of the society.

At the annual Licensing Committee meeting for the Carterton district held on Saturday, the police report of the different hotels was favorable. The transfer of the White Hart Hotel fiom Jane Buckeridge to 0. H. Giles was allowed, and a new license was granted to C. H. Giles, The applications for a renewal of the licenses of the others were granted. So indignant are the good people of Pahiatua at the treatment they are receiving at the hands of the Woodvilleites, that it has been suggested for the future when journeying to the " great centre" to take along " tucker and a flask!" The sight on Court day would be immense. About twenty Pahiatuans doing a feed in front of Murphy's! But it has occurred to us that even this would not bo safe, Tho Woodvillc folk would be on for a game of " grab,"—Pahiatua Star.

Amongst the passengers by tho Waltatipu yesterday was the Rev James Paterson, t|ip respected pastor of St. John's Church, Willis-street, who l|as returned from a three njoptlis' tour in Australia, While there, says the Post, ho made special enquiries a.s to educational mattery in which no has always felt a great interest, taking notes by the way of anything that seemed valuable, flia decided impression is that 011 tho wholo New Zealand has little to learn from Australia as to the management of public schools.

At Messrs Baker Bros, sale in Wellington, on fitli inst,, the liist lot sub' mitted being a small property, in the bankrupt estate of J. Smith, builder, presented a surprising instance of what an auction sale will sometimes produce, Mr Smith's partner gavo up all claim to his share in the property, and it was thought by a number that the equity of Redemption would be bought fop a few pouiidu, Jlr }Wker had to wait smnetimo for the first bid of £lO whjch was mad,e on behalf of the mortgageo. The bidding ran up by £lO, £5, and £2los bids, fill to the surprise of all present the auctioneer had se,cured for tlje creditors £ljf7 JOs about enoygli to pay 2Qis in the or £451 Ipa for the property, which, though a forced abpve the valuation. Sjbme lota had tq b,e passed in, not reaching the owners p?j)ecjtat|ons ? but thero are private enquiries whiph,;)g (b fre/juentjy fchpcas.e with those properties adverted |W auction, jt is anticipated will be sold privately, Other properties brought very satisfactory prices, Ac Pahiatua section 52, one quarter acre of block 8, Mangahao Survey District was sold to Mr Egan for £ls The Brooklyn suburb lately auctioned by tlie firm promises to prove remunerative to the syndicate owning it. So far 03 lots have sold for £2RQ7 Ws 9d, the area comprising 21 a<!res'.3rds 2i)ips. A numfler of purchasers are about to build, arid jther.e jrp Brtqiuries for unsojd lots in this sii&irb jyjpi promises ajc" jio distant date to iwwje a thriving one, ''

The annual meeting of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was adjourned for a week for the purpose of having the balance sheet audited.

Mr J. P. Cowie calls attention to the fact that ho has on hand 200 sacks of superior fowls wheat which he' is flellin? at low prices. Messrs Lowes & bras announce their next stock sale for Wednesday June 20, a list of entries for which appear m their column.

Two officers of the " Sherard Osborno" jablo steamer visited Masterton on Saturday for a days' shooting, and succeeded in bagging forty-eight rabbits.

Messrs Aitken and Sons, held a sue cessfulsaleon Saturday, when a largo quantity of general merchandise aud furniture was disposed of at satisfactory prices.

Applications for the office of secretary aro invited by advertisement in another column, by the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society'at a salary of £3O per annum and acominission of live per cent on all cash receipts equal to from 120 to £25 per annum,

The names of sixty-four Maoris and twelve Europeans were expunged from the roll of the Masterton Electoral District. Mr Von Stunner sat this morning for the purpose of hearing appeals against the objections, but no one put in an appearance.

A meeting of creditors in tho estates of E, D. and M. A, Pelting was held to-day frr the purpose of considering an offer of 7s Cd in the £ for the estate. It was resolved to accept the offer subject to its confirmation by the creditors at a meeting to beheld on Wednesday, June 19th.

We are requested to remind our readers ot JJessrs Lowes and lorns sale of salvage oats which takes place at Mr Darley's shed on Wednesday next at 2 o'clock the the list will comprise 420 sacks of oats the bulk of which is perfectly sound good feed oats or suitable for seed purposes tho balance being fit for pigs and fowls feed.

There wa3 a very large attendance of ladies on Saturday afternoon at the Theatre Royal Rink, and also a good attendance in tho evening to see Mons Dennis who turned up in the shape of a lively young porker who became the property of whoever caught him, After an active chase lie was finally captured by Mr Herman Rockell. A list of fixtures for the week is published in our advertisement column.

We remind those interested of the annual Plain and Fancy Dress Soiree of the Masterton Football Gleb under tho patronage of the ladies of Masterton, which takes placo on Wednesday next. Dancing will commenco at half past eight o'clock, Arrangement liaye been made to have the drill hall, where the soiree will be held, tastefully decorated with flags, evergreens, and ferns, Ac., &c. The music being in the hands of Mr Keisenberg is a sufficient guarantee that it will be lirst-class,

The Freetrade Conference at Sydney has carried a resolution affirming the desirableness of establishing freetrade among the Australian colonies, based upon the Customs Union, with a aniform tariff. A further resolution was passed affirming that it is desirable to establish in the immediate future the principle of reciprocity, the colonies agreeing by treaty as to what articles should come within the reciprocal obligations. The Conference has agreed to support the policy of the Australian Federation Union, whoso head <iuarters are at Melbourne, The' Conference has also decided that patent rights issued in any one colony ot Australasia shall have force in all the others,

A correspondent informs us that last night a Kurupuni resident was awoke by a man kicking at the door of a neighboring, untennanted house, and getting up to see what was the matter, observed a tall stranger smash in the window of the buildin? and effect an entrance by that summary method. The Kurupuni resident peeping through the wrecked window, observed that the stranger had laid himself down to rest, and concluded that the best thing to do was to go and report to the police station, He learnt that the police could not interfere without instructions from the owner of the premises, and nothing could be dune till morning. At day-break the Kurupuni resident got two friends to watch the cottage, and set off again up town only to find that the local representative of the owner of the cottage could not be interviewed before 9 a.m. In the interim the man in possession of the cottage woke up, let himself out by the back door, and walked away undetected by the two friends who were watching for him. If tho facts are as stated by our correspondent, it would appear that the public are very inadequately protected from dangerous characters. [We learn subsequently from the police that the tall stranger is known, and will bo dealt with,] Wokkixg-Mhn.—More you begin your heavy spring work after a winter of relaxation, your system needs cleansing and strengthening to prevent an attack of Ague, Billious ar Spring Fever, or somo other Spring sickness that unfits you for a season's work. You will save time, much sickness and great expense if you will use one bottle of Dr. Soule's American Hop Bitters in your family this month. Don't wait. "Burlington Hawkcvc. 1 ' A Goon Housewife:—The good housewife when giving her house its spring renovating, should boar in mind that the dear inmates of her house are more precious than many houses, and that their systems need cleansing by purifying tho blood, regulating the stomach and bowols to preyed and cure the diseases arism g from spring malaria and miasma, and she must know that there js nothing that will do it §« perfectly and surely as Dr, Soi|le's American Hop Bitters, tlje purest and host of medicines. ''Concord N, H. Patriot,"

Good Housewives in nil parts of the country should always make it their business to ascertain where they can lay out theiniioney to the best advantage for all wearing apparel, for the every day things that are required in the family, and for all articles appertaining to the comfort and well being of the household. It is unnecessary to say, after all our advertising, that beyond controversy all these advantages are to be obtained at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Tn Ano ilqusK, Wqlliijgto '• In- Tin; matter of Winter I)rcss I'ijbrics wo lave' over 30,000 yards of positively Uew Ijress Material, yarying in quality qnd style ai)d npjghig ir| pi'ip from ii> 1 Id tqo guineas per dvqss of not less than 12 yards oaol), |l) Mantles, Ulsters, Jerseys, 'Costui)|qs and Millinery, wc have the largest ipid best stpcli in the Province, and all at Wholesale Prices at Te Ano House, Wellington,

We have a grand lot qf Blankets frqm 5s lid tq'sos per pair, Quilts, Carpets, Hearthrugs, pd Liholcunjs in great variety, aqd prices,' Ovqr iO,(jQQ yard? qf H&nijel ii] all makes, froin'l|d to 3s 'per yip], aqd eyciy description of Cqlicoes frqm Is lid tq IQs (id per dqzen yards at tlje \Yholesale Family jlrapery Wpljgusc, Te AnqHousE, Welling: ton, What is of importance to Country Residents who do not often visit town, we will send patterns of any material desired, post free, and will execute carefully, and despatch promptly, any orders forwarded to Jame3 Smith, the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Ano House, Wellington, Tub Public must please remember that wc have no branch establishment anywhere in tliiS co\\nti'y,'lnd good? that are advertised can only ' be' obtained at the Wholesale Dmpery ; Wairoli6usb,' Te Aro'' House, liriijtflH,

Masterton Agricultural and Pas-

toral Association.

Tiie annual meeting of the Association was held in the Central Chambers on Saturday. Present—Mr B. Meredith, Y.P. (in the chair), and Messrs J. Stuckey, J. RaynerT, Chamberlain, E, Chamberlain, H. H, Smith, J. M. Meredith, B. P. Perry, 6. Heron, R. Daysh, T. Parsons, J. Hessey T, Brown, D. Donald, P. Gray, R. D. Dagg. E. McEwen, E. Dixon, W. B. Buick, and A. Johnston. The niinntes of the last meeting were confirmed. The consideration of the balance sheet and accounts was adjourned for a week for the purpose of audit. THE ANNUAL REPORT.

The following report was read, Before dealing with the report of the past years' proceedings, your Committee desire to refer to the great loss the Association has sustained through the decease of Mr R. R. Welch, one of its founders, and most active of its members, and to express their deep regret at the event—a regret they feel is participated by every member of the Association. We aro also sorry to record the loss of the valuable services of Mr R. S. Hawkins, as President, through his resignation a few months since. Your Committee, ns some slight acknowledgment of his services, presented him with a testimonial expres sing their high appreciation of the work done by him. Your Committee have the honor to lay beforo the members an account of their proceedings during their term of office. There have been held nine meetings of the General Committee, as woll as several meetings of the sub-committees. The Horse Parade, held in October, was not a success, either in the number of entries, or attendance ot the public, and it is to be regretted that comparatively little interest is taken is this event. The annual Show held on the 7th November was a most successful one, all kinds of stock being well represented, with the exception of Shorthorn cattle, and Lincoln sheep, the falling oft' in these classes being attributable to the extremely severe season, one of tho worst over experienced in the Wairarapa. The most prominent feature of the show was undoubtedly the large aud varied number of agricultural implements aud vehicles of all classes, thus evincing a commendable spirit of enterprise and progress on the part of our farmers aud manufacturers. The judges antl Stewards fulfilled their duties in a painstaking and careful manner, and your committee desire gratefully to acknowledge the value of the services rendered, The Committee have also to return thanks for the many liberal gifts of private prizes the total value of which including articles and plate amounted to £llll9s, In addition to these prizes the Association awarded £122 in money, together with a large number of medals. The Ram Fair took place on the Bth February, and was characterised by a large number of entries, and a good attendance of bayers, the stock offered bringing, in most cases satisfactory prices for firstclass stock, and there is every reason to think that year by year the annual Fair will be more and more appreciated by stock-breeders, and that it will grow in importance as buyers can rely on the quality of the stock. A desire having been expressed by several members that the date of the show should be altered your committee with, a view to obtaining an opinion have issued a circular to all persons interested. Now that the show is assuming larger proportions your committee feel that the day is not far distant when, in the interest of the Association exhibitors and the public, it will be necessary to hold it ou two days instead of one. The Committee would also draw attention to the necessity of soms additional provision to prevent persons entering the ground without payment. The incorporation of the Association also demands attention as it is doubtful what legal stntusithasat present, You will to-day be called upon to elect a President and Vice-Presidents and a number of'members to se,rve on the General Committee, but before proceeding to do this, your Committee think it would be desirable to alter Rule 8, which requires the retirement of one third of the Committee in alphabetical order in place of by ballot tho latter system appearing best it the interest of tho Association, the number of members on the Committee also requires adjustment as at present that number h twenty-five, while Rule 7 fixes it at twenty.

The Chairman invited discussion on the report. He said thorc had been a falling oft' in Lincoln sheep and shorthorn cattle, the reason being tliey were not in a condition for show, It was the fault of the season, and applied to illl shows throughout the Colony,

Mr E. Dixon drew attention to tb.it portion of tlie report suggesting a two days' show, one for judging and the other for exhibiting. If that was adopted it would be necessary to liuvo sheds or coverings ot some kind for vehicles, It would never do to leave thera exposed to the weather all night. The Chairman said a two days' show was not contemplated this year, but they looked forward to the time when they would not always have two shows in the Wairarapa, and when that came about they might find it necessary to occupy two days for the show, Provision \you|d theii be piade for the removal of stock or exhibits 'vhere required on the payment of a swill deposit as guarantee that the articles \yould be entered again on the next day. That system was adopted at other shows and fonnd to answer.

Mr. Hessey said at the Canterbury Show palico was stretched over a franco for t)ie protection of vehicles, It answered the purpose well, and had the merit of cheapness.

COI!I<OKAT|QN. The Chairman said, as the Society now stood they could neither sue nor be sued. He had no idea of the cost of incorporation, but believed the expense was not great. He would move that the Secretary be instructed to get information upon the subject and report to the incoming committee, who should have power to deal with tlie question.

Mr Stuekov >Yhit>U WMiw], ' ' '. ,

After some further discussion the report as a whole was adopted. Mr Stuckey drew attention to rule seven, which provided for a 'committee of twenty members, whereas the present committee numbered twenty-five, As a third of the committee retired every year, he would move that the rule be altered to "twenty-four,' 1 instead of" twenty," Mr Parsons secondod the motion, which was carried.

Mr i). Donald said the rule provided that one-third of the members should retire every year, the order of retirement for the first three years to be. alphabetical. He weuld move that rule eight be amended so as to make the mode of retirement be by ballot instead of taking the members in alphabetical order.

Mr B. R. Meredith seconded the proposal. He snid the ballot gave the members of the Association the power to vote out those who took no share in the work of the Committee, and did not attend its meetings.

The motion was carried. Mr Heron moved that,the Committee should have power to declare vacant the seat of any committeeman absent without leave from three con; secutive meetings.

The motion was not favorably received. The Chairman said that members living at a distance might suffer an injustice. The motion was withdrawn, KBECTION OF OFFICERS. The Vice-President vacated the chair, and the Secretary called for nominations for the office of President of the Association.

Mr Stuckey said lie had much pleasure iu proposing Mr E. Meredith for that office. He had been acting in that capacity for the past two or three months, and from the amount of work he had done, and the interest lie had always shown in the affairs of the Society, lie did not think they could do better'than elect him to fill the principal office, Mr B, P. Perry seconded the nomination, and in doing so paid a high tribute to the zeal displayed by Mr Meredith in the past. There being no other nominations, Mr E. Meredith was declared duly jlected, amidst cheers.

The President then resumed the chair, and on doing so, expressed his obligation at the high compliment paid to him. He had taken great interest in the Association from its earliest stages, In addition to other things, the geographical position of Masterton made it the most central for a pastoral and agricultural show. At no distant dato there was every prospect of there being but one annual show held in the Wairarapa, He thought they should have selected a younger man to fill the position to which they had elected him. A good many years ago lie had been placed in a similar position but being a younger man then he had not felt it a strain upon his powers of endurance. He, however, could say that he would do his best for the Society (Cheat's) and ho hoped they would put in as Vica-Presidents two men who would prove a help. Mr Stuckey stated that lie received a letter from Mr 6. Beetham. M.H.R., in which he stated his willingness to accept office if elected to fill any, but would prefer to see some one chosen in hia place who could devote more time to the affairs of the Association. He at the same time said he should always have the wellfare and success of the Society at heart. The following members were nominated for the office of Vice-Presidents (two), Messrs J. Stuckey, T. Chamberlain, B, P. Perry, and P. Gray, Ballot was taken, the result being that Messrs Stuckey and Chamberlain were elected. Mr 11. 11, Smith was re-elected Treasurer. The election of a committee of twenty-four members was proceeded with, nine members were balloted out and eight new members elected in their place. The following is the complete list of the new CommitteeE, Dixon, D. Donald, A. W. Cave, E. Chamberlain, Farquhar Gray, D, Guild, W. lorns, Wm, Lowes, Jas. Macara, Walter Mace, 11. 11. Meredith, E, McEwen, G. Heron, W. Buick, B. P. Perry, William Perry, Thos. Parsons, Walter Perry, John Kavtior. Jas. Ross, F, Shaw, J. C. Vallance, Alex. Walker, 11. G. Williams.

Mr Stuckey moved and Mr Raynor seconded That with a view to settle the present very unsatisfactory position respecting tho importation of stock from outside the Australasian Colonies, the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association respectfully request the Government of this Colony to decide at the earliest possible date, whether the ports of the Colony should be open or not. Tho Association would poiat out that one of the principal reasons why a decision should bo arrived at without delay, is, that owners of stock wishing to introduce new blood for the improvement of their flocks and herds, must do so at once, or they will be too late for next seasons service; unless instructions are given to ship via Australian ports at a very considerable advance in cost of transit and an enormous risk to the stock, We would point out that there is in our opinion a much greater risk of the. spread of disease if stock are imported in this manner as pleuro is known to be raging in Australia, than if imported direct trom Europe under proper precaution before shipment, and (jiiarantine regulations before landing in this Colony. We also submit that the interests of the Colony demand that wo shouldnotbe behind hand in the quality ofthe stock produced as the frozen meat industry (one of tlie greatest boons to the country) largely depends on it. Rut this industry will only continue to be a benefit so long as the meat we sepd abroad is of superior quality to that exported from the other- colonies or South America, With reference to the latter country it ia almost our only opponent, and already there, owners are making considerable efforts to outstrip us in the race by the improvement of their stock, while at the same time the Government is.fostering the export of meat by offering subsidies,—Carried.

It was resolved, That copies of the foregoing resolutions be forwardecj to the Government without delav, and also to Messrs Eeotham and Buchanan M.H.H.'s, and that tho latter be re-

quested to use their influence, to carry out the opinions expressed therein.— Carried.

It was resolved that in fiitm thn cumber of attendances of memofß of the Committee be recorded, the same to accompany the annual report. Three new members were proposed, Messrs E.O. Smith, G. Watson, and Whatman Jr.

The meeting then adjourned to Saturday, June IC, the committee to meet the same day.