The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1890. The Wise Men of Petone.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3470, 27 March 1890, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1890. The Wise Men of Petone.

The wiso men of Petone have made anew discovery, by finding out that it would be bettor for bodies, for contractors, and for contractors' laborers, that a condition should bo inserted in specifications for.work that all labor in connection with each contractglmll U charged at.the current rates payable to adults, and that any successful tenderer who employs labor under any other condition shall subject himself to"" forfeiture'of all moneys which may be due to him in respect of the contract, It is contended that the tender system, owing to undue competition, is a failure, and that some restriction is necessary I The proposal made at Petone, and nearly earned at a recent meeting Of the Borough Council of ;that town, has tljofldvaufage of defining

in plain terms a. remedy for an alleged evil. It does not say in the vague terms sometimes used in this district that something should be done, buc declares in plaiu language ■whot in the opinion of the wise men of Pctone ought to bo accomplished, No doubt this movement in the, direction of restricting contracts,will meet (V)tbagood deal of iavor, but we fear that in principle it is absurd, and in practice it would prpye ridiculous. Petoneis trying to teaohus new ideas, but we (juestioti whether they are at all equal to the old ones. The glory of colouial life is embodied in tbo expression so frequently heard, This is a fm country 1 A laborer is free to malfe a pound a day when he gets a chance to do so; lie i&also free-to make half a crown a day when'ho cannot byhookor.by crook get more. The best working men in the colpiiy like this freedom ; they do riot desire to be compelled by law or rule to labor so many hours for so many shillings per diem, ut We know men whoso day's work'is worth eightshillings.andvi'eknowothei'awho from age qr infirmity Cannot'honestly earn five shillings, Assuming seven' shillings' to; he the current wages, it Would lie a hardship,.to bring',,dpwn the men worth'height, to the seven shilling level, and it would be impossible to bring the "man-worth five shillings,,up-to the -seven; shilling level, bcoiuse no one 'would employ him, aiuLunder a fixed scale lie would simply bocome a paupor, But

the Potone Borough Oountfil meeting woul| tb,e result ',' competition:in.!tendering? IWould, jj say ); [■ labored..Mo sork for adishonest : contractor— call' him Jories I him from the honest o contractor, whom we will, designate J Brown-bo sure of the current rate ? .oLwagost, Nothing. J..the, sprj. I, * I Honest contractor Brown would put j, in a ten"dfir( on 'the basisjof seven \ ahilliuga" a day for fabot, but' the I dishonest Jbiis would inevitably put ( onoin on a six shillings basis, He would sayito Dick, Tom, and Hatty, ' •■'.lf Brown gets the contract he will J not employ you, and in order for mo t to obtain it [ must pat in a low price \ I will givo you seven shillings a day i to comply with ;tlie specifications, ' ani you shall each band me a'.Bbil- ! ling a day back.":. Theiveriestityro ' of a contractor could evade a regula-! tidn of this kindiii half, a dozen :dif- ■ ferent ways. The only man who , would suffer by it would bo the honest i contractor, who under .such a system '. would be unable, "tp get a -single ' contract.: Such a restriction in ten- ! dering would practically exclude the • honest -contractor from tbo tender. ( ring. ■'• It is a pity the wiso council- ■ lorsof jPetono who fa'VDred this wild ■ project did not succeed in carrying it, ; beoauso tbo experience they would : bavd'gained in working out such a systeinwould bo a 'warning to people in other parts of the colony who may be misled by plausiblo soheines of this kind. The wise men of Petono ' are rapidly,'by'their progressive ' ideas, swelling the ranks of the unemployed.' That there are unscrupulous men amongst contractors is quite true, but it is equally' truo that in all other businesses there are also unscrupulous porsons, Aro there not unscrupulous lawyers, i unscrupulous morohants, unscrupulous;;, storekeepers, unscrupulous butohers, and- unscrupulous bakers. . Unscrupulous' people- indeed ; in ail ranks of life, excepting, shall wo say, in "journalism,''—and' can this undesirable element be eliminated by artificial restrictions? It cannot,: but everybody knows that in everyday life, honesty is the best policy, and 'in the'long run the rogues cornO' to grief.. To cure the evil incidental to dishonest tendering, which, in the 3 main, simply amounts to scamping ' work, the obvious remedy is for tho local body to rigidly insist upon every condition of a contract being ' carried out faithfully. If storekeepers or laborers trust men who are not ; worthy of their confidonco, they take a risk of loss with their eyes open,, I and though they may: he entitled to' sympathy, they .cannot reasonably expect protection. It would simply; ) fool honest contractors, and fool : honest laborers,,to lead'them.to j believe that any such alterations' in the conditions of tenders, as the one :, .suggested at Petono, would be of any II benefit to them,' Theschemor.who o wants a job will get it to the end'of e the chapter, and he :will be the-first to take advantage of anynewdeparj tare wbioh offers him an opportunity o of exercising his peculiar ingenuity, if A restriction which )vill tie the hands of tho scrupulous, bnt which can be readily evaded by the unscrupulous, is so clearly in favor of the latter, that one wonders that even such peculiarly - wise people as thoso who dwell at , Petono should have faith in it.'

The Education Board has decided to adhere to its previous determination to appoint Mr Übnnttt to tako charge of tho Ekotahuna school •

A man named Henry Pritchett has been sentenced to fourteon days hard labor at Pahnerston North for using obscene language within the hewing of women and children, -. .-

Tho Early Closing and Holiday Association- of, Woodvillo are. on the movo, and have, decided to close at6pltn in future, with the exception of Satur-' days, ::.....

* Mr H, Huberts, tho well-known athlete ol Wellington, ;has issued a writ for £SOO damages against tho proprietors of tho. Evening Post for an alleged libel contained in the columns of that paper recently with regard to certain football matters. The cane which' camo before the District Court yesterday, In which a jury was called upon to decide whether a partnership existed between certain parties, is according to Judge Robinson, tho first of its kind that has over been heard in this colony. Messrs M, Caselberg and Co. an. nuance to their numerous customers and tho puublic genorally that they are opening up their firat shipment of-win-ter novelties, consisting of a splendid assortment of millinery, mantles, jackets, ulsters, dreas ( £;oods, clothiug, aud'general drapery. ' ''■' • [ At tlio-Districfc Court yesterday somo lauguter was created when Mt Jollicoe asked a witness: Are job. still a jockey!' 11 Yes," was the reply, "Then you are the only jockey counsol can got to jockoy through their caso," " Noj retorted Mr Pownall," ho is tho jockey through whom my learnod friend rides tho high horse.

It is satisfactory to learn that the .Education Hoard, at' its' meeting yesterday, decided to inyito tenders for a suitable silo in Masterton on which to erect an infant's school. It .will, now remain for the local committee to choose a ceritral site and submit thp'same to the householders, with a view of recommending it to the Board;, 'X ■':■■

Wo have received \ from the Dirootor for Art of tho Wellington School of Design, Mr Arthur D, Ri'oy, the annual report of that institution, .■ which is replete with all information.- witli reference to tho working of tho school, &c. Referring to branch classes, tho; report says:'—The classes at Masterton, Featherstoii; and Newtown aro still in operation. The nssistanco givqn by your Qommittpe will onablo the ln-l structor lo remain hi' the Wairarapa district, and: so be avaluablo aid to those tcachors who are untiblo to atteud j the classes, . .;.' •

A.witness,who-was being-examined byMr Pownall ye'stbrdayV.was jasked how ho came to be at Court, "I piked" replied tbo individual in question, whereupon. Mr Jellicoe roso and explained that an analogy existed between this reply and a.reply he had heard at Wanganui recently as-follows,:—"How djd "you come horo f-;. ."l'!-walked." " Where from '/''/'"From the cab" "And froin where Jdld'you como'in the oab!" "From they railway station." "And how did you come to bo'at the railway station ?" •"'tfhe train dohvorod mo there," " And what' brought.. the train thoro !''--"Tho'"encine,''>'The witness, it appears, had. come from Wellington. •'''''V : Sulky, Bad, and silont, was the big dog, as ho sat outsido tbo butcher's shop in Queen % and his eyo restedlongiugly, ah!how longingly on tho succulont steak and tho toothsome chop which dangled temptingly from the shiny hooks, But tho butoher was there, and the chances of possession seemed: indeed remote. .Still, much issoniptimosaccompliflh'ed by a bold stroke, and so'thoUght tho canine, for with one bound ho secured a twenty pound joint aud started for home'at full speed j with 1 the astonishedmsatiiia'n close brihistail,shouting, /'stop liiii!.".. Akfii'st it seemed anybody's rnce, but the biped (struok by a happy thought) turned a back somersault (or rather attempted one) which sd astounded his [ourfooted rival that he dropped tho illgotteii g>in and bolted fordoar lifo, ; Suet returned; with f tho pmo, triumpHautibUtbiit of wind! and lUUddy, .-. '.-.j

Owing to pressure mi omHbM?? ".Brevitios '.and other liaoy d|a "{■'s6 frierida of Mil George'BeSthMf M.jfl.'.K. My: expect'to,. sedliim back amongst tliem in about ■ Daylight parade' of ./the 1 r : 'Jlastetton Bide Volunteers' : wilr' bo'-' hold this dvening, after which the olection of Juoior Lieutenant will tako place, and arrangements will bo made for the faster. Encapment, ;

owners v of racers" arid;>ft' interested that, nominations .for .the . Waipawa County' Jocko^Olur/B'Wiutdr Meeting closo. with tliojecreta'ry, Mr E Gray, Kaikora.'on Saturday next." ' '". In opening the District Oourt this morning His; Honor District Judgo Robinson ahnouncod that as there was a probability of.the present case occupying'tho wbolo day, bankruptcy business; would 'be. adjourned till tomorrbitmorning.. . ; ■'■■;;., ; >A'new advertisement from the Early Closing Association, notifying tho business establishments' who intend closing at 6 p.m., arid inviting tho sympathy of the publio, appears in another column. ' Mr O'Hara Oanayan, who has been on tho editorial stall ot the Wairarapa Observer, intends leaving'.. Carterton for Blenheim in a few days, : whore,-,w6 understand, -be ia going to occupy' <t Bimilar: position oh- the Marlborough Daily Timeß. Mr Canavau is a journalist of ability, and should have a; tucccssful careo'r •■ on the newspaper which has secured his services. Ho has the good .wishes'of his; follow reßidonts and ourselvos for a continued prosperous futuro. : ':',. , '•

Tho funeral of Mrs Edward Morgan took place at.Carterton: yesterday, and was very largely attended by sympathising triends.. The hearse was preceded by the members of tho Loyal" Heart of Oak Lod?e of Oddfellows, and was , followed by about ono hundred and twenty .five -mourners in carriages and oil horseback. Tho [cortege stopped at I tho Church of d3ngland;on> the way, and I the service there and'at tho' gra'vo Bide wasconductcd by theßev. Mr Ballachey. The Early. Closing Association held a meotingrlast night iti .tho Oddfellow's Hall, but owing to tho many counter attractions, the attendance wnsnot largo, FavtrablO' progress was reported, and as a large number of firms ia Masterton liave decided to olpso atfl o'olookfrom the first April, it was decided to publish a list of samo from Mouday next, in the local press, A hearty' vote of'thanks' was passed to the Ray Mr Fulton, and the meeting adjourned, -, x i ".• ? An improvement and A necossary adjunct to the Carterton Cemetery at Claroville, ia in couraa ot provision in tho shape of a substantial and shapely mortuary chapel, which is being erected by Mossrs Reynolds ifc Dixeh, of Mastorlon.: It is in tho Gothic stylo, .and in Bir.o is twenty-five feet by eighteen foot. There is also to bo a lean-to at its rear fur übo as a tool-house, oto. Mr Anderson, E.O, prepared thoplans. Tho vacant corner at the junction of the Bolvodore road with High Streot, Carterton, is Boon to bo a' sito for Mr Dudsoii's now saddler's shop, which has to bo ready for occupation before tho ond ol! Juno. The plans have been propared by Mr Campin. They are for a combined shop and dwelling house, The shop, which has a thirty foot frontage, abuts on High Street, the elevation ihoing Belvedere Road being the side of the dwelling house. The budding is a single story ono, . An artesian well at Oa»torton is to bo sunk at tho junction of tho JjjoMdere roal aiid High-street. Mr Jamc Martin commences sinking operations.' next. Monday mbrhiiig. If tho well is successful, it will be used for a horse trough, for a drinking fountain, and for fire provoiitive purposos. To utilise it for the latter, a concrete underground tank mIL bo necessary. Tho well will be sunk in the street itself, and under- ; ground pipes will divert it to tho trough and fountain,; Tho tank will havo a hoso trap. ■ ; ;

Alexander, tho" Australian Blondlp," performed on tho tight-rope in the vacant section opposite tho Empire Hblollaat oYoning, thta'beinga'largo asßomblngo of witnossers, "Bfcradra" was frequently applauded for his daring feataj and. more particularly for his " horse riding" aofc, li'seems lurd to roconcilo the fact that any man could rido on a wire like that on which '■ Blondin" performed; but such was tho oaso, and we can only invite, our readers to be present this ovoning,' when i repetition will bo given, to varify our statement, To-night, witliV eh almost' chtirely new proEtramm'e/ -will' be tho last night of porforinanco. The Carterton Borough Oounoilhas been discussing, in committee, tho question of a sito for tho old building jit present situated on the school grouu'd, at the corner of .Brooklyn road and tho main road, ltis proposed to remove this building to the centra of the township, aud convert it into Borough offices. The vacant section between Mr IMI Wood'a 'auction rooms, and Mr W.J Lindop's Pharmacy is spokou of as ono quo of those under consideration. In the Supremo Court yesterday, tho case of Official Asaignoo v,.Wilton, an appeal against the decision of District Judge Robinson, came on for argument, The caso was on tho motion.of the Official Assignee to recover., certaiu property, in connection with Edwiii King's bankruptcy, and was decided'by the District Judge in favor of Wilton. Againsttbis decision tho Officiil Assignee appealed. After hearing Mr. Bunny for the appollant and Mr Gitlly (instructed by Mr Beard) for the respondent, His Honor Judge Richmond dismissed the appeal with 10 guineas .costs, ■' ■ : , }.'; : - The licensee of the 'A i /Hotel' 'at Christchurch vr&si charged yesterday st tho Resident Magistrate's Court, before MrR. Boetham, E.M., with Sunday selling, It was proved that some persons had drinks in tho b(.r on Sunday, but they had been invited inby a man from Lyttolton,/who; was jield'to be a trayollor. Mr Stinger, for tho accusod, contotided that a traveller had a right to take anoihor person into an hotel and freathiruto liqudr/'nn Sundays, Tho bench nphold.the' contention, and dismissed the oase?' '■■:> ;'■'

A resolution passed at a meeting,of parents of children attending,'tho 'Mas-' terton school, advising the Board of Education to at onco "fill the vacancy caused by tho prolonged absenco of Mr Goo. Beothamal.H.R,, was considered yesterday morning Bays, the Post. The Eev.'J. Paterson said that Mr Beetham had been away from tho Colony so long that ho ought to liave tendored'his resignation.-ThnchniroMiilslated that he intended to deolare tho seat vacant totday. Even if Mr Beetjjaiji ; were in Wollington now ho (Mr Blair) should declarethe'seatvacant, iu s ordor 'that those who w'ero qualified to: veto might be'able to Bay whether they endorsed Mr Beetham's aotiou, .The ■ subject then dropped. Subsequently the Chairman declared the seat vacant, and stops ard being taken to have it Btlod., ■■....■■-. I Oun niiUinery formally seasons past has been the finest, bos!, aud iiiua! fashionable inthe city.' Our fashions (or tho present autumn season are .hi noway inferior to those that have preceded them,'and wo can promise a rare troatto' those 5 who will inspect them hi the evening in tho windows of tho' To Aro House' Wellington, '.

."jWE-are also'making a grand'display Of new autiunu dfesp fabrics, including quo of the moafat novelties of tho season,' the VAccoidation skirt'-', togcllier with a very riolvassortmcut of the • latest in ladies': jaokets and mantle's, furs, fur trimmings' ribbons, sashes ito,■' Everyone should have a good look at these in the windows ol To Aro House Wellington ibis oveiilng, In dress fabrics (or tho autumn season wo are prepared to show greater variety and more abundant choice than ever. Our seleotioh'Of different textures is admirable and charming, and wo have a full supply of all tho most favoured,-, fosblojiablo sbados, at To Aro House, Wellington.*', •'. ! i <' In dress trimmings we havo all those most hi domand, and can match to a nicely any dress.: material that may. bo seleoled, This Is. genorally;.a diflieull; matter in this city,'but owing l to'tho osphW .instructions given to our buyer,and .which have been faithfully carried out,' wecan'guarautee a perfect match to almost every shade at To Aro Houso, Wellington. Lawes would, therefore, act wisely to avail themselves of all these advantages select their, earlyaa possible,' and give their orders to our dressmaking .donartmeuj, so that unnecessary. ; and unpleaaing delay may bo avoided, at To Aro «s«5« t WePP»ttn.AJ>YV

run yesterday, was pPPJIJiHa., Patchwork being second ahdCynicamhird. •vTMJtinpwiil bo open this evoning from; pll. A. number of ladies $hd -goritljroen having- signified their inten'tMbf-being present. ; , On the District Court being opened this morning, Mr Pownall asked if Mr" Jones, onoof the jury, had conversed with counsel on'tho opposite side since hut evoning,-.vrMr»f"Jonoß --einpliattoally. denied that he had said anything about tho case; •• Mr Jellicoo thought it most unSe'eihly that a gentleman of tho jury should be openly challenged iu Court, in such a rnannor. '■ ' ; '. " During the further,, tho District Oourt lfinrniiigj; frojuont passages* "occurred between counsel, jind during Mr Jellicjo'e crossexamination of Mr Carswoll masters"' reached such a climax that his iHonor threatened; to stop the case, if tho " objectionable inteyjootions" of counsel were not discontinued, ;