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JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON.

(By Our Own Correspondent.) ' ' Tuesday, 2Vfl(fe Assignees; thir growing /unclwiw.—Ptlly l'ilfmnp at Cheap Sales, A mnt Cm.-Mure Parly Profession a mo Native Land policy Possibkl—Teetotal Race Meet' inje.—Th Advent of a Bin Fiim,— Opposition to th Union S.S, Co,— lie Wellington Operatic Society,—A Disgraafid Scene,

There is no doubt that the functions of tho Official Assignee are gradually becoming absorbed by trade assignees doing business in various parts of the colony. Whea a business man becomes involved now-a-days he calls a private meoling of his creditors, makes an assignment 01-his estate, and the creditors recognising that the methods of Trade Assignees are moreexpediv tious, is given them to means considerable |aien?e is saved creditors, and expeditiously liquidated than would be the case if it went through tho hands of the Official Assignee, who, of course, is hedged in by all sons of legal formula and hampered by " the slow drag chain ot the law's delay." But it very often happens that a good many men escape by the assistance of Trade Assignees the unpleasantness of the public examination, and have not to b?ar the pains and penalties of bankruptcy, which frequently they richly deserve to undergo. The matter ip, I bear, engaging considerableattention in oflcial circles, and 1 should not be surprised to learn that some amending legisla tion is attempted very shortly. If things go on as they are the Official Assignees' occupations will bo gone, only the small try who aie not important enough to call private meetings of their creditors will be dealt with by the ordinary bankruptcy process. As things aro at present there ia a great and growing teudonoy both on the part of debtor and creditor to avoid the Bankruptcy Act.

' no doubt, at crowded cheap eales, where numerous articles are lying loosely about, the easy ptey of the light-fingered, that some method should be adopted to detect and pnnish pilfering, for tliat a great deal of it goes on every tradesman, drapers and fancy goods vendors ' in particular, will inform you. Many firms iu this town who are in the habit of holding clearing sales will Bay that they lose pounds worth of goods annually by this unique plan of picking up bargains. Occasionally, however, your amateur detective may prove too smart, and as was recently the case in town "drop on" some person guiltless of any purloining intentions, who simply took the article up more from motives of curiosity than anything else. In the instance I am alluding to it really would appear that the woman charged with attempted tbelt was not guilty of any felonious intent; but there is no doubt that her actions, to the onlooker, were suspicious. The best plan would have been to have aliowed her to leave the establishment, and then, of course, if the articles were fack case would have | which would have justified an arrest, and a search of her person for the missing goods. As it was the detective promptly assumed she was about to steal the goods, because she removed them from the table on which they were placed, It may be that a perfectly innocent and respectable woman has suffered a great indignity and had a most unjust ■ charge put upon her by the precipitancy of the "detective," However, as I hear more is likely to come of the matter, it would perhaps be as well if I refrained from further comment.

On dil that the positions of Chief Medical Officer to the Government Insurance Department and Health Officer to the port of Wellington, tendered vacant by the death of Dr. Henry, are about to be offered by the Government to that popular little medico -Dr Cabill, The genial doctor, it is well known, is an intimate friend of Sir Patrick Buckley, and a warm supporter of the Government generally, eo it is more than likely that; his allegiance will be rewarded in the direction above indicated, Popular rumour has on several occasions before doctor a Legislative Councillor, so possibly there may be a mistake this time over these appointments,

It seems rather hard on the medical profession that their severe forms of etiquette forbid them to advertise,and that in consequence they must pine away in their desolate surgeries until fjome stray patient comes along to break the dull monotony of their existence. But so it is, and under pin of deprivation of diplomas they must wait uutil they are "discovered" and patients and fees pour in upon them. In' a large town it ia exceptionally hard, for how is a stranger, no matter how clever he may be, to become known unless he advertises? How is the callow youth, lresh from the hospitals, with his brand new diploma in his bag, to make a start, if professional etiquette prevents him from notifying his skill to the general public ? A doctor's skill is his stock-in-trade, he has acquired that skill at a conßifjfMfcle outlay of capital, and ' surely fiujro common sense point of view ho is just as much justified in advertising his capabilities as any merchant is the goods be buys ■with bis capital for sale again.

Ahdy doctor some time ago started to practise in Wellington, Her diplomas wore undoubted—-they were at once accepted by the Registrar' General-anil she was admitted in New Zealand as a duly qualified petitioner. Now, the lady doctor in question was undoubtedly clever, but then although we have been educated up to female suffrage it takes a little'time to accept female doctors, hence it soon became apparent that unless something was done promptly to remove popular prejudice, the advent of the lady amongst the ranks of the medical piofessionin Wellington would prove a " frost." The profession was to a nan up in arms against the lady, and sho very sensibly thought she had a right to live as well as they, she threw etiquette tothedogaand commenced toadvertise vigorously. Result, a large influx of patients jgta growing practice, The male meWj), however, took counsel together and reported'the fact of the advertising to the medical authorities of the Dunedin University, by which body the lady had been lice&Bed, The authorities suspended the license and called upon the lady to show cause by the 6tb June next why it should not be re-called altogether, This, the lady is about to do, and she has .prepared a pretty extensive list of medicdftien practising in Australia

and New Zeahnd, who aro either advertising now or have at one time done so without any particular notice being taken of the faot. Whether the defence will prove fuccessful is a matter for conjecture, but the faot remains, that it' it is sot, the diploma has been cancelled, not for any malpractice or incompetency, there is no suggestion of that, but merely for Ming what is to the lay mind a perfectly legitimate and neoessary means of obtaining business. Truly professional etiquette is a fearful and wondorful thing.

The Petone case, where a medical man absolutely refused to attend a Maori woman becauso first of all the fee was not paid down on the nail,and secondly beoauso the dootor who eventually did attend was not on speaking terras with hispaitner, is another instance of tbo peculiarity of professional etiquette andjealoußy. This poor woman was allowed to die when further medical assistance might possibly lmve given her a chance for life, It is true tbat> the ooroner's inquest acquitted everybody of blame, after administering a mild reproof, but surely the consciences of tboso concerned in the case will not so easily acquit them. The Medical Association ol Wellington is, I believe, about to onquire into the matter further, and it is to be hopl that lor tho sake of a noblo profession it will take steps to prevent tho possibility of such ut state of things happening again.

It is said that tho result of tho Premier's tour tliroueh tbo North Island will be the formulation of a very extensive and sweeping policy to deal with the much voxed Native -Lind question. As very wide reforms are proposid, the details ofwhioh will probably be eoihodied in a Bill to be brought down next nessiou, the Government ore not very anxious to push forward Native Land Court business now in hand, and hence, it is explained, so much delay is taking place in putting into operation the Act of last session. Mr Seddon wanted to see for himself how matters really stood before attempting thisHerculea'u task, but it is open to very considerable doubt whether any Ministry is capable of thoroughly grappling with the difficulty, no matter how strong their following may be, aud facing the consequences altorw&rds. The Seddon Ministry will, indeed, have done the State some service if they can satisfactorily solve the proolem of how 1 to deal equitably and promptly with the acquisition of Native lands. It is a problem that has baffled the ablest of New Zealand statesmen ever since the days of constitutional Government.

The l'uce meetings on tho Hutt Racecourso will have to be strictly teetotal iu future, as the suburban licensing committee will not be able to grant tbe necessary temporary licenses to retail liquor in the booths on the course. This 1 , of course, will mean a big loss to the Racing Club, as proceeds from the sale of 11 privileges" will not be worth having. To the general public, however, it means a total freedom f om that rowdyism and drunkenness which usually cliarButeriaes a racecourse, and this will, 1 am convinced,go far to compensate for any slight inconvenience which may arise from the inability of the moderately inclined to obtain liquor on the ground. Drunken Maoris,«emi-intoxi< cated spielers and blaspheming roughs, will be things of the past and wlien not excited by liquor it is more than probable that many people will not lose more money than they can afford, as at present often happens. Taking all together, though I speak from a " modorate" stand point,it would appear that there is mnch to commend itself to those who go to races from a love for •' the Sport of Kings," to think that in future our race meetings will be conduoted on strictly temperonce lines,

I learn on undoubted authority that the groat wool produce and grain iirm of Goldsborough, Morb and Co., Limited, so well and widely known throughout Australia, intends very shortly to commence business in New Zealand with Wellington aa its head quarters, Now that tbis firm has undergone reconstruction, it is, I am told, in just as strong a position as ever it was before the great Mel" bourne crisie, and as its business transactions and influence are enormous it will offer a very serious opposition indeed to kindred institution in this colony, The Wellington management will be undertaken by a gentleman who was lately conneoted with a leading firm of merchants in town, and it is expected that operations will be commenced almost at once. Goldshorough Mott and Co,, have for some time past done business in a small way by means of agents in one or two paits of the colony,but the present move is I am told,a bold bid|to i obtain business on a large scale which their immense resources and wealthy proprietory will no doubt enable them to do, It may be of intereat to remark that (be general manager in Melbourne is Mr A, MoD, Cooper, formerly manager of the Bank of Australasia in Wellington.

I have also heard that the Huddart Parker Co,, intend to put two or three more steamers on the intercolonial service and to bring over a small fleet to compete with the Union Company in the costal trade. Attention will be paid more particularly to the west coast trade of the South Island, as it is felt that this portion of the Colony has not adequately been served by tho Union Company in the past.

The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society are shortly to reproduce 'The Mikado'again, It is a pity that tbe Society, which has receivod very generous support at the hands of the Wellington publio for years past, could not have selected something fresher for production,' The Mikado' is no doubt a very charming and original opera, but as it has been performed over and over again hero, and that comparatively recently by one of tbe finest Operatic Companies which ever visited the Colony, it is quite possible we may have too much of a good thing, and more than possible that odious comparisons will be drawn, The Society has quite sufficient talent to produce something less hackneyed, and it has a right to study its palrous and supporters—the Wellington public -a little more.

As Messrs Williamson and Musgrovo dp not intend to favour us this year with one of their excellent companies, the jeunm Me of Wellington are holding themselves in readiness to worship at the shrine of the Lyons Burlesque and Operatio Coy,, which is shortly expected to open here in the latest " up to date" burlesques. As this Company is largely exposed of well-known and popular comifl opera and, burlesque artiDß -many, of round

hero last with the Gaiety Company, —a very fair show may be expeoted, • A most disgraot-iol scene occurred I upon the opening of tho Opera House Joors on Sunday night, when the Blind Students gave their last I concert in Wellington, A crowd composed of 500 or 600 persons riißhed the doors and several people were knocked down, and but for the determined efforts of those in their immediate vicinity would probably have been trampled upon and either killed or very seriously injured, The whole affair was most discreditable, and as far as I can learn was caused by the anxiety of a large section to gel in past the doorkeeper without making any payment l'o'r the concert, As it was they not only succeeded in their efforts but effectually prevented (hose contributing who were snxiouß to do 80, Setting aside tho meanness of the transaction, the rough brutality displayed was disgusting, If those sort of scenes occur tho sooner the authorities intervene to prevent Sunday concerts where admission is tbo voluntary payment of a silver coin, the better it will be.

The Annual Chrysanthemum Show of the "Wellington Horticultural Society will be held on the 25th and 26th instants. As, however, this lovely flower, rightly termed the " Queen of the Autumn," is very late in blooming this year, owing to the season not being sufficiently advanced, it is doubtful whether the Show will equal last year's display, Chrysanthemum Shows are generally a great success in Wellington, as the flower is very largely cultivated, the climate land the soil ,in town being apparjently well adapted for bringing to jpeifeotion these beautiful blooms with their wealth of culouc and graceful variety of shape.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WDT18940419.2.16

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4699, 19 April 1894, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,472

JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON. Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4699, 19 April 1894, Page 3

JOTTINGS from WELLINGTON. Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4699, 19 April 1894, Page 3

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