MELBOURNE GOSSIP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2644, 22 June 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

MELBOURNE GOSSIP.

(riiuM ('l'll OWN COKItF.sI'ONHKNT.) AY likN -,vl-'.it a calamity occurs, which it, is the special duty of any public body, or a set of paid officials, to prevent, or at all events to minimise by the adoption of ordinary precautions, it, is amazing to see the o[forts which are made to shift the rc-pousibility upon the shoulders of somo other person, or number of persons. The public has hern treated to an instance of this sort.of thing dm inir the past week. The culprits are the Central Board of Health and some of its officers. The former, which is vested with extensive powers, upon which rests (treat responsibility, upon the wisdom and activity of which Ihe public are expected to rely, has been brought up to the bar of public opinio*! in a manner that was quite nillooked for, has been weighed in the balance and found wanting ; whilst one of its prin'-ipal officers—Mi Samuel Kiuir Le Capelain—has not come quite seathless out (il the ordeal to which ho has been subjected. Winn this gentleman found himself before the city coroner and six jurymen of more than ordinary intelli genee, with an experienced lawyer to prone aim with searching questions, h said t-liinu's, and made admissions, which must, hive caused him a most uncomfortable half hour when ho next came face to face with his official superiors. Out of evil comes good, however, and the three good things which inevitably must come out. of the. Bijou tire are, a complete reformation of the fire brigade system, an awakening of the Central Board of Health to a proper sense of its duties and responsibilities, and the arousing to action of a government which appears to have outlived either the power or the inclination to do any really useful work.

Mr. Le Capelain is not good at parrying questions, especially when the interlocutor means to elict the truth : and it was owing to his weakness iu this respect that the public have learned that a few things in relation to tho working of the Centra' Board of Health, with which they were not previously acquainted. It seems that the Bijon Theatre, which was constructed before, the Act of ISS:> was passed, did not filllil the requirements of that Act ; and, although the Board has had tho power to cause the necessary alterations to be made, that power has not been used. Mr. Le Capelain, is the engineer to the Board, ami iu the matter of public buildings he is supreme. Other buildings are unsafe—notably the Opera House—and lie agrees that something ought to be doner. Asked who ought to look afier these things, he says, " the officer of the Board." Who is that officer 'i '■' There is no one specially appoints.." Sonic important duties the Board .'.hift from themselves to the police 'That ic, the police are " written to," and there the matter cuds. Pushed into a comer, Mr. Le Capelain admitted that lie, after all, was the ' responsible party.' but his excuse for not having looked after the Melbourne theatres was ' that ho bad no time."

No wonder that Dr. Yonll, the jury, ami the press have liocn nil her hard upon the Central Hoard, and the members of that august body have got " riled." They -utterly resent the plain truths which have been written and said about them, and have held a sort of indignation meeting amongst themselves. The jury censured them by stating that they had not exercised snliicient inspection and control over places of public amusement to ensure! the safety of the public. That is, however, correct, no matter how much the .Hoard may kick at the statement. Then they consider that " the extraordinary .statements of the coroner demand attention." So they do ; and I am greatly mistaken if they do not receive a considerable share of attention. What makes me think, how ever, that Mr, Lr Capelaia must have passed an uncomfortabk half-hour is Hint fact that the Bonrd have, llatly contradicted some of his statements. They declare that since ISH4 he ha l ; had instruction to look after the buildings ; that ho had never been refused either assistance or expenses; and that wiih the exception of a short time lately, when he was doing some work for the Uoyal Sanitary laeumi-sion', he had had amide time for the performance, of the duty of inspection of the theatres. J'erhap-, however, Mr l.e (.'-ipelain has turned '.he w hole of his attention to the Anglican Cathedral. Thedoois are not. ■wide enoiuh for him. and unless the Board. ivh"ii in the enjoyment of a lucid interval, should authorise die building to be Ojien al, the architects will hive to break d i\vn part of the walls fa as to enlarge the '• modes of exit,"' That is bow the ease stands. The theatres packed nightly with human b -h-g-; with defective (ippli.iiiees for the extinction of lire, with passagi :j as narrow and so long that one half the people would lie injured in case of panic, are left alone ; b'cause, I presume, the alterations would invole trouble. The Cathedra!, however, is not to be opened unless the requirements of the Hoard are complied wi'h. Clearly, the members have a greater liking for amusement-! than they entertain for religion.

It was a contention of mine, upon the coiuewhat unusual selection of Sir William iliiiiuHjn to act as the locum teuens of Sir Henry Lueh, first, that the chances were lei-, to one. against the governor's return, and that they win- twenty to one in favour of Sir W. Kobm.-oii's ;.-• -Ming the place. We now h.-cilo' Sir Henry will'm.t return to Meiiaeoie' befo-e the month of hec. mil- ror .laouaiy. 1!' that is :■■•■'..', '.--I, it is e: V iiliii!." I\ iiia ! he will malo- tie- \ i--, ,L'e to \u.-liaiia and back, im-relv to ■■~■.■ -.ai i-a ~ li.-r six months.

.lie has oee, : ,i de ;-rve lly popular governor, aed. if he. hi! -..i.-c he will remain so by I'.-tieei eonle.nted with the laurels he lias gain. d. Meanwhile, Sir W. Robinson is here, and if, as it is extremely probable, he sho-.dd receive the appointlie nt for the full term, 1 think be would in his tern bo a pop,alar governor.

It lias been hinted that, if Sir Henry Loch floes not get an Indian Governorship, lie might settle do.vn in London aa a Permanent Under Secretary of Statu, or a (.'ofiinissioiior. Ido not think he is likely to do either one thing or the other. Permanent ITnder-Secrelaries are, not manufactured out of elderly governors. One of the present Undei-Secretaries — Sir Kobert Herbert—\ra< thu first Colonial Secretary of I tiicunslaud, and might la; himself a colonial governor if hia taste led in that direction. Hut, although an Under-Secretary can "wig" a governor, few lirtit-clnss governors would Tiotcaroto accept tiiis appointment, even if they could— get it.

A recent vagary of fashion is the introduction to Parisian society of " the lloral umbrella," When people get married the lirsl. thing they require is a " roof overhead,'' ;inil this floral umbrella seems to be symbolical of that wont. Under its

.shade newly-married couples are to bold their iirst "At Homo," Fancy, going to pay onu'.s respect to a host and hostesss who receive one under such a roof-tree. It is true, however. The thing is used at ■wedding, and the Wide and bridegroom receive the guests ot the "At' Home" under the precious umbrella. It is of enormous size, made of white .silk, and is profusely covered with (lowers. I should like to sen one of our Mil, hoarded, npcounti y squatters standing to receive his friends imler such device. Most men feel awkward enough when receiving the congratulations of their fiiends across the wedding-breakfast table. Hut to stand on one side of a room, under a canopy of flowers, while the '• invited" troop p:ist, would be rather trying to the nerves of an " Australian Native,'' unless perhaps, it were Mr. I'nrves himself.