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Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3065, 8 March 1892, Page 2

When Mr Shera moved last session in the direction of procuring the establishment of Inebriate Asylums, he failed to get recognition by the House mainly for two reasons, the first that it was incompatible with Parliamentary custom for a private member to deal with a measure of

such importance entailing as it did the curtailment of the freedom of a too numerous class of the community. The second being that public opinion had not been educated up to the point of taking any earnest interest in the question. Most thinking men have long been conscious of the inutility of imprisoning men for the excessive use of alcohol. In the early stages of a drunkard's career it may be true that imprisonment has had in some instances, the eftect of causing him to exercise sufficient self-control to throw aside or stamp out this evil propensity. In the case of the habitual drunkard the case is quite different. When he reaches this stage on his downward career he is suffering from as clearly defined a disease as influenza or small-pox. A disease self-induced if you like, but not more so than many others, the sufferers from which have much practical sympathy, in the shape ot hospitals and dispensaries. The fact is becoming more apparent day by day that our mode of dealing with the victims to alcohol is not in keeping with the best dictates of nineteenth century civilization. When the unfortunate drunkard earns for himself the title of "habitual" he is sent to prison for a somewhat lengthy period, neither the Magistrate who sentences him, the public who see him removed from the dock nor those who read the report of the case in the newspapers, entercain the least hope that lie will leave the jail cured of the disease, for being cursed with which he has to be pvinished. We notice by the papers received by the last mail that a Bill was before the German Parliament, having for its object the dealing with habitual drunkards; one of the clauses enacts that this class shall be locked up until cured. Professor Jolly, the director of the insanitary wards in the Oharit6 Hospital, Berlin, in discussing the clause wrote : " Persons who may be put under enforced restraint for months or years ought to be treated as patients, requiring constant medical supervision and curative methods, as to which few general rules can be laid down, seeing that each case must be dealt with according to the nature and antecedents of the individual." In the > course of the pamphlet from which we have quoted, the professor dwells on the proposition that drunkenness should not be regarded as a punishable offence, but should be viewed as an infirmity. The re-

treat for inebriates should, he says, be no prison, but something between a hospital and a lunatic asylum, and should be governed by medical men. The words of the professor should appeal to the common-sense of every man wtio has given thought to the subject. It will be urged that if we were to legislate in the direction indicated the cost wouid be exceedingly high. The first cost ot buildings and getting the machinery into working order would certainly be considerable —but we see no reason why, when this outlay ha s been made, the institutions should not be self-supporting, the inebriate, unlike others suffering from different forms of insanity, is perfectly sane so long as that for which he thirsts is kept out of his reach; his capacity to labour could therefore be calculated upon with certainty. If possessed of property the patient could be compelled to contribute to his own support, or in tlie event of his having relations in a position to do so they could be made to pay, as they are at present for patients in the hospitals and lunatic asylums. It is surely a fair argument in favour of the expenditure being incurred to point to the fact that a very large proportion of the general and local revenue is derived from the traffic in liquor, and that it is those who contribute this revenue who are liable to fall

and in consequence require the help and sympathy of their fellow men. A.ny movement in the matter should have the cordial support of the prohibitionist party, who avowedly advocate that all alcohol shall be abolished from the country for the reason that it is a curse to many. They must know, those of them at any rate who are reasonable men, that they have ag much chance of gaining their ends as they would of picking a hole in the armour of an ironclad with a darning needle. They may answer we are not liable to the disease because we never imbibe the germs. Why therefore should we pay ? The fact as to the revenue we hive just given is a sufficient answer, and their assumption of philanthropy as their motive should, for consistency sake, make them ashamed to urge it. The temperance party hare our most sincere sympathy so long as they coufi ie themselves to the propagation of their opinion that alcohol is not necessary and likely to lead to evil results. They no longer have our sympathy, however, when they endeavour to forcibly deprive others of that which they consider adds to the pleasures of life and the health of their hodies, at the same time feeling that that they have sufficient strength of mind to avoid excess, in which only consists the evil of alcohol. The movement in Germany is in the right direction. It is impossible for us to sketch the details of a scheme in the limits of an article which shall put an end to the pitiable spectacles which are so often witnessed in our courts, of men punished for doing what they have no more power to avoid than the magistrate who sentences them has to protect himself against typhoid or any other contagious disease. We have brought the matter under public notice, and there our duty ends. We ask earnest consideration of the words of the German professor.

The total population of Australasia on December 31st last was 3,832,905. j A telegram from Perth states v that the drought in the northern districts J' has broken up, and the country is flooded ' for miles around. The usual monthly meetings of j the Waipa County and the Cambridge and , Hamilton Borough Councils, and the ( Hamilton Domain Board will be held at | various times to-day. , Our attention has been called to a nuisance existing on the east bank of the , river at Hamilton in the shape of a dead dog, which has evidently been drowned and east up on the bank, whore it now lies. Mr E.. Reynolds. accompanied by tho Auckland manager. Mr Farley, has been paying a hurried visit to the firm s various Waikato creameries, passing down the Waipa to Ngaruawahia, on Saturday last. As Alfred Cowley, son of Mr Cowley, of Pukerimu, was returning home from schocl at Ohaupo, yesterday afternoon, his horse dropped down dead falling on the lad. The latter, however, escaped very luckily only receiving a few slight scratches. The cricket match, between the Tauniri and Cambridge Clubs was played at Hamilton on Saturday, and resulted in a win for Taupiri by an innings and 7 runs. In their first innings Taupiri scored 106. and Cambridge 22, and in there second attempt Cambridge scored 77. The Oxford races will be held on 30th instant at Oxford, and judging from the programme which appears elsewhere in this ißsne should attract more than local attention. Seven events are set forth, the principal being the Oxford Handicap of lOsovs. Entrios are to be made on the morning of the races. Captain Edwin wired at noon yesterday:—" Expect rain within 16 hours. We trust his prognostication will prove correct as the pasture is very much dried up owing to the continued dry hot weather of late. The early sawn turnips are beginning to show signs of the effect of the drought, and unless rain soon falls there will be a failure of the turnip crop this season. We have been requested to draw attention to a hole—caused by fire— in the main road from Hamilton to Whatawhata. The swauip has been burning lor some time, and not long ago one of the wooden culverts had a narrow escape. In this particular case the fire has burnt its way Blowly into and under the road, and requires attention before more serious damage occurs. The hint contained in Mr H. Reynolds' English letter, of a probable rise is tho price of milk* wilt touch a very tender chord in the breast of the average milk supplier. Wo aro not, so to sp&ak, in that particular line ourselves, but we havo a kind ot conviction that prices have never reached the point, where factory milk suppliers might bo said to be receiving money which they did not fairly earn. A rumour was current in Ngaruawahia yesterday that Mr W. A. Murray of Whangape had been missing since Tuesday last, and his friends becoming anxious about him were enquiring if he had been seen in any of tho townships. No official intimation has been re-

ceived by the police as to Mr Murray being missing and wo hope that there need bo no causa for any anxiety on his behalf. The privileges in connection -with, the Ncaruawahia Racing Club's meeting on St. Patrick's Day were sold yesterday by Mr W. .T. Hunter, and realised excellent prices, exceeding the expectations of the most sanguine. The gates wero purchased by Paratene for £24 : the publican s booth, by Mr Simmelhaeg for £9; the card* by Mr J. O'Connor for £1 15s ; and the temperance booth for £3 2s Gd by Rawere. The many friends of Father O'Gara will be sorry to hear that he has received instructions to proceed almost immediately to Europe ; a cablegram notifying this reached him on Saturday last. We regret very much to announce that the reverend gentloman was taken suddenly ill at Cambridge on Sunday, and so seriously that he was unable in consequence to conduct his usual services either at Cambridge

or at Hamilton on that day. The weather lately though far too dry for most farmers, lias been very suitable for the bush clearing operations on the Raglan side. Good burns will be the result of the continued fine weather, and this means a good take of grass. We believe that in the near future the West Coast clearings will absorb a very large proportion of our available stock. Even as it is, considerable traffic in sheep has recently been going on between Waikato and the Western districts. At a recent meeting of the members of the Tauwhare Racing Club, it was decided to hold their annual race meeting on Easter Monday, when about £70 will be given away in prizes. This club is noted f ( ,r the attractiveness of their programmes, and is becoming more popular every year. To fay that Mr F. W. Browning is at the head of affairs, with Mr R Speak as secretary, is sufficient guarantee for a good day s sport. Full particulars as to programme will appear in next Saturday's issue. Great interest is being taken in the horticultural show, to he held at Cambridee. in the Public Hall and Mr J. McNicol's Horse Bazaar, on the 17th inst., particularly in the farmers] competition for roots and grain, and also in tho dairy and firin produce and fruit classes. In spite of tho ravages of the codlin moth, thore will, as usual, be a large display of fruit. Attention is called to a correction in the champion collection of apples, 20 varie-ties only being required—l 2 dessert and eißht cooking. Arrangements have been made for the train on Saturday next returning from the Mercer regatta to run right through to Te Kuitl, where races are to bo held on tho Monday. To those who have not yet seen the Waitomo Caves, this will afford an excellent opportunity, as they will be able to visit the caves on Sunday— just a nice day's outing—and 3ee tin races on Monday, returning by the ordinary train, which leaves Te Kuiti on Tuesday morning. A correspondent writes to us that on Sunday last he was out boating on tho river near Hamilton, when he picked up a dead teal, about thraequarters grown, which had evidently been shot and lost by some one further up the river. Our correspondent has, he says, given information to the police, and as he is a good deal on the river, he says that if he can catch any one shooting he will ba only too glad to lay an information against them. We hope he may bo ftuccossful. It is loss than ft month now till the duck season opens, and we think all sportsmen should wait till that time.

Mr Butler, of tho Native Department, in conjunction with Mr W. H. Grace has just completed the purchase of the Poukani block from the native owners at 2s Gd per acre. The area of the block is somewhere about 40,000 acres, and it is situated about twenty miles from Kihikihi in the direction of Taupo. Messrs Butler and Grace passed through Hamilton yesterday, en route for Taupo to obtain some few signatures necessary for the completion of the title. For some days past they have been at Otorohanga obtaining signatures to the necessary documents. Mr Horace Chester, the great English humourist and impersonator, gives one performance in Hamilton, next Friday night, as he is travelling the world, he intends to visit every town of importance. The entertainment is refinement itself, consisting of character changes in which he impersonates the leading men of the present day, including Hon. W. K Gladstone, Lord Rmdolph Churchill. Lord Beaconsheld, General Gordou. and Sims Reeves. The moustaoheograph is the most laughable contrivance possible growing beards, monstachios, and hair, in full view of the audience, this entertainment must be witnessed to be appreciated, A meeting of the Hamilton Annual Boxing-day Sports Committee was held at the Waikato Hotel on Tuesday evening, Ist instant. Present: Mr Coates (chairman). Messrs Bell, Buxton, Barton, C. LeQuesne, Hope, Slade, and Steadman. The secretary submitted a statement of accounts and balance-sheet, shewingßeceipts : Subscriptions, £21118s ; entries, otc , £23: gates, £4"> 3s: total, £98 I*. Expenditure: Prizes, £45 ; expenses, £2S 4s lid; balance, £24 10s Id. Assets: Cash in hand, £24 lili Id ; accounts recoverable, £2 13s. Liabilities, nil. The balance-sheet, as read, was received and adopted. It was resolved to vote £10 to the Hamilton Domain Board, to be devoted towards the expense incurred in the erection of tho pavilion on Sydney Square, and that the balance be carried forward towards the shorts next B xing-da v. The question of holding sports on Sydney Square on May 24th was discussed, and a committee appointed to canvas for support, to report at u future meeting.

At the Auckland Police Court yesterday two young men were chi.rged with indecent exposure by " rubbing down " under the trees in the Domain after training. After hearing the evidence the Bench considered that it was not sufficient to warrant the polico going any further as it had not been pioved that there was any wilful exposure. The Bench thought it butter that young men should however bo warned, especially as this was a christian community, that tho Sabbath was for rest and that they should not occupy the cricket ground or any other place for amusement of this kind. Prom a good many quarters we hear that much trouble is being experienced with the dairy cows this season, in the matter of getting them in calf, and we are told that it is nothing unusual to have the cows coming back two or ovon three times. Unless milk suppliers can arrange for the herd to come in about September, some of the best of tho milking season is lost, and we can quite understand the annoyance of having any hitch m this respect. No definite reason can be assigned for it; but many appear to think that the hot dry weather of late has had something to do with the difficulty. The following" teams have been chosen to play in the return match between the counties of Waipa and Waikato, which will be played at Hamilton, on Sydney Square, on Saturday, March 19th: — Waikato: Messrs P. W. Browning, E. B. Cox, T. Connolly, V. Ewen, T. Gleesou, N. I. Hunt, R. Longbottom, Father O'Gara, E. H. PilliDg, P. E. Stevens, W. N. von Sturmer : emergencies. Messrs J. S. Wilson and W. O. Garland. Waipa: Messrs F. Bowden, C. Bowden, C. >T. W. Barton, A. E. Fielder, F. C. Hill, F. W, Lang, J. Palairet, W. G. Park, S, Reid, H. Richdale, J. Soper ; emergencies, Messrs W. Livingston and G. McFarlane. The fire that has been smouldering in the swampy land between the Hamilton and Frankton Stations for some weeks past gradually worked its way up to the fence dividing Mr Wright's paddock from the domain land, and last night tho furze caught alight and with the considerable breeze that was blowing it soon ran up

this fonce to the plantation on the topi of Jolly's Hill taking several of the large pines trees in its course. Thence it travelled down to the margin of the lake. At one time it was feared the boatsheds and boats would be destroyed, but owing to the efforts of a party of young men who went up t'i remove the boats, if necessary, the fire was beaten out and unless a change of wind occurs the properties will be safe. Our Alexandra correspondent draws attention to what appears to be rather inexplicable proceedings, in respect to the repairing and closing of the Alexandra bridge. Our correspondent states:— "It was only a few weeks back that somethink like the sum of £40 was expended by them (the Waipa County Council) on that structure, in sinking new piles and repairing the bridge." From the recent condemnation of the bridge, by the County engineer, as being thoroughly unsafe, it would certainly appear as if these repairs had been effected without a proper inspection being made beforehand, by that officer. It is a pity that so much money should have been thrown away upon a structure that was evidently " past praying for."