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OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY.

Parliament, however uncertain about some things, seems to have no doubt on two points. The first is that we must keep the Chineso at a distance. The

second la Miac iv o uiuab prevent. the introduction of indigent persons into the colony unless the State is secured against the risk of their becom ing a charge on the public funds. The Chinese Restriction and the Immigration Limitation Bills have in truth practically become law. The former measure, designed to perpetuate the operation of an Act which has been renewed from time to time, is new only in the sense that in the form in which it passed through the Council it somewhat modifies the existing law. The Chinese Restriction Act aras passed in 18SS upon the basis of an agreement come to at an intercolonial conference with the object of securing uniform legis lation throughout Australia. The fact that New South Wales failed to keep her engagement caused the adoption of the Act here to be temporary in character. To this day Sir Henry Parkes has not redeemed his pledge in the matter. He at first excused this want of action by claiming that a more stringent law was already in operation in the senior colony, and by urging that the matter had had to give place to more pressing questions. Of late he has added to this excuse the plea that the other colonies have not framed their legislation in accordance with the model Bill passed by the conference, intimating that had they done so New South Wales would have followed a similar course. Although Mr. Playford has promised to ' jog Sir Henry's memory' on the subject, the South Aus tralian Parliament, by agreeing to continue *be Act of 1888 ' in hill force and operation until altered or repealed,' has decided no longer to wait upon the will of New South Wales. The Assembly sent the Bill up to the Council in this bald form, but the Upper Chamber has modified it in a way to which no rational exception can be taken. The Act stipulates that no vessel shall bring more than one Chinese passenger for eveiy 500 tons burden. The Hon. R. C. Baker proposed that the words '100 tons' should bo inserted in lieu of 500 tons. The Council refused to accept this suggestion, but it Adopted another of Mr. Baker's proposals providing that none uf the provisions of the Act should apply to any Chinese who have been naturalized British subjects in any of the Australian Colonies or in New Zealand before October 1, 1891, or to th

wife of any such Chinese. It is monstrous that a Chinese merchant, although a naturalized subject, cannot go from one colony to another on business without being subjected to the same disability as when he first came to the colony. It is equally unfair and undesirable that a Chinaman should be practically pre vented from bringing jhis wife with him. Mr. Baker purposely reirained from giving ^the clause a wider application, and in that we think he did well. The prospect of an inroad of Chinese -who have become British subjects in Hong kong would not be particularly pleasant to contemplate, and that prospect would assuredly have been opened up had naturalized Chinamen any where in British dominions been exempted. We hope the Assembly will accept the alteration, which after all is certainly not adverse to the general spirit of legislation hostile to the admis sion of hordes of Celestials. The Immigration Limitation Bfll, which we some time ago discussed in detail, has undergone little alteration in either House. The modifications to which it has been subjected in the Legis lative Council are nevertheless in the right direction. It may be well to restate the object of the measure. It seeks to pre vent the owner, charterer, or master of any vessel coming from a port outside of South Australia from landing in the colony any person who lias been convicted of a felony, or who is a lunatic, idiot, deaf, dumb, blind, infirm or indigent, or who is likely to become a charge upon any public or charitable institution. Tbe Bill in its original form threw upon Customs oflicers and Inspectors of Police the duty of deciding whether a passenger, defined as meaning either ordinary traveller or member of the ship's com pany, was among the proscribed classes. As it now stands the responsibility in this connectionis also cast uponHealthOfficera. The Bill as introduced provided that if the officer specified found anyone belong ing to the classes of persons interdicted, or was of opinion that any individual pre sent was likely to become chargeable upon public or charitable funds, he was to require the owner, charterer, or master to execute with two sureties resident in the colony a bond for £200 in respect of every such person. The Council extended the provision, thus making room for a resident of the pro vince to be bound over in this way in place of any one connected with the ship. The bond stipulates for the payment of all expenses incurred within a space of five years for the maintenance or support of the passenger. The measure originally exempted shipwrecked mariners brought to South Australia without charge, and crews of ships who have signed articles for the whole of the voyage, and who leave in the vessels, also Her Majesty's Land and sea forces. Tho Council adopting a proposal by Mr. It. C. Baker also ex empted every passenger who may have become lunatic, idiot, dumb, blind, or infirm during the voyage, if booked for South Australia. The Assembly has assented to these amend ments. The Attorney-General did quite right in declining to consider the question of embodying provisions with regard to limiting the importation of undesirable labour, the scope of the Bill being already wide enough. During the debates on the subject it was stated that a considerable number of destitnte and helpless persons are in the habit of finding their way here to our cost. This was urged in justification of the measure. The need for protecting ourselves against an inroad from the Russian Jews was another argument raieed in its favour. All the same it is a drastic measure, and its administration will be besel with difficulty.

Cheap Fahes and Discontented Pas sengkrs. — It is not easy to form an opinion as to the justice of the complaints made by certain passengers by the German steamer Sommerfeld of the treatment they have met with on board tbe vessel. Whai they assert is that the accommodation has been miserably in adequate, the supply of food insuffi cient and the quality inferior, and that bo far from tlieir comfort having been carefully studied no proper attempt has been made to minister to their reasonable wants. The real matter at issue is — Have the ship authorities, as representatives of those who contracted with the pas sengers, carried out in the letttr ard in the spirit the obligations of the contract? It is beside the question to suggest that the complainants are out of Court because the fares demanded of them were exceedingly low. Every one must recognise the fairness of the view that persons who have obtained a passage to Austraba at £13 13s. have no right to expect first - class accommodation and first-class food, but aH the same they have every right to demand that the promises made to them should be fulfilled. The owners of the ship may have undertaken to give more for the money than it paid them to give, but that is their own aflair. They cannot go back upon tlieir bargain without laying them selves open to the charge of having deceived those who trusted to their good faith, and without bringing discredit upon the line of vessels with which they are connected. The only way apparently in which the matter can be definite^ tested is by proceedings at law, and it has yet to be seen whether those who are dissatisfied are prepared to resort to this course. One thing pretty clear is that the first reports which reached us as to the state of affairs on board the Sommer feld were exaggerated. To begin with, it is evident that there is not a general concurrence of opinion among the passengers themselves. Those booked for Adelaide refuse to make any fonral complaint, and one of them has made up his mind to go on to Melbourne in the snip. Then the statemer ;s as to the cruelties practised towards members of the ship's company are not confirmed. It is admitted by the captain that three persons enp!oyed in the stokehole died during tlie passage through the R«d Sea, but this large mortality seems to have been di'e not to excep tionally bad arrangements on board, but to tho exceptionally oppressive weather experienced 0 urine this part of the voyage. It must ~ strike any humane peison as a reflection upon modern in geruity and as being in every way deplorable that provision cannot be made in tlie construction of steamers for mitigating the horrors of stok ing in tropical regions. It is a dis grace to our civilization that the poor wre:ches who have to do this work should be subjected to the terrible risks they have now to undergo, and the aTiielioration of their condition thro jgh improvements in ventilation or otherwise is a subject worthy of the attention of the friends of those who go down to the sea in ships. It is manifestly unjust, however, to lay to'the charge of the captain of the Sommerfeld

?hat is really due to the faults- of the ireBent system of ship construction. In ome other respects also the indictment irought against the captain iB not borne -ut. It is impossible to believe thab he complaints of so many passengers as 0 their treatment are altogether without oundation, and for the sake of those they epresent, who have laid themselves tut to attract passengers by cheap ares and an alluring prospect of airly good accommodation and fairly ;oodfood, the agents of the Sommer eld in Melbourne are bound to make , searching enquiry into the whole natter. ? TuEsnAT'sPABLiAMEJ.T.— Old-time memories a the Legislative Council were renewed on Tuesday, October 13, by a brief eitting — little aore than half an hour— being recorded as the rork for the week. In this case, however, he return to precedent was not owing to a ,^i ick of business or of energy to dispatch it r ^w t was due to the illness of the ConniK-^ioner f Crown Lands, who though present did ot look fit to be out of h's room. L number of questions were pnfc to the linister, and Mr. Copley asked the Clerk to ead the formal replies. The President ruled hat the Hon. J. Martin's amendment to the mlcaparinga Waterworks Bill, having for its bject the appointment of a Select Committee, ras in order, notwithstanding the objection aisedbythe Hon. E. Ward to its strict elevancy. The amendment was negatived by 3 to 7 votes, and the second reading of the Jill was carried without a division. A pro osal to refer the Bill to a Select Committee k'as rejected on the voices, and the measure was aken through Committee and reported. The souncil rose at twenty-one minuter to 3. !'he Assembly worked long and actively, ilarly in the afternoon Mr. Grainger called .Mention to the illness of the Commissioner of Jrown Lands, and asked whether the Govern nent, in view of the possible effect of Mr. Jopley's indisposition upon the work of the ?ouncil, bad considered the question of ippointinc another Minister, without port olio, in that Chamber. Tho reply ivas in snb tance that tho appointment was neither ?rovided for nor prohibited in the Constila ion Act, but that it was against Parliamentary (ractice, and, so far as could be judged ly previous records, againKt the wish of' he House. Mr. Grainger also submitk-1 ' . formal motion, and took occasion to condemn he transaction of the Government relative to he disputed ownership of land in connection fith the General Post-Office additions. The rhole circumstances were detailed, and the iLttprney-General (Hon. It. Homburtr) made n explanation, which seemed to be generally onsidered satisfactory judging by the tone of he subsequent discussion. Tlie third reading if theBlythRailway ExtensionBill was carried. Hie debate on the Commonwealth Bill was esumedbytheHon. C. C. Kingston, who spake it length. Alter speeches had also been mada -y Mr. Cock and Mr Landaeer the House vent to -work upon the clauses. The title ?Commonwealth' was passed without fli vision, ind the other sections up to the fir?t chapter rere carried after a genend discussion upDn .he best method to bs adopted for the urther treatment of ths Bill tvhuii the various Parliaments had disposer! of it. rhe Premier (Hon. T. I'lajford) eaid that the Proposal of the Government was that another ntercolonial Convention should bs held to con iider the Bill ; that tlie dt-legntes to that Con rention ehould be chosen preferably by both Bouses as the last delegates were, or, failing :hat, by the people; that after the Bill had -een considered by tho second Convention ifc ihould be again submitted to the Legislatures n the various colonies, n-od ultimately for a 'yea' or 'nay' popular vot«j. The real dissent -egan upon the second clause of the first chapter, rhich relates to theGovernor-GeneraL The Bill provides for the apiwintn.ent of that officer by ;he Queen. Mr. Grainger proposed as an imendment that tho appointment by the ^neen should be subject to »hn oonsent of the- ? Executive Government. Tina proposal was, lowever, temporarily withdrawn to allow the Eon. Dr. Cockburn to submit another propo sition in conformity with his previously ex pressed views upon this poins. The vote was leferred until Thursday. Several hours were spent upon the discussion of the Licensed Victuallers Bill in Committee, and tlie progress - xiade was made at a slow snail's pace. The lumerons modifications suggested represented 1 perfect labyrinth of interlineations, and? ;bough a good many were rejected clause 4 s-as in great measure reconstructed, the effect of the alterations being genoral'.y to nako more restrictive the laws relating to - dubs. Without touching any other vital pom 6 in the measure the House resumed. The ? second reading of the Vermin Proof Fencing Bill was moved by tho Attorney-General, and the long debate which followed showed that the measure, if ii passed at all, is not likely to be accepted .mhout a division. Further consideration way Adjourned until Thursday. Fresh alterations were .made in tbe reprinted copy of thu Administration and Probate Bill, which was ntill l&f t in Committee. . The House rose at 11.124 p.m. liEGiSLATiva Council- — Owing to the in ability of the Hon. W. Copley to go on with the business of the Council fche House ad journed at half-past 2 o'cliick on Taaaday ifternoon till Tuesday next. The Cohmissioner ok Csown Lands. — Ihe Hon. W. Copley (Cnmmksioner of Crown Lands) was not at his t-5ca on Tuesday morn ing, but was able to attain? tho sitting in the ? Legislative Council in tlio afternoon. Owing, however, to his inability to go on v/ith the ? business the Council very cheerfully adjourned at an early hour till Tuesday. Bishop Kkxniox. — Tlie latest information received from Melbourne* respecting the illness , of Dr. Kennion is to tho effect that the attack of bronchitie from wliiuli he ia sufferifc rendered tbe greatest caro ufctasary, and *?!»* - his medical adviser was of opinion that BJ* ?would not be able to travel before the end of* the week. \ Sib John Downeh's Ivlse3S. — In the Assembly on Tuesday afternoon Mr. Hague ? gave notice that he would nest day move lor a week's leave of absents? to Sir J. W. Downer on account of iUne«s. Wo understand that on. Tuesday afternoon Sir John -ttim much better. The Govebnok's Visit to Clake.— On Thursday next His Excsllancy the Governor,' Lord Kintore, will lwuo for Clare iu order to be present at the local Show. ThePescikg Bill.— The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon. W. Copley) intends to move in the Legislative Council on Tuesday next for leave to introduce a Bill to consoli date and amend the law relating to fences. Mail Passexgers.— Tbo following passen gers have been booked to lcav« Adelaide to-day by the P. & O. steamer Carthage :— For Lon don—Mr. Gordon, Mr. and Jura. M. A. Ruck. For Brindisi— Mr. and lire. Roberts. Tor Bombav— Mr. and Sirs. Talmer, child, and infant, Mr. S. S. Ralli. IVr Albany— Messrs. A. G. Osborne, revr, '£. Bromber^, and C. Hudson. National Pabk.— The Commissioner of Crown Lands (Hon. W. Copley) gave notice in the Legislative Council on Tuesday that he would next week introduce a BUI to establish a public park to be called the National Park. Peacticb of the Law.— The Hon. E. Ward notified in the Legislative Council on Tuesdav his intention to introduce a Bill to determine and regulate the right to practice in the Law Courts of the colony. We understand tbafc the en. gentleman intends to proceed upon tho lineB of Sir George Grey's Bfll introduced into tbe New Zealand Parliament, to which reference was mado by Mr. J. B. Sheridan in bis address before the Adelaide Branch of the Australian Natives' Association on Monday evening last. RPlacib or Public Amusemskt Bill— The Government do not intend this session to revive this Bill, which lapsed in the Legislatfva Courcil last week. Tra Babbit Pest.— So far as present official information goes, the Commifisioner of Crown Lands told the Legislative Coundl on October 13, the rabbit jx«t is rapidly extending, north, north-east, and uorth-we3t, but lias not. yet passed the Diauiantina in the Korth-Basl and Leigh's Creek in the North ; whilst a line from the Carrapateena arm of Lake Torrens to lrowler'a Bay ?will show the extent of the rabbits in tbe North-West. OODKADATTA AND MacDONNEM. TlMBER. ? Complying with a motion by the Hon. J. Warren in the Legislative Council Mr. Graham Stewart, Superintendent Surveyor, ba* for

aished to the Engineer-m-Chief report made by the surveyors who were engaged upon the preliminary survey of the Oodnadatta and MaoDonnell Ranges Railways respecting the suitability of the timber growing in the Tjcinity of the line for railway construction pur poses. He said he entirely agreed with them as to the impracticability of obtaining sleepers in the country traversed by the Hoe. Sound timber was very scarce, and what there ?was would be costly to get on account of its being scattered, and owing to the water less and sandy nature of tha country ove* which it would have to be carted. Leigh's Cheek Coal Mine.— Three of 'the miners at this mine are dissatisfied with the wages they receive. All the men on the intna are paid 10s. per day of eight hours. Three of them from Newcastle have asked for 12s. a day. The Directors refuse to give the increase, and the threa miners will probably leave work. The eperarions of the Company will not be seriously ^interfered with. There are five satisfied men now at work on the property, and as there ?were over 200 applicants for 10s. a day when the last men were engaged the Secretary of the Company anticipates no difficulty in getting a full complement of men for the mine. The Disturbances at Spet Brothess'. — In Cabinet on Tuesday morning the Govern ment decided to call for a report from Mr. Tater with regard to the cases of the b'. it makers and others who are imprisoned for committing offences in connection with Spry Brothers' disturbances. It is intended to make an appeal to the Supreme Court on Thursday morning for the release of the men and boys. A motion wOl probably be made to make abso lute the rule nisi. The application will be in the bands of Mr. J. H. Svmon, Q.C., and the Hon. C. C. Kingston, Q.C., M.P. In the Legislative Council on Tuesday, in reply to the Hon. E. Ward, the Commissioner of Crown Lands said the Government did not consider fresh legislation necessary for the suppression of all Societies in South Australia whose members might be convicted of breaking the j public peace in endeavouring to enforce their j avowed purposes. The present law was sufficient to suppress all attempts by violence or intimidation of any kind to destroy the freedom of men to labour as they pleased. The same matter was briefly mentioned in the Assembly, but no fresh information was conveyed by the statements made. Recent Police Court Sentences. — The following is a copy of a petition which is in course of signature for presentation to the Chief Secretary (Sir J. C. Bray) :— ' Sir— We the undersigned inhabitants of South Austra lia, having heard that the Trades and Labour Council are endeavouring by deputations and otherwise to interfere with the due course of juetice in reference to the disturbances of the public peace which have lately taken place in the City of Adelaide, desire most strongly to urge upon you the great difference which exists between quarrels between individuals and organized attempts by a class of the community to substitute violence, intimidation, and threats for the rule of law and order. We do not, of course, desire that any one should be punished, who, by mistake or untrue evidence, has been wronglyconvicted, butwemoststrenuously urge that the punishment awarded to those who are guilty in these cases is not at all disproportion ate to their offences. Wo thank the Govern ment, the Commissioner of Police, and*-** Police Magistrate for having done their duty, and hope that no political or other influence will be allowed to influence the Government to depart therefrom.' Laxd Tax Assessment. — The papera for the new land tax assessment, made on August 1, have been issued by the Commissioner of Taxes. Bxoken Hill Raxlwat Rates. — A flood of detailed information was let loose upon the Legislative Council on October 13 as a result of the evident desire of severp! members to have clearly set dona in the records of the House the tariff of charges ?n the Cockbnrn and Silverton liues. The Railway Commissioners reported that they had 'no intention of urging upon the Tramway Directors the adoption of any s~ich proposal' to make the rates uniform on the South Aus tralian and Silverton Tramway lines — ' as to do eo would only subject us to ridicule. It would be unreasonable in the extreme to expect that the same rates will bo charged by an 'independent Company for conveyance over a line thirty-five miles in length as are charged ior ft minimum distance of 218 miles upon a -State-owned railway.' jSo decision had been eome to in regard to the application made by the Mining Association for a reduction in the rates. St. Peter's College. — Mr. A. W. Gosnell, M.A., of Christ's College, Cambridge, has been appointed Senior Mathematical Master at the Collegiate School of St. Peter. He took his degree in 1883, being Eleventh Senior Optime (2nd class) in the Cambridge Mathe- matical Tripos. He was also Skeat prizeman of his College for English language and literature; and after taking his degree he passed the London Matriculation and Interme- diate Examinations. He has had eight years' experience in teaching —three years in Eng land as Mathematical and Science Master at King's College, Taunton, and five years in the colonies, holding a similar position at Christ's College, Hobart. Tbom Wabhina to Palieehhton. — Mr. W. J. Baggaley (the Resident Engineer of tho Transcontinental Railway), who is at present stationed at Warrina, has been transferred to the Northern Territory, where he will have alirost the entire management of the railways under hia charge. Mr. W. J. Andrews (the Swident Engineer of the Territory) will -perform Mr. Baggaiey's duties in connection -with the Great Northern line. Under ibe new arrangement Mr. Baggaley will do the work of two officers in the Territory. fbe Engineer-in-Chief has just returned from iii«j$tfbrtb, where he has been making every tlun^^eady for the impending ehanse. I»Ir. liajrgaley w ill leave for the Territory at the ?«a of October. Thh Sticking of the Bluk Bell. — We naderetand that tho Marine Board held a private meeting on Taesday morning for the purpose of considering matters connected with the sinking of the launch Blue Bell at the Semaphore by the gunboat Bcomerans? on the ?day of arrival of the squadron. The meeting ??was only of a preliminary nature. TVooDvnxE Ixstjtcte. — A special gener?! meeting of the Wocdville Institute was held ?on Monday evening, when the following ?gentlemen were nominated as Governors to the Public Library Board :— Messrs. D. !Bower, J.P., J. Medway Day, and L. H. Shall. Port Adelaide Nzws.— Owing to the mis carriage of a parcel -cent by rail from Port Adelaide on Monday -night we were unable to publish the report ef -the Marine Officers' Association meeting- and two funeral adver tisements in the Register- on Tuesday. A Wonpebful EscfiSE. — Henry Talbot, a fireman of the steamer Ouraka, had a narrow «Ecape from being kffied by a train near Jervois Bridge, Port Adelaide, on Tuesday anorning. Talbot, in attempting to cross the line at the Glanvflle curve as the S a.m. train 'from the -Port was approaching, miscalculated -the distance, and was struck by the engine on ?the back. Providentially he vras thrown clear «f the railg, and after beisg picked up he was ?conveyed-to 'Dr. Toll. It was found that no Ixmes were broken, and with the exception of sk. severe shaking Talbot waa little -the worse for lis adventure. Upkehai. oftjie late Mr. E. Gocld. — Th o xwnakw of the late Mr. Ephraim Gci'ld were interred in Hindeaarsh Cemeterv on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of a large crowd. The cortege was .«ae of the longest, if not the longest, ever seen in Hindmarah. Members tA the Rtchabite and Oddfellows Orders of Friendly Societies headed the procession, followed by the Ee&o'.ars of the Bowd€Q Bible Christian Sundsy-schceJ, and after the hearse and mourning coaches came a train of private -vehicles fully half a JEiie in length, the whole being about three *f^arters of a mile. Several eandsome wreaths ««« placed on the coffin, amongst which was «» from the Hindmarsb Corporation, as a mark of respect to the deceased, /.mtsd the grave -were the following members al the Jocsl Corporation :— Couneilkrs T. H. Erooker, M.P., Coombe, Reid, Ralph, Blight, and ifannion, the Town Clerk (Mr. J. Tait), the Health OiScct (Dr. J. Rees), and In spector (Mr. T. J. Bishop). Owing to an attack of influenza the Mayor (Mr. J. Yardou) was not able to be present.

The Grand 'Lodge of the Victoria District }f Reehabites were represented by C.R. P.D.C.R. Hill; Dktricb Treasurer, E. Alcock ; District Secretary, E. K Alcock ; D.P.C.R, J. Ashton; and P.D.C.rUa Brothers Madge, Lewis, Newberry, Radford, White, Thomas, J. Pickerinsr, jun., T. Pickering, Rhodes, Carter, and P.D.C.R. H. J. Pudney, of the Albert District, and others. Most of the old residents of the town were present, and among them were many ex Town Councillors, and Mr. P. B. Coglin, J.P., an ex-Mayor, and the Rev. J. Nicholson. The Revs, J. Raymonfc and O. Like conducted the service at the grave. Ministering Children. — At the North Adelaide Institute on Monday evening, 12th inst, in a reception social given by Mr. A. S. Neill (President of the Baptist Association), the aims and claims of the Society of Minister ing Children were ably represented in a pleasing address by Mrs. W. E. Rice, the philanthropic wife of the esteemed pastor of Tyn:e-street Church. It was in effect ex plained that while Societies of Christian Endeavour were markedly succeeding amon? the elder youth of the congregations, in many denominations the still newer organizations sought to influence the smaller folk to do acts of kindness daily. Thoughtful care of dumb animals was a special fea ture, and efforts were being made to instil the desire to promote tha interests of humanity by little deeds of unselfish kindnes3 as a habit. Each child enrolled was presented ?with a mot to card, in which these objects were enforced, with the hope that at the close of every day at least one act of kindliness might be remembered. The speaker mentioned that branches had been formed in many English speaking lands, and that the muster-roll of nvinbcrship had reached an aggregate of 35,0o0. In North Adelaide an organization has been Etarted with good results already, and through Mr?. Storne, of North-terrace, further information can be obtained. As examples of the sorts of considerate appa rently trifling good actions encouraged eome instances were cited, one or two of them imhetic, and another bordering upon the comical, though still generous. Thb Squadkox Entertainment. — On Tues day mcrning the General Committee who arranged the entertainment for the squadron men met in the Mayors Parlour for the purpose of settling- up accounts. His Worship the Mayor of Adelaide (Mr. Cohen, M.P.)took the chair, and there was a fair attendance. Mr. C. H. Goode announced that he had re ceived £339 5s. Gd., while subscriptions vet to come in would make the total up to £375 5s. Gd. The gate-money amounted to £94 14a. 3d.; and amount for chairs, £U 13s.; and for tickets, £6 Gs. Od. He had already paid £105, including about £67, for the sports, and there were accounts in for £232 5a. lid. Several accounts, the justice of which were canvassed, were referred back to the sub committees, and after a little discussion it was decided to adjourn the meeting until Monday, October 19, in order to get all the other accounts in. Adelaide Benevolent and Strangees' Fbiend Society.— This Society held their monthly meeting on Tuesday at the Church Office, Mr. H. Scott presiding. The Secretary submitted the monthly report and balance sheet. The former showed the number of new applications for relief to be thirteen ; reappli cations, eighty ; applications for moala and beds, eight ; to the committee, one ; total, 102 ; declined, one ; total relieved, 101. A large number of cases of sickness were reported during the month, these being materially assistedby theaid of theSiekPoorFund. Acon siderable amount of visiting had been done by various members of the committee, and manv parcels of comforts had b&on taken to the sick. The balance-sheet showed — Income (subscrip tions), £7 6s. Cd.; expenditure, £29 &s. 9d. The expenditure had been met by the credit balance brought forward from previous month. A vote of thanks proposed by Mr. W. Hoaper, J.P., and seconded by Mr. G. Phillip3, to the Sick Poor Fund Committee for the assistance they had rendered to the Society in obtaining supplies of eiek comforts for distribution among the sick, old, and infirm in our city and suburbs, was carried unanimous'y. The Journeymen Butchers' Picnic— The committee for this picnic met at the Selborne Hotel on Monday evening to take into consi deration several protests that had been re ceived relating to the 'ate -ports. Mr. J. S. Brindal oceupii d the thair. After hearing the evidence of the starter, referee, and other officers, it wasdecidec to place the winners thus — One Mile Walk — J. Ingram, and no second or third prize. Obstacle Race — E. Limb, McAuley second. Master Butchers' Race — W. 2Teill. Mile Race— 1, M. Lowe; 2, J. Trouse ; 3, W. J. Lambing. Skipping— 1, Katie Brown; 2, Osenbam. It was agreed to distribute the money and trophies on Monday next, time and place to be advertised. A Golden Wedding. — On Monday last a number of relatives and friends gathered at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Eley, Peel-street, Alberton, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day. The old couple, who are now seventy-five and seventy three years of age respectively, have resided at Alberton ever since their arrival in the colony in 1840. They are enjoying fairly good health. Numerous presents from all parts, with congratulatory messages, were sent to them. Country Squires for Australia. — In an article on the future of landowning in Aus tralia the Estates Uazeti' of August 8 remarks: — ' Will the large estates into which the Australian Colonies are at present divided exist until the time when they are compara tively closely peopled 1 That is an interesting question, and one which, without dogmatism, may, we think, be answered with some con fidence. Tho very nature of tho land — sandy soil, liable to drift, as so much of it is — renders it almost compulsory that it should be held in large blocks. Peasant proprietary and small holdings are tnly for countries m which practically every rood of land is capable of cultivation. In South Australia the per centage of cultivated land is only 6i per cent, of tho whole, and not more than 17 per cent, of the arable area. It seems probable then, that as time passes a squirearchy will arise in the southern seas, very similar to that which, happily, still survives in the mother country.- Its origin, too, is probably not so very different, since we have to remember that there was a landed aristocracy in England long before the time of William the Norman. And the Australian country gentleman and stockowner is as culti vated and high-minded a man as his English prototype. Whether the resemblance will go very much further may, perhaps, be doubted. Tho Australian squirearchy is never likely to obtain the political power that the sa class lias enjoyed in England. For good or for ill the times are different, but whatever may be the precise position in the future of the Aus traban landed aristocrat, it is certain that his presence will long be highly useful and bene ficial to such of the coloni»s as are fortunate enough to have him and keep him.' Potatoes Geown ox raE Surface. — Some very fine potatoes grown on the surface of the pround at Mr. G. S. Fowlers estate, Wootton Lea, Glen Osmond, have been left at this office. We are informed that from fifty to eighty potatoes were obtained from one root, and eeven and eigiit large ones from a root. Where there is sufficient stuff to cover the vegetables the produce is larger and more pro lilic It is thought that they do best with a covering of seaweed cr.olean straw. Public Schools Concert. — At the Jubilee Kxhibit'on Building ites evening a concert will .be given by a eh&ir of 1,000 children selected from the Start-street, Grote-street, Flinders-street, Currie-street, North Adelaide, Norwood, Parkside, Hindmarsh, and Nails worth -schools under the cocductorship of In spector Oarkc. The pcoc«sd« are to be de voted to the objects of tbe Public Schools L!f-.-oration Society. Kabjn'a Show. — In our rep-.-rt ef tho Kadina I Show Mellor Brothers were stated to have re ! ceived sceocd prize for pony stripper. This | was an error. The prize wa« awarded to ?rlr. I Walter Blake. ! Fair. — At Sr, Cyprian's. Lower North Ade ! laide, to-day a EaJe of goods will be held in aid ! of the School Building Fund. i Tekowie Show.— In our rejwrc of tho I T»actvio Show the name of tho Secretary »c-s i rrmtftd a* u, c. Tims instead of H. C. S'inw,

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