Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

ATTEMPTING TOO MUCH.
. If it were possible to take a vole
throughout the colony which might be
- relied upon as representing the com
bined commonsense of the community
we have no doubt that we should find
in it an emphatic endorsement of the
remark recently made by the Hon.
John A. "Wallace, at Wangaratta, as
to the manner in which public business
in conducted in Parliament. Mr.
Wallace does not frequently assume
the function of the political critic, but
he is a shrewd and competent observer,
and his Parliamentary experience has
extended over very nearly a quarter of
a century, so that he is entitled to
speak with authority, and the conclu
sion at which he has arrived is that
Parliament does too little in conse
quence of attempting too much. The
blame ot this the veteran representa
tive of the North-Eastern Province is
disposed to place entirely upon the
Assembly, and here again the verdict
of popular opinion will be with him.
The Council assuredly doc3 not need
to stand, upon the defensive when
complaints of over legislation are made;
for although that Chamber might, if it
so chose, reduce the number of addi
tions to the Statute Book, its position
in the constitutional system does not
entitle it to reject measures for stronger
reasons than that they might be done
without, and that the responsibilities
yfirltii'iiqjosition are recognised is shown
'by-dlp i/faco that during the past fifteen
years the Council has only rejected 28
measures out of the 774 which were
sent up from the ALSsembly. But that
in a country like this there can be any
real necessity for legislation at a rate
which provides us with an average of
one new Act of Parliament ever\
week is altogether inconceivable; and
one of the consequences of at-emptiiq
too much is that very much of what is
done is done altogether imperfectly, sc
that 110 inconsiderable portion of each
session has to be devoted to the amend
ing or the undoing of what has been
done in preceding sessions. If the
hon. member for the North-East era
Province had desired to justify bis
criticism by illustration, he would 110'
have found it necessary to go beyond
the records of the present session. Mr.
Wallace might find in them conclu
sive evidence of that evil of attempting
too uinch which he felt called upon to
condemn. Parliament has been just-
three months in session, and has heen
busily occupied all the time. A three
months' session ought to be lengthy
enough to get through all the work re
quiring to be done, but on an aver
age every session has lasted consider
ably over six months, and it is not at
all likely that the present one will be
' below the average, whilst there will be
the almost absolute certainty that
when the end does come it will be
attended by the customary evidence of
a very wide gap between what has
been essayed and what has been com-
pleted, with the apprehension thati'n : his
latter category the future will bring us
face to face with a great deal that will
need to undergo the operations of
patching and alteration. And in say
ing this it is not to be understood that
we are in any way desirous of with
holding credit for the completion of
much useful work since the present
session was opened. On the contrary,
it may be frankly admitted that the
Assembly went vigorously to work over
the half-dozen important measures
which were in succession introduced,
and is worthy "of all credit for tho
energy, the ability and the business
capacity displayed. Indeed, if the
Estimates were disposed of rapidly ancl
the prorogation should come at once,
we are not at all disposed to deny that
the electors would really have scanty
reason for complaining. The complaint
is rather that we have nothing of this
kind bo look forward to. Already
there- are thirty measures which have
been introduced and now await dis
posal. Of none of these do we desire
to speak in terms of disparagement. A
fair proportion of them may be classi
fied as useful, and whilst of some few
it would be possible to speak in still
higher terms, as to the remainder
iv wouia ne easy enough to make out a
more or less plausible case. Bub with
the experiences of the past to guide us,
how is it reasonable to expect that the
whole of them will receive the atten
tion they require? In truth, however,
the present position in this respect re
presents Only a portion of the difficulty.
During the ensuing three months the
probability is all in favor of at least
an additional number of bills being in
troduced. Ministers themselves have
several to which they are pledg/d,
whilst these are almost sure to be sup
plemented by the attempts of private
members. Indeed, private members
have already provided material for the
Assembly to occupy itself with for a
month or two. We have already drawn
attention to the resolutions which the
member for Delatite is anxious to pro
ceed with ; hut there are others of still
weightier import. Mr. Murray Smith
wishes the House to affirm the desir-
„ ability of abolishing the stock tax, and
Mr. Longmorb has conceived the idea
of rendering it compulsory on the part
of owners of large estates to sell their
land next year, so that the railways
may derive benefit from the increased
product-ion to be look for; in addition
to which there are half a dozen other
motions waiting to be dealt with, to
say nothing of those which are still in
embryo. Thus, if it were desired to
give point and force to the criticism
which Mr. Wallace felt called upon
to indulge in during his recent visit to
Wangaratta, we need not look beyond
the present condition of business in
. the Assembly, and the almost certain
ties of t.he immediate future. The
evidence is ample to support the asser
tion that one of the errors into which
the popularly representative branch of
the legislature is most prone to fall -is
that of attempting too much. The
present position, we may remember, is
not ny any means exceptional. It is
altogether in keeping with that which
has to be taken note of at the corres
ponding period of every session, and
the effects of which are always irritat-
ingly manifest at the end. For, in
addition to the assurance which every
one feels, and which is justified by
past experience, as to the imperfect
f
quality of that which has been brought,
for the present, to the point of comple
tion, there is the vexation and disap
pointment inseparable from present
and absolute failure. Much of that
which is attempted is not brought to
completion, imperfect or otherwise.
Perhaps, it would not be altogether
correct to say that as to this division
Lite iCoUlu is liUvUiiJg uiuto jjtai/uivui
than waste of time, because the mere
suggestion of a public question ought
to lead to its being thought over, and
to assist conviction as to its value or
otherwise. But subject to this com
pensatory element, there is frequently
the loss of much valuable time to be
regretted, and tlie regret is aggravated
by the fact that a concentration of
attention upon the smaller number ot
measures would most certainly have
increased the value of those completed
The probability is that in entering his
protest against this practice of attempt
ing too much, Mr. Wallace had very
little hope of bringing about anything
in the shape of an immediate reforma
tion. Before this is to be looked for
we shall want an almost entire change
of system. At present, variety ap
pears to be aimed at quite as much as
effectiveness. The second reading of
an important measure is agreed to, and
then, instead of being pertinaciously
adhered to until the final stage, so far
as the one Chamber is concerned, has
been reached, it is laid aside for a week
or two whilst a second, a third, and, it
tniiw Iyo n frmrt-.li n.rA cimiliirlv rlAfllh
'""J w
with. Still further to increase the
charm of variety, private members step
in with their essays at the work of law
making, and members are supposed 10
be able to do better work by dealing
with half a dozen different measures
(luring the same sitting than they
would do if they gave themselves up
unreservedly to one. A change in a
system which has been so long in use
will not be suddenly brought about,
but that the change would be a bene
ficial one can hardly be disputed, and
if Mr. Wallace's remarks should con
tribute to it and hasten it, he will
have signalised the commencement of
the new tenure of his seat very usefully
indeed.
The Football Premiership. — With
reference to the published premiership
list of matches, showing that Ruthergleu
gained the majorityby a lead of 2 points
over the Wanderers, we may state that
tne lHuier ciuu uo 110c consider tnat tnoy
have been beaten in the field but at the
association table. The following iu the
last issue ot the "Australasian, ,11
answer to C. L., a Rutherglen correspon
dent, appears to favor the Wanderers'
view of the dispute : — " Tho case as you
put it is one in which the Ovens and
Murray Association had no jurisdiction.
A decision given by a goal umpire, in
accordance with the rules, cannot lie
annulled." In view of this decision it
would be far more satisfactory if the two
clubs concerned were to agree to meet on
a neutral ground and decide the premier
ship in a sportsmanlike manner.
Sale of Important Mining Property.
—Our Bright correspondent, writing
under Monday's date, states, that it lias
transpired that the Magpie lease of 30
odd acres, at Freeburgli, with the Magpie.
Shelback and (Vest- Britain reefs, was
disposed of early bust week for a satisfac
tory amount, and a substantial cash de
posit was paid over. With the Magpie
was also secured the Robin quartz mine,
adjoining tlie Magpie 011 the south, with
a thirty acre lease, at the price asked by
the lessees, Messrs. M'Farlane, Dowling
and Co., and a good deposit was paid.
Phe Robin is the same reef as that re
ferred to in the Magpie report as having
been worked for a time bv Mr. V. Francis
and 24oz. crushing obtained therefrom.
Recently some crush ings were taken out
of the reef by Messrs. M'Farlane,
M 'Million and Cadzow. Tlie returns
varied, and ran up to three ounces to the
ton. The line of reef has been driven on
about 300 feet, at 40 feet from the out
crop. it is intended to work the two
properties together. The purchases have
been made for a London syndicate by
their representative, Mr. C. J. Alford.
who visited and made an exhaustive in
spection of the mines a couple of weeks
ago. Mr. M . George is in charge locally,
and Mr. Alford is conferring with his
principals relative to opening up and de
veloping the reefs.
Fresh Discoveries at Eskdale. —
Another success has attended the enter
prise of a Beecliworth syndicate, which
about a month since dispatched Mr.
Ernest Dyring as a prospector to the Esk
dale district. We are informed that Mr.
LJyring has been fortunate enough to dis
cover two distinct reefs, one of which is
about a foot wide, and is estimated to
yield 15 oz. to the ton and tlie other
about 2 oz. Experienced miners say that
tlie first named is the most promising
show yet found in the district, and there
16 11 A 4ll Ar>A ...111 1 J A
w-uuuu ouaic ouuucoaca villi XttciU. CO 1
large access of population in tlie spring.
Death of Mr. Julian Thomas. —
Very sincere regret will be widely oc
casioned by the announcement of the
death of " The Vagabond," Mr. Julian
( hntll TS wllioli nr»r»n rrod rnrLaw eitJ /-I —
luunvi ouuuuillj'
at- his lodgings, 30 Princes street, Fitzroy,
on Friday morning. The deceased has
for some time been suffering from cardiac
asthma, but a fatal result was not antici
pated so soon. Mr. Thomas on Thursday
made an engagement to lunch with Mr.
Y. G. M'lntyre, barrister, and in the
evening he was heard moving about his
rooms and stirring the fire. On Friday
morning wlion an attendant visited his
room he was found dead in his bed, death
having come quietly and peacefully. Asa
journalist he earned a wide repute, and
tne aointy ne nas displayed in Ins articles
has been admitted on all sides. He first
came prominently before the public by
his fearless articles on prison administra
tion, lie having spent some time volun
tarily in Pentridge. As an honorary
porter in the Alfred Hospital, lie exposed
numerous faults. His articles from the
South Seas, created a good impression, and
were widely read. In 1891-2 he was secre
tary to the Royal Commission on Charities,
and his latest literary production was in
connection with the special Albury sup
plement of the "Leader." The funeral
took place on Saturday.
Violent Attacks on Police Con
stables. — The police at Albury on Satur
day night had an .exciting encounter with
some men of the " spieling" class, and two
constables were roughly handled. Con
stable O'ltourke was proceeding to appre
hend Michael Morrissey, a fighting man
and habitue of racecourses, for insulting
language, when James Cook and Frederick
Newrick, alleged to be "spielers," sot
upon the constable and rescued Morrissey
who escaped with one handcufl. ©a. C011-
r>inrr tranf Lt fliA A.v.in»-nnAA
V1,",V4V »»vr»Au uu bite aMIOltUlbU UI
O'Rourke, aud they had a desperate fight
with Cook and Newrick, during which
O'ltourke was knocked senseless by a
blow on the head from a stone thrown by
Cook, and Ling was also rendered sense-
IMS by a kick in the stomach. Half
dozen constables from tlie barracks came
up and secured Cook and Newrick, but
Morrissey was not apprehended until Sun
day, when lie was found still wearing
the handcuffs. On being searched at the
lock-up loaded dice, two headed pennies
and cards were found on Cook. Morrissey
was charsred with obscene language, as-
sault and escaping from legal custody;
Cook with inflicting grevious bodily harm
and iSe wrick with inciting a prisoner to
resist. Constable O'Rourke has since
been under medical treatment, his head
being badly cut.
Beechworth Gymnasium. — The an
imal meeting of members of the Gymna
siuin aud Athletic Club is to be held at
the Post Office botel, this evening.
" The Reformation." — We are pleased'
to learn that the Rev. W. H. Cooper,
M.A., B.D., has, at his Wednesday even
ing class, taken up that most interesting
subject, "The Reformation," thus af
fording a splendid opportunity to the
young people of Beecliworth of becoming
acquainted with one of the most important
epochs of modern histoiy. The reverend
gentleman is a scholar of very high attain-
;mrl frnm Vila \cn11 l-nmvn ;vV>ilitv <IS
a teacher and expounder we are satisfied
that lie will make liis subject both inter
esting and instructive.
Bank of Victoria. — It is gratifying to
be able to announce that the Bank of
Victoria will on the 12th December make
a further release of the deferred deposits,
amounting to 10 per cent, of the total.
This will be the third repayment ; the
second is to be made on the 12th inst.,
smrl cn aaf-icfanfrnmr Inc fr.1i n jirlnnhi<m fif
this policy been found that there are good
reasons for anticipating that the bank
will continue to make releases in tlie same
proportion every three months It has
been found that our views as to re-deposits
have proved correct. Some 70 per cent,
of the repayments of the first and second
releases have heen dealt with in this
manner, whilst the large proportion of the
balance lias been placed to current ac
counts. It may now be fairly claimed
that so far as the Bank of Victoria is
concerned the whole of the at one time
expected trouble in meeting the deferred
receipts have been discounted in advance,
and now the position is one of plain sail
ing.
Wangaratta Licensing Court.— At
this court on Monday before Mr. 0. L.
Dobbin, P.M., an application of M.
Moloney for a temporary license to hold a
booth at the Wangaratta Show on the
17th and 18th September was granted.
Mr. Norton appeared for tlie applicant
Application of Miss .'! . A. Osboldstone
for a temporary license to hold a booth
at the Wangaratta Show 011 the 17th and
18th September was also granted. Mr.
Norton appeared for the applicant.
Application of J. C. Wall for a permit to
hold a dance on licensed premises. Star
Hotel, Chiltern, 011 the 9th September,
was also-granted.
Dentistry. — We have been requested
to intimate that Mr. 0. Meredith Hall, of
Messrs. Hall -and Sons, surgical and me
chanical dentists, of Melbourne and -Sand
hurst, will be in Beechworth to-day (Tues-
day). I hose who clesirc to consult Mr.
Hall will find him at his rooms, the Star
Hotel, during the whole of the day.
An Eventful Career Closed.— Infor-
mation was last evening received of the
death, at Prahran, of Mr. John Gainor
Wood, who was one of the pioneer pros-
pectors of Bowman's Forest, and whose
life has been full of mining incident and
adventure. Mr. Wood was born at Clift-
bridge, in Yorkshire, in 1831, and came
to Victoria with the many thousands who
flocked hither from every quarter of the
globe in 1852. He first tried Ballarat,
and having done well there came to the
Ovens, and after a time settled in Bow-
man's Forest, where he did a great deal
of useful and by no means unprofitable
work. In 1867 he went over to New
Zealand and engaged in mining there with
varying success, and in 1871 he made a
trial of fortune in South Africa. There
he remained for 13 years, but in 1884 he
revisited the colony where he had gained
his first experience as a miner, and after a
stay returned to Pretoria. In that colony
he was fairly successful. Full of enter-
prise, delighting in activity, and always
ready to go into any adventure that
had the appearance of holding out
a fair prospect of success, Mr. Gainor
Wood was just the stamp of man for a
new country, and we believe he acquired
considerable property in South Africa.
In May last he came to Melbourne for
the purpose of obtaining medical treat-
ment for a terrible disease which he had
contracted — cancer in the throat — but
declined to submit to the operation which
the doctors decided was the only method
of relief, and that a doubtful one. His
daughter is a resident of Prahran, and
Mr. Wood took up his abode with her.
A few days ago he was attacked by
pleurisy, and although he received most
careful medical attention and treatment
the disease proved fatal, and his eventful
career came to a close on Monday. The
late Mr. Wood leaves three sons and one
daughter. The funeral will take place on
Wednesday, and those in this district
who remember the deceased will readily
admit that his life was a useful one —
useful to the community not less than to
himself.
Cycling.— A meeting of the Beech
worth Cycling Club was held at the Post
Office Hotel yesterday ("Monday) evening,
the chair being occupied by the president,
Mr. A. A. Billson. There was .a large
attendance, upwards of twenty members
being present. The question of forming
a racing track was thoroughly dealt with, it
being eventually decided that such was a
very necessary adjunct to the recreation
grounds at Baarmutha Park. A sub
committee, consisting of the president,
vice-presidents, secretary and treasurer,
was formed to arrange for a social even-
ing in connection with tlie club, and the
meeting adjourned until Wednesday week.
$