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The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864-1933) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3523544
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The Brisbane Courier
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1891,
"WITHOUT prejudicing the position of the individual men who, to the number of seven, have now been arrested in connec- tion with the Clermont riot of Saturday, it is permissible to remark that the evidence given does not suggest exaggeration in the account originally reaching us. On the contrary it is made increasingly clear that if the occupants of the buggy and their horoio defender Dillon escaped without seiions injuries, or even with their lives, it was not due to the want of will on the part of their assailants. It appears now that in addition to stones, with which one of tho occupants of the buggy was twice hit, pieceB of glass bottles were thrown. Re- peated efforts were made to unhorse Dillon, and his uniform was torn in the struggle. Men galloped and gesticulated before the horses' heads with the view of frightening them, seized the reins to turn the buggy into the water tables, tried to pull off the winkers and to unharness the horses, or cut the traces, got hold of the hind wheels and tried to upset thovehiole. Very reasonably might Ser- geant Dillon say that he " apprehended his life and those of the occupants of the buggy were in danger." Mr. Fairbairn, jua., felt sure that if they had. .been thrown out in front of the horsey surrounding them they would have been 'JMlejL for certain." The attempt of Mr.' liyorisr' agent foir the accused, who distiriguiáliéd himself by his insolence to the witnesses and the bench, to minimise the disturbance by referring to what occasionally took place at racecourses and election times, waB promptly met by the sergeant's assurance that "never in his twenty years' experience had be seen such a disorderly and disgraceful scene of turbulence.'" "Whatever may be Baid about the conduct of the police and military in permitting themselves to be so taken by surprise-a matter to which the Govern- ment must look-it is put beyond gain- saying that a dastardly outrage was com- mitted by the unionists, and that it was committed in the very circumstances in which we are toldL'their peaoefulness was most assured-nftn\ely¡>in the conspicuous
absence of/a " displayaofbforce."
The absurdity offWd'fdvoarite theory aï the unionists on Haiti'^bint has received further illustration by subsequent events. The tardy display of force before which the assailants dispersed on Saturday, and whioh has since succeeded without overt opposition in making arrests in the neighbouring camps, should, on the unionist theory of "irritation," have led,to a yet wilder and moro irrepressible outburst of violence. But what is the fact? Quietness has taken the place of blow and bluster. " The demeanour of the unionists," says our correspondent, " appears to have entirely changed, and compared with what it was is very orderly." On the appearance of the officers the strikers run to hide them- selves in the maize, and have not the spirit so much as to hoot when their companions are led away as prisoners. If this is what is meant by irritation, the more we have of it the better. Equally subversive of the theory is the conduct of the unionists in the localities in which no display of force is present to irritate them. The pickets on the lonely bush roads have,, in the absence of police protection, an effective way of impressing on free labourers that to work against them is as much as; their life is worth. Freed from the i exasperating presence of a.body of police, unionists, or their allies the spielers, can amuso them- selves by destroying gardens and burning woolsheds. -The conduct- of camps not overawed by tho police or military is a contrast to that of those met by a " display of force," but-the contrast ÍB on the wrong' side. At Sandy. Greek and Wolfang a protective force to the number of thirty or so is respected ; at Capella a search party of six policetnen ÍB hooted, hustled, and obstructed, prevented entering ihe tents, assailed with heavy sticks, saved only by their known possession of revolvers, and finally dismissed with this fine stroke of satiie, " We will tell delegate Taylor you came here to intimidate and get us to com-
mit an assault." At Barcaldine on Wed-
nesday a mob of some 600 or 700 gathered round the station to greet the arrival of expected police reinforcements and free labourers. This formidable assemblage was confronted by Sub-inspector Durham with seven policemen. Here was another splen- did opportunity for the unionist to show his loudly alleged respect for law when unsup- ported by a.display of force. Inspector Durham asktíd the crowd to clear the plat- form. Did they obey ? -Not only did they refuse, but gave such unmistakable symptoms of insubordination that the inspector de- sisted; while again, the unionist leader, whose maxim it is to lose no opportunity of putting^ the saddle on the wrong horse, accused the officer of "trying to incite a row by showing unnecessary authority and displaying revolvers ! " The result was that, when the train arrived, the police reinforcement of sixteen, thinking only of their own skins as their oyes and cars were assailed with tumult, forgot their office, and bolted incontinently for their
barraoks, leaving their swags behind them ; that the free labourers, or at least three of them, mindful of the Clermont assault on pastoralists, gauging too well the quality of their defenders in the train, and ignorant of\ny Sergeant Dillon on the platform, gave themselves up to the unionists ; and that women and ohildron had to wait until it pleased tho shearing lords of creation to let them pass through to their homes. To all this it has to bo added that bands of men aro travers-
ing the country "calling out" the bush employees. A large number of them it appears will declino to obey the call, pre- ferring the bird in the hand to the very dubiously feathered results of the union programme. But many others, and these not the most sensible or law-abiding, will everywhere swell the ranks of the disaffected idlers, and add to the danger of violent outbreak from which the country is already suffering.
In these circumstances every man not insane or wilfully blind will see a call for more vigorous action on the part of the Government. The policy of laissez faire will find scope enough without de- liberately pandering to the unionist demands for trust, which _ increase in proportion as they are discredited by facts. The despatch of 100 members of the Wide Bay Mounted Infantry from Maryborough to Rockhampton is a step in the right direction. But the Government must do enough to' convince the mal- contents that business is rmeant; and that there is no hope of gaining the wished-for opportunities of reprisal iby wearing out the patience of the authorities. Very seriously indeed we might question whether the State is bound to lot 'its patience and its purse be tried by permitting the continuance of armed camps, which can have no other than the threatened object of intimidation and molestation of the peaceful worker. But whatever view is taken on this head one thing is clear that at any cost lawful industry must bo protected. Nor need there be dubiety as to the means to" be adopted. We cannot leave our centres of population destitute of police protection by scattering the civil guardians of the peace all over the country. But we have our military Defence Force, which occupied or idle must be paid for, and whose members may very well vary their learning of a form of war which they may never be called to practise by rendering their services in another direction which the modern vagaries of unionism have thruBt on us as a necessity. These few days' experience furnish ample proof, if proof were needed, that a determined atti- tude on the part of the Government, and a conspicuous disposition to use in full Governmental powers for the maintenance of the peace-the vovy policy, in short, whioh the labour leadors perpetually decry as "irritating "-is that to which we must look, for the prevention of riot and the' restoration of confidenceJJ;ih the conduct of
affairs.
WHAT is to be the practical outcome of the Federation Convention now sitting at Sydney ? The debato has clearly almost exhausted itself, and although many dele- gates may yet dosiro to make known their personal opinions, little really remains to be said ' until .tho resolutions get into com-
mittee, The President, asvthe movei -of* the resolutions, is of' course entitled to review the discussion in reply ; but it may at once be admittod that general principles having been submitted they have proved invulnerable to criticism. Many speakers have dilated upon their shortcomings, but their moyer did not pretend to supply details, and wisely tried to seouro . the assent of the Convention to a basis of
principles on which, a useful structure might afterwards be erected as upon an enduring foundation. _ Sir S. "W. Griffith opened his examination with shadow- ing objections, and by expressing tho apprehension that the proposed Legislature would not work ; but he at the same time expressed hope that solutions for the constitutional difficulties would be found by the convention in committee. To laymen these difficulties aro not nearly so formidable as tho practical difficulties involved in the adjustment of finances. Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia want every penny of their present Customs revenue to pay their half-yearly instalments ofintorest upon the public debt; ontheother hand, New faonth Wales can get along very well with her present light tariff, and her people would undoubtedly revolt against a Customs rate based upon tho protectionist imposts of the throe other colonies named. Again, the Victorian and South Australian delegates aro stipulating for the retention of their protective duties to eave their artificially created industries from annihilation, and this apart from all Treasury considerations. Further, the Federal Government must have a revenue of its own, for a Government without money cannot be strong, and all the delegates admit that it would bo"useless to create an impotent federal authority. In time a very handsome sum could he obtained by the federal authorities assum- ing the burdon of tho whole of the various colonial loans, amounting in round numbers to "150,000,000. One-half per cent saved on that total wonldJmean ¿>l,öOD,000 per annum. But a favourable time would have to be taken for the conversion, and in any case it could not be hurried without sacri- ficing a largeportionof the benefit expected to flow from it._ Tho provision must there-
fore be made if not in the constitution at least in an official addendum that for a given term, or until financial difficulties can be surmountod, the various tariffs of the colonies should not be disturbed. At any rate they Bhould continue to be available for the payment of interest upon their public debts. The Federal Constitution must in fact bo elastic from a fiscal stand- point or it will not work. Provision must be made for gradual development, and the assumption of privileges and powers must be simultaneous with the acceptance of liabilities and obligations. But oven in this aspect we do not think the difficulties in- superable if the Convention delegates can imbue the _ constituencies with the true federal spirit which they have exhibited at
the convention,
Tho Minister for Lands will leavo by the mail train this evening en route for Allora. He will meet Mr. Allan, M.L.A., at Hendon, and after breakfast there ho and Mr. Allan will go on to Allora, where they will spend tho whole of Saturday in inspecting the town common in accordance with a promise made to a deputa- tion on Wednesday. They will also inspect the Spring Creek common, returning to town in the ovening.
The steamer Barcoo, notwithstanding the terribly stormy weather that has prevailed on the coast lately, lias arrived here from the North three hours in advance of contraot mail time, and performed the passage from Keppel Bav to Brisbane wharf in about the usual time.
TO-DAY, MAKCH 13. ENTEUTÀMUSNTS.
8 p.m., Theatre Boyal, " She Stoops to Con i quer."
- 8 ç.m., Gaiety Theatre, Lynch Family Bell
ringers.
8 p.m., Town Hall Reserve, Harmston's Circus. Queensport Aquarium and Zoo, all day.
SUN, MOON, AND TIDE.- - M
Sun rises 0.1 a.m.; sets 6.19 p.m.
Moon rises 8.50 a.m.^sotB 815 p.m.
High water on Brisbane Bar, 11.45 a.m.; mid- night. _ >
WEATHER FonECAST.
North Queensland.-Unsettled. >
, South Queensland.-Generally fine, except off
the coast.
SALES BY AUCTION.
The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency
Company, Limited, in the Forenoon : Slieep Bkins. "N.
The Sheriff, on the Premises, Oxley Creek, at
Twelve o'olook, and at Goodna, at Two o'clock: HouseholdFurniture, Stock-in Trade of a Butcher, Sec.
Messrs. Sealy, Snell, and Mosman, at their
Bazaar, at Eleven o'clock: Dairy Cattle, Horses, Pigs, &c.
Messrs. King and King, at their New Booms,
at Eleven o'clock : Household Furniture, &c. The Sheriff of the Small -Debts Court, on the
Premises, Haroonrt-streot, at Sloven o'clock : Housohold Furnituro, Sea. On the Premises, Elizabcth-stroet, at Twelve o'clock: Buggies, lion Safe, ifcc.
Messn. JameB E. Dickson and Company, at
their Mart, at Eleven o'clock : Household Furniture, Surplus Ship's Stores, &c.
Messrs. Isles, Love, and Co., at the Post Office
Auction Mart, at Eleven o'clock : Farm Pro- duce, Groceries, Household Furniture, ¡ce.
A meeting of creditors in the estate of Mr. Frederiok John Taylor, licensee of the Theatre Boyal Hotel and Theatre Royal, was held in the offices of Messrs. Macpherson, Miskin, and Feez, Adelaide-street, yesterday afternoon. Mr. G. Primrose occupied the chair. The state- ment of affairs was as follows :-Unseoured oreditors, £4369 Is. 7d.', cieditors fully seouied, £1967 18s. .6d.; less estimated value of securities, £2620 ; surplus to contra, £652 Is. 6d.; creditors for rent, rates, taxes, &o., £527 : total debts, £4896 Is. 7d. The assets were : Stook-in-trade at hotel, £30 ; book debts £100, estimated to produce £20 ; furniture and fix- tures of hotel, estimated to produce £850; surplus fiom securities in the hands of creditors fully secured, £652 Is. Gd.; total assets, £1052 Is. 6d. The causes of insolvency weie sot down as heavy
losses in connection with theatrical business. Mr. Miskin, on behalf of the insolvent, stated that the assets practically amounted to nil, and Mr. Taylor was not in a position to make any offer to the creditors. In reply to a ques- tion it was stated that the rent of the hotel and theatre combined was £2000 a year. Mr. A.. Holland moved, and Mr. J. Vickers seconded, -" That the estate be wound up in liquidation and not in insolvency." Mr. M'Oarthy (Thynne and Goertz) moved an amendment, -"That the estate be wound up in insol- vency." The amendment was seconded by Mr. J. Hicks, but on being put to the meeting the motion was oarricd. Mr. J. Vickers was appointed trustee at a remuneration of 5 per cent and Messrs. Primrose, Byrne, and Holland were appointed a commuée of inspection. Mr. Holland moved that the insolvent have
his discharge forthwit,^. jHgjjSaid that if the insolvent was an hoñestBjnan he would pay, and if he was not, it,jWftuJd. ho impossible to get the money out of him. He believed Mr. Taylor was an honest mau; and he (Mr. Hol- land) would have helped him to pay had not one or two men tried to push him down. Mr. J. Dark seconded the motion. In doing so he said that he had known Mr. Taylor for the last fourteen years, and had always found him to be an honest man. Mr. M'Carthy moved an amendment that the insolvent be not granted his,,,discharge. He said that all i the Resolutions j"th_t c<» baa 5 .'Jbeén I passed were ; in favour of the debtor* and against'the interests of the general body of creditors, and therefore he objected to tbe discharge being granted until they had an opportunity of look- ing into the insolvent's affairs. Mr. Hicks seconded the amendment, and strongly objected to the discharge being granted forthwith. It was preposterous that MtvHolland should be able to Bwamp the btheiP'breditors by his vote. The chairman said th_jTt-ey* were in the hands of one or two large orators as far as he could see, and he also objeotejjjtQ tj;e granting of the
insolvent's disoharge-[»at~once. The voting, however, was in favour of the motion, and the disoharge was granted, the objections being
recorded.
The anniversary services of the Paddington Primitive Methodist Sunday School have been held during the present week. The Sunday services were conducted by the Bev. Isaac Gastlohow and by the Bev. J. E. Nicholson, and were fairly well attended. The usual public meeting was held on Wednesday night, and was presided over by the mayor. ' The attendance, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, was good. The report of the secretary was read, showing a slight deorease in tho number of scholars during the year ; the treasurer's report showed a small balance to the credit of the sohool funds. Addresses were delivered by the Bev. I. Castlehowjmd tho Bev. J. E. Nicholson, and several recitations were given by the sohalars. The singing was conducted by Mr. Iredale, Miss Iredale presiding at the organ, The prizes awarded to the scholars for regularity of attendance were presented by the chairman, who accompanied eaoh by a few appropriate remarks. Tho usual votes of thanks brought the proceedings to a
close.
At the South Brisbane Petty Debts Court on Wednesday, before Messrs. A. B. Jones, T. Weedon, W. Stephens, and E. Allen, JJ.P., verdicts for the plaintiffs, with costs, were entered in the following undefended cases. The amounts claimed were, except where otherwise stated, for goods sold : -J. Corbett v. H. Huet, rent £3 4s.; B. DI Boyd v. B. A. Rawlings, £2 2s. 9d.; Stafford Bros. v. Thomas and Willows, £27 Is. 4d.; Q. Byrne v. P. Slack, rent £5 5s.; M'Gres and Co. v. W. Sellar, £3 7s. 9d. The follow- ing defended cases were also dealt with: Federal Butchering Company v. Mary O'Brien, £7 14s. 9d., verdict for plaintiff ; C. F. Gibson v. J. R. Moxey, work and labour £7 12s. 3d., verdict for £4 9s. Cd. ond 11s. Od. costs ; Queensland Trade Pioteotive Institute v. E. Jürgens, money duo £1 Is., verdict for plain- tiff ; J. Priest and wife v. A. Kirkwood, money due £17 17s. Cd., plaintiffs nonsuited, £2 2s. professional costs allowed; B. J. Kelly and wife v. F. Eichmann, money due £2, plaintiff nonsuited, 10s. Cd. professional costs allowed ; Benjamin Myer v. Johann Rooh, £9 Os. lid., verdiot for plaintiff, with 7s. costs of court and £1 is. professional costs.
The usual monthly meeting of the Royal Sooiety will be hold this evening, and judging from the programme provided, will warrant the attendance of a large number of members. A further feature worthy of note is the exhibition, with explanatory notes, of electric batteries and machinery, South Sea Island curiosities, new species of Queensland arachnides and mechanical instruments used in medical science. Messrs. W. H. Miskin, F.E.S., F.L.S., J. P. Thomson, F.R.S.G.S. and Dr Lauterer will also read papers of scientific and commercial inteiest.
Poroy Cockburn Smith, of Netherby, Tiaro, architect and surveyor, has filed a petition for the liquidation of his estate. The estimated liabilities are £1033 13s. Cd., and the first meeting of creditors will be held on 80th March at Messrs. M'Grath and Corser's office, Mary- borough.
The death of another old colonist and citizen s announced in this issue. Mr. Richard Symes Warry, whose funeral takes place to-day, has in his time been a prominent member, of the community, and for more than a quarter of a century has been a resident of Brisbane. During a great portion of that time he took an active part in municipal affairs, and he held office as mayor of the city during the year 1866-7. Subsequently he retired for a time from the council. He was again elected to represent the West Ward four or five years ago, but of late years has retired into private life. He was one of the earliest of Queen-street storekeepers, and for a long time kept a shop on the eastern side not far from the corner of Albert-street. Later on he opened and did business for some years in a shop opposite the
General Post Office.
That an agricultural college is needed in Queensland is shown by the fact that Queens- land boys are beginning to find their way to the Southern colleges, and it is pleasing to note with suooess. Mr. W. F. M'Donald, son of Mr. G. T. M'Donald, of Rocklea,' and a Brisbane Grammar School boy, has just passed through his first year's examination at Dookie Agricul-
tural College, Victoria, which he entered last | year. At the annual examinations he was successful in obtaining eleven prizes out of fourteen, and his papers have been thought so highly of that they have been published in full in the Leader newspaper of 14th February
last. i
The Theatre Royal will be reopened this evening by Messrs. Biough and Boucicault's Comedy. Company, who will play " She Stoops to Conquer." From the cast in another column it will be sewn that an enjoyable representation of Goldsmith's play may be expeoted, and it is stated that in the matter of stage accessories everything will be done that can add to the success of the performance.
Next Monday's popular concert at Breakfast Creek is announced as "Glee and Madrigal Night." A nutnber of well-known vocalists will take part in the conoert, and the Head- quarters Band will render selections on the lawn at intervals.
A lecture on "Industrial organisations of employais and employed, with praotioal sug- gestions for immediate application," will be given by Mr. H. L. E. Ruthning in the Five Ways Hall, Woolloongabba, on Tuesday even- ing, 24th instant.
Notice is given that the floating beacon at "the entrance to the North Channel of Moreton Bay has again been driven from its moorings. It will be replaced as soon as practicable by a blaok perch buoy.
A meeting of the Master Bakers' Association was held in their rooms, Courier Building, last evening, at which there was a large attendance. The impending strike was considered, and arrangements were completed for earring on the various businesses should the men finally leave work on Sunday next. The meeting was adjourned till Saturday evening next.
The secretaries of the Hospital Saturday Fund desire to acknowledge the receipt of £20 from Messrs. Harmston and Son, being half the proceeds of the hospital benefit on Friday last
at the circus.
The usual fortnightly meeting of the Advance Lodge, iG.TJ.O.O.F., was held on Wednesday night in the Knowsley Estate Hall, Coorparoo. A large amount of correspondence was road and received. The secretary of the social in aid of the distressed brother thon gave his report, and stated that the net results of the enteitainment
up to date were £18 Is. Gd., against whioh> were £3 16s. expenses, leaving a balance of £14 5s. Cd. The N.G. Bro. Geo. Stapleton, in an appropriate speech, presented the brother with the same, who suitably responded. A hearty vote of thanks to,the brothors of the border andi all.those i\vho contributed \towards , the success of the same brought a very pleasant meeting to a close.
A remarkable change in the weather in Brisbane took place yesterday morning, whioh is explained by Mr. Wragge's note appended. The south-easterly gale which had been blow- ing during the greater part of the night suddenly ohopped round to the south-west, and the clouds oleared off in a very brief period. Yes- terday, however, the sky became again over- cast, and the evening was hot and oppressive, lending probability to Mr. Wragge's foieeast of more rain and boisterous weather. The following special notice was issued from the Weather Bureau at 11.30 a.m. yester- day : - " The centre of the storm ? system passed the parallel of Brisbane at 4.40 this morning in about longitude 156deg. E" and we are now experiencing the finer conditions of the Northern half. The factois whioh threatened'a more copious rainfall than that experienced are now operating between Claience River and Lord Howe Island, and dangerous conditions are certain to obtain with heavy gales from east-north-east to south- east and south-west between the latter place, Norfolk Island, and Auokland. Although the weather at Brisbane has apparently so much improvod this morning, masters of vessels should still be on the alert outside Moreton Bay, under the existing barometric isobars, which have yet ahnoimally low values."
The. following offioial telegram has been placed at our disposal: - "Unpreoedented high tides with high sea on Wednesday and yesterday morning, making clean breach over the jetty, and cleared away tho jetty-house with a quantity of deck- ing, and the water is over the road at the lower end of the esplanade. Near the new recreation ground several bathing-houses have been wieckod, and the sea-wall and banks have been greatly damaged, besides other minor damages."
Thoie were ten ladies present at the meeting of the Lady Bowen Hospital Committee held this week, Lady O'Connell presiding. During this week 9 cases were admitted and 2 dis-
charged with their babies, _ quite well; 15 patients and 13 babies remain in the hospital.
In Wednesday's issue the death was announoed of the Hon. Hedley Vioars Strutt, youngest son of the late Lord Rayleigh, whioh occurred suddenly at Croydon, London, on the 22nd January. Mr. Strutt, who was only 26 years of age, was woll known in Brisbane, having been for two years and eight months employed in the acoountants' branch of the General Post and Telegraph Office. He left the department in January, 1889, at the request of his mother, to return to London. He was a most efficient - officer, and a gentleman in the true sense of the word. Both the Under Secretary (Mr. M'Donnell) and the accountant (Mr. Lawry) bear testimony to his ability and personal worth, and the officers generally received the intelligence of his untimely death with much regret.
A very successful social was held on Wed- nesday afternoon in connection with the Albion branch of the W.O.T.U., in the Mission Hall, kindly lent the union. The hall was very tastefully decorated for the occasion. Notwith- standing the unpropitious weather a goodly number of ladies met. The meeting was pre- sided over by the president (Mrs. Ross), who introduced Mrs. Nolan, of Ipswich, colonial superintendent of evangelista? work. Mrs. Nolan gave a very earnest address. Mrs. Britten (president of the Ackerman Union) also addressed the meeting, giving them some idea of the magnitude of the union in America, and of the many noble and cultured women engaged in the work. After tea, cake, and fruit had been served, Mrs. Neville, of the Brisbano City Mission, gave some incidents she had met with during the day, snowing the awful effects of strong drink, and urging the members to self-denial in their work. After the benediction seven new members were added to the roll. Several hymns and a song were interspersed and much appreciated.
New Goods for Autumn and Winter season are now open and ready for inspection, at Finnev, Isles, and Co.- [ABVT.J