MELBOURNE NOTES.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 307, 4 June 1889, Page 4

MELBOURNE NOTES.

(TBOM OUB OWN COBBEBPOKDENT.) May 21.

If the inquest on the Bijou calamity does not result in discovering the origin of the fire it will have at least elicited some information which it is necessary the public should know. The constant bickerings between the rival fire . brigades in the metropolitan district have revealed the fact that, for some time past, there has been a screw loose in the system. But, until the great Easter fire took place, only a few people were really aware of the danger that hangs, a constant menace, over the city. That danger is simply the possibility of a fire taking place, and of its obtaining such hold upon the buildings that the brigades may be unable to master it. This is not by any means an imaginary possibility. When time is lost in settling disputes, in discussing peevish questions of precedence, in open disobedience of orders, in throwing water, either from sheer ignorance or from wanton stupidity, in places where it is not wanted, the fire is doing its work, and if under such circumstances it does not get beyond control it is more by good luck than by good management. It would be out of place here to waste time in discussing the causes which have made the existence of such a deplorable state of things possible. But a word or two about those municipal councils which actually en courage them may not be thrown away. The “ disputes ” between the Insurance Brigades and the brigades which act with them, and acknowledge the authority of Superintendent Stein, have now extended over some months. But at a very early period the Municipal Council of the City of Melbourne decided that Mr Stein’s authority •hould be paramount, and that the fire plugs within the city boundaries should be placed under his absolute control during the existence of a fire. And the Town Clerk was instructed to address a circular to each of the suburban councils asking them to pass similar resolutions.

Some of them had the good sense to do so. Others had the bad taste to side with the local firemen, and, in stupendous ignorance of their own responsibility, refused to follow the wise counsel that was given them The Bijou fire took place, and very fortunately, an inquest is being held, If, after the disclosures which have been made, the public do not insist upon the introduction of sweeping reforms, there will be no pity for those who have property at stake, if they are burnt out and ruined. A grave responsibility will also rest upon the Government if they do not bring forward a Bill, at the earliest date, and if that Bill does not contain some very drastic measures. Volunteer firemen were all very well when Melbourne was a conglomeration of huts. But buildings are now too costly to be entrusted to the present class of firemen—the majority of them raw, untrained lads. Well-stocked hotels do. not take fire every day, and the drinking proclivities of some of the brigades have not been afforded many opportunities for their development. But the time came at last, and the bold “ brigadiers ” have shown themselves in their true colors.

“ Justices’ justice ” has been a proverb from time immemorial. “ Men dressed with a little brief authority ” do indeed sometimes play such pranks as would make angels weep were those ethereal personages endowed with tears. It is not of J. P.’s harshness, however, that I now write, but of the opportunities they are afforded of rendering themselves ridiculous. The word “ contemptible ” had well-nigh slid from my pen, but as that term might have been construed into “ contempt ” of court, it was withdrawn just in time. We all remember the mess which a batch of our metropolitan J.P.'s made of a certain case that was brought before them twelve months ago—a painful case no doubt. They have been in several other messes since that time ; but the mention of two of the most recent will be sufficient. One of them refers to their dismissal of charges, laid by the police against the notorious keeper of one of the most notorious houses of illfame in Melbourne. It was admilted by her own counsel that she does keep such a house. It was proved in evidence that young women, with no legitimate means of gaining a livelihood, went “ to board " nt her house, for which they paid her £3 10s a week —rather a stiff figure for a single woman to pay—and that they received their male acquaintances there ; it war Also proved that young girls had W i decoyed under her roof, had W.t their good names behind, when they went away all this was nrovod, an d much more. The J.p.’s, however, 'dismissed the eburge;” and Mr Panton concurred, Another batch of J.P.’s dismissed the charges again-st Dr Figg a day or two ago But T;he stipendiary (Mr Alley) who sat with them over-ruled the decision, nod sent the case to a higher court upon his own respxrasir iZ\. x? declined to be made a tool of by his fussy colleagues. They were not called upon to decide either tho guilt or the innocence of the doctor, lie may be as innocent as themselves, for aught I know. But the facts ere •o grave, and the evidence is so conflicting, that tha Magistrates were ■OIUM, in con ? lnoft fieoe'ney, to send the cate before a jury; an-J the only wonder u that they had the ar .aurance to declare that there was no case. Mr Alley thought otherwise and he is to be commended for hi* independence. For it will be a bad dr .y for the community if the impression gets abroad that the better sort of p 0 O ple aro «] et off » by the J.P, s, white the meaner kind are sent to the waV., Ministers at e not likely to have so rosy a timawnen Parliament meets as seemeu likely during- their V/o hours with the “ new House a -month back. j?he compact majority which then sat behind "the Ministry, if rumor is to be. believed., is showing a tendency to “ straggle, nd when the House next m.eets many new men may be found upon the cros.s benches. Some amongst the more pushing ones are beginning to talk: portenhously about their duty to give independent" support to Govern-'

ment measures, whereas, what the Ministers would like is a silent vote and unquestioning obedience. Ministers are beginning to feel that the attitude thus assumed may have a tendency to develop into opposition, and they have already begun to “ trim ” some of the measures they desire to pass. It is to be hoped, however, that they will not be introduced in a form so vague that they will not have to be licked into shape by the unsatisfactory process of debate. The task may be a congenial one to parties on both sides of the House. We have seen the process at work before. Each member has then a chance of doing a little Parliamentary botching on his own account, and although the performance may, as a whole, be eminently unsatisfactory, it is impossible for the pot to call the kettle names, when both sides have been equally concerned in the production of legislative abortion.

The fair sex may be interested to learn—if they do not know it already—thatsomeone has conceived anovel idea for a ball dress. The skirt, or what stands in the stead of a skirt, is composed of ribbon. The ribbon, however, is not sewn together, but the pieces fall apart, and separate with every movement of the wearer, showing a pretty underskirt. This may be of the same colour, or of a shade that forms a contrast in harmony with the ribbon. Moire ribbon is the favourite material, or shot silk material, in two pale tints, are pretty for this novel style of dress. As a contrast to this flimsy dress, the material most in vogue for out of door wear is the roughest looking woollen stuff obtainable. These coarse looking tailor made costumes certainly look strange at weddings and race meetings when one first sees them, One conceives the idea that the fair wearers have donned them in expectation of a heavy downpour. But no such thing. Dame Fashion has stamped them as “ quite the thing and tailors, I am told, take care that they shall cost quite as much ns any other material. Thus, let us hope | all parties are pleased, the ladies who wear an elegautly cut and well made dress of material such as her brothers might use upon ordinary occasions, and the “ party ” who draws the cheques to pay for them. The will, dated 1882, of the late Mr Robert Kingston, of Carlton, has been proved—real property, £25,000 j personal property, £50,000 — total, £75,000. This was the testator’s position seven years ago, and, like a prudent man, he made his will and provided for his wife and family. Butjunluekilyforall parties concerned, Mr Kingston became infected durin" the land boom, and, like a good number of other people who had made decent fortunes by life long industry, he rushed into the vortex—and lost. He shot himself quite recently, and his liabilities have now to be taken into consideration in connection with his estate.