The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1884. Belgian Immigration.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1395, 3 December 1884, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1884. Belgian Immigration.

It is some months ago since we first learnt that a Committee had been formed in Belgium for the purpose of promoting the emigration to New Zealand of the surplus population of that overcrowded country. The guiding spirit in this movement was a M. de Harven, who has written a book on this colony, and has otherwise done his best to make his fellow countrymen acquainted with our resources. This gentleman was very fitly chosen as a delegate from the Committee to pay us a visit, and he arrived here by the last San Francisco mail steamer. He has certainly had no cause to complain of the want of attention paid to him since his arrival. Not only has the Government placed at his disposal all possible means of gaining information, but the Chambers of Commerce in the different cities have willingly lent their assistance. M, de Harven was in Christchurch yesterday, and at the meeting held there he explained the objects of his mission. So far as we can make out, no distinct scheme of emigration has been formulated by the Belgian Committee, and indeed the delegate said • that his visit was simply for the purpose ■ of-making enquiries so as to be able to report to head-quarters. The argument used by M. de Harven is that by encouraging the settlement of the surplus population of Belgium in this colony, the benefit to each country would be mutual. We scarcely think, however, that he entirely succeeded in i proving his case. That it would be an 1 excellent thing for' Belgium to find in 1 New Zealand a haven of refuge for * those of her people who cannot find employment in their own country may be admitted, but unfortunately it is not easy to see what advantage we should gain, especially as we have no guarantee that these new immigrants will make satisfactory colonists. The fact that the population of Belgium numbers 491 to the square mile is in itself proof that the inhabitants are prepared to put up with any inconvenience rather than leave their native land, and when an exodus does take place we may be certain that it will not be the better class who will emigrate. We have already suffered more than enough through this colony being regarded at Home as an excellent place whereto to send those patriots who “ leave their country for their country’s good,” nor have we any faith in special settlement schemes, such as it seems M. de Harven is endeavoring to promote. At the same lime, if the Belgian Government defray the expense of sending these people out here, and if they are provided with sufficient capital to take up land, we cannot well object to their coming ; but we fail to see why they should receive special consideration at our hands. There is one portion of the delegate’s remarks at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday which we fear will horrify the unco-guid, of whom there is more than a fair sprinkling in the colony. M. de Harven pointed out that though his countrymen were religious they enjoyed their glass of beer and a dance alter church on Sundays, and he seemed to be quite alive to the difficulty of assimilating these customs to those in vogue in New Zealand. Indeed, everything seems to point to the conclusion that if the surplus population of Belgium is to find a home here they will have to form a community apart, and as this is by no means in accord with English ’ views of colonisation we have considerable doubts' as to the benefit the colony as a whole will receive from the carrying out of the scheme. Still, M. de Harven, as an intelligent stranger, is deserving of all the courtesy we can show him, and for this reason we are sony that he has not escaped the clutches of that modern journalistic abomination, the interviewer. A representative of our contemporary, the Lyctclfon Times, scenting “copy” from afar, paid a visit to the Belgian delegate yesterday, and he duly chronicles the result of the meet ing in that journal this morning. This sort of thing, however, wants practice, and the Christchurch gentleman, judging from this specimen of his skill, is evidently a novice in the art. At all events M. de Harven does not seem to have vouchsafed much special information to the reporter, and save for ih? mention of one or two little matters as for instance that the representative of the limes was able to converse in French, apd that a bottle of Bass was partaken of “ to help on the narrative ” —the article might easily have been written without an interview at all. Whether the meagreness of that “ nar- , rative ” is due to the strength of the ale or to the fact that the French of the reporter was that of “ Stratford-atte-Bow,” we cannot say, but we hope that this gigantic failure 111 the interviewing business will prevent a repetition of a similar experiment.

In the Wellington Divorce Court Moncktoa v Monckton was hoard. This was a petition for dissolution of marriage on the part of the wife, Emma Monckton. Petitioner depo-ed : [ am the wife of Charles Henry Monckton, photographer, and was married to him in Auckland on November 23, 1881, when I was twelve years and two mouths old. Mrs Lynch li -ed with us after the marriage. 1 had been previously living with Mrs Lynch, and Monckton had been cohabiting with her. I w.s forced into marriage by threats and persuasion. Monckto . said

he would turn me and Mrs Lynch (two sisters) out into the streets if I did not many him. Mrs Lynch also persuaded mb to marry him My sister passed for my mother at the'marriage, and my age was stated to be 15 years. My mother was dead at the time, and my faher was imbecile. I did not occupy the same room as my husband that night. Mrs Lynch dd. (Witness described in detail her movements for some months after the marriage, resulting in her escaping from her husband.) I declined to go back to my husband because I hated him. He was recently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for making a false declaration under the Marriage Act. Alice Baxter alias Lynch alias Howell, was next called. She refused to answer whether she was the sister of petitioner or not. His Honor warned her that she might bo punishi d for contempt of Court if she declined to answer reasonable questions. Witness said she could not swear to what she did not know. She went on to say that to the bes f of her belief petitioner was her sister. Mr D. C. Cooper was the only other witness examined, and he gave evidence as to Lynch and Monckton having been sentenced for making a false declaration. This was the petitioner’s case, and the matter was then adjourned for argument before his Honor as to the question of legal cruelty. —ln the case of Grey v. Grey, heard in camera, the hearing was adjourned to enable the evidence of the respondent to be taken by commission in Melbourne. —In Morris v. Morris a rule nisi was granted. Captain Kennedy, of the Hauroto, has been appointed to the position of Union Company’s shore captain at Wellington, and in consequence several changes have been made in the Company’s commands. Captain Anderson leaves the Rotorua to take charge of the Hauroto, and is succeeded by Captain Neville of the Wanaka. Captain Allman will be transferred from the Omapere to the command of the Penguin, and Captain Smith of the Taiaroa will take the Omapere. Two new masters have been appointed to fid the vacancies caused by these changes. Mr Russell, late chief officer of the Omapere, has been promoted to the command of the Wanaka, ai d Mr Holmes, chief officer of the Oma-

pere, will assume command of the Taiaroa. Captain Wheeler, of the Wakatipu, has been so seriously indisposed for some time past that he finds it necessary to retire from active service for two or three months, meantime Mr Thomson, late chief officer of the Wakatipu, will take temporary command of the steamer. Mr A. H. Rosa, M. H. R , was re-elected

Chairman of the Otago Harbor Board yesterday. At the usual meeting the following motion was carried: —“That thd thanks of the Board be given to the members of both Houses who rendered such valuable assistance in the passage of the Board’s Bills through the House.” John Miller, engine man at Tapoer’s sawmill, Longbush, couthland, was killed among the machinery there yesterday. No one saw the accident, but it is supposed that ho was putting tbe belt on a pulley when he got caught. His body was brought to the hospital, when it was found that his injuries were very severe, his shoulder being smashed, his ribs broken, and his lungs ruptured. Miller leaves a wife and one child. The Customs revenue for the colony for November amounted to L 95,397, and for the corresponding nmntb last year L 106,402. The following are the amounts collected at the principal ports :—Auckland, L 19,761; Wellington, L 16,543 ;

Lyttelton, L 14,778 ; Dunedin, L‘25,453. Beer duty, L 4,784 ; ditto for the corresponding month last year, L 4 780. The principal amounts in this tax collected for the month were :—Auckland, L 1,013 ; Wellington, L 435 ; Christchurch, L 1,024; Dunedin, L 1,059

The steamer Ringarooma, with Ciiiar-

ini’s Circus and Company on board, went ashore on a mud bank near Pioton, but she was expected to float off last night. The arrangements for carrying out a direct service with Great Britain have now beau satisfac orily settled, and the first steamers will leave Great Britain and

New Zealand respectively on December

20th. The postal difficulty which existed with the Home authiritles respecting the

despatch of letters lias beau adjusted Mr Stout’s absence from Wellington will extend over some weeks. Sir Julius Vogel will leave for the Hot Springs in a fortnight. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before his Worship the Mayor and Mr T. Bullock, J.P., Daniel Davis and Charles Faulkner were charged with cruelty to their horses by working them with sore shoulders. The accused ad-

mitted the offence, and the Bench, bavin;

examined the horses, fined Davis 40s and costs, and Faulkner 10s and costs.—John Murphy was charged with causing two horses, his property, to be worked with sore shoulders. The accused pleaded guilty and was fined 20s and costs.

At a meeting of Auckland cricketers to consider the question of the illegality of the voting of several delegates of clubs at the late meeting, when it was decided not to send a team south, a resolution was carried overruling the objection and attaining the previous decision of the Cricket Association.

As the result of Dr Grabham’a inquiry into the differences of the Napier Hospital staff, Dr Fisher has been requested to resign, and two nurses have been dismissed.

The following sentences were passed a die Napier .-Supremo Court yesterday

Thos. Slater, for forgery, eighteen months’ hard labor ; Henry Douglas, for larceny, with three previous convictions recorded against him, eighteen months’ hard labor; Karaiters, for horse stealing, two years’ hard labo-. In the case of William Wilson, charged with perjury in connection with [the recent assault cases at Tarawera, the jury were discharged after being locked up five hours, in conseqi o ice of the foreman being seized with an epilep ic fit. There was no sign of the jury agreeing at the time. A new trial is ordered for Taursday. Mails for the Cnitod Kingdom, etc., via San Francisco, will close at Ashburton on Saturday morning.

August Flower. —The most miserable beings in the world are those suffering from dyspepsia and liver complaint. More than /■ per cent of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects ; such as sour stomach, sick headache, habitual costiveness, palpitation of the heart, heartburn, waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at the pit of the stomach, yellow skin, coated tongue and disagreeable taste in the mouth, coming up of food after eating, low spirits, etc. Go to your druggist and get a bottle of august flower. This valuable medicine lias cured thousands and thousands of sufferers, and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve yai>. K costs only 3s 6d a bottle. Sample bottles, C 4. [A'jv'i'.

Take Hop Hillers three lime., a day, and you wilUlnuc no doctors' bills lo pay. Sec.— Aliyr.l Don't Die in tue House, “ Kouugh on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jack? rabbits, gophers. The N.Z, Drug Co., General Agents. I

The annual picnic of the Waterton Sunday School took place on Friday Isst, when over 170 wore present. The parents and children were conveyed in vehicles to Longbeach, whore the gardens were thrown open for the occasion through the kindness of Mr Grigg. The children were mustered under the superintendence of Messrs Donaldson, Houston, Smith and Miss Dawkins, and were warm y welcomed b> Mrs Grigg, who was untiring in her exertions throughout the clay to mako everyone comfortable and happy. The children at once engaged themselves in rowing on the lake, walking through the flower garden and the fern house, the latter being much admired both by old and young. At mid-day a most substantial repast was partaken of by all, Mrs Donald son being must active in her exertions in this direction. Games were then heartily gone into, consisting of cricket, racing, etc, for which excellent prizes were given to the successful competitors. In the afternoon all again partook of an excellent service of tea and cake, after which MrGriggmadeafew felicetous remarks and distributed the prizes to the children,everyone of whom received a volume. Thesuperintendent, MrDonaldson, then read the report which showed the school to be in a very flourishing condition, there being 57 children on the roll, with an average attendance of 41 during the year, and eight efficient teachers. The balance-sheet of the finances was satisfactory, throe hearty cheers being given for Mr and Mrs Grigg and family, and also to their teachers, after which they all returned home highly delighted with their day’s enjoyment in every respect. A squad of the Ashburton Rifle Volunteers will proceed to the butts to-morrow morning, in charge of Corporal Dunn, to complete class-firing. The Ashburton ■ aledonian Society announce in this issue that they will hold their annual sports meeting on Boxing Day. The programme s a very attractive one, and we have no'doubt that the energetic Secretary, Mr Charles Reid, assisted by his enthusiastic directors, will make the usual success of this popular gather--1 iug.

We have been requested to direct the attention of our readers to an advertisement in another column where the pupils of the Borough School invite their friends and well-wishers to meet them in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday evening next. From past experience we have no doubt this invitation will be eagerly accepted. Great preparations have been going on among the juveniles for some weeks past, and hey hope to outstrip their former attempts, which were much appreciated. The programme, which is a lengthy one, embraces piano solos, recitations, infants’ motions, dancing, drill in fancy costume, juvenile drill by juvenile commanders, the whole to conclude with a caricature of Continental education, giving a sketch of Haarlem College under “ Fritz Hagersohlamer 1/udshenhafen,” the Dutch dominie.

Tha regular monthly meeting of the Loyal Orange Lodge will be held at the Orange Hall to-morrow at 7 p.m.

To-morrow the New Zsaland Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. will hold an important clearing safe at Methven. At the same time the usual privileges in connection with the Methven Races and Spoj ta will be sold by auction, We are pleased to notice that the Railway Department has taken steps to fill up the depression near the rails opposite the Tiuwald station. This will enable drays to load at the spot direct into trucks, a convenience which will be appreciated by farmers during the forthcoming grain season.

This evening a meeting of holders of property abutting on Aitken street will be held at the Mail office, to protest against the character of the street formation in that locality.

The Rev A. H. Burton will deliver a gospel address in he Town Hall this evening at 7 30 o’clock.

Letters for Duncan AlcMillan and Timothy Sugrue are lying unclaimed at the Ashburton Post Office, having been received during the month of October from places beyond the colony. Christmas presents free of charge.—Last year we are informed that over 9,000 presents were given away curing December and the

early part of January by H. K. May .& Co., The Hall, Christchurch. This year they are doing the same, and this is how they do it : Every customer is presented with a ticket equal to io per cent, on the amount spent by them, so that if you spend Dio you can choose

anything up to Li, if L 5 is spent a 10s present will be given, if L 3 a 6s present, if .u.l a 2s present, but if you only spend One Shilling you will get something. And every time you come dun g this month of December and up to January the 6th you will get a present. If you do not wish to spend a lot of money in one day’s shopping you can get ) our tickets for what you have spent, and so on each time you come, and then get one ready handsome thing equal in value to all the tickets you holJ.— [Advt.]