The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. Poisoned Grain.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1306, 4 August 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. Poisoned Grain.

At the annual meeting of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held during the early part of last week, our reporter understood* Mr R. Millar, of Winchmore, to say that some of the poisoned grain, particularly the poisoned oats, distributed by the County Council, was practically useless for the purpose for which it was designed—the destruction of small birds. We admit we were surprised by the report of Mr Millar’s remarks, as we had previously received testimony from all parts of the district as to the efficacy of the poisoned grain sent out by the County Council during the present season, but we published the statement attributed to Mr Millar and at once busied ourselves with enquiries upon the subject. Owing to a variety of circumstances we were unable to communicate with Mr Millar until this afternoon, but we are now able to state, and with genuine satisfaction, that Mr Millar entirely disclaims the remarks attributed to him. He affirms, on the other hand, that the grain supplied by the Council during the last two or three months, has been particularly efficacious, and that the contrary remarks, with which he is credited, were intended to apply generally to grain supplied during former seasons. We are free to admit that the mistake was ours, but those gentlemen who were present at the meeting referred to will have no difficulty in excusing the blunder into which our reporter inadvertently fell. Mr Miliar very properly was addressing the chair with his back to the reporters and some of his observations were quite inaudible to the representatives of the Press. During the course of our enquiries into this matter we found that the great weight of the testimony of practical men was favorable to the grain prepared during the present winter. A few farmers find fault with the poisoned oats and aver that this grain is not so destructive as the poisoned wheat, but Mr C. J. Harper and several farmers in the Hindis and Rangitata districts have had practical demonstration that, so far as small birds in their localities are concerned, poisoned oats are the more destructive agent. It has been suggested that this difference of opinion may arise in some measure from the varying needs of the unfortunate birds against which this war of extermination is directed. Shelled oats are not a popular diet with sparrows, and when these impudent pests can secure more attractive food they neglect the cunningly-pre-pared morsels by which it is attempted to allure them to destruction. In the town and more populous districts they have little difficulty in if nding abundance of wheat and other grains upon which they delight to make merry • but in the thinly populated country districts dire compels them to take what-

ever offers, with the result which Mr Harper and his neighbors discribe.

Some people, too, jump to the con

elusion dial if the distribution of grain has not been followed by the discovery of a number of dead birds, the poison has failed to accomplish its work. This is a mistake. Hawks and other carrion could account for many of the birdsdestroyed, and in one case where a small landholder complained that the poisoned grain had disappeared without any apparent result, the turkeys of an adjoining cottager were attacked, and destroyed by a mysterious illness. In conclusion we are satisfied that both poisoned wheat and oats have done their work well, but that the former grain, on the low lands at least, is the more efficacious.

The following is u complete list of the appoint neats naide to the New British Miontry so fir as telegra.jho 1 : E-rat Lord of tho Treasury—The Marqu : s of Sa’iahury. Financlil See otary—Mr W. L. Jackson.

Lord High CisanceUor—Lord HalsburyLord President of the Council—V.soount Craufcreok.

Lord Privy Seal—The Earl of Oadogan. Chancellor of the Exchequer —L >rd :andolph Churchill.

Secretary of State, Homo Departmont —Mr Henry Matthews. Seorotaiy of Stato, Foreign Depart, meat—Tho Earl of Iddesleigh. Under. Secretary—Sir J. Fergusson. Secretary of State for the Colonial Department—Hon E. Stanhope. Undersecretary—Earl j Dunraven. Secretary of State for the War Depart meat—Mr W. H. Smith. Financial Secretary—Hon H. S. Northcoto. Secretary of State for the Indian Department—Sir Tt. A. Cross. Undersecretary—Sir John E. Gorst.

First Lord of the Admiralty—Lor George Hamilton. President of the Board of Trade— Colonel the Hon. F. A. Stanley. Chancellor of tho Duchy of Lancaster— Lord John Manners, Secretary for Scotland—Mr A. J. Balfour.

Postmaster-General—Mr H. O. Raikes. Chief Commissioner of Works and Public Buildings—Hon D. R. Plunket, Q.O.

Attorney-General—Sir R. E, Webster, Q 0.

Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland—Marquis of Londonderry. Chief Secretary for Ireland Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. Lord Chancellor of Ireland Lord Ashbourne, President Local Government Board— Mr 0. T. Ritchie.

We learn from Waimate that Mr S. B, Revans, who has acted as manager of the Rank of New Zealand in that town for some time, is about to leave for Napier to fill a similar position there. Few commercial gentlemen have earned so much genuine and deserved popularity as Mr Revans, and the good wishes of a large circle of Ashburton friends will accompany him to his new home. At the R.M. Court this morning, before Mr Donald Williamson, J.P., a first offender for having been ,'drunk in East street was fined 5s and costs, with the usual alternative. ,<

Druid anniversary August 25th. Dramatic entertainment—Race for a Widow.—(Advt.) It will be noticed from our cablegrams this evening that Sir James Ferguson, a former Governor of New Zealand,has been appointed Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the new Conservative Government.

We understand that Captain Northoy, of the Ashburton Guards, has applied for leave of absence for three months to enable him to visit Sydney.

A man named Burgess lost two fingers from, his right hand by an accident with the sawing machinery at Messrs Steele and Son's carriage works on Monday. The usual monthly meeting of the Ashburton Debating Society will be held at the Arcade this evening.

The following are the Hospital returns for the month of. July :—ln Hospital July 1, ,6 ; admitted during month, 7 ; discharged, 3 ; died, 1; remaining in Hospital August 1, !>. The Master of the Ashburton Hospital desires to acknowledge the receipt of old linen from Mrs Crisp and fruit from Mrs G. Smith for the use of the inmates.

Tho good wishes of the community (says tho Pall Mull Gazette') will acompany the little band of emigrants selected by Mr Arnold Whitejwho are going out to found in Caffraria a new colony upon a now principle. In the history of “ Wolseley ” the ! world will be able to study the working of the system of total abstinence under conditions such as have never before.been attained, for in the little colony which will grow up in South Africa alcohol will be unknown. Lord Wosleley has sent the enterprising band—they are but eighty souls all told—off upon their journey with the best of advice ringing in their ears. They are not to expect a readymade Elysium, but to sot themselves resolutely to earn their living by honest labor. The progress Colony will bo watched with interest for more reasons than

one. The usual monthly meeting of the South Rakaia School Committee was held in the Library on Monday[evening. Present—Messrs Hardy (chairman), Cos, Stewart, Reycroft, Broadbent, and Oxley. The Chairman stated that owing to tho prevalence of measles last month he had arranged with other members of tho Committee not to re-open the school on the data fixed. The Chairman’s action was approved of. A letter received from Mr Brimicombe on school matters was ordered to lie on the table. A circular was road from the Board of Education with regard to the manner of appointment of school teachers. The Chairman was requested to reply that the Committee entirely agree with (he views of the Board on the subject. The Inspector’s first report, under the new regulations, was received. It stated that the school was in a isatisfactory condition. Mr Oxley moved “ That [as tho report is so very indistinctly written the Chairman ol the Education Board be requested to instruct the Inspector to forward a readable copy.” Thiswas seconded by Mr Brcadbent. Mr Hardy, as an amendment, moved “ That the report be received.” Seconded by Mr Stewart. On the casting vote of the Chairman the amendment was carried. It wasjresolved not to re-open the school till Monday, August Kith. Accounts amounting to £1 11s 3d were passed for payment, and the Committee adjourned.

. [ An adjourned meeting of the South Rakaia . 'Library Committee was held on Tuesday , evening. Present—Messrs Hardy (chairman), Blackburn, Makeig, Eeycraft, Broadbent, and Oxley. Mr Beycraft moved “ That £5 be spent in the purchase of books in the district at once, and an order bo sent home fcr others.” Seconded by Mr Blackburn. Mr Oxley moved, as an amendment, “ That no books bo purchased locally until a trial let from England has been procured.” Seconded by Mr Makeig. After discussion the motion was carried. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs Beycraft, Broadbent, and Blackburn was appointed to procure books from Christ- J church. It was resolved that a list of books to be obtained be sent Home after those ordered from Christchurch had been procured Messrs Hardy and Oxley to bring up a list. It was also decided that an entertainment held in S >ptember in aid of the Library funds, , The Committee then adjourned. Tho Lake County Council has passed a ' resolution that unless the late Clerk produce : a missing twenty days be j will be prosecuted. Jjegai pro- j ceedings are also to be taken to recover £S}5 j collected as rates unless it be paid forthwith I

The Customs revenue lor the colony ( during July amounted, in round numbers, to £.114,453, of which Auckland contributed £34,C57 ; Wellington, £16,198 ; Christchurch and Lyttelton, £15,722 ; Dunedin, £28,661. The revenue in July, 1885, was £118,587. The beer duty last month realised £3487, as against £3885 in the corresponding period of the previous year. Auckland paid £793, Wellington £336, Christchurch £777, and Dunedin £845,

The National Bank of New Zealand has declared & dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum for the half year.

The Dairy man says that it is simply annoying to notice how much more milk one man can get from a herd of cows than can another. Good milkers, it thinks, are born, not made ; and when you get one you had better keep him.

At the Hunt Club dinner last night Mr C. W. Purnell, while proposing the toast of the Ashburton Borough and County Councils, created considerable amusement by observing that the only fault found with the former today was that it gave too little attention to the populace west and too much attention to the waste places of the east side |of the town. However, it was only natural, Mr Purnell added, that the Council should give most attention to that part of the town with whieh members were best acquainted.—The Mayor in acknowledging the toast, mado a spirited reply to Mr Purnell, and indignantly contested the insinuation thrown out.

It is estimated that about 5000 sheep perished during the recent snowstorm in England. In the East Border districts of Scotland, it is feared that the present will be the worst lambing seasons since 1860. Few Englishmen know that Germany has a hidden treasure of great value. It is the Imperial Emergency J und, which is preserved in gold in the Julius Tower, six miles from Berlin. It consists of 120,000,000 marks taken from the French war indemnity, and it is kept apart for any unexpected need, war or disaster or want. Every year two members of the National Debt Commission examine this treasure under the most stringent conditions. Each has a key, and both keys must be placed in the lock at once. The money, which is kept in huge bags, is waighed by a guard of soldiers, and having signed a paper the Commissioners retiie as they came. In this tower is also placed other national treasures, notably a portion of the fund for building the Imperial Houses of Parliament.

The Americans beign to fell that their store of public lands is not inexhaustible They, resent, therefore, the large purchases recently made by foreigners, who buy and hold huge blocks, which are thenceforward closed to settlers. The Knights of Labor, the strongest league of artisans in the country, on June Ist, condemned this practice, pledging itself to resist any candidate who did not vote against it, (and the Senate has unanimously passed£a Bill for [its prohibition. No one not a naturalised citizen, either in fact or invention, is henceforward to hold more than 5000 acres. The measure is, of course, a mere advertisement, as foreigners will hold through native trustees, or under cover of mortgages ;|but it indicates the growing feeling against large landed estates, which in the popular belief, shut out poor men from their natural inheritance. As the law is prospective only, there is no injustice done; but the next logical step will be discourage immigration by reserving ownership to native-born Americans.