The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1883.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3600, 25 January 1883, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 1883.

At a recent meeting of the Timaru Chamber of Commerce a report by two of its members was read on " The Refrigerating AVorks at Melbourne." These two members, Messrs Jonas and Stewart, at the request of the Chamber, went to Melbourne, and, visiting the works, described what they saw iv their report. The report contained no recommendation, but Mr Jonas stated that he and Mr Stewart were agreed that they could not recommend the establishment of any works of the kind at Timaru. They did not believe it would pay, because steamers large enough to have space to spare for the necessary plant on board could not como inside the breakwater. It was found that the larger the vessels employed the better would tho trade pay, because a smaller proportion of their space would be taken up with machinery. Until big vessels could be brought inside the breakwater the frozen meat trade could not be undertaken there with any chance of rn-ofit. In reply to questions, Mr Stewart said the works reported on were situated on the Saltwater river, down which the carcases were conveyed in lighters, takiug eight hours to reach the ship's side. There was no provision for keeping the carcases frozen whilst in the lighters, and no doubt in the hot climate of A'iotoria there was some risk of their being damaged by thawing on the way. In the course of the proceedings of the meeting a letter was read from Mr John Reid, in reply to a series of questions forwarded him by the chairman, from which we make the following extract: — " (1) I do not think you can expect steamers to load at Timaru for Europe at present. "(2) It would not in my opinion answer to send meat in vans to other ports for shipment. The carcases would be almost certain to thaw to some extent and injure the meat. The sheep from Burnsidc to Port. Chalmers were scut in vans constructed for the purpose, but the distance was short and arrangements made for prompt despatch. "'(3) The first and second shipments from Port Chalmers per Dunedin and Matauraresiwctively were on shippers' accoiuit, and the returns for the Dunedin were highly satisfactory. Tho Mataura-'s returns are not to hand, and the cablegrams havo been conflicting. Tho third cargo, per s.s. Marsala, was sold through the Refrigerating Company, delivered at Port Chalmers, refrigerated at '2}jd per lb, the company charging id per lb for refrigerating, <Src., leaving 2d per lb clear to the shipper besides skins and tallow. The Dunedin aud Ma-ta ura's cargoes were refrigerated on board. '' (-1) I cannot at present inform you of the cost of the Burnsidc works and their capabilities. Having been in Canterbury last week and only just returned, I am in arrears with work, and am now writing you at 10 p.m. I expect to be , passing through Timaru on Saturday going north, and on my return I will be able to get you the information. "As you ask my opinion as to what I would advise, I would not recommend 3-011 to go to the expense of refrigerating works at present. Meantime, I would counsel your arrangiuLr with sailing ships to load at either your own port or Oania.ru, killing, ashore, and refrigerating on board, as was done with the Dunedin and Mataura. Invercargill has arranged with the New Zealand Shipping Company for a ship to load at the Bluff in March 0000 sheep. Owners subscribe to supply each so many sheep, and they Avill be shipped on owners' account. I have mislaid my memo of the charges, or I would have sent it to you; but you might drop a note to Messrs Carswell', AVliite and Co., Invercargill, who would furnish all particulars. The local stock agents arc to arrange for slaughtering and the disposal of skins and tallow, Sec My firm hold a third interest in a 3000 acre estate in Southland, and we havo subscribed for .00 by the Bluff ship." Mr Jonas stated that when in Melbourne he was shown a letter written to tho manager of the Melbourne freezing works by a Home correspondent, in which it was shown that the partial failure of the Mataura's cargo as a speculation was clue to the class of "sheep sent by her being unsuitable for the Homo market, they being too big.—Mr Maclean said that was borne out by the extra, price fetched by the Merinos from Mr Douglas' Elephant Hill station, which were sold at a penny a pound more than any others. Air Studholme sent a lot by the Dunedin, which netted 20s Gd each.--Mr Moody said ho had information from various sources, showing that about 22s was the average net receipts per head. —Air Jones said the freight from Melbourne to Home was 2d per lb by large vessels, and id per lb was charged for freezing. This was the same as the charge for freezing on board and freight Home from Port Chalmers, 2.', d per "lb.—Mr Gibson believed a freight of 2d per lb did not pay tho shipowners.—[ln our fourth page will be found Messrs Jonas and Stuart's report on the works at Melbourne.]

The valuation of the borough of Napier, just completed for tho year 1883-8-1, is ■t00,470, showing an increase of £2,010 above that of the proceeding year. Captain AValmslcy, late of the G")th Regiment, died at Nelson on the 20th instant, aired S3 years. Captain AValmslcy was the father of" Mrs J. T. Tylce. A woman of the name of Alice Allen, a lunatic, who was sent from Napier in October last to Nelson, died there last Monday in the Asylum. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes. Captain Preece, R.M., proceeded to AVairoa this morning by the p.s. Manaia on judicial business. The steamer went only as far as the wharf at Clj'de, and returned again immediately for Napier, arriving 111 port at about noon. In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before E. Patten, Esq., J.P., AVilliam Vaughan, charged with having been drunk at Hastings yesterday, pleaded guilty, and was fined os and costs, or in default -18 hours' imprisonment. AVilliam accepted the latter alternative, '' his poverty but not his will consenting." In pursuance of a resolution of the Municipal Council Mr R. AVilliams called upon the occupiers of houses along-the streets that are watered requesting to know whether they were willing to bear the cost or a part of the cost of the watering. Except iv two cases the answers so far received have been in the negative. Our obituary contains the name of Julia Catherine Torr, the wife of Mr Joseph Torr, of Petane. The deceased lady was one of the few remaining who could date their arrival in the colony from the year 18-10. Mr and Mrs Torr were consequently amongst the earliest settlers at AVellington, where they landed from the little barque Aurora with two young children. Our AVairoa correspondent telegraphs that J. G. Becker, landlord of tho Provincial Hotel, Mohaka, and late of the Criterion Hotel, Napier, was charged at the R.M. Court at Clyde to-day by Stephen Jenkins with having used insulting language to him. The Bench characterised the language as 1 ' filthy and disgusting,'' and fined Becker £0, with costs £1 18s, and expenses £1. AYe hear that recruiting for the local volunteer companies is progressing better than was expected. The Rifle company is now within a few of the maximum strength allowed by the new regulations, and the Artillery, has brought its number up to the minimum. Before the day is over probably both companies will receive offers to. join the'ranks beyond the numbers required..-

A telegram from Gisborne states that the people there are very enthusiastic over the excellent performance of Stanley and Darbyshire's Juvenile Opera Company. Their "Pinafore" is inimitable, and the splendid production of a pantomime surprised everybody last night, including the Mayor, the members of the Borough Council, Harbor ' Board, and'the elite of and neighborhood. In reply to a letter from Mr J. Buchanan, M.H.R., in reference to the need of additions to the Napier railway station, the Under-Secretary for Railways says that " the matter shall receive attention." The reply to the letter forwarded to the Minister of Public AVorks by the Town Clerk on the same subject was couched in similar terms, and, being interpreted, signfies in official language that nothing is going to be done. The death is announced of the -w-ell-kno-n _. artist Paul Gustavo Dore. The deceased was bom at Strasburg in 1832, and, accompanying his father to Paris, to an early age contributed comic sketches to the illustrated papers. As the illustrator of Rabelais, Balzac's Contes Drolatiques, and of the legend of the AVandering Jew, Dore's pictures were familiar to most people, but every one has seen and admired his illustrations of the Bible, and of the "Divine Comedy of Dante. Over forty competitive designs wore received by the Chairman of the Harbor Board to-day for the proposed new harbor works at' Napier. The designs are from all parts of the colony, and arc put up in every conceivable shape —some in tin cases, some in long wooden boxes, and not a few in official envelopes and brown paper parcels. The whole lot will be carefully packed and forwarded to England for the judges' award by the first steamer from Melbourne. A competitor at New Plymouth sent his design in a case measuring 15 cubic feet, and weighing half a ton ! Mr Smith, on hearing this announcement, remarked .that it was a, question for the Board to discuss whether the box should be forwarded or not; it might contain iron sand or anything else for aught the Board knew. Another member suggested that the freight should be charged to the competitor. "A " pink ribbon " army has been organised at Geraldon, AVesteru Australia, the members of which exclude spirits, but not beer. A '' red ribbon army has also been started, the members of which refrain from drinking water except when it is mixed with spirits. Those who can't afford to buy a ribbon, colour their noses. A work with the title of "The Pedigree of the Devil is now in the press and will shortly be published by Messrs Trubncr and Co. The object of the author is "an investigation of the various sources from which tho modern ideal of tho arch-enemy of mankind has been built-up, and an analysis of the ramifications of his genealogy." The work is by Mr F. T. Hall, F.R.A.S., and will bo illustrated by a series ot elaborate drawings by the author. An invalids' room in church has been arranged by a clergyman in New York, who finds that many invalids are not strong enough to bear a long service, yet do not like to leave in the middle for fear of disturbing the congregation. Accordingly he has arranged a room in a recess near the pulpit, with a window opening in the church, and fitted with sofas and comfortable chairs, where sick people can sit or He and walk in or out without being seen. The following is said to havo been the wind up of a charity sermon at Ipswich, Queensland: — " You sing" said the preacher, addressing his congregation, "with fervour aud intense earnestness the beautiful hymn, ' AVcre the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering' far too small; love so amazing so divine, demands my life, my sold, my all.' And then (changing his voice, and speaking half satirically) you fumble in your pockets for a threepenny bit," The other day a popular Marton host advertised iv AVanganui for a general servant for his house, not 100 miles from the railway station. Application was duly made, and the '' want supplied. The day arrived on which the girl was to enter on her engagement, and she telegraphed to her employer, asking him to send a conveyance to the station to meet her. Two hours afterwards she received from the indignant hostess the following message: "A coach and four, pa.ire and footman, await your ladyship." The girl read the message, but declined to accept the stately provision marie for her. An extraordinary fatality (.says tlie Colonies aud India) has occurred in British India, where an experienced traveller, having, as is the custom in tropical countries, taken a refreshing draught from the stem of one of the many water-holding plants which thrive in the forests, qualified his cold refreshment by a " nip " of rum. Shortly afterward ho died in excruciating agony, and a post mortem examination showed that his internal organs were literally sealed up with india. rubber. He had imbibed the sap of Jliitsops batata, the juice of which coagulates aud hardens in alcohol, and tlie rum had its usual effect in tho poor man's stomach, with necessarily fatal results. It is well said that truth is stranger than fiction, and here is an instance of it. At the last Norwich Assizes, Lord Justice Lindley had to preside at the trial of a solicitor's clerk who had committed a. scries of forgeries. The prisoner and the Judge, strange as it may appear, had been, many years ago, fellow-clerks, and it was current at the circuit mess that the former was attesting witness to the deed of settlement by which, on his marriage, the latter came into property to a large amount. The recognition between the Judge and his former colleague must have been quite dramatic. Such is the whirligig of Time's chances in this every-day life of ours. A parish with over 9000 inhabitants, in a. .south-western county of England, has just passed under the spiritual direction of a reverend gentleman who has been admitted to priest's orders only a few weeks. The living, which is worth £1100 a year, became vacant four years ago, and as the younger son to whom it was destined was then an undergraduate at Cambridge, the patron discovered a " warming-pan " in the shape of a clergyman aged 78, who has now resigned on the convenient plea of " increasing infirmities," receiving- the t/uiddan honorarium of a retiring allowance of £350 a year. It is difficult for a dispassionate lay mind to discover any distinction between these transactions aud simony. Mr Oscar AVildo has wandered far, and sought in vain for the beautiful. He was, indeed, good enough to make an exception in favour of the fire at the New York Theatre the other day. The Chinaman, too, almost reached his artistic ideal of colour. But he evidently thinks that Nature docs not know her own business. The Atlantic was "disappointing," and now ho has been advising Mrs Langtry to avoid Niagara Falls. " They told me that so many millions of gallons of Avater tumbled over the falls in a minute. I could sec no beauty iv that. There was bulk there, but no beauty, except the beauty inherent in bulk itself. Niagara Falls seem to be simply a vast unnecessary amount of water going the wrong way, and then falling over unnecessary rocks." A curious scene was witnessed recently in the Rue Descartes Paris, where a man was hawking- a pamphlet—"How to Correct AVomcn" —and loudly crying his wares. A young woman, incensed at the title of the book, inflicted a sound slap on the hawker's face ; other members of the so-called tender sex joined their champion, and gave the unfortunate wretch a severe drubbing, scattering- the offending pamphlets in the mud of the pavement. Some men took the part of the vendor, and a general scuffle ensued. A regular scrimmage went on for half an hour, hats, caps, bonnets, and false hair Hying iv all directions. Finally the female contingent retreated in disorder, and the hawker left the neighbourhood, vowing that he would never attempt to sell inflammatory brochures in that quarter of Paris. A correspondent of one of the English trade journals says it is a vulgar error to suppose that fruit is necessary to make jam. He went to a large jam-producing factory, in which he found that the work was being carried on without the aid of fruit at all. Jams of various kinds were being produced before his eyes—currant, plum, apricot, strawberry, raspberry, and gooseberry. Yet neither currant, plum, strawberry, apricot, raspberry, nor gooseberry, was in the building. Timiips served the purposes of the fruit. The flavoring matter was extracted from coal-tar, and the resemblance to raspberry and strawberry jam was further increased by mixing the boiling compound with small seeds of some cheap innocuous herb. A common form of sugar is used, and this is tho only honest ingredient of the mess. These preserves arc offered as made from "this seasons fruits."

Writing of a ball at Cowes, a lady says in a private letter: —The Prince and Princess of Wales came early (about eleven) and stayed late—that is to say, the Prince did, letting his wife go home alone (not an unusual thing with His Royal Highness). It is curious how fond he still is of dancing. He never by any possible chance misses a valse, that being his favorite dance; for which reason does it always predominate on London ball programmes in the ratio of at least three to one of all the other dances combined. With all the practice he has had—for he has been out since he was seventeen —it is strange that he should be a bad dancer. Yet he is. And a little short hoppity-skippity step he has that sends him spinning round like a badly-balanced teetotum with a velocity that would make one's head swim merely to look at. He likewise gets very hot and out of breath, and his collars grow limp early in the evening. As to his '' steering powers, it is quite impossible to judge, for when he dances everybody gets carefully out of his way, and lets him have the floor to himself. One mustn't jostle royalty, you know, even in a dance. Quinine is an alkaloid found in the bark of trees belonging to the Cinchona or Peruvian bark family, and is one of the most valuable febrifuges aud antiperiodies known to medical science; while incorporated with iron tincture it has no equal as a tonic. Pure quinine and iron may be obtained put up in bottles of any size to suit customers at Professor Moore's Medical Hall, Waipawa. —[Advt]. Besides being a powerful and wholesome tonic, Wolfe's Schnapps is an unequalled bi-ain medicine, imparting healthful vigor to that sensitive organ and to every fibre of the nervous system. —[Advt.]