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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3860, 30 November 1883, Page 2

We wcrp very sorvy to loam by our telegram yesterday Unit 'tlio , disease affecting tho rabbits on tho run at Lake Wakatipu is confined to "the one locality; It is satisfactory, however,'to know that the disease is tuberculosis, and that it is fatal, numbers of rabbits dying- from it.' A similar disease broke out amongst the rabbits on a run in Southland some time ago; and which cleared that part of the country effectually of the pest. Some idea may bo formed of bow Wvily the rabbit plague weighs upon the people from the following extract which we take from the Qijepnstown correspondent's letter to the Otago Witness:—" Eureka, eureka !—lt is once more reported that the rabbits-within certain limits are destroyed by disease in largo numbers, and this tinje tho happy locality is Mr C. 0, Boyca' run at Lake Wakatipu. Why, this is the very thing that has' been wanted for along time, and was moat ardently prayed for # by all affected with the pest. Kabbits in tho incipient stages of the disease should'com!mand a high price, and if transported to all parks'of tho Island the voice of tho rabbits

would soon be heard no more in the land. The diseased rabbits would bo worth their weight in gold, and far exceed in their beneficial effects upon the colony all the Rabbit Acts, inspectors, exterminators, and agitators." There is a joyousness expressed at the prospect of the' extinction of bunny that can only be fully understood by those who have witnessed the conversion of rich and valuable pastoral country into dreary valueless deserts by swarming hordes of rabbits. "We hope there will be a large demand for Mr Boyes' diseased rabbits; may they bo introduced wherever the plague is flourishing, and may they be the disagreeable means of once more enabling the land to be profitably occupied by the industrious settler.

There was no business in the R.M. Court ;his morning.

Mr S. Johnston has been re-elected Chairman of the Waipawa County Council. Tho vital statistics registered at Napier for this month of November show births 2G, marriages 10, and deaths 8.

Mr D. Chamicr has bsen commissioned by tho Waipawa Council to collect all back rates due to the county at 10 per cent.

We learn from ono of tho persons concerned that the civil case of Irvine and Davidson v. Robjohns has been settled without going to Court.

The motion to "hangup" tho Counties Act, that was brought forward by Mr W. 0. Smith at the last meeting of the Waipawa Council, was lost on division by the casting vote of the chairman.

For the convenience of country residents desirous of remaining in town to-morrow night to witness tho opening performance of tho Polk Comedy Company, the 9 p.m. train will not leave Napier for Hastings and intermediate stations till after the close of the Theatre.

Cr. Neal has given notice to move, "That tho Municipal Council forthwith cause to bo erected suitable promises for offices and meeting hull on the municipal reserve situated on the beach between the Athenraum and tho Napier Fire Brigade station. The total cost not to exceed £1000."

Tho challenge cup presonted by Captain Russell to tho Hawke's Bay Cricket Association is now exhibited in Mr Collins' jewellery shop window. Tho cup is a handsome frosted-silver drinking vessel, standing nine inches high, quaintly engraved after the Japanese style. It is a cup well worth -winning-.

The Christchurch Telegraph understands that, in view of the prospect of further military operations in Egypt, it is proposed to form a Now Zealand Volunteer Contingent, and communications arc being opened with the Government as a preliminary step. As soon as possible after a reply has been received in that city a meeting will be called of all those willing to take part in the movement.

A very handsome pieco of embroidery, tlie property of Mr Porcival Bear, is on view in the'window of Messrs Large and Townlcy's premises, Hastings street. It is a beautifully designed cushion cover worked by Chinese artists, iv gold thread on a black satin ground. It is a fine example of the skill and taste of the Chinese in artistic needlework, and it is a rare specimen of its kind, only one other having been made in China like this.

A bull in a china shop was not exactly Mr S. Hooper's experience last night, hut, inadvertently locking a strange dog up in the front shop of his hair-dressing establishment, almost as much mischief was done as the other animal could have perpetrated amongst crockery. A constable describing the noise that was going on said, "Sure an' I thought the divil was iv the place." All the same, if the dog had got amongst the wax matches, there might have been more damage to chronicle than smashing , of glass and the worrying of hairdressers' models.

A Woodvillo correspondent informs us that an agitation was started there some time ago with reference to a daily mail from Palmerston, and also for the coach to stay at Woodville at night when coming from Mastcrton instead of Ekctahuna. Our correspondent is now able to inform us that the above request is to be given effect to from to-morrow, and, moreover, a daily mail service will be established between Makatoku and Pahnerslon, which means a daily mail between Napier and Wellington. Mr Rollcston, with the Surveyor-General, is at present in Woodvillo inspecting some blocks of land which are soon to be placed in the market.

In reply to the resolution recently passed by the Hospital Committee, Mr Sutton, M.H.R., the chairman, lias roccived tho following-telegram from theUnder-Secrotary for Defence: —"As the magazine is only used for the accommodation of merchants' powder, the Hon. the Defence Minister has approved of its being handed over to the municipal authorities of Napier, who can remove it to whatever site they think best." In forwarding this telegram to His Worship the Mayor Mr , Sutton writes, "Tho near proximity of the magazine to the hospital is considered dangerous, and I trust the Corporation will agree to its removal to a more safe position."

In the Supremo Court yesterday the case Colenso v. Minister for Public Works for £39G damages in consequence of the closing of roads for railway rrarposes, was continued after we went to press. After counsel on both sides had addressed the Court, the Assessors, Messrs Ilackctt and Lyndon, retired to consider the question of damages, and after an absence of over an hour returned with an assessment of £225 should his Honor rule that no benefit had accrued to plaintiff by the construction of tho railway, and £125 should the ruling be that benefit had accrued. His Honor intimated that he would hear the legal questions raised on Saturday, and that he would give his decision before leaving for Wellington.

We are glad to hear (says the Otago Daily Times) that "Ministers are just commencing tho task of carefully examining the Civil Service "; but so long as the Service is under Ministerial control and management, we have little hope of any effectual reduction. The whole Service needs a complete reorganisation, and whore is tho Ministry strong enough to do this to come front ? Tho present Government may, however, bo able to make some improvement, and we would suggest to them that they might, amongst other things, increase the office hours of the Government officers. In South Australia, since 18S0, the hours have been from 9.1f) a.m. to 5 p.m., with half an hour interval for luncheon, and wo understand that the result has been a considerable increase in the amount of work done.

We observe from our exchanges that the late unseasonable weather we have experienced lias not by any means bacn confined to the Hawke's Bay district. The Wellington Times of Monday last says :— "The. continuance of wet and unsettled weather is causing serious less to sheep farmers, who are making very slow progress Avith shearing operations, and wool is consequently coming forward .very slowly, especially when the season is compared with the corresponding period la.st year. The losses are sustained not only through having to maintain an extra staff of men for a longer period than usual, but we also hear of largo numbers of newly-shorn sheep succumbing to the cold and unseasonable winds and rain. The current spring is said by old settlers to be the most remarkable they have over experienced in the colony. Mr It. Williams, borough valuer, in his evidence before the Compensation Court yesterday, was good enough to announce his intention to increase the valuations for rating purposes next year. It'is said that to be-forewarned is to be forearmed, and when the Assessment Court sits wo think Mr Williams will find a difficulty in sustaining his increased valuations. It is a notorious fact that both leasehold and freehold properties have depreciated iri value ; rents are ' lower, and selling prices aro lower than formerly, and the only exceptions are to bo found iri some few choice building sites on the hills. In a time of extreme commercial depression, when there is not a business man who is not complaining of the dullness of trade, to bo told in effect that a higher valuo'is to be placed on proporty to increase the burthen of taxation comes as an insult to injury.

The Napier amateurs appeared in the Town Hall, Hastings, last night, beforo a good house, which highly appreciated their efforts. The pieces placed on the boards being "Who Speaks First/"- and "The Maid and the Magpie," gave an opportunity for displaying the Hues of the several characters, who all were v«y well i,ropaw4 in their parts. It is not too much to say that thu piece was played beforo the audience in ft way which would have ro«

fleeted credit on many a professional company. As the programme gives no names wo also refrain from mentioning any, Ikai we must notice in one or two instances the specialities. In the first piece the acting , of Captain Charles was very life-like, and proves this gentleman amateur to be an actor of high order, while the gentleman sustaining the character of Potter also deserves a meed of 33raise. The others call for no special mention, although sustaining their small parts with satisfaction. The burlesque brought the full strength of tha ' company before the audience, who frequently applauded the songs and local hits. The character of Gianotta was admirably cast, and received full justice at the hands of one who possesses a voice which the of tenor one hears the oftener it is liked. Fernando, in the hands of the gentleman cast for the character, was to our mind the best piece of acting of the party, his absurdities provoking frequent applause, while Isaac was particularly happy in his local hits. Of the lady characters, as the bill says, "There's no use attempting to describe them." Ninette's song-s, acting-, and appearance on the stage did the lady infinite credit, and at once stamps her as a favourite in the profession. Dame Lucia also contributed greatly to the success of the piece. In conclusion the management are to be congratulated on the success attending this their first appearance in Hastings, and wo trust it will not bo the last. A mooting of the Hawlte's Bay Presbytery was held yesterday in St. Paul's Church, at which a minute expressive of tho sympathy of the Presbytery in connection with the death of the Rev. Mr Shirriffs was placed on the records, on the the Rev. W. Nichol. The Rev. A. Shepherd was also authorised to declare the Wai - pukurau charge vacant from the date of Mr ShirrinV death, A telegram having been received from the Church Extension Committee, intimating- that the Eev. Mr Grant had arrived in Wellington trom Scotland, and requesting to know if he might be sent to Waipukurau, and tho telegram having been communicated to the Waipukurau committee, they replied wishing that Mr Grant might be appointed there for three months. The Presbytery instructed tho clerk to intimate this to the convener of the Church Extension Committee A list of subscriptions and an account of expenses incurred having been laid on the table by the Rev. D. Sidey, as treasurer of tho ShirrifiV family relief fund, the Presbytery approved of the expenditure, authorised the publication of the accounts, and agreed to pay Mrs Shirriffs an allowance of £12 a month at present, and that at a futuro meeting further action bo taken aa to the disposal of the fund.

A writer in the Otago Witness says:— The question of Mr Mitchelson's appointment is not quite fairly stated. No one supposes that the circumstance of his having been a carpenter disqualifies him for office. It is the converse proposition, solemnly put forth by the Auckland Press, that his being a carpenter renders eminently fitted for the post of Minister of Public Works, which has provoked laughter. It is amusing and instructive to note how the pendulum of official opinion ■sways to and fro. There was formerly in Dunedin a gentleman named Armstrong, holding tho appointment of locomotive cnginoer in tho Public Works Department. He held it for many years, and his energy, ability, and zeal, as well as his thorough fitness for tho office, were testified toby successive Governmental heads of departments. But in 1880 a Civil Service Commission came to Otago, and in the course of their inquiries they discovered that Mr Armstrong had been—a carpenter. So ho was condemned forthwith on that ground, and diemissed or removed from the service. Mr Armstrong pleaded that although he had been brought up as a carpenter, all his experience and practice had been of a professional character. But it availed' him nothing. The Government of that day consisted of the same gentlemen, plus Mr Hall, as have now chosen Mr Mitchclson as a colleague. Putting this and that together, it would seem that a carpenter is not' considered qualified for a subordinate office in the Department, and is only fit to be a Minister.''

After groping in the dark for centuries in quest of a thoroughly pure stimulant and tonic tho Faculty found it some thirty years ago in the now celebrated Wolke's Schnapps.—[Advt.]