Local and General.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume I, Issue 106, 26 June 1885, Page 2

Local and General.

Tiie following notices appear in the Gazette: Mr W. C. Riley to be Deputy Registrar of Marriages and Births for the Aorere district; Mr T. Baigeno to be Justice oi the Peace tor the Takaka district. Bishop Barry, of Sydney, has w’ritten to the Press declaring that the statements made and commented upon in some ol the English newspapers that he had directed or advised the clergy of his diocese to repel from communion those who have contracted marriage with their deceased wive- isters are absolutely wiihout foundation. A cu'-dous instance of the power of nitroglycerine and its wonderful vitality—if such a term can be applied to it—has lately. occurred at Larne. An old ship, rotten and uti sea worthy, had neen abandoned in the harbour there many years ago, and liad in process of time been car-

ried away piecemeal by the neighbouring inhabitants for firewood. In February last

two men were engaged in removing some ol the old iron from the tube which had formed part of the pump of the vessel. They used a heavy hammer in this work, and at the second blow an explosion occurred which killed them both instantly. Inquiry showed that the vessel had long

ago been used for the carriage o’dynnmitf

Immersion in water has the propertv of separating this dread explosive into its two constituents—namely, nitro glycerine

and infusorial earth. It is assumed that some of the former had settled in a recess in the ironwork, and had lain there until aroused into activity by the fatal blow.

A new scale of fees under the Rosid nt

Magistrate's Act comes into force on tl e Ist ot next month. After that date suitors will not be required to pay so much in cases where sums of £5 and under are involved as in those in which the ainounls are between £5 and £lO. At the present time it costs as much to take out a summons for £1 as it does for £9.

We are requested by the Rev. A. P. Clarke Curate-in-cliarge of the district, lo notify that the Annual meelirg of the parishioners of St. Outliberi’s church, Collingwood, will be held in the Institute on next Tuesday evening the 30th of June commencing at 7. 30 p. m. Selections of sacred music will he sung by the choir, at the close of which there will he a short interval for refreshments previous to. the church business being discussed. It is to he hoped that a large number from all parts of the district will show their interest in church affairs by attending. The ‘Lyell Times’ of the 20th inst says: “The return of amalgam from the Alpine battery for this week is 45G ounces for 190 tons of stone crushed. It will thus he seen that the highly payable yields from this mine are being maintained, and we are glad to say the Alpine is again prominent among the payable mining, stocks in the colony.”

We notice on the Estimates of Salaries that the Clerk of the Court at Collingwood is proposed to have an increase of £25. Taking into consideration the importance of the Collingwood Postal and Money Order department and the multifarious duties at present performed by the officer in charge, we think that twice that amount would only have been a

just recompense. Dr Satchell telegraphs his inabi’ity to visit Collingwood tomorrow the 27tli inst.

Freehold v. Leasehold.— The “Auckland Herald” remarks in reference to an interview between Mr Larnach and a deputation at the Thames: ‘Mr "Rolleston formerly contended, that the liking for a freehold is a mere sentiment which in a very short time would wear off, to he succeeded by a deep affection for leaseholds. The experience at the Thames would not seem to confirm this idea; for here we find the settlors

after a

long experience of leaseholds. agitating for freeholds nnd. moreover warding the land for nothing under the provision of the Homestead Act! Perhaps

the most

curious feature of the interview, ns re-

ported by our correspondent is Mr Larnach, a member of a Ministry whoso Premier and Mil i-for of Lands declare that the Stu‘e will give no more freeholds declaring solemnly ‘.that he believed in fettlers having Ihoir freeholds,’ and ad-

ding ‘that if he could assist toward ; that end in this instance, he would do so.’ ” The Wellington correspondent of the

‘Nelson Evening Mail’ telegraphs: “Every body appears inclined to recognize frankly the remarkable cleverness of the Financial Statement, and the masterly skill with which Sir Julius Vogel lias placed before the House and country the policy of his government. Cn all hands tue \ iew is expressed that the Statement i' the ablest heard for many years, and tue best- Sir.J. "Vogel has ever delivered so ill as its literary merits go. Also tho:-e who favor the encouragement of local industries by means of protective dutie on imports approve its matter as cordially as the}- do its manner, but, on the other hand, there is an overwhelming preponderance of opinion that, cleverly di' guised as it may be, the whole tone of tae Statement and its proposals is purely and strongly Protectionist, and that of cour e, is deemed a merit or a defect according to each critic’s personal view 4 on the Protection v. Free Trade question. There is much difference of opinion about the proposals as to local finance, but all the-e questions are practically swallowed up in the one great i sue, whether New Zealand is to take this pronounced step on the Protection road or not. The Freetraders claim to have the majority in the House and country, but their opponents assert that the Ministerial proposals will be acceptable to the country generally without the specific theoretical question needing to be raised at all. It will probably be several days yet before public opinion, as represented in the lobbies, settles down into any definite shape. Last night’s budget has completely changed the whole aspect of the political landscape and left everything for the present in a state of confusion and uncertainty.

The Minister for Mines has completed the draft measure for compelling miners to keep a record of all minerals disposed of by them, in order that more definite information may he obtainable of gold and other minerals found in the colony. This record is to be open for inspection at an office to he appointed b}- the Govenor, but the contents are not to be divulged. The Local Government proposals will provide a scheme whereby the local bodies will be empowered to levy a royalty on gold produced in the colony, and the sum thus raised will be used for local purposes. This is preparatory to bringing in a Bill for the abolition of the gold duty.”

At a ball recently a young medical student suddenly came face to face with a dear, kind, fatherly-looking gentleman with white hair and of highly respecta hie appearance. They both stood transfixed. The same idea flashed across both ot them. “Your face is familiar to me —very familiar—but I can’t remember where we have met so often.” However, the friendly impulse was carried out. They 'shook hands warmly, partook of a friendly glass and departed, still ignorant of

each other’s name and occupation. But the young man was determined to solve the problem, and he seized on a waiter and said to him—“ Tell me, waiter, who is that distinguished stranger with the long white hair?” And the waiter whispered slowly—“ Please, sir, that’s tl p pawnbroker.”