DUEL OFFICES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 21 February 1901, Page 2

DUEL OFFICES.

It is to be regretted that a member of the Harbor Board should endeavour to create friction between that body and the Borough Council; yet we fear such is being tried, and the gentleman responsible for it ought and does know better. The interests of the town and harbor are so bound up in each other as to almost preclude the possibility of friction ; and indeed such friction can only exist in a very minor way and be confined to but few minds. At last meeting of the Harbor Board, Mr. Kerr had another fling at the Borough and declared it was not right for members of the Council to hold seats on the Board, The declaration brought forth sharp reprisals from Messrs Sheedy and Matheson. But that we need not dwell on. We will briefly look at Mr. Kerr’s contention that a Borough Councillor should not occupy a seat on the Harbor Board. We have said both interests are identical. A seat in the Borough Council implies an election—practically a vote of confidence in the gentleman so elected. The seat on the Harbor Board is a nominated one. Seeing that both interests are identical, it surely is a wise proceeding on the part of Government to appoint those who by reason of popular vote in another body have been entrusted with the administration of public affairs. As to the point of “ monopoly.” It must be remembered that in any community, and especially so in a small community, there are but a limited number of persons who will give their time and attention to public business and the choice is therefore narrowed, besides it is contrary to the trend of legislation to appoint gentlemen who have not shown any aptitude for public business to such a body as the Harbor Board, Thus, the charge of monopoly is groundless, while it must be admitted that Mr Mathieson’s reply, appearing in our report in another column, shows that the gentleman making the complaint threw a stone from the thinest of glass houses. We, however, give Mr Kerr credit for more sense than to imagine that the remarks wore other than injudicious and thoughtless—an indiscretion that the best of men are sometimes guilty of. Judging it on this basis, a mere passing comment is all that is required.

The Coal Commissioners began its sitting at Grey mouth this afternoon at half-past two o’clock. M. C. Roche, Government Insurance Agent, was found dead in his bed at Vaughan’s Hotel, Mokihinu', this morning.

By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that a store and bakery, in a rising and prosperous township on the West Coast, is advertised for sale. Mr Thomas Daly, of Blackball, in another column challenges any man on the West Coast to run him a half mile for

£25 or £SO aside. Ho prefers to meet T. Sherlock, of Westport. An important advertisement to travellers appears in another part of this issuenotifying that the Ahaura bridge on the Grey-Beefton road will be closed to vehicle traffic for repairs from Monday 25th until further notice,

Capt. Morrico received the following wire this morning re men for Seventh Contingent Only four men are to be sent to Nelson, and these should bo really good men to prevent disappointment. Will enquire about passes.” A nasty accident occurred to a young man named Archer at Kokiri yesterday. It appears that ho was squaring sleepers, and the axe slipped, inflicting a very ugly wound on his left foot. The friends of the sufferer at once brought him down to Brunnerton, whore Dr M’llroy attended to him.

An appeal was hoard before Judge Ward and two other members of the Kailway Board regarding the disrating of Mr Coolc, one of the gangers on the Groj--mouth-Jacksons section of railways, on the grounds of alleged incapacity. Evidence on the one side was strong in support of alligation, while there was evidence on the other of capacity and insufficiency of hands to do the section, which was admitted all round to be a

very difficult one. The result of the inquiry will not bo made known till it is communicated to the Government and

head of the Department. Cornet players and bandsmen generally will says the Press bo interested to learn that Mr F. L. Travorsi, the well-known Groymoutli cornet soloist and bandmaster, who went to England recently, has gained second prize in cornet-playing at the Cumberland Annual Musical Festival, which is one of the principal musical gatherings in the north of England. Toe competitions a ,- e open to all Britain, and leading players from all parts of the country meet there to try conclusions for the championship. On this occasion the test was a set piece, the judge being Dr Parry, a famous musician. As showing the excellence of the playing, it may bo added that the first prize-winner performed before our late Queen at Balmoral the day after the contest. A largo staff of workmen arc busily engaged at the Parliament Buildings in putting in order the chamber in which our representatives engage in verbal warfare and, in their spare moments, enact laws for the government of the colony. The chamber is to bo thoroughly cleaned, painted and renovated, and generally made sweet and clean in time for the next session of Parliament. The improved condition of affairs will be greatly appreciated by members, The now library buildings are also being made spick and span, the steel shelving is nearly all in position, and the removal of the books to their new quarters will shortly be commonoid.

We learn on very good authority (says the “Waimate Times”) that the union of the two Presbyterian churches is likely to bo agreed to by the General Assembly of the Northern Church, about to meet in Wanganui.

Mr Walter Weston, well-known in Greymouth, and lato with the Bank of New South Wales, has loft Christchurch for New Plymouth to take over the manage'rship of the Taranaki “ Herald. ” We wish our gonial Walter every success.

Messrs Arnott and Seabrook’s new ads vertisement will appear in to-liiorrow’3 issue.

The Druids held their quarterly meeting last evening. There wae a very full attendance. After disposing of ordinary business, two candidates were initiated, and two more proposed for membership. A letter from the Grand Lodge stating that Bro. Arbucklo of the Brunner Lodge was appointed D.P. for the ensuing term. Arrangements were made for a complimentary social to the retiring D.P. The Arch-Druid, on behalf of the junior Past-Arch, presented a very handsome engraving to the member who had proposed the most candidates during the half year. The sum of ills was voted from the benevolent fund in aid of a Brother who was suffering from cancer in the face, and the meeting closed in harmony. Mr Norman Sligo, well known in dreding circles, returned to Greymouth from Dunedin yesterday afternoon. It is his intention to start business with Mr Bundle of Ahaura, as sharebrokers, mining and commission agents.

The stages on this side of the range on the overland route to Christchurch arc about to be adjusted. The first coach stage will now be'from Kumara to Taipo, and the second from Taipo to Goat Creek (Otira Gorge). This willbe a more equal division of the road journey for the teams. New stables, etc., are being erected at both the Taipo and Goat Creek,

Mr H. J. Hansen while travelling through the North Island met Mr if. M'Gregor at Palmerston North, Mr Hansen says the returned soldier is looking very well, and desires to be remembered to all his friends on the West Coast whom he will be glad to be amongst again. Farrier Sergt M'Gregor is waiting to hoar of Trooper Lambert’s progress, as he intends if possible coming home with his comrade.

Mr J. C. Wason, late speaking in England, said: —ln the early days New Zealand owed very little money; now she owed a great deal to the advantage both of the Colony and the British capitalists. The Colony would always offer a great outlet for surplus British capital, and her ability to pay her way was steadily increasing. "While there was no great avenue for speculation, no royal road to wealth, no country in the world offered such opportunities to men to establish happy, comfortable homes for their families.”

A characteristic story of Mr Rhodes and General Do Wet is told by the Kimberley correspondent of the Glasgow 1 Herald, ’ ‘ How you must hate Rhodes 1 ’ a burgher now on parole rsmarked to Christian De Wet, not long ago. ‘ Not at all, ’ the intrepid raider is credibly reported to have cried, ‘Ho tried to patch up matters as long as he could ; but when things got to a head he aided with his own country, and I should have despised him if ho nad not done otherwise. I, too, have aided with my country, and when it is all over I shall not mind shaking him by the hand. ’ This anecdote was carried to Mr Rhodes, who replied promptly, ‘ I think De Wet must be a very fine fellow. ’ An apparatus has been invented in Am erica tar cleaning the mouthpieces of telephonic apparatus by electricity. It consists of a handle something like a telephone receiver, having a hollow atone end, in which is placed some firous material.. with a pair of electrodes buried in it, which can receive a current of electricity from any convenient source of supply, presumably the telephone battery itself. In the process of cleaning the mouthpiece the current passes through the fibrous materia! and sterilises any bacilli that may be there.

Being questioned before the Conciliation Board at Wellington as to the price of coal in Wellington, Mr R. M. Tolhurst stated that the price varied according to the excessive freights from the West Coast. The freight] from the West Coast to Wellington was as much as the price of coal in England. Asked it he could explain why West Coast coal costing ,G2 in Wellington could be bought for HI 10 1 inJAuckland, Mr Tolhurst ssid that it such was the ease, ho could attribute it only to a ring or monopoly of ccal-dealers. In these days of complaint of the difficulty of collecting money (says the Christchurch Press) it is quite refreshing to find the wonderful record of a collection at the stone made in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The sum of H2OOO was collected —a record throughout the colony on similar occasions. A few days a;o an individual at Riverton who spoke disrespectfully of her late Majesty the Queen was roughly handled by a number of residents, part of .ho punishment coted out to him, it is alleged, included hanging for a few moments. After his exciting and painful experience (says an exchange) the individual disappeared mysteriously, and has not sines been heard of. His friends have become alarmed, and although the police have made a diligent search, no trace of the man can be found. It is feared that he may have committed suicide.

A tragic occurrence is reported from South Australia. Two brothers, farmers, named Carey, loft Gawler for their home one recent afternoon in a six-horse waggou. A thunderstorm came on, and one of the men went to a farmhouse to b orrow an overcoat. When ho returned ho was dumtounded to sec the whole of the six horses lying dead and his brother a corpse in the waggon. They had evidently been struck by lightening. Neither waggon nor harness received any injury, but the unfortunate young man’s moustache and hair wore singed on one side and one foot was split.

It is reported that scarlet fever is prevalent at Jtimu, but so far no cases have been reported to the local board of health for the district. If the fever is in evidence, and the householders are cognisant of it they arc liable to a penalty for failing to report the cases.