FEDERATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 March 1901, Page 2

FEDERATION WITH AUSTRALIA.

In regard to the question of federating with Australia and the proposed referendum thereon, the people of New Zealand have very little to be thankful for to the Government or their Eepresentatives in Parliament. A Press Association telegram in to-day's issue states that the Ministry have determined to ask the people of the colony, by papers issued with the census, returns to declare whether or not they favor joining issue with Australia. The notice given is ridiculously short, even if the people had had the matter fully discussed before hand. But so far no discussion has taken place. Neither the Ministry nor members have ventilated the subject. It cannot be said that the former have not had time, for the course of the Ministry for months past has been one continual round of banquetting and holiday-making. Neither have Members of the House of Representatives publicly voiced the question, Yet the people are to be asked to vote upon the question—a question our Eepresentatives either do not understand or do not deem to be within the sphere of practical politics. The result under such circumstances cannot be in doubt. The vote will go " for the devil we know, in preference to the devil we know nothing of." Wo regard the proposed referendum as a political shuffle, and under the conditions, an utterly useless waste of money.

Constable Barken of Reefton, resigned his position as member of the police force on Thursday last. A meeting of ratepayers of Woodville last night decided to ask the Borough Council to raise £10,500 for a water supply. We are glad to be able to state that during the past few days the Hon. John M'Kenzio has boon a little better in health.

A meeting of the Harbor Board will be held this evening at 7.30. Among other business will be the selection of a working foreman in the quarries. The Hokitika folk are unfortunate in having a wet day for their show under the auspices of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

The Bruce Herald 'says that the nev drive in the Fortification Kailway anc Coal Company’s mine has now beei

driven about 350 ft into!the hill, and gooi coal has been met with throughout.

The export of coal from Westport last year amounted to 370,000 tons which was an increase of over 10,000 tons for the previous year.

Mr J. S. Maclaurin, D- Sc., of Auck-

land, who has been appointed Government Analyst, in succession to the late Mr W. Skey, commenced his duties at the Colonial Laboratory this week. A trout weighing 2S|lb was caught in the Waitaki a few days ago by an angler resident at the Hook. This is believed to bo the biggest trout caught in the South Coast rivers. All accounts owing to Mr Emanuel Olsen of Blackball, are requested to be paid to him at Nelson Creek on or before March 30th otherwise proceedings will be taken without further notice. The Jubilee Singers concluded their

season here last night. As on the previous evenings the various items were received with much enthusiasm by the largo audience assembled. The singing of Sue-si-uo by Mr Collins evoked much applause. To-night the Company appear at Kumara.

Horse owners, trainers, and jockeys, are reminded that acceptances for all events for the first day’s trotting races close with the Secretary on Saturday evening at 9 30. Nominations for the second day’s races close at 9 o’clock on the same evening. The following unclaimed letters are lying at the chief Post Cilice Grcymomh. Hugh Jones, Fred Harmoudi, Win Leslie, A. Newloy, Elsie Fait L. Eebbochi, A. D. Scoones t Mrs M. J. Smith, John Sutclift'-', Francis Tribilcock, W. Burford, Hugh Toner, Miss M. Davis, George Graham, Daniel Low, and G. T. Thompson. New pipes are being laid on to all the new gas lamps on the wharf. The installation should bo completed in about ton days. At the gas works Mr Kennedy informs us that the “Livcsoy” gas washer imported from Manchester and capable of dealing with 100,000 feet per day, was successfully brought into use during the past week. He adds, “I anticipate the very host results from this very simple but efficient apparatus. Not only will it save lime but the gas will bo even purer than before.”

One of these pleasant episodes. which help to relievo the monotony of school life, took place at Ahaura school on Friday night last. This took the form of a presentation by the children of Ahaura school to Mr W. A. Kundle, the headmaster of the school for the past seven years. The Chairman of the school committee, Mr J. Hargreaves, in a very happy speech, eulogised the past services of Mr Bundle, and on behalf of the children presented him with a handsome silver cake tray and sugar bowl, After Mr Bundle had suitably responded, three hearty cheers were given by the children with hearty wishes for the future success of their old master.

Mr P. Sleo, secretary of the Westport Trotting Club, notifies holders of tickets on Strathconan in the race that was held in dispute, that the money will bo paid out on and after noon to-day The Westport Club disqualified Strathconan on the grounds of inconsistency, but the New Zealand Association reversed the decision.

Tlie first meeting of members of the Trinity and St. John’s Sunday Schools’ gymnastic class will, be'held in the Trinity Schoolroom at 7 30 this evening, and we trust the lads of both schools will avail themselves of the golden opportunity for muscular development which this class affords.

The 0(ago Daily Times says that but for the scarcity of labour the Heriot railway extension work would be put in hand by the Public Works Department. As the harvest is likely to be general in Otago in a few days, given fine weather the pro. spect of securing men for the work is scarcely likely to bo improved.

If there were cheap faros from Sydney to New Zealand said Mr Andrew Collins before the Federation Conference, enough of the unemployed would come over to swamp the labor market in New Zealand. For tills reason ho thanked the Union Company tor beeping up the fares.

The Martin scandal—The Christchvn'rir Star says that on his way back from England _ rather more than a year ago, Mr Martin travelled through the United Stales. After Ins return to New Zealand, lie more than once expressed his admiration of American customs, and also of the conditions of life prevailing in the Eepublic. It is considered highly probable by those people who arc qualified to advance an opinion that Mr Martin will find his way to America, and settle down there.

The Hon. Hall-Jones has informed the Mayor of Hawera that his Department will subsidise pound for pound subscriptions up to £l5O for erecting a town clock in that town. A similar movement was started and funds subscribed in New Plymouth two or three years ago, and the clock is still conspicuous by its absence.

The Nelson “Colonist” regrets io learn from the Golden Bay district that some, at all events, of the oyster beds in that bay, have been destroyed by the slime which made its appearance in such quantities a short time ago. After dredging a bed on which there was a large quantity of fine oysters at the end of last season, one operator returned with less than three dozen live oysters. It is feared that the oysters in Tasman Bay have also suffered largely, “A New Zealand lawyer,” said Mr Martin Chapman before the Federation Commission yesterday, “is not recognised anywhere else in the world, except perhaps in Tasmania.” The first step towards the prosecution of the appeal in the Stycho case was taken the other day in banco, when Mr Joynt obtained an order to transmit the papers in the case to Wellington. It is estimated, says the “Fielding Star,” that the Federal Commission, now taking evidence as to the desirableness’or otherwise of New Zealand federating with Australia, will cost the colony £SOOO.

A family of poor Polish Jews, who were in’a wretched condition in 1893, went to Klondike, and after a while got on to ‘ pay gravel ’ to the tune of £4OO a day. They have refused £50,000 for their claim. Ex-Constable Cullinane, formerly of Wellington, who was kicked on the spine by a drunken man in Auckland, is in a precarious condition. Letters are beginning to arrive from the Old Country bearing a penny stamp only. The first lot came to hand by the mail last week.

It is defiuitly stated in the Times of India that Lord Kitchener is to be given command of Iho forces in India.

A slight outbreak of diphtheria, with one death, is reported from the Eangitikoi District.

Complaint is made in Carterton that the local bakers charge the highest price in the Wellington province—Gel a 4lb loaf, and sell under-weight even at that. It is anticipated that when the track through Whitcombe Pass is completed, it will be possible to ride to Ashburton, catch the train, and reach Christchurch in one day from Grcymoutli. Mr John Maher has according to the Times sufficiently recovered from his late severe illness to enable him to got about the hospital grounds. He expects to be able to leave the institution altogether at an early date.

The boxes in which the choicest fruit is sent away from Hastings this season are imported from Australia, and strange to say, are made of New Zealand white pine sliced by a special machine, which leaves the wood smooth on both sides. When packed they are enclosed in crates to minimise the risk of bruising the fruit.

With reference to the destruction of the oyster beds by the mysterious slime, which recently visited the Nelson coast, the Golden Bay Argus says, it is stated that years must elapse before the oyster beds will regain their former position, and the industry is, therefore, practically exterminated for the time being.

The Masterton Star understands that the Government has still in view the acquisition of a portion of the Branccpeth estate, near Masterton, for the purpose of close settlement. At the Union Store, is to bo had a very fine assortment of all kinds of fruit for jam making ; also a largo assortment of jam jars. Order early to save disappointment. Griffien and Smith.— Advt. J. Gofton, the Dresden Piano Go’s tuner, is at present in Gi oymouth,. Orders left with J. W. Easson and Co. or Post Office Hotel, will be promptly attended to.— Advx.