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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 May 1901, Page 2

The Mayor of Masterton receives an honorarium of £25 a year. The first return from the Bocklands (Buller Biver) dredge is 4oz 9dwts 12grs. The excess of withdrawals over deposits for the last quarter at the Post Office Savings Bank were at Hokitika J63G75 at Westport £1329, at Greymoutb £695. For the information of the newly formed football Clubs who intend joining the West Coast Rugby Union, the Secretary of the Union informs'us that thoy must be du]y proposed and seconded before they become members of the Union.

Mr Kingswell, Manager of iho Becfton United Gold Dredging Company, received a wire last night from Mr Maynard. of the Keystone Bore, stating that tho second bore is down 40 feet without bottom, and the wash shows no decided improvement.

'Among the novelties in the jewellery line—and novelties there arc many —a " greenstone dredge " pendent designed and manufactured by Mr Milner, of Gveymouth,-is among the better designs. The greenstone is in shape of a heart, hung with gold links, with a very excellent design of a dredge in gold on the face. The design is neat, the workmanship excellent.

At the Magistrate's Court on Saturday last: a charge of theft for £3 was preferred. The evidence, however, indicated that the accusation was without foundation, and the Magistrate accordingly dismissed the information. Prohibition orders were granted against C. and S. Larson. In the civil case Petric and Co v. C. Adams—claim for £3 6s—judgment was given by default. To-day the Court was occupied taking evidence in regard to the sale and transfer of paid up interest in Foley's Creek claim. The evidence will be forwarded on to Dunedin where the main issue is to be heard and decided.

As Roberts' Horse came within sight of Kimberly a Yankee riding alongside a New Zealandcr was very much fascinated by the flashing of the heliograph, ami remarked : " Well I guess I kne\v Kimberley was famed for diamonds but I'll be teetotally chawed up if I ever dreamed they were as big as that!" The " Nelson Colonist," commenting on Mr E. M. Smith's venture in Taranaki ironsand and Mokau coal, compares its chances with those of Parapara, by no means unfavourably to the latter. The "Colonist" says that the rich hematite ore of Parapara offers no difficulties of treatment, "ships can lie at a comparatively shortdistanee from the shore, where they would be sheltered from prevailing winds, and there, too, within a very short distance of what has been described as a mountain of iron ore, limestone is available for flux, and only a few milos distant there aro coal seams. Tho valuo of iron is about double what it was some few yoars back, and already the American combinations appear to bo putting tho prices up still higher."

There is still standing at Wuioeka, near Opotilti, an old whare known as " To Kooti'a Wharo." Hero the author of the Poverty Bay massacre found shelter from tho Natives, who wore Hau-haus ; and among tho hills in tho back country he managed to conceal himself successfully whon Jlopata, Te Kepa and Topia were eagerly seeking to bring to justice tho culprit, on whoso head a price of £SOOO was sot by Government. Waiooka is now a very quite loyal place, like many another locaity in New Zealand, which has stirring associations connected with it.

Referring to the new railway cars imported from America, the Lyttelton rimes says:—"Although the carriages look well, tliey hare not the solid appearance of the locally-built cars, and in many respects the work has a shoddy appearance. No attention appears to have been paid to the question of fitting, as some of the doors will require alteration before they will open and close with ease, and several of the spring blinds have already got out of order. So far as can be seen the imported cars are inferior to those which are manufactured at Addington Workshops."

A novel feature of Chinese life, as described by the officers of the Penarth,

is the methods pursued by the coolies who live with their families in small boats at all the ports and in various places in the rivers. Families of five and six are huddled together in small boats about the size of an ordinary dingy, and these watch for everything that isTthrown from the sides of the vessels and eagerly draw it on board. As soon as a Chinese boy gets old enough and has about 40 dollars (worth about 2s each) he buys a boat, secures a wife, and begins life on his own accouut. The activity displayed by tho individual members of the families, and the amount of work done by the good wife.'are surprising. The husband generally takes things very coolly, evidently fully convinced that having provided a boat he has done his share of woi-k for this life at least. The Dunedin Star, commenting on the municipal election in its own city, says: —"The utter failure of 'the ticket' on this occassion is a healthy sign that tho community is recovering its sense of indepannenoe, and is likely in future to resent the interfence and dictation of the leaders of certain organisations, who assume to rule the country both in general and local policy, travelling thus beyond their pro per functions, which are admittedly benefical and useful." Tho Star describes the new Mayor, Mr Denniston, as a business man of good repute, but suggests that he should abd suaviter in mode to frontiter in re.

The Agricultural Department has published its defence against the accusation of unnecessarily killing cattle in Hawko's Bay and the inefficiency of the tuberculin test. They say that for the year ending March 31st, 1899, 29,635 cattle were condemned, and in Hawke's Bay the condemnation of 400 head is not a serious matter. It is probable that many of these were badly deseased milking cows. With reference to the raising of the insurance rates, the Rangitikei Advocate learns, on the best authority, that at the meeting of the underwriters the four New Zealand companies strenuously opposed the increase, but were otit-voted by the twenty-three foreign companies. For reasons connected with insurance business in other countries the New Zealand companies cannot break away from the united tariff. They are, however, satisfied with the volume of business they do in this colony, and it is alleged that the reason why the other companies forced the increase was because the volume of their business here is less. I

The proposal to raiso a loan of £10,300 for waterworks for the borough of Woodville was carried by 125 votes to 21. The Dunedin correspondent of the Lyttolton Times telegraphs : —The price of bread is to be advanced one half-pen-ney on the 41b loaf from Tuesday, and the Bakers' Union states that an3' person selling under the increased figure will bo boycotted.

A novel idea, that should prove pretty and effective, is to bo carried out at Dunedin an the occasion of tho Royal isit. It has been decided, in connection with the children's demonstration, to supply the young folks with toi-toi. It is estimated that some GOOO will bo required, and an authorised agent of the committee will wait upon residents of the town and country with tho object of collecting a sufficient quantity.

The New South Wales Minister for Works lias asked tor a report from Mr Darley, Engineer-in-Chief for Public Works, on the corrosion that has been found to take place in artesian bore casings. An examination which has been made of the casing of the bore at Coonamble has disclosed defects that have led to a desire for further investigation. Vastoralists in that and other districts are anxious for correct data before sinking.

WADE'S WORM FIGS are more effective and not unpleasant; ch most thrive after taking them. Price lildren. The three vessels of the Wellington Steam Ferry Company have, during the last year, travelled 13,688 miles, and carried 49,207 passengers.

Having secured the services of a lady who has gained her experience in some of the best houses in Messrs McKay and Son have much pleasure in drawing attention to their millinery department, which is now one of the most complete in Grcymouth. We guarantee all orders entrusted to this department io give satisfaction. A complete stock of Mackintoshes, Jackets, Capes, Underclothing and Corsets, just to hand.—Advt. ." On Thames goldflclds, New Zealand," writes " Wtka," to a Sydney paper, " are many old-age pensioners, who prospect under Government aid, thus receiving about lis per week. They seldom put a tunnel far enough in to require a candle, and often dress the sides like a plastered wall. Tho value of their work is mostly nil, and Goxernment supervision would swallow up the voto. Askod ono of these derelicts how his mine was getting on, and ho told me he was waiting for the jnachinory to arrive. Ho had made a barrow and was waiting for the wheel 1 In farm matters the threshing and delivery of grain to the stations in Canterbury was' going forward so merrily last week that a block was experienced at the sheds in Lyttelton, and the demand for railway wagons was greatly in excess of the supply. There was also a block along the southern line of railway, especially at country stations. It is a growing impression among farmers that many of the country railway sheds are capable of enlargement, and that the storage of grain there, for which rates would be. paid the same as in Lyttelton, would be a decided convenience to the farmers, and a source of profit to the railway. At present if a block at Lyttelton and in the procuring of trucks takes place, the farmers have in many cases to stack the threshed grain in the open, and naturally they prefer to have it housed. A very old resident of Hokitika has joined the ranks of the majority. Mr Gooch whoso illness from paralysis had kept him in an unconscious state for several days, died yesterday morning. The deceased was a much respected member of tho community where he has brought up a large family, who have tho sympathy of numerous friends in their loss.

The Chairman of the Westport Harbor (Mr Suisted) sent the following telegram to Mr Seddon:—"On behalf of the members and officers of the "Westport Harbor Board I hereby congratulate you on the very distinguised and unique position you have occupied in this Colony during the past eight years. Long may you be spared to continue enacting the very bold and useful measures which without doubt have contributed so largely towards the happiness of the people and prosperity of New Zealand.'' The pea-rifle' nuisance was in evidence at the Gore Court last week, says the Mataura Ensign, when two little boys, resident at East Gore, were charged with killing three sheep valued at £3 3s. It appeared that a boy found the keys of his father's safe, from which he abstracted £2 and purchased a pea-rifle and ammunition. With these the two j accused sallied forth to kill something. On their peregrinations they encountered three sheep, owned by Mr W. Baron, and these they promptly despatched. In view of the seriousness of the offence, the Justices adjourned the case to May 9 for hearing by the Magistrate. The mine manager at the New Scotia reports the repairs to No 1 level have now been finished to the north face and a little driving ahead done. The country has a very good appearance, there being about one foot of solid stone showing into the reef track. Gallant tunnel, the repairs to this have been continued for an additional 25 feet. This position is on the line of reef and driven for 50 feet further ahead is not broken into. The timber requires renewing. Fair progress is being made with the dams. Mr Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries for the colony, reports that the bottom of the Kaipara Harbour is well adapted for trawling and that fish are abundant, but, owing to the many mud banks on which the traveller is unable to work, the seine nets would be most suitable for the Kaipara fishing grounds. The strong tides are somewhat against successful trawling. The schnapper caught in the harbour were much larger than those caught in the Hauraki Gulf, and Mr Ayson is of the opinion that in the near future Auckland will make large demands on the Kaipara waters for fish. What are the proper new loyal toasts in a question that must be arising nightly all over the Empire. The question had to be answered before a recent dinner at Glasgow in connection with the Exhibition. Original'y the following loyal toasts had been put on the menu card : "Their Most Gracious Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra," Their Eoyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the other members of the Eoyal Family." Eventually the matter was submitted to the King himsoif, who referred it to the College of Heralds, in order that the precedents might be followed. The final arrangements and wording the toasts was:—"His Majesty the King," "Her Majesty Queen Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and the other members of the Eoyal Family." The latest accounts regarding Mr Morrison, the member for Caversham, show that ho is really recovering, though at one time it was feared that his malady was caitical. That the New Zealand Government

steamers are kept constantly on the move may be gathered from the fact of the Tutanekai having steamed between 28,000 and 29,000 mites during the past twelve months. Evidently do time has been wasted in the movements of this vessel.

Mr Smith and his staff are making good progress with the erection of the posts and wires for the teiephone exchange at Hokitika and should complete the work in a few weeks.

Galveston (US.) " Daily Nows " on 10th February, contains an account of a bo3 T , fourteen years old, who is alleged to possess the power of seeing through opaque objects, a power he utilises by discovering water deep down in the earth. The boy's name is Fenley, andho hails from Uvalde, Texas. He has been employed to locate water, and the cute American is going to see if he can find oil as well. One or two judges testify to the lad's powers of discovering water by sight, and the crudo experiment of putting buckets of water in places unknown to him is said to havo resulted in his invariable discovery of the fluid. The so-called X ray sight, however, can only be exercised at night—so says the account. Many of the wells ho has located are said to bo yielding full supplies, and he is making the desert blossom as the rose. How does a man got in a funk, And take himself right off to bunk, Just when a pain with symptoms vague, Will make him think he's caught the plague. How often does a cough or cold Make cowards of the brave and bold, Until they find the remedy sure W. E. Wood's Great Peppermint Cuek. In the course of a sermon atjthe Terrace Congregational Church, Wellington, the Rev. J. Heed Glasson stated that although no one could accuse him of being a Conservative, far from it, yet he had courage and conviction jin stating that one-man Government was the curse of New Zealand. If he were not a minister of the Gospel, he would go into the Ho\ise and fight it. Politics in New Zealand would never be purified till oneman Government was taken by the throat and choked, and thrown out of the colony for ever.

In a recent interview, General Gordon,.. Commandant of the South Australian forces, stated that in regard to the formation of the Federal Army he was convinced every young man should betaught to shoot with the rifle and undergo sufficient training to take his place in the ranks when required. Compulsory service service or conscription was not to • the taste of the British race, and there was certainly not any need for such form', of service. Be advocated the formation, of a citizen soldiery, an army to which every member of society should, for a certain period belong. It is necessary now that the Barber has jj made it appearance, for ladies to see that tho blankets are in good order, otherwise they will have to call in the doctor and you all know what his charges are ono visit, one pair of blankets. All wo sayis. go to Christopher Smith, our 1 "up-to-da*j" Cash Draper, and see bis exceptional! bargains in blankets; only 5/11,JLQ/6 t IS/ft 20/-, 27/6 a pair.—Advt.