Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1901. OUR MODE OF WELCOME.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 May 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1901. OUR MODE OF WELCOME.

Royalty, pagentry, and display permeates the Australian and New Zealand colonies. Go were you will you hear of the Royal Visit ; look at any newspaper, and there in bold letters you will see “ The Royal Visit,” “ brilliant display,” “ gigantic preparations,” and such like lines. All this is very well in its way, and if it is evidence of our loyalty, then in all conscience there is plenty of evidence. But is it evidence of such, and if so—after the better evidence of sending troops to South Africa—is it required. We are all agreed —at least all loyal to the King and Crown—and by that it should be understood we mean loyally to the nation, to the race, to ourselves, and to the king as the representative and head of the race—that we should receive the king’s son, and heir apparent with a greater warmth and cordiality than we would perhaps extend to an ordinary mortal, and no one can say that we are not doing this, and a good deal more. But is it wise to have all this extravagent “ glitter and tinsel wherever the Prince doth go?” Seeing too that it is producing heartburning and bickerings such as that now seen at Brisbane, Granted that

the people dearly love, show, display and pagentry - democrats though they may be-would it not bo far better for the Prince, and would it not give him a better idea of the people ho expects some day to rule over, if he saw them as they are and in their ordinary avenues of life, rather than when decked with feathers and finery and surrounded with pomp and display entirely foreign to their nature and life. We will readily enough admit

that some decorations were in keeping

with the great event ho came out to aid in celebrating the opening of the first Parliament of Australia—and in New Zealand, too, when and where he first lands there might also bo the “ arches of welcome,” the military display, and such like, but after this it would be much better that the, Prince should see the land and the people thereof in their reality rather than in theatrical apparel and with masks on. Like all travellers - and the Duke of York has been a great traveller—the chief object sought is to learn of countries, their physical features, their resources ; their people, customs and peculiarities. In the present tour the Duke has not the slightest chance of doing this. If he wrote of his experience from what he has so far seen and is likely to see, he would say of Australia : “ It is immensely rich ; all the people are millionaires, going about in purple and fine linen, with gorgeous display and generally acting on a colossal scale the showman, and entertainer to visitors,” ■

Mr Heuncrt, the fine baratono singer from Dunedin will to-morrow evening in Trinity Church during the offertory sing “Calvary” The pausity of our telegraphic matter to-day is explained h} r the fact that a portion of the wires arc down, the result of last night’storm.

At a meeting of the Stillwater School Committee held this week, it was unanimously decided to hold a social and hall in aid of the funds of the school. A strong committee was formed, and the dale fixed for Friday evening, May 31st. These gatherings in the Stillwater District arc always looked forward to hy young and old, and no doubt a number of our country readers will avail themselves of having a night’s amusement. The fortnightly meeting of the Foresters Lodge was held last evening at the Lodge Room, Gilmer Hotel. The business, etc. transacted went to show the nourishing existence this Brotherhood enjoys. One now member was proposed, who when initiated will bring the membership fairly into the second hundred. It was unanimously resolved to present Bro. A. G. Ashton, P.C.R., with a framed diploma to take tho place of the original, which was presented to him by the Court on his retirement from the Chair a few years back, and which was destroyed in tho late fire.. Sincere sympathy with him was also universally expressed. Messrs Wm. M’Kay and Bons new advertisement will appear in Monday’s issue. They are now showing a splendid range of dress goods in all the latest colors and shades. They invite tho public to inspect their stock, which for quality and price cannot bo surpassed on tho West Coast.

Messrs Mark Sprot and Co will sell by public auction at Ashton’s stables on Monday at noon, three heavy draught horses shipped by Messrs Abraham and Williams, per Himitangi, at Poxton yesterday. Intending buyers may inspect the consignment on arrival of the steamer. Mr Ashton has completed the erection of temporary premises. The bar is well stocked with the best brands of liquors, and wo have no doubt that Mr Ashton’s old friends will rally around him ic his misfortune.

Dr Lewis, of Auckland, in the course of evidence at a recent inquest in that city on the body of a man who had died under chloroform, stated his opinion that in the administration of chloroform to a patient it was almost immaterial so far as risk to life was concerned, whether the heart was diseased or not, provided that the respiration was carefully watched.

The mine manager at Big Eiver reports —Since last report the contractors have driven IS feet, making a total distance up to date of 40 feet. There is little change to report. The ground continues much the same with a little broken quartz intermixed.

The mine manager at Wo. 2 Big River reports—Since commencing work the contractors have driven the cross-cut 24 feet 0 inches. There is no change to report. Mr Field, M.H.B. for Otakai, has momoralisod the Minister for Agriculture to appoint a wool expert to assist in obtaining a better market for growers. A bill for the encouragement of marriage has just been introduced into the Pennsylvannia Legislature. It provides that every male in the States of Pcnnsylvannia over 40 shall pay 100 dollars for a marriage license. The fees are to be used for the maintonaacc of a home for ladies over 40, who have not had a suitable opportunity or an offer of marriage. Any batchelor over 40 who goes outside Pennsylvannia for a wife shall pay 100 dollars penalty.

A meeting of the Westland Land Board was held at Hokitika on Wednesday. The following applications concerning this district were dealt with. B Thornloy, for transfer of sections No 43 and 55 Block XII, Hohonu S.D. of 237 acres 1 rood as executrix of A. Thornley.—Adjourned to next meeting. Jessie Aicken to select 100 acres of unsurveycd rural land on lease in perpetuity, being run No 204 in Otira S.D. under the Midland Authorised Area Land Setllement Act.—Granted.

When shunting yesterday morning after the arrival of the train at Hokitika a van and passenger carriage left the line, apparently through some fault at the points. Some slight damage was done to the rolling stock, and a good deal of time was occupied in again gating the carria res on to the line Just after leaving the lino the van in particular was in imminent danger of capsizing rocking considerably as it bumped along the line. Fortunately it did not, for had it fallen outwards, some children sitting on some pipes near by would probably have been crushed. Stewart Island is periodically visited by shoals of blackfish, some of which occasionally venture too close in shore in search of food, and become stranded on the beach. The lucky finders of the captives have a valuable asset in the oil of the fish yield, as there is considerable demand for it. Recently (says the Southland News) C 4 were throw!! up on the beach at Mason’s Bay, the largest being 17ft in length, and Mr Charlton, of Charlton and Thompson, who discovered them is taking steps to turn the product into a marketable commodity. The return should be a lucrative one, as the fish are' expected to yield an average of 30 gallons apiece. They are a small species of the whale.

The rapid growth of Rotorua (says the Hot Lakes Chronicle) is distinctly noticeable. An empty house is a thing practically unknown, and new ones are going up as fast as they can bo built, but still the demands arc greater than the supply. Over 100,000 ft of timber was brought into Rotorua at the end of last month for various building purposes, and more is expected. Her late Majesty,s birthday, the.24th May, 1001, to be called ‘•Victoria Day,” will bo observed as a holiday by the Post and Telegraph Service. A special delivery of town letters will bo made on the proceeding evening (Thursday) over the counter or from the delivery window. Mails usually despatched on Friday morning'will bo closed on Thursday night. Telcgraph-ofiiccs will observe the holiday hours published in the Post and Telegraph Guide.

An illustrated pamphlet on ‘ Modelling’ constitutes the third of the “ Handiwork for Schools ” series, issued by the Education Department. The object of modelling is to teach the student to appreciate the beautiful in form, and the means to this end have been rendered much more effective since the introduction of plasticine. Specimens of the plastic art are illustrated, and the simple tools required are described, though plasticine also adapts itself to excellent moulding by the fingers alone. The commander of H.M.S. Ophir, Commodore Winsloe, although quite a young man, being only 41 years of age, has had a distinguished career. In 1882 he saw active service in the Egyptian war, and afterwards with the naval brigade in East Africa in the expedition against the Sultan of Vitu in 1900. He was a valuable member of the committee for the revision of naval signals, and went as commissioner to Maeskassi to defend the boundary between the Portuguese and the Chartered Company’s territory. He also served as flag-lieutenant to Lord Clanwilliam, whh the detached squadron in 1879 and 1880, when the Duke of York was midshipman in the Bacchante,

The four Mormon elders -who were mobbed on Saturday and Sunday nights at Dunedin, write to the press complaining of the cruel and uncalled-for manner in which they were treated by larrikins. They say in conclusion: —“ Me are under no further obligations to preach in your city, and we do not propose to do so at the expense of our lives and placing peaceable citizens in danger of serious injuries.”

It is the intention of the returned troopers of the third contingent, to whom Mrs Stead presented a piano on the memorable occasion of the departure of the troopship Knight Templar for South Africa, to have the pianc suitably engraved and given back to Mrs Stead, as a memento of the occasion, and in appreciation of her kindness. “Nearly every boy wishes to become an engineer,” remarked Mr J. L. Scott at the Arbitration Court at Christchurch, “and it is only when ho finds he cannot that ho turns his interest in other directions.

Hokitika had a narrow escape from fire the other morning. The Guardian says;—Mr Athy of the Suburban Hotel, had a narrow escape from being burnt out last night. From what we can gather, it appears that the servant girl, along with Mrs Kirkwood, went into a reccntlj- discarded bedroom to get some wearing apparel, about nine o’clock in the evening, as they say, only a candle for a light. About six o’clock this morning, the girl who was sleeping in the adjoining room woke the household with a cry of fire. It was at once seen that all the contents in this room were in a blaze, and was rapidly gaining a hold of the woodwork. A few buckets of water promptly applied soon averted the danger. The fire must have been smouldering all night, in one of the beds—of which there arc two in the room—as the bed belongings were completely burned up besides a lot of wearing apparel belonging to the household. The girl was awakened by the breaking of the various articles as they fell off the burning shelf, and the smell of burning. The Mayor of Westport has received word from the Premier that the Duke of Cornwall’s birthday, the 3rd of .Tune, would not this year be declared a public holiday. Messrs Butler, Fedderson and Fennel having resigned their position as directors of the Alpine Extended Company. Messrs H. S. Castle, W. B. Evans, and W. M‘Arthur have been appointed in their stead.

And so, it appears, ex-Judge Martin could thieve Simms of his wife, and in doing so make his children motherless, dispoil his home of what should be its brightest treasure, and after doing all this the punishment is—costs on the highest scale. All which goes to show that the theft of they neighbor’s wife does not stand in the same category as the theft of his ox, or his ass, or anything else that is his.—Christchurch Spectator. It is said that the increasing avoirdupois of the Premier was not taken into account by the enginemen on Friday night, when conducting the special train to Grey. It is reported (says the West Coast Times) by Arahura people that steam “ ran out ” after the special train had gone five miles, consequently the train was delayed opposite the Maori settlement for some minutes until steam was again got up. The increasing “surplus ” of the distinguished passenger was the only way our Arahura friends could account for the vacuum in the “ iron-horse.”

A Canterbury schoolmaster, who, “from conscientious motives” declined to instruct his scholars in military drill, has been asked to resign. Owing to the expansion of work pertaining to the Inspectors of Machinery Department in Otago, it has been found necessary to permanently appoint an inspector to have charge of the Southland district only. Mr Bethune is to be located at Invercargill for the purpose.