OUR PORT TRADE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 October 1901, Page 2

OUR PORT TRADE.

There is a very general opinion in this town and district that the Union Shipping Company do not give that consideration to the interests of this port that its importance demand 3, or that the lucrative nature of the i,rade warrants. At once we admit that there are—as at all bar harbors—blocks now and then, but then the high passenger and goods rates charged by the Union Company amply covers these detentions. The trade is admittedly one of the best the Company possess, yet the consideration is of the scantiest nature, and it is little to be wondered at, that this forenoon merchants and the public generally are indignant and purpose taking combined action. Our Mayor has a letter in another column upon the matter in which he proposes a remedy. A merchant also figures indignantly. That a remedy is imperative is beyond all dispute, for this community cannot allow its interests to be interfered with for the benefit of any " combine " or rival port interests. The Wainui, which can take our bar when few other steamers face the ordeal, was off the port and this morning threehours before high water she was by orders signalled on to Westport. At tide time three steamers came in, the bar being like a mill pond. As our Mayor points out, our mails, passengers and cargo are thus delayed in delivery for two days. There is really no valid excuse for this morning's proceeding, and it is about the last straw that tends to break forbearance. A strong combination may take liberties, and often does take them; but there is a limit beyond which public forbearance will not last, and that limit was reached this morning. A good deal more will be heard of this las); action of the Union Com. pany.

Entries close at 9 o'clock this evening at the Albion Hotel for the King's Birthday sports. Tenders for the manufacture of certain dredge machinery and of winches are, by advertisement invited by the Golden Bay Gold Dredging Co. Limited, through its consulting engineers Messrs, Baldwin and Rayward. Early to bed and early to rise, is no doubt splendid in theory, but to attempt to put it into practice —particularly the latter part of it—often spells failure, unless the individual has a more effective method of being awakened than a good resolution. Over our leader in this issue, Messrs Gilbert Bros give particulars of a large consignment of alarm clocks which they have just received from the manufacturers, and are clearing the lot at 6/6d each. The firm also makes reference to their watch and clock repairing department, and as most people are more or less interested in this matter we refer them to Gilbert Bros' announcement.

Euby Creek dredge is now working well. She is at present cutting a narrow channel seven feet deep towards the ground she will operate on. She has about 300 feet to go era reaching the auriferous drift.

Mr D. Eyall, a member of the Grey County Council, yesterday received the following reply from Mr Guinne3s relative to vote for .Nine Mile Bluff road : One thousand pounds voted for Nine Mile Bluff road. Am not satisfied with amount and intend to try and get further amount on supplementary estimates. The Maoris at Eawhia, Auckland, are going in largely for cropping this year. They have been cropping for the past 16 years, and never use manure. Last year they had a return of 4C bushels per acre. Sir T. Lipton is reported in a message from New York to be living the lifu of a hermit on board the Erin. In particular he is avoiding the fair sex, for the numbor of letters which have been received from women causes him to dread the fate of Lieut Hobson, who, when the greatest h9ro of the Spanish* American war, allowed himself to be kissed into oblivion.

In the House of Representatives yesterday, the Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendments Bill, was read the second time pro forma and referred to the Native Affairs Committee, and the Land Tax, and Income Tax Bills, and Local Bodies Loans Bill were read the second time on the voices.

"The most economical department in the State.'' —Mr J. Hutcheson on the Customs Department.

We are inclined to scoff at the Chinese and their topsy-turvy way. And yet in some things we might take a lesson. For instance, when a bank fails in China alt the clerks and managers have thir heads cut off, and thrown amongst the books of the firm, which are set on fire. For over 200 years a bank has never been known to fail. This is significant. The notification that the King has approved the retention of the title of " Honourable " by the Hon. A. J. Cadman, C.M.G., Mr Cadman having served for more than three years as a member of the Exeoutive Council of New Zealand appears in the last Gazette. A tender, accepted by the Masterton County recently, for a metalling contract was £SOO below the estimate of the Engineer. The Engineer pointed out that the difference represented the use of a traction engine and. a horse. He had computed his estimate on the latter lines.

The Governor-in-Council has confirmed a by-law made by the Corporation of Adelaide compelling the consumption in factories of the smoke caused by such factories. Word has has been received that Mr A. Mistowska has completed his musical examinations in Auckland and will leave that city to-day, continuing bis examinations en route and may be expected to arrive in this district shortly. " Advance " in the New Zealand Mail, writes :—W. Huckstep has issued a chalenge to T. Sherlock, or any West Coast runner, for a mile match for £SO or JEIOO aside. Should T. Beatson, of Gisborne, J. Sexton or Luke Ward strike their best form this season the Aucklander will not require to go far from home to meet bis match.

The Westport Times says, a m;n named Edward Black, employed at Sergeants Hill, was walking along the railway lino, about the Queen street crossing on Saturday night, when he was caught by the 915 train. He was struck by the cow catcher and thrown aside. The train was brought to a standstill. Black was taken aboard and taken to town. The man was removed to the hospital, where it was ascertained that his only injury was a scalp wound. He had an extraordinary escape from death. Examinations for degrees, honours, senior scholarships, law, and medicine will be held by the New Zealand University in nine centres, commencing on 11th November. The following are the entries in each division :—Honours in Arts, 33; Honours in Science, 1; M.A. pass, 4; Engineering, 25; Senior Scholarship, 18; Doctor of Laws, 3; Doctor of Science, 1; Batchelor of Arts (first section), 101; Batchelor of Arts (second section), 11; Batchelor of Laws (first examination), 17; Batchelor of Laws (second examination), 18; Batchelor of Laws (third examination, 20; Batchelor of Music (first examination), 1; Barristers' general knowledge, 2; Barristers' final, 3; Solicitors (first section), 54; Solicitors' (second section, 82; Medical intermediate) 24; Medical (first professional) 9 ; Medical (second profession) 15; Teachers and Certificates, 6. The totals for tho various districts are:—Auckland 86; Gisborne, C, Wanganui, 28; Wellington, 114; Nelson, 12; Greymouth, 6; Christchuroh, 102; Dunedin, 163; Invercargill, 8.) Grand Total, 525.

A writer in the 'ltailway Magazine' gives some interesting details regarding the early history of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. He points out that for the first fifty years of its existence the railway was known as a guaranteed company, and enjoyed substantial privileges. Among other?, it was assisted by the grant from Government of a guarantee of 5 per cent per annum, payable half-yearly, on its capital, and its net earnings up to that percentage were remitted to the shareholders, most of whom resided in England, at the fixed rate of exchange of Is lOd per rupee. Steps are being taken to bring the conduct of a Native named Henaro Koliore, in connection with rescue work on tho day when the Whakapai met her fate at tho East Cape, under the notice of tho Boyal Humane Society. The Mataura Ensign understands that it is the intention of tho Government to relay the'rails on the Biversdale-Switzers railway from Riversdale to tho Mataura Biver. This is to be done for tho purpose of facilitating the haulage of material for tho combined railway and traffic bridge which is to be erected. The tea used in the household of tho Chinese Emperor is raised in a private garden surrounded by a high wall. At the time of harvesting the pickers must wear gloves, must bathe three times a day, and must abstain from eating fish, lest their breath should taint the aroma of the tea.

It is expected there will be thirty bands present at the Band Contest, to be held next year at New Plymouth. Several Southern bands intend being present. Mr E. T. Code, who judged the last band contest at Wanganui, on being approached on the subject of acting in a similar capacity at New Plymouth, has replied that he will be unable to do so,

The Sonoma with the English mail of 12th October left San Francisco on the 24th instant at three p.m., being five hours late.

We are glad to see signs of a revival of cricket in Greymouth. A general meeting of members of the Club and intending members will be held at the Gilmer Hotel on Monday night at which at full attendance is requested. At the meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council last evening, Mr Michell (Mayor) moved the following resolution with referenco to the Hokitika-Eoss Railways. "That while this Council views with satisfaction the announcement contained in thojrublic Works statement that it is the intention of the Government to extend the Grey-Hokitika Eailway to Boss we would respectfully urge that an additional sum should bo placed on the Supplementary Estimates so as to enable the commencement of the work, especially the bridge over the Hokitika River which is an absolute necessity, to be undertaken as soon as the survey and plans are completed. The resolution was carried unanimously. The salary of Captain Johnson, harbor master in Wellington, is to be increased from £4OO a year to £450 (the maximum amount allowed by the Harbor Board regulations). The increase is to take effect from Ist January next. The Timaru Harbour Board is turning to good account some of the small stone in its quarry by disposing of it at a very satisfactory price to ships for ballast. Three of the vessels now in port are taking 150 tons of the stone between them.

The General Purposes Committee of the Sydney City Council, reporting on the matter of the appointment of a permanent city organist, recommended that applications be invited in Australia for the position for a term of three years at a salary of £3OO a year, with a right of private practice. An amendment that the appointment be for one year only was moved and carried. With reference to the find of moa bones reported a few days ago, the " Southland Times " states that Mr. C. S. Boss has received information from Mr. B. Scobie, runholder, that the find of moa bones was made on his property at Freestone Hill, about three miles from Lake Manapouri, and on the main coach road. No particulars are given, but it may be assumed that the bones will be well preserved, seeing that the country in that locality is of limestone formation. Mr. Scobie mentions that he will probably send a complete skeleton to Mr. Boss for disposal. Mr J. Hall, a cadet in the Post Office at Motueka left suddenly last Saturday week, and not returning to work on Monday morning suspicion was aroused. It was discovered that several depositors' bank books were misßing. The Post-mas-ter immediately called in all the depositors books for examination and it was found that, though the amount deposited were entered in the books, the money had not been paid in or entered in the journal. The amount thus not accounted for is said to run into three figures. The Motueka Brass Band of which Hall was secretary is also a loser of some £4O. Members of that institutiou had been pressing Hall for a balance sheet for some time, and he had promised to them the Saturday night he left. Hall is a young man married and having two young children. As an officer he was popular and considered very obliging, no suspicion of his dishonesty being entertained. He was arrested at the Hutt, Wellington.

General Colvile, who left South Africa a strong man. has utterly broken down in health. He is now undergoing a cure at KissiDgton under the regime of "silence and no letters."

Four sons of the late Bishop of Durham have all become missionarier and gone to India. This is probably the only case on record of four brothers who are all in the mission field.

It is announced that one of the leaning towers of Italy is in danger of falling.

It is announced that the CanadianPacific Eailway Company intend to spend ten million dollars upon new steamships, in order to complete their Atlantic line of boats.

The Bermondsey Guardians have decided to erect cottage homes for poor children at a cost of £148,000. Since 1895 the annual number of fatal mountaineering accidents has, as appears from the statistics published by the Swiss Alpine Club, steadily increased from 19 to 48.

Boleyn Castle, an ancient building in East London, for some years the home of Annie Boleyn, before her ill-fated marriage with Henry VIII., has been purchased for conversion into a chapel and industtial school, and will form the religious centre of the Canning Town and Barking Roman Catholic Mission. Some of the highest living medical authorities attribute the great growth of physical and mental disease which has characterised the last few decades, to the universality of adulturation. They affirm that the taking into the system continually by human beings as food, substances which are chemically foreign and not only incapable of sustaining healthy life, but constitute a perpetual danger to it, is largely responsible for the new and complex diseases that baffle their curative • skill. Therefore be wise in time, eat only K Jam and avoid these dangers. Absolute purity guaranteed—Advt.