NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 30 October 1901, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Embezzlements appear to be incidental to all countries, but it has been left to Russia to supply the most extraordinary fraud in this direction, A half-million sterling has been taken. This is a sum most folks would think not easily manipulated on fraudulent lines. Yet in Russia the surroundings are almost astounding. This sum was paid by the Government for certain works on the Volga River. The amount was evidently paid in instalments upon progress certificates for work done. And the final payment was made upon certificate that the work was completed. Subsequently it leaked out that so far from the work being completed the task had not even been commenced! Proceeding are now being taken against the swindlers, Swindles, more or less clever, and more or less clumsy, occur every day, but only in Russia or Turkey could such a fraud be committed, A public work of considerable magnitude, reported as completed and paid for before the work had actually commenced, reads almost like a fairy story, yet it is a Russian reality. Truly enough it gives a peculiar insight in the curruption in that country.

The usual monthly meeting of the Greymouth State School Committee called for last evening lapsed for want of a quorum. Alarm Clocks, Ansonia Clock Company’s manufacture. Guaranteed thoroughly reliable timepieces. Sale price 5s each. Everything correspondingly cheap at Hohace W. Lloyd’s Jewellery Establishment on'Mawhera Quay. Advt. Mr W. Eyan sustained a severe loss yesterday by the doa'h of a splendid cart horse, which he had but recently purchased, This is the second horse ho has lost in twelve months. On the fourth page of the present issue will be found the first of a series of hints upon health and prevention of disease, from the Government Health Department. The article should be cut out and kept for guidance in case of need. That this evil habit of opium smoking is spreading can be proved at any time by reference to the police records, and, to my mind, a drunkard or a gambler, as compared with an opium smoker, is to be preferred.—Mr Seddon, The Wellington members, says the Premier, obtrude themselves on every occasion. He does not know what their motive is, unless it bo to keep members in session till Christmas.

That the Premier is going home for the Coronation of KingEnward seems (reports our Parliamentary corresdondent) to be a recognised fact. It is equally certain that before the session closes he will ask a vote from Parliament to meet his expenses.

Sleeper catting is now almost a thing of the past at Cape Terrace as the country is about cleared out, and the few that could be got are at suck a distance from the road, and so difficult of access that the price of even BsGi per sleeper will not pay the men anything like wages to get them. Wo again remind our readers of the Steen-Smith Concert Company who are to appear in the Opera House this evening. The company arrived by special coach this afternoon from Kumara. Given a fine night, they should be greeted with a crowded house.

By far the best consignment of wicker and rattan furniture ever seen in Greymouth, was landed by Messrs Harley and Co yesterday, and is now on view at their show-rooms (upstairs). The line consists of about £2OO worth of fancy chairs of all shapes and sizes, also lounges, settees, music stands, and a variety of other goods, the lot having been imported from Japan, ex ship “Guthrie.” The firm invite public inspection. Mr Horace W. Lloyd who is now on the Coast is determined to sell the whole of his valuable stock of jewellery, watches, rings etc, before removing into his new premises. Ho is selling alarm clocks, guaranteed thoroughly reliable timepieces at 5s each, in order to effect a clearance. The public are requested to inspect his goods, which for quality and prices cannot be surpassed on the Coast. The Keep it-Dark Company has declared its 132 ad dividend of sixpence per share.

Commandant Booth’s, lectures illustrated by limelight and biosoopic views, is announced for the Opera House on Sunday and Monday 10th and 11th. These have been given with marvellous success by the leader of the Salvation Army in the large centres of Australia and New Z aland. It is stated there are 200 original pictures in connection with the striking lectures. These are the productions of Major Perry, an expert, it will bo remembered the Major was employed by the Australian and New Zealand Governments to secure bioscopio films in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. Sunday night’s subject will be “From the Cradle to the Cross.” This willcommenco at 8.15 p.m. The elopement ease at Hekitika has been settled. The matter came before D. Macfarlane yesterday morning when Mary Boderaski was charged with unlawfully having possession of two children. Mr Bearo, for the informant, applied for a remand and stated defendant would have an opportunity of employing counsel. Defendant applied for bail but was unable to procure sureties and subsequently the matter was settled between the parties, defendant agreeing to accept her husband’s offer to resume habitation with him.

A correspondent form Aliaura writes as follows :—Too much credit cannot be given to Mr Trygonning, our worthy postmaster, to the Currie family, and to Mr de Berry for joining with the Catholic Choir at Benediction on Sunday evening to sing the anthem, “The Vital Spark,” in memory of the late Thomas Magi 11 The rendering of this beautiful anthem by such a talanted company will long be remembered by those who had the pleasure of hearing it. This great mark of respect the friends of deceased will ever dherish and esteem.

Extensive harbour improvement works at Port Natal are contemplated. Mr T. C. Brash, manager of the Maketawa Dairy Company, Taranaki, has been appointed grader of produce and instructor in butter and cheese making in the dairy division of the Department of Agriculture,

The contract for supplying the New Zealand police with helmets has been secured by Messrs T. Parker and Co., of Napier.

Mr Berry, chief postmaster, informs us that the overland mail front Christchurch to GrCymouth is stuck up at the Bealey, and therefore will not arrive this afternoon. The coach from this side is stuck up at the Otira, the river being in high flood.. The passengers walked over the suspension bridge, and are being made at home by the host and hostess of the Otira Hotel, Mr and Mrs O’Malley. It is practically settled (says the United Service Gazette) that Lord Kitchener’s next command will be that of Conimand-er-in Chief in India, where he will succeed Sir Power Palmer in March next. Lord Kitchener, with his South African experience, has been able to grasp the capabilities of many officers who have served under him during this arduous war, and it will therefore not be surprising if a few of the officers are gradually transferred to commands in the East upon his recommendation.

The full dress rehearsal of the Opera Dorothy went off splendidly last evening, the dresses looking very quaint and pretty. The dancing of the Misses Maggie and Nellie McNeil and the scarlet runners being very much admired. The comic element is well sustained by Mr Ryan, as Mrs Privet, and Mr Pegler as our worthy friend Lurcher in whoso capable hands it is inimitable. The duel scone is perhaps the most ludieious. The fear depiteted on the faces of Dorothy and Lydia contrasting strangely with the sad conern of Sherwood and Wilder. Full practice this evening at 7.30 at Dorothy Hall.

Some of the bank notes in circulation in New Zealand are so dirty that they should (remarks the Napier Daily Telegraph) only to bo handled with tongs, and even then only after disinfection. Our contemporary suggests that until the filthy notes are withdrawn the public should insist on having all cheques paid for in gold, so ai to bring the banks to a sense of their duty to their customers.

The Budget of Orange River Colony since the date of its occupation to June 30th last shows that the receipts amounted to £402,925 and the expenditure to £386,083. Of these sums the purely civil revenue was £301,800 and the expenditure £217,274. The principal receipts were from quit rents, £11,853; customs, £151,000; licences and stamps, £28,000; native poll tax, £10,100; and post-office, £43,636. Captain Richards, Sub-Inpector of Mines, arrived at Hu mara last Wednesday. He has visited several subsidised works here. The proposed road from Sandy’s Hill to Larrikins is now (srys the Times) surveyed to No 5 Channel, and the work which is a Government one is to bo put in band after the next meeting of the Westland County Council. The contractors for the extension of No 5 Channel have commenced work which is to carried on with three shifts. The first shift went to work on Saturday night so it will be seen that there has been no time lost. The track to Haye’s Terrace from the Teremakau bridge will be put in hand this week. Captain Richards’ duties also include that of inspecting the different dredges with a view of seeing that all are properly equipped. His duties commence at Marlborough and extends as far south as Gillespie’s Beach, South Westland. A further extension of the Waimea Sludge Channel has been authorised by the Mines Department and the work will he put in hand at once.