Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1901. DREDGING COMPLICATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 December 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1901. DREDGING COMPLICATION.

The management of dredging companies or at least a few of them—cannot be considered satisfactory ; norare they run on ordinary business lines. The last case of dissatisfaction to come under notice is that of the Leviathan, a company that has had a deal of perhaps bad luck along with indifferent management. At the present time the prospects before the corporation are brighter than they have been since its formation. Yet it is now proposed to liquidate, when appearences gives a very fair chance of success being attained. The Directory is at Dunedin —a fact that does not tend to please West Coast investors —and that direc- : tory sent a circular out to its share, holders the other day wherein it is stated " that it has been proved to the satisfaction of the shareholders that the Company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that the Company be wound up voluntarily." A previous communication stated that it was proposed to issue 12,000 preference shares at 5s each, but the directors stated that only 6,117 shares had been applied for, and as some £390 odd was required the issue, even if fully subscribed would not be sufficient, and hence we presume the proposal to liquidate. Now, in regard to the shares not being applied for, Mr„ Cray stated at Monday's meeting that he had wired stating that he could place 1,500, Mr. Wickes that he could place 1,000, and Mr. Pochin had also applied for shares ; but strange to relate none of the applicants were even vouchsaved an answer. This at all events does not indicate an inclination on the part of the management to push the sale of shares that was at

first deemed sufficient to meet requirements and rouses a suspicion that the ' directors were not very anxious for the necessary shares. Therefore we cannot hold that the 12,003 shares could not be obtained. If the actual shortage is but £3,690, then surely after the payment of the £B,OOO there would be little difficulty in financing the balance, seeing that the dredge is now on good gold. The capital of the company originally was £12,000, and its present indebtedness £8,690. Of this sum £3,000 would, we believe, be forthcoming on preference shares. In any other business with such a capital invested, and with similar prospects before it, no difficulty would be experienced in financing the £690, and why there is so in regard to the Leviathan Company is to our mind inexplainable. We stated that the

claim had bad luck - we prefer to put it so—but latterly the luck has altered, for during the past six weeks the value of gold won was £702. The working expenses for same period at £45 per week is £270, leaving a net profit of £482, or £72 per week. Now there is a reasonable hope of this continuing, and under such circumstances we can see no just reason for liquidating, and heartily endorse the decision of the Greymouth shareholders in meeting expressed. It is to be hoped the directors will see their way to reconsider what we consider an unwise decision, and give shareholders a chance of recouping themselves from the improved condition now before the company. Taking the past six weeks as a basis to go by, the profit for twelve month's continuous run would be £3,744.

The weather report to-day shows that the temperature of Greymouth at 9 a.m. was 00 degrees, Bcaley 55 and Wcstport 00. The tides are moderate with the sea smooth. By a private wire received in town this morning, we are able to inform the friends of Mr Robt. Wallace, tho popular representative of Stewart and Co., of Wellington, that his. health has much iirproved although it will bo Borne weeks before ho will be able to leave his home.

la addition to the big entry of store cattle and fat sheep, to be sold at Arahura on Wednesday, 18th inst, by Mark Sprot and Co., a first-class maiden trotter, quiet.in harness and also splendid buggy mare, both from Canterbury district, will bo sold. The official starting of the Maori Gully Dredging Company's dredge took place this afternoon and naturally enough the small —but once large—township was en fete. Quite 40 of our townspeople, including a number of ladies, went up this morning to attend the function. The dredge is most substantially built and reflects the greatest credit upon its builders. This dredge's progress will be watched with interest for it has a rich tract of country to operate on. At the University examination going on this week at the sixteen centres throughout the colony, there are 720 candidates for Matriculation, Solicitors' General Knowledge and Medical Preliminary, and ninety-five for the Junior Scholarships. The figures are the largest to date. On Monday a case of stone-throwing was heard at the Magistrate's Court, and the Magistrate inflicted a heavy fine on the culprits. We thought this would be a caution to some lads, who, almost every day on their way home from school, indulge in this pastime, and pepper the roofs of houses along Hospital Street.— A correspondent writes this, and hopes parents will warn their boys, otherwise more serious consequences will follow. Mr King's window at the present time is to be greatly admired. He is always to the front with something now, and is showing portraits mounted on Xmas cards. At this season of the year, when so many cards are. being sent away to friends, we know of nothing more appropriate, and we are glad to hear that . he is kept busy. In another column the firm of Qun, Kum, Wah and Co advertise that they have just landed 72 cases of new season fruit; also that they have fresh fruit arriving by every steamer, This firm are noted for the excellent stock kept. They invite inspection, and deliver goods to any part of the town and to all trains. We draw our readers attention to Messrs M'Kay and Son's change of advertisement in this issue. Persons desirous of obtaining bargains should pay this shop a visit, as it will well repay them, especially at this season of the year. Mr Hansen has made final arrangements with the Janet Waldorf Dramatic Crmpany to tour the Coast during the holidays. The Greymouth season commences on December 28th, the programme being as follows:—Saturday, 28th, "As You Like It"; Monday, 30th, " Camille" (Dumas); Tuesday, 31st, " Mgomar " (Lowell); Wednesday, Ist, (New Year's Day), " Lady of Lyons" (Lytton); Thurs lay, January 2nd," Eomeo and Juliet." The company also play two nights at Hokitika and three at Eeefton. The company is one of the largest of the kind that has ever visited the Coast.

The Misses E. and E. Eees, who have one of the newest and best assorted stocks of stationery and fancy goods in Greymouth, have had their window dressed with a specially selected stock of Xmas and New Year cards, dolls, etc. A. visit to their establishment will prove convincing as to the excellence and variety of the goods, while the prices are fixed at a very low margin of profit. The young ladies invite inspection of their goods. Nothing is so disappointing to an average smoker as a dirty pipe and bad tobacco, and correspondingly nothing so soothing as a sweet pipe and fragrant weed. These articles are to be obtained at Mr. Sampson's hairdressing saloon, where pipes choice and of many designs, tobacco and cigars of the very best brands may be obtained. He has also a large assortment of silver mounted walking sticks, cigarette and cigar cases suitable for presentation. Given fine weather the residents of Totara Flat should have a gala day on the 27th December, By reference to our advertising columns will be found the programme of thfiir athletic sports. There is also to be added a cup for the championship of Totara Mat (150) to be conferred within radius of five miles. Nominations Is 6d, close on the 17th December. The cup is a very handsome one and was presented by Messrs Sheedy and Co. The enrgetic committee are sparing no pains to make the affair a huge success, JE6O being spent in prizes. Judging by the interest taken by a number of our young pedestrians, the nominations should be really good. In the evening a social and dance will be held.

This evening, at the Opera House, Mr Whttehouse will appear with his Biochronoscope and Theatrophone Company. The whole of the press throughout New Zealand speak in highest praise of the entertainment, and they should bs greeted with a crowded house. The New Plymouth Daily Times says :—" Not only does Mr Whitehouse show the finest and most comprehensive set of animated pictures we have yet seen, but shows them with undoubtedly the best living picture machine which ha* yet toured the colony." He has recently added to his company two artists, comprising the "'novelty team " Mowbray and Frank May, whose songs, dances, and character sketches add materially to the charm of the entertainment. The Magistrate's Court was occupied all yesterday afternoon hearing the cases of J. Bannerman, H. Candy, and C. Peach against H. Weenink, claim for damages sustained through defendant interfering with plaintiff's horse and trap. After some further evidence had been taken for the defence the Magistrate held the cases proven and awarded Bannerman £IG 12/-; Candy £lO 7/6; and Peach £6 12/-; damages with costs. A small green beetle has made its ap-. pearance in soma orchards in the Pahiatua district, destroying the young fruit.

Tho Labour Department has, says the Telegraph, advised Napior firms that the increase of salary provided for by the new Factories Act do not come into force until a year after the passing of the Act, Very heavy frosts have been experienced at Lake Taupo and Calatea (says the Hot Lake Chronicle). At both peaces potatoes are blackened. At the latter placo this is nothing unusual, as there has been a potato famine in December and January. As a rosult of representations made to headquarters by Mr Herts'etfc, Acting Chief Postmaster at an addition is to be made to tho local telegraph staff. | The addition has been much required. | Mr Hertslett is just the man to find out . whore a defect exists and do his best to ; remedy it. He is one of the most capable officers in the service. , The "Wellington city authorities have • decided to prosecute at once persons who i have not complied with the notices to 1 equip their premises with proper fire i escapes. t

Owing to an accident to the machinery of the tug "Westland" arrangements could not be made to tow the schooner "Clyde" into port. Arriving from Wellington last evening, Captain Cameron did not relish the idea of having to £:■ main in the offing for perhaps a few days, so at eleven o'clock this morning ho made for the bar, and was successful in sailing the little vessel up tho river. She was any trouble. A large number watched the schooner comiag in under full sail.

Tho tender of Messrs Briscoe and Co. (Limited) has been accepted by the Railway Deportment for the supply of 12,000 gallons of castor oil for the New Zealand railways. The price for delivery at Wellington, Auckland, Lyfctelton and Port Chalmers is 2s oid per gallon. On being told that the quantity of ammunition in one of tho Southern citic3 in tho Government magazine was a million and a half rounds. General Macdonald remarked that it was just about enough for ono man if New Zea'and was engaged in actual waifare.

A shearer came to Masterton on Monday with a cheque for £32. Ho has bad (says the local paper) a real good time, and all that now remains is a distended cranium.

A departmental enquiry will be made in connection with the railway fatality at Morton Mains near Invercargill. The tender of George Baildon of £5175 has been accepted by the City Council for the erection of new Auckland Fire Brigade station.

The trial of the Ariadne cases will take place at Christchurcli before Ms Honor Mr Justice Denniston on December 17.

Accountancy and book-keeping have been adopted by the "Educational Department as a subjeot in the Civil Service examinations. The president of the Incorporated Institute of Accountants has been appointed by the Minister for Education a? the examiner for the colony, and is now making arrangements for the examination.

It is stated that as the result of the passing of the new Factories Act, the services of a number of young women employed in Napier as dressmakers have been dispensed with. Their dismissal is believed to have been brought about by the disinclinaion of employers to pay the minimum wagei which the Act prescribes for young people. About 250 men are employed on work n connection with the laying of Auckland's electric tramways, and it is anticipated that 150 moro will be taken on when the whole of the works are in full swing. Four stowaways were found on the barque Akaroa whoa that vessel left Liverpool for Wellington, and were brought on to New Zealand. One of them a small boy, who said he wanted to settle in this country.

By the Represent ition Act of 1896 provision is made for Bepresentation Commissions for both the North and South Island. The Surveyor-general and Commissioners of Crown Lands for Taranaki and Auckland, with two members appointed by the Governor-in-Council, constitute the commission for the North Island, and the Commissioners of Crown Lands for Wes land, Canterbury, and Otigo, with two members appointed, constitute the South Island Commission. By the Amending Act of 1900 it is provided that at a time and place to be fixed by the Governor the two commissions shall sit together as a joint commission to determine how many of the six new seats created under the Acs are to be allotted to the North and South Island respectively. The commission will then proceed to fix the boundaries of various electoral districts in the light of the information gained by the recent census.

For affixing a usad s'amp to a posted letter, a Caristcburch in-in was fined £1 and costs. According to the Mataura Ensign the after effects of influenza bare resulted in the committal of two persins firjm the Pukerau district to Seacliff Asylum recently. A Waimate resident has about threa acres of raspberry bashes, which, laden with the ripening fruit, are a picture to look at. The local paper Btates that Mr Fitch, whea around on his tour of iaspaccien on behalf of the Government tha other day, expressed surprise at the sight. Superintendent Blackwell, of the Kaiapoi Fire Brigade, holds the opinion that no rjluntesr will pump a hand fire engine longer than for five minutes, as then he wan's to get away to see how the fire is getting on. The local Borough Council has concluded that its hand engine is obsolete. Recently a number of large sharks have been seen near the Timaru harbour extension works. One is stared to have occupied the full 25ft span between the piles. The road-making machine imported by the Public Works Department (says the Ret >rua paper) has proved a great success. At a trial on the Wairoa Road it

completed in a very workmanlike mannei ten chains of formation in 35 minutes. The propellor of the Kennedy struck something about 20 miles this side of Rock's Point and was stripped of two of its blades. She continued her course, however, and arrived at Westport at 11 50 a. m. yesterday. She was then taken up on to the "hard," and had two new blades put into position. It is surmised the propellor struck some floating timber The superior qualities of the Ceylon Teas, are rapidly supplanting the inferior Chinese products 'n ull the markets of western civilization. The teas grown in the virgin lands of the Sinhalese, possesses greater strength, richer aroma, and an infinitely larger percentage of the Alkaloid Theine, (the active principle and stimulating property of the plant) than do the teas grown by artificial cvlvation on exhausted soil of China. Hence bulk for bulk, the Ceylon Teas are cheaper, purer, more stimulating, and possess a rare fragrance, wanting in those of the Celestial Empire- Of all the brands of Ceylon Teas, the " Kiosk " stands eminently supreme and without rival. Messrs Harley and Co, the wellknown auctioneers and general agents, are the sole agonts for Westland of this incomparable brand, and sell it to the general public in fall chests, and Sib package?. If a trial is made of the

! Kiosk tea, no other will again be used and knowing that "once a customer a customer for ever." Messrs Harley and Co, are offering it for the present at prices that no other firm can compete against. All large consumers, and heads of households, would do well to give the " Kiosk'' tea a trial. There is quality, economy, and money in it.—AdvtFor ladies ties, fichus, collarettes, belts and every description of ladies neck and body decoration, no drapery warehouse in Westland can approach the infinite variety and chaste styles of T. W. Tymons and Co.'s latest importation?. In the firm's underskirt division, a tireless endeavour is made to obtain the very latest style of garments, hence the department has socured the complete confidence and popularity of the ladies of Westland. T. i W. Tymons and Oo.'s "huge purchases" and "colossal sales'' are household words. In no other way of business could the firm affjrd to sell their goods at such low prices. The magnitude of their trade is the cause, secret, and oorollary of their success,—Advx" •

_lt is stated that, notwithstanding the violent opposition made by several members of Parliament against the proposed increase of their salaries during last session, only two —Messrs Atkinson and Hutcheson—have refused their quarterly instalment of the £6O added to their remuneration. The remainder, in tho words of Shakespeare, "swearing they would ne'er consent, (have) consented to this pleasing addition to their hardearned salaries.

A Wairarapa resident informs a Wellington paper that around Masterton the gram crops are practically ruined by the drought, which has effected nearly the wholo of the East Coast districts. Feed is scarce and the pastures brown, and the land has been reduced to half its usual stock-carrying capacity. Since March last the price of sheep has fallen from 168 tolls, and there is every prospect of a further decline. On the Tararua ranges, however, and through the country from Mauriceville and Ekotahuna and the Forty-mile Bush, there has been an abundance of rain, and plenty of grass is to bo seen,

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 wMch 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.