NEWS ITEMS

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 706, 30 December 1902, Page 3

NEWS ITEMS

A. fleeco weighing 171 b, the wool being lOin long, was cut from a 12 months old sheep last month (Nov.) at Fairview, N.S.W. A record for Australia. At a meeting of colonists of 1853, held in Brisbane the other night, Mr John Byrne apologised for non-attendance on the ground that he was “ too feeble to bo out after dark, having been born in the year 1798.” “ Saving contractors’ profits ” is tho on 0 stock argument of the co-operative advocute, and » very Hubby, invertebrate thing it is, when put to the test. —Northern Advocate. The drought, if it proved nothing else, has shown conclusively that under some conditions the Commonwealth cannot do without our produce. Christchurch Truth. A vast swarm of locusts visited Gillits 1 Natal. They formed a solid mass three miles long and one mllo wide. To see them in flight was a magnificent sight, and tho sound was liko that of rushing water. Students of heredity assert that childron born of very young fathers and mothors never attain so vigorous a growth of mind or body as those of older men and women, while children of old people aro usually delicate, serious, and old-fashionod, manifesting a disliko forjuvenilo sports.

Charters Towors will make a div. record this yoar, eclipsing any previous year by about £60,000. Tho total will reach closo on £400,000, and be £390,000 in excess of calls. Tho improvement on la3t year will bo ovor £150,000. It is probable that Mr Seddon will have to put the break on some of his extravagances. . . AVhat wo fear is that tho oconomy will bo as misplaced as tho oxtravagancos.—Napier Herald. Looking at tho character and ability of many of the new men in the House, we believe that tho colony has, at least, turned a corner, and is unlikely to go down hill. If tho Opposition elect a strong leader—say, Mr Duthie, for choice —it will give a good account of itself.—AVairarapa Daily Times. Mr Frank Lawry has boon seized with an important political idea, and, liko the disinterested philanthropist he is, ho has taken the earliest opportunity of making it public property. Mr Lawry’s idea is that what wo want in Parliament aro colonial, and not parochial, politicians. Some misguided people there aro who think we want more vigorous prosecution of railway works, and decent roads into tho interior, and a more effective system of opening up waste lands for settlement. But theso are individuals of the old school, with narrow, parochial minds, who set provincial necessities above tho greater consideration of New Zealand and her glorious destiny.—Observer. Recent wrecks recall that of the Orpheus, to which attaches an eerie story told by Russell. Russell, dining at the Royal Hotel, Sydney, met Commodore Burnett, of H.M.S. Orpheus. After a talk Russell said: “It must have been your brother Jemmy I met in North Queensland. AVe called the Rivor Burnett after him up there. Poor fellow, he' was drowned in that river.” “ Yes,” said the Commodore, “ there wero four of us brothers. That was Jemmy. Two others wero drowned. I only remain.” The Orpheus started next day for New Zealand, and went to pieces on Manukau bar, drowning the Commodore. A few on board were saved, and these wero all, a little later, drowned in the wreck of the London.

AVo aro able to state with confidence that Mr Soddon is in communication with tho Imperial Government upon the question of defoneo. AA r hat tho naturo of those communications is wo aro at liberty to guess. The Premier himself has declined to enlighten the colony on the point. Ho refuses to state tho effect of the agreement ho is said to havo mado with the Imperial authorities, and which ho will no doubt seek to force Parliament to ratify

when tho session opons, and he has not even admitted that any agreement exists. Fortunately, some hint of his secret schemes for his own self-aggrandisement at tho colony’s expenso has reached New Zealand, and we are able to disclose tho plot to entrap this country into a harassing and objectionablo condition of mercenary militarism.—Truth.

Tho Premier iu visiting Masterton wil* feel at home ; for ho comes to a constituency which sounded a distinct note in favour of his administration at the late election. He is probably aware of tho extent to which he is indebted to Mr A. W. Hogg for his vote of confidence ; and if, as it is rumored, he intends taking tho member for Masterton into his Ministry, bo will be only paying an old dobt. This district has never yet graduated in the Cabinet. Once upon a time Sir Harry Atkinson was about to confer a portfolio on Mr Georgo Beetham, but made an unfortunate mistake by giving a preference to Mr Georgo Fisher. On several occasions, Mr Hogg’s claims havo “ all but ” been recognised ; and tho colony generally appears to consider that his inclusion in tho Ministry now would be an act of justice to tho North Island, and would strengthen the present Administration. Wairarapa Times,

Mr Whyte, jun., writesA railway from Napier to Wairoa would flood tourists into tho district, which would mean a large circulation of money, besides the development of a branch of industry which New Zealand should encourage, namoly, the Maori carving industry. Instead of blocking Maori curios from leaving tho country, the Maoris should be encouraged to make them, and the Government should protect the industry against tho bogus manufacturers of London by causing every Maori curio thus sold to bo stamped with a Government stamp. This would enhance their value in tho eyes of the inhabitants of Britain, and secure a higher price to the Maoris. A fee could bo paid for stamping, and thus a most remunerative industry established. Wherever railways have gone in the South Island, they have been followed by close settlement and metalled roads, but wherever there are no railways there aro few metalled roads. Show a solid front in making your demands, and they will be mot; but remain silent, and other districts will scoop the pool.

In the course of his address at the annual meeting of tho Canterbury Frozen Moat Company, the Chairman (Sir George

Clifford) made the following references to the pioneers of tho frozen meat industry in Canterbury :—“ The hand of death had been laid heavily upon us. The first-, and

perhaps the heaviest loss, was that of him whose wisdom of forecast and promptness of action primarily led to the formation of this Company—Mr John Grigg. Every inhabitant of this colony owes a debt of

gratitude to him for tho- forcefulness with which be secured to Canterbury the leading position in the frozen meat trade. In rapid succession, we- lost the business ability of Mr Chrystall, and the practical experience of Mr Garforth. It seemed

as if we had secured a Chairman of an ideal type in Mr John Deans, whose absoluto command of public confidence secured an equal sharo of confidence in tho administration of our business affairs. But again it was fated that we

should deplore the loss of a straightforward, capable Chairman almost before we bad proved his worth. If I have any fitness to succeed him, it seems to me historical rather than personal, inasmuch as my father was the first man to introduce sheep into New Zealand for the purpose of wool-growing &6 itjUUfltri*' *

It is the duty of the Government, in the face of the present combination to maintain the price of bread, to take active measures for the protection of the people ; but the situation is no doubt beset with difficulties, since whilst it is urgently desirable to prevent the price of food being abnormally raised, at the same timo it is necessary to see that the local producers are not unfairly put out ot competition with outsiders. —Dunedin Star.

The New Zealand Government really has a right to be pleased with itself, and to raise a loud shout of exultation. Thanks to the magnificent co-operative system, and the splendid Mr Hall-Jones, fifteen miles of railway across the plains from Waipara to Scargill havo been completed in two and a-half years. That is a record of progress of which the Cabinet is justly proud. The Minister of Public Works was simply bursting with it the other day. “ When they considered the heavy work done on the section, he asked them, “ had not the Government made fair progress ’? We are lost in admiration ourselves. Compare the dreary dalliance of Canada with the remarkable energy of New Zealand. A private company has decided to build a fine broad-gauge tran3-continental railway, 3000 miles long, over mountainous country, at a cost of more than 7/3,000,000 dollars, and have it running within five years. In New Zealand we have built fifteen miles over flat country, at a cost of 365,000 dollars, in two and a-half years. Need more bo said for the amazing expedition of tho Seddon Government ?—Truth. Only 5s Gd ! Gents’ Tweed Trousers. in all sizes, only 5s 6d per pairTUe cheapest line in New Zealand.— C. Rosie and Co.