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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2232, 2 July 1908, Page 2

Our Auckland correspondent states tho hearing p’f tlio Auckland tramways -dispute will be commenced on ■July S, - '

A horse, which was valued by his, owner, Air. Rico, at £SO, was des. troyed at Olarkvillo, North Canterbury, the other day. Some boys tied a kerosene tin to tlio horse’s tail, and in its efforts to free itself it dashed into a fence and broke its back.

Mr. .J. F. AVilliams, of the AngloAVelsli football team, had a rather startling experience on Saturday morning. He was standing on the staircase of the Grand Hotel, "Wellington, and while speaking to a friend and leaning slightly over the lift well, the lift itself came down. Air. AVilliams just managed to draw hack his head, but, notwithstanding, received a smart tap as a warning to bo moro careful in future.

Those school teachers who, in the past, have devoted mutch time to the organisation and supervision of swimming classes, and so added to their professional duties without fee or reward, will be pleased to know that, as a slight token of appreciation of their efforts, the Education Board lias deckled;that up to 75 per cent, of the capitation earned by such swimming classes will in future be divided among the teachers who have .acted as instructors.

Owners of sheep who have not yet sent in their sheep returns to the local Agricultural Oflice should do so without delay, as it is understood proceedings will ho taken against all delinquents. Tim returns were due between the Ist and 14th Alay last, and tlioso btill outstanding prevent the complete returns being compiled to place before Parliament. It may be noted that owners of sheep' last year must still send in a return this year even although they aro no longer owners of sheep, stating to whom the property and sheep have been disposed. A penalty for such omission is provided for under the Stock Act-

The fight against the cattle tick in tlie northern parts of New South AA’ales continues, and the spread of tlio pest has been greatly checked. For years, the efforts of the authorities to prevent the importation of the tick across the Queensland border. were successful, and since the outbreak of the .trouble on the New South AA'ales side of the border every endeavor lia_s been made to confine it to as limited an area as possible. The cost of doing this represents about £IO,OOO per annum, but it is money well (spent,.

At tlio annual mooting of tlio Jersey hold at Palmerston North recently, a resolution was carried urging the Govern-; mont to start a Jersey herd at tlio Wororoa Statu Farm.

A" lottor from tlio manager-of tlio Now Zealand Tourist Bureau in Sydney to tlio head office hero states that a largo number of Australian journalists will be leaving Sydney! for Auckland- shortly in connection with tlio visit of the American licet to tlio .northern, port.

A small consignment of grapes sent from Australia to London ; .recently arrived in excellent condition, and .sold well. Is is stated that they were far superior to the grapes sold oil tlio London -market from the Capo. A largo business in this produco is pro- , lie tod for tlio Commonwealth if care is exercised in sending tlio shipments at tlio proper timo.

The price of butter in Wellington has risen ono uenny per pound for the best sorts since Thursday, and tlio price in Wellington. Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin is now ■ls 3d per pound. This price has ruled in other centres for .about six weoks. A largo demand for New Zealand butter in Africa and the shortage in stocks aro said to be responsible for tlio increnso.

A candidate for one of. the elective seats on the .Public Service Superannuation Board who has a fondness .for figures has worked out some curious points in reference to the election. There are 14 caiid’d lies, electors may vote for one, two, or three persons,' and the ballot may result in 218-1 different'ways. Ah elector can vote for 361 different sets of three, and there aro-78 ways of voting for the candidate who points out these facts, ..together with any other oindidates whom the elector may approve.

Tlio.soil of France is, on the whole, superior to that of England, and throughout.the length and breadth of the Republic there are none of tlioso stubborn clays that break the heart of the English farmer. But there is a comparatively small number of live stock, and hardly any sheep, mutton being only consumed in the towns and refused as food by peasants and servants in the country. Tlio cattle of sevoral breeds aro very fine but the peasant proprietor is not rich enough to breed for meat only; ho usos his cattle for draught purposes till six years old, and then kills them for beef.

In regard to tlio paragraph published in Alonday’u issuo concerning tlio alleged payment of a milkman’s bill for £5 due by a local with a nunir ber of bread coupons, we have been asked to make a further statement on the matter. Tho amount of th: account was £1 17s Id. and the offer of payment was excepted. The B-ik prs’ Association do not countenance the payment of debts owing by any of its members by means of coupons hut- a perusal of tho contra acc.oui:!' between the two parties concerned, shows that in this instance in view of the special circumstances, the arrangement was by no means an unreasonable one.

Tho new Garrison Hall which is being erected in F.it/Jierberl- Streetlias now begun to assume some appearance of what it will be like when completed, and some idea of tho immense size of the building can bo gained from a look at the framework which is now in position. Tho eight- laminated arches and gable ends to support tho roof are in position, and show the great floor space —looft-. by 140 ft. of the main nail. The arches are 411 ft. from the floor, and the height of the roof nearly s()ft.. so that there will be ample ventilation. The contractor. Air. O. H. Tocknel! is confident- that the building will he -ready early in October. the only doubt being the proei.ving of suitable timber for the floor. _

Referring to the arrival at AVeJlingtou, of • the .schooner Alalmkoiia from Gray’s Harbor with.a cargo of Oregon pine, the Bluff . correspondent of tlio “Otago Daily Times” says:—“Tho announcement lias given rise to speculation, and some important light has been let- into the transaction. In its own country, Oregon pine, a superior timber, quite equal to.the Now Zealand kauri, costs just--6s per 100 ft... the freight to New Zealand is 2s, and Customs duties say 2s more. Add another shilling for incidental expenses, and we have a timv her quite equal to that of the.; best New Zealand landed at a cost, of 11s? New Zealand timber is at the very least 100 per cept. dearer, in addition to which there are indications of a tendency to rise still higher.”

While tlio Hon. R. AlcNab was in America last year he visited the killing yards of the well-known meat packing firm of Swifts. AVhen the deputation from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals waited upon him in AVelliugton, on Friday,- and made a complaint, inter alia, of the cruelties attendant upon the “pithing” methods in vogue in New Zealand, he was able to supply interesting information of the “stunning” system of the Swifts.’ It was impossible - for an animal to remain conscious before being killed, under their method. One of the deputation: stated that- under the pithing system a. beast, after being pithed, had been known to eat. out- of the hand, showing that the animal was not properly stunned. The Alinistcr said that'" ho understood the Southland abattoirs were erected on lines of Swifts’ works from details supplied by himself. ,

Queensland has gained, and is still gaining, by the influx of sottlors from the southern States and from tho Dominion, (says the -Brisbane correspondent of the “Pastoralists’ Review”) and 1 though wo are bocoming habituated to the arrival of tho men, it is a new departure when they appear amongst us bringing their flocks from the southern pastures. Recently Air W. H. Wilkinson, of Do Cameron, Elmhurst, Victoria, purclinsed the O.K. -freehold estute, near DaTliy. consisting of 10,000 acres of firstclass county. In view of the drought prevailing in the southern States, Air Williamson was unable to realise profitably on his stock, neither could ho truck them owing to the scarcity of .trucks. Under these circumstances ho decided to charter a steamer, and the journey safely accomplished, ho has lust landed 5000 crossbred and comohack sheep at Brisbane, -and has forwarded them on to O.K. The stock are in somewhat low condition, and it is therefore somewhat premature to pronounce on the success or otherwise of the venture.

The following is flic list of unsecured creditors in the bankrupt, estate of 'William Crump:—Alpha Sawmills Co., ‘Ltd, £233 12s 2d; F. Stafford, £1 ss; Davys, Third and Alitehell, £sl; Wade and Gray, £B6 7s 7<l; Evans, Nield and Co., £55 4s 6d; Jas. Morrison, £77 2s 7d; AY. A. o’Meara7 £l>l 12s 8d; Nicliolls ami Griffiths, £52 0s _-!d; Peacock© ami Co., £297 7s 6d; Morrison Bros., £1 11s; Westport Coal Go., £l. 14s <xl; A. Wade, £25; J. D. Tustin, £l4 19s; R. -Lewis, £7O 9s; Aston Bros., £2O; Rolib Bros., 10s; Cave . and A r eale, £4l 8s 9d; 35. AV. ißurton, £25 7s 7d; Win. Gordon, £2; Charles Taylor, £8 10s; Borough Council (building permit), £3; Booth ami MacDonald (Christchurch). £l2; J. J. Craig (Auckland), £22: total. £ll2O 8s 2d The assets arc : Surplus from secured creditors, £32; stock in trade, £6BO, estimated at £520; book debts, £lO 15s; .cash in hand and bank. £2 16s 2d; total, £565 11s 2d. Deficiency. £554 17s. The • only secured creditors are Messrs Bamon and Smith, who hold security, the estimated value of which is set down at £IGS, tlie amount of debt being £133.

At the Labor Party meeting on Friday, after the usual simccji, it was pointed out that the. trades unions have provident- funds to which men have contributed for,,years, and by reason of their thrift' can buy claw hammer handles, for threepence each at Parnell’s Popular Saturday Sales, Independence Day only.

Two voara ago tho Presbyterians of Fielding decided lo try to reduce their debt by out-of-hand giving instead of sales of work, etc. Announcof incuts were made. !rom time to timo, and on tho first Sabbath of Juno, 1907, the first collection, was taken. It as so substantial that £IOO was paid off a dept of £550. On Juno 3 of this year, a similar collection was taken and ((according to tho “Outlook”) the net amount of £lO2 2s id is now available, for debt reduction.

As the list of -subscribers to tlie Gisborne Orchestral Society must close in a few days, it is notified, that tlio box plan will open at M.illor’s early next week, and intending imbsenibers are asked to hand in their names to tlie secretary, All". Jas. Clirisp, or members of the society. It might also bo mentioned that no. single tickets can be obtained, except" through the subscribers, who can obtain extra tickets from tlio secretary.

In tho course of a libel action brought against the London Daily Chronicle” by a South African native ■All" E. G. Jollicoe (a gentleman wellknown in l New Zeulaiul legal circles), who appeared for the plaintiff, described a lottor written by tlio Agent.'Genoral for Natal as “a cowardly colonial trick.” Mr Justice; -Darling at once intorvened ; and administered to counsel a dignified and stern rebuke. “I think,” said he, “Fought to interpose, Air Jellicoo, as to your tis'ing the word colonial in that sense. There aro many colonies, and I cannot sit here and have it. imputed to them that they are less well conducted than people in this country, especially when you used the word ‘cowardly,’ which the colonies are,not. Mr Jellieoe explained that ho did not mean the word in the sense which bis lordship had taken it. AV-li-at he meant was that his client had been attacked “in a way that was certainly not British.”

A well-known resident of Palmerston. North, travelling from Sydney toMelbourne by express, w.is told he would obtain an excellent dinner, at Albury station for 2s, but as time was limited, lie must hurry. Jumping from the train, lie ran into a refreshment room/ where the magnificence of the surroundings astonished oven a luxurious New Zealander —fine linen and china, sterling silver, and velvet cushions; but tlio menu fairly took his breath, and, as ho remarked to the three gentleman who dined besido him, “All for 25.” After a splendid meal and an interesting chat with tho remarkably friendly strangers (says the'" ’Auckland Star”), he proffered the price of it all to the smart waitress, who received it with a graceful smilo, a curtsey, and a “Thank you, sir.” Arriving at tlio next station, a fellow passongor remarked that Alfred Deakin (the Premier) was on board with tlio Canadian Minister of Agriculture. Prompted by an interest begotten of-the enthusiastic study of Air. Deakin’j good work, our friend asked to have'them pointed out, when to his chagrin and astonishment he saw those courteous gentlemen with whom he had unwittingly dined, ami whoso hospitablo fare lie’ had commented upon.

/. Speaking at the reception to the Governor, the Afayor of Palmerston North, Air J. A. Nash, made an interesting reference to the early history of the Manawatu. The first party of white men is said to have landed at the mouth of the Alanawatu. River one hundred and twenty-five years ago, and tliov were immediately slaughtered by the Maoris, but the white man was not to be denied. Of the first to arrive subsequently was a trader named Duff, who is believed to be the first European to see tlio Manawatu Gorge. The. Afnnawatii was from the commencement of civilisation appreciated for its fertility and richness of soil. As far hack as 1840 Air Jeningliam AVakefielil was to bo found endeavoring to purchase a large portion of it from tho New Zealand Juind Company, and it was not long' before the Natives agreed to sell- a strip of tho 'Lower Ma.uawatu, coil)prising 25,000 acres, between Horowhenua and Ivereru, for goods consisting of pots, pipes, and blankets t 0 the value of £BOO, the goods being distributed among the Ngatiraukaw-a tribe, who had conquered that part of the district. The now defunct- Agricultural Implement Manufacture Importation and Sale Act of 1905 was referred to by a witness in the moulders’ case, before the Arbitration Court in Christchurch last week, .as a “fraud,” in that it lias not given tlie manufacturers of -agricultural implements in the Dominion that protection against American manufactures that was expected-from it. The witness stated that his firm had been working for several months to get some benefit from the Act, and bad been successful to the extent of a paltry £l9. Iu tho meantime the- pressure of competition from the American and -Canadian companies was increasing every day. Ho read a letter from an agent of his firm to tlie effect that if the Government did not give adequate protection the firm would have to manufacture lighter and cheaper ploughs; as one of the American companies was l selling ploughs £lO cheaper than the Dominion manufactured article was sold at, and was giving purchasers three years in which to pay the money. The intensity of the competition of the American manufactured article was-urged by the employers as a reason why Canterbury employers could not afford to pay. moulders the same rate of wages as are paid moulders in Auckland and Dunedin, where Is 3d is paid, in comparison with Is ljd that tlie Canterbury omplovoes want. Tho President' of the Court said that the employers would have* to show that the conditions in Canterbury differed from these in Auckland, otherwise they would liavo to pay Auckland rates. NEWSVENDORS AND LIBEL.. Referring to the recent case in which a person who was libelled recovered damages from a bookseller, the Christchurch “Press” says: —“It cannot he too generally known that not only i 3 tlie printer,' publisher, or editor of a paper responsible for a libel which it contains, but that, legally speaking, a person who-sells a paper knowing it to contain defamatory matter, op who even shows it to a third party is considered t 0 have “published” tlie libel, and may bo cast in damages accordingly. Tlie action will do good if it lias the effect of making newsagents and booksellers throughout the colony more careful as to the class of literature which they sell to the public. It is true that even an ordinarily well-conduct-ed newspaper may, through inadvertanee, publish libellous matter, blit it would require very strong evidence indeed t ( > induce a jury to award damages against a newsvendor in such a case. If, however, a shopkeeper chooses to sell publications which, avowedly deal in scurrility and other objectionable matter, lie must necessarily incur some risk, and it is well that"this should be understood.” The presiding judge said:—The only defence open was that the defendant did not know, and ought not to have known, that the paper contained tlie article complained of, but tlie evidence of tlie witnesses disproved that. Tlie article spoke for itself, and apart from its abusive brutality there- was the imputation of financial dishonesty against Boxshall. On the question of damage his Honor said that the defendant was in a different position to the proprietor or publisher: of file journal, but there was no reasonable grbund for suggesting that if a man was libelled lie should not be at liberty to select some person actually guilty of the publication t 0 proceed against, and to vindicate his character in the place where he resided.- A man who undertook the distribution of such a paper as AVeilington “Truth” took tlie risk of disseminating any libellous articles. AMiether he was indemnified or not was another matter.