Grey River Argus and Blackball News PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, APRIL 25th, 1911.

Grey River Argus, 25 April 1911, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball News PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAY, APRIL 25th, 1911.

Morocco has, apparently, become as constant a menace 'to international •peace as tthe fiery little patch of country, the Balkans, that has:; long been recognised as the powder magazine of Europe. Just np,\y., Morocco ■ : 'seems to be in. a very angerous .state. It is hard to say whether .there is any system of Government in existence there that is deserving of the name of a Government. There is ■ naturally a good deal 'of excitement in France over the dangerous position of the European colony at .Fez, most of whom are French. -The prevailing fear is only what might fee, expected if .the town should fall into the hands of 'the fierce tribesmen. They are ignorant arid 'fanatical;' and capable of almost any atrocity when their prejudice and bigotry are inflamed. The most serious part of the wretched business is the difficulty of dealing with the dangerous state of affairs, so as not- to wound national feelings. Ever since the Kaiser swooped down on Tangier to show the world thai Germany had interests in Morocco, and intended to look after them, France and Spain alike have been very chary . in: taking action against the Moors when causing trouble. Even with^jthe powers given under the Algeciras Convention ■, and they are considerable, the French - display a discreet reluctance to' do anything that - will displease Germany. But it would be expecting too much of human forbearance to leave the French residents at Fez to their fate when the' fierce 'tribesmen of the hills are threatening the town, which may mean the extermination of the European . colony within its defences. In view of all' the cireum-. stances, and even' at the risk of Germany taking : umbrage, it would

seem to be the bounden duty of France to protect >the European colony at Fez, because it is" mainly French. The case is one of urgency. There is no time to open protracted negotiations or call a convention together to discuss the pros and cons of the question.. Immediate action is wanted; and it would be an eternal disgrace to any modern gov- , ernment in the position of France that failed to interpose its protecting shield between the' foreign colony of Fez and the wild tribesmen outside thirsting for murder and rapine. To complicate matters still furtherj Raisuli, the aged . brigand, who has been altogether better treated than he. deserved, refuses to' allow the Kaid's transports to carry supplies to, the French. ."Unless some ■ sudden change as .".brought about in Morocco's . affairs, there is a strong 1 probability that the country and its vast possibilities must come -tinder the control of some European country orpartitioned by the Powers. The state ' of affairs that has so long prevailed

ought not to ibe allowed to exist any longer than .was unavoidable. Although it is reported that Fez has fallen and that the garrison has been massacred by the rebel tribesmen, we are- inclined to think the. report an invention, or that it is grossly exaggerated. It is not likely that a colony of Europeans would allow themselves to fall so easily to the illequipped tribesmen of the hills. We remerA.ber~what a splendid defence the beleaguered Europeans put up in the inner city at Pekin when besieged by all the force of the >Bcxers. As •the French Government is the only I source to which the beleaguered Europeans can look for assistance, and the French people are in an intensely i excited state over the crisis at- Fez, we think that the Government may be counted upon to rise" to the occasion by immediately sending relief to the threatened colony. If the rumour of the massacre should, unhappily, prove to be correct, then we should expect it to .be the death knoll of Morocco as an independent country. While the whole world has been progressing Morocco has been standing still, if not actually retrograding. For the peace of the nations it would not be wise to tolerate such a dangerous state of affairs to exist any lpng-er. The Moroccans must fo_e brought within the pale of civilisation and shown how to live without, being a menace to the peace of other nations. In the meantime it is plainly necessary that the French authorities, who are on the ground and have the greatest interest *in' the Moroccan question, should take vigorous ' action to restore order and save the country from the state of anarchy which now threatens it. All the interested nations, including Germany, should take a na* tional view of the position, and rather encourage than discourage the prompt action of the French Government in saving- life and restoring order. What is to be done should be done at once without, delay. Otherwise a horrifying tragedy .may occur that will be a repetition . of the Khartoum episode though on a larger and more pathetic scale. It would >be the best thing for the Moroccans, and for the good of Europe if the control of Morocco passed into the hands of a stable Power that could ensure peace and develop tne natural wealth of the country, which is enormous.

The fame of Pelorus Jack is steadily increasing. The "Toronto World," Oanadai in its issue of January 15, published photographs of "The fish tliat escorts : steamers and is under the special protection of the New Zealand Government."

Mr Joseph, Silcock has sustained a severe loss in having 1 some thirty odd sheep worried by a couple pf greyhounds,- whose owner it is said is absent on a holiday trip. It is certain that the latter will be required on his return to compensate Mr Silcock for the damage. — Inangrahua Herald. '

"If," said Mr J. Reader at the social to Mr E. Tregear at" Christcliurcli, "the Labour Party will only work disinterestedly for the cause of lablour, ' 'that cause will very soon make itself felt as a dominant factor in the country."

A Ohristchurch paper says the evil of secret commissions is unpleasantly widespread. Many -men who "would shudder at the thought of deliberate dishonesty have succumbed to the insidious attacks of secret commissions.

Despite sharp criticisni President Taf t is appointing- a negro, Mr William LewiSi to the post of ' Assistant Attorney-General, . in the Department o c J us tice. . .

Says Mr T. JE. Taylor, -M;P., "The drink consumed, in licensed areas amounting- to £4 per head in the las.t years as agrainst 18s 1-Jd""in no-lic-ense districts.", . • • ■ '■"

"Snip" Allan,' the famous Taranaki half-back of olden times, who captained the Huia ■(Mp.tueka) .football ! team a few seasons back, is now resident in Dunedin.

It .is reported .that Mr EraWin.t>. formerly general managrer of . the ■Bank '■ of New Zealand,' is' seriously ill! . . •• ■■ - : ■ •■• ''• • ■■-•■

A reservoir is to" .be built at Hount Eden (Auckland). : Th u c" contract has been, let, and. the price is £7,397 for re-inforced concrete. : -

The Education Board at ' Auckland is going; -to- buil4 new offices:in-Wel-leslcy street.' ata cost of £2,QPP. , . ■ A new. Roman" Catholic: Church is tol.be" built at Hamilton (Waikato). It will cost ;£5 5 000, and will seat 700 persons. -. ■ . • - ."_ ■-■■•:.-

, Mark Sprot and Co. are advertis-ing-houses,; shops, and businesses for sa;le. -Anybody : desirous "of '.'ibuildinir cafn ob't^in a cheap section by paying £5 deposit, "and "balance ' upon easy terms>: ;•■•;..;; ...'■: : . .

Gisborne is going; to ibuild an up-to-date hospital, which with complete furnishing will cost £50,000. The second lot of new ' 'Autumn hats just to hand. Aspecial lucky purchase 'bought by our i,ondbn buyer. Trimmed Paris models 15s' "6d up. Semi trimmed ieady to wear hats 4s 6d, 5s 6d, 7s 6d. Children's mllinery a special lot' -4s 6d, 5s 6d ttd to 9s 6d. Is in the £ discount W. McKay and Son, leading 1 drapors. Mawhera Quay, Greymouth and Hokitika, — Advt. The long pending; case of the St. George Gold Mining- Company against Robert Woolhous.e, of Wellington, for £50 due on calls, was decided yesterday by Mr A. Crooke, S.M., judgment' being' for " plaintiff" with <:6 r sts. Owing- to the Borough Election meetings to-morrow 'evening;, the United Club's euchre and dance will be held on Friday .. evening next.-r-Advt. hTe Railway Time-table to be observed in" connection* with the< Reefton Races to be held on Thursday and Friday of this "week, appears in another column of this Issue; Mr P. J. Smythe, secretary, of the Hibernian Art Union Committee, nounces in this issue that the drawing of the Art Union has been postponed till Saturday, May 6th, in consequence of books not coming- to hand. Mr A. Naylor is inviting- tenders for building- two houses. Tenders close on the 29th April. - The Greymouth . Harbour Boarr are inviting separate written tenders for the supply and .delivery of sawn birch and for the supply and delivery of tension rods. For further particulars see advertisement. Elsewhere we publish a notice that the meeting of ladies called for Wednesday afternoon in St. John's Presbyterian Church will be held on Thursday, at 3 p.m. A full attendance is requested. , The new furs and "blouses for Autumn wear, single furs 2s 6d,. 3s 6d'up. Fur sets, the new kind from 35s to £12 the set. Blouses in plain and the new knitted kind 5s 6d, 6s 6d and 8s 6d. Is in the £ discount. W. McKay and Son, the leading- drapers and clothiers, Greymouth and Hokitika. — Advt. This week will ,be a very busy; one on the wharf when no less than four steamers will take in timber, absorbing- no less a quantity than one million eight hundred and fifty thousand feet of timber. The Railway Department will no doubt be taxed in coping with this heavy shipment. The following- passengers left by the Christchurch express yesterday morning :— Mesdames Anderson (and two children), ;E. Kennedy, E. Jones, J. Mcllraith (and four children), Geo. Solomon, Miss : M. f Noble; Messrs E. Bucklands, D. D. Anderson, George Dalrymple, H. E. Jones, J. Vaughan, J D Christe, D. A. Solomon, A. HFrater, G. H. McClure, -Doyle. The following were pasengers by the overland express from Christchurch on Saturday night:— Misses S Boyle, Cottle, J. Campbell, Wood, T Malone (2), Perry; Mesdames R.^. A! Rose, H. M. Smyth, G. Perry, Davidson, A. Thorn and child, W. Ross ; Messrs R. P. Dunbar, J. Burton, F. W de Berry, H. Walshaw, W. H. Perkins, A. Davey, W. Renton H. L. P. Smtih, A. Laing, C. Cottle, H. and F C Wells, G. Bowron.D. Buchanan, A. W. Hale, B. Thomas, M. Hea- . nhy. F. Challies, H. Winterburn, H. Kelly, T Jones. M. Moriarty, E. Shaw, G. Larkin, L. Nelson, A. McTlroy, M. Keating. W. Marks, W.Ross and Master Ross. On Saturday last, 22nd inst., the G.M.S. "Seydlitz" of the North German Lloyd Line left Sydney for the Old Country with the last contingent of West Coasters, who are seeing- the, Coronation festivities. Amongst the passengers are Mr Joe Shrives with Mr Fred Smith, of the local Fire Brigade, Mr Heard, of Brunner, Mr Allen, of Nelson Creek, arid Mr Robson of State Collieries. We learn from Slessrs Henniker and Co., local agents, that the reduced fares by the N.D.L. are attracting- a large number of passeneers, who can see Eng Iland and the Continent at a minimum of expense and a maximum of comfort.

At a meeting of' the West l Coast Economic. Building Society last evening the ballot of ,£IOO resulted in Mr Joseph Rose being successful, and Mr William Arnett was successful with No. 13 for an extra £100. The new furs and blouses ior Autumn wear, single furs 2s 6d, 3s 6d up. Fur sets, the new kind from 35<? to £12 the set. Blouses in plain and the new knitted ikind 5s 6d. 6s 6d and 8s 6d. Is in the £ discount. W. McKay and Son, the leading drapers \and clothiers, ;Gr*y mouth and Hokitika. — Advt. A good cure and a quick cure, And a cure that's cheap beside; A safe cure and a sure cure, And a cure that works inside. A nice cure and a sweet cure, One that works so speedily ; Woods' Peppermint Cure for coughs and colds, Is the only cure for me. "Lest you forget," let us remind you that the range of dress goods which Trathen and Co. are now showing are a sound reality and no fable. Dress tweeds in all colourings from Is 9d to 2s 6d per yard. Navy serges 42in. wide Is 9d to 3s 9d. Navy coatinks 64in. wide 3s 3d, 4s 9d, 5s and lid per yard. Cream radianta, unshrinkable and splendid washing material 2s 6d and 2s lid per yard. Also a fine range of ready-to-wear tweed costumes from 21s to 70s each. Note pddress: Trathen and Co., Boundary Street.— Advt; The census returns for the lnangahua Oounty are as follows : — Antonio's 997 .(males 750, females 247) ; Boatman's, 557 (355 and 302); Crushington, 724 (540 and 202); Murray, 294 (165 .and 129) ; Town of Reefton, 1,---548 (826 and 722) ; Reefton Riding, exclusive of town of Reefton, 367 (188 and 179). Total number of males 2,---824; females 1681; grand total 4,505. Our new season's ladies paletots and tweed coats for beauty and style, altogether excell our previous showing in these goods, which wo always specialise in. We have 'just received, about ninety or one hundred different coats ta select from, direct from the best English manufacturers, ibought at bedrock prices and are to be sold at much low?r prices than we could do them for ii bought in the Dominion. We cordi ally invite inspection of our new season's importations. Aitken -•••* Peters, general drapers, Mackay St. .Advt. The furnishing of a home ceneraJlv entails the expenditure of much time and much money. To lessen the '«ji mer, to assist everyone to make a satisfactory choice and, to furnish economically, Ballantynes have vie pared a catalogue of picfuicd carpets, bedsteads and eveiy .!« friction - of soft tfuods furnishings. • bis will be sent you on request, and rr.py be the instrument! which will aye ■« o.r time, trouble and money. From it you tell us what you like and we buy it for you; or we send patterns and estimates, taking the whole ink. - A s all purchases are returnable if not approved of, country patrons thus shop with' almost the same fd'nr.rafcs as, their city neighbours at BalInntyncs, Christchurch. — Advt.