Untitled

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 291, 30 September 1881, Page 2

Latest .advices from Sydney report that small-pox is gradually decreasing. A column of items interesting to farmers will be found on our fourth paga, as usual to-day. The annual sire horse parade will take place on Seymour Square at noon to-morrow. Our new Resident Magistrate, Mr William Stuart, arrived in Blenheim by this morning’s train. The Blenheim cadets will parade for inspection on Tuesday next at 3p.mattlie Borough School. The trial of Daniel Charles McGahcy, at Hokitika, for murder, lias resulted in his acquittal. The Committee of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association will meal at the Club Hotel at 3 p.m to-morrow to frame the programme for the forthcoming show. In our analysis of the pigeon shooting at Grovetowu, we omitted the name of Mr Charles Coulter from the list of competitors. Mr Charles Coulter shot at 40 birds, killed 29, and missed 11. A general meeting of members of the Marlborough Racing Club will be held at the Masonic Hotel to-morrow evening to approve the programme which has been framed by the Committee. We understand that tiie Marlborough Wanderers have decided to form themselves into a County Club, and arrangements will shortly be made for several interprovincial matches during the season. The Picton Borough Council elections take place to-morrow. The number of candidates lias been lessened by the withdrawal of the following :—Dr .Scott, Messrs Hull, Harris, and France. We learn from the Press that the members of the Presbyterian Church of Picton contemplate hold a bazaar on the 2nd January, for the purpose of liquidating the debt noiv resting on the church property. We remind our readers that Mr J. D. Fraser will offer at auction to-morrow the whole of Mr All Gee’s household furniture and effects. The sale will be held in Mr C. C. Carter’s old store, where the articles are now on view, and will commence at 1 o’clock.

The Blenheim Musical ami Dramatic Society purposes giving another entertainment during next month, when will be played “To Paris and baek for £5.” This piece, which was a great hit when played by the Wairau Club some years ago, is we are informed likely to be equally successful on this occasion and will introduce members of the Society who have not yet appeared before the public. The renowned and versatile Captain William Jackson Barry, who. according to his ovn testimony, oral and written, lias dope everything worth accomplishing from riding on a whale’s back ip tlje billowy ocean to walking down the fashionable London promenade, ltotten llow, has, according to the irUnens, struck opt in a new' line and is non’ auctioneering in Dunedin. A United Press Association telegram states that Mr CYoumbic Brown and Mr Hamilton, representing the Canterbury Press and Lyttelton Times, applied for permission to go to Pungarehu camp, and were refused, The authorities doubtless wisli to avoid the publication of sensational reports, and after the highly imaginative “ swamp ” affair in which the first-named gentleman was concerned they arc certainly acting wisely.

Mr J. D. Fraser announces a 3ale by auction to-morrow on the premises of Mr Thomas Boyd Reesby, in High-street, particulars of which will be found in our advertising columns. The sale will commence at 11 o’clock.

We observe that Mr Hackett while being examined in the Wakamarina Sluicing Company’s case at Nelson the other day admitted that lie had written the account of the opening which appeared in the Express some time ago, and which was erroneously credited to a certain young gentleman, who was supposed to have been sant for the special purpose of describing the ceremony. We simply draw attention to this fact as showing the exceedingly varied sources of our contemporary’s “original” efforts. Some time ago a few Native missionaries were massacred by the inhabitants of Kalo, Now Guinea, who are apparently strictly conservative in their notions and chose this method of resenting innovations. H.M.S. Wolverine visited the spot recently and “ inflicted punishment ” upon these erring children of Nature, in the orthodox method adopted by Anglo-Saxon civilisation. A chief who was concerned in the massacre and several other natives, it is stated, were killed, and .possession taken of a village, but with a leniency somewhat unusual only one bouse, the residence of the chief, was destroyed. We are glad to observe that the effort made by the local Oddfellow’s Lodge to form a juvenile branch of the Order has so far been successful, and the opening night lias been fixed for Monday evening next. We trust parents generally will aid the movemc Aby inducing their sons to join, as it is manifestly to their interest of each that they shall to do so the benefits to be derived being very considerable. These juvenile lodges have already attained great popularity in other districts and we have no doubt the promoters of the Blenheim one will shortly have the satisfaction of knowing that their labors hare been crowned with success.

The following is a copy of the report of the head mastir of Blenheim Borough Schools (Mr J. 15.I 5 . Lucas), for the past month: —“I have the honor to lay before you my report for the month of September. The work is progressing in all the departments satisfactorily, and the average attendance is an improvement upon that of last month, a* will be seen by the detailed statement as follows : Xo. on Roll. Average. Senior boys ... ... 43 4LOO .Junior boys ... 71 ID '7l (!iris, upper and lower 79 (>b'-9 Infant department ... 189 InO'n Totals 357 322’41 A Picton correspondent writes yesterday :—’There is a great to do about the Borough Elections to come off on Saturday. But so many having retired, it will not be so exciting. The amount of whispering and suspicious-looking trotting about of some of the parties interested, is amusing to watch. I was much amused one day last week when in a store at hearing the following conversation : A., (apparently in answer to 13.) “No, we have enough, and have had too much of the liquor element in the Council for the last ten or twelve years. ” “ But ’ says 8., look at the men ; they are able men and would have great influence in the Council. “ Well',” says A, “ the two you name are certainly more robust and stately looking than two of my three men. (I presume be meant little Card and Greensill), blit Dart ls’as tall and upright ; if so be lie is not so Aldenuanic in appearance. As for the influence I can’t see where it comes in. But don’t talk rot. Have not Card, Dart and Greensill proved themselves good citizens, and who of the candidates have more claim on the ratepayers and more interest in the place than they ? No, I have sworn against liquor and by that means also physic, and shall goj throughout for Card, Dart and Greensill. Good day,”

Our correspondent at the Wairau diggings sends the following: —“There is every probability of good gold being obtained at the new “rush ” in the Enchanted Greek, for I gathered to-day from one of the proprietors that a splendid prospect lias been obtained of coarse or sliotty gold. The Enchanted Creek is situated about half-way from the Armchair Creek and Birch Hill Creek, on the north bank of the river Wairau. From botli these creeks payable gold has been obtained. A few days ago a party working on the latter obtained a nugget weighing loz. Idwt. lOgrs., together with some fine gold. A dozen men have already set in at the new rush, so we may expect that some of them will obtain the bottom and report favorably. If so, there is ample space for many claims, as the creek is over three miles long and easily worked. The winter lias been very severe, bitter sharp frosts, heavy snow-storms, and continuous rain, and most of the miners have suffered from the effects.”

Since some of our young men have volunteered for active service in the north, the following extracts from a letter from one of them to lbs brother, resident in Picton, may be of interest to some of our readers : —“Taranaki, IStli Sept.— Dear ,—I arrived here last night by mail coach from the camp at Pungarehu, accompanied by J.O. and nine others. We are en route for the White Cliffs, distant from here about 32 miles up-country. I. have been pretty busy since I left Picton. I joined the A.C. force on the following day, was put in the first armed squad, and drilled for about a week. Last Tuesday we got the route, and in half an hour were on board the “Stella.” Wc had to put baek into harbor that night, for it blew great guns, but next morning we started for Opunake, which place we reached at night. We landed next morning in surf boats, stopped at Taranaki a day, and then inarched to Pungarehu Camp, where we expect fighting to commence. Wc left Pungarehu yesterday morning by ooach, and will stop at Taranaki till tomorrow morning, at 7 a.ni. if we don’t get other orders. Wc are going to reinforce a small station up-country, called White Cliffs. We go by train for ten miles, and have to march the remainder of the distance. It is said there is a row with the Maoris there, so if we go wc must keep our eyes lifted or we may get our hair lifted. Talk about Picton Volunteers, they could not compare with some of our detachment for awkwardness. I had command of our detachment here. Talk about land, this is splendid as far as I have seen. I could ljaye bought four acres in the township of Qpunake for L2O. There is very little work going qn here at present, but I don’t see aqy loafers about the saiqe as there are in Picton. W« get Os per day fqr a vycek of seven days, and it costs ns about fid per day for “tucker.” We are armed with short carbine, and sword-bayonet. Some of the fellow? don’t know the way to ioad yet. Wc carry blankets and water-proof sheet, big coat, &0., with -10 rounds of ammunition, and provisions.”— Press. The “ Daily ” states that the Maoris a Papawai, near Lreytown, have chopped down 13 chains of wire-fencing, the property of Messrs Fabian Rros,

The Mark Lane Express, in a recent article, says “It is impossible to watch closely the weekly returns of grain afloat for Groat Britain without noting the growing importance of the Australian supply. It is recognised in England to a far greater extent than in Australia itself.

It has lately been discovered that the willow is quite as valuable an anti-fever tree as the blue-gum—nay. even more valuable, as it will flourish in climates where the blue-gum will not succeed. It is stated that the malarious shore of the Levant, from which fever and ague were never absent, have been rendered perfectly healthy by the extensive planting of willow trees.

Wc (Timaru Herald) have been favored with the following extract from a letter received by the last mail from a gentleman in London : “ I have just been informed by a gentleman here who keeps a large stud of hunters and interests himself greatly in English racing matters, that he, as well as well as many of the owners of the most noted stables, are now convinced that there are not any oats to compare with the New Zealand for feeding.”

Tho “ Army and Naval Journal” reports the death of a soldier who had carried a bullet in his brain for over (jo years. The wound was received at the battle of Waterloo. The bullet entered the right eye, destroying it of course, and traversing the brain, lodged in the back and lower part of tho head. After the outward wound was closed he suffered no special inconvenience from the presence of the bullet, although always when turning himself in bed he could feel that the ball dropped in a differ, ent position. He was unusually healthy, and he died of old age.

The Rev. W. J. Williams, of Wanganui, formerly of Wellington, in preaching recently on the death of the President of the United States, said that if President Garfield did not fall a victim to party strife, he fell a victim to the bitterness of party spirit, which was so intense iu America, that it could be hardly understood in this colony. But, he added, there was political party spirit in New Zealand which should also be done away wifh. There was the abuse of opponents and the inflammatory speeches of demagogues which lowered and degraded the tone of colonial ploitics to a level not far removed from that of America. He (the speaker) felt bound to express his regret that religion had bc<m disassociated from politics, and that the ruling of the country had been left too much in the hands of it religious men. If they desired to keep the Government of the country pure they would have to look well to the moral and religious character of the men whom they elected to represent them in Parliament. They might be very sure that the man who was a scoundrel in private life would prove a scoundrel in public life. Christianity should not be put aside, but should be made the supremo test at the polling booth. If this were done they would enjoy a happier position than the world hail ever known.

The jurisdiction of Sir Arthur Gordon has been the subject of some discussion in the House of Commons. Mr Gorst wanted to know whether Sir Arthur, as High Commissioner under the Pacific Islanders Protection Act, 1575, was not by that Act restricted to a jurisdiction over subjects of Her Majesty ; and whether Sir Arthur Gordon had any authority, as to levy war against tho natives of the Solomon Islands. The answer given by Mr Trevelyan was not so plain as could have been wished. After mentioning the jurisdiction of the High Commissioners extended over British subjects and British subjects only, he stated that Sir Arthur had authority to sanction the sending of the H.M.S. Emerald, and then went on to state the circumstances under which the sanction was asked for. These circumstances are well known to our readers and we need not report them here. But we do venture to repeat that the Governor of New Zaaland, whoever he may be, is not the proper person to hold the High Commissionership of tue Pacific, and the sooner the duties are transferred to some other authority the better it will be for the whole mercantile element of the Pacific. We note tliat Captain Erskine, the newly-ap-pointed commodore, left Chatham oil July 'll in the armour-plated ship Nelson for the Australian station, and the instructions he takes with him will, we hope, tend to dimisli greatly the ontrages which have been far too common of late in South Seas. The Nelson, we may add, will be the first ironclad sent for service on the Australian station. —Exc hail ye.

The annual meeting of the National Bank of New Zealand was held in London on July *2B, wluan a dividend of 7 per cent vras declared. .Ml* Maginac moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by .Sir Charles Clifford. Colonel Whitmore criticised the report at length, and moved that the directors be authorised to amalgamate the bank with the Colonial Bank of Now Zealand. The motion was ruled out of order, the meeting having been called for a specific purpose.

“ Givi* ” in tho Otago Witness says : —ln a flourishing North Island town there died an individual who left behind him a good many thousands of pound*, and debt* to the amount of ionic hundreds. The money was left in trust for certain individuals ill no way connected with the testator, but to whom the trustee was nearly related. A friend of the deceased happening to visit the town above-mentioned, paid a kindly visit to the grave, and was astonished to find there all the negative indication of neglect—no headstone, railing, or rly other of those poor devices which may serve either to cherish the memory of the dead or show the gratitude of the legatees. He therefore remonstrated with the trustee telling him (what was true enough) that the public were actually talking of doing the work by subscription. The other demurred. “ You see,” he said indefiautly “ we've 'jot to ji iy the debts : ” then, after a pause, seeing his way out of the difficulty, “but if the public will get up the subscription, me'll supplement it. Itbemlljl-”

In discussing the question of “ Liberals and Liberalism,” the Southland Tim: ■ says :—lt is not a little amusing to observe the complacency with which the title is assumed by the party among us of which illiberal)’t'y is perhaps the most notable characteristic. Where is the liberality of the Liberals ? What is there in themselves, in their opinions, in their measti es, that answers to the name ? The very idea calls in a smile of derision if we associate it with them as individuals. IV e will undertr.ke to produce, from amongst the most rail)pant of the so-called Liberal party, more sordid self-seeking, more unblushing "i'ced, and a greater shrinking from the discharge of just obligation than cquld he found easily amongst those who never take the name into their mouths. Has anybody forgotten the historical episode of the Invercargill cabman, who was driven to a court of law to recover his hire after having earned it by the act of transporting the very High Priest of Liberalism and bis attendant Ministers '! The remarks of the Times are equally applicable to tiie party as represented in this district.

Colonel 1., of'the United Service Club has won the Derby sweep there three times in the last five years, and this year he iron the Oaks sweep also. This is not all : there bsing a second sweep this year, owing to the large number of subscribers, Colonel I, who had drawn Peregrine in the first, sold his chance for thirty pounds, and took another number in the second. This time he drew Iroquois ! The lucky Colonel should bo a firm believer in the necessity for consultations.

The YVairarapa Daily complains of the scarcity of bush hands in the YVairarapa. It adds :—“ Farmers will do well to prepare themselves for a scarcity of hands during the next harvest. It is very evident that good labor is obtainable now only to a very limited extent, and that in a few months wages will be high and men hard to obtain.”

The banking returns for the .June quarter disclose some important changes iu the relations between the banks and their customers. The deposits show a decline of L1(i7,400 on the previous quarter, while the advances show an increase of no less than L73(>, 7SG. The decline in the deposits isjentlrely in those at interest ; a considerable increase is apparent in those at call; Government deposits also show a decline; and the net balance of the whole is the above-named decrease. It is evident that low rates of interest for bank deposits for a term are rendering depositors less willing to adopt that mode of investment. On the other hand, the increase in advances wouhl lead to the suoposition that the low prices of wool which have prevailed for some time are causing the runholders to make larger calls on the resources of their banks. The increase in discounts is but slight —only L 123,873, while the increase is overdrafts or other advances is L(i12,913. This absorption of banking capital at the dullest season of the year is remarkable.— E- cchanr/e.