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Marlborough Daily Times, Volume III, Issue 303, 28 October 1881, Page 2

The usual column of farming items appears in our fourth page to-day. An art union for a chesnut mare, and foal by Treason, will be held at Fraser s Auction Mart to-morrow night. Tenders close to-day for the right to erect certain Booths in connection with the Friendly Societies’ Fete. We remind our readers of the extensive sale of drapery, grocery, &e., which will be held by Messrs Purkiss and Nosworthy at 11 a.m to-morrow. The sale will take place at the drapery establishment, next Mr Griffith’s auction mart, With this issue we publish a supplement containing the draft bye-laws of the Borough of Blenheim, which will be considered at next meeting of the Council, to be held on the Sth November. A special meeting of the Blenheim Rifle Volunteers, without arms or accoutrements, will he held in Ewart’s Hall, at 7.30 this evening. It is announced that the first competition forthe Blenheim Rifle Volunteers Gold Medal and the Seymour Cup will take place on Tuesday next at 7 a.m. Informations have been laid against a well-known resident for attempting to rescue a horse seized by the bailiff and for assualting that official while exercising his duty. The alleged oil’ences occurred yesterday. At a meeting of the Spring Creek Rifles, held on Wednesday evening, twenty-one members gave in their names as willing to to go the front. Itis understood that 10 more, who were not able to be present, will also go, and the company will be accompanied by Captain Peake. We have to remind our sporting friends that the nominations for the handicap events, in the Friendly Societies programme, close to-morrow at S o’clock, at the Masonic Hotel. Mr JO. T. Conolly, in response to a requisition, announces that he will stand for the electoral district of Picton at the coming election. From his address, which appears in our advertising columns, it will be seen t-lnit he intends holding public meetings in the various centres of population at an early date. Wc are authorised to state that there is no truth whatever in the rumor lately current to the elicet that Mr W. Douslin intends to come forward as a candidate for the Picton seat. It is also stated that Mr Arthur Collins does not intend to stand. Mr Conolly’s return may be looked upon as a foregone conclusion. The publicans of Picton notify in the columns of the /Ve-« that on and after Tuesday next the price of all drinks will be sixpence per glass. The reason for the alteration is not stated, and the public are left to wonder whether it is a result of the new Licensing Act or whether it is because the Gambling and Lotteries Act takes effect from that date. The return match between the Blenheim Star Cricket Club and the Wanderers (now the Marlborough Club), will be played opposite the Wairau Hospital to-morrow, commencing at lo'3o. Considerable interest is taken in the match. The followare the names of the Star team Beale, Con. Halliday, Trewcck, Groom, Ryan, E. J. Robinson, M. Clark, Mclvor, Thompson, Mcllattie, and Gallop. Wo understand Mr. Hodgson examined the Remviok schools on Wednesday with rather more than the usual satisfactory results. The following children passed the Sixtli Standard :—A. J. Shaw, Kate Shaw, Harry Berry, Annie Berry, Lily Mclver, and Lily Tissiman. The following children passed the Fifth Standard \ Caroline Roberts, Emily Mitchell, Bessie Macaulay, and Sidney Shaw. The percentage of passes was 97.

By the “Penguin” which arrived in Picton on Monday evening last, Mr Paul received a very valuable pure Clydesdale entire from Christchurch which was landed in splendid condition. This horse should prove a great acquisition to the district and to breeders of cart stock. Wc should strongly advise them to see him and judge of his merits before promising their mares to owners of horses already in the district.

Some surprise was recently expressed at the action of our local contemporary in neglecting to take any notice of the last performance given by the Blenheim Musical and Dramatic Society. It now appears that its talented critic did write an article referring to the Society in rather strong terms, but for some reason it did not appear until yesterday, when it was published under the heading of “The Bazaar.” We trust those who organised the bazaar, and who are also connected with the Society will appreciate the effort of the young scribe who has thus given vent to his feelings. By the Waitaki, which arrived in Picton last evening, the following plant was received from Dunedin for the Blenheim gasworks S lengths retorts ; 10 bags fireclay ; 12 fiin. mains ; 2 Sin. valves , 1 Gin. valve ; 2 Gin. tees ; 2 Gin. bonds ; 2 Gin. tee piece ; 1 Gin. V. and S. piece : 3 Ginsyphons ; 4 Sin. F. and S. pieces ; 1 Sin. by Gin. cross; 1 exhauster; 2 dead plates; 2 B. pans ; 2 flange tees ; 2 do. and spigot tees ; 2 do. and bends ; 1 pulley ; 12 pieces railway iron. The buildings arc now neatly ready for roofing, and we are informed by Mr Douslin that there is every prospect that gas will he supplied to the ijorough m the latter part of December.

The Dunedin Ei'Hiiii ,7 fildi" says : lhc extensive excavations that have been cairied on to permit of the election of the Oavcrsham and Suburban Boroughs gasworks alongside the railway line, Paversham, have just been completed, and tenders arc invited thrqugh our advertising columns for the concrete "foundations of the retort-honse and other buildings. The contractor, Mr Stephen Hutchison, informs us that a cablegram has just been received, informing him thatt'ie necessary machinery is in a forward state of preparation, and will be shortly shipped.

The bazaar held on Wednesday we are glad to learn was a thorough success, both financially and otherwise. Upwards of LSO was realised besides which a considerable amount was previously subscribed. Wc arc requested to intimate that a very handsome three-leaved screen which] is now on view at Mr Falconer’s shop will be rallied on Saturday next, and that two pictures still remaining unsold will be disposed of at the same time. A few tickets are still awaiting purchasers. Monday next, we may also remark, is positively the last day upon which rattles of any kind can take place, as the Gambling and Lotteries Act comes into operation on the day following.

It appears rather likely that volunteers will be practically disfranchised in the coming election. It is generally understood that the elections will take place sometime during next month, but unless some special arrangements are made it will obviously be impossible for our local volunteers to record their votes if they arc then really engaged at the front. It is perhaps rather unfortunate that some of the shain Liberal candidates do not volunteer for the front, but it is very improbable that they will do more than express themselves willing to shed the last drop of their brothers’ blood. They are better at “spouting” than fighting. A correspondent, writing to us, expresses an opinion that all those who have volunteered for the front are staunch supporters of Mr Seymour, and that bravery and true Liberalism are synonymous terms in this district. Our Havelock correspondent under date October 27th writes:—“As a proof that political matters are assuming an important subject of conversation, the question put now is “Are you on the .Roll.” It is a fact worth recording that within the last four days fifty claims have been sent to the Registrar of Electors at Blenheim, by persons desirous of having their names placed on the Roll from this portion of the Picton electorate. There arc still many whose names are not on the roll and that is occasioned by their not being able to obtain application forms and no doubt they will be debarred from exercising their undoubted rights. This is quite absurd of the Government attempting to work both the Wairau and Ricton Electoral Districts with one Registrar. At all events a liberal supply of forms should be deposited at all Public Offices. As it is, owing to the niggardly and insufficient manner in which form j are supplied, and the difficulty experienced in obtaining them quite ouethird of the voters in this district are virtually disfranchised. A Miss Wallace won the femalego-as-you please tournament at Sydney, bhe walked 24(i miles in six days. Miss Phillips was second with 244 miles.

A correspondent of the Thames Adcercriticising the election address of one of the candidates, says :—“ I notice that one of the candidates for Parliamentary honors advertises himself as an independent Liberal, which may he defined as independent of his constituents and liberal to himself.'’ The A Kulmbimm concludes an article referring to the present position of Hew Zealand in the following terms : —“ Wc quite concur in the belief that whether the end of the Hall Government comes soon or late, it will be entitled to the credit of having restored honest and capable government to the colony, the sense of confidence to the public, and order and equilibrium to the finances of New Zealand. The latest novelty in a country township in a neighbouring colony consists of dancing parties got up by ladies who in large numbers contribute half-a-crown each and invite their male friends. The coffee, and sandwiches are good, and dignity is assigned to its proper place. These little “hops” have the desired effect—that of stirring up the bachclorsjto become more sociablo and lose a little of their boorishness. Sir George Grey’s supporters, says the Rangitikei 'Advocate, have definitely decided that he shall stand for Auckland City East at the ensuing elections. This is the seat for which his good little boy Speight got in last time by the skin of his teoth, and for which he would have very small chance of being re-elected. Hence it is, wc suppose, that Speight is going to the Thames, and Sir George is going to run for Speight’s present constituency. At a meeting of the creditors of an insolvent publican in the North the other day, one of the opposing creditors, a brewer, said:—“When sold by the Imperial pint the average profit on beer is equal to 100 per cent, and when sold by the glass is even more. The average profit on beer sold by the glass depends to some extent on the size of the glass. I would put it down at from 130 to 1;>0 per cent.” And still they file, and even brewers sometimes pay only 10s in the £. For slapping the month of a man who said he hopedT’residcnt Garfield would die Cnpt. 0. A. Cook, an old soldier residing in Cincinnati, was fined $lO and costs. A one cent subscription was started to pay the fine for him, and it was swelled to such proportions that the gallant captain would not trade his chances for a Lake Superior copper mine. Other cities have taken hold of the mattci, and the captain will find himself a possessor of a snug fortune when the returns arc all in. No one man is allowed to contribute more than one cent.

Oliver de Sevres, a French writer, in a work on under-draining in 1(500, says : “Should stones for replenishing ditches fail on the spot, do not have them brought from a distance at a great expense, but instead use straw. The rye straw, on account of its strength, can be used, and this failing, replace it with wheat straw. The straw could be arranged into bundles, one foot thick and two feet and a-half long, tied up even in three equi-distant places. Straw thus employed will last a long time, for it is admitted that being within the earth and without the effects of air, straw remains sound for over 100 years.' 1 A story is told me of the late Sir Redmond Barry. Truth or fiction I cannot say, but a good story—good enough for the good man gone to rest. There was in Melbomne a person named Bulfiuch, a creature with one characteristic—his immediate progenitor had been a baron. 1 My father, the baron,’ was ever on his lips. It is not difficult to imagine such a one becoming an intolerable nuisance. Bulfiuch was _ a nuisance—in society, one evening, an intolerable nuisance. Sir Redmond called the offending one aside, with intent to administer a healing rebuke. ‘ I have an infinite respect for you, sir, hut mingled with regret.’ Bulfinch. found cause for self"ratulation in the words, hut the end was not yet. • Your father, I have heard, was a baron.’ Bulfinch acquiesced. 1 My regret, sir. is that your mother was not a —l baron too.’ —Sydney Mail. There have been several distressing deaths lately (says the Home Mews) amongst young people who had been crammed to a fatal extent that they might pass examinations. If they had lived and had succeeded in passing these examinations, they would have injured themselves for life : but they have died, -they

are the victims of ambitious parents, and of professors who imagine that parrot knowledge is wisdom. The military cadet, in addition to Latin, Greek, algebra, mathematics, French, and German, lias to take up for examination “The Canterbury Tales” as hi 3 first reading-book. The object seems to be to cram the education of a lifetime into the first two decades of existence, so that the system may be able to boast that it turns out a youth so perfect that he never need want, and certainly would not be likely to wish, to open a book again.

In reference to the special meeting of Blenheim Volunteers, to be held this evening, wo understand that a number of the members are desirous to go to the front. Some of their employers, however, object to them going, on the ground that they cannot be spared. The Telegraph manager in Blenheim has informed Captain Robinson that none of the operators can be spared, although some of them want to go. Considering the busy time of session work is now over, it certainly does not look well for the officials to set a [bad. example as if anybody should put forward objections, it is the private employer of labor not the official of Government.

A correspondent icsiding in Jamaica writes to the Melbourne Anjm suggesting the importation of mongooses from India to Australasia as a remedy for the rabbit nuisance. He says :—I am certain that the introduction of the Indian mongoose will rid Australia of rabbits, and perhaps kangaroos and dingos, by the destruction of the young animals. The mongoose is a plucky and hardy little beast, and few dogs —even good bull-terriers—are a match for them. They will prey on rabbits greedily, and once in their clutches no rabbit can escapo. Perhaps Australians will think the ills they know are better than those they know not, and may not be inclined to import more animals, in the shape of mongooses or others from the fear that some other evil, perhaps greater than that of the rabbits will result. Ido not think they need fear the mongoose ; he has done an immense service to me, and to all cultivators of the soil in Jamaica, and all the bad that can be said of him is that now and then he will gobble up a chicken or a duckling. But it will [take many thousands of ducklings and chickens to equal the loss now caused by rabbits; and as the mongoose cannot climb, any careful hen-wife can completely secure her chickens ill wirenetted hen-houses or peus.

Iu a lecture entitled “ Fiji under British Rulye,” delivered at the Town-hall, Fitzroy, Victoria, recently, the Hon. Henry Langtoil made some pointed allusions to Sir Arthur Gordon. Ha disapproved of the policy of Sir Arthur Gordon since the islands were ceded to the British Crown. One of the conditions on which the native chiefs ceded the country to Great Britain was that the rights and interests of the ceding parties should be recognised so far as was consistent with British sovereignty and colonial form of government. This condition has not, however, been carried out. Sir Arthur Gordon had not treated these people as human beings to think and act for themselves, but had reduced the common people to a condition of more complete slavery than ever they were in before, and it seemed to him strange that after paying L 20.000,000 to banish slavery from the West Indies, the British Crown should now revive and promulgate the system in Fiji. The present systen was that the chiefs received tribute in kind from the common people. Under cover of this system the native had no free labour. If lie went out to work, so soon as he brought back his earnings they were taken away from him by the chief of his class. It was utterly impossible for people to acquire habits of industry if the motive for industry—permission to own and use what was earned—was not allowed them. Under Sir Arthur Gordon’s policy the people were absolutely required to obtain permission from the Government to work. Such a state of things, the lecturer thought, could not possibly last.