Japan.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 5 November 1891, Page 2

Japan.

The great loss of life and damage to property caused by the earthquake in Japan has been already announced. It may be worth recalling the position this nation occupies in relation to the rest of the world. It is but a few years since any port was open to foreigners. The Empire is a most ancient one, having a written history extending over 2500 years, and its sovereigns are able to make the proud boast of having an unbroken dynasty since GGO b.c, the present Emperor being the 121 st of his race. The Empire consists of four large islands and some 4223 smaller ones, and they lie in the Pacific Ocean to tha eastward of the coasts of China and Russia, the sea of Japan separating them. The islands are volcanic, and several of the summits are still eruptive, the principal one, and the most sacred one, being only sixty miles from the capital. In 1888 a volcanic eruption occurred by which 400 persons were reported to have been killed, and in 1889 an eruption on Is-hima Island destroyed 300 houses and lulled 170 persons. The last outbreak that has just been reported is therefore no strange thing, though unfortunately it appears to have been the most disastrous.

Japan has a population of close on 40 millious, and has lately adopted Western customs and manners, The total exports mount up to ten millions. Though the country is very mountainous there are ovei? IQOQ miles of railway open and more are in course of construction. The first commercial treaty was made with Great Britain in IHS-5. Owing to the disturbances, Foreign Ministers transferred their residences from Jeddo to "Yokohama in 1862, In the following year, the Japanese Government refused to abide by the treaties, and a combined fleet destroyed the batteries at Simonosaki. shortly after, this energetic action resulted in the treaties being renewed, and two more ports opened to trade. After this, the relations with foreign countries seem to have been most amicable, as the Puke oi Edinburgh paid a visit to the Mikado in 1869, and in 1872 the Japanese sent Ambassadors to England, who were reoeived by the Queen. In 1883 all Japan was thrown open to foreign trade. Owing to the construction of the towns, serious fires have been of frequent occurrence ; the town of Yokohama was almost entirely destroyed by* fire in 18G9 ; and in 1872 there is recorded a destractive fire at Jedd'o.

This nation, .that only really opened its ports to Western nations in 1865, has now a public debt of £00,422,000; has a navy of 81 vessels, of which one is an ironclad, 5 are protected cruisers, and 22 torpedo boats ; has 34 lighthouse = ; free trade ; religions freedom ; over 1000 miles of railway ; primary schools and compulsory education j and has a House of Lords and Commons. Though they are worried with fires and • earthquakes, tbn Japanese have not been disoouragod from making these most radical changes within the last few years.

We were very pleased yesterday to w ■"■ oome back again to Foxton, Mr James L. Oliver, the owner of the Okaua estate. It is close upon three years ?ince ho left upon a visit lo England, and now brin.qs, unfortunately only on a visit, his wife and sister. We learn that they oxp->ri.?:icd a pleasant voyage out. It is Mr Oliver's intention to stay for about six months, during which time he will make anangenvnis about the property ha holds in this dislri ;r. The proposed new taxation is disfnstefii! to him, and it may cansj him to dcci.'u 1 to part with the property. Mr ' ■ ivc-r Inn always, during his reshbnee amount us, done his best towards forwanting the intei'ests of the place, and wo should be sorry if he d"tormin?H upon' severing hit oonnc«lion with itt

/» n apprentice to the boot trade is wanted. ; The Manawatu County Council has an advertisement in this issue calling tenders for road formation, claying and metalling. Specifications can be seen at this office. We have to tfccnk the Government printer for a copj of the bound statutes of last session. It will be seen that Mr Honore is thinking of retiring from business, and therefore is prepared to make some cheap sales. ' ome footraces were indulged in at Mr Graham's mi 1 at Moutoa on Tuesday evening. Mr A. Hogg acted as starter, Mr P. OVhea as handicappev, and Mr T. Cooper as judge. The first race was one of 100 yds, in which J. Wash and F. Chirm contested, the latter winning easily. The second event was 150 yards, and E. Sanson and E. Crowley competed, the former, however, won as he liked. The next race was 2r>o.ydF, and E. Sanson and F. Chirm met, and resulted in a grand finish, E. Panson eventually winning by two yards. The last race was a quarter of a mile, and resulted in a dead heat between H. Jones and F. Bright. It is well that our mill employees indulge in this manner of passing their spam time, and we shall gladly publish any more little meetings that may be got up. A steamer, name unknown, collided with the s.s. Port Caroline in Port Phillip, and tore a hole five feet long in her, leaving her siem sticking in the Caroline. Three rods at Eakaia on Friday and Saturday took 44 trout, weighing 347^1bs ; one of 12|lbs gave an hour's fine pay.

The grand stand at the Palmerston A. A P. Association's grounds was burned down at 4on Monday morning. The origin is a mystery. The show is on the 11th November, and there is no time therefore for the erection of a new one.

Judge Kettle, at the Palmerston District Court on Tuesday afternoon, fined Mr A. S. Baker the sum of £5, for having on Monday evening, during the hearing of the Fraser v. Imrie case, committed a contempt of Court, by having remarked, during Mr Jellicoe's address to the jury, that Mr Jellicoe was permitted to say anything he liked, whilst he was not allowed to say anything.

On Tuesday afternoon a meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a Central Railway League was held in the Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr J. B. Harcourt was voted to the chair. A resolution '« That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is dosirable to form a Central Railway League to vigorously prosecute the North Island Main Trunk Railway from Marton to Te Awamutu, and such League is hereby established," was carried, and the following gentlemen were elected on a Comittee :— Dr Newman, Gf. Fisher, M's H.R., Messrs H. D. Bell, J. B. Harcourt, F. H. Fraser, S. Lancaster, R. C. Kirk, A. W. Brown, C. M. Luke, and H. B. Yogel, with power to add to their number, to manage the business of the League during the remaining two months of the year.

We direot the attention of our readers to the programme of the Dramatic Club in another column, and it will he seen at a glance that no mean bill of fare is provided , there should be something there to suit all. The Club are sparing neither trouble nor expense in getting up the scene for the Bed of Roses, and we have their assurance for saying that it will be we l ! worth the money to see the new scenery they have painted for this piece. To Mr Keen has been entrusted the task of finding the music, and we are told that the orchestra will consist of three instruments. Throe of the performers will make their first appearance before the public, and we are glad to see the Club are endeavouring to induce new blood; they are evidently acting on the suggestion we made to them some time back. There being no other attraction here on the holiday, we expect to see a big house. Two scutchers and a presser are required at the Porotawhao mill. Messrs Dudseu Bros, advevtise for a man to drive a fibre cart. The following are all made to our special order !— Boys' White Drill « Sailor " Suits, Gilt Buttons an'l trimmed Blue Braid from 4/9 paoh at Te Aro House, Wellington. ' Boys' Cream Drill " Sailor " Suits, Collars trimmed Blue Braid, Gilt Buttons, f om 5/0 each at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Drah Drill Sailor Suits, Col ays tri - mcd Blue and White Braid, Gilt Buttons, from C/ 6 each at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Blue Serge bailor Suits, White Braided Collar, White Flannel Fronts, from G/9 each, at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Blue Serge Sailor Suits, Collars trimmed Red Braid, with White Singlets, and Lanyards Beautiful Badge on the arm, from 12/8 each at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys Blue Serge Sailor Suits, with White Singlets, Lanyards and Badges, from 8/6 each, at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Fox's Serge Sailor Suits, with Singlets, Lanyards, and Arm Badges, from 18/6 each, at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Colonial Tweed Knicker Suits, from 10/6 each. Mosgiel Tweed Knicker Suits, from 15s 6d each, at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Kaiapoi Tweed Knicker Suits, from 12/6 each. West of England Knioker Suits, from los fid each, at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Scotch Tweed Knicker Suits from 7s each Mosgie' Tweed 3 garment Suits, from 22/6 eacn. Kaiapoi Tweed 3 garment Suits, from 27/0 each, at Te Aro House, Wellington. Boys' Mosgiel Tweed Sac Suits from 25/6. Kaiapoi Tweed Sac Suits from 27/0. Roslvn Tweed Sac Suits from 33/0, at the Noted House for Bo.vr' and Youths' Clothing, tha Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House Wellington. The second direct shipment for the season is just to hand ex s.s Tainui, 73 cases and packages have been received by us to date for the present soason, and the very pick of tho Spring and Summer Fash. ionß and Nove ties is now obtainable in all departments at " The Bon Marche, Palmerston North, residents of this district visiting Palmerston are respectfully invite* to inspect these extensive shipments of new and fashionable Drapery, Dress Goods, Mantles, Millinery, and Novelties which Rurpass anything previously shown at the Bon Marchi, Palmeraton North,— Ross & Sandford.