Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, FEB. 6, 1896. Japan.

Manawatu Herald, 6 February 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, FEB. 6, 1896. Japan.

In the last volume of Whitaker'* Almanao appears a noiice of Japan, the perusal of which we recommend to oar Ministers and all those placed in authority over the average voter. The writer asserts that Japan's progress and her position are assured He further says there must come a time when we shall be sadly in want of a friendly hand, apd when we shall certainly not refuse it because it happens to be a yellow one. "In Japan we have the great miracle of the nineteenth century ; for the coun~ try is one which, within the lif -tim - of a single generation, has not merely de-orientalised itself, but has also placed itself well in the first rank of the G ca f P«>wra of the civilised world." This is pretty big talking but the resume of the energy and progress of the country endorses it thoroughly. The population in 1893 was 41,888.313, the greater half being mate*. The area of land un--1 der cultivation is small, about one-

twelfth of the whole country. Th- re are over a million of cattle, and a million and a half of horses, and close on 70,000 pigs, but no flhoep in the country. Manufactories for alcoholic liquors, matches, cotton thread, silk goods, cotton goods, and paper are established and turning out large quantities of manufactured goods. There i»» also a large output of mineral wealth. Over three million of Japan's population is engaged In thp fishing industries thus providing a pplendid nursery for her navy. To «how in a practical manner the strides Japan has made, it is mentioned that in 1887 her imports and exports were just over nineteen millions when the following vcar they jumped to twenty six millions and increased to 85£ millions in 1893 and had risen to over 46 millions in 1894. As a further illustration of the growth of trade the total number of steamers entering: the ports of Japan in the year 1878 was only 278 with a tonnage of 441,567, while in 1894 thp. number was 1,788 and a tonnage of 2,589.951. In 1888 there were, besides junks and other vessels of native type, belonging to the country 524 steamers of 81,066 tr>n9, and 1 H.BBB horse-power and 896 sailing vessels of 68,128 tons. At tho end of 1898 there were 680 steamers of 110.205 tons, and 24,680 horsepower, and 749 sailing vessels of 44,967 tons. At the end of 1894 the number of vesspls had risen to 1,017 steamers and 722 sailers. The aggrpgate tonnage of her merchat marine 13 considerably more than three times what it was only seven yeai's ago. It makes one think when the statement is positively made that the Japan Mail Steamship Company ia one of the largest and best of its kind in the world, and is superior in number and tonnage to the fleets of all but about half a dozen famous passenger lines. Several of the most formidable ships engaged in the late war with China were launched from Jupnnese arsenals, and though not able yet to roll plates, she will soon be in a position to do so. Already she makes guns and her army rifK the Murata, besides being of home manufacture, is generally recognised as being one of the most efficient military weapons known. Thero were dispatched over 821 millions of letters in 1888-94, and over 8£ million of postal notes issued; and over six millions of telegraphic messages sent ! There were 2672 subscribers to the telephones. Japan also possesses 2,089 miles of railway miles of railway aud 689 miles are in progress. There are 185 banks having an aggregate paid up capital of over twelve millions. Educational establishments of all kinds numbered 25,404 with 67.688 teachers and uver three million pupils. There is a University, a Medical College, an Observatory, and an Agricultural College. For amusements there is me Univerauy boat h.mse on the river where annual regattas are hi Id ; there is an Athletic Club, and there are sports. There are no fe\v. j r than 792 journals, magazines and o her periodicals. The number of civil uospitai at the end of 18,92 was 576. Thane few items culled from the work we first mentioned will show that Japan is a nation that will have to be taken inco grave consideration.

To-morrow Messrs Gorton and Son hold their stock sale at Feilding. The Borough Councillors must have paid their rates as the Clerk notifies thai the 10 per cent, will be added ou all rates overdue after the 3rd of March. Messrs Abraham <k Williams hold a stook sale at Pohangina on Tuesday. The regular stock sale at Bulls will be held by Messrs Gorton and Son on Tuesday. We regret to have to reoord an accident at the Messrs Dudson's hemp mill by which one of the scutchers, James Moran got his hand and arm fearfully mutilated by the scutoher on Tuesday. He was brought into town and attended to by Dr Lamb, who advised his removal to the Palmerston Hospital to which he went by train ye 3 terday morning. Th i arm was amputated below the elbow, but the shook and the loss of blood bin condition became very low, although nopes were entertained of his reoovery. At 4.30 o'c ock y^-aierday after- ! noon,' however, about five hours after am- | putation, the young fellow died The de ceaded wa9 working with hie elder brother Joseph, who is an experienced scutcher. ' On Tuesday a small boy, Charles Lee, fell upon a broken bottle and cut his knee badly. Mr T. V. Proctor notified in our last issue that he intends applying at the next quarterly meeting of the Otaki Licensing Committee for a transfer of his license to C. F. Mortensen. The Standard of Tuesday says :— A ! young man named Eng'and was arrested at Palmerston yesterday on a charge of defacing the brand* on sheep belonging to Mr Thorns, of Feilding. The Emperor of Germany and King Oaoar of Sweden and Norway will af tend the Olympian games, whioh were inaugurated B.C. 1453, and are to be revived at Athens in April next. Notice is given that a reward of £8 will be paid to anyone scouring the conviction of any person robbing an orchard. Trade appears a trifle dull in town from the fact that all countrymen are busy securing their crops. It is to be hoped that our readers noticed the business transacted at the last school committee meeting. It means money to patents. The German warship Falke, from New Guinea, reports that Herr Otto Ehlers, the well-known German explorer, traversed the island from nonh to south, and when within a few miles of Port Moresby was drowned iv crossing a river. The Me r cury says :— We hear that the six cylinders for the Vinegar Hill bridge will be sunk to their foundations in about three, weeks' time, all on good so id papa formation. The settlors are now making use of the temporary bridge erected by the contractor.

Because it oame on to rain on Sunday the volunteers were sent home, though the avowed object of their having been called oat wits to learn something of the soldier's duty. An American miser having died suddenly in Paris, a search made after his death resulted in £80,000 being found which had belonged to him. The captain and owners of onr steam ship Queen of the South had better keep a sharp look out on all kinds of old hnlka as the Post says:— The eight-inch gun recently mounted at Fort Gordon has an effective range of seven miles. It is probable ;hat when the weather clears an old hulk will be towed out. to the Heads and an effort made to sink her with a few shots from the gun, which is aaid to be one of the finest pieces of ordnance south of the Equator. Mr Foster, the Canadian Minister of finance, in hit Budget, advocates that the Empire and the Colonies should arrange to feed themselves and stimulate mutual production, thus forming a common interest of trade and defence. Last month, produce— principally wool and mutton — valued at £133.407 was shipped from Poverty Bay, the largest amount recorded for any single month. Summer ! The weather is very oold at Hobart. Mount Wellington is covered with snow. At the Palm-raton Magistrate's Court on Tuesday William LangdoU pleaded guilty to exposing for sale sheep infected With lice. As it wan a first offence a fine of 20s was inflicted. T. Be van, junr., and W. Irvine were each fined in a like amount. Messrs Abraham and Williams will hold a sale of stock at Otaki on Wednesday. Mr Williams has for sale 1 purebred Ayrshire bull and 1 double-seated buggy, with or without horse or harness. The following paragraph from the Chronicle will be read with pleasure by Mrs F.>9t*r'B friends here '.—Mrs W. H. Foster intends taking a trip to the Old Country for the purpose of visiting her friends and relations. A number of prominent resi dents met at Foster's Hotel on Friday evening last for the purpose of wishing Mfs Foster a pleasant trip and a safe return, and of presenting her With a handsome album containing a large number of views of Wanganui and the surrounding district and a letter expressing the high esteem of the donors. Mrs Foster goes Home in the R M.S. Gothic. Being a J.P. in the Isla of Man a f«w years ago would be no joke if the following oath bad often to be administered; It is not in force now.—" By thiu book, and by the holy contents thereof, and by the wonderful works that God has miraculously wrought in heaven above and the earth beneath in Biz days and seven nights, I do swear that I will without respect of favour or friendship, love or gain, consanguinity affinity, envy or malice execute the law 3of this Isle, and between party and party as indifferently as the herring's backbone doth lie in thn middle of the /ish." Mass will be h- Id at Foxton on Sunday, at 8 a.m. and at shannon at 11 a.m. Flying Shot won the Electric Handicap at the Woodville races of the value of 50 soys. The horse failed to find a place in the Woodville Cup. From Auckland we learn that the prospects of our farmers and Bettlers at present are encouraging. Representatives of Melbourne and Sydney houses are here with a view of purchasing gathered crops on the spot for cash, either by the ton or in the stack. Some owners south of Auck--1 land bad tempting offers made for all their oaten sheaves standing, but although the "•prices were looked upon as very good and profitable, growers wished to ascertain the I auction q otations, with the result that th y do not feel inclined to sell without an increase on the amount offered. We draw the attention of our readers to the marriage notice over tha leader. There it wM be seen that Mr William Gray, son of our 'ate esteemed townsman, Mr Alexand r Gray, was married on the 11th January to Mi-s Bailey, of New South Wa'es. We desire to tender to the newly-marri-d coup c our best wishes for their happiness. Mr Wil'iam Gray was a very popular young man in his birthplace, Foxton. Certainly the most effective medioine in the world is Sanders and Son's Eucalypti Extract. Test its eminently powerful effect in Coughs, Colds, Influenza ; the relief instantaneous. In serious cases and aooidents of all kinds, be they wounds, | burns, scalding?, bruisea, sprains, it is the Bafest remedy — no swellings— no inflammation. Like surprising effects produced • in Croup, Diphtheria, Bronchitis, Inflammation of the Lungs, Swellings, &0., i Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Disease of the Kidneys and Urinary Organd. In use at all , hospitals and medical clinics ; patronised by His Majesty the King of Italy ; crowned with medal and diploma at International Exhibition, Amsterdam. Trust in this approved article and ejeot all others.— [advt.] One of the drawbacks of country life, at least to the small settler, is undoubtedly the increased price he has to pay for any artioles of clothing or gen ral drapery, by reason of the extra charges for freight or carriage. This drawback need exist no longer, for extra charges are done away with under the new parcel system which has been inaugurated at Te Aro House, Wellington. Under this system any of the parcels advertised will be s^nt to any address in New Zealand, post free, the prices charged being exactly the same as those at whioh the goods are sold over the counter in Wellington. As may bo imagiued, however, this liberal offer is only extended to cash customers, and all orders for advertised parcels must be acoompanied by cash for the amount, before the order can be executed at Te Aro House, Wellington. In illustration of the system we will give an example. Take for instance No. 7 parcel, which contains 7 yards of double width stylish fancy check tweed ; 2 dozen buttons and silk and twist to match; 2 yards of body lining and 4 yards of skirt lining. This complete parcel will be sent, post free, to any address on receipt of 15s 9d, from Te Aro House, Wellington.