Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 28, 1899.

Manawatu Herald, 28 December 1899, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, DEC. 28, 1899.

The Railway Department to-day advertise their train arrangements for the New Year. There are just now 16 British warships on the Cape station, divided as follows : — At Cape Town, the Terrible, Thrush, Barrosa, Forte, Dwarf, Monarch, Penelope, and Rambler; at Durban, the Powerful, Tartar, Doris, Philomej, Magicienne, and Partridge ; at Delagoa, Thetis and Widgeon. It is understood that Colonel Pitt, whose disqualification has expired, will be appointed to the Legislative Council. Mrs Palenski, who received severe burns in a fire at Feilding on Thursday night when her residence at Halcombe was destroyed, has died from the effects. Dwight Lyman Moody, the American evangelist, is dead. Moody's fame was known throughout the civilised world. He was born at Massachusetts in 1837. Farm laborer, clerk in a shoe store, and missionary, he was soon to make his name. His religious services throughout America and England attracted large and enthusiastic audiences. There are few people who have not heard of " Sankey and Moody." The St. Albans Times, England, in reporting on a. fund that was being raised for the relief of families of killed and wounded in the Transvaal, states : — ' In connection with this fund a great novelty was shown consisting of some floral button-holes frozen in large blocks of ice from New .Zealand. These flowers, which had been in the ice for more than two months, and had travelled 15,000 miles, looked quite fresh and were much admired, were sent by Mr G. T. Fannin, of Napier, and added considerably to the fund." Prices have gone up in Cape Colony. Horses that ordinarily would be dear at £30 are offered at from 70 to 90 guineas. Lager costs 2s a bottle. Whisky and soda is 2s 6d, and soda aud milk costs is 6d. In reference to the Hon. W. P. Reeves the Pall Mall Gazette publishes the following : — " Mr Reeves has it is said, arranged to retire from the position of Agent-General for New Zealand on December 31st, and will probably make an early attenrfpt to enter the House of Commons." At Auckland on Thursday an application for a divorce— the first of the kind in the colony — was made, in which a decree was sought on the gi»unds of the wife's 'habitual drunkenness for four years and upwards. To the Hon. W. Hall-Jones belongs the distinction of going back to Parliament with the largest majority obtained by any candidate — 2172. The Hon. J. G. Ward also secured a big majority, 1619. The popular impressions concerning the bee must be revised. It has long been praised for its industry and diligence, but it has been learned that in these respects the bee is a fraud. As a matter of fact, " the little busy 1 bee " works but about three hours a day, and is a most thorough-going loafer for the rest of the time. Going from home for news, we find this choice morsel in the columns of the London " Globe " :— The Premier of New Zealand announces that, owing to the rapid decrease in the birth rate, md the constant increase in the unemployed, he will guarantee work for anyone who marries within six months. The Opposition are now thinking of offering a handsome salary to the man who dandles his baby on his knee for eight hours in the day. In other words, both political parties are " nursing " the constituencies." President Kruger is described in a a new book just issued by Appleton's, of New York, entitled "Oom Paul's People," by Howard C. Hillegas, an American journalist. This is what he says : — " He is uncouth in his manner, but he has great natural attractiveness, gained by a long life among hunters in the wilds. He is suspicious of everything and everyone, but that quality is easily accounted for by his early dealings with negro chiefs, whose treacherous habits caused him to become wary in all his transactions with them. In later days this has stood him in good stead. He is slow to make friends, but once he trusts a person, voluminous proof is necessary before he alters his opinion of the man. He never forgets a good deed, and never pardons the maa wh9_4 Qe 8 a fr*a was."

The London Mail has this from St. Petersburg : — " November 19th. Lieu-tenant-Colonels Gonetzki andi Seletz. two Russian officers of high standing have resigned their commissions anc leave on December Ist to join Joubert. Gonetzki is a member of the Imperia Guards and a well-known personage in St. Petersburg society. Seletz wa formerly in command of the Gromin Hussars, and distinguished himself ii. the Russian -Turkish war." The polo match between the Wellington team and the local club played Foxton on Christmas Day resulted in a win for the home team by nine ?oals to two. The local men were to( jood for their opponents, but as th< natch was the first of the season, th< players were not in their best form. A man named Lewis Nicholas, a amploye at one of the mills, was take: to the Palmerston Hospital sufterin; from a broken leg. It appears th fracture was the result of wrestling with another man in the Main-street I on Saturday night. What we are thought of outside. The Foxton sanatorium is being very largely patronised by families desirous of a seaside resort, visitors hailing from as far north as Stratford. Should I the Government extend the railway to the Heads, there is no doubt that the Foxton beach will be a very popular outing. — Manawatu Times. At Wanganui the zealous truant inspector summoned a bachelor to " show cause why he did not send his child to school." So far the following bands have entered for the contest of the North Island Brass Band Association, to be held in Wellington in March next : — Woodville, Palmerston North, Mitchelltown, Petone, Boys' Naval Institute, Wellington Garrison, Jupp's, Northeast Valley (Dunedin), Denniston, and Nelson Garrison. The test selection is now being distributed to the competing bands, and a ballot for judge j will be taken on the closing of the en- j tries. The prizes which are offered by the committee are as follows : — First ' prize, £100 in cash, 25 silver medals, and the Besson Challenge Shield ; second prize, £50 ; third, £25 ; fourth, £15; fifth, jBio; sixth, £5. The Premier having advised, his Excellency has sent the following cable to her Majesty the Queen : — " The people of New Zealand desire to express their loyal and respectful sympathy for her Majesty the Queen in her deep anxiety and distress this Christmas, and wish her all happiness in the coming year." On Christmas Eve the Foxton Town Band played in front of various residences in the Borough, and many donations were received by the band for their contributions of Christmas hymns and carols. A good yarn is going the rounds as to a certain nomination, fee. One candidate at the general election, a candidate for a constituency not exactly a thousand miles away from Wellington, was notoriously hard up, and had great difficulty in finding the requisite tenner necessary to " put up " before he could go to poll. Eventually a good-hearted publican found the money which was duly paid over to the returning officer (on behalf of the candidate) by a political wire puller. When the election was over, and the candidate who had been so hard up that he couldn't find the nomination fee out of his own pocket had been returned, the publican thought he might just as well get his money back. The mutual friend, the wire puller, waited on the returning officer and asked for the return of the fee. " Certainly, certainly," said the R.O. "Mr ' (turning to the clerk,) "just give that ten pounds to Mr ." Unfortunately the request was made a trifle late, for the clerk blandly replied, " Oh, the nomination fee of Mr why Mr (the candidate) called in yesterday and got himself." The interprovincial cricket match between Wellington and Canterbury was won after an exciting finish by Canterbury by one wicket. The scores were Wellington (both innings) 347, and Canterbury 349, with one wicket to fall. Captain Cradock, of Dunedin, and formerly of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carbiniers), has been selected to command the second New Zealand contingent for South Africa. An odd monument was desired by an elderly maiden lady who died recently in Athlone, Ireland. She left a fortune of £27,000 to be spent in the erection of a church, provided that her body should be converted into ashes j and used in making the mortar for building the edifice. For towing the Mamari, who had her tail shaft broken, a distance of 640 miles, the owners of the Greenock steamer Gulf of Corcovado received a salvage award of £3,500 ; the master of the vessel was also awarded £350, and the crew divided £650 between them. The total value of the property salvaged was £90,000. " It is a strange thing," said a wellknown Christchurch auctioneer, recently, " that the price of wool at the sales a few days ago went back to the old time reckoning of per bale. To get 14$ d for greasy wool is something of a record for Canterbury. It may well be said that the agricultural and pastoral interests are prospering in the country. The Friendly Societies' picnic and sports to be held in Victoria Park on New Year's Day (next Monday), should attract a large crowd. Two trains will arrive, one from Palmerston at 10.30. and the other from Feilding at 11 a.m. From what we hear we believe both these trains are likely to bring a very great number. The nominations received constitute a record, and the events are certain to be well contested. The committee have made all arrangements for the comfort and convenience of their visitors. Milk and hot water will be provided free, and Messrs Perreau Bros, will have the refreshment booth, where they are sure to satisfy their patrons. The public will also have good music discoursed during the day by the Palmerston Town Band, and with a fine day the gathering

The dates of Mr Bridge's next visit are advertised. On Saturday night a large number of people were in town making their 3hristmas purchases, and the storekeepers and other business people are co be complimented on their display of *oods and the manner their places of jusiness were decorated. The business done is spoken of as the best for nany years, and they are very well satisfied. A boy is wanted for farm work. The train on Boxing Day carried a large number of people to the Palmer iton races and Feilding sports. The Ocean Beach has- been well jatronised during the holidays, all the cottages being occupied, and families 'lir ?130 been recuperating in tents. :>uauKf ;|l veather on Boxing Day enbi- . oundreds to visit the seaside in .•arious ways. A correspondent has written to us suggesting that it is desirable to resuscitate the Rifle Club, and that if the Government were now approached they would most likely agree to the formation of a corps in this district. He also thinks if they are not able to do this, that the target, which cost £12, should be sold, and the amount received from this source, together with the balance in hand belonging to the Club, should be given in aid of the general fund now being subscribed for 1 the sufferers by the Transvaal war. Peter Hogg, a well-known resident of Wanganui was found dead on Wednesday morning, inside the door of his residence. Mr Donald Fraser has suggested New Zealand settlers should send a cargo of frozen meat to South Africa, and offers 100 freezing sheep or ten bullocks. The Rangitikei Racing Club has decided to add another event to its programme for the second day's racing at Bulls in aid of the Transvaal Relief Fund. The Government has let a contract for the erection of the Bulls bridge at the site fixed by the Royal Commissioner. For the month of November the quantity of milk received at the varions creameries of the N.Z. Farmers' Dairy Union was 555,453 gallons as against 420,554 gallons for the corresponding period of the previous year. A sitting of the Justices' Court was held on Tuesday before Mr A. Fraser, J.P., when James Egan was charged with the thett of two cheques valued £10 14s gd, one cigarette case and an imitation gold pin, from A. Douglas. David McDiarmid was also charged with the theft of £2. Both accused jvere remanded to 4th January. Yesterday before the same justice John Sullivan was convicted and discharged for drunkenness.