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Manawatu Herald, 24 July 1900, Page 2

A large quantity of rhubarb roots and young gooseberry bushes are advertised for sale. Mr Grey, the late Chief of the Hansard Staff, has been removed owing to his opposition to the demands of the Report and Debates Committee, and Mr Spragg, the senior member of the staff, has been appointed to the vacancy. We understand that the block of land at the back of Mr F. Easton's butcher's shop, some two and a half acres in extent, has been purchased by Mr G. Coley from Mr John Davies at a satisfactory figure. Mr Coley has given the contract for the erection of a dwelling-house, facing Johnston-street, to Mr Spiers. Chinese merchants in Wellington who appear to be well informed as to the effects of the crisis on prices, have advanced the price of preserved ginger, a commodity in which they deal largely, from ssd to 6d. Mr Charles Neufeld, the ex-prisoner of the late Khalifa, is about to write a book of adventure for boys. The scene of the. story will be laid in Egypt and the Soudan, while the incidents are founded to some extent on experiences in Mr Neufeld's own career previous to his capture by the Dervishes. There are more than eight cases that Mr Palmer, M.H.R., knows where people have married their deceased husband's brother, believing it to have been lawful owing to the Deceased^ Wife's Sister Bill. Having found out their mistake (I) they want a Bill to help them. A Strand policeman was asked in the thick of the crowd by a harassed pedestrian to tell him the nearest way to Charing Cross Hospital. " Call for ' Three cheers for Kruger,' " responded the genial guardian of the peace, " and you'll be there in no time." An average Englishman eats annually i27lbs of meat, 48lbs of which is imported, a Belgian 7olbs, of which only 7lbs is imported, a German gglbs, of which only 4lbs is imported, a Frenchman Bolbs, of which only 3lbs is imported. Messrs Norman, Gilmour and Catchpole, who have been out prospecting on the Red Queen Mines, Mokihinui, for about five weeks, returned on Sunday with a large quantity of splendid stone. Experts state the stone equals the best taken from the Alpine in the early days. The Inspector of Slaughter-houses intheManawatu county sent in another report, and suggested that regulations be made— (i) To prohibit pigs from running, feeding, and being kept within one chain of a slaughter-house ; (2) to fix the maximum number of pigs to be allowed to run at one time at each licensed premises ; (3) walls of slaughter-houses to be cleaned and whitewashed at least once a week. The report was adopted.

Mr T. Easton is making good progress with the additions to All Saints' Church, which when finished will be one of the nicest churches in the district. Mrs Robinson has presented a stained -glass east window in memory of the late Mr F. Robinson, who was one of the first settlers in this district. Another church member has undertaken to provide the screen in memory ot those who have been taken away, and others are providing handsome hangings and carpets.

Mr Hogg, M.H.R., told the House that the number of bicycles stolen in the last 3^ years, in this colony, was 106 and only 65 had been recovered, and by reckoning the value of each bicycle at £20 the thieves had cleared about £1300 ! Quite an industry. An Australian pnr"'* says; "MajorGeneral Macdonald -i-..^, "'. '" ; \x.rs to play over the lust si . ;:.ues to Bloemfontein. Thete arc now no armed Boers in the neighbourhood." Comment is superfluous.

We learn that poisoning rabbits is to start again at once on Government ground. Settlers who have rabbits are warned that the work of destroying bunny is to be carried very strictly this year and united action will be needed. Good results should be obtained from poisoned pollard, and the Inspector, who will be in Foxton this week, will be glad to give any information.

The changes in the office of Ranger are many and frequent. To-day the Borough 'Council notifies that Henry Bradcock has been appointed Ranger.

The present war has proved singularly disastrous to war correspondents, as the following list shows :— Killed in action 4, murdered 1, died of disease 4, wounded 8, captured 12, invalided 16.

A Chinese merchant of repute was an eye-witness of the massacre of the Europeans of Pekin. He told the Shanghai correspondent of the Express that the Boxers stripped the women in the streets, and hacked them to pieces, and dismembered them while the soldiers carried the children on their spear heads, their comrades shooting at the corpses.

The Minister has promised to run six trains per week to New Plymouth if the shipping companies will run their steamers in conjunction with the trains.

The statement of assets and liabilities filed in the estate of T. Nye, Foxton, show liabilities totalling £63 14s id, the principal creditors being W. M. Satchell, Palmerston North, £40; H. D. McKen^ie, Levin, £5 7s; E. J. Coveny, Foxton, £6 10s. The remainder is made up of small accounts owing in Foxton ane Palmerston. There are no assets in the estate.

At a meeting of the New Zeal? nd Polo Association a letter from the Victorian Polo Association suggesting that a Victorian polo team should visit New Zealand next season was fully discussed. The proposal was favourably considered, and the secretary was instructed to extend a hearty welcome to a Victorian team. It is expected that playing on the grounds at Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerston North and Hastings, about eleven matches will be arranged, including an intercolonial match at Palmerston North, and return one at Wellington. The matohes will probably take place during February next.