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Manawatu Herald, 13 October 1900, Page 2

English is now the most universally spoken language in the world, being spoken by over 116 millions of persons.

Spurgeon's new Tabernacle, the contract price for which was £44,576, will be opened free from debt.

A number of horses were shipped by the s.s. Himatangi on Wednesday, for the West Coast.

Messrs Smale & Hay's addition to their shop is now finished, and Mr Alcorn, their popular manager, is awaiting the arrival of Spring goods to make a show which is bound to please the fair sex.

The books at the British Museum occupy 41 miles of shelves.

By the courtesy of the Registrar, we are able to give the vital statistics of this district for the last quarter. There were 43 births, 3 marriages, and 6 deaths. Next quarter the marriages will show a great improvement on the last quarter. A doctor's fee in China varies from fourpence up to a shilling. A revision of the present charges in this colony would be advantageous.

Two countrymen, who had not seen each other for a long time, met at a fair. They had a lot of things to tell each other. " Sure, it's married I am," said O'Brien. "You don't tell me so " said Blake. " Faith, yes," said O'Brien "an I've got a fine healthy bhoy, which the neighbours say is the very picture of me." Blake looked for a moment at O'Brien, who was not, to say the least, remarkable for his good looks, and then said, " Och, well, what's the harrum, so long as the child is healthy."

" There's an old stock saying," remarked Mr Justice Conolly in the New Plymouth Supreme Court, " that in civil cases when you've no defence you may abuse the plaintiff's attorney, and I think it might be said in criminal cases, when you've no defence abuse tbe constable. His back is broad. It's unfair and absurd to say that constables colour their evidence." .

Vice-Admiral Sir Harry Rawson will shortly take over command of the British fleet on the China station. He will be succeeded in the command of the Channel Squadron by Vice- Admiral Sir Compton Domville.

A quite erroneous impression appears to prevail (says the Taranaki Herald) as to the prices paid for land in Taranaki for dairying. A speaker at the Industrial Association's banquet at Wellington said he knew where land had gone up to over £30 an acre. Quite so, and double that, but not for dairying, as the gentleman in question stated. As a result of careful inquiries, we have not been able to hear of a dairy farm, as such, changing hands at more than about £15 or £16 in any part of Taranaki. The high prices recorded are purely speculative, for cutting up into suburban lots.

Another fall in prices. To-day A. Pat has a notification of the reduced prises he is bow charging.

The next meeting of the Foresters will be held on Tuesday evening in the Church of England schoolroom.

The Public Trustee notifies that all amounts payable in the estate of John Kewley, deceased may be paid to W. Rutherford, Esq., agent. ■,

The Rangitikei County Council has decided to cable Home for a Baxter stone breaker and screener. The cost of the machine will be about £250 at Home. The Government surveyor is at present subdividing Mr "Morrison's land at Oroua Bik' " which has been purchased by the G t : r - j settlement. " I found, in the course 01 -iy reading," said a Christchurch City Councillor, " that 2000 years ago in Jerusalem there was an enactment against expectorating on the pavements of the city." With such historic warrant for its proceedings, apart from the sanitary considerations, it is hardly to be wondered at (says the Press) that the Council passed a resolution asking the Bylaw Committee to deal with the matter.

Mr Cresswell, a Napier solicitor, addressing a Supreme Court jury on 4>ehalf of a man charged with fraudulent bankruptcy, said that the Bankruptcy Act on the Statute Book of this colony was the most pernicious Act ever placed there, and the public did j not know it. It should be called an Act for the Easy Manufacture of Criminals, or an Easier Method of sending an Innocent Man to Gaol. Under the Bankruptcy Act of 1892 there were no fewer than 230 ways of sending a man to gaol. Any man in this colony who was not absolutely independent was liable to be brought under these 230 ways of getting into gaol. Writing of political notabilities, and Lord Salisbury in particular, Mr H. W. Lucy under date London, August 17th, says the Sydney Morning Herald : — " It is almost pathetic to see how this veteran statesman, this one-time master of gibes of flouts and sneers' sticks to his work in spite of ill health, increasing years, and disheartening effects of domestic bereavement. Every one knows that only a sense of duty keeps him at the helm, and to all appearances there are heavy seas to be again encountered before long. I have never known, in fact, a holiday period of the year which as far as public men are concerned had so little of the holiday about it. If the political world is slumbering it may be said to be talking in its dreams. At any moment there may be a sensational awakening."

A man named Irving was temporarily entombed in a tunnel at South Hokitika a few days ago. He was working at the face in a tunnel about 700 feet long when, without any warning, the tunnel collapsed behind him. His mates, assisted by others working in the locality, then commenced to drive towards him, but the air was very bad and the progress slow. An effort was made to procure an air pump and some hose to supply air to the workers, but as no air pump was procurable, a blacksmith's bellows and a quantity of the fire brigade's hose was utilised. About eight hours after the fall had occurred the rescuers were rewarded by breaking through to where Mr Irving was, and finding him uninjured but suffering slightly from the effects of the bad air. He had fainted' but recovered, and was picking towards his rescuers.

We understand informations . have been laid against many flaxmillers for allowing tow to go into the river. The Marine Department will employ a solicitor to conduct the prosecutions.

At their auction to-day Messrs Westwood & Barham have for sale a unique assortment of goods, comprising some delicious oysters, smoked fish, new potatoes and hams- and bacon.

The horse sold in the pound to-day realised two pounds.