Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 1902. Distribution.

Manawatu Herald, 18 September 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 1902. Distribution.

So frequently do we read paragraphs in .the papers that certain settlers will never again send certain produce to the Wellington markets. Only the other day a poultry man complained that he suffered a loss by so doing, and orchardista would never venture after one experience. All this may sound like a reflection on the produce auctioneers of the city, but we do not think the men are too blame, but that it is the system which is Country growers read, in the market reports, that n lino of potatoes, onions, fowls, egg- - , &c , have reached such a sum, and forgot that the prices named have been obtained, for the best and finest in the market. Everyone imagines that which he

produces is as good, if not better than any one else produces, so he takes ,‘the top price as being the minimum value of what he has to sell. Away it is seat to market and' great is the Borrow occasioned by th-j account sales .which returns him very little over tbs freightage and expenses. He evidently, and. perhaps without reason, thinks badly of bis agent and cakes the first opportunity of publicly announcing that never again will he give the merchants of Wellington a chance of getting wealthy at his ex-’ ponse. In all this one point stands out clear, that a new means wants introducing by which the grower and consumer can be brought into contact without the middleman’s profits. It seems to us that the grower is the person primarily interested in this new channel, as the ordinary family consumption of bis products, stands in relation to his production at ,1000 to 1. At present the consumer has to take what is presented to him, and pay what the storekeeper cares to charge, and the storekeeper, to cover faia risks in selling, has to buy cheap and sell dear. As far as can be seen the fproducer has to stand all the risk 3, because he is paid so little, to provide tbo margin required by the storekeeper. We do not see that the storekeeper is to blame, be has high rent and expenses to pay, besides bad debt 3 ,'for much of produce cannot be held long and perhaps may go bad on his hands. ,He must, to keep his trade, buy fully up to his requirements and take the risk of proportionate 1 sales. As the auctioneers deal more with traders than private customers we- begin to understand that they cannot get anywhere near the full price for their consignments. Such a state of business will go on until the producers arise to the situation and make some arrangement whereby they will secure the confidence of the customers and* open up a retail trade with them. We have beard muttorings of the Farmers’ Unions creating a market in Wellington, but wo have little faith-in it. It must bo a signal advantage to dwellers in towns if they could secure articles of daily consumption, fresh, sound and of the best quality, from the spot whore they are grown, and at prices which the growers would gladly sell at, plus; freight. The matter of delivering is lessened, as the railways deliver ! perishable articles to the address,- and there would thus bo, little trouble in that direction. Taking all costs into consideration the consumer and producer would very much benefit by direct association. The producer would get more for his produce' and the consumer would- bo called upon to pay less for it, as the middleman would be out of it. We commend this position to our readers consideration, and it might' be that some energetic man would see a way to avail himself of the suggestion and do good for himself and others.

The representative of Mr Bridge is now in town and can be seen till tomorrow morning. The entries for Messrs Abraham and Williams Palmerston sale next Thursday are advertised to-day. The Town Clerk gives notice that all rates unpaid by the Ist October will be sued for without further not ce. It is curious that no vote appears on the Public Works Estimates for a subsidy for the Shannon bridge. The old man Robt. Patterson, aged 8a years, until lately a resident of this 1 town, died at the Palmerston Hospital on Sunday. The application for the establishment of .a school at, Himitangi (Oroua Downs), was granted at the last meeting of. the Wanganui Education Board. The experiment ot utilising prison labour for tree-planting in the Waiotap 1 Valley has so far been a pronouced success.

The proposal to establish a foresttree nursery in the. Wellington District is under consideration, and it is hoped to make a beginning at an early date. Notice is advertised to-day that children can now be vaccinated by the Government Vaccinator on any Wednesday between 2 and 3 o’clock at Dr Bennett’s residence.

Out of fifteen applicants from aP parts of the colony Miss Stewart, of Invercargill, formerly matron of the Christchurch Hospital, was appointed matron of the Wairau Hospital. During the year, 1,311,037 trees and shrubs have been sent out from the various nurseries to plantations, Government domains, institution, and other reserve, their value being £3,574 12s 6d.

The civil cases which has been pending for some time between the Palmerston Borough Council and Mr W. Park, in which the Lifter was suing the Council for the sum of £1 53 in connection with his stationery contract, has been settled by Conned paying the amount of the claim, with costs, into court.

The death of Mr Hector McDonald, Native Interpreter, at Levin is announced as on Sunday. Mr Hector McDonald was the eldest son of a wellknown old settler on this coast, and a brother of Mr John McDonald of Healherlea. He had been ill three months and his age, is stated at 46, but in this, we think there must be some mistake.

The .question of supplying settlers in various parts ot the colony with shelter and forest trees from State nurseries has.received-consideration but so far the applications have been declined on the grounds that the Government do not wish to interfere whh private enierprise so long as nurserymen continue to supply the public wilh webgrown nursery stock at reasonable rates.

Daily, about two hundred Boers at St. Helena sign tho oath of aiiff'.i'Micc. A decision recently given by the Ctiiciago Circuit: Court -will if upheld, have the effect of preventing " corners ” in grain.

The Public Health Officer states that the duty of the schoolmaster in checking tile spread of' infections diseases among his children should be duly emphasized. Dr Mason says it is impossible to report in a hopeful manner of the administration of Ihe .public health at the hands of local authorities. The Public Works Statement and Estimates were laid on the table on Tuesday night and the Public Works debate will be taken on Friday. Prince Francis Joseph, of Broganza one of the Royal guests at King Edward's Coronation, who was committed for trial on a certain criminal charge, has been acquitted.

The Horowhenua County has appointed the Chairman and the Crs for Tokomanv riding to represent the Council at the Commission to sit at Foxton.

The first ascent of Mount Egmont, by any one except Maoris was made by Dr Dieffenbacb, the naturalist of the New Zealand Company, and a man named Heberly, as far back as Christmas 1840. The average loss in transplanting trees from seed-beds to lining out ground in nurseries is barely two per cent and (he failures in transplanting trees from nurseries to plantations is under three per cent

The Bird Nuisance Bill which has passed through Committee , of the House is to apply to the Middle Island unless the local Authority shall by. resolution request the Governor to declare- that it shall apply to their district.

Floods destroyed a bridge at Mangapatriarn; precipitating the MadrasBombay train into the river. Eight European passengers, including four soldiers, and-torty natives, the guards and the driver perished. All the firstclass passengeis were saved. The Public Health Department report that among the towns visted and reported on, is Foxton. Our local authorities have carefully withheld the report from the citizens.

The"..Republicans of eleven ’ States have decided to renominate Mr , Roosevelt for the ■ Presidency. • The New York Republican Convention overruled “ Boss ” Platt, who recently declared that the convention, would not pledge itself to support Mr Roosevelt’s candidature.

The Chief Health Officer reports (bat in any. case dairies in general would benefit by stricter measures and a large staff of Inspectors in which ever Department (Health: or Agricult nral) the control is placed. The total number of trees in the four government nurseries is 5,982,710 and their value (estimated at about 25 per cent below ordinary wholesale trade rates) is £10,103 15s 3d. Of the above 2,357.700 have been from seed—-during the year, thefir value being £1,940 14s 3d. We had the pleasure of meeting :Mr and Mrs W. Hunter to-day, and they have informed us (hat owing to Mr H unter’s sister having lost her husband, they have taken over her hotel at Have--1 >ck, and will leave for there on Tuesday next. Mr Hunter spentdhe early years of his life at Havelock and therefore will be going amongst old Iriends. On Sunday evening, whilst returning from holding service at Tatteru, the Rev, W. Earee, of St. Matthew’s Church, met with an accident near i'aueru sawmills. The wheels and axle of -the buggy became detached i'he horse bolted, carrying Mr Earee sieigh-fashi m for some di.-t-mce. There was groat risk of his going over into asteep gully. Fortunately be suft.uvd no furtner injury than a severe shaking.

In a changed advertisment, over the leader, Mr W. Pcgden, the well known furniture manufacturer of -Palmerston North, advises that as the spring cleaning is now on, 1 the best time to furnish is this time, and with the large stocks; not only in furniture, but in carpets, linoleums, .rugs, mats, iron bedsteads and toilet sets, he is prepared to meet purchasers from this town and district by paying freight. A visit to his premises will please all. In the Public Works estimates appears a sum of £l5O for Foxton police station. It would be very gratisyingif a substantial sum was added to make a respectable residence for the postmaster. By Mr Stevens’ valuable help the Post Office has been greatly improved, bat the private part of the building is one of the worst designed houses in existence. The rooms are pokey, there is no passage, entrance to each room being through another, and there is no front door, tire only entrance being through the kitchen! The dance given by Mrs J. R. Stansoll came off last Saturday, at Tv Horo, says the Mail, when the children spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening, which will live, long in their memories.’ The tfcho jlroom was crowded, every child in the locality being present, and the majority appeared in fancy costume, many of (he characters being exceedingly pretty and original. The parents and friends attended in strong force, many of the adults also wearing fancy dresses. Mr and Mrs Stanselland the members of their family were untiring in their efforts to please the little ones, while the children entered heartily into the amusement, and judging by the radiant faces and merry peals of laughter, all were highly delighted. Before the_ gathering dispersed, Mr Mcßain, on be-" half of the children, teacheis and parents, heartily thanked Mrs Stansell and members of the family for the enjoyable evening provided, and cheers were then given for Mrs Stansell, Mr Stansell, and the Misses Stansell. In the absence of the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr G. Catley also returned thanks to Mrs Stansell Mr Stansell responded, saying that the enjoyment of the children, had fully repaid them for the trouble they had taken.

Miss Ada Williamson, a New Zealand l.idv, Ins been appointed medical officer of the Isle of. Wight County Asylum.

Proposals far railway construction show £250,000 for the- North Island Trunk Line, and ,£ 100,000 for the Otago Central iinflj Little has yet been do"e it tb? Game Farm Reserve, ue.v K- iparatuiin. The deer liberated conto thrive and increase there being now a herd of eighteen. A few Californian quail have also settled down.

A public meeting will be held.-, on Monday evening at the Good Templar’s hall to consider the proposal now before the colony for teaching the Bible in the State Schools. All interested are invited to attend-

Signor Marconi claims to have surmounted the difficulties of transmission by wireless telegraphy connected with light. He affirms that it is possible to communicate between squadrons in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Two Roman Catholic Bishops had a marvellous escape in the Mangapatriam accident, in which the Bombay Madras train was precipitated into the river through the bridge being destroyed by floods. They were carried several miles down the roaring stream before they were rescued. Before Messrs P. Henmrssy and Alf. Fraser on Tuesday, Charles Haslie, Charged with stealing a fowl, the property of M. Perreau, was find 40s or 14 days’ '■imprisonment.- Yesterday, before the same Justices, Fanny McCreanor, for drunkenness, second ofience within six months, was fined ios or 48 hours; and Michael Conroy, charged with obtaining £1 from Richard Walden by false pretences, was fined £i, and to refund £l, or 7 days’ imprisonment.

At A public meeting held at Rongotea to consider the question of Biblereading in school, the following resolution was carried :—“ That it is desirable that lessons from the Bible should be read in our schools, in order that thereby the children may learn something of the elements; of the Christian religion and of the principle of true morality/' A cyclists' church parade was held at Wynyard Park, the seat of Lord Londonderry, in aid of -the funds of the Soldiers’ Help Society, Lord Londonderry, in the course of a speech, regretted that instead of showing practical sympathy with disabled, sick, and unemployed soldiers, people cheered the Boer generals, who mainly were responsible for (he prolongation of the war. He "hoped the country would remember its duty.. It would be a disgrace if unhappiness and discomfort were allowed to come upon those who nobly fought and bled for us-

Many of the New Zealanders who rushed to. South Africa on the declaration of peace, under the impression that the Transvaal would be a working man’s paradise, are rapidly being disillusioned, says the H.B. Herald. A junior in the postal service in Hawke’s Bay, who left some months ago to take up a position in the post office at Johannesburg, has written to a friend in this district that he would be very glad to get back to his old position, and that notwithstanding the fact that he is, now receiving three times the salary he was getting in this colony. He strongly advises young men to be careful about giing to South Africa, as every dav make 3 it more apparent that (he majority.of those who, go will find it very difficult to get work at any wage.