Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 1904.

Manawatu Herald, 20 February 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, FEB. 20, 1904.

In the stomach of a valuable cow which died suddenly at the Agricultural Department’s farm in the Waikato were found two jam tins, a piece of wire and some wire-netting.

During the last month 5463 bales (i 100 tons) of flax were graded at the port of Wellington as against 7539 bales (1513 tons) in December last. At a meeting of the committee of the Manawatu Racing Club on Thursday night, it was decided to apply to the Racing Conference for three days’ racing at the spring and autumn meetings.

The Otald Mail says:—The late fire on the-M akerua Estate has burnt an area of about two miles. Some thousands of tonsof good flax haVgbeen consumed. Consequently the Shannon mills will probably be Closed down shortly. Among the letters stolen front a pillar box at Auckland was one containing a cheque for £857 13s 6d, drawn by T. W. Jones on the Union Bank in favour of Messrs Ambury. English and Co. Payment of the cheque \V3s stopped. Few people are aware of the huge area of Siberia. It extends through 120 clegs, of longitudej and possesses oneninth of the land surface of the globe. The United States, Great Britain, and ail Europe, except Russia, could be put in Siberia, with space to spare. A woman was recently testifying on behalf of her son, and swore that he had worked on a farm ever since he was born. The lawyer who crossexamined her said : “You assert that your son has worked on a farm ever since he was born ?” “ I do.” “ What did he do the first year ?" “He milked.” The lawyer subsided. An officer in the British Army is at present in the Rangitikei district purchasing horses suitable for hunting and officers’ remounts, his object being to take a trial shipment of some twenty such animals to England as a private speculation. The purchases are being nude on behalf of the officer in question by Mr Bill, or Marton, and the consign in'ent will leave the colony early in May in charge of a well-known Rangitikei resident.

There is something particularly gruesome in an announcement just made by the American Post Office. In future* cremated bodies may be sent through* the post to the place of burial, as merchandise, paying the regular rate of one cent four ounces. As a result ot this decision, four air-tight tin cannisters, containing the cremated remains of a family and despatched from New York to San Francisco, were forwarded from the Washington Post Office, where they had been held up pending a determination of the postagerate for the journey. It is stated by a recent visitor to the Chatham Islands that there is at the western end of Pitt’s Island a flock of wild sheep. These are the descendants of some Yorkshire ewes and a merino ram, which were placed on the island by Bishop Selvvyn many years ago. The present flock consists of lightframed animals, with very large horns. They arc very agile, having developed some of the characteristics of the Rocky Mountain sheep of America. While their fleeces do not appear to be of much value, their flesh makes excellent mutton.

A correspondent writes thus to the New .Zealand Herald “ Some 20 years ago I visited London, and whilst looking over the premises of Messr*Thomas Townsend and Sons, hat manufacturers, the conversation turned upon hats and heads. Mr Townsend told me that the experience of his firm, extending over 100 years, was that the Frenchman had the least oval, i.e., the Scotchman the greatest oval, i.e., the longest head; but of all nationalities the Japanese had the biggest heads. Verbnni sat sapienti.” The New York Sun recently stated that if the Russo Japanese conflict F restricted to land warfare, Russia would "bleed to death.” Should the contest extend to Europe, and the Continental Powers declare food contraband of war, the United States would never asseni to such a proposal, and thus Events might force the United States to range their navy on England’s side. The Times’ New York correspondent says that Japan has some reason to count on the benevolent neutrality of the United States, News has been received in Wellington (savs the Post) that Gasparini, the (•scapeo from New Caledonia, whose otseexm; d m immense amount of ■merest in this city many years ago, has just received a sentence of 20 years in France for a serious offence. It will he recollected that Gasparini and a Frenchman named Cnry were arrested in the C dotty on a charge of having '■scaped from New Caledonia. The oroceedings for their extradition were before the Courts here for a considerable period. Eventually Cnry was allowed his liberty, but Gasparini was ordered to be returned to New Caledonia. He was accordingly placed on board a steamer bound from Wellington to Sydney, but on the voyage across disappeared, and the police set up the theory that he had jumped overboard and been drowned. Many, however, maintained that he had been secreted on board the vessel by some sympathisers among the crew, and had managed to get ashore when she reached Sydney. The view which we took of the matter was evidently a correct one, as Gasparini recently turned up in France, and has again found himself in trouble.

At the Court yesterday morning fi?* fore Messrs T. Dennett and A. Fraser, j’s.P., Peter McGough was sentenced to three months’ hard labour for indecency. We notice that Mrs H. Bradcock has installed a neat little National cash register in her business. This, to our mind, is one of the surest signs of thrift.

Mr Carnegie, the American millionaire, has intimated to the Borough Council of the Thames (Auckland) that he has decided to donate £2OOO for a free public library.

Messrs J. Belt and Co. Ltd., have taken over the business of Messrs Hermann House and Co. in Palmerston and throughout the Wellington district. Messrs Bett and Co. have also secured the agency of Gray and Sons, of Chatham, Canada, manufacturers of high-class vehicles. In another column an acre of ground with a residence thereon is advertised for sale. Situated in Union Street, the house is built in such a position that a splendid view is obtained of different parts of the town. The rooms are lofty, and the house is well built through - out, so that the owner should have no difficulty in finding a purchaser. Regulations have been issued by the Governor-in-Counci! under the Sea Fisheries Act of last session that the mesh of every net or seine used for the purpose of taking fish in tidal waters shall measure diagonal when prepared for use, wetted, and stretched, not less than four inches, unless such net is a bona fide garfish or herring net and used for taking garfish or herrings only. What should a oiefgymaD do if he were smitten by an assailant ? v licll was the question that afose during the hearing of a case in the Police Court on Friday) and which the Rev. F. G. Evans, who was a Witness as to the character in the case, was asked to answer. Witness was asked if he Were struck without provocation, as the defendant in the ease stated he was, would he (witness) "turn the other cheek” to be smitten also. The reverend gentleman repled that he did not think he would turn his cheek for another blow. “ What would you do?” asked Sergeant Haddrell. “ I think, I am sure, I would retaliate.”—Taranaki Herald,

The consecration of the new Masonic Lodge, Te Awahou, was performed at Foxton on Thursday by M.W.G.M. Bro. H. J. Williams, of Wellington, assisted by the G.S., Bro. M. Niccol and members of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. In the evening the installation of Bro. A. D. Cleraett as W.M., and the investiture of officers was proceeded with. After this a banquet took place in celebration of the auspicious occasion. Many visiting brethren were present at the ceremonies from the Manawatu Kilwinning, United Manawatu, Otaki, Bulls, Wellington, Woodville, Dannevirke, and many other lodges. Further particulars will appear in Tuesday’ 3 issue. A most enjoyable social was h e l f | at the Okuku flaxmill (Shannon Ferry; on Thursday night. The affair was organised by Mr McMillan, (he manager, and the employds at the mill, and they are to be complimented tor the arrangements made to ensure its success. A large fibre-shed, just erected, with a polished floor was quite large enough to make dancing pleasant. The interior also presented a pretty appearance, the profuse decorations of greenery, etc., having a striking effect. About twenty visitors went over by a coach engaged for the occasion, and the run over and back was negotiated without any mishap. Visitors were also present from Shannon and elsewhere, and between 30 and 40 couple indulged in dancing to a late hour in the morning. Visitors on their arrival were supplied with refreshments, and every attention was paid to their comfort. Just before 12 o’clock the sapper bell rang, when those present partook of a hot sit-down repast, which did much credit to the chef. Several songs were interspersed between the dances, Mr Oliver sang “ The Death of Nelson,” Mr Jillett “ Because I Love You." Mr J. Curran contributed a song and dance, and Miss D. Osborne sang “In Happy Moments Day by Day,” and Miss Kilkolly also contributed to the pro gramme in an acceptable manner. It is hoped that such another gathering will take place at a future date, as this had proved so enjoyable.