LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 449, 16 January 1909, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Tlic Wanganui Education Board meet next Wednesday at xi. 45 a.m.

Mr P. H. Rae-Howard advertises in this issue a property for sale in Purcell Street.

The weather yesterday turned very wintry and last night a rain and hail storm swept over the district. During the night 88 points of rain fell, ° The Secretary of the local Racing Club calls tenders for the horse enclosure at the forthcoming meeting. Tenders close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday next.

Mr P. 11. Rao- Howard notifies that he has taken over the fruit agency business carried on by Mr P. M. Page, and orders for fruit wiil receive ini' mediate attention.

It has been decided to open the hearing of Mr A. R. Barclay’s petition, in regard to the Dunedin North election, on January 28th, at Dunedin, be--fore Mr Justice Williams and Mr Justice Denniston. A cable message states that Dr. Sven Hedin, an explorer, interviewed at Moscow, said Great Britain's influence in Tibet was waning. The country was becoming a Chinese province. There were many Chinese officials and garrisons.

A case in,the S.M. Court yesterday should be a warning to local storekeepers, bootmakers, and others in trade in Foxton. It was a case in which husband and wife were jointly sued, the latter being possessor of the property in her own right. The Magistrate held that unless he was satisfied that the wife gave a direct promise to be responsible for goods supplied, the case must fall through. Jas. Booth Ross, whose body was found in the Dunedin harbour recently, wsa an attendant at Seaeliff Mental Hospital. It is believed the body had been in the witer about a week. The face was swollen, and bore marks oi injuries, such as might have been caused by- falling on stones. In the pockets were found £2 7s 6d in money, a silver watch, a pair of gold sleeve links, and a number of other articles. Deceased was on holiday leave, and left the Prince of Wales Hotel to return to the Mental Hospital about ten days ago. He was a single man about 35 years old, and has relatives in Brisbane.

la our advertising columns it will be seen that Mrs Hamer, of the Economic, is contemplating giving up business, and is therefore prepared to make great sacrifices. The large and varied stock she keeps is well-known and this opportunity to purchase cheaply should not be overlooked. Mrs Hamer desires to reduce her stock by at least half so that she may dispose of her business as early as possible. We advise our readers to see her prices before buying elsewhere, as no object is gained by sending money out cf town when you can buy as cheaply at home and see exactly what you are getting for your money.Almost every paper in the colony has stated that Arnst is to take up prizefighting, and then the scribes have had to deny the rumour. Since then the champion oarsman has been credited with having “in view ” various new ventures, but we believe it is quite untrue that he is going to take over a hotel in Picton and make it the sculling Mecca of the Southern Hemisphere. The statement is equally untrue that he contemplates becoming a light-weight jockey, or a ping-pong champion, or the athletic adviser of the Government ; and it is a scandalous calumny to suggest that he contemplates “ swapping ” billets with the Premier.— Pelorus Guardian.

The Government have appointed Mr T. Harle Giles, of Auckland, aud Mr W. Halley, of Dunedin, as Conciliation Commissioners. The matter of the apointment of a third Commissioner is being considered by the Government. Mr Halley was born in Dunedin in 1866, and educated at the Christian Brothers’ school there. He was prominent in the Labour movement, and _ latterly has been in the Labour Department. Mr Giles is an elderly man, who for some 15 years has been principal of Giles’ Commercial College. He has worked for the party in power for some time, and has been prominent in the local Liberal and Labour Federation. The technical name of the disease which effects miners is thus referred to by the Wellington Post. —“ It is an awkward word: the Workers’ Compensation Bill which offered it to Parliament this year spelt it (with a struggle) ‘ Pneumonokoniosis ’ —and it seemed by the alteration in the text presented to the Legislative Council that the word’s high lineage was traced only after mental labour and sweat. With its implications under the Compensation Act as passed, this awkward word has already become an awkward thing, and it is likely to keep on being awkward. Altogether, pneumoconiosis is likely to produce a fine crop of industrial trouble before we are finished with it.”

At Wednesday's meeting of the Manawalu Comity Council, Cr McKenzie mentioned that the butter from the Rongotea and Glen Oroua dairy factories was being carted to Longburn, a distance of some seven miles, wher, as it some arrangement could be come to with the directors of these factories, whereby it could be taken over the tramline, it would only be necessary to cart it about 3I miles to the.tram, whence it would be taken to Oroua Bridge and placed on the train. On Cr McKenzie's motion, seconded by Or Masters, it was resolved that Crs Kendall, Dalton and the mover bo aup anted a committee t« meet the directors of the Rongotea and Glen Oroua dairy companies with regard to the carriage of butter on the tramline.

Mrs H. Lowe, accompanied hj' her daughter Frances, and Elsie Pope, aged 14, daughter of Mr F. F. Pope, of Bowral, were recently picnicking at the falls of Miftagong, New South Wales, and ventured to bathe. Frances Lowe got into difficulties, when Elsie Pope, who is unable to swim, went to her assistance, and got beyond her depth and sank. Two men, J. Clews and C. Grono, who were in the vicinity, hearing the cries for help, hurried along and arrived just as Miss Lowe was sinking for the last time, her, hair only being visible, and rescued her. It was then discovered that the other girl was at the bottom, but could not be located. Further assistance was sought, when Else Pope’s body was recovered. Resuscitation methods were vigorously applied for ,an hour without success.

Great dissolution sale at Watchorn and Stiles’, on Saturday, January Kith. Stock to be sacrificed regardless of price.*

Mr Archibald Eoss, Wanganui, N. Z., says; “ Some time ago, when my wife was suffering from a very severe of Indigestion, a friend advised her to try Chamberlain’s Tablets. She had only taken them a short while when she was completely cured and we are now never without a bottle in the house. For sale everywhere.— Ad'vx.

A running match for £SO aside hah been arranged between two well-known Marlborough pedestrians, W. A. Terrill and H. Mears.

The man George McG.urk, charged with the attempted murder of his brother-in-law, George Barrett, at Devonport, on the night of December 14th last, has been committed for trial. MrJ. G. Wilson, chairman of the Palmerston North Hospital Board and Manawatu County, Council received a fall from a horse and sprained his ankle, which will incapacitate him for some time.

An applicant for the position of assistant mistress at a Taranaki school spelt “ perceiving ” as “ preceiving,” and later on explained her special facilities for “ preforming ” the duties satisfactorily. The applicant was not successful.

A schoolboy named Budget, aged 12, deliberately placed his head on (he line in front of an advancing engine at Elsternwick near Melbourne, and was decapitated. His motive was unknown.

Father John of Kronstadt left £200,000. His library was found strewn with bank notes and there were many checpies among his books and manuscripts. Enormous gifts were showered upon deceased during bis lifetime, but he was indifferent towards monev.

The scow Ururoa, which went ashore on the South Spit, at Wanganui, was sold for the sum of £B4 to Mr George Braithwaite, He also gave £5 for the cargo of coal, totalling three hundred tons.

Dr. Frauds Jayne, Bishop of Chester, during a speech, said that unless the Territorials were maintained on an adequate footing, it was highly probable the country would be driven to compulsory military service, which would have a beneficial influence on national physique and character, and would confer greatly-needed discipline. A young woman named Mary Donovan, convicted at Auckland of being an incorrigible rogue, and sent to the Magdalene Home, Christchurch, has disappeared en route. A telegram received by Inspector Cullen states that she has not reached her destination, and it is surmised that she was lost overboard on the passage from Wellington to Lyttelton. At the Manawatu County Council meeting recently, when dealing with the proposal from the Horowbenua Comity Council to bold a conference for the purpose of considering the adoption of a system of liquor vending by the local bodies, Cr R. B. McKenzie said that his opinion emphatically was that they did not wish to become partners in the liquor trade and run the business they condemned. For the next few days the shop adjoining Mr Patterson’s, chemist, will be the scene of an excellent display of Indian and Ceylon goods. The goods which have been specially imported to New Zealand are of exquisite design and quality, and disclose the highest workmanship, and despite this fact are being offered at exceptionally low prices. Intending purchasers will do well to call early in order to secure the best bargains.—Anvr. At the inquest upon the fire which destroyed the East Coast Mail Office and other buildings on January 3rd last, at Wairoa, the jury returned a verdict that they were unanimously o the opinion that the building occupied by the Mail had been set on fire by some person or persons unknown, and that the total disappearance of all the books of the Wairoa Printing and Publishing Company remains a mystery to the jury. “ Men act the fool, get hurt, and the Board has to pay was a point mentioned at a meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (says the Nelson Mail). The board was asked to grant rent for the wife of a man who was in the hospital with a broken leg, sustained in trying to ride a bullock. The board willingly extended help to the womam, hut one member thought that the man should be made to repay the money when he was convalescent.

Spurious shillings are doing duty for the genuine coins in Gore Just now. A resident, reports the Standard, had one tendered him as change on New Year’s Eve. The “fake” consists of a wad of cardboard of similar thickness to a shilling, covered with silver paper and stamped on the obverse and reverse the same as the sterling coin. At night, in the" artificial light, the keenest observer may be deceived with the paper shilling when laid on the counter or given along with other silver change.

At a meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery on Wednesday, Mr Jolly presented a call on behalf of the Levin charge to the Rev, Joseph White, late of Pleasant Point. The call was signed by the bulk of the members of the church, and was unanimous, coming after an experience of nine months’ work done by Mr White. It was agreed that Mr White bo inducted to the charge on Wednesday, 27th January, at 3 p.m., that the Revs. Budd, McCully, and Jolly be a commission to induct, Mr Jolly to preside and induct, Mr Budd to address the congregation, and Mr Cully to address the Minister.

A motor car and its party wanted to cross the Buller River a week or two ago, en route from Blenheim to Greymouth. The river was reached, the punt was there, but Charon wasn’t in view. The enterprising motorisls accordingly look the matter into their own hands, ferried themselves and car across the river, and proceeded gaily and serenely to Westport. The first person to interview them in Westport was a policeman, who politely demanded their names, and apprised them of their offence. They expostulated, went before the Government Agent, and stated their case for defence. The official was satisfied that they had no felonious intentions, and did not mean to defraud the country's revenues, and he accordingly accepted the ferryman’s fee, which they had offered to pay, and the party proceeded on its way.

Mr Ogg, the weather prophet, who succeeded Mr Clement Wragge, in Australia, promises a change of weather in New Zealand. He writes as follows Throughout the States and New Zealand January and February will, generally speaking, be dry, and the heat waves frequent and solid, As indicated in the detailed forecasts, unsettled weather intervenes at different periods ; but such can only be viewed at best in the light of temporary or patchy relief. That portion of the Commonwealth where relief may be expected on a more liberal, scale will be Northern and Central Queensland, next comes Southern Queensland, with the northern division of New South Wales. Thus Southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand will be in the windy and dry zone. It is to be regretted that large tracts of the southern half of the Commonwealth, also New Zealand will be in a ripe state for burning off, and unless special precautions are taken, serious losses must inevitably follow.”

Mr T. Rimrtier notifies' son found trespassing on bis section in the Lady's Mile will be prosecuted.

Train arrangements for Anniversary Day and excursions in connection with the Wellington and Foxton races are advertised elsewhere in this issue.

The total revenue produced on the Wellington-Napier-New Plymouth section of the Government Railways for the four weeks ended December 5, was £63,304 los., as compared with £64,575 12s rod for the corresponding period in 1907. The attention of Sunday and Day School Committees is specially drawn to an announcement elsewhere. The surplus of toys, books, and fancy goods which were left over from Xmas at Veitch and Allan’s store, Wellington, are to be disposed of at almost half prices. That is an opportunity which will rarely, if ever, occur again. Mangaweka, on the Main Trunk line* is expected to become a town of some importance. The Bank of New Zea-. land is putting up a bank building at a cost of something like £3OOO, and the local authority is about to spend some £4OOO on a water and drainage scheme. .

A prominet man was chaffing a cer. tain town councillor the other day about the doings of the council, and said: “jl’d sooner put up as a candidate for a lunatic asylum than put up for the town council.” “ Wet', you’d stand a much belter chance of getting in,” dryly responded the town councillor.

The work of salving the Charles Edward is progressing apace. The winch and donkey engine have been safely removed, and the main hatch has been battened down. When the alter hatch has been s niilarly secured it is intended to make an effort to pump the vessel prior to re-floating her. The salvers have two pumps capable of putting oat 6000 gallons a minute, and these will be got to work as soon as possible. With a week’s good weather the enterprising salvors have great hopes of refloating the steamer. Bills have been introduced into the Californian Legislature to empower the the segregation of the Japanese and Chinese by municipalities, to bar them from public school and to put various restraints upon them. President Roosevelt characterises the measure as a piece ot folly, bad faith and iniquity.” The Japanese press is evincing indignation upon the subject. It was mentioned at Wednesday’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council that in consequence of the increase in the charges over the Manawatu line since'thc Government has taken it over, there has been a very considerable increase in the quantity of goods taken over the tramway between Foxton and Sandon. Many of the Feilding business people who formerly had their goods sent via Wellington thence over the Manawatu line to Palmerston are now getting them sent through Foxton. Sir Robert Hart, speaking at Lisburn, said that in 100 or 200 years the 400,000,000 people of China would be as strong in arms, individually and nationally, as the great Power of Germany was at the present moment. Then they would turn to the rest of the world China would throw in the force of her arms with the country that was attacked, and against and say there must be no more war. the country that made war, and m that way would the millennium come. Why was St. Andrew chosen as the patron St. of Scotland ? This question has been asked many times, but the archdeacon of whom Dean Hole tells may be considered lo have discovered the most satisfactory solution of the problem. “ Gentlemen,” said he (he was speaking at a St. Andrew’s Day banquet at the lime): “ I have given this difficult subject ir.y thoughtful consideration, and I have come to the conclusion that St. Andrew was chosen to be patron saint of Scotland because he discovered the lad who had the loaves and fishes.”

Sir Hiram Maxim’s prophecy as to the use of airships in war is a serious parallel to Horace Walpole’s facetious speculation, made in 1784 after Blan-, chard’s first ascent in a hydrogen filled balloon. “ The seaports,” he said, “will become deserted villages, and Salisbury Plain, Newmarket Heath, and the Sussex Downs will be utilised as dockyards tor aerial vessels, there will be fights in the air with wind guns, and there will be a prodigious increase of land for tillage by the breaking up of all public roads as useless.”