LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 453, 8 April 1909, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Subscribers are reminded that the Herald quarterly accounts are issued, and we should esteem as a favour prompt settlement of same.* By a Gazette extraordinary members of Parliament are asked to meet on Thursday, June 10th, Kiug Edward is in excellent health and is making vigorous excursions in the vicinity of Biarritz, in the South of France. The Otago Daily Times states Mr J. R. Bartholomew, of Alexandra South, has been appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate. The death is reported from Cadiz of Admiral Cervera, who commanded the Spanish squadron ■ht the battle of Santiago in the Spanish-Americau war. On Friday evening the first social evening took place at the fine hall at Martou Junction. Mr E. Newman, M.P., formally declared the hall open and referred to the fact that in time to come Martou would be the most important junction in the Dominion. The Rl. Hon. W. Runciman, President of the Board of Education, speaking at Newcastle, said it was untrue that the Dreadnoughts were not built on account of the lack of money. The Gov'ernment knew where and how to get this, and he hoped that when the Budget comes down the patriots would not squeal. After the eruption at Ngaruhoe recently the natives gathered a rich harvest from the rivers in the neighbourhood where the volcanic dust had fallen. In the Waugaehu eels appeared to be quite stupefied and the Maoris gathered them in sacksful. Many thousands of trout are said to have perished. The wife of a Great Eastern Railway employee named Humphries has just given birth to twins, making up her husband’s family to one of 33 ! The couple —when widow and widower — married about 15 years ago, the man having at that time had a family of eight and the woman nine. During the last 14 years the woman has given birth to 16 children. Humphries is 54 years of age, his eldest sou, aged 32, being a non-commissioned officer in the Army. The other day a man and a boy went into a shop to buy a hat. After a time the man was fitted to one. Booking in the glass, he said to the youngster, “ How do I look in this hat?”' “Bike a fool!” the boy promptly rcr sponded. The man angrily darted towards him but the boy fled from the shop, pursued by the man. The shop - keeper laughed, and thought it all very funny, until ( their long absence made him realise that he had been robbed. Then he stopped laughing, '

The Government have decided to acquire the Taugoio estate, Hawke’s Bay, for closer settlement.

The death of a Taranaki resident last week was due to a complication of internal complaints, the chief trouble, it is said, being nicotine poisoning, brought on by chewing tobacco.

The Ruapehu, which arrived recently, brought from England a Shorthorn prize bull, consigned to the Hon. J. D. Ormond, of Napier. The animal stood the voyage excellently.

A sensation was caused at the Waitapu wharf on Monday evening on the arrival of the s.s. Wairoa from Colliugwood. A married lady resident of Takaka was waiting there for a passenger with a good handy-sized horsewhip, which she proceeded to use vigorously on the person of a gentleman well known in both districts, who had been on a canvassing tour during the preceding week or two. There were no halfmeasures about the manner in which the lady set about the vindication of her reputation, and the proceedings provided a very lively interlude for a large crowd of interested spectators.

The earthquake period pre dieted some weeks ago by Mr J. T. Stevenson, F.R.A.S., Auckland, closed last week (says the Auckland Herald). As on former occasions, Mr Stevenson’s forecasts were borne out, as instanced by the recent “ shakes ” in Dunedin, Gore, and Oamaru, by the severe quake in the Indian Ocean and by the display of White Island a day or two ago. From the last-named happening Mr Stevenson concludes that the centre of the disturbances so far as New Zealand is concerned, passed from Ngaruhoe to White Island. He now states that there will be further earthquake periods in April" and May, fixing upon the 20th of either month as being the approximate date. Neither of these periods will, in his opinion, be so severe as that just concluded. The Government have decided on an advanced scheme of prison reform. Dr Findlay has stated that the Wanganui aud Hokitika gaols are to be closed, and possibly one or two other small prisons. This will result in the saving of a very large sum annually. The Government propose to establish reformatory farms, possibly one in each island to begin with. The idea is to get young men now in prison to turn to some honest employment when they are released. The agency of the Eabour Department’s officers will be used to assist in the object in view. Dr Fiudlay estimates that prisoners at tree planting camps (allowing for the worth of their labour) maintain themselves and leave a balance of 4s 3d each per annum. An unusual incident occurred at a recent meeting of the Parnell Borough Council. A ratepayer declined to retire when the Council went into committee. The Mayor remarked that the matter which he desired the Council to discuss in committee was not yet public property, aud until it had been gone into, it Was not desirable that it should be discussed iu public. Another councillor, a solicitor by profession, said that it had been proved that no ratepayer could be forced to leave a Council meeting. The Mayor left the matter entirely with the ratepayer, who retired when it was pointed out that it was always considered an act of courtesy to accede to the request of the Mayor in a case of the kind.

The council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society unanimously approved of the following motion : —“ln the opinou of this council, the introduction of ferrets, stoats, ans weasels into New Zealand was a disastrous mistake, they having almost exterminated a most interesting native fauna and inflicted incalculable loss and damage on imported game and domestic birds, while the rabbit, which stoats and weasels were intended to destroy, shows little signs of lessening in numbers. This council entirely sympathises with the efforts now being made to keep such a pest out of the Commonwealth.’’ The Rev. T. G. Hammond, of Opunake, does not agree with Mr Edward Wakefield’s statement that Sir George Grey “ was the finest Maori scholar that ever lived.” In a letter to the Taranaki Herald Mr Hammond says; —“ I have seen some of Sir George Grey’s manuscript Maori, and it certainly does not compare favourably with Maori writing by March Williams or John White, old Maori-speaking residents of the North of Auckland, who simply laughed at Sir George Grey’s Maori scholarship. No doubt Sir George did great and lasting service in collecting songs and traditions from the old Maori people. These were written for him by certain Maoris with the consent of the people. I have heard the name of the man who wrote the tradition of the Aotea canoe, but I cannot recall it now. These traditions were duly translated by the late John White, and I suppose put into classic English by Sir George. The songs have never been translated, so far as I know. I shall be glad to hear that I am wrong in my opinion of Sir George Grey’s Maori scholarship, and I trust if there are those who can speak with authority on this matter that they will do so. For one month cabinet photos will bo reduced to 12s lid per dozen, for cash at time of sitting only, at the “ Ycrcx Studio ” next to now post Flnic, Fostou. Open on Thursday,

In order to give our staff the full benefit of the Easter holidays the Hkrai.d will not be published on Saturday next. The tradespeople in a number of towns throughout the Dominion intend to close their premises from to-night (late night) till Tuesday morning next. This, however, does not apply to Foxton. At Napier on Monday, Edward Henry, charged with procuring liquor for Richard Hickson, knowing him to be a prohibited person, was convicted and fined £lO, in default one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.

The concert in aid of the local State School funds, takes place in the Public Hall next Wednesday. The programme consists of glees, tableaux, and items by the children. It is anticipated that there will be a crowded attendance.

The services at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday next will be conducted in the morning by the Rev. G. K. Aitken, and in the evening by Mr D. W. Eowe, M.A, Both services will be in harmony with the Easter season, and appropriate hymns will be sung. The Wanganui Herald is informed, on what it says is good authority, that further changes in the personnel of the Cabinet are contemplated shortly, involving the retirement of the Hon. J. Carroll from the position of Native Minister and the rearrangement of other portfolios.

Iu the case of Watson v. N.Z. Rugby Union, a claim tor damages in connection with breaches of an agreement on the part of Union in connection with the official programmes tor the football matches during the lour of the British team, Mr Justice Cooper gave judgment tor the plaintiff for and costs. The self-denial offering on Good Friday iu All Saints’ Church will be given to St Mary’s Rescue Home, Wellington. There will be special services on Easter Sunday. As Easter is the greatest festival iu the year, and one which the church orders all communicants to be present at the alter, it is hoped that All Saints’ parishioners will take advantage of the many services on that day. A man named Robert Andrews was brought before the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston on Tuesday, on a charge of failing to provide for the maintenance of his wife aud four children at Foxton. He left them some time ago on account of troubles with the stepchildren, and for twelve mouths had sent nothing. He was arrested in Gisborne and brought over to Palmerston. Defendant said he was willing to pay £lO down and £1 a week iu future, and his Worship, Mr A. D. Thompson, S.M., made an order accordingly. A statesman at a dinner told a tipping story. “ There used to be an an old fisherman,” he said, “ who brought me the first of the mouth a present of a splendid salmon from his master. I always gave the old fisherman a tip. “But one morning I was very busy, and when the old man brought the fish I thanked him hurriedly, aud, forgetting his tip, bent over my desk again. He hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat, and said : —• “ Sir, would you be so kind as to put it in writin’ that ye didn’t give me no tip this time, or my wife’ll think I’ve spent the money on rum.”

Mr Russell French, general manager of the Bank of New South Wales, recently touched on the defence of Australia. He said that young men ought to feel their responsibility, and qualify themselves to drill and handle arms; If it meant sacrifice—it was more than worth it. As for the supremacy on the seas, whilst Australia could do a great deal to perfect her local defences and provide for contingencies arising here but the dominions should consider whether they ought not to do more to help the supremacy of the sea to be retained in that sea where the battle for it was likely to be fought. As showing the “ nerve strength ”of the Maori woman as compared with that of our fair sex, we might mention that at a recent tangi our representative observed a jocular Maori lady with a string of flax, at the far end of which was an energetic mouse. That mouse just galloped about looking for a place of safety, and like most domesticated mice sought an abode in the folds of a petticoat, which didn’t concern the hilarious dusky damsel one little bit. About half an hour afterwards our representative came across the same mouse, with three boys a the other end of the flax, and the way that mouse struggled to retain a grip of the land would have done credit to the most ardent freeholder. —Hunterville Express. An important Maori meeting will be held at Tokaanu, Waihi» next week. The moving spirit is Mr Te Heuheu Tukiuo. He has been in Wellington for some time arranging details. The Hons. J. Carroll and A. T. Ngata will be present, and Sir Joseph Ward has also promised to attend if possible. Chiefly the conference will deal with the question of settling an area of about Soo.ooo acres on the shores of Lake Taupo. The natives desire to dispose of this land by sale or lease, and so have it thrown open for settlement. The conference will also deal with the question of appointing a special Native Land Court to control the laud referred to. Many other subjects of importance-to the native people will come under review, and the gathering js likely to be one of far-reaching importance.

Tewhik Pasha has beeu appointed Ottoman Ambassador in London.

Several complaints are to be made to the Council by local residents, in reference to the wandering stock nuisance.

A grocer’s wife at Oxford, England, cut the throats of her husband and two children, and then committed suicide. The Czar will start in May on a visit to Denmark, Sweden, England, and French ports and Italy. The present programme omits Germany from the tour. Reuter reports that a new law is pending which will forbid Chinamen from adopting foreign citizenship in Delaware. Chinamen already subjects and citizens of other States, are still Chinamen.

There is a record booking of American tourists visiting Europe to the number of xod.ooo, who are expected to spend 12 million sterling. Britain is receiving onethird of the steamship tickets, which cost two and a-half millions.

In connection with the recent trouble in Samoa, advices from Apia show that the ringleaders were quietly captured. The German squadron will make a complete tour of the islands, with a view to strengthening the orderly condition.

Much disappointment has been expressed by a large number of would-be excursionists at the unavoidable abandonment of the s.s. Queen of the South’s run to Kapiti Island. We hope the firm will be able to announce the promised run at a future date.

At the meeting of delegates held at Woodville yesterday, to discuss matters in connection with the proposed freezing work, a company was formed to be called the Wellington Farmers’ Meat Freezing Co. No site has yet been decided upon.

The new substitute for butter has been introduced in England, called Palmiue, claimed to be’safe, economical, and hygienic. It is made from the cocoanut, and is used for cooking. In pastry it is preferable to the ordinary fats, and the Lancet describes it as “a very pure fat, harder than butter, clean, and does not turn rancid. It is especially nutritive, does not burn easily in frying, and does not con-

tain water as in lard, buttermilk

rP as iri butter, or shreds of skin as Sin suet. - ’ It costs only one shilling

a pound. To the New Zealand householder this is not especially cheap. She can get excellent butter for that price; but pro-

bably in London butter would be considerably dearer. Vegetarians will bail Palmine as an addition to their bill of fare.