THE Mount Ida Chronicle SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1874.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 286, 29 August 1874, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1874.

We have advocated at some length on a former occasion the establishment of a local Building Society, which we are confident.. w.ould be a good thing for the district, at the same time fairly remunerative to the shareholders. .This not at present being thought practicable, we are glad < that the Permanent Building Society of O.tago—a Society that has done a great deal to develop Tuapeka, and -whose directory and . management inspire the greatest confidence—have consented, if sufficient inducement offers, to establish an agency in this district. As a means of investment, such a Society affords advantages very superior to a Savings Bank. The shares issued .under the permanent system are of two kinds, called respectively shares of class A and class B. Shares in class A are of twenty.five pounds each, the principal being paid up in one sum. On these half-yearly dividends are paid at the rate of six per cent', per annum, and an annual bonus out of the surplus profits, and from the future annual division of the guarantee fund. , They may be'withdrawn at any time on three months' notice, and form the most eligible in 7 vestment for surplus funds now to be found in the money market. The last annual bonds.was at the rate of one and a half per cent per annum, and a similar per cbntage was earned to the guarantee, fund . for future diyisioq. Shares in class B are.of twenty-five pounds each, and will be realised after seventy-five monthly payments of five shillings each have been made. ' The holders of them will also be entitled to a bonus on realisation, equal to a proportionate share of the surplus profits of tho So,ciety during the period over, which the monthly payments have run. Shares may be withdrawn at any time on reasonable notice being given, and, on withdrawing, shareholders will receive the amount of their subscriptions with profits added upon the following -scale:— REALISATION TABLB F'B SHARKS IN CLASS B. Jn addition to any amounts that may have boor added by Way of bonus, in accordance with Sections 9 and 10 of itulo .IX. Termß during which Monthly Vuine of ' riubcrriptions • Shares for liuve been Bealis.ition. ma< e. £, a. d. 1 Year 3 2 0 H Years " 4 15 0 2 Yonrs ... -... ... .;,, 6 9 6 2i Years ~. • 8-6 0 i> £ carß - .' 10 4 0 aj Years ... 12 ; } G 4i Years ... ~. ... '., 14 '5 () 4* Years... ~'. ... ' \" 1G . g () 1 "* J 00 ™ ,- " - 'lB 13 0 f>£ Yonrn 21 1 (1 6 Years ... ■ 23 in 0 GfcYear* * ... 25 '0 0-

The usual facilities are offered to those who wish to borrow money —-' those who hold shares in the Society having a preference. It will be seen that there is no such usury, under the system as fifteen per cent.j which we believe to be a very common exaction even yet in this district for accommodation. Moneys of the permanent series are lent upon mortgage, either to shareholders or non-shareholders, oh mortgage of freehold or leasehold proi perty, or are advanced to shareholders on the security of their shares, on the terms of repayment stated in the following table, or (by arrangement) at fixed rates of interest:— TABLE OF MONTHLY UE-PAYME2JTS FOR THE LOAN OF £IOO, INCLUDING INTEBEBT. • £ 8. d. 1 Year ... ... 8 16 8 2 Years ... ... ... ... 4 13 6 3 Years ... .... 3 4 0 4 Years ... ... ... ... 2 10 0 s.Ycai-s ... ... ... ... 2 10 f) Years ... .... ... '■■■:■■„. 1 15 6 7 Yeass ... ... ... ... 1 11 6 Longer periods, up to fifteen years, at proportionate rates. - j

Looking at the rules, we observe the object of the Society is said to be "„to "provide for the erection or purchase " of dwelling-houses, or any real or " leasehold estate, to be secured by " mortgage to the society, to enable " persons possessed of land to erect " buildings thereon ; to Gjr.anl; loans on "the security of freehold or leasehold "property ; to grant loans to members "on the security of their ; shares; to " facilitate; the accumulation of small "sums of money ; and for other bene- " fits as provided in the rules and the " Building and Land Societies Act, "1866."

We know of no better safe and grail ually-accruing investment for children,, or young men—minors-r-who are earniug a small wage, and can well put by sa. or 10s. a month.without inconvenience, and who thus secure all the benefits, of a Savings Bank while, fit the same time, obtaining a far better rate of interest on their savings. The .benefits of the Society will be so great to those who intend taking up land that we have had no hesitation in drawing attention to the matter, and have gone to some trouble to obtain the information on all questions connected with applications for shares or loans, which we will be glad at any time to' give to those who may be interested.

What is going +o be done with the Naseby Kecreation Reserve now vested in the Corporation ? We presume it is now too ,far advanced in the spring to hope to see the ground laid off as a pleasure ground, and planted with shrubs and trees. Still, that is no reason why it should not be put to better use than as a grazing ground for geese. The ground is a public one, and its orderly look or otherwise reflects credit or discredit upon our civic authorities.. The fence appears to be in such a hopeless state of 'demolition —everyone thinking they have a right to purloin from it to mend their own gaps—that it will be found cheaper, and certainly neater, before-long to run a neat post and chain fence round the enclosure.' With cows, goats, and horses kept in their proper places, a very neat fence could be put up quite sufficient at a slight expense. Meanwhile, would not a few pounds of the ratepayers'money be well spent in having the ugly ruins of the wall removed, the ground cleaned, and the flag-staff once more raised, and be no longer prostrate, typical of crokerdom and a glory" departed.

The cricket season is now approaching, and the might see their way to allow a day laborjer to turf a pitch for tbe wickets. Amusements are so scarce in our : Goldfields townships that it is almost a religious rite to encourage in any possible way, especially among the younger ones, any healthy type of muscular Christianity. The cricketers have spent their money freely on t!.e Recreation Beserve in former times—expenditure that the public has reaped the benefits of gratuitously. We are sure no one would grudge the trifling sum which would be necessary for the present season. Will the new member for South Ward take this matter in hand?

The English mail, via Suez, closes at the Naseby office this day (Friday), at the usual hour.

Englan d, France, and Germany have recognised the Spanish Government, which is henceforth presumedly not a Government of chaos and villains.

L. W. Bosch, Esq., was sworn in as a J. P. under the Otago Municipal Corporations Empowering Ordinance, on.the 26th instant, bv Mr. Stratford, K.M.

_ Through the courtesy of the District Eegistrar we learn that the number of marriages for the quarter ending in June last was two; deaths, three—one adult and two children; births, nineteen—ten male and nine female. '

At the Hawlceslury (Sydney) Meeting Mr. Tait's Gdldsb.orongh won the Grand Handicap, and Sir H. Robinson's colt Kinjjsborough won the Hawkesbury Guineas and Mares Produce Stakes.

■Tub, 'Guardian' states that the 10,000 acres of land set apart in the late Province of Southland-'for the New Zealand University will, by the operation of the.Bill passed during the present session, be handed oyer to the Otago University; Through, the courtesy .of Mr. Meryyn,M.H.P., we are in receipt of * the Licensing Amendment Act, which has now passed. It in a great measure annuls the Act which it amends. Quarterly Courts are to be instituted, but new licenses can only be issued by the June Court.

Ma-estxat. Ba'zainb has escaped from the fortress _ where he was confined. His escape, it i 3 s:iid, was planned by his wife. He descended the cliffs by a rope ladder, and was conveyed away by the vessel IV-wait.ing. The officials connected with the fortress have been placed under surveillance. Mr.. Fitzherbekt's resolution-to remit the question of abolition of Provinces, probably tabled for the purpose of allowing ; Wellingcon's Super to fire off-his superfluous steam, which did not escape, through a misadvertence, in the main debate, was lost by nine-

teen to forty-five. This does not compel the Government not to go to the country if it suits them, and the Governor is willing. Some of the new chums have passed down Shag Valley, growling about the advantage that is being taken of them by the Government, saying they" could not make tucker. They were promised, they said, Bs. per diem, and when they got up to the Head Race contracts they were only offered small contracts at such rates—we heard 255. per chain—that they could not clear themselves by ten hours' work.

From Maerewhenua we learn thai the School Committee have accepted the tender of Mr. Thomas Cooper for a school-house. Our correspondent writes: —" Thank goodness the frost has broken up at last, and some of the races are bringing in the needful again. Most of them will be running in a day or two. No sign of rain yet. The clerk of the weather seems to have forgotten this place. Just fancy, no rain since Christmas!" By the Melbourne steamer news is brought that Governor. Eergusson has resigned, and is to be succeeded by the Marquis of Normanby, at present Governor of Queensland. Mr. Cairns, a brother of the Lord Chancellor, goes to Queensland. Mr. Vogel, "in answer to a question put by Mr. Stafford, stated that the only reason was that Sir James Eergusson preferred a more active life, which, we presume, the return of the Conservatives to power in England now offers him.

A iirmber, speaking on the Government side on the Abolition of Provinces debate, made a good hit by saying :—Were" riot the spescbes of the North Island members indicative of an intention that they would not respect the land fund of the South Island, if they had the power to take,it? . Was not the theatrical display of the hon. member for Onehunga also a sign that that was the secret dogger ,all the time he was in the Ministry—to aim at the South, if ever he had a chance? The moment the opportunity was taken from him, by the proposals of the Premier, he retired. .

Yesterday afternoon, at about five o'clock, an alarm of fire drew a crowd "of people in the direction of the post office. The fire-bell was rung immediately, and within three minutes six of the Brigade were busily engaged pouring on water and rescuing furniture-, from Mr. Aschoff's house, the scene-of conflagrahad just returned from school, and was playing with matches at the kitchen stove, which resulted in the accident. One partition between two rooms and nearly* all'the ceiling were destroyed; otherwise but little damage was done, except the effect of the "drenching by the /water which, most fortunately, was close at hand in a tank that stands at the rear of the house.

It is' pleasant to observe how thoroughly the valuable "services .'rendered by his Honor Judge Grey are recognised by the Government, although we "regret that we cannot retain his'services for the Goldfields. We learn •from Wellington : —A draft Bill was brought down, recommending a retiring allowance to Mr. Wilson Grey, District Judge in Otago. The Premier spoke in high terms of his services to the country. "He said he would be pre prepared to innrease the allowance if the House so desired, as his health was utterly shattered, and hethad again and again refused a higher position than that which he occupied.—Mr. Macaridrew warmly supported the recommendation.j He said that Mr. Grey had sacrificed his health in the service of the country night and day. He would gladly support the proposal to make the amount larger.—Messrs. Fox, O'Neil, and M'Glashau each spoke in a like manner.—The Premier said the Government proposed to give him a year's leave of absence on a full salary.

One great hardship—at least, what is felt as such—constantly crops up under the Licensing Act and - Ordinances. A licensed house, .if there is .a suspicion only'that a nobbier is/passing on a Sunday, is pounced on by the police and the landlord summoned for an offence, while shanties without a license, perhaps half a mile away, sell all day Icing with impunity, for there can be no action taken unless an informer is forthcoming. It is easier to state the grievance than ■to; provide a remedy. Possibly the best re.medy might be more union among the licensed victuallers for the preventing of sale )of spirits to those without, licenses. Something might perhaps be done in this direction. The police have no interest in winking at surreptitious grog shops, but they are Very powerless, as an Englishman's unlicensed house is his castle, and, as a rule," we prefer to risk an abuse rather than to'be liable to. forcible entry on suspicion by the police..; _ . .

The lecture announced to take place in the Catholic School, for the benefit of that institution, on Saturday evening last, came off with considerable success. There were a good number present. The subject of the lecture was—lrish poets, Goldsmith, Moore, and Darcy Magee. The lecturer (Mr. B. Gordon) referred to each poet separately, giving short biographical sketches of . their Uvea, and; also reading selections from their best writings. He declaimed at some length,' and to some purpose, on ..tho.-liy.es, merits, and works of these eminent men, and wound up a most enjoyable and interesting lecture with the life aud doings of Thomas Darcy Magee, who, as our readers will remember,' was shot- in Canada, shortly after having delivered an able address in the Parliament of that country on a subject affecting patriotic interests. We believe the total-amount realised was £3 lis. We think the Catholic ScboorCommittee* and Mr. Gordon,-are to be thanked 1 and congratulated, for establishing "a most desirable precedent, which, we hope,' will be, followed up. It might be the means' of bringing, forth a large amount of dormant-talent, which might be enlisted to assist our local institutions, and prove a very pleasant and beneficial method of wiling away,an occasional hour. ; The ' Star ' analyses the division list as follows :—The number of members whose names are recorded indicate that very few were absent, or, did not pair ; although, apparently, eight decided upon not voting, and purposely absented themselves from the division. The number who voted for the resolution was forty-one,' to which must be added five who faired, thus bringing the supporters up to forty-six, out of seventy-eight members. • -The opponents of the 1 measure who voted were sixteen,' thus, adding the 'five who paired, making-twenty-one in favor of the continuation of Northern Provincialism. It will -be seen, therefore, that, .including the eight who were in " the precincts " of the House—probably in Bellamy's, the library, or the smoking- room— and who neglected to appear when the division was callel, seventy-five members were there. The utmost support that was calculated upon in the first instance was a majority of ten to fourteen, whereas the actual majority was twenty-five, giving very nearly two to one of those present, including pairs. The division list presents some curious alliances. Mon who on most other points oppose each other, have agreed on this. Possibly, being a Superintendent's question may ;be the reason of "Mr. Macandrew's name being linked with Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. 1\ B. Gilik's (ex-Superintendent of Wellington), "Messrs Donald Reid, and J. L, Gillie* (dere>i(ed candidates for the Superintendency of Otngol, J ; C. Brown and Thomson. Time and circumstances create queer alliances': The ' Star's' correspondent telegraphs from Wellington on Saturday last: —There was rare fun in the Council this afternoon. Colonel Brett had a long notice in favor of the appointment of a standing army, which he' moved in a highly characteristic speech. He übused the Volunteers right and left. Mr.' Scotland came to'the defence of the Volun-'

teers, and said they were better men than hirelings at Is. Id. a day. Captain Fraser : " I move those words be taken down. To apply such words to men who serve their country, is ungentlemanly." Mr. Scotland: "I say freely that the Volunteers are superior to those hirelings. I maintain it." : Captain Eraser again rose to a point of order—"whether the hon. gentleman should be allowed to use such disreputable language. Mr: Scotland: " I maintain that my language is not disreputable : if I am liable to be called to order, I must be." The Speaker said such language, applied to gentlemen who held commissions in the Queen's service, was out of taste. Mr. Scotland: "The hon. gentleman .stigmatised my language as ungentlemanly. It is the first time in my whole life that such a thing has been said to me, and I hope it will -be the last. Look at the Taranaki war: in some actions the Volunteers were abandoned by the Queen's troops." (Cries of "shame" "shame.") Half-a-dozen members rose at once to protest. Mr. Rhodes came to Mr. Scotland's rescue, instancing the Hutt engagement, where a whole detachment of troops ran away from a dozen Maories. Mr. Kenny said the unfortunate turn in the debate was caused by Col. Brett's speech. Dr. Grace and Mr. Mantell also defended the Volunteers :. after which Mr. Scotland withdrew his expressions, and Captain Eraser did tne same. ■ ' i ■

On Monday and Tuesday last the Naseby' Amateur Dramatic Club; gave another "of their entertaining' performances, which was, we are glad to say, capitally, patronised, on Monday the : house being, crammed. The principal piece of. the evening was the wellknown drama, "The Cricket'on.the Hearth,." adapted from Charles Dickens' story of that name. Though simple" in construction and homely in plot the play gave ample opportunity for nicety of acting, so much so—remembering, what is true;- that' to arrive-at simplicity in a natural manner requires the most difficult.art—that we feared the Club would fail in their effort.'■;" Such fears were agreeably disappointed, .as in nearly every particular the. characters were.carried out in a very thorough manner. Mr. Raven, as Peerybingle, had perhaps the most difficult part—at least, in his part, there was more danger of exaggeration tending to the.ludicrous. He succeeded in sustaining the pathos of his situation,' rising to really good acting in the scene where, gun in hand, he thinks to shoot the .'man who, harbored in his house, had, as he thought, betrayed him. Mr. Raven was well supported by Mrs. Clifford, who acted very carefully, -perhaps excelling in the scene where she is seen for"a minute on the raising of the curtain.*when,the very excellent little fairy appeals: Can. she be guilty ? Mrs. Spedding acted as old Caleb's blind daughter, hitting off and sustaining very happily the slow, clear utterance of one" who speaks entirely from .her brain instead of by the assistance of the eyes. In fact, the unhe'ritation of the dialogue, and entire absence of gabble -by all the' performers', showed a most careful preparation. We need not say that.Mr. Grumitt ancb Mr. Newmarch, as Gruff Tackleton- and Old. Caleb, looked, and acted the characters to the life, the get-up of Tackleton being excellent. Mr. Clifford, as Tilly Slo'wboy (nurse),-'was amusing, though, perhaps, a little overdrawing the part. Mr. Rowlatt, as the returned son, and Miss Jacob had little to do; but that little badly done would have marred the whole. The prompter had an easy time of it, or else had art enough to conceal his art, for we saw no trace of it. Mr. Spedding and Messrs. Deaker andVickery, at the orchestra, were a great addition to the entertainment,- which passed.off with unqualified,success. If we wished to be captious, the only thing in the play showing weakness was the return of the absentee to his friends.' It is most difficult for amateurs to play upon .the affections, and great allowances must be made. "Bomba'stes Furioso," which has been before produced in Naseby, was again put off in capital style. Mr.,Ladd, during the interval on the second night, gave a song in' good style. We are glad to learn that the .(Jlub intend to.give performances at short intervals.