CORRESPONDENCE,

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 99, 25 July 1902, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE,

To the Editor. Sir: 1 Now that the Coronation Day is> 1 fixed I hope the Committee will not let the grass grow under their feet before they make a start-to get things shipshape for the 9th of August. I am told some of the people; want the affair to ; come* off on the Monday following but ; I think we Ought to stick to the day and if there is to be a ball, as I hear some talk 'about, let them fix it for Friday night, when there ought to be a lot of dancers present. I am, etc., Interested. Our Correspondent will notice that Mr 7 ; Jenkins, the Hon. Secretary, has called, a meeting of the Sub-Com-mittee for Tuesday next. Ed. M.S. . ( - —o — ’ Sir : Onlooker’s last letter is no more satisfactory than his first. I said his estimate was “ not altogether fair ’’ for. the reason that he selected two days crushing, the results of which were low. If he had taken one day of 30 and one of 60 his calculation would be based upon more reasonable data and would have been “altogether fait .” His informant was in a position to supply the facts necessary. Again he debits the machine with five petcent interest and ten per cent for depreciation. Thiit charge is also “ not altogether fair.” Onlooker could have fixed the life of the machine at ten yeats, thereby increasing the cost per yard of the metal, or he could have put it at a century and obtained different results. Fifteen per cent is too high, anyway. The machine has been bought, and now it is under capable management, with a piospect of labor saving appliances being used, I think future results will prove that Onlooker’s figuring out of 7s 6d a yard is “not altogether fair,” and that he will see fit to confess the error of his ways. I am, etc,, One of the Council.

. A on. the action of Lieutenants' Morant arid Handbook, who paid the penalty of the law for their lawless shooting of Boer' prisoner, is ‘ supplied by lieutenant Hanriarn, who held a commission at one time in the .Bushveldt Carbineers, arid hi's . just returned to Australia. He had as brother officers Lieutenants Morant, Han d cock, Picton, and Witton. He was with the corps when Captain Hunt was killed, but before the events occurred which led to the trial of these officers he had separated from them with a small force, and was acting independently of them. Hannam made no effort to conceal the fact that the shooting of unarmed Bpers had taken .place. “Undoubtedty,” be said frankly, “the action of Morant and Handcock was high-handed, and eanno.t be championed, but it is not generally known t > what extent Captain Hunt’s death affected Morant. Indeed, all that followed attributed to that. Morant had previously shirked on more than one occasion .inflicting hardship on Boers. Hunt’s death seemed to put him off his head. It is hard to understand how Hunt should have been worshipped by Morant. ‘ Taey have murdered my best pal, and there shall be no mercy.’ Indeed you may imagine how much Morant was thought to have changed when his counsel at Paetoria wished him to plead insanity for his defence.” We have reason for saying that a New Zealander who served in the Carbineers strongly holds the view that Morant was “ touched.” —Exchange. In speaking about farm labourers, the Agricultural Epitomist says : “Be honest. Farm hands are human beings and don’t care about selling their bodies and giving a mortgage on their souls, what they in a measure do when they hire to a man with no definite limit jto a day’s work. Experience teaches that ten hours’ earnest work accomplishes more than fourteen hours’ languid time-killing. It is almost impossible to set a definite limit to a days’ work 011 the farm, but there are reasonable bounds beyond which if a farmer goes he is a thief.” Dr Chappie, of Wellington, signed the contiact on behalf of the syndicate which has purchased the Makerua swamp from the Manawatu Railway Company, and the purchase money is to be paid over to-day. The area of the land acquired is 12,386 acres, and the price ,£31,000. The syndicate is to begin active operations upon the drainage and reclamation of the swamp almost immediately. The death occurred at his residence near Christchurch on Sunday last of Mr Harry Mace, a well known figure in sporting circles. Tlie deceased took a great interest in the breeding and training of horses. He was at one time a brewer in Wellington, but of late years had been in business as a cordial manufacturer. Mr Mace was a native of Yorkshire. To give an idea of the strides the dairying industry is assuming, we may mention that at a clearing sale of dairy stock held by Abraham and Williams, Ltd., at Kohinui, Pahiatua, a few days ago, the whole herd averaged exactly £9 por head. The Wanganui Herald says :—The crop of candidates at next election promises to be the largest on record. Putting the Matter Right.—Diminutive Nipper (reading announcement in public-house window to the effect that children under fourteen will not be “served with beer). “’Ere, this ain’t ’arf all right! Next time I wants ’arf a pint I shall ’ave to send father.” * # * Subscription to MOTUEKA STAR : Three Shillings and Sixpence a Quarter , which may begin any time