North Otago Times. PUBLISHEDD EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1895.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8173, 3 May 1895, Page 2

North Otago Times. PUBLISHEDD EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1895.

Tin: discussion at the Harbor Board mooting on Friday last was an interesting one. Mr Milno'a motion, which was oxpoctcd. provious to tho mooting, to ho carried almost unanimously, was defeated on tho casting vj c of tho Chainnm, iho dirge of front on tho part of the members of tho Board being duo, no doubt, to tho f.ict that it had boon ascertained that if an alteration wore mado in tho chargos in a certain direction it would rebound on tho shippers, and that practically would bo robbing Petor to pay Paul. If that is so wo agreo with members that it would be injudicious to mako any alteration, for if freights aro at present at as low a rate as can reasonably bo oxpeotod it would result in no good to tho port if tho Board increased their rates and charges, that is if the incroas < is to be shifted on to tho shoulders of shippers, who would thus be handicapped against tho traders in other centres. It would bo foolish under tho circumstances to urgo an alteration being made regarding the coastwise trade. But the mattor assumes quite a different complexion when foreign shipments aro taken into account. Mr Milne was quite right when he said the anomalies in tho rates woro iniquitous. Wo recognise that tho Homo steamers and sailing vossolB charge higher freiglrs, and under tho circumstances they should be expected to pay higher port charges. They can afford to do so, for thero is piac ically no competition amongst Homo going vessels. Tho various oompanios hayo agrood to a tariff, and ndhoro to it. But yet there are anomalies which in their incidence aro unju9t. Lot us take tho difference between Home-going steamers and Home-going sailers, and Mr Milne quoted instances of tho oppressiveness of the tariff as an argument in favor of its being mado more equitable It was shown that the total quantity of cargo shipped Home by sailing vessels was 5271 tons, tho rate per ton being Is 10£ d; whilo tho quantity carried by steamer was 3901 tons, tho charges totalling 3a S\A. If wo asked if there was any fairness in charges of this sort we should unhesitatingly be told that there was not. Then why continuo them 1 Tho individual comparisons aro much worse than this. For instance, tho Fifeshire took away from this port 301 tons of cargo, the port charges amounting to 7s lid por ton on tho cargo carried ; while tho highest total for a sailing vossol was 2s lfd. How can a largo Homo steamer bo oxpected to call in hero when probably 83 a ton is deducted from its freight 1 Those largo stoamera invariably call at four ports for cargo, and if each charged at tho samo rate as Oamaru tho sum of 30s or over por ton would bo deducted from their froights for harbor chargos. All vessola aro charged on thoir rogistor tonnage, and largo steamers that c*ll fur small cargoes are necessarily punished to a groater extent than smaller ones, but sailing vessels escapo tho injustico of this impost because tho tonnage of tho cargo they carry always oxcoods their register. For instance, a stoamor like tho Nairnshiro pays charges on a rcgistor of nearly 3000 tons, although sho may ship only 400, whilo a ship like tho iEtholbort pays on only about 1000 tons, although the carries away nearly 1400 tons. This is an anomaly that the Board, if it is propared to bo just to all parties, should swoop away. Thero is no reason why there should bo this great difference in tho chargos. Tho cargoes of both tho t stoamers and ships aro paying ones, and there can bo no fairness in making one pay 7s lid a ton on tho cargo it carrier, while tho other is lee off with 2a l^d.

Tho annual meeting of subscribers to tho Papakaio Library will bo hold on Monday next, in tbo Pnpakaio Hall. Mr Paulin forecasted yesterday at 1.30 ! "Light to modorato winds, changing to S.W., and light rain showers." Mr W. M'llwraith, railway guard, formerly of Onmaru, whoso death at Tuapoka was noticed yeiterday, was ill for only a few days with inflammation of the lungs At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, be- j foro Major Kcddoll, S.M., ft prohibition order was granted against Matilda Fceley, on the application of nor husband, tho order to have forco in the Oamani district. Wo (Star) learn that, as a result of the departmental enquiry into tho circumstances attending the railway collision at Puketeraki on tho Oth April between a train from Oinnaru and a school o^cursion train, Driver M'lntyro. of the Oamaru train, has boon dismissed from tho sorvice. Tho National Mortgage and Agency Company have been advised that the s.B. Rangitira did not leave London tilt the 20th April, and that she will, thoroforo, bo correspondingly later ia visiting this pet. She is expected to reach Port Chalmors about tho 13th Juno. At Addington on Wednesday, tho ontry of fafc aheap consisted of about 6000. There wa« ft good demand for all better sorts, tho only cass which «howcd a disposition to drag being aged owos which woro in over tl ,pply. All sorts fit for export mot with ready competition. Freezers brought 103 to Us 9d, secondary 6s Od to 9s Gd, boat crossbred ewes 7s to ll«, secondary 5s to 6s 6d, inferior 3» to 4s 6d, merino ewes 2s to 5s 6d. There was a smaller ontry of store •heep than usual. Maiden crossbred ewe» brought 6s to 7», 2 tooth 6s 6d to 7« Bd, full-mouthed 2» 2d to 4s Bd. boilers 2s to 3a, mixed 2-tooths Cs to 7s Bd, lambs 2i Od A little boy, a son of Mr R, M»h»n's, h»4 f, narrow eso»pe from losing hU life yesterday, He was wftlklo* ftloog the nrtpttoa the ,«daeof the poolnwth*. Ocown MUU, whence tripnir) and fell Into aboub six feet 0! water.' He vr»l nqt

notlcod to fall la, but Messrs Meek and Daw«on, who were In tho office, saw through tho window tho littlo fellow struggling in. tho water. Mr Dawson ran round, an I wading in up to the neck pulled tho boy out, just when ho was about exhausted The boy would most assuredly have been di owned but for tho fact that he was noticed, Tho humors ot the Great Dot; Case would fill a book, but there is one that might bo rescued from oblivion. A witness, advanced in years, and with a most pronounced Doric tongue, was under cross-oxamination, and counsel, evidently with tho intention of disconcerting her, asked, " How much hair had the dog on whan it was born." Witness : " Dinna you ask impertinent qucs tiona." Counsel: "Come now, my good woman, answer tho question ; how much hair had tho dog on when it was born" Witness: "There's a question to ask o' a wuman auld enough to bo yer mither !" Tho Magistrate: "Answer the question, if you can." Witness: " Weel, sir (addressing counsel) 'the dog had mair hair on it when it was born than you had on when you were born." Counsel and tho witness " stood down" about tho same time. Mr 1' 11. Fraser waa mado the recipient of 38 volumes of theological work* as a token of esteem and a parting gift at the close of tho usual weekly congregational meeting in Columba Church on Weducsday. Mr A. Fraser made the presentation in a few well chosen sentences, and refened to tho good work Mr P. 13. Fraser had done for tho cause in general and Columba Church in particular. Ho expressed the feeling of tho whole congregation in wishing Mr and Mrs Eraser every happiuess in their new homo, and God's blessing on his higher and nobler calling as a minister of tho everlasting Gospel. Mr P. B. Fraser, in reply, asked what ho should nay for such a handsome gift. He felt that it was extremely generous of tho congregation, for it was not much that ho had done for them ; and although ho prized the gift most highly, without it tho Columba congregation would have been kept ever warm in his heart through tho noble example and honest, solid wortli of their late pastor, Dr MacRrogor. The Rev« Mr Wright, in a few words, wished Mr and Mrs Fraser godspeed in the noblest of all callings, and also wished him and his wifo and family health and happiness in their now home. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Major Kecldoll, S.M., George Cms was charged with having no lawful visible means of support. Accused pleaded not guilty. Detective OBrien appeared for tho police. Sergeant O'Grady said he knew the accused, who some lime ago was in employment For about two months, however, he had been roamiug about the streets, a leader of larrikins, and collecting large numbers of larrikins, making a noise in the streets, knocking at windows, etc. He had told him to leave the town or ho would be arrested. He had not known him to do any work for the last two months. Detective OBrien said ho knew accused, who had done no work for a considerable time. Ilia pareuts, he believed, lived in Southland. He had been a leader of larrikins for some time, creating disturbances, and making noiew. When arrested the only property accused had in his possession was a halfpenny. Constable Madden suid he had seen accused in town during the past five weeks, nnd ho seemed to be boss hoodlum of tho town at tho present time. The Magistrate said the accused required a little discipline. It was a cause of complaint in this town that there were a number of larrikins who required repression, and accused would bo sent to gaol for three months with hard labor. John M'Cuskor, alias M'Cluskey, was similarly charged, but asked for a remand till today, as he wished to bring evidence on his own bch«l(. Tlio remand was granted. In theso "hard times" tho question, " Where can I get best value for my money in General Drapery ?" is often asked. I3no\\"J and GiniiAKD offor startling inducement to ca«h purchasers. As the result of special purchucs just mado some wonderful bargain* will be offered on Friday, Saturday, and tho week following. In order to obtain a full shilling's worth for every shilling «p«nt go to th» Polytechnic. Read C^A-rtos, Gardiner, and Co.'s advortisoment at tho foot of tho third page. James Gemmkll invites inspection of his Winteh consignment (ex Aorangi) of Scottish and English suitings, coatings, and trouserings, including some real Harris Twecda. A choice selection of exclusive novelties ; also Oamaru and other Colonial goods of the best quality. This Establish mont has long been noted for tho first-olass character of its productions. Suits from 7Ca upwards. Waterproof overcoats to order and ready mado at lowest current ratcß. — James Gemmell, Tiames Stroot, Oamaru