Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10064, 4 February 1909, Page 2

Mr A. W. Rutherford's address at the banquet tendered to him by his late constituents was intended to attract public attention, perhaps, but- not to create public anxiety. The ex-member for Hurunui left the halls of legislation because lie felt assured that under the Ward Administration the country was safer than ever, and had he known that the Opposition forces—if one may apply such a term to Mr Massey's ragged contingent—were going to be augmented in oven go small a degree he would ha\ c. remained at his .guns as a guardian of Liberal and popular government. Mr Rutherford has referred to the expenditure which is contemplated on public buildings and the State's liabilities in other respects, but he would not, for the world, cause any unhappiness_ in the breasts of hopeful and resourceful New Zealanders. He felt that, he must say something and he remembered that grumbling is always popular and would be accepted as Pickwickian in .his case. Mr James Fleming supplies us with *i return showing that the rainfall for January was 4.33 inches. Rain fell on 22 days. For the month, of December the climatic conditions were : Mean barometer 29.85 inches, mean thermometer 56.8 degrees, rainfall for 15 days 3.11 inches, i>revailing winds, south. For the year ending 31st December, 1908, the climatic conditions were : Mean barometer 29:84 inches mean . thermometer 50.1 degrees, rainfall on 147 days 24.82 inches. We acknowledge the receipt of 5s from J.S.A. towards the " Scottish Sailor" Fund.

: Those entitled to vote for members of the. Harbor Board on Monday are a!l who appear oil the borough roll, including those who have a residential qualification. The wives or husbands of ratepayers are qualified to vote, provided 1 that their names appear on the roll. Following is the statement of assets and liabilities in tlie estate of Margaret Andrews, boardinghouse-keeper, .bankrupt:— Liabilities—Geo. Bissett, Oamaru,'l9s 6d ; J. • M'Donald, Oamaru, £1 18s; Lane and Co., Oamaru, £4 6s'lid; Oamaru Co-op. Bakery, Oamaru. £l6 2s; J. M'Diarmid, Oamaru,',£l 12s 6d; .D. R. Henderson, Ard'gowan, £ll 19s 6d; G. M. Procter, Oamaru, 18s; E. 3?. Armstrong, Oamaru, £4 18s; Thomson and. Co., Dunedin, £4 4s; Dr Douglas, Oamaru, £3 ss; D. Dunn, Oamaru,_ £lB Os 4d; .W. Smyth, £l4; Dr Whitton, £1 . 10s.;. P.. Johnston, Oamaru, £6; W. Jardine, , Oamaru, £2 Is 6d; Clark Bros., Oamaru £lO 5s 6d. Secured—C. Reams, £8 10s;. value security, £8; —total, £lO2 10s 9d. . Assets—Furniture, £2O. . "We .are . surprised that Mr J. C. Williamson should-.be pleased to waste the talent of a capable company in presenting a comedy like "Diana of Dobson'e." The work is along:.the lines of many of, Pinero's and. Sutro's plays, but written without the same strength and knowledge of dramatic art. It is one of the many plays with a purpose, and the purpose is no new one. The' author seeks to expose the inhuman treatment meted out' to employees by capitalists, as exemplified

in a drapery " living-in " emporium, ami the senseless aud purposeless life led by tlie leisured classes. The work is merely a series of dialogues, the first two acts being unconscionably padded without any striking merit ill the libretto, so that history is forced to rush things in thethird and fourth scenes. Miss Jirune is, of course, "Diana," and equally, of course, the limelight streams mostly on her. Fortunately for the success of the play, Miss Bruno's work stands the test of the fierce light, and, with the assistance of Mrs Brough, ill* Kingston, and Mr MacMahon. she extracts the best to be made out of the limited possibilities 'of " Diana ot Dobson's."

A meeting of the Otago Shearers' I nion was held at the office of the secretary (Mr W. Irving) l;ist evening and was largely attended. A large amount of correspondence was dealt with. The Sheep-owners Association having asked for a conference with the Shearers' Union, delegates were appointed to meet the former at a conference to be held some t-'ine during February. An appeal was received from the Otago Trades and Labor Council for subscriptions towards the British Children s Bread Fund, and it was decided that the union donate three guineas. General satisfaction was expressed at the result of the season's work, aud reports as to the number of slieep shorn confirmed the opinion expressed some weeks ago that the shortage caused by the severe snows ol last winter would not be so much as was at first anticipated. At tlie Police Court this morning, a half-caste Chinaman, W, .1. Qu-an. arrested on warrant by Constable Field at Xgapara, 011 a charge of obscene language at Dnnedin, was remanded to appear at that centre on the 6th inst. A first-offend-ing inebriate was fined 10s, or, in default. 24 hours'.

The s.s. Koonya is time-tabled to arrive at Oaiiiani to-morrow night, from IJunedin, to load cargo for Wellington, West Coast, and Nelson. Mrs \V. ililne, of Oaniaru, was awarded first prize at the Dunedin Jlorticultural Show yesterday for 18 varieties of sweet peas. There was a large class. At the Bnrnside Yards yesterday the National 'Mortgage and Agency Company sold, for the Company's llakataramoa Kstate, 30 fat wethers at 20s (top price of <lav}, 30 prime ewes at 16s 6d. -Messrs .Donald Reid and' Co. sold : For Alv R. l'aton (l'ukeuri), 58 fat lambs at 15s to 14s 6d; for Alessrs J. and 'T. Kemp (llillgrove), 65 fat- lambs at 13s to 12s 9d ; t'or i(r A. TownJey (Oamaru), 7 pigs at 23s to 14s 9d ; for Mr 1). Hewton (Xgapara), 5 pigs at 21s to 19s. A correspondent of the Xaranaki llerald forwards to that paper particulars of an attack by a bull upon Mr X. M. Stephens, of that district. Mr Stephens had brought the cows home, the bull being in the herd. While the manager's wife (ill' Bunoek) was in the shed with a baby in her arms, bailing up the cows, the bull, suddenly, and without any warning, savagely attacked Mr Stephens and knocked him down. .Mrs Bannock called out to her husband, who was in the next field, but, owing to the noise of the mower, he did not hear her. Then Mrs Baunoek, rushing out of the shed, placed her child under a fence and, seizing a shovel, rushed straight at the infuriated bull, which was severely mauling .Mr Stephens. A great struggle ensued, but eventually the hull was driven off, and Mr..Stephens -was rescued. The bull was destroyed shortly afterwards.

"I must compliment Sir Joseph Ward upon Hie recent appointments to the Ministry," said Mr A. W. Rutherford .'it Hanmcr on Tuesday evening. "Four of the appointments are of levelheaded men without fads. The fifth, Mr Hogg, always had a reputation of being the most successful 'boodler' in the House—that is, the most successful member in obtaining grants for his district. "Mr Hogs: is what Mr Seddon in his latter days used to call a 'humanitarian,' and he was taken in as a partner for Mr Fowlds. who was feeling a bit lonely. Hut, joking aside. Mr Fowlds has made one of the most successful .Ministers of Education the country has bad. Mr Hogg may make a success of the portfolio oj Labor, and if lie does he will b«* entitled to stand on the highest rung of the latter, not only as a politician, but as a statesman. The Cabinet is holding' office at one of the most critical junctures in the history of the Dominion, and 1 am sure we all wish that Sir Joseph, with the aid of those ho has called to his assistance, will prove equal to the situation."

For some time past a large ,'ioii of the unemployed has directed iu-> attention to Ashburton (says the Muardian), and a constant- stream of men, nearly all of whom arc seeking employment as harvesters. has been pouring into the town. Xot a few of these were disappointed to find that harvesting bad been delayed, and being in need of immediate employment-, a percentage went further south. The labor agents have had no difficulty in meeting the requirements of farmers, and one man slated that- there was a superabundance of labor unknown for the m<»t five years. So eager are men to follow harvesting that eases a?e not uncommon in which men have left steady work and an assured income for the chances this temporary employment affords them of making a big cheque quickly. All other classes of work are going begging just now. Little is so far being done at the freezing works, and a few days' fine weather is needed so that the lambs may be in a lit condition for killing. The unexplained disappearance of Frederick Marshall, manager of the United Farmers' Coal Company of this city, has been the subject of much speculation in business circles for the past- day or two (says the Press). At the instance of the company, a warrant has been issued for the arrest- of Marshall on a charge of theft of the company's books. The police have been attempting to trace Marshall's movements, but so far they have not been able to get anything of a very definite character. It is surmised that he may have departed by the Maheno, which left Lyttelton last Friday for Melbourne. The vessel is due at Melbourne on Saturday. From information elicited, it appears that Marshall' 6 departure was coincident with the disappearance of books and papers relating to the business. * It is stated that the directors of the company have decided to wind up its affairs, but when search was made for the books no trace of them could be found. It is understood that tho original capital of the company was about £2OOO. The creditors of the company arc said to be fully protected, and it is expected that any loss that may occur will fall on the three gentlemen who practically constitute the company. Captain Bollons, of the Hinemoa, brought back from Antipodes Island this trip the evidence in refutation of the story told as to the state of the depot by the master of the President Felix Faure, wrecked last March The complaint was that the French sailors found the provisions at the depot uneatable. The Hinemoa went- down to reprovision the depot, and when Gajjtain Bollons returned he reported that the complaint had no foundation in fact, there being tins and cases of food left untouched, and all of this perfectly sweet and sound. On the trip just concluded the master of tho Hinemoa. brought back some of the biscuits from the old stock, and; though seven months have elapsed since the tale was told, this food is equal in condition to what one would buy at a city store. The Frenchman's complaint is thus completely answered, first by the statement of Captain Bollons and now by the evidence of the food itself.

Some sheep dealers are said to have been badly hit over the poor prices obtained at . the Hastings ram fail' (writes the Dominion's correspondent). It was the practice to buy last season and hold on, and in this wav hundreds of rams which last year were sold for five guineas as two-tooths reached only half a guinea bids at Hastings. Other dealers had made a canvas of farms ancF bought largely animals which in many instances were of: indifferent quality. These figured in the catalogue as • "on behalf of a client" ; they were well represented: in the booklet, and nearly all were passed in. A prominent Wairarapa breeder stated that business was spoilt through there being too many inferior sheep, and through the poor arrangements made for the purpose of inspecting the animals to be sold. It- appears that ; in more ways than ..one the Hawke's Bay A. and P. Association should seriously consider the advisableness of erecting its own show grounds. •The geysers and mud-pools at Whakarewarewa have been unusually active (says the Hot Lakes Chronicle of Wednesday last), and -at midnight on Sunday the large mud-pool in front of the caretaker's cottage, known as "The Devil's Reception," burst forth,into a state of eruption j 6uch- as has not "been witnessed by the I present caretaker during his term of j office. So violent' were the_outbursts that | his house shook with eacn blow-up, and for a time there was an uncertainty as j to what was going- to happen next. This ■pool- commenced to show unusual activity j on Thursday, and was again in a Btato of

criVDtion 011 Saturday. On Sunday morning* and Saturday afternoon eruptions! occurred. but the climax came with the eruption at midnight, which is described as being a very severe one. Waikorolulu geyser, after playing continuously for 10 hours, ccaswl 011 -Monday afternon. On Moudav, l'ohutn's cauldron became active, aud sent its boiling water fully 20 feet, into space. Shortly after, at 11.54 a.m. I'ohutu burst fort.li and gave a fine display for an hour and eighteen minutes. During this performance, the i'riuce ot Wales' Feather geyser was also 111 a state of eruption. Yesterday the l'lince ol Wales' Feather geyser played nearly till da.v. Waikito geyser has also been in a state of eruption for some time, ;,nd at present is certainly the most attractive at Whakarewarewa.

Induced bv the fogs of the past lew days pests of various Kinds threaten the success of the harvest, in several parts of this district. Rust, mildew, and hlisjht

..avo aUacked the wheat in serious manlier. anil our old enemy the potato blight has put in an appearance again alter an absence of two or three years. A continuance of the present weather conditions will seriously alfect the output ol produce from the district, whereas a few days' bright sun would ensure the :iu - cess of the harvest. The destructive properties of l!' 1,1 am. about Bluff Harbor iwrites toe Otago Daily Times correspondent) are demonstrated in a variety of ways. So strongly is the atmosphere impregnated that in a short space of time galvanised roofing is known to get eaten down to the metal. As for the harbor piles, somn of them lately drawn to make room lor wharf improvements are lound to be almost com pletely eaten through. In face of these demonstrations the harbor authorities sawlit a few months since to take a new departure. A.channel lightship was put, in commission. To prepare it for ils duties it was encased, nut in topper, as one would have supposed, but. galvanised iron, or some other kind of metal. For overhaul purposes it has just, been got into thick, and an examination, ot the bottom discloses v-lie fact that, the casing is already peeling off like the skin of an over-ripe plum. It. Arnst. the world's champion sculler, arrived in Auckland by the express last, nielit (says the Otago Daily 'limes correspondent). lie will remain in Auckland, for two or three days, after which he will leave for Christeiiurch to train Fogwell for his match with \Ybelch. Ihe champion, with Fogwell, had ho|ied to give exhibitions in Auckland, hut the match between the latter ami Wheleli has upset, his calculations, and he regrets that he is now unable to curry out his original intention of appearing before the Auckland public. On being interviewed Arnst said he was confident that he would be goinsr to England this year to meet Barry, the Knglish champion. "Barry, ' he went 011 to say. ''has challenged me to Home ami row him for the championship of the Thames. I asked for a i! 1000 stake and £2OO for expenses. He has tendered' me £IOO for expenses ami JJSOO aside, which 1 cannot to. 1 have given him tny terms, and from what 1 ir.ive learned I feci, confident that Barry will agree to them. 1 expect, to lie leaving New* Zealand in April, just after the FogwelMVhelch match, and ] shall prohablv meet Barry 011 the Thames about September. There are other inducements which make nie desirous of visiting the Old Country just now, for besides Barry's challenge there lire a £SOO handicap and several £IOO handicaps. 1 have also been in communication with Durniin, the (~111111 diiin sculler, who has asked me to row him at Toronto. 1 have replied giving hi 111 my terms, but have so far received no reply. There are no challengers appearing'in Australia just now, but, llagjiev. the well-known road-racing cyclist, has taken to the boat, am) lias stated Jreely that he intends to make a bid for the sculling championship, lie states (hat if L can win the championship lie can. .1 shall be pleased to meet, liini, bciiui; an old cyclist, myself."

Two Addingtou workshops men who ■_discussed the matter with a liVttelton limes reporter stated that they did not think miK'h good would come out ol the proposed inquiry unless tire men were represented by some capable person outside the service. with power lo call witnesses and cross examine. Cnless this were don;', the men who would he able to throw valuable light the workshops system would not come forward for lear ot endaugei iug t heir billets. -There is an idea,' 1 said mii: of the men, "that this inquiry will bo more concerned with finding out who gave the information to the papers than with examining into tho workshops aliaiiv>. Tho committee set up by the men is working in with the bosses to answer the charires, and a ii"iice has been placed up in the shops, oigned by the chairman ot the committee, requesting the men not to <iWq any information to outsiders." [n the course of his speech at llanmer on Tuesday evening the Hon. J). Kuddo. .Minister of Internal Atl'airs, referred to one or two matters that he said would he of interest to agriculturists. Speaking of the extravagance of some public bodies in connection with hospital expenditure Mr Buddo instanced the case of one body that had actually proposed to upend £15,000 on a fever hospital with thirty beds, at a. cost of £SOO a bed. I hat sort of thing, he said, was absurd, especially when contrasted with (he proposal to erect cottage hospitals. This proposal, he commended, and he had been glad to hear of it in connection with, the district. Taihape can claim to be one ol the most progressive town in the .Dominion (eitys a. exchange). Three years it was converted from a "mud hole" into "ji borough, and a loan of £6OOO was raised to construct the streets. This was a big debt for a young, township to incur, seeeing that, it had already shouldered one of some £SOOO lett bv the Kangitikei Council, whose country it had partly absorbed, but tho result is that now Taihape's well-paved streets will compare favorably with those of any other country borough in New Zealand/ The public debt at the present time is £11,333, but with enterprise has come population, and the latter now stands at nearly 2000. The main objective of the residents of Taihape now is to make their town the "half-way house" between Wellington and Auckland, and with this idea, a scheme has been formulated to make the place properly attractive to visitors. Authority lias been siivcn to raise, a loan oi £4270 for municipal buildings, and then it is proposed to raise a further loan ot £20.000 for the installation of an elev-

tvie lighting system and also' drainage, water supply, municipal baths, and a tire brigade station. The town is lmilt right on the railway station, and the Mayor, Mr A. Nathan, and Jlr Bennett, President of the Taihape Chamber of Commerce, are of opinon that, with an attractive town, the Government will art

wisely in making Taihape the half-way house on the railway line between Wellington and Auckland.

When children fail to thrive, give them Steam's Wine. It makes weak children strong by giving them a better appetito and digestion. They like to take it liecause its taste is pleasant. 1 XOISEIiICSS NAPIICRS I'TIR 1909.

15-h.p. Xapiera landing, in February; four cylinders, magneto ignition, detachable wire wheels; highest grade, biggest power, lightest on petrol and tyres.— Scott- Motor and Cycle Company, Ltd., Wellington, Palmers'tou X., and Christchurch. No better skin preparation made than "Red Cross" Ointment. Cures roughness, chaps, cracks-—ls 6, everywhere. The Summer Sale at Penrose's is now ill full swing; every Article in this store has been reduced. Bargains in every department. Good Washing .Prints, light and dark grounds, only 3s 3d per dozen yards; Kmdry-edging going at Is 3d i«-r .dozen yards. Your pick of our Trimmed Hat 6 for 6s lid. N'ico Embroidery Box Blouses going at 2s 9d, 3s 6d. Call early and liave a look at the bargains.—PENßOSES'S Drapery Establishment. Nothing is more unpleasant than a troublesome cough or a persistent cold. Nothing can possibly cure or give relief more quickly than Baxter's Lung Preser ver. VALUABLE INFORMATION. Mothers, For your 'children's coughs and colds use Tonking's Linseed Emulsion. Fiddle soed sowers, 20s, delivered.—W. Bassett and Co., Christehurch. Lace Curtains! Laco Curtains! Lace Curtains! Is lid, 2s 6d, 2s lid, 3s 6d, Is 9d, to 30s a pair at the North Otago Farmers' Co-op.. Nothing like the value in any other establishment. WANT ANY CARRYING DONE? If so, we have a staff of competent hands, with vehicles suitable for all kinds of work, at your disposal. Goods of all kinds removed safely and speedily to wherever desired. Parcels forwarded to any address in New Zealand or abroad. Furniture carefully removed in . our special vans. —New Zealand Express Company ; offices throughout Dominion. Mr GEORGE rSbINSON, Dental Surgeon, may bo consulted at his residence, EDEN STREET (opposite Wesley Church),