NEWS OF THE DAY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1031, 7 May 1883, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

A well-attended meeting of the Patea Football Club was held at the Albion Hotel on Saturday night, the captain (Mr H Gibbons in the chair). The Secretary read last season’s balance-sheet, which was adopted by the meeting. Messrs G H Norman and H Gibbons were unanimously elected president and vice-president respectively. Mr J Kitching was elected captain ; and Mr Hyams re-elected secretary and treasurer. Special votes of thanks were carried to Messrs Hyains and Lockers for their efforts on the Club’s behalf last year. A committee of five, consisting of Messrs Pearce, Carey, Bright, Harden, and Adamson, were elected ; and it was decided to open the season by a match, President versus Vice-President, on Saturday next, Mr Bright having consented to act as umpire for the Club, the meeting then adjourned. We are sorry to hear that Mr T. Nutsford is suffering from a severe attack of bronchitis, and has , been unable to leave the house since Wednesday.

The monthly meeting of the Borough Council will be held at the usual hour this evening. Messrs Mace and Odgers, sureties for W. Dale, started for New Plymouth this morning. They intend to interview His Honour about that little sum of £SOO, for which they have made themselves responsible, and see if they cannot get the money remitted. Dale is reported to be in Sydney. One of Mr Taplin’s sons had a narrow escape from injury on Saturday evening. Pressure of business necessitated him being sent out on horseback, and he was riding towards Storeyville, when the horse took fright and bolted. The animal turned down the road leading to the Hospital, and on reselling the steep part fell. For a minute there was a confused mixture of butter and basket, horse and rider, but it was soon discovered that the butter bad been the greatest sufferer. Since then we learn that the “ carrying out” portion of In's father’s business is regarded by Master Thomas with infinite contempt. Literary, thieves are at work among (lie papers at the Hawera Institute, The Mail is amongst those honoured by their attention. The body of Professor Walker who was drowned at Auckland was recovered on Saturday. The Gulchcr electric light at the Christchurch railway station is a great success. The New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer lonic, which sailed last Saturday from Plymouth for Wellington and Canterbury (not Port Chalmers as at first announced), brings a number of immigrants, single women and married couples. The Waikato Land Association propose starting a cheese factory atTawhare, to use up the milk of settlers whom they encourage to settle on small farms in the neighbourhood. When the Supplementary Estimates for the Egyptian campaign were before the House of Commons on March 2nd, an interesting discussion arose, in the course of which Mr Onslow said “he could not sob how India had derived greater advantage from the results of the war than Australia or New Zealand. If India must bear any part of the expense, some other of Her Majesty’s colonies might also to be called iupon to pay for the safety of the Suez Canal, being an Imperial concern.” This is a view held by not a few in this country, says the European Mail, but until we have a united Empire, in the Parliament of which the colonies are represented, it is not likely that they will consent to be taxed for Imperial purposes. Representation and taxation must go together. At St. George’s Church last evening, the Rev. Mr Cameron, of Wanganui, officiated. A. large congregation was present, the building being filled in every part. The rev. gentleman delivered an eloquent and impressive sermon on Science and the Bible,” which was attentively listened to throughout. In a particularly able manner he proceeded to show that true science was not antagonistic to religion ; but that it was only so - called philosophers who advanced theories as truths that called Christianity into question. The hymns sung during the: evening were 147, 281, and 365 Ancient and Modern. We remind our readers that the Rev. P. L., Cameron will deliver his interesting lecture at the Harmonic Hall this evening. The Rev. gentleman is said to handle the subject in a clever and entertaining manner, and, bearing in .mind that the proceeds will be devoted to church purposes, a good house may be anticipated. The lecture will commence at 8 o’clock. A Town Hall Company has been launched at Waitara. The capital is £SOO, in £1 shares. The following volunteers will attend at the butts to-morrow morning at 6 a.in., to compete for the Captain’s Cup, viz., JMessrs Kearney, Baylis, McKnight, Reid, Palmer, Arthur and I, Baxter, junr. The lease of the Waverley Recreation Ground was very successfully sold by Mr Jackson, on Friday. The price realised was 15s, and the purchaser was Mr Morton. Last year the rental wes 7s. Our cable message to-day records the death of a prominent Victorian politician, Sir John O’Shannassy, whose decease was caused from gangrene in the toe. Sir John was ah able politician, arid his presence will be missed in the Assembly. The Chairman of the Cemetery Board has .given notice that any person trespassing in pursuit of game upon the Cerne-, tcry or Cemetery Reserve will be prosecuted. The reason is that people have been breaking down the fences and allowing cattle to get into the Cemetery, a proceeding to which the Chairman strongly objects. The young trees are coming off nicely, and next summer will see considerable improvement in the appearance of the Cemetery. Mr C. F. Barker, in conjunction with Mr W. Cowern, intends to hold a grand horsefair on the 23rd inst. Present entries comprise 150 horses of all kinds, some of them being from first-class sires. Horseflesh has been at a discount here for .some time, but there is a strong demand in Auckland, and we expect to sec a good sale. Mr Wynn Williams, in his speech Heathcote constituents, gave the following description of how our legislators in Wellington go through their work Night after night those who were prepared and anxious to do the business of the country saw the same thing happen. For weeks the whole of the afternoon and the whole of the night were consumed by, what he would call without hesitation the greatest rubbish that a man could listen to even at the most wretched parochial meeting in the whole Colony, It was absolute nonsense and rubbish, and it was indulged in for the sole purpose of watching and dodging until the opportunity occurred when the Opposition—he was not speaking only of the present Oppositionthought they had a cljancc of pouncing dbwn on the Government, When that opportunity occurred they made their trial, and after that everything went through in the last fortnight ; there was not the slightest chance of altering and amending anything ; they did not care twopence for the rest, and all they wanted was to get away as quickly as they could, and pocket as much of the honorarium as there was left.” A fearful death is reported in one of the late Home papers. John Church, eighteen years of age, was employed by the Portland Cement Company at their London works. On the morning of January 23 he gaze in his name to the time-keeper, and nothing more was seen of him until February 5, when, on opening one of the chambers of a kiln his calcined remains were discovered. The boots found were known to have boon worn by the deceased, and it was this which established the identification. There is no doubt that the deceased, being cold and wet, crept into the chamber to warm himself. He must, however, have been almost immediately suffocated, as the kiln was full of sulphuric fumes, the fire having been lit the previous morning. Shortly afterwards, too, liquid material was poured into it in the ordinary process of manufacture of cement, and the cnamber was sealed up. Thus the body was buried beneath the liquid, and literally underwent a process of cremation. The bones were completely white, and all the flesh was consumed.

Complaints are being made by settlers on the Plains of the damage to their stock on the railway. It is urged that the lino should be fenced, as the “ Government butcher,” as the engine is termed, is slaughtering almost every day, Ar-local paper gives currency to the following “ yarn ” Some residents of Masterton, while out shooting early in the week, were astonished at noticing a strange-looking animal, quite different to anything they had ever seen even in a museum. One of them was so horrified and alarmed that he had his arms and torn among the bush lawyers, and the other stood trembling behind a tree with his gun loaded, whert ho should have been using it. They describe it to be about the size of a dog) with short legs and long hair curled at the ends, large ej r es .and jaws, and broad muzzle. The dogs: pursued it, hut one returned nearly flayed alive, and the others would huntno longer. A Maori hearing the animal described, at once declared it to be a “ tanawa ” —a sacred animal of amphibious ; habits, in which the spirit of the rivers [and waters is.said to reside. One of the rumours (says the North Otago Times) that are now passing current in lire towns and districts of Otago, is.that Mr James Ashcroft, editor of the Otago Daily Times , has lately received notice of dismissal on account of what ho has written in that.paper bn the now notorious cases of alleged land dummyistn. And in connection .with that, rumour there is another whicl). should bo of a still more interesting nature to Mr Ashcroft. We hear that a number of gentleman partly out of sympathy when Mr Ashcroft for the position ■in which it is averred lie has been vindictively placed, and partly pul of admiration for his vigorous championship of the public interests, have.determined to get up a handsome purse on his behalf. The amount which is mentioned for presents tion to Mr Ashcroft is no less than £IOOO sterling. Should this presentation be made, a good many editors may be found courting arbitrary dismissal. The Marlborough Daily Times complains that game must be scarce this year as the usual editoral hamper has not been received. This appears very like a hind. Several very successful efforts have been made in the district this season, says ouf'Oamaru morning contemporary, to grow white flint maize, the seed of which -was imported to the colony some lime ago by Mr Sutherland, of Dunedin. Mr William Gray, of Fukeuri, last."year grew some very good cobs, and this year Mr Every has, from seed procured from Mr Gray, been very successful in its cultivation. Maize can be utilised for so many purposes that its successful cultivation on a large scale would be of great benefit to the colony, and \yo would like to hear of its getting a fair = trial in the open field, away from protective shelter of any description. This might be possible even on a large scale. What has been already growing in the district has thoroughly ripened and matured. A determined effort is being made to decrease the number of drinking saloons in New York." At present there is a drinking shop of some kind to every 125 inhabitants, or 25 families. In one district 32 small blocks of buildings contain no less than 175 lager beer saloons and 76 whisky shops, 251 in alitor Bto a block. In some blocks there are no less than 15 or 20 drinking places—l to every 6or 7 houses. Even the advocates of the largest liberty of trade admit that in these cases this particular industry is over-estimated. Most 'df these saloons openly violate the law, but no attempt is made to bring them to justice so long as they do the best they can politically for the dominant party. A license to sell ale and beer can be procured for a small sum, and this is used as a cover for the sale of stronger beverages. It is now proposed to raise the license fee for every kind of saloon to 500 dollars, and some reformers demand that it shall be even as high as 1000 dollars. ; The cost of the late criminal sitting of the Supreme Court at Wanganui, was £330. Messrs York & Cornfoot’s business is to be taken over by a limited company, with a capital of £20,000. The Governor is going to furnish the Auckland Harbour Board with a report on the harbour, dock, and fortification of the port. The Canterbury Agricultural and P.astoral Association have resolved to memorialise the Government, recommending 'measures for tho preventing the introduction of cattle disease. We regret to notice from an exchange that tho Bishop of Nelson has lost his veperable father, Mr Richard Suther, who died on the Ist March, at Castle Hill, Maidenhead, England, at the good old age of 84. It was one of the Bishop’s chief pleasures in connection with his recent visit to England that he had been enabled to receive his beloved parent's blessing. The death of Mr Suther must have occurred very shortly after his distinguished son had once more left the shores of England. The Southland Farmer’s Co-operative Association lost £2BOO last year. Fresh shares are being taken up, and with better management it is hoped to pull through. The Fenians in Canada have publicly announced their intention to blow up the residence of tho Governor General at Ottawa. An International Alliance against Fenians, Anarchists, Socialists, and other enemies of society as constituted, has been discussed in London. It would be speedily accomplished if tho United States would join the League. The term “ Mashers ” hitherto exclusively confined to America, and said to be a coruption of ma chore, has been acclimatised in England, and journals of a certain class just now seem to seize every opportunity they can of airing their newly-acquired possession. The term is thus explained by one of them : “A masher is usually a ‘swell,’ but every swell is not a masher. To be ‘ awfully mashed on,’ a young woman is equivalent, as I understand, to being ‘ terrible spoons ’ or very ‘ hard hit ’—Angliec, to be much in love with her,' The maslier proper is a young gentleman (usually of the ‘ crutch and toothpick ’ fraternity, or of the ‘ Gardenia Brigade') who, having become a devout admirer of some fair actress, nightly frequents the house whore she is engaged that he may feast his eyes upon her beauty. This may be the meaning as understood in England, but in America it certainly is not so confined in its sense. Broadly speaking, “ masher ” is applied to all that extremely large class who deck themselves out in fine attire, and imagine every woman they meet is in love with them. Captain Hammond and the chief officer of the George Bevvlcy which arrived at Auckland last week, testify to the wonderful effect of “ oil on troubled waters.” When their vessel was on the way out from London, running before a terribly fierce gale, it was found that large quantities of water constantly broke over the stern, and the cabin was partially flooded. Captain Hammond determined to try the “ oil experiment,” and, accordingly, two canvas bags were prepared and filled with oil. These were hung over each quarter, and produced a wonderful effect, for subsequently scarcely any water broke on board.

Miss Yerdon will bo appointed to the Whenuakm a school. At a meeting of the Alexandra Cavalry on Saturday it was resolved to challenge the Wairoa Light Horse to a friendly match, ten men aside, at Waverley, on the Queen’s Birthday. . Referring to the present unsatisfactory price of wool, the Bradford Observer has the following:—“ It is 32 years since English long wool has touched so low a price as now, and the alteration in Bradford seems almost as if her changed fortunes could be read in the faces of her sons. The man who some years ago gave hard work and attention to his business, and was prospered therein, and evidenced his prosperity, has apparently vanished and given place to men equally eager to work, probably superior in education, and certainly carrying a greater weight of anxiety, who are wearing their lives “out in a cramped and depressing business, which, do what they will, yields them no return.” Upon this the Agricultural Gazette observes ; During the past year the average price of Lincoln wool has been 11 £d per lb, instead of Is 6£d per lb—the average during the past 32 years—or in other words, the Lincolnshire farmers are losing £360,000 per annum ; and the loss of 5s per acre on cultivated land of that country is forced upon them.” At Melbourne, on Friday, 30th ult., Judge Higinbotham accepted the petition for divorce instituted by Mr F. J. Hickling against his wife on tin ground of her adultery with. Mr Davenport Brorafield. A Melbourne contemporary says This case has excited .great attention in Victoria, where the petitioner and the lady’s family have long .occupied an influential and honourable position. Mrs Hickling, who is somewhere about 31 years of age. and is the daughter of the late Mr J: G. Ware, of Koort-koort-nong and other stations, was married when a minor to Mr Hickling, who has up .to the present time, been manager of the Wan'nans bool branch of the National Bank, of Victoria. There are, as issue of the marriage, five children, of whom one was taken away by the respondent, when she eloped to New Zealand. Mr Bromfield is a vigorous Don Juan of 19, son of Mr Astley Brorafield, equally- well-known in the potato city as a chemist and as an owner of racehorses, Warrnambool, which contains several hundred eligible spinsters, and about two or more eligible bachelors, is one of those delightfully Arcadian places where parents think that their children are ■ born : without original sin, and where the unsuspecting husband cheerfully allows his spouse to hold commune beneath the stars with the guileless bank clerk, who looks at matrimony through the wrong end of a telescope, and rests his claim to social and other distinction on the accuracy of his hair-parting, and on the possession of a monthly honorarium of six pounds sterling. Well, Mis Hickling, like the ‘ Village Blacksmith’s ’ daughter, used to sing sweetly in the church choir ; and, unlike that poetic beauty, had been partially bowled out in casting 1 sheep’s eyes ’ at a nigger minstrel. He was one of those roving burnt-cork tenors who, unsated after enjoying for six days and nights a week the admiration of the fair, volunteer for the choir on the Sabbath, that they may bask as white men, and in all the glory of unlimited hah oil and shirt collar, in the sm 1;s of beauty and fashion. All the time she was also ‘ carrying,on ’ with Mr ‘ Forty ’ Bromfield, and when her better half remonstrated, she and Forty, cleared for New Zealand, where they are, it is understood, now living as Mr and Mrs 1 Davis,’ ” Mrs Hickling has something like £IOOO a year in her own right; and is now living in the North-East Valley, Dunedin.”