The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1886.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 45, 12 November 1886, Page 2

The Pahiatua Star. (Published Tuesdays and Fridays.) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1886.

Tuk meeting at Woodville last week re the ex tensive tolls charged at the mjwly-erectod Gorge bridge ivas a complete failure, those who it was supposed would oppose the tolls actually agreeing that it was the best thing in the interests of Woodville that could be done, as it would effectually prevent Palmerston storekeepers from driving a trade iu their midst. This is an argument that we have no patience in listening to, as on its very face it bears the stamp of absurdity. Woodville tradespeople, we believe, deal principally with Wellington, getting their goods via Palmerston. It is reasonable to suppose that lirms in W'oodville would be able to buy in Wellington as cheaply as Palmerston merchants, and therefore in that respect they are on an equal footing. Before Palmerston merchants can place their goods in the Woodville luarket in competition a certain percentage on the cost must be added to recoup the charges of conveyance and tolls. The matter seems to us to stand thus—Both towns buy at the same price in Wellington, pay the same rutes in freight, tolls, Ac.; and yet one is afraid the other will step in and take away its business by offering goods at lower prices. The same objection was raised by seme in this town against the opening of the road across the Tararua range ; but we have endeavoured to show the unreasonableness of such opposition. If Palmerston wished to run a trade at Woodville or anywhere else this side of the Gorge, it could be equally as well done with excessive tolls as without, and we are inclined to think that the merchants of Woodville, in advocating two toll gates (at one of which the charges are nothing else but extortionate), have stamped themselves as an extremely selfish lot. Has the country settler nothing to say in these matters? Undoubtedly he has. If he wishes to send stock out of the district for sale, he is not on the same footing as those who have no tolls to pay ; and in the event of no sale being effected, look at the amount a settler residing this side of Gorgo would be out of pocket in paying toll both ways. We look upon the double toll in the Manawatu Gorge as not only a scandalous Ret of injustice towards the settlers of Woodville, but also of the whole of the surrounding districts. We have in this neighborhood many who find it convenient to attend sales at Fielding and elsewhere for the purpose of selling or buying stock ; but the ferry charges were considered too high for this to be carried on successfully. Now a bridge has taken tUe place of the ferry, and the position of the country settler has not improved one whit. Settlers in this district require a market for their stock, and where are they to get it ? The Manawatu is the only market available so far as we can see ; but excessive tolls shuts that out at present. Then we say let the road over the range bo advocated with an earnestness that must eventually meet with success, and by this means open our doors to the outside world free. The town of Paliiatua is only small compared with the district, and we believe in advocating this road we express the views of the majority of settlers.

The second concert in aid of the hinds of the Public Library was given on Friday night last, ami ivas but fairly attended. To be plain, it was not a success, those having the management certainly neglecting their duty, their being disorder and Contusion from beginning to end. In saying the concert was not a success, we in no way reflect on those who so kindly came from Woodville to assist, and we only feel griei ed tiiat they were comjielled to express openly their disgust at the treatment they met with at the hands of certain of the audience; but this matter wo refer to elsewhere. Mrs Murphy, whose name appeared on the programme in two places, wits unable to be present, but Mr Carver consented to fill up the first vacancy, which he did by singing “ The Wanderer " ui a manner highly appreciated by those who love a good song. Miss Carver, in “ Nobody at all," quite enraptured the audience, and mis heartily encored. Mr Loveda.v sang " Say not Farewell" exceedingly null ; and Mr Marshall's rendering of "The schooner on the sands " and " The King's Highway " was in keeping with his usual excellent style. Mr Monteith’a " I knew 1 must be dreaming “ and " Not so bad for mo " were done to a turn," and a re ap|>earaiire in both cases was demanded. Mrs Marshall and Miss Murphy, in the pin&forte duel, " Martha," showed that they understood thoroughly the difficult task before them. After the concert s dance look place, at which a good many remained.

Sir Julius Vogel, writing on the subject of tile telegraph insulators to Mr Adami, of the Sydenham Pottery, says he is willing t • pay h m and Mr W. M. White, of Dunedin, Is 6d each for 5000 insulators in everv respect as good as the sample. The substance* necessary for the manufactm uiay U imported, but the insulator including the bolt portion, must be made iu ti e Colony. If the insulators are r ound equal to the luiporleil ones in all respects, then the Commissioner of Telegraphs

undertakes to give them *n order for >0,001) u! Is *>«l each. He doe* not sdi i»i then, lo accept the term*, but they an. tin be*l lie c-u offer.

It is uilli regret we have again to refer to the ilimMml.v conduct of two or large sized larr kins in the gallerv on the occasion of the concert in aid of the I jbrnry funds. Til* little larrikins can be inauaged by a vigorous application of the birch on tlieir tender parts, but the large |>e«t cannot be reached so easily ; and tile <mlv way to sec ll re future peTfbrmera and nadiem-cg against annoyance is to exclude them from all entertainments. Their names are ygtll known, amt it is not the first occasion they have been guilty of the offence. For our part, we arc determined to make ail example in these columns of tile next person who behaves in a manner disgraceful to himself as well as to the place to #liich he belongs. It i* bail enough to insult local |Hirformers, hut when those who come from a distance to help us in gome praiseworty object are driven off the stage by unseemly remarks, we think it is high time that effective means were taken to stamp this pest out. Not only were the two or three referred to in the gallery free with their tongue*, but they showed their utter want of manners by blowing large clouds of smoke during the concert. Owing to the conduct of a few, the whole of rnhiattia gets a bad name, and we ask the respectable citizens of this towu whether they intend quietly to submit to this 7

The fortnightly mooting of the Town Board was held on Monday evening. Present —Messrs Hughes (chairman), Crewe, Wakeman, and Burrows. The Clerk stated that in accordance with resolution he hail interviewed Captain Preeco at Woodville regarding the striking of a rato, and had been informed by the Magistrate that having no jurisdiction he could not deal with the matter; but suggested that Government be requested to appoint Mr Stunner Judge of the Assess, rnent Court for the district, who could then do all that was required by the Board. The Clerk further stated that he had written to Government as indicated by Captain Preecc.—The Chainunn wag authorised to sign plan of sub-division of Mr Wakeman's sections.—On tho motion of Mr Crewe, seconded by Mr Burrows.it was decidod that tho Clerk interview the manager of tho Bank at Woodville and endeavour to socurc an ovenlrafi of J.’loo. —The meeting then adjourned until Monday next.

Says Puff in the Press:—l see Robin Hood has been fined A'loo for his consultation business I Serve him jolly well right! The Gaming and Lotteries Act was a perfect farce ! They ran in a lot of harmless people for engaging in half-crown sweeps, but allow these " Consultation " rapscallions to lleece the publio with impunity I Hum—l suppose you never put a pound on anything, did you 7

A statement alleged to have been made by Caffrey was published by the Bell, but the authorities denied that any interview had been held with the prisoner. The Bell declares emphatically that the interview did take place, and adds: —Whether therefore, it conforms, or doe* not conform, to legal, judical, or criminal etiquette, whether it pleases or displeases judges, gaolers, or policemen, or the man in tho street, we declare before the face and in the ears of all men, that John Caffrey cries aloud from the loneliness of his cell at Mount Eden that he is not guilty of the murder of Taylor ; we declare that in the silence of his prison cell he has told us that he is not a murderer. When public passions are excited people all run in one direction like a flock of startled sheep, and nothing that he can *ay, or any other, will have any effect in stemming the current of belief; but as the last word of his which will now be permitted to issue from his cell and reach the public ear, we proclaim in defiance of gaolers, judges, anil policemen, that John Caffrey lias, through us, protested hi* innocence, and declared that he is not the murderer of Taylor.

At tho annual meeting of the United Press Association at Christchurch the directors' report for the year contained a statement upon the position of affairs with regard to cable rates. After detailing the steps which had been taken to induce a favorable issue without success, the clause concludes, “ Your directors desire to express their decided opinion that it is to the interests of the Press and the public of the colony that the Government should agree to pay the annual contributions of T‘sooo now asked towards the cable subsidy for a further period not exceeding five yenrs." 'The report was unanimously adopted.

The Melbourne Age thinks that an Imperial Institute will doubtless be a nice addition to the show places of the modem Babylon, and one which will prove a great attraction to colonists who may for a time take up their abode in England. But it is a very small percentage of Australains who will enjoy the opportunity of inspecting it. To the mass of people in this part of the world the benefits to be derived from the proposed institution are decidedly problematical. The colonial representation in England, hitherto, has involved no small amount of snobbery and tuft hunting, and it may readily be conceived that the vast majority of Btay-at-home Australains are not particularly anxious to lavish excessive contributions npon what may prove to be an opening for the development of similar characteristics.

While some good may come from the establishment iu London of a permanent exposition of coloniol products, past experience proves that it is quite as likely to lead to squabble* and misunderstandings.

A British soldier tell* a story of the Fiji settouients in the early days. A white man who was taken prisoner by an inland tribe had a cork leg. Noticing that hi* captors were fixing up an oven, he became nervous, and to conceal his fear called for sainelhing to eat. Food being given hiiu, he used a large jack knife to cut it up. Every mouthful or two he stuck the jack-knife into hi* leg with such force that it stood erect. The natives looked on in great astonishment and with evident alarm. After the meal was over he began to unscrew his leg. That was too much for the poor savages. They hadn’t the slightest curiosity to see w]ist he would do next, but ojienod a passage for him and let liim walk away uiunolestod. When he reached his horse the native* began to gather around, hut after mounting he made a motion as if to unscrew hi* head and the spectator* fled iu dismay. A Kattlks Sauk’s Bitk. —The quick venom of the rattlesnake ha* not killed so many people as the more insidious but deadly {Mintons fouund in the air of foal rooms. The aeration of the blood by the lung* becomes impossible sometimes, and the failing health growing weakness, and loss of np|s'tue are harbingers of *pproacliiug death. For such rase* Hop liitlers are tile |Kitent and all {Miwerfm remedy to drive all fevers out of tile system, piiurifyiug the lilikml, and giving a new and Imppy lease of life. Gel gcuttinc.

Sat* I'uff in ihe Press : joke I'eotn the West Coast! . A JiidM. after staffing ever so ninny p OT rimps to' dinkey for passing valueles* cheque*, {ixid bis hi>t>-l bid with a cheque and got change, but whan it was presented it wa* returned marbl'd “no account I” Why, whatever had txis Honor been anil gono and done? Borrowed a blank cheque of the local publican and forgotten to change it to the braitah where his nccohqpi is 1 And it was valueless 7 Yes, in a sense it was- but I woitld'nt mind having liis cheque for £I,OOO drawn on any branolt of any hank in New Zealand ! Could ivthe be sent to chokey for it 7 Hardly ! The intention to ilutraud must be proved 1 Sir George Grey has had Several interviews at' Anrktand with Mr Sherewodff* on Samoan affairs. The latter thinks it a pity that Samoa was not nnnexed by New Zealand in 1874. Mr Sherwood, who was wrongly arrested bv the U. S. Consul while at Samoa lateiy, goes to London shortly in the interest* id a syndicate. who propose utilising large tracts of land in the group. He will at the same time prosecute his claims for damages against the United States. On returning to the colonies he intends to contest the Egmont scat with Major .Atkinson. If tile elaiins of old descent (says the Pall Mall Gazette) were a justifiable source of pride, the human race would feel elated on being assured by the wise men of the British Association that authentic proof has been discovered in some Welsh caves that man, sufficiently develo|>ed from tho ape to manufacture Hint implements, existed on this planet 240,f1rt0 years ago. To us it is a melancholy reflection that we should have taken so prodigious a time to attain so small a result. Even when tho duration of the race is limited to the 6000 years of history, the outcome can hardly be considered as satisfactory, and there is something profoundly depressing in tho sudden addition of a series of ancestors who spent 284,000 years in marking time, indeed, but in marking no other time in the worliL Says the Canterbury Tituoe It is very well to grumble at the exchaugo charged by the Banks for the collection of cheques. But, on the other hand, comes the question, why should the banker be asked to do any work for nothing 7 Zealous correspondents are writing to the newspapers in wrath—" Insist on gold, refuse their filthy notes," they cry. Their advice is in reality for the multiplication nnd spreading of inconveniences. W hat, moreover,

protects us now from the burglar and the bushranger so much as the absence of cash, which wo owe to the cheque system 7 Let us begin to send gold all over the country to every {ilace where a man has to pay a few hands, and at once we shall tempt crime into prevalent violence. The bankers do us a service, which we should not grudge a small payment for. A merchant of Athens was recently captured hy some Greek brigands, who carried him off to the mountains, from whence he wrote a letter to his wife recounting his misfortunes, and containing tho following most important passage : “ My ransom is fixed at 1000 drachmas ; if tho brigands do not receive this sum by the 15th mst. they will cut off my noso; on the 10th my ears, on the 17th iny upper lip, on the 18th my lower lip, and on tho 19th, if the money is not forthcoming, they will kill me.” The poor woman used her best efforts to procure the required amount, but it was not until the evening of the 18th that she hod managed to scrape together the IUOU drachmas for her hnsbttnd's ransom. She then said to a neighbour—" My husband must look a perfect fright by this time. I think I will Keep the 1000 drachmas to make a better match with.”—Le Figaro. Says the Canterbury Times : —When the news first came that France had, with the support of Russia, enquired for the date of the English evacuation of Egypt, the annnounceraent loooked formidable, particularly coming at such a disturbed time. But the later announcement that thore are funds in the Egyytian Exchequer to pay all interest and arrears to the bondholders is described as depriving the French Government of any pretext for interfering in Egyptian affairs. If this be true, then the French demand was merely a formal representation intended to pacify a number of the howling Radicals who have been foolish enough to speculate in the stocks of Egypt. The only wonder is that any of these unsavory wretches should have been able to scrapie up enough to speculate with, even in Egyptian stocks. This is what happened at Palmerston North on the 6th November. According to the Times Mr Colville was driving a buggy into tho square about half-past eight o'clock, with a young horse, the property of Mr W. Keeling, which had only jiißt been broken into harness, when some uiischeviotis youngster threw a bundle of crackers right under the horse's belly. As might have been exjiected from a young horse, the explosion sent it nearly mad. and it began to plunge about in such a manner that the trap was overturned, and Mr Colville was thrown violently on to the footpath, where he lay stunned for some time. The horse, now more frightened than ovor, bolted off with the overturned buggy, down toward* Mr Keeling's residence, where it arrived with the buggy tipeide down terribly smashed up, and one of its own legs so badly cut that it was impossible to recover, and the poor beast had to be destroyed tho next morning. Mr Colville, though Iwully shaken and bruised, had no bones broken, and is getting on as satisfactorily as could be expected.

Referring to the Waikato alligator, the Canterbury Times says:—The most probable account which has yet been made public is that the Maoris brought over some eggs of the alligator from (Queensland. But the difficulty is by no means removed even by that explanation. The eggs could not be brought from (Queensland to the nearest part of this Colony in less than six or eight davs, assuming that the steamer time-tables were favourable, which in all probability they would not be. The qmwtion is, would the egg* keep in condition fur hatching all that tune. 'Die eggs are always left by the female to be hatched by the heat of the sun, it is true ; but would it have been possible for the Maoris who brought these stip|HMed eggs over to have kept them ss hot as a tropical sun shining into a sandy hollow would have made them, without placing them near the furnaces of the steamer 7 And if that was dune, the steamer must be known and her people must remember the circ tun* lances.

£.'loo Rbwakd.— They cure all diseases of the stomach, bowels, bloist, liver, nerves, and kidneys, nnd 4.T00 will be |iaid for a rase they will not cure or help, or for anything impure ur injurious found in them —Hop Bitters. Geiiuiue only male by American. Co.

li le Misses Finlay sou, of Woodvilldu ■ntioitnre the arrival of summer g.-»L. ' All accounts ow mg to Mr E. A. Haggei l must lie jMtid to Mr FloNuce, txmcjior. Woodvillo. Tenders arc invited for an! grins seed cutting. The monthly meeting of the I’.ilaatn i Road Board will be held to-moßvn ingTuesday (Prince of Wales' Birthilaf; Was observed by most of our citizen* ss a holiday, but owing to the very unscason 'able weather nut-door enjoyment at any sort was out of llie question. It was iutciufod by the l’ahiaina Cricket Club to have played a match during the afternoon, which, however, was frustrated by the heavy rain in the morning. A few proceeded to the sports at Woodville, where the weather ajqwars to have besai a little finer than here, although anything but jileasant for hearty out-door enjoyment. We should like to see some steps taken by the Town Board to secure the reserve of 118 acres at the Mangatamoka bridge, if this is not done soon, liter* are chances against its being obtained, and it would be a j«itv to lose tho reserve. The Town Board ha* a good claim on the Government, and not only six mid application be made for the 118 acres, but also for reserves in other parts of the district. When the Wullmgtou Corporation can be so liberally treated to a large tract of our beet land, surely we liave a right to exjwct something. Fred Archer, the well-known English jockey, shot himself dead at Newmarket on Monday. The cause is said to be delirium, occasioned by fever. He is reported to have been worth a quarter of a million slerliug.

A meeting of the comniittoe of the Paliiatua-Puketoi Hpecial Settlement Association was held last evening, Mr Miller being in the chair. Messrs Bottomley and A. Ross were elected to fill two vacancies on the committee. —The Ctiairuian reported that he hail made enquiries regarding two bridges necessary on Bridge-street, and had ascertained that they could be constructed of logs for about £8. — After soiu* discussion it was decided not to proceed with the felling of the road lines this year, the season being too far advanced; but it was unanimously resolved that Bridge-street be formed the full length, tenders to be called for the work at once.—The Secretary read out the Datura of members who had fully paid up, numbering 80, leaving 20 still to pav, some of whom were in arrears two calls. The amount to the credit of the Association was £7B 9s 7d. —It was resolved that the amount bo forwarded to the Land Office at once, but that the names of tlmse who had paid up be not flirwurded till llie 20th, in order to give defaulters s chance of sending in their money.—Resolved that the accounts be audited immediately after the names aru forwarded.—This was all tile business.

At the meeting of the Town Board on Moittlay, Mr Crewe suggested the advisability of endeavouring to secure an overdraft from the Bank, in order to commence n few necessary works in the town, and a resolution was carried to that effect. U nfortiuiatcly the Board came into existence ufter the usual time of striking the rate, and a considerable amount of red-ta]>e has now to be got through before any funds will be available from that source ; therefore if Mr Crewe's suggestions can be given effect to wo may hojie to see something done towards the inijirovenient of the town oro long. Tho Board is without funds of its own at the present time, but so soon ss s rate is struck it will be in a good financial positition, as we should think the valuation would rejiresent between £SOO ami £6OO. The Canterbury Press is authorised to state that Sir John Hall will, on the first suitable opjsirtunity, again offer bis services to the colony. The Lyttelton Times, a persistent opjsment of Sir John, congratulates him on his return and trusts that the Ojqsisition will soon have the benefit of his controlling and guiding influences. It says the time must come when the OpjMmitioii will be in jsiwer. That will be a bad day for Canterbury, but should Sir John Hall's voice be heard in the Councils of the next Ministry, tlie bad day may be somewliat less bad Ilian it might otherwise be. Tho following tender* havo been received by the Public Works Department for the Manawatu Gorge (formation) Contract Napier-Palmerston Railway. Accepted: Jones and Peters, Timaru, £68,097. I>e. dined. J. A. Anderson, Christchurch, £79,286; Carr and Campbell. Napier, £79.658; Reid and Black, Dunedin. £79,782; J. Saunders, Wellington, £82,405; Glendinning and Co., Nsjiier, £82,900; John Briton, Auckland, £B2,9ti(); W. G. Basset, Wanganni. £84,407; E. J. Price, Hokitika, £88,248; Samuel Brown. Wellington, £88.588; Alexander Marfixrlans, Wilkie and Wilson, Wanganui, £89,267; Lockie nnd Me Lean. Wellington, £98,461 ; M. Danahar, Wellington, £86,711.