Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8753, 1 March 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

The study of the English language brings to light many interesting points which are likely to escape the notice of the casual observer. Most people regard a language as something settled once for all and not subject to changes but the truer view would compare it to an old tree which is constantly putting out new growths in every direction although at the same time there are inaliy twigs which have died and will ultimately drop away. Everyone probably is aware that many words used by our ancestors have fallen out of use or changed their meanings. The Bible and Prayer Book provide many instances of this fact, for example the phrase in the Prayer Book “ prevent us in all our doings ” conveys to modern ears a totally opposite meaning from that intended by the Vvritor. “ Prevent,” in old English had the meaning “go before ” or “ anticipate ” so that in the passage quoted' “prevent” really means “assist.” On the other hand new words are 1 coming into use almost unpereeivod by those who use tliem. The word “ boycott ” is commonly used to-day and its meaning is clearly understood to refer to a system of refusing to deal with tho person said to be boycotted. Yet 40 years ago the language provided no one word to describe this idea until the name of Captain Boycott, one of the most prominent victims of the process, -was pressed into the service. Another new term is the word “ bluff ” which describes tho habit well known to poker players of leading opponents to believe that your position is stronger than it really is. Or again v. r o may point to tho word “chauffeur,” taken from the French to supply tho absence of a single word in English for the driver of a motor car. jibe French language is equally indebted to tho English for piquenique ” instead of “picnic” and “ livcocloque ” for “ live o’clock tea,” Though ft is an ad van tage for a language to be able to adopt new terms it is undesirable that words should be used carelessly •and without strict attention to their correct moaning, as this tendency prevents anything like accurate and clear thinking. Yvo may instance the common use of the word “ temperance ” which really means “ moderation in all things ” in a restricted sense for total abstinence from alcoholic liquors. Another frequent error in the use of the English language is tho employment of long words where shorter and simpler ones would perfectly well serve the purpose. Thus wo often find “donate ” for “give," “ cwniuaie " for “ happen,” “ commence ” for “ begin,” Wo have to admit that journalists are perhaps tho greatest sinners in this respect though the defect is often due to the attempt to avoid the commonplace and dull in describing events which cannot be classed as other than dreary. Wo defy even the most accomplished literary man to produce half a column of training notes or a full description of a cricket match without straining the English language in the attempt to avoid vain repetitions.

Taeaxaki settlers seem to be revolt ing against the leisurely, methods ii which public works are carried or when an election is not in immediah prospect. The East or Ohura roac from Stratford has GO miles o formation, only 20 miles of which is j metalled, and has cost £119,000 ii: the fourteen years over which the work has been spread. Ihe Strut ford-Ongaruhe railway w r as begun ( years ago, and on March 31st last 11 miles were open for traffic at a cosl of £52,000. On the Mount Egmool railway, which was begun two years ago with the object of supplying road metal to the local bodies in a district where metal is almost unattainable, work is practically at a standstill. All over the country similar complaints are made that work is begun and carried out so slowly and uneconomically that the final cost is far greater than if businesslike methods had been employed. Sc long as public works are used as electioneering agents we may expect this state of affairs to continue. It is satisfactory to find that one district has realised the ruinous character of present methods, and it is to be hoped ttpit others which are suffering will follow suit. Ministers will then learn that they must refuse to begin works which they see no probability of completing in a reasonable time, and even at the risk of losing votes must make a firm stand against many of tire demands for public money which pour in from all sides. William Ilnmc, the well-known provision merchant, in 'A oil nig ton, is dead, aged 75. The price of Mr G. Tolhnrst’s property at Glen Oroua, sold to Mr Gray, was .£23 10s per acre. On Tuesday next at the llaumai sale Air Ilmdon, Government Veterinary Surgeon, will deliver an address on disease;; of stock. j’ractie.i'dy no new evidence was taken before the ’Native Lands Commission at Napier yesterday. 'Tito Commission will sit again on Saturday. Thera wore 31 for sections 7 end 3, Forest Reserve, I’ohungimi. C. Oliver (Ashhurst) secured section 7, and W. if. V. Smith (Otaki) section 8. A woman, charged at the Police Court, at "Wellington, yesterday morning, was found to have 18G previous convictions against her. She was sent to gaol for six months. Mr 11. Gooden, of Foikling, who recent! v mot with a, serious accident to his left hand through its coming into contact with a circular -aw, is now on the way to recovery and will ho able to leave the !lo ; .pital in a few days.

There has been an abnormal mortality mflf.njj infants at Christchurch during February. Local medical men state that the mortality is due to an epidemic of infant diarrheal and v/hooping cough, consequent upon the extremely dry season this year. Yus are informed that Mr Percy Forlong, laud agent, Wanganui, lias sold Mr Adam Wilkie’s magnificent estate, Headlands, near Fordcll, comprising 580 acres, to Mr Alfred Burnett, of Wanganui. Mr J. MeEldowney has a now advertisement on our first page and a number of paragraphs in our wanted colnnm. His great sale of.summer stock is drawing to a close, and many bargains are awaiting buyers,»as a big clearing uj> is to be made. Before the usual business of the Wellington Laud Board was taken yesterday some valedictory speeches were made on the occasion of the retirement of Mr ,T. Stevens, who has just completed in's three years’ tenure of oflice, making in all ten years’ service on the Board, and who, being now a member of the House of Representatives, is ineligible for re-appointment. His ExI'KHTENCE. Mr A. T. Beale, of Beale Bros., Oakoy (Q.), says : “ I can recommend Chamberlain’.; Colic, Cholera, and Diarrhoea Remedy to all troubled with dianhaa or bowel complaint.;, for I have used it for these complaint;; and was cured. Have persuaded my friends to give it a trial, and in every instance a cure was effected, For sale by Messrs T. H. Bredin, Marten j Ellis Bros.,Huntervillo; and W.B. Clark. Bulls. To cure rheumatism, gout, sciatica,and lumbago, the excess poisonous uric acid must bo removed. Jtimwsro will quickly and permanently do ’this. All chemists . and store*, 2/0 and 4/0 per bottle. Just , m it.

■ The Rev. Archdeacon ‘Williams is reported seriously ill at To Auto. The Native Lands Commission will leave Napier for the North on Monday and hold mootings at Tan--goio, Tntira and Mohaka, going from there oil to Wairoaitud thence to Gisborne, MorerC and Muhaka and from thouce to Wanganui. At Dunedin Police Court to-day Thos. Goughian was committed for trial for having forged a telegram, thus obtaining £5 from a hotelkeeper. News reached Woodville this morning of tho death of Mr Leonard Whittington for the last three years manager ‘of tho Bank of NbW. Zea - land. Mr Whittington was absent pn annual ioAVc, and was visiting friends ill Dunedin. At Woodville bacon factoryyesterday 399 pigs were put through. This is 50 above the previous record day’s killing. At a meeting in Auckland of dairy factory managers and others interested in tiie butter industry, it WaS resolved to ask the Minister of Agriculture to appoint a number of qualified milk inspectors with power to forbid the sale or purchase of , .milk unfit for dairy manufacturing purposes. Mar ton Bowling Club begin a tournament next week for bowls presented by Messrs S. vT* Gibbous, A. Tournament, hud J. M. Nicol, 1 B. Tournament. Entries close next Monday. Messrs A. H. Sutcliffe and , H. Sutcliffe have presented tho club with two handsome scats, which, have been placed on the gcebib, An Invercargill telegram states 1 that the rnigmeer's estimate of cost 1 of n Water supply for the town from ■ the Orat-i river at Distou, 37 miles , away, is £IOO,OOO. This work would . provide 1,000,000 gallons a day. At present a supply of 300,000 gallons is obtained from wells, and the report I suggests it would bo well to put ' down a trial bore 1000 or 1300 feet at , a cost of about £IOOO to discover if [ suitable artesian water can be obi taiued.

Tho Secretary of Marton School Committee has been in communication with tho Railway Department with regard to tho additional charge made to some of tho adult excursionists with tho rpccul Marton School excursion-, Who 'did not hold the regulation printed ticket and them appears to be every probability that a refund will bo made by the Department. Ur A. J. Arnold, agent far Mr W'. Dimock and Ce- ;1 informed odr ropVpsentaUve Unit their pig trade had doubled in tire last two years and that the steady improvement in quality' had been a matter of surprise and satisfaction to tho firm. Judging from his observations while in the South Island recently Mr Arnold asserts that the general quality of pigs is fat superior there to that of those obtainable in this locality. The members of tho Arbitration Court sat in private conference yesterday morning, at Christchurch. Tho Court will sit on - Tuesday, at 10.30 a.m., to deal with tho eases against tho slaughtermen. A largo number of writs have been served on strikers to appear before tho Court on Tuesday. It is understood that tho view taken by tho Labour Department is that the men, by refusing to start work, have committed a breach of tho Arbitration Act, which, it will bo argued, constitutes a breach of the award. Tile action being taken is precisely tho same as in the 'i'imaru case. Tho Attorney-General will take the platform shortly in connection with V.lio Government’s laud campaign. “ Mr McNab is at present carrying on a vigorous campaign in the north, and requires no assistance there, ” remarked tho Attorney-General. “ Ho will, however, receive assistance from his coUeaguos, I believe, two months at least before the opening of Parliament. I intend to explain the aims of the Government with regard to the laud question, and also with reference to its native land policy. I will commence in the ITorfh Island. ” Mr Felix Tanner’s third “ark.” in which he arrived at Lyttelton the other day, is a strauge-lookingcraft, in shape like n large barrel with a bow and stern built on like a boat - Tho vessel is 30ft long, 9ft. Sin! in beam, and Oft. deep. . The boat was built of white, pine by Mr Tanner himself, at. ‘Wakefield, 30 miles from Nelson. Tho vessel weights two and a half tons, and carries five tons of ballast,, but owing to extreme buoyancy, the builder thinks he requires three tons more. The barrel _is divided into two cabins, each being fitted with two hunks. The builder

hums that the “ ark ” is practically unsiukablo. An exchange says it lias taken Mr Tanner five years to mature his ideas, while his experiments Iq’vo cost him £6OO,

The annual meeting of Rongotca Do haling Society was hold in the Primitive Methodist Schonlrom last night, Air Socket presiding. The balance-sheet showed an expenditure of £3 4s, and receipts £5 14s, leaving a credit balance of 10s. The following officers wore elected : President, Air .Tames Penny; vice-Prosidouts, Rov. Wilson and Air Rockol; Secretary, Airs Williams ; Treasurer, Mr Percy Gifford; committee, Messrs Tobeck, Parker, Ross, Dr Standahl aud Aliss Harper, with the officers, ex officio. A sot of rules were submitted and adopted, and 40 new members were enrolled. The retiring President, on behalf of the Society, presented Rev. Mr Sims, on the eve of his departure, with a handsome dressing case, aud expressed tre good wishes of the Society for Ids future prosperity. Mr Sims suitably replied. The first meeiiug will ho held on March 4th. when a literary evening will bo enjoyed. Rheumatic Pains Relieved. The quck relief from rheumatic pains afforded by Chamberlain’s Pain Balm has surprised and delighted thousands of sufferers. It makes rest and sleep possible, and a groat many have been permanently cured of rheumatism by the use of this liniment. For sale by T. Ih Bredin Alarton; Ellis Bros., Huntervillo; and AV B. Clark, Bulls.

Hew goods for the autumn season aro now being opened up at the Bon Marche, Feildiug, Ladies should sec; the magnificent selection of imported millinery now being shown in Messrs Spence & Spence’s Showroom. The agonising pain, stiffness, and soreness of the joints and muscles, felt by sufferers from rheumatism, is quickly removed by Bnmnio. All chemists and stores, 2/(5 and :'c we- bottle. Try it.