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Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9071, 11 February 1908, Page 4

The rainfall in Lower Rangitikei last month was .8 inches. The average for January is 2.89 inches. Parliament, according to Sir Joseph Ward, is expected to meet on June 23rd (the shortest day), and to disband about September. Last year Parliament sat two months later.

The following are the latest alterations to Mar ton Telephone Exchange list: —Add: 81, G. S. Rawson, private residence; 82, H. E. Young, bootmaker. Delete : Goods sheds railway. The call for the booking office is now one long ring. At a meeting held in Mr Aitken’s woolshed on Friday dast it was decided to hold the annual meeting of the Paraekaretu Equestrian Sports on Wednesday, April Ist. The programme and other particulars will be advertised as usual. We have received an amusing report of a meeting held by a labour agitator recently. The account is doubtless correct, but the meeting appears to have been of a private nature, aud the law of libel in this country prevents us from publishing it. It is chiefly remarkable for throwing into strong relief the ignorance, audacity and bumptiousness of the peripatetic agitator who makes his living by sowing the seeds of dissension and harvesting the crop. The Hawke’s Bay Education Board resolved to enter a strong protest 4 against the delay of the Education Department in making additions to school accommodation when such additions are in accordance with the Education Act aud objecting to the principle of having to moke personal application to the Minister of Education before the provisions of the Act can be given effect to. The Board also approved of the principle of uniformity in school books. A terrible accident occurred on the railway line near Paisley, on Wednesday, December 4th. There were four .sets of rails at the place, two for the up-trains and two for the down-trains. Eight surfacemen and their ganger were on the line when the Caledonian Express from Glasgow came up whistling vigorously. Just behind the express and, on the rails alongside came a light engine. The steam from the express hid the men from the driver, and also hid the second engine from the railway hands, with the result that when they stepped off the line on which the express ran they were mowed down by the other engine. Seven men were killed, the gauger and one of the men alone escaping. A peculiar case was heard at Wellington Magisrtate’s Court, before Mr Riddell, S.M., yesterday. William Rattray Pope was charged with obtaining from Joseph William Salmon the sum of £6 Os Id by false pretences, and also committing the theft of £6 Os Id, the property of the Westland Timber Co. Evidence for the prosecution only was heard. It was stated that St. Thomas’ Church, of which the defendant was vestryman, had ordered goods, which had been supplied, but not paid for. It was further alleged that the vestry had paid the money to Pope to pay the Company, and the latter had not yet received it. His Worship held that the evidence for the prosceution had in no way established a case. With regard to the charge of false pretences, it was quite clear that there was no intention to defraud, as Mr Salmon, by his evidence, had stated that he was 'quite aware of what the defendant was doing. In connection with the charge of theft, His Worship held that no case had been made. It was quite clear that there was a civil debt, but there was no need to resort to criminal proceedings. Both informations were „ accordingly dismissed, with costs £1 Is, in favour of the defendant.

A very enjoyable plain and fancy dress ball was held at the residence of Mr W. Lewis, Greatford, on 6th February. The room was prettily decorated for the occasion by Misses I. Kitney and M. Lewis. The dance was opened by the Grand March Quadrilles played by Mr O. Stewart. A few of the * fancy dresses were Miss L. Gomez “Good Luck,” Miss M. Lewis “Queen of May’,’ Mrs J. Adams “Gipsy Queen,” Miss I. Kitney “School Girl,” Mrs A. Ashby “Summer,” Miss E. Kitney “Powder and Patches,” Mrs H. Goile “Red Cross Nurse,” Mrs W. G. Moss “Marguerite Daisy,” Miss Beckley “Poppy,” Miss William “Christmas Cracker,” Mr McCain “Doctor Pat,” Mr J. Adams “Stock Man,” Mr T. Lewis “Swagger,” Mr B. Kitney “Baker,” Mr A. * Kitney “Rags and Tatters,” Mr W. Lewis “Monte Carlo,” Mr F. Davenport “Nigger,” Mr W. ar’ Neal “Weary Bill,” Mr H. Goile “Clown,” Mr Russell “House Surgeon,” Mr O. Stewart “Poor Old Joe,” Mr A. Ashby “Highlander,” Mr E. Goile “Rough Rider, ” Master James Goile “Baker Boy.”‘ Extras were played by Mrs J. Adams, Stewart, W, and E. Goile, Ashby, and Northover. Mr B. Kitney and Mr J. Adams acted as M.O.’s, and carried out their dutie s perfectly. Songs were sung by Messrs Adams, Stewart, Kitney (2), Lewis, Goile and'Northover. The in splendid order and dancing was kept up till the small hours of the morning, concluding with “ Auld Lang Syne. ” THE BALTIC SEPARATOR IS A MONEY MAKER.

For capacity and clean skimming there is no machine to equal the Baltic Cream Separator. Its new special arrangement of feeding the milk to the separating planes is as superior to the split wing system of other machines as the modern railway train is to the old stage coach. It is the most reliable machine, easy running, gives no trouble, and. will pay for Itself in increased output of butter. Write for further particulars and pratcical proof to J. B. Mac Ewan & Co.. Ltd., sole agents, U.S.S. Co. ’s Buildings, Wellington. In connection with the 14 days’ big relinquishing sale, now being conducted by Mr John McEldowney, he wishes it to be understood that the old-established privilege that visitors have hitherto had of going through and inspecting the different departments and making inquiries as to prices, qualities or fashions, will be maintained.*

A large parcel of stamps sent in by Mr H. Silcock, Ohakea, has been forwarded to the Halcombe invalid. The Sandon-Ohakea Tennis Club played a match against Otaki at Palmerston, and came home victorious. ' , ~ A committee meeting of Marton Athletic Club is called for Friday evening. .

The Secretary of Marton Sports desires to acknowledge receipt! of 10s 6d each from Messrs A. J. Alloway and J. J. McDonald. Butteras Is per pound wholesale in Welllington, which will probabllyjfmean Is 3d per pound retail. It is understood that this rise has been made in sympathy with the present state of the London market. Yegterday Mr G. C. Wheeler stated to Mr MeNab that he would donate for the experimental farms, a selection from his purebred Hereford cattle and Romney stud sheep, and Mr McNab intends to send Mr Clifton, Chief Inspector of Stock, to make the selection. In view of the Christchurch fire, the Dunedin Fire Board is urging on the City Council proper reticulation of the area from Cumberland street to North Rattray street. Mr Cray, chairman of the Board, says there is absolutely no water supply whatever in Cumberland street to the north of -Jetty street. As an indication of the effect of the continued drought on the milk yield the Eltham Dairy Company is making 30 boxes less daily than it did the same time last year. To date the Company has made 40 tons, 540 tons less than up to this same time in the month last year. The spell of dry weather is said to be a record for the district. The Wellington electors yesterday elected Messrs Robert Fletcher and F. G. to the Harbour Board. There*were four other candidates. Shipowners paying dues elected Mr C. W. Jones (Wellington manager for the Huddart Parker proprietary), who defeated Mr James MeLellan. Mr J. G. Harkness was elceted without opposition to represent the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, of which he is president. Mr J. W. McSwen was elected to represent the combined Wellington suburban bodies on the Board. The birth-rate for New Zealand in 1907 was 27.31 per thousand of the mean population, the death-rate 19.5, as against 37.88 and 9.31, respectively in 1906. The deaths in 1907 (10,067) were greater than the number registered in 1906 (8339) by 1728, and the rate per 100 rose from 9.31 to 10.95. The number of marriages (excluding those contracted between Maoris) solemnised in 1907 is estimated at 8170, giving a rate of 8.89 per 1000, of the mean papulation against 7593, and £8.48 the actual number and rate in 1906.

Some three years ago it was considered in Victoria that the large quantities of apples, snch as windfalls, which go to waste every season or are given to pigs, could be turned into a marketable product in the form of cider. With this object a complete cider mill and appliances were imported by the Agricultural Department, and sent to various country shows, where the operation of cider making was demonstrated. The mill was also sent to several persons who desired to test the industry on a commercial basis. Several of them have since purchased mills for themselves and made much larger quantities of cider, and others have been induced to enter the field.

The Zeit publishes an interview witli the Duke Miguel of Braganza, the sou of a former King of Portugal and an officer in the Austrian Army. In the course of this interview the duke stated that he was so far a mere spectator of current events in Portugal. He had, however, urged immediate action upon his adherents who had visited him in London, stating that he was only waiting for the conflict between the people and the King of Portugal to come to a head. He was sure that a revolution is fast approaching, as the deeplyingrained love of the Portuguese people for liberty would only endure coercion for a short rime. He does not, however, believe that the Republicans will triumph, for the monarchical idea was rooted in the Portuguese mind, and the name of the Braganzas was very popular. The present dynasty had proved incapable of developing the “wealth of the country, and has almost completely neglected the grand colonial opportunities in Africa.