Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9116, 8 April 1908, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE question of differential rating is at present exciting general interest among county ratepayers in this district, and there seems to be a certain disagreement as to the relative advantages of general rating over counties as opposed to differential rating on ridings. In the past it has been customary in many cases to strike a general rate over the whole county, which has provided for management and maintenance of roads and brridges, while there have in addition been separate riding rates for new roads in the different ridings. Under this system there have often been complaints that one riding was benefiting unduly at the expense of others, but on the whole there has not been cause for serious dissatisfaction. Under the amending Act passed last session it is now necessary to levy general rates separately in each riding, though by the device of declaring all county roads main roads and levying the same general rate on each riding it would be possible to maintain the old system practically unchanged. As a rule, however, there will be some kind of differential rating established. Certain items will be charged to the general account, among which will be included salaries and office expenses, statutory charges such as charitable aid and contributions to hospitals, cost of machinery, opening gravel pits, etc. Rangitikel County Council will also add to this list the cost of up keep” of all bridges over 80 feet in length. So far as these items are concerned, all ridings will be rated equally, but in addition, estimates will be drawn up of the cost of road maintenance in each riding, and the rate struck to provide this amount, may vary in different cases. Individual opinion on the advantages 01 disadvantages of the system will largely depend on its effect on the pocket of the ratepayer concerned, but it will at least secure that monev raised in rates will, after paying for certain general charges, be expended in the district where it is collected.

THE Dunedin Bakers’ Trust, finding that the prices carefully arranged are being undercut by an enterprising rival outside the combination, approached Mr Fowlds with the request that Government should regulate the price of bread according to the current price of wheat and flour. Unfortunately our Ministers make a point of never giving a direct refusal to any request, however absurd, and, therefore, Mr Fowlds, found himself compelled £to treat the subject at some length. With the exception that a direct negative would have been the best way of dealing with such a proposal there is little fault to find with the following remarks of the Minister, who said that it was a rather big order for the Government to step in and regulate the price of bread. It would be a new departure in a policy that would have to be taken into consideration. He would be glad to put their representations before his colleagues, but he could not give any indication that the deputation’s wishes would be given effect to without the full consideration of the Cabinet. If this principle were applied to bread, it would be hard to say where it would stop. In any case, if Parliament were to agree to a proposal of the kind, he would rather expect that they would make it a maximum and not a minimum, and that would not be of any value to meet an emergencyplike the one the bakers were face to face with just now. There was, rightly or wrongly, an impression throughout the country that the price of bread followed the upward tendency of the flour market more easily than it followed the backward tendency.

THE resignation £of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman will cause no surprise to those who have noted the daily bulletins on the British Prime Minister’s health. His successor, Mr Asquith, will have a difficult task and events will prove whether he has the capacity to lead which Sir Henry 1 Campbell-Banner-man undoubtedly possessed. £Mr Asquith has great abilities and is a practised public speaker as well as one of the best debaters in theJHouse of Commons, but he is not a man who inspires great enthusiasm. Still, though he may alienate some of the more extreme members of the Liberal Party, it is doubtful whether a strong man, who is known not to be ready to yield to the demands of faddists of every kind, will hot be able to secure the support of sufficient votes to carry out his policy. In the Cabinet he will have the assistance of men of great ability, Sir E. Grey, Messrs Lloyd George, Morley, Haldane, Birrell and Burns, Yet even the most talented administrators have often failed to achieve any lasting success when their chiefs have not possessed that power.y so hard to define, hut so easy to f j recognise, which marks the real leaders of men.

The Mastertou butchers have decided to reduce the price of meat by a halfpenny per pound all round.

guarantors for the Napier Carnival have been called on to pay up the full amount of their guarantees, totalling £IOOO. The Premier is expected to visit Westland after Easter, when he will perform a ceremony in connection with the Otira tunnel works. On page 2 will be found notes on the recent Cadet Camp, the price of butter, and Mr Fowlds’ tour. On page 7 comments on Bishop Neligan’s recent address and other interesting general news. At Christchurch yesterday Lock , Wah, a, 70 year old Chinaman, was fined £5 and costs on a charge of having opium in his possession, and ordered to pay costs on a charge of smoking opium. The miners at Blackball held a meeting yesterday, to further consider the position, when it was resolved to continue the strike. It was resolved to adhere to the resolution passed refusing to pay ,the fine imposed on the Union by the Arbitration Court.

A prospector in Tasmania, has dis covered on the west coast the remains of a large iron ship which have evidently lain there a long time, as the plates are in an advanced stage of corrosion. There is nothing whereby to identify to what is remaining.

The Postmaster-General (Sir Joseph Ward) has refused a request of a number of residents of Raetihi and Ohakuue for telehponio communication with the Taihape telephone exchange, as the heavy expense involved would not be warranted by the probable addition of business.

The depredations of the , fruit fly caused 150 cases of oranges, 'Which arrived from Fiji by the Talune last week, to be condemned by the Agricultural Department, at Wellington. Included in the cases condemned was the whole of one line, consisting of 75 cases.

Mr F. F. Pemberton, of Raugiwahia, has purchased the “Eureka” homestead block, near Hamilton, Waikato. The property comprises 800 acres and is considered one of the nicest places in the Waikato district. Messrs Atkinson & Co., Ltd., Feilding, effected the £ale.

While the southern mail train was travelling yesterday in the vicinity of Thirlmere (N.S, W. ) two missiles, supposed to be rifle bullets, smashed a window. Two escaped. One was slightly cut by the splintered glass. Search failed to disclose any clue to the miscreant. Despite showery weather, exhibits have come in well for the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Autumn Show which is being held at Hastings to-day. Entries of fat stock fall short of last year in point of numbers, but entries of produce are generally more numerous A beginning was made with the judging yesterday, but the principal awards are set down for decision to-day. Mr Walter Miller, Chief Inspector of Stock, who is at present in Wellington, states that the successful applicants for sections in the Te Arai estate, in Poverty Bay, recently acquired from Mr O. Randell Johnson, are likely to make first-class settlers. He thinks the Government is to be congratulated on the stamp of men who have entered into possession of the land, and he predicts a great future for the district as the result of the cutting up of the block for closer settlement.

Mr N. Andrew, Wanganui, advertises a great bargain in cars. He has a thoroughly reliable agent in England who is on the look-out for first-olasa cars in new condition which are being sold by rich owners with a craze for the very latest. Now and then it is possible to secure a specially cheap up-to-date car, as good or better than new, and which, in spite of heavy freight and customs charges, can he purchased by the man of moderate means. The man on toe spot is securing these for Mr Andrew.

During the year ended 31st March, the excess in the number of persons who arrived in Wellington direct from oversea ports over those who have left Wellington direct for oversea ports was 3877. The number of arrivals for that period was 17,177, while the departures were 18,300. During the year the heaviest month for arrivals was January last, when 3565 persons landed. Last month 1650 persons left the Dominion at Wellington, this being the highest number for the year in any one month.

The stormy weather last week did a good deal of damage in the far south of Westland, traffic being interrupted for ten days. Mr Seddon, M.P., who is on a tour of the district, delivering post-sessional addresses, was delayed ten days in the Haant district owing to floods and road damage. The storm was a prolonged one, and in twelve days twenty|inches of rain fell. At Okura lightning and thunder were almost incessant. The telephone line was badly damaged, and is still interrupted. In the far South floods destroyed roads, and all ford crossings were badly scoured out.

Last week we reported that a young man named G. Louden bad been arrested on the charge of stealing a bicycle from an agent at Roeorua. The action was taken by W. J. Moodie of that town, and on Wednesday last accused was brought before the Bench at Rotorua and the case remanded till the following day. In the meantime the prosecutor realised that he had made a serious mistake and offered the defendant £SO compensation and a full apology. The offer was accepted, and the apology will be found in our advertising columns. The facts of the case were: Mr Louden purchased the bicycle from a Mr Bennett for £6, paying £2 down and agreeing to pay the remainder in £1 monthly instalments. He had paid £5 when Bennett sold his business to Moodie. The latter repaired the bicycle at a cost of £1 6s. On leaving Rotorua Mr Louden handed over both debt and bicycle to Mr Johnston, so that there was not the slightest ground for the charge of theft.

Every lady contemplating the purchase of a new jacket or paletot should see the beautiful stock of these goods now on display at The Bon Marche, Palmerston. The fit, style, and finish of every garment is pe"rfeot, and the prices most reasonable. The Ladies of this district are invited to inspect these charming goods.* Pearson’s Pepto-chlor worth gold per bottle to dyspeptics. All chemists iiS. 2s 6d & 4s.

Royal Rifles are reminded of the parade to-morrow evening. All members who intend going to camp must attend.

Messrs Jones & McGregor, Bulls, announce receipt of their first consignment of autumn and winter drapery. There was a poor attendance at the recent meeting of suppliers to Rewa Dairy Factory and the question of future supply was adjourned for a month.

It is stated in grain circles in Christchurch, that there is a probability that Australian flour will be imported in view of the fact that Icoal flour is up to £ll 10s. Broken Hill for the quarter show a decrease in value of £120,000, compared with the corresponding period,last year The output of metals, however, is even better, but the reduced value is due to the fall in the price of metals.

The exports of butter and cheese from New Plymouth for the months September ’O7 to March ’OB, show a considerable variation on those of the corresponding period last season. The export of cheese has increased from 12,000 to 24,000 cases and that of butter has fallen from 163,000 boxes to 120,000.

The Otago centre of the N.Z. Athletic Union has unanimously resolve :d—“That this centre, the stougest branch, comprising 43 affiliatedgbodies, endorses the action of the recent conference in imposing disqualification upon Southland Caledonian Society, for allowing a disqualified competitor to take part in the New Year sports.” At the statutory meeting of Wairau Harbour Board, constituted under the special Act of last session, Mr McCallum, Mayor of Blenheim, was elected chairman. Hon. Mr Millar, Minister of Marine, is visiting Blenheim in a few days when it is intended to make a request for endowments. The Board has neither rating nor borrowing powers. At a meeting of the Masterton branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants the following resolution was carried -.—That in connection with the Railway Review, this meeting of the Masterton branch of the Amalagmated Society of Railway Servants expresses its entire confidence in the Executive Council as at present constituted, and considers that Mr Hornsby was fairly treated by being able to tender for our paper, and it would have been an injustice to other publishers had the conference allowed Mr Hornsby to take over the same without tendering for it. The following officers of the Post and Telegraph Department are to retire on pension on account of the age limit, as from June 30th next: — J. Cameron, lineman, Palmerston; O. Sage', lineman, Ashburton; W. Parlane, lineman, Mercer; G. Morcum, letter carrier, Blenheim; E. Shirley, clerk, Napier; J. H. Weaver, telegraphist, Port Ahuriri; Miss S. Brock, clerk. Account Branch, G. P.O. ; Miss M. J. McKellar, clerk Account Branch, G.P.0., has been retired on pension on accounfc'of ill-health. Major H. F. Head, of the Royal Garrison Artillery (latterly commanding No. 14 Company at Bhoeburyness), hasiieen appointed Director of Ordnance and (Jommandant of the Permanent Forces in New Zealand. He was selected by the British War Office on behalf of the New Zealand Council of Defence, and will arrive in New Zealand shortly to take up his duties. Besides succeeding Major J. E. Hume (the officer commanding the Premanent Forces) Major Head will take over the duties of Director of Artillery, at present carried out # by Captain Richardson.

A lady editor in lowa, failing in a contest for the county printing, has taken advantage of leap year and advertised in her paper for a good printer-husband, “who can do the fighting and swearing for her.” A bachelor editor has written accepting the proposal. In hia paper he states his qualifications as a printer. “As to our fighting capabilities (he says) suffice to say we come from a family that kills ; on the swearing proposition, our press feeder says that we would be there with the goods, as we swear in seven different languages at once when things go wrong on press night.” It is understood that a wedidng will shortly take place.

The effect of the dry weather is shown by the supplies at the differeut dairy factories, says the Wairarapa Standard. Featherston Co operative Dairy Company is only receiving 700 gallons of milk per day, and will close on the 20th of April. This time last' year the supply was 2200 gallons. Tawaha factory is only receiving every other day, the supply being 150 gallons. This factory intends delaying the closing, as it is expected that the supply will go up a little on account of the growth of grass and the coming in of late cows. Gtaraia’s daily supply is 250 gallons, and it is not thinking of closing for several weeks to come.

In replying to a deputation of Dunedin dairymen, Mr McNab gave a distinct promise that the substantial improvements in regard to dairies and byres would not be enacted until there was sufficient statutory authority to compel landlords to bear their portion of the cost It was not intended to ask that byres be completely concreted, but there was necessity for having some form of paving impervious to water. Power would be given for appeal from the decision of an inspector to the Chief Inspector of Stock. If the regulations did network satisfactorily, he would be prepared at the end of twelve months to reconsider the whole position. He wished to make , it quite clear that the desire of the Department was to make the regulations educative rather than punitive. The Hon. E. McNab (Minister of Lands) spent a few hours in Christchurch yesterday. He arrived by the s.a. Maori from Wellington, and left by the second express, on his way to Central Otago, where he will join the Premier in a tour of that district. He intends to be in Christchurch again on Good Friday, and will he present at the Easter volunteer manoeuvres in Canterbury. He will then return to Wellington and will go up the Main Trunk Line in the North Island. He is accompanied on his trip to Central Otago by Mr G. Laurensou, M.P., who left Christchurch with him yesterday. Should you he looking for furs visit the show at the Bon Marche this week. Dingo and oppossum mats and mgs, ladies’ “fine stitch” and “grizzly bear” sets ,of stole and muff, specially selected real stone marten sets, ranging in price from 20 guineas to £35 the set. Finest goods ever shown in Palmerston. — Advt.