Rangitikei Advocate. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9166, 9 June 1908, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

SIR Joseph Ward has one of the qualities of a good general—that of making all preparations beforehand for a campaign, and leaving as little as possible to chance. It was qualities like these which enabled Lord Kitchener to achieve success in his campaign against the Mahdi and to wear down the opposition of the Boers in the South African war. With his largo majority in the House it might have been expected that Sir Joseph Ward would slightly relax his efforts, hilt he shows no signs of doing so and continues to organise his supporters for the next election. One of the severest battles in this district will be fought in the Oroua electorate, whore the resignation of Mr Lethbridge has left the field open to all comers. It was generally recognised that Mr Lethbridge would be a hard man to beat, and his retirement will therefore encourage the Government party to put up a hard fight to gam the seat. At the last general election the voting was— Lethbridge 3177, Pleasants 1191, Hornblow 1045. It is therefore evident that Mr Lethbridge just failed to poll an absolute majority of the votes, and as the Premier proposes to'paes a Bilk this session to provide that no candidate can he elected who does not secure such a majority, the existence of an independent candidate or of two Government candidates will in all probability be of no service to the Opposition. No time should therefore be lost in deciding on an Opposition candidate to whom the support of all sections of the party should be loyally given, and in beginning the work of organisation, which will only end when the last vote been polled.

THE figures given in the recently published statistical comparisons for the years 1903 and 1907 are of considerable interest. Population exclusive of Maoris has increased 15 per cent, in the five years, but occupied holdings have only increased 12 per cent., and laud in 14 per cent, showing that the towns have tended to grow rather than country settlement. It is significant that the unimproved value of land is stated to have increased 58 per cent. in the period under consideration, while the value of improvements has| increased 45 per cent. An increase in the unimproved value of land of nearly eleven million pounds per annum gives food for thought as to where the process will end. Eailways show an increase of mileage of 7 per cent, with an increase of receipts of 40 per cent. The year 1907 probably was the culminating point in that boom in prices, and this fact is well howu in the export returns. Wool which only increased 7 per cent, in quantity, increased in value by 128 per cent., or more than doubled in value as compared with 1902. Frozen meat similarly increased 10 per cent, in quantity and 26 per cent in value, butter 29 and 34 percent., cheese 216 and 305 per cent., flax 37 and 59 per cent. Taken as a whole exports increased in value by 46 per cent, while imports increased 53 percent. Generally we may say that the prosperity which the country has enjoyed duringthe last five years has been due not so much to increased production as to a remarkable rise in the prices obtainable for our exports, a result which the people of Now Zealand cannot affect in any way. The conclusion to bo arrived at is that a prosperity founded on such a foundation, should not be treated as if it were a permanent condition of our national existence.

THE progress of Gorman colonies is so slow that it: needs a very hopeful temperament to believe that they am worth the money they cost. The area is almost the only satisfactory point about, these colonies, which are 2,600,000 square miles in§oxteut, with a native population of thirteen millions. The results hitherto pro-

vided by these possessions would discourage any other man but William 11. lu 1906 the census of the German colonies showed that there was only 527 G Germans in the Imperial,possessions in Africa, and 076 in the Pacific Islands —this, too, as the result of twenty years of effort and in a territory five times greater than that of Germany. The .miouial army, amounting to 18,000 men, is, cf course, not included in these returns; but, on the ocher hand, the missionaries, the officials, the police, the excise, and all the families of these individuals are included, so that the proportion of German colonials resident is almost ridiculously small. The colonial budget for 1907 amounts to nearly £8,000,000; la the past decade they hare cost £34,000,000 without counting special credits, and of this sum over £30,000,000 has been spent on military enterprises.

WE observe that attempts are being made by those who formerly violently advocated socialism, to persuade farmers that they should support the candidature for Parliament of any Ministerial supporter, provided he happens to be a farmer. But, unfortunately, experieuee shows that when such men are sent to Parliament they are Ministerial supporters first, aud farming interests receive no consideration whatever if the Ministerial position's in danger. And as the present Ministry is inseparably connected with socialism and all attacks that have been made on the farming interest in the shape of destruction of the freehold tenure and piling the taxes on the land, the farmer who studies Ids own interest, and that of the colony as a whole, will vigorously oppose the candidature of any man who is a supporter of the present Ministry, and thus indirectly allies himself with the socialists and other enemies of the farmer.

A public meeting at Wairoa decided to petition Government to acquire two estates totalling 1800 acres for closer settlement. The lands would he cut into 36 farms |aud adjoin the town. Petitions will be circulated.

At Wanganui yesterday the ceremony of turning the first sod in connection with the municipal tramways was performed. Mrs Mackay, the Mayoress, turned the first son.

and the wives of Councillors and the daughter of the Mayor followed her example.

Mr L, M. Hill, “Halt! on,” Manga - noho, sends us some raspberries which have just ripened, as evidence of the lateness of the season. Though most raspberry canes at this time of year are quite bare of leaves the specimen sent us lias young fresh leaves, flowers and. immature and ripe fruit.

Two Inglewood boys found an acetylene gas generator, turned the tap, and got a flame. To get a bigger flame they shook up the generator, and presently there was an explosion. The generator .was blown to pieces, and one of the boys, named Bisbell, had his face badly cut. The other, Massicks, escaped unhurt. An ex-volunteer who slates that be has recently “found religion” has written to an officer of the Wellington City Rifles as follows ;—“'Several years ago, when I was in your company attending class-firing, etc., I took several packets of ammunition at different times. Please find enclosed sum, which will more than pay for same. My reason for doing this is that, having got right with God, I must get right with man.”

Judgment was given yesterday at Wanganui by Justice Cooper in the case Lound and Pedersen and others v. Marten Club. His Honor held that the Sash and Door Company had established ;’a claim to £192. Lound and Pedersen to £215, and Messrs Tiugey to £154. Out of the £365 available costs amounting to £45 were to be paid, the Company was to retain £3O to complete Tiugey’s sub-contract and the balance of the money was to be divided pro rata among the claimants.

A rise in the price of meat in Wellington is pending, as the wholesale ineat vendors have notified the retail butchers of an intended increase. Some retailers are somewhat indignant, as they contend that the advance is not justified, and they urge the establishment of municipal abattoirs. Inquiries in Dunedin show that no increase is likely to be made in that town for the next couple of mouths.

At the meeting of Westland Licensing Committee the chairman (Mr Acbeson, S.M.), refused to adjudicate on an application for a new license in Hokitika in consequence of anonymous letters to the local press imputing to him and other members of the Committee personal interest in the license. In announcing this decision Mr Acbeson, S.M., commented very severely on -'the action of the newspapers in publishing correspondence of this nature. He intimated that unless the names of the writers of these letters were divulged libel proceedings would probably be commenced.

With reference to the appeal made by Messrs R. J. Eutricau (of Auckland) and E, G. Frost (of Tuakau) for assistance for the Maoris in distress in the Waikato, the former gentleman states that there has been a good response from charitablydisposed people. Over six sacks of good clothing have been received and duly forwarded. The clothing was distributed amongst the Maoris from Hnatly down to the Waikato Heads, where the distress was the most severe. Amongst those who sent clothes was Lady Stout. RHEUMATISM. Ur. Sheldon’s Magnetic Liniment cures more cases of rheumatism every year than all the so-oaMed rheumatism medicines combined. It will penetrate to your very bones; soothe and subdue the pain. The first application will relieve, [and continued use effect a permanent; cure. Guaranteed to cure, or mouey back Accept no substitute. Price, Is. 6d and 3s, Obtainable at all stores, Martou, Ellis Bros., Hunterville, and Mansell & Sou, Bulls.

In the Napier Licensing district 85 prohibition orders were issued this year us against 57 for the year before. Francis Healy alias Heenan, alias Walsh, arrest**!} for alleged com-pih-ity in the Otir-i sH'.* robbery has btea remanded to Grt-y.^outh. The rainfall last month m Lower Raugitikei was 2. 44 in. ; average for May is 3.07 in. Total rainfall np to May 31st is 9.87 in., against 23. Coin, last year. Corby’s Hotel, St. Helens, near Seddouviile (Woiters liceussee) and an adjoining cottage, were burn# 1 down at 3 o’clock this morning. A female servant was badly burned. On page 2 will be found reports of meetings of Marton Borough Council and Technical School Committee ; page fi general news; page 7 Halcombe "and Waituna correspondence; page 8 In Bankruptcy. The Raugitikei Hotel at Bulls is now under new management, Mr E. L. Henderson, a well-known resident of Bulls, being the new proprietor. Commercial travellers and the public generally will find this house for comfort and convenience equal to those in larger centres.

Research scholarships have been awarded as follows :—Miss Clara _ M. Taylor, Victoria College, Wellington; Norman B. Ball, 8.A., Canterbury College; Alexander Gordon MacDonald, Bachelor of Mining Engineering, Otago University. Mr MacDonald will make a'speciai study of the brown coals of Otago from various points of view.

The Taihape Times states that Mr W. Patterson, of Raetihi, while out pigeon shooting on Friday, lost his way in the bush. Search parties went out but failed to find the wanderer, who, however, returned on Saturday very little the "worse for his adventure. He had heard the searchers, but having used all his ammunition and coo-ed 'till he was hoarse, was unable to make "them hear him.

Last night Mr R. Burne, J.P., Peilding, who is about to leave the town and reside at Napier, was entertained at a social by the Orange Lodge, for which lie has acted as treasurer during the past 18 months. He was preesuted with a beautifully inscribed sash. Mr Burne has filled the position of Borough Councillor and other offices in the town and there is much regret at the loss of such a good townsman.

Mr Arundel, who is at present in Auckland, says there is no truth whatever in the report of a serious outbreak of Beriberi at Ocean Island as cabled from Sydney on May 29th, though there has been good deal of mortality among Chinese Coolies on Pleasant Island. 160 miles from Ocean Island, which is leased by the Pacific Phosphate Company from the German Government. Tnere have been several deaths but nothing like three or four daily and several of these have been due to causes other than Beriberi.

A meeting of citizens of Palmerston presided over by the Mayor, was held yesterday to consider the most suitable form of welcome to the Governor on his arrival to take up residence in Palmerston on the 18th inst; A committee of twenty was set up and it was decided that the Mayor and Mr W. T. Wood, M. P., should meet the Governor on arrival.- He will then be escorted, if fine, to the show ground, and, if wet, to the Opera House where an address of welcome will be tendered. The volunteers are to parade and the school children will also assemble. It is probable that all business places will be closed on that day. A social function will be held on a subsequent evening.

The Chief Health Officer is gratified at the great improvement in the sanitary conditions and mode of |life he observed among the Maoris in the Rotorua district. On his return to Auckland yesterday he stated that the Maoris in the district were achieving excellent results in this direction, and that several of the chiefs were taking a very groat-in-terest in the sanitation of the pahs. In many instances old time whares were being replaced by houses built in accordance with modern health requirements, and tiiere was a general disposition ou the part of the Maoris to co-operate with the Health Department iu bringing about au improved state of affairs.

A report from Dargaville states that during a heavy thunderstorm which passed over the northern Wairoa ou Friday a number of men had a sensational experience at Aoroa. Shortly before three p.m half a dozen men were taking shelter under the verandah of business premises near the mil; tramway when a flash of lightning appeared to strike the wheels of a truck near by, causing a deafening report. One of the men present related his experience as follows : —■ “The lightning seemed to strike the truck arnktelauce into our midst. I was sitting on a bag of wool and was dragged to the ground, being rendered uuconsicous. My leg ami back were badly bruised. A roan named Dunn had his leg bruised and blackened for some inches, and my son was knocked through the door of the billiard room. The Government telephone wire was severed and blackened for some yards. ”

The meeting of parishioners of St. Stephens’ parochial district held in the Sunday Schoolroom last evening was well attended. The Vicar occupied the chair and gave a brief resume of the objects of the meeting. The parishioners’ warden detailed the scheme for the proposal to raise funds for the painting of the church, purchasing an organ and building a chamber for its reception. With the sale of the present organ about £l5O will be available to start with and by the eud of the year it is expected to bring the amount to over £2OO. It was unanimously resolved that the proposals of the Vestry be confirmed. Subsequently a snecial meeting of the Vestry was held and a sub-committee consisting of Messrs Fullertou-Smich, Young and the parishioners’ warden, was appointed to arrange details of tire several works. It is expected the organ which is to be built by the wellknown firm of Norman and Beard,' iitd., of Loudon, will fce complete in about ten months’ time. St. Stepflins will then have an organ second to none for its size in the Dominion. The parishioners are to be congratulated for their efforts to obtain suitable music for their church.

Safe and sure for bronchitis patients, TUSSiGUBA. the "arrant throat and lung cure, never fails to give refreshing relief. i