HUMAN HOLOCAUSTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 4, 6 January 1904, Page 2

HUMAN HOLOCAUSTS.

Writing aprupos of the iveetvt fire in hive Irowwise Theatie, Chicago', the New Zealand Times gives a brief retrospect of disasters -by lire at theatrical and other amusements, which tfliiG'WS 'tine loss of 'human H'fe to have bean perfectly appalli'ivg. Writing, a year or two ago. a statistical authority compiled tig/irofl on the subf:l, showing 'that between the years "st> and 1900, a period of 150 soars, U*ere Im'd occurred a>bout 700 lires iu theatres and similar buildii.!gu, involving' the 'death of 0000 victims. In a theatre at Caipo d'Islriu (a sea/port in Austria, with to-day a population of neaNy 10,000) a tire occurred in 1794, when thwie were 1000 victims. Another at fcK. lieterubtug, in caused 600 deaths. In the Canton Theatre fire in 1845 the number was 1(?70, In anotlrer theatre fire at Tientsin in 1872 there were 500 victims. At Brooklyn (New York), m 18?(>, 000 people lcdt their lives. At Vienna, in 1885, 450 fell a sacrifice to the flame«. Tn 1867, in Paris, there wwe 109 victims, many persouis of both sexes, it will 'be reinenJ.X'red, being of high position-. In the same 1 year, i'n a fiiv in the theatre at Exeter, there died 188 persons ; and ! a:t Oporto, in 1888, there foil 110 I |>e*ple. Since 1890 there have been I eevwal fatalities o>l the same kwd, but no'ne approaching such serious I moults as any of those mentioned ; ajud now this terrilble disaster in ' Ohica/g'o appears to exceed, with but two exceptions, the death roll reI corded in the foregoing instances. It is ixiculiai ly saddening to think that |so many people should iutve lost their lives wluile enjoying themselves with a sense of security ; and the ksitowledge that such disasters aiv preventable casts a heavy responsibility upon those charged with seeing to the pntijiic safety. The municipal authorities will be held culpable if they fail to profit by the terri'ble warning!) recorded. ON THE FOURTH PAG E. Foutljall. The UackMoc'ks. An American Opinion, Ifri/lo Slioo'iing". Lytteitom Gasworka. itise of Port Arthur. A Horrifying Ikmth. Is Australia Heady for War ? Other Worlds than Ours. . NEWS OF THE DAY. Wt l fti-p in of a vorv n«\t (fesk <lh«r.v aim ca-Uixier far iyi)J fi-om Mr Herbert Graves, propiietor of tho I'alfa brick woi-ks. The inquiry into mutters surrounding the (ieuth of Mr Ituckoridgti*, of the Kiu Ora, has l)een lixed for Thursday afternoon at Qis'bornc. A 'Scottis'li gentltMimn bus ena»J>lt'd tlio Sfottish Aii'turctic expydition to iortt ut liiu'nos Ayres and ivtuin to tihe Alntarttic. The W'este.van Hinndftv School's aivnaial {lit-iuc will u> l w J(] m lihiurstiav week, January 14th, at Barrett's l,a|jyx>n. Particulkirs of tlw oniting will he a'J-vetiised later. At tlio inqueMt touching the death of the late C. I). Wlvßcombe, Dr. Fooketi stated the cause of death was an affoction of the heart, which was in a 4ad »tut«. A verdict was returned aucoi'<Jinj(y. The West Coast Hi'i'rig'ei'atmg Co. Ijtd., sf>ij)[XKf from I'a tea during December 15,284 boxes of butt«r, and 1371 caseS of ckeese. Tho produce was all sent to the United dmn. On the 81st ult there were in the works 762") Iwxes of butter ajid WOO cases of cheese, Tho following additions have be«n made to the list of subscribers on tlio Telephone Exchange —No. 218, Municipal Baths ; 140, Mrs J. S.' Carthew, Watson Street; 270, Mcualread Nursery Company l)e----po™ Devon Street ; 129, Martin and Son, coul merchants ; 199, Mrs Mitchinson, Devon Street. Possibly owing to tlio threatening weaWier tihe list of persons araxions to make tho Mokau trip on Friday did not lill Kulliciontly yesterday, and it is uTOlerstooJ that arrangements will be nuvde lutor ujt, wh«i porbaiw the weather god will be more propitious. This moTOiniff lit 0.30 Messrs Deivley and (irilliWis will sell by ftuction at tlwir miart 88 cases of fresh' fruit, iiK-l'ildinvf allies ani|d plums, etc. Tlie auctioneers wish to draw attention to tlkj spleridiid Irish peach and otiher early van-ietfes o-f apples. " , Life is a perplexing' riddle. Fiftyfour years afi|o two boys went out tc Natal. One ol them rose to tie first Premier of tho colony, a great editor, and 1 >elted knight. Sir Jolm whow dcatli T read of the other day. was that bov. And the other lloy ?Hp drifted tn» N t w Zealand, and! Js How an inmate of the Costley Home ! And sp the world wags—Mercutjo, in tho Aucklaiio fTeruld.

The Standard Oil Company recently declared a quarterly dividend of £2 Ids per share, making £<J ;i a ■ld f<v tho pust twelve months. As the capital stock is 100,000,000 doll lars, the dividends distributed for the year amount to 44,000,000 dollars Of tKi.s »iulg)u mini Mr .John ]). ltockl'ellcr, who holds 65,000,000 dollars of tho Stock, received 28,600,000 dollars— say, i 15,720,000 the biggest annual m B om ( , {, vm trading i n one article known in thy world, An old saw is that bad news travels fnst, Tho tfact (hat a bare-fac-ed swindle wax perpctruU>d at the late Taranakl race meeting is discussed from Auckland to the IllulY. Thjo Lyttettjon TSmes hus taken up the cudgels on behalf of the public and in an article Bays Tlhei'o are scores of bare-faced swindles perpetrated on our raeecouives every season, which go uncondomnod, because tho newspapers are afraid of tho lai'.v of l|be| and thj> oflicials are too timid to interfere. Tliey have got a direct interest in the iug now, and they do not care unless tho ofTenco Is very flagrant, to do an,ything that would disturb public interest 111 (lie totalisator. This Is at Hut Motion) of tile whole mu,tlei'." At present tho press lias not a chance of exposing to the full these pt|u.-tkuis. 'fjioy soo the "crookedness" of a race, and hear the voixlict of the stewards—readily furnished, as a rule— l HfU't never hesV or nee tiw evidencs taken,

Mr GJiximfl/erJmit states that alien immii'gfiatroii U, England oirgiltt to he ivgulated o'i. Uw liii=es of United States legislation'.

Two- hmwired cases of fruit oi all kinds will bo offered at Mr N-ewtow King's mart this afternoon, includimgi ripest varieties of apples, apricots, peu/ches, tomatoes, etc. The sale commences at 2 p.m.

The tragedy near Singleton, report<*l in a Sydney .ai'ble yesterday, was the outcome of the mother's melancholia:. She administered strychnine to herself and her three children.

"Old Canterbury" was largely in evidence at the railway station last natives and former resident* of the southern province braving the elements to meet the representative cricket team from Canterbury, travelling to Auckland to play an interprovincial match there. The team all looked well and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Several expressed fe"/?t there ;\vas n>o g;ood pitch Svere, so t'hat a match against Tarawalci might be arranig'd, and the visitors afforded an opportunity of inves'tiigaUvng the "Garden of New Zealand."

Another mstaavce of tire ignorance which prevails in many parts of the world regarding New Zealuiud is-quo-ted by the iN.'/j. Times. A Baltimore (U.S.A.) paper of recent date prints an illustration of a memorial alleged to have l/een erected by the Maoris to the late Victoria, anid adds —ji has become one of tho sights of the country, a fact which patriotic Australians do not fail to impress ypon tourists ami other visitors." It will amaze New Zealanders to Jiivd such blank igimoranx e regardiirg their cou-ntry existing iM the seventh largest city in point of population in the United Stales.

It is taking a mercenary view of it, but courtesy 'pays sometimes, says a writer in tlw New r /\land Herald. I met a man in a tramear the other night who had given up his seat to a lady. '"I always do it," he said, " and I don't think I lose by it and he then told me that five years ago he was in the theatre, which was packed, and he gave up his seat to a lady. Her husband invited Ivim out during) the interval, ; «and <in the course of coivvors-tiLion learnt from him that he was out of work. "Come and see me to-morrow," said the husband, " I think I can find you something to do." The result wat that ho was engaged, and has been in the same employment over since.

'lUo wet] (Weathei interfered with the attendance at tho Theatre Royal last night, though indcr these conditions tl\>ro !Wajs a fain 'audijOnci

" The Power of Gol.J " was reijjeated with all tho \x?rvo ami l'orco of the opening production, and thy audience was well pleased. New Plymouth people may consider themselves fortunate in receiving the first visit of Sanford's talented American Players, who have stagtd all their plays in a manner which came as an eye-iopaner to many who had expressed their doubts as to the company's capabilities,. We can conlidently recommend the Players and their plays to thaatre-goers in any part of tho colony. They are to play at Stratford, Hawera. and Wanjgianui next, and are Lfound to do good business,

A silvodking accident occurred on the Ste.\ne Court Aniutiemen'ts Gnournds, Sjdnej", on Dec. 24, as a result of which Mr Walter Ilaird, brother of the maniager of the company, was terribly injured, and is not expected to receiver. One of the principal amusements at the co>urt, which was only recently opened, is flluwting the chute, and it was in connection with this tihat the accident occurred. Mr liaii'd, at the time, \va;i at the f»ot of the inciine, tijiud was in coirnection with tlio transference of tire boats, which ha'd shot down the chute, on to a hlaiulfng device which takes the empty boats up again t-o t'lte top ol' the jtrra/n<j>'eiiient. The mn/ortuftate man stepped forward ju£t as a boat hvadttd with pas'Somgers was coming down the chute at a fearful rate. The air struck liim with full force tunlJ hurkd him into the water in which the boats plunge In order to slacken speed. The accident was witnessed by a large number of people wiho were in tile court, and those in the descending boat shrieked with hiorror, Mr Buird was lost to sigrht in the discoloured water, and a number of men iminodiately jirmpmi in und grojwd at/out for him. He wag brought out in an lukconscious condition, uai'd it wins at ojice ap[uirenit tliat he was seriously injured. A doctor was summoned, and he found that one of Mr Baird's tiiig'hs was broken, also several ri'tiu, and that ho hmJ received concussion of tho brain, besides wour.ds iiaiU abrah-ioiis about the body of a more w less j/ainful nature.

The following is the list of visitors staying at the White Hurt during the month of Pocenjlx'r :—Messrs IS. Geath, J. Hw b % J. Murrow, K. Lluilt and family, It. Jay, G. Franklin, Mr and Mrs Lediivglharn, Mr and 'Mrs A. Myers, Mr and Mrs G. Swan, Mrs and Miss Wylitis, Messrs G. Li. Hall, Croat., T. K. Skinner, G. Clark, Alan;LgX)ineiy, Mr and Mrs Naish, Mr J. T. Frith, Miss Taylor, Messrs Saphir, Pe&ttie, Callenklcr, Fawcett, Borthwick (2), E. Sweet, P, ltyun, F. H'. Chisholni, J. Pope, 11. S. Ch'isholm, Goo. Tallis, Vcitch, Mrs 0. Bayl.v, Mrs J, Mackay, Mr J. La.in>g, Mr unci Mrs C. Bayley, Mrs Black, Mr Durrance, Mr uinlil Mrs Curnow, Messrs J. G. Hunter, Geo. Hull, Walkley, C. Tlrod'ic, W. Wilson, Hammond, White, I'lVrsofls, Stjtt, Walter, Pejikes (2), McLeotl, Duntam, Puarson, Brigys, Mr and Mrs Burnett, Messrs Mackintosh, F. Maekay, Kdbertsan, Puck, Syme, Clay, (,'aj[)t. MMthi'ws, Messrs Wiamcatt, 11. Miss Koxy Ihu-ton, Messrs G. AViilloug'lilby, Anderson, Oilman, T. Low, S! L*. Clay■den, Miss Campbell, Messrs Midlanil, Blumlell, lireijwc'tor Kiely, Messrs Hialcom'be, Podensen, Baber, .-■> lack. Catiii'o, Miss Hooper, Air and Mrs Smeilie, Messrs Soutliey Baker, I'eterkin, Gray, .Stovens, Gentles, F. Green, 1). U'Sullivam, Powell, Phillips, Willcocks, Burni-s, J. McChißs»ge, Synies, Itottenibury, Beattie, Mr uinjd Miss Howayne, Mi- aaid Miss Hcslop, Messrs W'hitcomhc, McIvor, Cflpin, Gjii'e, A. Bqker, Sir Alliod CuiJman, Muster Cud man, Messrs Farmer King-, G. Gardiner C -Miwudsley, Gray, Mr and Mrs 'AiberI crombie, Messrs Brqdie, Lucas Mrs Sutton, Mrs and Miss WHfonl,' Mes|srs Van Stawn, Parry, Lom.beth, Mr and Mrs (.'amnion, Mossrs Jack Wright, Burr, W-rigley, C. Benjamin Llo.V|d, Ca/pt. Knigiht, Messrs Kebbell (2), Wjuisey, Professor Brigilram Messrs Morrison, Copeland, Stewart Mitchell, 11, BrookP'* l Mr » Wwe-«iccwt, Mtssis Skeet, J, l'arker, Harle, ijr u/nd Mrs Uuscoe, Mrs and Miss Cutlickl Mrs iiml Miss Breww, Messrs • blattßiy, Berth wick, Withe- ™ Mr ,U,ld , M^ >uu\ Mi awl Mra Trolov Mess son Mr Fai ril I>udne - v ' Ntchot (j), Mr and Mrs Howe Mv nn ,i Mrs Wujtk'ins, Messrs Walker ij,,. OiHocsemaji, Curtavme r>icl-sn<n if!' lock, Kelpe, Stock v,/ll r ,' 0t " '•"OKPr. Mr a'nd m™ A. Tii^ s V n "r Messrs Thjiruhftin, Brewer V, i Mi* W. iteoxl, Messrs JI i IniT ■Wf.v, Mr miri Mrs A'id rows' latuilv, M] M .. m ,, IV" »"*' Muse's MaVC^^Mr'S'M 0 ' —•ester, Mr and U' IVkv" M„ '/■ L UWh«H, Clucfts KeaK' ~, Mr Wml Mfs Hlr°Mr' S | J t r8 ' Noedh a'«. ' Alw "■lll, Mr and Mrs G Weiton vr Black, h. M. Jay, m"'* uwto, Mr QMwii 81(1 Mwsefi

A Taiiuva.ki farmer, writin'g l io the VeLeriuaifl' Department in regard to the disease which l>rolke out amongst hor.ses in Canterbury last month, confirms I Ik* '(luig-nos'i-s of the department's olHcers. T'ne sumo <iisieas % e, huts, he says, been pi-evaleivt in Tarumaki for years. It is wot so b:vd umongst horses out on gross, those ct.iutiik'd in slables invariably suilerimg mo«t. lie aduls tlmt the disease was not brought by th<e truo'ps from Smith Africa, and that it is only a Torm of influenza, from which the horses soon reco\er.

An Austrian inventor claims to have di.-jeowrud a muthm) of preventing ihe warping of floors, conwLtiicUu! of xyl'olilhe (a mixture of sawdust, burnt iiuignesitc*, a'n'd magnesium chloride), ile dives this J>y fixing sheet iron*, open-work, or reticulated plates to the foundation, utad in.W.uOding tlvem to five plastic nmt-ej'ial. For coverijig iron floors in ahip.s, etc., the reticulated plates are laid U.uvsely on the lomidaLkyn, U'Ud a series o'f cjossculk are made in the partially htwdene-d xvfr\lith<* covering' by thin knife blades to allow for exiwtnyio'Ji.

Siberia, no far from Lorn# u conntry of desolation, is i'n sonic districts as green aiikl fertile u land as .Australia. Probably the iiussia-ns themselves have no definite ideas •uiUjut the marvellous fertility of this territory, which occupies so large a sip ace on the map of Asia. The soil is of groat richness, ai.d Ute crops, wherever the country is cultivated, are of almost phenomenal abundance. For the most part it has lain idle so long tlmt its productive power is almost illimitable. The forest tracts are luxuriant, and the natural irrigation system magnificent. There is room in Siberia for millions of colouvists, and an iajllrnid-ant living for them all, without drawmg n,poji the equally extensive mineral resources o/ this wonderful country.

For over 150 yeurs the light from the Uzand i'uinl has grectud Hie Eng|lish'ii»an as lie returns to his country from the south or the west, airjd has shone -a "Ciovd-lbye" to the outgoing traveller. In the course of thane years coal lircf; have given place to oil, and oil to electricity, aud mow anotlver change has been mmJc wlaieh will add to the efficiency of the fjizai'd light. The faiiijliur tilou'blc fixed light has given place to a single electric light of greater power than any yet known. This new light exhibits one flajs'h every five seconds, amd the intensity of the I'i'jjllvt has been so increased that it is hoped (says Wie l'all Mall Gazette) it will (be visible even lihroug'h the curtain of mist and baize that so often lies over tire co-a.st. 'I he distinctive character of the light will also make it possible lor any ship which hus lost her 'bearings to recognise it immediately. nn\i so ascertain' her wherealboxits.

ll|e manner in which a man warned Jt t-utust-Uik'a, an Austrian, was convicted of killing and eating his (laughter, who recently turned up alive ami well, discloses extraordinary methods employed by the Austrian police. A gendarm,e, .who found llraluselika working in a lield, knocked him over, and. bringing the point ol his bayonet to the man's hivast, ordered him to confess to tho nniifler ol his as ho vailuvd his iifa. bratuschka, overcome by fear, thereupon admitted thlut to had committed the enure. When taken before the lmifeiistrate, the prisoner, who is a Slay, and does not understand Gorman, withdrew his confession. The magistrate/however, strongly advised him, 'throuig'li an interpreter! to Ptiick to Iris confession with a view to mitigatiing his doom, and he again did u« lie was bid. Before the jury he stoutly denied his guilt, but his two pievious confessions were against him, and the village surgvon testified that bones which Bratuschka had been munching were human bones. He was sentenced to death, but reprieved, and the officer who forced the confession from Win was recommended for promotion. On the return of his daughter Bratuschka was of course, liberated. ■

Dr. Gordon, who will shoitly visit New Plymouth with Wirth's circus, gave a remarkable exhibition of his greait,,stninlgith i. u DuneJUm «n Thursday last. Lower liattray-street was crowded, says the Ota®o Daily Times, it, having Ijeeni announced that Dr! Oordon, the sfrong man of Messrs Fit/jgierald Bros.' Circus would act as a human swingletrec between a lorry with a five-toii loiad of iron pipes and a four-liorse team, 'flic lorry was attached to the flaring man's biceps by inesis of chains and sti-aps, while tho chains i.ttached to the horses were held in the doctor's hands and strapped there. 'Dhe signal being given, tho 'horses were started, mud Dr. CtaKlon 'Bind the lorry followed, the doctor standing the Jerk with apparent ease. A </uick paiee was maintained until the rise to the post oflke was reached and mounted. Just at tho comer of Pi an electric car came round tho corner and sped down on tho lorry, and it seemed to the great crowd 'assembled that a serious accident was iraovitolbro, p r Gordon, however, has not U'en called a strong, man for nothing, and by one tremendous effort of Ms great frame he swung tho loi.rrj' rolunfl'acd thol oollision which, fdlljowed was In part averted, only a couplo of handrails on tho front of the car being broken. Tile doctor had wriggled his back under the fore part, of the lorry and lifted Jt rounklf 'When released from the' dang|eilous itosi'tion at tho post oflice Dr. Gordon fastened the trace chains used on the oieasjon to the l'"'ry, and with one hand snapped one of the links in tho chain. A war of .appjause (greeted 'this aet, und tlireg hearty clHHirtt »yprp given as the doctor made his ' way dirougih the crowd.

Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and Keepers, certainly tho finest stock on the West Coast of Now Zealand. A good present with each wedding ring at J. H. Parker's, Jeweller, noxt Railway Crossing, Devonstreet, New Plymouth-—Advt. A groat slaughter of human animals, such as Pleas, Plies, Lice on Plants, on Fowls, on Horses, on Children's Heads ; Cockroaches, &c., will be effected by \ising Hock's Mortpin Insect Powdpr (ifld Spreaders, Wiji kill wit(ri'n five mlnut"s «v----ery fly in a cloned room. l J ri(;e, .1/ each. Buck's Mortein is world-fam-ed, but cunningly imitated. Tho public will kindly seo thu,t the proprietors' nojme, P. Dock and Co, is on evei'y tin, as none is genuine without it. All chemists and stores.*

The liest medinne known Is Sander & Sons' Eucalypti Extract, and its eminent powerful effects in coughs, colds, and influenza make relief instantaneous. For serious cases, and accidents of all tdtttfs, bo tlioy ' WQHnfls, scaldings! brqisps, qr sprfvips, it is the safest remedy—no swelling, no inflammation. Like surprising effects producod in croup, diptheria, bronchitis, inflammation of lungs, swelling, etc. diarrhoea, dysentry, diseases of the kidneys, and urinary organs. Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract is In use at hospitals und ui.;dical clinics all Qvor the globe ; Patronised by 111? the King of Italy crowned with modftls am ) diplomas at International Exhibition, AmsMrdam. Trust in this approved and roject all Qthers;—Advt.