The Daily News SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1904. NEWS OF THE DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 183, 6 August 1904, Page 2

The Daily News SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1904. NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Waitara Volunteers, .through the efforts of Mr Jennings, MJI.lt., wall g*<t a twenty-one years' lease of the railway reserve required for drill shed purposes. The Returning Officer for the Pahiatiia electorate, after inquiries, says there is no truth in the rumour that the ballot box has been tampered with nt any polling booth. Before His Honor Mr Justice H<l- - in Chambers at Auckland, probate was granted in the will of Henry Seed, late of Eltham, farmer, fund of Thomas Smith, late of Lincoln Rood. Mr Percy Webster has entered on his duties as secretary of the Agricultural Society, and it is probable that steps will shortly be undcrt a.ken to organise the show of 1904. Time is now growing, short. The Napier Gas Company haß decided to make a further reduction in the price of gas to, lighting ss, large consumers 4s 7d and 4s 2d per thousand. With one exception, this is the lowest in the Australasian colonies. The Wellington Trades and Labour Council has passed' resolutions condemning the action of the Government in selling coal from Slate mines to private dealers instead of opening retail establishments in the city. At a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances .attending the late destructive fire at the Waitara Freezing Works, the jury returned a verdict that there was rio evidence to show how the fire originated, adding a rider that a night watchman should have been employed. The train which left Methven for Itakaia on Thursday morning at 7 o'clock had a. most unpleasiant experience, being stuck in a snow-drift in the Cairnbrae cutting, where the snow was five feet deep. A gung of men was put on, but tine train did not reach Itakaia. till 2.80 yesterday morning. Traflic is now resumed on th'is 'branch line. An Auckland telegram of Friday's date records a statement by MiClement Wragge that "after a few days' line weather we may look for a severe storm, which yesterday was southward of the Great Australian Bight,." He has christened this "Ward," in honour of the Minister for Railways, and he says that New Zealand generally will have cause to remember it.

On Wednesday next Mr Newton King will hold an unreserved sale of trees and plants at the llaymarket yards on account of .Messrs I). Hay and Son, of Auckland, 'lite consignment will include the best consignment of fruit trees 1 all well rooted and true to name, and as Auckland grown trees do remarkably well in this district farmers should not hesitate to stock their orchards. A splendid assortment of ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, and bulbs will also be included. At a MasUirton hotel on Saturday night a young man who had engaged a bed there, on presenting himself at the hotel "after hours," found the doors closed, Fearing he was locked out, he discharged a revolver, in tihe hope of attracting notice, lie attracted more notice than he expected for the police arrested him on the ground of discharging firearms in the 'borough. On Monday the accusfixl, who was a recent arrival from America, was lined or in default seven days' imprisonment. He stated that he carried the revolver to "shoot ducks." "A fellow of infinite wit," may safely be said of Mr Mel 1). Spurr, who lias 'been attracting large and appreciative audience." right through New Zealand. Mr Spurr came here with a great reputation, which he has more than justified 'by his excellent performances. Humour is the key-note of Mr Spurr's two hours' entertainment, but occasionally he lapses Irom guy to grave, and in the latter department shows lie is the master of pathos. Mr Spurr plays a farewell night at the Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening next, giving n n entirely new programme to the one rendered on his previous visit here. Quite n crowd assembled at the Moturoa oil-boring works yesterday, the news having reached town that th"re was a "burst" there, and that the promoters had "struck oil." In(piiries elicited the information that on leaving the papa formation tito drill had penetrated a sandstone stratum, and shortly afterwards there was a great escape of gas-,' throwing water and mud to a height of a'lKjiit eighty feet. The newly-discovered "geyser" continued operations during the whole of the afternoon. Mr Fair looks on this as a iflftst favourable indication, anil is sanguine of .success. The liore has now leached a 'depth of 1120 feel. The Christchurch I'ress says 'T|ie success attendant 011 the visit of I those famous experts and specialists I from the Dr. Langston Institute, ! Collins-s'lreet, Melbourne, has <been | very 11uirkc'.iI. The wonderful ci>m°- | bined ireatnunts under the direct supervision of that muster of speciu!j isf-:, "old Surgeon Laiigston," nre | as anxiously availed of in New /.en- | land as in Australia and likllu. The Institute, whkh has licen. established since 1887, has steadily grown in importance, until now it is the foremost of its Ivind in Australasia. The credentials which the representatives bring are the very highest for honourable, fair, skilled treatment. Our citizens w:fl have an opportunity of satisfying themselves during the stay of the specialists, which is necessarily short, on account of future engagements,

Snow foil in the coastal districts between Ts r ow Plymouth and Opunake on Wednesday and Thui-sday. The districts skirting the southern ha.su of the mountain were similarly favoured, but New Plymouth had to lw content with a hailstorm of a few minutes' duration. A prominent business man found a bulky parcel on his desk on opening his premises yesteiday morning. CompLtmeolUvi'y bouquets from young, lad'iwfc woollen eomloiterM from <ol«d Ladiesand all kinds of blessings, flashed into his mind us he opened the package. It contained three dead pups. On the petition of itobert Martin, of Wellington, Oeorge (lilhert, pa;inLer, of New Plymouth, has been adjudged a bankrupt. Mr Tolhurst (instructed by Messrs* Young* und Tri|>c, of Wellington; appeared for tj'»u petitioning creditor. There was 110 appearance by or on. behalf of the debtor.

"The farmers are only represented by 17 out of 70 members in the Plouse of Uopresentatives," remarked Mr Wallis at the Poverty Bay Fanners' Union Conference the other day. "The fanners' exports amount to £9,809,951 a year, ami the rest of the colony's to only so that representation is not fair on the face of it. In the Ministry there is only one farmer out of nine members." Since the day he landed in the colony -his Kxcelleacy the Governor has taken groat interest in the PublicSchool Cadets, and frequently commented upon their smart appearance j and Soldierly bearing. At Christchurch and Duncdin, where tiho cadets are very strong, special reviews will Ixj held in honour of Lord Plunket during- his vis'it to the South this month. For the purpose of making arrangements for a gooddis-i play, J ,-ieu teua nO-Col one I Loveday, I Commandant of the Public School | Cadets, will leave for the South on: Tuesday next. In view of the proposal to establish a co-operative bacon curing company here it is interesting to note that a Wellington firm whiich commenced operations in the purchase of pigs in Taranaki is more than satisfied with the support received. The head of the firm told the Hawera Star the other day that the number of pigs received from the Taranaki district by his firm during its second year is fully three times as litany as the number received during the first- year, and' the quality is very much improved. The outlook for the future is very encouraging, and the the buyer is certain the mpply can be largely increased, making a welcome addition to milk sup-•lie.-s' incomes.

Tho probability of u rise in the rate of interest (says the " Lyttelton lonics") was discussed in financial circles in Chrislchuroh within tiho past few <in.vs, and there is a general feeling that the rate will he raised by one-half per cent. soon. A business man in the city, who is one of the best authorities on the subject, says that he sees no reason why the rate should rise, unless of an outbreak of war, involving the Empire. He points out that the prices for wool have been good. The returns from wool aro £2,000,000 moro than they were in 1901, and that sum represents an absolute net profit from the industry. 'Hie deposits in the banks arc largo. Bankers here, however, will not be surprised to receive instructions from headquarters in regard to a rise in the rates of interest. " There would be no demand for tho appointment of under-secretar-' ies," remarks the Lyttelton Times, "1/ all the Premier's colleagues took their t'hare of the work as Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Ilall-Jones, and Colonel Pitt do, and if tho Premier himself spent less of his time and energy in profitless directions. It is very nice, of course, to have the head of the Government moving about the country and giving, his personal attention to every detail of every department, but this sort of thing makes a terrible tax upon hie powers of enduranco, and must, sooner 01 later, be attended with disastrous results. And there would be no guarantee tliat tho appointment of a score of under-secretaries would afford Mr Seddon any relief. So far the multiplication of offices has merely added to his lHindons. The (wily safe course for him to follow is to divest homsclf of the greater part " his portfolios ami to insist upon ail ins colleagues doing their fair proportion of the work,"

Whitehouso's Bioscope and Star Arc <"»l''naiion will appear on Monday night at the Centre lioval I'">neer exhibitor of moving 'picture machines appears with- a host of novelties. Mr Whitchousc haslj-t® ' ntertainmg (ho pu i )lic of Ncw Zoa _ land for over ton ye a rs, and has travelled 300,000 mite in journeys to America, London, and France to make purchases, never scaring time energy, or expense to procure the \ery best oijtainable, aaid he claims to have now tele most comprehensive and enjoyable repertoire vet, shown m this colony. Amongst the items produced are the motor car Derby for the Gordon Rennet Cup ; glorious biotint scenes reproducing natural colours ; a charming dramatic representation, " The Enchanted Cup, ' replete with tableau effects ; a number of comic items including the funniest scene ever shown, "Why ■Snii jh r.-ei 1. Home"—a sure cure for a lit oi the blues. r rhe performance of Mr James Fitzpatrick, who plays selections 011 a mouth organ, accompanying- himself on the banjo, and a duet on two brass whistles, is at once brilliant and delightful. The whole entertainment is bright and full of vim from start to finish. There is a special concession in th 6 charge for admission for children, namely, under 12 sixpenco and under fifteen la to stalls. The season 'is for one night only. Mr Hutchison, S.M., •delivered a very interesting judgment yesterday morning in a civil action by n drapery firm. Counsel for tho judgment creditor had elicited the information that the debtor earned an average of 37s Gd per week during the live months ending Juno last, and £8 4s for the month of .Inly. Tho defendant had also informed the court that his wages were seven shillings a day, and that he worked only in fine weather. House rent cost liini eight shillings a week, he had a wile and four young children to keep, and on<c of these was lailing and under medical treatment. For himseli, ho had been severely injured on the railway four years ago, had never thoroughly recovered Vis strength, and had to take medicine even now. Mr Wright, who appeared for the plaintiff, asked to !>e allowed to put the judgment creditor in the box in order to get evidence that he had lost patience with the defendant, and had offered to take sixpence a week in order to get the amount paid. The Magistrate said that thin would do no good, as he did not intend to make an order. It was true, as Mr Wright had said at the commencement of the. case, that on the judgment debtor was thrown the onus of proving that ho was not ' in a position 1o pay the money owing, but it was first necessary that the creditor must establish a prima facie case against tJie creditor. Tlvis could be done by the creditor nia!.ing a declaration that he had runs .in to believe that tile deljtor was in, a position to pay the debt, after allowing ll# reasonable amount io/ the maintenance of himself and his family. In this case it was idle to ask for an order. This man V maximum wages would be £2 2s a' week for six full days' work. TMe Legislature had protected wages u'p t,o £2 a week, and the cour „ could not, and shinild not. make..'any order against the wages of a/man who could not earn Unit ainouijt. The average earnings of tli;' present defendant did not reach such a siim, and therefore he would make no (order. Further, in any future cases of this sort he would seriously 'consider the question of allowing coslts against the creditor. These proceedings had cost the defendant, a daw's work, for the woather was fine 'outside, and ho could have earned so-w'on shillings towards the upkeep of lfiis family.

It is said that the man Coyle, who pleaded guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm, made a vicious lunge at a witness in the courthouse at the com elusion of the legal proceedings on Thursday* A woman who was found smoking a pipe in a ladies waiting-room at a station in IJavaria, said she had taken up Hit* habit because she missid the tobacco smoke in the house since her husband died. The scenery used in the production of " lja Mascotte " by the New , Plymouth Opera Club waw painted ancl mounted by Mr Fred. Stephens, Who is to be highly complimented on the success of his brushwork. Contrary to expectations, the public took no interest on Thursday ov- , oning in the disposal of Um municipal reserve on the Avenue Hoad. No wonder that borough councillors j are hard to find ( when the people are I so apathetic.

The shareholders of the Co-opera-, tive Stores Company meet to-day to consider proposals for tlie more efficient control of the business. Opponents of the scheme have Issued their manifesto, and an interesting meeting will probably result. Legislative Councillors yesterday occupied themselves in passing the second reading cf the Administration Act Amendment BUI and the Town Districts Bill. In t>ho llouso the financial debate was helped along | another weary step by Messrs Witty, | Barber, Bollard, and others. Through a mishap to a forward car 011 a freight train about half of a train of thirty waggons wus derailed yesterday near Morrinsville, Auckland. The line was considerably twisted and torn up, but beyond severely straining some of the cars no more serious results were occasioned.

Those interesting in obtaining a special train to convey passengers to see the New Zealand-Britain football match in Wellington next Saturday, returning the same night, are asked to notify this oflice or the local railway offices. Prompt decision is urged. A guarantee of fifty will probably secure the samo service. Stratfond is likely to have a good contingent. Messrs Malcolm and Co. have o|K?ned as stationers in Devon Street in the premises recently occupied by Mr Harvey as a restaurant, A new front has been put into the building, and fine show-windows have replaced the old glazing. The shop is well stocked with leading literature and stationery, fancy goods, etc., and preparations are being made to cope with a large retail business. ..Many lines, with novelty and cheap-

tiess to necommend them,, have been secured, and will be ottered as special lUirfiains to-day. Mr G, Fair, now in charge of the boring works at. Moluroa, reported favourably some time ago on an oiliield in South Australia. Geologists, however, held a different opinion, and viewed his report as idealistic and unreliable. Later authorities, however, found that Mr Fair was right, and as a result remunerative oil-bor-ing has been commenced.. On Thursday Mr Fair received a cablegram asking him to go back to South Australia in connection with the works now in swing, but recognisi7ig that he is at present on a fiel'd that gives the best indications, he declined to leave.

Mr Harold, principal touring manager for Mr J. C. Williamson.,, was in New Plymouth on Thursday and Friday arranging for the two nights' season of -the hew Comedy Company at the Theatre Royal on Monday and Tuesday evenings, August 15th and IGth. The company is at present playing in Auckland to crowded houses, the unanimous opinion being that it is the most brilliant comedy organisation seen in that city for many years. Tho pieces to be presented here are "The Marriage of Kitty" 'and "His Kxcellency the Governor." The ibox plan opens at the Colonial Piano Depot on Tuesday 11101 ning next. A fresh, announcement in connection with tho Empire, Hellevue and Mansions Consolidation, Limited, appears on our fourth page to-day, Mr 11. Gooch, who is in New Plymouth in the interests of the company, informs us that the flotation Is now assured and that shares 1 are being taken up somewhat freely 111 all parts of Taranaki. He states that the investment is a thoroughly sound mid that is likely to return good l di. vidsnds, and that in . view of over subscription it would 'be well for intending invesitors to make their ap- ' plications "for shares without delay. Messrs Bewley anid Griffiths are the local brokers.

Whiteley Church, Sunday, August 7th, preacher, Kev. J. N. Buttle, morning and ovening.* ITow a moderate capitalist, misses becoming a millionire.—ln reviewing the rise of property in New Plymouth during the denied 1890 to 1904 it was possible for a £IO,OOO capitalist to be on a fair road of becoming a millionaire, and it causes much study to-day befcy-o anyone can be in a position to say that the opportunity has now gone by ; when wo come to consider that the whole of the freehold in the borough of New Plymouth contains only about 347 acres—lo4 acres central ward, 89 acres western ward, 159 acres eastern ward—one-fourth of the total area of which could have been purchased for about £17,000 unimprovvalue within the period mentioned, which has increased to a present saleablo ummprovod ■ value of about £222,000. Many residents remember a few years ago sections in lline-st. were looking for buyersi at £ls a) section. Are there any sellers at £250 a section to-day ? We have no local (industries that the cause of this rise in value can bo attributed to. It is practically the prosperity of Taranaki which the syndicate known as the Crown Dairy Company was the means of starting. There are no enterprising capitalists in New Plymouth up to the present* It cannot be long before capitalists will turn their attention to what is the greatest colony in tho world. Labour will follow capital, Tho population will increase, and when wq consider that tlm total area of our borough could be held by about 300 persons with a little over an acre each, and rising; in value its it has done with a popi£ lation of (5000, what will be the v&lmi when the population reaches !20,000, with large industries ? Property values in New Plymouth are /'cast iron ; " depression can nev*i>°allect them. Depression should ca'.Se unity, and with unity wo can rti/ivq Taranaki to prosperity. it is estimated that the firzt direct steamer would cause an increase it* value of Tarar naki property of..6:500,000. Person, ally wo should .say now is the time to acquii'u freehold, if only on a small scale L'nllaghnn and Co. can oiler opportunist's of securing homes with small deyiosit, and in situations .that the capitalists will want shortly. Again, in 1908,, what will be tho value oj sections in hhe Vealo Estate at uie expiration of the harbour town.* •rha Dost medicine known Is San- ' der & Sons' Eucalypti Extract, and its eminent powerful effects in coughs, yilds, and influenza rnaka relief instantaneous. For serious cases, and accidents of all kinds, be they wounds, burns, bruises, sprains, It is tho safest, remedy—no swelling, no inflammation. Lite surprising effects produced in croup, diptheria, bronchitis, lm fiamiuation oi lungs, swelling, etc. fiarrhoea, dysentry, diseases of the kidneys, and urinary organs. Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract ii in use at hospitals and medical j.! 03 all oVlir the Klobe ; patroniw ed by His Majesty the King of Italyi crowned with medals and diplomas at International Exhibition, Amsterdam. Trust in this approved and reject all others. * Importer : Why occupy your valuable time by clearing your goods through Customs', when tho New Zealand Express Company, Ltd., are prepared to act for you for a small agency feu, 3

Warder Dowries will convoy the prisoner Coylo to Auckland for sentence by the Rotoiti to-night, The funeral of the laic Mrs 0. Longman will take place at lluirangi on Monday next, leaving Lepperton | at 1 p.m. ''Eight shilling's a week for house rent. That's too much to pity for a house. There tire plenty of houses to let in New Plymouth for less than that." Thus Mr Wright to a litigant in the box at the S.M. Court yesterday morning. "1]» it? You couldn't get a house fit for u dog at less Ulan eight shillings a week," was the retort. Shareholders of the Equitable Building Society will note that sub- | scriptions will be payable at the j Socioty's ofliee, Currie-street, on Monday, between the hours ol 9 a.m. and 12.30 p.m., 1.30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.*