NEWS OF THE DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 291, 13 December 1904, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

At- a special meeting of the Borough Council, held 1 lasit night, the report of the noxious weeds committee was adopted, specifying what sliall be declared noxious weeds' weedsi within t-h-?- borough-. Wonil had been received that a polo team from Okato will compete at the Carnival swimming sports. It is understood that the team will be captained by Mr A. McAlpine, the well known ex-Wellingtoni-an. The tender of Mr A. J. Davey, of Stratford, at £277,"has been accepted by t.he Public Works Department for the erection of station buildings on the Oruru section of the Strat-ford-Whangainomona railway. Messrs Bewley and Griffiths, with Messrs Jenkins, tMatthews, and Pi-g----ott, of Waitara, will oiler several building sites in Waitara, in the estate of the late Major Parris, for sale on Friday.

At the S.M. Court yesterday Win. McKoy appeared on summons to show cause why he should not be bound to pay for the maintenance )f hi 3 son, who on Saturday, was committoit to Jiumham. An older of f'bree shillings a week was made.

A final reminder is given thate:itnes lor the New Plymouth Horticultural SocictyJfc show on Thursday close at 8 (Vclock this evening at !' CilUll 'y's shop, Devonstreet. I'.ntries are reported lo be coming m well, and,there is everv prospect of the show being one of the best yet held by the society, A well-known Ellerslic (Auckland) resident named James Laing, who had been missing for over a week was lound dead on Monday in a well not far from his residence. He had been an invalid through an accident when riding at the Wangonui races. The well was covered with slabs there being only sufficient room for a bucket to go down.

The solicitors for Suttons at Invercnrgill have received a cable from Chicago to the effect that a new trial was refused in tho case Sutton v. Dowie, and that judgment had been entered in favour of the Suttons. The amount involved exceeds £IO,OOO, left by tho late Frederick Sutton, farmer, of Thorn'oury, v/ho executed a will on his deathbed in favour of Dowio. The will was upset on the grounds of 'testameatiuy incapacity,

The District Koad RnjJineer invites tenders for the Mokuu ferry service for the year 1905. The Sydney-Vancouver despatch of mails of November Ist arrived in London on the morning of the'9th inst.

Several wholesale linns notify that Christinas ami i\cw Year holidays will be the 2(ith and 27th inst. and —+id and .'ird prox. Sections at the cornel' of Lemon and Clover Streets, in the estate of the late Mary J. Kivell, will We offered at auction on Saturday by Messrs Bewley and Griffiths. The Clown will not proceed with a re-trial of All»ert Osborne, the solicitor concerned in the Pollard divorce conspiracy, arising out of the recent successful petition by Mrs Pollard for a divorce from her husband, (

Tto 'dates for next year's Supreme Court sittings -at New Plymouth are : March 7t-h, June 13th, and September 25th. Both criminal and civil business will be taken. The District Court will hold sessions, for the hearing of civil cases only, on February 7th, May 10th, August 2nd, and November Bth.

The Asiiburton Guardia.ii mentions as an illustration of what the rise iit wool moans to growers, the case of an Ashburton farmer who sold hi:: last year's clip of 180 bales for £IBBO, wtoile this year he netted £2004 for J4B bales—an in:ivuse of nearly 30 per cent per bale.

At Hokitika on Monday four persons were charged with*. being illegally on licensed premises on Sunday, and were convicted, small fines being inflicted. The magistrate (Mr Day) stated it as his opinion that anyone can be in an hotel during prohibited hours without being incriminated unless some breach of the act takes place. He thought section 42 would lead to a considerable amount of perjury. The British Post Office is testing thie invention of Anton Pollak and Josef Virag, Hungarian electricians, who claim to be able to transmit telegrams at the rate of forty thousand words an hour between Berlin and Ivonigsbeng, reproducing the message in written form. The PollakViraig system of rapid telegraphy utilises photography In recording transmitted messages. At last night's meeting of the Borough Council a letter was read from the Town, Clerk regarding granting a licens# for a merry-go-round. He said if a license were granted the council would have to JOspect the machine, and tbe cost of t'hda would not be at all commensurate with the fee charged. He explained that the owner had l asked for a license, but hie feswl refused it until the matter was placed before the council. Laslt year, the macbiM ran without a license. Tne council refused to grunt JL license.

The Native Land Court continued sitting at the Masonic Hall yesterday, and a large number of natives were present. A considerable number of cases were dealt with, comprising partitions of undivided interests in lands, succession oi"4er.s to interests of daceased natives in West Coast settlement reserves, and also am inquiry under section 39 of Nart/ive Land Court Act, 1904, for amendment o! succession order made some time ajgo. A considerate number of cases are still to be dealt with, and It is doubtful if the sittings will terminate this week,

The Greytown Borough Council is not a happy family. At the last meeting a Councillor proceeded to verbally -bombard the Mayor by calling him a "cur" and then a "skunk." Continuing, the Councillor told the Mayor, "I will teach you to tell lies a'bout me," and, as a final crusher added, "I charge you with conspiracy." On leaving the chair the Mayor was approached by the irate Councillor, who, after repeating some personal epithets, invited the Mayor to come outside and -have the nose knocked oft' his face.

One of the novelties the forthcoming Exhibition trill be Mr David Laiiiig'd Land and Estate Agency business which will be conducted from the Exhibition Buildings. The linn will have sufficient plant t,o enable visiiting investors to inspect fifty t»wn and suburban properties a day, also farms within a nadius ot 10 miles'. Largo numbers of property guides will be issued, supplying information of the future presets 1 of Taranaki, therefore, those who are desirous of disposing; 0 f properties and having same inserted in the Exhibition Guide are requested to forward particulars at -theft* earliest convenience, -also photos' of property where convenient.

Some excitement was caused in Devon-street on Monday afternoon through the display of licking powtt given by a horse- driven by Mr I<\ lirougbt-on-, of Smart Road. It would appear that in turning the shaft of tho buggy to which it was a ttached got between the animal 'a shoulders, and, tickling it, naturally caused resentment, with the result that the horse fall, and the forecarriage becoming locked the conveyance was in danger of capsizing, whereupon Mrs lirotighton and 1 a little girl, who were with Mr iiroughton, jumped out. Fortunately 110 damage was done, except the splintering of one of the splashboa||la A side issue was the prompt actitfn of a horseman, who, by the timely application of his whip, prevented a horse from bolting as the result of the commotion.

A iactory manager, not a hundred miles trmm Greytown, says tho Leader, who for years had been trying to solve the problem oC milk tests, and who bad given up the idea of solution had it explained in an unexpected manner a morning or two ago. While taking delivery of milk on this particular morning, he saw something come into {he strainer on the receiving can, out of a can of milk he was emptying. Upon the manager putting this strange object under Che miscrope it turned out to be a perforated piece of tin, circular and concave in shape, ghado larger than a saucer, and attached to it was a finger-grip. Since bis discovery, the manager in question now says'he is in a.better position to explain w,hy some testa drop a point or two than he was provious to his discovery.

Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., had a most unpleasant duty on Monday, when two boys, named Percy Clark and Sydney Ross, aged thirteen and twelve respectively, appeared in answer to a charge of stealing, a waterbury watch, a silver trinket, two boxes of chocolate, value 14s ; also Is iu cash. The evidence adduced went to show that about 11 o'clock on Thursday night, the elder lad, who is a half caste, met the other and suggested that they try to gain aidmittamje to Mr Waugh'a shop, by means of a bunch of keys he hail. This was done, the younger boy staying outside in order to give a warning wjiistle \v]n"n any passersby appeared in view. Afterwards the two slept in a tent at Henui. The mother of the elder, and the fat her of the younger boy were present in Court and both pleaded that the lads be given another chance, snying they were good boys at homo. The mother of tno elder, according to the sergeant, had done her best for the boy, tat owing to liar 'hudlrand having deserted her long ago slw had had a hard struggle. The S.M. said it was not a question of wjuat the parents wanted, but what' wt|s for the good of the boy. Ho had to consider the youth himself. If he saw that the lad had a chance of turning out a goo<l man, •he would be neglecting his duty if ho did not avail himself of it. Tlio parent of the younger boy, ho said, tad neglected his parental duty, and they must see what the state would do. Tiu> fatlu'v : ''He has 1 had the benefit of my advico." The S.M. : " Hie want's example, not precept." Both boj'B were committed to Burnham industrial school. Tho father : "Won't you give him another chance, your worship?" " I' ra giving him the best chance possible ; you don't seom to ttyitik the boy la fast growing up a erfmin^

Mr 11. Living, land agent, is proparing a special land guide for is- ' sue during the carnival, and l.as a |

notice in this issue to owners desirous of selling.

The opening of the railway to Taihape has improved facilities for the Auckland to Wellington overland trip. It is possible now to go from llotorua to Wellington (by coach, steamer, and train in under 130 hours.

"L«t me go !" screamed a parrot to a gamekeeper, named Schunder, at AdeVburg, in Wurtemiberg, who had shot the bird by mistake for a magpie, and was about to put it out of its pain. The gamekeeper was so frightened that he fell in a fai»t.

Aw adjourned meeting of the Waitara Licensing Committee will be held at Waitara to-day, wh«n the granting of a conditional license to t.he Inglewood Hotel will again be considered. It will be remembered that at the June meeting; the reerection of these premises was ordered, and that on tenders toeinß called Ino response was made. It is understood that this difficulty has now been disposed of.

At the council meeting last night Cr. Fraser, in referring to a plant called Cape weed in the noxious weeds committee's report, said botanists had boen forty-live years trying to lind a name for this particular plant, but it remained for Or. Cliff to distinguish himself in this direction. It belonged to the dandelion species, of which there were 1500 varieties. Cr. Fraser said he knew of 1000, and this was one of the other 500.

Lady Cur/on whose illness is so widely deplored, (says M.A.P.). has been (well described as one of the most 'beautiful women of two Continents. She is tall, with classical features, and smooth black hair, which she dresses in the plainest of Madonna-like hands. Her appearance is at once dignified and most picturesque. When Miss Mary Lei'ter, she was recognisad as one of the handsomest girls in American society, and was styled "The Belle of Three Cities" —Newport, New York and Washington. Like many of her compatriots, she is a rich woman, and recently inherited a fortune of about half a million.

Commenting on the action of the police in searching a ted before arrest, the S.M., during the bearing of the castes of theft on Monday, said such a procedure was wrong, and the constable in question had really committed assault, The proper method was to w'est the ollewder—roan or woman—and then search, and to contravene thif? rule in the case of children was doubly wrong. In all juvenile cases, even when the child admitted the offence, he rnado it a rule to enter a plea of not guilty, in order to hear the evidence, as often .the statement was mude through (night. In the opinion of the S.M. , aa cxpi'essed in the juvenile theft casts, there were a lot of children in New Plymouth who need looking after.

This item of South African news is from the Cape Daily Telegraph "We find Chinese shopkeepers and Indian traders increasing in Port Elizabeth, and gaining in Strength and numbers. There are very many shops in the hands of the yellow and copper races which were once owned and occupied by Europeans. Asiatics are herding in the very heart of the town like rats in a hole, poisoning the atmosphere and augmenting the plague nurseries." And the Transvaal technical paper, South African -Mines and Industries, reprinting the paragraph, declares that already "in the up-country towns of the Transvaal the position is still worse."

Speaking of the ex-contingenters' gathering at Dunedin the other evening, says the Star, Chaplain-oaptain Duttpn oxpoiuided a new idea for the conduct of public meetings, which if carried into effect, might facilitate the despatch of public (business. There existed a tribe of savages in Africa, he said, who, when addressing tribal gatherings, had to do so standing oil ono leg, and were permitted to " beep the floor " only for so long as they could maintain the position. Relerring to this new notion in standing orders at a subsequent. stage of proceedings, the Premier quite endorses! the rev. gentleman's suggestion, " You hate given me a good idea," said Mr Seddon, " and 1 will endeavour to have it- embodied in the Standing Orders-. '' —(Laughter.).'

Till! fact that the New York baker, Louis Fieisc-hmann, has passed away! reminds the newspapers that he originated the famous "bread line" for the hungry waifs of tho streets of New York. About ten years ago Mr Heischmann observed at night the crowd of tramps standing 1 over the sidewalk grating at the 'bjakory, snifling the odour of new bread and rolls being turned out in the basement. He then began to hand out loaves of bread to all who stayed until 1 a.m., and cmce begun the practice hns never i censed. The "bread line" has sometimes consisted of 500 hungry people in one night. Before long Mr Fleischniann began to receive letters from persons who protested against that form of indiscriminate charity, but the baker s invariable answer has been : "If a man will stand on a kerb two or three hours to get a loaf of bread or a few rolls, he's hungry. That's enough for me."

s «mc interesting revelations regarding the use of preservatives in butter came forth in the investigations of the Victorian Butter Commission. Mr Esmann, n London wholesale dealer, said that but for the use of bovacic acid in the butter the Australian article would have a good sale in Germany. Mr Esmann added that the use of preservatives was forbidden,in Germany, Scandinavia, Denmark, and Russia. Dr. Norris, of the Central Health Board, assured the Commission tha't "out of Melbourne's 1200 dairies not 20 had adequate accommodation for those engaged in milking to wash their hands." H e also animadverted on the preservatives fad. "It is merely done," ho said, "to cloak dirty "dairying methods. It masks the degenerative process to wlvich filth gives rise. There is absolutely no need for it."

Tho annual meeting of the New Plymouth Town Band was held on Friday evening, Mr F. W. Richmond, president, occupying the chair. The report stated that the band had been in existence nineteen years, and is now, from a musical; point of view, as fit as ever, it has been. The finances are not in too good a condition, hut it was hoped during tile coming season to further reduce liabilities. The tand still holds £35 worth of pictures for an art union, but owing to adverse circumstances it has not been drawn yet. This matter will bo attended to directly Christmas is over. Menthol's are very deeply indebted to the president (Mr Richmond) for the great assistance he has given. Th<; band has secured the services of its old bandmaster, Mr Garry, and his two sons, who are taking, a Very keen interest in the band work ; the improvement in the playing is already apparent. The borough council has again granted a subsidy of £lO which is very acceptable. Now that the band ia again on a good footing, it was intended to keep very much before the public, and give it the benefit of hearing the latest music, which is imported at considerable expense from America, and the hope was expressed that it would give satisfaction to the musical public. The receipts were £B9 12s 3d, and the expenditure for the year £B7 4s 4'd. The following officers wore elected President, Mr F. W. Richmond ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Paul, J. C. George, J. H. Quilliam, and W. Gordon ; band sergeant,/Mr J. Sturmcy ; librarian, Mr 11. Griffiths ; i auditor, Mr H. Cholwill ; committee : Messrs Ward, Humphries, Bickers, Southam, Griffiths, and tho bandmaster and secretary, ex officio ; secretary and treasurer, Mr 11. H, George. Messrs R. Morey and R. H. Geoi'go won elected members,

Two metalling contracts on mads in Hie Spotswood settlement are advertised.

Mr Allison Smith, formerly chief mechanical engineer of the New Zealand Railways, has accepted un olfer to proceed to the Gold Coast us chief mechivnical engineer of the Government railways there, and to undertake the complete organisation of their locomotive system, rolling stock, works-hops, etc, New Ztalanders will remember Mr Allison Smith superintended the locomotive Jqiart- | ment of the South island railways, and designed oiid curried out the workshops, etc., at Addington.

li you do your own washing then here is good news for you. Try a tin of "Washjne " ; it will help you and please you. See list of storekeepers who stook it.* Storage In dry brick store, low Insurance rate, minim um fire risk, low rates for storage.—The Now Zealand Express Company, Ltd. 3

Engagement rings, woddlng lings, gold bands, and spectacles to suit all sights at J. H. Parker's, next RaiUvay crossing, Devon Street Cen tral. New Plymouth.*

The Provident Building Society is issuing a new series of stares, arud in accordance with its usual policy, it is inviting applications from the- public. The secretary, Mill. A. Lennan, will lie pleased to give any information to inquirers, an,d bo happy to supply application forms, which must lie (illed in fund lodigud with him by Decemiber 10th. TQie society has steadily progressed since its establishment and has always done business on safe and cautious lines. The society has funds in hand, and is prepared to lend on approved security ait the usual favourable rates.*

THE EFFECT WAS MAGICAL. The magic effect ol Itheunio is testified to by Mr Geo. Colledgo, of Wellington. His own words arc most convincing. He writes A few weeks ago I was attacked with rheumatic gout; my foet wore much swollen, and so very painful that 1 had to keep in bod. Hearing of your cure for gout, I sent for a bottle of Rheumo, and after taking a few doses the effect was magical, the severe pain left, and the swelling disappeared. I was soon on my feet again and able to go to work." Rheumo conquers chronic rheumatism. Chemists and stores, 2s 6d and 4s fid per bottle.* 3

NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Roads Department—'Tenders Mokau ferry service and metalling contracts in Spotswood settlements. Hewley and Griffiths—Sale of town sections, Waitara, in lato Major Parris' estate, Chrisiimas holidays Wholesale firms' holidays. D. L/ainjj—Makes an offer to property owners desirous of selling. A Laud Transfer Act notice is inserted,