The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8154, 11 July 1906, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11.

The value of the pastoral products shipped from Poverty Bay during thr year euding Saturday last was aboul thrco-quartors of a million pounds. Of £12,000,000 worth of importations to New York during February, £BOO,OOO, or 0 per ceut. of the whole, was represented by precious stones.

Fresh evidence of Congo horrors has been brought to England by the Eey. H. M. Whiteside. With Mr Stunnard, the missionary who is not per mitted by the Congo authorities to leave the country, lie went through the Abir territory, on the upper regions of ihe Marinja, where no missionary had been before. The state of the country was worse than anything ho had known, A.imod sentries, placed over the uativos to compel the maximum collecion of rubber, tortured them and murlercd them.

By a series of experiments conducted in his back garden, a gentleman some time ago discovered an answer to the conundrum, " What becomes of pins?" He has found that pins are resolved into dust. Hairpins, which ho watched for 154 days, disappeared by rusting away at the end of that time. Briglit pins took nearly eighteen months to disappear; polished steel needles hardly two and a half years; brass pins had but little endurance; steel pens at the end of fifteen months hail nearly gone, while their wooden holders were still intact.

The New Plymouth Military Band's annual social, bridge and euchre party should be an enormous success. All the arrangements are in capable hands and the machinery is running smoothly. The musical portion will be a great i.reat, Mr Garry's orchestra, consisting of two violins, cornet, clariouet, trombone, 'cello, string bass and piano, having been retained for the occason. Tickets and all information in connection with this event may be obtained from the hon. secretary, Mr R. 11. George, and all members of the band.

It is probable that the Anglican authorities at Wellington will shortly consider the question of making a forward movement with regard to the contemplated construction of a cathedral in Wellington. A property for the site of the building was acquired some years ago in Taranaki street at a cost of £7OOO, and during the past year the sum of £2OO was paid off the mortgage. The building fund account has a credit balance of £L372. 'Post."

Sir John B. Robinson, of Toronto and New York, in a letter, controverts the idea very largely held in the United States that the extraordinary influx of well-to-do American farmers into the Canadian North-West which has taken place in recent years, and is still proceeding, will lead to a movement m Western Canada for annexation. Sir John proves, says the "Telegraph's" correspondent, that such American settlers as have lived long enough in [he country to be able to give an intelligent opinion admit that "they havo no fault to find with the Union Jack or the way law and order are maintained."

A new branch of railway engineering is about to be undertaken by u Colorado .railway company, who propose to stretch a heavy cable across the granite gorge of the Colorado River from bank to bank, and attach to it a movable steel cage, in which passengers will be transported. The distance from riui to rim in mid-air, as the crow tiles, is thirteen miles. The distance going down the south wall, crossing the river nn the cable, and ascending the north will, is fully nrvnty miles.

A progressive euchre party, in aid of the Western l'ark funds, will be held in tlie Westown Hall to-morrow I Thursday) eveuing. Tiie function is sure to be tin enjoyable alT.iir, and as the objeei is a Unliable one, there will □ o doubt be a good attendance. A bus will leave Ambury's corner at 7.30 o'clock, to convey persons desiring to attend the party from town.

At the Greymouth Police Court the other day Samuel Grasson was charged with threatening behaviour in a public place. Ethel and Eva Stokes gave evidence that they were accompanied by their mother, when defendant came up and said he had heard that she (one of the girls) had been sold to a Chinaman for £'lso. Eth 1 Stokes said she was the young lady supposed to be engaged to a Chinese missionary. The defendant, a brother-in-law of the informant, in his evidence said he simply said " I'm suprised at you mixing up with a Chinese crowd." It was the talk of the town that the young woman had been sold by her mother for £JSO or for £SO and a new piano. The Bench characterised the whole thing as a family squabble, and inflicted a nominal penalty of 10s and costs.

The District Railway Engineer his submitted a plan to the New Plymouth Borough Council, showing the proposed alteration in the position and levels of Govcr street in connection with the railway deviation. He asks the Council's concurrence in the location and grad-ents proposed, to allow of the necessary bridge work being designed. The grades and location of Eliot and Hobson streets will nit be altered, but the lower end of Govcr s I'eei will be clo: ed and a new street substituted 250 links further eastward. Tie matter his been referred to Jlr A. Kendall, the boroigh engineer, for his report, and a special meeting of the Council will be called, if necessary, to consider his rccommeadatious.

In order to remove any ground tor complaint by local agents of insurance companies, the New Plymouth Borough Council decided to allot its insurance to as many companies as prssiblc. without any two companies sharing one risk. Tn drawing out the schedule, ttie baths property wis insured for £SOO in the Standard Insurance Company, for which Messrs Bewley and Griffiths are agents. The School Commissioners had to be consulted in the matter, as the baths are built on property leased from that body. The Scoool Commissioners, on being [informed of the Council's proposal, objected fo if. and took out a cover for C7-ji) m die National Insurance Company. This roused the ire of the Borough Council one Monday night. Cr Hutchen considered the action " a piece of impertinence." The Council should ignore it, and insist on insuring tlm baths in the Standard, hut at the ad vanced figure .stipulated by the Commissioners. . Cr. Browne asked wh:-t right (he Commissioners had to fix tile insurance office. He knew, of course, 'be risk must lie approved by the Commissioners. The Mayor said he was indued to resist (lie action of the landlords (his time. Cr Montei'h lliought the Council should assert its authority, and "tell Mr Corfeill to bump himself and not the Council The company approved bv the Com rnisMoners is evidently the company for which the secretary is agent," he continued. The Council decided to insist on the insurance being placed in the Standard office.

O. Browne, at (lie Borough Council 'MI Monday niplit, suggested tliat tlic Council should take steps lo secure the Hcnui railway bridge in order to divert slock tratlie along the back roads instead of along our main roads. The llcinii lioad Board and the County Council would probably assist. Cr. Brooking said that to use the bridge il would In' necessary to buy a portion .if the railway line It was decided I hat the M*i vor should interview the railway authorities on the matter.

Messrs E. J. C'arlhew and Co. re. port having sold Mr P. C. Griffiths' superior house and quarter acre, situated on Chilman's estate, to a local in. vestor. Morey and f>on announce a big job purchase of cushion covers, tray cloths, and bedspreads, which all go in at sale prices. See advertisement. A dainty little hmcli, With a glass of 0. T. PUNCH, Is the acme of perfection, No fear o£ contraction,

The Melbourne-Naples despatch of (iih June, arrived in London 011 the! ifternoon of 8111 July. The estates of forty-six deceased persons were placed in the hands of the Public Trustee during June. The Pihama Dairy Compauy, following the leal of the Eltham Company, has decided to insure with the Caranaki Farmers' Mutual.

" Any word that is in the dictionary is parliaineutary," dictum by Cr. Monteath in a debate oa Monday night. He Had been " pulled up " by the Mayor for using the linrinless expression " upon my soul."

The electric arc lights in the principal streets lighted until diybreak this morning, an innovation that ■is a convenience and a property .-'afeguard will be groatly appreciated. At MonJay's meeting of the Ne.v Plymouth Borough Council, Cr. Browne, Chairman of the Western Park Board, applied for payment of £25, half of subsidy granted by the Conncil for the ensuing year. Cr. Browne stated the Board was "at its wits' ends" now i'or money to carry on with. His argument prevailed, and the money was granted.

The roll numbers of the technical training classes al Eltham total 138, and the average attendance is 112. Mr T Thomas, headmaster of the District High School, is director of the classes. Tradesmen report an increase of petty pilfering from shops iu New Plymouth. On Saturday a suit of clothes hanging outside the Melbourne Clothing Co.'s establishment found an owner without the business receiving any benefit. At the Eltham S,M. Court on Tues. day, Charles Bhicker, was committed tor trial to the Supreme Court at New Plymouth on a charge of haying murdered John Rollins at Kaponga by striking him on the head with an axehandle. The Taranaki Garrison Band are arranging a grand promenade concert in the Drill Hall on July 27th, as a benefit to Bandsman Hoskin. The efforts of his fellow bandsmen in such a good cause are sure to meet with hearty support.

Judging by the enormous flights of small birds to be seen, especially in stubble fields in the country just now, there has been no appreciable diminunition of this pest (says the Timaru Herald). In some places where the birds congregate most, such as in fields where seeds of weeds are plentiful, they rise in flights-of thousands when startled, and literally darken the air for a considerable distance.

The " Argus" understands thai owing to a serious throat affection Rev Godbehear has resig led his charge ol the Eltham Metlwdist Church, and wili seek a warmer olimate.

The frayed remnant of the New Plymouth Fire Brigade's flag has at last gone the way of all things. The 11 ig that braved so many years the mountain gale and breeze capitulated to Tuesday's gale. Possibly the lady supporters ot the brigade will take a hand in replacing the piece of bunting.

It was mentioned in debate at the Borough Council meeting on Monday that the footpath in Courtenay stroet was p isitively dangerous for pedestrian traffl; in wet weather.—A true bill, as far as it concerns that portion between Eliot and Liardet streets.

Montgomery's entertainers oon eluded their New Plymouth season on Tuosday evening. Tho programme submitted was as varied as it was entertaining Mr W. H. Montgomery, ■i baritone of considerable ability, made his debut to a eolonial audience and was heard to advantage in a couple ol stirring patriotic songs. The films shown were of excellent quality ami wero greatly appreciated. This afternoon at 2 o'clock, Mr Ncivton King will commence a sale of choice fruit trees, flowering plants, etc., on aceo'int of Messrs J. Laird and Sons, Wan ganui. Anyone wishing{i beautify their gardens should not fail to attend the sale,' as the consignment includes a lot of the choicest roses, which arc a specialty with Messrs Laird and S< n. The sale will bo held in the Mart, Devon street.