The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 30.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81835, 30 August 1906, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 30.

Raiiotu, Opunake and Ngaire notes appear in our fourth page. Mr W. Murray, of the local. Telegraph Department, is now on holiday and went North to Auckland by the Rotoiti on Tuesday evening. Mr A. P. 0' Leary informs us that the New Zealand International Exhibition is being we.l talked of in England, and big exhibits cf Britishmade goods mignt be expected. There is one lighthouse in the world that is not placed on any mariner's chart. It is in the Arizona desert, and marks the spot where a well supplies pure fresh water to travellers.

A Maori missionary, the Rev. Hemi Papakura, speaking at Timaru, said he feared that it would be but a few years before the Maori language would fall into disuse here, as the Maori children at school were, for the most part, taught in English. - The Recreation Sports Ground Committee have secured the service of an American pony for their function on October 10. Threepence a ride will be charged, and 5/ will be donated to anyone able to ride the course.

Some excitement has been caused at Ngaruawahia by the reported discovery about six miles away from the township of a reef bearing silver. Prospecting rights have been applied for, and the application will be heard by the Warden's Court. For many years colors of gold and silver have been fund in all the creeks in the vicinity, but nothing in the way of a reef has previously been struck. The finder is Mr 11. L. McDonald.—"N.Z. fierald." The Colonial Treasurer's Estimates for the year KJO6-7 anticipate charges on the consolidated revenue amounting to £7,575,072. as against an expenditure of £7114,420 for last year, the Civil List amounts to £34,1)00, interest and sinking funds to £2,130,040 (as agains. £2,087,200) and expenditure under special Acts to ,4,840,052, as against £743,0.00. The annual appropriations are set down at £4,5Gb,074, as against £4,244,313 expended last year.

A memorial service held at Yokohama, in July, for the horses killed m the Russo-Japanese war is descr.b•jd in the "Echo de Chine." For several hours taere was before an altar, attended by a Japanese priest, a procession of* soldiers who in turn extolled the courage, endurance, and sagacity of the horses they had ridden and which had perished on the field cf battle. It was a strange Spectacle to see men, and women above all, in tears over the memory of these animals.

The staff of the Geological Department .s to be considerably strengthened and work will proceed energetically on utilitarian as well as scienlific lines. During the past year several interesting discoveries have Ken made. The Wellington correspondent ,of the Napier Herald understands that gold has been discovered in more l.ian one locality, and thai an important find of greenstone in siui was made on the West Coast of the South Island. Further exp.ora.ory woik wiil be carried on both 111 the Iwth and in the South Island.

As far as Olago is concerned the pres.nl is the dullest grain season ex peiienced for years. Usually a more or ies< si- ady business goes on from .'.larch to Xounibi-r—not so this win-

icr. For the past four weeks prac iically no grain for shipment iias been offering at Dunedin. AH the ljusin.-ss of the Soulli Island, such ,i.i u is, is being absorbed by Uamaru, Timaru and Lyltelton. The Otago farmers to hold back for bigger prices. The merchants consequently cannot get grain for shipment.

The aldermen of New York city have passed a sweeping resolution against all theatrical posters "' tending to represent the doing of any criminal act." or to "deprave the morals of individuals or shocking to the sense of decency, or tending to incite the mind to acts of immorality and crime." It is pointed out in the newspapers that the Police Department will have a most diflku't task in enforcing this ordinance. In some of the New Kngland towns similar ordinances have been passed, and the acts of the police in enforcing them have aroused grea.t ridicule. The Firearms Bill, which was introduced in the Legis'atve Council by the Minister for Defence, the Hon Mr Pitt, makes it unlawful to sell or supply firearms or any kind of ammunition to any person under the age of 16 years to use, carry or have in his possession any firearm or any kind of ammunition. Every person who commits a breach of this Act will be liable to a fine not exceeding .£lO. Firearm is described as a "eon or pistol of any description, whether acting by the force of gunpowder cr not." This affectively deals with what is known as th.« "toy"' instrument.

In his annual report to his department, the Auckland Gaoler says there arc some six or seven men in his prison whose conduct is so bad that the means of punishing t'lem is quite inadequate ; but it has been found that putting such prisoners by themselves both at work and at exercise prevents their concocting mutiny and such like, in which a few o'd offenders like themselves are only too ready to join. There are a few of the same class of prise ners at Lyttelton and it has been found necessary to treat them on a similar system,and keep them entirely apart from other prisoners ; and at both those prisons that mode of treatment is bearinggood fruit.

The New Plymouth borough councillors, who had before them on Wednesday evening a typewritten c< py of the foreman's report on the work rcqi.ired on the streets in the incoming year, did not look v.'rv much interested as the Minor sol"innl/ read the figures ah.utl. Crs. ISelliingcr an-.l Wilson were i n animated umversation, evidently on some Mibjecl more entertaining than municipal management; Crs. MOll- - and lint, lens examined the map nf the b lough hanging on the wail ; Crs Brooking and COUIS seemed 10 have developed a hobbv, and hob-u-bbed amicably; Cr. 'Webster ncld sofemn conmiunion with one of the borough officials, leaving onlv Cr. llrownc an interested listener to the street maintenance proposals. Nevertheless the Mavor in his clemency decline;!' ( „ call Ihe C< uncil to order, piefeiring to go (J „ without mi re serious interruption.

At the Native Usury Inquiry at Hawera on Tuesday, Mr Williams, of Man.iia. and one of the oldest settlers in the colony, was called to give evidence a s to the general effect of the present system of money lending 1,1 -Maoiis upon the native race. Witness said one effect of lending money t<> Ma..lis war. lhat the len:l..r j,eurr"a!!y losi ii, and aiiothc-i .-tfecl was that tlie natives generally squandered it. lhey were always in .straitened circumstances, and were always inclined to borrow money. \\'h,. n t ],,.y wanted money badly they were prepared to promise any amount for it. Some people had lent them money to buy cattle, bul as s-„ n as there was a meeting at l.uihaka thov would sell the cattle, so ,l, a , H |j lila , was done for tliem s :w ,icd of no avail. The easy way in which tlicv get money simply dent, rao.-es them. He considered the rents a complete curse to the native pcop'e. ]| e ], at ] very great faith in the natives if they were tieated faiilv. Some year- ago he to k a Maori lad and gave him a trade, and the result was that he turned out one ~f |),,. , n , lsl j, K | us _ trious men witness ever knew. This was simply because he had been kept away from evil sunoundings. He did n< t think that the facilities for borrowing money were doing thorn any good,—"Sur. ? '

The Estimates anticipate an in'rcase in tlii' capitation to cadets rom x.,yui to for the current

At t'.ic Hunt Club meet to-day Mrs ElHs-McTaggart wid entertain at luncheon the members ol the club and the llawera visitors. A successful meet is practically assured.

Poverty Bay will not lie officially represented at lihe Exhibition. Owing to the apathy of the public the committee have decided net to proceed further, and will forfeit the deposit (£3O) made to secure space.

A public meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Monday eveningnext to consider what steps are to be taken re a proposed national memorial to the late Mr Seddon. A large attendance cf the public is reqeusted.

Farmers and all interested are reminded of the address to be given in the Town Hall to-night by Mr Gilruth, Chief Government Vet rinanan, who will speak on "The Udder cf the Cow/' The Agricultural Society deserves the thanks of the whole community for its solid efforts now made to improve farming conditions. The Society has a live ring about it.

ft is interesting to hear that the New Plymouth petroleum fields are talked of in London, and great interest is taken in some circles. In America still more notice is taken of it, propably on account of the fact that the successful dcvolopment of tho fields will open an avenue for the disposal of American boring machinery. Mr 0' Leary, of New Plymouth, was frequently questioned about the oilfields on his recent trip across the American Continent.

Interest has been aroused in American medical circles over the case of Mrs. Mary Fay, an Irishwoman aged 105, who has died in New York of heart disease. The Coroner's physician was amazed at finding the body remarkably well preserved, its appearance being like that of a woman of 30 or 40 years of age. The investigation showed that the woman had subsisted during the last 40 years on bread and milk. The case is directing public attention to the theory of Professor Metchnikoff that a diet of sour milk prolongs life.

The interesting announcement is made that a recent meeting of the Ulema, the body of spiritual directors of the great Mahometan University of Al Azhar, in Cairo, the use of the phonograph for popular instruction in the Koran was favourably discussed, the opinion prevailing that the employment cf phonographic means of propagating the faith was not contrary to the teaching of the Prophet, and did net offend the sanctity of the holy writing. A proposal, however, to consider the advisability of taking out a policy of insurance against fire and accidents, was rejected almost unanimously; it being held that such a proceeding would be contrary to the fatalistic doctrine cf " Kismet."

Sailors have many- superstitions, sharks being responsible for quite a number. With ihc passing of the old sailing craft and the advance of education, many of the old sea myths have passed into oblivion, while others still cling persistently to the minds of " those who go down to the sea in ships." Whilst the schooner Medora was coming- down the coast from Lyttelton recently (says the Otago Daily Times) thtse on board noticed a large shark swimming around the vessel, and reference was made to the old superstition that

" a shark can scent trouble ahead.' After the shark had followed for 24 hours, one of the crew was knocked or fell overboard, c'ad in heavy bo.ts and oilskins, lie was seen by his comrades for a couple of minutes, and then disappeared for ever. The survivors, who had previously scouted the 1 id superstition, now declare that " it looks as if there was something in it ."

A remarkable case tf resuscitation has been officially reported to the life-saving service at Washington. The case is that of Robert Mooney whos> boat capsized off the coast of Rh'de Island. Moonev remained under water [or 23 -minutes. The body, which was to ail appearance that of a chad man, having been incovered, first aid was fiiven, in the course of which three and a-half quarts of water were expelled from Mooney's lungs, and a second operation caused the expulsion of one pint more. Mooney still appeared dead, and artificial respiration was then enployed for an hour and 48 minutes, after which the first signs of returning consciousness became visible. Recourse was then had to friction and the application of a hot stone, while the artificial respiration movements were continued by means of bellows. By the following day the patient had recovered complete consciousness.

Ms W. F. Short, monumental mason, of New Plymouth, lias just completed his exhibit for the New Zealand International Exhibition, and this excellent specimen of the sculptor's art is now on view at his yards in Powderham street. It is a commanding- headstone of fine Sicilian marble, the style being a 'combination of Gothic and Italian. It" is ornarae ntcd with crockets and finial, beautifully chiselled, and perfect in outline. There are three cherub heads, the features and general de tail, particularly in the pinions, showing the touch of the master artist. Pilars of dove marble flank either side of the lettering face, and along the top and sides is a splendid replica of a fringed drape. The st'.no, which is the work of Mr Short himself, will be exhibited in the section for monumental work by NewZealand sculptors, and many who have had an opportunity of seeing- it express the opinion that the exhibit will be hard to beat.

I'or the entertainment ot a child, an Italian organ-boy used regularly to take his monkey to a certain house in England, where the monkey would be fed and petted and given an hour of holiday. It made itself as much at h me there as the people in the house, all of whom it came to know. One day it set off to climb a window, to the serious detriment of certain creepers. A gemle protest caused the owner of the monkey to give a snatch at thechain by which the animal was held. The monkey descended instantly, hazing with rage. A couple of bounds brought him to the feet of him that had protested, upon whoni he fastened with teel'li and claws, savage as a wild cat. His foray had been checked by his master, but the creature seemed conscious that that check was the outcome of the softly spoken protest which proceeded the tug at the chain,.and it was cause more than effect which lie resented.

An riifiiupi-r qcumying. a prominent p: stlion in South Africa, in writing to a friend now in Wellington, says there is the utmost distress in South Africa at present, and states ■ie does not know of an opening in any hne of business. He personally was constantly receiving applications from Niu Zealanders in the country «h.'. were at their wit's unci to know what to do. "These radical extremists at Home," |„, savS) « arc fail ., v mining this country, and a spirit of unrest pervades the whole of South Attica making it a wry dangerous piace for any one to come to unless asMircd of a job. The war ill Natal has mopped up about five thousand •■ut-0,-works, and very good fellow,: a lot of tihciu are. I have some ■ nen.is fighting down there, and tliev iiave been in some prettv tight corners, judging from their letters. The slump in the market has broken nine out of ten people on the Kand, and 1 believe Johannesburg is a verv sad place to-day. The fellows i„ billets are verv well off compared with t'le majority, but even most of them have I'Sl most of ili„i r sayings in the terrib'e slump, fdo not think thingsare going to change , ln ti| • his time next year, when responsible government will have come to oass. If a British majority gets in in the Transvaal, I think things will

■ nmrove at once and capital will conn, nto the eountiy one,, more. At present every one's c< nfidence is shaken hv the extraordinary wav in which lie Liberals at Home are (renting the, country, • n ■ \ dain'y little lunch, 'Vith a glass of O.T. PUNCH, 's the ar nc of perfection, fear of contradiction '

Regarding tjho reciprocity treaty with Australia, arranged by the late Mr Seddon, there is a tag providing that the treaty is to come into operation on the clay on which it is submitted to the respective Parliaments. Replying to Mr Massey, Sir J. G. Ward said the altered duties would come into force the moment the resolution was tallied, and if it were rejected there would be a refund of any duties collected. Under the proposed alteration he promised the proposals wou'd bo considered as early as possible, and quite apart from the financial debate.

The New Plymouth Bbrough Council has, on the motion of Crs. Hutchen and Collis, decided to for-' ward the following remit to the Municipal Conference: "That the Municipal Corporations Act, section 192, subsection 2a, be amended by providing for renewals being granted at a rent to be fixed by valuation without regarding the valuation of any building or improvements thereof; and also providing for confirmation of any leases heretofore granted on the terms of renewals being given on such terms." The effect of this subsection at present is that renewals of borough leases are granted on the valuation of the lease as it stands, with improvements, at the time of the renewal.

A sale of native Indian goeds will be held in the Baptist Church this afternoon in aid of missionary and manse funds. Admission free. Sale opens at 3 p.m., and will be continued during the evening. Afternoon tea and light supper 6d each.—Advt.