The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 115, 22 January 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1879.

The depression in the old country, in the opinion of some, will be but very temporary. With this view of the case we cannot agree. Some months back we took notice of the near approach of the distress which has too truly come about, and some of the causes of that distress were also pointed out. Such as the long enjoyment of high wages by all classes of artizans, bolstered up by rumours of war, and the great preparations made in anticjpation of war. Other causes, of even a more serious nature, in a pecuniary sense, were at work, which are now com. ing more prominently to the surface, These are the necessity for competing with foreign nations in their principal manufactures, and the difficulty that exists in producing manufactured goods at anything like the same prices as other nations, America in, particular. It is nothing new to hear of the skill of the British workman, with his perseverance and endurance, but our American cousins have shown that something more than skill, and perseverance, and endurance, is necessarj’ to ensure success in the commercial struggle for existence. We often hear that the Yankee is unequalled for inventiveness, and looking at the wonderful array of labour-saving machinery they have produced for facilitating the

conduct of everv dcparunent of labour, agricultural, manufacturing, ami domestic, we are compelled to believe it. Seeing that the progress of mechanical invention now plaj r s so important a part in securing gencrrl advancement of a people commercially, it may be worth while to inquire wherein lies the advantage possessed by the Americans over the British in travelling this particular line of progress. We think that a hint is given of the reason in another assertion that is often made, namely, that the British have suggested the ideas of most of the greatest mechanical inventions, but the Americans have worked them out. If this is really the case, the advantage possessed by the latter must be the greater encouragement given them to cultivate their inventiveness. A comparison of the most popular journals published in each country in the interests of mechanicians, will plainly show that this is the case, were there no other evidence of the fact. The ‘ Engineer,’ published in London, is, to the eye of a mechanician, a very heavy journal indeed. It cannot be considered a journal of inventions at all. The ‘Scientific American,’ on the other hand, does not disdain to notice a new form of tin-tack ; does not even think it derogatory to describe a mechanical folly in the shape of a new perpetual motion. Of course it is not the fact of the ‘Scientific American ’ taking notice of these things thai encourage inventors, but that the journal is so popular argues that the whole people take an interest in their discoveries. In Britain, when a man makes, or fancies he makes a discovery, lie turns over in his mind what he had best do to attract notice to this ‘invention. If he is a rich man, or has rich friends to help him, if his invention is real, he is on the highway to independence ; if he is a poor man he is only forging chains to bind him more firmly to Jus poverty. The patent office is so beset with difficulties, there is so much red tape about it, that not one poor man out of twenty ever obtains a hearing or has the least notice taken of his ! business. The consequence is, he turns away disgusted, and vows to spend no more time in that which not only profiteer not, hut that brings so much pain and : disappointment. Not so with the Yankees. , If a man has or thinks he has fallen upon i a plan that will further the progress of ; manufactures, he is immediately taken by the hand by.those able to assist him, and : if his invention should be worth anything well, if not, he receives such encouragement that he perseveres until success i rewards his efforts. Tens and hundred of ; instances could be shown wherein some of j the most valuable inventions have issued from such beginnings, the effect of which is now being felt by the manufacturers in the British Isles. One instance may be quoted, which is just lately noticed in the English Press, the manufacture of steel. It is said that it can now through an American invention be accomplished at a third less cost than formerly, and this has opened the eyes of the Britisher to where the strength of the American lies. This is only one instance, and many more are quite well known where the American far outstrips the Britisher. The first iron-clad was built io America. The reaper and binder, and many other, down to the apple peeler or potatoparer—inventions that the British would not condescend to notice, are American inventions. . Here, then, much of their strength lies. How well they have beaten the English can be proved by the leading merchants of England turning to new countries, such as Africa, for an outlet for their manufactures. Not only in hardware, but in soft goods, are they fairly beaten by foreign nations. It is not unusual for foreigners to go to the English markets to boy wool, take it home, manufacture it, and return it to the British Market, and undersell the very people who boast so much of (heir superiority. What has been done by the Americans may be done by the N.w Zealanders in a smaller degree. Ours is a life comparatively undisturbed with rumours of war. Wo do not need to study the arts of war, or to invent machines for destruction of life ; but it is our duty, and our interest, to encourage (hearts of peace. Can we not improve, for instance, the machinery for cultivating (he soil ? ploughs, harrows, gorse-cutters, rootpulpers, &c. ? Is it not possible to invent some machine that would compress and make portable the many mounds of straw that are yearly consigned to the devouring flames. In such seasons as the present, would it not be well if this precious provender could be secured in a state of preservation ? In the old country, it was not unusual to saturate the cattle’s fodder with reduced molasses, and thus make it greedily sought after as an artie'e of food. If our Government? were at all liberal, it might afford a bonus for such inventions. Condensed or cured straw, supplied with root crops in winter, or alone with plenty of water in sum. mer, would keep in goad condition any amount of stock until a dry season comas to an end. Then again, our dairy produce, such as butter and cheese, also our honey—supplies of which could ha largely increased. There are many other things, invention for improving or utilising of ! which ought to be encouraged by our j Government. A few thousand—aye, a few tens of thousands of pounds expended in bonuses, for such discoveries would be j

speedily returned to the country. Then again, there are our fisheiies, the most profitable of industries to a country, because the sea requires no bribing to induce it to give up its treasures. If a bonusfor improvement in boats or lines, or for quantity of produce were offered, what stimulant would be given to genius to exercise its now dormant powers. The inhabitants of New Zealand are not deficient in muscular strength or agility—nor are they, we think, deficient in mind more than in bodily strength. They also bid fair soon to rival other nations in the educational acquirements. All that is wanting is encouragement to start in the race of improvement. Ours is not like the savage race, who are too stoical to improve. Encourage the British race, and you can make them almost do anything. Would it not be well, therefore, to learn a lesson from our Yankee friends, and encourage a wholesome rivalry in invention in these useful arts 1 The effect would be wonderful. We see what energy popularity of anything inspires. Take the telephone, for instance, or the phonograph. How many were stimulated by the fame achieved by the inventors to go and do likewise. So would it be in other directions. The effect would be marvellous. In an agricultural country especially, every new labour-saving or food-preserving invention would be more productive of wealth than a mine of gold. Instead of continually talking politics, let us try how best to improve this method or that machine ; let our leading men turn their thoughts to the study of such subjects as we have hinted at, and the enjoyment to themselveswould be greater, and the good to the country infinitely more than will follow from eternally diecussing the merits of a Grey, a Stafford, or a Vogel, as a leader of our law-making fraternity.

Coursing. —The Committee of the South Canterbury Coursing Club meet this evening at the Royal Hotel to draw up a programme for the first meeting, and to discuss other important matters. A full attendance of members of committee is therefore desirable. Mechanics’ Institute. The annual general meeting of the members of the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute, postponed from Friday last, will be held on Friday next at 8 p,m. We hope to see a good gathering. Salk of Stock-In-Trade. —We beg to direct attention to an advertisement in another column of the clearance by auction of Mr Essery’s stock-in-trade. Messrs John King and Co. will conduct the sale. Local Mails, —An advertisement elsewhere invites tenders for carrying mails to Milford and Kerry Town. This extension of the postal system cannot but be of great advantage to the settlers in those neighbourhoods. Children’s Treat. —The annual Church of England Sunday School treat at Geraldine takes place to-morrow afternoon. The success which has attended these annual gatheringe of the rising generations is well known, and its fame is sure to attract a large number of both young and old. All children will be regaled and amused gratis, and adults will be supplied with refreshments for the moderate charge of Is each. Diphtheria in Temuka. —We are glad to be able to report that no fresh cases of this dangerous disease have appeared. That diphtheria manifested itself when and where it did is not to he wondered at. In one ease the drainage of the house was just such as to indnee an attack of some complaint or other whose parent is filthiness, and in the other case the state of things though less dangerous were far from satisfactory. Temuka is not a cleanly town but it is not so bad as to permit of a general outbreak of this particular form of disease. Long-continued dry weather, is, we understand, an important condition in the development of diphtheria, and this condition unfortunately was present until the disease appeared. The advent of rain removed the danger of fresh cases arising in other places. The ‘ Timarn Herald’ of Monday containes a paragraph which we were sorry to see published, as it is misleading and may do injury to the reputation of Temuka. The writer greatly exaggerates the extent of the sickness, and attributes its occurrence to to the stagnation of the Vine street drain. This is absurd. The Vine street drain is not at all in a dangerous state, and if it were, it could not have affected the families lately attacked, as one of them lives some three hundred yards, and the other half a mile from it. We are assured that there need now be no fear of fresh cases occurring but care should be taken to render those spots from which the late cases originated innocuous. Several parents suggested that the school should be closed but the school committee after duo consideration decided that this was unnecessary as the disease was confined to two houses. / Temuka School Committee. —An ordinary meeting of this committee was held on . Monday evening. Present, Messrs Wilson, (Chairman) Gray. Russell, and Storey. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Hoard of Education asking the committee to forward an estimate of their requirements in buildings &c. for the ensuing year. Messrs Wilson and Gray were appointed a sub-oommittee to see what will be required and to obtain an estimate of the oost. A second letter requested the committee to nominate two gentleman for election as members of the Board. On the motion of Mr Storey, seconded by Mr Russell, it was agreed to nominate the Rev. G. Barclay and Mr K. P. Gray. A third letter from j the Board re the auditing of accounts was read. It was resolved to ask Mr Fauvel to audit them. A letter from Mr Duval, arebiteefc to tho Board, stated that' tha piano and j

specifications of the alterations to the Temuka school had been forwarded to Temuka for the information of local builders. The resignation of Master W. Rowe as pupil teacher was read and accepted. The secretary stated that, under direction, he had written informing the Hoard that Master William Rowe had resigned. A discussion then took place on the advisability of closing the school, owing to cases of diphtheria having occurred in the district. The Chairman stated .that owing to the scare the outbreak had occasioned, only forty-one children had- attended school on the previous Friday, and on Monday only fifty-one. It was decided not to close the school, as the complaint does not appear to be spreading, and the public health would not be endangered by keeping the school open. The Chairman laid upon the table a draft of the next annual report of the Committee, and it was decided to adopt it with some slightamendments. Accounts to the amount of £l7 7s 3d were passed for payment. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

Foot Race at Temuka.—On Saturday afternoon a 100 yards match for £5 aside between E. Forward and J. Murphy, was run off on the Temuka cricket ground. The match had been talked of for some time, and considerable interest was manifested in it, a great number of -people turning out to see the race. A vei’y good plan was adopted to secure fair running a plainly-visiblo cord being stretched from end to end of the course, the men running one on each side of it. They were started by pistol shot. Both men watched eagerly for the signal but Murphy got slightly the advantage attlie start, and landed a winner by about five feet. Messrs J. Paterson and J. Cockroft were timekeepees and the, time they gave was lllr seconds.

Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— Sore Throats, Diphtheria, and Bronchitis. —These medicaments boldly face the evils they profess to remedy. Local relief and general purification progress together ; disease .is cured, while the whole system is cleansed. Holloway’s Ointment, rubbed on the throat and chest exercises the most beneficial influence over sore throats, diphtheria, and cough, whether resulting from catarrh, asthma, or bronchitis. This unguent acts miraculously in arresting the extensions of sores, healing ulcerations, curing shin diseases, and completely stopping all destructive inflammation, irrespective of its exciting cause, character, situation, duration, or severity. Holloway’s Ointment, aided by his Pills, gives most immediate and most marked relief to those irritating itchings and painful swellings of the shins occasioned by mercury or latent syphilitic virus.