The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, MAY 16, 1881.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 769, 16 May 1881, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, MAY 16, 1881.

We published on Thursday last the balance sheet of tlio Masterton Borough Council for the past year. Those who have taken trouble to analyse it will probably have come to the conclusion that on the whole it reveals a tolerably sound financial position, and that even the withdrawal of the' Gov-; eminent subsidy, though it may impair the Council's ofliciency, wiil not make the task of carrying on insuperable,. .The cashineomefor the pastvear amounted to £I,BOO, and of this sum more than £1,400 was raised locally. In the year on which we have just entered we presume that at least £1,500 will be raised within the borough, and if not a sixpence be.obtained from the paternal Government, Mastni'ton possesses within its own resources an income sufficient to keep its existing roads in fair repair, and to construct a moderate amount of new ones, During the past year over £I2OO has been spent in road work and road repairs, and in the present one there should be nearly a thousand pounds available for the same objects, Ihe miscellaneous receipts uf the Council might to cover departmental and special expenses, and the whole of the rates should to the last sixpence bo expended on roads, Apparently, £I2OO is not a very large sum for the Borough to have spent out of an income of£lßoo on public works. It.must not, however, be assumed that the balance of £6OO is absorbed by departmental expenses. There are large slices which go to make up this amount' which must necessarily be regarded as distinct from either office or public works expenditure. The payments which have been made to the public park, to the hospital, and to the lire brigade are cases in point. Another example would be the £67 paid to the Borough Inspector. This though strictly a departmental item cannot be looked upon as part and parcel of the ordinary , expenses of management, as the main part of this officer's salary is recouped by fees and fines which lie is I instrumental in bringing into the Borough coffers, if the Borough were merely to be regarded as a Bond Board it might, perhaps, be urged that its departmental expenses arc high, but this would bo a very narrow view to take of its range of duties. It is a governing body, as well as a road making one, and the number and variety of its responsibilities necessarily involve an outlay which would be superfluous in an ordinary lload Board. An active and intelligent Borough Council has almost an unlimited capacity for usefulness, and though in a small Borough like Masterton the machinery is a little cumbrous and postly, the game is worth the candle. As an instance of the occasional advantages which a borough may reap we might point out oue or two windfalls which Masterton lias already secured through its Borough Council, such as 746 acres of land in the Mangaone district, and a valuable endowment of land and cottages within its own limits. So far there is little to regret in the municipal history of the Borough, Evidence of the enterprise and foresight of its rulers is apparent en every side, and now when its income is almost cut down to one half its former proportions by the withdrawal of tho Government grant, it is found strong enough to run alone. It must not be taken for granted because boroughs are now, owing to colonial embarrassments, out in the cold, that they will always remain so. The time will come round again when outsido pickings will be possible, In the meauv hile the policy of the borough must bo economy and self reliance, combined with a sufficient dash of enterprise to enable it to keep abreast, if not ahead, of its contemporaries in other parts of the colony,

The usual fortnightly sitting of the R.M. Court at Featherston takes place to-day. Messrs Baillie and Terry commence work at their new mill in Papawai, Greytown, to-day,

During the winter the coach from Masterton will make Tonui its terminus, and the mail from there to Castle Point will be carried en horseback. Tho Hon John Johnston with- several members of his family passed through Masterton en route for Wellington on Saturday last, It is reported that' Mr J. A, Perry has resumed the landing service at Castle Point.

From and after to-day the station at Foxliill will bo closed and an office opened at the railway station named Bellgrove, county Waimea. Miss Best's pupils will reassemble for the second term of 1881, on Thursday 26th May.

The.amount subscribed for the Wellington and Foxton railway is reported to be £43,000.

Business is reported to have been fairly brisk during the past week in Wellington. At tho London wool auction on May 12, 9500 bales were catalogued, and prices were firmly maintained,

The Vincent County has reached the end of its financial tether. The Bank has refused further advances, and has requested the reduction of tho present overdraft.

We note carpenters seem busy in Greytown just now. Several improvements and alterations have been going on lately, and after a such a long season of depression we are glad to see even " a cloud the size of a man's hand," and take it as a token of an improvement in the times.

Mr Geo. A, Fairbrother of Carterton, has a trade announcement in another column. Since the beginning of WW when the depression waß first felt in the Wairarapa Mr Fairbrother as a matter of prudence reduced his stock of goods to within very moderate limits. Encouraged however by the marked improvement.perceptible during the last: few. months he has decided to largely extend his business and has Btooked his store accordingly.

Accordiii// to ;tlie American Architect, over ono, hundred railway bridge alone . lrnvo given : way in the United States within the last touv yoars, and their fall, has in the majority of cases been accompanied with a disastrous loss'of life and property.

Thirteen wandering dogs aro taken up daily by the police in' Paris, mid seiit "tu the pound to be destroyed after twentyfiiur hours, if not reclaimed. Pels lost to sight and memory dear, if not found at the weekly dog fair, may bo at the pound. Dogs and curs of high and low degree are each placed in ,i condemned cell ;■ poodles become downcast from the onset; others solicit your pity; a few defy you. Formerly tho..dogsJianged and, for coup degrace, struck on the head .with a bludseon.j now-they are placed tw.enty-five at a'time'in an open cage, which is shot into a resoryoir hermetically-closed-; -coal gas is turned on; and. in three minutes all is finished, Good souls, while enjoying their chop or rasher will be glad to learn this is superior to that for bleeding sheep ami slicking'pigs; the dugs display no sympions of having suffered, .The.carcases are sold for six sous each; the skins are worked up into mulls and gloves, perhaps for the owner of many a poodle; the fat is extracted to.grease railway carriages, and the bones to make animal black for ■refining loaf sugar for our free breakfast lali'cs, In industry, as iunature, nothing is lost. Stray monkeys, parrots, bullocks, &c,, furniture, vans, cabs, and omnibuses aro. not destroyed but sold to pay expenses'.

Tho concert in aid of the funds of the Greytown Horticultural Society was held on Friday evening, but unfortunately from 7.30 to 8 p.m. au exceedingly heavy rain full, Hooding the footpaths and rendering it very unpleasant to turn out. AVe are glad to slate that those who had resolution to do so found themselves rewarded by .a very, pleasant ovuniu". - Although the Hall was far from full, a very goud audience attended, considering (he inclement weather, Upwards of 43 children from the'school attended, and sung some six songs suitably to their capacity very well indeed. The Greytown Brass Band played two selections, after which Mr Hupp gave a comic,song, "Isn't It Funny What Money Can Do." Mr H, It liuiiny followed with the '' Tar's Fare--well." Miss Wyett, accompanied by Mr Tancred, sang "Joyous Life." Mr Black gave "Friar of Orders," which received a vociferous encore. Mr W, 0, Cull followed with "Seventy-Two," and was well received. Miss Spratt rendered " Kate ()'Shene," and received an encore. Mr Bunny come next with " Man the Life Boat" which was well sang and appreciated. Messrs Tancred and Snodgraas then gave a duet, the former on the violin which was handled in a masterly way, and tho latter on the piano. T'lis was most enthusiastically encored nud deservedly so, Miss E, Wyett then gave "Hearts Whisper's", a charming song that demanded and received an immediate encore. Mr ftapp followed with " Judge and Jury", in a character which proved vory popular. Mr Bell brought tho concert to a close with "Oh ! Oil 1 Hear the Wild Winds Blow." After the National Anthem the boards wero cleared for a danco for which an extra charge of Is was made, and to which many with light fantastic toe saw tho small hour's of the following day. Dr Henry Spratt and Mr Stevenson were unable to attend blit their duties wore ably fulfilled by Messrs Eapp and Bunny.

A vory cheap weather-glass is desoribed by an old sportsman that surpasses the most delicate baromoters. In a corner of a room in his house he has carefully protected a spider's web. When the insect shortens the threads which suspend the web, rain and wind may be expected; if reefs bo let out lino weather is certain; if the spider remains inert rain may be expected. Tho spider makes up its house every twenty-four hours; it this operation takes place in the evening a fine night and a beautiful morrow may be prognosticated.

The Detroit Lancet has the following in its January number:—Tho Boston physicians have adopted as a part of their future codo tho following"A physician should not append his name,, or permit it to ho appended, to certificates in laudation of speculative health resorts, health excursions, nutritive or dietetic preparations, proprietary formula, wines, mineral waters, beverages of real or supposed medicinal efficacy, or other medical or hygienic materials." It would greatly advance the interestsofscientificmedicine if all medicine societies would adopt and enforce the above, The New York County Medical Society at a late meeting, passed a law similar to the above.

One of Mrs Hampson's converts acted very strangely last Saturday night (says the Dnnedin Times). At the City Police Court yesterday a man named Kichard M'Pherson was charged with being illegally on the premises of Mr Tofiold, jeweller. He gave as an excuse that he was on his way homo after heaving an address by Mrs Hampson, which had somewhat affected him, and seeing Mr Mold's door open, it occurred to him that he might as well go inside and offer up a short prayer. He accordingly did so, and was crouched down uttering afew words of supplication, when he was perceived and arrested. As Sergeant Bevin, who was conducting the business of the Court, remarked, a jeweller's premises was certainly a .remarkable place for him to be found praying in ; hut the Bench were disposed to give him tho benefit of a doubt created iii their minds and discharged him.

The Marlborough Express says:—"We are informed that tho Canterbury side of of the Waiau River is now perfectly clear from Scab, Mr Rutherford's run, Montrose, having received its clean certificate. We also learn that the Lynde'n is again clean,,, and that tho country generally is in a satisfactory condition. ■ Many of those who profess to bo authorities have all along put very little reliance in the results shown by autumn musters, believing that they cannot ho depended upon as the criterion of flocks, as is the case with spring musters. Tho fact, however, should not be forgotten, that the conditions that hold good to.-tlay are not the same _ as a tew years ago,- when sheep intermixed indiscriminately and travelled about in large mobs. At tho preseut date, in consequence of tho enormous amount offering done throughout, the country, and otlior improvements, an autumn muster can be little different for the purposes of the sheep department'from one earlier in the year.

In the good old days of Masterfon, when storekeepers were scarce and money was plentiful, large profits and exorbitant prices were obtained, but now times are different, money is BCtivce, - and storekeepers are plentiful. Schroder, Hooper & Co,, Hall of' Commerce, have taken this into consideration, and have cut the prices and profits down to such an extent that they completely baffle all competition. Their stock is very large, ancl beautiftilly assorted in every department, with all the latest fashions for winter wear. Orders irpm the country are executed with despiltcli, and as carefully as if selected, in person, Purchasers of drapery, and clothing will do well to inspect {heir stock. Their advertisement will; be found on the front page of this paper, aud deserves cour sideration,—Advt,

;-'':The of the-Mailer-ton fii;o bctgado meet this afternoon. : The anniversary soiree of the Presbyterian Sunday/ school at Masterton will take placo.on.tho :Queeti's birthday.

, The Maatorton Highway Board met on Saturday last. Our 'report of it will appear to-morrow. •• _' ••

Tenders are invited up to the 24th inst. for the erection of the new "Masterton School. Plans may be p aiid at the office of Mr T. Turnbuli, the architect, at Wellington. Messrs J. lorns & Go. disposed of an additional 400 lots at the Empire Store on .Saturday last, but tliere " more to,follow," and they' resume th'eauctioii to-day, 'The; Matine,e of the ConfederateDiorama was well attended in the Town ..Hall, Masterton,-on Saturday "afternoon,; The little ones thoroughly.'eiijoy'ing' 1 the.; tieat. , We need hardly say that the free distribution of gifts proved immensely' popular. The Diorama opens to-night at Carterton, whoro we trust .it willjibe/wellsupported. " l ". On Saturday last Messrs C. A, YallanCe" and 6.-H. Lister the It.M, Court, Masterton, a man named . William Kennedy 48 hours for being" drunk and disorderly. - A lady connected with the Confederate Diorama Troupe, in coming down to this" district left at Woodville,- coadvi" basket; containing ;a diamond ring and other valuable*t-*Q'n rcac'hlng'Mastertou' she discovered her loss and.was.fortunate. enough to ascertain by telegram that her jewelry was in good hands and to' receive 1 it by first subsequent coach.' ' ' The Greytown Volunteers have received ■ their capitation money, which will be distributed, less arrears, next drill night, The Volunteer quadrille class commenced on Tuesday evening next, the band of theCorps supplying the musio. . ' The Greytown footballers had a lively practice on Saturday, lhere were "about thirty present, including several; Maoris; The latter take great interest in the game, and take the knocking about theygenerally receive with good humor

The rifle match between eleven members of the Greytown Volunteer Corps and eleven of Wangunui, took placo.on Saturday last, each squad firing -at their own butts, and telegraphing the-result.- .The Greytown men made 427 an average of nearly 39 per man, Wanganui scored 570, or an average of nearly B2 per man, which we beli.eve is the best average on record, There was a light wind blowing across the Greytown butts, from a contrary direction to that which has prevailed duriiig their last two or three practices, and this may have had something to do with tho smallness of the local score, Private H. Udy junr., made tho highest score for Greytown.

The Masterton Football Club held their usual practice on Saturday, about thirtysix members stripping for the game. Tho : captain acted as umpire, and kept the men in their proper position, aiid lined them well up when the ball was thrown out from "in touch." A little drill of this kind with so many new members cannot. be .other than boneScial, as it is only by each man attending strictly to the duties :of his position, and all working well together, that they can hope to successfully compete with clubs who have been well practised in these m&tters. A very good game was played, several smart runs occurring, and a decided improvement in former practices shown.

The executors in the estate of the late Mr Charles Dixon .invite tenders for the well-known 160 acres situated in the centre of Masterton. This , block of land is almost the heart of tlio townl On all sides it is surrounded by buildings, and 'sooner or later a network of roads must subdivide it, the property being.far- too; valuablo for the ordinary agricultural purposes.. On this estate there is one of tho oldest residences in Masterton, which in early days was the headquarters of the coach traffic of the town. It is surrounded by a garden and orchard, tho crops from which indicate a splondid soil. In fact, these IGO acres may be regarded as the garden of Masterton.

The late Lord Beacousfield didn't like the idea of some graceless descendant bringing shame upon his honored and famous name, and so when the Queen offered to grant letters patent making the earldom pass to his brother Ralph (who has a son just 14), he refused the honor. Tho tenantry on the Earl of Cork's estate in Kerry recently presented an address to his agent, Mr Leatliy asking him to convey to his lordship thanks from their inmost hearts for the ' paternal solicitude which he has at all times rnanifesied towards them, They also thank Mr Leatliy, in whom "his lordship's spirit is faithfully reflected," and conclude by expressing their belief that, "if every landlord were a Lord Cork aiid every agent a Mr Leathy, Ireland would not. he as. she is to-day.'.

Messrs Chambers Bros, in their mail circular, give some information which will be news to barley-growers. • They say—" Barley has proved verv difficult to sell, English has been' forced on the market at low rates, which has affected the value of all other kinds. Itis.found that much of the New Zealand does not grow readily, from being a year old. It should be shipped early, so has 'to commence our malting season, with, •in August and September," We (Otago Daily Times) believe'that hitherto an exactly opposits opinion has been held.

One of the.. niost remarkable shooting matches ever attempted in this country was begun on Wednesday at the Westminster Aquarium. Mr 'Carver, the American marksman,, and Mr Scott, a well-known pigeon shot, have undertaken to shoot at 20,000 glaBS balls, they competitor making the' highest score to receive LGOO. The.match will last ten days, 2,000 glass balls being' trapped', each evening. The balls were thrown from two traps in succession, and the competitors shot at 100, balls each alternately. In hia first round, Mr Scott broke 92 out of the 100, and Dr Carver 95. From, eight o'clock to twenty minutes to eleven, Dr Carver managedto" brerk 940 balls out of 1,000, and Mr Scott 935 out of 1,000. The rounds ran pretty evenly throughout. In the second, Mr Scott broke 93 out of 100, and Dr Carver 9G; in the third, Mr Scott broke 93, and Dr Carver. 09; in.tlip fifth round, how-, ever, ] both men managed to sn)ash 100 glass balls each, a feat probably un'paralelledin the history of shooting. The best time was made by Dr Carver'who broke the whole of his 100 balls, single rise in smin. 10 sec, and 100 balls both rising once in smin, 40sec, t lt.has> been , calculated that before the contest' closes 3ewt.' of powder will have been expended, one ton of shot used, and two tons of glass shattered.—At the close of Thursday evening's shooting the men ; tied*-having broken 1,909 out of' paper; '

"What,are. theso cups for 1 ;f;. asked' a.well;dressed man of a,jeweller, pointing- to some elegant silver cups, on the show case. "These are race-cups, tq/be given to 'the best racer." '.lf, that's so,, suppoße you and I race for one,",and ; the; stranger with cup in hand, started, the jeweller after him. The stranger won the oup.

James Gordon BennoV accordiriijfto I "Gath," can draw a cheque for on the Now York Herald every-weeki still have a surplus at die end of the year. H. W. Grady, ofOonstitution,... Bays Bennett's net profits are §760,000. a year, and that §3,000,000 has been vainly offered for the Herald, "of City of Glasgow Bank'(says a contemporary), Beem to be flourishing. . From a_ "correspondent in Scotland' we iearn'that' the manager is li ving in the modern Athens "as bright as ever." Potter is also located, there in a fine mansion. Ingliß, another director, is a fac.tor for a Scottish nOblemanrin'London, Another resides in ■a*ma!;nificent house near Stirling, and -gives, State banquets ; while- another has .built a beautiful . place on the shores of Lake Geneva.

T SiifD, Goiich, MiP,,)in'' presiding aU half-yearly meetirig .'of Western Railway, said the Bnowstorm which occurreil in. Jannary'reduced. their receipts by i5G,000, Had that sum been in their packets ■ they would htive :be!in''ublo ito or J per cent more dividend. •To (indicate"thef exte'iit of the tit'orm), he might say. that theyjiad to exoavatWthe snow from 111 mjles of railway, varying in depth from' three to nine feet, Sixty.^r.lr!li!L9.had.to..be dug.out, and blocks took place on 141 different parts of their aysfeaf ' T r J' j !_. ■