The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JULY 30, 1883. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 30 July 1883, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JULY 30, 1883. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

We have received, the sixth annual report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, Mr Wm. E, E, Brown, if he spoke freely would possibly call them the Unfriendly Societies, It has been his mission to worry them somewhat for returns and statistics, and they have in many instances resented the numerous inquiries of that zealous officer. Occasionally he has even had to snub them a little, as for example when he rejected the services of valuers nominated by them because they could not answer certain actuarial conundrums which he submitted to them as tests of their capacity. In his report he naively remarks, " In not a single instance has' any attempt as yet been made to answer these questions." Anyone reading the queries referred to by him will probably sympathise with the individuals who declined to grapple with them. We give the following as a specimen: "The probabilities that Smith will remain a member of his Court at the end of ten years is twothirds. There is one chance in eight of his dying in the interval. Estimate the probability, of his seceeding from the Court during the interval," We can almost understand why the Friendly Societies love Mr Wm. R. E, Brown when he puts questions like this to their officers. The principal value of the Registrar's report lies in its statistics. Unfortunately in New Zealand we always get our statistics a little stale. The present report, for example, instead of giving a record for 1882, is made up on the returns of 1881, We would sooner have our figures a little fresh, even if they were less perfect and elaborate, A smart registrar ought to be able to give them to the public before they are two years eld, ■ We have, however, to be satisfied with the returns for 1881, From these we gather that the Odd Fellows head the list with seventy-one lodges, the Foresters coming next with fifty-five courts. Then follow thirteen Druidical Lodges, ten American Odd Fellows' lodges, nine Rechabite Tents, seven Catholic benefit societies, six Divisions of Sons and Daughters of Temperance, two Shepherds' Sanctuaries, two Railway Employees' Benefit Societies, and one

isolated local society, The gross assets of the various societies amounts to £179,600, of which <£109,787 is repre-1 aented by money invested, £51,926 by■ land and cash in handi £4,468 goods and regalia, and other assets £1,253. On the question of valuations the Registrar reports that the result of an investigation into the finances of the Wellington Foresters Distriot gave an acturial deficit of £6,821 Is sd, The acturial deficit of the Grey town Court, with eighty members, is put down at £6lB j of tho Masterton Court, with ninety-two members, at £878; of the Carterton Court, with thirty-two memItors, at £246 ; and of the Tinui Court, with thirty-one members, at £319. This unsatisfactory result was in a measure due to the funds of the various Courts not being invested to the best advantage, the interest received in some instances being less than one per cent, instead of eight or nine per cent —a rate obtained by more enterprising courts elsewhere. The Greytown Court, for example, with £925 to its credit, had £6OO sunk in lands and buildings, and only £l5B at interest; the Masterton Court, with £5lB to its credit, had but £7O at interest, and £443 absorbed by land and buildings; tho Carterton Court, with £279 to the good, lmd£24oinvestedin land and buildings. Those figures seem to indicate that there has been weak management in the past, and that a Mr Wm, R, E, Brown is required as a wholesome stimulant to friendly societies. The Wellington district apparently has more than any other section of the colony sank its funds in what might be termed unprofitable investments. From the December, 1881, returns we gather that the muster roll of the various.' benefit societies in this district wa3 as; followsMasterton, 179; Grey town / 103; Carterton, 69; Featherston, 48 j and Tinui, 31. It is now, as everybody knows, very much larger, but, unfortunately, we are not supplied with results for the past year, and shall have to wait another twelvemonths for them. Half the interest of the report is lost by the age of its statistics, and we fear that exemplary officer, Mr Wm. Pi, E, Brown, must be a little slow.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from the Registrar General's Office of part IV of the Statistics of New Zealand for the year 1882, with abstracts from the Agricultural Statistics of 1883. The weekly entertainment at Greytown this evening promises t9 be a very satisfactory one there being a probablity of several Masterton geutlemen taking part, and otherwise a grand programme has been prepared. The Greytown Footballers had a good practice on Saturday afternoon about 25 players taking part and play was continued for two hours. The Masterton players were also out in good force and a lair practice took place. We presume it will not be long before the dato of the cup match is fixed, and it behoves both teams to get into good form,

our Woodville correspondent writes that a quantity of rain haß fallen during the last three days, the result of whieh is a fresh in theManawatu river. Hugo logs are said to be floating down the river at a rapid pace. Last night the ferry punt was struck by one ot these and was partially, carried away. Steps are being taken to repair the .damage, The cement which was stored for use on McKenzies bridge cuutract had to be shitted, as the river was rapidly rising to the level of the storehouse. Some 70 barrels are said to be partially welted, but probably no great loss haß been sustained. The cost of sheep inspectors last year was £12,113, the rates collected Horn sheepownerß amounts to £14,575.

Messrs Lowes and lorns announce a novel sale for Saturday next, viz., the unredeemed pledges of a Wellington pawnbroker, consisting of jewellery, pictures, and clothing, also a Carterton town section.

The Wairarapa Pastoral Society invite tenders for erecting ten chains of board fencing on the Carterton show grounds,

Wsirarapa residents will regret to hear that Mr Jno. Young of Cuba-street, Wellington, has lately been suffering from a severe attack of rheumatic fever, and having just recovered, has determined 10 return to Victoria, therefore lie is now realising on his stock of Ironmongery until be'ean dispose of the business in a lump sum. Parties requiring Ironmongery should not lose this opportunity of securing any bargains they may want, With such keen competition as there is at the present time among'the businoss community, when to do business at'all, every artifice has to be adopted to attract the buyers' notice, it is not to be .wondered at that anything novel in the: way uf advertising is eagerly sought after, and curried out, We have splendid imitations of cheques, duly signed and crossed, temptingly thrown in our way, and when we are about to congratulate ourselves on a piece of good luck, we find it is the medium adopted by an enterprising tradesman, to communicate the fact to us, that he has some extraordinary bargains to dispose of. Then again J. B. or S. B, as the case might be, is advertised to call at a certain place of business, and he will hear of something to his advantage.- When the indjviddal ,e.alls'whose initials oorrespond with those adveriaed for, he is infoimed that a Bplendid Tweed suit can be purchased there for 25a, or some other article equally cheap, We could continue enumerating the various methods adopted, but will content ourselves by noticing an idea that was oarried out by a Masterton tradesman on Saturday evening last, that ranks about first for Attraction, and we think, originality, Not content with having the largest printed sign yet seen in the Wairarapa, Mr Sohroder converted one of his large windows into an aviary, in which birds of all colors were Been flying from perch to perch, and sporting about among the foliage that formed the background. During the early part of the evening, the footpath was completely blocked with the crowd attracted by the show, and pedestrians had t» make a circuit into the road to pass the shop, If our business men are doing in for any more attraction, we should suggest that notice be given to the police authorities, so that a sufficient body be told 08 for duty to keep the front of the shop dear for the occasion. The Canterbury and Wellington Football toamß arrived in Masterton by speoial train yesterday midday, • After dining at the Club Hotel they wire driven to Te Ore Ore, accompanied by several of the Mas'erton Footballers, where about an hour anda half was spent .inspecting the places of interest in the Maori Settlement the large carved whare attracting especial attention. The weather was delightful, and the visitors expressed themselves highly pleased with the trip, the Rimutuka Incline being the source of great interest to them. They returned to Wellington in the afternoon at 4 o'clock.

We learn-by telegram that llio Catalonia, a direct steamer from London, has arrived in Wellington.

A good demand has sprang up io Sydney for New Zealand draught horses, and some recent shipments have resulted, satisfactorily, between £4O and £SO ahead being obtainable. The horses are wanted for the Bupply of Queensland market, where the waste is very great, owing, it is said, to the water. A horse is not worth,much more than three years' purchase in Queensland. Wo hear that no decision has as yet been arrived at with respect to the appointment of a letter carrier for MasterUn. It was understood that arrangements would, if practicable be completed last week so that the Dew delivery might have heen commenced on the Ist proximo.

The Rev. L, M. Isitt yesterday in announcing an offertory for foreign missions stated that he could not advocate this particular cause conscientiously, as their home missions as yet were not properly supported, and holding that hefr first duty was to provide for the latter.

Messrs Lowes &lorns had a large attendance at their aalß on Saturday last. The Masterton Sash and Door Faotory and Saw Mill at Opaki were submitted, and I a sed in at £I9OO. Horses were sold from ;£5 10a to £5 !7s 6d; single buggy, £l6; black feed oats, 2s 8d per bushel. J'urnitilre and sundries concluded the tftle:

The question of concrete or asphalte footpaths is likely to c imo before the Borough Council to morrow evening, It is due to the Queen-street ratepayers that they should have some assistance from tho Council in constructing suitable footpaths in front of their establishments, and it is also desirable that the Oounoil should determine whether concrete or asphalte should be the material used in constructing thorn,

On Saturday list, a batch of the Masterton Volunteers fired for Sub-Lieutenant Williams' trophy. Tho highest scorers were R. McKenzie (handicap 5 points) 61; A. Matthews (scratch) 48; and 6. Bentley (scratch) 48. Another batch will lire on Wednesday next.

Mr Geo. Dixon, of the Masterton Tobacco and Cigar Diyan, has a business announcement in our advertising columns of great interest to smokers.

It will be remembered that a ehort time ago tlie Masterton Town Lands Trust pureed to give towards levelli.ig the Park Ovnl, provided Riibacriptiona 10 a similar amount wore icised olsewhore. The Park Trustees have eacceeded in raising the sum necessary to enable them to claim the '.i!own Landß Trust grant, and in the course of a few days formal application will be made for it.. The following is the subscription list of the Park Trust. It will be open for additional names till Saturday next, and|anyone willing to contribute towards it will kindly send in liia name hy that date: —Mastei'ton Park Trust £lO, Wairavapa Caledonian Sooiety £lO, Associated Friendly Societies £7lob, J. Ring £ls, W. EI. Beetiiar.i £5,5?. G, Moore £3 3s, G. Beethawi £'3 3s, 11. S. ilawkinsi £3 3s, D, McGregor £3 3s, PI. (Jaselberg £2 2s, C, S. Hood £2 2s, F, Harrison £2, a friend £2, E. Meredith £1 Is, Jns. Macara 11 Is, E. Feist £1 Is, D. F, McCarthy £1 la, Rapp and Hare £i Is, S. Mawley £1 Is,! lev L. M. Lsitt £1 Is, A. Elkins £1 Is, \. B. S. Carr £1 Is, R, Haro, £1 Is, J. Payton and Co, £1 Is, R, EL, Chinohen 10a 6d, and Jaß. Thompson 10s 6d. It is expeoted that several additional names will be nddc 1 to this list by canvassers who have not, as yet, given in their complete returns.

The trial of Catherine Griffin, who was al'eged to be the author of the Brighton begging-letter frauds, came to a conclusion at the general sessions by the acquittal of the accused, after a short deliberation by the' jury, It will be remembered the accused was chargpd with writing lettera in the name of a daughter of Professor M'Coy, beegini.' assistance for a brother supposed to be in distress in New Zealand. The Court strongly commented upon the absence of certain witnesses who had been examined in the Polioe Court. The acquittal of the girl was hailed with loud demonstrations of approval, and outside the Court she and other members of the family who wero present wore warmly congratulated,

Coratede Bartholdi's galvanic statute of Liberty, designed as n lighthouse for New York harbor, represents 200 tons of iron and copper, and will be higher than the column of Vendome. Thu Bavaria of Munich is only 50ft high, and that of Sir Charles Burromeo 69ft; the Colosaaa of Rhodes would only be a pigmy alongside Liberty. In the calf of the latter's right leg twenty five persons could dine; the lady's iudex fingers are each 80 inches long; and sixty persons are employed fiviting the joints of that gigantic female. Between six and half-past this morning »most dreadful tragedy was enacted at the Nelson goal. At present it is impossible to gather ah particulars, but it appears the only warder in charge, John Adams, must have allowed Davidson, a prisoner serving a life sentence for the manslaughter of Dennis Quinlan, at Lyell, to leave his cell, probably tu enable him to go to work in the kitchen. Davidson appears to have been looked upon as a very quiet man, for though special precautions were taken with him afier he was.sentenced, he seems to have been so docile as to have averted any apprehensions of his becoming violent. Adams after liberating ihe prisoner, went into the yard, and then came the dreadful •Joed. The prisoner was left without 'cbntrol, and, probably seized with a desire io escape, he seems to have taken a tomahawk and smashed in the guard room door; that done he seized a couple of loaded revolvers, and with one hastened to the yard where poor Adams was, and shot him through the head. Of course the deed wbb unwitnessed, but from the surrounding circumstances it would appear to be the oourse pursued, The noise ■of the revolver awakened Mr Shalleross gaoler and Mrs Shalleross, and both having but an indistinct idea that there was something wrong, hastened into the gaoh In tlie corridor thoy were met by David-'son-with two revolvers, which he was presenting. The gaoler spoke to the man firmly but kindly to induce him to retire. Mrs Shalleross aked him where Adams was, to this the prisaner said, "Oh yes, he's in the yard all right." Mr Shalleross then entreated him to lay aside his weapons, and he parleyed for a consider able time, and appeared to be somewhat pacified. He then demanded of Mrs Shalleross that she should let him pass, and escape from the gaol, and though unarmed the gaoler opposed him. Davidson then spoke of the Lyell murder, making a charge against a woman concerned therein and asserting his own innocence and while Mr and Mrs Shalleross were doing all they could to pacify him, the man put one of the revolvers in his mouth, and in an instant firdd, and was dead. Adams came to Nelson from Wellington recently, and had a wife and four children, the youngest two months old.

Don't die in the hodse,—" Rough on Bats" dears out rats,-mice, beetles, roaches bed-bugs, flies, ants, inaeots, moles, jackrabbits, gophers 7£. Moses, Moss, & Co., Sydney, General Agents,

A letter signed " Traveller," which appeared in our last issue has led in some quarters to a misconception. Wedonotwish our column! to be made a medium for misleading any person, and we therefore, think it right to at once state that the person against whom "Traveller" preferred his indictment is a leading member of the Presbyterian community in Masterton, The charge is of so serious a character that we think "Traveller" should make it openly and give the person he accuses the opportunity of denying it or explaining tho apparent misconduct. Since the above was in type, we have received tho following letters, which speak for themselves, and remove all misconception with respect to " Traveller's letter" Sir,—l am the person to whom your correspondent " Traveller" refers, I may state that I was travelling when extremely unwell, and, as I hold I have a right to do, openly availed myself of the only remedy within reach, The pledge I have taken binds me to abstain from intoxicants as beverages, and this I trust I shall always do; but I claim liberty as a man and a Christian minister to meet a special need with the only remedy at hand. I shall not take " Travoller'B" advice and take the blue ribbon off, or cease lo advocate temperance, but go forward .in the hope that men generally have more sense and charity than your correspondent. I am, eto, David Fulton." Sir,— Allow me space to stale that the Rev. D, Fulton has explained to me tho circumstances under. which he had recourse to an intoxicant as a medicine, and that so far as my judgment goes there is,»othing in Mr Fulton's pledge or standing aa a temperance reformer to tender his action a violation of truth and sinceiity. I claim the right, should it commend itself to my judgment, to aot in a similar way under similar circumstances.—l am &c., L. M. Ism." One of our numerous' readers, being nf an inquiring turn of mind, says that he has tried evory drapery and clothing establishment in the Wairarapa for ihe purpose of finding out who keeps the best stuff and sells the cheapest. He says lie has had considerable experience in the drapery trade, therefore considers himself a competent judge. He gives his opinion in favor of L. J. Hooper & Co., of the Bon March 6 Warehouse, who, he states, has a larger and better stock to choose from than any country store in New Zealand, and fit for ; any town in the colony.—Advt. The extraordinary sale of Surplus Winter Stock at Te Aro House, Wellington, should be a matter of some interest to all readers of tho Waibarapa Daily for, these special reason!', Ist, because of the largeness of the stock, 2nd, because of the ahort duration of the s-ile, 15 days only, 3rd, because of the unprecedentedly low prices. Our price list, issued with this paper, should, we think, astonish everybody, and very certain it is that a trip to the sale would bo money in pocket to every Wairarapi resident that should try it. If not able to come, their orders, accompanied with cash, would be as well executed as though selected personally. It simply means 20s for 10a, or evea less in many cases, therefore try it, O ye residents, and that right early. Bear in mind that we have no country businesses whatever, no branohes in any township, aud no one is authorised to sell for us, either regularly or irregularly. Il'e have only one place of business in the province, and the public would do well to keep this fact in mind when sending their orders, or visiting Wellington, that our sole establishment in the colony is that known as James Smith's, To Aro House, Wellington.—Advt.