The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1885. RAILWAY FARES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1978, 30 April 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1885. RAILWAY FARES.

ir The Qgifc.ij.tion for the reduction of rail- \ way fares, was started some time ago by Mr Vailr, appears to have fallen very flat with the public, and unless that gentleman possesson n superabundance of energy, we are not likely to hear a great deal more about it. Mr YifLp claims that he has had a : long experience in railway matters m various parts of the world, ijnij on tliid experience he bases his assertion Ijiat if the fares were decreased, say, by one half, the passenger traffic would be about three or four times as larye, and that this would leave a fair profit for the additional rolling /stock that would be required. We Juiye no jloubt that in a thickly populated country like England, where the class that can afford to indulge in pleasure seeking is vary numerous, this principle would, within certain limits, prove correct enough; but in New Zealand the matter has a very different aspect. We have not yet succeeded in establishing a population on such a basis that pleasure seeking can be looked upon as of very great importance; hence it comes that the great majority who travel, do so on business, and not for the sake of enjoyment. The farmer considers a cheap grain or wool rate to be of far greater importance than what he pays for his fare when he wishes to visit a seaport, and ti.e business man in the latter finds that the amount which he annually disburses for the carriage of goods is infinitely larger than his fares for travelling, The Government has noticed Mr Taile's efforts in so far Uiat occasional cheap excursion!! have beeir ran.on a number of lines. These have been very fairly patronised, but the receipts from the last were not nearly so satisfactory a 8 those from the first, showing that the pleasure-seeking element was becoming exhausted, We also learn on good authority that these excursions materially affected the receipts during the three or four davs preceding and succeeding them, and the profits arising from them are therefore subject to a deduction before it calculation can be made as to the actual margin. Cheap fares are an undoubted boon to the public, but it would be absurd to suppose that such a reduction as that which is advocated by Mr Vaile would ■ lead to an increase of business that would equal that which took place in the introduction of the penny stamp in , England, We have always held that ' the present passenger rates on lines in New Zealand are too high, and that the 1 Wellington-Wairarapalineislabor- , ingunder.'a ; 'special-drawback, in as much as an imaginary are ; added to its-length to .compensate for

the expensive travelling ovor the Kimntaka; but we do not think that < the lihea would leave a reasonable pro- ' lit if the fares were reduced by • moro than about a third of the present rates. ' Mr Vatm is apparently an enthusiast ] in the matter, but we fancy that if lie ' were the owner of a line of railway , be would think twice Wore he would : introduoo the Bcale of fees which he : advocates. A bridge on the main road close to : Carterton lias apparently collapsed. If is : now being replaced. , In another column appears a notification from Mr F. H. Wood, 'in which lie gives details as to the arrangements wllicli he has made in connection with the conduct of his auctioneering and general agency business in Mastorton, together with a list_ of Insurance and other companies which he represents, The annual ball of tho Masterton Riflo [ Volunteers will be held at tho Theatre Royal on- the evening of Monday, the 25th May (Queen's Birthday). Now that such an interest has been created in military matters, there should be no lack of attendance in the pleasures connected with them. Up to two p.m. to-day, 120 electors had recorded their votes at the poll for the election of three Town Lands Trustees, Both sides have several cabs to bring voters to. the booth, but up to the time mentioned there was little excitement. The poll closes a six p.m. We regret to learn that Mr W. 0.. Williams'horse Danebury died at Tauherenikau on Tuesday. He was doing a gallop, with P. Hayward on his back, when he met with an accident, which caused such serious internal injuries, that it proved fatal. Danebury was twelve years old, and by Traducer—Ada. He was at one time the champion of the colony over short distances, and ho also put to his credit well-contested events over a long course, Mr Williams has the sympathy of tho sporting public in his loss, Thomas Ferrettor, a • prisoner, was brought up at lnvorcargill yesterday morning charged with an aggravated prison offence, He was ordered to broad and water for 14 days, During the case he applied the most foul and disgusting language to tho 11. M, The same prisoner recently got six months for assaulting the warder. Ferretter is well known in the Wairarapaand Wellington for his proclivity towards doing things that brought him under the eyo of tkt police. The good young man who (ought to have) died has turned up numerously in Auckland, Bays the Eveniny Press, Forty of him connected with various churches and societies of a so-called religiouß nature, has offered his services as a Volunteor Company in the event of ~ " the Russians being upon p." He is' u!)p,njmc;us in saying that his reasons for not joining any of the present Volunteer corps is" fear of contamination !" With forty righteous qf |hat kind, Auckland is safe. Residents along the Coast were not a little exercised a'few days asro by the appearance of a largo four-masted 'steamer, which kept in the tragk qf the small coasters, hugging the dangerous ppast, and steering towards Wellington. Spegjilatlon as to her identity was rife, and many saw in her ft Russian prujser, We may put all fears to an ond by stating that so far from boing an enemy, it was the Coptic, which has been engaged by tho Government for tho defences of the colony. A case of considerable interest to a large class gaip before the Hastings' Magistrate some few weeks ago, A ipii was observed by a zealous policeman sitting in a Bat|(chair in a state of helpless Intoxication, and was promptly conveyed to tho policestation. But the officer did not remove his prisoner from the chair until ho got him to the station, and the Bench decided that tl'js fapt precluded a conviction, as a Batlwhajr is private property, and on or in private property the Briton can get as drunk as he pleases,—Marl, borough Times. They havo not quit the use of the revolver in journalism yet in Indiana, On Feb, 7 Lee Linn, editor of the Wabash "Courier." was aocosted by a person named Hickey, who had made threats against Linn's life. Tho latter drew a revolver, and shot him through tho broasfc twico. Hickey came to town the day before for tho purpose of assaulting Linn, but was avoided by his intended victim, Next morning he was lying in wait for Linn, who, after warning him to keep away, jshofc him, Hickey called at Linn's officelas'fc'fali, and, was then ghot at by tho editor, but escaped unhurt, From reports of the Education Board meeting in Wellington papers we gather that it was Mr Beachy, at present in Wanganui, who was appointed assistant af. jfastprtpn. Miss McKenzie, of tho Wangaehu .scjipoj, applied for a bonus on account of tho successful result of the recent examination, but tho appjieajjon was not entertained, The" application of Mrs Fugle, of the Tauhcronik.au school, to attend the Training School, was ordered to stand over till next meeting. The jPaJijajp poiDinittoo applied for £4O for clearing an,(J fencing, t!|Q question being a}}owed to stand oyer fqr a inpnth. The application for £l5O for a teacher's resid'ouge was granted. It was decided to altar tho boundaries of the" Carterton School District in accordance with tho wishes of the local committees, proyided the throo committees interested agree to such a step. Tho Government Insurance Department informed the Board that the rent of the offices would be £IOO per annum. The Dalefield Committee was authorised to call for tenders for clearing the ground. The Belvidere and Kaitara Committees were asked to recommend pupil teachers, Mrs Council was appointed sewing mistress at Waihakeke. Tho Standard gives tho following additional particulars of the fire at Messrs Wakelin and Hawkins' mill, Grey town:— It appears that a half caste named Tom Williams, having occasion to get up earlier than usual, noticed a reflection of firo in the engine-shed, and at the top of his speed ho ran tor tho firebell, and rang tho alarm. Tho members of the Brigade wore goon about, and ran down with the engino, They found the engino house belonging to tho mill all on fire, though it had not broken forth. Up to this time Mr Wakelin was unaware of what was foingon, and his feelings when aroused may bo imagined, aftor all that firo has dono for him in the past. The Brigade got their engine ready, dropped the suction hose into a well, and then they worp exasperated to find that they could draw no water, aoinetlpg being wrong with tho ongino, They then had resource to buckets, and by dint of hard labor succeeded in preventing the fire spreading to the mill adjoining, By half past five all danger was over. Mr Wakelin is uninsured, and estimates his loss at from £75 to £IOO. The belts of the machine ' are destroyed, but as the wind was favorable, fortunatoly the large sash and door factory adjacent escaped without being scorched. The work of re-construction is ■ rapidly being pursued this morning, and : the mill will doubtless be at work again by Monday. The engine is not much injured, . j Don t die in the house,—'' Rough on Eats' clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs . flies, ants, insects, moles, jack-rabbits, gophers ; 74d —N.Z. Drug Company. i

Tenders for metalling and bushfalling on the Alfrcdton-Ekefcahuna road close tomorrow, , I Tho annual meefcm'g of tho ratepayers in the Castlepoint. Road district will bo held at the office of- tho Board at 2 p. m. on Saturday. A writ has been served on the New Zealand Rifle Association by Lioutenant Purnell, for his disqualification at the late champion firing. Mr F. H. Wood announces his first Stock Salo in Masterton for Wednesday next tho Gth inst. The entries already made include cattle, cattle, horses, sheep etc. ■ Tho Carterton Blue Ribbon Choir hold an open meeting in the old Town Hall ■to-night. In addition to tho programme the meeting will bo addressed by some Masterton Temperanco advocates. Wo are pleased to learn that the efforts which are being made by Mr Booth, to clear off the debt .of the Wairarapa Pastoral Society are proving highly successful. Wo hear that on Monday ho succeeded in placing £3OO on his list. The Masterton Temperanco Choir held their first meeting last night, • and made arrangements for practico music. Several new names were handed in for membership, and there is every probability of the choir proving a success, In the actions for damages brought against the New Zealand Rifle Association for breach of contract in not holding sports at Island Bay during the recent annual meeting, verdicts were given for defendants, without evidenco being called for defence. The following gentlemen Ifiive been elected members of the Featheraton Road Board without opposition;—ln Featherston sub-division, J, Donald; Kahautara sub-division, W. E. Bidwill; Wharekaka subdivision, E, F. Martin; Pahaua subdivision, J. Tully. We direct special attention to the sale of timber which will be held by Mr F. H. Wood at Mr Burt's saw mill, Kaiwaiwai, on Saturday. No less than 50,000 feet of all descriptions will pass under the hammer, and thoso in want of building matorial should have no difficulty in securing suitable lots, There is some talk of forming another choral society in Masterton, Some eight years ago Masterton had suoh a society, of which it had every reason to be proud; but it was allowed to die of negleet. Good matorial is, no doubt, available, and there is no reason why the present effort should not prove successful, After another long spell of fine woathcr, light rain commenced to fall yesterday morning, During the afternoon there was, however, a perfect downpour, which coutinuod with little intermission till early this morning, when the clouds lifted. Although the wind veorcd round to tho , South, the weather was not at all cold, and unloss a frost occurs, there should be a good growth pf grass,, The annual meeting pf ratepayers and subscribers to the Library, for the purpose of electing a Committee for the ensuing year, takes place at the Institute at 8 o'clock to-night. The present Committee meets an hour earlier to consider the annual report, which, jt wjll be remembered, was returned by the Borough Council because it had not passed through the hands of the Committee. A ceremony was quietly performed at 'St. Matthew's Church this morning, jn which the public of Masterton,"and especially old' residents, wil) feel a niore than an ordinary degree of interest, Mr G. W. Cox being united in marriage with Miss lonia, the second daughter of one of the first settlers in the place, The ceremony was performed by tho Rev, W. E. Paige. Their numerous friends will unjto with lis in wishingthe happy couple a long and prosperous life. With regard to the appointment of Miss Keeling to tho post of infant mistress in Masterton, wo may say that it has heen made in connection with the new school that is about to be established. The promotion, which is in itself of a very Satisfactory nature, is a woll deserved one, for Miss Keeling has been a teacher on the staff in Masterton for a considerable time, and has always beon known as most careful and painstaking in her work, It should meet with the entire approval of those parents who have young children' attending school. The concert in aid of St. Marks Church, Carterton, was very well patronised last night, considering tho inclemency of the weather, about three hundred people being present, The Chair ,vas occupied by the Rev. R. T. Bachelor, who opened the meeting by calling on the ladies and gentlemen to sing a glee, "Blow, blow, ye winter winds," and was followed by Mr H. R. Bunny with "Old St. Paul's," Miss Watson sang "Kerry Dance," and was loudly oncored, when she repeated tho latter part of the song, Next came Mrs Parsons with " Should he Upbraid," and was loudly encored, giving in response " Home, Sweet Home," Mr Judd then sang "Kathleen Mavourj)ccn." and was followed by Miss Parsons with " Tlfo Daughters of Islington," which she had to ropoiifc tp gaye t]io fl.oqr from being stamped through, Nbxt' caine ' Mr Downard with the " White Squall" in 'a very masterly voice, and was followed with a duet by Mrs and' Miss " The Gentle Breezes", Mr Rapp canio next wit)} "The Jolly Britons," keeping the audience in roars, of laughter, and in resporjso to an engpro sang " Here's to the Fore," Next came Mr \yright'with '' Where there's a Will thero's a Way,' 1 andwap followed bv Mrs Evans (wife of our local blacksmith) with ,M fl)c Battle of Inkermann," which was received with great applause, Next came Mra Parsons, with "Across tho Blue Sea," which was well received. Miss Watson then sang " Forsret," and was followed by a glee from the company, "Let the hills resound." Mr Judd then sang " Remember me no more," and was followed by Mi s S Parsons with'' John tho Carrier," which she had to repeat, A comic song byMt Oonnell, ''Snider, how you yas," kept the audience roaring with laughter, Mr Rapp followed with " Russia shall not have her own way," and had to follow on with " Whalo Fishing." The ovoning'g amusement was then brought to a close by singing tho National Anthem. The piano was presided over by various amateurs during the evening. Messrs Lowes and lorns Stock Sale was exceptionally well attended yesterday, u'ooo sheep, 100 head of cattle, 10 horses, and thirty pigs were yarded, Of the sheep, 3,000 wore sold under the hammer, somo 2000 sold privately afterwards, only 400 going back unsold, andthesowero very old ewes, All the cattle sold under the hammer; the majority of horses wero sold, and all the pigs wero quitted at good figures. The following is the result of the sale:—Heavy wethers, lis, good store wethers, 9s 9d, light two-tooth wethers, Bs. In ewes 1000 good breeding ewes brought 7sod each, second class ewes, 4s to 5s 4d, culled ewes, 2s lid to 3s Cd, other ewes, 2s Id to 2s 10; lambs, culled, from 2s Id to 3s. Lambs in the wool, 6s 2d. In cattle, three year old steers, £4l7s; £2, £2lO and 63s was obtained, 2 year olds 5Cs, and breeding cows 565. Daiiy Cows, dry, £4 10s, a lino of quiet heifers, for dairy purposes, 655, also 2 and three year old heifers 40s to 60s. Yearlings 27s to 325. Howes from £4 10 to £B. Small pigs 7s Cd, to 9s Cd, stores, 13s Cd- to 19s, good porkers, 29s to 30s.

Two impounding notices appear in our advertising columns. Tho result of Venture's . No. 3 sweep appears in another column. A farmer near Hawera states that his last year's crop of potatoes was equal to 2G tons'2 cwts. per acre. The formal meeting of tlio Borough Council to hear objections to the burgess roll takes place this evening. The Mastorton Tent, 1.0. R., meots this evening at the Tomperance Hall. ,A narrow escape from what might have proved a fatal accident, occurred on one ofithe up country roads, one wet and stormy night recently. A gentleman, driving his family in a buggy towards home, on turning a sharp bend in the road, leading to a gully, across which only a narrow bridge, without handrails was placed, perceived, within a short distance, another vehicle approaching at a rapid pace from the opposite direction. No room to pass, a collision seemed inevitable. But the drivers of .the two conveyances wore equal to the occasion and with admirable presence of mind applied their brakes, bringing tho horses to a standstill within a few feet, and the occupants were able to congratulate each other on having had fitted, powerful brakes, and good lamps to their carriages, by Muir and Dixon of the Masterton Coach Factory, who are now building all kinds of vehicles at fabulously low prices. —Advt. • ' Heilbron's German Worm Cakes and Fitzgerald's Koromiko Extract are Patented,—Advt,