A PECULIAR ACT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 7 May 1885, Page 2

A PECULIAR ACT.

It will be remembered than when a difference of opinion arose among members of the Masterton-Mangahuo Special Settlement Association, a number of them seceded and forwarded an application to the Minister of Lands for 5000 acres in the Maiigutuiiidke Block. The reply seemed to be rather evasive, and contained neither a promise nor n . refusal ; but an the native title over the land in question has not yet been extinguished, this was not to be wondered at. But it nevertheless, created a feeling that someone who was averse to the formation of the new Association had communicated with Mivßallance, and attempted to bias him, It is now stated that Mr Reese, who took an active part in upsetting the survey contract, went specially to Wellington to interview Mr BAiLANCEon the subject of the new Association, and strongly advised him not to grant the application. If this statement is correct, we should like-to hear how Mr Reese can justify his conduct. The columns of the Press are open to him, and lie can either give a denial in toto (if he can), or explain his motive. It is .not at all' unlikely that he was merely the " cats-paw" in the matter, but we have nothing to do with that. If Mr Reese tried to pre-, vent the formation of a new Association he.tried to prevent settlement and the progress of the country, merely for the sake of doing mishief, and his friends have a right to ask him whether, with such a charge lying at his door, !<u can call himself a Liberal, ff he thought the new Association to be a.lmgus one, ho was certainly laboring under a misapprehension, for the list has already obtained the desired fifty signatures. It is not at all likely that the Minister of Lands would take inueli notice of such an act, which is not calculated to do anything except (o gain a bit of cheap notoriety of a certain kind to the perpetrator,

The adjourned meeting of theGreytown Borough Council takes place on Thursday night.

The Greytown Fire Brigade's weekly dance came oil'as usual on Monday night. Notwithstanding the boisterous weather, there were over 30 couples present, and dancing was kept up till 12 o'clock.

The adjourned open meeting of the Carterton Blue Ribbon Choir will beheld this evening. Some Masterton representatives will attend, unless the weather proves too severe for travelling; Queen-street is receiving attention at the hands of the corporation staff just now. The surface drains are being scraped out, and portions of {lie footpaths havo been re-covered with good clean silt. When this has settled down, pedestrians will find the paths much improved, The Masterton Temperance Choir met for their first practice last night, under tho leadership of Mr Pearson, and made very satisfactory progress. The necessary practice books were ordered to be procured, and several pieces chosen for the first night.

The Lyttelton Times has been informed on good authority that the Pope has decided to divide the Roman Catholic diocese of Wellington, and to erect a new diocese of Christchurch, to embrace the southern portion of the present diocese of Wellington. There are various rumors afloat as to the name of the new bishop. Both the Revs. Father Ginaty and Father Chervier, S.M., have been mentioned, but nothing certain is known. The recent departure of the Right Rev. Dr Redwood for Europe is supposed to have some connection with this matter.

At the Cirqueries, ou January 17 (says .1 London paper) and before a crowded audience, in which there did not seem room for a single shad much less another spectator, Mr Holland introduced to the public one of the most astounding equine sensations ever seen in the arena. This was a tight rope performance at an altitude of fully 20 feet from the ground in which a clever chestnut horse named Blondin walks backwards and forwards across a thin rope.-lino tho full diameter of the ring, Apart from the excitement of seeing tho horse enjoy himself s<i to speak with a gentle pronipnade in mid-air it is a pretty study to notice with what deliberate caution he puts his hoof down -lowering it at first with a gentle descending motion until sure of his ground, Bloudin firmly sets it on the rope. The four-footed artisto reaches his airy exercise ground by means of a flight of stairs. Signor Corrandina is an Italian horsetrainer of considerable reputo, and his belief in the intelligence and docility of the horse evidently exceeds that of his contemperories, seeing that he has taught Blondin what has always been left to ■ the domain of man.

According to the Rovtio Indusfcrielle, a commissioner has lately been appointed by the Societe Indusfcrielle de France, with the object of inquiring into the feasibility of shortening the hours of daily labor in the textile and collateral industries. At present the hours throughout France are rarely, if ever, under twelve per day, while in Germany they are still longer, being thirteen at Dusscldorf, thirteen to fifteen at Treves and Aix-la-Chapellc, and even sixteen in Franconia —this, too, without deductions for Sundays and holidays. After matme consideration, however, the committee have come to the determination that it is impossible to recommend the reduction in the face of the great competition from England and Germany. Moreover, if the hours were shortened the already moderate daily wage would have to be reduced, much against the workpeople's wish; and it is also considered that the latter would, suffer considerably, both morally and pecuniarily, from the extra idle time, a great portion of which would be .passed in the debit de buisson, Our San Franscisco mail news throws, a Wellington paper thinks, some light on the probable destination of the s.s. Coptic, from that port with coal. The telegrams statetbattheChinese squadron of the Imperial Navy has been ordered to rendezvous at Point Hamilton, one of the Coram Archipelago, in the Yellow Sea. This island is not specially marked on any atlas we have been able to consult, but the archipelago contains so many small unnamed islands that this is notsuprising. It will be remembered that it was recently stated in our cab]ei,news that Russia had demanded froin Eilglkud the abandonment of Point Hamilton: v.Stoji'a demand is a veiy natural one,;,as the position commands the Corean Strait and the Sea of Japan, in which are sevoral Russian ports, the chief of which is Vladivostok. It also commands really the approaches to the Sea of Okhotsk, the Russian arsenals on the Amoor River, and her naval station inKamschatka. Nodoubt England intends to establish; a coaling station at Point Hamilton, and probably the Coptic has gone to discharge hor cargo there,

An experienced rabbit catcher is in search of employment, The Masterton Rifle Volunteers parado at the Theatre Royal'to-night. The ship Lyttleton lias arrived at Wellington from London, after a passage of 90 days. ■..< *■

Another fire has occurred at Iftvercargill, A fwo-roomed cottage was destroyed this morning. The house was insured for £250, and the furniture for £IOO in the National.

The National Insurance Company have declared an interim dividend at the rate', of 15 per cent, per annum,

Messrs Foley and .Berkley announce their'eighth Monday evening entertainment in anothor column, A special fcreatl including "Milky White" is promised,

• Messrs Lowes and lorns have added 240 lambs in the wool and 300 crossbred ewes, also pigs to the catalogue of their fortnightly stock sale on Wednesday next, Mr R. J. Fitton, Hon. Secretary of the Masterton Opaki Jockey Club, notifies that nominations for the Champagne Stakes, 188G, and Derby, 1887, close on the 6th June next,

The annual Soiree.'in aid of the private Brass Band takes-place in the Town Hall Greytown, on the Btlr hist. The band well deserves support, and we hope to hear of the Soiree turning out a great success.

The Government proposes, should Parliament approve of the, Colony being represented at the Colonial Exhibition in London, to appoint Dr Haast to have charge of the exhibits, but the Agent-' General will be Chief Commissioner.

Ministers have drawn up a memorandum on the proposed Imperial act for constituting an Australasian federal council. The memorandum, which suggests there-consideration of the question, is being circulation throughout the colony and Australia,

_ Messrs Kirkcaldie & Stains, of Wellington, announce that they have determined to continue selling drapery, etc., at wholesale prices. A number of leading prices are quoted in their advertisement.

The members of a number of the City churches at Auckland, are up in arms against the movement to establish a Volunteer company in connection with these churches. Two meetings of the clergy have been held for the purpose of discussing the matter. A resolution-has been passed discountenancing the formation of Volunteer corps as proposed.

Two members of the police torCeen" tared a suburban hotel last Sunday evening (says the Duncdin Star) to ascertain how the provisions of the Licensing Act were being attended to. Imagine their surprise to find the licensee and the barmaid engaged in reading the Family Bible. Their retreat from such a serene scene was as hasty and cautious as their approach. •

The flons. A. Buckley and Tole who are commissioners to take evidence in the Bryce-Rusdene case wiil leave Wellington for Wanganui on Saturday, and will commence taking evidence on the 11th inst. Witnesses from Rahgatikei, Wniiganui, and Parihaka will be examined , and sub.' sequently bodies of persons alleged to have been ruthlessly murdered will he exhumed,

We have been requested to remind our country readers that Mr F. H. Wood's sale of Furniture at the Theatre Royal takes place on Saturday next. The catalogue contains a great Variety of English furniture, and to this has now been added a .consignment of articles of colonial manufacture. The sale is without reserve, and a luncheon will be provided. A traveller who recently visited the Forty Mile Bush, informs us that he spent some time in the Kumeroa settlement on the boundary of the two provinces, and that he found it to be a thriving place. The number of residents is steadily increasing, and an application for the establishment of a school has recently been made. The road to the settlement strikes off the. Woodville-Napier coach road, and crosses the Manawatu about four miles above Awapurua. A bridge is now in course of erection, and two contracts for forming the road are also in hand, rapid progress being made with them. It is understood that the Commissioner of Customs has ordered a report to be made to him of the action of the authorities regarding the mail steamer Zealandia ab Auckland, especially" as to the statement which alleges that the captain threatened to turn a jet of steam on to a steamer cruising about, and as to a passenger being forcibly detained. It is understood the Commissioner holds that as long as the Lumpers' Union do not trangress the lair it is not right that the aid _of the law should bo invoked against them.

MrF. H.Wood held his first sale in the new yards on the Te Ore Ore road yesterday. Owing to the fact that the funeral of an old and respectable settler took place at the same time, the attendance was not very large. In a short introductory speech Mr Wood referred to the yards being still unfinished, and said that owing to the inclement weather which had prevailed of late, the contractors had been unable to make much progress. The bidding was spirited, and all the entries were speedily quitted. The following are the leading prices realised : -four-tooth wethers, 7s; two-tooth wethere, 7s; horses, (broken) £lO to £l2 12s; special line of yearlings, £2lO.

The Government cigar manufactory at Madrid, was, on March 11, the scene of an extraordinary riot, in which two thousand women and girls, after wrecking the furniture, breaking the windows, and destroying the machinery, barricaded themselves inside. They successfully repelled the police, and assaulted the Governer of Madrid, who made a hasty retreat, and sent for the Military and Civil Guards. On their arrival a large crowd of roughs and male relatives of the women rioters assumed so threatening an attitude that the police charged and dispersed them. In the great confusion that ensued many of the rioters were hurt; and one officer and eight police were injured by missiles hurled by the women inside the factory. After a siege which lasted for nine hours, the women began to be tired of the affray, and parleyed with the authorities. The result was that they were allowed to leave one by one, looking greatly excited. The cause of the riot was the introduction of machinery into the factory.