The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1886. THE PRICE OF WOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2249, 20 March 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1886. THE PRICE OF WOOL.

Qf the many disabilities under which this district suffers the 'low' price of wool Is by hi' t|e most serious. The long and continuous'depression in the \ value of this, our staple production, \ not only impoverishes the once envied' Shepherf King, .but it also bears jiard i on tjjo labour' market on trade.; Station properties which no' longer, l from this cause, can be profitably conducted, are being forced into tho market, and anyono who has the means to purchase a run, need not wait for an

opportunity to secure a bargain. Station proprietors, too, have been compelled in many instances to reduce the wages of their hands to fifteen shillings .per week, and the state of the labor market is such that even at this low rate there are plenty of applicants for work. The diminished spending power of both employers and employees is ot course felt by tradesmen of all classes, and makes everybody interested in the price of wool, There is, of course, a bright side to the picture, and we are thankful that in this district there has of late years bo<*n miclrnn increase of small landowners .that a depression in pastoral interests is ; n a im-fisiire compensated for liy tlie pinerpiise and industry of the small farmer. There is also the satict'iutiwi to ivmmiiber that it is in times like these that new markets are opened for produce, and experiments are made in the direction of superseding unsiicci'Ksl'iil ventures |by others which are likely to prove more profitable. .Raising wool under present conditions must, we fear, bo regarded as an utiremuricrative employment and, doubtless, most of those who are now engaged in it would be glad if the state would buy up their properties or that an army of small farmers would purchase them. However, such solutions of tbo difficulty are visidnary in, the extreme. The bulk of our pastoral land' is unfit for small farms, and would bo absolutely unsaleable in small allotments, For many years to come, stations must continue to be worked as stations and the lot of those who have to work them is not an enviable one. Wool rates, mortgages, taxes combined with sheep and rabbit fines will undoubtedly keep them poor, Their mam chance is the contingency of a considerable rise in the price of wool, and unless the openin'g up of new markets brings this about the prospect is a- gloomy one, 'Die improvements in the market for frozen meat may indicate another solution of the difficulty. It is possible that it might be worth while now to breed sheep for moat instead of wool. If runowners produced the exact type of sheep that is most saleable in the London market .they might make up their losses on their sheep's backs by gains on their carcasses. It is very evident that stations will have to be worked under new conditions in the future, ami the sooner the process of adaptation to altered circumstances is commenced the better it will be for all classes of settlers,

Mr W. Neill has increased the reward for the recovery of a dark brown mare from £1 to £5.

The Temperance cause must be a flourishing institution in Pahiatua judging from the attendance at the last meeting of the " Jt'lower of Pahiatua" Lodge. There were forty present, and twelve namea given in of intending members. It has been decided to erect a Temperance Hall in the township. Messrs Wrigley &Rose, the contractors for the Railway Stations atOpaki, Dreycrton and Kopuarangi, have during tho past week made great strides with their work at the latter place. The' platform has already assumed a recognizable shape, and the framing of the buildings is. in a forward state.

The laying of the permanent, way on tlio Railway line ia progressing apace, The sleepers and rails are already in their places for a mile beyond the Camp Hotel, and the engine, with material for ballasting the line, goes within a short distance of tho station site atDreyertown. The scarcity of totara in this district has necessitated the sleepers being fetched from the Hawke's Bay province, the carriage of which (about 5s per 100 ft) will increase the expense considerably, and also cause some delay in the work through tlte long distance they have to bo carted

Tlie difficulty of obtaining reliable information in some of the Bush settlements was oxamplified in a touching manner by our special reporter a few days ago. Wishing to learn something about the Bchool, our special made up to a buxom lady living adjacent, and in answer to his query "Is tho schoolmaster English or Scandinavian T she replied: " Scotch!" " Does he teacji the children English or Scandinavian f was the next question, "Irish," came the reply. Our special did not press for further information on this subject, as the idea of a Scotchman, in a Scandinavian settlement teaching Irish, was too much for his sense of humor, so he closed his note book and subsided.

A meeting of the Wellington Cattle Board was held yesterday morning to consider a report forwarded to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the effect that a bull, lately imported from Victoria, and now in tho Wairarapa was suffering from Tuberculosis. The Board decided to instruct Mr Michie, veterinary surgeon, to immediately visit the locality and examine the animal in question, and a further meeting to consider his report on tlie matter will be held next week, when, if necessary, further action will be taken by the Board. Should the animal turn out to be deseased as stated, it will,'of course, have to be destroyed, the Evening Press says, and the owner will be a heavy loser, inasmuch 'as the bull cost of £l5O, bfjt the owner can only claim 80s compensation from the Government for its oonypulaqry .destruction under the provisions of the Act.

Talking about doctors, I heard a f linny story this morning! A man went in a hurry to a well-known Motor's, to get him fri attend 'his missis, in an approaching domestic.crisic I The doctor was ill in'bed, so the maid asked the visitor what-lie wanted him for I The man explained, and the maid suggested quite innocently that they should wait for a few days till the doctor got bettor j Very good! but I can cap that! Can you 160 ahead then! A certain house agent was reluctantly compelled to put a bailiff into a house for the rent! Presently the tenant came with a long face and pleaded for delay as his wife was in a state that most eloquently appeals to human sympathy, and it might kill her if she were not left in peaco for a few days,. Ahah, well that was only merciful and decent! So the kind-hearted agent thought! Ho questioned the bailiff, who said the poor woman was in bed in an inner room, and seemed very bad, for she didn't speak or move, and the husbajid never left her side! So the bailiff was withdrawn ! Yes, and then? Oh, next day the agent found that the tenant had bolted and all the furniture had been carried off Iri.thenight-except a'bed"in the inner room, With a bolster in it With a nightcap on! He was'n't' married much !- -Press Puffv ? ■'-''■ ■;•■■ - : --. . . ■

MtThokbuen, the Clothier, of Willisstrfeet,'Wellington,'is raising £ll6O on his stock. 'Wissel|ing all his stock at the costprice for cash onli/ for 28 days* It is a rare chance for country settlersto fit themselves and boys out with a cheap suit, He is adopting this plan instead of borrowing the money—Advt,

'Mr Thomas Mackay, Chairman of the County East has taken up his residence inMasterton. .

The meeting of delegates to form a Rugby Football Union in the Wairarapa has been postponed till Saturday next, at 7 p.m. Mr P. H. Wood will sell on Thursday next at the Taratahi yards a number of sheep and cattle, good dairy cows, and horses of all classes, Mr Charles Beckman announces-that he has commenced business as wheelwright and blacksmith opposite the hotel at Eketahuna. ,

The boundaries of the proposed Eketahuna road district are advertised in another column by the Wairarapa East County Council. MrH, Baillio, of Cuba-street, Wellington, bookseller and stationer,-advertises that he has a large supply of Winsor and Newtons Artist Materials on hand. The Masfcerton Football Club has received a challenge from the Wellington Club to play a match at Maßterton on Saturday, 24th April. The game is likely to be arranged,

We have received from Mr Samuol Vaile, of Auckland, a circular and pamphlet on the present position and future prospects of Now Zealand Railways with a proposed entire' l new scheme of levying fares and rates,

One of the pioneer blacksmiths of the Forty-Mile Bush, Mr C, Goddard, has an announcement of interest to his old friends, and the inhabitants of the district of Eketahuna.

Wo remind the play-going public that Miss Amy Johns and her talented company will appear at the Theatre Royal to-night'in " Aladdin or the Wonderful Scamp, and " Where's your Ticket." Mr J. W. A. Marchant, Chief Surveyor of Wellington, has been appointed Inspector of State Forests forthe Wellington Provincial District,

Mi' J. Reid, a brewer of Dunedin, was fined £9O on two charges, for breaches of the Beer Duty Act, yesterday. His plant was also ordered to be confiscated.

A curious correspondence Ims been published in a Grimsby newspaper. The vicar of .Roxby gave a Christmas-tree without knowing the exact use for which it was intended, On learning that it had been made to serve the interests of the Primitive Methodists, the vicar wrote expressing his "disgust" that he had beon unwittingly guilty of the " unpardonable offence of supporting schism." A murderous assault was committed by a Chinaman at the Tamake Botol, Tahoraite, on Thursday night, on the waiter, a man named Joe Wright. The Chinamen attacked Wright with a slasher, inflicting two severe wounds on the back of the neck and one on the top of the head. The injured' man was taken to Woodville, where Dr Fussell dressed the wounds which are not so serious as at first believed, The Chinaman was arrosted by Constable Gray. Mr James Jones, of Eketahuna (late Shute and Jones), thanks the public through our advertising columns for past favors, and notifies that he is prepared as heretofore to convey all descriptions of goods to any place between Masterton and Palmerston North. He notifies that his general store contains a large stock of goods of the best quality. The Temperance Hotel, of which he is proprietor, has accommodation of a superior description, and the charges are moderate. There are pood stables and paddocks also provided. Tho Woodvillo Town Board have adopted a method of raising the wind by taxing entertataments. This, no doubt, if more universally recodified by Municipal bodies would lessen the sufferings of humanity as the inflictions of some of our amateur excruciationists would be few and far between. Some days ago a wellknown professional lady visited tho above favored town, and when dunned for the fee, two guineas, remarked " I'll be shot first before I pay it," but aftergrumbling about it being the first time asked for such a thing, the fee was paid. Result, £l3 house, money equally divided, and everybody pleased.

Tlie following patents have bceirapplied for:—Elizaboth Parnell, of Sydney, for improved process of treating gold and silver bearing material; 11. Corrick, of Ohristchurch, for a window mirror-ticket; J. Mb and R, Maddock, of Doyleston, Canterbury, for a self-feeder for threshing machines; J. H. Fox, of Tunbridge' Wells, Kent, for improvements in apparatus for securing sliding sashes; J. Clegg, of Auckland, for an improved tension nave; A, Kelly, of Auckland, for a sqoria-flux for gold, silver, &c. ; W. E. Bartin, of Auckland, for an improved axle, for improvement in carriage wheels, and for a compressor brake. Dr. Kemp's proposal .at the meeting of Hospital Trustees that all the wines and spirits for patients should tirst bo sampled by the Committee, the Evening Press remarks, somewhat flabbergasted the Chairman of that Committee, Mr Fraser, whose temperance principles are very widely known. He tried to shove the responsibility off on to two or three other members, but they would have it that the testing must be made by the Committee as a whole. ;; It will be interesting to knoiv how the worthy Mr Fraser will get out of tlie predicament; but no doubt he wilHatch the effects of the testing on his brother Committeemen, and so decide without tasting.'■;. Mr J; Crimp has erected a Temperance Hqtel.at Pahiatua, and notifies to tlie travellingpublic that good, accommodation can be obtained there, lif r Crimp's, hqtej is jh the centre of thej above township, and has in addition to the usual domestic conveniences, a we]l lighted ancj ventil lated djiiing room 22 x 13, and two. sitting rooms, 11 x 16'. These rooms are well and csmforfcably furnished, the whole qf the floors bains' oovered with linoloum, There are nine bedrooms upstairs, each room containing spring mattresses, and the usual accessories for the comfort of visitors. Mr Crimp intends to add considerably to the size of the hotel to meet the requirements of an increasing trade,

I' In the appeal case Dark v Island Bay Park Racing Company, His Honor Mr Justice Richmond, in giving judgment 'said the action was one undoubtedly to enforce a wasrer made with what the Act in section 8 described as an instrument of gaming. Each investor backed a particular horse against the field, and the men working the machine were the stakeholders. The bet was made between the depositors; whether they knew each other or not, and the action was brought to compel the stakeholder to give effect to the conditions of the wager. Section 33 made all wagering agreements null and void, and provided that no action could be takeu to enforce them. This did not mean that they were illegal or punishable but that they could not'be enforced by a court ol law. The intention of the Legislature in making this provisiori .was to save the dignity of the Courts,'.and prevent their time being taken up by trying trivial and absurd cases arising out'of betting transactions.. These transactions might be legalised simply for'purposes of amusement, but could not be enforced at law. The totalizator was in that position, andawagermade.through.it could not be enforced by jaw any more thaij ir§ other wagers. The plaintiffs right •of action was barred by the statute, and judgment should have been for defendant. Appeal dismissed with costs.

,' The Anglican Bishop of Wellington is on a ; visit, to Brancopeth. We understand Mr S. E. Gapper is about to start a sawmill on Falconer's Bush', Fernridge. Mr Joseph Ingley. of Carterton, Commission Agent, has' petitioned to bo adjudged a bankrupt, The usual weekly meeting of the Masterton Freethought Association will be held in the Theatre Royal to-morrow evening.

It is reported that a third doctor is about to take up his residenoe, and follow his profession in Masterton. Tho gentleman spoken of is a recent arrival in tho colony, and is at present staying in Wellington. The Masterton Volunteer Rifles paraded last night, and were put through bayonet, and other exercises by drillinstructor Bezar. Tho attendance we regret to say was very small, and by some misunderstanding the band did not take part in the parade, Mr F. H. Wood held a very successful sale at Mr Lawrie's, Kaiwaiwai, on Thursday. The attendance was large and good.prices were obtained, as the following figures will show:—Milch cows from £3l7s fid to £6 7s Gd; heifers £2l2s 6d to £5 7s fid; mixed cattle (calves and weaners) 26s fid; hoises £5 to £ls. .Horse, buggy and harness £2510 a; dairy utensils brought fair prices. Tho luncheon provided by Mr Lawrie was, says the Standard, one of the best we have seen at a country sale. The windows of the Bon Marcho contained their first display of this Autumns goods yesterday evening. The handsome plate glass windows showed to advantage the tastefully arranged and really beautiful goods displayed. One side was devoted to men ! s mercery and clothing of all descriptions. The other two windows contained Indies goods, millinery, dressos, and fancy goods. The bonnets were principally trimmed with Ostrich tips and gilt .ornaments. The display was visited by numbers during the evening, the footpath being flocked at times. DrGrabham has given a very unsatisfactory report on the condition of the Wellington Hospital according to the Wellington Evening Post. The wards are described as apparently of the whited sepluchere class, and after speaking of the bad condition of the closets, our contemporary in its leader blames the officers of the Institution for the untidy state in which the bath rooms were found. It says, " Surely the bath-rooms of an hospital ought, above all places, to bo kept in a clean and wholesome condition, instead of being made receptacles for dirty linen and all kinds of rubbish. The condition of the cooking range in tho kitchen is also proved to be very unsatisfactory, and it is rather serious to learn that the appearance and tenderness of the meat cooked for tho unfortunato patients are dostroyed in tho process." An appeal was made by a deputation from the Wellington Benevolent Institution for Government aid yesterday, to enable that body to meet the demand for charitable aid made upon them. Tho deputation waited on the Premier, Mr Stout, and the Chairman of tho institution, Mr H. S. Wavdell, explained the position they were in, tn consequent of the United District Board having failed to supply them with the necessary funds. The Premier said: It seemed to bo plain that the Board refused assistance with a view of throwing the liability on the Government, In reference to the amalgamation of the districts, he pointed out that it was a monstrous tiling for the country districts to supposo that their charitable cases could, be cast upon tho towns, Tho present Act, he admitted, might not be sufficiently perfect at present to force the United Board to contribute, but if tho latter were foolish enough to raise that question they would find that tho expense would be greator. If they did not got- voluntary contributions the rates upon their property would bo increased, The people who were, weak and could not stand rough work would always gravitate from the country to the towns, and the country ought to bo made to bear its share of the responsibility, The Premier concluded as fol-. lows:—I will not give you a definite answer at this meeting as to what I will do. J will think over tho matter. 1 am anxious to help you if I can, but at the same time I am not going to give you assistance which will relieve the United from their duty, Seeing that you are doing all you can to'fulfil the requirements of the Act, 1 would like to stretch a point if I can. But I wonder what tl\e members of the United Board are? Here are persons suffering, and should not these people be cared for ? It does not say much for their humanity. As to the union of tho districts, the whole district was made ono because, as I have said before, I thought it was most unfair that the town should be separated from the country districts in respect to charitable aid. In fact, I think tho Hospital districts are too small &i it is. However, I will see what I can do in this matter, and let you know to-day. The deputation then withdrew.

Messrs L. J. Hooper & Co., of the Bon Marche, received their first instalment! of autumn and winter goods on Saturday, these goods havo been imported direct from tho manufacturers in England and Scotland, and are now being marked off at prices that will compare with any wholesale houso in the colony,—Advt. Venetian Blind and Rovolving Shutter manufactory. All Blinds guaranteed of the very best description. Price list on application to £. W. Henn (late Henn & Hansen.) Pqneko Steam, Venetian Bljnd and Revolving Shutter Pactory, Wellniptpn.—Anyr.. Goiujk, Golds, B'Whdis, (to., are quickly cured by using Baxter's celebrated" Rung Preserver." This oldestablished, popular mcdicino, is pleasant to the palate, and highly extolled by the members of the medical, legal, and clerical professions. Sold by all Patent Medicine Vendors, See testimonials in advertisements,—Anvir.