The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1888. TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2855, 23 March 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1888. TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

It was only the other day that we endeavored to show the lapse of time, under our present Civil Service circumlocution system, which might accompany the simple process of answering an ordinary letter. We described how such a letter travelled like a troubled spirit about the biggest wooden building in the world; how the clerks in that monster structure treated it like a shuttlecock, keeping it in motion for the longest possible term; how it was being eternally I indexed, edited, and annotated, It is

quite possible that when we, in conclusion, demonstrated that years might elapse before the epistle was answered, some of our readers who do not know us intimately might have thought we were romancing, and applying a too vivid imagination to the procrastinating mystery which haunts the Civil Service administration. By a singular coincidence, at the very time when we drew a picture of the Civil Service system which might have been well mistaken for a caricature, a Eoyal Commission —a serious, solemn, evidence-taking, responsible and deliberate Commission-came to a similar conclusion, and gravely re-

corded their conviction that the cause of certain damage which a valuable public building—the Seacliff Asylum —had sustained was a delay of thirty months which occurred in replying to an official letter from the architect of the building to the Public Works Office. " Tell it not in Gath, whisper it not in the gates of Askalon," that it takes two and a half years, that thirty

months elapse, that nearly a thousand days pass away while one amiable and intelligent Government official waits a reply from another estimable and equally intelligent Civil Servant. Yet we are bound to believe a Royal Commission. We cannot assume that such a body is appointed to compose a work of fiction or to play practical jokes. We are compelled to accept the statement tlmt thirty months did elapse between the despatch of the particular letter referred to, arid the arrival of its reply, and that during the interval a valuable stone building all but collapsed from want of that proverbial" stitch in time." Possibly the loss which the public have sustained by the delay in answering this Seacliff missive may not amount to more than four or five thousand pounds, but if this particular illustration of how things are done under our present Civil Service system brings home to the legislature and to the Government the necessity of altering it, the money sunk in this particular venture will not be regretted. What the Colony loses by the thousands of suspended letters which haunt the Government buildings no man can tell. All we know is that the delay with one, a drop in the ocean, ha s cost thousands.

Nearly every New York and Boston daily paper has one or two young )Tpmen on its staff, either in the editorial or reportorial departments. As_ newspaper correspondents women are in the ascendency, and pyen in the walks of daily journalism there are any number of them, Those who go about th,eir w.ork ii) ? proper spirit-that is, regardless of- m—are popular among their male associates, and are successful in their profession, The others drop ou£ and try their hands at something else,

At a special meeting oi the Red Star Football Club last evening, it was decided to nominate two teams to play for the Junior Cup of the Wairarapa Rugby Football Union.

Thera have only been four editors to the Times for tlio last seventy years—Tlios. Barnes in 1817, John Thaddeus Dolano in 1841, J, Chenery in 1877, and George Eurle Buckle in 1884.

A Router's telegram from Lisbon, yesterday, Btates that "a most disastrous fire occurred at the Theatre at Oporto last night. The building which was crowded was totally destroyed, and many persons wore killed and injured.

It i 3 calculated by the largest" bookmaker" of Australia, that the sum of £20,000,000 is annually lost and won by betting in these colonies. Tho sumiß nearly equal to the total annual revenues of all the Australasian Colonies.

Messrs L. J. Hoopor and Co. advortise ior three or four good hands for their :lrcss and mantlo department, and also for improvers.

In Canterbury, the farmers have commenced to lay poison for wild ducks, so numerous are they becoming in some localities, and bo destructive of certain farm products. Mr Geo. Beetham, M.H.R., has been weatherbound at Kumaru, West Coast, Middle Island, and according to a private telegram received yesterday was to leaVo overland for Chriatchurch to-day,

t is likoly that he will be back in Wei ineton about the middle of next week.

A woman named Mrs Hewitt, who ks been in the habit of goinp out nursing, was found drowned this morning at Mangamahoe In a river. She went up by coach on Menday last, and is supposed, while crossing tho river to reach tho settlement, to have been carried away by

the current. She has been missing since Monday.

A youne man named Patrick Heffornan was recently charged at tho Brisbane District Court with a breach of the Immi-

gration Act, in attempting to leave the Colony for Sydney, almost on his arrival, He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, but tho benefit of the First Offenders' Probation Act was extended to

The Napier News, of the 29th, says:— "It ia not often that an editor occupies a pulpit, but a case of this occuted on Sunday last in Wellington, where tho Rev. David Bruce, editor of tho Auckland Bell, preached a sermon in the Presbyterian Church. If thesermonwascouched in as vigorous language as that in which the Bell articles are written, the rev. editor must have stirred up his congregation a bit."

Says tho Dunedin Star's Correspondents girl has been working as a man on a station at Oxley, Australia, but her sex was revealed through her taking a few glasses of grog. The liquor caused her to go into fits, lastin? an hour and a half, and her shirt was opened to throw water over her. It was then discovered that she waß a female.

A Madrid paper announces a horrible occurrence in a theatre at states that a broker committed suicide while sitting in a stall at the theatre by exploding a dynamite shell close to his head. Pieces of deceased'B skull were scattered about the stage, and a lady who occupied a stall near received slight injuries in her face. The gas in the building was extinguished by tho force of the explosion, and the audience fled in great alarm.

We are glad to Bee our worthy postmaster, Mr J. Bagge, about again after his recent illness, and that he has considerably improved in health, Lt is now Mr Bacge's intention to take a two months trip to the Hot Lakes to complete the cure, and we understand he has obtained t»vo months' leave of absenco for the purpose, He leaves either to-day or to-morrow, and at present Mr J.H. Eibblewhite will have charge of the office, as acting postmaster,

Mr Marshall, chief officer of the ship Blengfell, which arrived at Lyttelton on Saturday from Newcastle, had according to the Lyttelton Times,a wonderful escape from being drowned as the vessel was coming down the English Channel on the voyage to Sydney. He was forward securing the anchor, when a heavy sea came on board and washed him over the side, The wind at the time was blowing a pale, there was a very high sea running, and the weather generally was very dirty. A boat was lowered, and the ship hove-to, and after Mr Marshall had been in tho water for over an hour he was picked up in a very exhausted and weak condition.

The Masterton Cricket Club are going to do the energetic, and are about to take active steps for the improvement of their pitch at the Park Oval. They intend excavating a length of twenty-two yards by four yards wide in the centro of the ground, and replacing the gravel by good soil, When bowu with first-class seed, this will, it is thought, develop _ into superior turf, and make a good pitch. So that this arduous work may not fall to heavily on individual members, it is proposed to do it by means of a" Bee" or bard labour gang, and all who take an interesfc 111 cricket are requested to roll up at the Park next Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. They can please themselves as to whether they adopt the othodox navvy costume, but they are requested to take picks and shovels.

A very pleasing realisation of the text "Cast thy bread upon the waters" took place in Waipawa lately. An African many years since escaped from slavery in the American States, made Peru, and finally got away to New Zealand. Here he met with a kind-Jiearted tailor at Waipukurau, who bedded and boarded the poor (and then despised) negro. After a time Cuffy got a cook's billet on a station, and has never wanted a meal since. As a proof that though "skms may differ" there's no distinction in sentiment, feeling, and principle, with the black, poor honest old Cuffv came in and sought out his old benefactor, and presented him with £IQ in notes by my of paying off owed the benevolent tailor, Suck owes, says the Hawkes Bay Herald, are not quite as numerous as flies in midsummer.

A writer in the Woodvillo Examiner this combates the idea that fewer licenses make less drinking:—"Now, if I as a man of business, or as one meeting a friend in the street or a customer in my shop, ask him to join me in a glass, 1 go with the intuition of onty spending ono shilling, but arriving inside the pub, imagine my dismay on .finding there per. haps three, perhaps five or six others, by whom I cannot pass without asking to join, i ask them; we drink audi am about to depart, but Tom says, Hold on, don't bo in a hurry; Barman fill these glasses up again; they are no sooner drank then Dick follows suit, to be imitated by Harry, and so on, till the whole company have had their turn, by which titjM most of us are three seas over, and the others are rife for a ?ood drunk. And why is this so? Because there are only two pubs and the company ib too thickly brought together, honed bo much drunkenness! Whereas, if' there were njor.e houses granted the public would be more divided, £he shotting would be naturally less, and drunkenness w.ouldbe almost aholiehed,

A private letter from Allahabad, Indift) ;o a resident in Canterbury, Bays:—" We have had some fino cheese imported here from New Zealand, equal to any English Stilton. You'must have good pasturage to produce such cheese.

The Ven, Archdeacon Stock has found it necessary, owing to the state of Ins health, to roaign the incumbency of St. Peter's, Te Aro, which he has held for nearly thirty-two years. He will not, howevor, finally sever his connection with the parish for three months.

Mr A. S. Allan, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, will retire on a pension next month. Mr Allan has had upwards of 30 years continuous service under the Government, and lias become entitled to retire on the largest pension which can under any circumstances be granted. This, says a Wellington paper, is two thirdß of the full Balary. With the ex ception of Mr Justico Johnston, Mr I Allen is, we believe, the senior officer of the Suprome Court in the Colony,

It is a well-known fact that members of very aristocratic families are to be found among the Jehuß of Melbourne. They are young men who have pome out to the Colony with funds which were speedily dissipated, and when they went to look for work they found that they were most at home among horses, so they adopted an occupation which was congenial if not very dignified I read in a society paper last week, says the Dunedin! Star correspondent, that a son of Lady Smythe is a conductor on theCollingwood tramway line. ' How that we are certain the codlin moth has settled in this colony, it is well to know, says the Taranaki Herald, that there exists a remedy for it in a handsome and vigorous climber, a native of South America, that is now blooming here. Mrs Yates has a small branch of it, covered

with flowerß, in several of which moths have been caught by the proboscis, living and dead; moreover it does not hurt its bee visitors. It is well worthy of the attention of apple growers.

We learn from the Secretary of t

Wellington Special Settlement Association, says a Wellington paper, that the survey of the Association's township and the southern or No 2 Block is now complete, and the plans have been accepted by Mr Marchant, the Chief Surveyor. The titles to the township and rural sections (No 2) can be no w taken out without further delay, and we understand that the surplus town acros will be sold shortly

by public auction. Sir Richard Burton tellß the following story of university lifeA mesmeric lecturer occasionally came down and caused some fun. He called for subjects and among the half-dozen that presented thomselves was one young gentleman who had far more sense of humour than dis-

cretion, When thrown into a deop slumber, hearose with his eyes apparently closed, and passing into the circle of astonished spectators began to distribute kisses right and left. Some of the salutations fell upon the sacred cheeks] of the daughters of heads of houses, and the tableau may be imagined.

We are requested to remind our readers of Messrs Lowes and lorns' sales to-morrow, when they commence with the rights and privileges in connection with the Amalgamated Football and Fire Brigade Sports for Easter Monday, for which largo nominations have been received; then a very long catalogue of superior household furniture and effects, boots and shoes, also equity of a section of laudand buildings, Bentley's Estate, estate W, F. Peacock, in addition to the usual

list of produce and general sundries. On March 25,1788,T1i0 Times published a manifesto, in which was the following paragraph:—"To indecent language, or ■ double entendre, no place shall be given in ' the Times, or shall it contain any passage capable of insulting the eye or ear of modesty, or suffusing the cheek of innocence with a blush," To which the Times of Jan, 2,1888, says that oandour oompels j itto acknowledge that an examination of the early numbors of the Times serves only to show how very difficult it must have been in those days to summon a blush to the cheek of modesty or innocence. The Railway arrangements for the Easter holidays are now advertised. The usual cheap fares are conceded, and two classes of. excursion tickets are to be issued, one at a very low rate available for the day of issue only, and the other at a higher charge extending over a period from Wednesday, 28th March to Monday, 16th April, There are alse various alterations in the trains. On the Thursday immediately preceding Good Friday, 29th March, the ordinary afternoon train from Wellington leaves there at 5.35 p.m., and arrives in Masterton correspondingly later. On Good Friday and Easter Monday, besides other slight changes the afternoon trains both to Wellington and from Wellington leave each end at a later hour, and that for Wellington leaves Masterton at 4.30 p.m. and the train to the Wairarapa leaves the Metropolis at 5.35 p.m., reaching here at 9.55 p,m, On Tuesday, April 3, the ordinary 7.25 a.m. train leaves Masterton at 0 a.m. so as to reach Wellington early.

Shrewdness & Ability.-Dr. Soule's American Hop Bitters so freely advertised m all the papers, secular and religious, are having a larpe sale, and are supplanting all other medicines. Thore iB no denying the virtues of the Hop plant, and the proprietors of these Bitters have shown great shrewdness and ability in compounding a Bitters, whose virtues are so palpable to every one's observation.—' Examiner and Chronicle.'

Maine news.—Dr, Soule's American Hop Bitters, winch are advertised in our columns, are a sure euro for ague, bilious.neas and kidney oompainta. Those who use them say they cannot be too highly recommended. Those afflicted should give them a fair trial, and will become thereby enthusiastic in the praise of their curative qualities.—" Portland Argus. 1

What is a "plum|?" Well, we suppose every man, woman, child, and even lisping infants could answer that question without a moment's hesitancy. Still there are other "plums" than those grown on trees, There are such in the drapery trade, by the term is understood : anything deliriously, re, freshingly.'and charmingly cheap, so cheap andplumlike as tqmake mouths wi\ter and handsoutstretchedtograsp them, Such'plums' there are still in abundance in Price's bankrupt stock sale, at Tc AroHousc Wellington. What are "jobs?" Certainly no relations to the Eastern Patriarch; not a piece of worl? or anything to be done. The word, originally derived from the French, means a "mouthful." Drapers use it to mean goods sold considerably under regular prices, Plenty of fee "jobs," and rare ops at that, are still tp be had at Price's bankrupt atook sale, Te Aro House, Wellington, Wuvr is meant by "full swing ?" This is a very vulgar term, and used only by those who ought to know better. It does not refer, as one might naturally suppose, to the accompaniments of a circus or a fair. "Fall swing," in drapers' minds, means rattling, pushing, driving business, such as has been going on for the last month, and still continues, at the To Aro House sale of Price's bankrupt stock Wellington, 'To these'"plums," theso "jo.bs," now in "full swing," otherwise rapidly selling, \ye invito the attention of the public. Many a 'plum" and "job" have been secured by thousands of customers during the progress of this re'njarkable sale, aijd many more aye only waiting to be appropriated by visitors to the sale of Price's bankrupt stook, at Te 4rq House Wellington,'-Aw,

The Wholesale Drapery Company issue an inset to-day. Messrs Lowes and lorns add to their sale for to-morrow, a lot of cutlery, silver and ohina. Messrs Lowes and lotns add to tliei stock Bale for Wednesday 250 forward ewes. Colour Sergeant Dalrymple of the Masterton Rifles, last night received at the hands of Major Bunny his appointment as a Lieutenant. More injustice to Iceland Irish laborer (to wife of his Jbosom, who humbly begs for a portion of His earnings): "What, give ye my money? Bee aff wid ye I Ye're not related to me at all, except by marriage,"—Moonshine. Lawlor and McShane, two of the leading Melbourne football players shortly arrive in I*l ew Zealand to coach tho English ■ men in the details of the Victorian game.

The Wholesale Drapery Company's establishment is closed to-day in order to give the staff time to go thoroughly through the stock, and re-mark the whole of it for the great clearing sale wliich commences to-morrow, Saturday, 24th March.

is stated that there ; are over 1,500

houses to let and for saWin Auckland at the present time, and that shops, which some montliß ago brought In a rental of £6 per week, are now let for £l, and tenants are difficult to get at that price.

,Mr Fred Hengler, the great circus manager, died a very wealthy man. The value of his personal estate amounted to very nearly L 60,000; besides which he left real estate in London, Liverpool, Hull, and Gloucestershire worth another £40.000.

A curious suioido ia, reported in the 1 Italian papers, A Mdlle Marie Bastia, who is said to have beon very popular in Aida, was found in a cellar dead of starvation. A letter was found in her pocket stated that she was compelled to' commit Buicide as she had become too stout to appear on the stage.

Considerable public interest has been evoked in Auckland by the suggestion thrown out in the Star to the effect that

the colonists of New Zealand should memorialise the English Government to appoint Sir George Grey Governor, in succession to Sir W. Jervois. Numerous letters have been received warmly approving of the proposal, and the Mayor is urged to call a public meeting.

The Service of Song "The Oiled Feather," Derformed in the Temperance Hall .last evening by the Mastertim Wesleyan Choir, was not so well attended as might have been expected, but the performance, which was of a most pleasing nature, was much appreciated By the audience. At its conclusion, a vote of thanks to the choir was passed by acclamation. The Rev. J. N. Buttle read the connective portions of the piece in his usual effective stylo, and Miss Perry was equally successful at the piano. Fifty-eight hogsheads of beer were emptied into the gutters on Monday by a well known Chnstchurch auctioneer. He had rccoived instructions to sell the beer, and having offered it, the bid was not encouraging, as a high excise duty would have to be paid on each hogshead. The lot was then offered as empty cuska, and competition was so brisk that the highest bid was within half-a-crown per cask of the amount offered for both casks and beer. This bid was accepted, and the beer was emptied into the street channels, Some people did not like to see such wast«, and buckets were brought into requisition to recover a portion of the precious fluid.

At the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday,, in the case of Nopera Tiki v Allen, claim LSOO damages for malicious prosecution and 'imprisonment, after evidence had been taken at some length, the jury returnedaverdict, onissues submitted to them, that the dofendant did honestly believe that plaintiff had been guilty of

larceny as a bailee under the Chattels Securities Act A verdict was therefore entered for defendant. A cross-action, Allen v Nopera Tiki, was not proceeded with, except that a decree was granted for a statement of accounts.

Messrs M. Caselberg and Co. are I extending their already large business in a direction which should be very pleasing to the ladies of Masterton: they from Monday next add a dressmaking depart' ment. It is the firm's intention, we hear, to keep a large staff of efficient dressmakers under the supervision of a modiste of recognised ability, and then, what with perfect fit and the choice of material from a large and superior stock, those patronising the establishment will meet with their every wish.

In the insolvent estate of Adam S. | Grant, Bheep-farmer, the total assets are furniture and effects £2O, and the aggregate liabilities, are £552 12s, thus leaving a deficiency of £532 12s, The following are the creditors; none are seoured J, P. Russell, £SO; Hry. Falloon, £SO; Murray, Eoberta «fc Co., £SO; Jas, MoKenzie, (Gladstone) £80; Mercer & Bayliss, £34; L. J, Hooper & Co., £2O; J., and W. Strang, £2O j James Ross, £2O; Hood & Shaw, £2O; T. J ago, £l4; \Ym. Neill, £11; A. Elkins, £10; Veitch. and Allan, £9 j B. S. Grant, £l3; John Grant, £6; W. Wilkie, £6; Robert 'Elliotts, £6; Townsend and Cowper, £5; Chamberlain Bros,, £5 ; Walter Perry, £4; J, D. Cox, L 9; M. Tait, L 7 12s; Jas. McEwen, L2; Jas. Soxton, L2; R. Buekeridge, L 3; E. Buckeridge, L 4; M. Hudgins, L 8; W. Moriarty, L 8; G. Gardener, L 3; Dr. Johnston, L 3; J Holmes £8; Lowes & lorne, L 8; T. G. Mason, L 5 and Henry Tancred, L 53.