The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1888. The New Insurance Tariff.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2933, 25 June 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1888. The New Insurance Tariff.

Tue Wellington Fire Underwriters' Association has decided to bring into operation on the Ist July a new Country tariff. We Imye seen a copy of the coming scale of charges, and it will, we venture to predict prove in many instances a severe tax on industrial enterprise. In some classes the rates are lowered, but any concession made in these is more than counterbalanced by the increases. The new tariff is decidedly in the interests of the companies and against the public. Under the new schedule all shingle covered buildings pay an extra 5s per cent. Stables, barns, granaries, wool-sheds, and farm buildings, under class A. are loaded to the same extent, public halls have 10s added, and the minimum rate on saw-mills, and sash and doorfactories is 140s per cent. These charges are a serious misfortune, but we fail to see how they can bo withstood. A wild idea of a local mutual insurance association has been mooted but any project of this kind in a place the size of Masterton must necessarily bo a failure. Ths only clear course we can see for insurers is to minimize the sum for which they insure as far as possible, and insist upon all local means for extinguishing fires being made thoroughly effective. A gas jet should be lit under the "Jubilee" at once. Many people will be unable to continue their existing insurances on the new scale, and every effort must be made to protect their property. Men who have to pay 17 per centum for iusurance will virtually be paying a second rental on their properties. If there were any reasonable chance of the country districts fighting the Insurance Companies on their new tariff, we would willingly draw the sword against them, but there is none and the remedy we have pointed outis the one that will probably be adopted by sensible men.

Mr Wm. Kiddle, of the Taueru, lias been fined £75 with the alternative of six mouths imprisonment for a breach of the distillery Act, by having on his premises a portion of an illicit still. Popular opinion favors the supposition that Mr Wm. Eiddle has been the victim of a snare. It is supposed that some person placed a portion of the still in his pig-stye, then informed the police of its existence, and possibly collected the reward which is paid to informers. Apparently the Act permits a scheme of this kind to be perpetrated, and it would be well if the attention of the Legislature were directed to a statute which virtually offers a temptation to an evil disposed person to harass or ruin an innocent man. We trust that the present illustration of the working of the Act will lead to its amendment, as it is intolerable that a measure should be so framed that a man whom we will call A can plant a portion of a distillery apparatus on the premises of say his neighbor B and then collect thirty pounds from the police as a reward for his treachery.'

The wildest and most improbable political forecasts seem .to be credited in Wellington. The other day we were told that the freetrade party did not believe in Sir Harry Atkinson as Premier, but would support liim for theAgent-Gemeralship. Asa matter of fact this party'maintains that Sir Harry is a good Premier, but could not hold a candle to Sir Dillon Bell as an Agent General Now we learn

that the Opposition will support Sir Harry if he will throw 110 less than two Jonahs, Messrs Furgus and Fisher, overboard. It is absurd to suppose that the Premier depends outside the Tariff question oil the support of the Opposition, or that he would be the man to save his seat by sacrificing a couple of his fighting colleagues. We did not approve of his original selection of Mr Fisher, but it must be admitted that the Minister of Education has satisfied all reasonable expectations which could have been entertained of him. No doubt efforts are being made to widen the breach which separates the Premier from his old friends and to cement the temporary union that has been effected with his new ones, so thai poor Sir Harry may, between two stools come to the ground, We fancy, however, that he will rely upon his old friends for tiding himself over the many difficulties yet to be faced in the present session.

The Government seem to be in a bit of a difficulty as to whether the vacant seat on tho Supreme Court bench should be given to Judge Ward. There is no doubt that the claims of this candidate for the position are superior to those of any other, but there is one obstacle in tho way, Judge Wird is reputed to have been in his day a bit of a Bohemian, and it is a question whether the bench might not be spoken of lightly if he were permanently placed upon it. It has been alleged that the. Ministry are likely to display favoritism in making an appoiutment elsewhere, but we fail to see any ground tor such an assumption. The selection of Judge Ward would be a popular act, and the Ministry could make more capital out of this than out of any other choice. If anything bars the promotion of Judge Ward it will be a Nemesis to which even he must bow.

The friends uf tho Masterton Hospital have not been idle in taking advantage of the liberal offer made to them by the Exhibition Cammittee of a benefit day, and have organised fortius evening a promenado concert which is intended to eclipse all previous efforts, The movement has been enthusiastically taken up by the Philharmonic band, the Volunteer band, and Pearson's private band. Among the lady vocalists are Mrs Redman and Misses Bowler, Freeth, Lewis and Tur-

ner, and the gentlemen stars include Messrs Gaskill, Coleman, Kennedy, Rowe, Wiokerson, and T. Rowse. To find room on the programme for the goodly company a start will bo made at 7.30 p.m. It is said, too, that some special novelties are to be introduced in the Exhibition itself, including a side show in which a clever mechanical toy railway is likely to attract crowds of spectators. The Masterton Masonic Lodge 1430 E. C. meet this evening. Tenders are invited for the supply of lime to tho Masterton Corporation Gas Works for twelve months. Tenders are invited for the erection of a shop and dwelling at Mauriceville. Plans may be seen at the office of this paper.

Tenders are invited ia another column by Messrs Handyside Roberts & Co. for falling two thousand acres of manuka scrub at Alcitio.

The Theatre Royal Rink will bo opened for rinkiiig every afternoon and evening during the week. On Friday there will be a private rink and Bon Bon Party. A notice validating tho application of John Stone Crimp, of Pahiatua, for a publicans license is gazetted. The following notices of Road Board elections are contained in the Gazette of the 21st inst,, Mauricevil[o, Peter Christian Madsen; Eketahuna, Albert Wyllie.

Messrs Lowes & lorns announce their next fortnightly stock sale at Masterton, for Wednesday, July 4th, The entries received as yet appear in tho auctioneering columns. A Melbourno telegram states that Tlios. Doolan, teller of the bank of Victoria, has bolted. His defalcations amount to close on £IOOO, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Messrs Baker Brothers report tho sale to Mr W. F. Roydhouse for £450 of the residence occupied by Mr E. D. Butts in Oolle»e-street, with land having a double frontage to College-street and Vivianstreet of 40ft, being a leasehold having 27 years to run, at £lO per year. A general meeting of the Masterton Hawera Special Settlement Association will be held oil Friday next at Mr Whitt's furniture shop to receive a first call, one tenth of the purchase money, and to ballot for sections.

Mr J. P, Cowie, the well-known produce merchant, announces that he has added to his stock tea, sugar, soap, candles,f&c., which ho oilers at lowest cash price. Messrs Lowes and loms report the following sales of land in Eketahuna on account of Mr Carter,two town alktments and 37 acres rural. In Parkville Special Settlement on account ofMrPreston three town sections of one acre each and one rural section of 150 acres, at satisfactory prices,

The next regular cattle sale to be held by Mr F. H. Wood at the Taratahi yards is fixed for Thursday Jaly sth, commencing at one o'clock. The list already embraces over FOO sheep and lambs, and forty head of cattle. Further entries are invited.

We are requested to state that in con sequence of the time for closing the exhibition having been extended, the open meeting of the Phoenix Lodge 1.0.GT advertised to be Ireld in the Tempeiance Hall to-night is adjourned until this night week.

" Bob the Maori" has become a frequent attendant at the Wesleyan Church since the advent of the Rev. Mr Rowse. He sits attentive and apparently interested in all that is going on, and anyone to look at him would imagine tint he knew all that was being said. Ho does not, however, understand the service in English, and the parson, knowing this, offered up a prayer in Maori for Bob's special benefit, at which the latter was delighted.

At an adjourned meeting of the Woodville Borough Licensing Committee on Saturday, an Order in Council was produced validating applications for licenses, to which objections had been taken that they had not been advertised for twentyone clear days, as required by Act. Three new licenses were therefore granted with extension to eleven o'clock ; one applicant being required to erect new premises within three months.

A very sudden death is reported as having occurred at Blenheim on Friday evening. A man named Joseph Walton attended the R M Court as a witness for his brother, Jacob, who was defendant in a suit for damages to a horse and trap, and gave evidence. Whilst driving home to Ornamalutu, Joseph Walton becamoill and was taken back to town, and a doctor sent for, but death occurred just as the doctor came in, The cause of death was heart disease, and the sad affair caused quite a sensation in the district,

_ The ratifying newß Ima arrived of a rise of 10 per cent in the price of wool. Mrs E. Taylor, of the Queen-street Registry Office, haß several new notices in our wanted column.

A rehearsal of the " Flower Queen 1 ' will take place at St, Matthews schoolroom to-morrow (Tuesday) evening commencing at half past seven o'clock.

At the adjourned meeting of the Alfredton Licensing Bench, held on Saturday, the application of Mr J. Tuck for a renewal of his license was granted. A license was granted to Mr Andersen conditionally upon his erecting premises within three months from date.

Another wreok on the New Zealand coast is reported, The " Gerda," an iron screw steamer was wrecked on Saturday morning. She was trying to make Greymouth, when a heavy sea caught her and dashed her on the north breakwater, No lives were lost,

Just two days before the tariff resolutions wore accepted by the House, and acted upon by the Customs authorities, we passed entries for our latest imports of flannels and blankets, for the season, at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse, Te Aro House, Wellington. We consequently escaped the rigorously high duty that, in accordance with protectionist proclivities, is now levied on these goods. Whether this step is one in the right direction or otherwise wo are not disposed to argue. One thing is very certain that we have now a splendid stock of flannels and, blankets, that in spite of the increased duties we shall sell for tho old prices, at Te Aro House, Wellington. We were never better able to supply the public with both quantity and quality in flannels and blankets, and we venture to assert that no house in trade has so large a stock, or is ablo to sell such good value for money, as we are at Te Aro House, Wellington. It would, therefore, be wise, prudent, economical, money saving on the part of everyone to see our flannels and blankets first before laying out a penny on these artioles elsewhere. Time is money, and worry would be saved in buying all that may be required of these articles, at the Wholesale Family Drapery Warehouse. Te Aro Houso, Welling ton.—ADVT.

Wouking-Men',— Before you begin your heavy spring work after a winter of relaxation, your system needs cleansing and strengthening to prevent an attack of Ague, Billious or Spring Fevor, or somo other Spring sickness that unfits you for a season's work. You will save time, much sickness and great expense if you will use one bottle of Dr. Soule's American Hop Bitters in your family this month. Don't wait. "Burlington Hawkeve."

A Good Housewife—The good housewife when giving her house its spring renovating, should bear in mind that the dear inmates of her house are more precious than many houses, and that their systems need cleansing by purifying the blood, regulating the stomach and bowels to prevent and cure the diseases arising from spring malaria and miasma, and she must know that there is nothing that will do it so perfectly and surely as Dr. Soulo's American Hop Bitters, tho purest and best of medicines, "Concord N. H. Patriot,"