The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1889. Weights and Measures.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3182, 17 April 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1889. Weights and Measures.

Tnß Inspeotor of Weights and j Measures for the Wairarapa, Con- . Btable Salmon, has called upon tho tradesmen of Eketahuna to bring | their paraphernalia by which they ] deal out their goods, to Masterton to i be tested, This means a great < " hardship for the parties interested, ' its, in addition to the cost of conveyance, they will be pnt to considerable ' ) inconvenience by being deprived of such necessary adjuncts to the properly carrying on of their business j during the day they are away. . ,1 In justice to the tradesmen, the Deri partment ought to arrange for their j officer to attend periodically at eaoh f township with his standards, and y whilst protecting the publio, to put ,r no hardship upon the dealers. Tho ir present course is, no doubt, adopted on the score of economy, but the saving to the Government means a serious loss to a number of trades- „ people, a considerable amount of inconvenience to those who deal with \ them, and not a little vexation to both, The question may, perhaps, be askod whether the present Weights and Measures Act is of any service aat all. There is no doubt that it ts causes dishonest tradespeople to he j- more careful than they would otherwise be; yet, on the other hand, it fails to meot tho requirements of the public; or if it does, its administration is altogether too lax. The usual course for the Inspector to pursue is 10 to inform tradespeople that they mußt bring their weights and measures to r . him at a certain time and place, and he there and then examines, and if possible, adjusts them. Thero is in this an assumption that tho dishonest tradesman who has been using incorrect weights will be soft enough <fc to bring them to be rectified. What he is in reality likely to do is to bring what he knows to be up to the standard, and to keep the light one; at home. On tho continent of - Europe, the Inspector pays a surprise n visit to tho establishment of any * tradesman whenever he thinks fit, and there and then ascertains whether the weights are correct or not. By 1( ] this means li 6is enabled to keep an ~ eye on all whocoinewithinhiß control, and as his powers and habits are well if< known.fraud isreduced to a minimum. 110 In New Zealand, the duties of Inspector are usually put upon the • i shoulders of a policeman,- who, whatE ever might be said to the contrary, ' has already get his hands quite full enough with his ordinary duties, and who .can ill afford the time required "J for the'perforiJaa)j.ea pf.work pertaining to other offices, fer which, i perhaps, he doos not even get" extra pay, Under such ciroumstances it is - not at all surprising that cases such as the Eketahuna one should arise, espcckUly when the Government has 'taken' a fit of being miserly. We trust t'ljaVtho'G'Qyernmeiit wilf recognise' that a great hardship hits been imposed upon Eketahuna residents, and that steps wjll be taken to A, have the examination held at a mgre " convenient place.

We are afraid that Lord Onslow placed,himself in very: inexperienced hands immediately :after his accept-, anoe of the\ governorship. of; New Zealand, for in no other way can the string. of littlo farces : that have heralded his arrival be explained. At the very beginning there was the absurd request that- Government House and grounds raight.be constituted a ■ quarantine ground for the convenience of Lady Onslow's poodle, and the consideration of the subject by the "Cattle" Board, which "Bat" upon jhe application, After that. there was opened a period of doubt as to whether His Excellency should land at Auckland or Wellington, which has at last been settled

by his departure .from Sydney direct for the seat of Government. Connected with tho subject/and certainly not the least ridiculous part of it, was His Lordship's proposal to travel overland from Auckland toPetono and to take steamer thence to Wellington. Whilst in Sydney, the subject of procuring suitable horses appeal's to have become a source of anxiety, for His Lordship wanted to obtain a supply there. We are bound to say that a great amount of ignorance regarding New.' Zealand affairs has been displayed, and that it wjll take His llixcellency soiiie little time to live it down, for, as a matter of course, the crowd takes it for granted that the prinoipal person concerned must be responsible for it all.

No matter who is to blame that the dispute between Mr (J. W. Phillips and the Alfredton Eoad Board recently had to be brought before a District Judge and settled by an intelligent jury, the fact remains that the settlers in the neighborhood are the sufferers.- We learn on good authority that the bridge over the river which was erected ,on- this deviation has been demolished to such an extent as to makeitimpassable for wheel traffic, and permission to use the road has boen refused by the owner of the land to settlers living beyond until the dispute is settled. The Board, our informant states,

have resolved to take the road under tho Public Works Act, but have not intimated their intention to Mr Phillips. It is estimated that by this means the road and bridge can be acquired at a cost of £BO. Mr Phillips, however, in consequence of the recent deoision of the District Court, not only closed the road, but claims the material of which the bridge is built. Tf he de-

stroys the bridge (which is about 85ft to 40ft span, and cost about £200), and the Board has to erect another over the stream on the original line of road, the material of the present structure would not do, oven if the Board could get it, as the span is about 75ft, or about double its length, and the estimated cost of a bridge at this site is something like £SOO. Such being the position of affairs at the present time, the question arises, wouldifc not bo better, even at this late hour, to come to some friendly arrangement and save

further litigation ? It is stated that at a cost of about £IOO a satisfactory line could be taken from tho original road, and connected with the present bridge over the stream on Mr Phillips' land, In the interest of the ratepayers of the district, who have to pay the piper, an early settlement of the dispute should be attempted.

At tho i iotonan general o cction no less than twonty-six candidates forfeited their deposit money. Mrs Norris, of Adelaide, has gone in for increasing the population on tho quadruplei Bystem—ono boy and three girk The drunk montionod in yesterday's issue, was locked up from Saturday night to Monday morning in Eketahuna gaol, and was discharged on Monday. Tenders are invited by Mr, H. J. Haigh, Arhitect, for tho erection of a stable for MrJ.Stuckoy, Te Bangitumau, '

The Manawatu Times says;-" It is stated that tho Railway Commissioners have reduced tho through fare from Wellington to Napior to 17a Cd, iucludin? coach fare" Wo are not aware of it. The fares on and after April Bth, from Wellington to Napier are published as H and II 7s for first and second class respectively, including ceneb fare ty Macara's Eoyul Mail Line between Eketahuna and Woodvillo, Wo have been requested to romind onr Eketahuna friends of tho free concert which takes placo in that township this evening under the auspices of the local Temperance Lodge. The programme will bo a varied ono, in which several of •tho loading amateurs will lake part. / Owing to several members ot tho team being either disabled or unable to obtain the necessary leave, tho Ponoke football team have abandoned tho Southern portion of their intended trip. The arrangements so far as Nelson, Napier and Auckland aro concerned will be adhered to.

We (Ohroniclo) understand that Mr P. O'Connor, tho popular guard on the Government Railways, is about to bo transferred to Palmerston North, whero he will occupy a moro luerativo position. By his lemoyal from our local section, the travelling public public will misß an official whohas been woll-known for his civil and obliging manners, We have received the programme of tho Gisbnrno Volunteer Fire Brigade's annnal competition, open to all Brigades in the North Island, to be hold at Gisborne on tho Quoen's Birthday, 24th May. Thero are eight events in all, and these will bo run under tho rules and conditions of tho United Firo Brigades' Association of Now Zealand. All gear will bo found by tho local brigade, but oompetitors can, if they ohooso, bring their own hose-reel, Uniforms in all events will be the ordinary working uniforms of the respective brigades. April Ist. was the forty-eighth anniversary of the landing of the first settlers at Taranaki. Nelson hop) are hardening in price, and thirteen pence per pound is now the current rate.

About a couple of months back Dr O'Carroll, of New Plymouth, cut off part of tho tongue of a man for cancer. The patient is still getting on woll. The increase pf population is leading to a diminution of the number of empty houses In Auckland, and there is aaid to be an improvement in household property. The Jubilee engino was set to work last night, Lieut, Pickoring being in charge, to test the water supply sent down by Mr. Renall for firo purposes. Steam was got up to the full pressure required in a trifle under oight minutes, and the engine went to work in Queenstreet, The hose box at the corner of Queen and Perry-streets was found to be entirely clear of sedhent, thanks to tho crating and. receptacle for silt in front of it. For half an hour two jets of water were thrown at tho highest ■pressure, and no palpable diminution was observable in the water channel, All that is required now is that the work should be completed, in a thorough raanner,"and Masterton will have awater supply for fire extinguishing purposes thai will be the envy of many a colonial township, and one that will probably last until thesgrowth of tho town will.demand some more elaborate softij/ :'■ :'-■".■•■';■' '■.■•.: .'•Bouou oh lUts, ,\... Clears out'mis;" mice',' roaches files, ants, beg-hugs,beetles, inaec'ts; skunks, jack-rabbits, sparrows, gophers,.'At chemists and dru.?ei«k. ■ '.

It is expected that Mr Qi. Heron's new flax mill will start ivork to-morrow morning.'. y.'The "Wairarapa Poultry Association, at tbe meeting last evening took a new departure and! decided to hold their annual show a week before tho Wellington one, They also fixed on a Friday; and Saturday tor the exhibition, which, no doubt,'will make a difference to the takings at the door. Last year tho Society was unfortunate in having two wet days, and it is to be hoped thoy will have better fortune this year,- The decision to hold the show earlier is a wise one, as the late period at which the last one was held militated much against tho successful rearing of good birds, The Posts' correspondent' writes:— A matter of the greatest importance to local bodies has just transpired in con-' noction with the repeal of tho Crown

and Nntivo Lands Bating Act, passed last session. By the provisions ot that Act rates levied before its passim; have to be paid on Grown lands in fall, and under that designation are rates previously levied for the purpose of repayiu« or paying interest on loans, but the Government havo ignored that provision in paying rates to tlio Palinorston Boro Oounoil, and have only paid over half the rates as provided by tho Act in the case of ordinary rates. After some months' vigorous correspondence, Mr R Koeling, Town' Clerk, has compelled tho department to hand over half of the rateß kept back, amounting to over £l6; and as tho rate extends over a period of thirty years, the total to be paid to tho borough ia at least £3OO, The action of the department in keeping back this money savours- a good deal of sharp practice, ■ and it is as well other local bodies should be on their guard. ■. A very simple method, according to an Auckland exchange, has been discovered for rendering the posts of fences proof against the; ravages of bush fires. It is as follows: Before erecting tho fence soak the posts in a largo trough or other vessel containing a solution of alum in tho proportion of loz to the gallon of water. It will then be found that the fire has no effect upon the wood. Thus in the case of posts and i wire only, the bush fires could burn all ! round them without tho least fear of damage, as tho soaking renders the 1 posts perfectly fire-proof for all time, 1 A Christchuroh paper says:—An i ingenious but not over honest individual ! attempted to "raise the wind" yesterday r at the expense of the operative bootmakers, but without success. He went to the Committeo, represented himself 1 as a non-Society bootmaker, and asked r either to have his passage to another t Colony paid, or to be placed on "strike t pay" of a pound aweek. If one or the 3 other of these were not done for him. he 3 would, he said, at once go to work at tho c factory from which tho men have gone i out on strike, As he was not known, he , was quesiioned as to his. knowledge of ' the trade, and the answers he gave were ' lof such a curious description that he was

sent about his businoss without either "strike pay" or passage money. Our Carterton correspondent writes: —There have been some rather mysterious doing's, during the last few days am:ngat sheop. On Sunday, a flockowner at Olaroville roported to the Cnnstablo that he had lost some ehoep. The Cnnstablo at once proceeded on the warpath, and found the missing sheep Bafely lodged in a slaughteihousoyard

down Park fioad. He at once interviewed tho owner .of tho yard as to how they (the missing sheep) came there j but the owner of the yard, disowned any knowledge of tho animals, or how they come to be in his yard. The Constable ordered them to be driven to the public poimd, which was done, they bein? safely lodoed in the paddock adjoining the pound, • But, lo! and behold, during the night they were all spirited away witbout leaving any message as to when or whore thov were likelv to be hoard of next. Lowes & lorns add to their catalogue for next Stock Sak-400 Fat Wethers and 400 Lambs in the Wool. The report of tho Royal Cemmission which wasappointed to investigate the charges made against District Judge Eawson of New Plymouth, has been sent in and is an absolute and unqualified vindication of Mr Eawson.

A Meeting of creditors in the estate of William Parkesof Masterton, bootmaker, who has been adjudged a bankrupt will take place at the Old Court Room Mastetton on Tuesday next April 23rd. Remarking upon tho retirement of Mr G, Fisher from the Cabinet, tho Lyttleton Times says that, so far as can bo judged from the respective atatomeuts of the retiring Minister and Premier's organ, the matter stoms simply to have been a case of judical separation, resulting from incorapatabilily of temper Applications aro invited in anothor column by tho Education Board for an assistant master at.the Masterton School at £IOO per annum, a teachor at Gladstone at LIOO and residence, a teacher at Tinui at the same rate, and a teacher at Kaiwhata aided school at LSO a year with board and rosidence. John Warren a Salvation Army Col-our-Scrgoant, in the course an open-air address at Birmingham (E.) said:-''l am prepared to meet my God. Sudden death would be sudden glory." lie had uttered but afowsontencosmoro when ht fell down dead. The causo oi death is certificated on medical authority to have been heart disease.

The following are tho agricultural statistics for the Wellington provincial district for the present season;— Wheat, 12,383 acres; estimated to produce in bushels, 335,029. Oats, 2758 acres for green food and 12,047 acres for grain; grass produce, 406,906 bushels, Barley, 1482: produce 55,529 bushels. Potatoes, 1845 acres; produce 11,51:0 tons, Hay 6015 acres; produce 10,117 tons.

An Auokland lady, who is staying in Masterton tor a fow days, paid a visit to Mr E, Johnson's orchard yesterday, and being much pleased with the appearance of some fino culinary apples enquired the selling price of them, and was informed it was threepence per lb,' " I will give you threepence m& for nil the apnles of that variety you have got" said tho lady, •' for I have not seen snob fino ones in Auckland, and I should like to take these as a specimen.' 1 Mr Johnson willingly accepted tho,offer and the ■purchaser was pleased to find on weighing them that in almost overy instance Mich apple turned the scalo at. a pound weight. j The salo of work on Tuesday by the Masterton Presbyterian Church . Committee was wolf patronised throughout tho day, The goods that wore not sold privately woro auctioned ofhn the Dutcji stylo by Mr Jos. McGregor, who proved a . very creditable salesman. Everything was disposed of at prices that pleased the purohasors tetter probably than those who contributed the various articles to the Bazaar. Many of the hand-knitted woollen goods and beautiful fancy worked articles were sold at prices that would riot have paid for the material used. The concert in the evening contributed greatly to the pleasure of the gathering. Tho following is the programme that was carried out;—rPiano solo, " \ te O Cara," Miss Feist; Song, "The Blind Girl to her harp," Miss Lowes; Overture, "Guy Mannering," Band; ComioSong, "Humphry Joe, I 'Mrß. Temple j Minuet, Band ; Song " In the Gloaming, Miss MoKenjie; Song, "The British Lion," Mr Moore j Overture "Le Diadem" Band.

. Spiritualism is all tho rago among gerfainkinds.of people in Washington, and it is growing. Several Congressmen —indeed, one Senator from the Pacific slopo—are regular patrons of the seances which are held in various parts of the town. It has set some of the Department olerks almost wild, and those who have caught tho mania talk of nothing else. . The London papers announce the death, at his residence, the Black Horse. Huddersfield, of Andrew Greenwood, aged 41 years, once celebrated and well known as a Yorkshire crlcketor. Greenwood was born at Lascelles gal); aud was a member of the' famous cricket club there, and afterwards became one Of the County p| e y en i and woii twico to Australia, tlie "second time with W. Q. iQraco.' '■'•• "''''■ ■■'■-*-,-'■■

A considerable number of Brunnectuii people left last night for other parte owing to the depression in the coal trade, and ninny others must Bhortly follow, The women of Denmark, to tho num ber of 20,000, have petitioned for the right of suffrage. A "social and'political" school for women has roMiitly been opened at Copenhagen,- where modern history, constitutional and moral law'and psychology are taught. ■

Dr Caryer has just concluded In New York a tremendous shooting feat. He succeeded in breaking 60,000 glass balls out of 60,670, the time occupied boiug 60 hours, Carver was greatly exhausted at tho finish. Tho tightness ol tho money market need not squeeze all tho life and fun out of people is proved by a Tasmanian paper, which records that two farmers in Jerusalem district were pitted to run a race against each other, for " half a ton of potatoes, and a second' hand set of shavinp tackle,"

. A lady correspondent writes: -" In the Canterbury Times of March 28th tboro is a'reference to the efficacy or the blue gum as a cure of diphtheria,- which they sny has been proved -at Taranaki with striking results. If applied in time the blue gum steam was found there to perform painlessly the operation of removing the rawth and to prevent its recurrence. In many cases the surgeon cannot reach the parts at all, and in none can he do so without great irritation. The steam readies everywhere in the complicated structure of the throat with ease, softens the throat-by its moisture, and as the patient removes it by the natural process of coughing, sets up antiseptic action, andprerents the reourrence which by its terrible frerpnoy renders so many'surgical- operations usoless. The directions are simple. Fix an open umbrella. at the bed's head, throw a sheet ovor so as to form a kind of tent, put a handful of leaves in boiling water and place'the vessel in the tent, so that the patient will inhale the steam naturally and without'effort. In every case in which this treatment was tried in Taranaki the patient, after a few hours, coughed up the growth-like moulds of the throat, and rapidly got well."

There is hardly a country in thn world that, considering its size, surpasses New Zealand in the variety and value of its timbers for oabinetwaro and like useful and ornamental purposes. A locallymade specimen of Now Zealand workmanship, in the shape of a pedestal writing-table, containing a choice selection of Native timber has just been completed to tho order of Mcssra Loweß and loms, for Mrs Gayner, a lady who is now on a visit to this colony, and who is desirous on returning to take back with her a specimen of New Zealand woods, The article in question is built in three parts for tho convenience of packing. It

contains four drawers on each side and a centre one, which are tastefully inlaid with maire, rimu, ake-ake, rewa-rowa, and totara knot, aud the contrast of the varieties chosen proves very effective. The sides are in altornato panels of rimu and maire, and the whole is highly French polished. The top is covered with Morocco leather. The workmanship is a credit to the maker, MrW. Wlritt, and a very rospccttible upccimon of what can be turned out in an upcountry N.Z. town.

"Whenid a man drunk?" is a very point, and one not easily settled, even by experienced policemen, On Monday an old man was wending his way home after his day's work on the Queen-street Wharf, Auckland, and being rather shaky on his legs, tumbled down on the road, His gait was so unsteady and feeble that the constable concluded he was "under the influence," aud gavo him his aid to the police station. Tho lockup-keeper, however, had his doubts, and after backing the man against the wall, and putting him through his facings, he declined to lock him up till Sergeant-major Pratt had an inspection, Meanwhile two other members of tho force "smelt his breath" but they were not prepared to swear that he had had his nose in a pewter, and their doubts were confirmed by the action of the Sergeant-major, who, on examining tho man, told him to

toddle home. Tho old man, who solemnly asseverated that ho had never tasted intoxicating liquor that day, then left the Police Station, remarking, as he feebly walked away, that it was his first appearance lit a lock-up, and he hoped it would be his last. His gait certainly, did look suspicious, but tbero is reason to believo that he was Bpeaking th'o truth, and that his oneteadinoss was merely the feebleness of age. Perhaps tho most refined definition of a Btato of drunkennesss was that given by an English navvy before the magistrate, When he was drunk and know he wasdruuk then he wasn't drank, but when he wasdruuk and didn't kno* he was druuk then he was drunk,--Weekly News, Is tha Old Country there has been quito " a run" on hdks plush fakeh, and the enquiries Eor these - fashionable articles of attiro have beon exceedingly numerous in this city. We have already been favoured with many visits of inspection, soiling in purchases being made, and are desirous to notify to all ladies that the best choice of these plush jackots is at Te Aro House, Wellington.

The favourite shapes of these phd jucfefsare—lst, tight.fitting: 2nd, open front, to button on left shoulder; 3rd, open front, with plush or jersey cloth vest. The prices rango from 35s to five guineas and the best choice of thoso is at Te Aro House Wellington Noiuiso cau exceed in attractiveness our plush mantles, with dolman sleeves, turndown collar, long fronts, trimmed with hamlsomo plush ornaments, and lined with quilted satin, from throe guineas to eight guineas. The best choice. of these, is at To Aro Houso, Wellington, We ore also showing a very oharming lot of long, light-filling jackets, in plush and broche velvet, all of the vory latost Btylcs, from 35s 6d to five guineas. Tho best cboico of these is at To Aro House, Wellington, A very attractive lot of granny bonnets now on view, and the most superb millinery in tho city is at Te Aro House, Wellington. —Advt,