The Wairarapa daily. SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1889. The Borough Finances.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3219, 1 June 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa daily. SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 1889. The Borough Finances.

We are afraid that the Masterton Borough Council will, if it does its duty and looks the position of the Borough straight in the face, have to consider its affairs without much further loss of time. There is at the present timo an .overdraft of .£1560, which is about the legal .limit for the last fhiuuciul year. This year the Council will only be allowed to overdraw to the extent of 41400, which is the legal limit according to the last valuation, so that the present overdraft is really larger than it should be, At the outset we must question whether the Legislature ever contemplated that a borough overdraft should tukea chronic form, as it has in Masterton, We are inclined to thjnlc with the Mayor, that it was only intended that boroughs should he allowed to obtain temporary advances to meet urgent, claims, and that such advances wore to he repaid as the funds were replenished. At present the Borough really has a cash credit account, which is quite a different thing to au overdraft. However ■ tin's may bp, it is certain that the present state ot affairs cannot be allowed to go on for ever. The overdraft must be paid off some time or other, and tho sooner this is done the better, It is, of course, impossible to wipe off the whole debt at enco; but something in that direction should be done. By the time the Council has reduced the overdraft to its proper limits and paid hiterest-for the balance, there will be but little left wherewith to carry out works of any description, for these two items will absorb about £270, A considerable portion of the Borough income is dribbled away year after year in unnecessary works, or works that are not worth.the interest that has to be paid on money borrowed for them. Some work of this nature crops up at almost every meeting of the Council, and in the majority of the cases money is voted for it, We give the. Council every credit for keepi'pg down the rates, yet we cannot help thinking that if there had not been "the. convenient way of pbtajping mppey' by means of an overdraft, A!?d the Council had f been given the choice of increasing the rates or leaving certain works undone, the purses of the ratepayers would, never have open called upon on their account. The free apd easy-going style which has characterised the m time

past is haying a demoralising, effect upoir/tlie ,(;Ounoil,;'wbic.h,^re;tllink, t : j sbould be shocked]*■'■ It is n6t.b'y any;, means certain that Parliament may;' uofcin any. 1 session amend-theMnni| cipal Corporations Aotan such a way that those boroughs whioli have overdrawn their amounts to the present limit would have to pay up tho account within a month or two, and tho bank itself may tequire the money to be paid in at a short noticd, In either case the Council would have no alternative but lo strike another rato of a shilling in the pound, ari Masterton would no longer, bo in the happy position of jbeing tho lowest rated borough in the, colony. In the face of the small amount of work that is likely to be carried out during the remainder of the financial year, the Council might consider the advisableness of meeting only once a month instead of fortnightly,, as at present,. That in itself would, not perhaps be much of a direct saving, but in would be something, and besides, there would be less chance of works that aro not .really urgent being brought up for considorati6n and passed. The affairs of our borough have probably been belter managed than those of many others in tho colony; yet there is plenty of room for improvement, and we should like to see the Council bettering its own position" wlienoYcran opportunity presonts itself; '■ ■'■;••'.'- .

We recently had occasion to'explain ™ to oiit local contemporary that, when J be made a savage attack-Upon tlie ,-, Bench at Greytown before which e several charges of riotous behaviour ii and ■ using 'obscene language were •' brought, he had failed to obtain " sufficient information upon the sub- '' ject. In doing this wq took special care not to touch upon iho morits of way whatever, our g Hfl^^Miir to point out,.that c Jhey Star Bays ofi" Larrikin. } to the : : i - ; ; ing^'CoiiMmnl^he^asei-'we are : ; hWtold that-tliprfieneii'should have ' 'amended.the they '.- recbr'd'iu New; Zealand' m '' which a Bench ioiyMa'gistrates: lias '■ done such a tbhigMhout an application to that effeotjjly the informant, ; the Greytown Moli. will probably be ' oxcused if they failed to make a record by taking;.'a'case out of tlie informant's hands,, . .- 1 Thr rainfall and temperature for j the past month recorded by Mr Joseph Bennett, of. Otahuao, are I certainly not' of an,oncouraging. I nature to graziers... The former-was ' 1-86 inches below that of the oorres--5 ponding month last year, "while the * average temporature was. only 48, or ' four below .that of May last year, 3 being, we believe, the lowest ever . recorded in or noar Mastertdh for b that month. We are afraid that the two things combined have very seriously affected all tho grazing '• couutry lying to the "east and southeast of Masterton. The absence of r rain has prevented the grass from' making any growth to speak of, while the frequent frosts have cut off what little it did make, leaving the country as bare as it was during.the past dry summer, with little chance of a fresh growth before spring sets in, 'The effect on stock must bo very depressing to the owner, for while aIL descriptions will bo kept in \o\% condition,the wool grown in addition, Is likely to suffer'once more from .that; worst'of all banes to a good a weakness right in the middle- of .. the'staple Although the/weather , has been equally cold m other parts , of the district, there has boen a good d supply of grass left over from the supnner which the frost could not " hurt much, and fains have also been j t more frequent, especially in the Forty 0 Bush, so. that the area that is likely to suffer is not so ' extensive as'might appear at the first glance. Matters are, however, quite bad enough for those whose runs did [ not get the benefit of the usual rains during tho last summer and autumn.

There wore oight bankruptcies in Wellington last month, as against seven fur a similar period last year,

The monthly meeting of the Master, ton Koad Board is being hold to-day, Our report of the proceedings will appear on Menday. Tho well-known Pryor Gilbert announces through our'coluuniß that he is opening tho Empire Oyster Saloon, opposite (he Empire Hotel, (Jtwon-stroet Masterton.' Further particulars are contained in his advertisement.

An inquest was held at Wellington Hospital upon the body of Eva Christian Blanoho Owen, who died in that institution- on, Weduetday last, The Medical evidence showed that death was the result of opilopsy, and a verdict was returned in accdi dance ' therewith. Deceased was twenty-oue,years of ago, and was ut daughter of Mrs Owen, of Tenui.

The wator from the boys' pump at the Public School is said to be undrinkahle. Wo trust that at any cost the Ooininittee will put in tho projected artesian supply, Possibly the Board may eventually lmvo the fact brought homo to it, that when the School was originally constructed the arrangements made fur the supply of water ivero alto»othor defective and inadequate, and th/tt it is morally bound to assist in making a better provision,

■ An interesting point in the question of of costs propped, up jti tho Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday afternoon. At the last sitting of tho Court tho case of tho Ttußtcos in lh« estate of j. 0, Vallance v J. H, Pollock-'wus ousted by Mr Puffnall, cqu'nsol for defendant, on the ground that tho Court had no jurisdiction. Mr Pownall now applied for costs. Mr Bunny argued at some longth toshow that no costs should be allowed. Mr Fpwnall replied that his cjient had been compelled to cpino up from Wellington, as lip could pot take it for granted that tho case would be ousted on a question of jurisdiction, Colonel Eoberts coincided' with this view, aud ordered Court fees 6s, and soliciiors fee £2 2s, to be entered against plaintiff,

T|ie local Constableiiit Foxton arrested a map named Watson on Tuesday last ou a warrant charging bin) with obtainills; £2 from G. W. Stuart of Wellington by'means, of a false, order. He was brought b«fore the Wellington Benoh, and then it turned out that he was the wrong man. This gave Mr Jellicoe, who appeared to defend accused, an opportunity of speaking lus mind unon the haidships to which his client had been exposed, and ho did not neglect it, Mr Eofjinsop.B.M. declined to.make an .order for the police to pay tPe'expenses, and discharged the apepsed. Watson's troubles wore not flvpr yet, lidjyerer. Thepolico brought a further charge agsiust him of stealing a grbyhoiinddog the property of J. O. Sutherland m November-last. Mr Jellicoe challenged them to produce the warrant and as this could'; not be done, Wat-son was discharge*}.

• /.Messrs Lowes and ; Iprri's.add 40O.iong tothei&salelist fofc Wednesday hbxtf v .' ■£3 ~;■ ■; ;§;.';s•'■. - ; ./-v;~ j i Mr) Joseph Dennett repptts v rainful al .Otahiiao. May 1689,2.88111. dn 10 dttyai average teiiiperatute .48. :;.•!%; 1888,' B.C9hi, on 19 dhys, average tenipefhttiie 62.

Mr Edward Thomas, Mining export lias shown the mine! department some fine specimens of asbestos, which he 'declares was found at Mount Arthur, iri the Nelson district, TIIO discovery is on Crown Lands' and Mr Thomas states that the mineral oxtonds over a large aria at country. Tho vein ie said to be nix.inches think. '■> '

hew''Zealand' Colonists in England have expressed somo surprise at the elevation uf so young a practitioner as Mr Denniston to the Supremo Court Bcnoh, over the heads, as it were, of 'so many other eligible inon; but all were agreed that the Government has shown wisdom iB resisting the pressure for Mr Dudley Ward's appointment to the vacant JudgBllip,

Tho Agents-General, Sir A. Blyth, Sir W, Duller, the Kolsons/'and a bevy of Anglo colonial journalists and gentlemen interested in the frozen meat trade, inspected early in April a new ammonia process (or refrigeration called tho "Arlftoa." . Its chief merits are simplicity and econmy. The apparatus consists of three connected wrought iron tubes devuid ot valves, cocks, taps, moving parts, or machinery. Thcso duly charged with suitablo chemicals constitute the "Ai'ktos." Heat applied at one end of tho "Aiktos" (by stova or gnaburnor) for n certain period initiates the phenomena, of cold and ice at the : other, and is maintained continuous by poriodic'applications, at intervals varying from a clay to a week, dependent on requirements and insulation, Somo doubt exists whether the motion of a ship rolling or pitching would not upset the •'ArktosV internal economy and mix things up a bit, It is, therefore, to be tried oii-board a yacht in the 1 .Channel whiltt en route to Paris Exhibition.

it the High Court of Jnstioiary, Dundee, W. H. Bury. (29), dusoribed as a sawdust morchnut, from London, was charged with tho murder of Ellen Elliot, or Bury, his wife. Tho parties went to Dundee tast month, and the woman's body'was discovered packed in a box horribibly mutilated. On being arrested Bury.told the police Ihat on waking one hie wife lind banged jiibreelf, -and.'tb»'«. ho in a moment- of 'frenzy stabbed hor body ili'ihe box, intending-.to"ro»ioyq if. jyitiieases stated that Unry was married 'twelvelrnonths ago, nnd that he wife led'a wretched life. Hcitj^^L

to have obtainedaleg-icy .of £3OMp 'squandered it in drink. Ho mduoecF his wife, by pretondinsMie had got remunerative ~ employment,, to go • from Loudon to' Dundee." She, went very reluctantly and against the wishes of herfriends,

By rocent telegrams we loam tbat tli English Government has given instrac tioiiß to increase Hie .strength of th bquadron in Belmng Sea to protec British sealers from seizure by Americai j cruisers. The United.States Ins als reinforced its squadron. Tlioro is grea excitement in British Columbia owiug I the decision oftho British Giiverhmoii to protect the seal fisheries in th northern waters aeaiust the Americai aggression. Torpedo boats are boiu. fitted out to protect tho harbor ut Victoria. Tho British-Columbian paper predict a rupture between Enelaud nm America, wring to the decisionof the Oc vorpments of both countries to..increas the stroneth of tlioiv squadron in Mrin Sea. In the course of an article referring t the naval activity of England and th United States in Behring Sea the" Ifei York Herald oxpresses tho hope Mia England's prompt action in strengthen ing the squadron on that station t protect the seal fisheries against Aineri can npreasion will iuduco the navf authorities of tlie United States t recede from tho position, and make a: amicablo arrangemont with England. Mrs. Chittenden, an:old lady of 7 years of age, who lives by herself in small cottage near the Kuriptmi railwa station, not feeling very well fust oyon ing, sent for lior dauchtt'tv Mrs Trns cott, to oome round, Mrs Truscol promptly answered the BUinmons, am ur. arriving at her mother's was con siderably alarmed by observing iliurie mid smoke m tho sitting-room. Th door was fast, and Mrs Truscott brok a window -with her hand but could nc topen tho sash, She ran round to th back and succeeded in gaining- a entrance through tho window but no I until she had severely cut hor wrist. -Oi entering the living-room she found he mother on tho floorin a fit, and her clothe in flames.' Seizing a bag she smotharei the flamo, and when tho neighbors alarmed by her ories for help, arrived, thoy found the fire wai already extinguished, Mrs Chittenden was put to bed, the remains of liei clothing having boon, first out away, Dr Milne was sent for and dressed the wounds, the poor old lady being severely burned on tho thigh and arm and right side, Upon inquiry this morning wo learn that Mrs Chittondon was up and about as usual, she being one of the early pioneers who are not easily con- ; quered. The shock to tho system, however, must have been yery great, considering she is almost an octogenarian,

We understand that a petition has been lodged with tlio Clerk of the Licencing Bench against tho renewal of the License to the Railway Hotel, Masterton, and will come before the' beard at the annual mooting on tho Bth inst, A runaway borae aiid trap caused coneiderable excitement in Queen-street this morning. Mr Robert Temple had just stepped off his vehicle to enter Mr Winchester's shop when the horse bolted. It kept the centre of tho road until approaohing Neill's Livery Stablo when it ran into Mr Renall's water ohannol and the wheol catching the culvert over went tho horse and trap a couplo of times, Soveral men ran forward and held tho horse's head down, whilst others assisted in rkditing .the vehicle. With tho exception of a broken -splashboard, and a slight injury to tho saddle, no damage was done. The dead body of a settler which was recognised us that of Thomas Hawkins, was found "on the Kaiwliara road last night, and cunvoyed by the police to tlfe Wellington morgue. Marks of violence wore obsorced on the neck of dicoased, and his waistcoat was torn considerably Deceased left towii at 5 o'clock hist night in a horso and trap, aiid it is surnrisod that he was thrown from the trap in a narrow part of the road, as the horse and trap were afterwards found at some short distance away on the road loading to tho home of deceased. Dr Cahill states that death was caused by hemorrhage from, tho external jugular on the riyhfc side, but he declines to express an opinion as to how tho wounds were caused until he has had an opportunity of making a post mortem examination. A small wound was found on each sido of the neck. An inquest will he held. Thero is just now an exceptional oppor (unity for purchasing ladies' winter costumes at grcaUy reduced piioes, at tho Wholesalo Family Prapery Warehouse To Ai'Q House, Wellington. •■■' Wo aro.ouite certain that it would be advantageous for every lady in Wellington not only to inspect, biit to mako a aeleotion from these costumes, as they avo stylish in material and make, and fully one-third less than usual prices, at To Are House, Wellington, ' Wo are offering eonio tasteful, useful winter costumes, value Sss fid, for Sis'6d and 23s Od; a very choioe lot In navy and white cheok foulard, brown cheoked aud striped'foulard, brown •oasumere, oin broidered satin and cords, myrtle cashmere, satin trimmed, navy striped anoheoked beigo, peacock blue cashmere and grey, check (beige,: or which (he feel valuo ranges from 89s lid to three guineas. We offer, we say, the pick of this lot for 27s Cd each, at To Aro House, Wellington.' Wp are offering a 42s heliotrope, broche pieryeiheaux costume for 29s Cd; a 47s U She prune serge costume for 32s' 6d| a six guinea navy trimmed brooadod cashmere for '!sa; land a small but select lot of superior costumes.in blue and gold, broobe, navy, navy and gold su'rajv. oinnamon- cashmere handsomely 'trimmed,' -the real value of which ranges from six to sight guineas, fo r fys, ftArotywife, VMNWMpri

Ah attemptis being abolish' the lull gutu at&iwharalf £; :\ •'■...• '•■■; I;. The Bynopais of the Pu-atosof Penzarioe will iippoav in ■'..-, •'■

'; It is statuds'that jho 'n'esjojktiona..- are almost 'completed fur the amalgamation,! uf McCarthy's and' Staples! bi'oweriea ! which ore tho two largest iii Wellington. At a recent beggars' ball m Vienna thore were 6000 persons present, all in; beggars' costume. The uioi e-besgarly the costume tho greater tho applause that greeted it, ' Mr,B.'- Mawley, of Ditton,' favors us witti the following notes on tho weather:—Rainfall for May,' 2E>3, average for previous 0 years, 597. So far the rainfall for 1889 is the lowest ever recorded by me, 864 hayinp fallen, Tho tioxt driest soason was 1881 wliori 9.31 inches full m the snnio corresponding period, ' •

Married women who arp liviny apart from their husbands and are holders of licenses for hotels, have received notice from the Wellington Licensing Committee that the police intend to oppose a renewal of their lieouse at the next meeting of the Bench, The action of the., police .will affect' three houses in Wellington, Messrs L.' J. Hooper &''oo, of tho Bon Marchn, ; have a new announcement on our first page referring to. a lnige quantity of new dress inatorwis, twceus,'nnd a lurgo variety of other goods, all of which should be well worth' inspecting. In addition they hay? a large assortment of men's and hoys' clothing, which they are offering nt Icb3 than wholesale, prices:* Nonstable* SSiinfofvpllingtoh, who •has recently been engaged on the Weßt Coast tn assist in keeping order: during the/Cape Foulwind. strike, has been stationed, in Maatertoh, filling the vacancy caused by the removal of Con stable Salmon., He has already assumed his duties, . : ! Mr J. Carpontor of tho boot'emporium Masterton has just had a very attractive' sign hoard erected injMiltofhis shop in' Qneen-sfc v . The groiimf color being,of "sealing wax red attention is : of necessity; directed to it.' The lettering is bold ariddistinct and reflects groat credit upon the writer,MrG.Ward, ' : \ The Eov John Robinson,' a Free Church''meenister". (says' Truth); has been holding forth.at Stonehavon upon tho evils of dancing. Tho occassion was a.gathering of farm-servants, who intended to finish the ovening with a dance, and the rev. gontleman informed his hearers that ho was both elad' and sorry to bo present, -for "though they had began the'.meeting sensibly, l '.they, wero going to piid lileo a pact" pi foolB." " What (ho inquired) was tho use of Imp Jioppinglike a him on a hot griddle? I i\Vhat on earth did they mean by bobbobbing like that? .He hoped that overyone would take the cramp in thoir .big' toe, and'that tlioro would ho no , assembly that night,. It was wroiii;, it ' was unchristian—wrong root and branch, Promiscuous dancing was of the devil." And this uenial pastor concluded, his diatribe with the pious wish ."that every foot would :be transfixed through and through withajudgment," whateverthat may.meah^

Selina Dnlaro, the a:tress, died the other day in New York, A slwt time before her demise Mra Langtry reserved a box.for her on the opening night of Macbeth, and a lew moments before the performance commoncod received from Lor the Moving note.— ■' I expect to die this evoninp, and bo cannot accept your kindly hospitality,"