TELEGRAPHIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3388, 17 December 1889, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

Dismembered by an Engine.

Dunedix, Dee 16,

James Urquliart, a carpenter who has been employed in the Eailway Department, for tho past ten years, was crossing from tho railway sheds at the baok of the station this morning to take the South train, when shunting, tho engine ran over him aud completely dismembered him. The deceased who lived at South Dunedin leaves a widow and four children,

Muscular ChristianityCuristcuukch, Dec 16. The lad Linden, who was struck on tho head at tho Btiugioia Salvation Army Barracks, is in so ; oritioal a condition that his deposition is to be taken. Sheep Stealing'Feuding, Tuesday, . Tho case against Ernest Sobwash, for alleged sheep, stealing from Mr Riddiford, at Halcombe, was concluded last night, when the accused was committed for trial. Good Prospects. Hokum, Decomber 10. The rush at the south side of the Hokitika Eiver, in the borough, is again turning out well, The prospects are 4dwts to the load. The wash dirt is '2|ft thick, and 00ft sinking,

An Innocent Turk' Auother amorous and adventurous Ottoman has been led into what is called a ijuei apens owing to hia rather indiscriminate pursuit of pleasure while staying in the fascinating city of Paris, Osman Tbalem, the Turk iti question, had been wandering round the exhibition all day, and boing surfeited-no dovbt with the collection of cosmopolitan wonders there displayed -ho left the Show and resolved to explore tho somi.biirharous regions around the Ecole Militaireand tho Camp-de-Mars, Heariug tho sounds of pipes and tabors from ft gaily lighted establishment near the Military School, ha bent his way thither, and soon found himself in a bahmetle ■ where a nocturnal hop was takingplace. Oaman regarded the animated ecenb with much mterost, and then went out, closely followed, by one of the damsels who had been dancing in tho hi and hor partner. At the door tho innocent and unsuspecting Ottoman was asked by the damsel what timo of night it was by his watch, but ho did not understand what she said, so she pointed in the direction of his time: piece. Thereupon the affuble and obliging' Turk pulled , out a gold repeater and allowed the hour to'his questioner, who instantly seized the valuable article aud ran away with it, Osman pursued her; but his exclamations consisting of the Turkish linguistic equivalent for " thief I" were not 11 understanded of the people" who saw him run, Moreover the retreat of lha delinquent was skilfully covered by hor malo friend and partner, who tripped up the ill-fated Turk and gave him an uncorenjonioua tumble in the gutter Osman Thaleni returned towards the Exhibition, where he requisitioned an interpeter, who put his terrible tale into French for the police. Eventually the dishonest damsel was discovered in her abode; but the. watch had been " annexed " by her partner in love and critno, who is still at large.

The postal and tole?raphic Mrtr.Re. Mont! durinii! holidays ar« pabliihod dwwhow,

lasterton Town Lands. A special medtitig'.of the Masterton Town Lands : Trust was held on Monday evening, December llitli, for the purpose of considering certain applications from lessees to havo the terms of their leases varied. Present Messrs W, Lowes (Chairman), Renall," Eton, McEwen, and B. P. Porry.

The firat application considered was that of Mr M; Caselberg," who stated that he held three sections occupied with cottages whieh were rarely let and the rental from which failed to cover the grouud rental; that the brewery section was taken as a second mortgage and involved a

heavy loss; arid he askod in consideration of the depreciation in the value of property that he should be allowed to surrender tlio present leases and take ne\y leases on more reasonable and equitable terms.

The Chairman compared the powors given in the Act of the Trust with those in the Public Bodies Powers Act which was incorporated in the former, The Trustees now had powers, ivhich under the former Act they did not possess. Ho quoted from tlio Public Bodies Powors H to show that this was the oase. Under tlio old Act they could not have entertainod Mr Caselberg's application, and no concession of the nature asked for could be granted, however much the trustees were inclined to do so. Under the Public Bodies Powers Act, however, they could reduce' tbe rentals and alter the terms of the leases by granting compensation without submitting the property to auction; but he hold that it would be very dangerous to exercise suoli powers unless m cases of a most exceptional character, : which tuis could hardly be considered to he. He held that under the hi they, enjoyed very large powers, and it would ho competent to grant Mr Caselberg a new lease for the remainder of his term jf his present lease giviug him compensation for improvements as provided for in the new leases.

Mr Renall said there would possibly be no great objection to giving compensation lo» improvements in excess of those provided for in tlio existing leases, Mr Eton observed that the chief complaint was that the rents wero excessive, The land had been leased at a time when there was a great demand for laud and it hid evidently acquired a specalaiivo value, It must not be forgotten, however, that the lessees and those tlmt accepted their responsibilities enjoyed a certain degree of risk. The laud iu this instance had depreciated in vdiio, but suppose it had • increased very materially there would he no desire to surrender. ■ " ,

Mr McEwen moved that a flesh lease be issued under- the new conditions for- the unexpired term of the present leaso, compensation only to be allowed for improvements in excess of those provided for by the original leaso. The Chairman remarked that the effect of such a resolution if carried would be to produce a large bitch of similar applications. Thjy could not grant tho concession without giving similar concessions to others, The result would be to -mako the land far more valuable than it is at present becauso tho valuation for improvo- ! meat conditions would materially strengthen the lessee's grasp on the property. ■

Mr Eton agreed with tho Chairman's opinion and Mr Renall pointed out that to altoi' tho conditions of lease without terminating the, lease and submitting tho property to public competition might prove exceedingly unwise. The Chairman said he desired to do no injustice to any tenant, but he could not see how any injustice could he done by compelling lessees to adhero to tho terms of their leases. If they granted any concessions whatever they reduoed the value of the Trust property in the future. If they gave compensation under the old rental they deliberately robbed the Trust of a portion of its revenue. He pointed out that under the old leases the property belonged to the Trust-both land and buildings—as soon as tho terms expired but if tlioy substituted the now leases: tbey would only have tho land without the buildings because practically the buildings would belong to tho lessees who would be entitled to a fair valuation and compensation when their leases expired. The object 'of compensation was to increase the rentals and if thoy allowed compensation without increasing tho rentals thoy reduced tho value of their property. . Tho powers given by tho-Act, were, he'eonsidered, rather, extravagant.

Mr MoEwen said .that after the Chairman's statement he would withdraw bia motion. Mr Eton fully endorsed all that the Chairman advanced, and" considered they should jealously guard the revenue of the Trust. The next application considered was that of Mr Andrew Cockburn, who applied to tha Trustees for the terms and conditions 011 which they would givohima new lease of part town aero 72 under the new compensation regulations, and asked the Trustees in considering the matter to take the present rental and chargos with the low rents of buildings into' their deliberations.

Mr McEwen said 110 good ground was advanced for this application. The Secretary pointed out that the application was made on account of the advantages derived under the new leases. The applicant desired to share these advantages.

Tlio Chairman thought Mr Casolberg had reason to complain of the high rental which ho paid through having taken over certain leases from persons who were indebted to him, but id Mr Cockburn's case these features were not present. In the case of the brewory for instance Mr Casolberg took it as an asset, Mr Renall: He could not help himself. The Chairman: lie might liavo refused it. Mr Ronall: If lie had he would > probably have got nothing. 1 Mr B. P. Perry thought they might give an expression of opinion, that m the future cases of hardship would receive favourable consideration.

The Chairman pointed out the' danger of holding out any promise of that nature. 'They would be beseiged with applications for concessions, and he hold their duty was to administer the Trust with firmness.' :', Mr Renall was also of opinion that to hold out any promise of the kind would ha unwise.

Mrß. P, Perry: We must'con; sider that rents are very low at prosent.

The Chairman: Unfortunately this is the case, but. owners of property outside and inside tho'Trust, have to put up with that. Iu reply to a question the Secretary

said Mr Cockburn'a lease bad nine years to run and the rental was £54 per year. , Mr MoEwon thought it ni a capital speculation and very ropro* ductive to, Mr Cockburn. The following resolution was carriod—" Having fully considered tlio applications of Messrs Caselborg arid A, Cockburn for concessions 7 in the matter of the leases held by them tlio Trustees fail'to see how they oan , afford any relief." • . .ad Several other questions were aiK journed to the regular meeting.