PAHIATUA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3443, 24 February 1890, Page 2

PAHIATUA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) We are surrounded by bush fires to-day (Monday), and the strong wind that was blowing all day yesterday has sent tho sparks across the township and. set fire to I dead standing timber snrroundiE—■ Several Jiuildinga had a narroF^

escape. The bush fallen • between Eketaliuna aud here has been fired rather early, and in the majority of cbbos, it has been a dismal failure. Haiti fell on Tuesday, just sufficient to put out the fires,

At the County Council meeting on Saturday last the tenders for formation and metalling twenty feet on each side ef tho road through the township were opened, that of Mr Poebles, of Woodville, at.£B9G—the lowest tender-being accepted. Speaking tho other day to several peoplo on the subject of village settlement, 1 enquired if it would not be better for them to grub and clear a portion of their land so as to get it under cultivation at once, instead of letting the timber remain on the ground, for nature to do the work. I was shown the large paddocks of MiHall's on the main road, which are now under oats, yielding the best crops in the district. Mr Hall had grubbed and cleared the paddocks,

fitting them for the plough. In one paddock there are but two stumps remaining. Mr Hall has at work the first reaper seen in the district. This settler appears to be one of those who does not Bit down and let the grass grow under his feet, and it would he well if other residents in the Iwbli would follow his example. The settlers are quito jubilant over

the butter sent away from the district this season. Up to the present time over seven tons have been despatched. Bute seems to bo the one and only product that all are looking forward to to make a living by. lam afraid, however, that the anticipations of some will not bo -met, judging by several samples that I have tasted. The population of this part is rapidly increasing. Great inquiries are being made for residences, .but there is not one to be got in the district. There aro plenty of vacant sections, but the price asked for them is almost prohibitive. Very few idle men are to bo seen in the townshin, the work going on all around the district giving employment to large numbers.

Sticking up a Hank. The Bank of Now South Wales at Wellingtou, a township 240 miles uorth-weat of Sydney, was the scene of much oxcitoiient recently, caused by the desperate action of a rough looking man who entered the bank and demanded change of a L 5 note. The manager, (Mr Backley) was out at the time, but Mr Bliute, the accountant, opened the cash drawer to get tho change, when he discovered that the note was only for LI. At this moment the man went round the side of the counter and presented a loaded revolver at the accountant, saying, " Bail up, or I will blow your liraina out." The revolver was at this timo closo to Mr Shute's face, He threw the man's arm up and grappled with him. After throwing the man back, Mr Shute hastily snatched his own revolver from tho drawer, and went round to the manager's room, Mr Heatherahaw, manager of the London Chartered Bank, was just coming in at this moment. When the robber saw Mr Shute at the door, and in a.position of advantage, he fled and mounted a horse, which ha had waiting outside. Tho alarm was immediately given, and tho desperado was chased by Seniorsergeant Chiplin and Mr Breezo. After goiiig half a mile the man got off his horse and tired two shots in the air. Ho then turned his weapon and deliberately shot himself in the mouth, dying immediately. The body was brought into town under tho charge of tho sergeant, Both Mr Slinto and Mr Heatlmrshaw had a very 1 narrow escape. The would-be-robber had provided himself with cords, gags, and a change of clothing, as if ho intended to carry out his designs at any cost. Deceased's name has not yet transpired, but ho is supposed to 1 be W. Masters, a pedestrian.

Curous Chinese HabitsWhen a Chinaman desires a visitor to dine with liini he does not ask him to do so, but when ho does not wish him to stay ho puts the question ; " Oh, won't you stay and dine with me, please ?" Tho visitor will then know he is not wanted. When a Chinaman expects a present, and it does not come, lie sends one of lesser value. A rich man's servant gets no salary, yet many are the applicants; while big salaries are paid to the servants of tho common people, but few make applications. The perquisites of the former often more than triple tho salaries of tho latter, which is the sole reason of these differences To encourago honesty and sincerity, confidential clerks and salesmen in all branches of industry receive an annual not percentage of the firm's business, besides their regular salary. The highest ambition of a Chinaman" '•>— _ is to have a nice coffin and a fine funeral. In China one can always borrow money on tho strength of having a sou, but nobody would advance him a cent if he had a dozen daughters, The former is responsible 'jo';.. ior the debts of his fathers for three ' regenerations, Tho latter is only responsible for the debts of h|pwn husband. When a Chinamaiimeets another ho shakes liisown hands and covers his head, If great frionds have not seen each other for a long time, tlwy would rub shoulders until they got' tired. Instead of asking each others health, they would say; " How is your stomach ?"or," Have you eaten your rice ?" " How old are you ?" How much did you pay 'for your sandals ?" Boats are drawn by horseß, carriages move by sails. Old men play ball and fly kites, while JL, children fold their arms and look Old women, instead of the young, are idols of society. Lovo malting in only done three days before marriage. It is not only considered the Bafesii way to get ahead of a rival, but the surest way to get a wife without losing much time, A previouil acquaintance between the male anil female prevents them from marriago, . For this reason a man'seldom , a girl of his towu. If a Clwjamari dosiros the death of an enemy he goes . and hangs himself upon that enemy'n

door- It is considered a euro way to killnot|only that particular enemy, but werabors of his ontiro family will bo in jeopardy of losing their lives.