The Wairarapa Daily TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1890. Novel Writers and Novel Readers.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3474, 1 April 1890, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 1890. Novel Writers and Novel Readers.

There are many novel readers in this community, but no novel writers, New' Zealand is too young yet to produce fiction worth rcadirig, and it is rarely that one of the old world authors thinks it worth while to come amongst us, In Maaterton the'present is the first occasion on which any leading novelist.has ever done us tho honor to pay us a visit, and we sincerely trait that our frienda hore will appreciate.' the compliment paid to them,' Jfovcl writers are, indeed, almost iipperspnal jto the many readers who take their prks from fhe ehejyes of our public library. The gentje reader, usually of the feminine persuasion, skims through a volume, say of Christio Murray, extracts from it all the temporary pleasuro and excitement she can derive, and perhaps imagines that the story she has so easily read, was written with equal ease and "facility. The selfish reader rarely pauses to consider that a novel

is alrjj.ost a part of the life of its author, hone of bone, and flash of

his flesh, and that carelessly as he or she may havo perused the wort, the thoughts, aims, and purposes of a great mind havo influenced him, and,

[ in a measure, served to humanise bin. |Thern fire, however, a few amongst us who tnjk,e a vjviiinterestinttie personality of grea| novel writers. There is one' resident in tins town wlw lias even seen Sir Walter Scott

himself linipg about the streets; oi Edinburgh,'and there ape others, who, amongst their most pjicrfshgd recollections of the ojd (country cojint personal veir{n|scen/iesof mpnarchs of

the pen like Dickens and 'iliacjjerny. Coming to Now Zealand they Ijave almost left the world of living authors behind. Thanks, however, to the wonderful facilities of modern travel, it fs gflttinc; customary for the dis-

linguished. jaieja of the Mother Country ,o take trjps to th ptipdaj, and now and again it is possible for tjm y,opg New Zealander to see what tjio eminent men of tho old world are like. Once in a decade a living ml]wv comes to us, but we fear he does not. always meet with the appreciation wbiph is his due, The young ifeiv Zealandepis ngfc very literaryirihis tastes, he is crilfoal horses, learned about sheep, and displays a lively interest in athletic prowess, but to literature he is almostastranger. In n- town like Masterton a circus would draw ten times as many people as the first witer jof tjbe age, Stilj the young New plunder jj e awake, and if bo does bear a lecturer of the calibre of Mr Christie Murray he appreciates biqj; the trouble is to get Mm to go. The great novelist is usually something more than a tale writer, He is frequently n poet and a dramatist, and is.as much ao jny other author the inspired writer of his 4ay ; In the imaginative realm in which ho works, sights and senses vow truths aud 'girts, wl(ish it js ||jj minion to I I"' '

interpret toihis follow mon, Jifty. years ngb it:was said>that the perusal of Sir -:Walter Scott's works was ti Hboral education, and this idea is even more true of the' anthora of to-day than it was-then, To coino in contact with the work or the personality of a lender even in the ranks ot fiction is an experience for wliioli we ought to ho grateful. Wo trust the opportunity afforded this evening in listening to a front rank littrqtwr will'not be thrown away,'more especially by th'e.younger men iij this neighborhood, who are frequently all unconscious of their want of knowledge of many things whiohare more worthy their attention than ninetcntha of tho frivolous subjects to which they are wont to devoto their leisure. •■..•■>.■.'

Another "first offender" was befo the Court this morning, and was c' ""' '"■■• -

harged'with a caution,

■ T|e'Cantata"Belshazzar's Feast" id, wo uhdorstatid; to bo produced in flr'eytown nl,an eatly ..,..) ' "The,qd,artorly meeting of tho Masterton Park Trustees will bo held in the Council Ohambers on Thursday ovening next.' ■-,"■ ,■'• .

. In consoquonco of Friday next being' Good' -Friday, the ordinary monthly meeting of the Masterton Town Lands ! Trust, which was to have been held on that dato, his been adjourned till 'the tlthinst. ' C

Tho rainfall registered at the Masterton railway station. for the month of March was 2.04 inches on eleven days. Tho average tomperatare was 63.03, Fah.) .' ■ . ; . •

Humble bees aro becoming vory numerous in tluYdistrict, and we were informed yesterday that particularly in tltt Maknra district are they making their appearance.

Harvest- thanksgiving' Borvices were hold in tho (boytown-Wesleyun Church on Sunday last, when tho building was elaborately decorated for the occasion. Mr Gaulton preached in tho morning, and the Rev, J. Bellow in the evening. The probability of fcSir Harry Atkinson becoming a candidate for the, Nelson seat at tho next eloction is openly discussed in certain circles in Nelson. At tho ordinary fortnightly meeting of tho Borough Council to be held tonight, the question of the advisability of sinking a trial artesian well in Mastorton will be discussed! We hope to see the matter favourably considered, We learned from Wellington yestcr. day that so far only two formal objections have been received by the Representation Commissioners to tho now boundaries, one being from Gisbumo and the other from Waimea. The people of luvercar?ill are sending home 11-10 towards the Evicted Tonants' Fund, At a meeting of the Home Rnlo Dolegatos Reception Committee, it was decided that the Secretary write, on behalf of the Committoo" and hboral minded of the district, to Mr Parnell, congratulating him on tho result of tho Times action.

Two men named Wood and Coughlan have been arrested at Sydney on a charge of conspiracy. to defraud tho Australian Widpws'lnsnrinioe Company, Coughlan reported that'-Wood had been drowned at Coogee (a seaside placo near i Sydney) some • time aro; and the police found his clothes, but no body, Wood's wife tried to get tho amouut of tho insurance policy paid, but it was discovered her husband was still alive.

With that usual amount of consideration extended the Wairarapa district by tho Railway Department, no arrangement whatever has been made for the convenience of visitors to Mastcrton during the forthcoming excursions. We would suggest that the departure of the ordinary 3.10 p.in train from the local station on Good Friday be delayed until 5 p.ni. This would be a boon to visitors, aB it would enable tliein/to remain jin Masterton during the greater portion of the 1 afternoon, '■•-. ■ ) '

." Two-vory extensive canalisation schemes are likely, during the present year, to bo begun upon the Continent. For a canal to unite Berlin with the Baltio _ surveys have already been authorised; and the cutting of n ship canal which shall practically make a Beaport of Paris, and whioh shall materially assist in the defensive powers of the French capital, is now so widely advocated that its commencement can only be'« question of time. Tho projeot seems to have originated with M, ' -

Au Auckland writor saye that thegreat difficulties in the way of effecting the great social reform of early closing aro;

•" A narrow-sighted commercial greei

disunion among tradesmen, winch birs

concerted action, and tho brutal heathleuuesa of a section of the working classes, who, haying got at) eight hours aystom .for themselves, care' nothing as to whether their fellow citizens in others branches of labour live or die. 1 ' An extraordinary, case ot death by misadventure waa investigated by a cotonor's jury at Southampton thoolbor day. A party of ruen.Woro employed in repairing the drain at the workhouso, when an inmate named Fry brouvht out a phampagno bottle containing carbolic acid.;Somo one remarked. "Fry has got' & good thing," and ho ropliod, " Who will have a drink ?" An inmate named Heath snatched the bottle from behind,(ran across tho yard, and, before he could be stopped, drank a quantity fifths' acid from ths bottle. Death ensued ip ahout'an hour. A verdioc of ." Poisoned by'' misadventure" was rpturood, '

Atpuching story was tpld by a yopg and well-educated Jady, Josephine Best," on her being charge} at Majnz Assises with forging bills of exchange to the amount of 195,000 marks, When s)io was 19 years old, hor father, who owned a large starch factory, died and left Ills widow with 10 children. The eldest soon afterwards disappeared, and was not hoard pf again. Josephine determined to carry on tho business herself ftp tho benefit of the family. Sho did so for iO'yearj, Jjut unscrupulous people took adyanlago of her inexpejience, and the business fell off.. To save Hie' fainjly from riiiu, as she thought, she forged bpjs .imtil the ..house of cardp broke dpwiv' Tiio 'Court admitted extenuating

rcunißtance's, ' .and '. sentenced the

jprisoHer jto "tftrep yeah' ordinary iiiiable interest and sympathy?.'' A crioket match of a phenomenal ohajiagte'r, certainly in New Zealand, was played atgaf k/mra the bthor'day between Saikoura and the,Amurj when the latter jyon by §& runs', .nine wickotsj and an innjngs, saikoura went'n; prat 'and made S(- foHeiraj; Tunge,""a ! member ot Jho Ifent (England) County i eleven, now visiting sew /?ea|and; for the benefit of his health, and Crowley, together made 107- before Orowloy was bowled by C. A, flalliday, who' ps'' not tried; until f5 was scored. Tongeiptheiinotont withjjj}, and. wlien the score' had been increased jfp $M tiifi- A,m\i:i captain jfoclared the inhmgs 'ijlosed. jiii|.qura wept ifi again and rando and tijus Bukfddfifea!/signed. ;",:' ;'•'•

Account* have reached JJej ¥ork of a terrible cyolono which has been fijp'srionced in Kentnoky, Tennessee, Illinois, and other district! on tho loft hand bank of the Mississippi River, The number #f persons killed cannot be ascertained, but&t uppsent it is Bet down at about 500, The fury of the cyclone seemed tobemoßtfeUinKontutky. where the wholo of tho Ohio Valley'is repotted {p .be totally devastated, and to present im svful pictii.ro of Tho City ofon'lto'.'Qh.io,isin r : uiM,' thel prlnojp'albuildip anHre : sidencca : having; been storm., The Tojyii ijall was struck while af.dp'o »ut gojiig fl(l. Aas c'omple-; To add to .the; copjoletfln^s' o| the disaster the gasiomotros exploded and three hundred of those present were killed cither by the okplosiori or by the falling of the debris, ( The,oyolone was fojt through the'Statos raontafld, aud nothing is Jeff Qtniany of the spjaller {TO?PI)UJ»wpo(W' ■

Messrs Lowes and-loms announcea sale of. furniture, produoe, fa',, lor Saturday next, .■ Tho case in wbioh Tuh'ore, the Maori, of Greytotrn, is chanted with rape, is to be heard' before the HM, to-morrow. MrPownall, of Masterton, will appear for defendant. The mid-day train to Masterton to day again arrived considerably behind time. It is a pity the time-table could not be bo altered as to allow for aooidents and other emergencies. ■•.; Tho Grey town Dairy Factory .will continue to receive milk until about Hie sixteenth of April, instead of closing now as,was intendedMr Mackay, of Queen St., has on view in his window a very handsome wedding cake, made entirely by himself, Young people with an eyo to early matrimony would do well to inspect it. '.: ; The Taratahi Dairy Factory has closed for the present season, as it lias been dotormined to fit once tako steps to substitute a new multi-tubular boiler for the existing damaged andv old-fashioned one.-.- ; ; ; . ■■..[ ~.': , / .'}■■:

. We are informed that the 'fisblug season, which was originally to have olosed yesterday, has been extended till the end of April, This intelligence will be received by' anglers" with considerable-trout-are just now very plentiful. Sir W..H, Edwards, of Wellington, is the successful tender for the carpenter's rrork in connection with Mr Dudson's now saddlor'B,shop at Carterton.-Mr Edwards has just finished a contract at Dalefield, For tho joiner's work and inside fixtures,- Mr Kemp's tender has beon accepted. The result of tho poll on tho proposal to borrow the sum of £6OO under the " LoaDs to' Local Bodies Act," to extend the formation of the Wanraehu road to the boundary of the Mauricevillo road district, taken on the 20th- March, was that five votos wero recorded in favor of the proposal, and none against, Tho following is tho order in which Mr Lee, Inspector ut Schools, is'to visit and oxamino country sohools: Thursday, April 10, Dryerton'Sch'ool; Friday,llth, Opaki; Moiidny,Hth, Mauricevillo East; Tuesday, 15th, Mastwell; Wodnesday, 16th, Eltetahuna; Friday, 18th, Mangaone; Monday, 21st, Mangatainoke;Tuesday, 22ud, Pahiatuaj Friday, 25th, Mauricevillo West, We loam that the local police did not, as asserted by our contemporary, pay "surprise"-visits to the local public hoiisej on Sunday last, neither was their report "rp-assuring," the fact being that no report whatever was made. Tho police aro told off every Sunday to visit lieeuaed houses, so thatthero could not -possibly be a " surpriae," but it is, nevertheless, satisfactory to learn that very little inebrioty is practised in tho town, We remind our readors pf tho lecture to bo given by Mr David Chtistio Murray, tho well-known author, in the Tlieatro Royal this evening, the subject being, "How I became a'novelist." Mr Murray is spoken very highly of throughout the colony as a lecturer, and those who have read his works will have been thus far convinced of his ability that they wiil be glad to hear the man himself. We trust the lecturer will be gteoted with a larce audience to-night. A sitting of the Assossmont Court for the revision of tho valuation roll of tho Borough of Mastorton was to have been held to-day, but was, in consequence of tho absence of tho Judge, adjourned, sine die. It is extremely unsatisfactory, from a public point of view, that such a course as this should have to bo adopted, as wo understand one ratepayer came all the way from Wellington for'the purpose of securing a revaluation of bis property. Mr James Martin, this morning, com" menced sinking the Carterton Borough Council's artesian well, At ton o'clock the pipeß were down sevontoen fco't, only two hours having beon occupied in 1 sinking to this depth. So far, there lias of course been no obstruction, but later on whom hard'blue clay. and.other unyielding material is met with Hho work will probably be .more tedious. Only two are employed lrftho work,'Mr Martin aud a man. A Lent without fasting in tho Eoman Oatholiqworld would certainly beiaemoroblo, but that it may ecourthis year in some places appears possible from a telegram received from the London 'Tablet' from Borne, In this it is stated that'a decree has been issued by Cardinal Monaco La Valletta, empowering tho bishops in every country vißitcd by influoim to absolve tho faithful from the obligation to fait and abstain -until further notice. .

A meeting of the Gas Committee of the Ma6terton Borough Council was held last overling, when the following report ,if thflnianagorwas presented':—"There haß bepn 187,069 cubic foot of gas oonaumpd for the past month, against 152,245 feet for l)larch, }BB9, being an increase pf 34,824 feet. The retorts havo arrived, and I have the new bed almost ready to light up, which f intend to do te-prrpw night, and { hope lo havo them ready to change by Saturday first. I rcpommend that the middlp bed (No 2) be takon out and re>set with three rotorta as soon as tljo now bed (No 1) is in use, and that No 3 bed remain as at present until noxt spring, and then be taken out and re-set with five retorts." Tho report wafl adopted, and it was deoided to carry out the recommendations made. Accounts amounting to £36 2s 7d wore recommended for payment'.. ' An alarm of the local firebells was given at 0 e'clook last evening, when it was discovered that an old flax mattress, in the partially-destroyed building recently ptcupjed' by JJr D. McMullen", Church-fltrjet; m p'fj fjre, A' tew buckets of water,' h.oivo'ye'r, 'doped the

flames, and the services of tho brigade? wore Dot require,!), At 8 o'clock'another vigorous alarm was souhded.'whep tbp same building was found to be.ablaze. The fire this tinio originated in another portion of the.homo, which was speedily in flames. The Municipal and Volunteer Firo Brigades wore qnickly on the spot, but at the request of the Fire Inspectors did' not attempt to save the" shanty," This was undoubtedly a wise step to taVe, of this description are, as weharaproriprj'sjjf stated, a standing menaco to' tliß'towny' in about an hour the building waa reduced to ashes. The Kuripiini Brigade "turned out, but on finding their services' were not required, retraced their idotsjtept. Jnthedooryay of Te Aro Hoase this evening, there will be shown a IsrSo nutto'tity of autumn dress fabriesWagS'eipMsly to order add froin samples sent to tho manufacturers. The colours lire very choice and well selected, the materia) is of. the much' fs 'usually charged 'for the same quality. ' '•' "■ ■' Oph iniilinery for ujany seasons past ha? been l|ie finest, tye'st, and most rashionablo intUe'citjf; Quf fssbjpns 'for thb'pnjßent autumn season are in noway irjfjSrior 1o

lose that have preceded them, and we can

promiso a rare treat to_ those who will inspect them in the overling in tho windows of tho To Aro House Wellington, We are also making a grand display of ijow.nuturan dress fabrics, including one of the ctireatest noplties of the season, 'the "AccorMori fkifl, I ,' together. rath a very ricliassorftuentofjhe iMest fajjiions ft) ladfes'jap!i?tsan'd mantles, fuffj fur'trim'niiij'ga«'()», |veryon'o' should |sye a gooSlQok'at tliego. jn'jiho windows'of Te Aro House Wellington this' eyenujg.' In dress fabrics for the autumn season we are prepared to show greater variety and more abundant choice than ever, Our selection of different textures is admirable and oharming, and we have a full supply of all the moat favoured, faahipaable .shades,. at TeArj House, Wellington, In dre3«"trip)inii)s wp have all those lnost-'iiiteinaud, and can Dfetcli (o a. nicety 'any dress 'material that may be. selected: -This' is generally a 'difficult matter'in this ; cityi' but" towing' to the explicityjnjjrijctions' given to-bur buyer, and; Wully carried out,; we can giiari'hW a jitfrfeil' }M§ lfoojit i every sha'iie'at lj> Xrp lioHj'\Wjl|lhgtbh, sl tiApttj ypuld, fuerefprej apt' ftfsely' to avail themwMo'l s<! 'thp?i> }dyanfag'es soleot tholr drosses as early as wojsiblel and give, their orders to our dressmaking . so that unnecessary' and uupleasing dojay may be avoided, at To Aro

■ ;.Mr ■ ff: Mathleson is ■ about to. .call, tenders for tho building of a housoin South Carterton. .■: '■ Tho football match between the Red Star.and'Epuni,(Taita) Football Clubs| has, wo understand, fallen through;

Messrs Lowes and lornß announcoan oitensive sale of superior, household furniture for Saturday next. Mr H, A. Stratford, R,M„ has just hold, an inquest and returned an open verdict on a bag of bones found at Waikouaiti, and which now turn out to be those of a circus gorilla. Mr David Christie Murray arrived in Maßterton by tho mid-day train to-day, and this afternoon'proceeds to To Ore, where he will, take a first 'glimpse of a Maori pah.. .- j A most successful examination of tho Bideford publio bcliool was; held/ori Thursday bat, when only throe failures were recorded.. Wo are advised by a correspondent that a grand spread was held In tho evening, at.whioh parents and children '■atteuded, : much, credit being due to the ladies of the district for .the'manner in which they had prepared tho refreshments. A concert was sub, frequently held,- which was very enjoyable, - Mr J. Barker contributing largely. to.the success of the entertainment., A pleasant evening was wound up with a dance. ■ , . - - "' .' ■■:'

(Per United Press Association,); v v DuMrjiN, Marob 31.:•'■ The Waipawa Oreek Company obtained ?ooz of amalgam last Week.by the Welmnn dredger. ' : y. vMr.O. W.Adains, chief surveyor, lub' left for Hilford Sound to inspect the tracks there, and,Jf .possible, intends coming back overland'', by Clinton Valley, accompanied by his daughter, .

About 500 volunteers, comprising tho corps within ten miles of Dunedih, go into camp at Easter. Colonel Pitt will bo present on behalf oi the Government to report. An application w&s made to-day for the ro-hoaring of a case in which £25 damages was given for illness suffered by drinking ginger ale in which lead was present, but, owing to. the absence of plaintiff's counsel, tho case was adjourned, At a statutory meeting of the Sew Hoy Big Beach Company, the Chairman stated that since tho Company was registered on tho 13th December, the gold secured was 6420za 13dwts lfigrs, and after the deduction of average working expenses the nett return was £2OOO. Threo now dredgers are now under consl ruction in Ohristohurch, Captain Cameron, Messrs Gore, Sew Hoy, Blair, and Duncan wero elected directors; and it is understood ft dividend of 3d .per share will be paid next week. Auckland, March 31.

A series of Military sports are boing arranged under the presidency of the Earl of Onslow, who Las presented a silver cup wd silver medal for competition on horseback amongst the Volunteers of the 'District. Sports for men of the Permanent Artillery and the police forco will also be held, Tho gatlieriug will take placeon the 12th April, at Ellerslie racecourse. :' V ,

Three teams will leave Auckland on Thursday to represent this city n| the Wellington bowliug tournamont, which begins on Friday. Mr J. C. Fifth received his discharge from the Bankruptcy Court today.

His Excellency the Karl and the Countess of Onslow visited the Auckland Hospital Ibis morning, and were conducted through the various wards,' including that for children.- Five cots, donated by benevolent Indies, havo been;- placed in this ,ward,. and Lady Onslow also intends to give one. Lord and lady Onslow also visited Hie Public Library, and Art Gallery to-day, -

A Mystery Solved, Dunedin, March 31; ' It is now reported that tho remains found at Waikouaiti in a railway ditch wfii'o those of a'gorilla, which died while with a circus company passing through the district, and were placed in a bag. and thrown in the ditch. Severe Eaixiiquake- : Punedw, March 81. Two sevoro shocks of earthquake Tj'ore felt at Queoiistown at 7.10 on Sunday. Buildings rocked in an alarming manner, but no damage was done. At Arrowtown a violent shock wasfelt at 740, accompanied by a terrific and prolonged noise liko an explosion, whioh lasted 6seo or Osec; wbiletbe quake lasted about 7seo or Bseo.' The direction at Queenstown is given as from north to south, and at Arrowtown north-east to south-west

Peculiar Action for Damages. CiiaisTcHuaci!, March 31. In the Supreme Court to-day John Purcell, a seaman on tho Jubilee, sued the Railway Commissioner for £2OOO damages, He was engaged Eaiidling- .cargo p/fhe wharf last August, 1 when an accjdent took place and.:lij3 l,cg was badly broken, and subsequently amputated, He alleged that the injury was caused through the negligent working of tho Government railway trucks, whioh wore brought into contact with the gangway, and caused it to crush bim between the gangway and the sboot used for loading the vessel, whereby bis legwas crashed and broken. The defendants deny any negligence, and say the accident was caused by the plaintiffs carelessness. The case is hot finished; ■'■ . \ • .