The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1891.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3782, 10 April 1891, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 1891.

The Cabinet is said to be considering the expediency oE purchasing the Manawatu railway, and men wonder why they are taking actijn in this direction. Does history repeat itself, and is the old policy of the Liberals in buying up lines from priv:te companies to be renewed ? We all know how these transactions were formerly worked, how they entailed a big loss to the State and a considerable proGt to the companies. It will doubtless be also remembered that] when these little transactions were put through, an M.H.R. received an enormous commission from a grateful company whose line he had piloted into the political haveu. Is there on the present occasion any M.H.1l or other prominent person entrusted with a big commission to sell this line ? We don't suppose that the Government regard this line as a Nablth's vine-yard-land are really anxious to possess it; the venture is not good enough for this, but we may fairly assume that pressure is beinjr brought to bear on the Ministry to take over a bad bargain from the shareholders of the Company. Of course the latter maintain that the line is a splendid speculation, and if it were not handicapped by taxes would pay hand' somelv. It must, however, be borne in mind that though the Government has squeezed the Company a little under the property tax, the Company squeezed the Government a good deal more when it first constructed the railway, and if a fair debtor and creditor account were made up between the two, it would be found that the < ompany has had the big end of the stick. There is, however, a somewhat important priuciple at stake in the proposed transfer, and that is whether the State shall father every unsuccessful private enterprise in the Colony. Many years ago it was officially reported that the Manawatu line and the Otago Central line would not pay to construct. If, after this deliberate and trustworthy statement befog made on behalf of the Govewwae&i private syndicates agree to make tie Un.es , should the Government be compelled to take them over if tbey turn out unsuccessful ? If sufficient political pressure can be brought to bear to make the Government take over these lines we may expect there wijl be similar efforts made on behalf of impecunious harbor boards. Under the provisions of the liailway Construction and LandAet the Governija.enji; compel a company to surrender its line at a price fixed by arbitration provided the line has been ten years in existence. If his Act could be applied to the Manawafu line itmiulit become colonial property on f*ii terms, hit this line has not yet besa

in existence ten years and would have to be acquired under a special agree* ment. It is doubtful whether the colony could make a satisfactory bargain under a special agreement, but as yet the nature of the overture is not known which has been made by the Company to the Government. When tliat transpires it will no doubt be intelligently criticised, but if, as in old times, a little logrolling has been accomplished to bring the purchase about and sufficient Parliamentary influence is pre-arranged, however bad the bargain may be, it will be completed. There aro numerous little lines in the colony which are palpable frauds on the people of New Zealand, lines with which liberal Governments openly bought or rewarded political support. The Atkinson party were perhaps a little more virtuous, but even the members of it occasionally sailed a li'tle too near the wind. The Government will want watching, for while it saves a few thousands \nro tern out of the civil servants it is quite capable ot dropping a quarter of. a million on works which will not be reproductive.

The Borough of Greytown ended its financial year with an oyerdraffc ot £ls.

The death is announced of P. IV Barnum, the well-known showman. Over a ton of grapes have been produced this season by Mr. W. H. Becthain, of this town, from an eighth of an acre ot land.

The following nominations have been received for the vacant seat on the Puhiatua County Council:— Joseph Burrows, William Farrell, Duncan Puckle, Valentine Mekajick and Albert W. Sedcole. Messrs Lowes and Jorns announce a sale of Japanese lilies for Saturday, April 18th. A football match is to be played on Saturday next between teams representing Eketakuna and Pahiatua.

The Auditor-General has informed the Wairarapa North County Council that he cannot pass tho costs in the recent litigation case Moore v Meredith as a le»al expenditure. We aro informed that through an overflow of the water channels, the cattle yards at the railway station and several houses in the neighborhood were flooded out yesterday. Nelson Bras, have had to pay the Railway Commissioners one thousand and eighty pounds besides an annual rental for putting in the siding .it their Woodville works.

Nathaniel Valentine, licensee of the Club Hotel at Palmerston Noith, has been fined £5 and costs for a breach of the Licensing Act in tailing to obtain a special license for the erection of a publican's booth on a racecourse. Astounding revelations are being made as a result of enquiries into land settle ment in the Forty Mile Bush. It is stated that of every three have taken upland, there is hot more than one who is a buna fide settler. The Wairarapa North County Council has favorably entertained' the proposal of the Mastcrton Borough Council for the erection of a morsrue m Mastc - ton, but before makinp a money grant have asked that a definate statement as to costs be ptovided.

The next meeting of the Masterton Borou»h Council promises to be more than usually interesting. Besides the ordinary business to be transacted, no less than four notices of motion are set down for discussion, and we hear a whisper that there is likely also to be an exchange of compliments between a couple of over zealous Councillors, which will be worth hearing. The difficulty over the Eparaima road was discussed again at lou«th at tho meeting of the Wairarapa Noith County Council yesterday, \fter a couple of hours' wrangling between the two parties principally concerned, Messrs. U. Moore and E. Meredith, the Council decided to adhere to its original resolution to stop the road in question. This is undoubtedly the most economical way of dealing with the question, as ratepayers will have an opportunity of expressing their opinion on the subject without further delay.

The Theatre Royal was crowded to suffocation again last evening, when Edison's mar.ellous invention, "The Phonograph," was exhibited for a second time. The audience was, as on the previous evening, astonished by the faithful re-production of music and song, and demonstrated its appreciation by frequent bursts of applause. The entertainment was similar to that given on Wednesday evening, with the exception that a Maori haka and a song by Mr. Hogg, M. fl. R-, were recorded, each of which was preeted with enthusiastic applause. The machine is to be exhibi ted iu Woodyille to-nij'hfcand tomorrow night, after which it will vißit the Hawke's Bay district.

We are glad to learn that oursportsmen and others can now have stagsheads and birds mounted in the highest style, «s John Jacobs, the professional preserver of birds, rlah, and animals, has arrived here from London. Highest price given for huias, crows, New Zealand quail, and other birds, stags heads and skins. Feathers cleaned, dyed and curled, fur skins tanned anddres3ed, rabbit skins mado into ruga, bullock's hiirjis polished and mounted in the highest style. Orders left at Mr F. Meenken's, close to Bank of New Zealand, Carterton, or Mr Catfe's, Hair Dresser. —Advt.

| The public are invited to inspect the New Shipments ot winter goods just opening up at the Bon Marche. Messw. L. J. Hooper and Co notify tho arrival of a large quantity of novelties for tho Coming Winter Season, This firm has always held the first place in this town for Fashionable Drapery, Millinery, etc, and no doubt their importations this eason will surpass any of their previous ones. Special notice is directed to the Ladies' Show Room, which is crowded with the Lates* Fashions. Further Particulars will appear in a future issue of this paper. The Tailoring department at the Bon Marche is assuming enormous dimensions The quantity of clothing turned out in this department requires to be soen to be credited. The make and fit is oqual to some of tha best West End tiilors, the hniuga and trimmings are also of the best quality. The prices vary from 40s to 90s the suit according to the quality of tweed selected. A visit to Messrs L. J. Hooper and Co.'s warehouse will repay the trouble. Over two thousand patterns of tweed all shown to select from. The Dfess and Mantle departnien to the Bon Marche is a sight to lovers of fashion yery seldom met with. A first class Dressmaker with a large staff of assistants is kept on premises to meet the requirements of the ladies. Good fit and at moderate prioas guaranteed-