Up-River Lands.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10450, 21 September 1901, Page 2

Up-River Lands.

Oub readers should be interested to know that the Government has acquired, or is under negotiation for" the purchase from the natives in the interior of Wanganui, of no' less than 83,304 acres, moTO than half of which has already been acquired. We gather this from x a return compiled by Mr J. L. Stevenson, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, from information supplied by Mr W. E. Goffe, Native La»d Purchase Commissioner. The whole of tiie blocks are within -easy distance of the town of ' Wanganui, and the benefit of the opening up of such to the town and district can hardly be over-estimated.,, Tho largest block is that of -Puketotara, comprising some 17,000 acres, Bituate opposite Kawana, and lying between Jerusalem and Ranana, on the opposite 'side of the river. Another large JbUjp* is that of Whitianga — 11,593. ' acres — close to the Whangamombna settlement in the Tangarakau. Then there is a 10,000acre block at Te Tuhi, extending from Te Rimu' on to" Koriniti; the Tupapanui block of 5000 acreß, this side of Raetihi, between tliat 'settlement and the .river; and the Rangitatau block of 11,000. acres in. the Upper Waitotara. Mr- Stevenson mentions in the return that v* e Crown's interest will be denned in November, and soon after that date the land will be in the market. With reference to the Rangitatau blo6ks of some 12,000 acres, "the Crown's interest has just been denned, and tht Crown Lands Department will haye .the •land opened up for settlement as soon as 'the subdivisions- are completed, it is hoped at an early date.

On our first page will be found Australian News, etc. ' _ Tlio Department of Afjricilltlire 13 just now receiving eggs from its four poultry farms. Bishop Stewart, who left New Zealand "about seven years- ago for Persia, w.ill revisit the colony this year.

Japanese florists are .said to have succeeded y in cultivating a rose- which looks • red iiutlio sunlight. and white in the shade-. Since the -coming- into operation on tho Ist June, 1899, of tlie" Divorce Act, 1308, 81 decrees for dissolution of marriag'o have been granted in Wellington". It .is expected that the gold output of New Zealand for the. current year will be .the largest for about a quarter of a century. Tho Rev; Robert Rolleston, late rec-'-tor of Standard Rivers, Essex, and eldest brother of the Hon. -W. Rolleston,'died at Home on the 2nd inst. at .the age of 89. ,"J • ' The Chief Health Officer for" the colony is collecting evidence as to the most suitable sites for the proposed sanatoria for the treatment of consumption. The Department -of Agriculture is sending a circular to a number of municipal bodies asking what steps they aro takincf to comply with the law .requiring them to erect public abattoirs. The Grey Harbour Board intend to send to America for a first-class diamond drill, capable of boring loOOft.j -and will proceed with boring the country between -Brunner and Greymouth, where geologists "affirm that an unknown scam of coal exists. . i Thus the Egmont. Settler: — About, tho, biggest swindle in New Zealand Is connected with the sale of kerosene. Stratford storekeepers '-are at present charging 10a par case cash. Who is getting the rebate duty of, four shillings per case? "y- • A London cable says that the Alfred tho Great millenary, ' being celebrated in 'Winchester, was. t a great success, thousands of pilgriufß participating, including representatives of English, American, Australian, - Tasmanian, Indian; and Canadian Universities. - In connection with the- recent loan poll in Auckland, it is % worthy of note that no less than 219 ratepayers voted against the loan for fire brigade purposes, and that' in face of the lamentably inefficient stato of tho brigade appliances as shown at the Grand Hotel fire. Tho Clutha Presbytery have passed a resolution protesting against the continued violation of the Divine Law on the part of the Government by running goods and other trains on Sundays, and have aeked Mr Allen, member for the district, to move in Parliament for the return of all trains run on Sunday throughout the year. ' ' Mr G. Butler (according to the Dunedin correspondent of the Christchurcli Press) has been commissioned to paint "iv picture of MrChisholm, eV-Mayor, to be hung in- the_ Town-Hall. Mrs Chisholin will be presented by the citizens with a piece of plate consisting of a silver salver weighing 1250z, besides a tea and coffee silver service. The Canadian correspondent of the Otago Daily Times states that a novel claim lias been received at "the Census -Department for the • Ontario census 'enumerator, part of whose bill reads as .follows: — '"To one pair of trousers, the right leg of which was" ontirely destroyed by a mongrel coolie, which greeted me as I' was about to enter on my duties, lOdol."

An interesting civil action was heard in the Magistrates- Court at Masterton yesterday, when Percy Hermann, late proprietor, of the Rutland Hotel, Wanganui, sued Jerome and Mary Bacovich toe .£3O for board and cash lent to the male defendant in December last. The defence was that Bacovich was bereft of his senses when ho incurred the liability. The Magistrate did not think so, and gave judgment for .£2B Ss and £6 6s costs. An investigation of the books of the Thames Hospital, of which Mr Thonuw Cantley, who- committed suicide lost week, was secretary, shows that there was no truth in the report that the deceased j had been guilty, of peculation. Not ,i penny of the funds is short. Mr Cantley had for many years been afraid that ho would die an early death from consumption, .md this secma to have preyed on his mind. He was only 35 y«ars of age. *

The work of installing the Westinghouse brake on the express trains between Longburn and New Plymouth is being pushed on, in order that the system may be brought into operation on l3t November. The Manawatu Railway Company ia also equipping its engines and cars with the Westinghouse brake, and will bring it into use soon after the beginning of November. The Railway Department is making every effort to fit the same kind of. brake to the express trains on the Huruhui-Bluff line before the summer traffic begins. " One of the members of the City Council recently 'mentioned the fact that while certain " medical inspection was , made of passengers ' from oversea 'ports, nothing was being done by the Municipalities to check tho spread of measles, scarlatina., influenza,' and other' epidemic* of sickness. JjTlie prevalence of these complaints was considered by many medical men due to. the _want of propeV; fumigation of Jblothing"jand belongings of a largo-number of men=who have returned from South Africa. Ho recommended that a report should be .procured at oncfe 'from the "city" health "officer. The.Mayor promised to 'inquire into the matter and procure a report on tho subject.

• Remarkable Cures of Rheumatism. (From tho Vindicator, Rutherfordtqn, N.C.)— The editor of the "Vindicator has had occasion to test the efficacy of Chamberlain's Pain Balm twice with the most remarkable results in each case. First, with rheumatism in the shoulder, from which ho suffered excruciating pain -for ten days, which was relieved with two applications of 'Paiu Balm, rubbing the parts afflicted and realising instant benefit B"id entire relief in a very short time. Second, in rheumatism in thigh joint; almost prostrating him with severe pain, which was relieved by two applications, .rubbing with the liniment on retiring* at, night, and getting up free from pain. —For' sale by TJnited Farmeia' Co.-pp. Asan, * - V

Saturday's Lyttelton Times says: — "Say, Sis; 'spose we go and run away and play Robinson Crusoe. Wo won't have>to~go t£ school, or learn lessons, or nuffiin'." "Sis/ charmed with the idea, readily assented, and the three children, John, Harry, and Mary .stole away, and betook themselves to a popular seaside resort, where they lived on •■nuffiin' " among the sandhills for three days. Their parents, distracted by the unexplained disappearance of their offspring, sought the assistance of the police, who" eventually traced them, and brought them< back, to their home. Tha fugitives were in a most woebegone condition, and with all their romantic nonsense knocked out of them, they resolved to stay at home and apply themselves diligently in future to their despised studies.

A Dane who during seven years' stay in South Africa, saved .£IOOO confided the fact to his fellow-passengers on board the ship that took him back to Europe, and on arrival in London they hardly over left him. One day they persuaded him to accompany 'them to an hotel near Coyeut Garden, where they introduced him to a swell, who was said to have juafc come into a fortune of .£36,000, and this gentleman, with the remark that- he" was not a pelfish fellow, put into his silk hat what be said waff .£IOOO in noterf, adding- that he might possibly give, the lot to anyone who had sufficient confidence in him to cover the roll with a similar amount. The unsuspecting Dane thereupon took out all his hard-earned savings and placed them in the hat, on which the owner of the hat left, the room'son some pretext, and aa he did not come back his two confederates said they -would go and lo"6k for him. Of course neither of the trio has returned, and the Dan>> is stranded in London not even enough money to take him home.

Rotonift gets a good advertisement from Mr E. E. Knight, the correspondent of the Morning Post. The weather was "royal" and the "air was keen and pure (save for the sulphurous fumes) and wonderfully exhilarating. The bracing climate of this volcanic region induces a feeling of well-being,' which we all experienced, and I can -thoroughly believe that no finer sanatorium than Rotorua is to be -found on the faco of the earth." Mr Knight is equally complimentary to the 'most democratic of all civilised communities," and to the Ministers who represent " the "extreme Radical party." "What to us in Great Britain would seem the wildest Socialist tic doctrines are -carried into practice, and yet one finds in New Zealand, above all countries, a-strong Imperialist sentimant, a universal and warm patriotism and loyalty to the Throne. There is no foolish talk here of the dangers of milltarism, the abolition of war, and the brotherhood of nations. There, are no pro-Boors. Th<! Socialists of this colony have nothing in common with those of Battersea Park, who -would fare badly did they ventilate their theories in this country." * "

The general use of paraffin-lined butter boxes has been long advocated by the Dairy Commissioner, who has also strongly recommended " dovetailed oi lock-joint corners. To . practically illustrate the method of making what is practically an air-tight package, -Mr Kinsella is obtaining from Canada two or throe sample boxes pub together 'n this way. It has, he says, been proved by trials that butter packed in paraffinlined boxes retains ifs flavor much better than in 'an ordinary package. " Although the white pine of New Zealand -is about as suitable a timber as could be had anywhere for the making of butterI>o£cg9, it is always found, cren wlien good parchment paper is ÜBed, ' that the butter contracts a slightly woody flavour after remaining stored for 'some time. The butter is aJso 1 often found to be white or bleached at <he corners after *Weing stored in ordinary nailed boxes. Two of the largest dairying concerns in the colony have been paraffining their butter-boxes for, some time pnsb, although in one case the iwork is stiil done by hand. .There is a" probability of several other large factoriestaking up the matte/, next season. An interesting petition from ratepay« era of the Borough of Sydenham has been presented to the House. The- petitioners set out; that .they^havc suffereJ grievously 'for •irinny'years~'froni the unduly high rates and premiums 'imposed upon them by the -fire insurance companies doing business in the borough, which rates have been greatly in exces? of ths rates charged for similar riske in other parts of the world, and much higher than is necessary to afford rea- , sonable profit to such companies if economically managed. They are' convinced, they stato, that' the work of 'fire insurance in boroughs could be efficiently and more economically managed by the various Municipal Councils throughout the colony if- they -were empowered to collect fire insurance premiums as rates and the receipts -for such' premiums mode equal in law to the fire insurance policies now issued by fire insurance They suggest that, the ne•cSssfcryyowers might be given to Muni"cipal Councils by a short amendment of the ■ Municipal ■ Corporations Act, 1900, and "that .details might be made by regulations by the Govcrnor-in-Council. \Tliey .ask that such an amendment should be made this session. During the hot days (say 3 tho Westminster Budcst) the Pope has, again spent hia days m the marble house in tho Gardens, which was built by Leo X. As early as 5 a.m. Leo XIII. loaves tho Vatican for this cool retreat and only returns in timo .to retire for \ho' night. Curiously enough, the Pope never enjoys his promenade in the gardens of his palace more than during these lorrid days, and often prolonge them for beyond their 'usual duration. On ono ol the hills which overlook tht new Park of Rome and tho viaduct on tho naw railway line from Rome to Viterbo he often pauses, remarking on tho ugliness of oil these innovations. Ono place in the Vatican' gardens to which' tho Pope invariably benrta his stops on his daily walks is his little menagerie, where he rewarded the loyal parrot's cry. "Vive il Papa!" with a double ration of sugar. The -vineyard? nlso interest hint greatly, 'and he often stays to talk to the vigneronsi who" fall on their, knees they see the Holy Father approach. Ono day he observed that he" found the grapes larger now, Thanks to the manures employed, than they were in his younger days, "but," he added, with a smile, "that is the only case in which I see that the world is progressing."

Writing from Bloemfontciu, under dato July 20th, the correspondent of the Auckland Horald says: — The Sixth Contingent has been fortunate in having good officers, most of whom have had experience of South African warfare. Ever since we lauded at East London we havo been on the move, and tho constant trekking has told heavily on some of the meu. Still, though many have been in hospital, at every fresh stage wo are strengthened by drafts of men who, ' haying been discharged, rejoin the contingent. Trooper Morgan, of tho Wellington Squadron, can tell some stirring adventures, having passed one night in close proximity to the Boer laager, his horse having been shot when Lieutenant Ryan was killed. July Bth. An attempt was made by the enomv tonight to rush our pickets. The Mun-' «ter Fusiliers, however, wero awake and gave them a warm reception. One company rushed up to support tho pickets with fixed bayonets, several volleys were fired, tho Boers, about 50 in number, making a hasty retreat. General Phi oner's force, of which the New Zealand Sixth Contingent is a part, was entrain-, ed at Wondorfontein, north-east Transvaal, and sent on to l Bloenif ontein (three 1 days' journey by rail), whence they start trekking, destination unknown. ■ ■■.

I believe that when Major Burnham, tho famous American Scout, who did us such a good service, and had such hairbreadth escapes in tho Boer War, returned to England from South Africa the Government approached him. with a, proposition that fie should become the head of an institution for training scout 3 for the British Army. But the War Office is not ' a generous paymaster, nor easy to get on with, and So Major Burnhiun plunged into the jungle oB West Africa and found gold mines for spoculativo syndicates and struck a better" lode for himself than if he had proapocted for the War Office. Meanwhile, however, another scout, nono other than "Buffalo Bill," in fact has taken up a new line in army coaching, and has founded the Cody Military College mid International Academy of Rough Riders. He promises to turn out experts in '•broncho-husting," trackers of big gan-e, able-bodied campers-out. "Ho will take the "effete and render them elemental, will tan ths an.-Emic and turn dyspepsia into greedy appetite." His«riinal object, however, is to turn out the fighting man called the "H/ragh Rider." The site of the college is some -thirty miles east of ilie famous Yellowstone National Park, at the foot of a picturesque mountain range abounding" in big game. The college buildings, now in course of erection, will be constructed of logs, after the style of "blockhouse" forts, formerly so comir.qu on the American frontier.— Dunedin Star Correspondent.

A good 'thing is always worth the money. Britain's Best Bicycle makes you want to tell your neighbours what a 'good machine it is. Reynolds, Avenue. — Idvt. " A Good Cough Medicine for Children. — "I have no hesitancy in recommending Chamberlain's - Cough Remedy," says F. P. Moron, a well-known and popular baker of Petersburg, Va. "Wr have given it to our children when troubled with bad coughs, also whooping cough, and it has always given perfects satisfaction .^ "It was recommended .it me/py a a druggist as "tho beat, cough medicine for children/ as it; contained no"- opium or other harmful idrug'."— • Sold by United Farmers'' Oq*p."Assn.