The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1884. A Futile Meeting.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1045, 9 January 1884, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1884. A Futile Meeting.

When the recent agitation concerning the want of employment was got up in Christchurch, we had grave doubts as to whether affairs were in such a bad state as certain people would have us believe. It is not as a rule the honest working man who, when he falls upon evil times, delights to shout the story of his wrongs and misfortunes from the sides of the street and the tops of the houses. This is the part played by the blatant demagogues who always come to the fore on occasions like this;

The scum

That rises uppermost, when the nation boils. We do not say that trade is not' in a depressed state in some localities in the colony, but we feel sure that a large percentage of the Christchurch agitators was composed of men who prefer loafing to working. Had it been otherwise the offer of the Minister of Public Works to provide employment temporarily for those in urgent want would have been gladly accepted, and it was a curious commentary upon the Christchurch agitation that at the very time the cry of want of work was raised, skilled labor was being imported from Wellington to Canterbury. On the whole, it is matter for congratulation that Mr Mixchelson and Mr Rolleston assumed a firm attitude towards the deputation which waited upon them and it is to be hoped that the majority benefitted from what was said to them. But there was one fact which the recent movement has brought to light which is by no means pleasant to contemplate. It is to be feared that there is fast being developed in this colony that most objectionable member of a community, the professional agitator. The average working man is one of the most gullible of God’s creatures. Sublimely ignorant of practical politics himself, he is only too ready to put faith in the apostles of those new fads for the regeneration of the world which are being enunciated every day. As a proof of this, we have only to point to the so-called representatives of the working classes in our present parliament—those whose candidature was supported by the Trades and Labor Councils and similar irresponsible bodies. We venture to say that none of these members will ever do any real work in the House; their energies will be expended in mere talk, which, though it may tickle the ears of the groundlings, can have no other result than to delay the business. The professional agitator we have referred to found his opportunity in Christchurch the other day; indeed it is in times of depression, when a spirit of discontent is not unnaturally engendered, that he always makes his appearance, A meeting was called for the purpose of forming a Working Man’s Protection Association, and the following programme was put forward; —“ 1. Manhood suffrage on the basis of a six months' qualification; 2, both Houses of Parliament to be elective, with payment of members; 3, the system of triennial Parliaments to be adhered to; 4> protection against certain imports; 5, a land and income tax; 6, the fostering of colonial industries and resources; 7, modification of land laws; 8, no further pensions to be granted, but a reduction in number of existing civil servants and of salaries; 9, no further free or assisted immigration for the tinie being; 10, canvassing at elections to be made unlawful; 11, eight hours to be a legal day’s work. This “platform,” as the Americans term it, is extensive enough, embracing as it does all the principles, which, according to the extreme radicals, should govern the world when the raillenium arrives. We are glad to say, however, that the meeting was a perfect fiasco, and that after a good deal of demagogic oratory had been expended, it was decided to abandon the very elaborate programme which had been prepared. The speakers, as is not unusual on these occasions, were for the most part quite unknown to fame, the solitary exception being Mr Andrews, a whilom Christchurch member of the House of Representatives. Even he opposed the establishing of the suggested Association, but his opposition evidently arose from a fear lest it should interfere with an existing institution. However, the meeting will not have been an unmixed evil if it serves to convince the working men of Christchurch that their true friends are not the blatant demagogues who pander to their ignorance, but those who take the trouble to study the labor question and bring to the solution of the problem intelligence and experience.

The New Zealand Shipping Company have declared alO per cant, dividend for the half year ended December last.

Information has been laid against a well-known Otago resident for having neglected to send in a statement of his property, as required by the Property Assessment Act. The case will probably be heard on Friday next. The latest with regard to Donald Dinnie is that he is likely to permanently settle in Dunedin. He has deposited L 25 towards a match with Matheson at ham uer throwing, and he challenges Hudson, the wrestler, to meet him in five styles of wrestling. Mr Alexander, the Australian Blondin, intends giving an open air performance in Ashburton to-morrow evening. The site chosen for the entertainment is the paddock opposite Beecher’s Central Hotel, and as Mr Alexander has a reputation as a funambulist second to none in the colonies, he should receive hearty support, especially as ho has been very unlucky of late. A band will be in attendance.

At the Auckland Police Court yesterday morning Edwards, the pedestrian, was charged with committing wilful and corrupt perjury by swearing at the Resident Magistrate’s Court that his signature to a cheque was a forgery. It was stated that a warrant had been issued in V- ellington for his arrest. The Court, decided, however, in the absence of a warrant that they could not take action on the telegram and dismissed the case, b dwards sailed by the mail steamer for San Francisco in the afternoon.

The quarterly meeting of the South Rakaia Library Committee was held on Monday evening. Present—Messrs Hardy (in the chair), Dixon, Bfoadbent, and Mutter. The late librarian (Mr Ellis) having resigned and left the district, Mr J. M. Broadbent was appointed at Ll 5 per annum. After the question of adding to the building and making a room for the ladies had been discussed (but nothing definitely arranged), accounts were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned. Messrs Carron and Baty, who have been prospecting in the Upper Mokinhui district for some months past, arrived in Westport yesterday with 17oz of alluvial gold, the result of twelve dayo’ work, ia eluding nuggets ranging from 4oz sdwt downwards, also fine gold. The locality where the gold was got is equi-distant from Mokinhui and Reefton and Lyell, and is within easy walking distance. The

gold was got at the edge of the creek. Thirty men are on the ground. No work has jet been dene in any claim, but the prospectors say the value of the discovery cannot be stated. At the Wellington Supreme Court yesterday Geo Gedge pleaded “<>uilty” to the charge of horse stealing, and was remanded for sentence The case of child murder against Kate Boyle occupied the Court the whole day. At bx o’clock the jury returned with a ver liar, of “ Guilty,” but while in a state of insanity. His Honor said that was tantamount to a verdict of “ Not guilty.” The foreman intimated that the jury did not wish to entirely exonerate the prisoner, and they again retired to further consider their verdict, and at 10.15 last night returned with a verdict of “NotJguilty, with a plea of insanity.” His Honor ordered the prisoner to be kept in strict custody until the Colonial Secretary’s pleasure should be known. The installation of officers of the Star of Ashburton Lodge, No 161, U. A.O. D., for the current six months took place at their lodge-room, Arcade Chambers, last eveiing, and was conducted by P. A. Bro Nathaa in a very able and impressive manner. The following is a list of the officers elected :—Junior Past Arch, Bro

Higgins; Arch Druid, Bro Bickford; Vice Arch, Bro Elston ; Treasurer, Bro. IJndrill; Secretary, Charles Word ; Arch Druid Bards, Bros Smith and Spicer ; Vice Arch Bards, Bros Taylor and Jeffs ; Inside- Guardian, Bro Carter ; Outside Guardian, Bro Brown. The Installation Officer was P; A. Bro Nathan, Mistletoe Lodge, Christchurch. The business of the Lodge was of a various but important character. After the installation ceremony had taken place votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers and to P.A. Bro Killick and Nathan.

The monthly meeting of the South Rakaia School Committee was held in the Library on Monday evening. Present Messrs Hardy (chairman), Howell, Cox, Kemble and Broadbent. The master’s report was read and considered satisfactory. Average attendance for the quarter, 129'1 ; working average, 130’2 ; average during past month, 116 ; ditto past week, 119; highest attendance, 155; number on roll, 169. The Chairman stated that after paying all accounts owing there would be a balance in hand of LlO. A list of members’ attendances was read, one having put in an appearance only three times, and it was decided not to publish the list and thus spare his feelings. Accounts amounting to Ll 4 7s were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned. At an hotel in the Rangitikei district during Christmas-tide, according to the local paper, the inmates were aroused in the middle of the night by a great noise downstairs, by the sound of which it seemed that the devil had been let loose amongst the crockery or bottles. The proprietor quietly aroused the servants, and the whole body, having hastily donned their garments around themselves as best they could, proceeded downstairs. Here the pluckiest of the party assumed the lead, and a thorough search was made without any success in discovering the midnight burglar. Suddenly one of the party shouted out that he saw a black shadow rush into the end room, the dour of which was found to be slightly ajar. The door was pulled to and secured, while a consultation was held As there waa no possible exit from the room except by the door, the prisoner was safe enough, and one of the party suggested that the constable should be fetched. This was negatived on the ground that he lived several miles away. It was eventually decided to make an attack on the prisoner. Not a sound was heard inside the room. The door was therefore cautiously opened, when instantly “something” rushed a* the leader of the party, causing him to shriek with fright. Much alarm was created as the “black shadow” rushed past, apparently on its hands and knees. It was seen to get into another room, and there it was discovered that the “ black shadow ” waa a large black cat, half mad with fright. The front door was opened, the cat chased out, and the party returned to their beds. And here ended the cat story, fortunately without any catastrophe further than a few token bottles.

Young and feeble mothers with frail children will both become strong by the use of Hop Bitters, Read. -[Advt.] These old people whose blood has become thin and steps feeble are praising Hop Bitters for the good they have done them. See.— [Advt.] , , Thick Heads, heavy stomachs, bilious conditions—Wells’ May Apple Pills—anti-bilious-cathartic. 5d and is. Moses, Moss and C 0.,. Sydroy, General Agents. I “ German Syrup.”—No other medicinejm the world was ever given such a test of its curative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. In three years two million four hundred thousand small bottles of this medicine were dis» tributed free of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afljicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs, Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof that German Syrup will cure them. The result has been that Druggists in every town and village in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go -to your Druggist and ask what they know about in. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size 3s. 6d. Three doses will relieve any case,—[Advt.]

T e Auckland Harbor Board request Pilot Burgess to resign in consequence of the many complaints against him. They also instruct the pilots in future to take no liquor from ships when leaving them.

A Rationalistic Association has just been formed in Auckland (Mr A. Campbell, president), which contemplates holding Sunday services in the forenoon, Sabbath school in the afternoon, and social gatherings, lectures, and debates on Sabb ith evenings.

At the settling on the Auckland Summer Meeting yesterday afternoon, the following amounts were paid away :—R. Vallanoe, £714 8s; W. Pilbrow, L 517 15s; Major George, L 429 8s; W. Bobbett, L 422 355; D. Butler, L 282 5s ; J. Leonard, L 214 14s; Win. Somerville, L 190; W. Robertson, Ll4B 4i; B. Thompson, Lll2 2s ; W. Poiter, LlO3 lls ; J. Marshall, L 95; Foster, LSO 7s; Houghton and Shie'ian, L 88; W. Barr Brown, Ll 5 5i ; D. McKinton, Llls Total, L 3,343 2s. At the Auckland criminal sessions John Fitzgerald for larceny received two years; Peter Harper, for unlawfully wounding, four months ; Wm. Good, for maliciously wounding cattle, was discharged. Joseph Antonio was charged with larceny. The prosecutor showed that the watch and chain were stolen in Melbourne from the steamer Waitara, consequently his Honor said this Court had no jurisdiction. He directed the jury to find a verdict of “Not Guilty,” and prisoner was discharged. Before tenders for the Calliope Dock were opened at Auckland, the Harbor Board’s engineer submitted a report, which stated that when he gave the opinion that this work would be completed for L 120.000, the estimate was a general one, in the absence of full quauties of materials and labor required for the dock. As the dock was now to have 33ft of water on the sill instead of 26ft, and as he had now the full quantities before him, he estimated the total cost at L 176.700 for the whole work. He had erred in making the work of such a quality, th it its cost far exceeds the sum available. He advises a modification of the plan by using timber face work in place of a portion of the heavy retaining walls, local hydraulic lime for Portland cement, the substitution of a less expensive concrete, by which L 46,000 could be saved, and the work brought within the means of the Board. The report was considered by the Harbor Board at its meeting yester ay afternoon. A short but sultry discussion took place, in which the Engineer was censured all round for his great miscalculation of the cost of the dock, and his change of opinion at the eleventh hour. Only Messrs Mays, McKenzie, Lamb and Aitken spoke in favor of opening the tenders on Mr Mays’ motion. They were acc rdingly opened, as he said, so that the saddle for the blunder might be put on the right horse. They were—Hunt and White, L 183.486; Cameron, Button and Co., L 179.103; Darnel Fallon, L 157,000; John Taylor, L 190,979. The Engineers’ report and the tenders were referred to the Dock Committee, to report to next meeting of the Board. Don’t Die in the House. —“ Rough on Rats ” clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jackrabbits, gophers, Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, General Agents. i Holloways Ointment and Pills. — Diseases of the Bowels.—A remedy, which has been tested and proved in a thousand different ways, capable of eradicting poisonous taints from ulcers and healing them up, merits a trial of its capacity for extracting the internal corruptions from the bowels. On rubbing Holloway’s Ointment repeatedly on the abdomen a rash appears, and as it thickens the alvine irritability subsides. Acting as a derivative, this unguent draws to the surface, releases the tender intestines from all acrid matters, and prevents inflammation, dysentery, and piles, f«r which blistering was _ The oldfashioned, though successful treatment, now from its painfulness fallen into disuse, the discovery of this Ointment having proclaimed a remedy possessing equally derivative, yet. perfectly painless powers. —[Advt.