Dannebirke Advocate [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1. NOTES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 184, 1 November 1902, Page 2

Dannebirke Advocate [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1. NOTES.

In the appeal case Kelly v. Hayes, heard at Wellington on Thursday, an important point was decided. The question raised was whether a Crown tenant, under the provisions of the Land . Act, 1892, who is bound to effect improvements which may include the clearing of bush, is responsible for lighting a fire to clear the bush, if he is not proved guilty of negligence. The parties in this case are settlers at Umutaoroa, and our readers are acquainted with the facts in connection with the litigation which was first commenced in the Magistrate's Court at Daiinevhke, and was then deckled in favour of respondent, Mr Turnbull's decision having since been upheld in the higher Courts. With regard to the point mentioned in the foregoing the Court of Appeal unanimously decided that of the Legislature meant to free a Crown tenant from a responsibility which existed in the case of every other holder of land, it was to be expected that there would have been some clear expression of such intention. There was no such expression, but, on the contrary, it seemed clear that the authorities applied to the present case, and that the selector had no more privilege than the tenant of any private person who had bound himself to clear the bush. The law in New Zealand has ever been that if a person lights a fire on his own land he must at his peril prevent it spreading to the land of his neighbours, and the Appeal Court has clearly stated that this law makes no exception whatever in the case of Crown tenants.

The Premier has every reason to be pleased with the reception accorded him at Auckland and Wellington on his return to the colony. Mr Seddon was the representative of this colony at the Coronation of the King and also at the gathering of politicians from different part of the Empire held recently in London, and it was therefore right and proper that in the welcome he received political feeling and distinction should be avoided. This, happily, was done, and the demonstrations in honor of his return were characterised by a great deal of pleasantness, which would hardly have been the case had controversial subjects been introduced. Mr Seddon undoubtedly represented New Zealand to the best of his ability, and seeing that he spared no effort to foster its interests in every possible way during his tour, he is entitled to credit for all that he has done.

When the rumours were revived in

reference ix> Mr Sedclou's alleged intention of leaving New Zealand to settle in South Africa, we expressed the opinion that there was absolutely nothing in the statement, and although some of our contemporaries formed quite the opposite opinion, the announcement made by the Premier shows .that they were entirely wrong. He has stated positively that his permanent home is in this colony, and that while the bulk of the people honour him with their confidence he will continue to fill the office he at present holds. Since his return the Premier has not had the opportunity of furnishing any statements as to the future policy of the Government, but probabty he will take action in this direction at an early date.

There is little cause for doubt that the occupants of the fourth boat belonging to the ill-fated Ventnor lost their lives almost immediately after the steamer foundered. At present nothing is known as to the reasons why the Ventnor was steaming so close to the land, but possibly an enquiry may throw some light on the matter. The fact that she covered such a long distance after striking the reef near Cape Egmont is conclusive proof that the captain was not at first aware of the serious damage clone to his ship, and when he eventually realised his position it was then too late to avert a catastrophe. The accident again serves to demonstrate the great risks which are taken by officers of ships in hugging the coast of New Zealand too closely, and which has so frequently resulted iv great loss of life and property.

Tho Woodville teunis courts were opened this afternoon.

Celouel Gilinour, leader of the Salvation Army in New Zealand, will visit Danuevirke on November 20.

During the month of October 633 inches of rain fell in Danuevirke, the heaviest rainfall beiug on the 25th when 2"02 inches wero registered.

Messrs Hnrtstoao and Sons, of Woodville, have acquired a block of 3500 acres of land with thu stock in the Takapau district, and take iiutncdiato possession.

Frederick Whitjombe, barrister and solicitor, of Pahintna, has been struck off the rell under the Law Practitioners Act, 1882.

The work of re-floating tho barque Alexandra, which went ashore near Wostport a few months ago, has been abandoned.

Mr "W. E. Andrews, the popular proprietor of the Railway Hotel, returned to Dauuevirke yesterday from a visit to his people in England.

The Wanganui Caledonian Society hns decided to hold the New Zealand championship meeting in their town this year.

An Inland Communication League has been formed at Nelson to promote the development of arterial roads and railways in the district and look after the traffic interests generally.

Mr D. D. Hyde, Government poultry expert, lectured at Foxton last Wednesday. He is expected to visit Dannevirko when arrangements permit of his doing so.

Peter Ledsham, a bankrupt, has been remanded at Christchurch on charges of not keeping proper books and obtaining credit from Sargood, Son and Ewen by means of a false balance-sheet.

At Penrith, New South Wales, Thomas Henry Tolhmst was sentenced to ten days' imprisonment for making a false declaration with a view to obtaining an old ago pension.

A Melbourne lawyer was consulted the other day by a woman wboispaying interest at the rate of over 370 per cent, per annum, on a small suui she bad borrowed.

Arrangements are being made at Christen urch to give a fitting reception to the members of the Antarctic expedition, expected there by tho relief ship Morning, which will take supplies down for the Discovery.

The Wellington S.M. expressed a hope that the Wellington police would redquble their exertions to suppress the use of obscene language. He was determined to impose heavy fines in all cases.

A Chinaman informed the Poverty Bay Herald that the consignment of dead Celestials on the Ventnor had cost over £4000. All the Chinamen in the colony had to pay £2 each for exhumation and transport expenses.

Messrs O'Connor and Tydenian, of Palmerston North (the leading North Island jewellers), have been appointed sole agents here for the Australian Manufacturing and Importing Company's electric clocks, etc.

Owing to several of tho tubes in tb c engine of the morning train from Waipukurau to Woodville blowing out, the train was delayed at D.mnevirke for some two hours until the necessary repairs were effected.

Tba Woodville Bowling Club will be opened for the season on Wednesday afternoon next. Invitations have b«en sent to the Pahiatua, Dannevirke, Masterton, Paluierston North, and Feilding Clubs.

The are 157 candidates of all colors in the field at tbe present time for the general election, and the lists are not yet complete. Of these 98 are Liberals, 47 are Oppositionists, and 12 are Independents.

The Feilding Borough Council has

decdedi to submit proposals to the ratepayers for o water supply and sewerage schema, .including septic tanks ; also for surface drainage, at a total cost of £37,000.

The Bank of New Zealand has just issued a new £l note, the plate of which is the same as that of the old green note, which some people will remember as being in circulation about fifteen years age.

Owing to the operation of rating on unimproved values in the Borough of Hokitika, the Government is to be a6ked to make another valuation. The Mayor states that many of the poorer classes are paying more than those owning choice corner sections.

A deputation from the W. C. T. U. asked the Brisbane municipal authorities to take steps to estsblish a system of curfew in that city. One of the arguments used by the deputation was that one out of every six children born in Brisbane was illegitimate.

The Dannevirke rifle cadet volunteers are to hold Church parades at intervals through the summer and autumn. The various churches will be visited in turn. At the parade lasteveningit was decided by let to hold the first church parade on the King's Birthday at the Wesleyan church.

There was a vary creditable muater at tha weekly parade' of the Daunevirke Rifle Cadet Volunteers last eveniug. One recruit joined during th 6 eveniug. It was decided to hold a church parade on the King's Birthday, Suuday 9th November, at the Wesleyau Church. The Dannevirke Rifles and the Ruahine Mounted Rifles are to be asked to attend.

A man who was committed to the Auckland Lunatic Asylum at Gisborne not long ago came into a good sum of money, running into four figures. He fell in love with a youug lady, who remained true to him whilst his money lasted, and then left him. This preyed on his mind a good deal, and to this in a great measure is to be attributed his present sad position.

Between 30 and 40 members of the Union Rifles mustered at tlie camp pitched at Ormcmdville last evening. After tea had been partaken of, the men fell in under the command of Captain Forbes, and were instructed by Staff Sergt.-Major Finn in post duty exercises. The Sergt.-Major was also their instructor this morning. The encampment is to last for a week, and should the weather continue fine ought to prove very beneficial to the company. The catering, which is under the supervision of Sergt. Hussey, is very highly spoken of. There is expected to be a full muster to-morrow morning, when a church parade is to be held.

From an Australian paper we learn that lake George is one of the most interesting spots in New South Wales, for the reason that it is quite dry for the first time since 1845. The lake is sixteen miles in length and its greatest breadth six miles. It has no outlet. At one time it was a great pleasure resort for picnic parties, aud it also aountaiued large quantities of cod-fish which grew to immense siz^s. About 18S5 the water begun to dry up, but not very rapidly, until 1889, by which time it had receded to the level bottom. From this out evaporation went on with amaziu* rapidity until now the lake, as iv 1545, is once more dry. It will probably be 20 ycaas before it begins to fill agaiu.

The committee of the Dannevirke Cycling and Athletic Club met at Messrs Blakistou and Blakiston's office last evening when the programme for the New Year's Day sports was drawn up, it being as follows : — Half, one, one and a half, two, and five mile cycling; Dannevirke handicap, 440 yds ;Tiratu handicap, -220 yds; Tahoraiti handicap, 100 yds ; Otanga handicap, 880 yds ; Ruahine handicap, one mile ; forced handicap, loOyds; race for boys under 12, and another for boys under lt> ; boot race; one-legged bicycle race ; treefelling chop, champion saw, underhand out, putting the shot, throwing the hammer, wrestling (Cumberland style). The prize money allotted totals i'Ol'los, to which has to bo added trophies to tlio value of I'l7 17s. The ofliccrs for the sports were appointod. and the mooting adjourned until Wednesday ui-xl. when the programme will be finally adopted. It was decided to ask Mr A. Paul to accept tho position of director <>f the sports.

The question of erecting a town hall to also serve the purposes of a theatre is being considered at iDvorcargill.

The Winton School Committee hag granted a lecal clergyman (the Rev. J. M. Simpson) permission to give religious instruction to the the children at the school on tho coudition that the teaching is purely undenominational.

The guessing competition held at Mr J. W. Macdonald's. saloon during last month was decided this morning. The peas in the bottle were counted by Mr S. Androws, the number being 1,744, while tho number of guesses recorded was 1018. The following gentlemen tied— Messrs G. McKeague 1743, J. Smith 1743, and J. Brown 1745. To docide the competition a certain number of peas will be removed from the bottle, and tho gentlemen who tied will have another guess. Mi- Maodonald will hold another competition this month.