The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1888.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5173, 19 March 1888, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1888.

The Government have resolved to utilise prison labor in the completion of the fortifications at Wellington, Lyttultou, and Dunedin. At Auckland prioon labor cannot be employed as the works aro too remote from the gaol. Naturally ei:o:igh this employment of convicts h.-"> been protested against by a deputation of unemployed that, waited on tho Minister for Public Works last week at Christchureh. The Hon. Mr Mitcholson did not mince mutters in replying to the questions that were put to him. The late Government spent over half a million on fortification works, and went out of office leaving very heavy liabilities in England that neither Ministers nor Parliament know anything of. Mr Ballanco's extravagances were quite unauthorised, and the extent of the debts he involved the colony in on defence works has only quite recently como to light. If the money already spoilt on these fortifications is not to be thrown away, tho works must be carried to a completion. To do this it becomes necessary to employ prison labor, as there is no money in tho treasury to pay for fro.? labor now that the liabilities bequeathed by Mr Ballauce's administration have made such serious inroads into the vote passed by Parliament. The Government cannot do impossibilities, and, being honest, they are not going t-j undertake responsibilities which would involve unauthorised expenditure. If tho unemployed have a grievance iv this matter they owe it entirely to the reckless extra vaganco of the late Ministry. In respect of other work, Mr Mitcholson said the Government had determined to open no relief works in the neighborhood of cities. The colony will applaud this determination. Although there were unquestionably Lwe numbers of genuino unemployed, it % equally certain that tho action of the late Government in creating work, often useless and always costly, in and around the large centres of population, aggravated the evil. In Napier, we hardly had any experience of the unemployed question, but little as that experience was it afforded proof that there was a large percentage of sham in the cry of, " We've got no work to do." If we remember rightly, some sixty men presented themselves as unemployed ; but on work being found for them in tho Seventy-mile Bush, not many cared to tear themselves away from the seductive attractions of public-houses, and in a very short timo there was not a man on the relief works. At Chiistchurcli, it seems, the unemployed is a permanent institution, and it is likely to remain so as long as relief work is providid at ordinary wages and within sight of—well, the Cathedral. One member of the deputation suggested to Mr Mitchelsou the desirability of reclaiming : tho land at the estuary of tho Sumner. ." That is all very well," said the Minister.' i " but wfeere is the money to come from ?" That is a question which does not concern < the unemployed aa a rule, but Mr Mitehel- ' son must have been amused at the reply he ( received, "by the creation of a State Bank ' of Issue !" It would have been thrown 1 away on such a financier as that to have 1 told him th*it ",ouj. of notliing nothing can " •■■•'•''■••

A calamity that is inseparable from bush settlements has overtaken Norsowood. What was on Friday morning a picturesque village scattered along the Ormondville and Kopua roads, is now a heap of ashes. Homesteads have been burned down, fences destroyed, and the vegetation scorched. Up to tho time of writing, it is believed that thirty families are homeless, and absolutely destitute. On their' behalf it is our duty to appeal to the charitable. If there can be found a« many people who will give one sovereign each to relievo this distress, as there were to put a pound each in the totalisator onSaturday'sHnrdlerace at Hastings, then a good step will have been taken to reinstate these unfortunate settlers. On that Hurdle raco, it is mentioned in sporting news with satisfaction that there wore 076 "investors." If £976 aro subscribed for the much more laudable object to which we refer some of the effects of a very terrible calamity will be removed, and tho misery of many women and children alleviated. We need" not add'that we shall be happy to receive subscriptions.

The Public Works Committee of tho Borough Council meet this evening.

The premises near the Napier railway station, formerly the stores of Messrs Wardrop and Co., which aro being converted into cooling chambers and meat stores for Messrs Nelson Brothers (Limited) will be a great boon to the Napier public. In hot summer weather wo may rely on being able to procure moat in good condition. One of Messrs ITaslam's machines is being set up, having power for producing 25,0 M feet of cold air per hour. These machina* were especially designed for dairy purposes, and for bacon curers, &c. Wo shall be glad to report in tho future that a start in real earnest has been made for supplying the public wants.

His Honor the Chief Justice sat in Chambers on Saturday, when some probate business was disposed of.

Special train arrangements have been published for Friday and Saturday next, for the convenience of country visitors to tho Napier Park races. Excursion tickets at greatly reduced fares will be issued on those days.

Messrs Kinross and Co.'s new steamer Ahuriri. is nearly ready for conveying frozen meat from the new freezing works to the s s. Coptic, which arrives on Saturday next to load for London, Workmen havo been engaged night and day in tho work of insulation. Having good power, the Ahuriri will be found a useful vessel for the purpose of lightering frozen meat.

At tho R.M. Court this morning, bofore G. A. Freece, Esq., John Johnson was charged (1) with having been found drunk, (2) with using obscene language, and (3) with having obstructed the police whilst iv the execution of their duty. In the first case accused was fined os and costs, in default -18 hours' imprisonment with hard labor ; for the second offence ho was sentenced to two months' imprisonment: and on the third cbargo he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labor, sentences to run concurrently.

How steadily wo are losing our population to Victoria and New South Wales may be seen from tho following :—During tho month of February the number of arrivals iv the colony was 1203, and the number of departures 1486. Of the arrivals, 400 were from the United Kingdom, 356 from New South Wales, and 331 from Victoria. Of the departures, 108 were for the United Kingdom, 063 for New South Wales, and 690 for Victoria.

The Te Anan. whioh arrivod atthe Bluff this morning from Hobart, is the bearer of a Brindisi mail.

The following are to-day's mercury readings : —Russell 05, Auckland 65, Thames 67, Tnurnnga 64, Tnupo 56, Gisborne 65, Napier 66, New Plymouth 62, Waniranui 60, Wellington 61, Blenheim 57, Nelson 55, Westport 55, Greymouth 54, Boaly 45, Lyttclton 60, Timaru 55, Oamaru 52, Port Chalmers 51, Duuedin 50, Clyde 52, Queenstown 43. Balclutha 45, Invercargill 50, and Bluff 15.

In Chambers on Saturday His Honor the Chief Justice ruled that in setting down civil cases for hearing at the Supremo Court notice thereof must be given three days before tho original day appointed for the sittings of the Supremo Court, and not three days before the sittings after the adjournment of the Court.

The chimes in tho new clock tower at Melbourne Post-oniee are to be supplemented by carillons, comprising twenty natioual airs. *

Tho Victorian Government intend to invite applications for the position of Conservator of Porosis at a salary of £650 per year.

Tho Wangnnui Parochial Monthly sometimes puts things very plainly. In its lust i-suo it asks for subscriptions to build a stable, and winds up by promising that '• All extra begging for the curate's proper equipment will bo at an end when this building is paid for."

Wolfe's Schnapps is a great relief in rheumatism, infinitely superior to brandy or whisky.

, Wolfe's Schnapps strengthens and braces up the system against disease. Be sure you obtain Wolfe's.

Wells' Hair Balsam.—lf gray, restores to original color. An elegant dressing, softens and beautifies. No oil nor grease. A Tonic Restorative. Stops hair coming < out; strengthens, cleansos, heals scalp.

Skinny Men.—"Wells' Health Renewer" restores Health and vigor, cures Dyspepsia, Impotence, Sexual Debility. At "chemists and druggists. Kempthorne, Prosser & Co., Agts., Wellington.

WEBBER AND WILSON, Emersonstreet, offer great inducement to tho«e requiring any description of Ironmongery, being under very light cxpenso, we are in'a position to sell at small profits. Orion Ranges (an improvement on Garton and King's) are guaranteed to give every satisfaction. Call aud inspect before buying elsewhere. Webber and Wilson, Emersonstreet.—[Advt.]

1000 inhabitants of Hawke's Bay are now wearing Watches bought of us, and each one would willingly give a testimonial testifying' to their utmost satisfaction. Bring- your -ivatches to us and have them repaired by practical tradesmen. All work warranted for 12 months. V. Jensen and Co., tho Old Shop, Emerson-strtat, Napier. —[advt. J

John M'Vay, being greatly overstocked, is offering saddlery and harness of al kinds, portmanteaus, Gladstone bags, &c, &c, at largely reduced prices for cash. Hastings-street, Napier, and at Waipukurau.—[adyt.]

Koromiko Cordial, as a remedy for dysenby and diarrhoea, is unequalled. Care should bo taken to purchase tho original preparation as made and introduced by H. Owen, Chemist, Hastings - street Napier, as tho success of this compound has induced others to imitate it. Prioe, 2s Cd.—[advt.]