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Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 6

The world is again shocked, amused, and interested in the doings of Corners American wheat speculators , A year or two ago it was a Wheat. gentleman named Dan Sully ~ . } v ! 10 attracted the attention of Christian civilisation by his magnificently audacious cornering of the cdt-ton crop. He made quite a fortune by the deftness of his manipulations, and was the demif'od of a Mammon-worshipping public for at least nine days._ Then ho dropped the limits of the sweatof his brow, tost his place on the stock Exchange, was disgraced and bankrupted, and to-day there are none so poor as to do him reverence. Before .Mr Dan Sully s splash ” young .Mr Leitor, son of a Chicago banker and brother-in-law of Lord Burzon, started in to make things ” hum ’’ Mr Deiter is cast in a different mould from tu€ popular idea of the loud-voiced souarejawed, pugnacious American ten-million-dollar-or-die speculator. Educated cool calculating, he- laid his plans for cornering tue wheat supply of the world. But his end was the same. He had his days of tnumpn and of respectful awe. The halo of countless thousands quickly made encircled his brow, and all men," as was but Tight and natural, prostrated themselves at his shrine. But the smash came—somethin o, had been overlooked, matters did not ad’just themselves as they should —and young Leiter retired, not a ruined, but a poorer

and perhaps a wiser msn. Now it is a gentleman by the name of Patten who has secured temporary but universal notoriety. He, too, by a concentration of will power and the spending of sleepless nights and restless days, is making his hundreds of . thousands, and ho too, unless the augurs have nrsread the signs, will fail. A'week ago Chicago May wheat was at 128-) cents; yesterday it was hammered down to 116 cents, when, to protect himself, Mr Patten, by “furious” buying, forced the price back to 127j_cents. This sort of thing cannot last; it is the beginning of the end, and tlie latest wheat corner and cornerist are, probably, doomed. It is a ghastly business, unredeemed by nothing save the misapplied talents of the gambler. Meantime, wo commend to our readers’ attention the second book of the late Prank Norris’s trilogy on American wheat, known as ‘ The Pit.’ The, “comer” sequel is all set forth there.

Three out of four of the self-governing States of South Africa South African have accepted the ConUnity. stitution drawn up by

the National Convention. This is good news to the friends of peace, the believers in the future greatness of South Africa, and to the South Africans themselves. It would have been a thousand pities and a continued source of anxiety had the States of Natal, Cape Colony, Orangia, and the Transvaal been content with their existing isolated autonomy. With the progress and changes of the years their differences would have become sharper, 'clearer, and more difficult of adjustment. As the tree is bent so will it grow ; so also with, infant States. There is no better or surer period than now for the people of South Africa to enter upon that common path which in time will lead to the goal of perfect reconciliation, of mutual understanding, and a common ideal. Orangia, the Transvaal, and Cape Colony have acclaimed the Constitution. There have been discussion and criticism, but no serious amendments. The work of the Convention delegates lias been endorsed, and will not be submitted to the ordeal of a referendum. Tlie voice of the duly accredited representatives of the people in Parliament assembled is to be final. General Botha, speaking at Pretoria last February, eulogised the attitude and policy of the English delegates at the Convention, appealed to the people not to be “ Little Transvaalers ” but “Great South Africans,” and warned his hearers that the alternative to union was disunion and, perhaps, bloodshed. His words and those of the leaders in other States have convinced the majority that in unity lies their salvation, that Natal has not yet given her verdict is hardly surprising, but we cannot think that the _ forces that make lor disunion are sufficiently numerous to overthrow the work of the Convention.

Cue neighbors in Christchurch afford shelter and encouragement to Spook extremists of varying shades Artists. —teachers of therapeutics, spiritists, agnostics, and what not. 1 his is, let us hope, a sign of mental activity. Just now, for a very small_ pecuniary consideration, the curious in this City may see a lady from the Cathedral City automatically sketch in colored pencil designs of no special beautv, supposed to he transferred to paper under the guidance of a Persian designer who departed this life about 3,000 years rfgo! As there is always orchestral accompaniments to cinematograph pictures when thrown upon the screen, so at these drawing exhibitions an experienced spiritist keeps up a running fire of fall stories of a spookish character. If this lady’s patrons do anytning else than gape and swallow, they must wonder, if there is progress, in the astral world, why the Persian designer has not become a better artist during his long sojourn with the spirits of just men made perfect. These colored pencillings are, however, quite cast into the shade by photographed spooks in other spheres of operation. This is proved by the publication of a pamphlet in Melbourne, which is finding a ready sale in this Citv, o’ snapshotted thoughts! These include ‘ A good thought caught in the act.’ ‘ Sad and violent thoughts in a whirlwind of ether,’ ‘An invocation’ (that looks strangely like a woolly toy dog), ‘A prayer, with the spiritual light in ecstatic supplication ’ (very like a wriggling worm), ‘A column of prayer ascending from the Eiffel Tower ’ ‘A nightmare’ (very black), ‘A cataract of curative force at Lourdes durum a miracle ’ (an eruption of white spots on a black ground), and ‘A beautiful form of benediction’ (resembling a London fog). These photos are from the camera of Dr Baraduc, whoever he may be. Those who beaeve that a Persian artist dead and turned to day (or mummified) 3,000 years ago will give nightly exhibitions in 'New Zealand will no doubt accept these photos of the impalpable as genuine; but what shall be said of the mental calibre of such people !

It is more than a little strange that shrewd

_ . , men ' v °rld. who Political have been schooled by Hallucinations, experience, take fantastic • . views of the power of legislative regulations to influence markets as soon as they are honored with the possession of a portfolio. It will be remembered that during the great Preference debate at the Imperial Conference two years ago Sir William Lyne, in urging that a duty of 2s per quarter should be put on fqieign wheat importations other than colonial, made JJta astounding statement that t.iis little duty of 3d per bushel would encourage _ the colonies to put fifteen to twenty millions more acres of their land under wheat, and to find employment for at least 200,000 more men, who, with their wives and families, would consume the manufactured products of Great Britain, and thus increase employment in the Old Country.” The Mother Country still wisely refuses to tax food supplies. ‘The natural fluctuations of the market have raised the price of wheat several threepences per bushel, but the acreage under wheat in Australasia has increased but slightly. It is true that up to the end of last year the exports of wheat and flour from the Commonwealth had reached 25-J, million bushels valued at five millions sterling; while during the previous year the exports were only 8? million bushels, valued at £1,675,000 But the difference was due to the fact that the wheat yield for the past season was at the rate of 13.12 bushels per acre, and for the previous season 6.55 bushels. ' The phenomenal surplus for export had, therefore, nothing to do with legislation, and was but little influenced by prices, but must be attributed to the bountifulness of the season. There- is a trace of similar unreason, in the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie’s address at Middlemarch this week, when he contended that the retention of the import duty on wheat had brought about this year’s surplus.' As a matter of fact, the decrease in the acreage put under wheat began as soon as the duty was imposed ten years ago, and has continued ever since until this year, not because of legislation, but for the obvious reason that dairying and lamb-growing paid best, and gave speedier returns for capital invested. If there is one country in the world where wheat-growing should need no legislative stimulus, it is this. Our average qield of wheat per acre is greater than in any other country, and the worst yield ever‘known here was more per acre than the best yield Australian farmers ever had.

■ The Prime .Minister has sent the following telegram to the Mayor regarding Monday night’s meeting re the Lawrence-Rox-burgh railway works stoppage : —Am very much obliged for your courtesy in advising mo of intended meeting. The Government will he very pleased to consider any representations you may make.”

The Water Committee of the City Council at their last meeting placed on record their high appreciation of the services of the chairman (Cr Scott), and regretted that he was retiring from municipal life. The Electric Power and Lighting Committee also placed on record their high appreciation of the painstaking and faithful manner in which Cr Shacklock had, by great sacri£ce of time, filled the position of chairman during the past two years. The Electric Power and Lighting Committee recommend that" the Bprough of West Harbor be reticulated for private lighting, at a cost of £440.

Referring to the need of universal thrift, the Mayor (Mr M’Dbnald), speaking in Howe Street Hall last night, said he wtould never consent to an attempt to lower in any way the wages of the working man, for he knew full well that men earning, say, 8s of 10s a day had little or no margin to spare after paying their way in bringing up a family decently. With regard to officials, considerable care to prevent overburdening the City would have to be exercised. If necessity arose the pruning knife would have to be applied in that quarter. He was determined to see that no great- undertakings were embarked upon by the City without exceptional consideration. The financial responsibilities were enormous already, but most of then! were of a highly satisfactory and profitable nature. They were rightfully committed to the establishment of municipal markets, which would be profitable to all classes. His remarks were well received.

A lady was yesterday seen ’for the first time actively engaged in the sport of coursing at the Fprbury. She owns two dogs that were running, and picked them up herself after they had run their courses. And be it noted that each dog beat its opponent. The _ Mayor gave some interesting information last night in the Howe . StreetHall concerning the municipal forestry department. “ Our water reserves,” said Mr McDonald, “contain over 20,000 acres of land suited for growing heavy timber. Already we have sixty-five acres planted, which in forty years from now will be ready for milling, and yield 600,000 ft of timber per acre; this, at 10s per hundred feet, means £3,000 per acre. MrTarmock, our superintendent of resolves, intends gradually pkmting the remainder of oar land at the rate of something like? fifty acres per year, so it is impossible to over-estimate the profits accruing to the citizens once this timber is ready for the market. It is estimated, however, that after defraying all expenses for planting, thinning, attending, and milling, the product will show a net gain of about £l2O per acre.”

The Maori Hill Fire Board have endorsed the resolution of the Dunedin Fire Board advocating that a coroner's inquest should be held into the cause of every fire. This morning the Collector of Customs (Mr Sibbald) held a preliminary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the slight collision between the Union steamer Warrimoo and dredge 404 in the Lower Harbor on March 51 last. Dunedin is the cleanest and tidiest city in New Zealand. The well-swept streets, the business-like appearance of the shops, the primness of the residences, the beautiful condition of the reserves—these evidences of a pride in the City remind one of Edinburgh, So Sjiys a recent arrival. We may add that tlfo repainting of the faces of fhs town clock is a great improvement, enabling passers-by to tell at a distance what the time is. Mr Chisholm, chairman of the CatlinsTahakopa League, called on the district engineer yesterday, and learned (as stated by the Hon. T. Mackenzie to our representative yesterday) that there are about fifty .men employed at the Waimahaka end of the line, while for some considerable time there have been about 350 men employed at the Gatlins end. A statement recently made in connection with the stoppage of work on the Lawrence-Rosburgh line —viz., that the drilling machine and plant sent up there to assist in the piercing of the tunnel were to be transferred to Waimahaka —was denied by Mr Furkert, who gave the assurance I hat the machine, and plant are to be sect to the Gatlins end to assist in boring the tunnel there.

The Committee of the St. Clair, Presbyterian Church met last night, the Rev. W. Scorgio (Moderator) presiding, and re-y solved to instnict th*-architect (Air Ansoombe) to call for tenders for tlie erection of the church ou the Albert street site. Negotiations are afoot which it is hoped will lead to the engagement as minister of Mr Hector MTjean, one of the nominations for the Rhodes scholarship. Momington is not the only school that has been ransacked and robbed. During the holidays at least three other schools were feloniously entered. At St. Clair the robber found only a few shillings, made up of the balance of the cricket fund and so forth. Musselburgh also yielded results which the thief doubtless regarded as poor, his booty here consisting of a little ammunition. At Macandrew road he secured about £3 and a few odds and ends in the way of curios. In each case the school seems to have been entered through a window.

When Mr John Lemmonc was in Dunedin last November he attended one of the Dunedin Orchestral Society’s concerts, and was so pleased, with the playing that now, to encourage the society, he has presented to the hon. conductor (Mr Jas. Coombs) a cheque for three guineas towards the society’s library fund. Tho approbation of so competent a critic is, naturally, extremely gratifying to the society, and will no doubt stimulate our amateurs to make further improvement. The Plight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward has consented to preside at the distribution of certificates and medals to the Dunedin Centre of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music at the Early Settlers’ Hall on the 28th inst.

The Hospital Saturday Association do noble work in assisting local charities, and donations made to them always find their way to laudable and praiseworthy objects. Their last achievement was raising enough to furnish and equip a new out-patient department at our hospital, and now they are considering ways and means of augmenting the yearly collection, as they find that the needs of the charities demand stronger financial support. We understand that there is at present a movement on foot to give the public some return for their money, and at tho same time give the charities a big financial lift. “Our Own” wires from Wellington: I have the very best authority for stating that the announcement of the impending retirement of -Stipendiary Magistrates Northcroft and Turnbull was made prematurely. It was understood that these gentlemen wished to retire, and by some Unexplained meSns the announcement of their actual retirement was made. No official information on the subject can. be gleaned at present.

It is worth while to call on H. Sanders, 121 George street, when you want reliablt furniture.—[Advt.] For watch, clock, and jewellers’ repairs A i. Shaw, ■ 13 Rattray street, is recommended. Absolutely the best in Dunedin.—[Advt.l

Shareholders in the South British Insurance Company are notified that the half-yearly dividend has been declared.

Mr Robert Laidlaw, of Auckland, will preach in South Dunedin Town Hall to-mor-row evening.

Crs Barr and Gilkison will address electors in the Mission Hall, Russell street, on Thursday evening, 22nd inst. ‘ The Mikado ’ show pictures now on exhibition at the Dresden Piano Company’s are the work of Arthur A. Binnie. Studio, corner George and Hanover streets, Dunedin. Telephone 1,974. —[Advt.] Mr A. H. Bridget,. candidate for the Mornington mayoralty, will address electors in the Presbyterian Hall on Monday evening.

Portobello, Broad Bay, and Russells can be reached as usual on Sunday by the Maheno.

Wilkinson and Son, chemists, stock Dr Cathell’s remedy for corpulency and obesity. In boxes 3s 6d, by post 3s 9d.—[Adrt.] Harvest thanksgiving services will be held at Hanover Street Baptist Church to-morrow morning and evening Rev. Wm. Hay will preach at both services. There will be a rich and tasteful harvest display, and special music will be rendered, particularly at the evening service.

Members of Caversbam Public Library are notified that a special meeting will be~ held in the library on. Tuesday evening. A glass of Speight’s beer at lunch and sapper is better than all the tea in China.— [Advt.]

A meeting of Mr James Marlow’s supporters will be held at the committee rooms, 94 King Edward street, on Tuesday evening. ' The annual meeting of the A.M.P. Society will be held in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Svdnev. on Friday, 14th May. " An art-loving public still exists, but is sick of cheap . photographs and enlargements. Superb work, moderate charges at Acme Photo. Company, George street.—fAdvt.]

On Thursday, 29th insf., the Otago Mutual Starr-Bowkett Society will: dispose of two at the Trades Hall. Harvest festival services in Trinity Methodist Church will be celebrated to-morrow. The church will be decorated with the fruits of the season and cereals. The choir will render anthems appropriate to the subject. The preacher for the day is the Eev. P. W. Fairclough, who resumes the pastorate of the church after an absence of five years. The congregation will tender a reception to Eev. Mr and Mrs Fairclough on Wednesday. The Hotel Employees’ Union meet at Trades Hall on Tuesday evening. The new photo pencil drawings still attract considerable attention, and the demand for them is increasing. Mr Morris has a new collection of these pictures on view. Call and see them before they are sent away. The studio. Princes street.—[Advt.T" Silver Fem social evenings hold their opening night at the Art Gallery on the 29th inst. Mr Sidney Wolf announces that he is forming classes for the study of sonatas ,by the best masters.

The annual meeting of the Otago Chess Club will be held on Monday evening. The annual meeting of the Otago Football Association Referees’ Club will be held on Monday evening. An extended evening in connection with Hiawatha social evenings will be held in Victoria Hall on Wednesday, 21st inst. The Eev. Dr Waddell resumes bis ministry m St. Andrew’s Church to-morrow. The Rev. C. Boy all (Caversham Baptist Church) has also returned to town.

The winter time-table of the steamer Moerangi, running between Dunedin and Portobelld, will be found on our front page.

A meeting of Mr J.. H. Walker’s South Dunedin Committee r wili be held at rooms, 94 King Edward street, on Monday evening.

Mr E. Breen has received £1 from Mrs Robertson (per the Rev. R. Sutherland) ih aid of the children’s bread fund. Divine altar service of Vedanta and lecture will be given Sunday morning- at eleven o’clock, by Sister Avabamia (representative of Vedanta of India and America), at Victoria Hall (His Majesty’s Theatre). The subject will be ’ The Inner Meaning of .the Ascension of Christ into Heaven.’ The evening lecture will be given at seven o’clock, and the subject will be ‘ Have AVe Soui Affinities: If So, AVhen and Where Shall AVe Meet Them?’ Both lectures from a Vedanta standpoint. The lectures are free, aud the public are invited;

P. and P. Martin, Octagon, urgently invite furniture-buyers to come where the crowd come to for,- their furniture, because they get quality and low prices hand-in-hand and in style. Call on Saturday evening and stroll through.—[Advt.] The ladies of the Dunedin W.C.T.U. have for months past been preparing an elaborate programme for the conversazione to be held in Bums Hall on Tuesday next, at 7.30 p.m., to commemorate the life . and work of the founder of the organisation, the late Frances Willard. Groups of ladies, in appropriate costume, with national flags, singing national songs, will take part. Each group will represent a country in which the Union operate, and the leader convey a brief message from her nation. Other items will be provided, and refreshments served during an interval.