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Greymouth Evening Star, 8 July 1905, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Some little time ago the local insurance agents in the various centres received a peremptory notice from the Superintendent of (he Government Advances to Settlers Office, in the following terms:—“l return herewith ’renewal receipts from the 30th instant of your policies (as appended), and have to ask you to he so good as to at once cancel the lines and refund to the mortgagors the premiums, if paid. The Department is, as already advised to you, unable to accept or recognise any cover other than that issued by the New Zealand Government State hire Oflice. I am writing each mortgagor, advising him of the intended cancellation, and requesting him to obtain a refund of any amount paid." Wo now learn that this famous circular has boon withdrawn, and it has been decided to allow the policies in other ollices to expire, and then to compel a transference to the State Fire Insurance Oflice. 'i'his is another very stand-and-deliver kind of notice, but we shall ho mistaken if the insurance companies knuckle down and quietly submit. It is not only an exceedingly ill-advised policy, but the Department is making a demand which it is doubtful it can enforce. If legal, it is a most arbitrary action, and is likely to do more harm than good to both the departments concerned.

Amid the general praise of the Japanese, attention is called in the Contemporary Review to one defect in their ejiavac- ! ter. Mr J. If. Loiigord, the writer, expresses regret that the commercial reputation of the Japanese should he as low as their character is in other respects deservedly high. In this respect they differ altogether from the Chinese. In China the Government departments are hopelessly corrupt, hut in every commercial incident their traders are models of the highest i probity. In Japan the Government departments are irreproachable, hut the business practices of the community have much to lie desired. The Japanese traders as a class have, ac- | cording to the universal verdict of those v/ho deal with them, the unsavoury reputation of absolute unreliability in the fuliilment of any obligation—of having failed to acquire m their commercial undertakings even the mdst elementary principles of common honesty. The explanation given is that under the old feudal laws, from which Japan has only recently been emancipated, the trader was a social outcast, and that (he high principles of the Bushido were never instilled into the members of this class. To-day neither self-interest nor patriotism has set aside an inherited incapacity to grasp the elementary principles of commercial moralit and no bank will negotiate ilio bills of a Japanese house unless it is protected by abundant collateral security. Not a chest of tea would be accepted from the most flourishihg jinn without close ex pert inspection, and not a bale of imported goods will be delivered without payment of the full price. But Mr Longford believes that Japan is on the eve of better times. Already the banks and the great joint stock companies which have" sprung into existence, conduct their affairs with the same sumptuous fidelity as do the Government departments', and the npw spirit is spreading, and deceit is more and more liecoming coiii'med "to |ho degraded plutocrats of (ho old ports. ’

•V supplementary ’Frisco mail will close on Monday, 10th,' at 9 a.m., per Alexander.

Mr Mosley, Registrar of Fleetors, has enlaced seven canvassers to complete the enrolment of electors for the Hist riel of Fuller. Some ±174 will he expended in the work.

There must have been a. heavy fall of snow on high lands yesterday ns evidenced by the I’aparoas, wnich present a very pretty sight covered with their white winter mantle.

Wo learn that it is intended to shortly canvas the Grev electorate in order to gel the electoral rolls made up as completely as possible. The work is being undertaken by the Government. “When I took the coat I was intoxicated,” said a prisoner at the Magistrate’s Court-, Wellington, last k rid ay. You won’t bo- intoxicated again for six months,” was the magistrate’s reply.

The display of gas stoves at the Council Chambers was owing to the floods, somewhat interrupted. This evening, however, the goods will be exhibited as usual from 7 to 9 o’clock. Read the advertisement. The refusal of the Government to amend (ho law regarding the payment by the State of tbe coal royalties, etc., to the Groymouth Harbour Hoard, will be discussed at the usual meeting of (ho Board on Tuesday next. An interesting discussion is expected.

The Cash Trading Company have an important advertisement in this issue, notifying that they have purchased 300 cents’ lilac khard hats, which are being sold at ridiculously low prices. Don’t fail to pay the company a visit when you are in want of a hat, as they have them in all sizes.

Special trains arc being run to-day for the convenience of the football and hockey teams, which are to compete for honours this afternoon. The Hokitika Football Team and the three Southern hockey teams, accompanied by their friends, arrived by the morning and afternoon trains,

It is'statcd that Mr John Dillon is the .successful tenderer for the Teromakau bridge. A resident of the Donald district, Victoria, killed 17,027 mice during the seven weeks ending June 15. Mr Kettle, S.M., says a man arrested for drunkenness ought to he allowed to see a doctor immediately to lest his sobriety if he desires. The Minister of Justice has comimmiented with the magistrates of the colony asking them to hear earns against children behind closed floors.

Jurors summoned to attend the sitting of the District Court, criminal sittings, on Monday next, are notified that their attendance is not required.

The present members of the Westport Harbour Hoard, whose term of office expired at the end of Juno, have been re-ap-pointed, viz., Messrs Suisted, Colvin. Reeves. McKenzie. Griffiths, Clover, and M unro.

In an address delivered at Stratford last week, Mr W. 11. Hawkins, M.H.R., said he would not be surprised if 15 or 20 electorates carried no-license Ibis year. They were, he said, going to carry ii. in I’ahiatua.

Drapery sales are now the order of the day. W. McKay and Son intend submitting the whole of their stock at sale prices for three weeks, commencing on Monday next. Their circular will appear in Monday's issue.

Mr E. J. Craighead, of Blackwater. has definitely announced himself as a candidate at the next County elections, in imposition to the sitting member for Antonio’s Riding of the Inangahua County Council, Mr E. J. Mclnroe.

For brutal cruelty to a horse Patrick Shields was fined at the, Auckland Police Court £lO and costs (£2 10s). The magistrate said he was almost orsuaded to send him to prison without the option of a fine for the maximum term of two months, Mr Harbor slated at Brooklyn on Monday evening that a Kilburnie girl who was in the Cambridge Sanatorium, and bad received great benefit from (bo treatment, had raised a subscription and' col leeled £4O with which to erect another shelter at the. Sanatorium.

The Big River mine manager reports that during the week the uprise has been put up 19 feet, making 1 lie height above the floor of No. 8 Level thereby seven feet. There arc no walls in the uprise at pro-

sent, and I am taking uprise to bottom of winze, which should bo reached in about 20 feet.

A large survey party, which under Mr Morrison has been engaged in making a detailed trigonomertical survey of the Rough River, returned to town last night. The locality is one of the wildest on the Coast, and the river has received a most appropriate name, lbs Maori name of Otatutu is now seldom used . Last evening the members of tho St. Colmnba Club held a progressive euchre party, interspersed with musical items, contributed by Miss E Hannan and Messrs Guthrie, Smyth, Fraser and McCarthy. Altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent. It is the intention of the club to hold another social evening within (lie next month, Speaking at tho Druids’ social last even ing Bro. J. Vergnson said that though not a. publican's man, the excellent manner in which the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel was being conducted convinced him that persons like Mr McClintock wore the right persons to have a license. (Applause.) The hotel was equal, if not [letter, than any on tho West Const. (Hear, hear.) Mr G. S. Jones, consulting optician, having met with immense success, has decided to remain another week in Groymouth. We advise any of onr readers who arc troubled with their eyes, or require glass eyes, to call at the Royal Hotel during the coming week, as Mr Jones positively leaves at the end of tho week. Don’t leave it till too late, or yon may not got

the chance again. Now that tho influenza is coming about, it is well to remember that ParkinsonV Influenza Specific is a certain check if taken early in the attack. Usually two nr three doses will get at the disease, and subsequent recovery is only a matter of a day or so, without occasion to neglect the ordinary avocation or business. If neglected (lie influenza gets worse, and it means a case of laying up for a week or more, and a long period before complete recovery. Parkinson’s Influenza Specific is a proved preventative, and it is a re inedy everyone should have in readiness to combat the effects of flip influenza.

The half-yearly meeting of the Foresters’ Lodge was held at the Gilmer Hotel last evening, when there was a largo attendance of brethren. After the report and balance-sheet (which showed the Lodge to bo in a flourishing state), had been read and adopted, tho following officers were installed C.R., Bro. R. >Sotheran: 5.0. R., Bro. McLaughlin; S.W., Bro. Pettit; J.W., Bro. Fell; 5.8., Bro. James; J. 8., Bro. Gaudell; E.S., Bro. Mason; P.C.R., Bro. Flaherty. A small section of Christchurch oooplc are at present profoundly impressed (says the Lyttelton Times) with the businesslike qualities which have made Mr Andrew Carnegie so famous. They applied to the great financier for funds with which to purchase a new organ for their church. A reply was promptly received, asking in a business-like manner what size of organ the applicants had, who built it, when it was built,and what they expected to realise on its sale. When these particulars were Supplied, Mr Carnegie wrote, expressing the opinion that tho old organ was good enough. __ Messrs Barlow and Co. have an advertisement in another column which will well repay perusal by a large number of persons who now use the “hike” ns a means of locomotion. Tho firm has been long established, and hears a most reputable name, and lias secured an addition to the premises in the shape of a showroom — one of tiio new shops in Messrs Petrie and Co.’s building in Mack.iy street. The shop in question is now being fitted up witli a view to a display of tho firm’s up (n-dato stock, consisting of bicycles and all (lie necessary accessories at _ Christchurch prices. The firm in addition, are also prepared to supply Mimmo and Blair’s incubators, and also effect repairs to guns, locks, sewing machines, etc.

A striking testimony to the curative properties o ft lie. waters of Rotorua is given in a letter from Lord Eliba.uk to a Taranaki resident. His Lordship, who returned to his country seat, in Scotland some eight or nine mouths ago, from a visit to Hi" colonies, underwent a course of treatment at Rotorua, extending over about six weeks, and is evidently satisfied that a eure has been effected in his care. Lord Elibank says that the hot springs at Rotorua did him a world of good, his rheumatism having completely disappeared. and all the aches and pains gone. lie could truthfully say that New Zealand had cured him, and he would always re member his visit to the colony with fratitnde. His Lordship closed with an anpreciatiou of the people of Now Zealand, stating that ho had enjoyed the tour through the colony very much, finding everybody so kind and cordial that ho was sorry when tho lime for his departure came. An Afghan merchant, Faix Mahomet, is claiming in (he Perth Supreme Court £13,463 from tho Government for breach of contract. He alleges that in 1900 ho received permission to import 500 camels and drivers from India, but after purchasing three hundred camels and going to great expense, he was informed that there was an Order-in Council forbidding the introduction of stock from Asiatic ports. On returning to the State he petitioned Parliament , and a Select Committee which was appointed, decided he was entitled to some compensation. The James Government, however, refused to act on tho recommendation. slating that Mahomet should sock his remedy in the law courts. The anti-gambling campaign by the Melbourne police recently, resulted in the serving of 115 summonses. On June 14th, at Carlton Court, three local shopkeepers were each fined £2O and £lO 10s costs for allowing betting on their premises. The l ily gambling clubs, however, have completely nonplussed the police by registering as limited liability companies, and is siting to cadi member, not a member’s tic kel, but scrip for one share in (he company. The police find that the existing laws for the suppression of gambling do not apply to the promises of limited liability companies, where business is carried on only by shareholders. The number of tote shops in the city is rapidly increasing.

A disgraceful scene occurred at 'a football match at Morrison’s Bush, near Master! on, bust Saturday. A large number of Morrison’s Hush "barraekers” objected to (he referee’s decisions, and commenced to kick (ho ball about when it went out of bounds. Mr Moar, the referee, remonstrated, and a spectator picked up the ball and dashed it in Mr Hoar’s face, striking him a severe blow, and using obscene language towards him. After the referee had told the spectator he intended to report him to the Rugby Union, the game continued. A few minutes later the visitors scored a try. Mr Hoar's decision did not meet with the approval of the majority of (he spectators, and several of the Morrison Rush players, who commenced to hoot and swear al the referee. As the referee was leaving the field, two of (ho Morrison Rush players commenced to hoot and him, while a member of the opposing team from Masterton was struck a severe blow on the face without any warning ns (ho teams were leaving (lie field. Several players and one spectator are to be reported to the Union. For a few weeks we are booking orders for any kind of fruit tree, fancy tree, plant or shrub. Orders executed promutly and reliable requirements procured.— Griffon and Smith, Beehive and Union Stores.—Advt. If he who grows two blades of grass Where only one had place Deserves the thanks of every class And benefits the race. Then worthier still of honoured name, While coughs and colds endure, Emblazoned on the scroll of fame Is Wood’s Great Peppermint Curs.

THE EYESIGHT. - Mr G. S. Jones, consulting optician, may bo consulted at Rogen’s Royal Hotel during this week.— Advt.

In a speech at Cambridge Mr Lang, M.H.R. for Waikato, said he did not favor triennial Parliaments, hut they had one advantage, because at the end of every three years the Government became very active in public works. Once they sent 500 co operatives into his electorate just before election time. But the people stuck to their member, and end not allow the 500 imported voters to have the effect intended by Hie Premier. Against ail precedent, the members of a working men’s dub at Interlaken (Swtzerland), recently refused to lake the wives with (hem on I heir annual picnic, and were punished by the offended ladies in the following clever manner. Dscovering that lunch had been ordered for 52 at a certain cafe, they secretly ordered the meal to ho served early, while their husbands were away climbing in the mountains. When the hungry men returned, :lhey found their wives at desert over an almost empty table. They took (be joke in good part, however, and paid the bill. The indications at the Moturoa boring site (says (lie Daily News) continue to he very satisfactory. The bore has been put down a few feel deeper, and another rush of gas caused oil and mud to be ejected into the air. The casing has been lowered and, pending the arrival of a puiiip, Mr Fair is planning apparatus that may serve the purpose. The shareholders are tnost optimistic of the result, though a little delay is necessitated. A cable has been sent to Australia making enquiries concerning pumping gear, said there will be practically no fresh development until the pump is installed. A now method of teaching the teachers was recently approved by the Victorian Minister for Education. This is a scheme for instructing in evening classes the pupil teachers employed in the schools of the metropolitan area. Instead of these teachers receiving instruction at the end of the day’s work from the staff teachers of the schools at which they are employed at present, they have been invited to attend at the Continuation School on two evenings of (he week and on Saturday mornings. It is considered that as the instruc t ion will be imparted by specialists in the various subjects, a. higher state of efficiency will be attained. About 300 young teachers have signified their willingness to attend.

The Paris correspondent of the London Express telegraphed on April 23: “Mr E. R. Whitney, of Montreal, Canada, has presented £20,000 to Miss Anna Bennett, a telephone girl, to whom he is about to bo married in Paris. He has also ordered a motor-car, costing £IBOO, for her and a large sunburst of diamonds as betrothal gifts. Miss Bennett until recently was employed at the switchboard of the Grand Union Hotel, Paris, and it was there (hat Mr Whitney met her. Mr Whitney is engaged in tho asphalt business at Montreal, and has been a widower for two years. He has presented Miss Ida Schwint, another telephone girl, and life-long friend of Mis* Bennett, with £IOO to purchase a dross to be worn by her as bridesmaid at (li« weddng, and a diamond cluster ring, Mr Whitney’* son will bo best man.’ 1 At the Supremo Court at Auckland the other day, Mr Justice Edwards gave judgment on the claim of Charles Baker for £SOO damages from the Singer Manufacturing Company for wrongful arrest and prosecution. Plaintiff was addicted to drink, and was discharged from his position. He left with the firm’s accountant an 1.0. U. to cover about £2 14« deficiency ou his part, and in addition to this the firm held £4l 3s 9d of plaintiff’s money in a guarantee fund, yet lie was prosecuted fur tire theft of money deficient, and was committed for trial to the Supreme Court, where ho was acquitted. It was plain to His Honour that plaintiff had no felonious intention, and to prosecute him under these circumstances was an abuse of the

criminal law. Ho would assess the damages for plaintiff at £223 15s (Which included £22 15s cost of his defence on the criminal side of the Court) with costs.

The unusual occurrence of a woman strenuously grappling with a man in a public thoroughfare, was witnessed in Armaidi street, Christchurch, on Saturday morning. She gripped him by the collar, seized a bag he was carrying, held a bicycle ho had been wheeling, and called for help simultaneously. The man managed to wrench himself away, and then fled. Inquiries elicited the information that the woman kept a dairy shop, and had placed her hag under the counter. A man came in and asked if she had any butter for sale. Replyig that it had not yet arrived she retired to a room at tho hack of the shop, wlien sa returned to the shop she saw the man walking away witli a bicycle and her ba<z, and she tackled him without hesitation. The spoils for the victor inrulded the man’s bicycle, which (he woman wheeled triumphantly into her shop. Later in the day the man returned, and asked to fee “let off.” hut a policeman took him away. The Town Clerk of Wellington, in his annual report (states the Post) strongly urges upon the council consideration of tho establishment of a municipal laundry. Ha \ says:—“ln this city the advantages of > such an establishment would he of speciaU value to the very large number of citizens, and might he, at a small chargo, made self-supporting. Owing to the lack of yard-room in Wellington, consequent upon the high land values, this most important part of the domestic economy is lamentably short of requirements, rendering washing-day a troublesome one to many homes. The institution of the Municipal laundry in London and other largo centres has been an unqualified, boon, and under proper management would confer a ciuv.h— advantage in Wellington. Under modern methods, the fortnightly washing of an ordinary household can be completed and returned within a few hours, without inconvenience to tho housewife, obviating entirely the drudgery and worry consequent where, with no room to spare, children require attention and husbands their mid-day meal.”