Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1906. SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1906, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1906. SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION

It is clear from South African papers to hand by the last mail that the agitation concerning the precise form of constitution to be granted to the new colonies is becoming very keen. It appears that woman's suffrage is likely to be a plank in the Boor platform, mainly on the ground that as the Boer women are very numerous—far more so than the white —their inclusion in the electorate would give the Dutch party a strong preponderance at the polls, especially if on the population basis, and not “one vote one value” be the final decision. In a speech delivered by General Louis Botha he referred to this question in the following terms;—“lt was possible (hat ‘Hot Yolk’s’ organisation would recommend the granting of the fran- ! chise to women over 21 years of age.

. . . Now was the time for women to prepare in politics. . . It was for the women also to fight for the principle of a vote on the basis of population. The basis of the Women’s Federation was to come into contact with the real women of the land. He did not want to create unrest, but spoke only as a British subject who demanded Ids rights. Their women had suffered too much to allow others to pluck the fruits of their misery. If the women worked together they would get the same rights as the men. sooner, perhaps, than they thought, in any case they should have more rights than those men who came to make money and then disappeared, j Such men, it was promised, should not got a vote. They must see, however, j that Parliament was not elected by j people who might soon bo out of the ■ country. They must have elections I based on the population; then the | Englishmen who were domiciled in the country would have equal rights with them.” The following figures will give some idea of the true bearing of the question whether population or voters should form the basis of representation ;—• Country Witswadistricts lersand Male adults 53,106 53,017 Female adults .... 02.686 24.827 .Minors (both sexes) . 89.865 06,515 175,657 114.357 The Transvaal Loader says: —“These figures illustrate that, given a representative basis of population, the 01,211 women and children in the country districts over and above the women and children on the Reef would five the ‘Hot Volk,’ which dominates the provincial areas, a majority of ten members in Parliament, and that is why ‘Hot Yolk’ disagrees with ‘one vote one value.’ and etpial rights for all white British subjects.”

The export of cold last month totalled 22710 z 14dwt valued at £8917. The usual meeting of the Grey District Paulding Society will l>c held this evenin'.; at the oil ice of Nam-arrow and Do. At the annual mooting of the Hokitika Gas Company, Limited, a dividend of one shilling per share, as declared, payable ni the 12th pro.x. The tender of Messrs Atkinson llros and McKay has been accepted for the erection of the buildings for the briquette works at Westport. We draw the attention of our readers to the sale of live stock at Preston yards on Monday next by Mark Sprot and Co. and G. W. .Moss and Co. All accounts owing to Mr Paul Crcssey are requested to be paid to T. and 11. ifanrahan forthwith. Head advertisement in another column. The train leaving Reefton for Greymonth on Monday evening next has been delayed until 6.10, and the usual train, leaving Hokitika at 2.5 p.m, will leave r.t 1.10 p.m. The general public should note this fact. The Westport Times learns from Mr Colvin, M.H.R.. (bat tenders will bo called on Monday next for the erection of a combined road and railway bridge over Larry's Creek, on the Keefton-lnangahna railway. The annual meeting of the West Coast Coursing Club will he held at Reefton on Monday nest, when a good day's sport is promised. Excellent entries have been received, while the drawing will be made public to-night. At a meeting of the Reefton Hosnitaf Trustees held last evening, Miss Margaret Moonie and Miss M. Neilson, of Reefton, were appointed probationers in accordance with the terms of the memo from the Right lion, the Premier.

All excellent opportunity of acquiring a first-class coal mine is offered I>y .McMahon and Lee, who have for sale amine at Boatman’s, near Reefton. The coal is of the hest, and the mine in excel!-.in working order. An advertisement gives full particulars. The usual meeting of the Loyal Grey Lodge will he held in the lodge room this evening, lion. R. J. Scddon’s proposals in conoction with .Friendly Societies and the Annuities Bill will he discussed, ihe proposals are of great importance, and constitute a great innovation in the financial arrangements of the I’Tictuily Societies’ movement. The following will represent the Y.M. 15. C. Juniors v. Trinity Juniors: —Goalkeeper, R. Stewart ; backs—W. Hayes, Chalk; halves—-11. Chalk, 0. Kerens and 0. Ring. Forwards Bennington, Weenink. N. While, \V. Stewart. C. Wise. Emergencies—Macintosh, Slylickl, I’urcell, Newman, J. Greensladc, and Jolly. The Telegraph I >'parliiieiil notifies that the recent representations promoted hy Cr T. V. Byrne ii favour of direct telephonic communication helween Ivumara and Taipo have Ikcii favorahly enter lained at lieadqnarl ers. A telephone hiti sau will also ho opened al Waininlhini. Arrangements are hciug made to give immediate elicit to Both matters, and Ihe work will he put in hand at an early dale.

The census returns for Westland show a falling olf in population of 253 within the past five years. Dividing Westland into three county districts, the district, north of the Arahura River has decreased hv 578 (Knniara Borough 202, Arahura Riding 376). The central district of Kanicri shows a fairly substantial advance of 310 (Hokitika Borough 281. Kaneiri Riding 29). The southern district lias managed to do little more than hold its on, its net increase being only fifteen (Ross Borough, decrease 42, Southern .(tiding, increase 57). In an article on the post-card craze, which appeared in a recent issue of the New Zealand Times, a slight reference was made to the suggestive pictures that are beginning to creep into circulation, and it was stated that this form of postcard, and it was stated that this form of postcard was one the posta 1 officials should censor. The General Rost office authorities state that numbers of positively indecent postcards arc posted, and in precisely the same numbers are burned every now and again. It is just as well to point out to people guilty of this vicious practice that their postcards seldom, if ever, reach the persons they are addressed to. It has been stated that many varieties of highly objectionable, if not absolutely immoral, postcards may he purchased in Wellington, and while the Rost Office is doing its duty in- preventing the tree circulation of such demoralising matter, it remains for the police lo see that the pictures are not sold in shops or in anv oilier way.

Word was received in (own this morning of the death of Mr Charles McQueen, of the well-known firm of Kincaid and McQueen, engineers, who carried on business in Dunedin for many years. Mr McQueen was born in Greenock in 1834, serving his apprenticeship to the shipbuilding in the yards of Caird and Co, of Greenock. He came out ,o Melbourne in the early fifties in the '.Royal Charter, where he was employed as foreman for Hanglands and Go. When the gold rush broke out in Otago ho came over to Dunedin and started in business in November, iB6O, under the name of Kinacid and McQueen, which for years was the largest engineering business in the colony. Mr McQueen was well known fro.ri one end of New Zealand lo the other. His firm designed and built a number of steamboats, one of which still trades to this port—the s:: Oreti. Ho was the originator of the dredging industry, designing and building (lie first steam dredge for_ gold-saving, which was called the Dunedin, and worked in Hie Glut ha, near Alexandra. The hydraulic brakes at Westport Goal Mines wore also designed and erected by bis firm. Mr McQueen leaves three sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. His second son is Mr Charles McQueen, of this town, to whom the sympathy of a large circle of friends will bo extended in the sad loss ho has sustained.

For Colds in the Head and Influenza, Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s 6d per bottle. It is with pleasure wo announce the arrival on Juno 4lh of Mrs Potts, a lady who iias had extensive experience, and who lias been in charge of some of the best workrooms in New Zealand. Her testimonials are of the highest as a high-, grade costumier. Ladies will now have Hie very best talent, placed at their services at moderate charges. Mrs Potts comes under special engagement to Christopher Smith, and will tale charge of his Greymouth Dressmaking Department, ~. Advt,