THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1902.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVIL, Issue 10520, 4 October 1902, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1902.

The people of the colony will heave a sigh of relief upon learning that Par. ■ liament has at length closed up finallj fehab very ugly affair between the Midland Railway debenture holders and Government. It is, certainly, a great 1 relief to feel that we shall hear nc f more of that incident, for if we look 9 at it in any light we choose the colon y 3 can take no credib to itself over the matter ; and, what is more, ifc will re main for a very long time an unplea sant memory to look back upon, Mr Seddon and his colleagues and following may plume themselves foi having mado a good "deal" by getting a receipt in full for all claims by the debenture holders for L 150.000. Still, the peop'e of the colony will scarcely forget that the debenture holders leni in all good faith L 750,000 to the Midland Railway on what thej thought was unimpeachable sscurity, and indeed everyone else along with the Government thought the same. Had notthat impression prevailed nc one could f era moment suppose'that the mmey would have been obtained, Subsequently, however, it was dis covered that the alleged security was as insubstantial as a dream, and the representatives of the colony embraced the opportunity to escape responsibility in the matter to the full Despite the efforts that have been made to work up a feeling amongst the public thab the Government had treated the debenture-holders not only fairly but even generously, we venture ta think that when feeling of allkinda in the matter, political or otherwise, has passed away and the public are able to look back dispassionately on the whole unfortunate businrsß, they will not be over satisfied with themselves or their representatives. On the other hand it would be idle tc suppose that either the debenture holders or their mercantile friends in London will entertain that cordial feeling towards this colony and het public men that existed hitherto : T and as we are a borrowing people, and likely to remain so for years to come, „ we do not know the day that we shall require all the friendship and sympathy * we can muster in the financial centre i of the world. Ifc is not in human nature that the debenture-holders arc likely to lose sight of the fact that under stress of circumstances the}; were forced to accept 4s in the pound for the L 750,000 their connection with the Midland Railway Company coat them. We have no doubt, in view of all the circumstances, the debentureholders have acted prudently in accepting the L 150,000. As they had not a leg to stand on legally, ib would have been the height of midsummer madness . to lose time and money in keeping the unpleasant business open in the hope of getting any more. Whatever weakness may characterise the present Government-, it is most as suredly not in the way of liberality— unless perhaps, to their political following. We believe that before the Pre-

mier left Loadon a deputation of tbe debenture Holders, headed by Lord Avebury, waited on him at the Hotel Cecil. The Agent-General was present with the Premier. The deputation urged that the amount of conpensation recommended by the Parliamentary Committee to be paid to the debenture holders should be increased, and two ways of doing this were" mentioned — (1) Either by taking a portion of the sum allocated to the shareholders of the railway, or (2) by increasing the total amount to bo granted. At this meeting there was aprolonged discussion, and the deputation was asked oa what the claimfor an increased amount was based. The i eply was that a sum of money had been paid by the debenture holders towards the construction of the line after the Government had taken possession of the property. As a full shert-hand note of the interview of the Premier and the Agent-General with the debenture holders was taken a copy was no doubt sent out to the Acting-Premier. Hence his promise to bring in a Bill feo cleuch the offer to give a receipt in full of all claims for L 150,000 cash, though a short while before that Sir Jospph Ward and Hon Hall- Jones said that Government did not intend to go beyond the award of the Royal Commission. In bringinginthe Billthathas justbeen passed we make no doubtthab the Acting-Premier acted in conformity with the wishes of the Premier. It is only necessary to add that we are very well pleased that the cause of so much controversy is at last shunted out of sight, never, we sincerely hope, to afford a recrudenscen.ee. The colony has doubtless come well out of the dispute, though when looked at in a proper spirit, it will bs found that the success achieved is scarcely a cause for rejoicing. Such successes are always of doubtful value. On Wednesday next the Garrick Club by general request re-stage the Shaughraun at the Opera House. To meet the wishes of large numbers of residents of other centres and country districts the Brunner and Hokitika trains will be delayed until after the conclusion of the performance.* A private cablegram received from Dublin states thab Dean Mahoney, of Nelson, who has been seriously ill, is now better. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before W R Kettle, Esq, JP, a first offender for drunkenness was convicted and discharged. A slight error ocourred in our report o\ the inquesb in yesterday's issue. The witness McTaggart is reported to have said that he was at the theatre with the deceased. What he really suid was that he was at the theatre and saw the deceased. A3 a matter of fact McTaggart was not in Oiborne's company at the theatre, both attended the performance, but they were in different parts of the house. Messrs H A Gordon, late Chief Inspector of Mines, John Ewing, the well known mine proprietor and Government Mining Assessor- for Otago, and G J Roberts, Chief Surveyor of Wesblaud havejgone to Reefbon, where thejSupreme Court; action of Bell v the Government, a claim for compensation with the proclamation of the Inangahua river as a sludge channel, will be heard early nest month. Mr John Bain, a well known mine manager of Auckland province, and fandly, arrived yesterday by the Mapourika. Mr Bain has been appointed to the management of The Nine Mile Sluicing claim in the North Beach district, and enters at once npon his new duties. Mr Malcolm Fleming, mining engineer for the Kells sluicing claim, ha 3 purchased for the company the mining plant of the Yukon Gold Mining Coy, VVakamarina, now in liquidation. The purchase includes 1,800 feet of steel pipeline and the various appliances and appurtenances of a firstclass sluicing plant. The advent to Greymouth of Mr Fred Regen, the proprietor of the Royal Hotel, has placed Greymouth in a front position as far as fanciers' status is concerned. At the meeting held last Tuesday in Christchurch of the delegates of all poultry oluba in the South Island, the forty-two delegates present who represented twenty, two clubs, unanimously resolved that the next champion show should be held in Greymouth in July, 1903. The new life and! energy instilled into the poultrj breeding on the Coast by Mr Rogen was not; long in bearing excellent! results as the success attained by the last show amply testifies. As our readers are aware Mr Rogen bears the undoubted reputation of being the last judge of the fancy in Australasia, and the principle that ii Mahomet cannot go to the mountain, the mountain must go to Mahomet, is perhaps the chief factor in the causes that secure Greymouth premier position in the mattei of poultry shows for the year 1903. At their auction mart this afternoon at 2 30 Messrs Q C Harley and Co will sell furniture, tea potatoes, produce and two bicycles. On the 13th msb Mark Sprot and Co will hold a most important sale of 300 acres of first class land, situated afc Lake Poeiua, at present in occupation by Mr T W Bruce of Inchbonnie, The aale will take place at their rooms, Mackay Street, at noon. Liberal terms. can be arranged. Those in search of a auibable freehold section will have the opportunity of securing one on the 11th inst. when Mark Sprot and Co will sell en occounfc of Mr H Pavitb a section in Nelson Quay, Cobden. Nominations for the Marlborough Racing Club's Spring meeting close with Mr C J W Griffiths, the Secretary at Blenheim at 9 this evening, This day at tneir rooms Easson and Co will sell by auction a quantity of furniture, produce, groceries, etc, without reserve. Mojor Perry aud his party have had a successful time at Wellington. On Sunday and Monday last the Salvation Army Temple was crowded and large numbers were unable to get into the bnilding- It is arranged for biorama and limelight service to take place on Sunday afternoon also, the Opera House will be in darkness for th* occasion, and this will give parents the opportunity of bringing their children and avoid the crush at the crusn at the night's service. Mr Frank Kirwan, proprietor of the well known London Butchery in 3la* whera Quay, has sold out to Mr Richard Clough, long and favorably known in the trade in Greymouth. During Mr Kirwan's proprietorship ©f the business he has made many friends both in commercial and social circles. The new proprietor is so well known In Greymouth that no doubt'ean exist but what he will maintain the large business connection he has purchased and also obtain a reuewal ef the custom of many of his old time clients. We understand that the sale has been effected through the agency of Mark Sprot and Co, InSt John's Presbyterian Onurch tomorrow evening the Rev R Stewart will deliver' the sevenfe lecture of his course on Bible character.*, the subject of which will be " Easu," and why he was called a profane person." All are cordially inviced.— Adyt. The monthly meeting of the WOT U was held on Thursday afternoon a There was a good attendance and much interest taken over, the business before the meet*

ing. Th© Brunner Union had been visited and helped by advice. The memb^rs expressed their determination to do all they [could at the forthcoming local | option poll to- secure, no license. The Union is getting much stronger, new members joining at> every meeting, another was welcomed to our ranki, kk the meeting of shareholders of the Waiwhero Hydraulic Sluicing Company leld in Christchurch, the mine manger Mr George Morris was in attendance. 16 was unanimously agreed that in addition to the present terrace workings, operations should be commenced on the "flak. The work of laying the pipe line and erecting the hydraulic elevator will be proceeded with at once, and there will be no interruption of the present work. The large staff of miners employed by the company are exceptionally good and well grounded in their duties on the claim and the new installation will keep them all going for many years to came. Beported from the South that the tables of the Prince of Wales dredge are showing gold freely, also that the machinery is working splendidly and giving great satisfaction to the directors, dredgemaster and all concerned. The Hokitika dredge issafely' moored in the bay in the rirer balow Kanierl bridge. An opinion prevails in some quarters that after the results of the reoenfc boring operations of the company it would be advisable that the dredge bo shifted to another claim. Mr William Cochrane, a mining engineer of large Australasian and. South African experience has been touring the Ooasb fur the last few days. We under* stand that he is favorably impressed with the possibilities of the Coast as a field for investment of capital. He left last evening by the Mapourika, but will probably return in a few for a more extended stay. 'Mr J W Goldsworthy was an inward passenger by the Mapourika yesterday, as was also Mr Pilcher, the Secretary of the Brunner Colliery Company, Owing to the death of Mrs Lee, the sister of Mrs M Garth, the halrdressing saloon of Mr T Garth will be closed today until two o'clock in the afternoon. The funeral will leave the residence of .Via Gacth, Mawhera Quay, this morning at 11 30. The-funeral of the late if r Samuel Osborne will leave his brother's residence, Hospital street, at 2 30 p m for the Greymouth cemetery, Mr Hansen, for many years lighthouse kseper at Cape Fonlwind, has been prometed to the charge of Pencarrow light" house, Wellington. Last week five Buller river dredges re* ported returns aggregating 123 oza 17 dwts, or an average of 20 ozs 12 dwts 16 grs, Several of the dredges workedshorb time, Murchison people are establishing a fund to encourage a medioal man to settle in their midst. The ballot for the selection of a labour candidate for the Buller seat will betaken at an early date. The selection lies be* tween Messrs Betts (Reef ton) and Foster (Westport.) •' Heaven Snows they float rubbish enough. "Shey take up a bit of virgin bush on a hill top and call ib sluicing ground."— Mr Warden Hawkins, on the little ways of mining company promoters. Mr Jas Colvin, M H R, expects to leave Wellington for Westport on Saturday. On the day of the opening of the fishing season at Westporb one angler succeeded in landing eight fish weighing in the aggregate 17| lbs, the heaviest being 4£ lbs. In the matter of the proclamation of the Inangahui river as a sludge channel we were reliably informed that the claims for compensation made by those persons who refused to accept the amount of compensation recommended by the Commissioners, have now beeu settled, the Government agreeing to satisfy, the donations in full. — Inangahua Times. Theattendance at the Reefton churches last Sunday were as under : —Presbyter ian 108, Church of England 110, Wesleyan 212, Roman Catholic 766. Penny Postage has proved a greats boon Ever since ib has come into force, Such benefits can't reach us too soon, Though bound to arrive in due oourso, It is time we took care of our pence, And likewise our health, I am surd, Se he, with' a cough and good sense, Takes Woods' Grhat Peppermint Cube.—Advi. Ladies !— Parker's Hair Tonic will certainly cure Dandruff and Falling Hair. It renders hair soft and glossy, and is nob greasy Sold by chemists and store keeper3 — 2s 6d posted, 3s.— Advt Millinery. — We are now making special display of the very latest and most fashionable: and most attractive millinery from London, Paris and Berlin, We want you to come and inspect these goods. It will pay you to do so. Style and price unapproachable. . M'Ka.y and Sotf. — Advt, Still at the top of the tree with bargains (you can't knock him out). Men's Strong Waterbights, 12s 6d for 7s lid; Men's Strong Watertight Bluchers, 12s 6d for 7s 6d ; Children's Slippers, Cd a pair ; Ladies' Eveuing Shoes, Is lid j Children's Patent Slippers and Shoos for Is a pair afc Christopher Smith's, the "Upto-Date" Wholesale Cash Draper, Clothier, and Boot Manufacturer.— Advt. Wade's Worm Figs, the Wonderful Worm Worriers— are a safe and sure remedy, in Is boxes ; sold everywhere.— Advt