The Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27th, 1906.

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1906, Page 2

The Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27th, 1906.

With very many 'of the arguments ad duced in the stirringly-expressed letter (appearing elsewhere in this issue) which Mr G. L. Tacon has addressed us on the-subject of the colony's unpreparedness in the event of a European war, the 'large majority of our readers who have given the ■matter of colonial defence any consideration at all, will heartily concur. Some may be inclined to object that our correspondent has adopted an alarmist tone for which there is at present, apparently, no justification. But the subject is one that, in many instances, has to. be treated in such a manner in order to compel the public at large to take an interest in a matter which: is of such vital importance to every person in the colony. Whilst however, such a method of attracting public attention is often advisable it does -not follow that the steps to be taken to place the defence of the colony on a stabje and proper basis should be! arrived at hurridly or as the outcome of mere, alarmist statements. Much money has been practically . wasted on so-called defence works in the past as the outcome of scares and, taught by experience, the people of New Zealand would do well to consider so important a subject calmly^ and apart from the excitement and disturbing elements which usually accompany discussions of defence matters when a war appears to be imminent. Therefore a. time like the present, when the possibility of a European war in which Great Britain might be involved is not too apparent would be- a fitting opportunity to discuss the subject and decide upon a settled policy. ' Our correspondent lav; great stress on the necessity for an efficient and numerically strong land force and with his views and also those of our Queensland visitor, Dr Macdonald, with regard to the. value of rifle clubs we are in complete agreement. But the question of naval defence must not be overlooked and, as our correspondent points out, we may find that we are relying too^much on the assistance that we should receive. in time of war from the Australasiam squadron. Apart from the alleged inefficency of some of the vessels which constitute that squadron, it is not 1 at all certain that, in the event of a European war involving Great Britain, the squadron would remain in Australasian waters and a contingency might arise which would necessitate the presence of the vessels at the other side of the world. We must confess that we are favorable to the creation of either an Australian or an Australasian navy/officer ed and manned by Australians and we fear that until the Commonwealth and New Zealand agree'to obtain such a navy our sea defence will always be weak. We are aware that the usual argument against this proposal is that Australians would never Be able to find the money wherewith to build a navy. But this argument is not so strong- as it" appears at first sight. Nations, smaller in extent and- with revenues not nearly so great as those of Australasia have provided themselves with fleets; not, of course, all at once but ship by ship. There is no reason why similar steps should not be taken by Australasia and why the lands under the Southern Cross should not, in the course of a comparatively short space of time, possess' a navy equal to the defence of Australasia and perhaps able, in times of great stress, to assist the Motherland Whilst every attention should be paid to strengthening our land forces the question of naval defence, which is quite as important, should not be lost* sight of and the realisation of the ideal of an Australasian navy .should be strenuously worked for . '

The Westport Times states that Mr R. McKenzie, M.H.R., will address the electors' on Mr Thomas Seddon's interests. Mrs Fricker, mother of Mrs V. R. Moss, died "at Westport on" Sunday morning-. The deceased was well known in this town in the early days, itiinjiad reached the ripe old age of 7q years. At Monday night's meeting- of the Grey Education Board a telegram was read from the, Hon Jas Marshall stating- that the Board's wreath was g-enerally considered very beautiful and reflected great -credit on Mrs- Kyle who made' it. For -the three seats on the Education Board for the Northern ward it is stated that the ' will be candidates— Messrs -JV Ryall, R. Rus_sell 3 J. Nbble, J. Ward and James K^fr (sitting- member.) -

At the Magistrat's Court yesterday before Mr. W. G. K. Kenrick, S.M. a first-offender for drunkenness was convicted and fined 10s, or in default of payment forty-eight hours' impris onment. Accused was given till noon on Saturday in which to pay the fine. James P. Murphy, was charged with the theft of five ounces of gold of a value of £20, the property of the Pro gress Mines Co.", Ltd., of New Zea : land. Inspector Wilson, who appeared for the police, asked for a remapd till, Friday, the case to, be heard at Reefton on that day at 10 a.m. The Magistrate granted_tlie request ;* as <he also did an application by Mr Joyce (who appeared for the defence) to renew bail, which was fixed at ,£IOO, an d two sureties of £50 each. The charge of assault against J. Kelly- was dismissed.

According to a West Coaster who returned yesterday from Wellington where he attended the funeral' of the late, Mr Seddon one of the most beau tiful floral tokens of sympathy sent t othe widow and family of the late Mr Seddon was that from the people of Kumara. It was on the form of a wreath on a pedestal and the flowers used were principally ",paim and violets hot-house grown narcissus " and daffodils. The de-sign was relieved by helio trope and violet', ribbons on which were prmted, in italic^From the people ot Kumara." Another beautiful design was that from the old ag& pensioners of- Kumara which was in the form of a large wreath. Both designs were made by the Misses E. and M. 'Cooper of Wellington - and were both' -placed on the coffin of the deceased statesman.- --' '{■ - \

The Harbor Board meeting called for" yesterday afternoon lapsed as there was not a quorum in attendance. Only three members were pre sent— Messrs R. Russell (chairman) Murdoch and Harris.

The usual meeting of the Druids will be held at the Lodge room this evening at eight o'clock.— Advt.

Writing to a friend in Palmerston North a resident of Tasmania writes : "Potatoes. — Wejire shipping all our supplies to New South Wales. They are taking all at 163 per sack. The farmers are getting a higher price for their produce than for many years, all the mining fields are extremely active, and Tasmania generally is having 1 , a gpod time.'

Three years ago an Australian farmer ruined by drought, arrived in the Eltham district, Taranaki. With an available capital of £ s<x he secured a lease of 125 acres of fair land, the owner of which supplied him with 40 cows, and backed him in the purchase of horse, trap, etc. At the end of the first year the tenant had furnished a home, provided a -good outfit for his family, and had paid off £100 for his stock. Last year he paid his rent out ot his pig money. A number of ladies at Hastings and Napier formed a syndicate in order to obtain domestic servants at Home. Iney communicated with the British Women's Immigration Association, of Inf TV 6 ? n ' - MrS Joyce is Pres*dent. This Association selected twenty young women, and placed them in charge of Miss Birchall, matron, and they were embarked for New Zealand by the Athenic, which arrived at WelI Imgton on June 18th. It does not fall to the lot of many n C M b ? e thdr diamond wedding-. On Monday last this rare experience LT/i 0 ,, o 1 ? 165 M ' Laren > of Kir kM?n ?i, R °. SlyD ' an d his wife (Jean M'Donald), in 'their m idst of their children, grandchildren, and a number of friends. They were married by he Rev Dr Easton at Kirriemuir (Thrums), Scotland, on June 18, 1846 They came to Otago in 1874 by the ship Tweed, commanded by Captain Stewart. They have „ children-four sons and two daughters-two of whom died in Scotland and two since' they came to New Zealand." They have 44 grandchildren, and the five daughters and two sons were present at the celebration on Monday, and had a If 7 ,A aPPy time t0 * eth er. Mr and Mrs M,Laren have made ideal colon!v Tnd r , f hard " workin^ neighborly, and God-fearing. They are very much respected in the district, in which they Save lived for 30 y e ars " and by all who know them. One of the oldest stamp duties in ex istence is the stamp on a license entitling a person to sell gold or silver plate. This stamp costs £2 ss, but may run to ,£5 according to the qualty of plate sold. Christmas comes but once a year, And when it comes — why, then it's here But this of colds we cannot say, They come, they go, they often stay, And merge into a nasty cough, Which" we have trouble to drive off. Vdin tlhe attempt unless we procme A bottle of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.