Grey River Argus ana Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 25th, 1907.

Grey River Argus, 25 April 1907, Page 2

Grey Ri ver Argus ana Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, APRIL 25th, 1907.

Many distinguished visitors who, during the past six months, have passed through the colony, " doing " the International Exhibition and our scenic resorts, have given expression to tiheir opinions of New Zealand affairs. In the majority of instances those opinions have .been complimentary and the cases are rare o£ visitors indulging 1 Ju anything like condemnatory remarks. Naturally such praise of our country its scenery, its resources, and its laws is very gratifying to an insular people like ourselves, but it is to <be hoped •that the numerous flattering opinions expressed will not have the effect of confirming us too much in our insular notices. Amongst the latest, but by no means the least of out appreciators of Captain Atkin, the British Com missioner to the International Exhibition-.. Four or five weeks ago Captain Atkin visited this town and those who had the opportunity of meeting him noted that he was a keen observer and took evident pleasure in obtaining all possible information legard ing our institutions and. in fact, regarding ■all .activities. The impressions he has formed of New Zealiand ji very .great portion of whicfc. he has visited, were conveyed by Captain Atkin at .a dinner given by him to several prominent Christchurah residents on Monday evening and we imagine that many will be interested in the opinions he has formed of our colony. In responding to the toast of his health Captain Atkin remarked that it would be worse -than idle — it would .be hypesriticals .and unfeeling if 'he were! to disguise that he closed this episode in his life with feelings of very considerable emotion. During his stay in the colony he had 'had the honour of sharing in an amount of good-fellowship and kindness which it was, perhaps, igiven ito few men to enjoy. "If ever I tear up the roots which bind me to .the Old Country," he continued, "I am convinced .that 1 should end my days an this colony, with its glorious mountains, its fascinating gorges and bush, and its tantalising trout rivers. From any observations, the New Zealander seems determined to. become a new nation — • •not a separate people from the Old Country — not a separate (government from the Crown of Great Britain, ibut he seems determined to make New Zealand something quite unlike what is to be seen at Home, while still a part 'of our Great Empire. It is not an unreasonable aspiration; it is one that is likely to be realised, and every Englishman will wish you Godspeed. You have . great advantages in this country. You have, above all, what I have so often referred to in my puWis utterances, the advantages of a growing" population of boys and jrirls who I think are quite unbeaten for health and strength and rosiness and power of body .and mind, in any country in the world." Touching on the opportunities offered toy the colony to emigrants from Great Britain Captain Atkin remarked : "Whether it is. a good country for the English emigrant is a question which has often interested, 'me It certainly is a. splendid country for the Englishmen with small capital, who can take up a small farm and work to larger things but that is the only class that I can see which is likely, as a class, to do any good here. The class of emigrant .that Canada encourages is not what you want, although Canada makes such a brilliant success there." Naturally the British Commissioner had something to say .regarding the British Court at the Exhibition, the number of visitros to which and th« keen interest token in which he ; particularly commented upon. -Regarding the • art collection he said : "Assuredly it will have a deep reaching effect for ever .Ome test of the appreciation of things as the 'love of possessing them; -and the fac that nearlgob sales were effected by art abject alone (and nearlj all the pictorial photographs) is good.: proof of; true appreciation, and inci-. dentally, of the lasting educative value of this part of the exhibit. The Exhibition has certainly done. one thing already. It has raised the standard of the fine arts, both in educating the people as to what is really (good,' and, incidentally, raising foe standard of prices to .those sums with which the public have, through the Exhibi-' tion, now •become familiar. I anuconvinced thar in the immediate future; the advantage to art, and to artists, through the Exhibition, will <be both marked and lasting both in the departments of music and painting. They have a new standard to aspire to for the future." The school cadet movement finds a warm sympathiser' in Captain Atkin :— "One thing has

J delig-hted me as much as anything- I ' I have seen, and that is your cadet I movemerft.- Many a time and oft have ! I wandered among the Hagley Park ' oaks .to watch the cadets going 'through some battalion drill, and I was '• always more pleased each time I went. I They are a fine set and stamp of .boys J that you breed 'in New Zealand, and with such a set, if you will always pay attention to itheir present good manners, you are bound to 'become a 'nation to be reckoned with. You must always remember that the essential difference between cur Emipre and Continental countries in the matter of boy-life is the all-pervading sense of discipline, which results from the foreign boys' national military service. Therefore this cadet movement comes into fill up this difference, and it results— as I hope it will result— in adding a real strength to the defences of ,the Empire." Very fittingly, the British Commissioner concluded a speech that must have deeply impressed those who heard it, with the following words: "The deep and abiding feeling of Jove for and loyalty to the Motherland manifested by everybody here — an affection which co-exists -with an almost passionate devotion to the new land which is your iown, has greatly moved me The people of New Zealand 'are true patriots of their own country, and not like a few who we could well do without at Home who are patriots of every country except their own. The only thing I have to regret in my happy visit is that I *n to go away I hope my 'going is not adieu, 'but au revoir. I ,go away with a sore heart at parting from so 'beautiful a country and a kind a community." The Chief Postmaster advises that "I'Uls for London, via Bnindisi, left Melbourne on March 20th, arrived in London on the morning of the 20th mst. - • Reporting in the Labor Journal on the state of trade dn this town during last month Mr J* Isdell remarks that trade in general showed no. improvement as compared with the previous month v and was still on the quiet side. Tradespeople asserted that business had become rather disarranged since the opening of the Exhibition "There is no doubt," he adds, "that a large amount of money has been diverted from its natural and -usual circulating channels and is helping to make the igreat show the success it is." Mr Isdell renorts regarding unskilled labor that during the month there were only ten applications for employment— the lowest number recorded for a monthly" period during the last four years. This decrease is accounted for by the fact of the Paparoa ' Coal Company absorbing nearly all the surplus labor in tne district. When Mr Isdell's report was written the company was employing 180 men. Dr. T. Fletcher Telford, Surgeonsuperintendent at the Ross Hospital, was married at Ross on Saturday last to Mrs Langdon, formerly " postmistress there, by the Rev. T. E. % Newton, M.A. The following passengers left for Christchurch yesterday morning : — Messrs C M. Benzoni, W. A. Masters, Chas. Lind, R. F. Greville, J. McNeil, E. Reid, and Young; Mr and Mrs J. Hill, Miss Hill, Dr and Mrs Telford. . About five o'clock on Tuesday even ing Mr William Rankin, a very, old and respected resident of Kanicri, was found in an unconscious state in his hut, near the fireplace. Both feet were very severly burnt, and also the \ side of his head "was also 'burnt. The sufferer was conveyed to the Westland hospital where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission. It is surmised that deceased had a fit and fell partly into the open fire. After the usual meeting in connec tion with the Chinese Mission last evening a social was held to say farewell .to one of .the scholars Mr Chin Chee, who is leaving- for China in a week or so. The Rev. R. Sewart oi> cupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of teachers and scholars. Mr Chin. Chee has been con nected with the mission for eight years, and all the speakers expressed the regret they felt at parting with him. Mr Chin Chee feelingly replied, his speech being interpreted by Mr T. F. Loie. Refreshments were provided by the lady teachers. Headquarters for Men's Woollen Underwear : We offer this month spec ial inducements in high grade New Zealand woollen underware. All wool underpants 3s 6d* 4s 6d, 5s Gd to gs 6d. All wool singlets 35 6d, 3s gd, 4s 6d, to 8s 6d. Wm. McKay and Son The Drapers. The Kumara Times says that the many friends of the Rev. H. M. Smyth will be 'glad to' learn that he has added another to the list of his many diplomas and engineering certificates. By a recent mail from America word was received that Mr Smyth had been very successful in his final examination for a diploma of a large Eleactrical Engineering School, having obtained the high marks o qS per cent. The Times understands that Mr Smyth intends re-entering the profession of electrical engineer and proposes starting business in Hokitika. Messrs G. W. Moss and Co and Mark Sprot and 'Co will hold large sales of store stock at Totara Flat yard| N this day. Furs have been our speciality for years. We have made a study of the fur and muff line. We can meet you in every need. Furs that will give the wearer satisfaction. Muffs 5s nd, 6s 1 id, 6s gd, 7s 6d, 8s od, 10s 6d to 455. Furs is, 2s gd, 3s 6d, 7s 6d, 8s 6d, 10s to 655. Wm. McKay and Son The Draper. On the premises Blaketown at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon Mesrss Harley and Co Limited, will submit to auction on account of Mr Sheahan a freehold section No 16.3 .with comfortable seven roomed house erectec thereon. This offers an exceptional oppotrunity for a good home in a rising locality. Financial assistance can be arranged if necessary. Hockey players should call and inspect the new stocks of hockey sticks just opened up at B. Dixon's, Taimii street. The variety is large and the value not to be surpassed. Prices run from is 6d to 16s 6d each. Special terms to Clubs. Send for our price list before purchasing elseGreat interest has been arouse J in the novel and interesting competition organised by 'Mr Yeadon, photographer. The studio is daily besieged by a crowd of girls all dressed m their best and all anxious to try for the prize, or at anyrate, secure a cabinet made at the Talma studio. To date Mr Yeadon l has photographed one hundred and fifty children, and informs us that the task of judging will not 'be an easy one. To secure the very latest and most novel post cards you should visit B. Dixon's estabishment, Tainui street A new series of colored views of the Southern Alps, Lake Kanieri, Greymouth and the West Coast generally juoC opened up. A large assortment of Comics, Fancy, Actresses, Names and Initials. Post Card Albums all sizes and styles from is to 17s 6d each. Tn spection invited. — Advt. Attempts are now to be made jbb utilise the phontgiraph in perpetuating two of the most distinctive of the dialects of: the outer fringe of the King dom. hiik Iflan*. Language Society is undertaking ths collection of phonograph records on the Isle of Man, while it is intended to do the same in Jersey and Guernsey for the peculiar Nor-man-French speech. The enterprise the County Gentleman thinks, deserves to be imitated in any other parts of Eng land before the purity of the different original dialects entirely disappears. But it is to be feared that the phonopraiphs peculiar throatiness of tone will "rather obscure the natural character of the local dri'tonation. A stands for Asthma, the patient may fret. B for the Breath he hardly can get; C for the Cold and the terrible Croup-: D for the Dollars the "doctor will: scoop; E for -the Ease that one longs for in vain ; F for the "Floo," it is at, one again; G for the Giant— Great Peppermint Cure — H for the; Health that follows' it sure.'