Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY SATURDAY, MAY 13th, 1911.

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1911, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY SATURDAY, MAY 13th, 1911.

r ! ■■ ...... | T HB meeting of the Borough Council on Thursday evening, was more remarkable for what the Council has to j do ithan for anything" it has Act , • accomplished. It would not be fair . to be .too exacting; but, unfortunately for the ratepayers, .a ,' standing trait in our: Borough. Council has been that : it is always gioirig 1 to do' things that ; often do not eventuate. If xatepay- > ers mth' a critical turn :of mind '-'will ' ; closely scan the report or ' Thuib | day's- meeting' they will find -'it a •. ■ good deal more ! interesting than might .'-: be ' expected from a meeting of so ' i humdrum a nature; One feature at :■ least must come 1 as' a' surprise to a greait many. The. Mayor : for , once displayed a 'becoming.. 'degree of modesty wHen he said he-hoped, ic .by. trusting to Councillors' , .wisdom," that ways and( means may- be devised to -bver- , come . the financial' difficulties of the Council ;-v c -without. excesive bnid&l'j.p ■ i being put upon the 'ratepayers^'.' Such . an admisson- from one whom we were ' led to expect would 'prove a vory ' ; Moses ito" point' out >to hiis colleagues .-■ in- the. Council- the 'way • out. . .of the : wilderness! 'ls it that; he has already • found occasion to distrust has • own ; financial abilities ? • However much ' we may .have db'ub ted the Mayor's cap'ac- : ■ ity. : as .finanoierjr and /we" never en- 1 ' ' ier-tain'ed i.anr exalt'edi qpinnJi ip'fjhinr os-'i .ia guide in (those matters; itr- was not ■ doubted that he.- felt -i him self? equal to . ariy.ldeniand in 'tKat particular : ; -line, ior indeed dn any ■ other. -Al- ' though he gave^no evidence that he could show , an easy .toad .out of the . borougK's difficulties, 'he may be only

holding his light under a -bushel at present, and will yet come forward and save the situation. .We regret that we are unable to gather from the Mayor's report that he has as yet done anything for the Rood of the borough that can ,;be , said : to redound ;to -.his credit as man ,of affairs. There is still so much to do, and so little done during- the last twelve mon:hs th^t people may very naturally ask whether ,the 'Mayor /.has' given attention to anything specially. . Before the clecr taon came.- on he told the people oi Blaketown. that the Boroug-h was £4QO(S better off than it was thait timp lasl 3'ear. .On Thursday evening he aid that the estimated, 'expenditure for the current year exceeds .he rf venue by close on What -ort of burough management does*such a --'^.te of things, disclose? Evidently no heav-en-born genius had been busying- himself in straig-htening ojit the finanoial tangle of the borough, ,though Gr. Jackson once informed our little benighted world that the late Town Clerk was "*he (brainiest mar that he ever came across." . Or. jr-deson seems to be an expert in "reading the heads" of town clerks, for he expressed his delight and surprise at the "good grasp" of borough affairs displayed by the new Town Clerk. No doubt Cr. Jackson is quite correct, but a little later on the public will ibe better able to. judge, as three is ample work before that gentleman to test his ability to put the Mayor and Conucillors on the proper, line .of procedure in the- conduct of borough affairs and prevent them from straying into .the jungle of error a»4 loose methods of, doing business. li . »h-.-Town Clerk can succeed, in playing x that useful role— and the ability to do so is the highest qualification in a town clerk— he will entitle himself to the. 'heartiest. ■■appreciation, .of the ratepayers. It might safely . be said, without in any way disparasring Ihe capacity of the Mayor, that he has afforded no. indication that he has thoroughly grasped the position; ,and. sees his way clear to simplify the financial arrangements of the iborough and place them on a sound workable basis. It only seems to impress him as a very serious problem *\iat calls for careful consideration. Several loans will soon fall due, and. fresh financial arrangements will require -to be' made, because the iborough has no possible means of liquidating its liabilities. But there are other matters equally grave that confront the ratepayers, in respect to which the Mayor will have to fall foack upon the "wisdom", of has Councillors, as he tells them "that on their shoulders <i ov falls the burden >of the maladministration of the past," for which the . Mayor himself must, to some extent at least, ibe held responsible. He then ignored by-laws that he is now so keen to uphold, even to. ridiculousness, as in the case of Mr Uddstrom's application to raise his premises another storey. Amongst other matters that will, call for the serious consideration of Councillors are the' reorganisation, of the. office and outside staffs, which should have been attempted i.ong fcr.fore;, .this, and might have (been had the Mayor shown any. grasp of the affairs of the borough; ibut only the small, and the .petty seem to catch Ms eye. . It must be painfully evid-, ent to all that our water supply system is inherently bad — bad from its inteeption — and must be dealt with sooner or later. The pumping plant is costly and inefficient while the w&ter supplied is a disgrace to *he 'own. It is a standing cause for regr?t that Mr Garven's Ten* Mile sclieLie u-as rm accepted, . , by ; . which ; • a gravitation scheme fon 15,000 people rould have been obtained -for £10,000. We have now learned by experience that fhe pumping scheme was a mistake, znd bungled stili 7 ;more. in-, tarrying- cut rthe plans.- . Indulging in a jinle -hetorical •' platitude, the; Mayor told his Councillors that "To formuUte £ policy for the g-ood gqyern.-nr-it of th; tuwn is comparatively risy, bat ie carry it out tis a most iifficilt :>k'''. But why? The people of frft/r;. >ih arc- as amenalble to he l.iw «i? need be, and competent offices to -<o nt laws properly administer ,\d are n^' difficult to obtan, least ,of. all in respect . ito j a .borough . engineer. We have had sad experience of the -ineptness of comibining the offices of town clerk, ■engineer; arid architect in one person. „The .borough fell between^ itwous tools over that arrange-, ment. A very commonplace engineer will' serve the present purpose of the iborough, .If at . ; any- : future time the town' should undertake important engineeririg^ works,', it : Wuld be easy. »v» engage one spelcially fdr the -<Jcc'as ; nh.

On -Victoria Park .thiis afternoon at 1:30! the Star IV team will play the United 1V... At- three o'clock the • Kohinoors will meet .. Uniteds • ' A sale of second-hand furniture, etc. will -;b e held- at; Harley's Mart this afternoon. " ■. Mr D. H. Robert's; racehorse, The Gomeit, won the principal event at fl>" Ashburton race meeting yesterday. : : Mrs Shearman,: ion ■behalf of herself and family, returns thanks to those who assisted a*t her benefit concert. Mr j. H.' vGunsonS has been elected chairman of the ' Auckland Harbour Board. ..->? ) ■ -■ ;.-.■.■:,■.- «• ■■:--\ v : J.- -Ballahtyne a"nti : 'Co,, ..'of:-CEri'st-church, are advertising I ' 'iri this issue, a very smart Norfolk costume made to order. Particulars and pricey may Pc seen in the advertisement.' " __ Mr arid Mrs F ; Wood returned from Ghristchurchr on Thursday- evening. 'J •'■ Mr and Mrs D; Ogilyie, ,'who have ,been on a trip to the North Island- 'returned to town by Thursday's express. ■'■: •> <- ; • ■•' .-■.■.. . 1 Mushrooms were sold , at frpin 10s to 13s per banana case on. the Wellington market recently. ; , : . • ! ... *'' ' •'" The production of butter in - the Commonwealth last year as 190,000,- . 0001b. \, compared with : 16O;O003OO0 \h. the previous year.- . • '•■■_ , Dr ; McKay, whb has been 'absent from town for* the past' fortnight, •■?- turned- hon;e -by the Mapoiirika. ■'■-: '• Mr/ Nazer (Grey mouth)", and Mr fi\ ' McKehzie' (Kanieri) .were visitors, to the High' Commissioner's office on March- 21§t, ■'• ' • -..- ■•.-■• •

Mr Joseph McLean left for Welllington last evening- on business bent. Mrs M. A. Johnstone of Ross has i^een appointed teacher of Koiterangi School The proposed transfer of Constable Nuttall from Wesfport to Hokitika to succeed Constable Farrell (who leaves there to-day for Blackwater) has been cancelled. Constable Nuttall will remain in Westport. Fdends will hear with regret of the death of Mr . J. Satterwaite,. which >took place at Christchurch on "Wednesday of . last week. ' The deceased was 82 years%f age, and in the early days .had- a?, store : at- Stafford near Waite's bridge, winch was named after him. . ... Mr J. S. Lang has been appointed a Trustee of the Hokitika Savings Bank, in place of the Hon. J. Holmes. When it comes to bikes, of course it must be a "Reliance." None, other ic just as good." — Ad'vt ■-> • Mr Henries, M.P. , speaking in the south, expressed his sincere sympathy in connection with the abuse meted out at tmes to members of County Courir cils. He said . fie knew what it was to (be an unfortunate 'County Councillor, they could .hardly call their souls their own. My beautiful! my beautiful! that standeth . meekly by, is a "Reliance" Dike, you bet; for it alone can fly, — . ».avt. • ■■.-.'. The Newcastle strike, a..-, or ding to the figures of union . -official's, :»st"^L'e men no less than •n.\v«.gcs. What- it has cost the employers rai.not be very, well figured up, but iJiis much is certain {says the Aufwaiasian Review), where the weekly ex» port of coal was then 120,000 tons, it is now about 50,000 tons. Further, the extent of the ; loss over foreign orders may take years to make up. Last month the Westport Coal Company exported from Westport 43,879 tons, the State Mines 6272 tons, and the Westport-Stocktoh Coal Company 4876 tons; total 51,428 tons. During the month 130,373 sup. feet of timber was exported from Westport. Thetotal itonnage ' entering and leaving, the port during April was 94,573 tons. Queen Mary does not like ladies smoking in her presence, and it is never done by any of the ladies in the entourage of royalty, though there are, as a matter of fact, at least two ladies attached to the Court who indulge, in an occasional cigarette, but they never do so in the. presence of her Majesty. ■;/.<■■ During his stay at Rirhu Mr Herries M.P.,. paid a visit to the surrounding claims, spending a good ' patt •of the afternoon in the inspection. He expressed surprise at the great extent of the work that had been done, and at the apparent possibilities of further larg-e developments.. The £udge-Bryant Novelty Entertainers will appear at Steven's Hall, xsiacicDall, to-night. This company of dancers, Instrumentalists and 'Vocalists, you should not fail to see, as they consist of a very clever combination and have met with great success wherever they have appaered. . (V private telegram received from " Hastings states that the Irish Envoys' meeting there was a huge success in every way. Mr Martin Kennery is still receiving applications from different parts of the Dominion, requesting that the delegates should pay visits. Altogether Messrs Hazeliton, •Redmond, and Donovan will address fifty meetings before leaving" the Dominion. In St John's Presbyterian Church co-morrow the services both morning and evening will be , conducted by ihe Key J. Mackenzie, . M. A, of St Andrew's Church, Christchurch. The icy gentleman is one of the most thoughtful and eloquent of the younger ministers 1 of the VPresbyterian Church of New Zealand, and those who . wish to hear good sermons should not miss the opportunity. The Rev. R Stewart will preach at Blackball at 7 p.m, at which service the Sacrament -of the" Lord's Supper will be observed. Mr W. J Cooksort will preach in the Druid's Hall, Dunollie at 7 p.m. The many friends of Mr William Espie, the well-known commercial traveler, will regret to hear that lie nad the misfortune to break his arm on Thursday. It appears that he was getting out of a trap at the Nine Mile,, near Westport, when the horse suddenly started, causing Mr Espie to fall heavily to the ground, with me result that his arm was broken. Mr Espie immediately returned, to Westport, where his' injuries were attended to by a doctor. Mr Espie will remain in Westport for the remainder of the week and come on to Greymouth some time next week. fhe .Newcastle strike, according to th figures of -union officials^ cost .the men no less than £1,000,000 .in wages. What it has cost the employers cannot be very well figured up, but .-• tEis much is certain (says .the ' -Australasian Review) , where the weekly exporf'of coal was then 120,---•0'UO tons, it is now about 50,000 tons;. Further, the extent of. the loss ovci: foreign orders may take years, to make up. . Many friends will hear with-^sin-cere sorrow of the death at Wellington at 10.30 o'clock of Mrs. . Kirk lAnnfe Bignell) who was an- adopted daughter _af the late Captain and Mrs G. W. Bignell of Hokitika and resided at Hokitika until her .marriage with Mr Kirk, who is " also a former well-known resident, and son of .Mrs Kirk of 'Bealey Street. Deceased who was a native of Hokitika and about. 35 years of age, leaves f our young children . The death took place on Thursday morning of Mr. R. E. Jones, a very old and well-known settler of the Arahura district. "TEe deceased, ..who had reached the ripe age of >igh'ty years, was a native of Shropshire, England, and prior to becoming a settler about sixteen years agOi he was in business as a butcher. ..He. had.been ailing for some time,' ' and was " recently Brought here ; for treatment, but gradually sank during 1 the \ past' weeki' until ensued. His wife predeceased him some years ago, and <he leaves two daughters, Mrs;Jßobt; GreerUees and Miss Jones, to .whom _ the sympathy of many friends wit he extended in their bereavement.— West Coast Times. A Jiuiet wedding." 1 was celebrated at the. residence of. the parents of the ibridegroom, ' when- Mr Andrew Parfchill, only son of Mr and Mrs John Parkhill of* Hokitika, and the popular commadinqr_ officer of -the local Territorials, was "united to Miss Ruby Henne, third daughter of Mrs and the late Mr F. Henne, of Stafford. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. Davie. .The bri'de.;was charmingly, attired in,.- a? navy-blue . costume, with cream silk bodice arid was attended by Miss Kielyj of (Jreyihouth, as bridesma id, while the bridegroom was supported by Mr F; McGregor as best man. Alter the ceremony a 'number of friends , were , entertained and.,. the; liest of prood wishes expressed foV the future of the, Happy ..'couple, who are Wh very popular/ Tffe^jiappv 'counle . '"<"■• for the" nbrf-hby i\\e evening train carryinsr with them the best wishes of a large circle of friends far - theiij happiness and prosperity, y". '■".

Discussing the census returns the Christchurch "Press" expresses the opinion that the census returns as a wnole will not give New Zealanders any cause for pride, when they see the progress that is being made in other parts of the Empire. It says :— •iNot only is the birth-rate restricted, but there is the most ,-unreasoning and stupid fear of immigration among a section of the community. Anything more despicable, and, we will add. more inhumane than tne_ tuss chat has been made about the introduction of the Sedgwiok boys, it is difficult to conceive. What is wanted in the future is a systematic opening up of land for settlement, and the qually systematic introduction of the right class of settlers, . carefully selected. The Auckland people, who are painfully parochial in most things, ' are quite right in urging that the large area of waste Natye and in the North Island should be brought into profitable cultivation. The Government, with' all its professions, is really acting as a bar to lTind^ settlement instead of promoting- it. Saloon passengers by the -lonic,--which is due at Wellington on Monday next from London, are as follows :-Mrs J. Bennett Mr C. D. riayhurst, Captain A. Moore, D.O b, Mrs M. L. Waldegrave, Mr J. M. Mowbray, Mr P. Ackroyd, Mr A. Ackrovd,Mr R. A. Barton, Mrs Barton, "Miss I. Barton, Miss A. M. Bradshaw, Miss E. Button, Mr H. Cooper, Mrs J. Eggleston, Miss_E. Eggleston, Mrs M. Eggleston, Miss E Eggleston, Mrs S. C. Harbinson, Mr W. A. Kelsall, Mrs A. Macomish, Miss E. Macomish, Mr A. ■W. Me--Lamon, Mr P. Moss, Mr F. L Nicolls Mrs Nicholls, Miss L". •^^ter, Mrs B.Rovle, Mr-T. Taylor, Mr E. A. Wilyson Mr W. W. Whitsall, Miss M. 'Angels, Miss J. F. -Amodes. Many people have wondered, and even more have asked the_ question, '"\Vhaf makes Harley and Coy, LW., 'at their cycle, department sell Edlin Sinclair'- "cycles at £5 18s 6d each, while other firms ask s0 much more ' but Harley's are always cheaper, by conducting their many lines under one roof and one staff and management, their expenses are so low, their rent so low," and one of the great secrets i= they buy right from the manufacturers" and pay spot cash for their goods. They still offer the public a lew more "Edlin Sinclair" cycles at •the old price of 18s 6d. ' Cycle tyres, lamps and sundries • equally cheap. They simply defy the trade to get under their prices and when 1-iarlevs talk you can always be sure they have got the goods to back them up. ' , . . An Okarito correspondent contributes the following:— "Another record for ithe poor misrepresented Okarito. Captain Jamieson made a record trip in -the Jane Douglas on Februray 14th when he crossed the bar one and ahalf hours . before high water witn a full load," and finding nothing less than Bft. of water*on the bar. Captain Vendore -arrived on Sunday last and crossed the (bar at 9.30 a.m. .two hours before high wafer and it is understood, found not less than lift, on the bar. He left again yesterday at noon. In fact for the last twelve months the Okarito >bar has .been in splendid condition, being- workable every day except \in rough weather, and still they want the public and us to believe it to be a dangerous bar for a timber trade to be started here. !■" — Guardian. Job Embroidery. — Copy of memo from our London buyers: "Embroideries are part of a line which we purchased — being part of a fire stock, which we cleared from a manufacturer." These embroideries are now on sale at 3d, 4d, and 6d at W. McKav and Son, Leading Drapers. — Advt. Fire Embroidery.-— Copy or memo from our London buyers: "Embroideries are part of a line which we purchased, being part, of a fire stock, which we cleared from a manufacturer." These embroideries are now on sale at 3d, 4d, 6d at W. McKay, Leading Drapers. — Advt. For your comfort at the Thomas and Mcßeath Store inens' woollen*underclothing that wears long and well and comfortable all the time. Knitted underpants 3s lid, 4s 6d, 5s 6d, 6s 6d. Shirts 3s lid, 4s 6d, 5s 6d, 6s 6d. A special line in extra 'big sizes, and heavy make 7s 6d to 10s 6d. Thomas and "Mcßeath Store.^-Advt. Duke of (Edinburgh Hotel— so rooms, newly fitted throughout; accommodation second to none on the Coast; tariff 6s a day! arrangement by the week. J. J. O'Brien, proprietor. — Advt. S. I. Beton, to clear his summer stock. Trill offer over 1000 bargains at prices that wPI surprise everyone. The first that come will secure the nick of this great bargain sale. S. I. Beton, Mawhera Quay, Greymouth. —Advt. Tweed costumes in all shades, smart ly cut and nicely finished, 23s 6d, 27s 6d, 355, 42s and 45s each. Also a fine range costume skirts from 6s 6d to 15s 6d. Trathen and Ooy, Boundary Street. — Advt. In the new Autumn and Winter displays at O. Smith's ladies will find a good range of coloured underskirts. These are beautifuly cut and prettily made garments in all the new shades are quite small in prices, and will appeal to every taste. You are invited to call in and sec the whole display, and investigate the fine values to be seen throughout the store. — Advl. To' be well dressed is the duty of all, but to the lady of culture it is more thin a duty, it is a necessity. We are not extremists, we do not advocate the "Harem skirt" ibut what we advocate and what gives the "finishing touch to a "well dressed lady is a smart picture hat. We have them in tweeds, straws and velvet from 4s lid to 30s each. Purchase now, "a thing of beauty is always a joy for ever." Trathen and Coy. Boundary Street.— Advt. Chucked away his dummy, Squirmed and screamed and squirmed again. Frightened his poor'\ Mummy. Till at last she could endure Baby's cries and screams no more, Gave him, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure ■••-- " ■>,«*■ a; •'■•• Soothed his little tummy.