LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8095, 24 September 1904, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The effect of the gale on Thursday, which was 'accompanied by a fairly heavy salt spray, is very marked, hedges, shrubs, a.nd the leaves of fruit trees having been turned black and withered up. "There, is a tremendous slump coming, not only Li New Zealand, but all over the world." Thus prophesied Professor Bickerton in a lecture at Christchurch the other evening.

"Kava," said Mr Fowlds in the. House, "is not intoxicating." Mr James Allen denied this. He said it was not intoxicating to the head, but it was intoxicating to the knees." "I wish we had, some of it in the House," interjected Mr Seddon; "members would not then be get* ting up so often to speak." (Laughter.) To' prevent the manufacture of spurious recommendations of servants in- Germany every servant is required to keep a character took, ia wfckfr necessary entries of dates and character descriptions are made by the mistress or master. The servant must then take the book to the nearest police station and have the record dated with the official st*mp r

Mr W. Allen, a clerk in Messrs J. A. Nash and Co.'s firm, Palmerston North, on Wednesday received a cablegram informing him that a fortune of £40,000 had been bequeathed to him by a former em* is£GS* - hiaJpjEßgUgd. , W*\AHen Wt i

We have rocived a letter from Nor- i manby, sigrfed "The Guesser," referring | to the proceedings at the meeting before the recent election and to the sins of the old board. It seems to us that as the election is over, and the new board ia now in existence, no good purpose would be served by publication. When the Government butter graders were giving expert evidence in the Supremo Court at Wellington the other day the foreman of the jury, addressed to Mr Cuddie the pertinent question whether graders differed in their ideas of quality. Mr Cuddie : "We have a standard set up." He proceeded to explain that the graders meet at least twice a year to jointly grade and report. Their points sometimes varied half a point, and sometimes were exactly the same. Commenting on the renewed activity of Waimangu geyser, the Hot Lakes Chronicle draws attention to the fact that the day on which the geyser again became active was the anniversary of the fatal accident at Waimangu, when four lives were lost. The same paper reports that the geysers at Whakarewarewa and Orakei-korako became remarkably active at the same time as Waimangu. The Aotca, which has just broken up at Patea, was practically a new vessel having been built in 1902 by Scott of Kinghoru, Ltd., Kinghorn, Scotland. She was a steel and iron screw steamer of 203 tons gross, and 90 tons net ; length, 102 f t; breadth, 21.7 ft; depth, 9.7 ft. The engines were also manufactured by the builders of the vessel. The Aotea arrived in Wellington on February 2nd, 1903, from Home. Dairy Expert Cuddie explained in the Supreme Court on Thursday morning that butter graded at 93 or 94 points was "choice," below that it was "fair average." Mr Myers : There is not a great deal of "choice" butter? Witness: "There U a good bit now. There has been a gradual improvement for years." Another Government grader, Mr Dickie, stated that not a great deal of butter went above 95. He had seen one or two lines at 97. Replying to the toast of the Dairying Industry at a banquet at Waipuku the other evening, Mr Drown, chairman of directors of the Midhirst factory, said that to a great extent the reason why the New -Zealand butter was not as good as the Danish was simply because suppliers did not pay sufficient attention to cleanliness. In some instances milk was taken to the factories which should be refused. Until farmers learnt to exercise scrupulous cleanliness they could not hope to successfully compete in the. butter market with that of Danish make. — Exchange. A man charged with vagrancy "fell in" rather badly at the Wanganui Police Court last week. He vigorously denied having been begging for food round the town lately, and in best "injured innocence" style asserted that he had not had a single meal from anyone, blissfully ignorant of the fact that only the evening before ho had called at the house of one of the very Justices who were hearing the case, and in response to his urgently expressed complaint of hunger had been given a good square meal. His face, when the Justice informed him of this little incident, was a study. Annie Terrill. spinster, of independent means, was at Truro committed for trial, charged with arson. Ths prisoner rented a house at Perranporth, bub received notice to quit because of its filthy condition. She kept five hundred cats. At midnight prisoner was seen mar the house, and fire broke out immediately afterwards. Inflammable material saturated with paraffin was found in the rooms. It was alleged that the house was set on fire because of the terrible condition it was in, aa the owner had claimed damages. One of the most remarkable places of worship in the world is the miners' chapel in Mynull Meniggd Colliery, Swansea, where for more than 50 years the workers have each morning assembled for worship. This sanctuary is situated close to the bottom of the shaft. The only light is that obtained from a solitary Davy safety lamp hung over the pulpit from the ceiling, and the oldest miner in the colliery is generally chosen to officiate. It is the custom in some places for coal miners to gather together at meal times for prayer meetings and the like, but it is said that, this is the only instance where a special apartment is fitted out in a coal mine as a chapel. The Dunedin Star applauds the decision of the House refusing to eliminate the reduction vote. "We have," it says, "no hesitation in saying that the opinion of the country against the loss of the reduction issue is in the ratio of four to one. The feeling of relief will be great, now that the reactionary danger has been escaped. The power of reduction may occasionally have been abused (not by the people, but by injudicious licensing committees), but it is a most valuable power for all that, the advantages far outweighing the drawbacks. The democracy is to be congratulated on the discomfiture of the Government in this respect." The. Wellington Post reports that several butter contracts have been arranged during the past week or two at varying prices. A few of the very choice brands with an established reputation in the terminal markets have been taken at 9£d, others have been placed at 9d without recourse, but for the bulk B£d to B|d is being offered and in some cases accepted. In the Taranaki district several large factories were still holding off in the hope of commanding better prices. The top price paid this season is equal to about 99s per cwt c.i.f., and is a very fair price, considering the prospects of the market. With the increased output our dairymen should find the season a profitable one, and a fair measure of prosperity should continue in the dairying districts of New Zealand. The latest eccentricity of American extravagance is on entertainment given by Mr and Mrs Reginald Vanderbile at their farmhousa at Sandy Point. For Newport it is rather a quiet little affair, but the cotillion was worthy of the traditions of the fashionable resort. In the cotillion the lades were dressed as dairymaids, and wore big white sun-bonnets trimmed with flowers. They liad silver pails. The gentlemen were decked out as village yokels, with smock-frocks and corduroy breeches. For the ladies the gifts included choice articles of jewellery. In addition to the usual cigar-cases * and match-boxes for* the men, great amusement was caused by the distribution of real hoes, scythes, rakes, 6pades, And pitchforks. The final parade of the merry party to the combined strains of the Casino orchestra and Hungarian band took place on the terrace, which was adornej with flowers, orange trees, and plants. President, Diaz, who has just been f elected President of Mexico, was originally intended for the priesthood. His day came with the death of .Juarez. The | country was overrun by bandits and revoI lutionisls, hut these were swept away, I violence and roblwry were suppressed, and gradually the Mexico that we know to-day was evolved by the man whom Count Tolstoi once. descril>ed as "the strongest ruler of any nation in this (lay and time." In 1891 President Diaz guvc to his country the inestimable boon of free, secular, and compulsory education. The late Mr Cecil Rhodes once paid the President a great compliment, declaring that there was no reason to suppose that after the death of President Dm/., Mexico will have any better government than that which prevails in the South American countries. Two attempts have been made on his life — one, it will Imj remembered, last year — but in Irath cases the President escaped unhurt. The large corporations in New York, according to Mr Theodore Moore in London Opinion, arc adopting the policy of compelling their employees to stay uway from the race-tracks and to subdue their propensity for gambling on the horses. Several of the insurance companies huve informed their clerks that those who go to the races will lose their places. This is a new phase of the crusade against gambling in New York, and it is likely to be an effective factor in curbing the young men of the town to risk their small salaries in horse races which in many cases are "fixed" so that the bookmakers and 'not the public will get the money. A young New Zealander in England, writing to a friend in Christen urch, describes how he was impressed with the way in which the people work in tire Old Country. "I have been in some of the largest cities in England," he says, "and I think that there is a good deal more bustle required to make a living here than is the case in the colonies; in fact, people- are always half on the run when going about their business." He adds that an electrical railways is in course of construction between Manchester and Liverpool, and it is expected that the trains on the line will travel at a very rapid rate.

FISHING TACKLE. F. J. Wrigley announces the arrival of a very extensive assortment of Bartle't and Sons' fishing tackle. An especially fine assortment of wooden rods, inclui'nij •ulit cane, green-heart, lancewood end hickory, at all prices from £4 to 7b M. Bristol steel rods a speciality, 10, 11, and 12 feet long. These rods are justly celebrated throughout thu district. A very large assortment of flies, including soveial new varieties. New minnows, new casts new traces, everything new. Inspection invited. Bartlett's best casts, at Is, la 3d, Is 6d each, or ss, 6s, and 7s 6d the halfdozen, flies, minnows, casts, etc., sent post free. Postal orders < receive prompt attention, and most, be aooompankid with cash. Rods prepared, by competent workmen./ Fishing licenses issued. F. J; WBIGLEY, Hawera. Stop that hacking cough by taking Tu%sicura. J. Smith. — Advt. tf you are troubled with indigestion, constipation, liver or kidney ailments,^ Pr Snso/l T»m»r Jnice will cure -you. Ail

A sports ground is projected at Stratford.

Mr M. Kelly, of Hawera, has received a letter from the Premier, stating that after Frank Hutchens played before Paderewski the latter advised that the boy was very much gifted, and that given a higher course of technical training, he has a bright future before him, and that his higher training should be proceeded with at once.

Messrs Robbins and Cowern, who visited Wellington as a deputation to the Minister for Public Works in connection with the Tongahoe Valley road, returned to Hawera last evening. A report of the interview has already been published. Mr Robbins, who was commissioned by the Borough Council to wait upon the Colonial Treasurer with reference to the '£4000 required in connection with the improvements to the headworkg of the water supply, saw Mr Seddon. After the position had been explained, Mr Seddon agreed to submit' the matter of making the advance to the Cabinet for favorable consideration.

Addressing a meeting of the Farmers' Union at Opunake, Mr Boddie, President of ihe Taranaki provincial body, said as to the question of tire insurance they were ouly waiting for a reply from London with regard to re-insurance. Should they not be able to get the re-insufance in London, then it was proposed to try and negotiate with the Bank of New Zealand to take the premium notes which were to be given by each insurer and advance against them in the event of loss. It was only proposed to take first-class risks, that wa-s wooden buildings^ with iron roofs and brick chimneys, and these would jbe taken at 10s per cent.

The Wanganui Herald reports that contracts have recently been signed for the export to Sydney of whit© pine timber from mills on the Hunterville branch of the Main Trunk Railway, and Messrs Hatrick and Co., of Wanganui, have entered into an agreement for the carriage of the same across the Tasman Sea. We understand that the term of Messrs Hatrick and Co.'s contract extends over two years, ami that as much will be shipped as can ho carried, running as many trips as possible. We are informed that under this agreement at least five million feet of white pine will pass through our port for shipment to the Sydney side ; and we hope, and we think not vainly, that it will result in a big trade between here and Sydney.

The visitors' list at one of the principal hotels in town last week (a Wellington correspondent states) included Paderewski's parrot, expressly sent down in the care of a local musician, who met the great pianist in Auckland. There were, it seems, doubts whether the bird, which is a great pet. and has accompanied the world's favorite in his travels lor some years, would survive the rigors of the overland route, by way of Rotorua and tho Wanganui, and when the Wellingtonian made the friendly offer to act as its escort, the impulsive Polish musician threw his arms about the neck of his new acquaintance and kissed him on both cheeks. He greets you with a merry "Hello!" and thereafter politely enquires, "Will you have a drink?" His owner, however, is careful to keep him from contaminating influences, and every care is taken when on tour so that he may be preserved from acquiring the language of the forecastle or tlra cook's kitchen. For years tho Catholic community at Wellington has cherished the idea of having a cathedral worthy of the colony and its head centre. Some time ago Mr Martin Kennedy, a prominent member of the Church, made a free gift of a site at the corner of Buckle street and Tory street, not far from St Patrick's College, and upon which shops now stand. Since that time an energetic canvass has been made for subscriptions towards the cathedral building, and, up to the present time, £10,000 has been collected from here, there, and everywhere. It is not proposed to start the building until there is £15,000 in hand, which amount it is hoped to have, by the end of the present year. Then the first portion of the edifice will be put in hand and additions made as money comes in. The total cost of the cathedral as planned will run into something like £50,000.

I believe the real attraction of the American girl for Englishmen lies in her complete contrast to the women of his own country (writes Rita, in London Opinion). She can talk, she can amuse, and slic can stimulate his jaded senses by picturesque slang and impudent raillery. She is almost as free-and-easy as a demi-mondaine, yet holds him in bounds should he — by accident — incline to confuEe her with a less discreet personality. She can talk on anything and everything — and does She knows all about your sports and games. She can dance like a ballet girl, and sing comic songs with any variety stage prima donna. She is all onergy and life. She has nerves of steel, yet a frame as fairy like as Titania's." Above all these charms she has —dollars.

Messrs George and Kcrsley, drapers, etc., of Wanganui, are holding a special show of new season's goods on Wednesday, rare week. More particulars later.

Dr Ensor's Tamer Juice, a wonderful remedy for Constipation, Kidney Troubles, Bowel Irregularity, Liver Complaint, an.d all the ills which arise from Indigestion. Indigestion causes Malnutrition, and is the foundation of ull diseases — 2s 6d all stores.

BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH.

When you wake up with a bad taste in your mouth, you may know that you need a dose of Chamerlain's Stomach and Liver Tablets. They will cleanse your stomach, improve your appetite and make you feel like a new man. They are easy to take, being sugar coated, and pleasant in effect. For sale by W. K. Wallace, chemist, Hawera. — Advt.