LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8099, 30 September 1904, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The fishing season opens to-morrow and with tho excellent weather now prevailing good sporl should be obtained.

An agitation is afoot tp have the pa! merston North, public reading-rooin open ed on 6u.ndaya.

The British and Foreign Bjblp Society are distributing J3OP,OQO Gospels and Testaments among the Japanese troops. The books are printed in Yokohama.

According to Dr Mason, of the Public Health Department, drunkenness among the natives has greatly decreased during the past year, partly through increasing the responsibilities of tho race by way of local government.

An exchange states that an 80-year-old gentleman has just been brought to Wanganui for the first time for 52 years, although he lives within 20 or 30 miles of the town. He went on a holiday visit to Kawau in 1852, and has remained there ever since.

The Dannevirke branch of the Farmers' Union has received liberal promises of support in regard to the Appointment of a veterinary surgeon, and it is anticipated there wiff be no j^iffipulty m rajsing" fte £200 guarantee,. .■"•'••.. •■

An agitation is on fooj, Jo sjart a twine factory at Shannon. It is 'argued that* the time has come jyhen the 'waste product of (he flaxmilijs to\y' should' oe utilised. By the establishment of a twjne lactoiy £3 pef tpn pould be paid (of "the tow, which wqs now totally unremunerative, and yet makp a goo^' prqst : Another meeting is (p. be held at Sht»nn°n snortly to gjvp the niftttpr fuller consideration.

The Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association hayo 1 arranged to give a dinner to visiting exhibitors, judges, and officials on the first night of the show. In coming to this decision, the Wanganui association was influenced by the opinion that such a gathering would be the means of affording a pleasant evening to the visitors, and would also, resuU in an interchange of ideas and suggestions, which should be of material advantage to, all concerned. >? -

A meeting of the Hawera Caledonian Society was held on Thursday evening. The principal business was the consider*, tion of the programme which was duly passed with very slight alterations . on last year's. The action of the society's delegate at the conference for forming, a Taranaki association was confirmed, and affiliation approved. A number of other matters of routine were dealt with.

Either by accident or design, the water is said to have been turned full on to one of the oninese onlookers at the fire at Koun'g Young's on Wednesday night. On Thursday rather uncomfortable enquiries were being made by the police.

The Papanui, which sailed for London on Thursday aiternoon, took about 10,000 boxes of butter from the colony. The h'rst butter shipment of this season shows a slight increase on that of last year.

The number of persons who arrived in the colony during the last month was 223b as compared with 1699 in the corresponding month of last year. The departures from Aew Zealand last month totalled 1387 as against 1507 in August, 1903. The excess of arrivals over departures last month was 848.

In an anual departmental report is is stated that the milk supply is far Ironi satisfactory at the present time. Mr Mason considers it desirable that special othcers should be appointed for the work of inspection, and suggests that all milk supplies shouljd be distributed from one centre, suppliers being credited with the value of their respective consignments.

When the firebell rang on Wednesday night the majority of the Fire Brigade members were "tripping the light fantastic" at a return dance given by the ladies. At the call of duty fair partners were unceremoniously deserted, and at least a few of the firemen, whose zeal outran discretion, made for the scene of the conflagration in ballroom attire. Later on bystanders were treated to the spectacle of firemen in court shoes tugging at a leaky hose with hands 'encased in white gloves. A well-known Uawera Maori of jovial nature and fleshy proportions attended at the Hawera railway station on Thu/sday morning to take delivery of a large consignment of cooked whale blubber, a delicacy (?) dear to the Maori palate. After sampling generously and pronouncing it to his taste, he stepped on the hcales and tipped the beam at 22st 81b, then, with a thoughtful face but a twinkle in his eye, said, "Py korry, te whale he cost truppence pound, all same te pig* How much me, truppence pound?" He was sorely grieved to find that at the figure named his bulky frame was worth less than £4. An agreement is said to have been come to among the big South Island implement firms not to exhibit at any of the forthcoming country A. and P. shows. This decision is on account of expense, exhibitors alleging that the business done in the past is nob commensurate with the heavy expense incurred in the frequent transhipping of exhibits. The present intention of the combine is to show at only three places in the South Island— Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill. A prominent Aucklander, who has just returned from a world's tour, interviewed, said : "I was a spectator at the Board of Trade's 'wheat pit' at Chicago during the great excitement over the fluctuation of the wheat market. It was a strange scene— a sea of frantic men, yelling, waving their hands, excitedly scribbling on tablets— a frantic scene. There was a huge blackboard on which the quotations from all parts of the world were posted, and as the figures were chalked up the pit palpitated visibly. . In the excitement men got their coats torn off them, their faces became drawn and frenzied, and thsy seemed for all the world a pack of raving lunatics!" Some interesting statistics, says the Otago Daily Times, were quoted by the acting-Chairman of the Dunedin Harbor Board at the presentation to Captain Greenstreet on the Rimutaka on Monday morning, in the form of a comparison ol tonnage of vessels arriving in Otago during every ten years from 1873. In 1873 the total tonnage arriving at both Port Chalmers and Dunedin was 175,000. represented by 1008 vessels. In 1883 there were 939 vessels, and the tonnage had gone up to 331,488. In 1893, 317 vessels arrived at Port Chalmers and 499 at Dimedin, Port receiving 295,359 tons and Dunedin 295,688, or a total of 591,047 for tha two. In 1903, 341 vessels arrived at Port Chalmers and 478 came to Dunedin, the tonnage being 569,234 and 531,109 respectively, or a total for the year for the two places of 1,100,343 tons. When the matter of State fire insurance was being discussed in the House d Representatives, it was said that the bill, if passed, would result in the retirement of English and foreign companies domj business in the colony. The Otago Dailj Times observes that the announcement re cently made that the North German Com pany is retiring from New Zealand rathei confirms the idea mentioned. The North German is a combination of several strong German companies, and as the combination had large funds it was able tc accept heavy amounts on risks. Its re tirement will be a considerable disadvantage to firms having large amounts ol insurance to place. Writing on his recent visit to New Zealand, an Australian says of the Farm ers' Union: "If the farmers of New Zealand only knew it, they hold tne whip hand, ana can make the Government legis late for thorn when they like; they have only to bo united, and the country, instead of being burdened with debt and over-taxation, will become rich and prosperous. The Farmers' Union is New Zea land's greatest hope. With it on top there would be prosperity; with labor on top it meanß socialism, thriftlessness, and taxation. The farmers can make the cities or mar them. If the towns send in men opposed to their interests, the farmers have their remedy. The time has gone by for shilly-shally work. If the ■towns send in members who legislate against the producer, it is their fault ii they allow it. They are the backbonf of the country, and if they go down under' heavy taxation the towns may close up." — Exchange. A handsome residence of unique design hqs lately been erected in Collins street to the order of Mr G. Syme, which has been leased to Mr A. Turnbull, S.M. Th« house is commodious, and equipped with all modern conveniences. In the front of the building a massive bay window, which lights the drawing-room, occupies the angle of the walls, and finished above with well-proportioned and neatly finished gable. Similar bay windows are also provided to the dining-room and the principal bedroom, and are provided with moulded transomes and tinted glass fanlights. The verandah runs round the front and one side, where French casement doors lead into the dining-room, the latter extending out the full width of verandah. The interior has been admirably finished, a feature being the handsome ceilings, arch, cornices, centres, and mantelpieces of figured rimu. The drainage system is provided and water service, hot and cold, 13 laid on. The electric light is installed throughout, and a gas cooking apparatus is also provided. The exterior and interior of the villa displays much artistic and ornamental taste, and certainly adds to the picturesqueness of Collins street. Mr J. E. Roe was the architect, and Mr A. E. Pacey the builder. Once a year the Corporation of Foreign Bondholders issues a report detailing the results of their negotiations with various States on behalf of investors who havw lent those states money for various objects and who have failed to get all they were promised in the way of interest. Among the States with whom ttfie Corporation have had trouble in the past as well as in previous years are Greece, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Colombia. Costa Rica, Buenos Ayres, and Honduras, and sandwiched between Costa Rica and JJuenbs Ayres, Cedulas we find V-w Zealand. Of course, the colony owes its association with such neighbors to the unfortunate Midland Railway JMiiabble, concej-ning which tjie Financial Times, in &h.e course qf jU comment on the committee's report, says.:— "W© regret that the review c#nnot be brought to a close without mentioning a British colony whose behaviour h.as been unworthy of its parentage. The New Zealand Midland Rjulwuy settlement had made some progress, and the committee in charge has obtained a considerable improvement in the terms originally offered by the Government. But 'the Council regret that the New Zealand Government nave not recognised the claims of the debenture holders in a liberal and equitable spirit, and believe that, in the long run, it would have been for their own pecuniary advantages to have acted more generously. It is not pleasant (says the London correspondent of the Auckland Star) to find New Zeaand sandwiched between Guatemala and Buenos Ayres Cedulas in the Corporation's Black List."

The Taranaki annual show is to be held on December 1, and unusual attractions are offered this year.

The Farmers' Union is taking up the quesi.on of the new Government regulations concerning blackleg quarantine. A circular letter has been sent to branches asking for all possible information on the subject to enable the executive to formulate plans for dealing with the present position.

A curious action has been entered in the High Court, New York, by Charles Cole, claiming £1000 from Augusta Barber. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant's dog bit his child tourteen months ago. No physical harm resulted, but doctors allege that the child's dispdsition •has changed entirely. Formerly he was cheerful and animated, but now he is morose and melancholic. The plaintiff claims compensation for moral and intellectual damage sustained not only by the child, but by the entire family.

Writing editorially on the projected Independent Labor party, the l)unedin Star says ; "It is, of course, idle to talk of the grand programme which was passed at Christchurch last Easter. It is the groundwork and pillar of their organisation ; but it is too large, too unwieldy, too faddy, and .too much in opposition to the practical common sense of the country to nave a moment's chance at any time — election or otherwise. There is only one word to say to these gentlemen who are so aspiring. It is this : If they dd not take care they will cut themselves off by their aspirations from the alliance which has got them the best Labor position in all Australasia."

A letter from Dr Kenny, K.S.G., General Secretary, received to-day by Father Power, Congress Secretary for the Archdiocese of Wellington, announces that the success of the Australasian Catholic Con- , gress, to be opened on October 23, in ■ Melbourne, is already assured. Papers have been received from men of eminence in Europe and Anierica, as well as Australasia, on theological, historical, and scientific subjects, while the subscriptions of already enrolled members are more than sufficient to meet all expenses. Father Power has already enrolled over fifty members, Catholic and .non-Catholic, from various parts of the Archdiocese of Wellington, and applications are coming in by every mail. The main article in Dr Fitchett's Life for September is the continuation of the Prime Minister's account of "How a Great Case is Conducted." Mr Reid tells of the methods of counsel in conducting a cross-examination, in ."handling" a jury, and expresses his personal views on the ethics of the law, the advantages— or disadvantages — of politics to a lawyer, and the size of fees. Mel. 1). Spurr, the monologist (whose death has since been reported), makes some special faces for Life, and in a racy four pages tells "How It Is Done." The wonders of tho skyscraper are set forth by C. T. Purdy, an American expert, in high buildings, and a number of highly interesting photos are reproduced. "Old Gorgon Graham" continues to philosophise, with customary "horse-sense," his subject this month being honeymoons, whilst Dr Fitchett contributes a further instalment of "The Commander of the Hirondello." The extract matter is chosen with judiciousness and edited with care, and the number, as a whole, is quite up to the mark.

At the first meeting of the Executive Council of the Taranaki Athletic and Caledonian Association, held in Eltham on Thursday night, the Stratford Caledonian Society were given permission to hold their annual gathering on 26th January, 1905. The Star Football Sports Committee (New Plymouth) were granted Easter Monday. In reply to the Association's offer to the League of Wheelmen, of a lump sum of £3 3s to cover all permits for cycling events run by affiliated clubs under its jurisdiction, the League wrote that the offer could not be entertained, and that the fee must be as usual, 10s 6d for each meeting. It was resolved that all affiliated clubs conducting cycling events at their meetings must pay a permit fee of 10s 6d to tne League of Wheelmen. A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Kivell, McXiven, and Ford, was appointed to deal, with urgent business. Several hours were spent in drafting racing rules. The Hawera Star and the Taranaki Herald were appointed the official papers of the Association. •

At the New Plymouth Liberal Federation meeting on Thursday evening reference was nmda to the sanitary condition of Macri settlements in Taranaki. Dr McCleland. Native xiealth Officer, pointed out the uselessness of regulations under the Public Health Act dealing with contagious diseases applying to Europeans and not to the Maoris. Almost every one of the epidemics that had prevailed in the district during the past few years could, Dr McCteland asserted, be traced to Parihaka as their place of origin. He spoke in high terms of the work done by Dr Pomare, Out emphasised the inability of one man to attend the needs of the whole of the Maori population of the colony. What was required was regular and frequent inspection of the native kaingas or settlements. The meeting passed tha following resolution on the subject: — "That the question of the health of the Maoris, mentioned by Dr McCleland, be referred to the executive, with " a recommendation that arrangements be made for the Hon. J. Carroll. Native Minister, to officially open the native hostelry; And that a deputation wait upon the Minister and urge the necessity of action being taken to safeguard the health of the natives of the district."— Taranaki 'News.