WANGANUI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9089, 28 April 1890, Page 6

WANGANUI.

April 18. POLITICS. Next to the influenza as a matter of con* versation comes politics and the discussion of the chances of the various candidates already out for this coast. So far as I can learn, they will be limited to the following: —Egmont, Sir Harry Atkinson and Mr M'Guire; Waitotara, Mr Hutchison and Mr Bruce j Wanganui, the Hon Mr Ballance and Mr Carson; Eangitikei, Mr Macarthur and Mr Arkwright; and Palmerston, Mr Wilson, and possibly Mr Fitzherbert or some other candidate, from Wellington. Taking them in the order named, a very keen struggle may be anticipated in Egmont, in which is retained the Major's great stronghold. Hawera. Mr M'Guire, however, is the favourite all over the Plains, where Sir Harry’s harbour rate for New Plymouth is as hateful as ever. Waitotara comes next on the list, and here I am inclined to think the result is not in the least doubtful. Mr Hutchison has proved himself an able and painstaking member, and his chances are far more favourable now than when he defeated a much stronger antagonist in Mr Bryce. True it is that Mr Bruce is a popular man. on the platform, and fr hail fellow, well met” off it, with all and sundry, but he is going among strangers, most of whom have never seen or heard him, whereas Mr Hutchison has represented most of the district South of Patea, and has already canvassed that of the North in his campaign against Sir H. Atkinson some years back. With respect to Wanganui and Mr Ballance’s chances of re-election, I think I am not far out when I state that even those who intend to work against him feel that they are taking up the rile of "the forlorn hope.” At the last election Mr Carson was badly beaten, and in the meantime, while he has not had any opportunity of distinguishing himself, the leader of the Opposition has gone ahead, not only on account of his own qualities as a politician and his work as a land reformer, but by the comparisons made between the maladministration of the present Government in land, Native and Defence affairs, as compared with the successes achieved by him when holding these portfolios. As to the other two districts, not having any-local

knowledge X would not care to express any opinion. TRADE. It can hardly be said that we are setting the Thames afire in business matters, but for all that there is a sounder trade doing now, and fewer bankruptcies than was the case a few months back. If trade Cau be gauged by our port returns and similar figures, then we are improving ; each month shows larger Customs receipts, increased trade on this section of railway, and larger exports of produce, &c. There is considerable settlement going on behind us up the Waitotara river, and more lands waiting to be settled as soon as the Government will fulfil the promises they make so plentifully. Taken altogether the prospects are good, though the stoppage of a number of flaxmills to the South, of us, has somewhat glutted the labour market at a had season of the year. It is reassuring, however, to know that the promoters of the Freezing Company are making headway, and are almost certain now to achieve their object, and have the works in hand-ere long. Ginns’ COLLEGE. The tenders closed for the erection of this building at the end of the month, some sis or seven being sent in. The lowest was that of Messrs Kibblewhite and Taylor, of Palmerston North (£2750), hut they, I hear, have not signed, and may probably decline to take up the job. The building, judging by the plans, will be in \overy way suited for the purpose intended, and if a first-class Lady principal is obtained the college should achieve the end desired, and serve as an institution for higher education for the whole coast. There is a disposition on the part of Palmerston North to quibble at the expenditure <t>f the money in Wanganui, and a tendency to ask for a High School in that town. It seems, however, that those who contend that the endowment was not meant solely for Wanganui, have not been careful enough in studying the Act, which,. I am assured on the best of authority, contemplated only the endowment of a High School for the town of Wanganui. The measure was introduced by the members for Wanganui, Messrs Bryce and Ballancu, with that object alone. While on educational matters I might mention that Mr GnTord, a highly qualified teacher, formerly of Oamaru and Napier, has beeu appointed second master at the boys’ school here. OUR VOLUNTEERS. The Wanganui City Eifles, I ain pleased to say, however, have got over their difficulties by the election of a new Captain, Mr A. IX Willis, and a Lieutenant, Mr Day, both of whom have been approved. In shooting circles nothing startling has occurred of late, but I hear that the Government are sending the Wamranui Eifles another lot of Whitney aud Kynock ammunition to test the firing to he carried oa in such, a manner that those using it shall not be aware of which they are using. There must be something wrong with some of the rifles on issue, or the cartridges—whether l Colonial or not I am uot prepared to say—for I hear that at a recent tost the breech, flew open, and gave the firer rather a nasty sensation. Dr skerman. Captain of the Esiagitikoi Eifles, is going up for his majority. April 21.

THE .LAW’S DELAYS. Six months ago a bankrupt, named Ashiforth, at one time the very head of financiers here.-and a mamsupposed'iifco be worth any amount of money, was charged with, having converted to his own use certain moneys entrusted to him by a client for investment in a Building Society. The case came on, and the accused was committed for trial, but when the Supreme Court sat, because the prosecutor had no more money, his solicitor declined to go on with it. Then an appeal was made to the -Crown Prosecutor, but he declined to touch it because he had not time at that late hour to even prepare an indictment. Consequently there was no bill to go-to the Grand Jury, and Ashforth was not called, upon for trial. Last week we had another instance of the same kind. A sheep-farmer named Cring was charged with stealing some 280 sheep belonging to his neighbour, and on the very night before the Supreme Court opened he was committed. ... When the Court sat, Mr Marshall, the Crown Prosecutor, intimated that he had given notice to the private prosecutor that he did not think it a case for Crown prosecution. The counsel for the latter said his client did not feel disposed to incur any more expense. Result—-No bill j but the case may come on next sessions. A SAFE MYSTERY. Mr Spriggins is a bootmaker here, and Mr Spriggins had a fire. The Coroner, held an enquiry, and the Jury said Mr Spriggins’ statements were unsatisfactory, but they could not say how the fire originated. However, Mr Spriggins had his building reinstated for him, and got the insurance money on his furniture. Mr Spriggins also had a safe, and while his shop was rebuilding he put that safe in an outhouse. At Easter, Mr and Mrs Spriggins spent a pleasant time at the seaside. When they went away, according to the story told to the police, that safe was in the shed, but when they came back the outhouse was bare. An inventory of its contents was drawn up, and it appears to have contained £97 worth of -money and jewellery. Two men were arrested on suspicion,* one of them having slept in the next room to the shed that held the safe. They were remanded, but no trace was discovered of the safe, and when the case came up on remand they were released. Thus ends Chapter No. 11. in Mr Spriggins’ recent career, and now we await developments. It ought to be stated that Mr ■ Spriggin’s books were in that safe, RECEIVING STOLEN SILVER. Towards the end of .1888, a bootmaker named Finlay, then living in Wanganui*, but whose wife and family resided at Sandon, created a sensation by bolting from theHreatford Railway Station with a box of silver (£150) belonging to the Bank of New Zealand. Ho had not long to enjoy his ill-gotten gains, however, for he was arrested next day, but the police never found his plant. They failed also to stop him from communicating with his wife, and letting her know its whereabouts. She obtained the assistance of another woman and shifted it, while ho did his twelve months’ hard labour for his share of the transaction. Doubtless during the time he often dreamt of the good times he would have when he got out; but, alas for the frailty of human nature, the money was gone when he was liberated. It appears that his wife’s friend confided in her husband; he took a deep interest in the welfare of Finlay, and paid his law expenses, &c., and when Finlay went to gaol, he and his wife lived in first-class style for a year, though previously they had not been too well off. Finlay, directly he got out of gaol, hurried home, and next morning called on his friends the Montaiths —but the cupboard was bare. The thought of such a disappointment was too much, and revenge was too sweet to be lost. He felt that as ha had had the imprisonment and they the money, it was only fair they should have some of the prison experience, too, and they have got it. They go up—one for two years, and the other for s month. MORE LAW. My excuse for so much law in this letter must be the sittings of the Supreme Court. At the time of writing there.is going on rather an interesting case, and one which harks back a long way. Away back in the sixties there died in County Down one W. B. Corry, who left a widow, fourchildren, and about *64000 worth of pro- , perty to Providence and his brother-in-law. Providence took the widow, and Thompson, the brother-in-law, the children —and the care of the aforesaid £4OOO. This same Thompson was also executor in his_ father’s ■ estate, which he never proved, as his sisters*' had full confidence in him, and in his, brother-in-law (one Paxton). His father’s estate was valued at £IBOO (of which he got £1200). Paxton’s was sworn at under £3OOO, He and the Cotrys came to New Zealand. He invested in lands, and, as-he*. says himself, the moneys wore “intermixed,” but there was only one Treasurer. ; However, the Corry boys grew, and two of them, like the Prodigal Son, askedfor their, share, and received a property valued at £7015, giving a clean receipt. Bat thinge •prospeoed'notrwith the youngifellowe,-and.

now their birthright has disappeared into' the hands of the Bank, and one of them cries for “more.” Ha has discovered that his uncle never gave an account of hia stewardship, and for one reason and another, put forward in that highlypuzzling language loved of-lawyers, claims to be released from his receipt, and to get a further share of the plunder. His uncle has admitted that apart from the property valued at .£7015 which he gave them, his intermixed funds had accumulated on one property alone to .£24,000, and it is -part of this that William Corry is now working for. THAT MINISTERIAL PICNIC. But a truce to law aud musty courts. Wo, had a Ministerial party here the other day, and a great deal of Ministerial blow has gone the rounds about their very important tour through the centre of the island. What was intended to be a pleasant picnic turned out the other way—aa the rain it rained every day, and somehow things did not work smoothly. Poor Christie Murray did not like it, and he proved a wet blanket. It is said—but of course where there were two Ministers present it were rank heresey to hint it—that he was the only one in the company, who had powers of conversation above parish politics and the price of sheep, and he felt, for once in hia life, somewhat at a loss. Of course, we have been told of our splendid river and how it ought to be used, with promises that it will be, bnt we have heard all this times out of number, and bnt little is done. The party had twentytwo horses, plenty of good “ prog,” and a proportionate, perhaps more than a.proportionate allowance of grog; and as it is, understood that the " retrenching" Ministry pay their own expenses, I presume that the cost of this jaunt will not be smuggled in under the heading “ mia-. cellaneous,” but be duly discharged by * Messrs Fergus and Eussell. i