Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1896.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2090, 31 January 1896, Page 2

Lake Wakatip Mail. QUEENSTOWN, FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1896.

At the commencement of a year it is customary for business men, as well as private individuals, to take stock as it were, of their position, and, none that the old year is fairly numbered with the past, we think that the people of New Zealand may, with advantage, seriously consider the position to which the colony has been brought by the so-called " Liberal Administration " of the last five years. When Mr Ballance took office in January, 1890, it was promised and predicted by the party which he represented that a rery cornucopia of blessings would be poured out. There was to be no more borrowing, strict economy was to be practised ; the expenditure was to be confined within the legitimate revenue ; the unemployed difficulty was to disappear, and general prosperity was to be established on a permanent basis. The " working man" was to be made thoroughly comfortable, whilst the investment of capital in the producing industry was to be encouraged by legislation remedial of the special burdens imposed through direct taxation of property. speeches placed in the mouth of the Governor in opening the Parliamentary sessions of 1801, 1892 and 1893, were replete with brilliant promise, and up to the last general election Ministers and their friends asserted with confidence that a halcyon era, brought about by their policy, was dawning. Unfortunately they induced a considerable majority of the constituencies to believe them, with the consequence that they were confirmed in power. It can hardly now be denied that there has been ample time to judge the tree by its fruits. The Ministry have had, through a subservient majority in the House, unlimited, almost unchecked power; have been able to pass whatever measures they chose, and had, practically, uncontrolled freedom in finance. The present Parliament will expire by lapse of time in December next, and it will be for the electors to seriously consider what this " continuous Ministry " have effected, and what is the " pan-out " of the prospects presented. Every promise has been broken, every prediction falsified, and the last state of things is emphatically worse than the lirst. The public debt has been increased by millions, thus entailing a very material augmentation of the annual permanent charges for interest, which have been for years so heavy a drain on the revenue. The colony has further been made contingently liable for millions under the wretched banking legislation of 1894 and 1895, with the probability of having eventually to meet the liability. In regard to borrowing indeed, every principle avowed by Mr Ballance has been east reside. Money has been raised openly and on the sly by every cohcievable device, and in order to keep his finance going, the Treasurer has appropriated to immediate purposes of financial exigency the accrued sinking funds of various loans to local bodies. In order to meet the enhanced expenditure taxation, both direct and indirect, has been largely increased. Witness the land Lax, the income tax, and the iuiquitious tariff of 1895, which, under pretence of the readjustment of Customs duties, piles the agony very specially on the working and poorer classes of the community, who must be blind indeed if they do not realise the full effect of what has been done.

As to the Ministry's finance generally, this has' throughout been characterised by almost reckless extravagance. There has been no pretence even of

economy, and the public service has been prostituted to political and party purposes. New departments and offices have been created wholesale, with the object presumably of providing for needy adherents and the worthless parasites which ever infest the vestments of power. Ministers vaunt themselves on their labor and land legislation, which notoriously has proved a conspicuous failure, bringing no advantage to the workers, whilst destroying confidence, impeding enterprise and and damming up the very sources of employment. The " unemployed" troubles have never been so acute as during the past year, and these troubles are becoming more intensified. The co-operative system of public works is now demonstrated to have created an army of professional unemployed, who fatten at the expense of hardworking taxpayers, and do a minimum of work at the maximum pay. The land policy and administration of Mr John M'Kenzie has been even more distinctly mischievous. The real settlers of the country, agricultural and pastoral, have been ignored; whilst money has been poured out like water in fancy schemes of settlement which cannot possibly succeed, since the material is entirely unsuitable. It would be as reasonable to expect that a silk purse could made out of a sow's ear as that thriftless, ignorant, entirely unqualified men can be taken from the street corners, transformed at once into small farmers, and conform themselves to the hard labor and self-denial of a selector's life. This, however, is Mip one idea of the Minister of Lands and, in endeavoring to carry it out, he has expended hundreds of thousands of pounds. It would indeed be a blessing to the colony if a billet could be found for him in England, so that he could join Mr W. P. Reeves, of whom happily we are well rid.

We do sincerely trust that the electors will judge Mr Seddon and his colleagues by their deeds and test their fair promises by results. The only hope for New Zealand is a reversal of the policy of delusion which has now so long prevailed, and a return to common honesty in the conduct of public affairs.

The sensation of the week has been the perpetrations and escapades of an alleged forger. Thif individual, who gave his name to one customer as •'T. H. Johnston," described hirr.sel! as agen' for a company, for which he was procuring orders on the enlarged photo " racket," obtaiuing, of course, deposits on account. In the instance under notice the man yesterday week obtained from Mr D. M'Bride, on account of an order for some enlargements, a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand for one pound 10s, which, after clever manipulation he got cashed for £4O 10s. The thing was found out on Tuesday morning, a few minutes after the Ben Lomond with Mr "Johnston " on board had left the wharf for Kingston. The Telegraph was set to work and wires were sent to Kingston ami Lumsden by Constable Jones who proceeded down next m>i ning On arrival of ihe steamer at Kingston, " Johnston " was arrested by Capt. M'Dowall, who, innocently allowed his man to go to the back of the hotel for "a few minutes," but his " prisoner " never returned. Mr James Farrant, one of the steamer's hands who was left behind, managed to secure the runaway in the evening, and trustingly locked him in one of Mrs M'Doaald's hotel bedrooms, himself returning to rest in an adjoining room. Farrant states that he managed to keep awake till past one o'clock, at which time " Johnston " was all there, but on waking up and going to the latter's room about five o'clock, the bird had flown—escaped by the window. Detective M'Grath and other members of the police force have been on the look out but without success up to the present. No business of consequence was transacted at the Jockey Club committee meeting on Friday evening except the passing of accounts. Consideration of the protest against Rugby in the Time Trot at last races was held over pending reply from Mr Rattray, of Christchurch.

The Defence office, which has just made several all-round removals in the Noith Island, are doing the same in this island. As a consequence Constable R. R. Jones, of this town, is being transferred to Dunedui to supply the place of his successor, Constable M'Rae. Constable Jones, who has been stationed about ten years in the Dunstan and Wakatip districts, lias spent nearly seven years at Queenstown, and during that time has proved himself an active aud energetic peace officer. Miss Rad well, in another column announce 8 that she purposes visiting Arrowtown shortly. Her dressmaking classes here have, so far, been very successful. The pupils, we hear, have all picked up the system, which is very simple, and has given great satisfac tion. As Miss Radwell's stay here is very limited, ladies wishing to take lessons are requested to send iu their names without delay. The rough and stormy weather that has been prevalent of late, apparently reached its climax on Saturday morning at about 10 o'clock when, during a tremendous gale, the ketch, Mystery, moored at Mr A. Boyne's wharf, dragged her anchor, aud was driven ashore—not before however sustaining considerable damage to her bulwarks, starting some of the piles of the wharf, and knocking down a portion of the timber racks. We are sorry to say that the greater part of the tramway has also bean washed away through the flooded condition of the lake, and consequently Mr Boyne's loss is a rather serious one.

The Roman Catholic Church Picnic is announced to take place on \\ ednesday next the trysting place being that popular resort, Half-way Bay. Having in mindyery pleasing recollectiohs of the last picnic given by the promoters, that on Wednesday (with fine weather) will be a most enjoyable one. A generous invitation is given to the children °of all Sunday Schools, with one special request, that they bring their own drinking utensila. i We are requested te state that Mr J. (». j Cox, surgeon dentist, will visit Queenstown next week, and may be consulted on Wednesday and Thursday. A child of Mr W. G. Donne's had a narrow escnpe on Sunday afternoon. While playing on Mr Boyue's Jetty it was tripped up by something and fell into the lake before 'he ■ervant could reach it. Mr Walter Gardiner, (late of bloke Creek), vho saw the accident, | immediately jumped in and brought die little one to shore without further injury than a good wetting. A correspondent writing to a Duuedin contemporary, sf>ys this year the farmers in the North Canterbury district have suffered great loss by the depredations committed by starlings dvring the time the grain was lying on tha ground or in stoofe. Flocks of them eat or destroy equal to three or four bushels per acre of cut grain. From the experience of an eld farmer this is the first season the birds have been known to touch grain, and it is evident that they h&ve changed their habits. They acquired ohis habit in the Wakatlpu a ;'ew years ago. The farmers tud mill-owners of the Taieri are at loggerheads over the threshing question At a meeting of the latter, representing 15 mills, it was resolved that no threshing be done unless at per day, and at the rate of 7s 6d per hour for traction engines and 6s 3d for portable engines. The farmers decided to offer a good season's threshing to good milk and tractions.

A fine programme has been arranged for the visiting members attending the Medical Congress to be held at Duneain, and it is sard that fetes and excursions in galore are to come off. A large number (some 30) of the medicos have just paid a flying visit to the Lakes district. The funeral procession of the late Bishop Luck, which left St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, on Saturday afternoon, for Onehunga, was a mile long. At the funeral service in the Catholic Church in Onehunga the whole of the Catholic clergy of the diocese were present. Bishop Grimes, of Christchurch, delivered an eloquent funeral oration, extolling the virtues of the deceased prelate. The interment took place near the altar, the coffin being embedded in concrete. Over 400 applicationo for relief under the Pastoral Tenants Relief Act have been received by the Government—llß from Canterbury, 180 from Otago, and smaller numbers from other districts. These include the holders of pastoral runs, small grazing runs, contiguous freeholds and leaseholds, and perpetual leaseholds. So far as pastoral runs and small grazing runs are concerned the Government can grant relief by a remission of rent, but in the case of freeholds the only assistance which can be given is a remission of the sheep tax. The Presbytery of Southland met, pro re nata, on Tuesday at Invercargill, when a call to the Rev R. H. Blair from the congregation at Quoenstown was sustained. The 4 Southland Times' says that Mr Blair accepted the call, and being present the Presbytery, at an adjourned meeting, took him on trial. His trials being sustained with approbation, the Presbytery appointed Wednesday, 12th February, at 4 p.m. in the church, Queenstown, for ordination and induction, Mr Baird to preach and preside, and Mr Blackie to address the minister and people. Mr Reid, who preached a fortnight ago, will conduct the services next Sabbath in the Presbyterian Church, Queens'owu. Owing to the srmll quantity of samples

forwarded, only a short trial of the Gold King Amalgamator was given at Invercargill on Wednesday. A further trial is to take place on the 12th proximo, when samples of sand from the different beaches near at hand are to be treated. As suggested by us last week, it is a pity trials of this character are held in commercial towns instead of in mining centres which are directly interested, and where probably dozens of the very class of men for whose special benefit the machines were intended, would gather together. The testimony and patronage also of experienced and thoroughly practical miners as to the value of the Amalgamator which brings with it a good reputation from America, wonld have a deal greater weight than that of men of any other class. The ' Southland News ' says that "Mr Todd (in whose premises the trial in question was made), in drawing attention to the machine, expressed the opinion that it was to be one of the means of providing employment for for all now out of work, as it was so simply managed that, once shown how, anybody could work it. As he truly stated, there are hundreds of miles of beaches unworked that good wagPß could be made out of by help of the "Gold King." The trial in itself was satisfactory, in one case only was a colour or so washed out on a shovel before the sand was treated ; and on the tailings being subjected to the same te3t not a single colour could be seen, thus proving that the " Gold King" had done what was claimed for it. Sir Frederick Leighton, the celebrated painter and sculptor, died at London on the 25th instaut, He caught a chill, but the immediate cause of death was syncope. In his agony he murmured, " My love to the Academy." His age was 65 years. A crushing of between twenty and twentyfive tons of stone from Queenstowu (Victoria) recently yielded 900oz of gold. Cycling, at Queenstown, which has of late, gained conisderably in favour with our youths, is also coming into public promi neuce elsewhere, as we notice some of our contemporaries,!including the ' N.Z. Wheelman,' published!!! that great centre, Christchurch, contains our report of the race—the first in the history of Queenstown — which took place at the Athletic Clubs sports on New Year's day. The same issne contains a striking photo-lithograph of the members of the Dunedin Cycling Club. Stone's Otago and Southland Directory for 1896, received last week, is up to its standard—aud that is saying a good deal for the most complete and voluminous annual published in the colony. We are told that the various directories, —the town and country, the trade, municipal, official, educa tional, •ecclesiastical, etc,—have all been carefully revised and brought down to the latest date. Besides these, general information is supplied respecting the railway, coaching, post and telegraph. There are also five maps and plans. Not less valuable to many will be thf digest of all the important acts passed during the last ses3ior. of Parliament, in addition to other useful Acts previously in force. The general get-up of the book, which compiises nearly 900 pages, also reflects creditably on the publishers. The local agent is Mr L. Hotop, Mr R. Pritchard announces a cheap cash sale of drapery, regardless of cost. Sale of Constable Jones' furniture, etc., tomorrow afternoon.

Tenders, to close tomorrow week, are invited for cutting, etc, 50 acres of grain on the Lake Hayes estate. IVanted by Mr Philp, Eichardt's Hotel, fowls, ducks, etc. Last week attention was called by us to a model in the window of Mr Walker, Ballarat street, of the Ferris wheel recently erected in London. The following short and modest account—which we have since found in a Home paper of 18th July last—will aid our readers in a conception of the size, etc. of this wonderful structure. Probably no other city in the world but London, with its four and ahalf million of people, could make such an undertaking pay as a going concern. Our contemporary says :—"The great wheel at the Empire of India Exhibition, Earl's Court, is now available for the public. The motion is hardly perceptible, and as frequent stoppages are made to allow the cars as they reach the earth to be emptied and refilled, ample opportunity is afforded passengers to enjoy the panoramic view of London to the east and north, and the country to the west. So quietly and smoothly do the care move that a sense of security and freedom from all risk is imparted. The wheel was begun early last year, and is built throughout of steel. It has an altitude of 300 ft. The axle, which is 7ft. in diameter, is supported on eight columns 150 ft. in height. Around the wheel are swung 40 cars, which are spacious and comfortably furnished, and each of which is capable of holding from 30 to 40 passengers. These cars are 24ft. long by 9ft. wide, and with a height of 10ft., weigh tons each. There will be a promenade at the top of the towers to be reached by a water-balanced lift, which will make frequent journeys in both directions." Chamberlain's is the best of all. Vincent J. Barkl, of Danbury, lowo, has used Chamberlain's Cough Remedy whenever in need of a medicine for coughs and colds, for the past five years and says: "It always helps me out. If anyone asks me what kind of cough medicine I use, I reply, Chamberlain's that is the best of all. For sale by L Hotop.

Foa Indigestion, the Best Remedy is undoubtedly Norton's Camomile Pills. They can confidently be recommended as being mild in operation and absolutely free from injurious drugs. Acting at once as a splendid tonic and a gentle aperient, for nearly 100 years they have proved unequalled for Indigestion, Dyspepsia, SickHeadache and for Liver and Stomach complaints. Sold in bottles Is 2s Bd, and and i Is, by all Medicine Vendors throughout trie world. A simple, safe, and, certain Remedy.

W. H. Nelson, who is :n the drug business at Kingville, Mo., has ao much confidence in Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy that he warrants every bottle and offers to refund the money to any customer who is not satisfied after using it. M r Nelson takes no risk in doing this because the remedy is a certain cure for the diseases for which it is intended and he knows it. It is for sale by L, Hotop.