Marlborough Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER2O, 1886.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2015, 20 November 1886, Page 2

Marlborough Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER2O, 1886.

A. and™ P. Society.—The adjourned meeting of the committee of the A. and P. Society takes place at 3 p.m. to-day. Lower Wairau River Board —The Board will hold an ordinary meeting this morning at the usual hour and place. Week- Night Renwick Service.— The Rev W. will conduct a|service at Renwick, on Tuesday evening next, at 7 o’clock. Marlborough Wool Ship.—The Helen Denny left Auckland over a week ago for Picton and should arrive in a few days now. She will be towed up the Sound by one of the Union Company’s steamers. Havelock Town Board. —The Board met on Monday last. Present—Messrs Scott, Price, Pickering, Perry and J. H. Smith (in the chair). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved that the Town Hall be granted for the use of the Sunday School as requested. Accounts amounting to LlO 13 2d were passed for payment. Three T’s.— A paragraphiat in the Tuapeka Times sums up a tea-meeting in three words “tea, toast, and twaddle,” to which the Bruce Herald adds that the wretched stuff retailed from the platform is more calculated to make angels weep than to edify human beings. Rough. —The Canterbury Press remarks : —Dr W. L. Buller has attained the summit of his ambition, and hae become Sir Walter Buller, K.C.M.G. As we are rather inclined to b 9 of Mr Henry Labouchere’o opinion that it is as cruel to refuse a title to a snob who wants it as to refuse a thistle to a hungry donkey, we do not regret the bestowal of this honor, Ensilage.— The Government chemist for Victoria states that ensilage is more valuable as food than hay. Taking into account the tenderness of the fibre of the ensilage, this fodder may be considered to stand in relation to the hay in about ths proportion of 2 to 3 : that is to say, 21b of ensilage may be considered equal to 3ib of hay. Our Streets. —We have previously remarked that we should be glad to see some improvement in our streets,improvements if a serviceable and economical character. The dry weather seem* to prevent the gravel in Wynen-street and Market-street binding, and it has been suggested to us that a dozen loads of Taylor gravel would effect“Borae improvement, and would probably bind the gravel now on the streets named, thus rendering them more comfortable for traffic. Accident. —Mr J. Sutherland met with two accidents within a few hours a day or two ago, He was engaged in cartiog gravel in the Maxwell Road when his horse took fright and bolted, throwing Mr Sutherland to the ground. He waa not much hurt and waa able to run after the horse. However, in catching the reins he tripped and fell and the wheel of the dray passed over him. A somewhat similar accident occurred to Mr Sutherland later in the day. He was considerably bruised but beyond this his injuries are slight. Land Grant System.- The Australasian thus refers to the Midland Railway Company's contract :—The land grant system has never been even hinted at in Viotoria or New South Wales; and it has been rejected right out by the people of Queensland ; but it seems to be the only method of getting line* constructed in thinlypopulated districts by colonies which have gooe to the limit of prudence in borrowing money in the London market. Rabbit Extermination. Yesterday morning, before leaving for Havelock, the Hon. Mr Ballance and Mr M‘Kerrow, Surveyor-General, were taken to see Mr Stenhouse’s patent rabbit exterminator, Mr Ballance, after [inspecting |the exterminator and hearing Mr Stenhouse’* explanation of the modus operandi, expressed himself as sorry to hear that the exterminator had not had a fair trial. He also said that he was pleased to have had an opportunity of seeing the machine for himself as he would be better able now to judge of its capabilities. It is to be hoped that, after the energy and money Mr Stenhouse has put into this matter, hi* patience will soon be rewarded. The patent for the exterminator was taken out three years ago. The Native Reserves.— lt appear* that, after all, a request waa made to Mr Ballance by the Wairau Natives that Mr Carkeek should be appointed to subdivide their reserves, and we owe our contemporary an apology for stating that hi* assertion to that effect wa3 incorrect. The mistake aroße from the supposition that the statement referred to the meeting between the Natives and the Minister In the Court-house, and we were_ informed that no snch request as that indicated* waa made then. It tarns out, however, that ths subject was discussed at a private interview with Mr Ballance later in the evening, We have no feeling whatever in the matter, and we hasten to correct the mistake we fell into. Shabby Tee ytmbnt.—The Marl’ borough PreßS complains that the bon Mr Ballance met with scant courtesy a c Picton on the occasion of his visit there a few day’s ago. Ia an article on the sub jebt our contemporary says :—Our membar although an avowed opponent of the Ministry, might have pocketed his political opinions, and taken upon himself a duty that our representative corporate body—the Picton Borough Council—had neglected to do, though Jthe public had been informed of the proposed tour some weeks previously. We believe that daring the peregrinations of Mr Ballance here he fell in with Mr A. G. Fell, the Mayor-fleet, who kiodly gar* hua WW

oforination of Picton and its surroundings aDd conducted him through his extensive malt-house, besides acting as one of an escort to the Hospital- The next time we have a visit from a Minister, the citizens, wo feel sure, will take it upon themselves to receive him in a proper manner, even if it is only for the credit of the town. We need not go into elaborate expense but Bimply extend to him the respect office deserve*. Rbapbp. and Bindbb Contests, —The reaper and binder contest arranged to take place at Mr Adam Jackson’s farm, wi.l begin at 10 o’clock this morning. Rivb» Excursion.— Capt. Lambert’s fins little Bteum yacht, the Tainui, will make an excursion down the river to the Boulder Bank this afternoon leaving at 4 o’clock To-morrow morning at 7 o’clock the yacht will le«v* for Port Underwood. The Mayoralty. —We are glad to see that Mr Douslin intends to address the burgesses on Borough affairs before the polling for the Mayoralty takes places. He will speak in Ewart’s Hall on Monday night at 8 o’clock. Misbled. —An information has been hid against, and a warrant issued for the arrest of a man named Herman on a charge of wife desertien. The man was here a weeks or two ago performing as a wire walker. Opening Sale.—Messrs Sinclair and Macalister will hold their opening stock sale in the new yards (already fully described in these columns) at 2 o’clock this afternoon. The sale is sure to draw a large attendance, and we wish the enterprising firm all possible success. Missing Friends. We extract the following from the list of lost relatives in Lloyd’s Weekly of 10th October: —Thos. James White left England in the ship Challenger, on June 21st, 1870, and nothing has been heard of him for eight years, whon his address was—Pine Valley, Wairau Valley, Prov. Marlborough, Now Zealand. His aged mother seeks news of him. A Traveller’s Complaint. A gentleman, having frequent occasion to travel on our roads, complains of the danger to strangers crossing the Wairau River owing to the absence of any signal to indicate a safe crossing place. The proper authorises should see to this matter at once, as in the event of a fresh in the river, a serious accident might result. A Break. —In connection with the death of Sir James Martin, Chief Juatioe of New South Wales, it is somewhat singular that it will result in a third postponement of the case against Messrs Wright, Heaton,and Co„ charged with defrauding the Railway department. The two fbst postponements were caused by the ilinees of one of the jurors. The Chief Justice, on the last occasion in adjourning the case, hoped there would be no further break in the proceedings, but in the interval the learned judge himself has died. Thb Minister for Lands.—The Hoa Mr Ballance, accompanied by Mr McKerrcw, Surveyor-General, and Mr Lewis, private secretary, left town yesterday morning for Havelock en route for Nelson, where he expects to arrive thia evening. Mr Ballance appears to have been highly pleased with his visit to Marlborough, not only because he baa been so warmly received, but also from the impressions he has formed of the importance and prosperity of the district. The people here reciprocate his kindly feelings and will, we are sure, be glad at any future time to receive a. visit from Mr Ballance, whether in office or not' Nelson, Marlborough and Tinline Scholarships. —The examinations for the| above Scholarships will be held in the several places in the Nelson educational district, and at Blenheim and Havelock, in the Marlborough distric , on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 22nd and 23rd, beginning at ten o’clock on each day. Candidates for the Tinline Scholarship must send in their names before the Bth Dec. to Mr Oswald Curtis, College Office, Nelson, and for the Marlborough Scholarship to the Secretary of the Board before the 15th of Dec. The Tinline Scholarships are for one boy and one girl, at the Nelson Boys’ and Girls’ College, and are respectively tenable for three years. They are of the value of L4O a-year each, so that the winner will have to pay Ll2 10* a year for tuition fees. The Marlborough Scholarship is for two years and includes both boarding and tuition fees. The Tiolines are for those under 15 years of age on the 20th Dec. next, and the Mar borough Scholarship is for those under 16. The Rabbit Question.— ln a leading article the Post says : —“ The introduction of the natural enemiea of the rabbit has failed to fully answer expectations. The stoats, weasels, and ferrets, no doubt have done good work, but it ia net likely that they will ever increase to such an extent as to extirpate • he rabbits. It is perhaps scarcely desirable that they should do so, as the remedy might prove as bad, or worse, than the disease. However, these natural enemies are never likely to drive the rabbits out of their mountain fastnesses. Nor can any speoies of fence be devised which willke, p them to those fastoesses, and prove i.n efficient barrier to the countless armies which they continue to send forth to overrun the lower country. The only way in which the rabbit can be improvod off the face of the earth—and nothing but extirpation will answer the purpose—is by makiDg them the agents of their own destruction. They must be made deadly to each other. Some method of inoculation must be discovered which will produce a disease fatal to all its fellows whom it meets, The infected animal must have the power of infecting others, which in their turn will spread the taint until the whole rabbit community is destroyed. Are the resources of science equal to the discovery of such a form of disease!” The article suggests that a reward of L 50,000 should be offered for a remedy. Havelock School Committee.— Our correspondent writes that the Committee met on Monday evening. Present—Mesßrs W. H. Smith, Clarke, Guinness, Scott and C. H. Mill* (in the chair). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved—That Miss J. M. Mathews’ apnlication to be released from duty on the 10th of December, to enable her to attend in Blenheim for examination, be granted, and that the Education Board be recommended to retain her service* at the present salary of L4O per annum until the result of the examination is made known. It was proposed by Mr Empson, seconded by Mr Smith and car-ried-*That the Christmas vacation commence on December 13th and that the school be re-opened on Monday, 10th tf January, 1887. Resolved—That the chairman be authorised to employ the necesiaryflabor for screwing the tie bolts throughout the school and getting the pump into working order. Resolved— That the letter from the churchwardens i be acknowledged, and the application re Sunday School be referred to the Town ' Board with a strong recommendation from this Committee that that body should grant the ns* of the Town Hall on , Sunday afternoons free of charge. Ac* , counts for A. Card 5s 6d,Whitcombe aDd , Tombs L2 17s 6d, and R. Jones LlO, , were passed for payment, and the Com- | mittee adjourned until Monday, December ( 20th, * ,

Cricket. —The Married v. Single match of the Blenheim C.C will be continued to-day at Riley’s paddock. It is probable the team to represent fhe Club in the Cup matches will be chosen from the player > to-day. The Forest Department. —Professor Kifk, Chief Conservator of the. Forest Department, h»s not accompauied the Minister for Lands on his visit to Nelson. The Professor remains in Marlborough for some days on official business connected with his Department. Renwick Town Board. —Whilst at Konwick Mr Ballance was interviewed by Messrs Shaw and Fraser with reference to the comtitution of a Town Board for Renwick. Mr Ballance promised to look into the subject and, if necessary, initiate legislation to effect the desires of the residents. A Monster Kauri.— Mr Thomas O’Brien, Dargaville, writes to the N.Z. Herald to say that a few months ago a tree was worked, the largest kauri tree ever known in the Wairoa. Its girth and stubborn appearance caused bushmen to fighc shy of the huge tree. Its girth at the centre cut was 29 feet 6 inches, and at the head cut 29 feet 9 inches. It contained 1700 (sic) feet of timber, superficial measurement. The tree was only a short one, 36 feet in height to the lowest branches. —It would appear from this paragraph that these 90 feet trees of which we have heard so much, must be very exceptional, w hen one of 30 feet comes in for special notice is a journal published ia the centre of the k«uri country.