LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 169, 24 January 1888, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Lawn Tennis Club.— A general meeting of the members of the Marlborough Lawn Tennis Club will be held in Mr Griffiths’ rooms this evening.

Official Holiday.- Thursday next, the 26th inst., will he observed in all departments of the public service except the Post and Telegraph in celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Colony of New South Wales. Education Board Elections. —Messrs Hutcheson, Ward and Parker arc the retiring members of the Board. School Committees are required to forward to the Board before the 31st inst. the names of not more than two qualified persons as candidates.

Wairau Valley Goldfieid. —One of the men engaged in mining in this field brought into town on Friday last several ounces of gold, amongst which was a three-ounce nugget. The lucky finder has returned to work sanguine that he will be able not only to earn good wages, but make a rise.

The New Organ.-=-Tbe pipe organ for the Hhurch of the Nativity arrived on Saturday, under the charge of Mr Birch. The arrangements for the opening of the new transept on the lltli inst. are wefi forward, and the choir arc regularly practising for the musical portion of the ceremony.

Easter Encampment. —Major Baillie, commandant of the Marlborough volunteer district, has convened a meeting of officers at 4 o’clock this afternoon to consider what steps should be taken to hold the Easter encampment. The City Rifles also hold a meeting this evening after parade, to discuss the same question. Kaituna Saw Mill.— The cessation of work at the Kaituna saw mills, in consequence of Mr Hornby’s failure, ban, we regret to say, thrown a large number of men out of employment, It is, however, satisfactory to know that arrangements are being made amongst those directly interested in the business to re-open one of the mills at an early date. This will be good news to contractors and others who require a constant supply of sawn timber to enable fhem to carry on business. Re-opening op the Borough Schools. These schools re-opened yesterday, the teachers and pupils re-entering upon their work with the vigor that follows a holiday. The attendance numbered 390, which, considering the prevalence of sickness, is very satisfactory. The annual examination takes place in March next; regular attendance on the part of the children is therefore desirable. Kaituna.— lt will be learned with pleasure by the people in the district that what is known as ffie “ Little Mill ” will resume work before long. Great depression has prevailed among the saiviui.il hands since Mr Hornby’s regretted failure, but ; it is hoped that brighter days are in store for them at no distant date. There is a large supply of timber in the locality that for high-das quality could be placed in market against any in the p.olony, May tlie val'ey soon resound once more with the whirr of the busy «i'v and the not ' unmusical rumble of the timber waggons. We wish the now proprietors of the Little Mill a long uud successful career.—Correspondept.

The Maori Gorge Mine.— We learn that this mine was successfully pumped out on Friday last, and a few dishes of wash tested, with the result that nearly an ounce to the dish was obtained. Unfortunately, however, the heavy ruin of Friday brought down the river and again flooded the claim. The pumping out of the claim took only two days, thus proving the stability of the dams. We hope j to hear in a few days that the men have I once more been able to get the best of the. water. Considerable excitement. prevails in the expectation of a rich find being obtained in this claim. Tiie Wakamarina Gorge Co.—A public meeting of those interested in the formation of this company was held at the Club Hotel last evening to receive report of provisional directors appointed to visit the claim. Mr Malcolm was called upon to preside. Mr Skelley reported that the provisional directors had visited the mine and thoroughly discussed the best means of working same. After mature consideration it was decided to recommend the increase of the capital of the company from £ISOO to £2OOO, in 2000 shares of £1 each, payable Is on application. Is on allotment, and calls of Is at intervals of one month. Mr Muii moved as an amendment that tlie capital be £3OOO, as he considered the former amount insufficient to develop the mine. Considerable discussion followed on this point, but it was ultimately decided to fix the capital at £2OOO. A copy of the proposed prospectus was submitted and revised, which included the business of the public meeting. Thereafter a meeting of the provisional directors took place. Mr F. Litchfield was appointed provisional chairman and treasurer ; Mr S. J. Macalister secretary. It wasdecidedthatasub-commit tee arrange for the appointment of solicitor to the company, and the Secretary was instructed to advertise shares open for application until the 29th February. Two-thirds of the total number of shires have, we understand, already been applied for, and there is little doubt but that the few hundreds remaining undisposed of will he taken up before the date named. The directors decided that the issue of the balance of shares would be made according to date of application. Notwithstanding previous attempts to work this mine, it is evident from the success that has attended the floating of this company at the present time, more especially when the fact is taken into consideration that many of those who had been previously connected with other companies which from time to time endeavored to work the Gorge claim, there are still those who thoroughly believe in the richness of the Gorge, and tlie practicability of being able to successfully overcome the difficulties incidental to the work. One thing is certain, the provisional directorate is composed of practical, clear - headed business men, who, having personally inspected the mine, . are thoroughly satisfied that the capital it is now intended to expend on the work will bo sufficient to attain the object they have in view. It is true, a month or two of the driest season of the year has been allowed to pass, but those who well know the Wakamarina wiP recollect that there are still some four or five months iu which mining operation can bo successfully carried on, and we be!'eve it is the intention of the direct.rs to commence active operations at once, and proceed with the work vigorously during autumn, which has hitherto proved the best season for miners engaged there.

Women to the Front. —The Otago Education Board election is engrossing attention. Miss Freeman is the latest candidate. Dr Brown and Mr Fraser are sure of re-election. Stjden Death on a Racecourse.— John Hughes, a veiy old resident of Tuapeka, expired from heart disease while attending the Tuapeka races on Saturday. He leaves a wife and several children. An Opposition Antarctic Expedition. —A movement is on foot in the United States, which has been stimulated doubtless by Austrafiau action, to get up an Autarctio expedition in haste so as to be fi-st on the scene. As the whalers of the Americans crow r d the Antarctic Ocean the latter tldnk they have fi-st right to exploration there.

A Grand Policy. —A northern exchange says : —The Manapouri for Melbourne goes away full up, and not a few of her passengers are young New Zealanders ! Is it surprising when they notice that that colony is the only one going ahead ? It is a grand poficy of ours to grow young men to ship to Protectionist countries, is it not ? Reasons for the Low Price of Wheat. —The reason of the extraordinary low price of wheat may he said to be mainly due to three causes—(l) The enormous production in countries where rent, labor, and taxes aro cheap ; (2) the great reduction in steam freights to one-tenth to what they wore >. and (3) to the vast development of the railway system, especially in America. Fiji News. —By tho s.s. Wainui, which arrived at Auckland yesterday morning from Fiji, news comes to hand of the murder of the infant son of Mr Clarke, of Nevada. A Polynesian servant of the family, being refused permission to attend a native dance, attacked Mrs Clarke and child with a knife, slightly injuring the former and killing tlie latter. It is reported from Tonga that German marines are patrolling tho islands enforcing the collection of taxes.

Distinguished Visitors. Amongst other distinguished visitors to the Colony there "arrived on Tuesday at Port Ch timers, by the s.s. Arawa, Viscount Tallertort, eldest son of the Earl of Mount Edge.oumbe, accompanied by his relative, tho lion. Colonel Ecjgecuinhe. The Viscount, who was horn in 1885, is on an extended tour of the Colony, He left England shortly after the visit of the Prince of Wales to that magnificent house of the Edgecumbes, “ The Mount,” situate on the west shore of Plymouth Sound.

The Remington-Lee Rifle. —The Auckland Herald is informed by Mr Whitney (Messrs Whitney and Sons) that in b's opinion the defect which has caused the accidents with the RemingtonLee rifles lies chiefly in the cartrjdges. The bursting of the cartridge at the base is caused by the metal being tqo th'n, and from its being pressed too much- This could be remedied by using a more substantial and high-priced cartridge. There would not then be so many accidents. The cause of the neck of she cartridge.? bursting is owing to the too sudden taper in the berg ,of the barrel, oi to the cartridges themselves not ex ictly_ fitting. The former reason, is, he thinks, most probable. The loose fit of the cartridges may be intended to faciliate extraction snd allow for expansion. At present there are no fewer than eight different sizes of Snider rifles. The rifles _ of the Armed Constabulary and the Remingtonr Lees bring up tlie list to ten. The Government seem determined to get Mar-tini-Henri s. This will make eleven different sizes of cartridges needed. Mr Whitney says the Martinis have been completely discarded at Heme, and that it Would h? worse than useless for the volunteers to get il.ept. \/hutever arm the BLti.-h Government select should be the weapon for New Zealand, but till that selection is made, he thinks we should rest content with the riniders. We should beware of making a rash choice, as some of the cleverest’ heads in England are at work on the question, and if wo only wait j we will fiayeVie benefit of their iuvesti-, gations. *

Black Mail. —Just as the new municipal year is beginning in London, it is curious to contrast the British system of nominating tho vaiious holders of office with the corrupt practices across the Atlantic. The' New York Christian Union quotes a list of black-mail which the leaders of the Donmcratm organisations intend that their candidates shall pay as the price of the principal public offices. Til ts, a S iprarne Court judge mi.i-fc hand *»vi.r a commission of £il)00 to secure the necessary votes for his post, his colleagues pay on a descending scale, according to the value of their upp hutments a District attorney produces £2OOO, a State Senator £IOOO, an Alderman only £2OOO. Interesting to Fruit Growers.— The following item of interest to fruitgrowers is from the Post:—Professor Kirk of tho Forestry Department, has received information that the pear trees in a Waikato orchard are affected with a blight which will in all probability destroy every one of them. The disease makes its appearance long before the fruit reaches maturity. A black fungus appears on each pear, and shrivels it up in a few days. The blight is very prevalent in the Eastern States of America, and the loss which it causes the orchardists there is very considerable, the majority of the trees ultimately dying. Professor Kirk thinks that the blight may have been brought from America. Trees may be innoculated with the disease by scraping off the fungus, dissolving it in water, and pouring the infusion into a smail incision in the bark. The blight has never made its appearance in New Zealand before, and Professor Kirk is anxious to do what he can to prevent it spreading. Pears affected by the disease have been forwarded to him by the owner of the orchard, and he thinks ho will be able to suggest a remedy.

Judge Ward’s Sentence on the Little River Murderer. —Tn passing sentence on Saturday at Christchurch in the Little River tragedy on Nils Jakobsen, found gir’ty of manslaughter, His Honor Mr Just'ce Ward said :—“ Prisoner at tho bar, —Though through this day’s decision your own life he not forfeited for the life you have taken ; though to you the words “ whoso sheddeth man’s blood by man shall his blood be shed ’ will not apply, not the less will you appear hereafter before God with the stain of your brother’s blood on your soul. For when yon pass beyond the ken of man’s justice there remains yet the highest and most awful tribunal, before which all alike must one day appear. But at Christ’s judgment scat you may yet find mercy, if you turn to him in repentance and prayer. If not, then, though now in your prime of mauhood, exulting in your escape from a shameful death, you reck lightly ou your sin, yet the day will surely come when your strength and your heart alike will fail you ; the shadow of your crime will be ever beside you ; and from the prison to which your sentence this clay consigns you, you will look at the grave that lies open before you, and vainly hope that all may end for you there.” His Honor then sencenced the prisoner to penal servitude for life.

Sensations of the Dying. —lt is doubtless the case in many instances—and perhaps they are the majority—dying persons lapse gradually into an unconsciousness that ends their bodily pain, and saves them from the anguish of the fiual parting with tho.se they leave behind. It is not uncommon, however, for clearness of comprehension to persist to the last, and perhaps it is still more common for some of the special senses to preserve their activity. We think it was Ernest Wagner, who, in his “ General Pathology,” dwelt particularly cm the preservation of the souse of hearing in many cases long after the apparent occurrence of unconsciousness, and who tenderly cautioned his readers that this possibility should be borne in miiul. The following touching account of tho late Dr iVilson Fox’s last moments, when his friend Dr J. Russell Raynolds was at his bedside, is given iu the London’s obituary: “On tho next morning, when obviously and consciously uying, and after his eyes had been fixed for a few minutes on the angle of the room, and as some grey streaks of dawn were entering it, ho said suddenly: ‘ There is a great light. * * I feel so strange. * * * a glare of light. Wluit is it Reynolds ?’ The reply was : ‘lt is the peace of God,’ He grasped his friend’s hand firmly and said, ‘ God bless you.’ ” The Codlin Moth Plant. —We were shown by Mr J. Sharp, nurseryman of Cambridge, a specimen of the Physauthus Albus, a Codlin Moth plant. Iu appearance it is somewhat like a young gum tree, although it is a runner. Mr Sharp, of Waikoiniti, has imported a number of plants from Taranaki, and he and his brother are about to try if it will thoroughly stand the winter season in Auckland and tho Waikato. If it is successful in so doing, they propose propagating large numbers of the runners, and distributing them at a nominal cost to orchardists throughout tho district, The plant is a strong, healthy grower, extending to a length of 39ft, and producing as many as 2000 blooms, each of which is capable of destroying several moths, and, moreover, it is very easily grown from cuttings, so that anyone possessing a single plant can increase his stock ad libitum at no extra cost. It can he grown round any old and useless trees in an orchard at different points, and possesses great attraction for the moths, an account of the large amount of honey contained in the blooms. If it is as successful as reported from the West Coast, it will indeed be an immense boon to fruit-growers. In due course we will inform our readers of the result of the trial given of the plant. Waikato Times.

Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— Noteable Facts.—lntense heat augments the annoyances of skin disease and encourages the development of febrile disorders ; therefore they should, as they can be, removed by these detergent and purifying preparations. In stomach complaints, fiver affections, and pains and spasms of the bowels Holloway’s ointment well rubbed over the affected part immediately gives the greatest ease, preveuts congestion and inflammation, checks the threatening diarrhoea and averts incipient cholera. The poorer inhabitants of large cities will find these remedies to be tliier best frienfi when any pestilence rages, or wfien from ’ uqki ovyii causes eruptions, boils, abscesses, or ulcerations point out the presence of taints or impurities within the system, and call for instant and effective curative medicines.

We are now clearing the balance of our Summer Stock at greatly reduced prices, for cash. Special bargains will be offered in Men’s and Boys’ Clothing, Dress Materials, Prints, Cretonnes, Quilts, Hosiery, .Capes, Dolmans, Millinery and General Drapery. Tho Stock is fresh and well-assorted in fashionable Goods of genuine quality, marked ra prices, to effect a ready clearance. Inspection solicited.— Smale and Hay.—[Advt].