The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, JULY 5. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 749, 5 July 1900, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE : THURSDAY, JULY 5. RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

The impression is general in -well informed circles (and recent authoritative utterances strengthen it) that a loan of considerable dimensions for railway construction is contemplated by the Government. The Governor's speech at the opening of Parliament indicated that this work, which is so very necessary for the due development, of the colony's resources, would now be pushed on more vigorously than in the immediate past, and the Premier's remarks under the samo head have trended in a similar direction. -The pitiful pretence towards constructing new lines that has been sustained for several years since cannofc be regarded in the light of a serious effort on the Government's part to cope with the growing demands for new railways and for the completion of those already in hand, and as we are assured that the most that could possibly be done out of revenue - was accomplished, it is evident, taking all things into consideration, that a railway loan is contemplated. No doubt this -would prove very popular with the people — • indeed, it appears the only solution of a pressing difficulty — but the scramble for a shave of the spoil will probably be stubbornly contested. Almost every member in the House is pledged to support some particular district railway, and as it is not to be expected for a moment that sufficient will be borrowed to gratify all demands, an apportionment of the loan money to secure a maximum of satisfaction will be most difficult to determine. With almost every hamlet in the colony clamoring for the completion of its lino of railway, it must be regarded as an act of prudential foresight that led up to the recent successful meeting at Waikaia for the_purpose of formulating action in the direction of bringing tho claims of the Riversdale-Switzers lino forcibly under the notice of the Government. If the distribution of loan money were to bo carried out on a basis of equality and justice this railway would be among the first to receive consideration ; but as other factors largely prevail to determine the action of Parliament in such matters, it is meet that an organised, vigorous effort should be made by the district affected to direct the close attention of the authorities to tho rights it possesses in the matter. Tho Riversdale-Switzers line not only enjoys the preferential right to loan monoy by reason of the fact of its having been partly constructed, but derives the strongest argument in favor of its claim on account of loan money sufficient for its completion having previously been sot aside to its credit, but, unfortunately, and most unjustly,divorted to benefit other districts. It would be superfluous to reca.pitulato here the arguments in favor of tho railway in question. Those have been stated oVer and over again by men competent to judge in such matters, and all point to the one conclusion that tfie lino would be immediately and permanently profittable. But apart altogether from the merits of tho railway, tho Waikaia district is deserving of liberal amends being made towards it to counterbalance the particularly shabby treat-, incut lo which it has been subjected by the present political parly. Not only has tho district been heartlessly robbod of the funds set apart specifically for the completion of the lino, but Ministers have completely failed to redeem public promises they made to examine into tho circumstances surrounding tho whole matter. For instance, tho Premier at Waikaia undertook to have exhaustive inquiry instituted as to the feasibility of constructing the railway, and to acquaint the peoplo of the district with tho result. Soven months have elapsed since that promise was made, and the district has waited in vain for its redemption. Again, the Hon. J. G. Waud agreed some weeks ago to appoint (within a few days) a dato upon which he would bo pleased to receive a deputation regarding tho claims the settlers had upon tho Government for the completion of tho line. This promise, too, still remains unfulfilled. It is no wonder therefore that considerable irritation is felt at the manner in which responsible heads of the Government ignore every effort put forth to bring about an investigation of the merits of tho case, and that the settlers should have banded themselves together in an organisation to bring stronger pressure than ever to bear upon the authorities. The aims and objects of the newly-formed Waikaia Railway League are linked with right and justice, and for the sako.^of the progress aud prosperity of tho largo" district affected, it is to be hoped that the influence presupposed by the extensive and representative membership of the League, will be persistently exerted until the object in view is finally attained. Now that the settlers themselve i arc evincing a more practical interest in the scheme than' heretofore, it is probable that some good results will b 3 achieved. Certainly the inactive i»licy of the immediate past and the repose of implicit reliance upon Ministerial promises would never have borne the fruit desired.

Our Fortrose correspondent writes :— The latest property to change hands here is Mr John Beaton's farm, which has been purchased by the Smith Bros. Mr Beaton had n ' clearing sale on" Wednesday lust, when everything brought top prices. The survey for the Tokonui railway extension four correspondent states) is being pushed ahead as rapidly as the naluio of the country will admit. The engineer's camp hns beon shifted up on the Gorge side of tho saddle, mid the line will, I hear, come out and strike (he rond just below McLean's. Tho first winter social under tbo auspices of the Gore Brass Band was hold in the Town Etall on Tuesday evening, and attended by between 49 and 50 couples. Tho committee are to bo congratulated on tho artistic manner in which they bud decorated tho hall, as also for the trouble they took to onsure their guests spending an enjoyable evening. The dance was carried out to the satisfaction of everyono, and impurs well for Hip remaining gatherings of a like nature to bo given by the Band. Excellent music was supplied by Mr and Mrs Mayo and Messrs Taylor and Cassells. Mr M. Hunter acted as M.0., and Mr D. McFarlaue supplied refreshments. A highly enjoyable and successful gathering was held in Adams' Hull, Muttiura, on Satuj-diiy evening last., when Mr John Henry, chief engineer at tho paper mills over uince the erection of the now pr> mises, svho has now severed his connection wilh tho establishment, was entertained by his old comrad. s at the mill. On behalf of the employees, Mr Walton presented Mr Henry with a 'rolil albert and pendant, suitably inscribed. Inn happily choson speech, Mr Walton referred to tho many attributes of their guest which bad tended to produce tho popularity ho enjoyed, and wished Mr Henry long life and happiness in bis now sphore of activity. The recipient mude adequate response-, nnd the evening whs thereafter devoted to sjr.gs, etc. Mr Honry is taking up ii position in Messrs W. Gardiner and Co.'s Mtitauni ironworks. The Chinese trouble gro.vs more aculc. Pekin is still surrounded, and is in a desperate plight. Li Hung Chang telegraphed on the 29th June that it was doubtful if the foreigners could resist anothor day. On tho 25th the German, British and l'rench legations were tho only ones undestroyed. The ' Times ' considers Japan the only I'owor able to afford prompt and adequate assistance t<> Pekin. The ' Daily Telegraph ' states that Prince Tuam seized the Empresß and Emperor and assumed power. Anothor account asserts that tho Empress Dowager Hod. TheChincse quarter in Pekin has been burnt, and 30,000 troops are outside the city. The German Emperor has ordered tho first division of the navy to mobilise for China. The Sydney briinch of the Chineso Keform League has despatched £1500 to assist in quelling the. rebellion and will send a further £500 shortly. The bazaar and Christmas tree in aid of the funds of the Mandoville Anglican Church is to bo opened at the Public Hall to-morrow afternoon by the llev. A. It. D. Tosswill. A variety of amusements has been provided for both afternoon and evening, and osi the latter occasion a musical programme is to ba submitted, when probably performers from Gore and other centres will appear. The sensational reports regarding the frcatmont of tho Britith sick and wouuded in the Hcjuth African military hospitals appear to have contained more exaggeration than fact, and Lord Roberts' assurances will have great elTcct in allaying the feeling of resentment against the Imperial military authorities engendered in those of the colonies sending contingents to the front. In a measure confirming a view of things opposed' to condemnatory of the hospitals' management, Mrs J. Copland, Gore, has received a letter from her cousin, Lieut. 11. J. Condamine, of tho Imperial forces, who was confined at tho base hospital at Wynburg for nearly a month (and has since been invalided home), and he conveys no sign whatever of dissatisfaction at the treatment accorded tho sick and wounded. Tho letter gives quite the reverse impression. According to a despatch from Macbadorp, elated June 10th, those around Kruger say Louis Botha and Do la Bey have beon offered £10,000 a year ci;ch to lay down their arms, and Kriiger expects the same oiler to bo made to himself, S'.eyn, and De Wot. Kruger believes the British will make this offer to end the war, because it would cost less than to fight it out. Tho War Ollico casualties returns up to Juno 9th apgrngate 23,007, besides 7i)2 oilioors and 12,355 men sent home as invalids, but not including the gink in South African hospitals. \. Mr M. Hoonan, of Pyramid, has received^ news to the ellect tbut his son, Tiooper G. L. ITecnan, of the First Now Zealand Contingent, taken prisoner with other New Zealanders in the Kroonspvuit engagement, nnd reported dead of enteric fever, is convalescent. Official information of the. facs of the safety of his sin (upon which the whole district will warmly congratulate Mr and Mrs Hcenan) was accompanied by a letter from him, written while he whs a prisoner in the hands of the Boers. Trooper Heenan states that at Kroonpprnit ho was in the ambulance, nnd thn first salute they got on falling into the ambush was from Boor shells, directed against the ambulance in which were the sick and wounded. Tho Boors, it appears, did not known it was tho ambulance when they opened lire. After a quick gallop thoy got out of range of tho shells, and then they thought they wcro quite out o£ danger. Ilaving got among tho kopjes thoy were surrounded by tho enemy and taken prisoners. Thoy were driven by tho lioor commando 14 miles that night, and then baited. The ambulance was packed wilh invalids tit ihe time, and Trooper Hcenan being the only one seriously ill, two good-natured Boers pave him a cup of cocoa, which he believes saved his life. The next day they were driven on to Winbcrg, Before they arrived there he lost oonsciousn-ss, and when he came to there were three Ued Cross nurses in attendance on the British wounded. The treatment thr.y experienced was above reproach, anil, as Trooper Hecnan says, "It could not hnve been holier in th-i liriti.-h camp." The people were very attentive to their wants, and if it hnd not beon for the strange tongues around him he could almost imagine he was in his father's and mother's home. Heonan was released with the other New Zealanders, and is now at Pretoria. lie has been offered the chance of going to England, but ho states that he is coming homo as soon as he is able. Ho is not done with South Africa yet, as ho thinks it will be a splendid country for anyone with sufficient energy and enterprise^^"*' During tho week ondrd 9th June the Produce TCxport Department of South Australia dealt with 08,802 rabbits, and there are now in store 213,882 rabbits. The total number of rabbits treated during the present season from 10th April to 10th June has been 498,734, which compares very favorably wilh last year, when, during tho corresponding period, 236,478 rabbits were dealt with. News is food for active minds, especially in these days of quick communication, when we are enabled in a few hours to know what is taking place at the other end of tho woild. i The merits of Holloway's Pills and Ointmnnt, which have beon familiar for over half a centuiy amongst all civilised people have been still more widely spread owing to these facilities. To tho natives of the uttermost parts of India, Africa, Australia, and, indeed, to the whole human family, these remedies have been amongst tbe most precious gifts of civilisation. They cura disease and relieve the most acufe pain. In cases of fever, ague, and liver and stomach complaints they are unequalled, whilst for wounds, bruises, sores, etc., they are the be=t known remedies. The 'Hawkes Bay Herald' says: "The butchers of Napier have recently combined to raise tho price of meat enormously, on the ground that tho price of fat sheep and cattle has gone up. We quite agree, as any reasonable person must, that thore should be some relation between wholesale and retail prices. Bnt when, some two years ago, fat sheep were going begging at 'eight to nine shillings, nnd 8001 b prime bullocks could be had at under £5, we are not aware that tbo butchers were tumbling over each other in their eagerness to give their customers the benefit of phenomenally low prices." It is reported that after a land ballot at Dannevirke one of the successful applicants was at once offered £200 for his interest in the section he had secured, Commenting upon tho ballot, tho ' Bush Advocate ' remarks :— " Thoro is no doubt that the system is a" huge gamble, which probably was developed by the Legislature with a viow to preventing anything like unfairness or favoritism being possible, and, under thesoeireumstances, it is endeavored to be justified j but it is gambling all the same, and hft3 not been effectual in keeping the speculator from participating in a privilege intended solely for the genuine settler, who wants a tract of land to settle down on and cultivate to the best-advantage."

A runaway heifer caused no little excitement in Wunganui a few days ago. During her mad career, she damaged n bicycle, which was deserted in hasto, knocked down several unfortunate persons, broke _ n strong iron fence, whoreon it Was impaled for somo > few minutes, and scared innumerable) pedestrians, several o£ whom experienced very narrow escapes. The annual mooting of the Fortrose Ploughing Match Association was held on Saturday night, there being a satisfactory attendance. A credit balance of £2 was reported, and the following office-bearers wero elected :—President, Mr It. Smith ; vice-president, Mr J. Milne ; sccrolary and treasurer, Mr B. A. Elliot. An influential working committee was appointed to bring the match to a successful issue, The gathering is to be held on Mr Donald Eraser's farm oh the 20th inst. The football nintch Goro Star v. Waikaia played at ltiversdale yestei day in the drenching rain resulted in a draw, neither side scoring. Two spells of 20 minutes each were played, and considering the sloppy state of tho ground, and tho greasy condition of the bull, a very good exposition was given by both sides. Field, as full hack for the Stars played a splendid game, as also did Cuff, Hendricks (2), and George. Tbo Waikaia forwards were a heavy, dashing lot, and in all departments tho tenm was seen to advantage. Mr J. Iteid gavo satisfaction as rofcrce. Boy wanted for bicycle trade. Gore Borough balance-sheet published. Wright, Stepbenson and Co. sell a subnrban property at Goro Horse Bazaar on Saturday. Masscy-Hurris Bicycle Depot, Main street, Gore. Funeral of the late Miss Johnston, Wuikaki Valley, on Saturday. . Clements Tonic for liver and kidney complaints. Fuller's Waxworks and Vaudeville Co. at the Goro Town Hall to-night. . Use Calvcrt's carbolic tooth paste and powder. W. Trembalh has a first'class brougham on hire. Wm. Todd and Co. sell furniture, etc, at Club Hotel, Gore, on Tuesday. Tenders invited for the purchase of the Adam's Flat dredge. Meeting re Hiver.sdale peace celebrati jns on Saturday evening. Tenders for lease of a Gre nvalo farm close on Saturday. Orders for J. B. Perks, nurjrr/inan, may left with W. P. Craig. Gospel meetings every Sunday afternoon at Croydon schoolhouse. HAVING A GEEAT BUN OS CHAMUERLAIN'S COUGH BEvIEDY. Manager Martin, of the Pierson drug store, informs us that he is having a great run on Chamberlain's Cough Bemedy. He sells live bottles of that medicine to one of any other kind, and it gives great satisfaction. In these days of la grippe there 13 nothing like Chamberlain's Cougls Bemedy to stop tincough, heal up the sore thrjat and lungs, and give relief within a very short time. The sales arc growing, and all who try it ar*ploased with its prompt action. — ' South Chicago Daily Calumet.' For sale by D. B. Esthek, Chemist, Gore.