The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. TRURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1883. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 19, 20 December 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite . TRURSD AY, DECEMBER 20, 1883. LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr W. Seed,, the Secretary of Customs, was a visitor to Palmerston yesterday. Mr Perkins arrived at tbe Bluff from Hobarfc, on Tuesday, m the steamer Rotomahana. It makes one ponder on tbe past to tee advertised m the Bay of Plenty Tims for sale, " suburban sites, Gate Pa." What a change a few years has brought about. To-morrow is the day of Dr., . Curl's usual weekly professional visit to Palmerston, and he can consulted Lat Remnoington'a Medical Hall during his usual hours. Mr Parnell is reported to have made a violent speech 'in Dublin, bitterly attack ing the Irish Viceroy and the Irish Secretary.. He is also stated to have expressed his confidence m the ; ultimate success of the Land League cause. The Marquis of Lome has made a suggestion regarding which we are likely to hear a good deal more. Speaking ai a meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute, he proposed, that envoys from the various colonies should assemble m London for the purpose of devising means' for the establishment of a federated colonial empire. An application was aat down for hearing j m the Auckland Supreme Court,, which is interesting m many ways. If was an application by Porione Tangihia, an aboriginal native, for a mandamus to compel the Chief Judpe of the Native Lands Court' to rehear his claim in'respect | to a Bhare m the subdivision of a block I of land called Faeroa East. A very short time since an aboriginal native so placewould rush ,to the Native Office— would ask loudly. and imperiously to see the .Native Minister. He would declare that, unless justice was done to him, he would go over to the " King" or to some hostile tribe. Now be goes to the Queen's Judge, has his cause - placed m its turn upon the list of applications, and awaits the decision like a loyal British subject. In aii article eh 'New Zealand's Progress/ written m a spirit of affectionate concern, though m a somewhat dressimist vein, the; Scotsman recently expressed an opinion adverse to the bold, and as it belives, 'rash' Public Works policy of Sir Julius Yogel, It thinks that New Zealand has • paid dearly for discounting its future, but considers that it possesses a heritage so rich! that' it can even afford to be somewhat spendthrift m its youth, if it oaly draws^ the proper leisone from its errors. '■ i.x'y During a heavy storm and while guides, were showing a large party through 1 the Luray caverns, Virginia, the' lightning struck one of the electric light wires and was carried into the caves, where it ran, over the wires from one end to the other.' The electric light globes, were shivered into fragmentß,jand the lightning gathered into big balls along the wire and exploded with loud reports. The scene for several minutes was terrific beyond description. Mrs Goring, at Parihaka, confers honour on the cricket club by taking the prominent part of scorer m their matches. For such distinguished assistance the club must feel grateful and proud. The Premiers of the three leading Aus« tralian colonies at tbe present time are all Scotchmen — Mi' James Service, of Vie* toria; Mr Stuart, of New South Wales; and S<r Thomas Mcllwraith, of Queensland. Thi* says something for oat«cakes and porridge ; or is it the whisky. A sooiety, which is worthy of encour--agement, has been inaugurated by the Auckland Young Men's Christian Association. The ; society is called the New Zea» land Ait Students' Association, and is instituted to promote art m New Zealand, and for the culture, improvement, and recreation of all joining the fellowship, ] whether as honorary members or artists. A junior branch is to be formed irnme* diately for the encouragement of painting and drawing amongst the young. The subscription to this association is—Honorary members, 21s ; students : Ladies, 7 a 6d ; gentlemen, 10s 6d. Since the addition to the Hamilton cheese factory m Waikato was built, and additional plant erected, more than double the amount of milk worked last year is being worked up, farmers from a distance of six miles sending milk daily. Many who were of opinion at first' that : it would be a complete failure are now sup* plying large quantities of milk. They find that 3jd per gallon, with monthly payments, is fivr more profitable than making butter for the market. Tbe Paterangi factory is also iv full Bwiop, and, m the hands of. a good manager, is turning' out (a'afar as can be judged as yet) good cheese. Not the least profitable part of this industry, ia the fattening of pigs. Those fed at the Te Awamutu factory are doing remarkably well.