MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 1900. THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6698, 16 May 1900, Page 2

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 1900. THE RELIEF OF MAFEKING.

At the suggestion of Cr Edwards, the Borough Council last night decided to take some official steps to suitably recognise the gallant defence of Mafeking made by its plucky garrison and their intrepid leader, by promoting an appropriate celebration in the town so soon as the news of its relief is flashed across the wires to us. At a subsequent stage of its proceedings, sitting as a special committee, it was practically agreed that the demonstration should take a somewhat similar form to that indulged in after the relief of Ladysmith, and the necessary funds were voted to enable an effective pyrotechnic display to be made. That the committee appointed to attend to these details will do all that is necessary goes without saying, but we would like to point out that the whole success, in fact the real success of the demonstration, does not rest entirely with the Mayor and Councillors. Unless the matter is taken up heartily by the people, that enthusiasm which ought to predominate a gathering of the kind will not be present, it will be very much in the nature of a hollow sham, and the purposes for which it is being organised, namely, as a tribute to the patriotism and endurance of the parrison, and an object lesson to the world at large by indicating the unanimity of the British people, will not be served. It is, therefore, to be hoped that the public will cordially enter into the spirit of the movement, and that they will make the best arrangements they can to illuminate their premises in the evening, if that be the time when the celebration is to take place, or to close their shops and make a royal holiday if the news should come to hand during the day. The largest procession that has ever walked the streets of Palmerston should be got together on this occasion without the slightest difficulty, and every care should be taken to ensure the presence of the school children, to whom the demonstration will be one of the most impressive historical lessons that can be imparted to them. Whatever reasons may have justified the rejoicings in connection with the relief of Kimberley and Lady smith, they apply, with much greater force in the case of Mafeking, where the siege has been longer, having commenced on October 13th, the garrison smaller, and the position more isolated, in addition to which it is of the greatest importance to the British plan of campaign that they should have a convenient base of operations in ,the west, such as Mafeking would afford. Therefore, it is not only on humanitarian and patriotic grounds that we should fittingly celebrate the relief of Baden-Powell's garrison, but ■ for stragetical reasons we should be glad "€a know that this part of the country has been clear^of As the relieving I passed Vrybur?, it is their mission will be the 18th, in which case to v spare; but work isy

MiNiSTEEiAL.--The Hon James Carroll, and his Private Secretary were passengers to Wellington to-day by the Wairarapa train. Volunteers. —A squad of the Palmerston North Rifles, under Captain Mounsey and Lieut. Watt, went to Feilding to-day to take part in a Shooting Match with the Manchester Rifles. Retiring. —We understand from a gentleman who has the best of opportunities for knowing, that the Hon John McKenzie is not likely to again take an active part in parliamentary work.

Lucky.—Mr Donald M'Donald, who left Nelson Creek for South Africa about seven years ago, writes to a friend in Greymouth to the effect that he has amassed about £20,000 in that time.

Hunting.—At the Rangitikei Hunt on Saturday, Mr Attwood, of Wanganui, had his collar-bone broken by a fall. Mr W. Wilson and the huntsman also had spills, but no bones were broken. Land — The; Hawke's iSay timber Company announce their intention to cut up the Tamaki block, situate within 1 two mjles oi Dannevirke into selections suitable for dairy farms. Presentation. —Mr Robt. Billens* who is about to join the staff of our yj^Ul^^^was presented with a by the M^^m|H^dvocate employees, with t?whom he has-~wrwfeigd_fiir r seyeral years. In Memoriam.—A very handserde marble tablet has been erected in the hall of the main building of the Auckland District Hospital to the memory of the late Dr Philson, who for more more than 40 years was provincial andhon. consulting surgeon to the Hospital. Anniversary.—To-night the Druids will celebrate their 17th anniversary with a social and dance at the Lyceum Theatre. The arrangements made for the entertainment of visitors are all that could be wished for, and it is anticipated that the gathering will be the most enjoyable the Order has yet had.

Celebration. —Should news of Mafeking be received before one o'clock on any day this week all Post and Telegraph Offices will close between four and five p.m. If news is received between one and five p.m. offices will close irom six to eight, and if received during the night the offices will close for one hour of the following day.

A Session.—Either the work of the Borough Council is increasing at a tremendous rate or our City Fathers arc becoming very prolix, for their proceedings again lasted until after eleven oclock last night and then was not finished. Business which requires seven meetings in four weeks is almost good enough to run a session on.

Social.—A social will be held in aid of St. Peters' Church building fund at the Foresters' Hall on the 23rd of May. The ladies of the congregation, who have the affair in hand, intend to make a success of the undertaking. Refreshments will be provided and a number of games, etc., will be promoted. As the admission is only one shilling, che attendance should fill the hall.

Fatality.—A shooting fatality is reported from Elsmore, Victoria. A lad 14, named Ned O'Shannessy, was sent by his employer to draft some cattle, and he took with him a double-barrelled gun. He did not return and a search resulted in his body being found, with the gun beside it. His brains were blown out.

Mr Seddon.—The Premier returned from the South by the Hinemoa yesterday afternoon. It is not yet definitely decided when he will leare for Baratonga, but the Tutanekai is in readiness to sale at any time, but a telegram received this afternoon states that the Premier will probably leave for the Islands to-night. He takes two Secretaries with him. Piano Sale.—The Dresden Piano Co.'s clearing sale of pianos and organs at its depot, Messrs G. H. Bennett and Co., which is to begin on Tuesday next is expected to outshine all previous efforts of the Company. The manager, Mr M. J. Brookes will conduct the sale and he claims that the exhibition of pianos and organs will delight prospective clients and be highly creditable to the Company,

Rat Farms. — A country rabbiter writes to the Otago Daily Times, suggesting that the high price offered for rats will lead to their being farmed for the municipal market. As a means of reducing the rats, he suggests the appointment of inspectors, as such officers are appointed for rabbits and the prosecution and the fining of persons who haye any rats on their premises.

Massey Watson. — Detective Benjamin on Sunday afternoon, at Titiokura, arrested an elderly man named Massey Watson (well-known in Auckland in connection with bankruptcy proceedings), on a charge of having procured a suit of clothes from Mr Sinclair, Waipukurau, under false pretences. Watson, who has been in the Hawke's Bay district for some time, was walking in the direction of Upper Mohaka when overtaken by the detective.

A Success.—An industry that has forced its \\ ay to the front through sheer merit is ;i Sykes Cura CougTi," which is manufactured by Mr A. E. Sykes, manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemist, New Plymouth. It is some 10 years since Mr Sj'kes first started to manufacture his infallable cure for coughs, colds, &c, and during that period the run on the article has so increased that Mr Sykes and his staff have a busy time in supplying the demand for orders, which are continually coming in from all parts of New Zealand.

Minutes. —Before the minutes of the Borough Council were confirmed last night, Cr Park drew attention to the fact that the minutes stated that he had been ordered by the Mayor to leave his seat on the occasion of their difference at last meeting, when as a matter of fact he (Cr Park) had been ordered to leave the room, which was a very different thing, and he moved that the minutes be amended in that direction. The Mayor said that probably Cr Park was correct in what he said, and the minutes were amended accordingly.

: Sames. — The Sames' pianos have recently received a splendid endorsement from no less a person than the composer of the " Holy City." In writing lately this eminent musieian says, " I have used the Sames pianos at several of my concerts and they have impressed me as being excellent in touch, tone and construction and most desirable instruments to possess." Messrs Jas. Grace and Co. are now landing a shipment in Wellington, and the public have an opportunity of obtaining the leading piano of the world at genuine sale prices. Mafbking. — The members of the Borough Council met last evening as a special committee for the purpose of devising some scheme for celebrating the relief of Mafekiug immediately on receipt of the news. Cr Edwards suggested that the previous line of a procession, fireworks, bonfire, etc., be followed and the Mayor moved that a sub-committee consisting of Crs Mowlem, Edwards, Guy and the mover be set up, with power to spend £10 for illuminations, and to arrange all other details. The committee met this morning and decided to invite the Friendly Societies, Fire Brigade, Bond,; Highland Pipe Band, Volunteers, schools, etc., to take part, in the demonstration, of whic]J| Lieut. Pringle was elected MarshaLjH supply of fireworks and rockets^H ordered, apd it was decided that a^^H fire be lighted in the Square. Public Library.—At the me^^^^H the Literary and^Debating night a resolution was pa^j^^^^K the desirability of havio^^^^^^^Bl Free Reading-room in J^^^^^^^^Ei this connection a ver^^^^^^^^Ba has been made by Mj^^^^^^^^Hy, that in viewoftf^^^^^^^^^^^Fe. centl^j^g^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DisnissED.—The application heard at the S.M. Court yesterday to have an order made compelling H. J. Nitz to contribute towards the support of an illegitimate child was .dimissed for want of corroborative evidence.

Informations.—We understand that two informations have been laid against a local publican, ono for permitting disorderly conduct in his house, and another for paying one of his employees his wages on licensed premises.

Fortunate.—lt is stated that the Hon. T. Fergus has amassed a considerable fortune out of the dredging business in Dunedin. Mr Fergus was Minister for Public Works in the Atkinson Administration, and before that was a railway contractor.

An Estate.—The estate of the late Mr Edward Martin, of Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Co., and chairman of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, has been valued at i'194,529 gross, £179,668 net personally.

Social.—We remind our readers of the welcome social which is to be tendered to the Rev. C. C. Harper at the Theatre Royal this evening. The committee who have the matter in hand have made the most complete arrangements and a pleasant evening's enjoyment is sure to be the result.

Shamrocks.—A London paper states that the Duke of York has accepted from Mr Husband, of Cork, a gift of 1,000 packets of shamrock seed to be sown on the graves of the Irish soldiers in South Africa, and will duly forward them to the officer in command of the Irish Brigade at the front.

Sale.—There a large attendance yesterday at the sale at Mr A. Larsen's farm, Bunnythorpe, conducted by Messrs Hunter and Co., satisfactory prices being realised. Five calves brought 28s each, 10 heifers sold in one line at £318s each, dairy cows from £3 to £6 5s each, and steers £2 each.

Expensive.—A yisitor to a recent West Coast race meeting found the price of admission unusual!y,heavy. He presented a £5 note at the ticket office, and walked away, satisfied with 19s change, until he discovered his mistake on the course. He returned to the ticket office, but the fiver had vanished.

Deceased Estates. —Following are some of the largest amounts recently left by deceased persons in New Zealand and upon which duty has been paid :—Auckland, Miriama te Kiritahanga, £7070; W. Leys, £5728 ; Dunedin, R. Watson, £6037 ; J. C. Proctor, £1410 ; W. C. Ferguson, £2396 ; Elizabeth M. Purdie, £13,004; Wellington, John Beck, £15,521 ; Robert Wilson, £4506 ; Napier, A. McHardy, £81,315 ; Hokitika, J. Brimble, £2420; Invercargill, D. Manson, £1478.

Unfortunate.—We have been informed to-day that one of the victims in connection with the recent fire at the Commercial Hotel has been overlooked in the generous efforts made to assist those ladies who lost their all in the fire. It appears that a Mrs Hedley was staying at the Commercial Hotel on the night of the disaster, and that unnoticed by anyone she jumped from the western end of the balcony. In the fall she sustained severe injuries to her arm and ankles, and Mr Flanagan seeing her lying on the pavement had her taken to the Masonic Hotel, where she has been confined in bed ever since, thus accounting for the fact that she has been lost sight of. In addition to suffering bodily injury, Mrs Hedley has lost all the property she had in the hotel with her, and an effort is being made by several gentlemen to raise sufficient funds to recoup her for her loss. Our informant has opened a list at this office with a donation of 10/6, and we will be pleased to receive any further contributions from those who are charitably inclined. Wade's Worm Figs are effective and not unpleasant; children thrive after taking them. Price, Is.

"We recommend buyers of drapery to make their purchases at The Bon Marche. They will save money by doing so. The values are splendid.— Advt.

When delivering his farewell address to the Fifth Contingent* in Wellington, the Premier said with their departure New Zealand would have 2000 men in the field, and he was sure that one and all of them would do their duty well and prove themselves a credit to their country. His words were received with warm applause, as well they should. We also know of another matter that deserves the warmest praise from the community, and that is Sykes' Cura Cough. A certain remedy. All Chemists and storekeepers. Mail Case.—Per Whakatane, at Park's Book Depot—Pearson's, Cassell's, Windsor, Strand, Boys' and Girls' Own, Sunday Strand, Weldon's Home Dressmaker, Leach's Dressmaker, &c, for February; Princess Novelette 56, Lady's Own Novelette 49, Snap Shots 19, newest books bv most popular authors.—Advt.

Improve on this it you can! Superior English blankets, single bed size, 9/9; double bed size, 14/9; extra large double bed size, 17/9. See our window display of English and Colonial Blankets, all bought before the recent advance in price, of which our customers get the full benefit at the Bon Marche.—Advt.

Every other day they are bringing the children, and some of them are all India rubber on springs. We took one the other day with a terrier pup thrown in. Not a few have come that have been abandoned and given up as hopeless by other photographers. We take them all. Also give entire satisfaction. Please bring, them along to Billens, next Pearce's Land Mart.—Advt. I