A FALSE PROPHET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7067, 29 July 1901, Page 2

A FALSE PROPHET.

The greatest stumbling block in the direction of an old-age pension scheme has been the difficulty of devising an assured finance/ so that the burden would not become too great a charge.on the ordinary revenue Of the colony, and. several proposals to establish, a special method of raising- funds have been.pro-' pouned at one time or another. The anticipated cost of pensions under the scheme at present in force was treated very airily by the Premier in 1898, and, as usual when he is dealing with financial, problems,. he proved a false prophetIn that year he estimated that last year the total would-reach £99,000, this year £108,000, next year £117,000, and the year after £126,000. The report of the Department, just laid before Parliament, shows how fallacious this estimate has proved to be. The first year there were 7-187 pensions granted instead of 5000, as he estimated; the nest year, instead of an increase of 500, there were 4699 new pensions granted; and the third year 2227 new pensions, instead of a further increase of only 500. In other words, according to Mr Seddon's calculations, there ought, on the 31st March last, to have been only 6000 pensions in force, whereas there were in reality 12,405. The number of pensions in force for the third year (that ending 31st March last) represents a yearly payment of £211.965, instead of £108,000, estimated by Mr Seddon.

Fotjeth Page. —A quantity ot m teresting reading matter will be found on our fourth page.

Land SetilE3ien:t.—The Premier states that the Government has approved of the acquisition of the Milburne and Abbotsford Estates, Hawke's Bay, and that the transactions will take place as soon as the prices have been adjusted.

Land.—At their rooms on Saturday; Messrs Abraham and Williams offered for sale on behalf of Mr E. B. Browne, 290 acres of land at Shannon, but, the reservenot being reached,' the property was withdrawn, and is now for sale privately.

Mantjees. —We direct attention to the Wellington Meat Export Company's advertisement in another column. The excellent quality and cheapness of its manures are so well-known to the farmers in this district that nothing more need,be written by us.on the subject.

' Conciliation.—Mr J. Begg, tanne 1' and manufacturer of woollen mats and rugs, has closed down his leather-dress-ing department at Dunedin, chiefly on account of considerable expense incurred through the Workmen's Unions' demands for increased wages and altered condition of employment.

Such is Fame.—A patient from the Sea Tiew Asylum, Dunedin, was recently arrested at Charleston, having walked 400 miles. His peculiar story is that being 'a direct descendant of- Mary Queen of Scots, he feared that the Duke and Duchess of York while in New Zealand might desire to visit him, and so he made his escape. He was following the peaceful vocation of cook to the contractors at Costello's Hill when captured.

Death.—Considerable regret will be felt at the death of a young West Coaster in the person of Mr Michael Patrick Ryan, which occurred yesterday. The deceased, who was suffering from consumption, came to Palmerston for a change of climate,-but the disease had made ipo much of an inroad into his system for a cure to he effected, Much sympathy will be felt for his brother and sister, who are. at present in this district.

NGAWAKAiiATT.—The Foxton Herald reflects strongly upon the Manawatu Eoad Board's action in including the Foxton Borough Council in the bodies responsible for the cost of constructing the Ngawakarau road, the.Commission in connection with which is to sit in Palmerston on Thursday. Our contemporary's conclusions are wrong. The Foxton Council was included at the instance of the Manawatu County Council. Police Covet.—At the Court this morning before Mr A. Greenfield, S.M., Henry S. Porteous, charged with riding a bicycle on the footpath, was fined 2s "6d "and costs..7s. Isaac Fake, charged with committing a breach of the Borough byelaws by not placing a light on a hoarding at night, was'fined 2s 6d and costs 7s. John McLachlan, charged with drunkenness, was . convicted and discharged, while.a charge of assaulting and beating, preferred against Jno. Llewellyn, was ad]ourned till August sth. —

Lamb.—The Hunterville. Express says:—Notwithstanding the cold = and boisterous weather the first lamb.of the season has made its appearance, and this welcome little stranger reminds us' that we are within measurable distance' of Spring, when the " voice of the turtle" will again be heard on the land. This harbinger of spring has made its appoarance on Mr C. Lethbridge's farm at "Hokey Pokey," where its phenomenal vigour and friskiness— notwithstanding the low price of wool—brings peace and joy to the heart of its fortunate owner'. 3

Pebsonal.—Mr L. Northcroft, who recently sold his paper, the West Coast Times, is spending a few days in New Plymouth prior to going to South Africa. —Mr and Mrs Westinacott leave New Plymouth in a few days for a trip to England.—Mr and Mrs Frankland" arrived in Foxton (says the Herald) on Thursday night to make it their home,* at any rate for sonic tinie to come. They were met at the Railway station by a number of their relations and friends. Mr and Mrs Frankland have just concluded a long tour of the world.

Alleged .Fokgeey—At the ( Court this morning, before Mr Greenfield, S.M., W. S. Lee was oharged with forging and uttering a cheque for £3 Bs. The cheque was drawn on.Mr E. O. Olson's account and was changed for accused by P. Johansen, bookmaker. Accused pleaded guilty and, after taking evidence, was committed for the next sittings of the Supreme Court for sentence. The same accused was also charged with the alleged forgery and uttering of a cheque for £3 18s drawn ■on J. Cobbe, Feilding. Evidence* was taken aud accused committed to the Supreme Court, Wellington, for sentence.

Loss of Sheep.—Estimates of the loss in sheep and wool in Argentina, caused by the inundations and foot-and-mouth disease last year, hare quite recently been published in Buenos Ayres, The loss of sheep is put down as 14,000,000. This .would involve, it is stated, a diminution in the wool-clip of about 35,000 tons, and reckoning also the impoverished state of the camps after the floods subsided/which would injuriously-, affect the growth of the \yool and be responsible for a further diminution of 7,500 tons, a total loss of 42,600 tone, of wool is shown. As regards wheat, the crops " will bo unsatisfactory- both in •quantity and quality." -' I

Teeeace End.—The social to be held in connection with the Terrace End School will take place at the Wesleyan Hall, Terrace End, on Wednesday evening next. An attractive programme has been prepared, and an enjoyable evening is anticipated. Hockey. —A match was played on the bhowground on Saturday between, the Palmerston Saturday team and a combined team from the other clubs, the latter being victorious by 5 goals to 4 l( or the winners goals were scored by Porter, Short, Watson, Quinn, and btrange, and for the losers by Gibbons, Scott, and G. Slack (2).

Fbiendly Societies.—We have received, from the publishers, Messrs Watson and Eyre, of Palmerston North, the first number of the Friendly Societies' Gazette. It is printed in handy form, 24 pages and- over, and is a thorough compendium of information in regard to Friendly iSoc'ety matters, nicely arranged, well printed, and up-to-date... ■.',.■ ■ ''■'■ :: ■ : ."■■)

. Ngawhakabau Koad. — A special meeting of the Borough Council was held at the Council Chambers this afternoon to receive the citation to appear ai the 'Commission of Enquiry into the apportionment of the' cost of the proposed : work on the Ngawhakarau road. The Council also considered what steps will be taken in the matter.. We understand a vigorous protest will be made against being drawn into the matter.

Dairy Confebence.—Though, it has not been definitely settled yet, we understand there is every likelihood of the Dairy Conference and National Dairy Association show being held m Palmerston again next year. The advantage of the show being held in a central district was fully shown during the past week, when several of the dairying firms represented did better business than they have done at any other show in New Zealand, one Southern firm disposing of £1000 worth of separators.

A. and P.;Bdilding.—During' their short stay here on Saturday last, the various members of the House were driven past the A. and P. grounds and an opportunity given them of inspecting the new grandstands, permanent stalls,'horse and bull sheds, &c. Those members who had not previously seen the grounds and appointments, were greatly surprised, both as to the area of the ground and the seating accommodation o# the various, stands; and were unanimous in their approval of the progressive system adopted by^.the General Committee during the past few years. ■• . -

Personal.—Mr J. G. Harkness, who presided at the meetings of the 'Dairy Conference held here last week, has been an exhibitor in the Jersey classes at the local show for a couple" of years past. Last year he was successful in scoring a championship with one of his Jersey cows and will endeavour to' repeat his success at the forthcoming fixture. Mr Harkness is a firm believer in the future of the Show, and "stated at the smoke concert held on Thursday evening that he never lost an opportunity of inducing people from the Taranaki district to attend it. , ■ ;

Excrasioif. — The Campbell - street School girls' hockey team had a very enjoyable outing to Wanganui on Saturday. The party, consisting of 21 girls and Sir and Mrs Watson, was met at the Wanganui railway station by Miss Fraser, principal of the Girls' College, and Miss Knapp, formerly a teacher at Campbell street. They were entertained at dinner by the Wanganui girls and were afterwards shown over the Museum and College buildings. In the afternoon the hockey match, which resulted in a draw, neither side scoring, was flayed. Tlie i visitors returned to Palmerston by the late train. They speak-in high terms of the kindness and hospitality of the Wanganui girls, who have been invited to pay a visit to Palmerston.

Cash buyers' of drapery and clothing are asked to look.out for Bargains at The Bon Marche to-morrow and coming •week, when sundry clearing lines will be offered at nominal prices.—Advt.

The leading attraction in Palmerston North on Thursday will be the sale of a large purchase of Kaiapoi sample clothing at; the UF.C.A., when the enormous cash discount of 4/- will be returned to every purchaser of £1 worth of these goods; there is no doubt that few will neglect to avail themselves of an opportunity of thre description.—Advt.

Among several other bargain lines to be found to-morrow, at The Bon Marche" sale will be a line of ladies' tan kid gloves, all sizes, very slightly spotted, best quality, usual price 5s lid, selling at 2s 6d a pair. A very choice line of ladies tailor-made coats and skirts in black, grey and navy, 21s. Bon Marche sale to-morrow.—Advt.