THE MARCONI SENSATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9504, 29 May 1913, Page 4

THE MARCONI SENSATION.

some months past the cables have given a fairly full account of the rather sensational proceedings concerning tne negotiations between the Marconi Company and the British Government, and the matter has now been brought to what will possibly be the finti stage in the trial of the young man who has been the cause of all the bother. Cecil Chesterton achieved notoriety by the fury of his attacks on all the members of the British Cabinet concerned in the Marconi business, and as will be noted by the quotations given in another column he has laid himself open to heavy penalties if he fails to substantiate his charges. But, whatever is the result of this unfortunate business, it has had the effect of doing good in unexpected ways. So far it has certainly cleared the characters of some of the politicians concerned and it has taught

them a sound lesson. Mr Lloyd-George, for instance, had to undergo a rather painful ordeal before the Marconi Committee, but, as Sir Henry Lucy, the noted journalist, points out in his letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, the result was hardly anticipated by his detractors. "In the examination and cross-examination of Cabinet Ministers," says Sir Henry, "perhaps nothing more sharply struck the public ear than Mr Lloyd-George's simply frank statement that at the age of 50, after a life of strenuous work, his private resource® did not yield more than an annual income of £4OO. It would be difficult to put in stronger light the splendid impeccability of British statesmen. Here is a man entrusted with tne means of raising a national income approaching two hundred millions per annum, and his personal share of national richet which makes possible this stupendous levy yields him something under £8 pei week. Looking back as far as the dayt of Pitt, we shall find no •Chancellor oi the Exchequer was a wealthy man as proportion of wealth is gauged by th< earnings of a successful merchant.' Nevertheless, the moral for Cabinel Ministers is that they should be carefu to keep clear of all financial dealingf which in any way concern the publi* purse. A huge company like the on* controlling Marconi's great invention; must necessarily become involved in na tional undertakings. The British publii is particularly sensitive on anything touching its purse and the mere sugges tion that a Cabinet Minister is profiting by his position is sufficient to lose hin the confidence of the people. Thus whei jit became known that Cabinet Minis ters had been investing in Maroon shares it was inevitable that charges o a sinister nature would be preferre< against them, and the wonder is tha they did not anticipate this trouble British statesmen of all shades of poli tic 6 have had an enviable record for dis interested service and if the only resul of all these charges of scandal is to clea the present Cabinet Ministers they wil have done the nation a service.

It is reported that a well-known Wellington business man hae drawn first prize in a big sweepstake in Australia. Charles M. Wilkins, plumber, of Bulls, has been adjudicated a bankrupt on his creditors' petition. Frost fish, a delicious though rare article of food, aro being caught in various parts of the Dominion. Five came ashore at Taiaroa Head (Dunedin) a few nights 1 ago. The Prime Minister is to be asked to deliver a public address during his visit to Dunedin next month. Hon. Jas. Allen will accompany him on the trip south. All troops will parade on June 3rd, at 10.30 a.m., in review order, in Coleman Flace, in celebration of the King's Birthday. The veterans and band are also invited to be present. Hon R. H. Rhodes had an interesting trip in the battle cruiser New Zealand, from Lyttelton to Akaroa. He had the privilege of witnessing gun and torpedo practice, the shooting being very good. The Chinese, Dr. Kirk stated at the missionary conference at Marton yesterday, were taking the question of church union into their own hands The people were crying to the missionaries, "If you will have disunion in your churches, keep it to yourselves." The Chinese were determined not to have their churches disunited. An alteration of the present system, which requires the use of writing pads by scholars, is desired by the Marton School Committee, which has decided to draw the attention of the Board to the tax which is imposed upon parents by having to supply these pads, and to ask the Board to prescribe a cheaper form of scribbling pad, and also, to supply scholars with exercise books at cost price. The local territorial celebrations in connection with the King's Birthday will practically be a repetition of those of last year. The various corps will parade at Coleman Place at 10.30 a.m., together with the veterans and cadets. Should the weather prove favourable, use may be made of the Sportsground for the review and March past, otherwise the parade will be confined to the Square. At to-day'e meeting of the Sluggish River Drainage Board the Engineer stated that at the work of the erection of flood gates on one of the Board's drains some timber which had been fitted ready for the commencement of the work and some shovels had been stolen while the men were away at night. He suggested that the Board should advertiso a reward for the purpose of finding the perpetratore. The Trustees concurred in this, and on the motion of the chairman (Trustee Kendall), seconded by Trustee* Amon, it was decided to offer a reward of £5 for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons concerned in the theft. In the course of his address at the missionary conference held at Marton yesterday, Dr. Kirk, of the Canton Village Missions, told many striking stories about Chinese life. If he were to do nothing else, Dr. Kirk explained, than attend to the sick from morn till dark, he would then only be abje to touch the fringe of the diseaso and sickness prevailing amongst the Canton village people. Every morning at his hospital about 150 sick folk clamoured for admittance, but only eighty could be allowed within the doors. Dr. Kirk stated that ho had found that by steady Work, and allowing only half an, hour for meals, he could only attend to 80 people per day. That allowed about six minutes for each patient. Some of these people came miles to get to the hospital, and every day he had to turn about seventy away. A remarkably fine display of ladies' evening wear at the Bon Marche; seven windows devoted exclusively to pretty things for ballroom and other social functions. The whole scheme of display is most charming, and full of inspiration, to the lady on the look-out for smart ideas. Evening gowns, theatre cloaks, dress materials, .neckwear, and headdress, blouses, hosiery, gloves. Everything a lady wants, in most delightful styles. C. M. Ross and Co., the Bon Marche.—Advt. Newest books at Park's.. "The Amateur Gentleman,*' by author of "Broad Highway"; "Panama and What it Means," by Foster Fraser; "The Honeymooners," by Harold Macgrath; "The White Shield,'' by Myrtle Reed.—Advt. . The man who likes to cut his own tobacco will find there's nothing to equal fragrant ! GOLDEN EAGLE PLUG. Sweet, cool, I and delicious. Try it—Advt --* - For Inßuenza take Woods' Great Peppermint Cum. Never fails, la id. 2s 6d—Adv* ■v u

'The Education Derattment lias granted for the at Woodlands near Woodville. 'One of the trees in the fwneuf Chestnut Avenue, in Bushy Park, Hampton Avenue, Lbndoh. which has just been cut down owing to ite decayed condition, wa« found to have the iron framework of an oldfashioned street lamp firmly embedded m the trunk to a depth of several inches, and abut twenty-three feet from the ground. "I wae going to Sydney, your Worship." said a youthful plaintiff at the Auckland Magistrate's Court. "What were you going there for?" asked Mr C. C. Kettle. "I wanted to have a 'fly' round—to bee things," Was the reply. "And did you get to Sydney?"—"No, I didn't get a® far em that "How far did you get?"—"To Wellington." "And you spent your money there'"—"Yes, I got rid of it quick." "How did you spend it?"—"ls it necessary to tell that?" "Well, I don't think it >a under the circumstances," replied his Worship. An association in London, in its report for 1912, paid a striking tribute to the value of newspaper advertising. "There is no doubt," it was stated, "that the newspaper advertisements have paid us handsomely, and we have, again proved the wisdom of continuous advertising, as there has not been a single day in the whole vear but we have had applications for our guides. The association, which spent considerably more on newspaper ad-

apuuii * ... vertising than on any other form of publicity, intends to extend its campaign this year." • "'** Since negroes in America were freed they have increased in numbers from four millions to ten millions, and- they own today more than £150,000,000 worth of property. They have decreased in illiteracy 47 per cent., they have over two million children in the schools, and among them there are several thousand ministers* including some of the able6fc preachers in the United States. Scientists, poets, authors, musicians, artists, and inventors tre all to be found in the ranks of the negroes. There were in 1900 some 40,000 members of the race in the professions. Some days ago a lady consulted Dr. McGowan, of "Ballarat, Victoria, in regard to an old wound in her leg. An operation was performed by Dr. McGowan, who took from the leg a tube of about three inches in length. The lady said" that some time ago she was an inmate of one of the Melbourne hospitals suffering from an affection of the leg. Three tubes were inserted in the wound to facilitate healing, and finally, when they were no longer required, the doctor in attendance proceeded to remove them. Et appears, however, that he withdrew only two of the tubes, the presence of a third one being either forgotten or unobserved. Mr Justice Chapman and Mr Myers were at somewhat humorous cross-purposes in the Supremo Court this morning. His Honor had said that the bust of Major Kemp appeared to show a head slightly larger than life size; somebody might be placed alongside it for the purpose of comparison. Mr Myers then approached the figure, which was on the Court table, and proceeded to span the features with his hand. His Honor remarked: "I don't want to compare it with you, Mr Myers," ut which there was some merriment, in which Mr Myers joined. He then explained that he merely .wanted to show the length of the features by spanning them. A number of Greeks are at present in Sydney buying up all the roes of fioh obtainable for export to Port Said and surrounding ports. It is a queer industry, but highly profitable. This is the breeding season for mullet, and the heavy -roes rre bought by the Greeks for 2s to 3s per dozen. At the end of the season in New South Wales the Greeks will move on to fresh fields, taking with them the roes, salted or otherwise treated The roes wiH be sold at 15s per lb to the people of the northern countries, who regard them as a great luxury. The dealers are said to have made a profit of £3OOO last year. Three or four roes weight lib, which is bought for 9d to Is, and sold for 15s. Mr E. Newman, M.P., addressed the electors at Marton on Tufvsday evening. He had an excellent hearing* and received a vote of thanks. At the conclusion of 'hi# review of matters, Mr Newman said thai never in the history of New Zealand were prospects better. All produce was realising good values,"■weed', meat* butterfchetetJe, flax, grain and stock, all selling well; and, with reduction in tariff in-U.S.A., we were on the brink of an enormous development in trade. There was every probability of extensive new markets for our produce in America, British Columbia and Canada. Our true policy should be to get our people on to the 4and, increase our exports, and cheapen the cost of living. "I believe under the present Government this will be done, with the result that all classes, farmers, merchants, and workers, will each obtain their share in the general prosperity." "The people of Australia. Know me," is • favourite expression of the Prime Minister (Mr Fisher). This morning (says the Sydney "Sun" of Thursday last) he met one who did not knejw him, one who was supremely and augustly unaware of his existence. That Mr Tom R. Johnson, Chief Commissioner of the New South Wales railways. The Melbourne express train, was running late on both divisions. At Junee a little party sought to board the "limited" or first division. A stern official rcfueal was met. The Prime Minister's secretary (Mr M. L. Shepherd) tried all the art 6 of bluff and diplomacy to obtain a passage, urging that Mr Fisher wished particularly to get to Sydney, that he would be Late for the function of laying the Commonwealth Bank's foundation, that Mr Fisher was Prime Minister of Australia, and so on. But _Mr Johnson was Prime Boss of the New South Wales Railways. "Stand back there !".cried the guards. The engine whistled its lordly indifference of Prime Ministers. Kings and Princes. II was the proud instrument of Mr Johnson. The Prime Minister and his staff were left standing in the cold wet bight, to reflect upon the glories of democracy, as demunstrated by Mr T. R. Johnson. ' Telegrams are not generally interesting because of the signature of the operator, but particular interest attaches to one which was shown to a Post reporter yesterday by Mr W. J. Walsh, formerly postmaster at Dannevirke. The initials in the corner are "J.G.W.", and the telegram bears the date. 10th August, 1872. The man who was later to be Postmaster-Gen-eral was an operator in the telegraph office at Bluff. This particular telegram J vas .| en * by Dr. Grigor, of Invercargill, to Mr rordham, whose son is now chief clerk in the Bluff post office. Other interesting which have come into Mr W alsh s possession include one received (ae operator);-- by Mr W. Ward, Sir Joseph s brother (now chief postmaster at Nelson) on 29th May, 1871, and another received by Sir Joseph's brother-in-law, l A - T »PP«»g, on 24th September, 1872, :r to™®. y ou ag men were at that time in the Bluff telegraph office. One' of the telegrams is an enquiry for messages by the Omeo, a name which will be familiar to people who study the history of shipping and early times in New Zealand. Mr Walsh is leaving New Zealand for Australia, and intends to hand these telegrams over to tbe Post Office. Billiards in the home! The bora, and girls too, playing this fascinating game amidst the good influences of the home. Hand and eye being trained and happy hours spent. A billiard table, with slate bod convertible into dining table at will, with necessary cues, balls, etc.; in oak and mahogany for only seven guineas. Cotlineon and Ounninghaine's furnishing tiepartment,—Advt. When the Customs duty was a uniform percentage ad valorem, the of the entries was quite easy. Nowadays it fakes s brainy man to run the ganntlel At the many different tariffs. Merchants ess isre both time sod worry b* settinc(heir Customs work dons by J J. Curtk ass Co.. Ltd., Custoaksuss Quay, WellinstesL —Advt . Whenever anything exceptionally simple is invented, to solve some irksome problem, most of us are apt to exclaim: "Well. I wonder nobody thought of that before," and this is what struck the writer on seeing a simple little device in the shape of a small tap, for use with kerosen* tins, instead of the inconvenient pump. You simply puncture the tin at the bottom of one side with the pointed end of the tap and give' One or two turns, when it becomes fixed quite tightjr and you merely turn the tap, and out flows the kerosene. When tii£ tin is empty, simply unscrew it and put it on the next tin. Wonderfully simple, yet wonderfully welcome, as most people will admit. See it at Collinson and Sons. Only 2s 6d each.—Advt W i <"' r . ' ■ .♦ V ! -• i-J- -y

M«Mra Clere and Son have lot the con tract for the erection of the machinery buildings in Coleman Place for the International Harvester Company to Messrs Dtok and Flyger. At the Police Court (states an Auckland Pr«B Association message) Bortie Parker, charged with assisting a deserter from H.M.S. New Zealand, was fined £ls, in default two months' hard labour. Parker •looted to go to gaol. The residents of Waikawa (says the Southland Times) have it that Sir Robert Stout, who owns a large block of land in that locality, intends to erect a palatial residence on the part overlooking the bay. It may be, adds our contemporary, that the Chief Justice finds the duties of hit exalted position weighing heavily upor: him, and that he intends to take up hi l abode there. At Opunake Court last week a case wa<heard which involved the right of a land holder to shoot pigs trespassing on hipremises. The plaintiff Boyle sued Hand! ton for £l7 14e 6d, the value of pigs shot and the latter justified his action by stat ing that he had given repeated warning: , and had suffered considerable damage. Th< magistrate took time to consider his judg [ rnent, intimating that he had doubti ; whether, under the Impounding Act, de [ fendant was justified in his action. , Some idea of the importance of tht ; salmon packing industry in Alaska may tx gathered from figures contained in a lette> which a resident of Wellington has just received from his brother in America The Alaska Packers' Association owns 6< steamers and 20 sailing vessels, and at vari oim factories last year filled 40,000,000 can « (1,202,779 oases) with salmon. Tho com pany's fleet winters in San Francisco an< •tarts off for the north early in April o each year. The Kaiapoi, her funnel whitened witl saline encrustations, arrived at Dunedii on Saturday morning, on the eleventh da; ' out from Newcastle. The trip was a siri fularlv rough one. Almost as soon as sh< was clear of the coal port she ran into tht frings of abnormal weather conditions which were to beset her dangerously fo> ' many days. At 4 a.m. on the 14th tht > vessel was shipping heavy water fore an< aft. At 12 noon that day the gale had in creased to tremendous force, and the sea were mountains high. Terrific squall came, and the rain fell in great sheets Large quantities of sea water came o: board. It was at 3 p.m. on tho 14th tha the steamer was compelled to hove-to, wit: her head towards the towering seas tha threatened ominously to engulf her. Sh was labouring much, and strained heavih as the thunderous green cataracts crashed round her. For 18 hours she lay thus--a heaving snd quivering -object, risin and falling laboriously as great mountain ' tumbled at her. She was deeply laden and rode heavily. The gale moderated oi the 15th and the voyage was resumed, hw '■ two days' later the barometer commence* to fall and on tho 18th it was down t< 38.70. On the 19th the wind inoreased, ?n< at midday was blowing a heavy gale, witl occasional terrific squalls and hail. Ato.2( on this day the vessel shipped a heavy sea She also took on board two more seas. I' was decided to once more hove-to. Th< gale increased its fury, dividing the wil( •ea into huge summits and abysmal gulfs The Kaiapoi on this occasion was hove-fr for 42 hours. If any of the mountainous seas that towered towards her had broker over her the chances are that before shr could have recovered the next would haw followed suit, and with hatches ripped apart and hamper shattered she woulr* have been engulfed. Fortunately indee<! she proved a worthy and dependable see boat Puysegur light was sighted bv glac •yss at 10.20 on Friday— Dunedin Star.