Untitled

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 59, 12 May 1877, Page 2

The Revising Officer, H. S. Fitzherbert, Esq., notifies m our present issue that Courts will be held for revising the lists of voters for the electoral districts of Wanganui, Rangitikei and Manawat.u as under : — Wanganui, on Wednesday, the 23rd May, at 11 a.m., afc the Supreme Courthouse, Wanganui. Rangitikei, on Friday, the 25th May, at. 11 a.m., at the Resident Magistrate's Courthouse,. Marton. Manawatu, on Monday, the 28th May, at. 11 a.m., at the Resident Magistrate's. Courthouse, Foxton. It is necessary that persons objected to should appear personally at the Court held m their district should they wish their names retained on the electoral roll.

An Art Union of water color paintings of New Zealand scenery is announced to be held at Foxton on an early date. For list of pictures see advertisement. We would remind those interested that all npplicaUons for licenses for the. districts j of Otsiki, Foxton, and Palmerston must be ] «>nt m duplicate to the Clerk of the Court. I at Marton on or before Tuesday next, the 15th inst. Mr. G. M. Snelson reminds his friends and the public that he will hold bis opening sale of the new auction year to-day (Saturday), commencing at 2 o'clock, when a large quantity of produce, and sundry merchandize will be offered. We understand that the man Griffin who recently met. with a severe accident by which some of his ribs were fractured, and who has since been under the care of Dr. Akers, is now so far convalescent as to be able to leave his bed. We have received the second map of the seat of war m Europe, issued by the " New Zealand Times " Co. It will prove a valuable aid m watching the progress of the struggle. The first map has not come to hand. On Thursday morning, a boy named Mowell, m the employ of J. T. Dalrymple, Esq., was gored by a cow, and sustained a very severe Inceration of the cheek, by which the jaw bone was exposed. Dr. Akers was promptly m attendance, and ministered to the sufferer's necessity. A boat accident occurred m the Wellington harbor on the 9th instant by which two men, named Austrian Jack and Louis Acker were drowned. A gust of wind caught and upset the boat m which they were fishing off Somes Island. Mr A Whyte having purchased the billiard table lately belonging to Mr Foster, has had it removed and put up m his hotel, and the comfortable room m which it has been placed, together with the goodness of the table, has made it quite an acquisition to the hotel. During the late boisterous weather two wrecks have occurred at Waikoni. The schooner Janet, bound from Patea to Pelorous Sound m ballast ; and also a cutter believed to be the Elizabeth, which was bound to Lyttelton from Auckland with timber. Both crafts are reported as being high up on the beach. Mr W. Foster, who for some time past, has been a resident m Foxton and well known as the proprietor of a billiard table, took his departure on Thursday for Wanganui, where he has purchased the soda water manufactory lately belonging to Mr Sconn. Both Mr and Mrs Foster leave Foxton carrying with them the best wishes of all for their future welfare. A public ball is to be held m the Public Hall, Foxton, on Queen's Birthday, the 24th instant. It is desired that applications for tickets should be made to members of the committee not later than the 19th insttmt. The Committee consists of the following gentlemen : — Messrs Dawson, Flower, Gray, Robinson, jun., Whyte, Beat tie, and Thynne. Tickets for gentleman and lady, 10s 6d. Mr William Oaborne, of Foxton, Registrar of Dogs, notifies by advertisement that all dogs over 6 months old within the County of Manawatu must be registered on or before the 31st May instant, or a penalty of £5 will be enforced m terms of clause 7 of " The Dog Nuisance Act, 1863." On receipt of Post Office Order for 5s with name, color, and description of dog, together with owner's name, address, and occupation, Mr Osborne will forward a numbered badge for the dog to wear. We yesterday inspected a monster radish grown m the garden of Mr Henry Phillips of this township. The radish is of the Spanish variety and measures 15 inches m length, and 13 inches m girth at the thickest part. As a proof of its solidity we may state that it weighed when denuded of leaves and fibrous roots 41bs 2oz. We would advise all desirous of looking upon a natural curiosity to visit Mr Phillips' establishment and inspect this giant of the garden for themselves. We received for insertion m our last issue a letter from Mr McDouall m reply to a communication from "E. 8.," which appeared m our impression of May 2, but as the correspondence on the subject of these letters has m our opinion gone too far already, we deem it right to abstain from the publication of any more letters from either party on the question. Mr McDouall, however, feels aggrieved at not having the opportunity of replying to certain charges made against him by " E. 8.," more particularly that m reference to a contract which he had under the Board, the work m connection with which "E. 8." states "was not up to the mark." With regard to this contract Mr McDouall asserts that the work was faithfully performed m accordance with instructions received, and has authorised us to mention the name of Mr Snelson as being prepared to substantiate the correctness of his assertion. Grave fears were entertained on Thursday evening last on account of the nonarrival at Palmerston of the Wanganui coach at the appointed time. The night train from Palmerston to Foxton was detained waiting for the mail, and the railway officials one and all displayed a most exemplary patience under the suspense and extra work thus imposed upon them. Mr Innes did all he could by means of the wire to ascertain the cause of delay, and to allay the fears of the Railway Manager at Foxton on account of the non-arrival of the train, but his efforts proved unavailing* as no response was olicifced from any station with the exception of Feilding.' At midnight, however, the coach made its appearance, and it was then ascertained from the driver, Mr Gummins, that an accident had happened to the coach-gear between Wanganui and Turakina. In ascending the Wangaehu hill, about four miles from Turakina, the thorough-brace of the coach suddenly snapped, and some two and a half hours were consumed m repairing it sufficiently to enablo the coach to proceed on its journey. We are informed that the driver, on reach- • ing Marton, apprised the telegraphist there' of the accident, and if such is really the case we cannot understand why that gentleman failed to communicate with the Palmerston office. Had he done so, Palmerston would have sent word to Foxton, and much anxiety as to coach and train respectively would have been obviated m those places.

We were informed last Thursday afternoon that the punt at the Lower Ferry crossing had been successfully launched that day, and that one or two satisfactory trial trips had been made. On Thursday night, however, an unpleasant contretemps occurred m connection wi'h the ferrying of the Napier couch. There was a fresh m the river at the time, and when the coach was driven on to the punt it was observed that the end towards the bank of the river was buried m the mud. On exertions being made to free the punt the floating end became for a time submerged ; but the most unpleasant part of the proceeding occurred on approaching the bank on the Palmerstbn side. The horses at this juncture became restive and attempted to make a premature landing, the consequence being that the horses and fore-wheels of the coach were down m the water whilst the hinder wheels were unpleasantly elevated on the pnnt. " After a time the animals succeeded m getting up the bank, when the hinder wheels of the coach were instantly precipitated into the river between the punt and the shore. One lady we understand was shot from the box-seat right through the coach into the river, and several other passengers received a good ducking. Luckily nothing more serious occurred, but we have no doubt that the passengers by the Napier coach on Thursday night will one and all feel chary of trusting themselves upon punts m future. The "Evening Post" clips what it characterises as an amusing story from the " Otago Guardian." It is this : — A promising young man who is learning sheep-farming was introduced to the woolshed last season for the first time. His fond parent was anxious to know how he got on with his first lesson m the art of shearing. " Well," replied the embryo squatter, " some fellows go about it too carefully, and they never make good, shearers. There's nothing like going at it with a will. They all think I will make a first-rate hand m a very short time." 'fHow did your first sheep look when you had done with it?" aaked the father. "It did not seem very well," replied the son; "in, fact, they thought it better to kill that sheep." The other day the " Evening Post " was very indignant at the cruelty of some one who had wantonly cut off a dog's tail. Still it can be amused at the implication of a far greater cruelty being inflicted on a sheep. We sympathise with our contemporary m his humanity, but not m Iris inconsistency. The following will be good news to pianists : — A machine has been invented, Bays the " Musical World," for turning over the leaves of music by a movement ,of the performer's foot. ...... The " News Letter " reasons a posteriori. Because the Manchester and Kiwtea ridings are trying for separation it assumes that they must have been " subjected to very bad treatment." Of the late spiritual trance seance m Auckland the Star says : — The affair was a good specimen of flowery nonsense, rank twaddle, and imposture, but the Medium displayed a good memory and practised skill m fencing questions. We understand that Mr James. Smith has disposed of his ,well-^nown '.retail^ drapery establishment, Te Aro House, j Cuba-street, to Messrs Leitch and Mooney, whtf will enter into possession m a few days. It is understood also that Mr James Smith, from the Ist August next, will be connected with the drapery branch of Messrs W. and G. Turnbull and Co. 's business. — "Post." The " Post," which is occasionally thickheaded, on Monday last quoted a joke from the "News Letter" which it ought to have credited to the " Standard." Does noi; the Post know that ever since the ".News Letter " started it ha 3 been trying to turn out an original jest, but up to the present time it has not succeeded. We must, however, do our Masterton contemporary the justice to add that it has furnished I material for many a one. — "Standard." I May 3. Q.uensland is threatened with a Chinese invasion. Already Gooktpwn swarms with the Mongolian element, and every vessel, from China brings large additions to the population. The Galley of Lome has 1050 nn board, and the "Age" telegrams state 3000; Chinese arc awaiting passages at Kong Kong to Australia. The captain of the Galley of Lome, just arrived, refuses, to obey the quarantine regulations, and threatened to arm the Chinese to resist the authorities, who required him to land his passengers' at Fitzroy Island. — " Argus." From the 'Post ' welearn that a private preliminary inquiry was held at; the. Customs on the Bth instant, before the Collector, Mr H. S. M'Kellar, into the circumstances under which the steamers Tui and. Napier were m collision m the Manawatu River yesterday morning. The evidence of the respective masters and crews was taken, and proved exceedingly yolumino.us end .very contradictory. We understand that an official investigation probably will be held, and that pending such investigation Captain Bonner has been suspended by the owners of the Tui. „.,.. In his speech at the nomination, Dr Wallis, the newly-elected member for Auckland City West, said : — He thought that no profession should be debarred from Parliament. It would be very hard to exclude a lawyer or a publican. He belonged to the profession of the church, but he happened also to be a surgeon, an apothecary, and a man raid-wife (laughter). He had for twenty years been engaged m teaching truth, and why should henptgo into Parliament, and have an opportunity of advocating that m public which he had m private. Another reason why he had come forward; was for the good he might do. — 'Argus.' A telegram m the" " Grey River Argus " states that Mr D. Gird wood, auctioneer, has been fined £100 for holding ai sale outside the district for which his auctioneer's license was issued. From what we ("Argus ") know of the case, it is probable that the fine is a formal one, and will be remitted, as the facts show that the breach of the Auctioneers' Act was not only an inadvertent one, but was incurred upon the responsibility of- the County Chairman, who had assured the defendant that he might safely hold a sale anywhere within tte Grey County. This is another instance of the complications which have' occurred, and are likely to occur until the laws generally are adapted to meet the -altered circumstances of the colony since the Abolition Act came into operation. ■ : ; .;. -

From a recent issue of the " Wairarapa Standard " we learn as follows : — On Sunday last a little Maori girl about eight years of age, a child of Kariatiana's of Masterton, whilst on a visit to Ugatuere's pah; gofc severely burned. She Tras playing with a ball and m the act.of-walking backwards to catch it, stepped into the fire. The child was m a blaze m a moment, and before assistance could be rendered (although all were m the whare at the time) the whole of her clothes" were consumed, save the band of the petticoat round her loins. All the skin from the legs, arms, and back came away m one large blister, and little or no, hope i» ehtertained of the little sufferer's recovery. Some unthinking persons issued the following 'f extraordinary '"the other -day m Hobart Town, and a large numberof copies were distributed, and- great' excitement was caused before the hoax' was discovered : — ~ ' War declared between England and Russia!' 'A Russian fleet m Hobson's Bay!' Melbourne is threatened with bombardment!' • Cruel and blood-thirsty foci' ' Theenemy threatens to reduce Melbourne to ashes !' 'The streets of Melbourne are occupied by Russian soldiers!' 'A Russian fleet of. seven huge ironclads has sailed through PortPhillip Heads!' The Victorian volunteer' force, who opposed the foe, were shot down and slaughtered like sheep .!'. The streets of Melbourne were clam orous *with: the dying: shrieks of men, women, and children, butchered by thousands j the channels running with the blood of the slaughtered !' Children have been torn from their mothers' breasts, and butchered before the eyes of their parents !'.— " Standard." ; .-w '„' . It will be remembered that MrJMorge Hunter, when presiding" at ■ the laJ^Kmual' meeting of the Wellington Ghamb^^Hpommerce, took occasion to confute, made m- " Westgarth's Circular," with regard to this colony, and gave some interesting statistics to show our national position. On this the Melbourne "Argus -of the 21st April says:— "The correction of a mistake m the statement of the revenue, of* New Zealand made m f Westgarth's Circular ' has caused m that colony a comparison of the revenue of New' Zealand with Victoria. And it is rather surprising to look through the details of the comparison-' "The revenue of Victoria f0r 1875 was, £4,236,423, and that* of New Zealand for the same year £2,841,953, But the population of this cqlony»is ; B22,ooo, and that of New Zealand about 400,000, or less than half . This : being remembered we ' find that the Customs m Victoria yielded £1,628,234, and m New Zealand £1,274,400; excise, which m this colony gave £32;47,4, m New Zealand returned £102,670 ; ports .and harbors, £19,935 m Victoria, and £18,667 m. New Zealand j business licenses, £10,714 iri' Victoria, and £48,561 m New Zealand ; posts. and telegraphs, which here produce*: £198,325, there, with a population of'lesa i | than half the number, yielded two-thirda.# : the sum', or £133,091. When: we look^ for the great items of' excessi;on -the Victoriait side' we find themiaccruing from railway income aud land sales, m other words, from - sources which are not strictly revenue at all, It is obvious that the damaging mistake made m the circular referred to has done the. colony good by enabling it. to_ put forward a statement showing how legitimate are its sources ,o.f revenue what very large sums it derives from them: The statement goes to show a wise and skilful adjustment of burdens, and also- to ! prove great businesssactivity m a country which obtainsso large a share from Customs and excise, ports and harbora, business licenses, and posts and telegraphs. To be acfive m the' ways indicated is to work energetically, spend freely, consume largely, and enjoy to a high degree the advantages of civilised life."— " N. Z. Times."