Only A Little One.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7828, 29 September 1903, Page 2

Only A Little One.

The Postmaster-General has been amusing himself at the expense of Mr W. T. Wood, M.H.R. It will be remembered that some time ago the Times drew attention to the fact that by means of the usual wirepulling and political mana_uvring a young lady at Levin, who had graduated from her mother's store, and had a comparitively limited service to show, had, in spite of protests from the heads of Departments, been promoted to the charge of the new Post Office at that place over the heads of a number of men, her seniors in the service, who had been for a long time looking for this class of promotion. When Mr Wood asked a question in regard to the matter in the House, the PostmasterGeneral said:

Miss Bowen's appointment as postmistress at Levin wss on a temporary footing, tho Department -desjring to have a free hand to make any other arrangements of a permanent character at a later date should this be considered advisable. Miss Bowen had carried out the duties in a highly satisfactory manner.

We again denounce .his appointment as a job,—only a little job perhaps, but a job all the same; utterly wrong in principle, and at variance with justice and fair play in every respect. The Post and Telegraph Officers' Association is a poor spiritless sort of thing if it does not tell the Postmaster-General in good vigorous Angle-Saxon what it thinks about the matter.

It is said that sheep are the most dissipated animals in creation. They are always on tho " turf." Even the little ones " gamble," and there are many blacklegs amongst them. The McCormick machines can be depended upon to harvest and save grain under all conditions to the satisfaction of the owner and with ease to the team. A billiard match will be played at the Premier Saloon on "Wednesday evening between Mr Robert Birkett, of Sydney, and a local player. Mr J. G. Gow advised the Department of Industries and Commerce by cable yesterday that quotations are required for the Transvaal for 15,000 merinos crossbred ewes, 2 or 4-tooth. Mr George Gould, of Christchurch, will judge Jerseys at the A. and P. Show. This will be the first time Mr G-puld has officiated at Palmerston. T, Coughlan and W. Smith (alias Peter Williamson) for d. unlf'enness were each fined ss, or 24 hours imprisonuieht at the Court yesterday. Robert Mason had a find of 10s, or 48 hours imprisonment recorded against him. Mr A. D. Thompson occupied tbe Beach,

The New Plymouth GolE Club wil visit AVanganui on the 14th October (Labour Day), ana play a game with the Wanganui Club. A programme of selected items will ' be played by the Municipal Band in the Esplanade next Sunday afternoon. This will afford the public an opportunity of hearing the new instruments lately purchased by the band. Mr Percy Neagle, the well-known gentleman rider, broke his right collarbone at football an Saturday afternoon while playing for Taradalc against Port Ahuriri. The accident occurred early in the first spell, but Mr Neagle pluckily stayed throughout, and scored the first try for his side, which won. An Assyrian named Assed Bahout was before the Court yesterday morning for deserting his wife, Caroline M. Bahout. Mr Innes appeared for accused and Mr Moore for applicant. Mr Thomson., S.M., after hearing evidence, ordered accused to pay 10s per week for his wife's maintenance, the first payment to be made yesterday. Costs 21s were allowed. Professor Parkin, tho delegate who came to New Zealand to make inquiries in regard to the matter, told a Sydney interviewer that there is no placo in the world whero he found a more keen and intelligent interest known in the late Mr Rhodes' scholarships than in New Zealand.

Mass meetings held at Auckland on Saturday and Sunday passed resolutions against Sunday trains. Sermons wore preached in several churches, mostly against Sunday trams, but the Roman Catholics are generally favourable. Intense interest is being' taken in tho poll on this question to be taken on Wednesday. A debate, " Which is the most profitable animal for tho human race, the sheep or the cow ? " took place amongst the Farmers' Unionists at Napier. Sir Collinson led the supporters of the sheep, and Mr Beatson the cattlemen. The ballot naturally showed that the believers in sheep were in a large majority. The sheep is a sacred animal in the woolly north. In some of tho inland towns of Otago (says the Otago Daily Times) bread and meat arc nearly at famine prices. It is ' said that an energetic rabbiter at Rox- ' burgh is doing a pushing trade in the rabbit line, selling the carcases at 6d a pair, and retaining the skins. People arc taking to bunny as a substitute for butcher's meat. Detective Benjamin arrested a man in the Square yesterday afternoon for the alleged theft of a roll of cloth from the shop of Mr Dowie, tailor. The detective also arrested Ernest Olliver on a charge of maliciously damaging Mrs Essex's property in Main-street West. It is alleged accused threw a stone through complainant'^ shop window. Amongst the first on the list of selections for admittance to the Veterans' Home at Auckland, which is to, be opened in the first week in December, are tho following ;—Robert W. Lacey, of Ashhurst, Royal Navy 21 years, Syria and Turkish Syria 1840, Crimea, Turkish and Baltic medals; Peter Curreen, of Makino, Feilding, 86th Foot 21 years, Indian Mutiny and long service and good conduct medals.

A mysterious woman, a resident of Nfew Plymouth, has taken to standing on the railway line at night, just in front of the advancing train. Three times of late the driver has had to pull up to avoid running over her. On the latest occasion the engine just threw her clear of the line, and some of the train people tried to catch her, but she made good her escape in tbe dark; A closo search wasmade, but she couldrot be found.

A deputation representing 88 members of the House waited upon Mr Seddon yesterday 'morning u,nd urged the Government to take up Mr Kirkbride's Mutual Fire Insuranco Bill. Mr Seddon replied that^ it depended upon members themselves Whether the Bill would be so treated. There were 62 Government measures on the Order Paper, and in face of tbe treatment meted out to the Government on the Imprest- Supply Bill on Friday, private members could not expect the Government to give them special facilities. However, he was heartily iv favour of the Billj and if the public business was proceeded with reasonably he would recommend the Cabinet to take up the Bill. . : A little toddler, seven years of .age, had to answer at the Court yesterday to a charge of entering the .house of Mr J. B. Clarkson and taking therefrom money to the value of jEII. Mr Hankins, who appeared for the boy's father, said the child had been in the habit of playing about Mr Clarkson's house, with the latter's son. On the day in question ho had wandered about the house and had found the money in question. He appropriated the silver as medal 3 and the notes to wrap them in. All the money had been recovered. The charge, on account of the tender years of the accused, was not pushed by the police, and the Magistrate, taking all the facts into consideration, did not record a conviction. Most, satisfactory reports are to hand in connection with the forthcoming exhibition to be held in Masterton, and the citizens there are determined to make it a great success. The art gallery alone will be worth going to see, the Art and' Curios Committee having procured a valuable and extensive collection of pictures and curios. Large entries are being rqgeived'in the "education and literary division, and keen competition is anticipated from the various schools. The committee have wisely asked tho Education Board to allow one of its inspectors to judge in these classes. It happened on the Ngapuhi the other day, sajs the Wanganui Herald. His Excellency and suite were aboard. So was a well-known representative of a Taranaki Bacon Factory. The pig man j was about. to eater the bathroom when he was accosted by a steward, who told him to get out as His Excellency was about to have a bath. " But lam Lord Bacon," retorted the other. "Oh II beg your pardon," replied the steward, and then, sotto voice,, he added: " The ship seems full of lords." The pig man, however, eased tho menial's perturbation a little when he added that he was not yet titled, but considered himself a " Knight of the Bath," and forthwith proceeded to his ablutions. All of which goes to show that the average colonial has a strong sense of his own relative importance. . Mr Ed. Collier, of Weraroa, met with a painful and serious accident last Friday morning while working in the bush near Otaki. Mr Collier and his mate had sawn off a length from a tree, wbich had been felled on a steep siding. While the former was engaged in " sniping " the log on the lower side, it suddenly began to roll down Ih_.ll. Seeing that escape was impossible, he threw himself on the ground among a quantity of kea-l-ea, and the log rolled completely over him, stopping a few feet further on. He was at once carried into Otaki, where he was attended to by Dr Power, brought on to Weraroa by the evening train and taken to his home, where he now lies in a precarious condition- Dr Power states that Mr Collier has sustained considerable internal injuries, his chest bekg badly crushed.— Farmer.

The fo'lowing is taken from a Taranaki paper:—That well-known proverb, '■ There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip," was clearly demonstrated in this province a few weeks ago. A" couple residing in one of the small towns were engaged to be married, and on the day appointed for "doing the deed " they came into town arrayed in their best and accompanied by several friends, including a brother of the bridegroom, who was to officiate as best man, which, as the sequel showed, he proved himself to be in quite an unexpected way. Leaving the blushing damsel in charge of his brother, the (bridegroom adjourned to a hotel to prepare himself for thp ordeal before him with " something hot." In the bar he met some friends, and, amidst their congratula tions, had another glass, and then another, till before long he became quite oblivious of the circumstances, to the wedding party, to the waiting bride, and to everything. Meanwhile the bride and the rest of the party became anxious, and then annoyed. At last a party was despatched in f-earch of the derelict bridegroom, which brought back word that they had found him on the floor of the bar too drunk even to stand. The bride declared herself to be insulted, and said she would have nothing more to do with him ; but had come to be married, and if the best man would have her, he had tbe chance now. The latter, after a few moments' thought, chivalrously declared himself ready to extricate her from the difficulty, and started off for a license. On his return the knot was tied, and the best .nan carried off the prize, and the drunken bridegroom (that -was to be) was left to be.ome sober at his leisqre and arrive at a knowledge of the remark-: able turn affairs had taken.

In the House last night after a lengthy debate, the committal of the Sand Drift Bill was agreed to and progress was immediately reported. The Impounding Act Amendment Bill was committed, but after considerable discussion progress was reported. Tho Sea Fisheries Act Amendment Bill, and the "New Zealand Institute Bill were read a second time on tha voices.

( The Magistrate's Court sat until 10.3g o'clock last evening hearing evidence in a charge against J. W. P. Proctor, late hotelkceper, of Marton, of breaches of tho Bankruptcy Act of 1892. The charges were, failing to keep proper books of account and contracting debts without having any reasonable grounds of expectation of being able to pay samo. Mr Innes appeared for defendant, and Mr Fit-zh.-rbort, Crown Prosecutor, for Mr G. J. Scott, D.O.A. Several witnesses wero examined, the evidence adduced being practically tho same as. that already published in connection with debtor's public examination. Mr Thomson, S.M., considered that a prima facie case had beon made out aud he was of the opinion I -<••• -h urges should go before a jury. B_u \\.i_ allowed accused, himself in a sum of £25 and one surety of £25.

A largely-attended meeting of the Friendly Societies' Executive was held at the Firo Brigade station last evening, Bro. S. T. Hunt in the chair. A letter was received from Bro. E. Bold, Secretary of the Pacific Lodge, U.A.O.D. (Wellington), iv reference to several amendments in the Friendly Societies' act Bro. Bold suggested that the two following clauses be added to the Act, viz.,;—(l) » Provided that when such annual return cannot be conveniently made out to the 31st December, the Eegistrar shall, for the purposes of this section, accept a return made up to the date of the nearest annual balance prior to the 31st December; (2) that subsections 4 and 5 of section 13 of the principal Act be amended by substituting one hundred pounds for fifty pounds in each of these sub-sections." This applies to the funeral grants given by tho Lodges. It was unanimously decided to ask Bro. W. T. Wood, M.H.E., to support the suggestions'. The following is the list of speakers who have signified their intention of taking part in the publio meeting to be held in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday, October 14th:—Bros. W. T. Wood, J. ■Duthie, A. Kidd, and J. T. Jennings, M's.H.R., Bishop Wallia, J. Mackay, H. J. Williams, D. P. Loasby, J. Kershaw, E. Bold, B. R. Gardener, T. Wilson, J. Laurenson, and a representative from the 1.0. R. It was decided that the procession should form in front of the Fire Brigade station at 7 p.m., and Bros. J. Follas and W. H. Lewis were appointed marshals. The dress circle will bo reserved for ladies and their escorts. Several other matters of importance Were dealt with.