ESTABLISHED 1875. The Manawatu Daily Times. The Oldest Manawatu Journal. Published Every Morning. SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1905. CONTENTS BILL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7951, 14 January 1905, Page 2

ESTABLISHED 1875. The Manawatu Daily Times. The Oldest Manawatu Journal. Published Every Morning. SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 1905. CONTENTS BILL.

Fibst Page—Tenders, Amusemendts, an Wanteds, &o. Second and Thied Pages—Business Announoem< nts, News of the Day. Foubth Page — Auctions, Land Sales, General Business Notices.

The ratepayers of the Kairanga County Council are reminded of the poll to-day on the unimproved value rating question.

The scarcity of school teachers in the Canterbury district continues to be marked, and the Education Board has difficulty in finding suitable teachers for all vacancies.

Patrick Coughlan, a married man, aged fifty, a laborer, was received into the Dunedin hospital on Thursday, presumably suffering from fish poisoning. He died at midnight from a severe rupture pf the stomach.

As a sequel to the safe robbery from Fillings' Hotel (Waihi), the cheques, representing j£229, were discovered loosely rolled together in a, pillar post box. The cheques have b.een identified as those stolen.

The trial of McKenzie, alias Ellis, charged with the murder of Collinson^ at Te Awaite, in February last, will open io the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, next Friday.

A constable followed a prohibited man at Kaiapoi to a place where beer was supposed to be planted, and saw him take a bottle from a tree stump near the river. The constable was in time to secure the bottle while the man was drinking from it under one of the footbridges.

Mr O'Grady, an employee of Mr C. Dahl, had his arm caught in the cogwheels of a. windmill yesterday and badly lacerated.

Messrs J. J. Casey, W. A. Sowman, and A. S. Palmer (poultry), W. Fraser (pigeons), and R, W.Thompson (canaries) have been appointed judges for the Winter Show to bo heia at Palmerston North in June next.

The Orona County Council notifies that after Monday next an additional 10 per cent will be added to all unpaid rates, and that all outstanding rates after that daie will bo handed to the County solicitor for collection.

A shooting accident happened at Hokowhitu yesterday. A man shot through a hedge at a cat, and a boy received some pellets of shot in the head. No serious consequences are anticipated.

The " feats of strength " competition at the New Plymouth Exhibition was won by McCann with 25 points. Oscar Star (21 points) was second, and " Hercules " (19 points) third.

Mr A. James, architect, of Feilding, wishes to contradict the statement that a Wellington draughtsman has joined his staff.

The Premier has received a telegram from the Agent-General Btating that the New Zealand exhibit at the Liverpool Exhibition wns completed in time for the opening, and the display was very satisfactory and effective.

A dozen English Mallard ducks which have been ieared at Masterton are to be liberated on the Hokowhitu and Awapuni lagoons by Mr E. Larcomb, on behalf of the Acclimatisation Society.

Try a pair of Collinson and Cunningname's new Suede gloves at 3s lid.*

The electric trams were started in Caversham (Dunedin) on Thursday, carrying the public at a twopenny fare, but after having being run for a few hours, were stopped by instructions from the Public Works Department, the necessary formalities regarding "authorisation not having been complied with.

An exchange says that one of the biggest deals in sheep that has taken place in Southland was made the other day, when Ellis Bros., of Five Rivera and Merrivale Stations, sold 6000 sheep and 2000 lambs, the purchasers being Mr Taggart, of North Canterbury; and a dealer.

At the instigation of the Reserves Committee the' Borough Council has empowered the caretaker of the Sports Ground and Esplanade to give permission to all concerned to shoot bunnies between sparrow rise and 7 a.m. A representative of this journal has been instructed to sit on a log in the vicinity to await coronial developments.

A representative of the Herald has been shown a brooch set with pearls found at Waitotara. The jewels were taken from fresh water mussels, which are fairly plentiful in that district, and polished and set by a Wanganui jeweller. The fact that fresh water mussels not infrequently contain pearls will be newi to at any rate some of our readers.

The committee of the Kimbolton Sports Club are working steadily ahead with the arrangements for iheir meeting which it has now been decided will be held on Wednesday, Feb. Bth. From latest reports the ground is in excellent order, and the appointments are likely to be first class. The programme includes a large number of events, and substantial prize money is to be given.

Sir Joseph Ward stated at Auckland that before leaving Wellington he had given directions for the preparation of a fresh time-table in connection with the Wellington service. The time of departure of the express from Wellington would be made 8 o'clock instead of 9.20, as at present. This will mean that steamers will be able to leave New Plymouth an hour and twenty minutes earlier. The alteration will also involve an alteration in the service in the South Island, and this is being attended to. The change will come into operation on March Ist.

Sandflies are reported to be numerout on the west coast of Otago this year, and tourista who have not protected themselves with veils and gloves have suffered severely from the bites of the little insects. The very wet season is said to ht.-ve been responsible for the increase in tb.e numbers of the pest. One tourist suggests that it would be an act of mercy on the part of the Government to undertake some investigations, with a view to ridding otherwise delightful resorts of this plague, and he quotes the achievements of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in fighting the mostquito, to show that the -ilea is not at al ridiculous. . ,

The cheapest cyclee in New Zealand, a " Warren," 410 10s afr Clarkson's,*

Additional particulars regarding the fire on the French barque Bougainville show that the vessel had a miraculous escape from blowing up. The fire is traceable right up to the place where the oil and ppirits were stowed. The captain's theory is that the continued battening down smothered the flames, and water poured in on tha thirteenth day finally got the fire under". Asked as to why water had not been poured in earlier, the captain states the beat and smoke were too great to permit the vital spot being reached, and he didn't know exactly where the fire was spreading. Four barrels of wine were burned. The onjy other damage w»s to sails, provisions, and stores, and perhaps a few cases of kerosene. Structural damage was confined to' a few boards and beams.

Messrs Slack Bros, have recently imported, through the firm of Messrs Barraud and Abraham, Ltd., a number of new disease-resisting varieties of potatoes which have been raised by the famous propagator ittncllay, of Mairsland, Auchtermuchty, the indent including a few pounds of the sensationalpriced and world-renowned Eldorado. It will be remembered that recently tubers of this variety were sold for J612 10a per oz, a single pound fetching as much as £250. The other varieties of Findlay's included in the shipment are Evergood, Empress Queen, Goodfellow, and Royal Kidney, and, as last year, Messrs Slack Bros, imported the wellknown Northern Star, with three other Home favourites (viz., Coles' Favourite, Early Market Favourite; and King Edward VII.), they deserve every success for their foresight and enterprise. The idea of importing these new varieties is to try and improve the quantity and quality of potato crops, and also to put on the market a potato true to name. These potatoes have not been selected at random at Home, as they have either been well up, or have beaten all comers in field trials.

It is understood (says the London Telegraph) that Prince Louis of Battenberg will be appointed to an important command afloat, probably in the Mediterranean, in the course of the year. His Highness was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral on Ist July last, and it is reported that when he hoists his flag for the first time his flagship will be one of the new battleships of the King Edward VII class, of 16.350 tons, the largest men-of-war ever constructed in this country, and the most powerful afloat in offence and defence. Prince Louis commanded the battleship Implacablein the Mediterranean when last employed at sea, and for some weeks acted as commodore, especially distinguishing himself in the manoeuvres off Argos oli, when he eluded the blockading force, which was in superior strength. For the past two years he has acted as Director of Naval Intelligence, and one of the most responsible positions at the Admiralty, and during the late crisis the efficiency of his administration was amply proved. His Serene Highness is not only a most popular officer, but is regarded with absolute confidence by the fleet. He is a sailor and scientist which is held to be an essential combination in a modern commander of a fleet.

Liberal allowances. Easy terms. Cycles at your own prices. Clarkson's.*

A peculiar incident, caused apparently through the excessive heat, occurred, says the Adelaide Register, on board the schooner Cygnet on December 81, The vessel was bound from Port Pirie to Port Adelaide, and was sailing in the vicinity of Wardang Island, in Spencer's Gulf, when a large number of birds alighted on the deck and rigging. These were of various kinds, ranging from sparrow hawks, of which there were several dozen, to small native birds and swallows. They numbered over a hundred, and W probably flown from the land away from jthe heat, had become exhausted, and were unable to return. Small birds nestled close to their bitterest enemy, the hawk, as if they had never borne each other any iIL-will, while the crew could walk among them without causing a stir. When the' cool breeze sprang up early i Q the evening the majority left the boat; a few died through exhaustion, while several hawks, wb'ieh had become quite tame, came to Port Adelaide in the vessel.

The Napier Telegraph's sporting writer says:— Owing to a difficulty in obtaining suitable quarters at Hastings, it is more than probable that J. Rollo will shift his camp to the other coast of this island.

The Farmers' Union will be glad to know that the Minister of Railways has arranged a free railway trip to Eltham and Stratford for the Maoris who have been taking part in the New Plymouth Exhibition.

The following Taranaki men have been selected for the team of twout.y. four footballers to visit England : -W. Glen and J. O'Sullivan (forwards), :nd J. Hunter and S. Mynot (backs).

The Tane correspondent of the Pabiatua Herald writes:—l understand the following establishes a record for the Bush districts: Six men shore 981 sheep for Mr Stone-Wigg on the 10th inst, the best tally being 202 sheep by Whelan, the Australian, the MaDri Pahau doing 180, while N. Waidon and W. J. Orr, two boys of 20 summers, did 180 sheep.

Kerry, the owner of the yacht Ariadne, which was lost near Oamaru, is stated by the Oamaru Mail to have purchased Sir Allen Young's old yacht Pandora, and to ba taking out a party to exploit the guano deposits of the Tristan d'Acunha group and Gough Island. Kerry obtained a lease of the island from the British Government under certain conditions, which include the erecting of beacons and making arrangements for the reception of castaways.

An Ashburton paper states that it was discovered a few nights ago that several rather serious robberies had been committed in the Westerfield district. The thief or thieves managed to get away with five bales of wool from Westerfield railway station, three bales from another siding, and one bale from a shed belonging to a settler in the district. The branded bales were left behind, and empty bales taken to rebale the wool.

A New Zealand resident, who is on a visit to Australia, writes to a friend in Hokitika in reference to the great heat experienced in New South Wales recently. At Port Stephens the thermometer registered 98 m the shade. The mosquitoes were as big as humming birds, with voices like bull-frogs. Even the birds flew backwards for the purpose of letting the air into their feathers. Men positively refused to work, the bullock-drivers being so much overcome that they were too lazy to swear 1

Mr D. Fraser, of Bulls, has agreed to ]udge the draught horses, and Mr G. Gebbie, Hawera, the pigs at the Woodville Central A. and P. Show next Wednesday fortnight. This completes the hat of judges with the exception of section jumping. The committee of the Association has appointed a strong subcommittee to arrange for the reception and paddocking of stock exhibits, so that exhibitors may rely on being well cared for in that respect. So far the number of entries is in excess of that last year.

The Premier gave the assembled natives at New Plymouth yesterday a wholesome mixture of admonition and advice. He pointed out that some £300,000 a year was paid to the natives for leases of lands along the West Coast " Had that money," he asked, « been wisely spent by those who received it ? " His answer was "No" It had been spent in a manner that did not make for the welfare of the race, and it must cease, or other steps would need to be taken.

A local justice of the peace, a sergeant of the police with a cordon of stalwart policemen, a team of pressmen, and a string of officials, witnesses, onlookers, etc., were kept waiting for a quarter of an hour at the Police Court yesterday before crossing the threshold of a case for alleged bigamy, all because another justice of the.peace, with characteristic regard of his duty to the State, thought fit to pedal leisurely in the direction of the Railway Station to see about some pigeons, when he was due at the Court.

A fifteen-year old son of Mr J. Gilchrist, Foxton Line, collided on his bicycle with a baker's cart yesterday afternpon. while riding home. He was pedalling close behind the vehicle and when the latter pulled up rather sharply he collided heavily with the rear portion. He was injured very severely about the head, and also sustained a fracture of one of his legs. Up to a late hour last evening the unfortunate boy had not reoovered consciousness, and was in rather a critical condition.

Mr J. JP. MacMahon arrived in Palmerston last evening to complete the necessary preliminary arrangements for the appearance at the Lyceum Theatre on Friday and Ba|urday evening next, of the actor-author Mr George Darrell, and his dramatic organisation which the Messrs MacMabon have brought to New Zealand from Australia to support him. The piece selected for the initial performanoe is Mr Darrell's Australian Drama, " The Sunny South." This will be followed by the equally successful play " Transported for Life."

One of the largest flaxmills on the West Coast of the South Island is owned by Mr John Stevens, of the Rangitikei. It is situated at Okura, about 100 miles south of Hokitika, and is turning out a ton pf drgsjed fibre every full working day. Mr Stevens has shipped some of his hemp to London, an,d qbtained ±'81 per ton for it, and he has just sold another lot in Wellington at JE27 a ton, He will leave for the Coast to-morrow with another flaxmill plant, which he has arranged to ereot at the Cascades, and it is his intention later on to place two more mills in the same locality.

A new Dental Act Same into force this week. A soutbern journal calls attention to a remarkable poiat in this remarkable measure. Section 1 o£ the Act declares that it shall not come into operation until January 10th of this year. Obviously, action under any section of an Act cannot be taken until that Act is in force. Yetshe final sentenca of subsection (d) of section 10, aforementioned, declares that no application for registration under that sub-section shall be valid unless made on or before January Ist 1905. That is to say, ten days before the Act comes into force! What a harvest last season's crop of legislation must be for the legal fraternity. Would anyone believe that we pay our legislators £300 a year each to turn oat crude absurdities of this kind. They are not worth £30 a year!—Masterton Times.

Experiments are being made in Wellington with "Westrumite," which is said to be highly efficacious i$ layiqg dust on thoroughfares, " Westrumite," which is a German invention, is an extraot from crude petroleum, mixable with water. The local agents have undertaken to make a six-months' test of that portion of Featherston street from the Government Railway Station to the Telephone Exchange. The first stage of the experiment was undertaken on Tuesday evening, when the watercart was sent over the experimental area, the water used containing 10 per cent of '•' Westrumite." Another application of the 10 per cent mixture will be made to-morrow, the third and final application (of five per cent strength) in three or four weeks' time. The claim is that ■during the six months' period only the three applications of the material will be needed to prove efficacious, and there will be no necessity to spread water over the experimental area during that time. >■• Westrumite " has been used with, satisfactory results over the routes for motor car racing in the Old World. Jt is meant particularly for macadamised roads.

The Palmerston Police statistics for the past year, which have just been prepared by Sergt Stagpoole, show that the total number of criminal offences dealt with during the twelve months was 785. In 1903 it was 677. Drunkenness was the chief stumbling block, no less than 335 out of the 735 convictions being for offences of that description. The sinning capacity of the community in this branch of criminality has not greatly increased, however, for the records show the advance on last year to be but four. There were 306 males and 29 females convioted. Vagrants were the next most common offenders, there having been in all 41 creatures of this order apprehended. Twenty-six were males and twelve females. The previous year the number was 21, the increase in 1904 being nearly JOO per cent. For using Qbscene language 43 offenders were arrested and all were'oonv'icted. Under the heading " thefts " 41 apprehensions are recorded, out of which number fifteen were discharge^. Twenty-seven obstructors of thoroughfares were summoned and all were convicted; while twenty-three convictions were, entered against persons who deserted their hpmes and children. Other common offence^ were—qbstruoting th,e police, 21 contictions; false pretonces 16; disobeying orders' of the oourt, 2Q; assaults, 18; malicious ' injury to property 16; burglary 18; breaches of the peace, 12. remainder qi the 735 apprehensions are made up of minor offences. Jn the tqtal eet out, however, it ahqald be noted tha.t suoh oases as breaches of by-laws, truancy, etc., are not included,

We are in a position to supply you with the best value for money. Consult us. Clarkson.*

Masterton intends holding a huge floral fete in aid of the funds of the local hospital. The Government has acceded to the request of Mr Hogg, M.H.R., and instructed the Defence Department to supply the necessary marquees and tents. Might not something of the kind be carried out in Palmerston North ?

The Education Boards and School Committees who move for votes through ordinary channels, and whose requests are usually carefully pigeon-holed in the biggest wooden buildings in the world, may notice with envy not unmixed with chagrin that Mr Seddon in his unique character study The Minister of Education, has, under the inspiration of a momentary enthusiasm flung a couple of hundred to the Fitzroy School Committee, New Plymouth. 'Perhaps he did it in self-defence in the same way that travellers in Russia are said to throw things out of their sledges to the hungry wolves who press in upon them on every side, or perhaps he did it to raise a cheer. Cheers for "Dick" are rather scarcer than ten pound notes thf"*- rlays.

An old Maori chief of note, named Pehi Hitaua Turoa, saya the Wanganui Herald, died a few days ago at Eaetihi. Pehi was the highest in rank of all the Upper Wanganui natives, and in the Maori wars from 1864 to 1870 was a prominent man amongst the Hauhaus. His elder brother, the venerable Topia Turoa, died at Wanganui a few months ago. Physically, Pehi was a fine specimen of the old-school Maori—tall, soldierly-looking, and well-tattooed. He was present at the battle of Moutoa, on the Wanganui river, in 1864, when he and his fellow Hauhaus, who meditated a descent apon Wanganui town, were defeated by the friendly natives. For many years after the war he isolated himself from all Europeans, and lived chiefly at a remote settlement in the Waimarino forest. This earned for him from the Lower Wanganui natives the soubriquet of " te rum nohu-motu " —the owl which abides in the depths of the bush. It was not often that he oared to emerge from his seclusion, but in later years he occasionally visited Wellington, and he was one of the chiefs who presented valuable gifts to the Duke and Duchess of York on the occasion of their visit to Eotorua. He was an old friend of the Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister.

The Premier has got into a hot corner at New Plymouth. He told his faithful West Coast; people who were worrying him to death about the urgent necessity for a road to Smith's Curse and other urgent local requirements, that he really couldn't stay and listen to them as he had to get away to Wellington at once and ace about setting up a Land Commission and perpetrating several other jobs of urgent importance. Instead of that he boarded his yacht Hinemoa (which costs about JBISO a day to keep manned with steam up) and dashed across to the Taranaki capital. There he has got himself into the same sort of jam that Stoessel experienced at Port Arthur. Day and night he is being bombarded by excited deputationists, who are pelting him with requisitioni, and demands, and requests, and calling upon him to construct roads, and erect schools, and mend the suckers of all the village pumps in the neighbourhood. He Hem Smith is a hexploiring the hopportunity for hall it is worth, and when Mr Beddon reaches the top of Egmont and gazes out upon the land which he created, and all the marvellous things he has made, the little man in the battered belltopper and the white waistcoat will be there, with his voluminous note book, and his smile, and his buttonhole, and his ironsand dial. Well Taranaki deserves some consideration for it has presented to the Parliamentary Museum the biggest and most pertinacious centipede that has crawled the earth since time began: " That's me He Hem Smith faevery time 1"

See our window of Holland and crash dress pieces at 3s lid at our sale of surplus summer stock, commencing to* day at the Bon Marehe.—Advt,