The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1895.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 99, 29 April 1895, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. MONDAY, APRIL 29, 1895.

To land troops iv a foreign country and seize a, custom Louse and other public buildings soetns about as high-handed a proceeding as can bo imagined. It is an act of war, and if the parties to the dispute were nearly equal in strength lighting would certainly follow. A telegram published to-day states that four hundred marines from the English man-of war Koyal Arthur have been landed in Nicaragua, and hoisted the English Hag over the custom house and other public buildings. Tho dispute between the big power and the little one has been going on for more than a year, In February, 1891, n Nicaraguan force invaded the Mosquito territory, over which the English exercise a somewhat vague protection. The force took possession of tlip capital, BluefielHs, and hoisted the Nicaraguan flasover the public buildings. The only reason given for this act of aggression was that the Nicaraguan Government .coveted the revenues and harbours of the Jlosqyito country. Shortly nf terwards H.M.S. Cleopatra arrived in Bluefiekls.and landed a body of marines for the protection of the people against disturbance. Her captain demanded that the Mosquito ilag should again be hoisted, and that martial law, which had been proclaimed, should bo raised. The Mosquitos succeeded ia driving out the Nicaraguans, but only for a few days after which they reestablished, themselves. Then fol-

lowed the arrest at BlucfieMs of the English Vice-Consul, Mr Hatch, and another Englishman. No definite charge was laid against them, but it was said that they were accused of inciting Jamaicans at Bluefields to riot. To arrest (he representative of the English Government was of course a grave insult, and the authorities demanded the release of Mr Hatch and the other Englishman and the payment of a considerable snsn of money by way of compensation. The two were released, and the compensation wag promised. It, however, has not been pai 1, and some time ago the English Government intimated that unless it were done the Custom Uouses would be seized. The Nicar.iguans authorities evidently thought thut they would have the support of the United United (States in their passive resistance to the Knglish demand, and it appears that there has been a good deal of American influence in the business. After the decided step which has been taken probably the money will be paid, if the Nicaraguau Government has so much, or the English will collect the customs revenue till enough has come in The Central American states are about the most unsatisfactory in the world for foreign countries to have dealings with. It is hard to remember at any moment how they stand. At one time Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvador, and Costa Rica formed one republic under the name of Central America. Since then they have been chopping and changing iibout perpetually, sometimes each standing by isclf, and sometimes two uniting. The atmosphere is perpetually full of revolution. Society is ns uustablo as the earth iv that count) y of earthquakes. There is not the slightest use in making treaties with any President or Dictator, as the chances are that in a fe'v months ho will be dead or banished, and that his successor will repudiate every engagement entered into by him. Nicaragua now possesses importance, as through its territory goes the line of the canal in which the United States are greatly interested, but that does not givo it a stable government with which others can treat on ordinary principles.

In the search about for something to tax, which is one of the main objects of tho existence of New Zealand Ministers, it is strange that travelling shows have escaped. It has been proposed by private members that they should be made to contribute to the revenue, but no finance Minister has yet taken the matter seriously up. Theatrical managers sometimes make a great deal of money in New Zealand. They enjoy as much protection as is given to permanent residents in the colony, and yet those who bring their companies from other countries escape al taxation except that through the customs. When domiciled in New Zealand, if they cam enough they pay income tax, biit the piincipal ones have their homes elsewhere. Even a moderate tax on tickets for admission would bring in a considerable revenue. If .such an import had been in force, some celebrated lecturers would have been of a good deal of service to the Colonial Treasurer It would be better still if such a tax were inforced to give it to local bodies. They all have plenty to do with their money. If our City Council were entitled to levy a small percentage on the profits of a cer. tain entertainment now in Nelson it would come to a good deal, though possibly not so much as has been given voluntarily by the proprietor to the Charitable Aid JJoard. The worst of new taxes is that Colonial Treasurers are much fonder of sweeping the proceeds into tho consolidated revenue thun of giving them to local bodies.

On the fourth page will be found 'i'clegi'ams, and other interesting reading matter. JJy Friday night the earthwork at the Kocks Koad hud so far approached completion that it was possible to drive a wheeled vehicle from end to end. One gentleman tried to do so in the dark so as to have the honour of being the first to drive through. He had, however, to turn hack owing to the darkness. On Saturday morning early a sulky passed oy«r the road, and later several others followed Urt; example. We would draw attention ti> the unsafe state of the bridge on the main road between Foxhill and Belgrove, and tru.st that no time will be lost in rebuilding il, for in its present state it is highly dangerous. Wo would also .suggest that the new bridge should he of ofie span only, so t)iat no obstruction should be caused by logs which in tini.es of Hood come down", not only damaging the piers buteausingan overflow, which does extensive damage to surrounding properties. Important business is to be transacted Et a meeting of the shareholders of the Hrook Strept Prospecting Company to be held this evening gt the Prince Albert Hotel. Mr Gaukrodger, of Foxhill, intends to urect v suitable fence at his own expense along t)in side of the crock opposite his well-known hostelry, also to construct a rustic footbridge over the erec.U, and pjnnl a number of willows. These improvements will add to the appearance of his already well kept grounds. Among the passengers who left by the Waiimi yesterday morning was Mr Norman Johnson, second son of Mr James Johnson, of Britannia Heights, who went to join the It.M.S, Kaikourn, on which steamer he has leceived an appointment on the engineering stall. Ho is on his way to Glasgow to finish his education us marine engineer. For the last m\ years Mr Johnson has been in the employment of Mr Crosbie, of the Si.ho Foundry, live years as an apprentice and one' as a journeyman. Mr Johnson carries with him the well-wishes of a host of friends and acquaintances. The funeral of the late Mr S. V. Crabb took place yesterday afternoon, when the remains were followed by the friends of the deceased and the members of the Salvation Army. At the grave a short but impressive service was conducted by Adjutant Spiers, of the Salvation Army.' At a meeting of the Cuiiimillco of the Canterbury Acclimatisation (Society lust week, v letter was rend stating that the application to the Government for a free pass on the railways for the Curator of the Society could not be granted. Bs\oral members said thai in continence, the Society would have to suspend its ell'orts to put lish into the various rivers. A Wost Const paper reports llio dentil of Mr Thomas Keating, a native of Clonmcl, I County Tippcrnry, Ireland. Deceased, who was 5!) years of age, died from consumption, He was well known on the gold lields in the early days. Heir Louis Tutschka, S.C.M., professor of music, of Auckland, who visited Nelson some tinio hack, and delighted a large number of hearers with his violin' playing at v sacred concert at Si John's Church, him r.emovcd to Napier. A social to welcome the Itev Mr Marshall and Mrs Marshall <<> ll>e Kiehmond Wcsleyan Circuit, is to be held o;i Kr>day at Mr llodson's new residence, jjjehmond. Pigeons arc becoming plentiful at present. On Saturday bags of L'o, 17, l-\ S, and 7 were got down on ihc Seven Mile. Kakas arc also coming down from the hills.— Grey llivcr Argus. The Harbourmaster reports that some ill-conditioned persons havo been guilty of cuttinp away and stealing the ropes attached to the life-saving apparatus at the staitlis.— Wcdporl Times, I

A genera} meeting ot the Nelson Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association is to be held to-nioivow eveningWo regret to learn that the County Chairman, Mr Bird, is rather seriously indisposed, and is unable to attend to business. The three core cable across Cook Strait has again given way, this baing the fourth time since it was laid by the Government about 1805. As Mr Logan, tbe Superintendent of Telegraphs, has, among many other improvements introduced since his appointment, provided an automatic transmitter, the serious delays which have taken place on account of breakages on previous occasions, will be avoided. Mr Logan has also provided a duplex cable between Wangnnu iina Wakapuaka, which will also facilitate the transmission of nx stages. The cable steamer Terranora has been waiting all last week for favourable weather to commence laying a new cuble to take the 'place of the ono now broken. She has not yet been able to get to work. A football match was played at the Botanical Reserve on Saturday afternoon, the Pirate I defeated the Albion juniors by 15 points to nil. Spencer kicked a goal from a mark and also scored a try, and Barnett scored two tries, ono of which Mas converted by Nesbitt. Mr Oldershaw gave general satisfaction as rofcrce. The play was very fast and considerably rough at times on a hard ground. Advantage was taken of the beautiful weather yesterday afternoon by many people to tuke a stroll in tbe Botanical Kescrvo and up the Zigzag. Music wns supplied during the timo by the St; ke Orphanage Band, numbering about forty iustruraentalists, under the conduetorship of Mr Leipcr. A number of choice selections woro well played, and the receipts, from silver coins taken at the gates— amounted to between H lO and £11, This sum goes to the Band fund as previously announced. The manufacture of wax vestas in Victoria is a significant instance of the folly of Protection. For the sake of keeping three nun, two boys, and 18 girls employed (am' the girls only make 8s to 10s a week), the colony loses £8500 in duty. And all the while wax vestas are sold by the same manufacturers (R. Bell and Co.) at Is to Is 3d per gross cheaper in Sydney than in Melbourne. A considerable amount of amusement wus caused at the Magistrate's Court, Lyttelton, the other day, by the fix into which a tradesman landed himself by suing for a debt. To prove his cliiim of £3 10s he handed in a document purporting to bo an order by a sailor on the captain of a vessel for the money. The lynx eye of Mr Beetham at once noted that, although the document was stamped, the stamp was not cancelled, ana informed the plaintilt' that he would have to pay a penalty of £5 on the document. The tradesman stared aghast, but his consternation only provided amusement for the onlookers. In the meantime the Clerk of the Court had impounded the papor, and when the plaintiff saw that it would cost him £5 to prove a claim of CA 10s, bo guilelessly asked for the return of bis document, but Mr Shanavhan, with a smile that was bland enough to have done justice to tha Heathen Chinee, refused the request, and the tradesman left the Court declaring that he had been swindled out of his money. The annual meeting of the Prince Albert Football Club is to be held at the Panama Hotel this evening. The appointmentof Lieutenant T. Carr, of the Westport Naval Artillery, to the position of Lieutenant Commanding has been approved by the Defence Department. Mr Can's many Nelson friends will be glad to learn of iiis promotion. The Committee of the Nelson Scenery Preservation Society will meet this evening in the Council Chambers. The Waimea County Council has almost completed the work of grading the hill just before reaching the Fo"xhill Hotel. This work has been required for a long time and should prove beneficial. The load in front of the hotel has been widened," and altogether the work is an improvement to that part of the country. Electric lighting is being used by a great number of private householders in Wellington. The cost is much lower than gas, the light is better, less trouble, and no damage is done by it to pictures. The waste of water from our reservoir could be utilised as a motive power for electric lighting here, and the suggestion of its introduction is worthy of some consideration. Gas could still be used for cooking purposes, and for engine driving, etc. A very narrow escape from a disastrous explosion was experienced at the Mammoth claim ,Mataldtaki, during the recent gale. Among the many trees uprooted, one fell upon the magazine, which was completely wrecked, the contents consisting of dynamite, cases, and powder kegs being smashed. Fortunately no dynamite cups were struck, or n fearful explosion must have resulted. Everything is working well at the mine, and this week two shifts of men are to be put on, a third following as soon as possible. At the last week Cireyniouthcatt'e sales beef fetched from 20s to 22s (id per lOOlbs; mutton 2d to 2J<I per lb. In consequence of the detention of the Mahinapua at New Plymouth by a si long south-east gale, her mails via Frisco had to he tent on to Wellington by train, and shouid arrive Jieri! to-moirow morning. In consequence of the deluntion there will be no boat this week for New Plymonth and Onehunga. Passengers may go on by the Tahapuna, leaving Wellington on Thursday next. Mr 1). linddo, M. U.K., at the rci|iicst of i«veiul potato producers in the Kaiapoi district, made pn application to the Premier for a reduction on the railway rates for the carriage of potatoes. The Premier has replied that be cannot make uny concessions at present. A correspondent points out that in many enuej streams have their courses widened or diverted owing to lot's being allowed to lie in them, and that 'this \n especial'y npt to take place where there has been bush felling. He suggests that, as sometimes a very small obstruction leads to a great deal of mischief, tup County Council should pass a by-law that no felled tjmbep should bo allowed to overhang or lie in a stream. Jn addition to winning prizes in Nelson, Mr S. Holton lms taken a special prize and a, ccrtilivulc of merit ut lho U'allingtpn Chrysanthemum Show. The I'osf snys : — " An interesting feature of the section for cut blooms was the collection of seedlings, for which the judges made special awards, ■especially line were those shown by Mrß. liolton, of Nelson. A splendid stand of three, compilslhg a primrose yellow, crimson and lavender, and bronze yellow, were awarded a special prize, and to an old gold and yellow bronze the judges gave certificates of special m-.'ril.'' The householders In one of the School districts in Wellington elected aMrsTasker to a seat on lho Committee, but when the newly elected nine met afterwards tho right of tho lady to her emt was challenged, on the ground that she was a inarrlod woman, living with her husband. Mrs 'i'askcr asPtimed thut she would be given an opportunity of being beard, and said so long as it was fair and above board sho was satisfied, but at tho samo time sbe felt con I').] cut that sbe was within her rights, Tho chair, man explained that tho objection was morely raised in order to have the question of tbe right of women to sit on Committees tested. It way then vpsolvcd, " That tbe Secretary be instructed to approach tho Education Board, and ascertain if Mrs Ta&kcr, a married woman living with her husband, i? a loyally (nullified member of tho School Cominltteo." During the recent Hoods in the Wellington district, a eouplo who had decided to take each other "for hotter, for worse," had a novel experience. Arriving at the parsonage, tho bride had to be carried from tho carriage into tbe house upon tho shoulders of tbe bridegroom, through three feet of water and when the ceremony was over the return trip had to bo similarly performed. Their troubles were not then at an end, as tho bridegroom got an involuntary bath before he reached borne. Experiences something similar are not enliraly unknown in Blcnhohn. The 'Petit Journal,' the most widely circulated of Pans journals, has boon com. menting on the great excitement caused amongst tbe English people by the cricket matches in Australia, and says that French ebullitions are " generally evoked by a nobler cause than a moro game of cricket." It adds : — " Tbis semi-barbarous sport, in iv which legs and arms are broken by the dozen {sic), had claimed a victim elsewhere on tbe very d&y of the first match, and an

English contemporary ciliiy reports hi death as an absolutely unimpbrt.xnt matter In the very lines that follow its prcans of viotory," S:ventoen applications were received in Cliristehurch for the office of Female Inspector bo the Cliarit'.ble Ai 1 Board. The Conimitteerciiolved that a married woman should be appohued. Great indignation is expressed among the settlers of l'elorus Sound in consequence of the board appointed under the cheap monoy scbeino declining their applications for money. One settler owning unencumbered freenold land valued by the Land and Income Tax Commissioner at £2000 was refus.d an advance of £250. Again there are complaints of wanton mischief at the Cemetery. Last Friday the funeral too!; place of a little girl, daughter of Mr J. Simpson. A number of wreaths were scut by the child's schoolfellows, and were left at the grave. They were prettily tied with silk ribbon, and it might have been thought that thoy were safe from desecration. Yesterday, however, it was found that the ribbons had been taken away and the wreaths torn. It is surprising that any human being should be guilty of such conduct. A lunatic was committed to the Asylum thh afternoon. ■ Messrs W. L. Ituss and W. L. Palmer have be in elected members o the Waimea West Koad Board without opposition. A horse attached to a spring trap belonging to Mr James Burnes was startled in Hardy Street about 11 o,c!ock this morniii" It broke away from opposite Messrs Wilkins and Fielils, and bolted up Hardy Street, turning the corner by Doifson's brewery, into Tasman Street, 'thence safely across Jsormanby bridge and on to the Wakapuaka Ko.id, where it came to a stand still. Beforo the horse g t properly away the owner pluokily endeavoured to stop it, but was thrown down, luckily escaping injury. He hung on to the animal's head until near the Musoum.