WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1894. North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8141, 28 November 1894, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1894.

North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING.

Tins is tho ago of revolutions. What might bo termed " reforms " are much too slow for the galloping radical of thofjo latter days, and when out on tho warpath every fight is a pitched battle — .skirmishes being unworthy of tho dignity of a man who is going to revolutionise tho world at one turn ot tho handlo of tho State machinery. We see this in our legislation, our laws being of such a sweeping character that tho man who owns anything at all is dubious as to how long ho will bo able to retain possession of it In yesterday's issuo a correspondent drew attention to tho Bill that was beforo Parliament last session to extend tho municipal franchise to every voter who is on tho electoral roll of tho district, and pointed out that a measure of this kind would deprive borough ratepayers of all say in the administration of municipal affairs. This is quito apparent, for ratepayers are in a great minority in all municipalities ; that is, as against voters on the general roll. Tho Bill was introduced by a private member, but that fact may not deprive it of its potency to work a lot of mischief. Even tho fact that not one reasonable argument can bo advanced in favor of tho contemplated chango will make no difforonco. It is not argument that is wanted. Thoro is a desire abroad, fostered by ignorant politicians and weak newspapers, to hunt down tho man who has boon prudent and industrious, and allow thoso who havo been neither tho ono nor tho other an opportunity to rovol in tho folly of upsetting tho established customs of the country. Tho Municipal Franchise ISnlargomont Bill, if it passes into law — and there is no knowing what tho present House of Representatives may not do - would havo tho effect of transferring tho power of the purso from tho ratepayer to the indi< vidual who may havo nothing. Expenditure on necessary works, which is now carried out prudontly and economically, would pass from tho prudent and economical into tho hands of those who would havo everything to gain by making it extravagant and hurtful to thoso who havo to provide the funds. Instead of citizens being actuated by a desirablo ambition to bocomo ratepayers thoso who aro now ratepayers would bo forced to the conclusion that New Zealand is no place for any one but tho man who can put all his possessions on his back, and walk off to fivsh fields and pastures, for •who would be a ratepayer when tho only pnvilego of that individual will be to provido tho funds to keep tho happy and contented and propertyless voter in work ? All this may seem overdrawn, but last session's legislation shows that tho House is capable of going to greater oxtromes than this. Did not ono Minister introduce tho Undesirable Immigrants Bill, and another tho Libel Limitation Bill ? If Ministers can bring in these Bills, and expect to see them passed into law, why fchould not tho private member, who slavishly supports everything Ministerial, not expect his Bill to pass also, ospecially when its provisions aro in accord with tho sentiments of Ministers 1 Socialism run mad is quito au inadequate expression to apply to legislation of this kind.

An advertisement in a recent Sydney paper ran thus : " Wanted an elderly man to dean boots and play piano in hotol."

And it is snict that over JOO applicants presented themselves for the job. The Hous. Mews Seddon, M'Koiizio and Ward passed south to Dtmedin by last night's express. During tho months of December, January, and February the express trains north and south will stop at Hillgrovc. Moeraki i-j largely made use of during the summer months, and the stopping of the trains will bo a great convenience. According to an exchange tho young blood of Strat ford aro in the habit of taking possession of church goerV horses on Sunday evenings and riding to a neighbouring township to indulge in "beers." They aro alwajs considerate enough to bo back before the close of the service. For home time back the water hi the town mains has ben remarkably ole.m, and its purity is the result of tho extension of tho race through tho shingle closo to the river. If the water only keeps as clean as it is at the present Mine tho money spent on tho extension will bo well laid out. The Maitland (South Australia) correspondent of the Adelaide Advertiser writes : " Monday was the day set apart for sparrow destruction in this municipality, poisoned wheat being the means used. Much to tho chagrin of several of the householders, the f»parrow3 seem as numerous as ever, while about half tho geese and ducks of the town aro dead. The following will represent tho Oamaru Cricket Club's second eleven to play against) the E<ceels or Club's first eleven ou Thuraday: Muidoch, Mm ray, Ross, M'Ghie, H. Crawford, Mathicson, H. King, W. S. King, W. J. Jonos, Maude and Hood. Play will start at 2.15 o'clock, and tho players will leave the Post Office at a quarter to 2. Christchurch Truth states that the Mm« ister for Railways, as tho Chief Commissioner will be called, is, according to rnmor, to be Mr John Joyce, M.H.R., if thai gentleman will accept tho position. This rumor, if not directly traceable to tho Pro* micr, can bo sheeted home to one of tho lesser lights who revolve round him, and correctly represents the Ministerial mind to-day. What to morrow may briug forth it is hard to say. The following members of tho Oamaru Naval Artillery have been selected to represent their corps in tho shooting match against tho Dunedin Naval Artillery on Friday next : P.O. Symon, P.O. James, P.O. 'Evans, P.O. M'Pherrion. Seamen W. Bm'aelough, Harris, Hastie, W. H. Barnes, Duncau, and 10. L Barnes. Emergencies— Turn bull ami Tiddy. Anyono unable to attend is requested to notify the secretary as early as possible. The following story, which is so good thafc it deserves to be true, is from tho Taranaki Herald : It is reported th it on a recent occasion tho Inspector of Schools visited a ■school not a hundred miles from town, and while there he put a few questions ou tho (government of the colony to the scholars, j Tho first question was, " Who is tho Governor of Now Zealand V' to which camo the rather irreverent reply, " A man named Glasgow." " Lord Glasgow," reprovingly added tho Inspector, and then he continued " Who is tho Governor's chief adviser ?" Young Tarauaki roso to tho occasion, and ia a ohorua they exclaimed, " E. M. Smith." The nonsense that has been cabled concorning the war betweon China and Japan is something phenomenal. It was reported that the slaughter at the taking of Port) Aithur was something appalling — that whole battalions of Chinese hau been slaughtered in tho desperate resistance made. Now it turns out that only 250 Japanese weio killed, and that the Chineso loss in killed ahd wounded was 1000. Tho affair was not much more than a skirmish, for apparently as the Japanese got in at one door the Chinese got out at the other— who men that they are- They wero not going to stand up to bo shot at. China lias lestj her fleet, and her whole army «oemg to bo in active tiaiuing for long distance running, so the war is practically over. It is expected that the vacancy ad W uareka parish will shortly bo filled up. The result of the voting was that Messrn Johnston and Noavo wore about equal, only two votes between thorn. They were considerably ahead of the other candidates. 10 was the unanimous feeling of tho office* bearers that these two gentlemen should bo asked to preach one sabbath each. Me Johnston comes for tlip 2nd pi ok. , and it ig expected that Mr Neave will fill tho pulpit) on the succeeding Sunday. On tho lu'tU December the moderator is expected to preach, and to call upon members ami adheicnt'j to declare definitely which is tho man of their choice. Dining the vacancy tho various sections of the congregation, wo understand, have done well, both by way o£ attendance and contributions. The following singular story is told a reporter by a missionary connected with ono of the London police courts ; but names aro omitted for obvious iovojh. Some time since tho missionary befriended a family when the husband and father was dying from consumption. The poor man died, au<! tho missionary got tho children cared for, and sent the widow to be trained aa a nurse. The poor woman obtained her diploma, ami a fairly good connection amongst tho modi* cal profession. One of her patients was .i lady who was stricken with fever. Good nursing and c ireful watching alone could save her, and this the nurso gavo unstintingly. The lady recovered, and was tol4 that sho owed this more to the good mining than to tho doctors. One day recently tho lady wroto to the missionary mentioned asking for an appointment, as slio wished to make her will in favor of tho nurse. _ Tho missionary advised a pau^o fin* consideration. Was she do Wing justly with her relatives? "Oh, yes; the relatives wero only cousins, and were all richer than sho." And then tho lady made her will, leaving L6OOO to tho poor widow and her thrco children, and appointing tho missionary as executor and trustee, with a small legacy for his trouble. At tho Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Major Keddell, S.M., the following civil cases were heard : Stewart and Whitton v. Thomas Jackman, claim L 4. Mr Harvey for plaintiffs, for whom judgment; was given, with 16s costs. H. B. Craw* ford v. W. F. Tnder, c'aim L 3 8s 2d. Me Harvey appeared for defendant, Tho plaintiff was non-suited, with costs of L 2 919 1 against him. Colonial Bank v. Thoma'J Williams, chim \ATI Ms Bd, amount of bank overdraft. Mr Loc (Hislop and Croagh) appeared for tho plaintiff bank, aud Mr Harvey for the defendant. The Magistrate in giving judgment said there was nothing whatever to show that Williams was freed from liability in re3pect to tho amount owing tho bank, although tho manager of the bank had fcaid that they looked to Munro to pay it off. But tliaO meant that if ho failed to do so that Williams would bo held responsible. Tho evidence of the defence failed to show that there had been any release. The question of partnership did nob arise in the case, and therefoio ho (tho Magistrate) hid jurisdiction to try it. Ho hold there was no good defence to the claim, and gave judgment for tho plaintiff. Costs of Ll4 Us 8d were allowed tho plaintiff. Thonris Falconer v. John Davis, claim Ll5 16s 2d on a judgment summons. Mr Crawford appeared for plaintiff. Defendant did not appear, and an order was undo for tho payment of the amount by Friday, tho 'SUit day of May, 1895, in default to bo imprisoned in Dunedin gaol for one month. James GhmmiMi invites inspection of hw first summer consignment of Scotch and English suitings, coatings, and trouserings, ox Pakeha, A clmce selection of exclusive novelties ; also Oamaru and other Colonial goods of tho best quality. This Establishment has long been noted for the first-clas 5}5 } character of its productions, Suits from 7(.s upwards. Waterproof overcoats to rder aud ready made at lowest current) rates. — .James Ghmmell, Thames Street, Oamaru. Special Exhibits at tuj: Show.— Wo understand Mr W. Waddoll will have a very nieo exhibition of Oamaru Manufacture^ Tweeds and Coatings in the Grain Shed on, tbu two fcjUovv ltey«, Xhe goofo we p«b %

fcho flrm'u icgular fitock of new season's goode, and arc creditable aliko io the tasto of the exhibitor and our local factory, which has now a reputation second to none for the excellence of dowign and quality of their qowh. Mi' Waddell will also show a splendid selection of the celebrated Pear Tree Brand of Waterproof Gannonta and SpccialiticH, manufactured to his order by Messrs Birnbaum and .Son, Mmitvd, of Wellington. The oxhibitn inchtdo, beside the twtial ladica and gents' Over-garments in latest styles, Bicycle Capes, Leggings, Hold-Alls, Buggy Bugs, and Water Bottlcti. Certainly the goods do credit, to the nuikcis, and are a eplendid exhibition of colonial made goods, while we understand the prices are less than the imported article. - [ Ad vt. | orlB

We are wide awake to the fact that Stars aro leading ami niunt bo kept to the front. Our model JO at DO is the cheapest cycle in tho market. — Adams, Cuhtiem and Co., 70 Manchester Street, Oliriotchurol),