N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1890.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 937, 14 February 1890, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1890.

nr FEDERATION.

If the present sitting of the Federation Convention only prepares the way for

another meeting to further consider the questions of mighty import that have been introduced, it will have done good service. That anything approaching unanimity will be compassed by the current sitting is not to be anticipated even. For there is more than one lion in the path, the fiscal animal being, however, the most formidable. The London Times and the London Economist have, we think, put their fingers on the weak spot of all. Until Australasian fiscal differences are adjusted ; until the several colonies that agree to federate adopt a uniform fiscal system, there can be no reasonable expectation of accomplishing federation. Then, again, there are many other local disputations to he laid at rest- : the quelling of thos’e local prejudices that are almost as rife, and far more pronounced, among the colonies of Australia, than among the districts of New Zealand. Only those who have lived on ‘ ‘ the other side ” can form any conception of the remarkable antagonism between New South Wales and Victoria. That this is undergoing moderation is as certain as that the two colonies are advancing apace along the highway of progress, and are becoming of necessity more cultured, more intellectual, and more liberal in their estimation of one another. But there is still a great deal of the repellant yet to be overcome before federation, in its full fructification, can be expected even in Australia, much more Australasia. And this is making itself very apparent at the present convention. Sentiment preponderates, and the practical is really nowhere, so supremely difficult is it to lay a practical foundation. The principal movers of the federation proposals, of whom Sir Henry Parkes is in the forefront, are merely enthusiastic, and seem very far away indeed from any decisive formulation. They all aver that now is the time, but are silent as to the potent how. We have not departed one hair’s breadth from the attitude wo assumed when the federation proposals were first enunciated. Now, as then, we say that it is for Australia to lead the way, to show how federation can he brought about, and what the immediate results will he before New Zealand associates herself with it. Both Captain Russell and Sir John Hall, the Colony’s delegates, have taken up the proper position. The opinions they have expressed will, in the main, be approved throughout the Colony. They were essentially of the non-committal kind—leaving an open way for any future movement that it might be thought best to make. For ourselves we do most earnestly hope that Australasian federation, should it ever become concrete, will not he a hindrance to the grander, the more comprehensive object, Imperial federation. That Aus*

tralia, at any rate, if not Australasia, must be something more than a mere cluster of states, each striving for its own hand, is sufficiently apparent. There must be federation of some kind, but it will be well for Australasia, well for the Empire, if a door is left open through which Imperial federation can come in. And after that we may look for an alliance, defensive and offensive, between all Eng-lish-speaking people. Such objects as these are, we take it, worth striving for, and are in perfect keeping with the mag nitude of Australasian interests.

PICNIO. —The first annual picnic of the grocers’ assistants was held at Waiwetu on Wednesday. The pioknickers were favoured with fine weather, and the day was most enjoyably spent.

Wife Desertion. —Charles Thompson was charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with deserting his wife and four children at Nelson, and upon the application of Detective Kirby the defendant was remanded to that town.

Traftic Returns. —The traffic returns of the Wellington-Mauawatu Railway for the week ending Bth February, 1890, amounted to £1392 16s 3d, and for the corresponding period of last year, £1316 19s 7d, showing an increase of £75 16s Sd.

Sale of a Yacht. —The yacht Florence was sold by auction Wednesday afternoon by Messrs Kennedy Macdonald and Co. for £l4O, the purchaser being Mr W. McKinstrey. A condition of the sale was that the purchaser should at once alter the name of the vessel.

Chambers’ Journal. —We have received the December number of 1889, of the above popular and interesting periodical, and can recommend it as one of the best that has come out for a long time past. Three serials are continued in it, and an article by a lady entitled ‘ An Indian Journey,’ is particularly commendable. There are twenty-six selections in all, all very good reading.

Paroa Gold Dredging Company.— Mr Charles St Barbe, the Secretary of the Paroa Gold Dredging Company, has received a telegram from Mr Samuel Brown, the Managing Director, to the effect that the recently erected machinery has been tried and found to work well, and that the dredge will be moved into position, and regular wovk commenced yesterday (Thursday).

The Shone St stem of Drainage. —On Monday, December 23, Prince Albert Victor opened a drainage and high pressure water supply in the City of Rangoon, in India. The drainage is that known as the Shone ejector system —the one proposed for this city. The city of Rangoon has a population of 134 176, and is situated on the left bank of the Rangoon River, the eastern branch of the Irrawaddi. The town is distant some 26 miles from the sea. Conversazione. —In accordance with custom the delegates to the Presbyterian Assembly will be entertained at a conversazione this evening. It had been intended th it the ordination of Mr Wilson, who succeeds the Rev Mr Murray in the New Hebrides Mission, should take place during the present Assembly, but as, Mr Wilson cannot reach the Colony in time, that ceremony has had to be postponed.

Resident Magistrate’s Court. —At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr H. W. Robinson, R.M., a first offender for drunkenness was treated in the usual manner. Charles Wood, for a similar offence, having been previously convicted within the past six months, was fined 5s or 12 hours’ imprisonment. Maud Clements, charged with being an incorrigible rogue and a vagabond, having been previously convicted as a disorderly and idle person, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Railway Employes.—A meeting of the Wellington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was held on Wednesday, there being about fifty members present. Several communications were read, amongst others a letter from the Federated Trades Council,recommending the institution of an annual trades gathering or anniversary day, consideration of which was deferred. Telegrams were also received from the principal Secretary intimating the early gathering of delegates. Four candidates were nominated for the position of delegate, and the Secretary was directed to write to the Commissioner asking for leave of absence for whoever may be appointed. The next meeting will be held at 8 o’clock on Saturday,' the 22nd inst.

Suicide of a Cow. —The debatable question of “Do animals reason ?” is an open one, and many are the pros and cons, on the matter. A short time ago the story went tbe rounds of the press that a horse deliberately committed suicide somewhere on the East Coast, but the story was generally laughed at. Now comes the news tha; a cow—presumably a quiet, domestic cow—has perhaps, in a moment of mad insanity, sought than bourne from whence we are told nogtraveller ever returns. It is stated, on the authority of the Rangitikei Advocate, that some Marton gentlemen who were at the mouth of the Rangitikei River on Sunday last saw a cow deliberately attempting to commit suicide. She came across from the Manawata side, had a look around her, and then made up her mind to quit this part of the Colony. She went right through tho breakers, and swam out to sea, never turning till she had been lost to vision. This reads as if that cow had fully made up her mind that life was not worth living. Perhaps the news that batter was fetching a low price in Wellington, and that her energy in the lacteal line was not fully appreciated might have unhinged her reason, and tempted her to commit the rash act. But anyhow, that poor misguided cow has gone never to return. Had she only waited till the main trunk line was finished between Huntervilie and the Waikato how happy she would have made her owner, for then her long useful life would have done its duty. Alas ! poor misguided cow.

Bankruptcy.— The meeting of creditors in the estate of G. P. Nash, flaxdresser, convened for Wednesday morning, lapsed for want of a quorum. Harvest News. —Harvesting at the Wairarapa is all but fiuished. Among the farms, stubble and rioks are the more prominent objects, and in another week the harvest of this season will be over in “ the Valley.” It is reported on all sides to be excellent—a better was never garnered in the district. Improved Locknut. —A public trial of an Improved locknut, the invention of Messrs Goodwin and How, of Westminster, England, was held at the works of Mr J. E. Hayes, Lambton-quay, on Wednesday. The improvement consists in forming the nut with projecting portions at the back, which, being squeezed together, reduce the bore of the nut at that part, and thus cause it to grip the bolt so tightly when screwed up that there is no fear of its ever shaking loose.\

Tenders. —The following tenders have been received by Mr C. Tringham, architect, for the erection of a residence in Ingestrestreet for Dr Martin:—Accepted—J. Hopwood, £IS2S. Rejected —J. Edwards, £1875 ; Croft and Hunt, £1930 ; Grey and Seamen, £2154; Edwards and Palmer, £1875; R. Grant, £2264; J. Russell, £2345; J. Wilson, £1987; D. McLean, £2190 ; C. Johnson, £1963; S. Williams, £2195; J. Ranson, £2097. Two informal tenders were also received. Reported Leprosy in Dunedin. —A case of supposed leprosy is reported at St Clair, Dunedin. The viotim is a Portuguese, who has been located in his present abode for about three years. A Press Association telegram elsewhere says that the medical men doubt it it is a true case of leprosy, but the disease is nob in a contagious form. Tbe local Board of Health have communicated with the Government on the matter. The Caversham Borough Council arc moving the Colonial Secretary to have the leper removed from the district.

The Value of a University Training.— A discussion at the Presbyterian Assembly on Wednesday touched, inter alia, university training and its value. The Rev Mr Paterson advocated such a course as educating the mind to study, apart from the actual learning acquired. The Rev J. K. Elliott, however, put forward a different reason for the faith that was in him. He approved a■' university course, he said, principally because it did him so much good. A man must have the conceit knocked out of him at some time, and the younger he was when it was doue the better.

Ladies’ Christian Association.— The annual tea given to the attendants of the four mothers’ meetings, held under tho auspices of the Wellington Ladies’ Christian Association, took place at the rooms, Manners-street, on Tuesday evening. There was a good number present, as many as 72 responding to the invitation. After the tea the gathering was addressed by the Revs J. Berry and H. Driver. The orphans from the various cottage homes, in which they are cared for under the charge of the Association and at the cost of tbe Benevolent Institution, had their annual gathering yesterday afternoon at half-past 4, at the same place.

St Paul’s, Thorndon. —lt was intended to celebrate the festival of St Paul by a performance of Mendelssohn’s fine oratorio on the subject of the great: apostle’s life, but owing to the special Jubilee service occurring in the same week as St Paul’s Day, as set apart in the calendar, the performance had to be postponsd. The oratorio will now be given on Tuesday evening next, with as much completeness as possible, the orchestra being used in combination witm the organ for the splendid overture and accompaniments. The seats in the church will, of coarse, be free, but there will an offertory for the necessary expenses of printing, etc., and tbe balance will be given to the organ enlargement fund. ~,y v

The New Explosive. —The new explosive, ecrasite, is the invention of two engineers named Siersch and Kubin. This explosive is impervious to damp, shock, or fire. Its power to dynamite is reported as 100 to 70, and it can be carried from placs to place with the utmost safety. It is not smokeless, but emits a thick black smoke, and the detonating noise is louder than that of gunpowder, but shorter, sharper, and clearer. It can be used for rifle cartridges or as priming for-cannon, and a bombshell loaded with it explodes with such terrifie results that experiments against palisades representing 100,250, and 500 men at ranges of 300, 750 and 1200 metres recorded marks on every division of the palisade standing for a soldier. * The secret of this invention is being closely kept for the Austro-Hungarian War Office.

SSJThe Onslow Borough. —The Onslow Borough petition reachedits fifth day on Wednesday, when the evidence against the Johnsonville counter petition having concluded, Mr Travers admitted that there was no other petition which came within the requirements of the Act, and consequently the petition from the Wades, town people could not be supported. Mr Travers, on behalf of the Johnsonville petitioners, addressed the Commission on the question of notice to the local bodies interested, and Mr Haselden replied on the whole case, contending that the original petitioners’ case had been fully established, inasmuch as he had shown that the requisite notices had not been served,and that less than one-half of the resident householdere in the Johnsonville town district had signed the counter petition. Mr Waidell said he would go into the matter of numbers at leisure, and if necessary refer again to counsel.