Untitled

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1367, 12 May 1898, Page 20

i' The speech delivered by Mr McNab by

AN INDEPENDENT LIBERAL.

way of opening the Mataura election campaign will be a surprise to those who assumed that in this candidate they had a potential recruit for the Left Wing. Mr McNab has

his own views as to what the policy of the country should be, but he has definitely announced that "if a want-of-confidence motion was brought forward he would oppose it." That does not deprive him of freedom of action with respect to other matters. The position Mr McNab stands out for is that of an Independent Liberal who, while properly claiming the right to vote for or against measures according to ' his convictions and opinions, recognises that the Liberal party is the one which he i should and must support on a crucial I division, because it is incomparably the best for the purposes he has in view. In this he figures in marked contrast to those Left Wing malcontents who will be satisfied with nothing less than the life-blood of the Ministry. If these latter could succeed the greatest damage would be done to themselves, because if they retained any public repute at all it would merely be that of political rail-riders. Letting that pass, however, what is important at the present juncture is* that Mr McNab's attitude is an object lesson as being really that of an Independent Liberal.

The southern millers on Tuesday advanced flour to £l3 per ton.

The head office of the Union Steam Ship Company has received information that their new steamer Mapourika, for the WellingtonWest Coast trade, was successfully launched at Dumbarton on Saturday last.

Several vagrant dogs have been seized by order of the Corporation Inspector and destroyed. Three well-bred colJies have also been taken into custody and will be eventually sold if not claimed by their owners.

A boy, about 9 or 10 years of age, the only son of Mrs Jennings, of Ofcaki, met with an extremely painful accident on Saturday. The flange of a trolly wheel tore the flesh of one of his legs from the knee downwards, and also injured the bene. On Monday amputation at the thigh was performed. Messrs Zohrab and Co. report the sale of the freeholds of the Clifton and Criterion Hotels, Bulls, also the site of the old Eangitikei Hotel, Bulls, the properties of Mr John Kennedy, to Mr E. South, late of New Plymouth. Mr South intends to erect at once a substantial building to take the place of the old Bangitikei Hotel.

When the Premier was recently at Napier and Gia borne the question of providing better means of overland communication between those two places was brought prominently before him. On hia return to Wellington the Premier submitted the representations of the various deputations to the Minister of Lands, who has now addressed the following memorandum to him on the subject:—"The road between JMapier and Wairoa is now under construction, and can be pushed forward at any speed which the f unds at the disposal of the Government will permit. It is open as a dray road from Wairoa to Mohaka at the one end, and from Napier about 18 miles, leaving about 25 miles yet to complete, a good deal of it rather heavy Work. Out of the vote of .£I2OO an amount of .£IO6O has been spent during the year, and the work in hand will cost £l4O. The read from Wairoa to Gisborne is in a good enough state for ordinary traffic, excepting the bridge over the Opojti river, which is now being constructed. The new road via Nuhaka hot springs will probably be a better one than that which has been made via Hangaroa, but it will take some years to construct."

The forbiiirlrlr m<?e'ing of the Hospital Trustees v»a< hula ca i'ues'iay. Present — Messrs F. H. Eraser (chairman), O. T Browne, J. Collins, U. E. Willeston, 0. W. Brown, E. C. Kirk, S. Lancaster. Mr Luke was granted leave of absence. Accounts amounting to £691 17s 4d were passed for payment. It wm reported ibai thfro w«re in:'].- Mo-pita'! U 8 parioritn—9.l males anl £7 feiaulup, including 2J children, of whom 10 wert! boys and 12 girls 'Abe balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March showed receipts totalling £12,252 13s 6d, made up as follows : Contributed by Government, £4335; contributed by Hospital Board and local authorities, .£4335; raised by subscriptions and donations, .£125 2s ; received by bequest, .£500; rents, £2Oll 12s lid ; from patients, £2Oll 17s sd; other sources, £76 7s lOd; balanoe from last year, £1827 13s 4d. Expenditure Eations or provisions, .£3257 14s 9d ; wines, spirits, ale and porter, .£157 Is 9d ; surgery and dispensary, £1386 6s lid ; fuel and light, £825 19s Id ; bedding and olothing, £426 0s 2d ; furniture and earthenware, £B4 5s 6d ; washing and laundry, £306 16s lOd ; salaries and wages, £33io 6s ; water supply, £l9B 14s ; funerals, £SS J.4s 6d ; repairs, £4S9 14s 9d; additions to buildings, £770 9s 3d ; printing, &c, £57 lis lid ; interest, &c, £41)3 12s j insurance, £4O 10s 6d ; other expenses, £315 7s 9d : total, £12,124 5s Bd. The Trustees then considered the plans for the new operating theatre, prepared by Messrs Clere, FitzGerald and Richmond, some details of which have already been published. They will be now laid before the joint committee of Trustees and medical men appointed for that purpose. The chairman and Messrs Willeston, Kirk and Lancaster were appointed a committee to fix the upset price of three sections in Salamanca road, which are to be offered for sale.

An inquiry is to be held on Friday into the ! recent fire at Ashurst. The Lands and Survey Department invites tenders for the erection of the Waiotapu road bridge. Tenders close on Jnne Ist. The burgess roll of the borough of Melrose will bft affirmed and attested at the Council's offices on Saturday next at noon. The New Zealand Bailway Department invites tenders for the supply ana deli vary of castor oil. Tenders close on the 23rd inst.

The petition at the New Zealand Tidies office again sc the use of the building at Mount Cook as a gaol is being extensively signed.

The prize-money in connection with the recent horticultural show will be paid by the secretary at 41, Featherston street, on Thursday and Friday next. At a meeting of the Onslow Borough Council on Tuesday the Mayor, Mr Holmes, was appointed delegate to the forthcoming Municipal Conference.

The tender of Mr William Murphy has been accepted for the supply of 50,000 bricks for the new female dormitory wing at the Porirua Asylum.

An order has been sent Some for the lighting apparatus for Somas Island, and the work of erecting a tower will be put in hand in the course of a few days.

Fair progress has been made with the additions to the Parliamentary Buildings. A temporary roof will be provided, and the ground and first floors fitted up for use during the session.

The following tenders have been received by the Public Works Department for the Palmerston North Courthouse contract.— Accepted—Adams and Elwood, Feilding, .£2235. Declined—Zajonskowski Brothers! Marton, ,63180; I. J. Fake, Palraerston North, ,£3450.

The folly of leaving the substance for the shadow has been borne home to the mind of a man who lately left a billet in the country and came to the city with his family with the idea of "bettering himself." It was not long before he had to apply for charitable aid, and on Tuesday a.oontinuation of relief was granted him.

The Government was advised on Tueiday that the No. 1 Oterangi Bay cable broke at 12.15 on the morning of the yth without warning. Tests show the break to be within five miles of Oterangi Bay. The Government steamer Tutanekai will proceed to repair the break on her return to Wellington, where she is expected about the 19fch inst.

Mr L. H. Wilson writes drawing our attention to the fact that the statement that the late president of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts (the late Mr C. D. Barraud) had bequeathed to the South Australian Art Society .£IOO and two of his paintings is incorrect. The bequest was made to the Wellington Society—the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.

Mr J. G. W. Aitken, the arbitrator agreed upon to settle the claim made by Messrs Bmg, Harris and Co. against the City Council for damage caused by the recent overflow of sewage, commenced his investigation oa Tuesday, A number of witnesses were examined for either side, Sir Bobert Stout representing the firm, and Mr T. F. Martin the Council. Mr Aitken's award will not be forthcoming for a few days. In connection with the reserve upon which the Mount Cook Gaol has been erected, it may be mentioned that an application has been made to the authorities to make a street from near Hudson's potteries to connect with the Basin Reserve. This would be a great boon to people residing in that part of the city, and would cut off a long round for persons going to the Eeserve or to Newtown. The City Council would do well to.-take-.the matter up, as it is entirely within its province, and if carried out would confer a great benefit upon a large number of the public The committee of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club met on l uesday, the commodore, Mr G. Mee, occupying the chair. Further arrangements for the forthcoming exhibition and art union were made. It was decided that the Exhibition Committee should consist of the committee of the club, with power to add to their number. A list of persons was drawn up to whom it is intended to apply for exhibits. The committee has arranged with Messrs McGregor Wright and Co., Lambton quay, to Bhow the whole of the 14 bromide enlargements, the art union prizes, in their window, on Saturday night. Settlers in the Hutt district are hardly so much alive to the blessings of acclimatisation as they should be. This is accounted for by the fact that flocks of sparrows, mmahs and yellowhammers ravenously desoend on all grain crops in the locality, which consequently suffer to a considerable extent. One member of the Hutt County Council in expatiating on Tesday on the efficacy of poisoned wheat, became reminiscent and related an incident in th* life of a brother farmer. This Lttttr geiitkuian killed oil' thousands of birds during one season, but in the following year was visited by swarms of caterpillars who wrought such havoc that he was almost ruined. The depressed agriculturist discerned a great warning in this visitation, and consequently repenting of th« assumed evil of hi-) w»ys, now allows the birda to multiply their kind in peace and security.

ss£rh6 Government Buildings now present quite a spick and span appearance. The ugly and useless trees having been removed from the front, the buildings show to much greater advantage than formerly, and impress the observer as being, what m truth they are, the largest wooden buildings in the world. The original coat was £60,000; the first vote taken for them was £16,000. When the jproposed new iron railinga are placed in front and the grounds laid down in grass, flowers and shrubs, it will have the result of considerably beautifying the city and at the same time supply a beneficial" lung" to Wellington. Something of the same kind of work shou'd be done in regard to the Government House grounds, the corrugated iron fence around which is more reminiscent of the old times at Botany Bay than is due to the Governor's residence in the Empire City of New Zealand. The interior of Government House haa lately undergone a thorough renovation, and if a neat iron railing fence were put round the grounds and the " bush " thinned considerably, the result would be in keeping with what Uas been done to the Government Houses in the other oolonies. The suggestion is a timely one seeing that the Government Buildings on the one aide and Parliament Buildings on the other have been improved and rendered more attractive to the i eye, and there is little doubt that Hia Excel* lenoy and Lady Banfurly would gladly wej» oome the change, *

The Premier has received a cablegram, dated Sydney the 10th, from Lord Banfurly, to the effect that he hopes to reach Wellington on Monday next.

The levy on the Hutt County by the Charitable Aid board for the current year amounts to .£3BO 63 6d, and by the District Hospital Board to £470 3s 3d.

An anonymous letter from an " Indignant Ratepayer "at Pahautanui was read at the Hutt County Council on Tuesday, protesting against the action of the Council in regard to some land in the vicinity. Naturally, it was decided to take no notice of the communication., and the clerk was directed to dispose of it in whatever manner he thought proper.

Plimmerton is to have its own local governing body in future, as the County Council has confirmed a special order previously passed oreating the seaside resort a Road Board district. The Chairman expressed a fear that the residents would not take sufficient interest in the matter to nominate a board, but it was pointed out that if such a contingency arose the Counoil could appoint members.

A most enjoyable " pooial" was given by St. Mark's Parish Club in the Foresters' Hall, Tory street, on Tuesday, in aid of the hew schoolroom funds. The arrangements were in the hands of Misses Gaudin, Ward and Christie, and Messrs Morgan, Bell and Blow (secretary), all of whom worked conscientiously to make the affair a success. As there were a large number present the fund will receive.a handsome contribution.

In delivering judgment in a particularly painful case the other day in Sydney, Chief Justice Sir Frederick Dariey gave it as his opinion that the age of consent should be raised to 18 years. In the instance referred to a mother had sought to rescue from an immoral life a daughter who had been seduced by her employer. The girl, who was over lf>, however, preferred to live as the mistress of the'man who had ruined her, and the Court was powerless to make an order. At a meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees on Tuesday afternoon, Mr G. H. Baylis presided, there being also present - Messrs S. Lancaster, F. Bradey, C. Willeston, C T. Browne, T. W. MoKe-nzie and the Revs Van Staveren and J. K. Elliott. The usual number of applications for relief were considered and dealt with. The secretary re ported that there were 89 people in the Home —6O males and 29 females. A number of requisites were ordered to be procured and acoonnta amounting to £2O passed for payment.

There was a short discourse on what.was termed the baby farming system at the meeting of the Benevolent Society Trustees Tuesday, when a letter was received from a perBon who was desirous of learning particulars regarding the Trustees' method of boarding out ohildren, what they paid,for them and all the rest of it. The members could not Bee their way clear to accede to the request Someone remarked that perhaps the writer had the establishment of a baby farm in view. Mr Bradey said people looked upon the Board as such a first-rate institution for babies—encouraging their growth—that no wonder they asked for information. "Ihoy will come here with twins next," concluded the speaker amid laughter.

A total of 1562 patients were admitted to the Wellington Hospital during the year ended 31st March last, and the number of deaths during the same period was 110. Of this number Wellington supplied 1263, the suburbs 140, Masterton 16, ships in. the harbour 46, Otaki 10, and Upper and Lower Hutt 47. Englishmen numbered 446, Irish 246, Scotch 138, colonials 775, Australians 22, Chinese 9, Americans 9, Germans 19, Swedish 13, Welch 10., The religions of the patients were as varied as their nationalities : 860 were Ohuroh of England, 464 were ttoman Catholic, 165 Wesleyans, 150 Presbyterians, 39 Baptists, 1 Forward Movementj 2 Seventh Day Adventists, 2 Greek,. 7, Congregationalists, 19 Lutheran, 2 Catholic Apostolic Church, 2 Confucian, 2 Hebrew, 15 Brethren, 11 Primitive Methodists, 25 Salvationists, 10 Ohuroh of Christ, while 16 belonged to " no ohureh."

Application was reoently made by a certain Wellington lady to the Benevolent Trustees for a grant in aid of the maintenance of an illegitimate child. She, however, did npt give the name of the mother. Being; told that she would have to do so she wrote to the Board on Tuesday forwarding the desired information, and also stating that both the father and mother had been residents of a certain part of VV ellington for years The chairman said he had ordered payment 6f 5s per week for one month only. Mr C T. Browne remarked thit the name of the father had not been supplied to the Trustees. Tbe Rev Van Staveren said it was not wanted. Mr Lancaster thought that the Trustees should certainly be given the fullest information. Mr Browne wanted to know why the father of an illegitimate child should be sheltered. It was not right. After some further -discussion the matter was allowed to drop, it being understood that the lady visitor, Mrs Dudfield, was to report if the matter came up again.

Inquiries made into the case of a man named William Houston, aged 73, who dropped dead in * street of West. Melbourne at. the enn of last month, have laid bare a noteworthy history The deceased had led an obscure life in that part of the Victorian metropolis tor 30yeass, and his rather grotesque appearanoe had made him the butt of many of the residents. He was duly buried after a formal inquest, and no further notioe have been taken of the case but for the fact that the police, on examining deceased's clothes, found deposit receipts for .£IOOO stowed away in the lining of his ooat-a, wonderful old garment, made by himself, and never chanced within the memory of the oldest inhabitant. The man's wardrobe was of the most limited description, consisting ot a dilapidated pair of boots, old trousers and a disreputable shirt, in addition to the coat already mentioned. He could never see his way clear to get a pair of socks. The house he last lived in was a little out-building at the rear of a residence in Jeffeott street For the ÜBe of this he was obarged 2a per Wflek and he constantly harassed his landlady,'Mrs Taylor, to" lower the rent.'' Apart from a make-shift stretcher, on which he slept, he disoarded all furniture. His culinary utensils were limited to an old tin plate, and his diet consisted of bread and meat, varied, on special occasions, with a little fried cabbage. He never Bmoked, nor drank intoxicants. Before taking to lodgings, Houston occupied a position of splendid isolation " in a small tin tenement faping a right-of-way, and it was only when this was pilled down that he left it. Houston died without » will, and hisi money will go to a in Gippatond,

The proprietors of the Wainunu Tea Estate, Fiji, in forwarding to an inland contemporary samples of their orange and broken Pekoe teas, affirm that the 1893 crop is equal to the best imported teas. The flagship Eoyal Arthur, according to Sydney papers, will remain in New Zealand waters for six weekß, visiting the principal ports, and probably the West Coast Sounds, after which she is to return to Port Jackson, calling perhaps at Hobart. t A vegetable cart belonging to a Chinaman, .Toe Sow, of Courtenay place, came to grief on Tuesday. The horse attached to it was standing tied up, in Clifton terrace, and bolted in the direction of Botanical road, where it came into contact with the bridge. The harness was damaged, one wheel of the I cart completely smashed, and 6t't of the bridge railing broken. Tho animal fell into the gully below, but was got up without much trouble, having sustained no injury beyond a little skin off its legs.

A meeting of the Dairy Regulations Committee was held on Tuesday afternoon. Present—The Mayor (ftir J. R. Blair), C. A. Cook, G.Brown, R.Mothes, F. H. Fraserand S. Lancaster. The only business was to receive the report of the inspector, wbich stated that he had visited a considerable number of dairy farmers' and milk - vendors' premises since last meeting. The cattle examined were healthy with two exceptions, and in these cases the animals had been destroyed, post-mortem investigations showing that one suffered from tuberculosis and the other from actinomycosis, i here appeared to be very little sickness, and none whatever of an infectious nature, among the persons engaged in the milk trade. The dairy premises were generally clean, and the samples of milk tested during tho month had turned out satisfactorily. A deputation from the Hutt County Council, consisting of Councillors Bradey (chairman), Magendie and Bould and the inspector of works, were introduced to the Minister of Lands on Tuesday by Mr C. Wilson, M.H.R. They asked for a vote for improving the Ngahauranga-Horokiwi road, past the Paparangi special settlement. The ohairman said the road would be of great importance as settlement progressed. Mr M agendie said) the road was originally made for the convenience of three or four settlers, and they thought the Government would assist the Counoil in making it more fit for heavy traffic. The cost of the improvement was estimated at about £2OO. The Commissioner of Lands had been seen about the matter and Captain Turner, the Government Surveyor, had been over the ground. It would practioally serve half the Paparangi block. The chairman Baid there was about a mile of road that required improving. The Minister said it was better to go on with the work at once. He would grant the Counoil a subsidy of £ for £ on the amount they expended. The deputation thanked the Minister and withdrew.

. Mr Biroh, of tho Wellington Gas Company, who has. just returned from a visit to the Westport Coal Company's mines, states that the magnitude of that company's operations can scarcely be realised without a visit to the ooal mines, where many hundreds of men of a superior class are constantly employed earning good wages and, in spite of the somewhat inhospitable character of their surroundings, they are in a contented and prosperous condition. The machinery in use at these mines is of a most complete character, and it is a very interesting sight to watch tho convevance of the coal from the mines to the railway waggons,' the machinery working with the'utmost' smoothness In the mines at Denniston and Granity Creek immense seams of coal are in sight, and under the able supervision of the company's engineers, Messrs T. Brown and A. B. Lindop, the works are now capable of meeting any demand for coal that may arise. The officers of the company are very oourteous and visitors are always made weloome. Probably few Wellington residents realise the importance to the colony whioh attaches to this industry, _ and of the enormous amount of money which is expended in connection with the coal mines of tho West Coast. Mr Birch was much impressed by the prosperous condition of Westport. Many improvements are being made, houses of a superior character are being erected and alterations on a large scale are now being made at the railway station. Increased facilities to accommodate the large and increasing shipping business, is to be provided, and at the gasworks considerable additions involving an expenditure of £3OOO are to be carried out. Referring to these works, Mr Bireh savs that he found them in a clean and efficient condition, and under the ablo management of Mr J. Bradley the works are a credit to the borough.

The Department of Agriculture has issued a leaflet showing the quantity and value of certain exports from New Zealand during the month of April. The totals are :—Butter, 37520 wt, valued at .£16,649; cheese, 93510 wt, valued at -£17.389; frozen beef, 70l2cwt, valued at £7905; frozen mutton, 120,702 oaroases, weighing 66.731 cwt, valued at £65,877 ; frozen 1amb, ; 158,848 carcases, weighing 50,96(5 cwt, valued at .£72,202. Of this quantity Auckland shipped—Butter, 169 cwt, value .£787; cheese, 2540 w t; value £503. Napier shipped—Kioz»n beef, 1939 cwt, value £2489 ; I'r- zvn mutt- n, 23.563 '-ureases, weighitssr 12,572ewt, value .£13.804; frofcfu Jamb, 4717 carcases, weighing 15C2owt, value £2331. New Plymouth shipped—Putier, 2511 cwt, value £11,144; cheese, 21cwt, value .£3B. Waitara shipped—Butter, 34owt, value J 6127; oheese, 6170 wt, value ,£llß9 ; frozen beef, 24790 wt, value £2479 ; frozen mutton, 2216 oaroases, weighing 1041owt, value £lO4l ; frozen lamb, 1167 carcases, weighing 350 cwt, value £612. Wanganui shipped-Frozen beef, 386 cwt, value .£360; frozen mutton, 7941 carcases, weighing 43420 wt, value £4053; frozen lamb, 579 carcases, weighing 180 cwt, value £230. Wellington Butter, 3960 wt, value .£1802; oheese, 920 cwt, value £1724 ; frozen beef. 22080 wt, value .£2577 ; frozen mutton. 39,827 carcases, weighing 21,4930 wt, value £20,349 ; frozen lamb, 2565 carcases, 827 cwt, value .£lOlB. Ohristchurch—Butter, 189 cwt, value £777 ; oheese, 1473 cwt, value, £2774 ; frozen mutton, 22.426 carcases, weighing 10764 cwt, value £ 11,892 ; frozen lamb, 84,145 oaroases, weighing 26,7410 wt, value £37,437. Dunedin —Butter, 4470 wt, value £1987; cheese, 53920 wt, value £9821; frozen mutton, 349 carcases, weighing 181owt, value £169; frozen lamb, 9874 carcases, weighing 31400 wt, value £4397. Invercargill—Cheese, 6340 wt, value £1261: frozen mutton, 2537 carcases, weighing 1p.4 cwt, value £1314; frozen lamb, 2L||fif6arcases, weighing 6986 owt, value JpC9f3!76. Timaru Frozen mutton, 75M|piases, weighing 3668 cwt, value £3424; ffoHnlamb,2s,6ssoaroases, weighing , 81690 wt, yalufl #11,859,