The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1905.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8925, 28 October 1905, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1905.

AS" oxtfaordinary jiosition appears to have been created in connection with the Land for Settlements Act Extension Bill, providing for the increase to £750,000 of the amount to lx; borrowed ior the purchase of land for settlements. The opponents of the Government- on land tenure who apparently ntimber besides the freehold party the advocates of revaluation, determined to stultify the measure by obtruding the freehold v. leasehold issue. Parliament appears to Vie at present doing this, subject to death that tho candidates for North island seats may ingratiate themselves in favor with their, constituents. As for tlie South Island, wc are convinced, as we have previously stated, that advocacy of the, freehold will not influence one constituency in favor of the candidate upholding 6ueh views. As a result of drawing in irrelevancics during tho debate on the Extension Bill, matters became mixed, and in return for the revaluation party casting their, support, for the abolition of leases in perpetuity. tho Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr Duncan voted for what is virtually tho concession of the freehold. This was obviously done as a means of cutting short tho triumph of the revaluationists. With tho leas'e-in-perpetuity system ierminaied, the Bill ceased to bo of use to iho Government-, 'as it would be absurd to borrow money for the extension of a system which no longer existed. The. purpose of the Government's action was evidently to ensure the support of the revaluation party in killing a measure in which they no longer had any interest. It transpires i Icil the Oppositionists had set a trap {of iho Government into -which it. was hoped they would fall. It would ftim that there was a perfect network of traps, judging by the anomalies as evidenced by tlie division lists, but so far as Mr Seddon is concerned he appears to have successfully evaded the cunningly-de-signed snares of tho Opposition, although he retires from the field leaving behind him a Government measure, and a reputation of having voted for tho freehold in tlie interests of tho leasehold tenure, if we may bo permittod tho paradox. Nothing more will lie heard of the Bill, of that we are convinced, just as we arc convinced that the approaching election will prove conclusively that the freehold is not tho trump card the Opposition imagine it to be.

It- will have, been noticed that the International Harvester Trust were represented at the Timaru A. and P. Association's show this week, and wo learn that they will also have exhibits at Waimate and Oamaru. Further, in view of the fact that the agreement between the implement makers, not to exhibit except at the metropolitan shows, has apparently fallen through, it is more than, likely that at our own show other firms besides the International Harvester Co. will be represented.

The service of song "Eva," in aid of ihe ne\V class rooms, duly came off in the \Ve3r Street Hall, which was almost full, in spite of the unfavorable weather, last evening, and was a great success. Following is tho programme:—Opening chorus, "Let us gather up the sunbeams"; trio. "There is a home," Misses Aggie Tait, Maggie Ironside, and Mr Bews; solo, "Home sweet home," Miss Chrissie Craig (encored); choruses, "Had I the wings" and see a world of spirits bright"; trio. "Thou art passing away," Misses Dolly Wlson, Jean Marwick, and Mr B. Mollison; quartette, "My beautiful home," Misses Isabel Edwards ajid Milly Dorward and Messrs Stevenson and Bryan; choruses. 4 To the land' and "Behold the bridegroom cometh"; quartette, "Peacefully sleep," Misses Aggie Tait and Milly Dorward and Messrs Stevenson and Bryan; chorus. "Rest, weary pilgrim"; infants' choruses, "I would be like an angel" (solo by Miss Vera Rankin). The programme finished with the singing of "Safe in the arms of Jesus." Mr Rose thanked the audience for turning out so well to the concert. Mr Holmes proposed a vote of thanks to the members of St. Paul's choir for assisting in the production, the Sunday School scholars, the Junior Endeavourers, Miss J. Hood (who gave the connective readings), Miss Bee (who acted as accompaniste), and Mr R. J. Meldrnm (under whoso direction tho service of song was given). Needless to sav, the services of all were heartily recognised by the audience, who enjoyed the "service" immensely. Tho fact that something liko 400 people attended shows how the little one's efforts were appreciated, and the building fund will benefit, by the children's effort, to a considerable extent. The i piano was kindly lent by Mr W. F. Meldrnm.

The Waitaki Mounted Rifles broke Jin their camp this morning, and there are many members of the corps justifiably pleased that the week is ended for, though they have never been blessed with good weather for their annual camps, the past week is the worst they have yet spent under canvas. To make the circumstances still less pleasing the recent rains have made the Show Ground so soft that the least traffic turns the place into a quagmire—in fact, the horse lines have been a sea of mud for the past three or four days. Of course the sports promoted for Friday last had to be abandoned. Under such conditions the camp could not possibly be so enjoyable as it would otherwise have been, but the work has gone on just the same. Sergeant-Major Cardale has kept the men up to the mark, and the whole corps has benefited materially tinder his instruction. On Friday morqizg ibs

company completed its class-firing on beach range hi tain which almost obscured the objective and made shooting '5? „ eta able. Of course when a body of geta together they can't do without and it is claimed for Corporal Rew ppe hand tlult they filled the bill completely The cooking as done by Mr niond was Si successful as to elicit from the company a tangible testmiDnj O 'ioii a-nreciation. The company wishes to thank Mr George Brown, of Ivakanui, for the use of his paddock in which to e.verUS \ir J Buckley's team of candidates for the Cup meeting at Christchurch left yestcrdav for Riccarton. The horses are MasKT AliXj Beau Seaton, Convoy, and Lady Lmulon. . e L \ r\i At the adjourned meeting of the Ota go Land Board yesterday, Rangor Atkinson roporird ort section 2 of 58, block \ 1.. Moi-raki district, fenced m by the owner of the adjoining land (Edward Clark). Yearly license granted at a rental oi l--, n.-r annum. Donald M'lntosh applied to transfer his yearly license .No. l(ol over jKirt of foreshore reserve, block IX., Moeraki district, to Alex. Goodley.-Ranger •\tlin>=on to forward report; transfer approved F. Bedford, secretary Maere-when-.a Milling Reserve Committee, wroto c»nti , i' r that the following persons were appointed as tho Committee oi Managc-ine-.t for the nr-xt 12 months Davi :I V\Vir. George Adams, jun., George Camp U'll William Barnes, and F. Bedford.— lyicen.sc to be issued in names of the per-

nors mentioned. Messrs Dalgctv and Co. report under • •ate London. October 261^:— "Slice orr i'i*t tc]r' T nun prices of New Zrnhmd fro/.-i: iainl) are lower by id per lb: prices c.i frozen mutton in general pre Iwcr by - L <- ;v::r lb. and sides of frozen beet are at •>ar to per lb lower. Although priu~: ; seem low, vet we think they may decline :;tiU further, and there is nothing at the moment to encourage hopes of an immedi-

ate advance." Messrs A. Barron (Chief Land Purchase Inspector), J. W. A. Marchant iSurveyorGeneral), D. Barron and A. M'Kerrow iCommissinners for Oiagu) have completed iheir inspection of the Totara, Otekaike. Corriedale. aiul WaiUiki Plains Station. Nothing lias leaked out as to what the nature" of their report on the various estates will be. The report has been sc-nt to tlie Government for consideration. Despite the bad weather, and the fact • hat the prize money was greater thancver I-d'ore in the history of the club, Ota go Jockey Club made a profit of £250 on tlie past meeting. This is considered very satisfactory indeed. The Hampden Brass Hand will play the following programme to-morrow afternoon, under the conductorship of Mr E. Hunter, at the Volunteer camp March, "Flying Colors'' ; anthem, "Lowly we bend before my throne" ; sacred march, "Gloria ni Excelsis" ; sacred song, "Ora Pro Nobis" : trombone solo, *'Dcath of Nelson ; tion, "Beauties of Scotland"; inarch. "The Escort." . , Mails for Milford Sound, per lvoonya, close at Greymouth, on Thursday, November 2nd, at noon. For years there has not been such a wet spring as this season. Last year was had enough, but so far this yeaT is much worse. All farming operations are very backward, it being In many places absolutely impossible to work the ground. This memis, of conr.se, a late harvest and, perhaps, not too good A one* And it. means other tilings: high prices for draught stock now and for some time to come, as farmers cannot dispense vfith their teams. Then, the exigencies of. the weather have necessitated tii' l - sowing 'if more reits and Jess wheat, much of the latter having died in the .sodden soil. Also, the almost continuous rain is a threatening factor in. the potato problem, as it was Tecognised last, year that the wet season helped largely to propagate tho blight. Tho" Citizens' Band, under Bandmaster Pheloung, will play tho following programme at the Monument to-night commencing at 8 o'clock: —Overture, "Los Trompcttes de la Couronne"; "Los llirondu'les." polka, cornet solo: march, "Goodbye, Little Girl, Good-bye" ;. waltz, "Douaiiwelleu" (Ivanovice): quadrille. "Prima Donna"; nuiTch, "Tho Bravest, of the Brave." Constable Tonkin, who lias been for many years stationed in Oamant, and lias been a." zealous and painstaking officer, lias been transferred to Christchurch, and leaves for his new sphere of duty on Tuesday. His many friends will wish him and his family bo'n voyage and every success in the Cathedral City. The Wa.itaki High School Boys' sports, postponed on Friday 011 account of the weather, will be held on Monday afternoon next on the North Road Ground, commencing at 1 o'clock. The friends of the school are invited, and an extra inducement is held out by tho fact that afternoon tea will be provided. There has been considerable activity in the local wheat market since our last report, and several lines have changed hands at good prices. Four thousand sacks of very prime velvet were notd at 3s 2d ex store, and fair-sized parcels of Tuscan have been taken at 3s 4d to 3s 5d f.o.b. Many other sides liave to bo reported at last week's prices. Some farmers, who are fortunate enottgli to hold prime milling wheat, will not quit except at fancy prices, having regard to the future. They argue—and witli no little Teason—that (1) the harvest must be very late, owing to the continuous wet weather, and (2) there is a veTy appreciable decrease in the area of wheat this season, owing to so many crops perishing, no! only litre, but in Canterbury, and having to be ploughed up and Te-sown in cats. \V." know, ourselves, of instances of ground being ploughed up tluee times after three sowings, so that it is thought by some good judges that there will be a keen demand for prime milling wheat before next March. It will be seen, then, that there is a good deal to be said for those who are holding back for higher prices. It is requested that every member of the Musical Society should be at the Wear Street Hall before 7.30 on Monday evening. As this is the final rehearsal, those who cannot possibly be present are asked to notify tho secretary, so that their seats on the platform may be arranged for. The performance is under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor and the Borough Council. Women arc asked to attend the free health talk to be given on Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Athenseum Hall, by Mrs A. L. Folger, general manager for the Australian and New Zealand Viavi Company. Mrs Folger is a lady of wide experience, having addressed large audiences in all the principal cities of the world. Her talks are illustrated with lifesize charts, showing in a graphic and instructive manner the conditions discussed, and aiming to raise the standard of physical excellence. In the course of evidence before the Royal Commission on the Police Force in Melbourne Inspector Gleeson gave some, advice to householders how "to mislead burglars." Referring to the fact that on Saturdays a certain number of the men in his division were engaged at football matches a.nd race meetings, thus reducing the effectiveness of the force under his control, he said house-breakers usually took advantage of residents being absent at such events, and raided premises. The worst thing that people on leaving houses empty could do was to pull down blinds and lock the drawers in which valuables were placed. Drawn blinds were an invitation to a housebreaker to enter, and locked drawers only tended to the smashing of furniture, in addition to the stealing of valuables. He thought it advisable to leave even a door or window open. A house quite closed up indicated to a housebreaker that the occupants were absent.

In connection -with the fire this week at Hampden, by which the store occupied by Mr Dumbleton was burned to the ground, we may state that the building was insured for £3OO in the Victoria office. Mr Douglass was the owner.

A reduced list of leading lines in dress muslins for this season, so low priced as to suggest a loss to someone; they certainly offer some advantage to the public. Pretty washing delainette, in cream, with small blue spot: special value for 4jd. Cream delainette for washing dresses with sma 1 ! blue diamond pattern; special price 4 2 d. White washing Swiss muslin, with small lielio pin spots and squares; special value 5Ad. A delainette of special naze is a cream with cardinal squares and small rings, admirable for blouse or dress; only 6jd yard. Dainty white silk muslin, with pale pink and blue rosebud pattern, dirt cheap 6d yard. White silk muslin, with black check and pink rosebud pattern; special price 6jd. Beautiful washing cam- , brie, in blue and white check; special price 6>jd. Customers, who pay spot cash, at Penrose's; there's no value like theirs; direct importing, low profits and no credit does it. On Saturday, at 1.30, auction sale.—Andrew Watson, at Penrose's Drapery Establishment. The most important thing in buying machinery is see that you get quality, make sure the name M'Cormick is in your grain. Agent, North Otago Farmers' Co-op., Oamaru.