The Oamaru Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1910.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10608, 10 November 1910, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1910.

This is not a bird: it is a gold field. It is, we observe from the Bullfinch, contemporary chronicles, the field in which history is repeating itself. There are the rush, the options, and the tremendously tough stories which are. their outcome. In theso tho ounces grow like tho substance of tho output and the quartz look like unto the garniture merely. The talk is at the same timo of millions, and the estimated value of tho jninc is far advanced iii tho region of fablc-minc, bo-

ing a term covering many thousands or hundreds, according to tho ago of the rush. Stores there are, and diningrooms, and other forms of six-by-eight tent, and in most of them we daresay there is typhoid fever most virulent and prevalent. It is tho thing which calls more diggers out-of the world than any other institution, not even excepting the road agent, whom we once knew hero in little more than theory as a bushranger. All of which means that tho pleasures, pains, disappointments, and delights of this goldfiold arc for the Australian pcoplo to enjoy to their hearts' content. But if any .outsider wants to hio him to the. Eldorado, ho must bear in mind the trutli, which is that tho greater part of the field is a, duffer and . that in tho getting of the, prizes there is more luck than management. Many a man anchored to the soil has lived to regret the day that he ever left the land for the goldfields. On the other liand, many a man has done well in the goldfields, and some have come to wealth beyond the dreams of avarice. These are attractions which appeal to many minds. To such we can only say: if you must follow the will-o'-the-wisp, get away with you, hut be prudeDt, bravo, generous, careful, and never bow the knee to anything the heart does not on principle approve. The goldfields are a grand school of manhood and they are a- great sink of iniquity. Which they are for a man depends on his individual choice. Head Polonius, have a look at the Bible, and Eut one in your pocket. See that you ave a good furnishing, modest but adequate, not forgetting good principles as the better portion. Then take courage with both hands and havo at the field. Above everything, remember to bear yourself in all things like a man.

When Lord Morley goes to the Council

from India it Cabinet Changes, seems a sign that

a, strong man is wanted to preside-over tho affairs of that troublesome dependency. But when it is announced that Lord Crewo succeeds him.,at the India Offico it is difficult to realise quite- how the object of the change is to be. a'ttainod. Lord Morley has of course a past which at one time was found inconvenient by some of his critics with regard to the prospects of his Indian administration. Theso imaginings were, however, falsified by the'firm grip which Lord Morley took of his department.- When the Indian unrest took a form that was clearly treasonable the man who had been distinguished as the advocate of Liberalism in tho treatment of India was found to be the sternest, ipholder of the traditional Britannic idea of governing strongly enough to maintain, tho supremacy of Britain in tho great Peninsula, Journalist and man of letters as lie was, lie astonished, even his friends hy his unexpected and perfectly correct attitude. Why he was removed to tho" House of fjords lias never been clearly explained, but the fact has been undoubted that in his new sphere Lord Morley has sounded tho bravest, most logical, and thoroughly firm notes that have ever been sounded in connection with tho administration of the great dependency hold together by the.sword of Britain as no .other force could hold it together. Nothing is better in the history of the British administration than tho* calm' dignified attitude he preserved, undismayed, on the one hand, by tumult and and undeterred, on the other, by fear of misunderstanding from pursiiing the even tenor of tho course of reform*marked out as necessary under the circumstances of Indian development. His removal from the important post lie has so long and so well occupied will, require tiie fullest explanation. Lord Crewe's removal from the Colonial Office is more easily understood than his promotion to the far'more difficult post of Indian Secretary. While it must-be admitted that in the Colonial Office he has always shown tact," Knowledge and sympathy, the qualities for jack of which the Office was /till tho advent of Mr Cham-' horlain unpopular with the self-govern-ing dependencies, qualit'es: which distinguished his presidency of the Imperial Conference, it can not be gain-..' said that his Mr Harcourfc is 'tho ; right man in the right place. He has not the i exceptional brilliancy, ■ strength &nd-power of work which dis'tmguishod Mr Chamberlain, who established tho best record in the annals of lihe Colonial Office. On the other hand, he is a man of more conciliatory power as well as far less autocratic hi his. methods. Moreover, from association with his late father he brings to

lu's task an equipment of exceptional force in public affairs. Ever since tho last Conference the world has felfc that a great occasion was imminent in the fcdeutl affairs whieh are beginning lo count for-much in tho relations of tho Colonial Office with tho great selfgoverning dopoiidoncics. That occasion apparently has arrived within shortly ''measurable'distance, and Mr llarcourt. is the man for it. Obviously the first. step in the establishment of the now relations must be the separation of tho administration of the affairs of tho Crown colonies from those of the other and far more important group. Newspapers differ as to the tune when the change will bo made; but that is a detail of information gleaned, not a tiling affecting the principle underlying the change. There is, as recent announcements have made clear, a growing party which seeks to rush (lie arrangement for tho upbuilding of Ihe Empire on constitutional lines, to formal conclusions at dangerous speed. Kor work'of that kind the time has not yet arrived, and will not for many years to conic. 'Die direction in which the upbuilding of formal relations will ho taken is clear enough of covise. But it is as clear that in the Imperial situation there are not the elements as yet lor the solution of what is a most dillicult problem. The time has come for separating the two departments of Colonial administration, and that separation is the first step forward. It will be wise to await developments before the. next is even contemplated. That we believe to he the sentiment of the whole Kmpiio, with the except ion oF a few Unionist politicians seeking for their section the importance which it has long lost. No one of coins,, doubts their good faith Bui their judgment- commends itself nowhere. The time will come when their aspirations will be the -rule of the Empire. But that is only another way of saying that they misunderstand the present position. Tho opportunists of Imperial federation on constitutional lines will probably not be Unionists, for tho Unionist Party will then have passed away after the manner of all excrescences on the body politic. In tho meantime we can acclaim the determination to take tho first step in the right direction with the separation of the two branches of administration which are no longer capable of living under the same roof, to their mutual advantage. If, as the majority of opinion seems to indicate, the change will he mado at the King's coronation tho decision to mako that occasion re-

markable with the first practical step safely to bo taken in the direction of the federal building up of tho Empire will meet with universal approval.

Local anglers have boon fairly successful lately in thoir trips to the Waitaki, and it is said that smnc of (ho catches for the few weoks of .this season are larger than many for the whole of last season. At present Mr A. Dobsmi is said to he in the lead with a total of 36, making an average of six por day, all of them good specimens, his biggest fish being about eight pounds. Mr Sm'art, who is second on tho list, landed ono sturdy monster turning the scale at 191b. Tho Waimale Rifle Association has deckled to hold its annual rifle mooting on. 16th December. Promises of support have been received from Oaniaru, Waitaki, and St. Andrews, and a successful meeting is expected. There is little doubt that the district is experiencing one of its drought years, for the days grow into weeks and tho weeks mount up, and still thero is no rain. On several occasions the clouds have gathered- and tho indications

generally been such as to favor the prediction of tho most nmntcurisli of weather rjrophets, hut without shedding their moisturo they havo dissipated themselves at tho bidding of northwesterly winds that play havoc with grass and crops. Tho continued dry weather is now becoming a matter of grave seriousness, affecting all parts of (lie district, although in some localities the effects are more marked than in others. Instances aro recorded where the crops, prematurely ripened, aro being turned over to stock, not alwayti owing to the absence of feed, but because they have been rendered unfit for any other purpose. At AVaimate, on Tuesday, the Court was occupied for the greater part of tho day in hearing' a charge of Sunday trading against the licensee of tho Redcliff Hotel. Mr Hanlon, of Dunedin, with Mr Perry, appeared for the defendant, while Mr Grave watched the case on behalf of the owner of the house. In addition to tho usual contradictory evidence, it was shown that the informant was prompted more by spite than from any wish to see the hole! properly conducted, and the case was dismissed, the Magistrate holding that while there wore suspicious circumstances there was not conclusive evidence of a breach.

A very interesting programme of mov-

ing pictures was screened before a largo audience at the Drill Hall last evening. Foremost in tho list was tho second pa the Freres Weekly Gazette, which depicted incidents and interesting events happening all over tho world. Views of the Horse Show in Dublin, Mr. Moisant in his Paris to London. flight, the fifteen-mile swim from Richmond to Rlackfriars, Burnlutm-oii-Ooucli an-

mial regatta, funeral coroniouy of Into King Edward, tho Marchioness of Winchester christening and launching H.M.S. Orion, Emperor of Germany visiting Mainz, and the Governor visiting Melbourno were all clearly and interestingly displayed. "The Love of n Savltge" and "La Savclli" were entertaining dramas, and both were loudly applauded. Tho scenic films were the very best of their kind, tho views of "The Italian Lakes" being exceedingly beautiful. "Henpock's Good-bye," "The Notary's Lapse," and "Betty as an Apprentice" as comics wore the cause of much merriment.. The Operacinescope Pictures will bo screened in tho Drill Hall again this evening, when another attractivo programme will bo submitted, and by, a glance at. tho bill promised a full house and a ploasant evening's entertainment should-bo tho result.

Hayward's Picture Proprietary will screen an interesting programme or moving pictures at the Opera. House this oveuing. As scenics "In the Basque Country" and "Hunting the Chnmois" should "be very interesting, while the dramas "In 1812,"' "Tho Girl of tho Barracks," "Little Girl, Don't Cry." and "In the Season of Buds" ought to appeal to the audience. The comics "Soap ,in the Eye," "Love and Good Fellowship Pills" and "Betty's Removal" should be the cause of much merriment. The management announce a. gift matinee on Saturday. The drought is having a disastrous effect on the district's milk supply, as is instanced by the fact that tor the month of" October only about twothirds of the quantity of butter fat was delivered at the local factory of the Taieri ami' Peninsula'- Milk Supply Company as was delivered for the cor-' responding month of last,- year, ■ and this notwithstanding that tliero has been a substantial increase in the dairy herds consequent upon • the splendid results achieved last year and the good butter market 'obtaining in England. Even should tho drought break now the rain will be too'lnto for the grass, the chief trouble being that much of it has already run to need. Altogether the outlook is? unassuring. Tradesmen announce a reduction in the price of local factory butter, but this is owing entirely to competition from | the North Island, whero the dairying season has been more favorable.

Some particulars on what it costs to flv arc supplied in an article in tile October Pall' Mall Magazine by H. Massac Buist. A large biplane of monoplane,- -it seems, costs £IOOO or £1200.. A shed, which should bo Something of a workshop- too, will then be wanted; Tins will cost' a minimum of £l5O. It will bo usual, too, unless the shed is ono of .a. colony, to the services of'a watchman, and if ono is ■oneself anything like a chance of flying lie "will want the exclusive services of at'last two mechanics and the occasional services of anything up to ; ihrco_ 6v four laborers. The conclusion arrived .at-is'-that the expenditure will work out at more than double the cost price of the machine in twelve months—a £IOOO machine costing about £3OOO. Mr Buist calculates that flying costs £3 per mile traversed in tbo air. Froo ballooning is, of course, cheapness itself when compared with this. Tho air vessel only costs £l5O or so to acquire, and it can certainly travel several thousand miles before its useful life is overpast. If it is a 50,000 cubic foot i machine, that will usually carry four

passengers, the expense to each per voyage need not work out at more than three guineas a head at the most. Medical men at Budapest are deeply interested in the remarkable ense ot a woman who has not slept for seven years. Fran Bertha Hejemes, who is* married and has a litlc f?irl of ten, began her long vigil one night, when a gipsv women attempted to kidnap the child. Since then she has not been able to go to sleep; neither lias .-lie had am inclination to do so. She is in excellent health, and has never had a da> s illness, but as soon as she endeavours to lie down she is seied with a violent, nervous agitation, which (omp''h> her to sit up again. The woman declares that she is quite content in her 'leepless state, as, with the whole 21 bonis to herself, she is able to perioim all her household duties as well as to do a good deal of reading. A curious l.u-t is tliat since the beginning of her insomnia she has developerl a great taste and ability for studv, and has learnt three languages. Frau Hejemes is now 38 years old, and it is because of late she has been subjected to irrepressible fatsi .or yawning that she has at last consulted a medical man about her condition. Nature's Embrocation. ROCKE'S Eucal vptus Oil. The finest that Australia produces. There's "something distinctive about "ROCK-E'S. 2.