THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1889.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8650, 13 November 1889, Page 2

THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1889.

Tub existence of scab among sheep in New Zealand lias again been brought into unpleasant prominence by the meeting of the Intercolonial Stock Conference now holding its sittings at Melbourne. This colony is represented by Mr C. Cowan, M.H.R., and Mr Pasley, inspector of sheep, and all the other colonies are represented except Western Australia. Mr Cowan, at the outset of the proceedings on the first day's sitting, admitted that the hope indulged at the previous Conference, three years ago, that New Zealand would be free from scab, had unfortunately not been realised. He also admitted that the continued existence of it did not reflect any credit on the colony, but pleaded in extenuation that the mountainous nature of the infected country was against the efforts to eradicate the disease. These remarks were echoed by Mr Pasley, and the joint admission made by the New Zealand representatives that scab had existed for nearly 30 years appears to have caused a conviction in the minds of the other representatives that really vigorous efforts were not made to eradicate it. The result was that a strong resolution was passed, which amounts to a direct censure upon the stock authorities in this colony. As we pointed out recently, when alluding to the prohibition against landing New Zealand sheep in Victoria and South Australia, the matter looks far worse at a distance than it does at home. Although Mr Cowan had admitted that there were probably 30,000 scsabby sheep in New Zealand, Mr Pasley was able at the next meeting to assure the Conference that the number estimated was only 13,300, he having meanwhile communicated with the New Zealand Government. But the number does not matter. So long as there is known to be one scabby sheep in the colony, or so long as there is a possibility of the infection remaining about their former haunts, so long will the prohibition be maintained. Nor is the matter affected by local knowledge and the certainty that the disease is confined to certain inaccessible parts of the country. The mere fact that the disease exists at all is sufficient to exclude all New Zealand sheep from other countries. Although Mr Cowan and Mr Pasley urged that the authorities have been not altogether to blame, it should not be forgotten that the causes of the non-eradication of scab have been declared by a joint committee of both New Zealand Houses to have been nearly all avoidable. It is to be hoped that the practical result of inattention to this important matter as shown at the conference will have the effect of rousing the department to a sense of its responsibility. Surely where scabby sheep can go—even wild sheep—men can follow and destroy them, and it is a reproach that such half-heartedness should have continued so long. In the interests of a most important industry it is essential that apathy in the department itself, and the permission of apathy in others so pointedly referred to in the Committeo's report, should at once be flung aside, and vigorous measures taken to remove a stigma from themselves and prevent continued loss to the colony.

The English mails via San Francisco reached Dunedin last evening by_ the Northern express

The Premier, with the Hous. E. Mitchelson, T. Fergus, and Captain Russell, will represent the Government; at the opening of the exhibition. His Worship the Mayor has been advised that his Excellency the Governor will arrive in Dunedin at 5 p.m. on Friday, and desires any formal reception to be postponed till a more convenient time. The name of the man who was run over by a tramcar at the North-East Valley on Monday was discovered to be John Somerfield. He was a wool sorter, in the employ of Mr Early, fellmonger, and resided at Maori Hill. An inquiry into the circumstances attending bis death was held yesterday afternoon by Mr Coroner Carew, and from tho evidence adduced it appeared thai the deceased was slightly under the influence of liquor at the time the accident happened. Tho jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

The session of I;he Diocesan Synod was brought to a. close lasfr evening. The concluding sitting was occupied in a large measure with formal business, but resolutions were passed recording the synod's appreciation of the labours of the Revs. Messrs Kerkham, Gifford, and Hobbs, who are relinquishing their respective charges.

Referring to the remark of Mr Lubecki at Monday's session of the synod that the Christchurch and Auckland statutes showed that the duties of the clergy could be dealt with in such a bill as was then before the synod, our report omitted to mention that the president, in reply, stated that the statutes referred to were identical in general object with the corresponding statutes of the Dunedin diocese—namely, they were for definiag the duties of parish officers, not the duties of clergy; also, that the clauses quoted were introduced into those statutes for the same purpose and from the same source as the clauses under discussion in the bill. In both cases the object was to indicate to parish officers what matters relating to divine service were not within their province.

A special meeting of the Dunedin Operative Tailors' Society was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Rattray street, last evening, when there was a fair attendance of members. The president (Mr Montgomery) occupied the chair. It was agreed to vote £30 towards the Kaiapoi strike fund, a further sum to be forwarded if necessary, and to use every endeavour to influence the public to refrain from purchasing Kaiapoi manufactured goods while the Etrike is unsettled.

A child aged three years, named Charles Swinnard, Bon of Mr 0. Swinnard, wood turner, of Forth street, accidentally fell into a bucket of hot water last Sunday week, and was severely burned about the lower part of the body. Dr Martin was called in, and had the child under treatment up to 7 o'clook last night, when it died. The matter was reported to the coroner, who has decided to hold an inquest on the body at the Scotia Hotel at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Our Roxburgh correspondent writes:—"Mrs Cook, wife of our esteemed postmaster, died on Monday afternoon, after a severe illness. Mr Cook has the sympathy of everyone in his bereavement,"

The inquiry into Mr A. J. Bathgate's charges against tho administration of tho medical superintendent of Seacliif Lunatio Asylum was resumed and concluded beforo the deputyinspector yesterday. Dr King was crossexamined at some length by the complainant* and two of the attendants who had previously given evidence wero re-examined. The complainant made additional statements, and the district coroner and Dr Coughtroy wera also called, but nothing material to the issue was elicited from them. Tho mass of evidence that lia3 been taken will ba forwarded to the Inspector-general of Asylums.

Mr Sawers, the Government dairy expert, met the settlers of the Peninsula district at the Higholiff Drillshed on Saturday evening. Tho ohair was occupied by Mr Riddle, and over 200 attended. The expert gave an interesting lecture on butter making, in which ha gave some good advice to his hearers. Then followed several practical illustrations, after which a number of questions wero asked and answered, and at tho conclusion of tho meeting a vote of thanks was accorded to tho expert for the information given in hu address. Wo understand Mr Sawers will again visit the Peninsula next week and give praotical illustrations of the art of butter making.

At the monthly mooting of the Committee of the Dunedin Horticultural Society last evening (Mr P. M'Gregor in the chair), judges wtre nominated for tho December show, to be held in tho Exhibition Buildings. Mr H. Spence was appointed a member of tho committee, and after tho transaction of formal business the meeting adjourned. Mr H. Matthews exhibited a number of blooms of Ranunculus lyalli, which were greatly admired; also a spike of brinum copense album. Mr Ireland showed an Amaryllis grandiilora plant with two spikes of flower on the one bulb, which is considered unusual. The plant was much admired for its rich colour.

The Gazette notifies that the tender of Messrs Rosa and Glendining has been accepted by the Railway Commissioners for the snpply'of uniforms for the railway servants on the North Island railways. The first tourist to visit Mount Oook this season is Viscount Dunlo, eldest son of the Earl of Clancarty. The New Zealand Shipping Company intend inaugurating a lino of ships to the United States direct. This step is taken to meet the demand for tonnage caused by the increasing magnitude of the flax industry. Six ships are appointed to sail during the months of November, December, and January, from Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Wellington, Dunedin and Wellington, and Lyttelton and Auckland. The European Mail of the 4th October gives a portrait and brief biographical sketch of Frofeesor Gilray, appointed to the chair of English Language and Literature at the Otago UniverBity.

Phylloxera has been discovered amongst the grape vines at Mount Eden, Auckland. A very successful Good Templars' picnic was held on Monday, on the estate of Mr Grieve, Silverstream. The members of tho Anchor of Hope Lodge, Mosgiel, and Down o£ Light Lodge, WaltoD, joined their forces, and aboat 100 persons found their way to the grounds. Sports and games of all kinds were indulged in, after which came tea among the trees. Before separating, Bro. Neill, CT. Walton Lodge, pro- | posed votes of thanks to members of the Anchor Lodge for supplying liquids for the occasion, and to Mr Grieve for the use of his grounds. CT. Bro. Gunton replied, and all separated before sundown thoroughly pleased with the outing.

Dividend warrants for half-year just expired are now obtainable by shareholders in the Mosgicl Woollen Factory Company. Nominations for the Hoslyn mayoralty are receivable until noon of Tuesday next. Those for the city mayoralty must bB lodged beforo noon of Monday. The statutory date of election la Wcdne«day, 27th inst. Messrs B. 0. Reynolds and Co. will cell to-morrow, on the premises, lower York place, household furA variety entertainment in aid of the funds of the Phoenix Cricket Club will be given in the City Hall on Friday evening. Kaitangata thirteenth annual sports, December 2«. Messrs Held. Maclean, and Co. sell on Tuesday, 19th inst., at Mosgiel,3Qo head four-year-old shorthorn bullocks. An extraordinary meeting of shareholders In the Nenthora Invincible Quartz Mining Company is called for December 4, for purposes speoilied by advertisement. Messrs Baker Brothers, Wellington and Auckland, sell on November 20, at Wellington, 238 building allotments in-Wellington. We have received some fine specimens of early grown strawberries from the proprietor of the well known Abbotoford estate, Taieri. They are of excellent flavour, and quite equal to anything that is to be met with at a much later neriod of the season. This estate, we notice, ia in the "market, and will be offered for sale by auction by Messrs Wright, Sfcephenson, and Co., in conjunction with the Farmers' Agency Company, on the Cth December. Such a fine property should meet with a ready sale, and the opportunity of acquiring a home may probably be taken advantage of by some Australian capitalist. IS. R. Smith, eharebvoker, A. M. P. Buildings. Telephone 370.—[Ann.]