THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, OCTOBER S3, 1892.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9565, 22 October 1892, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, OCTOBER S3, 1892.

TriE fluctuations in the price of wheat were much greater before the repeal of the corn laws than they have ever been since. But they were greatest in the j.ast decade of the eighteenth century and the felt two decades of the nineteenth. Hefoi'fi the railway era prices often varied much in tfrc same year in different parts of the country. The corn lands of Scotland were .then practically more distant from the London market than the corn lands of Kew Zealand are at the present time. There was comparatively little commerce ■between the different districts, so that a poor crop, say-, jn iNortluimberland meant high, prices in that county, -even although there mighjt hp an abundant crop in the soui liern counties. From the middle of the 17th century till near the close of the 18th. the variations between one year and another were not so great "as might J?ij imagined. These -were of: course pre-statistic times, and no absolutely correct d,<j tails arc procurable on which to calculate th& average price of wheat in England for ajay particular year. There are the returns of the receiver of corn, however, from ly'vL, which give what we may call an appvoxir mate average. Now, from the- year just named down to ] 79-1 the average price of wheat in England and Wales for any single year, according to these returns, does not rise above 53s or fall below 335. Only in four of th,,s yem'S between the two above-mentioned dates is it less than 40s, and the average for the 24 years is about 465, Tho

variation Iroin year to year was thus comparatively small, Before 1771 there arc no data for averages, but the account books—or audit books, as they are called—of Eton College give probably a fair idea of the price of: wheat in the South of England. This account of prices began in 1595, but it is said that the accuracy oil the returns for some j'oars cannot be relied on. In 16-16, hoAvever, the price of wheat per Winchester quarter, which was about one-thirtieth less than the Imperial quarter, was 425. During the next five years it ranged from 60s to 755. Then it fell to 445, and in 1054 to 235, and it did not reach 60s again till 1661, when it was 625, and the following year 605.. .Next year it dropped to 50s! and the year following to 365. In 1665 it was 435, and for the next seven years it ranged from 32s to 375. ' JNor did it get back to 60s till 1693, the price during the previous 20 years having been about as often bclow'as above 40s. From 1693 to 1710 it was four times above 60s, rising to 69s in 1709 and the following year; but in the other years of the period just mentioned, as in that between 1710 to 1756, it ranged from 23s to 48s, but was of tenor under 40s than above it. From 1757 to 1771, the year when the receiver of corn returns begins, the average was scarcely higher, the highest point reached being 57s in 1767. We have already seen how prices went between 1771 and 1795. But in the latter year there was a sudden rise from 51s, in the year immediately preceding, to 745. The times were bad, and there had been a deficient harvest in 1794, Kofc that the people were actually on the verge of famine, but wheat was scarce, and without wheaten bread the English of the southern part of the kingdom could scarcely exist. There was doubtless, however, a great deal of hardship, though Burke, in 'his famous pamphlet entitled " Thoughts and Details .on Scarcity," asserted that the "labouring people did, either out of their direct gains or from charity, in fact fare better than they did in seasons of common plenty 50 or 60 years before." Burke wrote to expose the absurdity of regulating wages according to a bread scale, or of t4overnmont interference of any kind with the rate of prices. He even objected to the Act forbidding the nso oi: wheat in distilleries, for reasons which would scarcely approve themselves to our Prohibitionists. But he probably underrated the distress, perhaps remembering the fare on which his countrymen seemed to thrive, though he had then been over 40 years among the luxurious English. An Act was passed to enable bakers to make mixed bread, and bounties were offered for importations of several kinds of grain. Had there not been a very real pressure on the means of subsistence, the East India Company would not have sent large quantities of rice to be disposed of under cost. But worse times were coming. The Avar in which Great Britain r had already engaged with France entailed calamitous consequences on the people. In 1796 the price of wheat was 775. For the next three years it ranged from 50s to 675, but in ISOO it rose to 113s, and in 1801 to 118s. These were the average prices for the two respective years over England and Wales, but at certain' times and in certain places the actual prices are said,. to have been 134s in ISOO, and 156s in 1801. The causes of these famine prices were deficient harvests and the war: A public proclamation exhorted people of all ranks to economy. Bread was not to be sold till 24 hours after it was baked; noble lords discouraged the use of pastry in their families; brown bread was to be eaten instead of Avhite; and importations of corn were invited by excessive bounties. .But wheat remained at a high figure down to the end of the war, and indeed for some years after. It fell to 56s in 1803, but it rose again the following year, and did not come below 60s till 1821, when it was again 565. In 1805 it was S7s; in ISO 9° 955; in 1810, 106s; in 1812, 1255; in 1813 108s; in 1817, 945; in 1818, 84s; in 1819, 735; and in 1820, 675. Since that year the price of wheat has never reached 80s, though during the Crimean war it rose" as high as 745; but since 1856 it has only been twice above 60s—Adz., in 1867, when it was 645, and in (he following year, when it was 635. From ]871 to 1877 it averaged a little over 535, but from the latter date it has steadily declined to its present low figure—the lowest this century. It was not, however, so much the decline in prices that led to the agricultural crisis in England, which was at its height in °1579, as a succession of bad harvests.' •Joira- -Bright said that the country had lost £200,000 in three years through want of sunshine. But the competition of America and India, which became much more severe just about that time, prevented to a largo extent the revival of this particular industry. The harvests of the eighties were much better as a whole than those of the seventies, but the price of wheat continued to decline, principally owing to the largely increased importations, but partly also in consequence of those general causes to wo referred "in a former article, and which have reduced all other values as. well. What the future ot wheat-growing will'be it is impossible to say. The temporary advances which have taken place within tiie last few years have been checked by unforeseen circumstances. The year before last, for instance, America and India had botli poor crops, but the European crop, on the other hand, was abundant, and .Russia besides had large accumulations, so that the expected rise in values did not come about. In a paragraph which appeared in our columns a few days ago it was said that England depended for her supplies of wheat on America, India, and JS'cw Zealand: but large areas'mav be brought under cultivation in othe"r countries, and it is a noticeable fact that the loav prices which have been ruling of late have not yet chocked production. The probability, wo should say, is that the price of wheat will be for a good in any years to come practically stationary at a figure not much above that of the average price of the last decade

Major Kb.ih>elt, very properly marked his sense of the trespassing action of Mr C. S. J-Lvy at Palmerston by imposing the substantial fine of .-filO, -with costs amounting to <£G 19s. A summary of the facts was published by us oil Thursday, and from that account it will be teen that what might at first have been supposed to lie merely an ordinary ease of trespass has, if the witness Spain's evidence is to bo believed, an extremely ugly look. It appears from the report that Mr J. F. M. Fhaseh, in opening for, the prosecution, confined himself merely to commenting upon the

impropriety ol: grazing stock on adjoining land which was about to be sold. To do so -wilfully at any time is ol: course flagrant dishonesty, but in this case it was calculated to have the effect of: deterring purchasers, since the runs in question are only small grazing runs, and thus securing to the trespasser a continuance of the opportunity. The run upon which the trespass was proved to have been committed had been forfeited for nonpayment of: rent, nothing- having been paid except rent for ' the first six months. Now, Sr-.-vix swears that Mr Hay paid the first six months' rent and made other disbursements, and that he (Spain) had actually never seen the run at all. Til this is true it is a clear case ol' dummyisin. .But worse from a moral point of: view remains behind. Spain- alleges that he made the necessary declaration before the very Justice of the Peace -who was now the defendant. That is to say, iSpaiiv admits that lie committed perjury, and that the Justice of the Peace aided and abetted, and that from mercenary motives. Spaix stands selfconfessed _ a knave, and has possibly given this evidence to secure immunity—turned Queen's evidence, in fact, —and it is earnestly to be hoped that lie will get his deserts. Ii: his story is true his accomplice should not escape. 1\ o doubt the case will receive further investigation, for it is impossible that it can remain where it is.

The nominated element which exists in some public bodies, such as Harbour Boards, has some good as well as some bad features. It is well, for instance, that a certain number of uhe members of such bodies should be quite tree from local party feeling, and as large colonial as well as local interests are concerned it is only fair that the colony should be represented by the nominees of the Government. But when we contemplate the appointments which the present Government have made to public* bodies, we sincerely declare that we would rather see the vast interests involved entrusted to the care of irresponsible persons elected oh the one-man-one-eveiything system' than witness the unblushing manner iv which political partisanship is rewarded. Ministers seem to glory in.their shame, and have now for the iicst time in the colony made it publicly known that th" S?°Tvr f°t? £ c couc lueror. The appointment of-Mr*. H. FRASEitto a seat oa the Wellington Harbour Board is a case in point The gentleman appointed has not taken the Slightest interest in shipping matters, we are *°Id'^ye<: he has-displaced a gentlemanM. r t / V- ?• Wj[EELEH-who has filled his seat with ability. True, he brought spatial qualifications to the duties, being local manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, and so espeaial etheieaoy might have been expected But his connection with the company named necessarily made him s. persona inyvata to the Government who oi course must obey the helm when it is guided by their labour associates, and so Mr Wheeler had to go. Another object was to be gamed. Mr Fuashb-had been led to expect nomination to the Council, and here was a way of partially placating him. The other appointment recently made—that to the Westport Harbour Board-has, very fitly, been surrounded with ridiculous features. The local postmaster—favoured official—had a seat on the board, and he was to be transferred" his successor falling beir to his seat. The gentleman selected was in Wellington, and he could not have been more surprised to iind that he had beeu elected Nizam of Hyderabad lh?n he was when he received a lette/notifvin" that he was to attend a meeting of the Westport Harbour Board. He had never heard of the honour intended for him. Meanwhile intrigue was at work. The '=Buller Lion" got his man on the board namely Mr Jamison, manager of tne Westport Colliery Company, which has large dealings with'the board !

The Offensive Publications Act is a salutary measure, and should be the means of putting down indecent, immoral, and obscene publications, whicn cave dons so much to demoralise the youth of the colony. The Bill was introduced last year by the Hon. W. D. Stev-ujt but.was not placed on the Statute Book Lnst session it was i atroduced by Mr Gkorgr Hutcuiso>r, and has now the force of lav/. A wide discretion is given to the court to decide what are objectionable pictures, prints, and advertisements, and the punishment is cither fine or imprisonment in the discretion of the court lhat a widespread necessity exists for such legislation there can be no doubt. The newspapers have been great offenders with respect to the publication of objectionable advertisements, and we have heard several complaints of tobacconists m different parts of the colony exhibiting m the windows of their shops pictures of an undesirable character. It is to be hopsd that the new law will be striiwnUv enforced. Aay constable or other peace officer may arrest without a warrant a person commuting an offence against the Act. We do not know whether the Act will apply to imported publications, but it seems to us that it does. On=o the provisions of the Act are thoroughly understood, many of the evils against which it is directed will 110 d«ub'b cease.

Ijie Law Practitioners Act, introduced in t'-e House by Sir George Grey and taken charge of m the Council by the Hon. W. D StkwvA laet session, effects an important reform, wh'c'a we feel sure the public will appreciate. Dunn* the last few years there have unfortunately been several instances in which clients who have entrusted solicitors with money have been sufferers. There was one noticeable case in Auckland, m which a solicitor made away wi'h large sums of money entrusted to his care lhe Act to which we refer provides ? hf* F allJ noueys reived by a solicitor on behalf or a client shall be held exclusively for mm, and until paid must be lodged in a ™Vlf ?f iei' al- °l" trust account, rhe .Act rurther stipulates that the moneys are not to bo available for payment of tho debts of any ofcuer creditor of the solicitor, and are protested for tne benefit of the client on whose ijeualt the moneys were received. We believe that mose of the solicitors already carry out the provisions of the Act; but now that a law exists on the subject, the solicitors will have no choice. We congratulate Sir George Grey on a reform which is so much in the public intercst,_aud winch we hope the law societies will see is rigidly carried out.

Mr lorrance, the missionary of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society, has returned from a well-earned holiday of six mouths, and has unostentatiously resumed the duties to which he has devoted his life for a quarter of a century. Although no public recognition of h:s return has yefc been made in the eiby. ke was accorded a warm welcome at Seacliff, where Hs iX!T f OrtS ,towards lhe fortunate inmates of_ the asylum, as well as his enthusiasm mooing good, stand out more prominently m a small community. The occasion was taken advantage of to make the welcome a general one tor we oDserve among the names of those prosent those of gentlemen from a distance Perhaps it would be considered unnecessary to reicr to the return of a city missionary to congenially obscure duties, were it■* not that Mr lorkanck's exceptionally successful career justifies ib Id fc g£ n to very few men to abandon all hapes of self-advancoinent in orrter u o como in contaob with the vicious, the leased, the insane, and the poor, with (he single purpose or ligateniug their burden. The gooo. which such a man does cannot be coumet to tae discharged prisoner, the sympathy wi,h the suffering patient, cannot be weighed whlr^T Cd as n cail. the' or clothing which is frequently given to help them away* IVn "V" Ctui? the empathy of those with whom he comes m contact that Mr To-hukci' particularly excels. His manner no less tha-i uust ,o say iaat they who are the stron^-st suppor err, of the society represented by him are those who have become personally acquainted with the nature of his duties, and 5,, % mt V^ ard ih™ »"ll> m something \vaion is merely conventional and n»turfllv to b« erpeofced from pora*. who c^uS it, but as a sincere token of svmuathy v-Uh his work. Bich one J 8 a nii^ionarv on beli'jif of the missionary. We should like'to se> tVs i "m', ted by its rumis, and es iiiu--o ir« •is Mi lohramjk diminishes his small stipend by suppltmoating the sum? which tho funds will,bear, and.as the obj a =ts are «o ent >'cV Christian so purely philanthropic, we hope his return will be signalised by a great measure of

In our Bupplemeat (his moraing will be found local report?, letter.? lo the editor, notices of new books, our Auckland letter' Passing Notes by "Civis," and other matter. "'

Captain Ks.uceran, of the i'rench cruiser Duchaffdulfc, intimates that his vessel will be open for inspection by the public after 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Of the unemployed who were selected on Thursday to proceed to fciio Ofcago Central worlts at Middlemarcb, 29 proceeded from Dunedin yesterday morning, and other 12 were taken from different places along the line. It is probable that some masons will bo sent up to the works next week.

Mr J. H. Hancock has consented to be a candidate for the Cavereham mayoralty,

The annual meeting of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland will be opened on Tuesday. The opening services in Kuox Church will be conducted by the Rev. John Steven, the retiring moderator.

Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs that an endeavour is being made to induce the Hon. W. P. Reeves to address a public meeting on the "burning" questions during his stay in Auckland. Not much hopes are entertained in some quarters that he will do so.

At the fortnightly meeting of the South Dunedin branch of the National Liberal Association, a resolution was passed extending the league's sympathy to shop assistants iv their endeavour to obtain the Saturday half-holiday, and recommending all employers,to establish a general pay day in the early part of the week. It was resolved—" That this branch, while in tavour of the unicameral system, yet congratulate the Government upon their selection of members to the Legislative Assembly, and their recognition of the rights of labour by appointing from the ranks of labour four representatives."

From private letters received from Sydney this week we learn that Sister Stay, of the Anglican Sisterhood at Kilburn, London, has had a most enthusiastic reception in that city. She addressed Sunday schools, guilds, public meetings, garden parties, and other gatherings on the work of the sisterhood in London and elsewhere, amongst the dock labourers, the outcast, the orphans, and others, creating ,much interest and enthusiasm. Steps are being taken to procure the services of a number of sisters from England to work in Sydney. Sister May is expected to pay a visit to Dunedin in the course of a few weeks.

Mr Reginald Foster, lats chief inspsctor of stock, has filed at Christ-church- his schedule in bankruptcy, deficiency L7G. He attributes his bankruptcy to loss of office, which had been worth L4OO a year and travelling allowances up to the 30 th June 1890, and up to his retirement L3OO a year without travelling allowances. One of his assets is L 139, compensation due from Government.

In connection with the errors in the " New Zealand Handbook" pointed out by a correspondent in our issue of last Monday, the New Zealand Times states that the mistake arises from a portion of the table giving the industries at that time having been dropped out by the printer, and the omission was not detected by the reader when the book was undergoing revision. There is no mistake wha fcever in the tables, which are absolutely correct, and are given in the fall volume of the statistics published at tha beginning of the present year. The industries which have been bodily omitted are the following :—Printing, &o. ; establishments for machines, tools, and'implements ; coachbuildiug and painting; tanning, fellmongery, and wool scouring; ship and boatbuilding ; sail and oilskin factories ; furniture factories; chemical works; woollen mills; clothing factories ; hat and cap factories ; boot and shoe factories. The figures in columns against these lines added to tha figures against the lines given in the Handbook make up the totals, so that there is no exaggeration in the tables given, which represent correctly the industries of the colony.

Ths twentieth anniversary of the Dunedin Pioneer Lodge, 1.0. G.T., which was celebrated last evening by a tea and concert, held in the Choral Hall, was very well attended. The concert was presided over by Bro. R. N. Adams, G.C.T., and solos wers-contribnted by Messrs Don, Meshon, Miles, Haig, Mrs Taylor, and Miss Henderson. Mr and Mrs Taylor sang a duet; Missss Robertson and Whitburn played a piano duet, and Miss Hcod a violin solo; recitations were given by Miss Mayhew and Miss Sutherland; the Rev. TV. Ready gave an address, and the Pioneer Lodge Band contributed a couple of selections ; the entertainment concluding with a clever ventriloquial entertainment by Mr George Dickie. The various items oa the programme were carried out apparently to tliS great ■'■ satisfaction of the audience, who showed their appreciation of the efforts of the performers in a very demonstrative manner. ';

A meeting of the Port Chalmers Garrison Baud Bazaar Committee was held on Thursday evening ;Mr D. A. De Mans in the chair. The balance sheet, which was submitted, showed that during the continuance of the Japanese Village Ll5B 4s lOd was taken, while ths expenses were L 54 7s 7d, leaving a balance of LlO3 17s 3d. The band will now be able to pay the remaining debt on the instruments, and leave a handsome credis to their funds. The 'committee are to be congratulated on the great success of the undertaking.

The drawing in connection with the NorthEast Valley Band art union took place last night at the Public Hall in the Valley, there being a large attendance (upon the occasion. The first prize consisted of- a piano and a picture, the winning number being 4053. The other winning numbers in the art union were as follow:—4-989, 277, 63, 14-16, 3094 2525 1«7, 186, 3940, 2217, 783, 4600, 787, 1357 10?3, 130, 3815, 3020, 2612, 1593, 1253 4706* 2423, 3014, 3942, 1717, and 4017. The NorthEast Valley Band was present at the drawing, and played a few selections during tha evening! Miss Farquharson also contributed a pianoforte selection. The proceedings terminated with a dance.

A brisk demand has seb in for seats for the first concert of the Royal Italian Opara Company on Monday evening next at the Princess Theatre. The comprehensive programme aunonnned this morning will be seen to contain a most attractive and rarely attainable selection of grand opera scenes and numbers, to giro proper effect to which only artistes of "the greatest gifts and accomplishments may essay. That the members of the Royal Italian Opara Company will prove their full qualification may be taken for granted, their fame having long preceded them. Although it would seem unnecessary in such a great programme, every number of which is a gem, to particularise any item, music-lovers wili be glad to notice the great " Miserere " scene from "Trovatore," with invisible choral, organ, and bell accompaniments, the soio parts by Signor aud Signora Cuttica • the famous quintet from "II Barbiere " ; and the sestets (as finale to the first part) of "Lucia." A musical treat such as that anticipated in the performances of this company is rare indeed, and the public cannot fail to hail ib with the keenest appreciation.

Messrs 71. Carswell and Co. will hold a sale of stock at Yvyndham on Thursday. daylSSeUSei' S aUd Cargo by the lonic arrive to" . The Railway department announce this morning uiie tram arrangements in connection wUh tho Pahneraton races, inclnditi S a cheap excur-

Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell hou'ehqM furniture &o. to-day. On Thursday they stroe^s oehold l)r°Perties in Castle ami Grange In our advertising columns this morning appears tiiopro! ui)niary announcement in connection with the All Nations l-'uir to bo opened on the 2Sth November m aid of th.fi building fund of St * utricles Church, South Dunedin. Musical atwliXl&T 18611 in addition t0 a dhplay of Messrs Wri-ht, Stephenson, and Co. vail sell the Clydesdale entire Young Hopeful at their 1 arils to-day. Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will sell on iuesday a collection of books on Jishinjr, fishine \V- ir iOn ednesday they will sell on the piemues, Jlelrose, household furniture, Ac. lii wFho^"1'^ 0 Of *"¥ annual Sl)orts hl cminect.T- «, • Itll!- saV 3 encampment is published tliio morning, and should furnish a 'ood afternoon s sport on the sth prox The Dunedin Bowling Club open their uraen bowle ■ ' il001)' iavitQ la"'e;i aml vssitin S l=y thu Union Steam Ship Company's Talune winch leaves for Melbourne on Thursday Voxt special excursion fares are announced at rat"s which should meet the popular tvste Mr .r. AVendel, of Auckland, who Las made a name tor himself as a manufacturer of wine from the grape, has arrived in Dunedin, and has oppiW a depot; m the Octagon. His productions have been Ijororo the public for some years, and have stood the test of time ; and as he guarantees that us wines are equal to the very lettering analysis i>y j. rotossor .black, hs should receive the support of ..hose, consumers of wine who believe in encouraging local industry. The bsznai- which is to be opened in the Choral Hah on Wednesday night in aid cf the Waller street I'rcsbyten.-in Church manse in-omis-s to be ?Z? tV"i :c v sful alfair- For a considerable time past the ladies connected with the congregation and their friends have been busily en^d wo • hk /or the bazaar and there will in all prob - |)e tin-! ♦ ■'"' 1?!! s,otller attractions. No co^eX^K'ttr' o '' b8 IlCn!littOd hl Charles W. llay, Dentoi Surgeon, ]12 Priam s S wet opposite Carol's Jroaunient)!-[ADV-r 1 lite largest and bout assorted stock of pianos and or-ans in N 3 w Zealand at wholesale prices for cash or on terms to suit all purchasers.—The Uiiiedin (J. A. X. Riodle, manager).—[Anvr 1 laylors bowling green bowls first quality and extra quality (all sizes, two and throe bias) lowest prices; also, silver-mounted prize bowls. Indio. rubber bowling (treen mats and bowl bags on safe eL-[ADYxj UISS( £S PrinCeß Stl' petl Duu<

Messrs A auii J. M'Farlane beg to call attention to tneir advertisement ove? tha lender Any orders entrusted to them will receive tlie best attention.—[Advt."

John Hi slop, Watchmaker r.nd Jeweller 74 Princes street. The oldest established house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Ulocka, and Jewellery. Spectacles to aiut all sights.—[Advt.]