LORD RANFURLY'S SUCCESSOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12551, 3 January 1903, Page 6

LORD RANFURLY'S SUCCESSOR.

It is to be hoped that the Premier's ' good sense will prompt him to suppress with all the firmness that the occasion may demand the movement which, we are' told, is on foot among the Natives of the Wairarapa- to petition the King to appoint Mr Seddon to the position of Governor of the colony upon the retirement of Lord Ranfurly next year. Mr S'eddon's qualifications, or lack of qualifications, for the office which Lord Ranfurly now adorns are quite beside the question that the peculiar action of the Wairarapa. Natives has raised, and need not be discussed in connection with it. The point is that it is entirely oh-, jectionable and improper that i.any section of colonists should address the King upon such a subject as that of the appointment of thei Governor. No privilege can be claimed tiy the Natives in the matter that the European population of New Zealand should not share; and in order that the unseemliness of i any such proceeding on their part as the promotion of a memorial to the Crown ' in favour of the appointment of any individual to the position of Governor may be realised, it is -only necessary tc suppose the case' of '■ the promotion of a counter-petition in favour of the appointment of soineoiw else. The Crown would, it may safely be conjectured, ignore the prayer of both petitions in a contingency of that kiud.. and it would act in accordance

"■■' with the strictest constitutional practice in ignoring the prayer of a petition such ' as';th'ftlTwhich is now, it is said, being signed..; Pnforttinately, so far as Mr Seddonis concerned,; silence on his part at 'a time> when it'is known that a,'proaddress the King in favour of his' appointment is oh foot will only be interpreted 'by, the'. Natives as an,, encouragement to them td persevere with their ill-advised conduct.,-. Ho should,' thqrefproj intervene promptly aiid induce the promoters.of the petition to have it withdrawn from circulation.

• Passengers by the express train for tho south on Thursday morning were sitbjeoted ?to ah hour's delay between Allanton and Otakia owinir to tho left piston-rod of tlio second ;onginV (Baldwin, No. 336), breaking. ..TW accident necessitated tho removal of • the cranks on the left side of the engine, ' an •■ operation attended with considerable .difficulty, and-tho engine-drivers and .firemen had a big task, foi the expedition in the accomplishment of which every credit is due to the men. Precautions were taken to ,stop' the second express some distance : back; tho .'line, but fortunately the train was able to proceed before tho other arrived ;on;tho'scone. The second up-express on . j."hiirsday evening- was half aiihour late, owing partially to the accident to the downtrain and partially to the heavy traffic. The;railway traffic from and to Dunedin during the New Year holidays was very heavy,; that on. the north lines being iho greater.' On New Year's Eve 300 passengers were convoyed to Ohristr.huroh by" the 10.25 train ■ and "lb Oamaru by ' tho ■ 12.20. The soUthHr'ain at, 11.20 took 120 passengers. Oh Thursday, oyer: 1200 persons took tickets for Pnketcrakl- and 800 foi Waikouaiti. The full total of passengers was 3250, and beside those /or Pufceteraki and Waikouaiti, 200 journeyed to Oamaru, 220 to Waitati, 110 to Scacliif, 80 to. Purakanui, 60. to Warrington,, and '55 to I'almerstOn. On tho south lines 230' tickets were taken out for Middlcmarch, 100 for Honley, 100 for Out60 for Invcrenrgill, and 80 for Milton, the total being. 1030. These figures do not include the tickets taken to suburban stations: on the 'northern 'lines there were 500 as" far as Port Chalmers, and 540 as

1 far asvMosgiel on the south lino, this in chiding 200/ for the Central Mission picni at Biims'c'.o. ■,':.. The'store of Mr Henry Stuart Hitchon at Kaitangata,, Was broken into by a bur glar or :burglars between midnight of Thure day and 5 .ip'olock yesterday morning Entrance had been effected by means of i back'window,'.which had been forced up , and, onco inside, the burglar had evidentl; set determinedly to work, the back doo ' having been unlocked and the safe carriei into a ntablc in the backyard, where it wa smashed in and the' contents abstracted 'About. £50, some £36 >boing in cash, ha, disappeared, nothing but some papers bein; 'left. Some tools from a neighbouring black smith's shop were found beside {he riflci : safe, tho thief or thieves apparently havini entered the. blacksmith's shop in searcl of 'some instrument wherewith tc break ir the safe door. The' police are making in quiry into the matter, and a detective wai despatched to Kaitangata yesterday. ■.-,.' :A telegram from Wellington states thai Ministers have/received invitations from tl« : Western State Government k _ttend ]he opening ceremony on the Easterr goldfielcis ot, the Coolgardie water Biipplj scheme on 26th inst. It is unlikely that th( - iuyitation will be accepte.d departments ■ ' # '.ulies preventing the' Ministers sparing (hi • necessary time.. Sir John Forrest, the Min ister ofDefenco in the Federal Government will perform the official ceremony of turning on' the .water.

Thpugh the' local police have been kept very .busy during the New Year holidays, little;,or nothing- in the shope of rowdyism has occurred,, and the. crowds have, generally, been remarkably orderly. On Thureday morning only two prisoners were in the colls, and these were for drunkenness. Both were first offenders, and were convicted, and discharged by the Hon. H. Gourloy, J.P. Yesterday another two wero similarly dealt with by Mr L. Mendelsohn, j.p. v', ;; '•' • '.'■ .... Mr C. Hodj-e, .T.P., sat at the Port Chalmers: Police Court on New Year's Day and convicted and discharged a. first offender, ' ebargod- with drunkenness, while William •Madders, charged with committing a breach of the peace, was fined 10e, with the alternative ; of 48 .hours' imprisonment. Yesterday Captain W. Goldie, J.P., presided, arid convicted and discharged a first offender, charged with drunkenness. .. They Salvation Army held the annual picnic at Quarantine Island on New Year's Day, : and the three steamers provided for the excursion to this popular pleasureground were all crowded, the first to start carrying the Army's brass band, which sup- ., ptyed; spirited inusio during the run down. During the, day ganJcs were indulged in, although, the rain unfortunately made the . ground somewhat heavy. Colonel Gilmour and staff also 'conducted an evangelistic service^'in, the course of the day, which, was ■ entered into heartily by the great majority present. The trip home was made somewhat :earlier than was'intended, the weather being so threatening. The last'boat arrived at 6 p.m.,- all hands having apparently had a'good time despite the wet'weather. The farewell: of Adjutant Burton (who leaves for Wellington/next week) was announced. The . '.djutant is to be succeeded in command of the Dunedin. corps by Ensign and - Mrs - MTmre,' of Sydony, N.S.W. . '» ' . The scholars and teachers of the- Choral Hall :Sunday .School had their annual outing- yesterday,' proceeding to Russell's jetty % a. special trip of the ferry steamer On-slow;-By tho courtesy of Mr Edwards, his paddock proved a splendid picnic ground. A special trip of the steamer landed the party. on' Dunedin wharf at 8 p.m., all haying thoroughly enjoyed themselves. As tho. .steamers came alongside the- youngsters gayehearty cheers for their teachers and the Onslow, ; . :. , ;A etory which reads like an episode in an A'delphi drama is reported from Evreux, in ■ Normandy. A: few days ago four persons, including a woman, who were travelling along '.the Paris-Cherbqurg road In a motor car,.stopped near a farmhouse and deposited a. parcel. iTiey waited at somo distance until--it waa-picked up by two labourers, 'tndt'hen drove off at ( a high speed towards ;Paris. The parcel contained a cradle and -~a-: n ew-born >-hild, richly- clothed. At first thelabourers ; decided t inform the Mayor - of Fontaine la Lonbot, an adjacent village,. ..'■. but one of them.ultimately.said' he would ■ ask;hig wife, whether she would take care of it. He had children of his own, but '•ione'mb're 6rle3S wouldn't matter much." When the man got the cradle 'home, and . " was ..looking, for some.means by which the cnildjniight be,recognised, he discovered an •envelope pirined under the pillow case. This envelope contained: 20 bank notes of £40 ' - Veaph,? and 'a'note wordedl as follows:— ''Whoever takes care of this ohild until'it attains its'majority will have no cause for ' regretV Let him or her advertise in the London Times,'and if the ohild is alive and well cared for;-a further sum of £800 will .bs.handed .t<> the foster-parents after five years. Moreover, a pension will be given to the foster'-par.ents for' life if the child .. attains its majority in a healthy and well- . cariea;f6r ;■ condition. The child will be "■; yisited onco a.year, but no attempt must ':'.■ bo made to discover the secret ot its birth." Referring to the Irish land question, Mr • Hi ,W., Lucy,,'in the-Sydney Morning Herald, writes: What is popularly assumed on the .'•' - jfi'iibject is that the King earnestly/desires to make.his reign memorable by bringing Ive- .".--.. land actually- within.;.the union in whose 'jhonds shp has fretted for more than a hun- '-. dredyeajs. 'What is actually known is that . next year the parliamentary session is to -be.-prjrnarily and chiefly devoted to con •'■/•:. sideratiqn .-'of: a new Land Bill. The nnlv ■"'•'iljwiß jilp'o?' which Such a measure could be rlwefujly established is purchase, A poll just

taken of the landlords shows' them to be in an overwhelming majority favourable to such a scheme. As for the Irish peasant and farmer, earth-hunger IB; his .strongest passion.'; Everything will depend upon the terms proposed, .and Mr Wyndham's■ confidence that the question is on the'eve of settlement implies knowledge of determination on the part of the Government to make those terms acceptable to both'.parties to tho bargain. That, inevitably means 'the introduction of a third party, the British taxpayer to wit, with contribution either in the form of actual cash or security for a loan.

TO.-MOR2OWS CHURCH SERVICES. St. Paul's Cathedral.—Holy communion, 8 a.m.; choral cucharist, 11 a.m. (preacher, yen. Archdeacon. Robinson); evensong,'' .6.30 (preacher, the Bishop). First Church.-Rev.-J. Gibh, 11 aim; and 6.30 p.m. ■ ■•■'■•',' St. Matthew's Church.—Holy communion, 8 a.m,; choral celebration, 11 a.m.; : . evensong; 6.80 p.m. Preacher (morning and evening);' Rev. W. Curzon-Siggers, M.A. ... , Knox Church.—Hev. David Boss, M.A., 11 a.m. and 6.30 .p.m. "' '.:'■■' St. Andrew's Church.-Bev./Dr Waddell, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. • All Saints' Church.—B aim., .11 a.m.; and 6.30 p.m. Preacher (morning and evening),'the Dean; : Methodist Central Mission.—Rev. W. A. Sinclair at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Wesley Church.Cargill road:—Rev..J, Ward, 11 a,m. and 6.30 p.m. St.- Kilda: 6.30 pirn., Mr T. E. Carey. Mosgiel: Mr A: Hopper, '11 'a.m. and 6.30, p.m. Broad Buy: Mr W. Williams, 11 a.m,; Mr E. Aslin, 6.30 p ; m. . ' " ■ '. Methodist Church°s.—Morningfon: 11 a.m;, Hev. 8.-Wilson; 6.30 p.m., Kev.'T. G. Brooke. Hoslyn: 11 a.m.. Mrs Fawcsit; 6.30 p.m., Rev. R. Wilson, BcMnowes; 11 a.m., Rev, T, G. Brooke; 6.30 p.m., Mr J. F. Arnold. ' -,' ' King Street Congregational Church.—ll a.m., Mr J. A, Torrance; 0.30 p.m., Rev. G.Hcighway. ~ ' ■. , •-, Rattray Street Oddfellows' Hall.-Dr-Com-mins at 6.30 p.m.

; Messrs Wi M. Fea and Co,, will continue today, at rooms, the-sale of watches, docks, etc. Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell today, at their rooms, household furniture, piano, personal effects, etc. Prize money in connection with-the-Cale-donian Society's sports will be" paid out this evening. Mi J. Mnndell, for the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association, will hold an important sale of property at Timaru on 'Saturday, 31st inst., when will be sold the property known SB Blueg'um Park, of 925 acres, .with all,improvements, etc. If not sold, as a ivhple it will he offered in suitable blocks. At the same time and place will bj sold farms in tho Waihao Valley, Willowbridgc, and. at Sherwood and Hook Bush. - Messrs Cotter Bros, will hold an important sale of property in the Lake Wska-tipu district on Saturday, 24th inst. On the above date they will sell, on Sunnyside farm, ifalaghan's, fout miles from Arrowiown, three'farms containing some of the best land 'in Wakatipu. Lot 1 consists of Crawford's' farm, containing 70 acres. Lot 2 comprises Elliott's and Chalmers", containing .216 acres and 171' acres respectively. Lot 3 consists of Sunnyside farm, and contains 418 acres. Easy terms ore dffcrcd. Immediately after the property sale the sheep, horses, cows,.implements, etc., will he sold. Mr Young, a puoil of Saudow, will give exhibition", in the Choral Hall this afternoon from 12 to 1 and from 5 to 6. Es will give practical dcnionslration of the use,of Sallow's . appliances, No charge is made for admission. The.Farmors' Agency Company, will'sell at Burnside on Wednesday next youn'g.steers and heifers. The New Centurj Talking Machine Company, Wellington, notify that they haye the largest stock of the new process extra loud moulded records in the colony, and new shipments arriving every three weeks. Also the New Disc Granhophonc. slated to be the loudest and best talking machine, etc. The firm import direct, For full particulars sec advertisement. The Union S.S. Company invite .tenders for the purchase of material how in store, Port Chalmers. ' ; ' . Adjutant Burton, of the Salvation Army, will be farewllod at a social on Tuesday- evening. Special New Year service's are to bo'held in' Wesley Church, Cnrgill i>,ad. to-morrow. They will be conduttfd by the liev. J. Ward. "A New Year's promise''is the.advertised subject for the morning service, nnd "A.Now Year's Covenant" the subject for the evening. 'Visitors to the city and those freqnentng no nlaceof worship are soecially invited. MrT. E. Giroy (lately of Victoria) is annc-iinced to preach-at St. Kilda, Mr Honper at Mosciel, and Messrs Williams and Aslin at Broad Bay. Tenders are invited for the construction of s railway over Staircase Gullv, near Springfield. .'. /'. . The Thcoaonhicat Society's convention lecture season will be continued this evening. Tho arrangements are announced/in our advertising column. ' Mr William Mcnzies notifieo that he has sold his-bakery business of Sawyers' Bay to Mr Andrew M'Kinnon: ■• ( The New Zsalsnd Clothing Factory, Oclavon, ! will be ooen all day Saturday till 10 p.m.—Advt. Mrs Smith says: " When yon are in Dunedin you can save time,,bother,-and money by buying your gloves, umbrellas,- and corsets direct from J. M. Auld.' manufacturers' agent, 30 George street."—Advt. ■' ' Sandow's Devslomrs, Snndpw's Dumb-hells; thousands at Brnithweitc's; lowest prices.— Advt, New Year' cards, New -Year, knick-knacks;. thousands just opened at Braithwaite's.—Advt. . SandoVs great book, ." Strength, and How to Obtain It"; thousands at Braithwaite's; price 3s, posted 3i 3d.—Advt. Carter and Co. wish you »he compliments of the season. Spend 10s with them durine the W"tt week, and receive Handsome Music. Album, free, containing 14 pieces' first-class Music. Try Carter and Co.-Advt. ." An Array of Toys at-'Molliso'ns', for the children to feaßt their eyes on. is now showing. We invite yon to bring the little, pennle'in to the display. Mollisone' for Dolls—Dolls that laugh, Dolls that talk, Dolls that cry. Dolls that sleen. Dolls that walk,, little Dolls,'bi; Dolls, Dolls of all sizes, drcsEed and undressed. -Advt. .. •: . . The very latest designs in jewellery, silver, and elecfro-p'ate. fancy goods, • etc., "specially selected for Christmas s»aso'i, have: jnat been opened up by G. and T. Young, *8 Princes street. 'Inspection cordially, invited.—Advt. 1 Prevention is Better than .Cure.—"K.P." Fluid.is a certain preventive against plague' and other infections diseases when freely used according to directions.' When diluted it. does not stain the containers.—Advt. Mr Hendy, hairdresser, invites! ladies and gentlemen to inspect choice selection' of goods for Xmas presents; insf landed.—Advt." Who ib Piter Dick?— The most' reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, ODposito-Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin.- Charges strictly, moderate.—Advt. .- ' .