LOCAL & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 18

LOCAL & GENERAL

A proposition of a somewhat novel kind was brought up at the last meeting of the Hospital Trustees. It was to tho effect that there should be an interchange of nursing between the hospital and the lunatic asylum at Seacliff. Dr Truby King, from whom the proposal emanated, alleges that the system works beneficially in America and elsewhere, and common sense confirms the impression that any means whereby additional experience may be gained by nurses would have a beneficial tendency. The trustees, however, did not see their way clear to fall in with the proposal, and in speaking to a motion to that effect several gentlemen mentioned the practical difficulties which seemed to them to stand in the way. But the opinions expressed by the mover of the mo'ion — 3!r Brown — show a complete mi<.'Pi>ri-henMi n of the qualities of mind and disposition which arc essential in tho modern treatment of the insane. Mr Brown snid that by sending the hospital nurses te tho asylum they ran the risk of lessening the gentleness, tenderness, kindliness, aud sympathy which in a hospital nurse wero the chief elements of success. These qualifications arc as necessary in a nurse who is in attendance on the insane as they are in a hospital nurse. The aspect of mental alienation is fully as provocative of sympathy as physical suffering, and whatever the effect a change might have on tho nurses, it would certainly not diminish those admirable qualities which Mr Brown enumerated. Modern asylums are fully abreast of modern hospitals, as Mr Brown could easily ascertain by a visit to Seacliff, and contact with the insane under the humane methods now in use ha? a softening, and not a hardening effect. Bedlam uo longer merits its name.

The Oarnaru Mail statt'3 that a private letter received from Sydney reports that business is dreadfully bad there, but nothing liko so bad as in Victoria. The writer also expresses an opinion that the Dibbs Ministry will havo to go out when the House meets, and adds : " If an appeal to the couutry takes place, I fancy the Freetraders will again be to tho front."

One of the men sent by the labour bureau to the Catlins river works called at tho Chrisfcchurch office of the bureau and said he was very thankful he had been sent. He states that men willing to work can do well there. He speaks highly of the oncers in charge of the works. His Only reason for leaving was that he had obtained, a situation in Christchurch.

Captain Joss, late master of the Edith May, has baen committed for trial for forging and uttering a receipt for L 4 13s, purporting to be signed by Robert Ross. Bail was allowed in 1,300.

Bylihe San Francisco mail Bro. M. Niccol, M.W., Grand Master of the New Zealand Constitution of Freemaronry, received recognition and fraternal greetiug.s from the Grand Lodges of British Columbia, Washington, and Illinois, with a request that he should nominate some brothers to represent them at the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Communications have been received from other grand lodges, stating that they were only awaiting further information before taking similar action. As a matter of fact this information was sent, but the letters crossed en route.

Lord and Lady Glasgow paid a visit to St. Patrick's College, Wellington, accompanied by the Postmaster-general. The Governor made a short speech, in the course of which he remarked that he was one of those who did not believe that religion should be alienated from school duties. In a country like this, without religion they could not make good citizens of children. The time was past when different denominations of Christians should be turning their weapons against one another. VTlji'y should join hands against atheism, the common enemy of all. He was glad to say he was in favour of religious education ; and in education itself he took all the more interest because he had none himself, having been taken away from school at 13 and sent to sea.

A Tauranga telegram to a northern paper says :—": — " The Tauranga Natives just returned f rcm Maungakawa bring tidings of a remarkable circumstance there. A Maori woman gave birth to triplets, and as soon as tho children were born the mother died ; shortly afterwards two of the children also expired — the remaining one, a boy, is doing well, but was born without hands. The Maoris look upon this as a wonderful dispensation of Providence, as the or,der of things by Tawhiao's Parliament is that no Native land shall be sold, and they think that it is to prevent this particular child signing away his inheritance that he has no hands."

An elderly man named Robert Bruce Henderson Munro, was killed on the railway line on the night of the 17th. As Arthur Brown, the engine driver of the late train from Port Chalmers, was proceeding to the engine shed he noticed a man lying on the railway line a few feet south of the overbridge. Ho at once communicated with Mr Arthur, the stationmaster, who telephoned to the police office. On Constable Bell proceeding to the spot he found the man was alive, but unahln to speak. A few minutes later he breathed his last. Dr Coughtrey was telephoned for, and the body removed to the police station under tho direction of Sergeant Geerin. On a cursory examination the doctor found that the man's nock was broken j the left thigh bone completely shattered,

haviDg made a large hole in the flesh, while the right heel was torn and the ankle completely shattered, the boot showing the marks of tho flange of the wheel. Nothing is known as to when or how the man was run over, or how he came to be on the line. Deceased was a gardener by occupation, and at one time was caretaker of the Provincial Gorernment buildings. He was about 65 years of age, was a widower, was born in Peebleshire, Scotland, and had been in the colony about 30 years. From the evidence at the inquest it appeared that deceased, who was working temporarily at the late Mr Macandrew's farm, had come into town to get some plants and transact other business. He was seen by Constable Worbhiugtou at 10.40 p m proceeding down Liverpool street, at which time he was perfectly sober. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased was accidentally killed by an engine, but what engine the evidence was not sufficient i o show.

His Honor Mr Justice Williams was occupied during tho whole of the 17th at the Supremo Court in hearing a case arising out of the action of the Roslyn Licensing Committee in refusing a renewal of a publican's license to David Heffernan in respect of the Argyle Hotel, of which he was the licensee. A writ of certiorari was moved for ; Mr D. D. Macdonald and Mr J. Macgregor appearing in support of the motion, and Mr A. S. Adams for the respondents. The legal argument was of a lcagthy character, aud about 5 o'clock the case was closed. In intimating that he would take time to consider his decision, his Honor said there was a resemblance between this case and the Sydenham one. Tho principles which governed tho one would govern the other.

There was a long sitting of the Resident Magistrate's Courton the afternoon of tho 17th, though only oim case was heard. This was a claim for Lll4 4s sil, for goods sold and delivered, work done, and goods aud material supplied by tho plaintiffs (Anderson aud Morrison) to or on behalf of and at the request of the defendants (the Rees Valley Quartz Miuing Company, Limited). Tho plaintiffs, for whom Mr Holmes appeared, abandoned the excess of their claim over LIOO to bring it within the jurisdiction of the court. Mr Chapman appeared for the defendants. There was a cross action for LIOO for breach of contract, and this was proceeding when- the adjournment was taken late in the afternoon. Judgment was reserved in the first-mentioned case.

At the ordinary meeting of the Benevolent Trustees on the 17th it was reported that the cost of relief for the month of July was L 270 8s 6d, the number of inmates 231, and the average expenditure per head per week 5s 3£d.

A statement is published in country papers that several men who took part in tugs-of-war Wellington are lying seriously ill in the hospital. The authorities know nothing of any such case;;. It is probably a misconception, arising from the fact that some of the competitors at Melbourne strained themselves so severely that they had to go to the hospital.

Those who collect postage stamps will be interested to know that a point ibjut "which there has been some doubt has been cleared by Mr Bate, secretary to the Native Minister. Mr Bate, who is an enthusiast in philately, has discovered that the iirot postage stamps issued in New Zealand were printed on star watermarked paper. He has succeeded in obtaining for his collection a twopenny stamp which was one of those 6ent out in 1854 to the colony by Perkins, Bacon, and Co., aud issued in 1655. It is on the star paper. This was the first issue of postage stamps iv New Zealand.

A bankrupt named Alexander M 'Naught, who has been in prison for about four months for contempt of court by refusing to answer questions, wns brought before Judge Ward at Oanuru on Friday. He refused to go into the box till the sergeant of police was brought. On tint officer nnpenriug the bankrupt demanded that the deputy-assignee be given in charge for perjury. Nothing could induce the bankrupt to answer questions, and he was sent back to prison. Judge Ward undertook to bring the matler of the man's sanity before the Minister for Justice, so that he might be immediately examined.

The following laud transactions have been registered in the Dunedin Laud Office during the past week : — Section 5, block VII, Woodland district, 20a, cash price 20s an acre, to J. R. M'Leunan, on village homestead system ; section 36, block 111, Crorqwell, 49a, cash price 12s 6d an acre, to W. Olds, for cash ; sections 5 and 6, block V, 155 a, cash price 12s 6d an acre, to Julia Douhig, on perpetual lease.

Mr George Woodward, of Wellington, writes to the Daily Times stating that without desiring to take away any credit from Mr A. Bathgate iv connection with inaugurating Arbor Day, he (Mr Woodward) thinks he is entitled to be called the inaugurator of the movement. la proof of this he points out that he waited- on the Government on the subject on the 291h March. Mr Woodward may, as he claims, have been the means of getting the Government to proclaim an Arbor Day, but he entirely overlooks thi icii s of papers en Arbor Day by Mr A. B ithg.-.t'; published iv tl c D.tily Times on the st!i, l^-.h, :ui'l 19th iiopu miUt llijl. ')'.!• ,'\\rro republislii'd i;i tllft Vin«<> Witncvs ,;!.,| n - printed in pjmphlct i^rm, :m«l it i-; ov. itjg lo the widespread interest which they excited that Arbor Dny wns so heartily observed in Otajj'o. JSo iar, therefore, a& we can &cc, Mr

Bathgate is still entitled to be styled the iuaugurator of Arbor Day.

Mr Chantrey Harris, who is an old Dunedin pressman, and was for a number of years proprietor of the New Zealand Times, has purchased the Bruce Herald, and has assumed active control of that paper. Under Mr Harris' management and editorship, tho residents of Bruce will no doubt quickly find their local organ assuming an improved appearance.

Our Arro^town correspondent telegraphs :—: — •' On Thursday night about 9 o'cloe!; .Mr Johu M'Kibbin's stable at Eastbourne, Crown terrace, was observed to be on fire, aud was cjnsumed, together with a maa's hut and a two-stoieyed chaffhouse, all the buildings being of wood. A quantity of harnes9 was also destroyed. It is nofc known here whether the insurance policy on the premises has been kept good."

An extensivo robbery of goM ha 1 ? been reported to the Inspector of Police, Sergeant Nickle, of Queenstown, having wired that on Friday night the office of the Sew Hoy Gold Dredging Company at Arthur's Point was broken into, and 1720z of amalgam, valued at L 409, stolen out of an inner drawer in the safe. The whole of the amalgam contained in the drawer was 1930z 2dwt, comprised in nine balls, weighing 250z 9dwt, 12oz Sdwt, 250z 9dwt, 260z 17dwj, 270z 7dwt, 9oz 2dwt, 17oz 3dwfc, 420z 13dwt, and 3oz 16dwt respectively, but the thieves seemed to have overlooked some of it, for there wero 21oz in the safe on Saturday morning. The clerk states that he locked up the safe securely on Friday evening before he left the office, and it was found to be locked on Saturday morning when ho wont to open it. The police have the matter in hand.

The Clinton paper reports that the premises of Mr Langc wore broken into some time on the night of the 14th, and eight watches stolen, valued in all at Ll6.

The insurance on the chaff-house and other buildings, belonging to Mr John M'Kibbin, of Crown Terrace, destroyed by fire on Thursday night, was Ll7O in the New Zealand office. The property was valued at L2OO.

The Commissioner of Taxes has received a remittance of L 27 10s 6d ? forwarded anonymously by an owner who, in consequence of an oversight, had omitted to pay his full contribution to the property tax.

The provisions of the recent kanaka labour legislation are being rigidly enforced in Queensland. At Mackay recently, several farmers were heavily fined for permitting their kanaka servants to milk cows. The farmers considered this a great hardship. They had engaged the kanakas under a law which only permits their employment in tropical agriculture, but they consider at the same time that when active work in the cane-iield had ceased, and the cows were waiting to be milked, the spare time of South Sea Islanders might just as well be utilised. The next development was the fining of a medical man in Mackay for the same offence. This, the farmers contended, was very just, for they could not conceive why a doctor should want to employ a kanaka in any capacity. The unfortunate physician was not engaged in the growing of sugar, but rather in consuming it in the coating of pills. The latest incident, however, caps the whole of the series. On the 29th of the month Mr W. S. Hyne, of the Meadowlands plantation, was mulcted pretty heavily for letting a kanaka drive a dray loaded with cane purchased from a neighbouring farmer. Had the cano come from one of Mr Hyne's own fields, along a public road, there would have been no case, but a breach of the act was involved when tbo cano was conveyed from the small grower to the big millowner.

A budding genius has been discovered in Victoria. Five frames of outline drawings in pen and ink, illustrative of various events in the history of Australia, tho work of a young boy named Carl Archibald, have been added to tho exhibition of the Victorian Society of Artists. The Melbourne papers state that they disclose so much real ability, and are so full of promise, that it would be a thousand pities if he should not be placed, with as little delay as possible, under such a course of technical instruction as will qualify him to excel in the art of draughtsmanship, which nature has evidently intended him to pursue. Gifted with a lively imagination, he possesses the happy knock of translating anything that he hears described, either from a book or a conversation, into a pictorial composition with remarkable celerity aud facility. He seizes intuitively upon what is essentially picturesque in subject or dramatic iv action aud places it on paper with only such faults of drawing as might be expected from one who is, we believe, entirely self-taught. His composition i.s often excellent ; aud he succeeds iv giving vaiiety to groups of figures, whether of meu, horses, or camels, and auimation to theii* movi-inents, as in his pictures of a gold escort in 1852 ; of the Kennedy expedition crossing the ranges at the back of ltockingham Bay, 1848 ; aud in the scene of the storming of the Eureka Stockade at Ballarat. He seizes upon particular details from merely general descriptions with remarkable quickness, and, it is evident that the pictures he traces exist clearly and completely in his own mind before \\U fingers give them an objective reality. With proper training, it may be safely predicted that Master Carl Archibald will one day make his mark as a painter, probably of military and historical subjects. Towards the former he seems specially attracted.

In a letter iv the Daily Times on the Rivers-dale-Switzers railway » correspondent signing himself " Waikoia" says: — "The money voted for the line was for the most part diverted to other uses, but yet a large portion of the road has been formed and the rails laid some distance out of Riversdale. The distance is but 15 miles, or something less ; but if the line were completed at present only to Muddy Creek, the success attendingthis extension would probably astonish the authorities and would soon lead to its continuance to Waikaia, and, arriving there, it would tap the thousands of acres of farming lands above the township."

The Wyndham correspondent of the Southland Times writes: — "The Maben testimonial case was after all settled out of court. It will be remembered that something like LlO odd was subscribed by residents to present to Mr Maben prior to his departure for the old couutry. A banquet took place also, and at it Mr Maben was presented with an empty purse. Ib turned out afterwards that Mr Donald Kellie, to whom a number of subscriptions had been handed, considered he was entitled to retain the cost of the champagne, et ceteras, out of it, and as the balance was nil after paying for the drinkables— said to be specially ordered by Mr Maben for the occasion— of course Mr Maben went on his way via Melbourne rejoicing in the possession of a new Russian leather pocket book. His friends, however, didn't consider this fair, and the law was put in motion and the adjourned hearing of tho case was to have come off hero on the Bth. Mr K«llie, however, compromised matters by paying out the money in hand and also the legal expenses, and is now minus his champagne, his meats, and his sweets, and has also to pay tho court piper pretty heavily as well as other costs for the frolics carried on at the Maben banquet. Perhaps there is right on both sides, but law is a peculiar thing."

While Mr "Herbert Wilfrid Lawson," distinguished temperance advocate and alleged son of Sir Wilfrid of that ilk, otherwise "H. T. Gifford," English artist, otherwise a variety of names and callings, was in Wellington (says the Post), he played the "distinguished visitor" game for all it was worth. Amongst other things, he applied to the Railway Commissioners for a free pass over the railways, but those •• astute individuals" politely declined. Mr Speaker, however, was more disposed to take the visitor at his own estimate, and, on his applying for admission to the House as a " distinguished stranger," intimated that he had much. pleasure in complying, and a card for "behind the chair" awaited Mr Lawson's pleasure. He never called for it. Ib appears also that, calling upon a prominent Wesleyan minister, he was received with great cordiality, and invited to occupy the pulpit on tho following Sunday. This he did, preaching before a crowded church. Then the Congregationalists were anxious to secure the aid of this dis-

tinguished man, and he very kindly preached for them also. In his circular at Hamilton, Waikato, Mr Lawson described himself as Mr H. T. Gtfford, B.A. (late scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge ; medallist South Kensington School of Art, and formerly Junior Art Master, Salt Schools, Saltaire, Yorkshire). Among the list of names given as references appears a " David Gillies, Esq., J.P., Dunedin."

Our San Francisco correspondent in forwarding to us the memorial of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce urging the U.S. Government to subsidise the Oceanic Steamship Company, to enable it to continue the mail service with Australasia, writes : — ' • I sincerely trust the New Zealand Government will not attempt to renew its subsidy to this service unless ib receives a guarantee from the directors of tho Oceanic Steamship Company that the accommodation for both saloon and steerage passengers upon its boats will be radically changed. As you are aware, the provision for steerage passengers — all of whom have to pay the large sum of L2O for a three weeks' trip— is scandalous. I can endorse every word of the Rev. J. Berry's in this respect. It is to be hoped, should your Government decide upon a renewal of the contract, that a change is demanded and prompt measures taken to see that the two American boats do not shuttle out of their manifest duty. I know from my own knowledge that hitherto all tho protests— those that have appoared in your own columns and others— have been simply looked at by the managers, and then consigned to the waste paper baskets. Another point which 1 think the public of your colony should know is the anomalous position of the present New Zealand mail agent in this city. Ho occupies the dual post of servant to the New Zealand Government aud servant to tho Oceanic Steamship Company ! It is apparent no man can possibly do his duty to the travelling public under such conditions. A protest lodged by the mail agent against his own employers can have no weight. Personally I believe an arrangement with tho Canadian Pacific Company would be tho most desirabla and advantageous."

Mr G. Hutchison, M.H.R., has sought in vain to obtain from the Government a return of the number of unemployed sent to the various electoral districts. The Wanganui Herald of the 16th contains the following item: — "About 20 of the unemployed under the charge of Mr M'Millan, of the Public Works department, passed through yesterday on their way to Waitotara."

A pensioner of means, Mr John Hay (of Coolangatta), Sydney, and Dr Honeyman, formerly in business together in A.uckland as Hay and Honeyman, have jointly agreed to purchase the site of old St. Paul's, which commands a splendid view of the harbour, for L 1375 and hand it over to the city

as a recreation reserve after it is suitably laid out.

Our Reef ton correspondent telegraphs: — •' Mr Jas. Inglis, legal manager of the Alpine Gold Mining Company, died of dropsy at * o'clock this (Monday) morning in the Reefton Hospital. He had^been ailing a long time, and had undergone several operations. Deceased was a very old pioneer of the West Coast, and had resided in Lyell 20 years. He was 5* years of age, and leaves a wife and grown up family. His remains will be buried on Wednesday."

At Invercargill on Friday, W. J. Moffett was fined L 2 11s, with L 2 costs, for a breach of the Trades Mark Act in that he did, unlawfully and knowingly, falsely apply a trade mark to certain goods, to wit two bottle of hop bitters — the device of a sprig of the hop vine in combination with the words and figures, "DrSoule, Hop Bitters, 1872," blown upon bottles of amber colour, rectangjlar section and pannelled sides, without the assent of the proprietors of the said trade mark.

The usual meeting of the Dunedin Debating Club, held on Monday evening, was moderately attended. The subject for discussion was " That the Totalisator Should be Abolished by Law." The Rev. A. H. Wallace opened in support of the motion, and was followed on his side by Messrs Ireland, Donald, and Churchill. The opposition Bide -was championed by Messrs R. Ferguson, Dixon, M'Gregor, Collie, and MacLaughlin. The mover having replied to the various arguments raised, the question was submitted to the vote, with the result that the resolution was negatived.

There was a good attendance at the weekly meeting of the Trinity Musical and Literary Society on Monday night, when the Rev. W. C. Oliver lectured on" Father Taylor," the eminent American divine, who, Emerson said, ranked with Webster as an orator. The lecHre was interesting and sparkled with humorous anecdotes connected with the life of the great preacher. At its conclusion the lecturer was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. During the evening Mr C. Paton sang "True till death," in good style, and was loudly applauded. George F. Fodor, the well-known New Zealand animal painter, has just completed (says a Melbourne paper) a painting of "The De?.th of Starlight on the Queensland Border." It is a magnificent work, the figures are well pourtrayed, especially the centre figures, " Starlight" and his famous charger, " Rainbow." Mr Fodor is particularly happy in his treatment of the subject, and has introduced some masterly work in the colouring of his sky and foliage.

The Gazette notifies that complete specifications for patents have been accepted from James Anderson, of Edington Mains, Otago, for an invention entitled "Anderson's Improvements in Combined Drills," for sowing all kinds of manures, seeds, and grain, and for forming ridges or drills, and for topping and uprooting turnips, and for uprooting potatoes, and for grubbing land ; and Lewis Rose Gillanders, of Ravensbourne, engineer, for- an invention for self-holding, boltless fish-plates* for rail-joints.

Inquiry is made in Lloyd's Weekly for the following : — Henry William Sutton, of Swaffham, Norfolk, left England in 1865 ; last heard of in 1867, at Ohristchurch, New Zealand ; his only brother James seeks his whereabouts. — Edward Frost sailed from East India Docks on 23rd January 1870, in the Golden Sea, bound for Wellington, New Zealand ; last address in October 1880, Bath Hotel, Bourke street, Melbourne ; his sister Martha (Patty) is anxious for news. — Arthur Herman left Clapham for New Zealand in the s.s. lonic, 21st August 1888 ; last wrote home about two and a half years since from Ballarat, Australia ; his widowed mother and -sister Rose are very anxious for news. — Edward Davy left Louth, Lines., 40 years ago for New Zealand ; his niece (Betsy) would be glad to have news of him. — William Henry Denne left Canterbury in October 1851 ; in 1873 was at St. Albans, Canterbury, New Zealand ; sister Mary asks. The Rev. W. J. Habens, secretary of the Education department, arrived in town from Wellington on Monday night to hold an inquiry into the charges preferred against one of the officials of the Industrial School. The official charged was suspended a week ago by tho manager of the school, and the action of the latter has been confirmed by Mr Habens. Mr Titchener himself has also handed over the management of the school pending the inquiry, Mr Thomas Palebhorpe (of the Burnham Industrial School, Canterbury) taking his place. The date of the inquiry has not yet been fixed, but it is understood that Mr Habens is desirous to have it concluded by Saturday next. Mr J. F. M. Fraser will act on behalf of Mrs Whittet, who makes the complaint, and Messrs A. C. Hanlon and S. Solomon will appear to defend.

Our mining correspondent at Waipori writes : " The discontent for some time manifested by the farmers settled towards the lower end of the Taieri plain at the silting up of the bed of the Waipori Lake, and which they think is due to mining operations carried on at Upper Waipori, has at length taken practical shape. At a meeting of farmers held at Berwick last week a fund of LSO was subscribed to defray the cost of taking legal action to restrain by an injunction the work of dredging at present carried on on the Waipori Flat, ag they consider that that particular branch of mining operations is the chief cause of their land being flooded. Sir Robert Stout has been retained to plead their cause, and it is their intention to send an expert to examine and report on the effects produced by our three drsdges, and then the injunction will be applied for in due course. As engineering experts differ about as often as doctors in their diagnoses, and as there a c plenty of the former quite willing to earn a fee, it is not to be expected that the dredging companies will let the farmers have it all their own way. We shall, therefore, witness the usual tug-of-war in the law courts, more or less protracted, and productive of at least on,e result — namely, the transfer of a considerable sum from the pockets of shareholders and farmers to those of the lawyers."

The North Otago Times states that Mr D. Gauge's solicitor has offered to compromise the claim of the former against the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association by the payment of Ll5O, the association also to pay all expenses.

An excellent specimen of local cabinet work is on view in the window of Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm's warehouse in Rattray street, in the shape of a tea tray made to the order of a lady in Dunedin, who is desirous of showing her relatives in England the beauties of the New Zealand woods and the skill with which they can be worked. Designed and made oil the premises from 383 pieces of native timbers, it is a fine specimen of great skill in inlaying, and brings into prominence the harmonious colouring and intricate figuring of our beautiful native woods. The motif of the design is that generally known as the "rising sun" decoration. The colours of the various timbers are most harmoniously blended, the warm tints of (he mottled totara which forms the groundwork

showing to advantage the cooler and more subtle shades of the puriri, goai, kawaka, rimu, bakaki, maple, birch, kauri, rewi, kahekatea, mokai, mikimiki, manuka, tawhai, and other timbers. Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm are to be congratulated on the workmanship. Police-Inspector Pardy made a raid on Parihaka at daylight on Tueeday morning to arrest some Natives who were defaulters in connection with the dog tax. The Natives were taken by surprise, and all but one man were secured, no resistance to speak of being offered. One old woman got excited, and threatened to knock Mr Pardy down, but she was at last quieted. The prisoners were sent into New Plymouth. Te Whiti has been prophesying that a raid would be made on Parihaka by an army of countless numbers.

At the annual meeting of the Wellington Licensing Committee it was decided to impose a fee for extra bars. The police have now laid informations against five licensees who, it is alleged, have infringed the act. The publicans intend to test the legality of the committee's decision.

According to the Rangitikei Advocate, the barque Weathersfield, stranded near Otaki some four years ago, has now shifted about 90ft seaward, and the probabilities of her successful launching are so great that Mr Joseph Saunders, her owner, has had her painted and made rsady for sea. A largo mushroom anchor has been taken out into deep water, a powerful engine has been placed in the vessel, and at the next spring tides, if the conditions are favourable, she will be hauled out. Mr Saunders feels confident that his venture will be a success.

In the early days of Hawke's Bay (says ihe Evening Post) Edwaid S. Curliug purchased a property and died, leaving it heavily involved in debt. His brother in England, Robert Curling, took over the estate, paid all the debts, and expended largo sums in developing the property, but never camo to New Zealand. Mr J. C. Andrew is now petitioning the House (through Mr Hogg), on behalf of Mr R. Curling, against the payment of absentee tax, as the latter claims that he is now so old that to compel him to come here would be " dangerous to life," and he cannot "traverse half the globe" to avoid the tax "unless prepared to die and become incorporated with the soil of New Zealand to complete the circuit." An important change is (says the Pahiatua Star) to be made by the present Minister for Lands with regard to the system of disposing of the sections in special settlement associations. Under the old order of things the good, bad, and indifferent sections were all disposed of at th 3 same price. In future a separate valuation will be put on each section by the surveyor in the same way a3 is done with sections open for ordinary selection. This is certainly fairer than the old system. The World, of July 6, in its'city article, has the following : — As the appended figures show, New Zealand bonds have fared much better in the past few years than any other Australian issues :—: — Four per cent. Current Yield Highest Inscribed Stocks. Trice, percent, price '88. New Zealand ... 104 3| 104 New South Wales... 10S 3 11-1G 118 Queensland 103 313-115 111 South Australian... 103 3} 112 Victorian 101 3f 113 It will be seen that New Zealand bonds are now on a par with the highest price touched in 1888— lour years ago — and they are, we may add, 8 per cent, above the lowest quotation recorded in that year ; bub the other leading Australian issues, when thus contrasted, show a decline of from 7to 10 per cent. In fact, tho colony now "ruffles it" with the best of them. At the present time we think New Zealand occupies a better position than, perhaps, any of the other Australasian colonies, with the one exception of New South Wales. Its bonds are certainly better, in the opinion of good judges, than either Queensland or South Australian issues, and it is probable that, taken altogether, they are superior to Victorian securities.

A history of the notorious Kimbell Bent is shortly, says the Hawera Star, to be published in book form. He deserted from the British troops at Mauawapou, being of a restless nature and continually in trouble with his officers. Many hard things had been said of Bent, but after 14- years of life among the Maoris, quite away from civilisation, he showed up at Patea, and protested he never lifted hand or gun against the white man. He come down the Patea river to Hukotere, under tho protection of an aged Maori, who was of an extremely religious tnrn of mind. The then editor of the Patea Mail, Mr James Kenworthy, went with Mr Rhodes two days afterwards, the result of which was a long record of Bent's experiences among the Maoris, of his meetings with other deserters, and other startling experiences. His life among the Maoris should prove interesting. Bent has now gone to Wellington, and is in hopes of returning to his native country, the United States of America.

A widowed lady of some considerable education and refinement took up a bush farm near Levin some years ago. With the assistance of her unmarried daughters (says the Manawatu Standard) sho has now carved out a splendid home in the bush. Most of the work on the farm is done by toe ladies referred to, and they are, as a matter of course, rather proud of their achievements.

The local licensing ommittee, with the assent of the Native assessor, recently granted an accommodation house license at Moawhanga, inland of Patea. Many Natives objected and threatened to burn down the house. They were brought before the resident magistrate, and through their solicitor (Mr Vogel) pleaded guilty, but explained that they intended the threats as a protest. Mr Vogel said Parliament was to be petitioned to cancel the license, and the resident magistrate agreed to draw up a statement of the facts.

The proceedings of the Industries Committee of the House of Representatives were interrupted in a rather painful manner on Tuesday morning. Mr Mason, a shorthand writer, while taking the evidence of a witness, suddenly became violently ill and fainted away. He has a weak heart, and as it was bis first attempt at committee reporting it was thought his illness was due in some degree to nervousness. The incident, of course, put an end to the proceedings for the time being, as Mr Mason was too much shaken to finish the committee report. His place is taken by a veteran parliamentary reporter, Mr R. Carrick.

The Oamaru Mail refers more in sorrow than anger to the action of the Government in removing Mr Stratford, and states that his claims to promotion have been overlooked just at a time when it would have been easy and just to recognise them. Our contemporary concludes that every circumstance connected with the treatment of Mr Stratford seems to indicate that he has a bitter enemy at court. The arrivals in the colony during July were 1001, and departures 778.

We have received No. 3 of the " Australasian Home Reader," published for the use of members of home reading unions. The articles appear to bo well suited to assist the students who take up the courses prescribed by the union.