[From Otago Daily Times] THE OTAGO CENTRAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2215, 13 August 1896, Page 3

[From Otago Daily Times] THE OTAGO CENTRAL.

The report submitted at the annual | meeting of the Otago Central Kail way League on Monday, 3rd, does not.make rery cheerful reading. More than two years have elapsed since the railway was opened to Hyde, and the Taieri bridge is not likely to be reached for two years, or at least 18 months. Yet had the representations of the league been respected, and ordinary forethought been exercised as to the provision of. necessary material, the delay might have been obviated, and (as the report says) "without any additional expense. "It has been the policy of the Government to disregard the. counsel of the league, •which has been impudently stigmatised as a political body, concerned more with the fortunes of the Ministry than., with the progress of the line. The Ministerialist members for Otago have not taken any trouble to dissipate this absurd idea, — nay, one or two of them have not scrupled to foster it, — and even the fact that some of- the most prominent members of the league are supporters of the Government has not prevented Ministers repeating the taunt whenever occasion has been offered. The impertinence might- be overlooked if Ministers, while slighting the league, had done their duty by the line. But during the last five years £160,000 — little enough — has been voted for the, construction of the line and only £127,000 odd expended. It is true that £29,000 was spent for 1895-96 when only £26,000 had been voted, but for the previous year only ,£28,000 was spent out of a vote of £45,000. That previous Governments, did not. do. their duty by the line is nothing to the point, and it is extraordinary . that a single Otago representative should be found ready to justify the apathy of the present Ministry on^this ground. It has taken 17 years to bring the line to its present point, and Mr Bakeojst remarked on Monday that at a similar rate of progress Hawea would be peached in another 40 years. Happily the worst difficulties are behind, — as jregards the task of construction, though j gerhaps not aa regards Ministerial

indifference. According to the report, " beyond the seventieth mile the work may be expected to make very rapid progress at a trifling cost, Mr Saegoob having the authority of a local contractor for stating that the formation could be done for a great distance at from .£BO to .£l2O a mile." * The main difficulties having been overcome, there is all the more reason f as Mr Bueton said, for pushing the line quickly over the districts where no serious obstacles are to be met with. The league musit continue its disinterested work. The spur must be applied to the Government whenever it is needed, let the Premier and his Minister for Lands say what they will. It is hardly fair that the league should also have the task of inciting "representatives of the province to do their duty, bub this j has often been the case in the past and jit may be so in the future. Without j the , activity of the league the line ' would, not be open to Hyde to-day. And here we must take occasion to endorse the tribute paid to Mr Baeeou" on Monday night. For many years, as Mr ' Sligo said, Mr Baeeon has been the life and . soul of • the movement, and he is now retiring., because his parliamentary candidature might possibly give a , political appearance to his connection with the league, and so play ,into the hands of the unscrupulous. Otago' owes him a debt of gratitude, and when the line is at last completej his name Mill be coupled with that of the Hon. Vincent Pykb in the history of the undertaking. We trust that he will ere long have an opportunity of aiding tho interests of the line as one of the representatives of Ofcago. The work of extirpating the aboriginal in- * habitants of Afrioa goes merrily the pbocess on. German gin* and the of diseases of civilised countries civilisation, proving weapons of too slow a nature, the Maxim gun is being resorted to with telling effect. A young Englishman residing in Bulawayo humorously describes the process, and here is an extract from » letter to his friends in England :— " There have been two or three natives caught in the town lately and shot as spies. There is great excitement to sea th-m shot. Crowds goout to see it, They arc stood 10 yards off the, firing party, who all (about eight or nine men) blaze at them at once. It is quite a nice sight out here now. Oae gets quite callous and hardened, and does not object to seeing it. At Home, now, I could not see a man hung for the world. Oat here it is au amusement, especially when one pota them over as fast as he can outside in battle." The amusement is occasionally varied by banging by way of & change. The day before this amiable young man wrote three natives were hanged for being spies. This humorous young person thus describes the event : — " They were marched out of town about half a mile. Ropes were tied to branches of a tree. They were made to climb up ; the rope put round their neck*, and made to jump eff the tree and drop. One would not for some time. He would talk to Mr Colenbrander, who asked him at last, ' Cm you see Bulawayo ? ' The nigger said ' Yes.' So Mr Colenbrander said, ' Have & good look at it, as you will never see it again.' So he did, then said • Good-bye, Mr Colenbrander,' and jumped off. The cheek of the sweep amused me. They are still baDging, as a warning to other spies and natives," This is almost as good as anything in Bret Harte. And to m»ke matters worse, the foregoing waß published in a paper whose title — " The Independent and Nonconformist "—would have led to the belief that a strong protest at- the levity with which a grim subject is treated would have been made. •

We wonder what our prohibit'on friends would have Eaid had they been present •A " beeey " at .the.railway station at Burton- . excursion. on-Trent' on a morning early

last .montli, "whea 10,000 employees of Messrs Bass and Co. loft in 17 excursion trains for a trip to Blackpool! And every' employee was presented with a free railway ticket by the firm, a sum of money to defray incidental expenses, and vr*t made "free" of all tb.B entertainments in Blackpool, or, if he preferred it, he might take a sea trip by steamers specially chartered. From the days when the jolly monks quaffed their foaming tankards or dispensed humming ale at buttery hatch Burton-on-Trent has enjoyed a pre-eoainencß in beer, It lias made its birthplace an important

town ; probably nearly halt' of the total quantity of bser nude in the kingdom is made by Bass and Co. It has added its tribute to the peerage, though some wit promptly christened the particular creation the "beerage." Sir Wilfrid Lavrson and his comrades to the contrary, the Briton will not forsake his partiality for a glass of bear. Toe we'l-known label greets bim amid thd burning be&t of India; his favourite beverage ; assuages his thirst and promotes his comfort in thirsty Africa. It follows the flag everywhere and is a welcome guest in every land. The gigantic excursion was an object lesson, showing not only the immense proportions the trade has reaohed, but its hona fide nature as an. industry— not an industry carried on by squalid sots or bloated caricatures of men, but by healthful and prosperous people who were now, accompanied by their relations, a well-dress :d and happy concourse bent on the eojoj ment of a trip to the seaside. Such a demonstration implies the existence of a national custom of proportions so considerable as to be unassailable.

Mr W. Barron, having decided to become a candidate for the representation of CaVdrshain at the general election, has severed his connection with the ex cutive of the Osago Central lUilway League, with which he has been as&osiated since the formation, of the league.

Writing on June 26, our London correspondent states that Dean Fitchett, after undergoing an operation, was much better, and was making steady progress towards convalescence. He was able to leave bis bed and walk about his room for an hour daily, but it was not expected he wou'd be allowed oat of door* for f ome weeks. Mr H. 'Gillies, of Dunedin, New Zta'and, who is a student at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, has passed successfully in the Tripos.at that university. , A pamphlet issued some time ago by the Milburn Lime and Cement Company was tendered in evidence in the 1 Supreme Court on the 3rd, in the case in which the company are defendants, for a-descripfcion contained in it of their syitem of manufacture and of the mean) taken to secure uniformity of, quality in their cement. Mr Hosking observed th\t there were some ohemicil equations contained in the description, and said he presumed the court would take judicial notice of them. ."Thank you," drily replied Mr Justice Williams,, "all that the conit takes judicial notice of ii the first four rules of arithmetic."

At a meeting of the Executive of the Ratepayers' Association, held on the 3rd insfc., after transacting general business, it was resolved to forward to the Minister for Justice a letter drafted by Mr Asher, the chairman, on the. motion passed by the Chamber of Commerce to be fotwarded to the Minister, deolaring that no person ought to have a preferential claim for rent in bankruptcy. The letter Bt*te9 that the motion was understood to mean that the landlord should be placed in the same position as a trader, and contended that as the trader can at once refuse to give further credit, the landlord should be placed in the same position by having the right of immediate ejectment, iasfcead of the present tedious process, which will cost him about 30i cash, besides time and trouble and the loss of six weeks' rent during the process. Though the landlord would gain in a monetary seme, it is urged that the hardshipß that would be caused to small traders and the labouring olatses would be very great. Other reasons, it ia stated, could be advanced, but the foregoing is deemed sufficient.

Valueless bank notes are bsing circulated in Ohristchurch, and it is probable that now the operation has been discovered those attempting to pass them may find their way to Dunedin, The public should therefore examine notes tendered by strangers.

Mr T. C. Dennison, of Oamaru (writes our London correspondent), who came Home with two or three new inventions with regard to bicycles, appears likely to score a succesi. I understand that his inventions have been taken up, and will probably be brought out in the cjurse of a week or two. From what he tells me I gather that to a large extent they will revolutionise the oycling world by introducing wholly novel principles in construction and working.

Mr Faulin informs us that the rainfall during last month (July) amounted to 10 92in at Opoao, and to 11 47in on Signal Hill. Kain fell on 24 days.

There was again a large attendance at the Moray place Congregational Churoh Hall on the 3rd, when the discussion on.tho R9V. W. S&under»'g recent lecture on ' ' Democracy and Morals," adjourned from Sunday, was resumed. As on the previous occasion when the lecture was discussed, the majority of the speakers criticised it adversely, the opinions expressed by two or three, however, being in favour of the conclusions by the lecturer. The Bubjecb has excited a greater amount of interest than any previous subject that has been discussed at the Men's Institute, a number of persons not connected with the institute taking pact in the debate. , Mr Saupders, in replying to ths oritioism of bis lecture, expressed bis pleasure

at the manner iv which the discussion had been conducted, and also gave utterance to a hope that the difcusßion would have the effect of making the institute better known and inducing others to become members thereof. The Southland Times states that the Mr John Erikine who is announced in our ciblej elsewhere as the winner of one of the exhibition scholarships, is the eldest son of MrR. Erskine, of Inveroargill. The scholarships are given to enable students to prosecute their studies in science, and as winning it necessitates residence in Britain, Mr Erskiue will shortly' leave for London. y ■ At the annual meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, which was held on the sth, tho report of the directors w*s adopted, with an Amendment ia the direction of dispensing with the dividend of 2i 6d per share whioh was recommended to be paid. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report, intimated that the directors only nude the recommendation with regard to the payment of the dividand to test the feeling of the shareholders, and said that if the recommendation was nob adopted the directors would not ba offendel. The polioe raided M'Cann'a and Munyard's boarding houses at Tapaaui on the 5 h inst., aud searched for grog, but none was found. Both parties have been served with summonses | for Blygrog-selling." i A witness in the Supreme Cou- ton the sth was cross-examined somewhat severely as to his right to cail himself a civil engineer. He hid been articled to a firm of architects and surj veyors and he claimed that by study aud prac- | tice he had qualified himself as a oivil engineer. The witness admitted that he appeaded the letters C.E. to, his name, whereupon Mr Justice 1 Williams remarked that anyone could write C.E. after his name, but was not entitled to write M.I, C.E. The witness said he had been invited to join the Institute of C.vil Eagineers. Wednesday, the sfch, being Arbor Day the public offloes in Dunedio. were closed but no steps were taken to suitably observe, the day. At Curietohurch some aohool childrea proceeded to Brighton, where some trees wore planted. At • Wellington the occasion was formally celebrated by the planting of same tress on the Thorndon esplanade. Thepraotipe is said to be gro wing there of buying plants and flowers for children to set in private gardens on Arbor Day. The monthly meating of the Otago Ciiesi Club on tne evening of the 3rd was attended by Messrs H. J. Claland (in the chair), O. Balk, R. A. Cleland, W. Dawe, T. Johnstphe (treisurer), and A. R Barclay (seoretary). .The principal business was the discussion of a motion—" That the Match Committee be empowered to arrange matches with eithsr Wei- ' liogton or Christchurob, or bath," and a motion— "Tnat the Match Committee be empowered to arrange a match Town and Suburban Players v. Visitors." Both motions were carried unanimously. Correspondence re proposed "Australasian Chess Guide" was received from Mr J. C. Andersea, of Christchuroh, who wrote: "Your club seems to bo the most goahead oueof the lot. What with lady members, inaugaration of ladders, annual picaics, smoke concerts, &x, you seem to have % lively f time of it."

The regular weekly maebing of the Benevolent Institution Trustees, held on the sih inst., was attended by Messrs' Chisholm (ohairman), H&ynes, Allan, Brown, and Salomon. Accounts amounting to £510 16s 7d were passed for payment. The chairman drew attention to tlio increasing demand for ooal. Last week the number of applications was 18, and this week 24. The outdoor relief book showed that the number of casss for July was 491, representing 204 men, 378 women, and 935 children; the cost being £147 10i 6d a week. For July last year the numbers were : Cases 449, comprising 162 men, 353 women, and 907 children; at a cost of £135 8s 6d per week. Mr Haynes pointed out that there were 42 mbra cases, embracing 42 mora men, 25 more women, and 28 more children ; at an increased oost of £12 23 per week. About 55 relief caie3 were dealt with.

A meeting held at Outram on the sth inst. form a branch of the Liberty League was to attended by about 70 persons. Mr William Snow presided, and it appsars from the report in the Taieri Advocate that there was 'some lively tilting between Mr Cox (tho promoter of the league) and Mr A. Chiaholm. The latter having replied to Mr Cox's arguments, he replied to a question by Me Cox that bb had taken a glass of liquor upon the recommendation of a dootor . and it had taken away his senses. Mr Cox retorted that judging from his arguments he would say Mr Ch'sholm'a eenies had never returned. Mr Chisholm proposed (hit it was not advisable to establish a branch of the Libavty League in Oubram. Mr Cox objected, and Mr Ciiisholm appealed to the chairman. Mr Cox said he would put it this way : " Supposing some members of the liquor party attended a prohibition meeting." " They wouldn't leb you in," interrupted Mr Ghiiholm, who fell into the trap. This gave Mr Cox an opportunity of showing the liberty whioh might be expected from Mr Caicholm and the members of his party. Me CbjsUolm's moUon vrw nob put, and at too oloie

abou!; 40 were carolled as members of the new league.

The appearance of Professor Black ia the witness box is generally hailed with pleasure, because of the refreshing vigour with whioh he gives his testimony, and his presence as a witness in the Supreme Court on the sth inst , in a case in whioh much seems to turn on the composition of cement, ths constitu-mtj-'ofc" Civeraham sand, and similar ' considerations; was decidedly welcome. There was nothing compromising in hii answers or indefinite in bis statements, which were even more emphatic than those of the previous witness, who had frequently declared in no unoertain tones thafc suggestions put forward by the opposing side were "absolutely false." Professor Black quickly got to cross purposes With Mr Hosking on the" latter commencing to crois-examina him. Mr Hosking was putting some' questions with the view, apparently, of shoring that the results deduced by Mr Gh M. Thomson from an analysis of cement mortar wera not inconsistent with tho results gained by Professor BUok ia an analysis of sand whioh was a onstituent of the cement nvxturo, the point upon which the comparison was sought to be instituted being on tho proportion . of alumina in the mortar aid of day in tho aand. "Do you call alamini sand ?" -was thundered at the lsarned counsel by tbe profesur, squaring round in the witness box in his well-known fashion, and Mr Justice Williams seemsd to be so much impressed with the difficulty of tho witness and the con at cl arriving at a common understanding that his Honor suggested that Mr Hosking, before proceeding further with .Iha croisexamination, should contuU his side's chemical export and ask him to write down the questions it was desired to put to the witness, and this suggestion was acted on.

The Marquis of Tweedd»le, chairman of the Eis tern Extension and Anglo- American Cable Companies, cables (through Mr Gray, Undersecretary of the Post Office and Telegraph department) that a London committee, is about to be formed to inaugural an international memorial' to commemorate the inc?plioa, and extension of submarine telegraphy, connected with-the names of Sir John Fender, Sir Jamas And9Mon, and Mr Cyrm Field. The polling for the election of a member to represent Clutha riding in the, Vincent C mnty. Council resulted in the return of ,Mr H. Partridge, wha received 53 votes. Mr John Werner, his opponent, received 47.

The effect of the mass of expert evidence which was given in the cement case before the Sapreme Court last week, was somewhat confuting, and this is not surprising when there is apparently no' agreement amoag the experts themselves as of to the methods to be adopted in th« making tests. Mr Kidsbon-Huuter, one of the witnesses on Thursday afternoon on behalf of the Milbura Company, expressed a desire- in the coarse of his evidence, in which chemical formulae and technical terms were employed in lavish profusion to the perplexity of the lay listeners, to ask Mr Turner, an expert who hud been ctlled for the plaintiffs, a few questions ts- to the methods used by him- in his analyses. Ihe court looked rather -aghast at ft proposal theadoption of- which might have indefinitely prolonged very tedious proceeding*, and a fudgestion by M.t Hosking that Messrs. KidstonHunter and Turner had " batter have it out outride" was received with evident approval, as well as with a good, deal of laughter Th« incident was one of oaly a few oasss in wh»6 was on Thursday almost literally a desert of sand.

At the Port Chalmerj Police Court on Saturday, Joseph Ryl. »ged 8 years and 8 months, was brought before the court, aa being a child within the meaning of the Industrial Schools Act.— Sergeant Geerin Mated that the fathar of the boy was a s fl-herman residing at Otago Heads. The mother died some 12 months back in the Dunedin Hospital. There were two other children, and the father being in very poor circumstances the children were partly maintained by the neighbours. There was no one to look after them when the father was away fishing as there were no relatives. The father was tern*' porarily employed during the past fortnight working for the Harbour Board. He had received comnninicitions from ths chairman of the school committee at the heads, and also from Sergeant Shepperd, of the Artillery, in reference to the child.— His Wowhip committed the boy to the Industrial School, to be brought up in the Ohurch of England religion, the father to pay 2 j a week towards his support. Thomas Hansford made application to have Frederick M'Donald, acted four years, committed to the Industrial School.— Sergeant Geerin stated that, in answer to an advertisement, Mrs Hans* ford took the child when only seven weeks' old, and was to be p*id 7s per week for its support. The payments were made regularly for the first 12 months, since which time no-money had been paid her. About 12 months since tbe mother was summoned at the court for maintenance. lA't'tjhat time she was an inmate' of "the Wellington Hospital, and unable to - attend.- - Siuce then nothing -Uad been heard of her, although the police had made inquiries. Mrs Hansford was in lllhealth, over 60Vears,of age, and could not look after the child.. Mr. Hansford was only a labourer, and said he could not support the child any longer.— His Worship considered that further endeavours should be made to find the mother, and adjourned the case until the 29th inst.

Nunio & Blaib's " Standard" Seeds are no* equalled for quality of strain, Their jua&at two prieei cieutmtt^,