PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8407, 5 January 1899, Page 2

PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING.

GISBORNE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1809. THE TESLA MARVELS. The announcement of the remarkable discovery by Nicola Tesla, the well-known electrician, of transmitting electricity to distances of thousands of miles, without loss of power or use of wires, has formed the subject of a great deal of discussion and criticism in scientific circles at Home, and naturally such a marvellous conception met with more than a full share of ignorant scepticism. In the explanation of the details of the discovery, published in these columns a few days ago, it was staled, it will be remembered, that Tesla claimed that modern armaments would be powerless against it, and that the inventor intended exhibiting a model torpedo-boat at the Paris Exhibition, and directing all its movements from New York by electricity transmitted without wires.

In defence of Tesla and his latest discovery, Mr Howard Swan, an English authority, points out in a communication to the Daily Mail that his fame is well known in electrical circles as an original investigator of the "rotary" current, and a discoverer of the "votary-eurrent-niotor." " At his lecture," states Mr Swan, " before a crowded audience at the Royal Institution, Tesla showed 'vibratory' currents of hundreds of thousands of volts pressure flashing harmlessly around and through his body, nnd producing phosphorescent electric light. These experiments were a revelation to the whole scientific world of that day, and proclaimed him a man of great insight, personal daring and honest achievement in realms until then quite untouched by others. Before) making his crucial test with these terrific forces and high pressures he had worked out mathematically his theory that the currents would not harm the body if vibrated sufficiently rapidly, had built his machines, and (he told me this personally) had made his "U, said ' Good-bye ' to his sister, and then debated some hours alone in front of the machine before risking his life on a mere theory and calculation. As all the world knows Tesla is not dead, and the fearful force of the current passed through him and harmlessly lighted a lamp at the touch of his finger as he had calculated it should do ! To laugh at or cast scorn upon the discoveries of such a man is to court almost certain future ignominy. The exact scientific announcement of the reported discoveries is that he has developed a means to transform electrical energy up to some millions of volts, and then connecting this to a metallic globe suspended from a balloon, to transmit electric energy through the air to a similar globe at a distance, where it can be transformed down again for use, either for work, destruction, light, or guidance. It is due to Tesla to state, and this emphatically, that the recent discoveries in electricity and in light have gone to bring these forces closer and closer together, and always to the discovery of higher and higher pressures and minuter and minuter ' waves' of vibration. When means are found, as Tesla now states has been done, of actually transmitting energy, not by induction but by conduction, through the air itself, it will be evidently quite possible to bring about such utilisation of these enormous forces, . either for transmission of power for the arts of peace or for directing explosions at a distance, in some such way as is suggested. Klcctrival discovery is progressing along perfectly well-defined lines, from larger waves of electric and magnetic induction, through heat, light, Rontgen rays, to phosphorescence, to those of chemical and atomic force, and possibly to the as yet uninvestigated forces of will and thought (brain waves). That the intermediate stage beyond electrical phosphorescence— itself so daringly demonstrated bj' Tesla — may eventually give us possession of the power of hurling great currents of energy through the air, or of simultaneously telegraphing to every point of the earth's surface, is not indeed a fanciful idea, but is the necessary and logical outcome of the present trend of electrical investigation."

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. We heartily endorse the suggestion tliroirn out by a correspondent in our last issue that Gisborne should have it 3 Horticultural Society. Horticulture, it must be admitted, has been in the past sadly neglected in this town. There is nothing that strikes the visitor to a town more forcibly than the appearance of comfortable dwellings surrounded by neat and well-kept gardens, and, as we pointed out in a recent article, a town frequently profits by the good impression it gives to passers-by. One of the best means of carrying out the beautifying of Gisborne, which has been so often advocated in these columns, would be for the residents to interest themselves in making gardens round their homes, and the best means of creating that interest would undoubtedly be the establishment j of a Horticultural Society, which would offer substantial prizes for flowers, fruit, and vegetables,and perhaps for the prettiest garden and best-kept grounds. There arc, no doubt, in Gisborne, as in every other community, many lovers of flowers who would give generous aid to the establishment of such a Society, and we believe that if a meeting were called at an early date (in order to give ample time for preparations to be made for a show towards the end of the year) the matter would be taken up with a good deal of enthusiasm, and we should have a display of exhibits next spring that would be a credit to the place. It is surely superfluous to adduce arguments in favor of horticulture, which is one of the most gentle and pleasant of the arts, and carries with it its full measure of repayment for time and trouble taken, and after the bounteous season we are now experiencing it can surely not be said that Gisborne soil and climate are unsuited to the growth of flowers and fruit.

The County Council meet to-morrow morning and the Chamber of Commerce in the evening.

The Union Company's Sounds excursion booking has been closed, the whole of the herthage accommodation by the favorite steamer Waikarc having been applied for. "It was twenty-three years ago to-day that Captain Read was elected a member of Parliament" was the pleasant reminiscence of a group of " old hands " assembled at the corner this morning. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following London cablegram, sth January, 1899 ; -Frozen meat: Mutton market firm. Canterbury mutton is worth 3Jd per lb. A concert was held on the Mokoia on Saturday night on the' passage from Giaborne to Auckland. Anexcellent programme was gone through, and the sum of £a 2s was collected in aid of the Shipwrecked Mariners Association. The many friends of Mr 6. W. Tiffen, County Councillor, and Miss Glanvill, will lie pleased to hear of their marriage, which was solemnised at Aalmrst, the home of the bride, on December 20th. Mr and Mrs Tiffen are spending their honeymoon in Auckland. Captain Sainark, formerly chief officer of the ship Invercargill, will take command of the barque Aknroa, at present loading at Gisborne, vice Captain Murray, who has purchased the steamer Jane Douglas, plying out of Lyttelton. Captain Samark arrived by the Flora this moraine;. The cutter Coralie, which arrived yesterday afternoon from the north, after discharging her cargo of timber is to be fitted out for salvage operations at the steamer Tasmania. Everything in connection with the vonture is expected to bo in readiness early next week, and no time will be lost in commencing diving operations, which will be undertaken by Mr J. C. Pascoe, who arrives from Wellington on Saturday morning. Mr J. W. Bright will offer for sale at the warehouse of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company to-morrow on behalf of Mr James White, his interest in the Moln block, consisting of 1000 acres held under lease in perpetuity, also the stock on the land. At the same time and place will be submitted to auction the interests of Mr A. Blair in a grazing run at Tolago Bay, with 100 sheep and lambs and other live stock, further particulars of which will be found on reference to another column. |

We understand that Judge Conolly, of Auckland, intends taking a twelve months' holiday, and that ill-District Judge Kettle will be appointed to relieve him. It is also rumored that Mr H. W. Northcroft, S.M., is to he stationed at Hawera, and that Judge Ward, of the Native Land Court, is to succeed him at Wanjanui. Mr Eyre Kenny, the Wellington S.M., will probably be transferred either to Wangamii or Nelson. — Wanganui Chronicle. At the Magistrate's Court this morning Mr Booth, S.M., disposed of the following civil eases : —James Erskine v. Tiki RaraUnga, claim £3 12s : judgment for plaintiff with costs £1 os. Mr Jones for plaintiff. J. Nisbett v. \V. A. Smith, claim £1 Iss on a judgment summons. Order made for immediate payment, in default two da}'s' imprisonment"; Mr Jones for plaintiff. T. Adams v. W. A. Smith, c'aim £1 18s Gd on a judgment summons. Order made for immediate payment, in default two days' imprisonment. It is notified in our advertising columns that entries for the best decorated lady's and gentleman's bicycle, and best decorated vehicle, are to be made on or before i p.m. on the day of the fete. Two prominent ladies have consented to judge the ladies' bicycles, and Mr A. F. Kennedy and Dr Laing the gentlemen's bicycles and the vehicles. The Fete Committee are working hard to make the gathering a successful one, and the first-class prizes they offer in every class should induce a large number to compete. To-morrow evening the first heat of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club's trial fours for the set of medals kindly presented by R. Robertson will be rowed off, and as the crews have been practising assiduously for the last month some good racing is anticipated, the crews being very evenly matched. The first heats will be with the crews stroked by W. Hackett, \V. Davidson (3), A. Clark (2), W. Turner (bow) v. H. Warren (str), A. Webb (3), J. Harvey (2), W. Parker (bow), and on Saturday night W. Wareup (str), H. Burns (3), A. Hillson (2), H. Poole (bow) v. A. Kirk (str), I. Gibbs (3), E. File (2), ard C. Kirk (bow).

We talk about the Britishers in the Transvaal being badly treated by the Boers (says the Hawke's Bay Hera'd), but surely oppression couVl scarcely go further than the SeiMonism fiat ordering the Permanent Artiller}' to reinforce the police at Auckliind to prevent a number of Austrians from landing by the s.a. Waihora. It is an extraordinary action to say the least, and against the spirit of all international treaties. Peop'e will wonder what sort of a Liberalism it ; s which admits useless Chinamen and Hindoos, yet bars industrious Austrians from settling :u the colony and aid'ng in the development of our resources. The New Zealand Times thinks the New Zealand cricket team weak in batting, and the apparent real weakness of the colony just now is in that department. As to bowling, if variety is strength, then there is little to complain of the selection in this respect, although it may reasonably be argued that Upham, who holds such a splendid record in interprovincial contests, wou'd have made it still stronger. Possibly the selector made it a question of Pearce or Upham, and decided in favor of the Canterbury man on account of his batting. There is something to be argued in favor of the tour from the point of view that it will prove how strong or weak we are, but even then the test will be of no practical use unless the colony is represented by something like its best team, and that seems extremely doubtful at present. The wlio'.e of what took place on board the Waihora (says the Napier Telegraph) was sheer insolence. There is no law in the colony to justify it. There is no law under which the intentions of an arrival by sea may lie demanded, unless there is reason to suppose that he is a criminal escaping from another country which seeks his extradition. The passport system, under which alone quo-lions of that kind may be put and answers to them demanded, sti". lingers on the Continent of Europe, and Krugcr in Africa and Seddon in New Zealand apparently admire it, but it lonf ago ceased to he British. The apish antics on the Auckland wharf, the assumption of powers non-existent by which two inoffensive foreigners were subjected to indignities, were based upon nothing more substantial than stupid arrogance/ And the transparent absurdity of the whole thing was strikingly illustrated in the freedom to walk ashore accorded to two Italian organ-grinders, who came by the steamer.

Robert, John Cundell was charged at the Police Court tins morning with stealing two planes and four chisels, the property of J. 15. Adams, and pleaded not guilty. J. B. Adams, a gardener, residing at Whataunoko, stated he had hwwn the accused for about six weeks, during which time he had been working for witness. He had missed two planes and four chisels from us place, and identified those produced as being his property. He had never given accused authority to remove the tools, by accused : Had sent accused on several \ diflerent occasions to Attwood's with tools to sell. Had not requested accused to take the tools found in h; a possession to Attwood s for the purpose of selling them. Constabe Wainhouse deposed to meeting accusec in Grey street with the bag of too s, aul in reply to a question by the constable, hi said he intended disposing of them at Attvood's. He then threw the tools into the hdge, and ran into Palmerstcm road. Wiucss took possession of the tools, which wee identified by Adams at the station as beng his property. Accused on being sworn tated lie had sold tools on several occasion for informant, and had taken the tools ow in Court at his request to dispose of hem at Attwood's. The Bench dismisse< the information. The Govornrent organ in Auckland, the Star, in an eticle eulogising the Kauri Gum Industry Act, says:— "There are scores of our o^n race now on the fields whom the setters in the North would more willingly aare than the aliens against whom our legilation is directed. These men are veritale firebrands, burning and devastating tlieimintry on all sides. They have no regardjor the rights of property, and ■what they lake they usually squander in drink." Aij if the Austrians would squander theit earnings in drink and dissipation (sas the H.B. Herald) we should never bije heard any onlcry against them. It is jot because they are sober and hard-worklir, and save their earnings until they havfwhnt are to them small fortunes, with; which they return to Austria, that tky are persecuted. For it is nothing less han persecution which the Act provides. But not content with that Autocrat Seddi has declared that they shall not even nd. If lie persists in his high handed ar, totally illegal proceeding probably the Hjne authorities will find it necessary to aminister to him a snub which may pe»trate even Dr Seddon's pachydermatou hide,

There were 1130 excursionists on board the Rotomahana on her trip from Wellington to Picton on New Year's Day. An interesting test of the efficiency of the British fleet at Hong Kong took place the other day. In response to a signal from the flagship within 30 minutes 2000 men I were landed infull marching order, together I with six 9-ponnders. Each man carrieH 100 rounds of ammunition and two days' provisions. After landing the men marched through the town. The authorities are well satisfied with the trial. j English farmers have just completed the ingathering of one of the best all-round harvests of the prevent century. From all parts of the country come reports of large crops of grain, which hav-j been got in under the most favorable conditions. English wheat is this year of splendid quality, and is by far the best value for money of any on the market. The harvest has been a good one for the laborer!.. Labor has been auarce, and high wages have been paid. Indeed, the harvest year is a prosperous one all round, and rural England is happy for once in a way. A dramatic episode has occurred at Scranton, in the State of Pennsylvania. Miss Margaret Moore approached the altar in order to be married in the presence of a large assemblage of friends, and when the priest asked the question. " Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband?" she answered, "Is it yet coo late?" The priest, surprised by this unusual question, said it was not, whereupon the bride replied, "I will not." Saying this, she walked out of the church, leaving the guests transfixed with astonishment. No explanation of the affair has been given by the bride or her friends. An arrest which curiously illustrates the power of the long arm of the law was recently effected iv England. Mr Bright, who is alleged to be the manager who absconded from Gurney's Bank, Aldborough (Scotland), three years ago, leaving serious defalcations, was surprised at Plymouth on sth November. His capture was effected in a remarkable manner. A native of Aldborough, named Thomas Griffin, k signalman on board the battleship rColossus, was looking through his telescope towards the land, when he saw on shore a man he believed to be the missing hank manager. He immediately got leave atifl proceeded ashore. He gave his information to the police, and it being found to a«ree with that published in the Police Gazette three years ago, search was made and the man arrested. He is said to have admitted that he is the man • wanted. A great revolution is promised in the manufacture of p^per, and one that will gladden Hie heart of the Western American farmer, who will no longer look helplessly out upon his stripped cornfields, and the rows of bare and blackened stalks, which must be ploughed under in spring, or else reduced to ashes, returning to the soil an infinitesimal degree of fertilisation; Hereafter the stalks will be as carefully harvested as the grain and fodder, for it is from the shive itself, that shining silicious coat that incloses the soft white pulp, that the new process will make wrapping and printing paper, as well as stationery of the finest quality, and a superior class of cardboard, thus iv all probability effectually displacing existing methods of manufacture from rags and wood pulp. Mr G. M. Schilling, an American, who is walking round the world for a wager of SOOOdols., is in Dunedin this -week. Mr Schilling (who, by the way, has only one arm) is bound by the terms of his wager neither to beg, borrow, nor spend money. He left New York on August 3rd, 1897, and is due there on August 3rd, 1901, when, if he can show he has walked 28,000 miles in various parts of the world, he will be entitled to receive the prize of £1000. He has already walked close on 9000 miles, and after going on to Auckland, and then returning and leaving the B'ufr for Australia, he expects his record will have reached close on 11,000 miles. From AustraMa he makes his way to China and India, and then proceeds to Cape Colony. Thence he goes to Paris, and expects to arrive there in 1900 for the opening of the Paris Exposition.

A curious story comes from Monte Carlo via the Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The heroine entered the Salle while a former friend and protector of hers was wi.ining in a sweeping style that seemed destined to hreak the bank. " I am so glad to see you here, Prince, and in such luck, too >" she exclaimed. "Do tell me a lucky number ; it is sure to win, for you are now in the vein." Tho prince generously placed a pile of gold louis before the vivacious lady, whose beauty had successfully defied the effects of 38 winters, and said, ''Put it all on the number of 3 T our years, and reap a golden harvest." The lady reflected, hesitated, and then placed the pile oh 27. An instant later the croupier sang out, "Thirty-six red wins." The lady muttered, "Ah! inon Dieu ; thirty-six is exactly my age," and fainted on the spot. In connection with his recent discovery M. Nikola Tesla announces that he has secured American patents for a new sub. marine torpedo-boat, which is to "mako war impossible !" The boat is described as an enlarged torpedo, equipped with six 14-foot Whitehead torpedoes discharged through a single tube at the bow. The complete boat cost's £10,000. It carries no crew, and is full of delicate electrical and compressed air machinery entirely under the control of a single operator on shore or ship. No wires are necessary to connect the boat with the operator. M. Tesla uses earth and atmosphere as his double wire and thus secures a complete electrical circuit. AH that is necessary, he says, is to attach to the steering gear the tiring mechanism, and see that the instruments are each attended to a certain electro-magnetic syncronism. A similar set of Bynoronistic instruments are all connected to one small switchboard in the hands of the operator. By simply turning a lever on the Bwitchboird the boat is steered, submerged, raised, and the tor< pedoes fired. The boat, M. Tesla claims, can be operated at any distance, the operator directing the course through a, telescope. He says he will run the machinery at the Paris Exposition byelectricity sent across the ocean without wire, Niagara being used to generate the power. His specifications filed in the Patent Office describing the invention cover 8000 words. Just before the exploring steamer Southern Cross left Hobart for the frozen south (says the Mercury), Mr B. M. Dollery placed on board ten pairs of homing pigeons, which he had presented to Mr Borchgrevink, the leader of the expedition. The birds were bred by Mr Dollery. from a cross between the English and Belgian strains, noted for their high homing qualities, arid were specially selected by Air Borchgrevinlc. They are to be housed at the permanent headquarters of the expedition, and are to be used as a means of communication between there and the sledging parties to he sent out in various directions. This experiment will be watched with interest by all flyers, as it affords the first opportunity yet offered to obtain reliable information as to how homers would support existence at such low temperatures as these- birds will be exposed to. Of the homing pigeons belonging to three or four local fanciers given to Mr Borch»revink on his leaving Hobart on the 18th inst., to liberate on the following day, one arrived home on the 19th, but had no message attached to it, as expected, the missive having probably come off. On the afternoon of the 20th a second bird got home with the following message :—" The leader, staff, and crew send Christmas greeting to Tasmania. Southern Cross, 17/18/08. C. E. B Is, 18/12, H a.m." Mr W. J. Lamer, a Melbourne Justice of the Peace, has been making a strong impeachment of Victorian justice and politics. Justices of the Peace, he said, trotted from Court to Court, because they had been asked to do so by interested parties or personal friends, and that this was so was a grave reflection for all time against the law authorities. It could lie shown, he asserted, that the "trade," as conducted in some of the lower class houses in Melbourne, would rival in vileness the worst stories told about similar places in London, New York, or Paris, and the revelations would be a shock to the moral sense of the community. As an instance of the gross, abuses that sprang up under the the shadow of that class of low public-house, he asserted that a certain justice (since resigned) resided at one of these slum hotels. His services were available to the residents of the neighborhood who were unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of the police for low offences. A hanger-on at the hotel was ready to supply bail bonds for a money considewtioH. Then the friends of the accused were expected to shout drinks for the good of the house, and sometimes £2 to £'i was so spen t. Then an adjournment would be made to the lock-up, and the prisoners let out on bail, often against the express protests of the police. That one justice gave bail to no fewer than fifty-nine persons out of a total of 121 cases at the Russell street and Little Botirkc street watchhouses for a period covering nine months'; It was a case of "go and set your bail where you get your beer '"