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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10638, 14 April 1906, Page 4

In. some parts of the .United States,' where the weather conditions are of vital importance to the fruit-grower, the Weather Bureau has endeavored to reach everybody interested by means of whistle signals. A code has been devised, ■', and' where -used iocally it is published in the newspapers, so tluit at a giveu hour anyone may learn of the latest weather forecast without taking the trouble to go out of his way. A preliminaiy Mast of from fifteen to twenty seconds duration is _r_t sounded at a pre-determined hour to arrest, attention. Weather conditions are indicated by combinations <?f long blasts, .and temperature conditions by short blasts. Tho long signals are from four to six seconds' duration, and the shorter pnes from one to tliree. r

"Tho Conciliation Boards," says Mr Rosser (an Auckland labor leader), "have been a failure. They are like the White Leghorn hen — they never sit."

Tho Westminster Gazette says : — "The • Emperor of Japan has conferred upon Miss Lyddel, a British lady, a medal with , a blue ribbon, in recognition of her steady devotion since 1890 to her work • among the inmates of the Leper Asylum at Tokio. The honor is unprecedented." , The now House of Commons comprises 134 barristers and solicitors, 139 merchant manufacturers, 48 authors and journalists, 45 ex-army men, 44 artisans, 55 ship owners and ship builders, 12 farmers, 10 doctors, 10 yeomanry officers, 9 bankers, 6 schoolmasters. At the annual meeting of the Konini branch of the Farmers' Union, the usual tearful reference was made to the apathy of the farmers of the district. . It was stated that as no subscriptions had been collected no balance sheet, could be furnished. — Manawatu Daily Times. Tlirough the Department of Tourists and Industries an exhibit of New Zea. land fruit will be sent by the Ruapehu to the Royal Agricultural Society's show, opening in London on 7th June. New Zealand will be competing against other colonies. Preparations are already being made in the United States to celebrate with all due honor the centenary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, three years hence. Steps are being taken to purchase the Kentucky farm on. which lie was born, for the purpose of turning it into a national park. Mr W. A. Woods, editor and proprietor of the Hobart Clipper, won the North Hobart seat in the recent general elections in Tasmania: Mr Woods, who is a member: of the Labor Party, is • well known throughout Australia as a writer of verse over the nom-de-plume "John Drayman." He was at one time engaged in ' bush-felling in Taranaki, some twelve years ago. The late George Coppin, M.L.C., of Melbourne, was an earnest funeral reformer. As a protest against the sombre solemnity of these ceremonies, he desired that his hearse should have wliite horses, and chat none of his family should in any way put on mourning. The funeral was to be strictly private, and theae were to be no flowers? His injunctions were carried out.

One of the workmen (Mr A. Harrison) employed in laying the new gas mains in the Avenue, Wanganui, had the misfortune to have his thigh broken last Thursday morning in a very simple manner; He was working in the pipe track, only a few feet deep, when the side fell in; burying him up to his waist. When he was dug out it was found that his thigh had been broken by the sudden, strain on the leg. Mr J: S. Rutherford, of Opawa station. Albury, lost fifty 6heep in the course of a few days through the depredations of the kea. Fortunately tho kea is a very •stupid bird, and has hot tlie slightest fear of nian, so that it can be easily shot, and Mr Rutherfoid : says that he intends in future to equip his shepherds with small revolvers, and suitable ammunition, so that when going their rounds they will be able to kill these birds whenever they make their appearance.

In ordering a. boy a birching at the sitting of the Duiiedin Juvenile Court for stealing a bicycle, Mr Graham, S.M., said : "These cases of juvenile stealing are becoming so common that they muse bo put down. If a fine is inflicted, und it is paid by somebody for the accused, he does not feel the penalty at all. A_ a punishment for the offence and also as u. deterrent to others, I order this boy to receive twelve strokes with a birch, to be administered by the police."

Mrs Howie (Te Rangipai), in the course of an inter vieAV at Christchurch, said: "A peculiar tiling happened to me at King's Lynn, where I was singing the contralto solos in 'Elijah.' I was singing '0 Rest in the Lord,', when I noticed that the audience seemed to regard me .pecu-' liarly. I did not take much notice at the time, and it was only after the concert thai I fouud out whab was the reason. They knew of the death of my mother, wliich had been kept from me. The singing of that lovely religious 1 air deemed it>6 appropriate that it affected the audience 11 greatly, though, of course, I did not know why."

Mr W. Jaques,' the fruit canning expert, has returned to Wellington from an extended visit to the North of Auckland and Tauranga. Speaking of the North, he mentions that small canning factories liave been established recently ab Warkworth (apples and pears), Birkenhead (apples), Whangarei (pears), Port Albert (apples), and Hokianga (peaches). . The Tauranga district, Mr Jaques says is splendid for fruit-groiying, and he hopes in time to 6ee large canneries in operation. More progress hasbeen made during the past year than during the whole previous history of Taur-* anga. The Government station . which has been established lias given the industry an impetus, and* growers in the district are planting the best canning varieties. .**'•.

Whether it is greed or whether it is stupidity which prompts traders to acts of foolishness it is hard, to determine. Another instance : A New Plymouth trader was victimised on Saturday night by a simple Confidence trick (says the New Plymouth Herald). A man entered his shop and tendered a cheque drawn on a Napier bank and bearing the signa-. ture, or what purported to be the signa-; ture, of a well-known' gentleman, in payment of a local solicitor due to the trader. The- latter* wondered at the stranger paying the account, but was assiiried that the solicitor was ill in bed and had commissioned the stranger to pay. The account was duly receipted and £4 change given. On Monday morning the trader met the solicitor and inquired about his health. Explanations followed, from which it appears that the stranger must have entered the solicitor's' office and found the account.

In his speech at Rangiora, the Premier slated that on 3rd April lie cabled to the Colonial Secretary, asking for a brief statement in regard to the Imperial Government asking for the postponement of the execution of certain natives. Lord Elgin replied through Lord Plunket that the Home Government had ab no time any inteution of interfering withi' the action of the responsible government of Natal, or of controlling the Governor in the exercise of his prerogative, but that iu the oircumstances, and in View of the presence of British troops in the colony, his Majesty'6 Government ' -were entitled, and in duty bound, to obtain full and precise information as to the martial law Cases. All that was asked, ' continued Mr Seddon, was full information of the trial under martial law, ancl in view of what had occurred in Jamaica •under Governor Eyre, they had to be careful that there was not another such blot on the fair escutcheon of the Empire. Another nevelty promised td Australia within a few months is Mr John Lawson's melodramatic sketch "Humanity," which will be produced by Mr Rickards. "Humanity" relies upon its effects for the destruction it exhibits. The culminating feature is a fight between two characters on a staircase. The balustrade collapses, the chandelier is shattered,the hall furniture wrecked, the drawingroom doors, and windows broken, and every particle of furniture in the room, reduced to matchwood. Founded on an' incident in London life, in which a retired ai'iriy .officer fought and killed, in self defence,' a man who had decoyed him to an office to murder him, "Humanity was originally produced as a fiveact East End melodrama. It ran its course and was forgotten, but, about seven years ago Mr Lawson took out the leading feature and embodied it in a short music-hall sketch, -which has since been, played without intermission.

. In its time the Tourist Office receives many quaint letters from persons anxious to make fortunes in New Zealand, but probably no epistle has more points of interest than a communication recently received by M. T. B. Donne, Superintedentof the Department, from a colored gentleman of the United States of America. "Dear Sir," the writer says, "having noticed an article written by William Bruce Leffihgwell, which appeared in the February, 1906, number of Field and Stream, New York City, describing your grand country, its superb natural scenery, points of interest to the tourist, the very hospitable nature of your people, and many other attractive features, which; Mr Lethngwell described, I must say, too, than in all the world there is no land like New Zealand, -and as I understnd there is to be a grand exhibition of the natural products of your great country to be held in youi- city* beginning next November, I have announced my intention of visiting it if possible. I will be plain of speech, in that I will say that I am not rich by any means, yet 1 am from a highly respectable family (colored). I am forty-three years, of age, yet I do not look that old, am also single, ani. comfortably situated with niy paretits oh our own garden and fruit farm. I am a gentleman of taste and refinement, a lover of that which is good and true. lam also seeking a lady for my wife, which in niy mind will be an ideal one, intelligent, refined, somewhat talented, and well-to-do in this world's goods. Such is the brief mission of this letter. Nowhere in the States do I believe that I could ever find a lady who would come up to my requirements; while thsre :; are. several which I would desire in my ideal lady, I do not think there are any which are unreasonable. I trust you may assist me by furnishing the proper names and addresses of a few good honest reliable people, who are financially well off. I will be greatly obliged to you, and trust I may meet you some day and repay the service granted, rue. This lotter is-written in good faith, and I can furnish excellent references as to my .character and standing in good society. N.8.— 1; would like to be introduced by letter, and later on in person, to a voung English lady of good fam- 1 ily." *. , .

A correspondent Avrites to the Masterton Times: — May I suggest that the coat of arms for Ncw Zealand sliould consist of a portrait of our great national idol, R.J.S. He might be pictured as rocking a full cradle, with lion and unicorn kittens romping round it.

"The overloading of horses in Wellington and in Auckland is simply disgraceful," said Mr Seed at a meeting of the Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr Seed pointed out that it was not always the drivers who were to blime. The men received instructions from tiieir employers which, he alleged, practically compelled them to over, load.

Tlie Hon. C. H. Mills is reported in "the Stratford Post as having made an astouinding remark at the banquet given to Mr W. Symes, M.H.R., at Wliangamomoana. Tt was this : "Nothing gave him more pleasure tlian the telegram saying that Mr Symes had been returned, and some of the rubbish had been swept into the destructor." " The next word in the report is "applause !"

Speaking of the Farmers' Union the Hawera Star says :— There are some who think that if the Union were made a political fighting machine (which is so often disclaimed) it might tone up the organisation. One member at a recent meeting said that the Union would then go "like a. house on fire." Perhaps so, bub there is a danger that it might end in smoke.

Mr S. Turner, F.R.G.S., the Welsh mountaineer, who recently visited New Zealand, in a letter to the London manager of his firm says that he regards the ascent and' traversing of Mount Cook as the great achievement of his life. He rather hints of letting it remain as ;his last mountaineering feat, and of falling back upon the less strenuous excitement of golf.

Tlie Queensland Government is prosecuting its search for settlers in New Zea. Jand. Anj Sidveriisement appearing in the Wellington papers announces that the Queensland Department of Lands has available for selection, areas of land in the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts suitable for dairying, lamb-raising, wool-growing, sugar-cane and fruit cultivation.

It is an old joke that England is suzerain, to Scotland. The composition of the present Cabinet suggests that now the whole realm has been annexed. The Premier is Scotch, so are the Lord Chancellor, tho Minister for War, the First' Lord of the Admiralty, and tlie Colonial Secretary. Tliere are also a Scottish Minister for Local Government, and Scottish members at the Exchequer, the India Offioe, and the Irish Office, while the climax is provided by a Scotchman being Secretary ii the Cabinet.

Referring ,to the death of Mrs Parris (aged ninety-one yeans), relict of the late Major Parris, the Taranaki Herald says : "The deceased lady, who was a native of Devonshire, came out to Taranaki Avith her husband in the Blenheim in 1842, and 6lwired* with him the vicissitudes of the early settlement. Naturally of a retiring disposition, of late yeans ill-health and advancing age have confined lifer to her home, but among those who had the privilege of* her acquaintance she was much loved. She surviv-ed • her husband about nineteen months."

A_ an instance of the increasing . value of, and ready inquiiy for, business premises in Queen street. Auckland, Mr F. C. Ewingtoii, estate agent, while giving evidence at the sitting of the Assc&ment Court, said that the demand for shops was greater that ib had beeu for some years past. Property was getting so valuable that people who owned onestoreyed premises in Auckland's principal thoroughfare at the present time would have to add three and four storeys. For some of the smaller shops rents of from £3 to £8 were beiug obtained.

The fatal accident to the man. H. Clark, which occurred at Christchurch on Tuesday, was caused in a peculiar maimer. It seems that a horse from the fire engines had been harnessed to one of the Corporation carts, and was in the yard when the 1 p.m. bell rang^ Tlie horse bolted away and went for his old quarters at the Fire Brigade Station. On arrival there he made an attempt to get into the station. This he was unable to . do, but Ive collided with the driver of the railway engine, H. Clark, whose injuries were at the time not thought to be serious. He proved, however, to be very badly hurt, and died in the Hospital.

A -great change has come over tlue London musio halls, says Mrs Howie. This is the displacement of serios by operatic items given by such artisfs as Alice Esty, Marie Brema,* and 'others. This has set in since; the late Madame Belle Cole sang at the Colosseum. Now such artists as Mrs Br^wn Potter and Mrs Beerholm Tree appear at the halls. Mrs Howie laugliingly relates a humorous point with reference to Mrs Alicia Needhiam, the well-known 1 composer. "When she wrote those lovely 'hush,' or cradle songs," said Mi's Howie, "she. had no babies. Now that she has one she has left off writing cradle soiigs."

The Government Biologist (Mr T. W. Kirk) ha_ just .returned to Wellington from a visit to Hawke's Bay, where lie made an inspection of the Frimley Canning Factory, near Hastings. He found that good progress had- been made with' planting fruit trees in the district, and the area known as the Frimley orchards (owned by different people) has reached 380 acres, and new plots were be-, ing planted every year. The factory is doing good work, ■ having this season taken in ' 14,000 cases of -fruit, mostly peaches and pears. lb would, as the result, -.turn out 12,000 boxes of preserved goods, of which- Mr Kirk was assured there were already orders for 8000 boxes, some of which hjhd already been execut-' ed. At. the height of the season— the end of , January and early February — the factory employs 120 hands, and it still has half that number actively at work. .

"The hen is so small" (said Professor Robertson, of the Canadian Agricultural Commission) "tliat many can scarcely see it on the farm. A great many cannot see an animal smaller than a horse, much less the insignificant one known as the hen. However, compare the work of production done- by 10001b of horse .-and that doiie by 10001b of heu, and there will be astonishment at the t loafer the horse is. The hen is a chemist,, a banker, and •& manufacturer. She gatheis mixes, and puts together in organic form 650 grains of water, 120 grains of fat, 108 grains of lime, 80 grains of albumen, 26 grains of sugar, and 10 grains of ash! I mention these facts that we may realise the wonderful work performed 1 bj' our friend in feathers. We may have lime iu our flour, lard in our butter, peanut shell in. our coffee, sawdust in our tea, but the eggs cannot be successfully counterfeited. The hen,' with her marvellous inside fixtures, will still continue at the old stand, putting her humble grist -together, and shelling out tliis most miraculous of animal products—the* egg. A hen is worthy of the best work of the fancier, the farmer, 'or the business man."

Iu the course of an article in Christ, church Truth on classical education, Mr W. Empson, headmaster-- of the Wanganui College, says:— •**Pei*eanally. though prejudiced in favor of the classics, I feel sure that in, the/ case of at least half the boys i who now 'learn 1 Latin iri New Zealand their time might be infinitely better occupied iu studying such subjects as ■modern ; history and geography, _ not in reference to the Empire alone, but with regard to the world in general. For boys with decided literary -tastes, who intend to go to a university or to adopt one of the learned professions, * tliere can be no doubb tliat Latin serves a very useful purpose;, but in the case of . boys, and. their name is legion, who have no particular abilities and no«6petcial bent in any direction, in other words, in tlie case of average boys — I caunot. help thinking that they would be better educated, in the real sense of the word, by gaining some idea of the vital questions of the day, in the light of history, ' than by studying a language iu which they can never hope to acquire anything resemb-. ling real proficiency. It would require a mugazine article to give all. the reasons for these conclusions, but I think most peoiile Mill agree that if the main object of education is to turn out good and useful citizens, . that end is more likely to be gained in a large, number of cases through such subjects as I have mentioned than tlirough th© medium of Latin."

There is some idea that the attraction of Earls Court Exhibition next . year anall be "New Zealand in London" (writes! a London correspondent). The matter is in the hands of Mr Joo St. Clair, ;who was for many years a manager of touring companies and show enterprises in New Zealand, and who is present manager of the Moody-Manner^ Opera Company in England., It is announced' that Mr, St. Glair has obtained from Mf Gremieu>_ Javal, matvivgei* ot Earls Covad*. Exhibition, an option to hold) "New Zealand in London" in May of ii-ext year, the "show to take place in the Empress Theatre and in the groiunds of Earls Court. It is proposed to bring over a. party of somfe 300 Maoris, who will give representations of native life, dances, etc., and to erect in the grounds a reproduction of a Maori pa ; the grounds would be decorated to represent some of the most noteworthy featured of New Zealand's scenery, while there would be exhibits, of New Zealand industries— frozen meats, - woollen manufactures, etc. . A London paper hopes that the project will be carried ou*. -"It is an admirable idea," says the writer. "There is no-part of. the. British Colonial Empire tluit lends itself to both picturesqtNe and practical exhibition purposes more than the land of the 'Long Wliite Cloud.' There are alps and fiords and geysers and 'terraces' ; unclimablo mountains and uiifathoniiiblc 's-oiuids' ; Maori pas and Maori dances and war songs, and j plenty other materials of the picturesque order. In addition New Zealand's products and manufactures are of a substantial and varied character that- would command the interest of practical men and women. It would be a splendid advertisement for New Zealand. '■■"*.