PELORUS GUARDIAN TUESDAY, 23rd. MAY, 1898.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 4, Issue 39, 23 May 1893, Page 2

PELORUS GUARDIAN TUESDAY, 23rd. MAY, 1898.

The gravelling of the Kaituna-Tua Marina Eoad is now completed, but at present it is rather a heavy drag for vehicles, and we are not surprised that many people risk a good deal in crossing the river in preference to going along this newly metalled road. In a few weeks the metal will have pretty well settled down, and this part of the road will be a pleasure to travel along. We might say, however, that very little time should be lost before the ruts are raked in, for already the mud is showing through in places. The next winter entertainment will take place to-morrow' Week, the 31sfc. instant, when a laughable comedy will be produced, besides vocal and instrumental music. The details of the revenue and expenditure of the colony for the financial year ending March 81st., have been published, and in place of a deficit, which was predicted by, the Opposition, there is a surplus of £511,288. On our way to Blenheim on Saturday, several settlers said that they were glad we had come that way because we could report on the state of the roads. There is no question that the roads are in need of repair, and many holes require filling up before the bad weather comes on; but it is very little use to report on the bad state of the roads, unless we can suggest how the money is to be found to pay the cost. We have already done that, but the majority of the ratepayers objected to the means proposed, so there is no other alternate but to make the best use of what money there is available, unless the ratepayers will agree to increase the Board’s income by paying extra rates. The New Zealand Tablet gives Mr Scobie Mckenzie, M.H.R., the following nut to crack“ Everything that the Government has done Mr Scobie Mckenzie explains as imposture —a short way, it must be admitted, of settling the question, At the same time’ he acknowledges that the colony is recovering from its long years of depression. This, of course, is in spite of imposture, and owing to the country’s natural powers of recovery. “What Mr Scobie Mckenzie has failed to explain, so far as we can learn, is why those natural powers remained in abeyance all the time that the Continuous Ministry, of which he is a supporter, were in office—nay, why the natural powers of the country, under the management of that Ministry, failed and permitted the colony to sink as it did into a slough of despond.” Says the Grey River ArgusMr John McGregor, who has been driving for a lead of gold for the last eight months near Craig’s freehold at Hokitika, has at last been successful. The auriferous seam consists of cemented gravel, and will require to be crushed, as we are informed. Its estimated yield is about half an ounce to the ton. It is to be hoped that the veteran John has at last struck a good thing, Mr C. H. Mills, M.H.R., leaves this morning on a visit to the Nelson end of this electorate, where he will address public meetings at Motueka and Wakefield. Mr Mills will probably be away about a week or ten days. We have been shown the conditions under which public subscriptions are solicited for the instruments which have been obtained for a brass band. We must say that they are not such as will commend them to the public. We think it would have been much better to have had a representative meeting, and made the band a purely public concern, and not a semi-private affair as at present. Had this been done, we should have done all in our power to assist, and we know the public would have responded more willingly than under the present circumstances. It was intended to give the proceeds of the next winter entertainment towards the band fund, but the committee could not think of doing so as matters now stand. Some splendid specimens of gold from Western Australia have been shown in Sydney. The gold was found 195 miles from Champion Bay, at a place called the Emerald Reef, by J. Rice and a party of six men. The specimens weighed over Hcwt, and the gold was present in the quartz in small lumps. The Astonishing Parcel. —Shot Cheviot Serge Dress for 12/6, lyrd shot corduro/f for trimming 3/G, 4yr<ts skirt lining for 1/6, ayrds body lining for 1 /-, 2 pair black cashmere hose for 3/6,1 pair cashmere gloves 1/6. The whole lot, carriage paid, for 23/6 from Te Aro House, Wellington. Colonial Tweed Dress Parcel. —Full dress, colonial tweed, exerlasting wear, 23/6, iyrd corduroy velvet for trimming 3/6, 4yrds skirt lining for 1/6, ayrds body lining 1 /-, 6yrds colonial flannel for cjj-, The whole lot for 38/6, carriage paid, from Te Aro House, Wellington. Ladies’ Black Cashmere Dress Par-cel.-—Full Dross length blue-black Cashmere 10/6, iyrd black fancy silk for trimming 4/6, 4yrds skirt lining for 1/6, ayrds body lining for 1/-, 1 pair ladies’ corsets for 6/6. 1 pretty white apron 1/6. Tlfe whole lot for 25/6. carriage paid, from Te Am House, Wellington.