Untitled

Southland Times, Issue 19492, 24 February 1905, Page 2

To -day delegates from the various branches of tho Southland Farmers’ Union will meet with the Executive to discuss the financial position of the Union, and the question of Mr Paterson’s resignation from the dual position oi organising secretary and veterinary expert. It is a matter of common know-» ledge that the position of the Union at the present moment is somewhat critical, though there is no reason for saying that the organisation is on the verge of dissolution. On the score of ill-health Mr Paterson has tendered his resignation, thus placing before the Union the prospect of losing the expert advice and attendance that have been so highly valued by members. To judge from the meetings of branches there is ai consesus of opinion that the resignation must bo accepted, and if this course is decided upon the executive will have to decide how to fill Mr Paterson’s position, ‘ or whether to fill it at all. Behind this, however, is the general question of finance, for it must be clear that tho Union cannot continue to employ a highly paid officer unless it has an assured income to meet its expenditure. The position at present is that there aro liabilities outstanding to the amount of <0235, against which assets are shown on paper amounting to 0275, made up of 0195 in guarantees, and 085, presumably, in subscriptions. Whether these sums can be collected in full or not remains to be seen, but probably a proportion of them will not lie paid. Not only must this deficiency be met, but its recurrence must be prevented. The very existence of the) Union hangs upon a sound finance, and to-day’s discussion will practically detemine the future prosperity or failure of the Union. It is to be hoped that the delegates will bring to the meeting the fruit of a serious study of the situation, and that the outcome will be the re-establishment upon a lasting basis of an organisation capable of conferring the highest benefits upon the farming community.

“Do you want the freehold ?” was a question put to John Murcbland by the Commission. ’’ Look here,” was the reply, "if Seddon said to me ' Here, Jack, you can have the freehold,' 1 wouldn't have it.’: Mr Paul saw an opening for a favourite question. o you think,” he asked, "it would be against the interests of settlers to have the freehold ?” The witness looked at his questioner scornfully for a moment and then snapped out sorrowfully, ° there’s no option in it.”

Tiie laugh was rather neatly turned,on one of the Land Commissioners yesterday. Hr Thomson had said that tho desire for the freehold was inborn, and this was met with the remark from Mi Paul (with the air of putting a poser) : Of course you know there’s not enough land to go round and gratify that, desire. What then ? Mr Paul and othei members joined in a look of triumph, but there was a laugh when Mr Thoms son retorted : “ Well, by adopting tho l.i.p. you don't increase the amount of land do''you 1” Mr A. .Kinross waited on the Land Coinmission yesterday, and after making several futile attempts to catch the eye of the chairman, he succeeded in snatching a favourable opportunity for. depositing a copy of “My Life and Lays, On the table. Mr McKerrow expressed the thanks and gratification of the Commission.

I consider this a very bad thing, this life everlasting, gimme freehold.—M. O’Connor, voicing the popular desire before the Commission. At the Land Commission a member held up the virtues of the old pioneer in comparison with the modern tenant, remarking that the early settlers managed to overcome all the obstacles which now seemed so insurmountable. “ Yes." returned Mr McLean, " but in those days we wore moleskins and blue shirts.’ The members of the Land Commission have arranged a trip to Stewart Island on Saturday in the Theresa Ward, which has been specially chartered for the occasion. It is intended to leave on Saturday afternoon and return to Bluff on Sunday in time to catch the 5 p.m. train for town.

Messrs Friedlander Bros., Ltd., report the sale of five sections of the Edendalo Estate, containing about 1000 acres, to Mr J, P, Christopherson, of Hinds.

The 1.0. N. cricket trdphy matches will be resumed next Saturday when the following games will be played : —Middle School v. Marist, on Eastern Reserve ; South School v. Park, on High School ground ; High School A. v. High School B, on No. II ground. At the Dunedin Police Court yesterday Thomas James Cuttle, u boy, was charged with having stolen on February 24 , a vest, a gold ring, and a razor, the property of Patrick Mulhare, at Invercargill, and was remanded to appear at Invercargill on Saturday. The Municipal Band was favoured with the best of weather for their promenade concert on the Rotunda last evening, and the music attracted a large audience. The programme was capitally varied and excellently rendered under the baton of Conductor Glennie.

The secretary of the late bazaar in aid of the Lumsden Presbyterian Church funds, returns thanks for donations, subscriptions and help rendered which altogether made the function a gratifying success. About £l5O is available for church purposes, and the committee should be placed in a very comfortable position* so far as funds are concerned.

The campaign on which the Hon. J . Bigg, M.L.C., has been engaged for the last few weeks haa been followed with a good deal of interest and not a little curiosity, and there will no doubt be a good audience in the Y.M.O.A, Hall to-night to hear from Mr Rigg the objects of the .Political Labour League and the reasons which have led to its formation.

The charge against John Wishart, the Palmerston North jeweller who was accused of purchasing jewellery from u thief, knowing the same to have been stolen, wns dismissed by tho Wellington Magistrate.

A touchy Greymouth citizen brought 'action against a neighbour for creating a nuisance by running a gas engine on his premises, the noise and smell being objectionable. The Magistrate said the evidence disclosed a legal nuisance, but it was so slight that one shilling would cover the damage, and that without cost to plaintiff. In his haste to make a good case the plaineilf stated that the nuisance had continued for three or four months, but it was proved that the engine was started on the 28th ult.

The members of the Cycling Club wer« fortunate in the matter of weather yesterday evening, and a large number participated in the billy run to Mokarewa, the outing proving most enjoyable.

In the Grey mouth case in which a contractor refused to refund the duty paid by the importer of sawn timber for his use because it had not been "spotted ’’—dubbed with the broad oxo to resemble hewn timber,,, which comes in duty free —the Magistrate said defendant must pay the duty, he having ordered " hewn or sawn ’’ timber. There was talk, of an appeal.

On Wednesday afternoon (Ist March) the Winton troop of the Southland Mounted Rifles will hold military sports at the racecourse, Winton. The members of the town team will leave Invercargill by train at 1.L5 p.m.,, and this train will also carry passengers, stopping opposite the course on the outward journey. For the return journey tho evening train from Lumsden will stop al the same place to pick .up visitors returning to town. These arrangements allord a splendid opportunity for visitors attending the sports, for which a good programme has been prepared.

A meeting of the executive of the Wallace Mounted Rifles was held in Kelly's Hotel on Saturday evening, when arrangements were made for competitions during the coming winter. All miniature range competitions are to be fired with Gaudet ammunition instead of Morris tubes. The new full dress uni. form will soon be ready for use, and it is expected that about 50 men will be available for the Easter manoeuvres. Sergeant-major Lindsay, with the fine score, of 107, won the Challenge Cup for A Class, amd Trooper Dixon, with 81, the Challenge Cup in B Class in tlio 1904 miniature range competitions.

At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., Wm. Christie, an adjudicated bankrupt was charged with that, within three years of his bankruptcy, he failed to keep such books of account to set forth his business transaction's and disclose his financial position, as are usual and proper in the business curried on by him. Mr T. M. Macdonald appeared on behalf of the Deputy-Assignee, and asked for an adjournment, in order to obtain the evidence of an important witness who is ut present employed at Chalky Inlet, Counsel said that the witness who had also been subponaed for the defence would bo absent for about two months. Mr Inder, on behalf of accused, offered no objection, and the hearing was adjourned until ILth May, accused ‘to enter into his own recognisance to appear on that date.

To celebrate the extension of the Tapanui line to Edievale, a trip by rail from that place to the Bluff comes off to-day.

An action brought by a Greymouth importer against a contractor made public one method of dddging the Customs. Plaintiff sought to recover duty paid on sawn hardwood. The contractor wanted hawn timber, but the plaintiff said jthe smaller sizes could only be got sawn. The defendant agreed to accept these, itfut Stipulated that they should >,be “spotted, jie., dubbed over lightly with the axe so that the timber should have the ..appearance -of having been hewn. This process would have secured a reduction of 2s per 100 feet duty as between the sawn and hewn product. The N.S.W. suppliers refused to " spot ” the timber, the plaintill paid duty on it as “ sawn ” and the defendant disputed because it wvis not delivered to him in a condition that’ would give him a chance to evade payment of the heavier Customb duty. The Magistrate reserved his decision $ the principal interest in the case is, however, the exposure, of '* how the thing is done sometimes.

Owing to a slump in twine, w’e offer Donaghy's Gold Medal Flax Binding Twine, delivered at nearest railway station, to farmers at the low figure o_ (41d) fourpence farthing per tt>. casl ’2' MORROW, BASSETT AND CO, DUNEDIN.

Noxol, Dr. Crossland's great prescrip-" tion 89878- Best for indigestion, best' for constipation, best for Liver mid Stomach Disorders. It is winning golden opinions from sufferers who have been cured. Don’t fail to try one bottle of this remedy. 2s a't chemists and stores. People who live sedentary lives, people who sit in offices, people who get very little exercise, all these suffer more cr less from liver and stomach complaints. It wjould give such a surprise to expeiience what Noxol would do lor them. Try it. 2s at chemists and stores. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS For sale, 5-roomed house —R. J. Cumming. Wanted to purchase, a good whale boat. Lumsden , Presbyterian Church bazaar committee return thanks for assistance, etc. Tenders for several Education Board wprks. Money to land—F. V, Haymond, solicitor. Wanted to sell, general store business in North Island. Lost, two letters. Experienced man wants employment in butchering trade. Particulars of J. A.' Mitcholl and Co.’s Saturday horse sale. To let. convenient 6-roomed house—W. B. Scandrett. Wanted, girl for cooking and laundry work.

Maximus brand of Ceylon tea—W. J. Hyndman. For sale, 3 to 9 acres, South Invercargill—A. Trotter., A. E. Smith announces his country visits.

Wanted, rape for lambs—Wright, Stephenson and Co. Six-roomed house, Tweed street, for £59O—A. Trotter.