WESTERN DISTRICT SETTLEMENT

Southland Times, Issue 14580, 22 November 1910, Page 4

WESTERN DISTRICT SETTLEMENT

In its comment upon our explana* tory article with reference to settlement in the Western District, the Orepuki Advocate scarcely displays an adequate appreciation of all the aspects of 'the position. Virtually its argument amounts to this : that land at present covered with bush is required for settlement, and that by spme means or other the holders of bush areas should be compelled to cut out without delay so that the land, may be made available to settlers forthwith. The Advocate pooh-poohs the mining industry of the district as “ a myth,", and, as for the sawmilling industry, contends “ that the amount which might have been collected by the State in rents, after allowing a reasonable time for the sawmiller to cut out his timber, would probably he in excess of the paltry sum paid for royalty on timber.” Our contemporary’s attitude is quite intelligible, but it appears to us to be somewhat prejudiced. We can easily understand the irritation and impatience of settlers who see land that they could profitably employ standing year after year under hush which is not being cut, and which may not be cut for the next decade, but we do hot know that the State’s interest would be served by passing legislation with the object of straightway denuding every bush-cov-ered section that is convenient tor settlement. In the first place to compel cutting in excess of ordinary market requirements would mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of feet of valuable timber. It would mean that the exhaustion of the country’s timber resources, already sufficiently close to be somewhat alarming, would be hastened, and although timber royalties may be “ paltry ” from the State's point of vieAv the timber itself is unquestionably an ,asset of great value to the people. Sawmilling areas generally (and the area in question is no exception) are held by firms or private individuals who are in the business for profit, and whose advantage it is to cut and sell their timber as rapidly as the market can absorb it at remunerative prices. In the case of the section under notice the owner would gladly work his mill at Colac with a full staff the full round of the clock, but he can fill his orders comfortably by employing only a quarter of the full staff half the week in the bush and the other half in the mill. In these circumstances, even supposing that the owner’s legal rights were interfered with and that he were required to cut out forthwith, what suggestion has the Advocate to make for the disposal of the timber ? The Advocate also fails to note the fact that in recent years the bush area opened for sawmilling purposes has been enormously increased. The sources of supply are much more ex-

tensive than they were originally. Orders are therefore cut up and divided, so that it takes longer to cut out a given area than it would have done had the total area operated upon been less. It has been the policy of the Government to unlock hush reserves and place them at the disposal of sawmillers, with the result that though the area being cut is larger in the aggregate it is scattered over the district, and individual holdings are being cut out less rapidly. 'We do not t know why the Orepuki Advocate should wish to make it appear that the whole prosperity of the district between Riverton and Orepuki depends upon the immediate deforestation of the bush area of one particular owner in block 7. This owner’s section amounts to something over 800 acres, and he is only one of four sawmillers in the block. It is scarcely credible that there are real grounds for the despondency of the Advocate with regard to the future of settlement in this district. We have shown that the Land Board is opening up new land as rapidly as possible, and its surveyors are now busily engaged In the Longwoods. The existence of this bush area in block 7 surely does not make it a mockery to advise young men “ to go on the land,” nor does it necessarily mean that at some time in the future settlers will have to wage a hopeless fight with noxious weeds on the Government re-

serves. It would certainly be a matter for general satisfaction if this % bush area could be cut out as rapidly as axe and saw can do their work, but it is difficult to see that the natural course of trade can be Influenced by artificial means and the time in which the bush is cut depends entirely upon trade. Furthermore, when the owner can show that in 12 years his bush areas have been reduced from 20,000 acres to less than 6,000 it can hardly be suggested that he is sitting on his rights in idleness.

The clause in the Public Health Amendment Bill providing that a dwelltnghouse shall not be erected on an irea less than one-fifth of an acre in a iistrict where a sewerage system does not exist was on Friday, in the House of Representatives, struck out of the Bill. .. There had been much adverse comment made on the clause by business and professional men, who pointed out

that in the commercial centre of a town, where the value of the land was deter- * mined by its worth as a commercial site rather than as a residential site actual hardship would follow the passing of the clause. In such places a twostoreyed premises, to serve for both ousiness and domestic purposes, could t>e erected on an eighth of an acre and Uill leave an ambie (in fact very large) iir space. Were an owner forced to icquire a fifth of an acre for the building he would be forced to acquire at a very high figure land that would in fact be useless because It would not make either the air space or the drainage equipment more effective than they would be on the lesser area. It would in reality be only putting hundreds of pounds into a useless sink- Consequently the striking out of the oppres?ive clause has occasioned much relief if mind in commercial circles.

Mr Hanan (says our Wellington correspondent) is asking the Government to acquire about 25 acres on the banks of the Waihopai as a scenic reserve. At the Police Court yesterday morning before Mr R. Galbraith, J.P., a first offender for drunkenness was fined 20s ind 2s costs.

Our Parliamentary correspondent vires that the Hine Committee will condude the taking of evidence to-morrow, uid‘the report should be ready for preientation on Thursday.

The farming districts around Wreys Bush, South Hiliend, Heddon Bush and Lilniehills are at the present time experiencing a succession of drying northerly winds. Ploughed land and land in turnips present a very parched appearance, out oats and grass crops are coming on well. On the whole about 24 hours continuous rain would do an incalculable amount of good, but from latest advices rain shows no sign of making its appearance. Feed is, however, fairly plentiful In the districts mentioned.

Of the German Emperor stories are as plentiful . as blackberries. The latest comes from a county council school. The wesson was on the historic traditions of the Fatherland. “And now:," said the teacher. “we come to Germany, which is governed by the Kaiser. Tommy Jones, what is a Kaiser?" “Please, sir, I know," answered the alert scholar (confusing it with geyser). "It’s a stream of hot water springing up and disturbing the earth.”

In the House yesterday afternoon, in the motion of Mr Henries a resolution was adopted appreciating the able services of Mr Hanan as Chairman of the Statutes Revision Committee, which the mover stated had put through some very important legislation, such as the Crimes Bill. —Own correspondent.

Stupendous developments are taking place in connection with the city and suburban railways of Greater New Tork, of which electricity is practically the sole motive power. Some idea of the scope of what is being accomplished maybe gathered from the fact that the Public Service Commission lias just advertised for tenders for the construction and operation of what is known as the tri-borough subway system, the estimated cost of which will be more than £20.000.000. and probably in the neighbourhood of £24.900,000 or £25,000,000. The advertisements state specifically that the motive power shall be electricity. No other method of running trains or street cars would be tolerated in New York.

With the erection of the dairy' factory at South Hiliend many of the residents have discarded sheep altogether as a principal means of livelihood, and large dairy herds have been substituted. The cases of Messrs Kirkwood and Muir are particular instances in this respect, the former milking about 10 cows daily and the lateer 15. Again, some of the settlers are quite content with sheep farming as a profit making concern, and although the returns may be slightly' less than those derived from dairying they have not, they state, to undergo the additional bother produced by the “cowspanking” industry.

Shearing has been commenced on a few of the South Hlliend farms, and ■within a short time is expected to be fairly general. Yesterday operations were in hand on air Jaa. Kean’s farm In the same district. From present appearances farmers anticipate that the return will he quite up to the average of former years. Regarding the “earthiness' of many of the lots submitted at the Christchurch, sales, farmers are ciuite confident that the bales forthcoming at. Invercargill on the Iflth of next month will be quite free from anything of that nature.

It was Whistler’s custom when drowsy to go deliberately to sleep, no matter vliere, or what .the circumstances might ■>e. At one dinner party his gentle snore mtldenly aroused his neighbour, who judged his violently with his elbow. “I say. Whistler,” he protested excitedly, ‘you mpjSt not sleep here!” “Leave me llonel" snapped Whistler. “I've said all I wanted to. I’ve no interest at all In what you and your friends have to ‘ay.” One evening he was a guest at an hotel, as was also Edwin A. Abbey, and immediately after dinner was served went calmly to sleep. On the way to the theatre he had another nap in the cab. He also slumbered peacefully through the play. The next morning he blandly asked. “What did Abbey have to say last night? Anything worth while?”

A South HTlltnd farmer is reported to have disposed of a line of about 450 baijp* of ryegrass (held over from last season's crop*. The transaction took place last week, ana the price is equal to £1 per bag; realising the respectable sum of £450.

Mr J. E- McManus is advertised to address a meeting from the Band Rotunda at 7.30 this evening, the subject being the planks on the platform of the N. Z. Labour Party. To-morrow evening at 7.30 p.m. Mr McManus will attend a meeting of the General Labourers’ Union in the Sawmill Workers’ Union rooms. Crescent.

Henry Faithfull Winter, a single man, who had been employed as letter-carrier, was yesterday charged at the Police Court with having on or about 13th July stolen a postal packet and letter containing a postal note for £1 and a postal note for ss. On the application of Detective Cameron the case was remanded till Friday, accused being admitted ,to ball on his own recognisance of £SO and two sureties of £25 each. Mr R. Galbraith, J.P., was on the Bench.

Yesterday, for the first time for some months the United Kingdom and Australian mails, arriving by the Melbourne boat were despatched north by the first express from Invercargill. The Manuka berthed at the Bluff at 5.30 a.in. The mails were so expeditiously handled by the local officials that by 5.50 a.m. a special train was steaming away for Invercargill, with the result that a few minutes’ delay of the express enabled the connection to be made,

The decline in the shipment of horses to Melbourne was particularly noticeable yesterday, when the s.s. Moeraki’s total of such stock on board was only 29. All of them had been consigned from Wellington.

The advent of the Christmas season was suggested yesterday when the s.s. Manuka arrived at the Bluff from Melbourne, via Hobart. She had on board a very heavy cargo of dried fruit —mostly for the Bluff, Dunedin, and Lyttelton. Strawberries and cherries comprised the consignment of fresh fruit, and a limited supply of new potatoes was also brought over.

.Oats were again "moving" at the Bluff yesterday when 150 sacks were shipped to Melbourne by the Moeraki, and 860 sacks went forward to Wellington, and 300 to Sydney by the Manuka. Messrs Smith anc. Laing have purchased a section in Otautau. and intend opening a branch there as soon as a suitable building can be erected. Plans are being prepared for commodious premises, and this enterprising firm intends to make the Otautau branch worthy of the present requirements and future prospects of that town. y In the Dunedin Police Court yesterday morning E. Crawley, engineroom storekeeper on the steamer Tokomaru, was sentenced to imprisonment for one month for having assaultea the chief officer.

At a meeting of the Southland Employers Association, held last evening at Allens Hall, the question of the Christmas and New Year holidays was discussed. It was decided to adopt the Monday and Tuesday following Christmas Day, and the Monday and Tuesday following New Year's Day as public holidays.

The final race of the President’s Fours was rowed off at Riverton on Saturday evening last, when after a good struggle, Stevens (s), McLaren, Mooney, and Begley defeated Ross Robertson (s),‘ Les. Bailey, Woods, ant. Daniels. The former crew thus won the four medals presented by the President (Dc Trotter). — Own correspondent.

Owing to the Napier Municipal Theatre Site Bill, which proposed erecting a theatre and corporation offices on a portion of Clive Square, being rejected by 'he Bill’s Committee of the House of Representatives, a special meeting of the Borough Council was held yesterday to consider the position. After discussion it was decided to invite offers of a suitable site elsewhere.—P.A.

Mr Jacob Aleweiler.' Secretary of the Southland Trades and Labour Council, has wired to the Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Council, protesting against the proposed amendments to the Arbitration and Conciliation Act which, as the Premier has intimated, the Government intends bringing down this session.

One of the most thorny subjects the Government has yet to dispose of is the Gaming Bill. A number of amendments have been made by the Legislative Council, and as there is a difference of opinion as to the effect of these they will be fiercely debated in the House. The Prime Minister is faced with the difficulty that there arc two members of the Executive who r.re the avowed friends of the bookmaker (says a Wellington correspondent). The House and the country want the bookmaker to go, but it is rumoured that in order to restore harmony in the Cabinet the Government may make the differences between the House and the Council an excuse for dropping the bill. This, however, would kindle such a blaze in the country- that it is hardly likely that the Cabinet would take the risk, even although two of the strongest Ministers may plead hard for the bookmaker.

Wanganui boasts a well-equipped fire brigade, and claims the distinction of having been the first Australasian town to adopt self-propelled fire apparatus. A steam driven motor fire, engine has been in satisfactory service for over seven years, and has now' been supplemented by a petrol motor first aid machine, comprising a hose tender, ladder carriage, hose reel and chemical engine. This will be used for first turn-out to a fire, and as It can start instantly, and travel at between 20 and 30 miles an hour. It should prove of immense value, In fact, there is no doubt that a large number of fires will be extinguished by the chemical engine alone, without resort to more powerful pumping plant. The chemical cylinder contains 35 gallons of fire extinguishing fluid, and can be brought into action in a few seconds. The ladders, which can be used for life saving or as a means of gaining access to the flames, extend o 30 feet, and can be rapidly unshipped from the carriage when required. Both the new motor and the old are productions of Messrs Merryweather and Sons, of London, who in the course of the last ten years have built over 150 fire brigade motor vehicles.

"In New Zealand," said Mr Wm. Henry of the Royal Life-saving Society at a complimentary luncheon tendered to him at the Y.M.C.A., "I find that swimming is not looked upon from any point of view other than that of sport.” He added that the development of the art as a sport did not commence until 1856. From a search of the records in the British Museum, he found that before that date very few swimming races were ever held. Swimming was largely looked upon as one of the duties of a soldier, in view of the practical use it could be put to, with Immense saving of time and labour, in fording rivers in time of war. "If,” he continued, “we look at history- and try to discover when and where it commenced vve will find that It has no beginning. \Ve can only find from records that 2000 years ago in India there were marble ballis—and if there were baths there must, have been swimming. Then, again, in the British Museum there is an Assyrian monument on which is depicted a representation of what we. of to-day term ’the new crawl stroke.’” (Laughter.) Speaking in another connection, lie deprecated the fact that breast-stroke and back-stroke swimming (both of which were most essential for life-saving purposes) seemed in the Dominion to be lost arts. The favourite stroke seemed to be of a hybridised species, being "a mixture of a crawl and a trudgeon.” To practise that style, and that alone, wa.s money and time wasted. Yet lie did not say that strokes other than the breast stroke should not be practised, in the matter of strokes, a swimmer should be an all-round man.

The highhandedness with which Britons are wont to rule the world has just received a rather amusing illustration. A Hull trawler was recently visited by a magistrate and revenue officer of Iceland, accompanied by a pilot, who went on board the trawler to seize it for fishing within the three-mile limit without authority The skipper did not, however, allow his boat to be seized. On the contrary he seized his two visitors, and arrived in Hull with them. He asserted that he was not will.in the three mile limit, but was five and a half miles from land. He explained that, as he refused to follow the revenue officer’s boat into port, that gentleman and the pilot jumped on board to repeat their order. The Indignant skipper asked them to return to their own steamer, and as they would not do so, hauled in iiis gear and left the spot, the magistrate and his companion shouting to those on board the revenue cutter, “wo are going to England. Give our love to our wives. We are all right’’ Evidently, in the skipper’s opinion, it was quite enough for him to assert that lie was outside the limit, and no local official had a right to Insist to the contrary.

The “New Zealand Herald," referring to the Public Works Statements, contrasts the expenditure on the different lines in the South Island with that on the North Auckland lines, and goes on to say: “Last year the votes for the South exceeded those for the North by the large sum of £162,000. An attempt was made to justify this glaring inequality on the grounds that it was expedient to bring several large works to the point of completion. That excuse, however, will not bear examination in the light of the figures now supplied, for the total vote asked for railways in the South this year is only £IB,OOO less than last year. It is impossible to arrive at any other conclusion than that the Ministerial prejudice in favour of the South, which has been so long and so often displayed, sometimes with cynical contempt for public opinion north of Cook Strait, still influences the Government in its allocation of public moneys to the great detriment, we believe, of the Dominion as a whole. Auckland is by far the largest contributor to the public revenue, from which interest on loans must be paid, and the loans themselves repaid, yet only in the North of Auckland is any line being pushed m connection with the Auckland system." To get from London to New Zealand In a week, or less, seems a tolerably "large order," and yet Professor Crombe, the English scientist, evidently anticipates that this seemingly impossible feat will be accomplished within the next forty years or so. Lecturing at Queen’s College, Harley Street, recently Professor Crombe is reported by the London correspondent of the "Lyttelton Times” to have said: “In 1950 New Zealand will certainly be as near London as Yorkshire was to the Metropolis 100 years ago.” It seems pretty hard for us to believe that, and 'yet had the Londoners of considerably less than a hundred years ago been told that a century hence or sooner, it would be possible to reach the heart of Yorkshire from London in four or five hours, they would, doubtless, have been as sceptical as most people are to-day regarding Professor Crombe’s prophecy. Forty years is a long time but the science of aviation, which of course, the Professor had in his mind when speaking, will need to make pretty considerable strides between this and 1950 if the run from Britain to “Greater Britain" is to be covered in anything like seven days.

“Feeding the tive thousand,” is, to an owner of that number of fowls, no small matter. Air W. Knight, of Lower Hutt, who farms between 4000 and 5000 head of poultry, finds that it takes fully two tons of foodstuff each week to feed the birds on his run, says the “Post.” Horseflesh incidentally forms an important item on the menu card. As an eggraiser Mr Knight says he is prepared to swear by the value of this commodity. Prices, he explained to visiting delegates from the Poultry Conference, range from “nothing to 20s” (deemed to be an outside price). Often the animals are practically “thrown at him” by owners of horses who have not provided a superannuation scheme for their old servants. On Wednesday Air Knight’s “beef house” contained three hindquarters and a forequarter, with sundry by-products, the erstwhile possessors of which might perhaps at one time have graced the prizering. In appearance the meat resembled very much the article to be found in a meat vendor’s establishment.

The schedule for the Rose Show on 14th December is now obtainable at all seedsmen, and from the secretary, K Patchett, Dee street, who will be pleased to give any information required.

We are looking forward to a big trade this summer season, and we have prepared for it by laying in a nice stock of watches, clocks, jewellery, silver tableware. quaint ornaments, etc. 1 We are content with a small profit.—T. M. Rankin. Tay street.

Thomson and Beattie, Ltd. have just secured a Manufacturer’s Sock of Samples of Drawn Thread Linen Afternoon Tea Cloths, at a big discount off manufacturers’ prices. These goods are all linen and hand drawn. The ordinary prices would be 6s 6d to 9s 6d each we are selling them at 4s lid each;; they would make very useful and suitable presents for Xmas.

Large shipment of choice Hava Tea has just been imported by J. S. Baxter from the famou., Rava Tea gardens. This consignment is well up to standard quality ; if any e.uinge this shipment of Rava Teas rather richer in liquor than former shipments; it maintains its character for good quality. Lovers of good tea at a reasonable price should try y. ten pound tin of the New Shipment ot Choice Rava Tea. This latest shipment of Rava Tea, is somewhat superior, but the price is still the same —ioib Baxter’s Pure Rava Tea for 13s Dd.

As the seasons change, so do Men’s Clothing requirements, and to meet their wants Price and Buileld have just opened up their summer Boaters, Panamas, Ridge Crown, and Brazilian Straw Hats, Summer Underclothing in Shirts Pants and Socks, at very reasonable prices. Tennis, Neglige, Tunic. Trilby, and Fashion Shirts —an immense variety in the latest colourings, and nobby stripes and checks. New Hats, Caps, Ties, Braces, Collars, Pyjama Suits arriving every day. Price and Buileld have also had made up to their own order ten specially good lines of Gent’s Tailored Box Suits, all sizes In Fashionable Tweeds and Worstcr; prices 40s, 49s 6d, 51s, 52s 6, 57s 6a, 62s 6d, if you want a real good suit call on this popular firm and see the value they are offering. IN nearly every Instance when a retailer buys largely in order to get a cut price he has to pass the saving along to the public in order to clear the goods quickly. That’:, just what is being done now at Ritchie and Co’s in the matter of travelling bags, suu cases, cabin trunks, iiat boxes, ajid nose of similar articles. Here is a chance tc get one of the real, last for ever, leather bags at the price you have been paying for shoddy. Ladies don’t spoil you hats every journey you take. Come and see our hat boxes; Just the thing at low prices.—Ritchie and Co., the \ alue Givers, De Street.

SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.

On Page I.— Lost—Gold Medal. Lost—Gold bangle. Wanted —Smart boy. Wanted—Boy for office. Wanted—Assistant porter. Lost—Lady’s costume in parcel. W r anted—A smart expressman. Wanted —Two cycle mechanics and boy—G. W. Woods & Co. Wanted to sell, in good order —Go-cart Wanted at once—First-class sawyer. .1911 calendars and ornaments at Wesney Bros. A carpenter wants country' work. Wanted —Wild horses to ride free. On Pago 3. For Up-to-date Mercery see Thomson and Beattie’s. ■_> ii Pate 4 Funeral of the late Elizabeth Louis to-morrow. Investigate the Plunket Hood Go-cart : See Wilson, Fraser’s aavi. On Page 6. Fuller’s Pictures to-night. Benefit Hayward’s Pictures to-night. ,T. E. MacManus’ address from Rotunda 10-nigh t. Nellie Stewart Company in Theatre on Friday. Ryan and Turpin insert notice re butchery' business. Southland Special cycles the best—See Wilson’ Fraser’s advt. Musical Union—Practice of "Messiah” on Thursday night. On ii’aa'o 3. Wyndham Stock Agents—Monthly sale on Thursday. The best in groceries, etc. —See Wright, Stephenson &. Co.'s advt.