LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 302, 23 December 1907, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

I he Taranaki Daily Xews will not be published on Christmas Day or Bo\iii" Day.

One of the prettiest sights at the lo oil Recreation Grounds at the. present lime is the immense wealth of water lillies in the ponds. These are a treat lo witness. The like is to be seen in few places, either in or withoutthe Dominion,

On November 4th an old man, 90 years of age, entered the Crown Ollice of the Law Courts, London, and set down a voluminous document, which proved to be an affidavit. Asked what it was, he said it was au action he was taking against "the King, Crown, and Parliament of England for £2(1.000 dama«c; for neglect," and added that he wanted to sue m forma pauperis. It turned out that the old man was Air. John W. Burt, a Tasnianiatt, once an employer of the late lion. Richard John Scddon, and that the coming trial' (for the affidavit was proved to be regular ami in order) arises out of an action in Tasmania nearly twenty years ago. Burt now resides iii the London County Council lodging-house in Drury Lane.

Prince tiuslave of Denmark, allhoit'di only H> yearn of age, is (say's M.A.I'., little short of ■>[ slum., ainl. like the youthful giant in tlic show, he "is still growing." He has tried most "remedies" I'/r his great girth, but still it kliows ao sign ol diminution. The Prince tells many a good .story ancnt remarks inspired hy his great weight. Perhaps the limmosl deals with a walk taken hy his Highness through some of the poorer districts, of Copenhagen, Suddenly a small gamin, who could possibly have been 1,0 older Mian eight, slopped in front ol him. The boy | ie ld ,„, hi* arins ~„,[ opened Ins moulh i (1 a „!<.,, simulation <>t horror. Then he in feigned concern: "I say, mister, if yoll . n lake my lip you 11 give up eitin' for a bit Its beginning to tell on yer!"

The new daily paper to be issm d in Sydney m the Labour interest tie ';■ the management of Mr. ,1. C. Wats. - e\-1ea.1..r 0 f the j y ,,|„ )llr l> ar t v< j s u,..' | rwerred to in „. letter from a member of the Duncdiu Star staff now in Melbourne:—"The real promoters of Die paper will lie found to be men who are directing one of tlie greatest newspaper syndicates in England. The new paper will be issued at >/,•<! early next vcur, in the hope of moulding public opinion j„ view of the next general election. J|i. WatsonV retirement is regretted by all -ides, as lie has exhibited powers of statesmanship, coupled wilh studious moderation. His inlluence, though no longer colli rolling (he dcslinies uf the Federal Labour Party, is unmistakable, and was ii-ihl to jmic-Ii advantage in the tarill' dcbales.

Those who (ravel to fnrrin parts have all Hie advantage of education. A >,Yw Zoalander who not long a«o did some motoring in the north of Prance was -in-prised lo read on a sign in a field: "fira>s.—yiiort-l-ailed horses half-a-franc ; i day. Long-tailed horses one franc << day. - ' Thinking be had discovered a I'reach Murk Twain, he dismounted and impiired. lint found lie was face lo face with a pcrl'eclly serious proposition. The sturdy farmer explained to him that during the summer Hie Mies annoy Ihe horses so much that t|„, short-lulled animals are kept busy brushing them I oil' with nioiilh as well as wilh tail, conj scipiently (hey e:\ii only eat half as much as (he long-tailed ones. The canny Nor- ! man farmers know (his so well that the regular tariff of half-price lias become e-iablished for the short-tailed horses. The chances :.ie that there have been short-lailed horses ovtu. since Ihev sfart-.-,1 to c-if grass. As for the Hies, well, they dale back lo the stubborn Pharoah of the Exodus, if no earlier, yet the elVect of the combination on a horse's appetite is a twentieth century discovery.

In Chambers, before Mr. Justice Dennisluii, probate of the will of the lute Jane Tunilmll, of lluirangi, wua granted on the applieation of Mr. Ourge Grey, of Wilson and Grey.

A correspondent writes:—Whether tlie person responsible fur llie severe slushing with a knife of the seats on the esplanade is generally a cheerful idiot or merely sull'ering from a touch of midsummer madness, there will Ue hut one opinion of him—that he ought either to he in a mentaniospital or gaol.

Tin' "Dominion" reports Unit a subscription list for funds Tor the proposed Low Parliamentary Buildings on the lines suggested by the Premier ut Taihapc was circulated in a prominent club in Wellington on Wednesday evening. Till' yield amounted to Is V/A a few 1 postage stamps, and three buttons.

Jlmli astonishment lias t»wU caused in Berlin by the publicauOTi ot census statistics showing the occupations of the I population of Prussia. According to these figures the population of Berlin proper has sunk from 2,0-10,148 on Ist December, 1005, to 2,001,040 on 12th .I une this year. Allowing for the natural I rate of increase, the population of the capital of the German Empire should be 10,(111(1 more, instead of 40,000 less, and people are naturally asking where are (he missing 80,000. The general opinion seems to he that the Statistical Ollice has made a mistake somewhere.

Senor Juan Manila, a -Mexican mineowner who died recently, has left CS(i,iHio to .Mrs. Paesehke, of Milwaukee, whom he never saw, because he fell in love with her photograph. The photograph was shown him by n friend of \lrs. I'acselfke who went to -Mexico on business. Senor Manda wrote immediately to Mrs. l'tiesclike, hut she did not respond. Soon afterwards lie died, and when his will was opened it was found that his entire fortune had been left to the woman of flic picture. There are no heirs-at-law, and Sirs, l'aesehke will receive the money as soon as the estate is settled.

Life for December, a copy of which ' wo are in receipt, is an excellent nuiuiier, containing several very instructive j and interesting articles. The editor be- < gins his new series of articles upon , "Strange Pages in Australasian iUstory," introducing which the writer Bays:—-''Both Australia and New Zealand have a history, it is rich in romance, packed with adventure, dark, on some pages at least, with mystery. And m these articles au attempt will be made to describe some of the strange and exciting incidents in that history." The lirst article deals with theories and facts about the discovery of Australia.

Before Mr A. Turnbull, S.M-, at Stratford, on Friday, Henry Savage, of Stratford, carrier, and John Savage, ot Stratford, farmer, were separately charged with damaging a window blind and other property of Henry Hunt, of Waipuku. 11. Savage pleaded not guilty and John Savage guilty, in giving his decision, the Magistrate stated that in some respects the ease was a very peculiar one. He -was afraid that if he dismissed the information, he would be accusing the informants of a conspiracy. Ho fined defendant 11. Savage €1 and costs, and J. Savage 10s and costs, and the cost of the damage done to the property in addition. The editor of the New Zealand Times numbers Lionel Terry amongst his correspondents, but is not proud of the fact. "A dangerous mono-maniac" is the term in which the editor refers to "the unfortunate man" in a note dealing with a long letter which Terry had written to the Times. It is apparent, from the tone of the letter, that this idol of the anti-Chinese has not benefitted mentally either by his enforced retirement at Scaclifl', or by his three weeks' pre-Christmaa outing over the bills and far away from the home of his friend, Dr Truby King. The letter which Terry has sent to the Times is taken- up with a rehearsal of his antiChinese grievance, But it goes further than .lolm Chinaman will like. Terry, in the letter, still contends that the shooting of aliens is a highly commenlable proceeding, and intimates his Intenti'in to repeat the act. His design in slaying the Chinaman in llaining street (Wellington) was to put our laws to the test. He was mcf, he says, wit'i "arrogant ignorance, contemptuous scorn' and transparent trickery,' 5 and he insinuated : n pretty hroad terms that he intends 10 give the administrators another chance.

■Says the "Dairyman..:—After eightyeight visits to the dairying districts of Taranaki, we have been able to make sonic investigations into the alleged child slavery question, and particularly as to the way it all'ects the future career of the children. The first case we have traced is that of a small farmer occupying fifty acres of land near Stratford. Th:s family consists of four sons, all of whom did their share of milking from tlu' lime they were old enough until they left to '"do'' for themselves, and the'cll'ect of the healthy farm life is particularly striking in their case. Three of the four sous are certificated teachers under various Hoards of Kducation in the Dominion, and the fourth is a bank teller in a busy branch of a city bank. Of course, our readers are well aware that M'nii-idiots are always chosen for school teachers, and they are equally well aware that bank managers-always select dull-wilted men to occupy the responsible position of teller in the busy city banks. In our opinion the father >f these sons, who was himself a working miner in the Old Country, has good reason to feel proud of the start in life that he has been able to give these four sons, j Child slavery, indeed!

Argentina has generally been held up as u dangerous rival to the Dominion of New Zealand, but this view is not shared by a New Zealand pastoralist who went there some time ago to ascertain if it was worth his while to lake up land and settle in that country, lie comes bach somewhat disillusionised. "Things are not what they have been cracked up to be," lie observed to a Post reporter. Jfc wan impressed by Mr. Kinsella's account of Argentina, but since he has seen the country his views have undergone a change. He had not, perhaps, tliu same facilities as lie had, nor so much time at hits disposal, but lie cannot see how the country is going to be a severe competitor with New Zealand. The price of laud is now live times higher than it was six years ago, but there is not an unlimited supply of really lirwt-class land. The returns from Hocks ill such circumstances are not nearly so good as those for New Zealand flocks. Owing to the long distance from the freezing-works, and to scab, sheep have to be dipped six times a year. As a dairying country it is, in the judgment of the New Zealander, a dismal failure, and Die export of butler, he savs. Ims fallen from 5001) tons to -11)1)0 tons last year. A dairy-owner milking about 20l> cows (old him that the decline in (lie dairying industry was due to luck of intelligence and the general incapacity of the workers. Asked if (he graingrowing in the Argentine would seriously compete with Canada, the pastoralist replied that he did not think so. tie said that with regard to beef, Argentina was certainly well placed, but he thinks (heir exports have reached the limit, as ipiite a large number of breeding cows are being killed. The high prices and competition among freezing companies tempt raisers to ship anything. There are seven hig freezing companies, hut they are. ],,. understands, paying verv small dividends.

In conversation with a. Lyttejton Times reporicr the other day, Lieut. -hiekleUm remarked that traces of tin and sold have been found in the place to wlihli the Antarctic expedition is going. "IHir expedition U not lifted up for dealiiiK «'itli these things, but if we are successful in respect to valuable nielals it will be a good thing for New Zealand. Oilier expeditions to inquire, Into the possibilities of the country In that direction will be sent out, and'they will leave from Xew Zealand ports. It is not -is bad in winter time there as it is at Kloii.lyke. A Klondyke miner, who is worth about two millions ami a quarter, .-peaking to me in Loudon, said lie thought that (here was every possibility before the coiinlry in those regions. We are not going for' that, and must put it on one side, but we can gain the land for the Empiiv. ami it, will he within Xew Zealand's sphere of inllueiice." Somewhat frecpient reference is made to the wealth-producing Wailii mine. A

Cishorne Herald man has been there on a vUil, and he tells «s that the number of men employed at the mine alone is liiill, and al I he mine and mills connected therewith about I.iOO. There are three

hauling shifts mid one pumping shift engaged daily. The present depth of the low-level working is lIIIHIft, the tolal tonnage hauled per 2-1 hours over im.OOli; present output about CIJII.OOO per il days. The mine has about four miles of private railway, wilh locomotives and large trains of trucks busily employed. The mine is worked on the contract system, which is more satisfactory than wages, and Hie miners make good money. Of the three large pumps only two are in operation, the capacity of these bemg 7*lo gallons and 1(1,1)00 gallons respectively per minute, ft would occupy a full day to explore thoroughly the underground workings. A huge suction gas plant is now being instaM :. ■>A':-mRMMm

The Fitzroy Fire Brigade acknowledges with tlumks a donation of iC> 2s from lira. Bramley ns a mark of appreciation of their services at the recent lire at Fitzroy.

Mr. F. J. McLean has donated a gold modal to the New Plymouth Caledonian Society as a points prize for piping ami (liuidiig in the adult events at the so-

ciety's sports on 26th February. "The man who makes se.ventccn-and

i-iix or eighteen bob a day deserves it," raid ii member of tile Moil Uund Jtonril on Saturday, when one of his colleagues used thai fact as an argument against giving the usual amount of 3s 3d a yard to stoncbreaker*. It was eventually deeided to oiler the usual rate. The Harbor Board went into committee on Friday afternoon to discuss the I subject of the proposed increase in salaries and wages, and decided to hold a special meeting on Wednesday, loth January, IUUB, for the purpose of mak- | i»g full inquiries in connection therewith, and they decided that any increase which may be made should date from Ist January next. | The secretary of the New Plymouth

Caledonian Society desires us to acknowledge a donation from Mr. P, Mcllvride,

of the Criterion Hotel, of n gold medal for the 100 yards New Zealand championship event to he run at the society's sports on 20th February next. The society would gratefully receive like donations for the quarter and half mile i championship events. The reckless speed of the motor cyclist is quite a byword. Sometimes his judgment is lacking, too. On Saturday afternoon one of these scorchers endeavored to steer between an omnibus and a trap travelling in one direction anil another vehicle coining towards him. The necessary swerve capsized the spluttering machine, which fell under the nose of one of the horses. Things were lively for a moment or two, but no serious damage was done.

Messrs. Foreman and Armstrong, of Tikorangi, lost several cattle the other day in a very simple fashion. Some painting had been going on, and a whitelead can left lying around. Several head of young cattle and a milch cow licked the can and contracted a liking for the white lead. When there came a sudden mortality amongst the stock the owners wen; puzzled, and communicated with the Veterinary Department. Captain Voting quickly diagnosed the cases as those of poisoning, and on opening one of the beasts found the white lead in the internals.

Considerable interest is being taken by the Crown tenants in the impending election of their representatives throughout the Dominion. The elections, which lake place under the regulations' already gazetted, are now being held at Auckland, llawkes Bay, and Marlborough. There are also vacancies in the Nelson and Southland districts, and other vacancies will occur as follows:—Taranaki, sth February, 1008; Wellington, 20th. May, 1909; Canterbury, sth August, 1908; Westlaud, 29th March, 1908; [ Olago., 13th October, 1008. The tenants arc to be allowed one representative on each Land Board.

A married woman, Mrs Wilson, gave some interesting figures to. the Arbitration Court in Christclitirch last week, regarding the weekly cost of living, computed for a family of a father., mother, ami three chiHren, three, five, and seven years old, living in a four-roomed house. 'Die detaite were: Groceries (kerosene, butter, and eggs included), 8s 4d; bread, 2s 6d; meat, Gs; fish, Is; coal and firewood, 2s 8d; milk, 2s 3d; vegetables and fruit, Is (id; one newspaper, (id; lodge or other society, 2s; clothes and boots, 10s; total, £2 9s 9d. No allowance was made for tram or other fares, for any luxury whatever, or for sickness, and it would be seen from her statement that a man earning Is an hour Mould be steadily running into debt. The sneak-thief who excited much attention in Wellington and other parts of New Zealand not long ago has not ! been alarmingly on the puoJic stage . lately, but he is not yet dead, says tne . Wellington Post. Pilferers have been ( giving the Railway Department a good , deal of worry. Anything easily inov- [ able in a railway carriage generally takes wings, and flics to the home of the . sneak thief. The filters are not pur- , loined, but the glasses go. Cakes ot ', soap vanish almost as soon as they are \ put near the basins of the lavatories, it was thought that the robbers would be circumvented by the installation of : soap powder in cannisters, but the de- ; partmeut had not properly estimated | the calibre of the plunderers. The ; powder marched away. The thieves grew bolder, and took away whole canisters. The authorities, still anxious to : give respectable members of the public a chance to remove railway soot from ; their hands, have arranged for the tins to be firmly embedded in the walls of | carringes. Towels are another tewptation for the. dishonest. The Kailway Department had another trouble of a different kind on a section of ' railway in SoutHlan* Men travelled ' from a no-license area to a settlement 1 where there was no bar upon the beer. ■ There they loaded up inside and out ; (with bottles). On the run home the ■ bottles were sometimes tapped in the \ lavatories, and the empties were thrust violently into the poreclain hand basins, which smashed under the onslaught. It was found almost impossible to keep'a basin intact in many of the carriages, and once more the department's ingenuity was invoked to defeat the thirstv destroyers. Cast-iron basins have heen ordered for the line, and they will be installed presently. It j g a q un ; nt sc , quel to the carrying of no-license. A rather amusing discussion took place recently between a young doctor and an old lady who was once a nurse, as to the relative values of the old-time and modern remedies. Naturally the yomi" doctor was very emphatic on the sit perionty of everything modern, while the old lady still pinned her faith to the good old salts and senna and the everlasting mustard plaster. .Her contention was that there was nothing with the same drawing powers as the mustard plaster, and that it was a never-failimr remedy far all aches and pains. The doctor, while admitting that there was a good deal of truth in what she said pointed out that owing to the inconvenience experienced after the removal of the plaster the cure was worse than tie disease. The old huly wouldn't have that such was the case, and, gettinc rather warm on the matter, said that perhaps it didn't draw as much out of a patient as the doctor did, but still, H would draw more than any of his rem6 . (lies. A gentleman standing hv, and finding the discussion getting too hot, | stepped in with the announcement that there was a new remedy about to be mtruinced to the publjic that won*,] maw better, was cheaper, and was easier

lo use than anything ever yet'discovoiod H (. ol , rse t |, cy W|uitc(l t() ku(w wiiiit this wonderful remedy wa.i so wove, told jp go to tlio R arden party in tin. iuTiration .Sports ftround on Now 'ears Day, and (hey would see l>v the •'"ormons ,-,'owd the frreat drawingpower ol (1„. prolamine snlimifted and 'ls ciirm K ■innlilies by thc j, )caße(l ex . prcssion on the faces.