IRONSAND MATTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7173, 17 September 1886, Page 2

IRONSAND MATTERS.

The subject of renewing the offer of a bonus of £1000 for the production of 300 tons of iron within the colony was urged on the Hon. Mr. Ballance to-day by Messrs. R. O. Hughes, Corkill, and Dockrill. The Hon. Mr. Ballance said that he was personally opposed to granting a bonus for the production of a stated amount of manufactures. In no single instance in New Zealand had that system of encouragement pioved successful in establishing an industry. Sufficient of the manufactured article Lad always been manufactured just to get the Bonus, and then matters stopped. It was explained by the deputation that that objection could not apply in this case. !r the newly - formed company succeeded in smelting 300 tons of iron, and so earning a bonus, the success of tho iudubtry would be practically established. Work would not^ then be stopped, as there would bo no difficulty in raising a largo capital if that measure of success was achieved. The Hon. Mr. Balknce replied that in that case the objection he had mentioned would not apply. He would, therefore, further the request ot the deputation, but his action would be conditional upou the proinotcis giving a guarantee to raise the necessary capital lor carrying oa the industry alter it had earned the bonus. This was deemed favorable by the deputation, who then withdrew.

My. King, Chairuun of the Harbour Board, Mr. IT. A. (Jarringtou, and Mr. 1 ( . P. Corkill waited on tho Hon. Mr. Ballance to - day and brought under his notice the delay shown by the Government in paying tho claims oi; the Harbour Board in respect of the gooJs sheds and other effects taken over by the Railway Department on the opening of the Moturoa Railway. The Hon. Air. Ballance promised to bring the ranter under the noticu of the Minister of Public Works. Iho Hon. Mr. Balluuce aho promised to lay bet ore the Miuidter for Public Works the necessity for widening the port road.

Dr. Cleghom, of Blenheim (New Zealand) his successfully taken the degree of M.D. at Durham University.

The will of Mr. Louis Nathan, late of Hobart, has been proved under £75,000. The chief legatees are the deceased's nephews in New Zealand.

The Times of Saturday, July 24, devotes three columns to a description of the New Zealand Court at the Exhibition.

A Dunedin butcher is shipping mutton and beef to Melbourne. A trial order was sent by a Melbourne firm and proved co satisfactory that an enlarged order has been received.

Iv the worst room of the lowest Chinese crib in Sydney the prayer, " God bless our Honif," in letters iour inches long and beautifully illuminated, hangs conspicuously over the opium couch.

Happy Zealamlia ! There is one policeman to every 12G6 inhabitants in New Zealand, to 672 iv New South Wales, to 502 in Queensland, to 803 in Victoria, and 718 in South Australia.

Most fashionable women have had the reproach of extravagance of dress levelled at them ; perhaps none deserved it more than the late Princess Metternich. A census of her wurdrobo was taken by a persevering statist of Paris, who lost no time in publishing the result of his investigations to the world. The outfi, amounted to abouc this :—l2O: — 120 silk dresses, 194 morning gowns, 152 petticoats, 28U chemiseß and other under garments, 365 pairs of gtockiugs (a short supply), 150 paira of gloves, 5U pairs of boots and shoes, 70 belts and bashes, G4 brooches, 72 pairs of earriij-r!-, 31 fans, 24 parasolp, bonnets not tukeu into uccouut, ditto veils. The Piince and Princess of Walts supped on the L)ceum stage with Mr. In lug and Miss Terry on the night ot July 24. The Royal party attended the Bpecinl performance giving at Mr. Irving'a Theatre in aid of the Actors' Benevolent Fund, and at the conclusion they went beliinu the scenes to supper. Four friends joined them, tho part} numbering eight, in all. A tint was erected on the stage, aud by the time that Miss Terry and Mr. Irving liud put oIE their stage attire an*i dresbid themselves iv every day gnib supptr wub ready. The presence ot the Princess was a wry high complimeui in iced to the actor, the actress, and, indeed, to the theatre. The Prince has frequently take supper at the Lyceum and tho Huj market, but the Piincess was never before Saturday the guest of an} actor. At a meeting of the representative agents and exhibitors of the Colonial Exhibition, held at South Kensington on July 26 it was resolved tnat advantage ough to be taken oL the present gathering ot colonials ia England to advance the interests of direct trade between the colonies dud tho mother country. With this erni iv \iew it \vun pioposed to sturt a aort of Loniuiu'citil Exchange* iv une ot the rooiiis of '" Old Lonuon," and v Coinun t< c consisting ot Air. LI. J. Scott (ot S.A.), -Mr. SiuiiuoikJ'J (of New Zealand), Mi. Diom-sim (of Violoiiu), and olhery, was appointed to deiiuc a general {.lan ot action, and diaw up regulations for canning out the objects of the exchange. The weather ia Auckland lately has betu vei) wot mid cold. Tlu depression in the bout trade stiil continues iv Melbourne. The uik mplu^ud iv Chiiotuhuroh m-jct Bt "• ill pllilll.Ui 1.1111(1 post.' 1 Tliu Tiiauiu llcndd tlnukH that Judgo Ward hliouiu be v.y l ouilcd permaneutly to the benv.li of tnu bupiemo Luurt.