Commercial Intelligence. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3274, 25 March 1885, Page 2

Commercial Intelligence. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1886.

Wb are glad to see that Sir Julius Yogel is still devoting his attention to reforms m the Postal and Telegraph Department. There was a time when the Postmaster-General wbb looked upon as a kind of respectable nonentity — a sorfc of makeweight m the Ministry who was nofc m a position to do any harm, and was not expected to perform any, active duties beside supporting his colleagues m the House, and signing papevs laid before him by the officevs of his department. As for his originating any question of policy his co-Ministers would probably have been struck dumb with astonishment if he had hinted at such a thing. The fact was that m constructing the Cabinet ifc used occasionally to be found necessary to take m somebody without any brains to speak of, and to keep him out of mischief he was given the Post-office to look after. Ifc must not be supposed, however, that this description applies to all who have held the portfolio. Not to go further back than fche Atkinson Administration, ifc must be admitted for example that the Hon. Mv Oliver was an exceedingly well-informed, able man of business who looked well after the interests of fche department, and was quite alive to the importance of improving its efficiency m every possible way. In vegavd to one of fche vefovms now pvoposed by Sir Julius Yogel, namely, the institution of a parcels post, Mr Oliver collected a large amount of info vm ation on the subject, and prepared a BUI dealing with the question which probably would have -been cawied if the Ministry had remained m office. With Siv Julius Yogel the Postoffice has always been more or less of a hobby, and there is no feav of fche portfolio becoming a sinecuve m his hands. Years ago we remembev reading a veiy able article from his pen m the Nineteenth Century magazine on the management of the Post and Telegraph Office, containing many useful suggestions, some of wbich may be advantageously adopted at the present time. Since his accession to the office m the pvesent Government, he has undoubtedly bestowed a vast amount of time and attention on the Department, and has succeeded m largely increasing the convenience of the

public. He now further promises to introduce a Parcels Post and the Postal Note system, both of which have proved of immense advantage m England. The former has largely stimulated trade by affording facilities for the free interchange of commodities all over the country, besides adding so largely to the social comforts and convenience of life as to make it a matter of wonder that it was not introduced long before. There is practically no limit td the articles sent by this medium. Londoners are enabled to receive clotted cream from Devonshire from the hands of the postman, together with the morning's letters — just m time for breakfast. Later on they may receive through the same medium an acceptable present of game from some friend on the Yorkshire moors or m the north of Scotland for that matter. Needless to pay also, the country cousins drop m for many little surprises m the shape of some of the novelties furnished m such abundance by the great metropolis. Those who are not fortunate enough to share m this pleasant interchange of compliments, find the Parcels Post an inestimable convenience m enabling them to to order from town what they are not able to procure m their immediate neighborhood. In New Zealand the difficulty of getting a small parcel from one part of the colony is very much greater than that which existed m England under the old system, arid it is needless to point out the numerous benefits to be derived from the introduction of the Parcels Post. We sincerely hope it will not be confined to the colony, but that similar facilities will be afforded for sending Home specimens of colonial products, and receiving m exchange small parcels from friends m England. There should be no difficulty m establishing such a means of conveyance now that we have the direct steamers running at regular intervals, and it might be made the means of considerable profit to the shipping companies as well as of great convenience to the public. The Postal Note system is almost a necessary complement to the Parcels Post, and m any case supplies a great public want, enabling as it does small remittances of money to be made cheaply and conveniently. Unlike Post-office Orders, Postal Notes are payable on demand, and pass from hand to hand, forming, m fact, a sort of small supplementary currency. Both these ideas aye due to the thoughtful enterprise of the late lamented Professor Fawcett, who will long be remembered as a type of what a Postmaster- Geueral should be, despising red-tape traditions, and making the convenience of the public the first consideration. We hope that Sir Julius Yogel, following m the same footsteps, will continue to devote his energies to still f urthev perfecting the Administration of the New Zealand office, which has always stood high m the past for the efficiency of its arrangements, and promises te stand even higher m the future. —# We think the Committee of the Mechanics' Institute, m asking that the Borough rates should be remitted on the bnilding, made out an exceedingly good case why the request should be granted. They showed that eight Institutes of a similar kind m the colony do not pay rates, and that some of them even receive a borough subsidy m addition. The library-room is open to the citizens and the public free of charge; the news-room is open to strangers and visitors for one week, and to captains and officevs of vessels whilst m port. The extent to which these privileges are appreciated is shown by the fact that at least 1000 visitors take advantage of the rooms during the year. It must be admitted, therefore, that .the. public derive a good deal of direct benefit from the existence of the Institute, to say nothing pf that caused indirectly by the circulation m the, district of sound, wholesome literature such as is contained m the Library. The Committee, we have no donbt, would be willing to offer even further concessions to the public, if it could be done without running the risk of losing subscribers, on whom, of course, they mainly depend. Their first aim must be to keep up the number of paying membei's, or otherwise the undevtaking would rapidly go to the wall. The real value of such .m institution to a community like this, is probably nofc fully realised until it is no longer available, when ifc is at once seen what a void is caused m the social life of the district. So impressed is Parliament with the value of such means of self -education and enjoyment that a subsidy is annually voted for their assistance, and, fchis being so, it seems almost incredible that a local body, so far from assisting such an institution, should be found levying a tax upon it. The Committee have been exceptionally modest m their requests. They did nofc venture to ask for any Tote of money m aid of fche building, but merely requested that, as an important aid m the advancement of education, it should enjoy the same exemptions possessed by schools and some other public institutions. The petition is so fair and so reasonable that we hope fche Council, at its next meeting, will agree to it. Wifch a little help of this kind we may fairly expect the Mechanics' Institute will be made more self-supporting, and that ifc will still further extend fche sphere of its usefulness.

A Comet Due.— Encko's comet, one of a short poriod, is expected to return to perihelion sometime during the next few weeks. Assessment Coubt. — The sitting of tliis Court for the Borough of Timarn which was fixed for to day, has been adjourned till Friday next. That well-known and Popular Front Bar of the Ship Hotel ia now Selling Marshall and Copeland's 'Ales at 3d per Glass and 9d per Quart. — [Advt.] Eclipse. — A partial eclipse of the moon, visiblo m Now Zealand, will take placo on Tuesday next, March 31st. Tho following aro reduced to New Zealand mean time. First contact with the penumbra lh. 20min. a.m., first contact -with shadow 2h. 29min. a.m., middle of the eclipse 4k. 4min. a.m., last contact with shadow sh. 40min. a.m., last contact with penumbra 6h. 49min. a.m. Levels Road Boabd. — Oui' "local" yesterday, stating that a ineoting of this Board was to be held yesterday morning waß incorrect. Wo were informed the meetiug, on account, of .. harvest -operations, had been still further adjourned to the third Tuesday m April. Defence Measubes. — Wo would remind all concerned that a public meeting will bo held m Mesgrs Maclean and Stewart's rooms at eight o'clock thia evoning to consider the best steps to be taken to provide forthe defence of this port. We hope to see a good attendance, as the matter is one concerning all classes of the community, whether living m ov outside the town, -.

O Battebt, N.Z.A. — Special orders rt Battery Camp are advertised this morning. S.C. Football Club.— The annual meet' ing of the .South Canterbury Football Clut will be held at the Assembly Rooms or Friday, at 5 p.m. Sunset Glow. — A peculiarly beautiful glow, similar to tho displays which caused sc much discussion m the scientific world last year, was visible m the western heavens aftei sunset last evening. The Resident Magistbatb. — We wen pleased to hear yesterday that the Resident Magistrate had so far recovered from hia recent indisposition that he purposes presiding at the Court to-morrow. Hunt Oura.— The Hon. Sec., Mr W. 8, Lindsay, announces this morning that the annual general meeting of the South Canterbury Hunt Clubiwill be held at the Ship Hotel on Saturday at 11.30 a.m. Primitive Methodist Chubch. — We remind our readers that a sale of useful and fancy articles m connection with the above church will be held this afternoon, m thf Oddfellows' Hall, Barnard street, the doore being open to the publio at 2 o'clock. The admission fee is but sixpence. In addition to the article Btalls, a stall will be provided where light refreshments of all kinds will be procurable. As an additional attraction the City Band has kindly consented to play at the Hall during the evening. : Resident Magistbatb'b Coubt. — At this Court yesterday sixty cases, including seven judgment summonses, wore set down foi hearing. Of theso the Justices who presided dealt with thirty-five, the remainder either being settled out of Court or judgment " confessed." To-morrow morning the presiding Justices of yesterday are to Bit at 10.30 to take one case, and the Resident Magistrate is expected to take some other cases at 11 o'clock. . Waimate Bobough Council. — The regular meeting of this Council was held on Monday evening last. Mr F. Jones made tho prescribed statutory declaration as a newlyelected member of the Council m the room of Mr Geo. Manchester, resigned. Present — His Worship tho Mayor and Councillors Watts, Collett, Haig, Mitchell, Camoron, Jones, Sinclair and O'Connor. Councillor Haig congratulated the Mayor on tho occasion of tho birth of a son during his year of oflice. The Mayor thanked Mr Haig for his kind expression of good wishes. Tho minutee of tho last meeting were confirmed. Inward and outward correspondence since last meeting waa read : — From Messrs O'Connor and Hughes, on behalf of Mrs Sims, asking foi a remission of the rate for this year. From Mrs Long with the same object. From the Waimate Library Committee, informing thai a meeting of subscribers, specially convened to consider the transfer of the property of the Institute to the Borough Council, had approved of tho proposal, and recommended the Library Committee to carry out tho same if the Council are willing to accept. From Mi J. H. Taylor, asking for the erection of a sireet lamp at the corner of Queen and Steward streets. From the Treasury, enclosing £i 2 lis 7d, subsidy granted for the payment of work recently done by the unemployed, It was resolved that the application on behalf of Mrs Sims and Mrs Long re non-payment of Borough rates bo granted for this year, The Clerk was instructed to take a poll of the ratepayers on the 13th of April next, with a view to ascertaining whether the burgesses are agreeable to the Council accepting the offer of the Library Committee tc hand over the Institute to the Council ; the poll to be taken as provided by the Regulation of Local Elections Act. It was resolved — "That a street lamp be erected at the corner of Queen and Steward streets, and another lamp at tho corner of Manse and Innis streets." Accounts amounting to £63 8s 4d were passed for payment, and thc Council adjourned. The Shooting Season. — Ab the shooting ssason commences next week (Ist April), Mi T. G. Rowley, the well-known gunsmith and sporting goods dealer of this town yesterday courteously allowed us to inspect his new stock, which is now complete, and is but a few weeks oui from the best Home makers. In prefacing our remarks we may say that Mr, Rowley'f stock is now the largest of its kind m thii colony, and being specially selected is perfeel m even the smallest detail, and lovers oi sport can find amongst it articles to suit ai tastes and all branches of sport. As Mi Rowley's window space ia limited ho cannot of course, oxpose all bia goods to view; but his shop onco entered, the visitoi can then see that our remarks about his stock arc not m the least exaggerated. Chief among the new goods to baud tlus year are some breech-loading guns by Bland and Sons the well-known gun makers, of London These guns are of two kinds, are made with beautifully chased Damascus barrels and the equally strong but plainer looking laminated steel barrels. A special feature of them it that they are chambered for. " Kynoph'f Perfect Metallic Shell," a cartridge which ie now very much m use m tho Old Country, and is said to be superior to paper case cartridges. Talking of cartridges, we were shown the latest specialty for carrying them m large numbers. It is a very neat, thiol leather trunk, some twelve inches square ; ii fitted with a small lid and strong braes lock and oxtra leather strap fasteners. II holds 300 cartridges, the interior being partitioned off into three parts, and by an ingenious arrangement of leather band: the cartridges as the anpply decreases car bo raised up level with the box so that nc trouble is given m getting them out. Thii trunk by taking out the partitions, which are movable, can also bo uaed for a variety ol purposes, many of which will doubtlesf suggest themselves to the sportsman. Ol Eley's paper case cartridges there is a plentiful supply, the " green " this year Belling af 18s 6d a hundred, and the "blue" at 17s; central fire and pin firb being to hand m about equal quantities. Of cartridge, belts and bags there is also a first-claas assortment a novelty of tho latter being a compartment for cartridges, and anotlier — a smaller onefor carrying a "snack" of bread and cheese m, or a fow sandwiches; while some very neat dram bottles or flasks BUggesl something of a liquid kind. In disposing of cartridges we must not omit to mention that a sample card is on viow, so that anyone desiring a particular cartridge for eithei fowling piece, rifle or revolver can be suited with the least delay. The stock of guna comprise breech and muzzle loaders, botb double and single barrelled, and those " foi hire" will be found to be equal m quality and accuracy of shooting, as thoso " for Bale." Among the other numerous articles to hand are decoy duck 3 j " leg of mutton " leather gnn cases ; ' cartridge fillers, for Kynoch's Perfect and Eley'e paper cartridges ; game bags, dog'calls, &c. A few splendid field glasses are another specialty, and a glance through them will convince anyone that they cannot be surpassed foi quality ; whilst a novelty are aome real old' fashioned conductors' whistles. In the barque Deva, now m port, aro wadimg trousers stockings, and " brogues " of the latest pattern. As we have not space tc deal at length with the gooda on Mr Rowley's lißt, we recommend thoße interested to accept his invitation to go and inspect for themeelves, and we are quite sure they will bo astonished at the quantity and quality of the goods hia shop contains. Saving Life. — -The splendid servicea rendered by the lifeboats of the Boyal National Lifeboat Institutions during 1884 resulted m the reacu^ of 596 lives, the greater part of which must have perished had it not been for the promptness and the daring _of the brave crews of tho lifeboats. In addition to the saving of life, 17 vessels were by meanß of the lifeboats rescued m 1884 from being totally wrecked, or were brought by them safely into harbor Further, tlie lifeboats w6ro launohed 14S times m reply to distress signals, but returned to shore, tho crews having jeopardised their lives m vain because the signals had been either made m error, or help was not required. During the year tho Socioty alao granted rewards for the rescue of 169 lives by means of shore-boats and fishing-boats, sc that a grand total of 780 lives had been saved m the laat twelve months through its instrumentality, bringing up the number of live* saved since tho foundation of the institution to 31,343. In order to carry on this great work, which is Becond to none m importance, and to maintain m efficiency their fleet ol 254 boats, the committee make a strong appeal to the publio for help.

? Easily Rembmbbbbd. — The latest medicine for horses' legs is called " Neurasthenip- ■ ponskelesterizo." One of the big beasts > at a cattle show was called " Llanfair 1 Pwllgwyngyllgogerchwyrwyd Robw Llan-; disiliogogogocn." Farmera will easily reI member thia. j Povbbtt and Sufpbbing. — "I was ; dragged down with debt, poverty, and r suffering for years, caused by a sick family and large bills for doctoring, which did them 5 no good. I was completely discouraged, i until one year ago, by tho advice of my i pastor, I procured Hop Bitters and com--5 menced their use, and m one month wo were all well, and none of ub havo seen a siok day . since ; and I want to say to all poor men, > you can keep your families well a year with ■ Amorican Co.'s Hop Bitters for less than one i doctor's visit will cost, I know it." — A Wobking Man. Read.— [Advt.] . , How to gbt Siok. — Expose yourself day I and night, Bit too much without exercise, , work too hard without rest, doctor all the j time, take all the vile nostrums and imitations , advertised, and then you will want to know s How to Get Well. — Which is answered , m three words — Tako American Co.'s Hop [ Bitters! Read— [Advt.] s In Consumption, " Baxter's Lnng Preserver " has been signally successful. h In Whooping Congh, " Baxter's Lnng Pre- ' server "ia a specifio. Soro Throat quiokly yields to "Baxter's Lung Preßerver." _ In Cronp, " Bxater's Lnng Preserver " , operates magically, its expectorant and other [ properties affording speedy relief SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVEBTISEMENTS. i Miles, Archer and Co.— Sell sheep, etc., at Wash- . : dyke on tho lst prox. i J. MundcU and Co.— WiU sell merino ewes on the lst prox. 5 S.C. Hunt Club— Hold annual general meeting on Saturday. W. M. Storey— Has received a shipment of new tweeds. . Judge Assessment Court, Timaru— Notice re postponement of sitting. E. A. Griffin— Personal explanation. W. Moody— Wants turnips for feeding off sheep. District Land Registrar— Land Transfer Act notice. Charles Crane— Notice re pigeon match ; wants 100 pigeons. Pratt's Hairdressing Rooms— Are now open. I Primitive Methodist Church— Hold a. sate of work to-day. 1 C Battery— Special ordere re Battery encampment. ' S.C. Football Club— General meeting on Friday.