The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3307, 4 May 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1885.

The English Chancellor of the Exchequer has made his annual budget statement, and the British taxpayer finds himself called upon to meet a considerable deficiency. It must have been an unpleasant task for Mr Ghilders, who. last year expected there would be a surplus of a quarter of a million, to have to announce that, although the revenue had exceeded his estimate by about two and a-balf millions, the expenditure had so much more increased that there was a deficit of about a million sterling to be provided for. Still less agreeable was it to have to anticipate that during the coming year the ordinary revenue would fall short of the expenditure by nearly three millions, so that altogether, including the recent vote of credit for eleven millions, he had to come upon the country with a demand for no less than £14,900,000. It must have been the more galling because Liberal Administrations usually pride themselves on being able to produce a nourishing balance-sheet at tbe end of the year, and, to do them justice, have generally had a popular budget to present to tbe nation, remission rather than increase of taxation being the leading feature m their financial policy. There are, of course, two ways m which a budget satisfactory to look at may be evolved. . It may either be the result of careful administration and economy, or it may be produced by the simpler but less satisfactory process of neglecting matters which ought, m the interests of the country, to bo attended to. For example, a large amount of the augmented expenditure of last year is due to the fact tbafc tbe Government, m response to a national deipantl for improved armaments, had to expend some three millions more on the army and navy than was provided for m tbe

Estimates. Opponents of the Government will, of course, say that they had been neglecting their duty m this respect m the past, and although they had thereby improved the appearance of previous budgets, they now have to put their hands m the nations pockets more deeply than ever, and expenditure which would have been more efficient and less severely felt if spread over three or four years, now has to be dragged m a lump sum from the taxpayers and hurriedly disbursed. What amount of truth there is m this view we do not pretend to say. We do know that the money has been provided freely and ungrudgingly notwithstanding the heaviness of the amount ; and that m view of the existing crisis, it will be generally admitted that the prophetic instincts of the nation, which led it some months ago to make provision for a possible storm approaching, has proved itself amply justified by events. In regard to the war credit of i £11,000,000 for the Soudan War and Anglo-Russian " contingencies," it may also be argued that both of these might have been avoided if a more enlightened Foreign policy had guided our rulers m the past. Here again, however, the country has cheerfully responded to the call, as it would have done to one of five times the amount if it believed the honor and dignity of England were at stake. It is curious to note bow the income tax has held its ground since it was revived by Peel m 1842, having been originally introduced by Pitt. Mr Gladstone has repeatedly held out hopes of its abolition, but so far from those hopes being realised, his Government, as we have seen, is now actually obliged to ask for an increase of the tax. It is so convenient a method of screwing a few extra millions out of the nation that we doubt if statesmen will ever be found very ready to abandon it. An extra penny on the tax will always produceabout£l,2oo,ooo,or£l,4oo,ooo, and bo simple an expedient of " plucking the goose without making it cry," is hardly likely to be given up m a hurry. One of the difficulties of English financiers m recent years has been the spread of the temperance movement, and the consequent decrease m the Customs revenues from alcoholic liquors. It will be interesting to watch the effect of Mr Childers' additional impost on spirits and beer. At present the duty, both excise and import, on spirits is about 10s per gallon, and beer 6s 3d per barrel. The former has been increased by 2s per gallon, and the telegram states that the duty on beer has been raised Is per gallon. Such an increase would be enormous, and we must presume that Is per barrel is meant. The rise m the duty on spirits is heavy, and it remains to be seen whether it will tend to a decreased consumption or merely offer a fresh incentive to smuggling. Concerning the suspension of the National Debt Sinking Fund, it will be remembered that m 1883 Mr Childers introduced a complicated system of terminable annuities, by which he proposed to pay off no less than £133,000,000 during the next 20 years. Schemes for paying off the National Debt, however, always presuppose absence of expensive wars and fairly prosperous years. It is unlucky that so soon after the inception of his plan, the present Chancellor of the Exchequer should find it necessary to suspend its operation. The most striking feature about the Budget is the ease with which this large deficiency of nearly fifteen millions is provided for, on Mr Gladstone's principle, within the current year, without any addition being made to the National Debt. An extra twopence on the income tax, an addition of 2s per gallon on spirits, and Is per barrel on beer, the suspension of the Public Debt Sinking Fund — and lo ! the thing is done. A wave of the Chancellor's wand, and the British public, almost without feeling it, is made .to hand over, m addition to the ordinary taxation, a sum more than four times the average revenue of this colony. Such a fact show 3 very strikingly the resources of Great Britain, and gives some indication of what she could do m the event of a severe strain, like a war with Russia, being put upon her powers.

Ghbaldinb Eoab District. — Tho annual meeting of ratepayers of the Geraldine Road District will be held at the Bond Board office, Geraldine, at noon to-day. Unclaimed Lettebs. — The following is a list of letters from places beyond the colony, received at tho Poet-office, Timaru, during the month of February, 1885, and unclaimed on the 30th April, 1885 :— Bradahaw, John (2) j Davis, N. D.; FiUgerald, John ; Prendable, John ; Smith, Cecil R.; Poole, H.; Sutherland, 11. A. (2). Tim aku Hospital.— The following is a return of tho patients m the Timaru Hospital for the month of April, 1885 : — Patients under treatment at dote of last return — males 14, females 7 ; total, 25 ; admitted during month, males 11, females 3 ; totals treated, males 27, females 12. Discharged during month — cured, males 7 females 2, total 9 ; relieved, mule 1, female 1, total 2 ; incurable, malo 1 ; dead, males 3 (Charles Tizzard, John Rock, Samuel Holme); totals discharged, males 12, females 3. Remaining under treatment, males 15, females 9, total 24. Out-patients treated during month, males 13, females 5, total 18. A Rklioiocs Makiac. — According to a Northern paper, the natives at Puketarata, ten miles from Taupo, were recently somewhat excited owing to one of their number being found on Ohaki mountain after having been twenty-Biz days m the bush without food. He had been mourned for as dead by his tribe, and a tangi held for him. The man was suffering from religious mania, and on being rescued gave his reason for remaining on the mountain top that he was nearer Christ. He is ft man over 60 years of age, and was much emaciated, and had a glassy stare when seen at Orakei Korako. Some of the natives assert that he really died, and has risen from the dead. The Militia. — The police have now completed their taak of compiling the first-class Militia roll for this district, and they are to be complimented on tho smart way they have performed their work, it being barely more than three weeks since they received their instructions from headquarters. The Timaru police district is bounded on the north by the Rakaia river, and on the south by tho Waitwigi and the various Bub-diatricts within it, and the number of militiamen enrolled m each, are as follows : — Timaru and suburbs, 453 ; Ashburton, 650 ; Geraldine, 186 ; Tcmuka, 231 ; Waimate and Pareora, 254 ; Pleasant Point, 113; Fairlie Creek, 93; total, 1980 men. " Thk Hebmitaoe." — We notice Mr F. F. C. Huddlestone is applying for a license for " The Hermitage," at the foot of Mount Cook, and there should be no objection to granting it, for it will prove a great boon to tourists, who, from all parts of the world are now visiting our Alpine scenery. The Hermitage is not yet quite completed, but it will very shortly be so, and there is little if any prospect of anyone erecting an opposition house. Indeed Mr Huddlcstone's enterprise is worthy of all praise, and people who have visited him speak m high terms of the trouble he takes to make them comfortable, even m his yet unfinished building. The "shakedowns " are said to be as snug as could be desired. A Nbw Zealand Colonist m La Plata. — The London correspondent of the LytteUon Times w/rites : — Sir John Hall, on his trip from New Zealand, stepped off- the Tongariro at Rio Janeiro, his intention being to make a tour m South America, and especially m the territory of the Argentine Republic ; not merely for pleasure, but with an eye to business, it being his intention, m the event of his being pleased with the district of L& Plata, to take up country there for a member of his family, m order to engaging m pastoral pursuit*. The clasa* of sheep which the Plata district sends to the London market shows that there is room for New Zealand and Australian enterprise there m the introduction of improved stock, if nothing else. It is commonly held here that, given a new class of sheep, South America would bcsjtne a very dangerous rival to the Australasian colonies m the frozen meat trade. The Govebnment Inbubancb Association. — Mr George Fisher, one of the elected members of the Government Insurance Association Board, writes as follows to tbe Wellington Post : — " I distinctly dissent from two paragraphs which appeared m your issue of last evening relative to the proceedings of the New Zealand Insurance Associationßoard. The first of these paragraphs says that it is not as yet absolutely determined that the local boards are to be created.' The answer to that is that it is absolutely determined that the local boards shall be created. The Board so determined at its meeting of yesterday week. The second paragraph says that it is ' understood' that Mr Macandrew is to be appointed Chairman of the Dunedin Local Board. By whom is it understood? The simple fact . is that the Association is being transformed into a political machine, and the sooner, and tho more plainly, that fact is made known the better." Lbvem Road Boabd. — The annual meeting of the Levels Road Board was held on Saturday. Present — Messrs W. Moody (Chairman), Mcc and Balfpur. Three ratepayers of the district also attended. The audited balance-sheet, laid before the Board at the last ordinary meeting, was submitted. Some considerable discussion ensued on the beneficialness of the expenditure on the small birds nuisanco suppression, some of those present being of opinion that the destruction -of small birds should be made compulsory on settlers. Nothing was decided on, and the matter was allowed to drop. As the Overseer was unable to give any information about the forming of a Government drain shown on the maps of the district as near Totara, he was instructed to call at the Land Office and obtain it. The public meeting having closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the following tenders were opened : — Broken metal supply for Wai-iti road — Crozier (accepted), £10 16s 8d ; P. Stratford, £15 ; P. Blake, £15 16s 8d ; Hughes and Rodgers, £16 13s 4d ; J. Pearson, £17 10s lOJd. Spalls supplyScott and Prouse, £90 12s 6d (accepted) ; Travis and Company, £104 3s 4d. The meeting then terminated, A Ladt on " Tebbnce." — Mrs Aldis, wife of Professor Aldis, of Auckland, has written to the New Zealand Herald strongly protesting against the action of the University Senate m regard to retaining the works of Terence for the B.A. examination. Another lady, Mrs Kelsey, write* to the same journal as follows : — " I was very glad to aeo Mrs AldU's letter m the Herald of this morning on the subject of the objectionable books decided to be retained by the University Senate for the pass examination of B.A. These works of Terence have been condemned by leading men m Chrietchurch and other cities as ' filthy,' etc. It is surely a hopeful sign that there aro those who are still agitating this matter, and it is most devoutly to be wished that all suoh efforts may be successful m having purer works substituted. It does seem a piece of wanton wickedness on the part of the authorities m forcing tuch books upon the students. All honor, I say, to those who would rather give up all hope of passing than familiarise their minds with such polluting influence. If my children could gum degrees m no other way than by studying euoh works, then I would let tko honors go, counting them too dearly won at such a price." Atthmpted Spicidb. — A well-known character named Thomas Wood, alias "Yorkey," attempted to commit suicide by throwing himself m front of the down Express train on Saturday. Woods was seen by tho men on the engine standing alongside the rails about opposite Allen's flour mill, and as the engine got close up to him he threw himself right m front of it. Tbe engineer at once reversed his engine and the fireman put hii brakes hard on, but they did not succeed m stopping the engine, the cowcatcher, which caught the wretched man Woods, tossing himclearof the line. The train was going about eight miles an hour, and the man's escape was a truly marvellous one. When the train camo to a standstill the engineer picked Woods up, and, finding he was but little injured, handed him over to Mr Hillary, our local ganger. The latter took him to Mr Jos. Jones, the Stationmaster, who dulygave him into the custody of the Police. Woods, as some of our readers will doubtless remember, took out a prohibition order against himself some weeks ago, but he could not resist tbe temptation, and again relapsed into his old habits, appearing at the Court but a few days ago for drnnkonnonn. Poscibly he thought on Saturday he would effectually place himself beyond the temptation to break the order tg»io by doing away with himielf.

Waimatb Bakd op Hope.— The regular meeting of this Society was held on the 30th ultimo. Considering the wet weather at the time, the meeting was well attended. In the absence of the President, Mr Goldsmith, Mr Graham was moved to the chair. There were fourteen recitations, given by as many members. The pieces were well selected, and the reciters were complimented on and thanked for the very good manner m -which they were rendered. A reading was given by Mr Clemo, and several hymns were sung by those present. A pleasing part of the proceedings was the distribution of prizes to members of this Society awarded by the late Timaru Band of Hope exhibition for the excellence of needlework, etc., exhibited. At the close of the meeting Mr Brooke presented each member present with a temperance periodical. Thb Potash Bembdy pob thk Apple Blight. — We have been requested to republish this extract which originally appeared as a letter m the Melbourne Leader: — "Alkalies m various forms have been used by gardeners for the destruction of insect-life, for a century past. Potash for the cure of woolly blight (Aphis Linigera) causes a wordy war between two claimants for priority m its use and best modes of application. Messrs Williamson and Btcvenaon have entered the lists, and wpe to any who should step between them. It is not with this object that I write to you on the matter. I read your account of Mr Williamson's treatment of his apple-treef, and, having considerable trouble with the aphis, I made up a composition and applied it the following winter (1876). Knowing the value of lime for application to the roots of trees badly affected, I added it to the composition, and the principal ingredients used were potash and lime, a little sulphur, and olive oil. The surface-roots were laid bare, and the compoundifreoly spread over them. A lot of French crabs (about 160 trees) were m previous years a source of expense, as the produce m fruit did not pay for the labor of trying to eradicate the blights ; these have not since been dreßsed with sny blight destroying compound. Other varieties of apples were similarly treated, and there has been no need to dress them since. I now observe the blight is reappearing, but not to any appreciable degree; no doubt the remedy will require to be again applied. The trees can be inspected on Sunbury, and the old warty knots seen which were formerly the home of the aphis, now showing again m a few spots. The treatment supersedes the old paintings and daubings with Gishurst, train oil, kerosene, and other greasy messes, which only partly effected the end m view. Ido not go so far as t» assert that the potash mixture will give thorough immunity to the apple-lroo from the attacks of blight, because, m the lapse of years, what with absorption by the roots of the tree, and due allowance being made for the dispersion and dissipation, by wind and rain, not enough may bo left within reach of the roots to influence the blightresisting nature of the sap ; a repetition of the mixture would then be necessary." A Clbbgyjian on New Zealand. — The London correspondent of the Lyttelton Times states that the K-ev. W. A. G-. Macpherson, writing from Duntroon, Oamaru, to the Northern Chronicle, published at Inverness, says : — " The Europeans, as a rule, are very degraded and godleßs. They seem to undergo a change for the worse, when they cross the mystic 'line.' Why it ia bo, I do not know, but certainly it is only too true. A great many of them develop into infidels, and cease to believe m anything beyond this present life." And again : — " The most generic type of religiosity m this land is a sort of dogmatic pharisaicism that develops after the fashion of the sanctimonious whining ilk. Subtract that factor from the spheres of religion and morals, and you behold the gaunt face of unmitigated selfishness." Making allowance for the writer's being intoxicated with the exuberance of his own verbosity (adds the correspondent), this is rather rough on colonists, among whom the Bey. Mr Macpherson stands m honorable contrast for his self-sacrifice, for he says : — " Mv work out here is truly a labor of love. I have taken no salary or emoluments of any kind, and I give my labor and time for nothing." It is needless to say (continues the writer) that after this tirade against the colonists Mr Macpherson sends round the hat for "planting the cross of the Great Redeemer m this God forsaken land " ; though it is difficult to sec what the money is required for seeing that the reverend gentleman lives without salary or emoluments of any kind. " I will thank you, therefore," he says to the editor, " to open a subscription fund m the columns of the Chronicle." Japanese Tooth-dbawing. — The Japanese dentist does not frighten his patient with an array of steel instruments. All his operations m tooth-drawing are performed by the thumb and forefinger of one hand. The skill necessary to do this is only acquired after long praotice, but once it is obtained the operator is able to extricate half a dozen teeth m less than thirty seconds without once removing his fingers from the patient's mouth. The dentist's education commences with the pulling out of pegs which have been pressed into soft wood ; it ends with the drawing of hard pegs which have been driven into an oak plank with a mallet. A writer m the Union Medicals says that no human jaw can resist the delicate but powerful manipulation of the Japanese dentist. Value op Pbhbbbvbd Food. — Some interesting experiments are being made at Munich as to the real value of preserved food as a good nutritive substitute for fresh meat, etc., especially how far it can be utilised for the army m timo of war. A special company of non-commissioned officers and .men from all twelve companies of the Thirteenth Bavarian Infantry has been told off to march daily for a fortnight, with the exception of an occasional day of rest for six hours, and to go through field exercises, fully equipped as m time of war. During this period they receive no fresh food of any kind only preserved meats, a kind of biscuit composed of flour, bacon, and chopped up meat, with salt, spices, etc. Whilst off duty they are watched, to prevent them from eating "or drinking anything eke, and they are continually weighed. The object of this experiment is to see how far soldiers can remain healthy and fit for fighting when only living on preserved food, which they can carry themselves ; and so far the results have been satisfactory . A Consolatory Thought Conoebnikg Gobdon.— So " Abd-el-Kadcr, the Moor," otherwise Mr James Curtice, the Englishman, succeeded after all m getting some at least of his despatches m Khartoum before it fell. So at least says the Times, and we hope (adds the Pall Mall Gazette) it is true. Mr Curtice was seat out m June last by Borne of Gordon's friend to convey to the beleaguered defender of Khartoum assurances of the confidence with whioh he was still regarded m this country, and friendly expressions of sympathy with him m the arduous position m which he had been left by the Government. Excepting for these private messages, it seemed probable that Gordon would receive no communications from England, save the shameless announcement of his abandonment and the shameful suggestion that he should desert his garrisons. It is Borne consolation to think that before the hist dark hour arrived Gordon was informed how intense was the sympathy with which he was regarded at home, and how ardently most of US hoped for the accomplishment of lii« heroic mission. The Govbbhob op New South Wales. —Lord Carington (says the World) will be greatly missed at Homo if the report turns out true that he is to succeed Lord Augustus Loftus as Governor of New South Wales ; he will be missed m society, m the hunting field and as a landlord. But lie ought to make an ideal Governor for an Australian colony. He has a fine frank manner the has a charming wife, whose health it is to be wished were more assured ; he has no want of capacity, and ample tact to recognise that the less a Colonial Governor concerns himself m local politics the happier is his lot. A Governor who can show the way on horseback will be a grateful novelty to the Australians, and if Lord Carington cares to follow m the lines of Sir Hercules Robinson, and keep some horses m training, tbo measure of his popularity wUI be full. Scott'b Emulsion of pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphites is very palatable, very nutritious, and very strengthening. Dr Richard Read of Singleton, N.S.W., o»ys : " I have prescribed , Bcott*s Emuision of pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphitea very frequently during the lest two ye»r» with good