THURSDAY, MARCH 11,1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3571, 11 March 1886, Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1886 .

Notwithstanding the long drought which prevailed throughout the spring and early summer months, and the accompanying north winds which speedily dried up the occasional showers and kept the pastures exceptionally bare on all light and average soils, it ia a season of general congratulation with the farmers of South Canterbury, who have been favoured with the finest of weather for harvesting and securing some of the most abundant and well matured corn crops ever grown m the district. Doubtless on light lands, which require irrigation, a more copious supply of rain would have insured heavier crops, delayed the bai-vesfc-ing, and prevented the premature ripening on some exceptional blocks ; but, on the whole, the season has been all that conld bo wished for. In this district the belt of country which extends from the coastline for some miles inland comprises a large area of rich and deep alluvial soil, together with reclaimed swamps, and strongloam with clay subsoil. These are the lands which have been speoially favoured for corn-growing this season. Where copious rain m early summer would have caused excessive length of straw, with flag, which insures the laying of a considerable acreage, halffilled ears, rust, etc., this year has brought the pleasure, too seldom experienced, of seeing bold standing crops, with the fineat cars and moat fully developed grain ; crops which have been safely cut, stooked, and stacked m excellent condition. We need not entertain fears with regard to the probable average yield of the district as a whole, when wo read of 116 bushels of oats per acre south of Timaru, and are told of 71 bushels of wheat per acre (besides tailing) m the neighbourhood of Tetnuka, already threshed. It is to be regretted that Borne farmers still fall into the serious error of threshing as soon as the grain is stacked, and, m some cases, of even threshing out of the stooks. All corn, to be brought to perfection, must be allowed a sufficient time m stack to pass through its " sweat " or natural fermentation and to regain a hardness that it will never again lose m a dry warehouse or ship's bold. If the grain bo threshed out of atook, or as soon as stacked, this fermentation must take place m sacks, or m any considerable bulk; and thus are to be explained the numberless disappointments and losses to buyers and shippers, together with the lowered name which our wheat haa obtained m the English market. A farmer may thresh and sell his grain as dry as peppercorns out of stook, but the flour produced from such grain will demand immediate consumption as it will not keep sound. Any farmer of experience knows that, after the driest corn baa been m rick a week or nine days, a proceßS of relaxation or toughening of the grain commences, and that unless sufficient time be allowed (five or six weeks at the least) the original hardness cannot be restored, and a consequent depreciation m value ensues. It is a wonder that our merchants and private shippers, whose parcels of corn have entered the ships m apparently prime condition, and been landed m London mildewed and unfit for milling, have not yet fully realised the necessity that every precaution should be taken to prevent a recurrence of the evil, and to remove a stigma from ouu country, which, after all, can neither be surpassed for soils to produce the best samples of nil kinds of cereals, nor for climate to mature and harvest the crops. The only possible preventions the shippers can look to' are a guarantee that all com has been m stack' a sufficient time to" allow' natural fermentation to do its work j or the erection of drying apparatus at the shipping ports (as is done m damp climates m the northern hemisphere) through which all corn for shipment must pass. Before closing this article we would remind farmers that it is out of their pockets conjointly that all these heavy shipping losses must come, as the merchant, m selfdefence, must purchase at a rate to protect himself. Under the present system the man who ships the best samples is not safe, as his grain may be more or less damaged by other parcels surrounding it.

We are glad to observe the firmness and good judgment displayed by the Premier m relation to the "unemployed" difficulty, which m, a few localities is pressing itself on Mb notice. In Christchurch, on Tuesday last, he received a deputation which waited on him for the purpose of placing m his hands a copy of the following resolutions, passed at a, public meeting held on the preceding day :— (1) That ,m the opinion of this meeting no man can maintain himself and family on lees

ban 5s a day ; and further, that this aeeting desires the Government to pay .8 much to the men. on public works m 3anterbnry as m other parts of the :olony. (2) That we deem it absoutely necessary, m ;view of the ipproaching -winter season, that pernanent employment should be prorided for the labouring classes ; to ibis end the establishment of a State Bank entirely unconnected with any British or foreign institution, for the issue of New Zealand currency as a jirculating medium, is imperative and pressing ; and that Parliament should be immediately assembled for the purpose of authorising such permanent work and the establishment of such a Bank of Issue." In answering the deputation the Premier showed not the slightest disposition to court a temporary popularity with a section .of the working classes. He recognised the fact that a certain amount of distress existed m some parts of the colony m consequence of the difficulty there was m finding employment; and he admitted that it was the duty of the State lo see that men should not starve who were willing to work if work could be found. He pointed' out to the deputation that his Government did not neglect that duty, but provided, employment at a somewhat higher rate than was paid under like circumstances m 1881 for the same kind of work ; , and he added, " You must remember this ilso, that the wages now offered by the Government are far higher, considering the lower price of provisions and clothes, than was paid m the early,, days of the colony— even when I myself came to it." We regret that our space is too limited to admit of our re-publishing 3. full report of Mr Stout's admirable and, we think; exhaustive reply. In aubstance it was a complete repudiation of the responsibility on the part of the State to take charge of the labour market and bolster up prices. His reply to the demand for a State Bank of Issue waß as follows : — " As to a Bank of Issue I say that this is utter nonsense. What would such a Bank do ? We have a note circulation now of about a million, or hardly that. The Government might issue paper money itself, and stop the issue by other Banks of their notes. But what would be the result of this step ? We might circulate these notes amongst ourselves, and take them as currency. But no one outside •would take them as payment — they would want gold. The result would be an enormous deterioration of the paper currency, as has been the case before elsewhere. A man would hold 5s notes, and he would find them depreciated until they were not worth 2s 6d. No Government can by printing paper money create wealth ; they must borrow the money somewhere to meet it. You might as well ask a merchant who was m financial difficulties to extricate himself by issuing a lot of promissory notes. What is a Bank note, 1 would ask you, but a promise to pay. And a promise to pay what ? Why gold ; and where is the Government to get gold to meet these promises except by borrowing abroad." It will be admitted that that is tolerably plain speaking, and its best feature is its transparent truth. Assuredly if the working classes are badly off m New Zealand, which we cannot admit to be generally the case, their position would not be improved by the issue of greenbacks unrepresented by gold.

The nnnual general meeting of the South Canterbury Hunt Club will be held at the Ship Hotel on Saturday next. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Temuka District High School Committee is to bo held on Tuesday next at 7.30 p.m. At the Eesident Magistrate's Court yesterday, before E. Q-. Stericker, Esq., J.P., a first offender for drunkenness was fined sb. A testimonial m regard to a prompt payment by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States appears m another column. The next ordinary meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board will be held m their offices, Strathallan street, on Wednesday next, the 17th met., at 11 a.m. For the half -holiday this afternoon several cricket matches are arranged, and there should be no lack of attractions for the public. Immediate proceedings against persons owing rates for the current year to the Levels Eoad Board will be taken unless they are paid before the 31st of this month. Hares will again bo very plentiful throughout the greator part of the district this year, and coursing men are looking forward to some exceptionally good sport at the opening of the season. The healing of the charge of horse-6tealing against James Macdonald, which was commenced on Monday last, will be resumed at the Resident Magistrate's Court, Timaru, this morning. I In our report of tho meeting on the West Town Belt we made it appear as though Mr Harney eaid the property-holders wero paying rates to the Borough Council, but it should have read the " Levels Road Board." At a meeting of the Geraldino County Council held yesterday, a considerable amount of business was got through. A report of tho proceedings will be found m another column. Nominations of new candidates for admission to tho South Canterbury Amateur Athlotio Club must be sent m to the Hon. Secretary, Mr Q-. F. Clulee, not later than Tuesday next, the 16th mat. HHia Worship the Mayor, Borough Councillors, and others intend making a thorough inspection of the waterworks to-day from the reservoir to the dam. They leave town at nine o'clock this morning. The Colonial Treasury was enriched by a pound or two yesterday through the police at Temuka going on the war path after unregistered dogs, tho owners of which had failed to collar-mark them within tho specified time. Tho first meeting of tho Aahburton Tradesmen's Eacing Club will be held on the Ashburton course to-day. The fields promise to be large, and as the ground is stated to be m excellent order somo capital sport may be anticipated. The following ia the statement of assets and liabilities m the bankruptcy of W. J. Gibson, of Pleasant Point: — Unsecured — D. Macdonald £6, I. L. Morris £24, J. H. Butter £14, J. H. Smith £16, E. Lee £10, Drummond and Glasson £5, 3. E. Bockingham £8 9s, A. Maxwell £1, Eiegcrt and Fuuvel 10s 6d ; total liabilities, £78 19s 6d. Assets — Furniture, about £10 j two sections land, about half-an-acre, £45; one milch cow and calf, £5 3 total, £60. Deficiency, £18 198 6d,

There will be several persons brought up at ho Resident Magistrate's Court this morning -some charged with having unregistered logs m their possession, and others with blowing cattle to stray at large m a pufelio place. The action which Mr Callis brought against ;he Government to recover a sum of money "or extra services m connection with the Wellington Exhibition, has been settled out if Court, the plaintiff accepting £50 m full iischarge of his claim. It ib understood that Parliament will meet shout the middle of May, m case there is not i dissolution m the meanwhile. Wo understand that the Ministry has determined to face the situation, and has now no intention of asking His Excellency to send members to their constituencies. In our advertising columns thiß morning aoticcs are given of the dates on which the Boards of Reviewers will meet m Timaru, lemuka and Geraldine, for the purpose of determining objections m respect of property under The Property Assessment Act 1885, , and The Eating Act 1882. At the meeting of the Timaru Licensing Committee held yesterday, Mr E. G. Kerr waa again elected Chairman without opposition. Mr Kerr has held tlie post from the first, and it is almost tteedleSßto say has fulfilled his duties impartially and to the satisfaction of all concerned m licensing matterr. - - In the. Waimate district the crops have nearly all been got m, the long autumn fine n-eather being exceptionally favorable to the Farmers. The crops have been almost uniformly of fine quality but, .except m Borne specially favored localities, not remarkably heavy. The wheat and oats aro of good stamp, and the other crops above the average. Owing to J. S. Beswick, Esq., 8.M., being unable to attend the usual weekly sitting of the Court at Temuka jesterday, Messrs Gray and Barker, Justices of the Peace, were called on to preside. In consequence of the call having to be made, the Court did not open till 1 p.m. The cases that were dealt with will be found reported m another column. ■ Yesterday five nominations of candidates for members of the Deep Creek Licensing Committee were received, and there being five vacancies all were appointed. They are as follows .-—Messrs O. Y. Clarke, S. W. Goldsmith, J. Manchester, J. Sinclair, and P. Sloe. The meeting to appoint a Chairman is fixed for this day week. We are glad to learn that a cadet corps is to be formed among the lada attending the Temuka District High School. Mr Cross, the second master, has taken the matter vigorously m hand, and Captain Hayhurst, of the Temuka Rifles, has promised to render him every assistance and advice m organising the corps. So far there is every indication of success attending the movement, which is one that has for itw primary object the training of - our youth to the practical use of firearms. The " Seventeenth of Ireland " is being looked forward to with eagerness by the sportsmen of tho Waimate district, that being the date fixed for the races. A good day's sport is anticipated, tho entries being fairly numerous and the animals of some quality. A large influx of country visitors is looked for, and should the present fine weather continue, a most enjoyable day may be confidently expected. We have received a copy of Mr Samuel Vaile's pamphlet on the present position and futuro prospects of the New Zealand railways. The pamphlet includes a proposed new scheme of levying rates, Mr Maxwell's report on Mr Vaile's proposals, and an answer by Mr Vnile. We disagree with a good deal of what Mr Vaile advances, as being inapplicable to the present state of New Zealand. Nevertheless the pamphlet is well worth.' reading, and we hope Bteps will be taken to have it widely circulated. A deputation, headed by Mr D. Eeece, M.H.B , waited on tho Premier, at Christchurch, on Tuesday, re the unemployed question. Mr Stout denied that the men on relief works were paid higher m other. parts of the colony. He said that the idea of the establishment of a Bank of Issue to relieve' depression was absurd. The Government; would not give more than the wages already ; offered, but ho promised to ascertain if single men could not be employed on the Greymouth Railway, and if the. Stella could not take Borne men to Napier, where a large drainage contract is being oarried out. What promises to bo a rather extensive - bush fire is rapidly spreading to the northward of Waimate. Small fires have been burning m the neighborhood for the past week or two, but yesterday under a gentle nor'-wester, the fire advanced with great speed to the westward, whero the gullies covered with dense undergrowth and low bush offer every facility for spreading the flames. No damage is anticipated to buildings, the nearest, Mr P. M. Kickman's house and outbuildings with ricks, etc., lying well to windward. Indeed, the flames, should they not become uncontrollable," will be of service rather than otherwise by clearing away the bußh. ' A meeting of the Directors of the Temuka Dairy Factory was held on Tuesday at Mr Ashwell's offices, Temuka, there being present—Mr J. Guild (Chairman), and Messrs Brown, Paterson, Cain, Austin and Barker. . The report showed that 17,370 gallons '.. had boon received at the Factory during the month, at a cost of £240 8s 2d, the average of 14 of the suppliers being under 10 per cent. Accounts amounting to £40 14a lid were then passed for payment, and the Secretary was instructed to inform one of the Factory's clients that there would be less cheeso manufactured this year than was anticipated, on account of the drought. Letters were read from Messrs Waddel, Oldfield and • Bowman re testing milk, and a deputation of milk suppliers consisting of Messrs Gibson, Oldfield and White waited on the Directors to fully lay this matter before them. These gentlemen informed the meetiDg that the testing at the Factory was unsatisfactory, and asked that the Geraldine factory system be introduced ; also that the average of six months might bo taken j that cans holding :: the same quantity were booked at various weights ; that an attempt to rectify a mistake was regarded as sufficient cause for personal animosity and spite, and that the testing glasses were not secure from interference. Tho deputation then thanked the Chairman and withdrew. The Manager (Mr Bowman) was then called m and emphatically denied the charges brought against the management of the factory. After carefully considering the important subjects before them, the Directors resolved to obtain a box that could, be put m a cool place, and m which the tests could be locked up ; also that the result of tho tests be entered m the pass-books. (The Secretary was also requested to obtain particulars of the Geraldine factory's method of •? testing. The meeting then terminated. i-:" The New Zealand Meat Preserving Oompapy_ ■ will commence boiling down at their works, at Kakanui nest week.

Bumor has it that Bishop Pearson, of Newcastle, will be the successor of Bishop Moorhouse m the See of Melbourne. A Japanese Court has fined an editor twenty-seven yen (£5 15s) for noglecting to acknowledge the source of extracts from contemporaries. That bloodthirsty old savage Titokowaru is said to be fast breaking up. His recent journeyingg through tho North Island, and all the excitement consequent thereupon, appear to have been too much for him. Tho Court has upset the Wanganui Borough valuation this year on technical grounds, and the blunder m the proceedings has caused some inconvenience. Sir Julius Yogel has promised tho Waitaki Acclimatisation Society from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand salmon ova ex lonic, subject to the shipment arriving m good condition. At the Ashburton Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, George Watts, licensee of the Hinds Hotel, was convicted of assaulting George Tilson with a stick, and was sentenced to 28 days' imprisonment m Ashburton gaol, without the option of a fine. An attempt to get up a company to work a dairy factory m the Waitahuna district (Otago) has not as yet been successful. A comparatively small number of shares have been applied for, and at the last meeting of the Waitahuna Farmera 1 Club it was decided to let the matter stand over for three months. Pieces of iron and boulders have been placed m stacks and sheaves intended to go through the threshing machine of Mr J. W. Olivor, of Ashburton, evidently with intent to cause a breakage. Mr Oliver offers a reward of £10 for tho conviction of the perpetrators of the daßtardly and dangerous action. Mr M. W. Green, member for one of the Dunodin Beats m the lost Parliament, and known as " conscience Greon," is m South Australia lecturing against spiritualism. His audiences are said to number a thousand each. Mr Green is a gentleman who can go on talking for ever " m one weak, washy, everlasting flood." The people round Chrislchurch are very active m pressing their views regarding the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway.: Meetings continue to be held, and no opportunity is lost of placing on the electoral rolls the names of those who are favorable to the project. It is interesting to Canterbury grain growers to know that from Chicago to New York, 1500 miles, wheat is sent for 3id per bushel, and maize 3d, or about 1 cent (id) per ton for overy seven miles. Wheat has been recently 'booked through from Chicago to Liverpool at a fraction over 6id per bushel. The Ross United Goldmining Company continues to find rich auriferous deposits. The lead is proved to be ninety-eight feet wide and of considerable thickness. The prospect is certainly very encouraging at present, but considering the amount of capital invested it will take an enormous yield of gold to make the shareholders thoroughly happy. Major Noake, who superintended the prize firing at Wanganui, congratulates all concerned on the success which attended the gathering. His experience led him to suggest that at future competitions it should be made a ji'nfl qud non that the ranges should bo from north to south j and he recommends that a few prizes should be competed for under conditions which would as nearly as possible be met with m actual warfare. An article m the Nineteenth Century for January, by Sir Thomas Brassey, gives very telling statistics m proof of the efficiency of the British navy, and the steps taken by the last Gladstone Ministry to maintain its efEoioncy. He points out that under that administration the building votes were increased from £3,082,000 m 1880-81 to £5,047,000 m 1885-86, and says " they were increased because at the bidding of the nation we entered upon a new policy. We have undertaken to provide upon a scale never contemplated beforo for tho protection of the commerce of the country. We have resolved on a complete re-armament of the fleet." As an illustration of the keen competition m business, the Liverpool Journal of Commerce says that a firm of millers doing an extonsivo business opened m Germany lately several mills of various descriptions, availing themselves of local and other advantages, such as water and wind, while m certain cases steam power was brought into requisition. The firm is enabled, although tho whole of tho wheat is purchased to arrive on the Liverpool and London markets, to give instructions that vessels arriving with cargoes of grain at the British outports shall go to the Continent, whore the raw material is ground and the flour shipped to England, thus underselling English millers. We are assured that not a pound is sent elsewhere, the firm employing seventeen steamers to meet the exigencies of the trade. The cause of this is that labor is cheaper, the men working longer hours, and m many cases even on Sunday without extra pay. The Church Oazette for March contains a valuable epitome of the work done by the General Synod of the New Zealand Church at its lato sitting m Auckland, and it is most interesting to note therein that tbe Bishops have agreed to take under their charge, as far as possible, the members of the Anglican communion who are scattered over the islands of the Southern Pacific Ocean. Tho present number contains accounts of tho mission at three of the centres— Hamilton, New Plymouth, and Waitara. At the firstnamed place, as a memorial of the mission, the Church is declared " free and open " from January Ist, 1886. At all three places hopes are expressed that good may result. Perhaps tho most interesting feature of this issue is a resume of the various pariah reports, from which it will be Been that thero has been a 'strong and vigorous growth during the past year. Ip the sufforevs from consumption, Bcrofula, and general debility, will try Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil wiih Hypophosphites. thay will find immediate relief, and without doubt a. permanent benefit. The medical profession m tho various countries of the world universally declare it a romedy of great value, and as it is very palatable it can be readily taken by tbe most sensitive stomach, and never fails to givo relief and comfort to the sxiiferer. — [Advt.] • 4 Who has not experienced a sort of malady when all the faculties seom m rebellion, and labor is absolutely impossible ? It is a condition oE nerves nnd stomach and brain that can only be cured by tho use of that irresistible remedy American Co.'s Hop Bitters. Read.— [Advt.] To do good wj»rk tho mechanic must have good health. If long hours of confinement m close rooms havo enfeebled his hand or dimmed hia sight, let him at once, and before some organic troablo appears lake plenty of Dr Soule's Hop Bitters. His system will be rejuvenated, his norrea strengthened, his sight become clear, and the whole constitution be ilt up to a higher working condition. '.-[Advx.]

American Co's Hop Bitters are the Purest and Best Bitters ever made. Thoy are compounded from Hops, Malt, Buchu, Mandrake, and Dandelion, — the oldest, best, and moat valuable medicines m tho world and contain all the best and most curative properties of all other remedies, being th(s greatest Blood Purifier, Liver Begulator, and Life and Health restorer on earth. No , disease or ill health can possibly long exist where they are used, so varied and perfect ' are their operations. They give new life and • vigor to the aged, and infirm. To all whose employments cause irregularity of the bowels, or urinary organs, or who require an Appetizer, .Tonic, and mild Stimulant, American • Co.'s Hop Bitters are invaluable, being highly " ourative, tonic, and stimulating, without mii toxicating. No matter what your f eelings or symptoms nre, what the disease or ailment is, use Hop Bitters. Don't wait until you are ' sick, but if you only feel bad or miserable, use Hop Bittere at once. It may save your life. Hundreds have been saved by so doing. £500 will be paid for a cose they will not cure or help. Do not suffer or let your friends suffer, but use and urge them to_ use American Hop Bitters. Remember, American Hop Bitters is no vile, drugged, drunken nostrum, but the purest and best medicine ever made. Try the Bitters to-day. Get at Chemists or Druggists. Beware of imitations. Genuine has Dr Soule's name blown m bottle.— [Adtt.] Don't Die m the Hottse. — " Bough on Eats" dears out rats, mice, beetles, roaohea; bed-bugs, flies, anta, insects, moles, jaok rabbits, gophers. Moses, Moss and Co., Sydney, general agents. — [Advt.J < SYNOPSIS OP NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. James A. GracieandCo.,withp. Maclean— At their . rooms, horses, etc., on the 13th inst. William Christie, m conjunction with the N.Z.L. 1 and II. A. Company— Will sell nt Proctor's Yards on . account of J. Ueid, Esq.. ewes and wethera. K.F. Gray-Ram and ewe fair at the South Cani terbury Saleyards ; entries being received for liorse fair ; Important sale of dairy cows at his yards ; free- ' hold property at his rooms. i South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club-Re Nominations of new candidates for admission into the i Club. South Canterbury Hunt Club -Annual general ' meeting on Saturday, the 13th inst., at Ship Hotel. I Lovelsßoad Boatd— Notico to ratepayers. Equitable Life Assurance Society— A prompt payment. W, Evans— Pelham, 9.3., sails on Saturday the 13th Jolly, Connor and Co.— Notico about pictorial, etc., almanacs. J. Young— Business notico. Property Assessment Court— Meeting at Courthouse, Timaru, on the 29th and 30th ; at Geraldino on the 25th ; at Temuka on 26th inst. Timaru Early Closing Association — Notice about shops closing. Wanted— One notico.