The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MAY 10, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3621, 10 May 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MAY 10, 1886.

We frankly admit tbat the taking up of tbe East and West Coast and Nelson Railways project by a London syndicate has somewhat surprised us. Tbe affair had been before the English public for a considerable time, and the only firm which bad offered to do tbe work had demanded monstrously extravagant terms — terms which tbe legislature refused to entertain for a moment. In the colony the offer of Messrs Meiggs, backed up as it was by a large proportion of those who desired to see tbe two railways constructed, appeared to supply an approximate measure of what might be expected from other English capitalists, if any such should be found ready to treat for tbe work. The moat ardent of the promoters had begun to doubt of success m that direction, aud many bad abandoned all hope except m! another New Zealand loan and m Government construction. Thei'e, bowever, is tbe fact tbat an unquestionably strong and respectable London syndicate has undertaken the grave responsibility of constructing both the Westland and Nelson lines, on terms very much more advantageous than those which were offered by Messr3 Meiggs and Co. At a meeting of tbe guarantors which was held m Christchurch on Friday last Mr Bowen, the chairman, who is one of the most sanguine and energetic of the promoters, expressed the opinion of the committee that it would be premature at present to attempt anything like a public demonstration at the success which had been so far achieved. They thought so, he said, because, although they had every reason for hoping that the work would now be gone on with and completed, still it was wi6e to make sure of it before they took steps towards a public proclamation of satisfaction. He reminded the meeting tbat, although it was not likely the company now formed would retire from what they had undertaken, it was m their power to do so before they bad committed themselves to a large expenditure, on the payment of a comparatively small penalty; and he added that matters were still under negotiation, and that an Enabling Bill would have to be passed by the legislature before a final arrangement coald be come to. We thoroughly agree with Mr Bowen's remarks both aa to the wisdom of

postponing any demonstration and as to the improbability of the I affair falling through. We take , it that, practically, tho issue now i lies with the New Zealand legislature, : because, m the event of the Enabling Bill being passed, the syndicate (that is Messrs Salt, Lloyds, Burnett and Co. aud Hoare) would find means to carry out the work even though the company which is now being floated did not commend itself to the judgment of the general British public. The interesting question therefore at tbe present moment m connection with the scheme iB — what is the extent of the concessions which are asked for and which will bave to be embodied m tbe Enabling Bill ? Tbe answer is to be ascertained by a comparison of some of the provisions of " The East and West Coast (Middle Island) and Nelson Railway and Railways Construction Act, 1884," and of " Tbe Railways Construction and Laud Act, 1881," with the contents of a telegram forwarded by Mr Bowen to Sir Julius Yogel on tbe 15th of last month. The vital part of the telegram is as follows : — " I bave just received tbe following telegram from Mr Scott [the promoters' representative m London] : — ' Arrangements completed if Government telegraphs affirmatively to following — (1) Whole selection land to be made forthwith, then set aside for company, tbey taking possession of land earned m any sequence tbey desire. (2) Government purchasing price to include cost with interest during construction. (3) Mutual running powers upon most favoured basis. (4) Time for spending £150,000 extended six months if necessary.' " On turning to tbe Act of 1884 we find that, with regard to the land concessions, tbe blocks are m tbe first instance to be merely " withdrawn from sale," and that afterwards " whenever tbe Minister for Public Works is satisfied tbat the whole line of railway, or any section thereof wbicb can be usefully worked for public traffic, has been well and faithfully constructed under tbe provisions of the principal Act and this Act, and m accordance with the contract nnd tbe plans and specifications forming part thereof, and tbe same is complete and fit for publio traffic, tbe Governor may, from the several blocks of laud provided to be set aside under this Act, allow tbe company to select an acreage, the value of which shall bear the same proportion to tbe value of the total percentage of land to be granted for tbe entire line as tbe value of tbe section completed does to tbe estimate for tbe entire line." Tbe concession asked for is not tbat the company may take possession of tbe land at once, but that the blocks which tbey arc eventually to bave may be defined at tbe start. This concession is of some importance as tbe blocks have to be apportioned alternately to tho Government and the company. . The principal provisions for the purchase of the completed lines by tbe State are to be found m tbe Act of 1881. The price is to be determined by " three arbitrators, or any two of them, one arbitrator being chosen by tbe Governor, another by the company, and a third arbitrator by tbe two other arbitrators." We can find nothing m tbe Act which would allow tbe arbitrators to include m their award interest on capital during course of consti-uction. Concession No. 2 would not, however, form a very substantial item m view of 'the magnitudo of tbe whole undertaking. No. 3 is merely a general stipulation tbat tbe company shall be favourably treated under tbe sections providing for tbe running of Government trains on tbe company's lines. Concession No. 4 relates apparently to some stipulation m the contract which has now been assigned to tbe London syndicate. It will be seen tbat, on tbe whole, what is asked for is comparatively insignificant. The syndicate is prepared to adhere substantially to the original contract. It would have been virtually impossible for the Government to bave refused to regard tbe present offer favourably after having Btriven bard to secure tbe sanction of Parliament to tbe preposterous demands of Messrs Meiggs and Co. We do not anticipate that there will be any serious opposition to the Enabling BUI, provided tbe concessions go no further than is set out m Mr Scott's telegram which we bave quoted. An ordinary meeting of tho Timaru Borough Council is to bo held at the Council Chambers this evoning at seven o'clock. Wo learn that tickets m Mr Langbein's art union aro selling rapidly, ond that tho drawing will take placo m a day or two. Tho annual parish meeting m connection with St. Mary's Church, Timaru, will be hold at the Assembly Rooms at eight o'clock this evoning. The s.s. Rotorua left Onehunga yesterday morning with the Southern portion of the San Francisco mail. Tho Timaru portion of tho mail should roach here on Wednesday. Mr W. Hall Jones, the contractor for tho new drill shed for tho Timaru Corps of Volunteers, mado a start last week, and has now got tho ground nearly ready for receiving the foundations. Wo havo to acknowledge receipt of a pamphlet entitled " A farmer's views on land nationalisation and tho working of the Now Zealand Land Act," by Mr James 8011, of Palmorston North. A sale of household furnituro and effect", tho proporty of Mr E. AVakefield, will be hold at Messrs Jonas and Bourn's auction rooms to-morrow, and not at Mr Wakefield's residence as stated m our synopsis of new advertisements on Saturday. Cheques for the soveral stakes won at tho late Autumn meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club wero drawn out on Saturday night and duly signed. Winnors can receive their soveral amounts on applying to the Secretary to the Club. The Temuka football team played a scratch match on Saturday afternoon. Tho great match of the season, that with the Merivalo Club, takes placo on the 24th, and the Club 'a making every effort to send a thoroughly good' team to tho grounds on that day. Judging from their play on Saturday, thoy should be hard to beat, tho team promising both strength, speed and smartness. Commerce Houso — Drummond and Glasson desire to apologise to the largo number of customers who were obliged to leave without i being fully attended to on Saturday last on ' account of the great orush of buyers through- ' out the day. They also take this opportunity ( of notifying that m consequence of their own i regular stock and Mr Gunn's samples being '. m such disorder they will not open till 10.30 i this morning.— (Abyt.) ' )

St. Leon's Oirous played m Geraldino on Saturday night to a good house. At Toinuka on Friday thero was not standing room obtainable, and many patrons watched the performance seated on tho dens of tho wild beasts. ] It is remarkable how nearly tho number of votes registered at the Geraldine Road Board election tallies with that of Temuka. In the first flvo on eaoh list the figures were as follows :— Temuka— l6B, 156, 147, 139, 136 j Geraldino— l6s, 156, 142, 188, 123. In his report presented to tho annual meoting of St. Mary's, Geraldine, tho Incumbent, the Rev. James Preston, stated that tho Revs. Messrs Meason and Bodington, tho English missionaries, will visit Temuka and Geraldino at the end of May, and spend five days m theso parishes. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association called for Saturday afternoon lapsed, a quorum of members not attending. Only three members of committee attended, and the meeting was adjourned to the second Saturday m Juno. Tho election of members of the Lovols Road Board, has resulted m the return of Messrs C. N. Orbell, W.. Moody, T. 0. Planto, W. Balfour and R. Kerslake. The meeting to eloct a chairman and consider special and ordinary business will be held tomorrow morning at tho Board's Offices, Main Road. The s.s. Mararoa with the inward San Francisco mail arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. After landing her passengers, mails, etc., sho proceeded on her voyage to Sydney iv the aftornoon. Tho summary of Homo and American news brought by the mail steamer appears m another column. A meeting of the Victoria Lodge, No. 19,' was held at Geraldino on Friday evening, Mr F. Grimmer presiding. Owing to the election of mcmberß of the Road Board taking place the eamo day, tho attendance was but small, and tho discussion of several matters of importance was held ovor until the arrival of the Grand Secretary. Tho Waimato friendly societies intend to celebrate tho Queen's Birthday by a variety of sports, for which preparations aro being made. The townspeople have with their usual liberality contributed towards the fete, and should tho weather provo favourable a good day's enjoyment is anticipated. In the evening a tea and publio meeting will be held. Addresses will bo delivered by ministers and laymen. As is the caso with many other country schools tho funds of the Waihao school aro by no means m n flourishing state, and to replenish tho exchequer a ball for that purposo has been projected ond will como off shortly. Tho proceeds it is expected will amount to something handsome, as tho votaiies of Torpsichoro are expected to muster somewhat strong on the occasion. Since tho rain ceased, farming operations aud other outdoor work have been vigorously resumed m the Waimato district, as if to mako up for loss of time. Fortunately, the crops were secured before tho bad weather, and the farmers arc congratulating themselves upon the timely avoidance of what might have beon a serious disaster. The ground m many localities is still damp, but it is gradually becoming dryer. At a meeting held at Geraldine on Friday ovening, m connection with St. Mary's (Episcopal) Church, Messrs A. H. Briecoe, W. Coltman, W. Hawko, F. Hughes, J. Kelland, R. H. Pearpoint, Pizzey, John Pye, W. U. Slack and W. Willoughby wore appointed Vestrymen for the ensuing year. Dr Fish was appointed Incumbent's Churchwarden, and Mr H. W. Moore, Parishioners' Churchwarden. Mr W. E. Barker was reappointed treasurer to tho stipend fund. Messrs Jones and Palliser, contractors for Quinn's new buildings, wore very busy putting m part of tho concrete foundations on Saturday afternoon. Like on all mado ground, tho sinking is very deep, and the foundations are consequently going to prove a very expensive item. Many residents m Timaru can, by-tho-bye, remember tho day when the South Paoifio ocean rolled its angry waves over the site of the new buildings, and sent the spray flying far nnd wide over what is now the Bank of New Zealand corner. Excellent as the Waimato roads aro there is yet a desideratum that needs to be supplied, and that is a bridge over tbe Waimate creek, on tha Gorge road, about half a milo from the town, to facilitate traffic. When tho crcok is flooded it is with tho greatest difficulty it can be crossed eithor by vehicles or equestrians, and this being so, theneceeeity for a bridgo is nt onco apparent. During the late heavy rains the crock was unorossable for two or threo days, and the publio inconvenience thus caused is ono that should be obviated as soon as possible. To persons travelling on foot the want of a bridgo is much felt even when the stream is not m a swol'on state. This ovening at eight o'clock, Mr A. L. H. Dawson, M.A., will open tho Bocond session of tho South Canterbury Technical School, with a free lecture m the large hall of tho Mechanics' Institute. Several other gentlemen have k'ndly promised to address the meeting, and at the conclusion, Mr J. H. Wilson, M.A., tho honorary secretary, will take tho names of intending students. The present session will last four months, and the fee is only lOs 6d. Mr F. W. Wake, 8.A., has consented to take charge of the night school, and Mr Harvoy of tho school of art. Youog men who aro alive to their own interests should attend m large numbers and avail themselves of tho opportunity of improving their education. Last year the attendance reached 40, but wo cannot Bee why a town of over 6000 inhabitants should not supply at least 100 students for these popular classes. If the attendance proves good the Council will supply more teachers. A football match was played on the S.C Football Club's ground at Waimataitai, on Saturday afternoon. The weather was, m the first part of the afternoon, rather warm, but after the sun went down it became much cooler. The ground was rather soft m somo places, thero being large pools of water, and when tho ball landed m them it caused a great deal of fun, and not a few wet feet. The attendance of members was not large on account of a report boing put about that the ground was under water, which, however, Was not truo. The forwards of both sides played a splendid game, but we think an oaeier and better gamo would be played if a little moro passing was indulged m by tbo quarter-backs. Macintosh's side won the game by three goals (12 points), they making five goals and' one try, to ono goal and one try and one goal from the field by Wake's sido. The tries woro secured by Macintosh (3), Gooch, Wood, and Lawrenson. The goah by Cole (2), Lough, ' Macintosh, Maokay, Wood and F. Jones. Hughes, G. Wood, G. Jones, Macintosh, Mackay, Wake, Gabites, Cotter, and F. Fish played a good game for their respective aides,

The prevailing opinion m Waimato iB that tho Canterbury Firo Insurance Association Bhould not, on any account, withdraw the annual subsidy of, £25 from the local Firo Brigade, seeing ' that the appliances for tho extinguißhment of fire are defectivo from a lack of an available copious supply of water for that purpose. At the recent conflagration m the town, the brigade worked with a will, with the asßistanco of many others, who distinguished themselves by their brave exertions to save property. It is well known that firo brigades, without exception, require remuneration for their hazardous work, and firo insurance offices Bhould tako this into consideration, and act with that generosity which should characterise Buch institutions. Instead of withdrawing or curtailing tho subsides to the country brigades, their policy and interest are to increase them, and thus encourage those who rißk their lives m a work that is admittedly dangerous. The Waimate Eire Brigade have hithorto dono well, and it is to be hoped that tho Association will perceive tlio propriety of continuing tho subsidy. It is money well spent. Considerable sensation has been caused m French social and financial circles by the appointment of a curator or conseil judicaire to M. Raymond Seilliere, a member of tho wellknown family of bankers and army contractors. The application, which waß made at tho suit of his brother, was grounded on the fact that within 12 years he had run tlirough a fortune of 12,000,C00f (£480,000 Bterling), and had, m addition, contracted loans to the amount of 6,000,000f (£200,000 sterling). One of tho creditors opposed, on tho plea that tho suit was instituted solely to enable M. Selliero to evade tho payment of his dobts. The Court, however, granted the application. M. Raymond Selliero is 39 years of age. Tho London Daily Telegraph says :— A question is to be put m the House with respect to other Governmental purchases m Germany. It appears that large orders are given for foreign-mado pencils, to the detriment of tho home makers, whoso contention is, that although their pencils aro cheaper and better than thoso of the German make, tho authorities, for some unknown reason, send three-fourths of their orders abroad. There is a further suggestion that the Government officials, or somo ono else, are sailing cloße toward an infringement of the law respecting the importation of manufactured articles that havo stamped upon them tho name of a firm or place m this country, as theso foreign pencils are stamped " Indian office," " Home office," and so on. A barefaced fraud was committed on a Sydney bank ou Wednesday, 21st ult. It has transpired that a person opened an account m January last for a small amount at the Foderal Bank. Withdrawals were made until the amount was reduced to £17. On tho day m quest'on the depositor handed the ledger clerk a chequo for £12, which was initialled m tho ÜBual way and presented, the amount having m the meanwhile been altered to £1200. Tho man roceived £600 m noteß £600 m gold. It is said that the alterations wero clumsily mado, and ought to have aroused the suspicion of the paying clerk ) more especially as a similar swindle had been perpetrated a short time ago m Victoria. The Sheffield Independent publishes a letter from a well-known Sheffield gentleman who visited New Zealand m September last. Our visitor paid only a short visit to the Southern portion of tho colony. Ho gives his opinion on the unemployed question as follows : — " The trade of the country is dull here as elsowhero, and we hear of the ' unemployed ' ; but it does not rise so much from scarcity of work as from the fact that men flock to tbe largo towns and overstock the labour market, while m the country labourers are wanted. Wages are also too high, the present low rates of every description of produce making it impossible to employ labour at 63 to 8s por day ; but those being tho current rates, men won't accept less." Tho Economist says that while the people of Scotland are taxed at the rate of 36s 5d per head for Imperial purposeß, the people oi! Ireland are takod at the rate of only lis 5d per head. In other word/, each inhabitant of Scotland has, on an avorage, to pay moro than three times aB much as the average payment of each Irishman. Scotlend is about 60 per cent wealthier than Ireland, and, if taxed according to wealth, would have to pay for Imperial purposes rather more than ono and a half times as much ns the sister island. Ab a matter of fact, however, Scotland does pay fully two and a third times as much as Ireland. This, however is duo to tho fact that nearly £4,000,000 of the £6,700,000 paid by Ireland m Imperial taxes is returned m the shape of payment for police, &c. A commissioner has just beon among the farmers of Lincolnshire to make special inquiry into tho largo and small farm systems, and also as to the opinion of farmers generally as to the true remedy for the existing severe depression. He found the small occupiers ia tho Isle of Axholme over head and ears m debt, owing to their petty holdings having many years Bince been mortgaged heavily, the interest on these mortgages being now much moro than tho land is worth to rent. The large farmers to whom he put the .question, What is to bo done m the present emergency ? with the exception of one, all replied " Return to protection j" but this one — described as an intelligent as well as most experienced man— declared that there must be more scientific farming practised. Dairy farming is likely to pay quite as well, if not better, than meat production, but no doubt tho two branches ought to bo mado to dovetail, into one another, and go hand m hand. In the House of Commons Mr Labouchere recently introduced a motion against tho continuance of a hereditary chamber. Ho 6aid he found that the peers . had an average of £30,000 a year and 35,000 acres of land apiece. - A more self-seeking body of mon could not be imagined, for they aro always ready to take some place obout the Court or tho Government, if only a salary wero attached to it. One gentleman was willing to look after tho Queen's dogs, another hor horßes, and third after the Queen's footmen. (Laughter.) Thoy often heard that to pay members of the House of Commons would degrade the House ond Bap its independence. What did they think of the fact that theso heroditary poors drew on an avorage £7oo ayeareach on thepublio funds t Thoy wero not satisfied with that. Thoy had relatives. Tho relatives of peers had recoivedfrom 1055 until tho present date 120 millions sterling. Tho London correspondent of the Age recently interviewed Mr Bradlaugh, to learn from him what would bo tho drift of his public discourses m the colonies — whether they would be, to übo his favourite expression " anti-thoologioal," or whether they would be goneral m their bearing. In reply, Mr Bradlaugh said : " I draw a great distinction between the lino which I feel compelled to foi-

low hero and the course I should pursue out thero. When I went to America they wore amazed that I mado no attacks on theology j but thero is no parallel between the stato of affairs m America and the colonies, and that which prevails m this country. Hero we havo a privileged majority, and must be aggressive because wo are m a minority ; whilst out there thero is uo State religion, and everyone pays for what ho likes. I do not sco, therefore, why I Bhould go m to denounce what is entirely a matter of free choice. On that ground,and not because I am afraid of opposition. I should probably confine my colonial address to topics of a general nature." Tho] acceptance of the Lord Chancellorship by Sir Farrier Herßchell involves (says a Homo poper), a considerable pocuniary Bacrifice. The salary is £10,000 a year, and it . ' iB understood that of lato years Sir Farrier. Herschell's professional receipts have more noarly reached £20,000. But those are compensations, since the Lord Chancellor receives for life a retiring pension of £5000 a year. The most conspicuous instance of sacrificing monetary position for official rank is to be found iv the case of Mr Horace Davoy. Mr Davey has for several years beeu receiving an income of considerably over £20,000 a year. As Soli-citor-General he gots £6000 and a knighthood, with no retiring pension. ■ There aro fees which probably bring the official income up to £9000 a year. Still;'aman who has for somo time been earning, according to some accounts, £30,000 a year, may think himself privileged to accept a fourth of that salary. Mr Davey is a most indefatigable worker. One of his associates says that he thinks nothing, when m an important case, of working right off twenty-four hours at a stretch without taking sleep. Sir Richard Webßter, tho lato Attorney-General m the Conservative Government, is also a tremendous worker, keeping Ms lamp burning ' far t into the night when he has any special case on. Sir Richard Webster attributes his immunity from illness, m spite of his regular condition of over- work, to the fact that he is a strict teetotaller. The late winter iB said to have been the most severe known m England for twenty-'---seven years. The London correspondent of the Argus writes : — " A snowstorm or rather a series of storms, has this week given us some novel results. In Wales, m the hilly districts of Lancashire, Westj moreland and Cumberland m North Yorkshire and m Northumberland, railway communication has been blocked by immense snow-wreaths. Numerous trains have been snowed up on their passage, and m Borne" coses passengers have been confined m the carrioges without hope of relief for 46 hours and moro. Their sufferings have been such as m tliis country, at any rate, are without example In one case passengers were forced to drink the water out of the foot-warmers, to broak open the hampers of the parcels post for food, and we hear of certain of the more fortunate sort waiting with eagerness whilst a rabbit was cooked m the engine furnace. In the country districts there has been Borne loss of life, due to the imprudence of persons anxious to reach home whilst the storm was raging, and iv Wales particularly many thousands of sheep and lambs have been lost m the hills. Some of the trains coming south with cattlo for the London market have also met with serious losses, the poor beasts being covered by tho falling snow and then frozen to death ; and at Holyhead an Atlantic steamer — the Missouriwent ashore m the driving sleet, and has since become a total wreck." During the hearing of the case Hollister v. the Acoident Insurance Association of New Zealand, to recover £500, being the amount for which Mr Samuel Hollister, deceased, had insured his life with the company, His Honor, Mr Justice Richmond, who heard the case at Nelson, gave the following advice to the public, m summing up the case to the jury, according to the Mail :—" Ho felt it his duty to call attention to the second condition of the policy, which contained a very surprising item, namely, that parties insuring were compelled to give notice within sevendays — not of death but of the accident — to the Company or its agent. Now it might so happen that a man might meet with an accident of which at first he thought but little, but by which death might ultimately be caused, and if notico were not given within sevon days, which it probably would not, his heirs would lose all the benefit of the policy. The condition was one which the public should look to. He could understand the reason for insisting upon it from the Company's point of view, but it should also be looked at from another standpoint. A man might meet with a fall and for days remain m a comatose condition, and none of thoso around him know that he was insured, so thot there could bo no chance of notico being given, and the payment of the policy would be left entirely to the fair dealing of the company, but legally thero would not be a log to stand upon. People ought to understand what they wero doing when insuring, aud he frequently regretted the carelessness and insouciance displayed by them m accepting such conditions." Highway Robbery Almost, to sell the poisonous, drunken, purging stuff as medicine to honest men, innocent women, and harmless children to weaken and destroy their systems and health, when pure harmless Hop Bitters can be had that cures alwayß and continually at a trifling cost. Ask druggists or physicians. Read [Advt.] " You Don't Know Their Value." — "They cured me of billiousness and kidney complaint, as recommended. I had a half bottle left, which I used for my two little girls, who the doctors and neighbours said could not be cured. I am confident I should have lost both of them ono night if I had not had tho Amoricnn Co.'s Hop Bittors m my houso to use. That is why I say you do not know half the valuo of American Hop Bittors, and do not recommend thorn highly enough." See [Advt.] Amebican Co's Hop Bittbeb are tha Purest and Beat Bitters ever made. Thoy aro compounded from Hops, Malt, Buchu, Mandrake, and Dandelion, — tho oldest, best, and most valuablo medicines m the world and contain all the boat and most curative properties of all other remedies, being the greatest Blood Purifier, Liver Regulator, and Life and Health restorer on earth. No disease or ill health can possibly long exist whoro thoy are used, .so varied and perfect aro their operations. They give new lifo 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 aro invaluable, boing highly curative, tonic, and stimulating, without intoxicating. No matter what your feelings or symptoms are, what the disease or ailment is, use Hop Bitters. Don't wait" until you aro sick, but if you only feel bad or miserable, use Hop Bitters at once. It may save your lifo. Hundreds have been saved by so doing. £500 will be paid for a case they will not cure or help. Do not Buffer or let your friends suffer, but use and urge tbem to use American Hop Bitters. Remember, American Hop Bitters is no vile, drugged, drunken nostrum, but the purest and best mediciuo ever mado. Try tho Bitters to-day. Get at Chemists or Druggists. Bewaro of imitations. Genuine has Dr Soule's name blown m botlle.-rCADTX.]

TnE HALJ-IIOLIDAY MOVEMENT. — The employees of Timarn thank tho public of South Canterbury for thoir hearty sympathy m supporting tho Thursday half-holiday movement, which under their continued patronage, will provo a lasting benefit, Customors are requested to complete their purchases before one o'clock on Thursdays, to ensure punctual closing. — [Advt.] SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Jas. A. Graoio and Co. — Have a first-class, farm for salo ; also, will sell skins at their rooms on tho 12th inst. ; cattlo and sheep at Makikihi to-day. W. Evans — Wauta tenders for ploughing. Beatb, Sohieas and Co.— Notico ro moleskin trousers. Geraldino Road Board— Notify result of poll. Temuka Road Board— Rosnlt of poll. Tomnka Linseed, &0., Co.— Want to rent land. . _ . . S.C. Harriers— Will meet at tho Point on tho 12th and at Graham's road on tho 15th nsts. . St. Mary'a Church— Annual parish meeting m the Assembly Rooms thia evening. Mra LeCren — Wants a cook. Miaa English— Wants a girl. Rickards-Raynor Company— Will appear at tho Thoatre Royal on tho 14th inst.