The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3687, 27 July 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1886.

Less than a week ago " coals furnished the people of Dunedin with a sensation, and later still "groceries" have attracted a good deal of attention. The circumstances of tbe two cases differed, yet the interest created was somewhat of the same character m each. We commented on the coal business last week, and need only add to what we wrote on that occasion that the gentleman whose weighing machine' played him such a scurvy trick has written a lengthy letter to the Otago Daily Twiea m which lie indignantly ..denies fraud and alleges its impossibility m bis case. It was all a mistake, but there is no satisfactory explanation as to how the machine happened to register so wrongly just when a police constable chanced to be on the premises. The character of the " groceries " case may be gathered from a leading article from the Otago Daily. Times which we republisb; m another column. The contractors for the supply .of rations, etc., to the inmates of the Otago Benevolent Institution and to the recipients of outdoor relief, put what appears to us to bo a most extraordinary construction on their contract. The result was that tbe unfortunate people who were being relieved by the institution received far less than was intended by-tbeir-benefac-tors. The article m the Times will enable our readers to judge to what an extent the poor must have suffered, and will enable them to, judge also whether, the contractors' reading of their agreement was a fair and reasonable one. "We would particularly draw attention to the wording of the tender on which the contract was baßed : — " We hereby tender to Bupply the Otago Benevolent Institution with such articles at the prices we have affixed m the annexed schedule m such quantities and at such timesas may be required by awritten order." The article gives the contractors' explanation of their conduct, and we; say with our contemporary that tbe case is obviously one wbioh demands publicity, and we leave the public to judge its merits for themselves. That is to say we leave the public to judge of the lona fides oi.the explanation offered by the contractors, but we have no hesitation m saying that, whether they acted m good faith or not, they were entirely m tbe wrong m their interpretation, and, except themselves, no one m Dunedin or anywhere else can have any doubt upon the point. Tbe case being so far clear, the action of tho trustees of the Otago Benevolent Institution, on the discovery of the contractors' interpretation of their agreement, strikes us as very- remarkable. They should have notified to the contractors that, on account of their grosß mistake, the institution would have no further dealings with them, and they should have been required to make good the vai'ious sums they had charged since the commencement of the contract Jn excess of what ought to have been paid under tbe schedule of prices as interpreted by the trustees. If the latter felt sure of their ground, and we presume they did, they bad no right to allow the contractors to get the benefit of one single farthing of charitable funds which was not thought to be their due. What the trustees actually did was to appoint a committee to interview the contractors and ask them whether they would carry out the contract (for the future apparently), for small parcels at proportionate rates to those named for large parcels, or take the alternative of the trustees abandoning the contract. The contractors took several days to ,c»nsijler tho situation, and then replied that they would carry j out the contract according to the interpretation of the trustees.'' And so the | affair' vraß settled. Are' there any otner

charitable, institutions m the colony whose contractors are placing a like preposterous interpretation on their agreements with the committees or trustees; and, if bo, arc there any other committees or trustees wbo are prepared to'aot on such unbusinesslike, lines as tboßO followed by the trustees of tbe Otago Benevolent Institution ? We may be very sure that thi3 case will be read with great interest throughout the colony, and that the operations lof contractors for the supply of charitable rations will undergo a minute scrutiny.

We give below the fall text of certain resolutions relating to the repeal of tbe Constitution Act, which Sir George Grey is to move on tbo motion to go into Committee of Supply. That the resolutions express his true opinions cannot be questioned. At any rate he has been consistent on the Bubject through a long Beries of years. But he can have little hope of stirring up, at this period of the session, a debate on the advisability of constitutional reforms. As for carrying his proposals m the present Houße of Representatives, the idea appears to be absurd. The following are the resolutions : — " That an humble address bo presented to Her Majesty representing (1) That m federated nations tbe privilege is left to each State comprised m the federation, of framing and adopting its own Constitution as approved by the electors 'of such State. From the recognition of this right the privilege is secured to the people of each State of living tinder that form of Government which is moßt satisfactory to them, limited only by tho condition that the general powers necessary to secure the welfare of the Confederation as a whole should remain vested m the central legislature. (2) That the people of New Zealand have no complete liberty, or power to adopt such a Constitution as they would desire, inasmuch as the Governor is nominated by Her Majesty's advisers m Enghmd ; tho Upper Chamber is composed of paid members nominated for life, and m no way responsible to the people ; the Second or Lower Chamber is returned under a system of plural voting which gives an undue influence to property, and by which any individual rich enough to do so can purchase a qualification which give 3 the right to an additional vote for himself or for any of his friends m each constituency m the colony. (3) That Her Majesty's loyul subjects, the members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, therefore earnesfly request Her Majesty to authorise her advisers to introduce into the Imperial Piirliament a measure repealing the New Zealand Constitution Act from and after a date to be fixed by the Imperiul Parliament, and empowering the inhabitants of New Zealand to frame and adopt their own local' Constitution m the same manner that the inhabitants of each State m the Confederacy of the United States are able to frame and adopt their own State constitution, and to alter thoaame from time to time as they may think expedient."

We are pleased to see that the question of holding a reyatta at Tituaru has been again mooted, and that from all we can hear it will be vigorously taken up. We well remember the time when " Tho annual regatta," was looked forward to with great pleasure, and when boating men of great and small degree vied with each other as to who should put on the water the best crew and the best boat. The day invariably set apart was Anniversary Day, the 16th December. On this day curiously enough the elements were generally pretty quiescent, though we remember the time, not so many years ago either, when the sea was so rough, and rude Boreas somehow or otber so boisterously inclined, tbat it was impossible to launch a boat, and the thousands of spectators on shoro were deeply disappointed at the regatta having to bo postponed. However, even then, and we all know that anything put off m shape of public amusements of r a.ny kind depreciates m value from an attendance point of view, tho acquatic event of the year was fairly successful. The large number of country people that came m by rail and road used to surprise many of tho easy going townspeople, -who we imagine had for the nonce forgotten that tho no small spice of danger — which at ono time was very apparent — was a source of attraction apart altogether from the question of skill and endurance, which had a far more powerful effect on country people than on townspeople, who it may be said had the ocean and its dangers right m front of their eyes every day. But during the last year or two the harbour works havo been prosecuted with vigour, and the breakwater now encloses so largo an area that a good course could be laid' off within its shelter. This would enable thousands of spectators to see the whole of a race, and m addition would allow of a firstclass mixed programme being arranged for ; that is, would provide competition for both light and heavy classes of boats. We hope the leading shipping and business men of Timaru will take the matter up vigorously, and that at tbe public meeting which is to be called at an early date, a strong and representative committee will bo elected. Wo are assured that for- uomo of the first class races the clubs at Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Oamaru, and Ohristchurcb will most likely, send crews to compete, and these, with a crew from our local boating club, should mako up races that ought to be worth going many miles to witness. The usual monthly meeting of the Waimate County Council will bo hold 10-niorrow. An ordinary meoting of tbo Timaru High School Board will be held at the secretary's office at eleven o'clock this morning. We are inform.cd that Mr George Bign.old and hii " Called Back " Company, intend to par a visit to Timaru on the 16th, 17th and 18th inst; Tbe company has done excellent business m the colony so far, and there is every reason to believe that the three nights' season here will be a, successful one. Tho woather at Waimato still continues bright and dry with sharp frosts at night. On Friday last a change seemed imminent, symptoms indicating rain, but tho weather soon resumed the dear frosty state experienced during the last six week*. Wheat sowing is all but completed .m Waimate district and preparations for spring ' crops are well forwardi . " . ...

.Colonel Bailey will visit Temnka to-morrow, a Government intpeetion parade of the Eifle Volunteers being fixed for that date. An entertainment will be given by the members of the Primitive Methodist Church Band of Hop© m the church, Barnard street, this evening. A very entertaining programme has been arranged, and the entertainment promi»e» to be a great success. Members of the 0 Battery are reminded that a special parade m drill order will be held this evening at the battery's headquarters, High streot, at 7.15 p.m. Any mombers who did not obtain their arms at the recent reieaue must do 10 to-night to be m readiness for the government parade next Thursday afternoon. Miss Forbes announces m our advertising columns this moraine that the needlework, writing, drawing, 40., will be on -view at the Ladies' school, Bank street, from 3 to 6 p.m. this day, Wednesday and Thursday. Ladies and gentlemen are invited to inspect them. The Rev. E. D. Cecil is announced to deliver a lecture on " Spiritualism and Mesmerism" m tho Congregational Church, North street, at eight o'clock this evening. As the reverend lecturer handles his subject very cleverly, no doubt a most enjoyable and entertaining evening will be spent by all. A collection will be made m aid of the Sunday School Library fund. The gas question was once more revived at the council metting last evening, and after a thort discussion was again laid aside for the time being. The Gas Company made a certain offer, and this was accepted conditionally. It now remains for ratepayers to see how tho gas directors will receive Councillor Bush's motion. The company's offer and the motion will bo found elsewhere. A special meeting of the shareholders of tho Timarn Woollen Faotory Company (Limited) will be held m tho Foresters' Hall, George street, to-morrow evening. The business is of a very important nature, and all shareholders are particularly requested to attend. The Timaru Mechanics' Institute received on Saturday the books ordered by them some months ago from London. They arrived per s.s. Aorangi, and consist of some 120 carefully selected volumes. The books will be placed en the shelves and be ready for issuing to subicribers to-night. No doubt this valuable addition to the library will be the means of securing a large number of new subscribers. About forty members of the Waimste Riflo Volunteer Company mustered for church parade at the drill shed on Sunday last, and marched to St. Augustine's Church under the command of Captain Studholmo. The band performed suitable muiical selections going to and returning from church. The Rev. C. Coates preached an mpresiive sermon appropriate to the occasion. The Pleasant Valley and Geraldino schools met at Geraldine on Saturday to try conclusions m the football field. The visitors, under the command of J. Bethune, had the best of the match, scoring five tries and two goals, whilst the home team were unable to score at all. H. Morrison played well for Qeraldine, as did also Ooogan, whilst the two Lysaghts, Ogilvie and the captain worked hard for the other lido. Terouka has for some time boatled of a fairly good brass band, — that is, the band is generally believed to be of at- luasl average excellence. The citizens, however, are beginning to grumble a- little at the mysterious siloncs kept by the band, and suggest that it should favour the community with a specimen of its musical capabilities. About Christmas timo the band doss sometimes emerge from its favoured sedation, but between on* Christmas and another is a largo gap. It has been suggested that a promenade concert m the drill shod, when the musicians would contribute one or two orchestral pieces, or a musical march through the town on a fine evening might not only improve their playing, but gratify the public. Councillors were m rather an hilarious mood l&at evening, curiously enough OTor the gas question, and more than one appeared to be partly under the influence of that soporific known to dentists and the faculty generally as "laughing gas." In tha motion as first moved by Councillor Bush a certain night was fixed on aa the ona on which the lamps should be re-lit with -gas, but as a facotious Councillor remarked that there was a full moon on the night named, and as Councillors had not a calendar by them to prove or disprove the truth of this remark and were not m a position to move that the moon should not rise on that evening, the motion was, to use a tarse expression, amended," the foreman of works being given power to deal with the gas, and, if necessary, the moon on the night named. It will be seen from » tolegram published m another column that the brigantine Aratapu hae gone ashore at Gisborne. This brigantine and her skipper, Captain Henry Bower, is well-known on this coast. About six years ago she was taken out of the coastal trade and placed m tho running between Auckland and Sydney — or m other words the Union Sash and Door Company and the timber markets of New South Wales. The Aratapu is one of tho smartest brigantines m the trade, and Captain Bower'e many seafaring friends hope that he will soon have her afloat again. The captain, we may here remark, hails from the classic town of St. Andrews, Bast Neuk of Fife. The Timaru Publio Park, Garden, and Domain Board met at the council chambers last evening. Present— His Worship the Mayor, and all the councillors. The Mayor ■aid that they had ascertained thai, the late commissioners had no power under tho acl to hand over the funds they held, and therefore the Minister had been written to on the subject. A reply htd not yet been received from him. : The Mayor added that there was about £1500 m the bands of the commissioner*, which mm wai mTested m two building, societies at 6 per oent per annum. Part of the domain was also leased, and it would be eighteen months yet before the leaso would fall m, Ho had seen the present ranger, and had requested him to be m attendance that evening, but as he was not present he (the Mayor) concluded that the ranger ha.d forgotten to keep his appointment. The Mayor then asked councillors to " walk round," make themselves thoroughly conversant with their new duties, so that at next meeting' they might be m a position to make valuable . suggestions. He thought there was plenty of room for improvement m the domain, and would like councillors to see iv which direction it could best be made. As a suggestion Councillor Bush at ouuo desired that more seats — permanently fixedhe placed m the park s but as Councillor Hill pointed put that it was premature to disouss these questions m face «f the Minister of Lands' reply not being to hand, the meeting adjourned till eight o'clock on Monday, the Bth August, '

It will bo Map by-. our Parliamentary abstract that the Civil Service Beforra Bill ha* passed its second rending m the Legislative Council. '■'". W« understand that the • Government intends to introduce legislation m the direction indicated m the report of tho Joint Committee on the rabbit pest. Although ther* hare bten rumours flying about of late of many petty larcenies having been committed m the suburbs and outskirts of the borough during the " witching hours" of midnight, the sufferers have not we learn either directly or indirectly communicatod with tho police. The Priestmari dredge commenced work at the main wharf again yesterday morning, and though tho bearings and working parts wore rather stiff at first, the engineer (Mr Head) soon got them to go smoothly, and, as usual, did good work with it. The dredging it being done at the shore end of the oceangoing steamer*' berth, and the silt is being dumped on to the breakwater, and then shovelled over the south side of this work. It dow appears that the horse which is to pity rather an important part m a larceny caie which is to come before the court on Thursday next, has been taken or strayed out of a paddock m Peeress Town, where it was put for safe custody, and the police request that anyone who has found the animal or knows of its whereabouts, to return it or giro information to them without delay. A description of the horte is, shortly, black gelding hack, aged, and stands 15 hands; is branded B on near shoulder, and is shod all round. The committee of the Temuka volunteers met on Saturday evening to receive tende s for tho erection of their new drill shed, and alio for the repainting and general " doing up " of the present one. For the first contract three tenders wore put m, that of Messrs Clinch and Lloyd, i'emuka, at £279 8s 6d being the lowest was accepted. For the other job four tenders were received, tho lowest boing that of Mr J. Cooper, Temuka, at £9 15s. The contracts, which provide for tho new ball being erected m eight weeks, and the old one finished m throe weeks, were signed yeste day morning. At the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday morning J. S. Beswick Esq., K.M., and T. W. Hall Esq., J.P. presided. A first offender charged wiih being drunk m the main road on Saturday was fined ss. The case O'Connell v. O'Connell m wbioh the wife charged her husband with failing to support her was dismissed, there being no appearance of either party. William Stokes was charged with allowing his chimney on the 19thinst.to "become foul andbe m danger of being set on fire " contrary to Borough bye law No 3, clause 0. Mrs Stokes appeared, and pleaded that the chimney was not foul as herhusband had only a day or two before the day named swept it. Inspector Broham accord ingly called Mounted- Constable Strickland who provod that the chimney blazed for seven or ten minutes and must have been very foul. Th» bench fined accused 5s and coita. The Court then rose. ' We notice that at the special meeting of the Tiraaru Poultry Society held on Saturday evening, & resolution was passed that Mr Dale be written to for an explanation regarding a letter 'which appeared m our columns on the 15th instant, and that failing a reply the committee take further action by requesting the editor of the TIMAED Hbeald to give up the name of the writer of the letter. The letter alleged that there were reports that one of the judges of poultry at the recent show had birds m tbashow (a pair of which secured first prize), but entered m another person's name. The writer expressed the opinion that the society should inquire into the matter. Yesterday Mr Dale called at our office and asked for the name of tho writer of the letter, and on being informed that the memorandum was lost, and that it was now out of our power to give the name, threatened legal proceedings. Had we been able to comply with the request we should not have done so without further inquiry ; but Mr Dalo was informed .that we wero quite prepared to insert a Utter for him if he wished to deny that the reports (if there had been any) were true as far as he was concerned. That he declined to do, and again breathed awful threats about " spending money to have a shot . at us." We think he is unwise. A word of denial from him at soon us the letter was brought under his notice would havo satisfied everyone, and would have removed any unfavourable impression which might possibly have arisen. We hare known not a few instances m which more experienced men than Mr Dale have, m like circumstances, taken that course. But if, instead of adopting a common-Benso view of the matter, he prefers to spend his money on lawyers, the loss will be his not ours. We wish it to be distinctly understood that if we had not lost the name of the writer of the letter, we should ourselves make some inquiry. It ii a pity some notice of the letter was not taken at tho time. The New Zealand postal revenue for tho quarter ended the 30th of June laat was £30,027. as against £50,799 for tho corresponding quarter of 1885. The telegraphic revenue was £26,841, as against £25,029 for the second quarter of last year. During the quarter, 402,052 paid telegrams were transmitted, also 63,670 Government telegrams. The money-orders issued numbered 38,337 for £136,597, and 31,570 were paid for £117,831. All these figures show a large decrease as compared with those of the previous year. Mr A. J. Wilson writes to a London ovening paper regarding the examination of colonial youths m the colonies for open scholarships at the English. T Diversities. As the rule stand* at present, a, boy has to leave his homo and perform a journey of long duration before he oan even compete. Ho may fail, and be obliged to return, having wasted nearly half a year, or to stay m England as an unassisted student, This limits the competition' to tho sons of wealthy people, and is hardly fair on othors. Mr Wilson, states that at first view thpro may appear a difficulty m examining boys m tho colonies for open scholarships m England, but he submits tkat tho difficulty is not insurmountable. Let the College authorities print the papers, he says, three months m. advance, and transmit them to a committee m the colony. This committee would be responsible for fairness m competitions, and tho . papers could be returned so as to reach the University authorities about tho 6amo time as the home candidates finish their papers. This principle is already carriod out m local examinations and m many held under the Civil Service Commission. The proposed change would be very advan- ' tageom. It would enlarge the field of , candidates for open scholarships, and raise the classical and mathematical standard |a tbocolor4«»r •• ■• • i

During the second quarter of the year 19,978 postal notes were issued, the amount of money being £8595. These figures show a considerable increase over tho previous quarter. Tho Savings Banks returns for the quarter ended Juno 30th show that tho withdrawals exceeded the deposits by £4566. Tho ciccss of withdrawals was largest at Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. In Christchurch the deposits greatly oxeceded the withdrawals. In the conesponding quarter of last, year tho deposits exceeded the withdrawals by £30,797. Tho New Zealand imports for the past quarter amounted to £1,253,478, against £1,338,678 for the corresponding period of 1885, a decrease of nearly £100,000. The exports wero valued at £1, 499,835, against £1,486,1H3, a fulling off of nearly £200,000. The chief deficiencies were m frozen and preserved meat, hides and skins, wool, tallow, oata, barley and potatoes. There were substantial increases, however, m bacon, hams, dairy produce, wheat and flour. Tho surveyin tho neighborhood of Alfredton (says the Wairarapa Otservcr) appears to be m a delightful state of muddle. When a settler wants to fell a quantity of bush he goes to the top of the nearest eminence, makes a guess as to where his boundaries are, and then sets his men to work, and m this way it frequently happens that the settler obligee his neighbour by clearing a considerable portion of his land for him. Quite a number of instances of this kind are known, and m one of them whioh has recently come under our notice the area of bush felled on the wrong side of the boundary line iB variously estimated at from 40 to 250 acres. Tho Minister of Lands seems to think thnt it is advisable to reduce the survey staff of tho colony, but it would surely be advisable for him to ascertain from the various chief surveyors what arrears there might be to pull up before he takes a Btep m that direction. The latest issues of Xature contain soino particulars of the eruption of Mount Etna iv Sicily, which took place on the 18th May. Earthquake Bhocks were felt m all the communes m the immediate vicinity of the volcano. At Zafferato, where the shocks appear to have been attended' with the upheaval of the soil, the disturbance is described a-t being so severe that the panic striken inhabitants fled from the neighbourhood. In the district of Bronte heavy Bhowers of sand decended, and a gigantic column of thick black smoke was seen to emerge from the central crater of Etna towards the west. :n addition to the eruption which took place m Etna itself, another one occurred about 2 a.m. on the 19th m Prince of Naples Mount, situated above nine kilometres N.lt, of Wocolosi. This is one of tho " Bed " mountains, formerly volcanic, but has hitherto been regarded as extinct. A copious stream of lava ran m the direction of Nicolosi, progressing at the rate of over three kilomistres m eight hours. Oa May 2(>th, eleven cratera opened, of which three assumed enormous proportions, emitting huge stones, cinders and smoke. These eruptions continued for soveral days with intermittent force. Great alarm prevailed among the inhabitants, and the houses most likely to be m danger wero evacuated. Tho noise at a considerable distance is described as resembling a continuous cannonade. The eruption had not ceased when the mail left. Nature of June 3rd, quotes from the Scotsman an account of a kind of tidal wave that maia its appearance at Stonohaven on Sunday afternoon, May 28th. At interval* just beforo and after high tide, without any appa-ent cause, tho water along the coast rose and fell from ten to eighteen inches at a time the subsidence leaving as much as fifteen to eighteen feet of the beach dry. The disturbance continued for three hours, commoDCing at about4.3o p.m. A correspondent of tho Argus, writing from Port Havannah, Hew Hebrides, Bays regarding the French occupation: — "No massacre nor murder of any European has taken place on this island within the memory of the oldest European resident. It is true that murdera have been recently committed on Mallicolo, but not at Port Sandwich, and not exclusively of French subjects. British and Gorman subjects have suffered as well; and only last month the German war vessel Albatross visited Mallicolo and punished tbo natives for the murder of a German and the destruction of his property. British warships have also been there, as well as French, on the same errand. Now, to show the objectionable nature o£ the ~ new* French departure, it 1b only necessary to ask, how would it be if Britain and Germany were m like manner to establish military posts (with of course, 'no political object ') — say, a German post on one side and an English post on. tho other of each French post merely for the protection of their respective subjects? It may bo added that these ' troops * navo never gone near the scene of the murders on Mallicolo or elaewhore, and ifc is not believed down horo that they will do so. Such places can only be visited by warships, they could bring 'troops' from Noumea, if needed, as readily at any time, and with less expense and trouble, than from Port Sandwich or Havannah Harbour to the ecene of any outrage committed by natives." A division has been organised, under Major Powell, of the United- States Geologies^ Survey, for ' inquiring into the geological history and physical conditions of the swamp lands of the United States, with a. view to their redemption and improvement. It 13 expected that by the year 1890 oil available agricultural land will have been occupied; and the tide of immigration turned from the* rich frontier country to land pissed m the--swift march westward. In the region east of tho Mississippi upwards of 50,'J00 square miles can easily. be drained. Similar lands ia Northern Europe wero drained centuries ago-, anH now form the most fertile fields. Tho American lauds are chiefly along the Atlantic* seaboard and the valley of the Mississippi, s warn pa principally due to close-growing flowering plants, although the land has a proper incline of two feet to tfie mile. From the mouth of Jamea river i.he mouth of Albermale Sound there ia a di-t. i.-l of -1000 square miles, a portion of which Imsf been, easily and cheaply drained, as it was only necessary to remove tho densu mat of stem*,, roots, arid decaying fragments of plants, closely interlaced, which prevented the speedy overflow of the rainfall. A thorough surreyis to bo made so as to enable the Gorernment. to replace m the Public Domain large tracts, of land whioh will then bo open for eettlo» ment.