The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3722, 6 September 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1886.

In another column will be found a lengthy abstract of the proceedings m the case of Yogel v. Boydbonse and another, which was tried m the Supreme Court m "Wellington on Friday last. A shorter telegram on the same aubject was published by us on Saturday morning. Sir Julius Yogel loßt the action, and costs were allowed on the highest scale. When the District Railways scandal was being talked of and written about all over the country we bad no difficulty m coming to the conclusion that Sir Julius Vogel's hands wera clean m the matter of the commission which Mr Steward received from the companies for his services. Sir Julius neither bargained for nor received any part i of the aionoy. Not until after the report of the Select Committee had been brought up did he know of the j letter m which Mr Slee mentioned that his (Sir Julius Vogel's) services would be i remunerated if the Government pur- j chased the debentures. The committee did not inform Sir Julius Yogel that m the original letter his name supplied | the blanks which appeared m the copies. The suppression was exceedingly unfair to him, though we do not say that the committee bad any intention of doing him a. wrong. But the purchase of the debentures through the agency of a member of the House of Representatives, who was to receive commission from the companies, was adversely commented on by most of the newspapers of the colony. The prevailing opinion was and still is that Mr Steward should have kept out of the business, and that Sir Julius Yogel should live declined to make the purchase through a member of the Legislature. The Wellington Evening Press was very out-spoken on the point, and Sir Julius Yogel speedily mado np bis mind to bring the proprietors (Roydhouse and Wakefield) to book m an action for libel. The articles complained of came under our notice at the time of publication, and thoughthey contained some trencbent criticism, we were unable to see that they would bear the construction sought to be put on them by Sir Julius Yogel. The result of the action is just what we expected, and the verdict will be a lesson which the plaintiff is not likely to forget. That verdict does not imply that Sir Julius Vogel's connection with' the purchase of the District Railways debentures, was tainted with corruption. It is merely si refusal on the part of the jury to endorse the construction put by the plaintiff on the articles m the Evening Press. Our politicians ought not to be so exceedingly "thin-skinned" with regard to comments on their public actions. Above all they Bhonld be careful, for their own reputation's sake, not to rush into the Supreme Court to vindicate their characters from charges which have not been made by others, but have been conjured np merely by their own over-sensitiveness to hostile criticism. If Sir Julius Yogel had gained his case he would not have improved his position m the slightest degree, because no one believed that he shared, or had any thought of sharing, the commission with Mr Steward ; but if his reputation suffers at all by the verdict he will have no one but himself to blame for his stupid attempt to muzzle the press. We published recently a table of the four-weekly railway returns for the period ended July 24tb. The total receipts were £68,501 2s 6d, of -which the lines m the North Island contributed £22,G79 11s sd, and the lines m the Middle Island, £45,821 11s Id. The figures cannot be regarded as satisfactory, and naturally gfve rise to some uneasiness as to railway prospects m the future. For the corresponding period of 1885 the railway returns showed £70,408 13s 2d, the North Island having contributed £22,742 16s Id, and the Middle Island, £47,665 1 7s Id. On turning to the expenditure for the same period we find that for thefour weeksthia year it was £58,184 Is 9d, of which sum £20,989 18s 9d was spent on the North Island lines, and £37,191 3s on the. Middle Island lines. For the corresponding period last year the expenditure was £54,478 5s 9d. Of that sum £17,594 14s lid was spent on the North Island lines, and £36,883 10s lOd on those m the Middle Island. The returns for the first four months of the current financial year (April, May, June, and July) are also unsatisfactory. In round numbers the revenue was £328,000 or about £20,000 les3 than was received during the corresponding period last year. But those figures do not show the real extent of the mischief. On the 31st March, 1885, there were 1,477 miles of railway open for traffic, and on the 31st [March, 1886, there were 1,613 miles

open for traffic. A corresponding increase of revenue might naturally have been expected. It seems, however, that the greater the mileage the smaller the returns. In the Public Works Stntetnent of last session Mr Richardson said (speaking of the year 1885-6): — " We have during the year made many reductions m the rate of carriage of goods, all m the direction of helping local productions, which, bad our rates remained unaltered, would have produced fully £50,000 more revenue without increasing the cost of working. This amount represents the benefit derived by the general public using the railways. It will therefore be seen that, although we have had to provide for the maintenance of and work 136 miles more railway, we have so curtailed the expenditure that it has only amounted to £314 m excess of that of last year." We fear that a far less flourishing account will have to be giTen of the operations of the current year. The estimated railway revenue is £1,150,000, and the receipts for April, May, June, and July, should on that basis have amounted to £383,333. We have seen that it actually waa £328,000. The deficiency on the estimated result of the four months' operations was therefore rather more than £55,000. If this goes on for the remainder of the current financial year, the railway revenue will fall short of the Treasurer's estimate by no leßs a sum than £165,000. Nor has there been lessened expenditure to make up m any degree for the deficiency. The expenditure for the four months waß about £24,000, which was an increase amounting to £11,000. The I net profit of the operations for the four months is about £30,000 less than it was lust year, and, of course, for the whole year, if the same state of things continues, the net profit will be less by £90,000. Let us hope that an improvement will take place, but meanwhile it is as -well to see things as they actually are. Judging by the past, the Government will be unable to curtail the railway expenditure during the year, and they are not at all likely to attempt to mend matters by raising rates either for passengers or goods traffic. Public opinion is entirely opposed to the latter expedient, and whatever the Minister for Public Works might feel inclined to do m that direction, the Colonial Treasurer would fee strongly opposed to j any increases.

_ —^—— ______ Tho ordinary monthly meeting of tha Timcru School Committees is to be held this evening. We understand that the inspector's half-yearly report on the Main School will bo read and discussed at the meeting. We remind horseowners that nominations for tho Waimate County Hunt Club Steeplechases must reach tho hnnds of the secretary (Mr Or. F. Lot eg rove) at Makikibi somotime to-day. The meeting, we learn, is likely to prove very successful. Wo notico by an advertisement m another column that an enterprising publisher of Timaru (Mr T. F. Farley) has now m the press a pamphlet containing a fu'l report with the story and evidenco, of fie trial of Thomas Hall and Margaret Graham Houston, charged with attempting to murder Mrs Catharine Hall. The pamphlet will be published immediately after the close of the trial. The taking of evidence m the Hall-Houston attempted wife murder cose was resumed at 10.30 on Saturday morning, and the proceedings terminated at 12.50 p.m., Mr White then asking, on behalf of the prosecution, for an adjournment till this day week. As tho bench could only grant a remand for eight days, the taking of evidence was formally adjourned to Saturday next, then to be further adjourned till Monday, the 11th mat, A very interesting and 'pleasing ceremony took placo on Friday night at the Presbyterian Church, when the Key. Wm. Gillies was presented by his parishioners, with a purse of sovereigns as a token of their appreciation of his labours among them for the lust ten years, and of sympathy with him m his domestic trials. Mr Wm. Evans made tho presentation on behalf of the congregation and m a touching address conveyed their sympathy to Mr Gillies. Iho reverend gentleman feelingly replied, thanking the congregation Tery sincerely on behalf .of himself end Mrs Gillies for tbss expression of goodwill. After hearty votes of thanks to the lady collectors to Mr Evans, and to the chairman, had been passed, tho proceedings terminated with tht benediction. The gift, which was handed to Mr Gillies m the presence of a largo number of people, was accompanied by a very handsomely bound edition of Schiller's works, m six volumes. We had tho pleasure on Saturday of inspecting some lithographic views of Tarawerft and Botomahana which have just been issued by Mr A. D. Willis, tho woll-known lithographer and stationer of Wanganui. Tho view of " Mount Tarawera m eruption, June 10th, 1886," as seen from the native village of Waitangi, Lake Tarawera is splendid and very realistic. Tho at the time awful and solemn scene of tho famous volcano m active, eruption, is boldly de- i picted, whilst m tho foreground is well pourtrayed the calm water of the lako named, on whose watery bosom the wild scene stands out m bold relief. The natives also m the villngo of Waitangi are to be seen running hither and thither, to all appearanco fairly dumfounded with the marvellous scene which so suddenly presented itself to their astonished gaze. Accompanying the picture spoken of are views of the famous Pink and White Terraces of Kotomahana, of the transcending beauty of which so much has been said and written, and which were destroyed by the eruption. These views are from photos, by Mr C. Spencer; are very beautiful, the coloring of tho terraces and scenery immediately surrounding them being rich and an exact representation of what the terraces onco were. Mr Willis, who is now m Timaru, has we are glad to leant, received many orders for his views, which can be obtained at the various booksellers m town. Mr Willis we may add also issuing a speciality m Christmas and New Tear cards. Each card contains a prettily colored, and admirably executed, view of a colonial town, lake or mount, and thus make the cards of much interest. " Augur " m the Australasian says : — Those who have seen the Hon. W. Hobinson's two-year-old brothor to Nbrdenfeldt state that he is one of the grandest colt a ever bred m New Zealand. Since he was broken mb c has grown and furnished m a marvellous manner. His owner has expressed an intention to revisit us during the coming season, and if^ho should prove victorious m some of the great races Australians will be glad to congratulate him. — This would appear to confute those who say Mr Bobinson does not intend to Bend anything to Australia this [leaion,

Cardinal Manning lias tiken opportunity during the week (writeu the London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus) of making a declaration m favour of Home Rule, m a long letter, m which ho contends that Protestants would have nothing to fear from Catholic ascendancy m Ireland. 'J hie letter has caused much annoyance to the Conservatives who are wit Inn the Roman communion, and it is said (hat the Duke of Norfolk lus mado emphatic protest against it. His Grace has mure than once lately come into contact with his spiritual chiefs, and it is hinted that lie is so irritated against them that he actually meditates secession. H this lnst should come about it would be perhaps the greatest blow which could be given to English Catholicism. A despatch from Savannah to the iVew York World gives some interesting information -\bout the progress of the negroos of the Southern States. In Georgia alone last year the colo ired people paid taxes on more than 10.000.000d0l worth of property. They likewise own over 700,000 acres of real estate. Up to 1880 the negroes of the same State only paid taxes on 6,600,00Pd01. of property, and owned only half as much real estnte as they to-day return. In other words the ex-slaves of Georgia have accumulated as much property within the past five years as they did during the 15 years following upon the heels of the war and their release from bondage. It is estimated that the coloured voters of Georgia taken as a whole, own more than 10 acres of land per capita and more than lOOdol. worth of property. The Russian detectives have at last succeeded m arresting Degaieff, who, on Decem be>' 2 Stli, 1883, murdered M. Soudeikin, the Chief of ths Secret Police. Dagaieff wag captured it is said, m Austria, and taken to Russia under very strict guard. Ho formerly served m the Political Police, and distinguished himself by Capturing important membors of the Nihilist party. He and Soudeikin were for about two years intimate friends. All this time Degaieff held n high position m I thfit party, and supplied it with important information about the secret movements of the Political Police. Ho played this double part with complete success for nearly two years. He was an artillery lieutenant when he joined the Nihilists, m 1881, and a short time afterwards he entered into relations with the police. After the murder a reward of £1000 was offered for his apprehension, but he succeeded m escaping to Paris, and afterwards to .he United States. Thb Half-holiday Movement. — The employees of Timaru thank the public of South Canterbury for their hearty sympathy m supporting th« Thursday half-holiday movement, which under their continued patronage, will prove a lasting benefit. Customers are requested to complete their purchases before one o'clock on Thursdays to ensure punctual closing. — [Advt.] Post Card Proof. Salisbury, Term., April 4, 1883.— Gents : I was afflicted with serious Kidney and Urinary trouble for twelve years. After trying all the doctors and patent medicines I could hear of, I used two bottles of Hop Bitters and am perfectly cured. B. F. BooTn. Washington, D. 0., April 3, 1883.— T0 the Hop Bitters Co. — Sirs: I write tins ns a token of the great appreciation I have for your Bitters. I was afflicted with Inflammatory Rheumatism seven years, and no medicine soemed to do mo any good until I tried threo bottles of your Hop Bitters, and to my surprise I am ns well today as ever I was. I hope you may have great mcceas m this great and valuable medicine. Anyono wishing to know more about my cure, can learn by addressing me. — E. M. Williams, 1103 16th street. Prosecute the swindlers ! — If when you call for American Hop Bitters (see green twig of hops on the white label and Dr Soule's name blown m the bottle), the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters, refuse it and shun that vendor as you would a viper ; and if he has taken your money for anything else indict him for the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you liberally for the conviction. (3) Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphites, is more reliable as an agent m the Cure of Consumption, Bronchitis, and General Debility, than any other remedy known to medical science. Bead the following : — "I have prescribed 'Scotts Emulsion ' and have also taken it myself, and can fully endorse the opinion that it is both palatable and efficient, and can be tolerated by almost any one — especially where Cod Liver Oil itself cannot be borne. — Martin Miles, M.D., &c, Stantonbury, Bucks, England." — (?) SYNOPSIS OP NEW ADVERTISEMENTS Messrs Graoie, Maclean, and Adam — Will hold a clearing' sale of live and dead stock at Ploasant Point on an early date. T. F. Farley, stationer — la receiving orders for a pamphlet, now m press, containing tho story and evidence m tho Hall murder case. Timaru Steam Collier Company — Hold special general meeting on Wednesday. C. G. Tripp— lnvites tenders for ploughing. Clydesdalo stallion " Young Wellington" — Will travel the Pleasant Point, Kqrrytown, Fareora, and surrounding districts this season. W. F. Pitt— Has accepted tho tender of Kevorn and Stevenson, for cutting fences. R. R. Taylor— Has the Albury Hotel, Opawa, for sale. Timarn Woollen Factory Company — Hold a special poneral mooting on Friday. "T.M." (married couple) — Want situation on a station. " A.," Box 111 — Board and residenoe by two gentlemen wanted. P. W. Hntton and Co. — Have an important announcement m this isane re bookbinding.