The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3746, 4 October 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1886.

Although comparatively few people actually send or receive messages by submarine cable, the whole community profits largely and m various ways by its operation, aud is therefore interested m the questions now at issue between the Government of New Zealand and the Eastern Extension Australasian and China Telegraph Company. Notwithstanding all the correspondence which haa been published there is Btill some| doubt as to the intentions of tbe Government. Perhaps the best summary j of the case is to bo found m the statement made by Sir Julius Yogel to a deputation of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce which waited on him the other day. But even that statement as published m the Wellington newspapers is not quite clear upon all points. Considerably before the session of 1885 the company, taking time by the forelock, began to press the Government to negotiate towards a new arrangement, aa the subsidy would come to an end (as far aa the New Zealand-Australian line was concerned) m February, 1886. Nothing was dono till the session of 1885, and tben the Government asked tbe House to sanction the renewal of the subsidy for five years, conditionally on the cable rata for ordinary messages being reduced to sixpence a word and s for presß messages to threepence a word. That, be it remembered, was Sir Juliuß Vogel's own proposal, though before the Bession of 1885 he had pointed out to a deputation of tbe Chriatchurch Chamber of Commerce (which contended that the • existing rates were very high) that, m comparison with wbat was charged m other places, the rateß m New Zealand were low — actually lower than m any \ other part of tha world. We mention ■ tbat merely incidentally as something , which ought to be taken note of when i reviewing the action of the Government. [ After considerable debating the Houße I empowered the Government to enter into , a new arrangement on the basis wehave just referred to. The company de- ' clined the terms, but offered to make " the reductions if the subsidy were given ' for ten yeara. Tbe Government, even if it had been willing, had no power to make that arrangement. Tho company made other propoaala which were equally

inadmissible, and intimated that, unlesß au arrangement were come to, the rates would be raised. On that Sir Julius Yogel telegraphed to the Agent-General to ascertain the cost of a new cable. Subsequently tha negotiations between the Government and the company were continued, and several proposals, one after another, were made by the latter. Nono of them was entertained. At length tbe company, finding that the Government was not to be shaken, offered to accept the five years' subsidy. That is what we gather from the reports m tbe Wellington newspapers of Sir Julius Voxel's statement to the deputation of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce ; but it ia not quite clear whether at the last the company unreservedly gave way, or, whilst consenting to take the five yeara'.subsMy and make the reductions as resolved on by the House, stood oat for a guaranteo of gross revenue on the basis of the past three yeara. That part of the interview is thus reported m the Hoening Post : — " Then there was an intimation made — perhaps not m express terms — that thc company should fall back upon the original proposal for a five years' subsidy. " Mr Travers asked if tbe per centage was mentioned. "Sir Julius Yogel replied that it would be found m the correspondence. Tbey asked for 8 guarantee of the gross revenue, including the eubsidy, which was £26,500. " Mr Travers — That means for the cable between Australia and New Zealand ? "Sir Julius Vogel — Yes. Tou will find interesting correspondence on that point. Sir Julius, continuing, said the Government wero given to understand that the company would fall back upon the originnl terms, viz., a five years' eubsidy, and make the reductions proposed. The Government considered the matter again and again, and came to the conclusion that it was not expedient to give any sui. sidy." At all events the sentence we have last quoted is plain enough. Whatever the final offer of the company waß, the Government, notwithstanding its own proposal m 1885 and the resolution of tlie House based thereon, had come to thc determination not to pay any subsidy at all. Then it was that the company gave formal notice that the rates would be raised frora the lst October. We need not attempt to go into the merits of the subsequent dispute between tlie Government and the company, as to tbe right of tho latter to raise tho rates, and of the former to retaliate by charging tbe company for oflice accommodation and for delivering the messages. The last stage arrived at m the affair is that the company has offered to postpone raising the rates till the uew year if the Government will " reconsider the proposals with a view to an amicable arrangement." Perhaps the Government will consent to negotiate further. Such a course would help to fill up tbe gap between the present time and the meeting of Parliament, but, after such a very decided expression of opinion on tbe part of Sir Julius Yogel, it is hard to see how he can give way. If his mind is fully made up, it would be unfair to the company to accept the delay merely for the sake of gaining time. Sir Julius Yogel, speaking, we must suppose, on behalf of his Government, appeared quite clear that the subsidy ought not to be paid, but beyond tbat he gave no very distinct intimation as to how he designed to shape his course. He fully admitted the advantages of a second cablo between New Zealand and Australia, and did not regard the cost of laying it down as prohibitive, if tbe colony choose to undertake tbe work. He said that tbe rates would be lowered immensely if such a cable were laid. But at the same time he showed an inclination to delay bringing the scheme before Parliament if the company would consent to abandon the application for a subsidy and not to raise the rates. He had evidently given a great deal of thought to the proposed Canadian line, and had laid liands on all available information relating to the subject. But, whilst recommending the various Chambers of Commerce to take the matter into consideration, and Baying that the Postmasters-General of the colonies should meet m conference, he carefully abstained from committing his Government by a definite expression of opinion as to what ought to be done. If the Canadian line were resolved on by Great Britain and the Australasian colonies m conjunction, the smaller project which is now being discussed would drop out of sight, and the rates would be enormously reduced as soon as tbe cable was laid. Evidently the present position of the whole question is unsatisfactory m the extreme, and one cannot help regretting that a clear understanding with the company was not arrived at long before tbe expiry of the subsidy. If it had then been found that the company would not be prepared to make such concessions as appeared reasonable, the House might have been asked to consider the advisability of laying another cable, nnd, consent having been given, tbe work might have been completed before tbe expiration of the subsidy m February last.

The sum of £2499 passed through Messrs Mason and Roberts' totalisator during tho two days' r.ice meoting of tho Geraldino Racing Club. Tho regular monthly meoting of the Timaru School Committeo will bo held m the board room, Main School, at oight o'clock this evening. An election for tho return of ono synodsman, for tho parish of Timaru, m placo of Mr George Gordon, resigned, is to be held at Mr W. M. Sims' oflice, at half-past four o'clock this afternoon. By tho courtesy of Mr Moss Jonas we wero allowed to inspect tho latest donation he has received towards the Timaru Museum. The donation Mr Jonas has just secured ia from Mr Murray Aston j is a very handsome one, and consists of a large number of specimens of New Zealand aquatio nnd land birds. Among them are splendid specimens of the black crested, and spotted shags ; grey and Paradiso ducks and toal ; pukakis and wekas (swamp and wood hens) ; moko-moki nnd Now Zealand king-fishers, etc. Tho birds havo all been carefully and skilfully presorved and stuffed, ond male up ono of the most important and handsome gifts yet made to our museum. Wo may add that Mr Jonas has now got a grand collection of articles, but is etill most willing to receive, and will accept with best thanks, any donntion of enrios that may bo forwarded to Jiina.

Very satisfactory entries have been received for the Timaru Facing Club's meeting, thc number being much larger than has ever been nominated before. Full partioularß of the nominations will bo found elsewhere. The dates of the Government parades of tho South Canterbury Volucteer Corps, for tho month of October, are notified m our advertising columns this morning. Tho South Canterbury contingent of tho C.V.C. left by the lirst train on Saturday morning for Christchurch, where the annual week's drill commences this morning. A meeting of tho committee of tho Geraldine Racing Club was held m their office on Friday night last, Mr R. IT. Pearpoint m the chair. Four applications were opened for lhe position of secretary to the club, resulting m the appointment of Mr H. B. Webster. Mr W. Rees, the Sheep Inspector for South Canterbury, informs us that the numbor of sheep m South Conterbury on May 319t, 1886, was 1,853,000, an increaso since tho corresponding date of I^Bs of G9.000. This increase is exccedingiy satisfactory and gratifying. The Railway Department announce that market tickets will bo issued on tho first Thursday m each month for tho Winchester livo stock sales. This should provo welcome uowj to tlioso who attend the sales. Tho annual general meeting of tho South Canterbury Caledonian Society is to be held m the Mechanics' Institute at half-past soven o'clock this evening. Ihe business is to receive tho report and balanco-sheet, elect directors, and general At the Besident Magistrato's Court on Saturday morning, a man and a woman were brought up charged with drunkenness. Tho former was fined 5s and lho latter, who had been bailed out, but did not appear, wns ordered to pay 10s. His Worship the Mayor was on the Bench. A grand concert and ball is to Jbe held at St. Andrews on tho 14th inst., m Messrs Bruco nnd McLaren's granary (kindly lent for the occasion) m uid of funds for building a reading-room. A special train for tho convenience of visitors will leave Timaru at 7.15 o'clock tho same evening, returning at half-past two next morning, and will stop at Normanby if required. A horso belonging to Arr Jauies Craigio, whicli was being harnessed to a four-wheeled trap m North street, opposito Shephord's store, on Saturday night, took fright and bolted round tho corner, and along the Main street. Mr Craigio who was standing m the road holding tho reins when the horso started off, stuck manfully to tho ribbons until opposite Mr Hitch's shop, when he foll. The horso then increased his pace, and making a wido sweep nt Anderson's corner, suddenly turned and galloped right into Lukey's stable, jamming himself and trap m ono of the Btalls. Curiously enough tho horse was not injured m any way, nor was tho trap damaged. Our Waimate correspondent writes : — After a very warm day and night on Friday, a cold south-wester came up sudienly on Saturday morning, about 10 a.m., and rain commenced to fall heavily and has continued up to the hour of writing (5 p.m., Saturday), with every appearance of heavy rain. About 2 p.m. tho wind fell, and after a time blew again from a point nearly oast, tho temperature at the samo time rising. Tho rain will havo the effect of further retarding farm work, which is rather late this eeason, the long continued wet stato of tho Boil having greatly delayed the sowing and preparations for spring crops. Tho members of the Waimate Firo Brigade celebrated tlieir anniversary on tho evening of the Ist instant by a torchlight procession and display of fireworks. A largo number of persons accompanied the procession through the principal streets, accompanied by tho band. Bluo lights were burned, rockets aud crackers let off, and balloons sent up along the line of inarch. Tho night was clear and fine, contributing largely to tho success of the display, and the enjoyment of the spectators. Selections of music were performed by the Band, and thero was a furthor display of fireworks after the orrivnl of tho procession at tho Brigade Station, whero a largo concourse of people asaemblod. A meeting of the Committeo of tho Temuka Mechanics' Institute was held on Friday evening, the following members being present Messrs Hargreaves (President), Bryors, Gentlcmun, Lee, Lawson, and Beri. Accounts amounting to £6 lis 6d were passed for payment. A letter was recoived from the Geraldine Institute, suggesting an exchange of books and inviting tho Temuka lustitute to join them man ordor for new books. It was resolved to forward a catalogue to Geraldino from which the Committeo thero might select any books, not exceeding fifty m number, to exchange. As the Temuka Committee do not propose ordering any new books before February next, thoy could not join Geraldino as suggested. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Lawson for his gift to tho Institute of a picture representing the city of Edinburgh. It was further resolved to erect a hitching post opposito tho Institute for the convenience of members. Mr Bryara was instructed to make some inquiries relative to printing catalogues, and the meeting ter. minatcd. Tns Half-holiday Movement. — The employees of Timaru thank tho public of South Canterbury for their hearty sympathy m supporting the Thursday half-holiday movement, which under their continued patronage, will provo a lasting benefit. Customers aro requested to completo their purchases beforo one o'clock ou Thursdays to ensuro punctual closing. — [Advt.] Coffee. — DrHassell,thocelebra ted analyst, states that tho roason why coffee is not moro generally used as a beverage, is owing to the difficulty m procuring puro wholesome coffeo. The undersigned import their own, and only uso plantation berry, which is roasted and ground on the premises, customers can thus roly on getting genuino coffee. Sold at lg 6d, ls Od, 2s per lb. J. Anderson & Co., Tea and Coffee Merchants. — [Advt.] Post Card Proof. Salisbury, Term., April 4, 1883.— Gents : I was alllicted with serious Kidney and Urinary troublo 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. Booth. Washington, D. 0., April 8, 1883.— T0 the Hop Bittera Co. — Sirs : I write this as a token of the great appreciation I have for your Bitters. I was afflicted with Inflammatory Rheumatism seven yeavs, nnd no medicino seemed to do me any good until I triod threo bottles of your Hop Bitters, and to my surprise I am as well to-day as evor I , was. I hope you may have great success m this great and valuable raodicino. Anyono wishing to know more about my cure, can learn by addressing me. — E. M. Williams, 1103 16th stroet. Proseoute the swindlers! — If when you call for American Hep Bitters (see green twig of hops on the white label and Dr Soule's name blown m tho bottle) , the vendor hands out i anything but American Hop Bitters, refuse it ! and shun that vendor as you would a viper j and if ho has taken your money for anything elae indict him for the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you iberally for the conviction. (3)

Beware of packages of injurious stuff, purporting to mako. genuine Hop Bitters, nlso preparations and fluids said to contain all the properties of American Hop Bitters. They spring up on account of the groat popularity of the genuine, which is only put up m largo square-ponol amber-coloured bottles, wilh the names "DrSoule."and "Hop ßitters" blown m tho glass, and is the beßt family medicino over mado. Read Truth and Soberness. — What is the best family medicine m the world to regulate the bowels, purify the blood, remove costiveness and biliousness, aid digestion, ond stimulate the wholo Bystem ? Truth and soberness compel us to answer, American Co.'s Hop Bitters, being pure, perfect and harmless. Sco. — [Abvt.] Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with Hopophosphites, is a combination of two most valuable remedies, m a palatable tnd easily digested form, liaving great healing and strengthening properties, moat vuluable m Consumption and wasting diseases. Read the following : — ,l I have found ' Scott's Emulsion ' of great benefit m the treatment of phthisical and scrofulous diseases. It is extremely palatable, and does not upset the stomach — thus removing thc great difficulty experienced m the administration of tho plain oil.— D. P. Kenna, L R.C.S., Surgeon, St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin." Any chemist can supply it. (8)