TOWN & COUNTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11689, 24 February 1902, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Captain Edwin advised on Saturday as follows : —Strong north-west and west and soxilh winds, glass rise, tidgs good.

The annual meeting of (he shareholders of the Timaru Gas Company will be held at their offices at 8 o'clock this evening.

The Bishop of Auckland and Primate of New Zealand will preach at the morning and evening services in St: Mary's Church on Sunday next. Ladies' chrome 'shoes, button or lace, 5s 6d; bluchers, 4s 9d ; men's shooters, 7s 9d ; children's from Is pair to clear. Last few days at Prosser's Arcade Boot Shop.— (Advt.)

The "Poverty Hay Herald" states that the Lands Department has, in consequence of the retrenchment order, practically suspended all labour on road works in the district, and even maintenance men, whose services were required to remove slips and keep roads open, have been dismissed. X;;e badge firing of the City Rifles fur this evening, as appearing on the programme, has been postponed till Wednes- ' day. as per arrangement with Port Guards. The principal of New Zealand's debt, public and private, to over-sea creditors is equal to the value of tons of gold, and the annual interest charge to 20 tons 6|cwt of gold. There are over 5000 pairs of boots and shoes, consisting of American, English and Colonial lines, all marked at bedrock prices at Whittaker's annual sale for one month only, commencing Friday, 14th February. It will pay you to inspect our stock before purchasing elsewhere.— (Advt.) ' .

Owing to the wool sale on Wednesdaynest. the stock sale at the Geraldine yards this week stands postponed till Thursday.

The annual general meeting of the Atlas Milling Company (Evans and Co., Ltd.) ■Will be held at the Gas Company's office at 2 p.m. on Friday next. "You can't wean him off milk" was the explanation given of the absence from the meeting of the Farmers' Union on Saturday of a member who was busy aboutdairy factory business.

Shooting in a match on Saturday Private Griffin, of the Port Guards, put on the possible a.t the 500-yard range. This is the .first ten-sliofc possible put on in a Inatch on the local range.

Two boxes of gold, valued at £40,622, arrived at Wellington on Friday last by the Kaupiri from the West Coast, consigned to the National Bank. This speaks well for the Coast dredging and other goldmining industries. Prior to stocktaking we clear sun bonnets, sun hats, sun shades, at half to one-third original ptices. Fifty mackintoshes half price. Dress pieces and remnants from all departments must be sold. —Adams and Co.—(Advt.)

The Port Guards fire a match to-night at 600 yds for trophies, given by Mr Meredith Ilaye and the Westport Coal Company. Shooting starts at 4 p.m. Members not having ammunition can obtain it on the range. The funeral of the late Thomas oPeacock took place yesterday afternoon, and as the deceased was widely known and well liked in his. former business career as a partner of Mr H. Geaney in the butchery business, the funeral was largely attended.

We have received from Mr Whyte, local manager for Booth, Macdonald and Co., a neat and interesting almanac trade " card," made of aluminium, the lightness of which makes it a reasonable metallic substitute for paper card. The printing has been very well done—by the manufacturers, we conclude—the Aluminium Manufacturing Compii"- of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. A meeting of officers of Volunteers ,to discuss the question of holding a shooting meeting at Timaru will be held at the drill shed this evening. Shooting meetings have lately been very successful at Oamarr, .Dunedin and other cen tres, and we "hope to see the movement warmly taken up here. It will help on the Volunteer movement very much.

The Trades and Labour Council at Dunedin, in view of the Millers' Trust, have resolved to urge the Premier to introduce a Food Trust Bill early in next session of Parliament. Mr Ferguson, president, Mr Stewart, vice-president, and Mr Hood have been appointed delegates' to the Trades and Labour Conference at Auckland' at Easter.

It's the same everywhere, time tells the story, and 99 times out of every 100 the demand is for the Brinsmead piano, because they are built to last, not for 5 or 10 years, but for a lifetime. Their tone appeals to the eaT, their durability and price to your pocket, their direct appeal is to you. Why reject it? Interview them at Begg's, next Theatre.—(Advt.)

Advices received at- the Wellington office of the National Mutual Life Association state that at an extraordinary meeting of policyholders, held in Sydney on Friday, the actual valuation showed a surplus of £201,805. Of this sum .it was decided to divide £200,000, which will produce reversionary bonuses amounting to £400,000. Mr J. H. Loudon, of Abbotsford, commercial traveller, is definitely out for the Taieri seat. Mr W. A. Powell, who had been for a good many years a compositor, and latterly a linotypist, in the " Timaru Herald" office, left on- Saturday to take a machine in the Christchurch " Press"/ linotype room. Before leaving he was presented by the members of the staff with a silver-mounted pipe and tobaccopouch, as a small token of their esteem and goodwill. Mr Powell has learned linotyping in this office, and picked up the knack of it rapidly. A curious point in connection with spontaneous combustion was mentioned at the meeting of the Farmers' Union executive on Saturday. The members were talking about the heavy rates of insurance on threshing machines, considering the few cases of fire among such machines, when one pf them remarked that combines are very apt to take fire when they get old and useless, when they should not be insured at all. Old age and insurance is a dangerous mixture to have about a threshing machine—much worse than rats. Other members laughed, and agreed that that- is so. A resolution passed at the conference of Ministers of Agriculture, held in Melbourne last September, requested the New Zealand Government to consider favourably the question of admitting Australian grapes to New Zealand under proper conditions, and pointed out that the phylloxera vastatrix cannot bs introduced by means of the Jruit of the vine. The Premier replied, regretting the inability- of the New Zealand Government at present to take the desired action. The South Australian Government is now making further representations to the New Zealand Government, pointing out that South' Australia is entirely free from vine disease, and that existing legislation there is sufficient to cope with any outbreak. At the Magistrate's Court, Waimate, on Saturday, before Mr J. Keddell, S.M., a young man was charged with attempting to commit suicide at Waimate on the 2nd instant. He pleaded guilty, and was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. A paternity case was adjourned for hearing till Thursday, the 27th inst. In the case Loper v. Joseph J. Johnson, complainant applied for' an order that defendant should contribute to the maintenance of his- illegitimate child.. Mr Hamilton appeared for the complainant. The evidence of complainant and witnesses was taken, and an order made that defendant ehould pay 7s % week until the child is 14 years of age, also £3 3s expenses and £2 2s solicitor's fee; defendant and one surety to enter into

a recognisance of £6O for fulfilment of the order. The Court then rose.

A northern exchange says : —Mr Seddon had another attack of war hysteria at Hokitika a few days ago. After he had gone over the old ground of what the colony had done for England he is reported to have said : "We could and would put an end to this war, and if Britain withdrew her troops altogether and left.the war to us, we would settle the Boers as Von Tempsky had settled t3ie Maoris." The Premier went 011 to say, according to West Coast papers, that we had told envious nations that we defied them, and that if there was to be any more fight let it be fight to the bitter end. The spectacle of a stout gentleman frantically waving his arms and uttering war-whoops at the European nations from a rock in the South Pacific is supremely grotesque. Imagine the Tsar of Russia or the Emperor of Germany poring over a map of the worhTin the search of a place named Hokiuka !

Investigation is being made' just now into a case in Wellington, says the "Sun," which if certain suspicions prove correct, should result in some interesting and possibly startling developments. Some fifteen years ago a young man, ft son of a former well-known resident oi Tinakori road, since deceased, left Wellington and went across to Australia, and since his departure little or nothing has been heard of him by his brothers, several of whom are in business in and about Wellington still. Lately, however, it has been ascertained that a man giving the same name a? the missing has been trying to obtain certain money lying to the credit of the latter., in the hands of the Public Trustee. This and several other circumstances which have come to the knowledge of the missing man's relatives have led them to suspect it to be a case of impersonation.

The Southland Implement and Engineering Company have found a use for the portable engines which have been discarded from agricultural work in favour of traction engines. Taking off the wheels and axles, they fix boiler and engine on n. suitable frame with tram wheels, add to the frame a winding drum, and sell them 1a s.'nnnillers as log-hauling engines. They have fixed lip a number of tliese engines, which work much cheaper than bullocks. In response to a petition signed by Messrs H. B. Kirk, J. Hole, J. S. Bennett. R. Edwards, 0. S'evb, M. O'Meeghan, A. Rogers, W. Beckinsham, W. H. Jemmett, W. Cooper. J. King, W. Anglaud, J. Robinson, D. Mahoney. J. Granger, J. W. White, F. Raymond, and W. S. Waite, requesting the Mayor of Timaru to convene a meeting for the purpose of considering the question of presenting a testimonial to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon on the eve of his departure from New Zealand to attend the Coronation ceremony, His Worship has fixed the meeting to be held to-morrow evening at the town hall, at 8 o'clock.

'A meeting of the petitions: "or the new Presbyterian charge at Time, . Ib e held in the Assembly Rooms ;u . i-past 7 o'clock to-morrow evening to discuss important business.

Mr Jonathan Louden,, one of the pilot boat's crew at Taiaroa Heads, while opening some cockles on the 18th inst. found a beautiful black pearl, as large as an ordinary pea. The pearl is perfect in shape and lustrously black. Mr G. S. Fraser kindly acknowledges receipt of literature from Messrs J. McKnight, J. W. White, Cross,' 'lennent, Gillingliam, Grandi, Shepherd, Clinch, Miss Paterson, and Mrs Goodman, for th? Ninth Contingent. The improved lighting of the town clock was very noticeable on Saturday and last night; but with this extra brilliancy diill and hands quite disappear when the clock is viewed lrom a distance, suy from the schoolground or Melville corner. Masonic readers are notified that the regular monthly meeting of the Lodge of St. John, No. 1137, E.C., will be held this evening at the lodge room, Church street, for work in the first degree. The lodge will be tyled at half-past 7 o'clock. _ A cordial invitation is extended to visiting brethren.

Notice is given in the " Gazette " that a bonus of £2OOO will be paid by the New Zealand Government, to any person who, before January Ist, 1904, shall inverit an appliance which will successfully save gold from the auriferous black sands of New Zealand. The invention, in its main features, must differ from all machinery and appliances in present use for the saving of gold, and must be readily transportable and capable of utilising local water for its requirements.

On the subject of the lighthouse system of New Zealand, a correspondent sends the "Evening Post" a long letter. His chief causes of complaint are two—first, that the inspection is lax and irregular. The Brothers lighthouse, he alleges, has not been visited by the inspector for the last two years; and next, that a certain number of. the, lighthouses are under the control of foreigners, which, he thinks, would imperil the safety of the colony in time of war. Sir Maurice "O'Rorke mentioned at Friday's meeting of the University Senate that during the 30 years in which the University of New Zealand had been in existence only two candidates had attained the degree of Bachelor of Music. Professor Thomas (Auckland) said the reason there were so few was that persons who went .into music did not as a rule seek a degree. In the year 1900 only two degrees of B.Mus. were granted by the University of Cambridge, although <Jie total number of degrees was, roughly, 1000.

The " New Zealand Trade Review" brings out an interesting point in reference to the trade of Auckland. It has puzzled many persons to find that Auckland pays a larger amount in Custsoms revenue "than any other port in New Zealand. In the year 1901, for example, the Customs duties received at Auckland amounted to £542,985, while at Wellington, the nest highest port, the amount was £504,800. The " Review " has ascertained that it is by the aid of the sugar refinery that Auckland thus takes the lead. This refinery has practically a monopoly of the trade, and supplies the colonv, the bulk of the duty being paid at Auckland. Thus, for the ' year 1901 there was paid at Auckland on sugar £96;817, but at Wellington only £10,555. Apart from sugar duty, therefore, the amount paid at tlie two ports respectively was £446,168 at Auckland, and £494,245 at Wellington—an excess of £48,000 at Wellington. This shows that in general trade Wellington is fully 10 per cent.

beyond Auckland. " Sloper" writes from Auckland to the Wellington "Evening Post" as .follows: Allow me to prophecy : That during the nest twelve montds public works will be at a standstill; that within five years ninetenths of the last ten years' legislation will be abolished; that within three years, owing to lack Sf funds, the old-ag& pension scheme will cease to act; that Mr Seddon will not- return to New Zealand; that the

conjmunity will, when too late, see the awful foliy of boycotting capital; that extravagance in using the public purse for buying the estates of private persons who leave the colony with the proceeds of such sales will, owing to falling markets, shortly dawn upon the taxpayers ; that in the near future the people will insist on the abolition of a one-man Government, the clearing out of both Houses, the necessity for business representatives, few ar.d well paid; that a flushed, undignified man with a vast voice, talking, talking, talking copiously out of the windows of railway carriages, talking on termini platforms, talking from hotel balconies, talking on tubs, barrels, scaffoldings, and tins, will presently depart to return no more.

I The ".Southland Times" reports a peculiar case at the S.M; Court on Thursday before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M. The proprietor of the Club Hotel—E. Bastings—is in the habit of sending all cheques which have been cashed at the hotel, to the National Bank, where he receives cash in return, the bank collecting from the other banks in the ordinary way. On a recent occasion he sent along a bunch of cheques as usual, but nest day was told tli;u one of them, for £lO, drawn by J. B. Purdue, had not been met, and' consequently he was called on to refund the amount. This cheque was drawn in favour cjf WJ. Wills, and on making enquiries it was found that this very cheque had disappeared from ' the office of Mr R. W. Hall, solicitor. Bastings had commenced 'proceedings against Purdue for the amount of the cheque, and the theory held was that the cheque had been stolen from Mr Hall's office and cashed over the Club Hotel bar. The ijank then found that it. was £lO over in its cash, and after tracing every cheque handled, the teller (occluded that he must have given Bastings the wrong amount of cash when the cheques were presented, and the £lO was handed over to him. Further enquiries were made, and it now appears that Mr Sail's boy was banking money about the same time as the cheques were cashed for Bastings, and it is thought that this cheque for £lO was inadvertently taken to the bank by the boy, and that it either slipped in amongst Bastings's cheques or was lying on the counter, and was gathered up by the teller along with the cheques cashed* for Bastings. The mystery was thus cleared up, and the • Magistrate allowed no costs to either side. i

SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.

National Mortgage and Agency Co., Oamaru branch—Stock sale at Glenavy on 26th inst.

Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association—Stock sales for this week; horses at Tattersall's on Saturday. Ashburton County Council —Call tenders for cleaning head race. Assembly Room* —Meeting of Presbyterians to-morrow evening. Atlas Milling Co.—Annual general meeting on 28th inst. Mayor of Timaru—Public meeting tomorrow evening re Seddon testimonial. The Austral Singers—Latest particulars in scatters.

T. and J. Thomson—Show of autumn and winter novelties on Friday and Saturday. St. John's Lodge—Regular monthly meeting this evening. Wanteds—Six notices.