FRETEUL PORCUPINE

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1092, 2 December 1899, Page 5

FRETEUL PORCUPINE

A Multitude of Candidates for Ohinemuri

Rotorua | Sanatorium,

Here is a little narrative which strikes us as being rather high in its particular line. We give the story for what it may be worth. About two months ago, a certain individual arrived from the country (not a hundred miles from the Thames), to take up a billet in town. He wanted to invest in a subnrban residence to the value of £600 or £700, and therefore called upon a certain Queen-street house agent for a list of suitable properties to Beleot from. The day being Saturday, the agent volunteered to drive his client in the afternoon on an inspecting tour. An appointment was made for three o'clock, and in a cab hired from the stand the parties drove through miles of streets, viewing five or six marketable villas on the way.

On arriving at the residence of the agent, after a two hours' pleasant, but somewhat sultry ride, the cabby was paid hia fare, the client introduced to the agent's wife,

ance, and to bia intense surprise and chagrin waß calmly informed that the tjuondam client had bonght through another perßon. or agent, one of the very houses to which he had been driven by agent No 1, and introduced by him to the owner. The question of commission, therefore, claimed by the first agent ia likely to be a subject for legal decision. Touching the re-engagement of Mr Wm. Anderson, ex-City Engineer, by the City Council, the Mayor informs us the Herald was in error in stating that his remuneration waß to be the same as before. He is merely to be employed on commission to superintend the Freeman's Bay reclamation, and this duty is not expected to occupy him more than sixteen weeks. The commission is estimated to be no more than two per cent, npon the balance of the contract money, or about £48 in all. Mr Anderson's connection with the City Engineer's office, Mayor Goldie says, has absolutely ceased. No sooner had the Kuntly coal mines been amalgamated^ and placed on a payable footing, than the miners came down with their demands for more pay and greater privileges, and the Conciliation Court was convened to sit on the ' dispute.' It is calculated that it would cost £4,500 per annum to give the men what they demand. Just as well to hand them over the collieries altogether. Now, if the miners had agitated for a reduction of the excessive railway freight?, there would have been some sense in it, and the company would have bsen in a position to meet (hem half-way in the matter of higher wages.

Young Stbanger (at Paeroa) : Say, mister, who is that fellow tearing wildly over the mountains? He will sorely break his neck. Old Identity : He is the only voter in the district. All the others are candidates. They are after him for his vote.

who speedily prepared 5 o'clock tea, and a pleasant hour was spent at the table and in viewing the honae and .sundry recent improvements. On taking his leave, the client promised to call on Monday morning at the agent's office, and say which of the properties inspected he would decide on purchasing. In calling according to 'promi se, the client intimated that he preferred the first house viaited, but con sidered the allotment rather small, and the next best was too far oat for himself and sons to walk, and asked for a list of one or two more to view right away.

A day or two later, the agent received word through the telephone from his client, saying he had engaged to rent a house for the time being, and would decide about purchasing* later on. Several weekß elapsed before the parties met again. They bumped np against each other in a certain bank last week. The agent, of conrse, delicately alluded to the matter in abey-

To the Editor : Sir, — In a recent iaane of your journal you had an article reflecting upon the management of this institution. As the article in question might have the effect of deterring some poor anfferer from seeking admission to the Sanatorium, we kindly request you, and believe you will, in the interests of suffering humanity, publish our experience in the aforementioned institution. We receive every kindness and attention from Dr. Kenny, the medical gentleman in charge, Miss Thompson, the matron, and the other members of the staff. In cur opinion, the institution is splendidly conducted, and everything is done for our comfort, and to aid us towards the recovery of health. We thank yon in anticipation, and subscribe ourselves, yours respectfully, L. McKinnon, 6 weeks a patient; Frederick Rotjkley, 16 weeks ; .Frederick Trayes, 15 weeks ; Walter Berry, 12 weeks ; John

Miller, 8 weeks ; Frederick Rink, 6 weeks ; John Commers, 4 weeks ; Joseph Cole, 2£ weeks; Jas. Conway, one week; Michael Morony, 4 weeks ; W. T. Bond, 5 days ; Elizabeth Chappie, 13 weeks ; Elizabeth Chevis, 4 weeks ; Mary Ann Smith, 3 weeks.