LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11388, 2 October 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Some, interesting reading matter will be found on our first page. Messrs W. A, Murray an<i E. Lako -were nominated for, the Waikato seat yesterday. At the Police Court yesterday Samuel Timmins was remanded by the .Resident Magistrate to Foxton, to answer a charge of assault. The Wanganui Cricket Club open the season to-morrow with a scratch match on Victoria Park, and not on the Racecourso as stated in our last issue. " Octoroon " reheai'sal in the Oddfellows' Hall, at 7.15 this evening. All performers are requested to be punctual. The annual general meeting of the Union Boating Club will be held this evening, at 8 o'clock, in the Steam Packet Hotel. The New Zealand Shipping Company have been advised that the B.M.S. Rimuttka left'Rio for Plymouth on Tuesday last, with her cargo of frozen meat in good condition. The Waihora, which sailed for Sydney this week took about 140 passengers and 1100 tons of cargo. The Jubilee, which left for Sydney the same day, topk 80 passengers, and 1000 tons of colonial produce. We are pleased to learn that Judge Ward, of the Native Lands Court, hasi been appointed Judge of the wide dis- 1 trict extending from Mokau to Marton. Judge Ward still remains in Wanganui, where the headquarters of the district are situated. - The viial statistics for the month ending September 30th, as supplied by -Mr G-. W. Woon (Registrar), are as follows : — Births -County, 7 j borough, 14 ; total, 21. Deaths — Country, 5; borough, 3; Hospital, 1 s total, 9. Marriages — Re- - gistrar, 1 ; Presbyterian, 1 ; total 2. We are requested to call the attention of the public to the fact that the new : postal rates have no effect on the charge for letters addressed to any place within New Zealand. The postage still remains as heretofore— namely, Id in the town and 2d for all places outside. At a horse sale at Carterton on Saturday the prices realised were : Draught colt, unbroken, £23 10s ; draughts, medium, from £10 10s to .£11 ; hacks, from £U to £14 10s. The Wanganui Herald blames the Opposition for obstructive loquacity during the late session. It alsothreatens the Legislative Council with annihilation, and it seeks to throw on that Chamber the responsibility of evading the just claims of the old soldiers. Such misrepresentation and bounce will deceive no one. — Post. The shallow-draught steamer which Messrs Yarrow & Co., of Poplar, London, have constructed_ for Messrs ETatrick & Co., of Wanganui, for use on the upper reaches of the Wanganui River, is on board the New Zealand Shipping Company's s.s. Tekoa, which left Auckland for Wellington yesterday asternoon. — Post. A wire from Wellington states that M. Christian Toxward, the Danish Cousul, fell down in the street on Wednesday night, while on his way home from a visit to a friend. He was carried to his house bnt died almost immediately, heart disease being the cause. Deceased was an architect by profession, and a native of Copenhagen. He arrived in the colony thirty years ago, and was formerly a resident in Southland. The Union and the Wanganui Boating Clubs both open the season to-morrow. It is intended to form a procession of boats belonging to the two clnbs, and we are informed that the members of the Town Band have kindly promised their services. The procession is timed to start at 4 p.m., and it is hoped that members of both Clubs will all attend at the respective sheds as much before that hour as possible, in order to facilitate the making up of the crews. In connection with the wreck of the ketch Klizabeth at West Wanganui the Marine Department yesterday received the following telegram I—"The1 — "The purser of the Murray, who landed, stated that none of the crew of the Elizabeth could bo seen. -The vessel had sails set, and appeared as if abandoned." So far as can be ascertained the Elizabeth is a vessel of 33 tons, and is owned' by Mr J. C. Burford, of Nelson. Captain Fairchild, of this Hinemoa, which left for the West Coast last night, received instructions to call at West Wanganui and make further inqnirieo into the wreck. TLe Custom's revenue' for the colony for last month was £136,811, as against £155,031 for August, and£l2B,7B7 for the previous September. Auckland contributed £32,027; Wellington, £29,267 j Christchurch, £20,470; and Dunodin, £28,730. The total is exclusive of £929 parcels post for the quarter. For the six months, the Customs revenue shows a surplus above the estimate of £21,000. The beer duty for the month was £4462. The receipts during the six months have fallen £4892 below the estimate, but the best months have yet to come. Mr H, E. Aves has been appointed District Manager of tho Phoenix Fire offlc6 for Wanganui and the West, Coast, extending from the Eangitikoi River to, and including, the Wairnate I'lains. l'or the piesent the Wanganui town agency will be carried on a3 heretofore, by ATossrs Hatrick and Co., at whose 'lfiiice Mr Aves will be found, Mr Aves is so woll-known and liked in the neighbourhood that the Phoenix Company would appear to have done themselves a decidedly good turn by his appointment. We hope the results will show that such has been tho case, which is by no means unlikely, as the interests of the office will undoubtedly be well looked after in the hands of Mr Aves. Mr Guinness, M.H.R. for Greyinouth, returned there f ronvWellingtonyesterday. The Mayor, and members of the Borough Council and Harbour Board drove to Paroa, where they accorded him a hearty welcome. At the town boundary several hundred persons, and the town bands, collected, and cheered him warmly. The Mayor read a complimentary address on behalf of the Borough Council. Mr Kerr, temporary Chairman of the Harbour Board, welcomed Mr Guinness on behalf of that body. The Mayor and Mr Kerr referred in complimentary terms to Mr Guinness' efforts during the session on behalf of the town and district. Cheors for Mr Guinntss and the (Minister for Public Works were afterwardß given. The member was oscorted to his private residence outside the -town, where a large crowd gathered. This is the only reception of the kind" ever accorded here to a member of Parliament. The circulation of books at the Wanganui Public Library, as recorded by Mr Hylton, the Librarian, for the month of September was as follows : — Fiction, 1043 ; History, 26 ; Poetry, 52 ; General Literature, 45; Travels, 78; Biography, 27; Science, Essays, Polities, Letters, Speeches, and Classics, 26; Divinity, C; Children's Books, 45; Eeference Books, 2. The totals for the month were. — Books, 1303, magazines 331. The totals for the quarter ending September 30th. were:— Books 4067, magazinos 1117. These figures show a substantial increase on those for the corresponding quarter in lust year. The most marked improvement, however, is noticeable in the nine months' circulation from January to September, in which period the numbor of books issued exceeded those lont during the fiistnine months of 1890, by 804. It is worthy of note that in the issue of books a " record " was scored on Saturday last on which day no less than 154 volumes were taken out. Looking over the lists of authors read we notice, and lament the fact, that a third-rate writer like Mrs Henry Wood still keeps tho position she has held for some time as the manufacturer of fiction whose works are most suited to the literary taste of Wanganui. Alas for the day when such rare works of genius as the productions of Dickens, Thackeray, George Eliot, the Bronte girls, and a hundred others, should give place to the commonplace trash that has flowed from the pens of writers of the Wood and Brnddon class.

The s.s. Glenolg leaves Wanganui this evening, at Bp.m., for Wellington, where ehe will be put on the slip before proceeding to Onehunga. An advertisement appears in another column for a copy new or secondhand of the sontr entitled, "The Old Log Cabin in the Dell." The Hon. the Premier arrived in Wanganui by the afternoon train from Wellington yesterday. He will address his constituents in the Oddfellows' Hall on Wednesday next. We understand that satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Drill Hall authorities by the committee of ladies appointed for that purpose, for the hiring of the hall for the Library and Museum Bazaar. Mr Albert Barns sells by auction today, at 12.30 p.m., the freehold property, household effects, 4c, of the late Mr W. Paterson, on the premises lately occupied by the deceased in Harrison-street, We regret to announce that Mr J. J. Kennedy, although slowly improving under the care of Dr Tripe, who has been most unremitting in his attention, is still unable to attend to his professional duties, as the paralysis to his hip continues to prevent "Con the Sbaughraun " indulging in any pedestrian exercise. In another column we publish the cast of characters in the ." Octoroon," which is to bo produced next Thursday and Friday evenings by tbe Druids' Dramatic Club. A a will be seen the cast is a very strong one, considerable judgment being used in allotting the parts. The characterß are now perfect in their dialogues and situations, and there is no doubt that those who enjoy a first-class drama have a treat in store for them. The quarterly meeting of Court Roderick Dhu (No. 4926), A.0.F., was held at the Court-room, Steam Packet Hotel, on Wednesday evening. Bro.. James Hunter was elected auditor. Bro. J. J. Boyle, P.C.R., was chosen as delegate to represent the Court at the annual Conference to be held in Wellington next month. Two new members were admitted into the Order. Messrs Campion and Co's, tea business has quickly outgrown the comparatively limited premises in which tbe firm started operations ODly a few weeks ago. Mr Cordoza'a removal to Wellington gave Mr Campion the very shop he was looking for, and we may now regard him as a fixture in the town. Mr Campion is a specialist in •• blends," and his teas have quickly become extremely popular both in the town and throughout the district. With larger premises he will be in a position to keep a much more extensive stock, and as he is a man of great push and energy itwill not be at all surprising if his teas are soon found to be a necessity in every household. Mr David Robb, of Mosstown, is very much agrieved at a false report that has been circulated,, that he has sought to obtain medicine fox- a cancerous cow in his possession. Mr Robb says the statement is absolutely false— that he has no animal in his possession suffering from cancer or anything else ; that anybody who wished to do so may inspect his stock ; and finally, that if he can ascertain who put the rumour in circulation he will at once take steps to vindicate his reputation by a criminal action. In the eyes of those who do not know Mr Robb, and his carefulness as to the" purity of hismilk supply, such a report as that of which he complains is calculated, if not contradicted, to do him serious injury. To-night is the last night of the rinkmg season at the Drill Hall, and it is to be celebrated by a Fancy Dress Hat and Cap Carnival. This carnival is the first of its kind ever held in Wanganui, and those that care to see some curious designs in the hat and cap line should not fail to visit the rink to-night. It is rumoured that some very comical hats will be worn. The contests include a pair race for ladies and gentlemen, and a half-mile handicap race. Prizes are to be bestowed on those that can gain the most votes for the most novel, the best large, and the best small hat. The Garrison Band have effected a complete change in their programme, which of course includes the specially composed waltz " Rinking," which alone is worth going to hear. We believe that extra seating accommodation has been secured, so that the public can rely on getting seats. Altogether it would appear that a very pleasant evening is in store for the devotees of the wheels. The St James' Gazette states that an American exploring expedition 1b about to start for Labrador to discover and leport on the Grand Falls, said to be the most wonderful cataract in the world. They are believed to be situated one hundred and sixty miles from the Hamilton Inlet, on the north-east coast of Labrador ; but no traveller has yet reached the exact spot, and the natives believe the place to be haunted. The expedition seems to be thoroughly well equipped in every way. Among other things, the explorers will take a phonograph with them, in order to secure an accurate record of the dialects of the Esquimaux language which they meet with. For scientific purposes this will bo even more useful than photographic apparatus.' It is' too late to wish that English travellers had been the first to describe this extraordinary cataract. An Englishman tried to get as far a year or two ago s but failed, owing to the want of proper boats. The glory of discovery must now be left to the American.' [Since the above was in type, a telegram is to hand stating that the members of the expedition have discovered some falls in the position indicated above, which are 300 feet high and 200 feet broad.] A strike in a palace is a novelty even in these striking times. The scene was the Heho Palace, built by tne Emperor of China for his mother, the Empress Dowager, after her retirement from the duties and cares of the Regency. It was desired to make that beautiful abode this year still more worthy to receive its illustrious occupant, and to that end no fewer than 10,008 workmen were engaged. Of these 3000 or more were carvers, a clasß who appear in China to hold their heads high. Knowing that the date for completing the gardens was close, they struck for higher wages, and in this demand all the carpenters joined. They were receiving individually three meals and 2000 Peking "cash" (10 cash are equal to £d) per day; but they demanded 7400 cash a day. On their employers refusing to combly, a signal gun was fired, and, according to the report, thousands of workmen, carvers, carpenters, and masons began to make threatening demonstrations. Tbe officials on guard, Ending the police unable to cope with the multitude, quickly sounded the alarm, calling on the rifle brigade, Yuon-min-yuen Guards and cavalry, who came with all speed and surrounded the strikers. The affair ended, it appears, in a compromise, tho men being allowed 4000 cash per day, or exactly double their pre ■ vi:>Uß money wages. A meeting of the Ladies' Committee for the forthcoming Library and Museum Bazaar vas held at the Public Library yesterday afternoon. Present— Mesdames Barnicoat (in the chair), Anderson, Williamson, Browne, Burnett, Liffifcon, Soler, and Dymock ; Mr Burnett attended as secretary, and Mr Carßon was also present. After some discussion on the subject of hiring the Drill Hall, it was proposed by the v ice-President, and seconded by Mrs Williamson, "That Mesdames Browne, Williamson, and the mover wait upon the trustees of the Drill Hall and arrange terms of hiring with them." The secretary having reported that he had written several letters to teachers of schools on the subject of children making articles for the bazaar, it was resolved to form a Home Industries Department open to girls and boys of 17 years of age and under, and that a sum of not more than £4 be expended in prizes for meritorious contributions, such amount to be expended at the discretion of the sub committee. It was decidod to ask Mesdames Carßon, White, Tndor, and Hylton, and the Misses Blyth, Harrison, and Steadman (with power to add to their number), to form a sub-committoe of management in this department. The secretary was authorised to get 500 circulars printed and circulated, showing the object pretty fully of the Home Industries Department. After some discussion, it was decided to i?sue season tickets for tbe four days at 2s 6d each. The secretary was authorised to publish in both papers an advertisement setting out fully the object of the. bazaar and all information that might be useful on the subjeot. The Committee then adjourned for a fortnight, to meet again at the same time and place.

The Boston (U.S.) Journal p&ys :— " We congratulate our English sisters and suffragists everywhere on the fresh impulse givwi to their cause by the announcement of Lord Salisbury, the British Prime Minister, that the extension of the parliamentary suffrage to women should become a Government measure. The fact is a great gain to us on this side of the ocean. It measures the growth of public sentiment, and is signficant of the near coming of the day when the political degradation of women will cease." At a meeting of the Christchurch Sparrow Club attention was drawn to the goed results obtasnpd from the poisoned wheat prepared by Mr Wilson of Bolfast It was resolved to give the preparation a fair trial by odering twelve oats, to te delivered at' Mr Horner's, Papanui, and the Riccarton and Avon Road Board officrs at un early date. It was resolvjd —"That in future young blackbirds fully fledged should be paid for at the rate paid paid for old birds." The members of the Club expressed their opinion that if more care were taken in laying the grain in small quantities adjoining the haunts of the birds and especially where the ground had been lately turned over better results would be attained at less expense as one bird now is worth many heads or eggs in the hatching season. The following facts respecting the various collections in the British Museum are of public and general interest. The number of volumes supplied to readers during the last year amounts to 1,226,126 ; while the number of readers has been 197,823, giving an average of about 653 daily. Respecting the newspaper room, it seems that 15,216 readers have consulted no fewer than 51,097 volumes of newspapers puolished in London alone. The number of sets of newspapers published in the United Kingdom, and received under the provisions of the Copyrigh Act, has been 2i72, comprising 170,838 single numbers. Of these, 647 were published in London and its suburbs, 1420 in other parts of England and Wales and the Channel Islands, 232 in Scotland, and 173 in Ireland. Writing in Scribner, Sir Edwin Arnold is persuaded that a great future awaits Japan and the Japanese man ; but in the ever extending education of the gentler sex — who, though in theory slaves, have in practice gained very much their own way exerywhere— resides, he thinks,- the chief condition for ijhe happy developmpnt of the land. At present there exists, Sir Edwin admits, too much of the spit it expressed in the native proverb, " Though a woman has borne you seven children, never trust her ! " '• Perhaps the new civil code and the opening Parliament will introduce nobler laws and new recognition of the debt which Japan owes to her gentle, patient, bright, and softsouled woman-kind. Perhaps, on the other hand, in meddling with her oldworld Asiatic grace and status, modern ideas will spoil this sweetest Daughter of the Sun!" Mrs French-Sheldon, the American who resolved to follow the male African explorets as far as the Kilima-Njaro Mountain, has returned to England, having achieved her object, and totally wrecked her constitution. Before she started, Mr Stanley, Mr Johnston and other experts assured the lady she would (given the expenditure of a little money) find no difficulty T-hatever in penetrating thus far into the interior. Dangers there were none, bar the possible accidents of transit and certain unromantic maladies of the dysentery order. By the latter, as as it turned oaf, Mrs Sheldon was severe^ ravaged. She had taken no doctor with her, and the remedies which ought to have cured somehow did not. The plump alert American of fix months ago has returned a livid, languid, broken invalid. " I know, now," she says, " there are a great many things explorers can't talk about or writo about. They must for decency sake pass them over with a line, yet they form far the chiefest dangers and discomforts of African travel." There has for a long time been a legend that the Chinese are to be crodited with the invention of mariners compass. But his claim of theirs, like the discovery of roast pig and the use of gunpowder, has never been put to the test of literary research. It is, therefore pleasant to learn that an exhaustive inqniry just made proves not only that they invented the most important implement in navigation but that Europe copied it from thom. Pour centuries before the Christian era, a Chinese autor mentions " the Eouthpointing needle," but it was not unlill a.d. 324 that the compass, hitherto used the indicate the position of the stars in calculating nativities, assumed its present form. At first, it floated on water supported on a piece of wood, pivot being an improvement copied from the Japanese, who again had learned this nieety from the Portuguese. But long before tl»e compass was U9ed in Europe, the Arabs trading to china employed it on their dhows, and from them undoubtedly the invention reached th9 western barbarian and was forthwith improved upon. The Arabs, however, used the western notation to mark the quarters and intermediate points of the horizon. When, therefore, the mariners' compass was adopted from them, the Chinese system of twenty-four points, resting on the . old astrological division of the horizon into twelve double hours, was not communicated. STANLEY says: "After all thero is nothing beats a cup of good Coffee." If you would enjoy such, drink Cubase's Al Coffee. Sold only in 1 and 21b tins.