TOPICS OF THE DAY.

West Coast Times, Issue 13732, 31 January 1906, Page 2

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

A petition that is being largely signed in the Kumara district is to imitation of the following effect: We, greenstone, the underpinned miners and residents of Westland desire to bring under your notice the fact that green glass is gob up as jewellery, and called "The New Greenstone," "Greenstone," eec ,and is rapidly destroying the value of our own valuable mineral viz, Greenstone, and, therefore, also affecting the gold mining industry. Such jewellery is mounted in brass, and can be imported at pricß3 as low as 4s 6d per dozen. Another factor which injures the sale of greenscone is the fact that cut, but unmounted New Zealand gresns^ne imported into the colony, hrn to pay a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem. We would, therefore, add in ths. interests of misers that the follow'og suggestions be given favourable con3iderati jo :—(l) That all jewellery made of green glass or composition be attached to cards, and such cards to indicate in print their nature, V\7. green glais etc., and the Lature of their mountings also to be mentioned. (2) That the word Greenstone or combination of words, including greenstone, be not permitted to appear on such cards. (3) That if it be advisable not to prohibit the importation of such goods, that a very htavy duty be imposed— 2oo or 300 per cent would still permit of their being nut on the market very cheaply (4) That unmounted New Zealand green.stone.be permitted to come into the colony free oi duty for tho following reason?:— (a) That it would have a larger sale and there would be more competition for the rough stone, which wou'd bring higher pr.ca*. Beford stone wan purchased to be sent oui of the colony to be cat into innumerable patterns an j designs which made the trade so valuable. Greent-tone cculd be purchased for next to nothing, and not much was saved. Al?o, the Home process of cutting does not unneccessarily waste the s'o.ie, and it is asserted by experts that the waste by the New Zealand cutters, owing to out of date appliances is three times greater than the waste at Home. This is an important aspect of the question as it is to tbe interest of the colony, owing to good s?;one not being plentiful, to ranks it go as far as possible, (b) It would tend to keep the selling trade in the colony. At present tourists can purchase in Australia and England sheaper than her-, (c) It would assist an important industry, wk eh number of skilled workmen, viz., the jjanufacturing jewellers, not to mention the engravers, (d) It would assist the mining industry, because the finding of greenstone often adds a much needed cheque to the miners' funds. We hope that you will give effect to the wishes of your petitioners in order to prevent the destruction of tbe industry under notice.

Sir Henry Irving's unique collection of theatrical, art and literraviNa's ary treasures brought reHOCSEIIOU) markable prices at auction gods. in London last month. The sale lasted five days, ■uid reili^ed no lesß than £18,852. The biro mention of a few of the ''lots" dispoed of will give an idea of the amazing wi'iecy of Sir Henry 'e household gods, md of the glamour which his fame has cnHt upon them. A seventeenth century cucifix of Flemish-carved ivory, which hung always in Sir Henry's bedroom, reused 20 guineas. A green silk purse, ouoc the property of Edmund Kean, and hter of Robert Browning, went for 15 «uinea9. Someone paid 4o guineas fora milacca cine once owned by David cJ a i rick, and used by Irving in the character of Lesurfcues in "The Lyons Mail." A pur of swords which Irving used on the atage brought 30 guineas, Another

malaccacane mounted in silver, with ivory top, used by Thomas King, tho orginil Sir Peter Teazle, in the first performance at Drury Lane Theatre in 1818, sold tor 40 guineas. A table with a history reilised £68 s*. The silver inscriptions on the top stated that it was m«de from the beam tint supported the old Theatre Royal of Ej.nburgh (1768-1861), thab it was presented to Charles Kean by the manager of the theatre when tbe building was pulled down in 1861, that the manager'd sen bought the table at the sale of Kean's effects, and presented it to bis father's old friend, Sir Heury Irving, in 1900. A circular horn snuff-box, used by Gritcaldi, the • famous clown, at his benefit at Drury Lane, realised fourteen guineas. Another snuff box, made from wood cut by David Garrick from Shakespeare's mulberry tree at Stratford'onAvon, went for 39 guinea?. The Waterloo medal and ribbon worn by Irving as Corporal Breiester," one of his most famous parts, realised 30 guineas. Some of the litera.y souvenirs prodnwd tbe highest biddiug of tbe wle. living's copy of Forsttr's ''Life of Dickens" was bought after a keen struggle, for £380 by a captain of Hussars. A "Life of Garrick" weot for £220, and a similar memorial of Edmund Kean for £130, in each case to a dealer. The sensation of the sale, however, was tbe 4800 guineas paid by an American for Whistler's portrait of Irving as Philip II of Spain.

Mias Marie Corelli has broken oat again. The torrent of her riolent the wratb , which weems likely millionaire's to give a neir adjective to sorrows, the language/ is directed this time towards the unhappy millionaire. The man of millions is, in the opinion of Miss Oorelli, a most unhappy person. His riches are as "an impregnable wall," shutting him out from the best forma of happiness. Always on guard against fraud, he is being constantly victimised. He cannot rely on friendship, for time servers and "sponges" surround him. "Swarming around him they stop at nothing. Buzzing like wasps on ripe fruit, they invent any scandalous report, any infamous lie against tbe one person they fear might gain inflmence with him whom, because he is rich, tbey look npon as their lawful prey." This ia a fair example of the writing in Miss Corelli'o article. She goes on to point oat—apparently as if it were a new idea— that "the delights of desire are infinitely great' r than ihe satiety of possession," and that consequently the millionaire'! money does not do him much good. Tne millionaire can buy anything he wants, but he gets almost no pleasure oat of it, because he has no one to whom he can trust, to share it with. Nearly always love is denied him, for he is atraid of women, and he too often ends bis career a physical wreck, with not a sonl t» oate how soon he dies. If he tries to do good with bfc money he is at ones accused of indulging in self advertisement. Who. she asks, would not^ity the millionaire 9 "H s life is a mete rush through the shows of tbe world's 'Vanity Fair'— and in gathering up the gold, hem'ssesall the flower." Yet we seem to hive beard of millionaires who enjoyed life in a rational way. Sensible people will, we think, know what value to place upon this characteristic tirade. Sir Marcus aSamuel— « 'wealthy London merchant— pats tbe case against the article briefly when he— ssys that Mies Corelli "has taken the dis« torted view of a jaundiaed disposition, by looking on the evil side of life done." Sir Marcus says bluntly that he is sorry for Miss Corelli's experience. The same 'nought must occur to a good many.

The Premier has stated that the Go. vernor intends to pay a visit to the Ooaib this year. Mr Gibb, Inspector of the Bank of New Zealand, ia now on an official visit to flokitika. The Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board will hold their ujual meeting on Tuesday next at 12 noon. His Worship the Mayor (J. ManJl, E«q.), who has been on a visit to Wellington, has returned after a week's absence. « Mrs A. D. Macfarlane, L.A.8., announce* that she is prepared to take pupils for pianoforte, singing, harmony and counterpoint, from Thursday, Feb. Bth. Mr and Mrs J. C. Malfroy. and their daughter, Miaa Annie Malfror, lletf t on a holiday trip to Rotoroa on Monday. They will be absjnt for about a mouth or Bix weeks. For the past few nights the town has been left in darkia-s and complaints have been rife of narroy e^c^pes from accident. The ait3n4oa of the authorities as directed to inn matter ■ It is •understood that the vacancy on the Wesihnd Land Board caused by tbe death of the late Mr Andrew Mtthenon is likely to be Oiled in a few days, the appointee, it 10 said,beiug a Crown tenant hai.'ing from the Grey Valley. We learn from an auitnritative souroe that the expenses of Mr H. Co win, who contested the Westland seat at the late Parliamentary election, amounted to the modi at sum of 2s lOd, which probably constitutes a record of its kind for the colony. Tbe following is a corrected list of local candidates who passed the recent Junior Civil Servioa examination: - Passed with credit- -E. A. Burgees, F. B, Goudie, M. E Henderson, Alex Waiters, H. Williams, B. Wogan, L. W. Wogam Passed- M. B. Gates, F. Orr. Tbe eitlir.2 of h> Arbitiation Court wbicb was to havu been held in Grey* mouth on the 7h February, has been postponed indefinitely owing to tb& Court having been delayed in Dunedin. The Greymouth sitting will be announced as soon as arr tngemeots can to definitely fixed. Mr J Peake, Junr,, Secretary of the Westland A. and P. Association, has b«en notiied that the New Zealand Trotting Association has approved of the Trotting events to be he.d at the hhow on Feb. 7th. The Secretary is still receiving numerous entries in all classes, and the Show in this r -speck promises to be a record one.

We learn from a reliable source t* 800 passengers have booked by I Anhara on her return trip fio a Nelsi A* this number is far in* excess of tl which the boat is registered to crry, t Union Company have applied to cl; the trip as a day excursion, permhsi for « bich has been granted. Th« sum of £3000 was voted by Pt liament for distr;bu ion amongst t public libraries of the cilo^y. La Gazette notified tha tthw distri button will take place on tbe 6th pro; and that no claim will be entitled 1 consideration which has not been sent i before the end of the current month. Several complaints have reached tb: office of wanton injury done to bicycle while left standing oofcide shops o office*, tyres being punctured and valve abstracted. Such disreputable conduc deserves puniahment. and it is to b hoped the perpetrator will be caneht ii the next instance and made an example oi Messrs Stephens and Co. announci they have procured the services of t first-class dressmaker to take charge ol that department. The firm are now in t position to supply all made-to-ordei garments required by ladies and children A visit to the establibhment will convince patrons that many rare bargains a c * obtainable. One trial solicited. In accordance with the recommendation of the Police Commissioner- that tbe number of sergeants in the chief centres should be increased, the following constables have been promoted to that rank, and are'' to transfer to Auckland, Wellington, Christohurch, and Dunedin— Constable^ FjA. Moore from Rawene t« Auckland, , Constable H Beattie from Waitara to Wellington, Constable W A Brooks from Boss to Christchurch, Constable *W Mathieson from Lumsden to Dunedin. Constable T Oliver, District Olerk\at Grey mouth, has also been promoted; tc^ihe rank of sergeant, and he will remain in that town . ' % Last night's Grey Star Bays :— The Arthur*.; left for Westport, Nelson, and Wellington at ~3 30 o'clock yesterday afternoon" thronged with passengers for tbe Nelson Carniva'. There was an immense crowd on the. wharf to see the peopli off, and just prior to casting off one of the Hokitika bands struck up, "A Life on tho Ocean Ware." It is to be hoped that the weather conditions proved favourable, and that our West Coast visitors will have a good time. We learn tkat the accommodation for visitors at Nelson is taxed to its utmost. At the same time there is little doubt our visitors will find quarters even if they have to live under canvas for the week. , Mr Andrew Gilrutb, farmer, of Seaton, Auchmithie, father of Mr J. A. Gilrutb, the Chief Government Veterinarian and Bacteriologist, died recently at the age of 71 yean. The late Mr Gilrutb, who was a native of the Alyth dibtiicr, went to Beaton some 38 years ago. In addition to holding Seaton, be also held the neighbouring farm of Seafield. He was a thoroughly practical and highly successful agriculturist, and was held in high respect by all who knew him. Hia wife, who untiriag in her efforts for the material and social good of the villagers of Auchtnithie, pre-deceased him two years ago. He is survived by a family of three sons _ and two daughters. One sou is Dr Gilruth, a medical practitioner in Arbroath, On Monday evening last the members of St Paul's Society of Christian Endeavour paid a vi*it to the local Hospital and conducted a flower service. Tbe Rev W J Elliott opened tie servics, and then handed it over to the charge of '; one of the lady members, who performed i her part with graceful and conspicuous ability. Two of the lady mun.bjre rendered a couple of very enjoyable ■acred selos, and the Secretary of the Sootety read a charming paper on "Tbe Blessing of Flowers." At the conclusion i of the service the ladies, uud r the direction of 'the Secretary of the Endeavour Society, presented each of tbe inmates at the serv ; C 3 with a baautiful banquet of flowers, with a neat cird text of Scripture attached. There were numerous expressions of hope for a similar visit in the near future, and no doubt the Sunshine Committee of the Society will arrange accordingly. Prices tit Zero— W. M'Kay & Son's great sale at Hok'tika and Grey mouth ; hearthrugs 3s 64 and 4s 6d ; floorcloths, two yards wide, Is lid a jard. Great reductions !— Adtt.