TOPICS OF THE DAY.

West Coast Times, Issue 14383, 14 April 1908, Page 2

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The following "tall" story is related by

a New Zealand Times Fossiblebut correspondent:— An ex* NOT fbob« oited conesponpent burst-

ing with a news item

recently wired to us (says the Times), the ioformatton that there existed a large family of children at Westland whose parents quarrelled soon after marriage, and although tbe very large family arrived in dne course, tbe father and mother maintained an absolute silence. As the family lived in tbe backblock?, so ran the story, the children heard no language of any kind— although bow parents kept up a persistent quarrel without language for years and years can* not be ascertained. The correspondent referred us to a gentleman in Wellington who be asserted knew all about the large .'amiiy that never spokd. This qeutiema i when appealed to, mentioned thai he had eighteen years ago voder-taken a fishing trip to the Bedjacket riv r, and wfaila there aNo town school-master had told him of this extraordinary family. It appears that although the parents for a long time maintained a strong silence, remorse overtook them after a few years and they deßired their children to learn to speak, and to used to Beud them in j batches (four or five at a time) to Notown where they "bached" in a whare. These children spoke a gibberish of their own, which other children conld not understand. History sayefch not whether the $Qtow n fiohoolmuta wt ittottd.t4 tv

tn&inZihy Gi the biibtoi 6i foiif of five the tfear J^aaUrid language. It ia within tbe bounds of probability that tbe "children" of our correspondent's wiren are not as young bb they were eighteen yi»rs atjo at Notown, but he has dag np the corpse ot a sensation anyhow.

All claimi against the estate of the late A McCerquindale must be rendered (duly certified) to Mr T W Beare, solicitor for administratrix.-

We|havo been asked to draw attention to tbe a'teratlou in the funeral notice of the late Jamej Baird, which will leave the Wesiland Hospital this afternoon at 3 30 o'clock.

The csual practioe of the Fire Brigade was held lat evening. There wai a good muster, and Supenntaodeit Thompson was iv charge The manual engine was taken to the diflerent ittndp'pe", and tested with satisfactory result*, a thoroughly useful practioe being put in.

Tbe Eumara Times says;— The many friends of Mr T.V, Byrne will be pleased to lear»' that he has very much improved io health. He hu sufficiently recovered from his recent severe illness to be able to leave tbe Kumara hospital, from which phce he was driven to Stafford last week. Mr |Byrne expected to'learefor Wellington yesterday.

Mr H M Smith, in a letter from London to the Chairman of Directors (Mr H L Michel) of the Boss Goldfields (Ltd), statas that the electric cable was io have been shipped immediately at the date of writing for New Zealand, while the rert of the plant was expected to be ready for shipment in a very short time. Mr Smyth and Mr Mabsn are expected to return to the Dominion noxfc week.

The Mines Record cays :— The Bimu syndicate holds a prospecting license over 600 aores. Mr 0. J. Parham, 0.E., who is in oharge of the works, has sunk two shafts to a depth of 63ft and 72ft. The results have been very satisfactory. The syndicate has applied for 150 heafr of water from Toaroha Fall?, and if the application is granted it is intended to generate eleotricity ani pump from the Hokitika River sufficient water for hydraulic elevating and sluicing.

In a letter to a friend in Hokitika, Mr H M Smith states that while in London he hod several interviews with some prominent members of the London Stock Exchange, One of them expreesed surprise that it had been possible to hava floated the Ross Goldfields (JM) in New Zealand on such favourable terms. He said that if the Company had been floated in London, those undertaking the task would have required a<; least 100,000 paid up shares making tbe total capital ol the Corn* pany £150.000, instead of £70,000, the present capital,

On Sunday morning Mr Dcdw No or an, a well-known and respected resident of Ahanrs, died at his home. The Qvey "Star," writing of him, says :— During his lite time on tie diggings many an unfortnnate miner found ia him a true iiiend. He was a man of splendid physique, and until last Christmas never spent a day ia bed through illness. He took a keen interest in all ma ter3 for the advancement of the district, and was one of the first members elected to the Grey County Council . His many friends

will sincerely mourn the death of a good man —one that the dwtriob could ill afford Go part with.

At the Presbyterian Church last evening, in the presence of a wry large gathering of the congregation, tbe Bey J. C, Jamieson was inducted to the Hokitika Prasbjfcerian pai' orate. The mduc< tion sermon was preached by the Bey Mr Gilder, of Beef ton, who perforated tbe sei vice. After the induotion a social was held to welcome the new Minister, the Rev Mr Stewart, Moderator, presiding. Ptvaral addresses were given, and a choice musical programme, which wai greatly appreciated. Subsequently Mr Wm. Duncan, on behalf of tbe congregation, presented Me Stewart with a purse of < orereigns in recognition of his good work for the church. A full report of tbe proceedings will appear next issue.

The rapid progress made at first with the formation "of tbe Hokitika Bowling Club's green has been interrupted during the past fortnight. Owing to its h&viag been found necessary to unearth numbers of heavyjrtumps, it was considered advisable to let the foundation settle before proceeding with the work, Yesterday, the drainage pipes were put in, and to-day a gang of twenty men will be employed in putting ih tbe stones, cinder.", etc., to render the drainage scheme complete, after which the top soil will be put on. It is ci« pected tbe greens will be laid ready foi grass sowing within a fortnight, the formation work being then practically completed. An iron fence 6ft 6in high v beirg ereuted to enclose the green, which will secure all neceesary privacy,

Laifc evening's Grey "Star" gives par* ticalars of an accident which occurred to Air Joseph Petrie in Wellington at the beginning of last week, accounting for his indisposition as telegraphed earlier. It appears that yesterday week when leaving an electric car at Newtown, Mr Pttiie either slipped or the car suddenly jolted, with the result that he was thrown heavily, taatßiniug internal injuries. He was taken to a private hospital, where he has since been making stow though satisfact( ry progress towards recovery. Much sympathy will be felt for Mr Patrie in the trouble that has befallen him. Tbo accident U especially amoward at the present time as he had in hand the nY« ation of a company to reopen the Wallsend colliery, end although the business has been somewhat retarded through th» indoßtrial troubles m the coal trade he had made substantial progress. It is indeed doubly unfortunate for him to be laid op at tbe preient time, ai the Mayoral election takes place in a week or two and tbe present M*yor (Mr Pdtrie) pecks re-election. The reiidenfca of th-j sister town will, bowerer, doubtless no« allow bis accident to interfere with bis chances in this respect, bearing in mintl his able administration in the past. Mr Petrie's return should be assured, even though he is unable to go hat in hand Bol.eiting vot^s, a practice which unfor" taoately baa become all too common nowaday.

Damaged Blauketa— One Bale of White All Wool blankets ■ damaged in transit. A big cat has been mads in the prioea to Becure a speedy sa l e for single, throe* quarter and douhle beda at S. J. Preston Dfapw.— Awe,

Mr if .<! gcaa-lofij b«A^ earAe* of it* Auckland Gaol has keen appointed gaoler at|W*arganui, in succession to Mr B. T, Noble Beaaley, who is retiring on superannuation Mr Scanlon ww recently in charge of the Waiotapu prison camp.

Mr P. J, O'Regaotold a Post representative that it was almost eet&ain he would again contest the W^lliugtoa Oen« tral «eai at the general eleotion. He explained that if he did stand be would be a Government candidate. "Is that definitf ?" asked our representative, "Ob« yes" replied Mr O'Began, "there's no doubt about that."

Tbe Wellington maittr bikers will inaugurate a coupon system on May 4th, Nob lr ss than a down coupons art to be sold to any one pereon, and these will coat 3s Ad. or a discount of 2d on s> dozen loavai. while those paying cub o* delivery will be charged 3Jd for tbe tw6 pound Laf. Publio institutions and shipping will be exempted,"

The difficulties which flaxmillers have to face ju«t now were illnitrated lart at a meeting of creditors in the estate of Bobson, Ware and Co., flixraillera at Waipukura. Tbe debtors' statement as filed and the evidenoe given showed that up to July tart year the firm hai had a profit of £111, but tbtt stare that date owing to tbe high royalvies high rates'of wages, and the distance the flax had to be carted it bad baen costing about £26 per ton to place the fibre on tbe market and the recent fall in tbe price of flax had resulted ilia loss to them of abont £3 per ton since that time.

A Wellington telegram states thai some members of the Civil Seivice who have bad 5 per cent deducted from their salaries in accordance with statute tnl lodged with the Publio Trustee, have now stated their intention of coming under the new superannuation scheme. By fo doing they are now able to draw the accumulations of yeari from the Public Trustee. .Some ate" collecting sunn ranging from £100 upwards* Yesterday ' £6000 were paid; out by the Public Trustee in accumulated interest in Wellington alone, The' amount that will hare to be paid out over the whole dominion is estimated at about £70,000.

At a social function at Milton O»y# the "Bruce Herald"), Ma jar McClymont was congratulated on his recent pro* motion, and in replying to tbe tout of "Tbe Imperial Forces" said be bad been fourteen years a volunteer, and he was disclosing no State secret when be said the Easter movements would be in some measure decide £tbe fate of volunteering. It had been a subject of grave thought by the Defence Council what was best for the Dominion, and if more interest m volunteering was not noauifested by both emp'oyer and employee an entire 1 revolution would be made in defence matters, It waa the duty of every yrung man to learn bow to handle s? rfb.

"It is extraordinary how statements are being made about the present Police Cjmmitsiooer, Mr Dinnie," remarked Sir Joseph Ward at Duoedin, "So far as V the Government is concerned tbere ir no inteutioa that he should give up his position. He bas perfotmtd the importa it duties attaching io bis office eatisfto* torily. and when an officer serves bis country well there is no desire on the p *rt of the Government to sever the con* neciion without some warrastable cause. So far at I am aware there is not only no cause in this case, but Inapeetor Dinnie has carried out his work with general sat* isfactton. I do not suppose that Mr Din nie, more cban any other publio ©ffi cer, has been able to please everybody. If a man in his position did so he would probably net be fit for tbe office."

Tbe present Surveyon-General, Mr T. Humphries, rays the "New Zeahnd Tioief," holds a rather unique record in tbe Civil Service, being perhaps, the only officer who has been in the service for half a century. Mr Humphries is 67 years of age, and joined the service as a cadet in tbe Survey Department 51 years ago. He served through tbe Maori wars in Taranaki, and in 1875 became Inspector of Surveys undo.* the General Government. He be* came Chief Surveyor and Commissioner in Taranaki in the year 1885, and filled tbe same position iv Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, and Canterbury, be ore succeeding to tbe position of Sor* veyor-General in 1906. Mr Humphries is one of a small batch of officers in the same department who bold the New Zealand war medal] The Undersecretary (Mr Kensington) is another.

Very soon a new drink is to be put on the .London market. Its composition suggests something much nioer than the the normal. Io it are blended essences of oranges, lemons, raspbeiries, bananas, pineapples and other fruits. It is alcobol'o— fcbafc it is to say, it contains, at an outside estimate, 1 grain alcohol in 100 cubic centimetres. It contains albumen and phosphates and carbonic hydrates, and exceeds tbe male sugar in beer about three and a half time?. On tbe oontinent tbe new drink has been in bigbett favcurj Under the names of Sintlco and BilzBrause more than 400,000,000 bottles bate been sold since 1903. Perhaps tbe gje&test testimonial to tbe merits of tbe beverage— certainly to its whohsomeness, cones from Germany, where Krnpp and other large firms aie supplying it to their workmen under cost price, as they find that the men work better if they drink Sinalco than if they have lager.

For ways that are dark, and tricks that are vain, the heathen Obince is not so vary peculiar. The ways of the itinerant teg.vendor are many and various, but stare is one of tbe class who is said to be do r,g really well on the story be tells. This p rfondoes not desoant at any great length about the merits of the tea. This is too old a dodge. He enlists tbe sympathy of the lady of tha honae by iofarnring bar that before be sold tea from door to door he was an actor, and that he has just been realeased from the hospital, wber* he underwent treatment for) au accident to an eye sustained in a mock- duel on the stage- At this stage be sells a pound of tea or not. If succassful — md this is the richest "gag" ever sprang by a canvasser -he informs

tbe purchaser that tbe company ha belonged to is shortly to appear In WeU liogtoo, and that it would be bis endeavour to secure foe them frte passes for tbe season. There are quite » number of ladies waiting for that com-, pany to write— m* the foe. pmti~. Dominion.^

the etteriniDatiffil 6* ffltil birds, Wbioh ara the cause of muoh loss to far* mers. every year (says tbe ''Ofcago Daily Times 11 ) is likely to be brought about about in time by little owls. Writing to the Otago Acclimatisation Society, Mr A O Iveraeo, of Earnccloug, states that the

owls liberated in th»t district, after bieeding, went away but returned later on. He thought they mu3t bay« gone to some plaoe where thesnill birds were

more plentiful, Whenever the owls came about tbe birds disappeared. It to&d* little difference, he thought, where tbej were liberated, as they wonld soon spread all over the country. He hoped the

Government and the Society would . introduce" each year as many more as coaldbe obtained. They should be netted for the tint month and fed until tbey gained the strength of their wings. He bad noticed that at any plaoe where the owls had camped there where the remains of wings and l«gs of snail birds. Fnrther.be had seen the owls trying to catch the birds in dayligbU Tbe council of the Society has decided to take bbc necessary, steps to procure more of the the owl* and to seek the coof the Farmer's Unionnl the matter.

A very pleasant gathering took place recently at the Pablic Hall Wauaugi. Miv H Gibb3 who been teacher at the Waitangi school for some considerable time in severing her connection with the school, was entertained at a farewell dance and sapper, given in her honour by the settlers of that district, to mirk their appreciation of ber set vices during the time she aoted as teacher , of tbe WaittDgi school. Although the weather was ri f remely bad, a large orowd assembled and tbe danoe proved a great tucoew. The routfc ws supplied by Mwsr* Mun J O'oher. G Nortboroft and J Connors, while Mr P O'Brien acted as a most cffic ; ent M.C. Daring the evening a sumptuous supper was provided , and during tbe interval Mr W. Gunn read a short address, and presented Miss Gibbs with a gold brooch as a mark of their esteem. Mr H Borrougb ret, sponded for Miss Gibbs, and his remarks were received with applause by those assembled. During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs J Atkinson, and J Caiey, while Mus Gibbs and Mr Butler contributed a duet wbioh was well received. Tbe proceedings throughout were cordial and a very pleasant social ended with all joining in that good old song Auld Lang Syne,

The wear: new of age may be overcome with Steams' Wine, the b?et tonic for old people for it whets the appetite and aitfs digestion, thus aiding the body -where most needed.

Indigestion cured and assimilation of food ctrtiiu after taking Pear-sous Pep to chlor. All chemists, Is, 2s 6d,and 4s.

Latest novelties in knitted sweaters for girls and boys — Our assortment this season promises to maintain for us the high reputation always held by us. Jerseys from 2s lid, also caps to match. — W M'Kay & Pod. Give me a etoup of sparkling wine, Give me a f»ong, a trusty fried, Give me the wiles of beanty's smile?, And I'll be happy to the end. But when the bond withfever burns, And higher creep* the temperature, When cheat is sore, and tbe resc o'er, Give me Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.

. Why puffer from indigestion ? Pearsons' Pepto*chlnr will cure you. AH cbemiets Is, 2s 6d and 4s

We shall do a very big Featber Boa and Stole trade this season and have made a selection of stocks to meet tne demand. Heavy feather and marabout ■tolei from 10s lid to 45a— W M'Kay & Son.

Doctors' bills savid by taking Pearson's Pepto-chlor for indigestion, Ale chemista Is, 2s 6d aud 4a.

Sale ! Sale I All summer goods are now being sold at clearing prices at F. Sohroder and Go.

Ask your chemist for Hawkins' Fe jaale Fills, Orange Blossom, aud Complexion JPills. — Advt

You need not suffer with pains in the chest after eating; Pearson's Pepto-ohlor cores indigostion. If, 2s 6d and 4s.