Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY), THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1883. THE MAIN LINE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5210, 8 November 1883, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY), THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1883. THE MAIN LINE.

The extraordinary pressure brought to bear on the Premier the other day in Auckland over the route o£ the main line of railway through this Island, has attracted the attention of the press in the South. The Christchurch Press takes up the position that the policy of the future should be one of financial caution. The reply of the Premier "will not satisfy the public, who look upon the project as premature in the present state of the colony's finances." The "public" here referred to of course means certain people in the immediate vicinity of Christchurch. Would the promoters of the railway to Brunnerton be so modest as to think the main line through the North Island premature in the present state of colonial finance? If the railway policy is to be continued at all, then the North Island main line is one of the first works which should be commenced. For thirteen years after its first proposal, there has been patient waiting ; and that a work so essential to the progress of the whole North Island should now be deferred while railways are being constructed in other parts of the colony, is neither sound policy nor sound finance. But it is not by any means certain that next session the line will be sanctioned. The North Island members are about equally divided on the subject of the route, and it is more than probable that when the Government make their recommendation of the route, the dissentients will combine with the South to prevent the construction of the line " in the present state of the finances." Wellington will not consent to the Mokau route, and Auckland will fight to the death for the trade of Taranaki. Major Atkinson has substantially committed himself by stating his private opinion "as an old Taranaki settler." Mr Bryce may have equally strong opinions as " an old Wanganui settler," and think the reasons for the central outweigh those advanced for the Taranaki route. The recent accession to the Ministry is of course only a delegate of Auckland, and will make the question an indispensable condition of his remaining in the Ministry. The others are "chips in porridge." Let us assume that the surveyors report favorably on both routes, then the Auckland - Taranaki party will argue that the Mokau is the shorter route, and that it was intended the line from Wellington to Taranaki should be part of the main line. The Wellington-Hawke's Bay- West Coast party will maintain that a main line should open up the country, be convenient for branch lines to run from it to both the East and West Coasts, and lead the way to the largest amount of occupation and settlement. The interest of the Waikato is undoubtedly on the side of the Taupo route, and we believe the Thames has the same leaning. At one time Mr Sheehan was very strongly in favor of the central route, and his judgment is probably still with it. The Hawke's

Bay paper, have not yet taken up the question, but it is time they expressed themselves without reserve. If the surveyor of the central route is able to report favorably, wo ex pect to see as formidable a compact in its favor as the one that has been making its existence known and felt in the capital of the North.

On account of the day being a public holiday to-morrow, the Post Office will be closed. The office will, however, bo open for the delivery of letters only for one hour, between five and six p.m. Referring to a recent announcement that the Chief Justice of Western Australia waa to sing at a People's Concert at Perth, the Argus asks :—": — " Why should we not have a Parliamentary minstrel entertainment, with Mr Service and Mr Berry as cornermen, and Mr l&lor as chairman, in the interests, say, of a fund for decayed members of Parliament ?" The railway department have made full arrangements for the convenience of passengers to the Waverley Races to-morrow. The train from Wanganui will leave as usual at five and twenty minutes to nine, and in addition to the train leaving Waverley about 2.30 on the return journey, an extra one will start for town at a quarter to six. We are informed that the deceased Joseph Shelly was a member of the Court Royal Oak, A.O.F. at Westport. Immediately on this becoming known, the secretary of the local Court, Mr H. Bush, telegraphed to the secretary at Westport for instructions as to his burial, and has received a reply that he was a financial member. The funeral will therefore be conducted by the Foresters of Wanganui . In 1882 the average of births in Victoria in proportion to the population was lower than in any of the other Australian colonies. The South Australians had the highest average. Queensland had the highest percentage of deaths, and New Zealand the lowest. In the marriage rate, all the other colonies excepting Western Australia and Tasmania, were ahead of Victoria. Per head of the population, the average rate of revenue was lower in Victoria than in any colony except Tasmania. Miller, the Victorian athlete, is to fight Sullivan, the Yankee-Irish slogger. It is said that the Maori King, Tawhiao, has agreed to let the contest take place in his territory. This will be a battle of the giants. In his recent fight with Slade, in which he was easily victorious.Sullivan simply sprang upon his opponent, beat down hi* guard, pounded him unmercifully, knocked him off the platform or against the ropes, and wore him out with heavy punishment. Sullivan is a man of remarkable weight and endurance, and no one has yet been able to stand against his tremendous hammering long enough to hurt him seriously. We understand that ifc is the intention of the Committee from the Friendly Societies to introduce a decided innovation in their programme for New Year's Day in the shape of a Baby Show ! These exhibitions of local industry have been held elsewhere (but never before in Wanganui) and have generally proved not only amusing but interesting. Physiognomists have then an opportunity of studying the faces of some who may in the future take a leading part in their day, while others again, with a taste for music, may listen to the enchanting strains of some small bairn who is destined to take a place in the musical world. In fact, there are many ways in which fche show may prove interesting, and we have no doubt that if the Society carry out the proposal many delighted parents will be prepared to put their children in competition with the offspring of their friends for plumpness, sweetness of disposition, and many other attributes of the perfect baby ! Women (says an American writer) do not love their own sex. No one can inflict such humiliation on a woman as a woman can when she so chooses ; for if the art of highhanded snubbing belongs to men, that of subtle wounding is peculiarly feminine, and is practised by the Best bred of her sex. Women are always more or less antagonistic to each other. They are gregarious in fashions and emulative in follies, but they cannot combine ; they never support their sisters ; they shrink from those who are stronger than the average j and if they would speak the truth boldly they would confess to a radical contempt for each other's intellect, which, perhaps, is the real reason why the sect of the "emancipated commands so small a following. Half a dozen ordinary men advocating "emancipation" doctrines would do more toward leavening the whole bulk of womankind than any number of first-class women. Where they do stand by each other it is from instinctive or personal affection, rather than from class solidity. And this is one of the most striking distinctions of sex, and one cause, among others, why men have the upper hand, and why they are able to keep it. Messrs T. Bamber and E. N. Liffiton, J.P.s, presided again at the E.M. Court this morning. John Hawker, remanded from yesterday morning, was again brought up on a charge of stealing a pair of scissors, value 4s 6d, the property of Michael Collins, engaged by Mr Peter Bell as tailor. The prosecutor identified the scissors as hid by the maker's name upon them, etc., and stated that the accused was in the habit of coming to his shop and sitting there, and knew his way up. On the 21st of last month, he saw the accused in the Avenue, though he did not come to the shop, and on the next morning 1 , he found that some one had been in the shop scattering the things about, and he missed his scissors, which he valued at 4a. 6d. It was found on examination the next morning that the door had b<jen left unlocked the night previously. In reply to the Bench, the witness said he had refused to sell the accused the scissors several times when asked by him. The prisoner said he owned the scissors himself, and pointed out that the witness had nothing to identify them by, but the maker's name, which would be found on any scissors. He afterwards said that he had a job at Marton which he had been taken away from, and he asked the Court if they convicted him to be lenient that he might get back. The Bench said that though the amount stolen was small, the accused had gone into a house to commit the theft, and he would be convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment. At the last meeting of the Rangitikei County Council the following business was dealt with : — Letter from Colonial Secretary's office, acknowledging receipt of letter calling attention to the fact that no reply had been made to the memorial praying for an extension of the County of Rangitikei. Regret was expressed for the delay which had taken place, and a copy of the second petition, withdrawing the original cne.was now forwarded for the council s information. The petition attached was as follows :—": — " To his Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand. The humble petition of the undersigned ratepayers and settlers in the County of Wanganui humbly sheweth (1) That when we, your petitioners, signed a former petition praying for our district to be added to the County of Rangitikei, we did so without fully inquiring intothematter; (2) that since signing the petition circumstances have so altered as to make it inexpedient for us to join the Rangitikei County ; (3) that we now find that our interest will be better served and the end we have in view be sooner attained by our district continuing to be a part of the County of Wanganui ; (4) we therefore pray your Excellency not to take any action on our former petition, and your petitioners will ever pray. The following signatures are attached : — J. Abbot, Alexander Higgie, Allan Robinson, Arthur Ellis, S. S. Addenbrooke, H. E. Addenbrooke, and James Harley. An affidavit as to the genuineness of the signatures was signed by Alexander Higgie. The chairman pointed out that the Colonial Secretary's letter was no reply to their request. The letter did not say what decision had been come to. Cr Maclean, after looking over the Act, said it was possible that the time (2 months) had elapsed before the counter petition waa sent in. He would move, "That the Colonial Secretary be requested to inform this Council of the date on which the withdrawing petition of Messrs Abbot, Higgie, and others, re extension of county boundaries was presented to the Governor, and whether such presentation was made within the two months prescribed by sub-sec. 3 of sec. 25 of The Counties Act, 1876."'

# * # To-morrow being observed as a close holiday in town, the Herald will not be published. The Yeoman, which will contain its usual lartje complement of general and specially contributed news, will be published on Saturday at the office of this paper. The Post, as usual, puffs the last Ministerial appointment. A dance, at which Mr E. J. King's band will provide the music, takes place at the Academy of Music to-morrow evening. Mr E. N. Liffiton will offer for sale on Saturday at noon, at the Rutland Chambers, by order of the late Thomas Scrivener's trustees, a number of valuable town sections. Full particulars appear in our advertising columns. We would direct attention to the sale of property in town to be held by Mr E. N. Liffiton on Saturday next. The lots comprise some 14 very valuable sections in the Avenue going back to Wicksteed street, and are well worth looking after. Members of the Union Boat Club are reminded of the general meeting called for this evening. The business comprises the adoption of new rules and regulations, and the presentation to the late Secretary. After the business there will be a convivial hour or two spent, and we have no doubt members will enjoy themselves. The Club meets at Ferry's Occidental Hotel., at 8 o'clock. I The Watts River in Victoria takes its name from Watts, a sailor, who was sentenced to be hanged at the yard-arm of a man-of-war for striking his superior officer, but had his sentence commuted to transpor- [ tation for life to Botany Bay. He was | brought to Victoria, and entrusted with the charge of a heifer station on the stream known by his name, in which he was after- j I vi arda found drowned — hence the name cf j the Watts, | A dastardly piece of work has been done at the Waverley racecourse. The lead piping connecting the tanks has been cut through and the water run off and the Club's building somewhat damaged. Almost everything moveable has been carried away, and it would serve as a caution to similar [ wrongdoers if the culprit could be discovered and punished for this wanton mischief. The Secretary, Mr Walter Symes has taken prompt steps to have the damage remedied, and yesterday he had men engaged in carting water so that no inconvenience will arise in consequence at Friday's meeting. ' At a garden party recently given at Holly Lodge, England, by Lady Burdett-Coutts, there was a large assemblage of guests, and in one of the rooms her jewels were exhibited. Great interest and excitement were raised at the sigkt of the celebrated Indian gem — a dazzling gem of the small sum of 125,000 dollars, which shone out from its case of black velvet like the concentration of a thousand fires. There was a group of mmy smaller African diamonds sparkling in the most blinding fashion, and many others also, in the rough form, so altogether that one small apartment must have contained the value of many a petty kingdom. The honorary members and friends of the performers in the Harmonic Society will have another opportunity this evening of judging of the capabilities of the Society in preparing really classical works* by the old masters, in Mendelssohn's great oratorio, " Elijah." They were venturesome in selecting such a difficult composition, considering the strength of the working members j ] nevertheless, every effort has been made to produce it in good style, frequent rehearsals haviug been held, and we have no doubt the audience will be well satisfied. Owing to the length of the oratorio, it has been decided to give the two parts on separate I nights, and in consequence the first ha'f only will be produced this evening. The concert will be given in the Christ Church school- ! room, at 8 o'clock. It is generally a great question with plea-eure-seekers what to do on the evening of a holiday. To-morrow will be observed in town as a day of rest for most of our citizens, and of course the question applies to this occasion. By the good management of Mr Filmer, however, there is no necessity for any interrogation as to what shall be done in the evening, for he has provided play-goers with as acceptable a form of I amusement as could well be wished in the juvenile opera troupe under the control of Messrs Stanley and Derbyshire, The youngsters have been to Wanganui before, when they had a most favorable reception, and at once established themselves %3 favorites. I To-morrow evening, they will produce for the first time, " The Pirates of Penzance," and as they are credited with performing the opsra very cleverly both musically and dramatically, we may expect a genuine treat. Doubtless there will be a large attendance. To-morrow being the 42nd anniversary of the natal day of the heir apparent, will of course be observed as a general holiday in town, and if the weather is propitious, no doubt the occasion will be taken full advantage of by holiday seekers. In Wanganui, there will be plenty of amusment at the racecourse, where the newly formed Athletic Club hold their first meeting, and a good programme will be provided. A refreshment booth will be on the ground, and in addition to the other attractions of the occasion, pleasant music will be discoursed by the Wanganui Rifles' Band. The charge to the course is only Is, which, being reasonable, will doubtless induce a large attendance. To those who like a different class of sport, the Waverley Races afford a good opportunity, as some good sport may be expected at that meeting. The trains leave at suitable hours to enable most of the races to be witnessed before a return to town is necessary. Should the weather hold good, a very pleasant day's outing may be expected. We were pleased to see a capital house assembled at the theatre last evening on the occasion of the benefit given to young Coakley, who was injured at Nelson, under the auspices of the Wanganui Football Club, There was a very good house indeed, £17 being taken at the doors alone, and as a large number of tickets were sold outside, a good round sum will be netted for his benefit. j The concert took the form of a Christy Minstrel entertainment, and the gentlemen who banded themselves together, are really I deserving of great credit for the manner in which they must have worked beforehand, to give such a succr ssf ul entertainment. The proceedings opened with the usual chair business, when the following programme was gone through, sprinkled with a few jokes, local and otherwise, which tended to keep the audience in good humour : — Opening chorus, Company ; ballad, " Eilleen Allanah," Mr A. H. Maclean ; ballad, "Mother kissed me I in my dream, ' Mr Epps ; comic song, " Susi sanah don't you cry," Tambo; song, "Drifti ing with the tide," Mr Palliser ; comic song, "Dear little Jessie," Johnson; comic song. "Cookie darling," Bones; ballad, "Roses underneath the snow," Mr L. Morse ; and " An interesting story," Bones. The choruses went very well indeed, and the songs were all capitally rendered, the audience testifyj ing their approval by constant applause. Mr Hood, as Tambo, was very funny, and kept the audience in a thoroughly risible state by his comicalities. The orchestra, comprising Messrs E. J. King (Ist violin), Chubb (2nd violin), Evans (double bass), L. King (cornet), and Mackenzie (piano), lent great assistance in the concerted parts, and played with great taste. After the chairs a miscellaneous programme was given, comprising the following items :—: — song, " Down by the river side I stray," Mr Hornby ; Ethiopean sketch, Mr Hood ; song, " The gauntlet," Mr Culpan ; comic song, Mr Chaldicott ; sand jig, Mr Blake ; scena, , " The Alpine Storm," Mr A. Foster. Each of the items were capitally rendered, and the whole of this part went with a wonderful amount of go, which evoked repeated applause. The programme concluded with a sable barlesque or farce, entitled "Wagner outwagged," in wh'ch the following gentlemen took part : Messrs W. Montgomery, D. Hood, Chubb, Stewart, Epps, Chaldicott, King, and Hornby. The principal work fell to Messrs Montgomery and Hood, who as the professor and his assistant respectively of a professional company, caused no end of laughter. They were well supported by the other gentlemen, and the whole farce went with a great deal of spirit. Every credit is due to Messrs Stewart and Montgemery who had the main part of the work to do in getting up the affair, and the thanks of the troupe are due to Mr King and his band of instrumentalists, including Mr McKenzie (who acted as accompanyist), for the good services perfoimed.