Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1884. ESQUIRE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5307, 13 March 1884, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1884.

ESQUIRE.

The Borough Council had the onerous and intricate task on Tuesday evening of deciding whether a solicitor should be addressed by the title of esquire by the Borough officials. The Council thought the solicitor's request a reasonable one which would cost nothing, so they proceeded to give instructions accordingly. It was not a little sfcrange that while everyone now-a-days is dubbed Esquire, the Borough Valuer should refuse it to a gentleman entitled to it by custom and prescription. It is not, however, generally known what a potent spell the word conveys in many quarters. We remember at an election held in a neighbouring district, a supporter was lost through his receiving a circular in which he was described as plain Mister. He thought himself so clearly entitled to Esquire that he made up his mind to punish the candidate for his ignorance. The French do these things better. They have only one title, which does duty for high and low, and is equally honorable. Monsieur Gambetta and Monsieur Jacques have no distinguishing appellation which denotes superior rank. The difficulty of drawing the line between the application of Esquire and Mister seems to be daily increasing, and nothing is more embarrassing. The Quakers have for themselves solved the difficulty easily enough, having got rid of all titles, using simply the baptismal and family name. There is, moreover, a marked tendency, even outside the Society of Friends, to say plain Charles or John, and to say it in a way implying special regard. It is a great pity this mode of designation does not grow more rapidly into a custom. In these days of postal cards and circulars some uniform custom is highly desirable. Let it be all Mister or all Esquire, or let both be dispensed with. If the high and grand title must be retained, then we see no reason why every honest man, whether he delves like his grandfather Adam, or administers justice under a horsehair wig, should not equally be Esquired. If a few courageous people could only be induced to risk the loss of custom or of votes and agree together to dispense with all titles, they would initiate a useful reform which would tend to enhance the dignity of man, and prevent the miserable caste distinctions creative of prigs, mashers, snobs, et hoc genus onine. In one of the colleges in the Mother Country the authorities lately agreed to get rid of Esquire in their communications ; but in the colonies, where, it is said, people are more democratic — though we doubt -the fact — the further step might be taken, and drop even the familiar and somewhat despised Mister. In these matters we admit that the reversal of an old custom is not the work of a day, and that to drop the fashionable Esquire is a bold movement in social reform. Who will break the ice ?

Entries for the St Patrick's Day and 100 yards Handicaps, in the Hibernian sports, close at Mr H. N. Brown's to-morrow evening, at 8 p.m.

There are over 60 tons of cheese on hand at Te Awamutu factory, so that the Company can claim the Government bonus of £500 whenever they export that quantity.

Mr Maxwell, General Traffic Manager for Railways, was a passenger by the train last evening from Foxton. Mr Maxwell left by the morning train for the North to-day.

The committee appointed to deal with the opening ceremonies in connection with the Masonic Hall, met last evening, and decided to further postpone the opening till the 18th of April, the ball to be held on the same date.

The New Zealand tanneries turned out last year 20,619 hides, 41,877 skins, 60,642 basils, 112,011 sides, and 15,000 kips and pelts. The sides produced last year were all the product of Auckland, which district also furnishes about one-third of the pelts prepared in the colony.

The Union Boating Club's crews left for the Foxton Regatta last evening, taking with them their two boats. The senior crew will be the same that contested in Wanganui, viz., Bates (stroke), F. Ruscoe, J. Ruscoe, and J. Leydon. The juniors have taken H. Meehan to fill Forbes' place, it being impossible for the latter to get away from the Post; Office.

The petty pilferers at the Horticultural Show have hitherto confined their business to the stealing of fruit, and occasionally a cut flower or two, but last evening some of these paltry individuals took the opportunity of stealing the small China figures adorning the floral devices and toy-gardens. The thefts were unfortunately not confined to these trinkets, but several valuable bulbs belonging to Mr Laird were taken. In one case the pot was walked off as it stood, and in another the parties had (evidently knowing the plant was ft bulo) inserted their fingers under the root and lifted it out bodily. The Society offer a reward of £5 for the conviction of the offenders.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the St Andrew's Kilwinning Lodge of Masoi.s will be held this evening in the Lodge room.

Eacohorse owners are reminded that the nominations for the following events at the Waverley Meeting, Handicap Hurdles, Flying and Autumn Handisaps, will close on Saturday at 10 o'clock a.m.s K^B-s^S 6

g§The Wellington Harbor Board have resolved to carry out immediately Bell's plan for an ocean steamer wharf, and also to widen Queen's wharf. Certain portions of reclamation and dredging recommended by Mr Bell will also be attended to.

Mr P. Bell's display of winter goods will be continued again this evening. Lidies desirous of inspecting the latest fashions can do so, by stepping into the show rooms at Victoria House this evening.

Mr Charles Godfrey Knight, Official Actuary to the Government Insurance Department, has resigned, and accepted the appointment of Actuary and Inspector for Australia to the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

A correspondent in the Colonist suggests that as the colonial revenue is not in a flourishing condition, a duty of Is per gallon be charged on New Zealand beei', that is, not a pure extract from malt and hops. By adopting this plan, he adds, a great benefit will most surely be conferred on the public either in one way or the other.

Sporting readers are reminded that the Kai Iwi (Maori) meeting will be held tomorrow. Messrs Smiley and Ross intend running drags to the course, of which doubtless many will avail themselves- The events are likely to be well contested, as a good number have accepted, Refreshments will be procurable on the ground, so that a pleasant day's outing may be had.

Mr E. N. Liffiton is gazetted as the person appointed by the Governor to make up new rolls for the ridings of the new county of Waitotara ; and he is also appointed Returning Officer for the first election for the said ridings. The 29th of March is appoiuted for the first meeting of the new County Council, the meeting to take place at the Rutland Chambers.

In the Gazette of the Bth is a paragraph referring to reporter's railway tickets. Season tickets are to be issued at half rates, upon application from the proprietor or manager of the newspaper, who is to certify that the reporter is bona fide, and permanently engaged on the stafl. Two tickets will be the most issued to any one paper.

The Nelson hop-growers have held a meeting to consider the price at which hops are to be sold this season. One of the leading merchants had offered Bd,but the meeting agreed not to sell under a shilling. Mr Harley said that the total number of bales grown in Nelson this season would not be 2000.

The official returns of agricultural statistics for the counties of Amuri and Cheviot, south of the Clarence River, have been issued. The Ashley and the Akaroa counties give the number of acres under crops (including sown grasses) : —Amuri and Cheviot, 73,691 ; Ashley, 226,064 ; Akaroa, 96,606. In forest plantation 516 acres, Amuri, 150, Ashley.

Amongst the special exhibits at the Horticultural Show yesterday we omitted to mention the Kohl Rabi shown by Messrs W. S. Fleetwood and W. Ptainbow. These plants were grown by Mr Fleetwood from seed, and had attained a good size. The vegetable is one not very much known in this colony, but in the old country it is found to be good feed for cattle and sheep, besides which it forms an excellent article for human diet.

The arrangements for the champion reception banquet are proceeding satisfactorily, and a pleasant gathering is expected this evening, as a large number of tickets have been disposed of. The evergreens used for decorative purposes at the show last evening will be left in the hall. As the champion belongs to the Wanganui Rifles, the company's band, under Bandmaster E. J. King, will provide the jrusic for the evening.

The Foxton train was veiy late in reaching town lasb night. The engine crank broke at Westoe, and news of thi3 mishap was received in town a little after 9 o'clock. A special message was despatched to Eistown for the services of another engine. Serious delay took place in getting the special off, and the train did not arrive till 1.30 a.m. The passengers on board were the first to see the fire, just when passing Bell Street, and it was not till they arrived in town that the bell commenced to ring.

MrH. W. young, of Young Bros., of this town, is at present on the West Coast of the South Island superintending the erection of an hotel at Denniston, for Mr John McGill, which will he (says the Buller Miner), when completed, one of the finest on the West Coast. The building will be 100 feet long by 33 feet wide, and two stories high. There will be a dining, billiard, and 20 bedrooms, bar, 5 parlors, lavatory, commodious vestibule, passages, and staircases, together with roomy kitchen, washouse, scullery, storerooms and other conveniences usually found in connection with first-class hotels. A spacious verandah will extend along the entire front of the building. When finished, it will be a prominent land mark from seaward, and will cost, exclusive of furniture, very little short of £2,000. The contract time for its erection is three months.

A crowded house, both upstairs and down, again greeted the Kennedy Family last evening, the performers seeming to gain very much in popularity as they become better known. The programme consisted entirely of Jacobite songs, Mr Kennedy prefacing the songs with short explanatory and historical remarks. The story of Bonnie Prince Charlie was told with vigour, creating an enthusiastic feeling in the audience. Mr Kennedy, senior, does the largest portion of the work himself, and especially last evening had he to do the lion's share. In " Bonnie Dundee " and " The wee wee German Lairdie," Mr Kennedy was very successful, the lattex*, as the best piece of the evening, receiving an encore. The Misses Kennedy were especially good, and in the trios " Charlie is my darling " and " Will ye no come back again," they received rounds of applause. Miss Marjory Kennedy in her " Wae's me for Priace Charlie " was at her best, and Mis 3 Maggie Kennedy has not been heard to greater advantage in Wanganui than in the song "He's ower the hills." The pianoforte reels and strathspeys were again deservedly encored, and during the evening the youngest sister played several of the accompaniments very well. The well cultivated voice of Mr Robert Kennedy was greatly appreciated by the axidience in his several songs, but more especially in the song "The March o' the CameroD Men." The programme for this evening is, on the whole, the best yet submitted here, the selection comprising some of the finest pieces in Scottish song.

The Wairarapa Standard says :— The latest phase of the Ministry's economical and reforming fit is, that the Premier and the officers composing the Board of Enquiry relative to the Civil Service, make a two hours' quest every forenoon through the General Government Buildings, and examine into the working of the several departments with a view to making reductions in their staffs and carrying out an amalgamation process. It is said that the Colonial Architect's office — a department which was specially created by Yogel, to give his father-in-law a fat sinecure — has been abolished, and that a very harmless and conceited personage called "Alphabetical Browne," the Registrar General, is to be wiped out. There is a report, also, that Mr J. G-: Holdsworth, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, is also to receive " the happy despatch." Mr Holdsworth gets £700 a year for signing two or three letters daily, and has a chief clerk, at £400, to aid in the performance of this arduous labor. Such reform — if carried out — would be all very well, only there is the drawback that all these "bigwigs" will retire with heavy pensions. So the savings would not be much after all. It is stated that there is to be a new Civil Service Act, and that the number of highly paid Commissioners and Under-Secretaries is to be rigidly limited in the future. We don't believe a word of this. The Ministry will make a great fuss for a little time about economy and reform, to serve a purpose. Then things will return to the old grove, and the friends and sycophants of Ministers will have highly paid new billets created for them, just in the evil, corrupt, and jobbing style of the past;

On Saturday Mr F. K. Jackson will hold his usual slock sale at Manaia.

Mr A. B. Hogg late of Wanganui has started business as a chemist, in Woodville.

Freeman R. Jackson, Esq., J.P., occupied the Bench at the B.M. Court this morning. The business consisted of one drunk — John Dowling— who was fined ss.

In this issue appears the preliminary announcement regarding the block of 2300 acres on the banks of the Wangaehu river. This block is the remainder of the Digh School endowment, and tenders will be mvv ited for the leasing of it.

An attempt is being made to float a company in Auckland to catch and cure fish and cultivate oysters. It is proposed to take up a large quantity of Stewart's Island oysters and to form oyster beds, to carry on an industry which has been so extensive and lucrative in Southern Brittany.

Nominations for the new Waitotara County Council close at noon to-morrow, with the various deputy returning officers appointed. The officers are Waitotara Riding, Mr W. C. Watkins ; Westmere Riding, Mr Dudley Eyre ; Brunswick Riding, Mr John Notman ; Tokomaru Riding, Mr E. N. Liffiton.

The following gentlemen have been elected to the vacancies on the new Wangaehu Board, which were not filled at the first election of members : — No 1 Ward, Messrs David Blyth and Thomas Higgie, jun. ; No. 2, Messrs James Blyth and J. W. Baker ; No. 3, Mr J. McGregor ; No. 4, Mr J. R. Sommerville ; No. 5, Mr James McDonald.

The consecration of the new Masonic Hail has been postponed from the 4th April to the the 18th April; the hours being fixed at 2.30 p.m. It appears that some of the members of the Craft objected to the former date on the ground that it was in Lent. Surely this is contrary to the spirit of Masonry, as it reduces it to the level of a sect. • We take the following from the Hawera Star :- "Nothing succeeds like success, and the Wanganui Jockey Club have amply verified the saying by their meeting keld on Thursday and Friday last." "So says the Wanganui Chronicle } -but is not this a doubtful compliment to pay men who have succeeded by sheer hard work rather than by happy chance ? Oh, Chronicle ! drop proverbs, if you cannot use them better than this."

The Anderson v. Stretch case seems to have led to a curious incident. It appears that two gentlemen who were very much disgusted at the verdict by which the defendant was made responsible, contrary to the weight of the evidence, and therefore unjustly ; agreed to pay the amount of the debt, which was at once discharged. This is perhaps satisfactory for both parties, but it conveys a curious reflection.

The Manawatu Standard says a petition is being signed asking Sir William Fox to stand for Manawatu. We thought the Manawatu people were ' not going outside their district again for a member. Of all the public men of New Zealand Sir William Fox has proved himself the least attentive to the interests of the district he represented. Now what do the Manawatu people expect to gain by putting him in ?

The members of the County Council maaaged to get a meeting together yesterday afternoon, to consider the letters received from the Wangaehu Board and Messrs Borlase aud Barnicoat, referring to the stopping of a road in the Long Acre Valley. There were present — Crs Sommerville (chairman), Dymock, Parsons, Poison, and Craig. After reading the letters, the evidence of Messrs D. Strachan, McGregor, and D. McLeod Were taken, all three being of opinion that the north road was the best. It was resolved that the action of the ratepayers in matter of the stoppage of the road through Anderson's be confirmed. This being all the business, the meeting adjourned.

We have been shown by Mr McLennan, travelling agent for Messrs Woodcock and West, a very simple appliance for barbing wire fences. The barbs are fitted into a grooved clamp, which is held in one hand, while the other hand manipulates a steel plate hooked at both ends, which gives the barbs the required number of twists, and so secures it. The firm has patented these simple contrivances, and Mr McLennan in* forms us that large numbers have been sold during the eight weeks which have ekpsed since the patent was secured. The firm keeps about 25 hands employed in the manufacture of , these articles, and they are also manufactures of some very good samples of black and galvanized barbed wires.

G. E. Morrison, the New Guinea explorer, publishes in the Age a letter he has addressed to Mr Griffith, Colonial Secretary of Queensland, in reply to Mr Griffith's remarks about him. He says: — "Were you not shielded by Parliamentary privilege I should compel you to retract your woi'ds, or you should have to answer for your libel in a Court of Justice, but your cowardly attack upon me is not likely to achieve the end you had in view. At an early date lam leaving for England, and I shall then have the opportunity of laying before the Right Honorable Secretary of State for the Colonies well-authenticated vouchers as to my character, and also of expressing my desire to substantiate on my oath, and on that of others, every one of the charges I have brought against your cherished slave trade."

Dr. Sinclair, the eminent Dentist, will arrive shortly. — See advertisement.