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Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5310, 17 March 1884, Page 2

The following special telegram appeared in our local contemporary this morning : — " Hokitika, March 16th.— Mr FitzGerald, both at Ross and Hokitika, spoke strongly against Land Nationalisation, and said that the freehold was the best tenure for the prosperity of the country, and was what attracted men to the colony. But the Legislature should either limit the area which any one man could hold, or should impose a progressive tax on holdings above a certain area. He preferred the former plan. *He had, however, no objection to a limited area of agricultural land being leased by the Crown, but was sure the system would break down if an attempt were made to push it too far." It will be seen from the above that a slightly different version is given of Mr FitzGerald's speech to that sent by the Press Association on which we commented in our last issue. There is an obvious attempt in the special telegram to tone down the remarks ou Land Nationalisation. For instance, the telegram commences bysaying that "he spoke strongly against Land Nationalisation," and concludes in the following terms : " He had, however, no objection to a limited area of agricultural land being leased by the Crown, but was sure the system would break down if an attempt were made to push it too far.' That is all the advocates of Land Nationalisation have asked at the present time — that the system shall have a fair trial all over the colony. The special telegram, however, contains a far more Radical policy than State leasing, and confirms the message of the Press Association — " But the Legislature should either limit the area which any one could hold, or should impose a progressive tax on holdings above a certain area." Jt will thus be seen that though the first message has been somewhat modified, the Radical policy stands. It would probably be near the mark if we inferred that public opinion in Hokitika has taken a definite shape on the land question. [Since the above was written, a Press message has been received in the exact terms of the " special " sent to our contemporary. Curious.]

Capt Edwin telegraps at 12. 17 as follows ; — Indications of little movement in glass with fine weather ; and to-night cold.

We have received a letter signed "Wellington House" complaining that the water-carts never visit that end of Ridgway street.

We have to call attention to the display at Mrs Walker's which will be on view this, and to-morrow evening, from seven to nine.

The Interproviocial cricket match between Otago and Canterbury played on Friday and Saturday, resulted in a win for Otago by 27 runs.

George Augustus Sala has decided not to start jjon his tour of Australians and. New Zealand till March, 1884. He will bo accompanied by Mrs Sala.

Mr G. S. Robertson has been nominated for the Brunswick Riding of the new Waitotara Council, it is rumored that other nominations will be made before Friday, aud that an election wil therefore be held.

The first of Shaw-Savill's big liners to be launched will be called the Tainui, and not, as was stated, the Arawa. Both, however, are to bo ready by the middle of the year, and will, it is hoped, have completed their maiden voyages by October.

By Jthe Stormbird "on Saturday evening Mr Trimble, who hasbeen a resident of Wanganui for about 10 years., took his departure. Mr Trimble has taken the appointment of commercial traveller for a Wellington house, to do the Greymouth district. We wish him every success.

It was announced at the Presbyterian Church last evening, that the Rev. J. W. Baker, agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, will occupy the pulpit next Sunday. His address on matters connected with his mission will probably attract a large audience.

The picnic under the auspices of the Hibernian Society, was held to-day in Victoria Park. The picnicers marched in procession from St Mary's headed by the Hibernians with their new and handsome banner. The girls and boys attending the schools were also marched to the ground, turning out in good numbers.

A team picked by Mr James Watt, consisting of Messrs F. Parkes, T. Parkes, Turner, Low, Gregson, Chaldicott, Fleetwood, Stewart, Wicksteed, D. Kitchen, and Watt (captain), played a cricket match sgainst a team from the Collegiate School. The collegiates scored 27, and Mr Watt's team 70, thus winning by 43 runs.

The new edition of "Men of the Time," just out, is principally remarkable for its incompleteness. Hardly any colonial magnates are mentioned/ even Sir George Grey> (whose name was included, in • previous editions) being omitted from this one. ; The London correspondent of the Auckland Star writes that a gentleman recently arrived from Wellington, who seems to know all the ins and outs of colonial politics has startled us with the news that Sir F. D. Bell will very shortly be superseeded t by MrW. Johnstone.

If Professor Ruskin's health keeps fairly good, it is on the cards that he may spend the winter of 1884-5 at the Antipodes, which he is particularly anxious to visit before he dies. In that case he will be accompanied by his niece and her husband, the wellknown artist, Mr Arthur Severn.

The principal antipodean banks have contributed liberally to the building fund of the Colonial Institute, which now amounts to £2,714. The Bank of New Zealand gave £105, the Bank of Australasia £100, the Union Bank £100, the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank £100, and the Colonial Bank £50. The volunteers held a battalion parade on Saturday afternoon, The attendance was not up to the average by a great deal, owing doubtless to the fact that the hour was an awkward one for the majority. The battalion was marched to Cook's Garden, and there exercised by Major Stapp, blank cartridge being supplied to them for the purpose of performing certain manoeuvres.

At the R.M. Court this morning, John Leary, fireman on board the Gc- Ahead, was charged with disobeying the lawful commands of the chief engineer. Captain Plumley and the engineer gave evidence as to the refusal to do duty, the latter stating that this was the second time the prisoner had refused to work since they left Dunedin. The prisoner made a rambling statement, acknowledging his guilt, and expressing a desire to get back on board the steamer. Sentenced to 3 days' imprisonment.

Mr Gladstone was at the deathbed and attended the funeral of Abraham Hayward, the old essayist. Though he always wrote for the Tory Quarterly, Hayward was a staunch Liberal, and 10/ ed Gladstone ani hated Beaconsfield. The Tory statesman took his revenge by describing him as an unmentionable animal, and when asked the reason, said he lived on other men's heads. Thackeray also hated the bitter-tongued old dinner-out, and called him a sheep-faced fox with a wolf's fangs.

From the Gazette we learn that during the month of February there were 467 births, to which total Wanganui contributed 11. The total deaths for the same period were 174. Christchurch has the honor of having the highest proportion per 1000 for the month, and Caversham is lowest. The proportion of deaths to the 1000 of population for the year is also given, Christchurch again occupying the unenviable position of being highest, Thames, New Plymouth, and Wanganui teing lowest on the list.

The aunual reports of St Paul's Presbyterian Church were delivered in printed form last evening. From the manager's report we learn that the ordinary collections amounted to £258, showing a falling off of £28 as compared with last year. Missionary collections were made amounting to £53 3s 3d . Seat rents were £249 8s 6d, as against £394 10s for the previous year, but owing to an alteration in the plan of circulation, the difference was more apparent than real. 318 sittings are let, 15 less than last year. The income from all sources was £689, from which £167 had to be deducted, leaving £522 as the proceeds for congregational purposes ; the expenditure has been £636, leaving a deficiency of £114. The Minister, seeing the state of affairs, had agreed to forego £60 of his stipend, and the other officers £10 each. The report concluded by drawing attention to the necessity for repairs and painting to both church and manse. The Sunday School reports Bhowed, for St. Paul's School, an average attendance of 150, out of 183 on the roll ; but irregularity was complained of. The funds for working the schools amounted during the year to £15 4s 6d. The library had received an addition of 200 volumes, and the mission box contributions were £10 11s for the year. The St. John's School had 120 names on the roll, with an average attendance os 90. Their statement of receipts and expenditure showed a net amount owing of £73 6s 7d. The reports have been printed by Mr A. D. Willis in his usually creditable style,