LAND SETTLEMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6363, 8 November 1887, Page 2

LAND SETTLEMENT.

The Chbistohuboh Pbess affects to believe tbat under the Atkinson Government, with Sir John Gridiron Hall at his baok, land will bo more extensively settled than nnder the late Ministry 1 Not satisfied with this flight, our contemoorary predicts that land taken up under this Government will provo more fertile than that taken up during their predecessors' tenure of office 1 What utter nonsense these advooates of a return to all that was vicious in land tenure do alter. They deny that the thousands who have been comfortably settled down On the waste lands of the colony during the past three years, are doing well, and prediot their early failure. But these wieeaores overlook the reports of the responsible officers of the Lind Department who give the most encouraging accounts of the Special Settlements formed during Mr Ballanco's term of office as Minister of Lands, on whioh hundreds, nay thonsands of families are now making a home and a living, who never would have done bo wanting the liberal land regu-' lations itsued by the late Government. We are told in the Governor's speech, Finanoial Statement, and la the columns nf the Ministerial press, that the present Government aro about, making the l»nd laws of the colony simpler and more attractive to settlert. If they can be made more simple, wo shall be delighted to see the chauge, but we do not think the principle of land nationalisation ehould be allowed to be destroyed by the present Government) whose main efforts w ill be exerted in that direotion. Too much land has already been sold, and the general patrimot y tquandervd. The great drawback to progress in New Zealand is the continual pulling down tbat is going on, and has been going on for tbe past twenty > ears. Eaoh succeeding Cabinet deems it their first and often only duty to destroy all that their predecessors havo done. The consequence is, there is no finality or stability, and tbe people are never sure of what the next "reform " may be like. This has done a lot of harm in the past, and will continue to do it in the future if persisted in.

At the Crown Lands sale yesterday five runs in the Martgakaretn and one in another block were sold by Mr Marohant, the average rental being BJd per acre,

Mr Kirkwood, photographer, will have on view at his studio in the Avenue this evening, photographs of "lolanthe" "Celia," and others of the characters in the open of "lolanthe."

Laing, In reply to a challenge from Riohardson, sayi he la quite willing to meet Richardson agaio, but he sees no reason why he should tun after him. He is to bo found with the money ready at Reed's Occidental Hotel when wanted.

Mr Bowler objects to our "flash" of last night that if elected the Foreman's salary will be reduced, We are glad to hear that Mr Bowler believes in keeping up wages, and we have no doubt he will •cc that the counoil get their moneys worth-

A close holiday will be observed at the Post Office to-morrow. The mails, whioh in the ordinary course would be made up to-morrow, will be closed to-night. The Telephone Kxohange will be open as uinal, the department evidently being under the impression that a telephone operator has a perpetual holler day.

Tho A Battery, Auckland have, made their final choice of representatives for Oam«ru,>nd the following will go South next year :— Sergt Parslow, Gunner Payne, Gunner Woolley, Gunner Webster, and Sergt Henderson. With the exception of Sergt Henderson this is the same team that rendered such a good account of themselves lasr year.

Lovers of the " noble art " will have a chance to tee some good scientific boxing at the raoecouree to-morrow, as Laing will have a tent there, and be assisted by Campbell, a New South Wales boxer of fame, who 'fought Donovan a very warm seven rounds, want of condition alone losing him the match. Several other firstclass boxers are in town, and will assist.

A correspondent wants to know the meauing of the following from the Chroniola :— " Teddy MoElwain baa purchased both booths for the forthcoming meeting, when, ehould the weather be fine, ho will doubtless recoup the expenditure to which he may be put to for the banefit of the attended by three bridesmaids, was given public, "Tips" for the Spring meeting will appear on Tuesday," Have the "tips" anything to do with the bridesmaids ?

Some of the auctioneers in Auckland appear to be as expert in making out a bill as a lawyer. At a recent meeting of the creditors of two ladies who b&d kept a boarding house, and gave it up as unprofitable, a resolution was passed calling the attention of the assignee to tha faot that in order to sell £65 worth of furniture, over £30 had been charged, of whioh £3 10s was for refreshments, and £23 for advertiiing.

Canon Tristram has recently classified the fishes to be found in the Sea of Galilee, and has announced a strange discovery. He says that these fishes donot belong to the Mediterranean system, but belong to the fish system of the great inland lakes of Africa— Tanganyika, Nyassa, and the neighbouring waters. The Canon draws tho infeience that untold ages ago the Jordan Valley was filled by a lake which wan joined to the Red Sea, then a fresh water lake, and which in turn, was in communication with the great lake system of Central Africa. A smart young sprig was badly sold the other day by a looal Hebe, whoso sylph like proportions became the subject of a bet " the tptig " wagering drinks for all hands that the fair one did not weigh 9it. The lady went and put on her bat, taking a little time to arrange her fringe and then the pair adjourned to a neighboring store, whera the laughing Hebo was put on the soalo and to the utter astonishment of "the sprig" pulled the beam at 9st 41b, He has since learnt that when she went to put on her hat, she placed three largo quoits in her dress improvor 1 At the Police Court this morning Mrs Fowkes was brought up on remand, charged with drunkenness, and having recovered somewhat from her attack of JJ.T. 's she was allowed to go. William Bamber was oharged by Sheep Inspector Munro with having expoted certain lousy sheep in Barns and Biggie's sale yards. Mr Munro said there were no peouliar circumstances about this oaso, but if these cases were to occur frequently he would have to ask His Worship to inflict more than the minimum penalty. Fined £1 and coatb 7s. J.May, charged with allowing his horse to wander, was fined Is and costs 7s. Mr Ward, R.M., 'occupied the Benoh. . • J * Daring the proceedings in the Dunedin Supreme Court yesterday morning, the question was raised whether, whon wage* are due by & bankrupt in excess of thoso paid preferentially by the Assignee, the bankrupt can net bis discharge until the whole amount of wages are paid, His Honor said that he wa> under the impression that the point had been decided in some oases that hi had heard of, but it was the first time it had been before him. After somo discussion, Justice Williams, without finally deciding the point,aaid that in this particular case, where three sons of the bankrupt claimed, the discharge must be held over until they satisfied tho Court that they abandoned their olaims. He suggested that the Assignee should communicate with the other Atsignees and ascertain if they had obtained a decision in the matter. "lolanthe" progresses satisfactorily in the hands of the Harmooio Society. Last night tho opera was gone through from beginning to ond with hardly a hitch, and those who were favoured with a ohanoe of witnessing the rehearsal were well satisfied with what they saw and heard. It would not be in pl»co yet to criticise the various characters, but we may indicate to the peers and fairies that in their ohoruues they should pay a little more attention to their acting than they do at present, remembering that tho byo-play in nperatio pieces is of as muoh oonsequeuce as tho sin jinsj. Of the opera generally we may say that we have been agreer.bly surprised at the excellent manner in which it has been got op. Each member takes an interest in the part allotted, aud under iho able management of Mr Wankljn the whole are making groat piogroes. Dress circle tickets arc going off well, and there in every indication of the soaioty having a bumper house on tho opening night. Tho legal sensation in Auckland haa not yet died out, and Mr Br/wsey's aotion in the matter is severely oritioiaed. A number of clients of Messrs Thorno and Rigby, solicitors, have signed a letter, addressed to Mr Rigby, expressive of sympathy with that gentleman, unabated confidence in his integrity, and belief in his ability to explain satisfactory all the allegations that are mide against him in conneotion with his leaving Kngland and changing his name on ooming to the colony. Sensation with renpeot to this matter has deepened, and tho charges against Mr Rigby are the allabsorbing topio of conversation, It is alleged that M.' Brassey was aotuated by vindictive feelings iv moving to havo Mr Rigby's namo removed from the roll of solicitors, but he donies this report, and saya that hia only desire is that the latter should be oleared of the imputation against him. Mr Rigby is said to be greatly distressed in mind by the reports in circulation to his disoredit. He Booms to acutely feel the position in whioh he is plaood, [A later telegram states that Mr Rigby has gono Home ]

A cablegram yesterday from Melbourne gave the particulars of how a not too smart bank olerk was relieved of £400 odd at the counter of one of the banks there. The move worked was a smart one but notbyanymeansoriginal, Itianotsolongago a similar "try on" was attempted at a large London monotary institution, but the olerk there was more awaka than his Melbourne confrere The olerk was in act of counting a large sum of money when an obliging individual at his elbow drew his attention to a note on the floor whioh he was assured he had dropped. "Thanks," ooolly responded the olerk, " I'll piok it np when I've oounted what I have here," and suiting the action to the. word, he firmly planted his heel upon it, and retained it there despite the protestations of theßmart gentleman, who, seeing ho w»? done, wont on to the other taolt pretonding that ho himself had made the mistako, and the stray noto was hla property. But it was no go, and the oute clerk made a " fiver " over the transaction.

" X eating's Powder " destroys Bugs Flkas, Moths, Beetles, and all other insocta, whilst quite harmless to domestic aniinaln. In exterminating Beetles tho success of this powdor is extraordinary. It is perfectly clean in application. Sea the article you purchase is "Kisating's," as imitations are noxious and Ineffectual. Sold in Tim, I'd., iis.^and 2s 6d. eaoh, by all ohemißtnVi