Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1888

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 6405, 4 January 1888, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1888

NEW YEAR PROSPECTS.

The year that has just passed away was marked by few great events. Nothing of epoch-marking fame occurred during its existence to render it a time to be particularly remembered, unless, indeed, we except the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, The people everywhere testified to their appreciation of Her Majesty's services, and from the uttermost parts of the British Empire there resounded the one response in honour of one who, to use the poet's words, "has wrought her people lasting good." Theold year closed in almost universal peace. With the solitary exceptions of the Italian campaign in Abyssinia and the completion of the British

war in Burmah, there was little or no warfare going on, but the prospects are not so bright at the opening of 1888. The war scare of 1887 was restricted to a narrow belt of territory on the borders of Afghanistan, tar away from the great centres of civilisation, but today we read of rumours of a quarter of a million of infantry, 25,000 cavalry, and 800 guns being massed by Russia on the Austrian frontier. The chances of a bloody war in the centre of Europe seem great, and there is little doubt that it will require all the diplomatic skill of European politicians and rulers to keep the peace. The new triple alliance between Italy, Germany, and Austria is a result of 1887 which cannot be overlooked in considering the prospects of 1888, especially as England is considered to be friendly to the alliance. In Russia there is still great discontent, as evidenced by a recent attempt (since' officially

denier 1 /) on the Czar's life, and the /revolt of the University students ; Germany is peculiarly situated in having as its Emperor one whose life cannot last much longer, and as its prospective ruler, a prince afflicted with an incurable malady . and France, though quieter aince the Presidential election of M. SadiCarnot, has been once or twice lately on the borders of a civil strife, and the spark of Anti-German hatred, will need but little to fan it into a flame. France and Kussia are supposed to be working at cross purposes to Germany and Austria, and though 1888 may not actually witness another campaign on the Franco - German border, general opinion at Home seems to indicate that the attempt to regain the lost provinces of Akaco and Lorraine will not be long delayed if Germany is engaged with Eussia. Great Britain has lately been increasing her navy, and the result of one of the most important events of 1887, the Imperial Conference, seems to be that the colonies and Mother Country are to be drawn more closely together in the future, by the protection of all interests in these seas. She may bfi said to be at peace with the world, Burmah alone excepted. In the Pacific the prospects as regards the settlement of the New Hebrides difficulty seem to be passing away ; the fisheries dispute in Canada is on the eve of being settled, and on the Continent both France and Kussia have recently taken occasion by courteous messages to express their hope that the present friendly relations may continue. So mote it be. Commercially speaking, theoutlook is at least as bright as it has been for some time, though it cannot be said that either at Home or abroad the depression has yet wholly lifted. The continued references to Fair Trade by English journals and statesmen indicate the drift things are taking in the Mother Country. In America the President's trouble is to know what to do with the money that is pouring into the State coffers as a result of this policy, and Victoria, the only real Protectionist colony, has again a surplus, and is the most prosperous of all the colonies. What are the prospects here ? The last election must answer. Though the tariff has not been touched by the new Ministry, it must be dealt with this year, and nothing short of assistance to local industries in some shape or other will satisfy the House and the colony. The prospects for New Zealand staple products in the Home markets are none of the best, and now that our producers are to be brought face to face with the bonus system as introduced into the meat trade by the Argentine Kepublic, there seems to be all the more reason why we should endeavour to create a market within our own shores. The policy of drastic retrenchment carried out by the present Government will intensify the depression somewhat this year, and unless we are to have something of a buildingup policy as well, the chances of this being a profitable year are gloomy indeed. We feel convinced, however, that the present year will see a step made in the direction of Protection. Locally, we have much to complain of. The work at the Heads has been stopped by the influence of those who have not sufficient patriotism to wish to push the place along, the work of up-river settlement has been discontinued by the present Government, and the chances that a year ago looked so favourable seem almost wiped out. But despite these disheartening circumstances, we have abundant faith that this district is not to be cold-shouldered for long. Its splendid capabilities must bring it to the front sooner or later, and if 1888 may not see much progress in this direction, we must follow Major Atkinson's policy for once, and "Learn to labour and to wait." Mr Jellicoe the noted lawyer, haa retnrned to Wellington. "Jimmy" MoCann spent his New Year's Day In gaol having been "vent up" for 14 days on Saturday) Private Parkinson won _ Lieut. Foster's cap yesterday morning with a score of 53 (8 points haadlcap)i Constable Gray having been transferred to New Plymouth Conn table L'oyd haa been sent from that station to fill hia plaoe. This evening the annual New Year's torchlight procession ot the Fire Brigade will take place. Mr Sydney Talwhangt, M.HR., intends to viait Melbourne shortly in order to be present at the Centennial banquet to bo held there next month. J. B. Smith intends to offer £100 reward for the oonviotion of the perton who " salted " the test parcels of stuff taken from the Waitoa goldfields. Mr G. W. Woon is gazetted as colleotor of Agricultural Statistics for the connties of Hawera, Patea, Waitotara, and Wanganui, At the Lyttelton Regatta the Canterbury Rowing Club won the senior double sculls, the Eiiapoi crew being aecond. The Unions won the Senior Pairs, with the Kaiapoi Club second, and Lyttelton third. The name of Reuter over New Zealand cableß has disappeared, and from this out our telegraphic news will ill be under the control ot the Press Association, May it prove better than the service we have hitherto had to put up with. A letter written by Matthews to a friend in town states that be Is as fit as ever he was in his life and that he is quite confidout of hia ability to beat Laing. So far no referee hat) been appointed in the match, and Matthews ia now inquiring what chance there ia of obtaining aomeone to aot in this oapaoity. The Maoris at present in town are much interested in the Lainp-Mstthows fight. They are deoidedly partial to Harry liaing'q chances, but are making anxious inquiries as to Matthews' condition. The five shillings admission however, does not suit their pockets at all, but they will probably make a draw on their wool money to get the necessary funds to see the fight. The operatic aeason by Mr Sparks' company oonoluded with "The Grand Duchess" last night: The opera went with spirit all through, but there appeared to be a reduction in the number of performers from some cause or another. The support given to Mr Sparkes has not been aa liberal as it ought to have been, connidering the labour he bad been put to, and the excellent manner in which the operas were staged, but we hope he ia at any rate a gainer by the season. For the past two or three days the upriver natives have been bnsy bringing down wool by cauoe. It is calculated that fully 100 bales havo been so transported, and aa each bale is said to be worth from £10 to £12 it is evident a good sum of money is likely to ohange hands in a few days for the wool. The natives state that they intend to go more and more into the wool trade, finding it an eisy way of making money. We hear that the Rev Dr Harvey, who is now in Wellington for hia health, has been ordered a complete rest from scholaatio duties and a trip to England. He will probably leave for Home in a few weeks, and during his absence the Collegiate Sohool will be placed under the supervision of the Rev Mr Tudor and Mr Empton. We with the rev principal a pleasant passage and a speedy restoration ' ' to his nooustomed health and vigor.

The Fire Brigade procession this evening will leave the station at 9 o'clook. In the Friendly Societies Art Union the prizes go to Wanganui, Eai Iwi, Foxtou, folaon and Auckland. The Art Union was a decided financial success. The genial "Tr m p," Mr G. D. Wickham, ia again in Wanganui, where he will find many friends anxious to see him. Captain Leys' 'quoits tonrnament on Monday at Castleoliff was a source of attraction to many. Four sets of qnoita were going most of the day. Mr J, Anderson uou the first prize and Mr Smith second, We need hardly remind the public of the glove fight that ia to take place to-morrow night in the Drill Hall between Harry Laing and Matthews. The trouble will commence at 9 o'clook, and as both men are hard as nails and in good trim generally, a severe contest ia certain to take place, in whioh some soientifld boxing will be witnessed. At the Police Court this morning John Martin, a half-cnste, was charged with using indooent language but he did not appear. The police asked that the case should be adjourned to allot? accused, who was out of town, to put in an appearance, and it waa adjourned accordingly till Friday. MrKrull J.P. ocoupied theßenoh. We have to thank Mr Woon, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, for the following statistics. Daring the year 1887 the births registered 216, the deaths numbered 102, and the marriages 66. Last quarter the figures were 64, 25 and 22 respectively. For the month of December the births numbered 16 in the town and 7 in the country, the deaths were only two in towD, three in the Hospital, and three in the country. The church of Englmd did most in the marriage market having put through three couples, the Registrar ' and his deputy ooupUd two pairs, and the Presbyterian and Wesleyan churches are credited with one each. Onr Turakina correspondent writes :— On Sunday evening a house on the Turakina hill, belonging to Mr H. Lethbiidge, and , occupied by Mr Green, was burnt to the ! ground. Mr and Mrs Green went away to Palmerston on Saturday, leaving no one at home. The house has evidently been plundered, and ■ afterwards burned down. The property was uninsured, and Mr Green will bo a heavy loser, as he has lost bis furniture, whioh waa new, as well as olothes and a silver cup won at Fielding the other day, Captain Somnwrville left for Wellington yesterday to interview the G'vernrflpnt ' relative to substituting tho Remington-Lee rifles by Martim-Hemya. He assure! ns that be has pretty well made np his mind j that the latter will have to be the weapon for use at the Oamaru meeting, but he ' thinks that they will have to be sent direot ' to Oamaru and unpacked there without any I opportunity being given forpractioe beforehand. The consignment of ammunition ' from tho Remington-Leo manufacturers which w»s to h»ve oome to hand by the last Frisco boat has not yet been beard of. The following are the Custom receipts for tho woek :— Customs, £233 18i 5d ; beer duty stamps, £2 10s 9d ; light dues, ' £1 14s SA; pilotage, £13 15s 2d ; total, £311 18i 9di For the month the amounts received were— Spirits, £447 6s lOd : ' tobacco, £15 la ; wine, £73 9s Si ;ad valorem, £262 6a 2d ; other duties, £17 7s 6d ; total, £815 lls 2d ; beer duty, £264 10s 3d ; light dueß, £6 7s 2d ; pilotage, £50 158. The total amount of Customs received for the corresponding period of laßt year was £1007. ; The Temperance Brotherhood's picnic waa decidedly the event of the day yesterday. At an early hour in the morning the streets were thronged by the holidaying orowd who were making their way to Betts' wharf, and when the steamers had left town the plaoe wore quite a deserted appenraneo. The two steamera— Tuhua and Montoa were crowded with excursionists, leaving shortly before 9.30 they reached Major Lockett's at about noon, and there the whole party wsb landed to enjoy a few hours amid the beauties of Maramaratotura, At 4.30 the return trip was started, town being reached at about 7 after a very successful day's outing, whioh had not been marred in any way by by accident or unpleasantness, W« regret having to reoord a serioue accident which befell Mr and Mm T, Bamber (sen.,) on Monday evening. They had been out the No. 2 Line, and were driving homo with Mrs T. Bamber (junr.) and a young niece. When near the t"p ol Durie's Hill their horse wag frightened by another animal, and managed to capsize the buggy. All the occupants wero thrown out, and Mrs B<mber, senr., waa so unfortnnate as to break her right arm. Mt Bambur escaped with a very severe shaking and some bruises, and the other members of the party were more frightened than hurt. The sufferers were picked up by Mr Greener, who happened to be passing, and bronght into town, where their injuries were attended to at onco, Dr Earle being in immediate attendance We are glad to learn that both the patients are progressing favourably. The person who actually caused the accident rode on without stopping to render assistance. The usual monthly meeting of the Wanganui County Council was held yeate day. There were present— Ore Poison (chair), J. Jones, E. R. Morgau, A Mason, C. F, Harrison, and J. Smith, Mr Garret, engineer, attended in referenco tc tba Wanganui-Hunterville road but it was deoided, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Or Mo-"?an,to hold the mattei over until next meeting for further information from the Engineer and Foreman of Works. The Foreman's roport was read and received. It was deoided on the motion of Cr Morgan seconded by Cr Harrison that the cutting on the Warrengate line opposite Mr Phillips' house be widened and lengthened as recommended in the Foreman's report. A resolution previously passed referring to Mr Neilaon't, claim for £10 was revoked. Or Neilson gave notice that he would move that £127 be expended in road formation uno gravelling at Mr Straohan's and extending upwards as far as tho money would allow, A progress payment of £15 was made od account of the Mataongaonga Bridge,