Notes and Comments.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 6926, 8 October 1889, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

The Manaia correspondent of tho Taranaki Herald is ''rough" on the Waimate Witness. He says :— Tho paper has been received generally with feelings of very great disappointment ; and very little interest has been taken in the venture as far as the general public is concerned. It is owned and printed by the proprietors of tho Wanganui Chronicle. It is not likely, therefore, to represent the political views of the people here, though the probabilities are that '■ if its views do not suit they can be altered." There is rather too much of a whine about the tone of it to suit tho independent spirit of the Waimate Plains settler. We, doubtless, have "rights to demand " aud " wrongs to redress," but to wail over our griefs is about the last thing •no should think of doing. The paper has already been nicknamed the "Waimate Wailer." The proprietor's apology for the venture in the first issue was a very lame affair, and simply amounted to a statement that the proprietors were of opinion that tho Manaia people were in a position to affovd a paper, and they were tho men to supply it. Some people give it a life of three months, while others thmk it will continue to hang on until after the next general election.

The Mivjor not intending to run any further risk in Egmont, the Star may probably see its way to be less partisan in its character, and as tho seat has to bo kept warm fov the new aspirant the paper— even iE only an apology for a newspaper, will serve a purpose. Re Mr Bryce, we hear on —well fair authority- that he is waiting to be asked to contest Wanganui at the next election. So is another gentleman who contested it once before, aud the pity of it is that they should have to wait so long before someone does ask them. Sir F. Whitaker told a reporter in Auckland that his resignation had not been even named or talked of in the Cabinet, and he certainly had not thought of it. With regard to the rumom as to tho probable appointment of one Auckland and two southern men to tho Upper House, that statement was just as true as the other. His own view was that the Legislative Council should be brought to a fixed proportion corresponding with tho reduced numbers of the Houso of Representatives under the new Representation Act. The picture of Earl Onslow, painted by Hogarth, and representing the House of Commons in 1730, under Speaker Onslow, which was on view ut tho Melbourne Exhibition, is to bo sent to Now Zealand in a few weeks' time in the Tainui.

For the Exhibition return tickets will be issued at Wellington on the following scale : -Excursion tickets— To Lyttellon, saloon, £2 ss, 2nd class, £1 10s ;to Dunedin, saloon, M ss, 2nd class, £3. Exhibition tickots— To Lyttelton, saloon, £2, 2nd class, £1 5s ; to Dunedin, saloon, £3 103, 2nd class, £2 ss.

It is still regarded as almost certain that a portfolio will bo offered to Mr Hislop, but this has yet to be decided. The New_ Zealand Times a day or two ago, however, in an inspired article, seemed to hint that as Mr Hislop was no source of strength to the Ministry the Premier did not want him back.

Tho Presbyterians are to bo congratulated on having secured tho assistance o£ Mr Provso for their concert on the 17th. He has lately been singing in Elijah at Christchurch, and this 13 what the Press says of him — Mr Prouse's singing throughout wns that of a thorough artist, not only does he sing the music of the part, but ho also phrases excellently, and gives to every word of tho part che due character with which it has been invested. This was specially noticeable in tho grand aria " Lord God of Abraham," and " It is Enough," which were splendid illustrations of the art of oratorio singing. In the second part lie sang the recitative -'The Loid hath exalted" capitally, and in the small but exquisitely pretty recitative "Though Stricken," leading into tho grand aria "It is Enough," Mr Proviso was heard to great advantage. _ Of the latter too muck cannot be said in praise. The wonderful faculty of interpretation which Mr Prouse possesses was markedly noticeable in his famous solo. In it was forcibly depicted tho cry of the Prophet, who feels that his life's work has ended. It was splendidly sung, and of itself was a great musical trpat.

Central Otago is almost as early with potatoes as Auckland. The Cromwell Argus has been shown a splendid sample grown by Mr Clark, "Wanaka road. Mr Clark has a method of hit own. All he does is to clear the ground of grow th, then lay tho seed iv vans, ploughing between tho rows. Tho seed la thus covered by tho farrow, and tho growth etarts in a laterinl direction, extending to tho edge of tho furrow, then shoots up. Tho yield by this eiinplo process is found to bo larger and tho quality better than by tho usual method.

As tjio hot weather is fast appioiiching, householders should bo more careful with regard to sanitary matters, as in warm weather, tho eflluvmni or emanation from any bodies which, may exert a noxious iniluonce is more likely to bo generated than in tho colder seasons. An euicscious and cheap disinfectant equal to Condy's Fluid can bo made by adding one ounce of permanganate of potash (which can be purchased from any chemist for 3d) to ono gallon of water. By pouring a small quantity of this daily into sinks, cesspools, He, tlioro will bo little or no clangor ot poisonous germs living, and so Uie likelihood of any vu'ulont feycrs,&c , occurring in tho vicinity will to a vary great eitent bo obviated.

To romovoold putty from brokon w indou s, dip a small brush in spirits of talt.paint over the dry putty that udhoros to the broken glass and window fiame Aflov the interval ol an hour the putty will havo become so soft as to bo easy lomovable.