Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15,1894. THE COLONY'S FINANCES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8401, 15 February 1894, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1894. THE COLONY'S FINANCES.

The Colonial Treasurer, the Hon. J. Gk Ward, has been interviewed by a representative of the Otago Daily Times on the above subject, and assured his visitor that he was quite satisfied that his (Mr Ward's) estimate of this year's revenue would be fully realised. Mr Ward went on to say :—": — " The course pursued by the Government during the year has been a cautious one, but at tho same time all the matters which it was necessary to execute have been undertaken. It will be remembered that last session some of our opponents stated that the financial position of the colony was a weak one. lam pleased to say that their evil prognostications were inaccurate. At the present time our position financially is strong and healthy. The revenue has kept up splendidly, our stocks are high, and, I am assured, actively sought after." The Opposition and their press supnortershave for along time past given it out that the Government must go into the London money market this year and raise another large loan. To this the Colonial Treasurer gives the most emphatic denial, stating that neither the necessities o£ the Government finance nor the circumstances of the colony at present, in his opinion, call for the aid of loan moneys, and that it is therefore not the intention of the Government to ask Parliament for authority to raise any. Asked how the Government anticipate being able to carry on public works, Mr Ward replied :—: — " Public works expenditure will be provided for as at present, partly from the consolidated fund and partly from the Public Works Fund. There will be a sufficiency of money to carry on all legitimate public works in the colony. I may say that it was the opinion of our opponents, when we first took office, that we could not not carry on without a loan ; but this opinion, so freely expressed, has been belied, and I am equally confident that we can, without starving the necessary public works of the colony, still pursue a vigorous policy without borrowing.

Coming to the question as to the intention of the Government respecting the purchase of private estates, Mr Ward said : — ■' Of course, I need hardly say it is not the intention of the Q-overnment to take all the estates that are heing offered. The Minister of- Lands is dealing with this branch, and I think it is very unlikely that any large sums will be asked for for this purpose. On the contrary, I expect that, in addition to the present system of cash purchase, further provision will be taken for payments being made in debentures bearing a low rate of interest — say 3 V per cent. — and the Minister of Lands is also considering the propriety of obtaining authority for leasing in perpetuity from those desirous of parting with land to the Government, the Government in turn subleasing under the existing system to tenants. These two systems — debentures and leasing — would, of course, dispense with the necessity of providing cash for the acquisition of such lands. My colleague the Minister of Lands is fully alive to the whole position. He is, of pourse, responsible for the land administration of the colony, and any information with rpgard to it should bB obtained from him. J may say that the (3-overpment are determined to vigorously promote lapd B^w]pment ? $e-

living that, .to a large extent, this will' help to absorb tha eaceeas of labqur-that, from time to time, in a young -and growing country, must necessarily occur." It will be seen from the foregoing that the policy of th^e Ballance Government is being faithfully adhered to by tbe present Ministry, the members of which were the colleagues of the late Premier to whom New Zealand owes so much.

The programme for the Waaganui Trotting Club's initial meeting appears in this issue.

Captain Wilson, a retired English naval officer, talks of building an indiarubber steamer of 4000 tons.

The Government have been requested to have the new Courthouse at Palmerston North erected on the co-operative labour system. Mr Joseph Ivcss was presented with a purse of sovereigns by his political supporters and friends at Hunterville on Saturday evening last

Her Worship the Mayor of Onehunga is not (say 3 the Marlborough Times) proving a succesß. She is said to be dogmatic and aome of her ruling* are absurd.

It is stated that tho Groymouth prohibitionists contemplate purchasing tho rights to the publicans' booths, at the March meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club.

In Victoria recently a horse named Take All won threa races in ono day, and a short time after appropriated a double during on afternoon's racing. No mistake was made in naming this animni.

A Beech worth (Victoria) man was toported to be miss.ing, and a long search was made, dams dragged and holes oxplored, ero he was found. To the police belongs the honor of his diserrerj — he was serving a sentence in tho local gaol.

At Birchip (Victoria) las* week a hoy and pirl Bged 9 and 13 respectively, the son and daughter of Mr Closhey, returned from school in an overheated condition and drank some cold water, which resulted fatally in both cases, The girl died in the evering and the boy next morning.

The Stormbird took 500 bales of wool to the Mashona last evening, and returned to the Heads whaif, where she is again loading. The New Zealand Land Association have in all 2700 bales awaiting shipment, but the Mashona will probably not take them all. The balance will bo shipped by the Waikato.

During the examination of a bankrupt at the District Court at Palmereton North on Tuesday, those present were surprised by his acknowledgement that ho bad been married since filiug his schedule. "Goodnesa gracious, what did you do that for f " ejaculated tho judgo, but his eurpriso was toned down Bomewhat by the remark of Counsel that, the pareDts thought it would steady his erratic career. " Perhaps so," added Mr Kettle, "it mar be wise after all." An Invercargill nsidont, lecturing at Wyndham tho other night on " A tour round the world," perpotrnfed an amusing bull (the News informs us). He said it was a popular fallacy that a cannon ball could bo Been and dodged, but that wa9 not true. The ball had a vulocity oE more than 2000 feet per second, which tho eye could not follow, and you could not tea it until it took off your heud. An audible smile here passed round tho room, aud the lecturer went on his way rrjoieiug. That thingß are not much beUor in the police force elsewhpre than thuy nre in Wonganui may be guessed trom tho following paragraph from tbe Napier News: — " On dil that, although tho changes in the local police force which were recently spoken of as probable are not yet authoritatively announced, very sweeping chaDges ! will be made in Iho whole force. It is high time, for at present the force is iv a stato of absolute demoralisation throughout the colony. Intrigue and incapacity are everywhere apparent, and merit and fidelity apparently have ''no show." This is the case in the four large centres and probably things are no better in the smaller towns.'. One'of Budyatd Kipling's " other storios." At Simla, a dignified veteran Colonel, familiarly greotod by a peacocky yoUDg globe-trotter as " Old Chappie !" sarcastically replied, " Old, perhaps, but chappie, ) never, sir!" This was overboard, and passed into a local colloquialism. People used tho phraeo whenever they could drag it in by tho shoulders until it stumbled on a catastrophe. There was aineing and piano playing one night in a bungalow, and the oil lamp went out abruptly. Witticisms scintilatcd in the dark. The Major's daughter, sweet, single, 17, made somo stupid venfcriloquial romarks. " One of tho foolieh virgins, my dear," reprovingly said hor father. Sho, embarrassed, remambered the phrase and ?pako aloud—" Foolish, perhaps, papa, but ." Hero the story snaps off. The Colonial Treasurer has roceivod a communication from a gentleman in Sydney who claims to have discovered a cortain euro for drunkenness, and a cure that is perfectly harmless and can bo taken as a tonic. The writer Btatej thit " thousands of men and women in America bear testimony of the most unquestionable character. It is recognised by that Government, and the cure adopted in nearly thirty sailor, soldier, and other homos. The President and Secretary of State are ex-officio moinborß of general managemonfc. Not only is this remedy a cure for tho acquired habit for intoxicating liquors, but completely reforms the individual aDd restores happiness in the home." A public test of the cure is to be made in Sydney shortly, when, if it prove not successful, £50 will be given by the gentleman in question to the Sydney Hospital. The writer merely asks the Hon. J. G. Ward for recognition for encouragement. Mr Ward has written in reply that he would be glad to give reasonablo assistance to any effort to further such a cure as tho writer of the letter claimed his to be.

*' Dear Mother, — I spent tho 43 CJd for your bonsfit, and I hope tho money it will bring you will help you to forgive my rash act. Tell the police to search in the harbor afc Portobollo, and when they have found me get them to write a description of my clothes and what I have in mv pockets. They will fiud a cap that cost 6d, and will entitle you to £200 insurance money; pair of suspenders, 4Jd, with a coupon in them for £300 ; a belt, 6d, for £100 j and papers, one entitling you to £1000, and the others £500 each -in all £3500. .Uon't upend too much on my funeral, and mind tho money, which will make you rioh. — You loving Bon, Fbbuinand db Fbbyne Ribnzi de Conner. P.S.— Good-byo." This is the extraordinary letter a little follow of 12 wrote before committing suicide in Dublin. He was the son of a widow who had once been well off, but had been reduced to want, and lived in one room with her family, who were well nigh starved. '1 he poor little follow could not bear to see his mother and brothers and sisters starving, and so, in his childish ignorance he drowned himself, not knowing that the money ho so fondly hoped would be theirs would novor reach them.

Particulars of a disastrous fire which occurred at Foxton ou Friday morning, regarding which noshing has been gent us by tho Prosa Association, are Bupplied by the Manawatu Herald of Saturday. The fire broke out about 1 o'clock in the morning in a block of buildings in the main street, owned by the trustees of Mr Thynno, and demolished four business premises representing £2COO worth of property, in about an hour and a half. It was discovered in the upper part of a shop occupied by Joo Tos, grocer, whence it noread to the adjoining prsmises of Messrs Earner and Loveday Bros., and a billiard room belonging to Mrs Wbyte, end leased by C. B. Shortt. The stocks of Messrs Hatner and Loveday Bros, and Hie billiard table were got out, butTos' stock was destroyed, lhe Banlc of Aus. tralaßia, Duylea' hotel, and McMillan, Rhodos and Co.'s store were saved by being covered with wet blankets. A building occurried by Mr Coe, saddler, was pulled down by" the volnnteer force to save adjoining buildings. Wall's bakery caught fire several times, and was saved with difficulty by the townspeople, who appear to have worked with a will. Toa' stock was valued afc £1200 and was not insured, neither was that of Mr Hamer, which was valued at £230. Lpveday Bros.' stock was valued at £1600, aad was insured for £250 in the office of the London, Liverpool, and Globe Co. The buildings were valued at £450, and were ineuied in the Standard office for £150 only. There was also an insurance, of £150 in the eaine office on the billiard room and table.

Tenders are oalled for 20 obainVof ditob/ ing at Spiingvale.

Wo have to-day ascertained from InBpeotor Thomson, who has just retained hare from Foxton, that Sergoant Cullen, of Napier, has been transferred to Wanganui to fill the existing vacancy of Sergeant in charge, and will enter upon his duties here in about a week hence. Sergeant Cullen is an efficient and experienced police officer, and has been stationed at Napier for several years past.

Dr Anson'B many Wanganui friends were very pleased to see him once more in Wanganui, where for some time ha occupied a responsible position with Dr Saunders in the Collegiate School, after leaving which both geutlomen went to England and concluded their medical studies and returned to New Zealand to practice. Dr Anson, who has settled in Wellington, where he has already built up a large practice, was a passenger to Pipiriki and back in the last trip of the Wairere and enjoyed his journey very much, being most favouaably impressed with the beautiful river scenery and the complete arrangements made for the comfort of those availing themselves of the Wairere, whose weekly trips are fast becoming largely patronised by tourists and others.

Amongst the visitors at the Hawera races yesteeday was Harry Laing, champion boxer of Australasia. As might be expected, Harry's right was wrung many times by friends and admirers, and in responding to tha oxprossion that they wero glad to see him back in tho colony he reciprocated by atatine that he was doubly so. After a trip to Wanganui he expects to leave for the other side again shortly, bent on mote victories in tho ring. He pays tribute to the sportsmanlike treatment he has received in Australia, and states, in connection with his late contest, that in the third round he was as much played out as Goddard, but thanks to his excellent training he was enabled to trouble the big man with one very effective body blow, which practically settled the match. Harry looks well and hearty, and evidently has a very soft Bpot in his heart for all Wanganuites.

Biots of a grave nature occurred recently in the commune of Giardinello, Sicily. Some members of the Fa«ciodeiLavoratora appear to havo been the ringleadors, and, as recently at Partinico, the town hall was stormed and the archives destroyed. After tbe rioting had proceeded unchecked for some time a detachment of Beraagliori arrived from Montoplorc. The mob, however, nothing daunted, attacked the troops. A severe conflict ensued, and finally the troops in the heat of the fight, opened fire on the rioters, eight of whom fell dead, while 14 others wero wounded, four very seriously. After the troops withdrew tho mob returned to tho place, seized the town clerk and his wife, whom they killed. They then cut off their heads, which they carried away on pikes. Mr Ashton quotes a startling Btory from tho journal of Julian Young. It was told by Young in Theodora Hook's presenca at a dinner party in 1831 :—": — " B\r," said he " you may hare known unfortunate men, poaaibly, in your day ; you may, for aueht I know, be an unfortunate man yourself ; but I do not believe there iB Buch another unfortunate man as I nm in the whole world. No man ever had more brilliant prospects than I have had'in my time, and every one of them, on tbe very eve of fulfilment, has been blighted. Twas but the other day that I thought I would buy a ticket in the lottery. I did so, Btupid acs that I was, and took a sixteenth. Bir, I had no sooner bought it than I repented of my folly ; and, feeling convinced that it would bo a blank, I got rid of it to a friend, who, I knew, would thank tne for the favour, and, ist the same time, save me from another disappointment. By Jove ! sir, would you belive it * I know you won't ; but it is true— it turned up £30,000 ! " " Heaven and earth ! " said Hook, "it is incredible. If it had hopponed to mo, I should certainly have cut my throat." " Well," Baid ho, *' of course you would, and bo did I," and, baring his neck, ho exposed to Hook's horror-stricken gaze afreahly-healedcicatnx from ear to ear.