WINTER LECTURES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10375, 26 June 1901, Page 2

WINTER LECTURES.

We commend to the notice of our readers a scheme that is being formulated for providing intellectual amusement during the coming winter months. It has long been felt by many that such a project would be feasible and advantageous, and several abortive attempts have in the past been made to institute public lectures by capable men. The Victoria and Canterbury College Councils in Wellington and Christchurch respectively have moro than once considered ' ways and means of extending some of the benefits of a University course to the outlying towns of their provinces, but hitherto they have not done more than pass motions in favour of the same. The course of lectures proposed to be given has been, arranged by Mr E. W. Andrews, of the Collegiate School, and deserves the heartiest support of all who care for literary or intellectual pursuits. Such- lectures will hardly be the ordinary , University extension course, for that would be of a mere denfiite character, and could only bo given under the auspices of Victoria College or the University of New Zealand, but wo think that either of these bodies, on seeing the names of the competent lecturers who havo consented to givo up .their time for this laudable purpose, will be glad to stamp the project with the hall-mark of its approval, and that such a scheme may pc only the fore-runner of similar ones to be instituted in the other small towns of the province. The- professors ofi Victoria College have taken a wider view of their duties than some we have known, and their readiness to assist in this work will meet with general approval. "The Civilisation of Ancient Greece," a county which, in a single j century, could \ produce a dozen men whose names even now aro not forgotten, will be tho subject of Professor Brown's paper, while Professor Mackenzio will deal with the poetry of "Wordsworth," lover of natural aud hater of the artificial, the writer whose, study was out of doon. Not less interesting should be the "Ancient Civilisation of Egypt," by Sir Robert Stout ' and "Comets," by Professor Maclaurin. Mr Joynt, Registrar of the New Zealand University, will lecture, on "The Middle Ages,", while several gentlemen have volunteered to give subjects to which they are capable of doing ample justice. Among those promising to contribute are the Bey. H. B. Dowabury, Dr Hatherly, and Messrs Drew, Barnicoat, Bruce and Dunn, and in their handC the 'subjects chosen should be well worth listening to. The cost of a subscribers' ticket is, it appears, five shillings, just sufficient to cover, expenses. Should the University or Vie- 1 toria College take the matter up, we would suggest that a more comprehensive , scheme be drawn np, embracing not only literary subjects, but economic questions and matters of general importance. A prophet, however, is without honour in his own country, and too often have we noticed that a local lecturer failn to secure an audience where a no more gifted outsider commands one. This is neither right nor encouraging. , In the happy event of there being a surplus after the payment of expenses, wo would suggest that it be divided equally between two institutions that, on very scanty resources, endeavour to cater tor the intellectual needs of the general public, the Public Library and the Public Museum. Both these institutions, depending as they do almoßt entirely on sub<u:riptionß, for their support, are .sadly in need of the funds that would enable them tt> increase their scope.

On our first page will be found interesting reading matter under tho following .headings: — 'The Royal Visitors," "Borough Council," and . commericial. Spurious coins aro being circulated in North Sydney, consisting mostly of shillings and florins.

Mr Kelly, a well-known contractor of Pahiatua, alleges tbnt ho was robbed of .£2l at an hotel in that town on Tues-

day night.

A wholesale butcher, giving evidence recently ,said that Sydney was supplied with meat more cheaply than any other city in the world. • Recontly Mr Mulcahy, M.L.A. for Gympie, Queensland,' was fined £2 and £3 costs for assaulting one Elliott, at tho Gympie election. Several Paris newspapers support the suggestion that the Kaiser be asked to fee present at the French naval manoeuvres .at Cherbourg. Daring the month of May 2157 persons arrived in tho colony, as against 844 for the same month last year. The departures, were 1575, as against 1076.

General' Gnilles (leader of the Philip-, inos since Aquinaldo* was captured), his' staff, and 650 -men have surrendered to General -Stunner.

During a quarrel aboard the German steamer Asia at .Melbourne a, stoker named Schewar shot another stoker named Howe dead.

On the motion of tho Mayor at the Borough Council meeting last evening, it was decided to reduce the general rate from lid to lOd in the pound, making the total rates Is 10d.. Tho Federal Training Garrison Hall in Melbourne, which is bejng erected at a cost of .£IB,OOO, will he opened nest month, when 200 cadets are to enter and there receive training for, Salvation Army work.

The Mayor requests that' all those who undertook to canvass for subscriptions for the Queen Victoria Ward at the Hospital to completo their districts as soon as possible and hand him tho results.

Lord Salisbury has promised to carefully consider. the Council of the Colonial Institute's suggestion in favour -of the substitution of a bank holiday, to be known as Victoria Day, to be hold on the nearest Monday to May 24th, for Whit Monday. *

At a meeting of the employes of the Petone Railway Workshops yesterday, v resolution was carried expressing gratification at the conform ent of Knighthood on ' Sir Joseph Ward. Arrangements were also put in train for making him a presentation to mark the oc-. casion.

At the Manaia nativo settlement, near Coromandel, no less than three weddings after the, English manner were celebrated recently between natives. The brides in each case were attired in fashionable dresses, having the usual veils and orange blossoms. After tho ceremony breakfast was provided for all and sundry, also a huge bridal coke. The ladies of the Philippines have progressed far boyor.d the dainty cigarette; indeed, their cigars, which measure some 16 inches, aro not intended for an evening's pleasure or an afterdinner smoke. In the Philippines they prefer smoking on the instalment plan, for 'these huge rolls of tobacco, which measure Sin. in circumference, 'constitute' one week's pleasure for the ladies of Luzon. To offset the difficulty presented "By the weight; tho 'mouth end is filled with a soft fibre of tobacco, so that when the cigar is grasped firmly between the teeth so great an indentation is made that for the remainder of the ..six day's smoke the huge cigar fits naturally to the mouth, and can be held without any conscious effort. — Science Sittings.

! A prohibited person down south writea to a newspaper to suggest that a two days' amnesty bo granted to him •and his "fellow sufferers" in honor of the Royal visit to Dunedin ! > In a point-to-point steeplechase recently, Major-General Gatacre, throughhis horse falling, sustained a broken collarbone, three of his ribs were injured, and he suffered great pain from dcep-seatd internal bruises. It is stated that his health is causing deep anx- | iety to his friends.

Two of the- Government blood horses which arrived last week by the' Papanui from London have been sent to the Government experimental station, at Momohaki These are Tyranny and Amasis. The other three. Lupin, Malschi and Serapion, went to Lyttelton by the Papanui. They will be quartered in Canterbury, probably at the Lincoln Agricultural College. The following have been, chosen to play for Wanganui against tho Pirates on Saturday it '3 o'clock, at Cook's Gardens: — Stedman, Lockett, Craig, Robinson, Dick, O'Conncll, Houlden, Moss, Le Cren, Morse, Dykes, Robertshaw, Collins, Butler, Halligan. Playera are requested to attend practce at the usual place on -Thursday evening at 8 p.m. '

It is reckoned that the wreck of the Sobroan will mean to the P. and O. Company a loss of ,£150,000. This heavy draft upon the insurance fund) coming on ton of the enormous outloy iwurred in connection with the refloating of the China (writes a London correspondent) has revived tbte question whether it would not bo well for the _ association to ceaso to cease acting as* its own underwriter. Indeed, it is stated that at the next meeting of shareholders* such a course will be advocated by one of the directors.

Tho Borough Council last evening decided to engage Mr Mestayer to report on tho suggested auxiliary water supply for the Borough from Okohu, and at the samo time to further consider the artesian supply. It was mentioned that it would be necessary to lay about 20 liiilcs of pipc3 to connect the Okohu stream with the Borough, and no great engineering difficulty would .bo. experienced. The- spot where it iB proposed to tap the stream is 966 feet above sea level, consequently the pressure would he phenomenally good. A sample of the - water— beautifully clear — was produced by Mr Gilmour, who stated that it was one of the purest procurable in the island. '

•The -birthday present which tbi ladies of Christchnrch made, to Prince Edward (through his father the Duke ,6f York) yesterday, took the form of n 'gold and greenstone letter-weight. . Tho bone of the letter-weight is five inches long by -threo inches wide, 'nnd' of eighteen carat • polished gold, with a half-inch betel on the outer edge. On the top of the slab of gold there is in oblong piece >of polished greenstone, encircled by a gold rope, and surmounting this is & handsoma dog's head,' cut ont of solid greenstone. Bound the neck of the dog is a gold collar studded 'with diamond*. Tha weight is in a rilk-linnd caae of New Zealand woods.

Argument in the Faber appeal case was concluded at the Supreme Court this morning. His Honor Judge Edwards remarked that no matter what way the judgment went, he must 1 say that he placed implicit confidence in Mr James, who had riven his evidence straightforwardly. He mentioned this more particularly because the defence had brought two witnesses who had the temerity to suggest that Mr James had committed perjury. His behaviour both at the time' of the alleged offence and • since had been most creditable, and he (his Honor) believed every word ho said. As the matter was of some importance ' he would reserve his decision.

The horrors of war are vividly depicted in a letter received at Gore from- a member of tho Sixth Contin-. gent. He relates that during, a skirmish outside Pietersburg in which some Australians wore , engaged, a Boer, dressed in an Australian's uniform, was concealed behind an anMull. When the Australians roso to firo a volley, he stood un amongst them and picked off a man each time. In this manner he killed two lieutenants, one trooper and five horses. 'Eventually he was discovered, and begged for mercy. Instead he was riddled with, bullets, and tho men tore his arms and legs off. "Tho Australians are rough members when they start," adds the narrator, pensively.

Another of the clever Marris family has hod tho distinction of passing his examination as master of a foreign going vessel at the ago of 26. Wo refer to Captain Carl Marris, who went to sea when not quite 14 years of age, since when he has steadily worked his way to the quarterdeck, and is now the possessor of a master mariner's certificate. It will be remembered that his brother "Willie," passed the Indian Civil Service examination at tho head of the list, his nearest competitor being a thousand marks behind Marris, who was a pupil at the Wanganui Collegiate School, and a student of Canterbury College in Now Zealand, before going to .an- English University , to complete ■his education.- Captain' Carl Marris is at present on a, short visit to Wanganui, where he has many friends, who 'Were glad to see -him .once more and to I congratulate him on his well earned success.

■ The Wangapeka,. the Batton River, where tho 40-ounce gold nugget just presented' to tho Duke of York was found, is a tributary of the Motucka and is a- mile or so from the Wangapeka River. The rim of gold from the Sherry. Terraces crosses the Wangapeka to tho Batton. Two of the claims held by the local Wangapeka G.D. Company are -at the mouth of the Sherry River, and recent prospecting appears to bear out the contention "that the Sherry run of gold goes through the claims. This, is apart from' tho drift gold fed from rivers higher up. The timber for the pontoons is bring conveyed on to the ground, and the engineer reports that the makers (Messrs Cousin and Black, of Dunedin). have 'made r»ry satisfactory progress with the machinery. The engine, and boilers have been on hand, for some little time. The pontoon con-, tractor expects to complete them in six weeks from the time the whole, of tho timber is on the ground. -

A correspondent writes to tho Auckland Herald as follows : — "I have often heard that Maoris could die whenever they wanted to, and the following story almost proves it. Among tho natives who journeyed from Wanganui to take part in the recent demonstration .in Kotorua was one suffering from pneumonia. , On arrival at his destination he 'was so . unwell that a doctor was called in to see him the ovonirig of the day before the Duke's arrival. The physician's orders were that he was to bo kept quiet, and all excitement avoided. ~ 'The doctor called to see the pationt the next morning, and aftor, examining him repeated his orders of the previous evoning. On leaving the whare, ho encountered a friend of the sick man, tho medico saying in _ response to enquiries that the patient could not lost more than two hours. Nativo like, the sick man was informed. He doubted the truth of the statement at first, and appealed to ono of hto chiefs standing by, who upheld what hod been told him. "Well.' the sick man, 1 oomo all the way from Wnnganui to seq the big rangatira, the Tuko, and I no like die before, I see him.' He then struggled into what clothes he could, despite the protests of his friends, and, supported by-two companions, walked near enough to the grandstand to get a view of the Royal visitors. They were pointed out to him, and he was satisfied., He returned to tho whare, and 'was dead in ten minutes." Tho name of the native in question was Ngahiraka Rongohildia, of Kauangaroa, and his body was coflined and sent through to Wanganui last week. Ho was one of twelve elected to represent the natives on tho Sanitary Committee under the Maori Councils Aot. '> ' , *"■ '

Captain. Edwin telegraphs:—Moderate to strong northerly winds; poor tides; glass fall. J *

A Wanganui resident wires us from Christchurch that Captain Aitken deserves special praise for the way he is looking after the boys. Parents and friends will no doubt be pleased to JVf* 1 " *™* tne popular headmaster of the District High School is keeping as watchful, an eye over the lads wliile away from home as he does when they are in sphool.

Mr .Proude, our respected fellow townsman, has just returned from an exploitation of the Mokau coal-fields and finds it to be of greater extent than he. expected. Probably when it becomes geologically surveyed, it will be found to be of greater area than any other coal-field in the colony. A Sydney syndicate has leased 4000 acres of it, and purposes opening a depot in Wanganui, and expects to be in a position to supply householders at 25s per ton.

His Honor Judge Edwards evidently does not believe m the Chief Justice's definition of what drunkenness or being in a state of intoxication is. This morning, during the course of argument in the Faber appeal case, Judge Edwards remarked • that he did not think it possible that anyone could lay down a rule as to what drunkenness was. Drink affected people differently. Some were drunk in their heads and others in their legs. He should certainly say that a man was drunk if he was unable to keep on his legs, even though he could converse rationally.

Milt lover t ia no longer considered a fatal disease by the veterniary profession, of the day, eayß "Hoard's Dairyman." . About 92 per cent recover if the Schmidt treatment is, properly applied. 'This consists of infusing into tlio- udder a solution of potassium iodide, with a property sterlizcd apparatus. Every posted veterinarian in the country has by this time supplied himself with such an apparatus; If not, he certainly should. This is the cure that Mr J. B. Charlton, M.R.C.V.S., introduced -into New Zealand, and has proved ( a groat success. A sitting of the Compensation Court was held Here before Mr Justice Edwards, with Mr McKerrdw (assessor for .the Crown) and Mr McLean (assessor for the lessees) to determine .the amount of compensation payable to Messrs Moore Bros, in respect of a lease of a block of land at tha mouth of the Kai Iwi, stream and which, was taken possession of by the Government. Mr Marshall, appeared for the lessees (Messrs Moore Bros.), Dr Findlay for the Crown, whilst Mr W. Corry attended to watch, the c&ss on behalf of the native vendor. The only evidence called this* morning was that of the Hon. Mr BioKardson, taken at Dr Findlay 's request in bsder that the hon. gentleman may catch the train to Wellington. The case is 'proceeding as wo go, to press. 'A proposal has been made at Botorua that a large party of about 300 Maoris, of whom one-fourth should bs women and. girls, should be conveyed to England for the purpose, of giving in London and "other large cities the war dances,, halcas, and other athletic displays, and the poi dances of the native race which lately aroused so much attention at Botorua. The suggestion was mado to the Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, who referred the matter to Captain Gilbert "Mair. The .latter placed the proposal before a- large number of the assembled tribespoople on the camp ground «t Botonia, and it was, received with great enthusiasm bj the Maoris.. The suggestion is that the Maoris should' be convoyed to England about April or May next, so that- they could be there at the coronation, and Captain Mair said that if permitted by the Government he wonld be willing to lead the natives, to look after them in England, and bring them safely back. Exhibitions, it is stated, could also be gfv«n 'in Sydney and Melbourne. Efforts are to be made at once to get the proposal financed in cither Auckland or London.

Some sensation has been created in Franco' (according to tho Telegraph's correspondent) by a story to the effect that a- woman, who lately expired at Nantes, confessed on her. deathbed that she was, with the help of an accomplice, the- murderer of Abbe Fricot, the rector of the parish of Entrammes, a crime" for, which the curate, tho Abbe Bruncau; was guillotined nearly seven 'years ago. It added that, in order to prevent the, murder from being traced to. herself, this woman, who vraa in the Rorvic'e' of the rector, at once admitted her crime in the secrecy of the confessional to the curate, and thus tied his tongue, the good priest going to the scaffold rather than betray the confidence reposed in him. Before he was executed the Abbe Urunenu wrote a letter which ho begged to be given to the publio^prosecutor, and who is now one of the deputies of the Department of Mnyenne, but who, having been eagorly questioned on the subject, expresses himself in sceptical terms with regard to the confession of the old servant, and adds that, in the document mentioned, the curate, while repeating that he was innocent, abused her and a man whose evidence had also led to his conviction in very emphatic language.