LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12062, 5 January 1907, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Hon. G. Fowlds and the Hon. Dr. Findlay arrived in town yesterday. They went on to Wellington to-day.

Dr. A. J- Crawford, late house surgeon to the Wanganui Hospital, left to-day for Wellington, en route for England per the •a. Rakaia.

The Hon. W. P. Reeves is sending to the Wellington branch of the Navy League a piece of canvas from one of the. Victory's sails used at Trafalgar.

Accidents have befallen three Bomnambulistu in Sydney during the last fortnight, says a SyUney cable. Two proved fatal.

The Council of Defence will hold its first meeting on Monday, at Wellington, when the duties of the different members will be apportioned.

The issuing of a prohibition order against an elderly man was the only business at the Police Court this morning.

Some very high temperatures were recorded in New South Wales a fortnight ago, many stations registering over 110 degrees in the shade, and another station (Grenfell) going as high as 130.

At last night's wneeting of the committees of the Caledonian Society it was pointed out that the Cook's Gardens grass track badly needed watering. The matter was left in the hands of Mr T. M. Copeland to deal with.

We again remind intending competitors that nominations for the handicap pedestrian and cycling events at the Wanganui Caledonian Society's sports meeting on January 22nd close with Mr W. R. Remington on Monday, the 7th inst., at 9 p.m.

The many friends of Mr and Mrs G. W. Gardiner will regret to learn that their daughter lies in a critical condition in Wellington, and that little hope is entertained for her recovery. Miss Gardner underwent an operation for peritonitis on Wednesday last.

On account of the very dry season there have been several grass fires in the Ashburton district recently. Yesterday a plantation adjoining the racecourse was destroyed by fire. On, Wednesday a fire gutted the County Council's plantation near Fairfield.

An exchange says there is a probability that the annual encampments of Volunteer battalions will not be held next Ebster, preference being given, to the idea of a mobilisation camp at Christchurch in connection with the FJshibiton, on account of the greater educatve value from a military standpoint.

The opportunity for participating in Mr Andrews' art union of carvings is drawing to a close, as the drawing for prizes will take place during next month. The works under disposal are on view at Messrs Purser and Son, F. Dexter, P. Russ, A. Pyle, and Spurdlc and Bond, at which shops tickets may also be obtained.

A remarkable difference is noticeable in the appearance of the oat crop through out Wairarapa, says the Daily Times. Whilst some areas are a "rich golden, others the same height are still green, which is peculiar considering the very dry spell. In some instances crops have been complete failures through lack of rain, others being stunted in growth, while, on the other hand, some remarkable good fields of early oats are to be seen.

An Aghburton telegram states that about ten o'clock yesterday morning, shortly after the first express for the south passed, the roof of the house of Ganger Elliott, on the railway reserve, near Dromore, was observed to be on fire. The house and most of the furniture was destroyed. As the fire commenced in the roof it is surmised that a spark from the engine of the express was the cause. • The furniture was not insured. The house belonged to the Railway Department.

At the monthly meeting of the Kaitoke Road Board on Wednesday there were present Messrs C. W. Poynter (clmrman), D. Mackintosh and A. Cameron. It wa& decided to accede to Mr W. Scott's request to lay water pipes across the Mission Line to Mesdame's Scott and Forsythe's properties. Mr J. W. Anderson .wrote agreeing to allow the Board to, take 100 yards of metal from his pit, and it was resolved that Mr Anderson he thanked , and also asked if he will agree to the quantity being increased to 400 yards. Accounts amounting to J631 3s 6rt were passed for payment. The following tenders were accepted;: — 800 yards metalling. No 1. (Concord) Line, and 750 yard 6 No. 1 Line (Paure Lake and Union Line) Jan Wilson, at 2s 9d and 3s 6d per yard respectively. 960 yards, on No. 1 Line, Young's Road, J. Hoskin, at 56 per yard. A month's leave of absence was granted to the clerk. The bank book showed a credit balance of £132.

In the opinion of the London papers and alsi- the Public Accounts Committee New Zealand (writes the Post's London correspouut nt) made at any rate "one good de*l" during the South African war. According to the fourth report of the committee, issued on 22nd Novei.i-i'i, New Zealand got the better of the W v Office to the tune of some £40,000 out of £45,000. In a case of this kind both sides cannot win and in the instance under notice the Imperial War Office loses tire odd £40,000. And the subject of the transaction was oats. It appears that ,£45,000 worth of oats was bought by the War Office lrom New Zealand in 1902 and was found damaged and unfit for use in the following year when it was sold for £5000. The report goes on to say "the New Zea land authorities assert that these oats were fair average quality and 1 in good condition when shipped; and although the Army Council are not prepared lo accept the statement in its entirety they are of opinion that no good purpose will be served by pursuing tins matter further with the New Zealand Government and in this view the Treasury concur."

A Dunedin paper states that' as a result of he altered electoral boundaries it ia expected 'that prohibition will be carried in 1908 in the Chairaers^electorate. Th© cutting out of Musselburgh, which last December cast a heavy vote for continuance, and the absorption of the entire Waikouaiti county, in which a pronounced and steadily growing prohibition sentiment has been manifested for many years, induces this belief. In the no-li-cense districts of Clutha and Oam am the temperance party will be further strengthened, but the inclusion of MusKelburgh in Dunedin South will help towards augmenting the continuance vote.

An American writer says that the proposed visit of Mr Bryan to New Zealand, had called extraordinary attention in his country to methods of government in New Zealand. "The New Zealanders are," he says, "idealists, but it- is claimed for them that they have made their idealism practical. They have regarded sociology as no vague, remote science which the rich may discuss, but as a science to be acquired by all. Their legislation has, consequently, been progressive. Their belief is that the welfare of the worker ie of more importance than the profits of the employer. Emphatically and obviously this is not an American conviction."

The Firearms Act of last session, which prohibts lads from having pea rifles in their possession is now in force. In the past the pea rifle nuisance, with its deadly results, has been very much in evidence, but a rigid enforcement of the new law should have a beneficial effect-

The Victorian Minister ror Agriculture has written to the Hon R. McNab asking him to allow a New Zealand cheese grader to judge the cheese exhibits at the Melbourne dairy show. Mr McNab has acceded to the request, and it is likely that Mr James Sawers, ot the Dairy V 011?'V 011 ?' missioners staff, will be sent. Victoria is making strenuous efforts to build up an export trade in cheese, and is following in New Zealand's lead.

Two boys .were charged at Waihi Police Court the other day with having placed an obstruction on the railway line at Waikino. One of them had been previously convicted of a similar offence at Te Aroha, and sentenced to nine strokes witß the birch. He had previously gone bushrangiug, carrying a revolver, etc., and placed sleepers on the rails with a view to sticking up a train. The Bench committed him to Burnham Industrial School and discharged the other boy with a caution.

One headmaster iv New Zealand at anyrate, does not fully agree with one of the recent developments of our education system. In his last report, Mr Bourne, headmaster of the Auckland Grammar School, says. — "I have no hesitation in saying that free secondary education is being awarded too cheaply. It is not in the best interests of the children themselves or of the nation, in the making of which they are factors, that so great a prize should be won with so little effort. In my opinion the pupils of the town schools should be compelled to take the department's examination, to pass which I iinderstand that some real work is required, and the qualification of the sixth standard certificate of proficiency should be allowed only in the case of country children, who are under many disabilities.

In the Independent Review Mr Brougham Villieus diseufscs "A Fiscal Policy for Labour." This policy, which emanates from West Hani, has the merit of bein<j simple, and amounts to such a graduation of the Income Tax that no one could have a larger income than about ',±'116,000 a year. At the same time, a revision of the Death-duties would hand over to the State everything above .£500.000. Mr Villiers puts his finger at once on the weak place, and points out that the Treasury would only reap one golden harvest of the firsL magnitude. As he does not object to the plan on principle, lie suggests that the State must treat the products of such taxation, not as income, but as capital.

The report that Mrs Russel Sage intended distributing the enormous fortune left entirely to her discretion by her husband, the American multi-millionaire, among the needy, has driven Mrs Sage into retirement at Lawrence, Long Island, where she was followed by several poor clergymen, one college president, eight ladies representing charities, a number of tramps, and hundreds of begging letters. The callers were refused admittance, and the begging letters are to be examined by Mrs Sage's secretary. Mrs Sage's servants so strictly obeyed orders for the exclusion of visitors that when a well-known New Yo*k society woman drove to the house, the maid at the door refused to take her card, saying, "Mrs Sage ain't giving away money."

As a teamster was diiving along near Bellinger, in New South Wales, with a waggon load of timber drawn by eight horses, two of the leading animals slipped over a cutting, drawing after them the other &ix horses and the loaded vehicle. The fan was for some 60 feet on to :i shelf of rock, from which the horses and waggon slid downwards for about another 100. feet through large timber which grows on the sides of the chasm. Six of the horses were terribly bruised, and one only survived, not having sustained any perceptible damage. The driver escaped unhurt.

Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, M.H.R., for Wairarapa, who has been in Invercargill and Dunedin in connection with the reorganisation of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, was interviewed by a Presn reporter, and made some interesting remarks with respect to the effect of prohibition at Invercargill. From his impressions he has come to the conclusion that to be thoroughly effective, and to bring about the good that its advocates consider it does produce, no-license should mean no-liquor. 'He is convinced that there is a large amount of drinking still going on in Invercargill.

The Rev. Andrew Cameron, convenor of the Presbyterian Residential College Committee, Dunedin, has received a donation of £500 from Mr Bullen, of Kaikorai, and one of £200 from Miss Kirkland, of Green Island. Some time ago Mr Bullen promised £300, provided the committee coum get nine others to give an equal amount each. Now, although only three have responded to this challenge, Mr Bullen has generously sent on his cheque. The total in hand amounts to something over £ 15,200, and the committee hopes to raise £3000 during the coming year, so as to enable it to open the first part of the college free of debt.

Three parties made the ascent of Ngauruhoe volcano during the holidays — Mr Marshall's party from Dunedin, Mr Anderson and party from Rautimu, and Dr Gordon's party from Auckland. Included in- Mr Marshall's party were two ladies, Misses Jackson and Stewart, who reached the crater; and in Mr Anderson's party his daughter and niece also reached the crater, which was very active, giving the visitors a grand opportunity of studying the Titanic forces at work. The weather was beautifully fine, and glorious views were obtained. Misses Jackson and Stewart also successfully ascended Ruapehu mountain, gaining the highest peak. In the three parties there were no fewer than 28 persons, and the mountain huts were taxed to their utmost for accommodation.

The judges have ju&l decided that it is not illegal to warn a motorist of the existence of a police trap. Police traps and measured miles exist on all the roads going out of London, and in many parts of the provinces. AMr inttle, of the civil service, warned 6ome motorists of the existence «t a measured mil* 1 near Croydon, and thereby deprived the police of their prey. Mr LTttlo was summoned for obstiiction, and when the magistrates dismissed the charge the police took the case to the High Court. Mr Avory, for the defendant, very cleverly argued that if the decision went against his client, the judges would by laying down the pinciple that everybody who tells anybody else not to do wrong can bo charged with obstructing the police in tho execution of their duty. If a -schoolmaster (said Mr Avory) warned his class against evil, or a clergyman told his congregation that it was prone to do wrong, but miHst not, both schoolmaster and clergyman could be charged with obstructing the police, for they must not deprive the police of their prey. The jftdgea decided in accordance with this "reductio in absurdum."