The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1889.

Western Star, Issue 1383, 24 August 1889, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1889.

The Otago Central Railway Bill was virtually shelved on Thursday night when the motion for the second reading was lost by 33 to 17. All the members of the Cabinet voted in the minority, and of the Southland members Messrs Valentine and Cowan paired for the second reading. We had thought, after the Premier's announcement that the bill would be made a Government measure, there was but small chance of the passage of the bill being blocked, and we can only say that we believe the best interests of the colony have been secured by the rejection of the proposal to spend a very large sum of money on a railway that would admittedly be unproductive, and at the same time be of doubtful benefit to any great section of people.

From an undoubted source we learn that there is no foundation for the report that Dr Hodgkinson is about to be called to the Upper House, and the only grounds for the rumour is the occasional fervent wish expressed that it might bo so. It is said that Mr J. C. Brown had arranged for that honor in case his party had succeeded in overthrowing the Government.

Some few issues ago we had occasion to draw attention to the dubious means employed by a- book agent that visited the Western district in getting subscribers to the work for which ho was canvassing. At that time wo had little idea that the victims to the agent's blandishments were so numerous or so widespread, but since the paragraph, was penned, we have heard from all quarters, and from all sorts and conditions of men, of tho wholesale way in which the wily canvasser succeeded under many and varied representations in getting persons to put their names in his order book. We are assured that from settlers on the Limestone Plains, should the agent succeed in foroing those who wished and asked for portions of the publication, to take the whole work, no less a sum than £3OO wonld be extracted. But there comes tho rub. The feeling is so strong in regard to the matter that it will be seen, on reference to our advertising columns, that a meeting of tho subscribers is convened to take place at Foster's Hall, Thornbury, on Monday night, to consider their position.

The annual meeting of the Oounfcv of Wallace Building Society will be held on Tuesday night. The new Fairfax Hall, which is to be opened by a grand concert and ball on Friday next, is now almost completed. The programme for the concert, which appears in another column, will bo to bo a choice and varied one, mid as the Committeo are lpaving no stono unturned to make the opening coreniony worthy of the oecasiou wo are tempted to pvodieb that the affair will be a great success. Two hundred and fifty Martini-Henrys,*for, the N.Z.E.A. meeting, arvivod by the Aorangi and are now availabloafc £3 Is each, Application must bo made through the officers commanding diatriots. Intimation has been received from Majorgeneral Kdwardg that ho will be unablo to visit New Zealand, his inspection of the Australian defences having occupied too much time. By latest advices the London rnuiton market is firmer, and late shipments of beet quality aro quoted at 5Jd.

The following will represent the Riverton High School in the match to-day against the Oropuki Sohool, taking place on the ground of the latter:—Cassels, Geary, Pankhurst, Young, Rutledge, Mills (2), Borndtson, Fallow, Small, Dickinson, Rice, O'Reilly, Durbridge, and Aohoson. The Riverton Rifles paraded for Government inspection at the drillshed on Thursday evening. There was a very good attendance, and Sergt. Blackmore put the men through several manoeuvres, which were very creditably performed. After drill Capt. Bridge intimated that there were no Martini-Henry rifles procurable. Corpl. Stevens was promoted, through seniority, to the post of sergeant, so there remains a vacancy for a corporal. It was decided t» let the election stand over until next parade. This being al the business the men were dismissed. Great disappointment is expressed at the intimation that Major-general Edwards has had to abandon his intention of visiting New Zealand, as the company are at present in a high state of effioieuoy. Some amusement was caused at the hearing of tho stealing oase on Thursday. Mrs Rodgers, on getting into tho witness box, had the slaughtered innocents placed on theledge of the box, and was asked if s'hq could identify them, answerod in the affirmative, and looking hard at the trussed body of the largest bird, exclaimed: " Oh.' What a shame, what a shame, it's my rooster; there is none like it in Riverton." Interrogated as to whether she could swear as to the feathers, the witness said, "0 yes, the feathers are from our fowls —it's like them anyway." Wo learn that a petition, which is being numerously signed, is to be presented to the pi-oper authorities, praying that the Education reserve at Orepuki (10 acres) bo secured by the Crown and declared as being part of the gold field. It is said the ground could be worked with profit. Those that attended the last meeting of the Mutual Improvement Association were afforded a genuine intellectual treat in the shape of a paper by Mr E. C. Hewat entitled "Arthurian Legends," being a, commentary on Tennyson's Idylls of tho King. The paper was most attentively listened to, and when Mr Hewat sat down ho was paid a deserved complement by tho Rev. T. Neave for the excellence of the compilation. A.n instructive paper by Dr Nelson on" The juice of the Grape " was, owing to tho unavoidable absence of the writer, read by Mr Hutchison. Several members having spoken, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the essayists. The proprietor of tho Standard Brewery, Christchurcb, was on Wednesday fined £IOO for a breach of the Beer Duty Aot. These fines are beginning to be quite a scource of revenue to the country. An Auokland telegram says:—During the run of the Pakuranga hounds on Wednesday one of tho huntsmen was killed and another dangerously injured. The hounds met afc Mr Taylor's residence, near Cambridge, and the drag was laid over bis farm. The jumps were very trying. Shortly after the start the horse ridden by Mr Paton fell, and his rider was thrown and rendered insensible. Dr Cushney attended, and found that Paton was suffering from concussion of the brain. The injured man, who was taken to his homo at Hautupn, is now in a critical condition. Amongst those who promised to be in at the finish was Mr John Taylor, who was riding well. He raced his horse, however, across a ploughed field, and when the animal came to the fence at the boundary it, was so distressed that it could nob rise, but plunged headlong, throwing a somersault and rolling over its rider. Taylor was lifted up unconscious, and was being carried to his brother's house near by when he exnired. He was a settler in tho district and highly respected. The report of Mr Gordon, inspecting Engineer to the Mines Department, presented to Parliament, show that during tho year 1888 tho total value of minerals produced, including kauri gum, amounted to £1,531,614, as against £1,487,888 for the previous year. This amount is made np as follows:—Gold and silver, -£801.137; coal consumed in the colony, £274,801; coal exportod, £61.867; kauri gum, £330,933. More than ono member of tho House, says the Dunedin Star's correspondent, has received letters from Sir R. Stout, in whieh the writer states he is most positive that be will not stand for any electorate at the next general election. The ex-Premier is anxioU3 to pay a short visit to Scotland. Tho hearing of the perjury charges in connection with the Wellington murder case aro still proceeding. A large number of witnesses have been examined, among them Mrs Richardson, wife of the Hon. G. F. Richardsou, who has been taking a warm interest in Mrs Chemis. Tho Premier was also put in the witness bos to answer some qnesfcions of a trivial nature

Sir William Robinson, Governor of Victoria, goos to Western Australia. A wail from Taranaki. At a public meeting, held in New Plymouth last week, resolutions were passed to tho effect that as the Harbour Board is unablo from want of funds to protect the harbour works from drifting sand, and as tho financial position is mainly duo to the operation of the land laws of recent

yearsj the Oovernmont be applied to to grant immediate assistance to the Board. It was stated that all the Union Co's steamers would soon coase to call nt the breakwater unless the Government gave moro assistance to drodee away the sand, which could be dono for a few thousand pounds.

The following team represent the Aparima i Pirates in their match at Otautau to-day against West Wallace: —Malloy (4), McKay (2), Stewart, Smith, Pratt, Murchison (2), Soilness, Marshall, McWilliams and Calder. Mr A. P. Mackay, who is retiring from the management of the Bank of New Zoaland, in Invorcargill, was en Thursday entertained by between 50 and 60 of the leadingcitizens,and presented with a testimonial, expressing the appreciation of the signatories of Mr Mackay's qualities as a banker and citizen. By an advertisement in another column members of the Southland Amateur Turf Club are reminded that as the annual general meeting takes place next month, it is necessary that any desired alteration or additions to the rules should be notified to the Socretary without dolay. Any member wishing to propose a new member is desired to give notice in writing. Attention is directed to these matters, in order that the ciroular calling the meeting should fully state the business that it will be called upon to transact.

One of the very largest funeral processions that have taken place in this district was that that followed the remains of Mr J. R. Turnbull to their last resting place on Wednesday last. Settlers from all parts of the Western district were present to testify to the esteem in which they held the deceased gentleman. A passage-at-arms occurred between the Magistrate and Mr O'Reilly at the hearing of a case yesterday. Mr O'Reilly was examining tho plaintiff in the action as to matters in connection to a sot off put in against the witness' claim, when the Magistrate said he could only examine the plaintiff, at that stage, on the claim before the Court. Counsel insisted on his right to bring out anything bearing on the case, when Mr McCulloch warmly said he had ruled on the question, and the line of examination would have to be stopped. Mr O'Reilly replied that he could not allow the Magistrate to teach him his business, and if he were not permitted to examine tho witness in the manner he was doing he would have to withdraw from the case. The case afterwards proceeded, and the plaintiff for a second time subjected himself to examination, and answered all questions put to him in reference to sot off.

Messrs MacDonald and Russell request that claims against the estate of the late Robert Hazlett be forwarded to them before Monday, 2nd Saptembcr. Mr O'Reilly, solicitor for the executors of the late Richard Stevens, requests that claims against the estate be sent in before the Ist of April next. G A Wohlmnnn applies for a temporary license for Railway Hotel, Otautau. Mrs McHutchcson wants a servant. The County Clerk notifies that ratepayers can be supplied with poisoned grain for small birds at half cost price.