THE Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE. Established 1868. Vincit Amor Patriae. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1898.

Western Star, Issue 2216, 24 June 1898, Page 2

THE Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE. Established 1868. Vincit Amor Patriae. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1898.

There are several cases of typhoid fever in the district. During last week Mr Edward Simpson had two heifers shot on the harbor reserve at Waimatuku, of which he is the least e, and last Sunday two more wore disposed of in the same way. A post mortem examination of the carcases ehowod that they had been shot through the heart, and it is a great pity the miscrcat.fc or miscr°ants could not be brought to justice. VVanton'y shooting cattle is becoming altogether too common. Cattle stealing, as a crime, is bad enough, but oattlo shooting is worse, and it is just as well that those who consider it sport to

“ pot a heifer ” should know that if caught they are liable to several years’ imprisonment with hard labor. The police have the matter in hand, and it is to be hoped will obtain information that will put them on the track of tho wrong-doers. The place where the carcases were found is near the big lagoon, and as this ie a favorite resort for duck-shooting parties from Invercargill and surrounding district, it is just possible that the perpetrators will bo found to be residents outside the district.

The following will represent the Wanderers Football Club in their match with the Colao Bay club on the Recreation Ground, on Saturday, commencing at 4 o’clock sharp : Sangator, Mills, Shirley, Gorkin (3), McKay, Fallow, Ward, Molloy (2), Perry, Lanne, Thomas, Bnlman; emergencies, Ward, Southern and Gilson.

Carswell and Co have farms at Riugway for sale.

Wo would draw attention to the important sale by Mes.rs Tothill, VVatson and Co on 9th July, of highclas* freehold agricultural land at Gummie’s Rush, being-part of the estate , f the late Capt >tevHns. I here arc 611 acres in all, divided into sec ions ranging from 107 acres d-wa to 22. The sale will offer a splendid opportunity to acquire some good land.

It is impossible to publish too widely the story of the very brave conduct of Surgeon Hugo at Malakaland. Lord Randolph Churchill’s son tells of it in his new book. Lieutenant Ford, struck by a bullet was bleeding to death. The fire of the enemy was too fierce to allow of proper lights being used, but the surgeon struck a match and discovered the wound before a shower of bullets kicked up the dust all around, and put out his slender light, The brave doctor bad no ligatures at hand, so for three hours, at the imminent risk of his life, he held the artery tight and saved the lieutenant’s life. There are 2500 women engaged in the London post office, and competition is so keen for the vacancies that the men’s Postal Union recognise the extreme danger to their combination, as it is generally felt that it will be almost impossible to get the lady clerks to fall into line with the trade union movement.

Here is an extract from a l«ttcr written home by a soldier now in the Soudan that helps ns to realise sometlrng of the physical discomforts onr men are called npon to endure. It was, says the writer, rather a different place from what he exoeoted. He thought the Soudan would be all sand and dervishes, but he f mud that, although there were dervishes about, the ground seemed to bj made up of “one-third sand, one-third flies, and one-third fleas.” It does not sound very pretty, but it is not far out.

A telegram from Meymao reports the tragic episode at a funeral tnere. During the interment of a woman named Ladais the mourners, os the body was being lowered into the grave, heard a alight rattling and the sound as of someone knocking. The coffin was opened, and the corpse was found all twisted and bent, and the horrible contraction of the features showed that death must have occurred from suffocation after the coffin was fastened down.

A Hawiok minister has been reviewing “the critical position of the Great Powers of the world and the land-grabbing propensity which appears to have infested them,” and has arrived at the conclusion that these are ‘a caricature of religion—a grinning death’s head mocking the gospel of brotherly love.”

War discussions are all the rage wherever one goes nowadays. One enthusiastic American supporter asserted in the train the other day that “ America was heaven’s own country.” “I doot, my mannle, that the deil has all the preference shares then,” answered the pro-Spaniard.

The length of the coast line of the United States, according to the coast survey, is 5715 miles, embracing 2349 miles on the Atlantic Ocean, 1866 on the Gnlf of Mexico, and 1810 on the Pacific Ocean. If the States adopted the same insane proposals mooted for the costal defence of New Zealand, when would they be safe from invasion ? It has been arranged (says the Lyttelton Times) that Mr R McNab, the member for Mataura, shall move, and Mr J O’Meara, the member for Pahiatua, second, the Address-in-Reply in the House of Representatives. Reports of the invention of a “ Fog Disperser ” comes from across the water. The mechanism, which, of course, has been patented, consists mainly of a long tube mounted on the bow of a vessel, through which air is blown by a fanner. The blast is said to be strong enough to dispose the fog for some distance in front of the ship so as to enable the mariner to sro his way. We may hear more of this invention and we may not.

Martha Bowman, a notorious shebeener, has just died in Aberdeen. The fines imposed upon her through a long course of years amounted to £6OO. As she had said “ she built a wing of the Municipal buildings.” The Associated Ironmoulders of Scotland are following out their usual business-like tactics in agreeing to meet the employers in confeiencelio disouss the question of an advance in wages. The amount asked for—(d an hour on day rates and 2 1 per cent oa piece rates—does not seem an exorbitant demand, and judging from the state of trade the men are likely to receive the concession as from 6th prox.

Light railways are popular in Scotland, The British Electric Traction Company, Ltd, have decided to make application to the Light Railway Commissioners for an order under the Light Railway Act, 1896, to authorise the construction of a line commencing in tho centre of Johnstone and running along High Street up Thorn Brae, through Thornhill, Elderslio, and effecting a junction with the present line at the west end of Paisley, and onward, connecting at the terminus at Ibrox.

Tbo authorities of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow have sent lo Archbishop M’Cevilly, of Tuam, for distribution among tbo poverty-stricken peasantry of Ire and, the sura of £llOO collected in the Archdiocese. They expect to be able at an early date to send £2OO more. According to a writer in the Pall Mall Gazette, crack racing cyclists probably earn £IOOO per annum—say £SOO from the machine manufacturer, £2OO fiom the tyre manufacturer, and £2OO from the chain maker. Bourillon and Jacqnelin, the French cracks, and a well-known Englishman and others of this class, make an income of £UOO a year. They are under agreement to serve only those by whom they are employed. Tbo number of sacks carried last week shows a falling off compared with the previous week, the amounts for week ending 111 h June being 48,917 sacks ; 18th, 41,571. The traffic for the past fortnight was more than double that of the cor-esponding period year, but the total for the season is still about 45,000 sacks less than for 1897, the amounts being 488,005, and 443,918 sacks respectively. The Emperor of Germany, who is honorary Colonel of the First Royal Dragoons presented the regiment with a golden wreath of laurel as a memento of the Battle of Wateiloo.

Attci'icap invention annihilates time. Raw whisky, it is affirmed, can he converted into whisky twenty years old by a brief process, which cools the liquid to about 70deg tclow zero, and passes a current of electricity through the alcoholic solution.

During the progress of a case iu tbe application for a license for a house at Manaizaweka, Sir R. Stout asked a witness a question as to the necessity fjl a licence there. The witness promptly replied in the affimativc, and said that he was accustomed to “ a little Stout”—but lie liked it good. The learned interrogator thou remarked that he would give tbe witness some. Those present having seen the juke, an audible titter wont round the Court.

An important judgment was given by Mr Stanford, S.M. A settler named Perritt leased a farm to Wills. The latter cut down three dead trees and sold them, Perritt sued Wills for their value and recovered £ll.

Says an exchange • A Hastings resident has taken 16 tons of potatoes per acre oil his farm this year.—Tho potatoes may be swallowed but not the Yankee yarn.

At a poll of the ratepayers of Ashburton County, the proposal to raise a loan of £20,000 foa irrigation purposes was carried by a largo majority. The special irrigai ion district in which this money will be expended is situated east and west of the railway line at Hinds, and includes a large portion of the Raogiiata Road Board district. Tho irrigation area comprises 81,000 acres.

Mr Bush, S M, holds that a contractor cannot legally stop payment of a cheque given as a deposit

Mr J D Ritchie, Secretary for Agriculture; responding to the toast of “*Tho Agricultural Department ” at the ooening of (he Taieri and Peninsula Company's premises sail it was more than likely that the Government would propose amendments to the Dairy Bill giving increased powers of inspection and providing for financial advances to dairy factories.

A few ago a Wellington youth named Hawkins borrowed a bicycle, and amused himself coasting down a aterp street in the dark. He ran into a man named Priest, and broke his leg. On the ground tnat he had no lamp lighted, and did not ring the boll, he was fined, with costs, £3 13s.

The Americans have a fine idea of stimulating patriotism. The battleship Maine, blown up at Karans, is to bo replaced by another, costing a million sterling, and the money is to be raised by the sobool children by contributions of a cent per week. If each child at sobool gives its weekly halfpenny, the monoy would be raised in loss than six months.

The British Secretary of State for War announces that 200 commissions in the army will be given annually for some years for competition by officers in the militia. Tnis stop is rendered necessary by the vacancies caused in the regiments in consequence of the deaths of officers in the recent frontier expeditioc, and by the warlike operations in which England is at present engiged in Egypt, West Africa and elsewhere.

Mr VV D Milligan has a splendid samplo of “ Sandy ” oats this season, grown from seed imported last year from Scotland. The “ Sandy ” oats possess many advantages, as they stand any wind, and will not shake. They are a splendid milling oat, and in great demand for oatmeal—Tapanui Courier. Mr A Lee Smith (of Dunedin) and Mr J M Twomey (editor of the Temuka Leader) have been called to the Legislative Council. The name of a barrister and solicitor practising in the eastern district has been struck off the roll on account of misappropriation of moneys entrusted Jto him by a client.

Woolgrowers in Australia are awaiting with interest the final results of the experiment wh ch the Agricultural Department of the University of California is prosecuting, with the idea of evolving from a cross of the Merino and the Persian, a new and distinct

type of sheep. The males of the Merino and the females of the Persian are used. The object, is to combine the advantages of a large fleece of fine quality with the ability to produce mutton of the best class from the same flock. The experiments so far are not sufficiently c inclusive to permit the announcement of definite results, but the indications are that they will prove oorap'etely successful. It is evident, says the Fielding Star, that the rearing of pigs is, if not already so, about to become a very considerable and profitable industry in Feilding and surrounding districts. One settler made £lO last year, and he said, “ There was no trouble, and I wondered where the money came from.” The experience of many other dairy farmers has been the same. It is far more profitable to fatten pigs than to give the milk to steer calves, because no price worth having is to got for the latter, while pigs are “ sure money.”

When giving evidence before the Arbitra- 1 tion Court at Christchurch on Friday, Mr A W Beavcn said that the average small farmer with a capital of from £SOO to £IOOO did not make as good an income as the average town mechanic, and added that the latter generally had a better dinner on his table than the small farmer could afford. It is nothing unusual at the Home Bush salejards, Sydney, to see a crossbred sheep jumping a run of 20 pens in succession at a height of 4ft 6in, but tbo record in high jumping was made a few days ago by a bullock in the cattle yards. A mob from Queensland was being drafted. The yards are 26ft in length, and generally carry an average of 15 head of bullocks. One bullock, on being drafted, evidently took exception to the treatment and cleared the yard at the astonishing height of 7ft 6in. A freak of nature was brought to the Auckland Herald Office by a settler near Labe Takapnna, where it was born, the mother being an ordinary goat. The animal had a goat’s hoofs, legs and ears, but a head very like a monkey. The body had no hair on it except a tuft just above the knee. The Riverton Racing Club have obtained a 14 years’ lease of their present course near Otaitai Bush, and having this security of tenure, they intend to effect some improvements. The first will be the alteration of the course in order to avoid tbo dip in the country which at present does not permit of an uninterrupted view of the race from start to finish. The new track will obviate this, and bring the whole course well within the full view of the spectators. A new and commodious grand-stand, together with saddling paddock are to be erected, so that as far as field requirements are concerned, the club will be as well off as any in the colony. Owing to lack of support, the Birchwood Hunt Club will not hold any meets this season. The hounds will therefore bo let out. The club has done much to popularise steeplechases, now a leading feature in the Riverton Racing Clu‘.’s programme, many of the noted cross-country horses having received their training in following the hounds. No doubt, next season the club will, aft-r its short spell, find a stronger support than ever.

Now that Gladstone is no more, we may expect biographies to bo published to suit all classes of people. One English publishing house has engaged Mr Hirst, a nephew of Mr Henry Hirst, of Orepnki, to write a popular life, his remuneration being fixed at the handsome sum of £IOOO.

Juvenile immorality flourishes all over the colony (says Ihe Christchurch Spectator). From Auckland to the Bluff it is known to exist. It is a social cancer, which is gnawing at the vitals of Maoriland, and it seems hard indeed to suggest a remedy. Parental neglect or indifference undoubtedly are responsible for much of the evil. ‘As the twig’s bent the tree’s inclined. Colon's! parents seem to be strangely apathetic with regard to the bending of tbc twig. Colonial children do not, as a rule, honour their parents. They are not tangbt to honour them They manage these things better in Eng land.

As compared with sheep farming in this district the following (says the Blount Ida Chronicle) will give a slight idea of the rabbit trapping industry :-A rabb.ter has taken 956 rabbits off 140 acres by trapping it three times in less than five weeks, which gives an average of about seven rabbits to the acre. Previously to this bo bad poisoned the same ground twice io six weeks. A leading financial institution, says th“ Foxton Herald, informs us that advices from Loudon state that flax will be £25 a ton on that market for the next throe months. A local flaxmillor secured tbo otbor otiy a goodsized contract at £l9 a ton in Wellington. News has been received in In vercargill that tbo stables on Five Rivers Estate had beon burned down. The building was insured for £3OO in tbo South British office. There is every prospect of Mr Watson, of Heddon Bush, who inflicted terrible injuries to his face by shooting, recovering.

According to a Northern contemporary, snya tho Poverty Bay Herald, a draught horse was sold at Hamilton pound the other day for 3d. Tokgo Bay has a recoid that will beat that. Two horses were sold from tbe pound at Id each, and the buyers tossed a coin to see which would take the two. . Wc would remind footballers of tho meeting to-night at Mr Walker’s residence for the purpose of forming a club.

It is lo bo hoped there will bo a huge muster of the public on Monday evening in the council hall to arrange for the country bands’ contest it is proposed to hold in Riverton. OurOtautau correspondent wired : —At Mr T H Cupples’ about one o’clock on Wednesday, when the men went out from dinner, the barn was discovered to be on fire and with some difficulty it was put out. It contained 500 bags wheat. WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS Blonds readily with the gastic juices which , ct impels tho cellular tissue to secrete in he ■ Ith iul quantity. Shun imitations. y

At Nelson a woman died after oaling porridge ] with milk two days old ; at Wellington a man < named Hancock, a ganger, out hia daughters | throac while he was insane, and then com- . mitted suicide ; and at Greymonth a married woman, hold her baby, jumped into the river and was drowned.

The Evening Nows, Sydney, says in regard to the application of Eucilptus in influenza; “We have to exercise caution to get an article freed of its astringent constituents or else it will prevent the excretion of the disease-pro-ducing germs. A p-eparation known as Sander & Sons Eucalypti Extract was found to be the only relined one, and proved to be possessed of the highest gsrm-killing qualities Dr H. H. Hart, New York. says;-It goes without saying that Sander and Son’s Eucalypti Evtraet is the best in the market. It is an excellent local application in inflammation of mucous membranes and will cure influenza, diarrhoea, dyphtheria, infectous fevers, etc. The Riverton Rifles parade on Sunday to attend the funeral of the late Surgeon William Nelson.