THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1103, 21 June 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1882.

The present Colonial Treasurer, on delivering the Financial Statinent, was placed in a happier position than his predecessors, and himself too, have occupied for many years, and instead of having to explain how by cutting and carving, by retrenchment, and by in creased taxation, it was proposed to meet the exigencies *of the State, he can actually show a large increase on the estimated rovenue, and a fair balance on the right side remaining on expenditure. It is the first time for years that the Budget has shown a surplus, and whatever the general merits or demerits of the present Government may be, the people of New Zealand ought to be for e\er thankful for the day that put an end to the reckless Grey Administration, which, was literally running the colony into national bankruptcy. The financial affairs of New Zealand were in -what was neither more nor less than perfect chaos, and the only remedy that Ministers could suggest for extrication was to plunge still further into the Slough of Despond by borrowing more. Loans raised, for specific purposes, were most shamefully appropriated to totally different ones, and the course of their financial policy was a scandal. On the close of the financial year that the Grey Ministry held office, there was an expenditure over income of £600,000, in addition to a deficit of £900,000. When in office, the present Colonial Treasurer ruthlessly exposed this rotten condition of things, and at the time was blamed severely by the Opposition for so doing, as the unpleasant truths were likely to damage the credit of the colony. The result has shown that he did wisely, and further that confidence in New Zealand, under the Hall Government, has been thoroughly restored in England by his outspokeness, and by the prompt, if rigid measures, taken to meet the difficulties of the position. In this direction the Hall Government, for all the changes were effected during its existence, has come out with flying colors. Jin every respect the Statement is most encourage j .ing, and no portion of it bears n^rjl conclusive testimony to the impro^w tnent that has taken place in the sootH and thrifty condition of the people^ than the Savings Banks returns. It is shown that whilst the population has only doubled in the last ten years, the number of depositors have increased five fold, or, in other words, that taking into consideration the additional population, they have increased 150 per cent This clearly indicates an under- , current of renewed prosperity. The ( knotty question of Hospitals and Charitable Aid, which h&s puzzled the , wisest heads for generations past was referred to, and the Treasurer promised . that he would propose a scheme that , would meet the case. It is greatly to be desired that such may prove true, and the subject finally disposed of on a permanent basis. In reference to the incidence of taxation, he promised that it should be brought forward this session, and, indeed, no subject is more worthy of the early and earnest consideration of the Legislature. There can be no doubt that the burdens are now by no means equally shared by all classes. The working class in proportion, through the Customs alone, contribute far more than their legitimate share in proportion to their income than any other. If the Government are sincere in this desire they will meet "with warm support even from the Opposition, but as the latter will insist on a Land Tax as a portion of the programme, which the Government will probably stoutly resist, that will prove an unsurmountable obstacle to full agreement. The loan secret is now fully divulged, and the Govern- j ment recommend that three millions i be borrowed for reproductive works to be decided on by Parliament before the money is borrowed, and in this they show their good sense, for of the early loans, at least one half were diverted from the purposes to which they were originally intended to be applied. We must say that the Statement appears to us, however brief it be for a document of this description, to be clear, concise, and most satisfactory to the public, and however determined an Opposition may be got together, we fail to see any point of attack. We learn by telegram that Mr Thompson (Clutha), one of the Opposition, whilst admitting it to be clear, thought there were some objectionable clauses, and Sir George Grey had never heard such a weak Statement. His, had he remained, would certainly have had more flavoring, for it would have shown a deficiency of £1,400,000, whilst Major Atkinson has shown a good surplus on the right side. We venture to say that the people of New Zealand will greatly prefer the "weak Statement " to the more sensational one that the veteran must have brought forward. On the whole, the one just submitted, shows the financial prospects of New Zealand to be better than they have been for years. The colony starts with her present debt amply provided for with a clean street, and her railways paying 4 per cent. When the Grey Ministry left office, they left £1,400,000 to be provided for. Heaven knows how the railways so far from being a profit were an actual burden to the State, and under their hands confidence in and the credit of New Zealand was waning rapidly. The Government may bejustly congratulated on such an altered state of things, and the public should be more than satisfied with the facts disclosed by the Treasurer in his late delivery.

The rivers both north and south were in a high state of flood yesterday, and according to ancient custom, all communication with the outside world was effectually cut off. The Greymouth and Westport coaches, with their mails, have been detained since Monday morning, to the infinite annoyance of both the. contractors and the public. Should the weather at all moderate this morning, both coaches will endeavor to push through, but the prospect at the hour we write raises no great hopes. An incident has come under our notice which deserves mentioning. A resident of Reefton the other day lost a five-pound and two one- pound notes from his pocket. A careful but fruitless search having been made for the money, the loser, with little hope decided to advertise his loss, which having done, he was not a little delighted shortly after when the money was placed in his hands. The finder was a son of Mr Jambs Molloy, and it is hardly necessary to say that the little fellow was well rewarded for his honesty. Mr W. Cochrane announces that he is now prepared to supply coal of the best quality in any part of Reefton, at 30s. per ton. Mr P. M'Parland, the Boatman's mailcontractor, in order to meet the convenience and comfort of his patrons has placed a new and commodious coach on the line. The sitting of tho Magistrate's Court has been fixed for to-morrow, before Mr E. Baker, R.M., but it is very doubtful whether the Magistrate will be able to keep the appointment, owing to the floods. The cases set down for hearing are not of special importance. Steps are about to be taken by the stewards of the Reefton Jockey Club to largely improve the condition of the course and grand-stand, in order to obviate many of the inconveniences experienced by the public on former occasions. It is intended amongst other things to form a track from the road to the grandstand, and to effect such additions to the stand itself as will prevent a repetition of the discomforts met with in the past. Theae absolutely /needed improvements will involve a considerable expenditure, but we are satisfied that the public will thoroughly approve the action. At about 12 o'clock on Saturday night last the attention of Constable Bamford jaras attracted by the strange behaviour or^ nJan in Broadway. He followed the' bytf fora short distance, and presently te^iUjjl run in the direction of the river, fltjhi pear of Cochrane's Hotel. The TOpP pie divining that something was wlna :, immediately gave chase, and on reacmng the edge of the protective works saw the man floundering in the river, which was then in flood, Bamford very pluckily plunged in after him, and after a hard struggle succeeded in dragging the half drowned fugitive ashore, when it became at once apparent that the poor fellow, whose name is Charles Griffe, a miner working at Slab-hut Creek, was out of his mind. The constable conveyed his charge to the lock-up, where a change of clothing was provided, but the man could not be induced to answer a single inquiry, or indeed open his lips. On the following morning he was visited in his cell and furnished with food, and was found standing in the same position as when left. He still refused to utter a word, and in fact appeared absolutely unconscious of the presence of anyone in the cell. Throughout Sunday he preseirdd the|same position, but as it appeared had taken some little of the food set before him. On the following morning he was found in exactly the same standing position, and with apparently no change for the better in his mental state. Messrs Bowman and Potts, J.P's., later on, attended at the camp, and after hearing the facts above elicited directed a medical examination to be made, which was accordingly done, and at 2 p.m. the unfortunate man was brought before the Court on a charge of lunacy. The evidence of Dr. Thorpe wae taken, and went to show that the man wa ß of unsound mind and unfit to be at large, aud recommended that the sufferer should be at once placed under proper supervision Mr R. Oxley was also called, and proved that the man, who had been dealing at his store, had been of eccentric habits for twelve months past, but latterly had shown symptoms for the worse. The man would speak to no one, and persisted in fording the river in all weather in preference- to crossing the bridge. He was a hatter working at Slab Hut Creek, and a Swede of about 50 years of age. Constable Bamford having deposed to the circumstances leading to the arrest, the Bench, which consisted of Mr G. C. Bowman, and Mr W. J. Potts, remanded the man to Greymouth, for further medical examination.

The subsidence of the flood in the Inangahua, on Friday last, revealing no »ign of the horse and dray which went over the track earlier in the week, Mr Kidd, procured, a boat, and after a short search with a drag in the whirlpool, succeeded in fastening on to the wheel of the dray, which was in about 20 feet of water, and eventually hauling it ashore. The carcass of the horse was still in the shafts, and strange to say the harness and dray had sustained little or no injury.

Among some of the most interesting of the inventions to be seen in the Exhibition (says the Christchurch Press) is Webster's patent log detector and self acting alarum. This is the invention of Captain Webster, of the Union Steam Ship Company' 3 Albion, and is a most ingenious piece of mechanism, though simple to look at. The object of the machine is to sound an alarm in the event of the ordinary towing log become fouled by Bea wed or refuse thrown overboard. The action of this machine is caused by the twist of tho towing line, which takes place immediately the blades of the patent towing log cciiso to revolve and the works cease to register*

It communicates with the alarum, which continues to sound until the evil is remedied. The use of the patent log detector is found an invaluablo benefit wHile nearing land or running along the coast during thick foggy weather, when the dead reckoning is the only means of determining the distance run or the position of the ship. There are several instances on record where the patent log has hjscome fouled for some time, ceasing to-rtgister but clearing itself again with out an y warning, the result being the vessel has run several miles further than is indicated on the register of the patent log thus giving the ship-master a false security as to the position of the vessel. In thick or foggy weather the loss of many a fine vessel may be attributed to this cause alone. There are several of these* machines now is use in the steamers of the Union Steam Ship Company.