LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 8 December 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

With reference to the boating accident at Oastlecliff on Sunday, we published the name of one of the crew of the lifeboat as .B, Miller. The fifth member of the crew w.as-Mr. R. Billows

The petition for a'recount of the _ Wellington. Suburbs local option poll has been withdrawn, the" application having been made too lato by two days. Such petitions must be made in ceven days after the official declaration.

'■■ Mr A. Miller Potts gave another orcrah recital at Christ Cnurch last eveii : ?ng. There was only a small audience. This is to be regretted, as Mr Potts presented an excellent programme, which his hearers appreciated very much.

Miss Powell, who is--to lecture in | Wanganui next Sunday evening on bocialisni, was always deeply interested in public affairs, and she commenced practical operations in politics soon after, the women of Australia obtained the franchise, and during the last three years or so has been continuously -engaged in organising on behalf or labour, and Socialism in Victoria, New. South, Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand, - her fourth year of work in this sphere having begun on the 14th of last September, about the timo she was prepar-. mo- to return to New Zealand to speak on°Socialism for Mr Way, in the Ohmemuri" electorate. ■ .

A crowded service was held bri Sunday night at the Baptist Church, when' the baptism of some of the young men of the 'Bible Class took place. The Rev. A S. Wilson gave an address, and was, assisted in the service by the president oi the Bible class, Mr J. H. Harper. As tho candidates passed through the baptistery the choir and congregation chanted solemnly, " Be'thou faithful unto death and I will give the© a crown of life;." In the course of his remarks Mr Wilson regretted the mistaken notion held by so many that the Baptists held the view of some sacramental efficacy attaching to the rite of immersion, It was a pity, eaid he, that those who unconsciously misrepresented them did not try to ascertain the facts af the case, as they unwittingly did '.an ■■injus-tice-Jo the great Baptist Ghurcii, whic'i contained within its borders so many millions of the human race.

The following reply to,a farewell mes : sage has been received in Taumarunuy from the Hori: Hall-Jones,; who departs ed for London last week:— « I much appreciate the good wishes expressed by 'the boys'.on Saturday evening. It has Gometimes happened that their work has been criticised, but from nearly thirteen years' experience I have no hesitation in expressing my high appreciation of the workers who for any length of time have been employed upon our principal works.' Especially shall I have a pleasant memory of 'the boys engaged upon the construction of the' North Island Main- Trunk rahvay. Kindly convey to them every good wish for their future welfare, and, fbryourseL", accept my kindest regards.—Au revoir; —Wm. Hall-Jones."

Next Thursday evening, in St. Paul's Hall, an event which should draw - a largo audience, will be held under the auspices of the Wanganui Literary and Debating Societies' Union. Wo refer to he oratorical contest for the Mayor s (Mr C. E. Mackay's) prize. The oon-oau is unique in so far as Wanganui cerned, and will-be on the lines ox the competitions carried on among Victoria College students for the ' Gove-.-rm->-• prize. The competition on Thu/aruy night will be very keen, twelve cf the members of affiliated debating ci<-liefi having given notice of their intention to take part. .Each competitor will speak for eight minutes,, and niust choose as his subject some person :v^o of note during the: past 50 years. Mppsts G. Hutchison,* C. C. Hutton, and G. YV. Currio have consented to act as juda^s, and their task promises to be a ' *«ty one. During the evening a lujmer of musical items will be rendered, in-'itd-ing vocal solos from Misses Towsey and Henry, and a cornet solo by Mr Buckley. Mr A. Towsey will preside at the piano. The City Band, it is expected, will play selections outside the Hall prior to the contest. Opportunity will be taken during the evening to present the St. Paul's team, which won the debating contest this year, with the Society's challenge shield. The Society hopes to see a large attendance of the. public, and in order to popularise such an interesting contest will rely solely unon a collection to -pay for expenses, admission being free. The competitions will commence at 7.45 p.m.

suits

We are in receipt of Bulletins 2 and 11 issued by the Dairy Division of tho Agricultural Department. A thoughtful and kindly act was performed by six Masterton jurors engaged on the inquest concerning the fatal accident at the railways yards at Masterton. They unanimously decided to hand over the juror's fee(4s each) to Sergt. Miller, to be paid, to the widow of the deceased, Mrs Knight; who is left with one child.

The Garrison Band will give an opeftair concert in the Rotunda on Sunday afternoon next, commencing at 3 o'clock. This concert will no doubt prove especially interesting, as it will be the first one given by the band under tho baton of their new conductor (Mr A. Wade) . The band have once more settled down to contest work, and are showing great enthusiasm in tho approaching contest to be held in February next. Although Mr Wade has only had charge during the past two weeks, yet most satisfactory progress has been made, and there is every reason t» expect that the-band will under his direction soon attain the high position they held till Mr Crich'ton's retirement. A curious incident happened at the famous Newcastle (England) boxing rendezvous, Ginett's Circus, on October 10th. A negro, named Joe Chadwick, interviewed the manager and said that he and his wife had walked from Berwick-on-Tweed —a matter of some 67 miles—and had had nothing to eat all day; could he earn a trine by being, given a chance to box? It so happened that ono of tho evening's competitors, who was engaged for a "six-round match against J. Wilson, of Newcastle (a man ot: some form), had been classed by the doctor as unfit, so Chadwiok was given his place. Whether it was hunger that did it ,or superior' skijl, the starving negro settled Wilson quickly, knocking him out in a minute and a half amidst great enthusiasm,,-, - Bolivia is a good country to .live out of, according to a Consular report, issued recently. Tho British Gonsul writes that- the cost of living is enormous, and the pillage of goods while they are being transferred inland from. the ports of Antofagasta and Mollendo defies description. The following. list shows the prices of some commoditieo in Bolivia :—Coal, £14 per ton ; wood, £12 per ton; electric light, 7s per light per month; petroleum, 10s par tin of five gallons; groceries, two* and a half times as much as in Europe; bread, 4d per lb, butter, 3s per lb; champagno, £10 per. dozen of cheap wines; milk, 9d per quart; clothes, £15 a suit. Roughly speaking £1500 a year in Bolivia represents £600 in Europe. Parihaka, the once famous Taranaki nativo village, around which such a fierco light was wont to beat in tho days of the acnith of Te Whiti'a influence, is now a greatly changed place. Since the death of Te Whiti, the natives, no longer subject to the masterful domination. of " the prophet," have become accustomed to individual freedom, and the general result, so a recent visitor informed a "Herald" representative on Sunday, is a great improvement, on the old order' of things. TheMaiHfis appear to ■►■be more industrious, and those who are receiving rents for lands owned by them, are in many cases applying the money to the improvement of tho holdings on which they reside, whereas formerly a great deal of the money was handed to Te Whiti.-: The work "of the Young Maori party has had a great influence _ for good on the native, and the ministrations of the RevR. Heddon, of -Hawera, and the Rev. T. 6. Hammond, of Opunake (both of whom periodically visitJParihaka), have also been attended with beneficial re-

Maori women adopt some very deep devices to hoodwink the- police. One , ofutho latest,, the "Tarafiaki Herald" reports, was discovered by Constable 'M'l'vor- on Saturday. For some time 'lioJr'^i&d bioen-watching three Maori ia^q%i^il -in Broughton. Street, whose aciiJai'tihwere very suspicious. One had a kit^aiid in turn these three women. . almost covered tfieir heads whilst they apparently drank something from the- . kit which they were anxious to cqn■ceal. Constable M'lvor decided to investigate, and. when ho got near, tho : woman in possession of the kit, hurriedly smashed a couple of babies' '.bottles on the pavement and endeavoured to treat a third in a like manner. The officer was too quick for her, 'however. He took the kit, which contained a snirit flask hali-Tilled with ; whisky. This had been fitted as a ■baby's feeding . bottle. ThrouglKiker rubber tube the Maori had been stfek- - ing the whisky. Constable M'lvor took .possession of a kit and escorted the woman who had had charga of it to tho police station-

' Mr P. W. Jenkins, of, Clofton, Nimitybclle, New South Wales, has discovered a frost-proof potato (writes the Sydney "Stock and Station Journal.") Mr Joiikins, who.has been experimenting, for years to get a. potato that would stand the severe frosts of the Monara. district, tjiree years ago hit upon tho ono under notic?. For a start only one potato was used, and this was cut into thirteen.sets, leaving only one eye ,far each set. The season was an exceptionally bid one, ;but nevertheless, a yield of a kerosene tin full was obtained. From this lot, with another bad season to contend against, Mr Jenkins got fully a ton, and this year, which followed an awful season, four tons were dug. "The samples we have seen," the-Journal continues, "are very fine, and one great point, is that these potatoes are muclf earlier than any other variety, arid theh\ frost-resisting properties are simply phenomenal. They have- been cut down thirteen limes, and then gave a wonderful yield. No matter how the frost may affect the tops, there is positively no evidence of its ravages under ground. The new pota-, to is a tip-top boiler, thin skinned,_and. a good saver. It isJ nob waxy, blt*^ true floury potato. Mr Jenkins is hopeful that his frost product will push ahead tho potato-growing industry.

' Arrangements for the purchase- of Ruthe's island by the Salvation" Army authorities as a homo for jmebriatcs have now been completed, and withm a comparatively short time buildings will bo erected thereon which will provide, accommodation for 100 men regarded as " habitual drunkards " in the eyes, of the law. Pakatoa Island will then be* available for the reception of temales committed to isolation in their own interests. Speaking to a "Herald" representative on the subject, Staff-Cap-tain" Arnott, of Melbourne, who is on a visit to Auckland, was most hopeful of the ultimate and complete success of theArmy's experiment in dealing with theunfortunates who come under their care. " The accommodation at Pakatoa," he baid, •" has been crowded for some time, and we look forward to the completion of the new buildings on Ruthe's Island, in order that our efforts in saving those who are victims to drink may be carried out under more favourable conditions than at present. We are confident. I have oiilv to say that-we are spending an additional £7000 to indicate that. It is gratifying to know, too, that a number of Auckland citizens are sufficiently interested in the scheme to lend us practical assistance. One gentleman, has forwarded £50, which was accompanied by an intimation to the effect that ho would increase his donation to £100 if' nine others would foilow his example, the challenge has already been taken up by three others. " jAjis present there are some 45 inebriatcsrorf Pakatoa. The experiment." added ,thaJ officer, " is being watched with' keen interest in many quarters." v

In Messrs Black's new "Colour Book" on New Zealand, Mr W. P. Reeves tells an interesting story of Samuel Butler's experience as a sheepfarmer in New Zealand. Mr Reeves «ays:—Butler's sheep station, Mesopotamia by name, lay among tho Alps of Canterbury, and the satirist himself did some exploring work in his pastoral days, work conc2-rning. which I recall a story told me by an old settler whom I will call tha Sheriff. This gentleman, meetin.<? Butler one day in Christchurch in tho early sixties, noticed that his face and neck were burned to tho colour of red-chocolate, "Hullo, my friend," said he, "you have been among the snow!" Hush!" answered Butler nresently admitted that ho had been up to the dividing range and had span a great sight away beyond ib. "I've found a hundred thousand acres of 'country,' " said he. "Naturally. I wish you to keep this quiet till I have proved it, and applied to the Government for a pastoral license." "Well, I congratulate you," said the Sheriff. "If it will carry sheep, you've made your fortune, that's all" ; but ho intimated his doubts as to whether the blue expanse seen from far off could be. grass country. And, indeed, when next ho met Butler, the latter shook his ; head ruefully: "You were qmt-y r'ght: it. was all bush." I have often wondered whether that experience .was the : basis of the passage that tells of the thrilling discovery of Erewhon beyond the pass guarded by the great images. Since the Russo-Japanese war the grenade has come much to the fore as an effective implement in an engagement, particularly at close quarters. On October 22 the first of a series of practical tests and experiments with a trfle Howitzer shrapnel grenade, invented by Mr F. Marten -Hale, took place'at Faversham before an assembly of :^jq}?r,ts from foreign Governments and from the- British Government contractors, Messrs Vickers,"',. Son and Maxim. Although! til© * Weather was somewhat unfavoiirabloi^th'e tests are said to have proved that the rifle grenade was a most formidabl3 and havoc-producing weapon. The grenade, which weighs lib 7oz, is adapted for use with the Service rifle of any country,, and is propelled with the ordinary Service cartridge. The method of firing the grenade, which is not unlike a firework rocket in shap?, also permits the use in tho rifle of a much heavier powder charge, when the range,is con--sidr-rably increased. With the . British Government cordite cartridge and the riflo elevated to an angle of 30deg, the grenade is thrown 450 ft, but by increasing the cordite charge to 45 grains —the Government 'cordite cartridge contains 31.5 grains—double that- d'stanco is obtained. A feature of the ure of tho grenado is that the firing does not in any way injure or damage the rifle, and the'attachment on the grenade to secure it to tho muzzls of the rifle does not interfere with the rifle for firing ball cartridge or the employment of the bayonet. Further, the grenade is easily and quickly fixed in or withdrawn from its firing position. A convincing illustration of this fact was given when a ball sarlridge was fired from the rifle at the conclusion of tho grenade firing tests.

Only two members of tho last Parliament had the con rag 3. ta tell their constituents before the ejection that £303 a year was insufficient to pay a legislator's expanses if he actively pursued his duties. . Most, city members ai'o .satisfied^ with this sum, but the country representative, particularly if h<» has a scattered constituency in tha Rcmi-impass'ablo back-blocks, would find the honorarium a starvation wage,had he to completely depend on it for existence -The.'■■•troubles• of one of these gentlemen1 were confided recently to s "New Zealand Times" representative. His opinion was that ;fc'o(X). 'per annum was nearer tho expend) ttj re of tho country member

- tban tho actual sum provided for -hi,; special needs by a grateful country;: - An election costs about £200^ and even; when this is over, the annual trip to Wellington means a steady drain on the honorarium by keeping two homes goingl. Postagos ■ air no-ran into five shillings weekly,: and; such is\ the,■demand for tho-.local-member as an ornamental but rhighl-y'-profitable officer of every local institution, that his >expenses on .this ?scbro alone ran into £80 a year. :Annually, there was a pre-sessional £Hp ardund the constituency, involving a trifle tof £40 for- the hiro of. halls.. Molt painful, however, was his experiences when he planned out an electioneering round, counting out another^ .C4O f<br: hall.expenses When ho paid tho ; usual, ;half-soverdgn for the small country hall, the custodian wan still expectant. :He wanted a sovereign. "But; ypu would only take fivo shillings from the local people," remonstrated the./candidate. "This is election time;" was the custodian's allsufficing answer. .■'.•

When people talk of the invasion of England they generally assume that in respect of tho point of debarkation the example of our only Conqueror will be followed, and that the hostile forces will land, if not actually at Hastings, at some other port on- the south coast - (writes Mr H. W. Lucy an the "Sydney Morning Herald.") In the confidence of the smoke-room of a country housa I learned from a high authority at the War Office .what is, 1 understand lio secret among military authorities. 'The harbour the invading transports would make for is-none other than Yarmouth. It was explained that this choice was made from considerations too technical to be explained here. They, have, however, convinced the.present authorities at the War Office, in common with their predecessors, that if invasion from the Continent ever be attempted, the sandy beach of Yarmouth will, bo steered for. With respect t:> intimate knowledge of the roads and byways of Great Britain available for military purposes, my friend admitted that all th * Continental Powers arc up-to-date. He laughed at the, bogey, introduced last summer to the House ol Commons by Colonel Loelywood, about Oerraan spies lurking in Epping Forest. Where Germany, France and,,v other contingent invaders, get their commonplace medium of the map-maker. The War Office knows exactly how many mans Mr" Stanford supplies to Brrlm and Paris in tho course of twelve months, and. notes the particular dis 7 trht about which keenest curiosity prevails. Per contra our War Office aro cqunlly well acquainted with the topography of Continental countries, whilst nt the Admiralty th"re am pigeon-hol-r-d particulars that make the approach of warships nossible in every h arbour ci' both hemispheres.