A continuance of tho disturbance will also ruin Cuba, and it seems that Spain would be wise to compromise with the liardy islanders for its owa sake,

Whenever an attempt is made by energetic and enthusiastic people to start an industry that it is hoped will prove beneficial to the com munity, there are always to be found those who throw cold water on the project, and some who actually de light in putting every obstacle in the wav of a successful issue being ob tained. When the idea of starting fruit and vegetable evaporating works in Wanganui was first mooted by Mr Q-. W. Collins little more than a year ago he found considerable difficulty at first in securing any practical amount of sympathy. So firmly waa he convinced, however, that such a project would prove benficial alike to j the shareholders and the district generally, that the gloomy prospects foreshadowed by a tew croakers only gave him an incentive to push the matter to definite shape. lie deter mined, if sufficient capital could not be raised in the district, he would at his own expense erect the desired works. Enlisting the support of a few of tho fruit-growers of the dis trict and other gentlemen, including Messrs W. T. Benefield, J. Laird, T. Higgie, P. 11. Jivcltßon, &. W. Palmer, and A. Laird, the latter of whom has taken a deep practical in terest in the concern, an effort was made to form a company. The energetic promoter and Mr A, Laird visited Auckland to inspect similar works there ; Mr Collins published aud circulated his report, and a pro spectus was issued. It was recog nised that in Wanganui and sur rounding districts there was a large quantity of surplus fruit for which no outlet could be obtained. It was further shown that by the erection of fruifc and vegetable evaporating works, the large importations of dried fruits from California and else where would l)o stopped, and a com mercial valuo at once given to our own products. A little enthusiasm was at last incited, with tho result that sufficient shares were taken up to guarantee the carrying on of the works. 