Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-02-18
PACIFIC COAST.



San FRAScSco. Feb. 17.-Quite n
number of vessels are still over dns al
| this port. among them the American
coal from Liverpool. She is two hun
dred and tweaty-six days out, an
should hsye reached her destination ID
a hundred and forty days
! The British bark khokana has not vet
| put IN an appearance from Hull, al
though she is three hundred and thirty
two days ont, and ia all probability is
lost. She went ashore at Bexhill, was
JetSisoned of part OF her cargo, and
got of next day.
The British bark Devock Water left
San Francisco Dec Goth, with wheat
and four for Capt Town. and was spo-
ken October 2d, in latitude II north.
| longi ude Up west. on the verge of a
| hurricane. II is believed she is lost.
| TIE British bark Hildegarde which
sailed hence for Queenstown with a
cargo of wheat to the value OF $G6, 600
Is given up at Lloyds.
Attempted Suicide.
Joseph L. Ross, book keeper for sew
eral years of the firm of C. l.. Taylor &
Co. shot himself this morning in a
saloon on Post street. He had been
| writing letter, and when the attention
of the proprietor was called in another
direction be placed pistol IN his mouth
| and fired, inficting An ugly bat not
fatal wound. 1t is believed he is short
IN his accounts. Ross is highly con-
nected, and is engaged to be married
with young lady who Is at present at
the City Hospital kneeling by his cot.
The wounded man IL perfectly con-
scious, and had an interview after the
shooting with his employer.
sugar from New York.
1t is reported on Change that 1000
barrels of granulated sugar from New
York, by sail on the way, is consigned
to A. Cannay. Another shipment of a
quantity not given intended for the
trade, is said to be on the way to Port
land. The latter shipment is purely ex-
detrimental, the object of buyers being
to eyade the high tariff charged by the
Hawaiian monopoly.
Flour and Grain.
The local -four market is strong.
Prices are advancing. twelve and alf
cents barrel, and millers talk of a
further advance. Wheat is unchanged
at $3.50 to S1.95. Barley has advanced
twenty cents, with small business.
Farmers are holding back for higher
figures. Not much in.
Cutting on a Ciiys Wafer.
Announcement was made this after
noon by the Spring Valley Water Com
pany that it is intended to shut off the
supply of water at O'Clock this evening
for q period of twelve hours. 1t created
great excitement, and the most absurd
theories were advanced explanatory of
the latest freak of the monopoly. The
reason assigned by those interested in
cornering natures beverage was that
they could not afford III view of exigen-
cies liable to arise to pump water from
sources for full supply. The news of
the final determination of the company
spread like wildfire, until, when it be-
came generally known, the original an
nOuneement gave way to the rumor that
the company had taken a determined
stand, and would furnish no more water
until differences between the Directors
and Supervisors were adjusted. The re-
cent action of the former was made the
subject of much severe criticism In both
public and private circles, and this
evening the opinion is generally enter
tanned that it is bold effort to influence
final consideration of the order pending
before the Supervisors fixing water
rate, and If possible, to secure recon-
sideration and possibly final rejection.
This view of the situation appears
strengthened by the fact that Monday
Is the last day to fix rates. and unless
done then the power to do so passes by
limitation, and old rates continue. In
view of conhagration, which might
occur, the Board of Underwriters have
instructed the fire patrol to use the
greatest vigilance, and the fire depart
ment received orders to the same effect.
If fire Occars, underwriters claim the
company will be obliged to turn on the
water, which, as it would take at least
half an hour to reach town, might re-
suit in the loss of thousands of dollars
before anything could be done to pre-
vent further spread.
Charles ID. Haven, Secretary of the
Board of Underwriters, states that In
surance companies have taken large
risks relying upon plentiful supply of
water, and if the Supervisors persisted
in what he termed their folly, insurance
companies will either have to reduce
their insurance, cancel policies or charge
largely increased rates. Had heavy
Judgment to pay, and present expenses
are enormous on other hands. 1t IS
stated on the word of prominent citi-
zen that the water company is obliged
TO stop pumping on account of the
worn out and disabled condition of their
machinery. 1t 10 further asserted that
it is actually putting in new machinery
today. That the boilers are so badly
patched that they are unfit for further
use, and the cylinder is considered I'M
safe.
The notice which the company pub
lishsd states that the water will be
turned off twelve hours daily until fur
Their notice, prOportioning the amount
allowed for daily consumption to the
quantity of water on hand. The effect
of the notice OH large consumers, such
as hotels and boarding houses is some
what ludricous, as bath-tubs and all
available tinware has been hastily inn
provised for the reception of water, and
faucets turned on full force, as pre-
cautionary measure against the lack of
water. Supervisor John Shirly, who
is a stakeholder in the company, said
the action is unprecedented, and de-
cidsdly hasty. The Directors should
have directed their attention to imprOv
ing their property with ordinary bust
| ness precaution instead of declaring
large dividends of the past six years.
1t is imperative upon them to provide
against any possible emergency such as
the present. A prolonged conference
between the Judiciary and Finance
Committee of Supervisors and delega-
lions from the Board of Trade, Cham
Der of Commerce and Citizens Commit
tee was held this evening with view of
considering ways and means ont of the
difficulty occasioned by the depleted
condition of the municipal treasury.
Reports were submitted of the amounts
required by various departments of the
city Government, and a discussion upon
the advisabiliry of making material re-
auctions in expenses we're invited. John
+. Swift stated that under the provis-
ions of the Constitution of the State it
was absolutely impossible to arrange
matters by creating an Indebtedness
which should be paid for out of taxes
of the following fiscal year; that under
circumstances the only thing to be done
was to cut down the working force, and
even salaries, if necessary; though the
urgency for an efficient police depart
ment is great, it might also be decreas-
ed, with the object of lessening expen-