NEWS OF THE DAY.

Constable Douthett is gazetted clerk oj the Court at Oamaru. Th_ services of the Tuapeka Mounted Rifles have been accepted. '.Messrs F. E. Campbell, Awahtiri, and JG. ; #yfe, Lyttelton, have resigned their appointments as Justices of the Peace. The! Auckland City Council has decided to iriise a loan of £20,000 for the purchase of tramways. ■A. letter received by her brother slates that nurse Teape has recovered from th illness under which she was suffering. Mr A. J. W. Bunz has been appointed* conductor to the Diocesan Choral Assoc* tion. The music is expected by next mtus and the festival is to be on October 4th. There is an abnormal pressure of business at the Magistrate's Cjurt at present. -* number of important cases have had to b 6 adjourned time after time, simply because there is no opportunity to hear them. Beetham has been holding civil sittings at unusual hours, but the accumulation is st" l going on, and from present indications > s likely to go on for some time.

... honour Mr Justice Martin will sit in C!i*s»hei-» and in bankruptcy to-day at 11 The "firevniouth Star" states, in all ewi- ,«< that on Thursday week the cold °! ?,'lntens* at Kelly's Creek that it *. ! 'V«' 20 below zero. |VV U ■ ■ \ fpniihitio", signed by the Waimate i>iv Coryc. < s tw ke presented to Captain • I'ni.uu asking him to reconsider his refrom the captaincy. -p 1( . ,i(-wiy-ai*pointed lecturer on music , '.'(,,. A"■ Hind University, Dr. Thoraas, ' ,',, leave London on August 2nd by the »!,-.umr Himalaya. \,, \,!. ki uid telegram states that Mr L. ... V..,4], tor many years chief clerk of tlie Vi'-LLind I*«'St Otlice, and previously in ijj'infdin and Wellington, died yesterday. >j;,,. 'Xtvv Zealand Times" states that _ii<inline to a l~tU"r just received from », M ;di«-,.'Mr John Rixss. of Messrs Sargood, K, m and Kacn, continues in rather poor jH_Uh, and is kept strictly to a milk diet. Tho N Battery held a parade in the Lyttaiton Prillslied "on Wednesday. Forty-eight VCT p present, under Lieutenants Brice and Maitar. who respectively instructed l them in physical and infantry drill. Tho Work* Committee of the City Council are arranging for putting >io;ne grit on the crossing*, aiid on the space outside some 0 S the as-phalt side walks in the city, which add* gr-.'atly to the comfort and convenience of pedestrians. It i* rumoured (*ay* the "Kumara Times") that *<i appeal to the law will shortly be jaada in connection with the collision that touk place about two months ago between tbfl train and the Cliristchurch coach at Aicken's. JLf.inv stiifg-fstiops are made as to what ibould'be done with the Papanui road. At the mwsting <;£ the Jubilee Memorial Committee fast night a gentleman present said it »-m reported a dredge was to bo started (jstirt shortly. TV offer of stubbh> quail, announced at t_* inrvting of the Council of _he Acciim«tii*:uion .Society on Wednesday, came from Mr John ll.Raine. formerly of Snerwod Duwn.-i .Station, South Canterbury, tio-*' of Worcester »t.reet. Linwood. Major Rjc-luirdi mentioned this nt the meeting. A ( unpin of men were engaged yesterday planting on tho south side of the Catlietiiul the camellias presented to tlie Chapter br thi' contractor for the Agricultural Hall. Th* lilant* aro very large, well-grown ones, and gre.it care in "being exercised in their transplanting. At the invitation of Mr 11. Davie, a largs ontnlKT aMembkd at hi* villa residence, Adcroft, Tinwald, a few evenings since, to witness the elYi*ct of the installation of an seetvleni' gas plant recently put in by Mr McAu«tin. Tlie trial U«ht was highly «ucosssftil in every way, the light tieing soft but at the same time of great illuminating power. A visitor to Taihape. reports that between that place and Mangaweka pigeons ara very numerous this season. Driven down in flocks 'by the raiw on the Ruahtne ranges, they muV lie seen in dozens flying about amongst the trees and sunning tliemwlveu on the bar* bouglra of tho dead tola ra« The settlers have not «;eai so many pigeons i» tlie Taihape valleys for many years. The cftremonv of reopanlng and re-coti-si'trating tho Roman Catholic Pro-Cathe-dral, on its new site fronting the Ferry road, will t-ako pUce on Sunday 22nd. inst. It will be conducted by his Lordship Bishop Verdou, of Dunedin. A conversazione in commemoration of the event wdl take place in thfi ensuing week. Tho tin- in High rtrcet yesterday was the firrt <x«wion on wluch the Fire Polii-e had a chttnew to distinguish themsolve*. Several of them wefv on the w;ene almost before the arrival of tho constables, and, with tlusm, did excellent service in stopping tho foot traffic on tli'3 pavement, and in keeping tlie people away from the engines. Fortunately them vim nothing for tliem to save, but, they lost no time in setting to wurk, and the little they eonld do was done well. On belial'i" of the menrbm of the choir ut St. F.'itrick'M (,'liun.li. Waimate. the Rev. P. Rcgnuult presented to Mrs Walsh, as orgAtust. and to Mr Goldstone, as leader, sooki well-m-'locted and handsomely-bound music, and a lender's baton. Tho rev. gentleman said the presentation was aa a mark of the esteem of tlie contributors for the valuable* services of Mrs Walsh atnl of Mr GolJstone in the work of tho choir. Sir Virtue, of tire Waimato branch of the Bank of New Zealand, was guest of a imnrWr of well-wishers, on Wednesday, on tho occasion of his approaching removal jrom Waimate to a similar position in the bank at Akaroa. About forty gentlemen met at Mr Middleton's Royal Hotel, and Mr 0. Miller, who presided, presented Mr Virtue with a gold watch, and for Mrs Virtos a gold bangle, aa a token of esteem and good-will of his numerous friends at Wailaate. The highest reading of the barometer at Canterbury Agricultural College during the nrrtsk ending July 12th, was 30.164 in on the 10th. and the lowest 29.392 in on the Ist. Kx«*pt on tho Ist and 2nd, when wind velocities of 270 and 32? miles, respectively, in tho twenty-four hours were recorded, the (rinds have been generally light. Rain was recorded- on six days, the total being 92 points since 30th June. Tho maximum rainfall in twonty-four hours, 36 points, occurred t«i the Ist. The maximum temperature in the shade was 58.5deg on the sth, and the minimum 25deg on the 10th. A very sharp frost wits noted on tlie morning of tlie 10th, tta terrestrial radiation being a* low us 18.8deg, oi- 13.2deg of frost. On the question as to whether men who «» un*bk> to eani the minimum wage of 10s a day as carpenters- should be p.iid a lower sum th* sfMiK'tftry tif the Rangiora Union asked the opinion "of the Arbitration Court as to *»bo should decide? Mr Justice Martin said (without committing the Court to an opinion) that the rules provided that a commltUe of employers and wc.<rkmen> should »fr*» on the matter, and foiling agreement, the question of men entitled to less should &8 fixed by the chairman of the Conciliation Board. If there was no committee of employers, it would appear to be necessary to go to the Conciliation Court, and empkryers who had no Association might perhaps set up a committee.

fhe> Union Company's hulk Arawatta. which recently went ashore at Kaiwarra, in Wellington harbour, has been Heated off apparently uninjured, At the Cash Tailoring Company's premise. High street, tho employees met together to bid farewell to the late cutter. Mr G. K. Noble. Mr Hkkinbottom proposed tb* health of the guest, and wL«_ted him every sucoeaa in his new position. Mr Noble leaves to take a position in Dunedin. Our Wellington correspondent states that the revenue from Port Robinson last vklt was:—From inward cargo £667, ar.d from outward cargo £1160. Shipping wages amounted to £592, and casual labour wage* to £121. There is a balance to credit of £60. A correspondent writes suggesting that ai the St. Albans Borough Council" could manage to put on two men to sweep away the mud from a portion of Papanui road*, the City Council might, perhaps, put on, say, three men, to do the same for some of the worst of the city streets while the new road sweeper is being completed. A case presenting some unusual features occupied the Supreme Court in Wellington yesterday. The Education Board sought an injunction to restrain Mr Joseph Andrews, proprietor of a wood ware lactory. from causing a nuisance by the use of machinery next to Te Aro" school, and asked for £50 damages. Evidence was given by trie school teachers of nuisances caused by the noise. Tlie defendant pleaded that the noise was no more than was necessary in the ordinary course of business, and that lie had gone to great expense at the factory, and had been in posseision for fourteen years without interference. The jury, after visiting the premises, returned a verdict- for the defendant, with costs. An English resident in the Black Forest lately obtained permission to inspect a workshop, and was surprised and amused when ho took note of the character of the nicknackfi being turned out by tlie workpeople. There were paper-knives, pincushions, cigarholders, match-boxes, etc. The finished items were inscribed "made from wood grown at Ladysmith ;" otiiers had tlie chances rung on them of "Tlie Modder." "Kimberley." "Paardcberg," "Mafeking," and even "Pretoria." The timber, needless to say, grow in the Black Forest. These shams, it appears, are to be shipped to England for sale. Tha men's first aid examination of the St. John Ambulance Association was completed by Dr. Gane on Wednesday last. Of the twenty-five candidates instructed by Dr. Peacli eighteen presented" themselves for examination. Dr. Gane reported that with on« or two exceptions the class was remarkably good; all passed. Nos. 3, 12 and 16 obtained full marks; Nos. 1. 6, 9 and 14 obtained 140 or over of a total of 150. The names of the successful pupils aro as follows: —-Messrs D. Baird. H. R. Best. E. J. Bert, H. E. Gott, H. S. He/bbs, A. McMillan, W. Smith. A. Surer, G. T. Weston, and J. T. Wicks, Police Constables P. Cotter. D. Macdonald. and T. iMavne, Firemen E. T. Bunting, P. Campbell'. R. Cockayne, W. D. Henderson, and C. Millrn-gton. * The men's second aid or nursing class will commence towards the end of August. A large circle of friends and acquaintances will regret to learn of the death of Mrs Haydon, wife of Mr Jo«;ph Haydon. of Devonia, Papanui road, widen occurred on Tuesday. The late Mrs Haydon came to the colony about thirty-four years ago, and, like her husband, was a native of Devonshire. She was married sliortly after her arrival, and went to live at Lincoln, where she took her slrare of the work and trials of farm life in the early days. Some years afterwards Mr Haydon and his family removed to his other farm at Prebbleton, and about three years ago came to reside on the Papanui road. The lute Mrs Haydon was much liked and respected by all who knew her, being a kind neighbour and generously hospitable to all who visited her house. Her death was sudden, and was brought about by the shock of an accident, which occurred about thrse -weeks ago. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Haydon and his three daughters and two sons, in their bereavement The great cough remedy, Baxter, Lung Preserver, can be obtained from all chemists and grocers. It will cure any cough. Do not waste your money o» other remedies. Baxter's Lung Preserver is the only reliable cure. 8 * "Occasionem cognosce" translated means "know your opportunity," and you have now the opportunity of obtaining Black Swan Butter, the purest and best in the market. Fresh every day.—Advt. Unbroken chilblains cause more worry to children than most parents or nurses are aware of. The toes get inflamed so badly that very often the chiJd gets feverish. Loasby's Koolibah relieves the irritation instantly and reduces tho swelling,—(Advt.) Morris, photographer, from Dunedin, personally takes all the portraits in Colombo street. Call and see new specimens.—(Advt.) Don't buy number 13 boots for boy when he takes only sevens, simply because bis feet are swollen with chilblains. Loasby's Koolibah relieves unbroken, itchy chilblains instantly.—(Advt.) Bwvd and Son are well upholding their high reputation for first-class and satisfactory repairs to bicycles at moderate prices. 191 Gloucester street. Christchurch.—Advt. Be up-to-date by having your bicycle built to order and to suit your requirements. Oates, Lowry and Co. muke a specialty of made-to-ord*r cycles without extra charge. Zealandia Works, Christchurch.—(Advt.) 4 Hanging lamps from 5s 3d to 555. We guarantee to give better value in hanging and table lamps, chimneys, shades, wicks, etc., than any lamp seller in New Zealand. Fletcher Bros., direct importers of lamps, chamnoys, etc., High street, Christchurch. Advt The value of many patent medicines and medical preparations sold outside the usual run of physicians' prescriptions, has been proved by usage to be too often in inreree ratio to "the length of the advertisements which play such a prominent part in their sale. Heavy advertising means that the purchaser pays for paper as well as physic. Much more effective than the lengthy interviews of undiscoverable persons who have been brought bock from the grave by myslerious decoctions, is the simple and voluntary acknowledgment of help received which a grateful patient will pen in commendation of some remedy which has be.m used with efficacy. The following, for instance, is one among many such letters received by Mr E. C. Lane, of Oamaru, with reference to his Creasoted Emulsion: —"Ure street, Oamaru. December 16th, 1896. Mr Lane, —Dear Sir, —Please give bearer my account, also another bottle of Creasoted Emulsion. It is really wonderful the difference it has made to my sister. She is getting quite strong and rosy-cheeked, and says she would rather take your Emulsion than those horrid iron pills.—Yours, faithfully, D. M. Johnstone.' 80