NEWS OF THE DAY.

It is notified- in last night's "Gazette" that September 26th will be observed as a holiday in Government offices, being the anniversary of the day on which -tho colony of New Zealand ceased to be a colony, and, became a Dominion.

Mr Edgar R. Waite, Curator of the Canterbury Museum, has received the following contributions to the fund being raised for the purchase of the Okarito whale's skeleton: —Mr F. Hitchings lis. Dr. J. C. Palmer £5 ss, Mr Wm. Izard £2 2s, tho curator £2 2s; total £10.

Mr James Thorn addressed a crowded meeting in the Orange Hall, Southbridge, on Saturday evening. Mr W. Urewery was in tne chair. Resolutions were passed urging tho necessity of administering the Shearers' Accommodation Act, and calling for tho removal of Mr Justice Sim from tho Arbitration Court Bench.

Mr G. O. Viertel writes to us in reference to tho report of a demonstration of lumiere colour photography given by Mr Webb at the Savage Club. He takes strong exception to the statement thit "Messrs Webb and Bunz are the pioneers of colour photograsiy here.'' Mr Viert-a-r says:— ,l I produced at ray studio in Christchurch, photos in natural colours by tho lumiere autochrome process before anyone else had in New Zealand, if not in Australasia (results were seen by your reporter and comments published in 'The Press' during the first week in December, 190?); 1 al«>.experimented in tricolour photography more than two years ago."

A stranger in a strango land was a Polish tailor in the Arbitration Court at Wellington on Wednesday. A patriarch in appearance, he contemplated the orocedure of the Court with ineffable bewilderment. The industrial legislation of this land was too much for him (says the "Post"). In a temporary lull he rose, and exclaimed in broken English: "They tell mo to come, but I know not what I am here for." "Got somebody to appear for you," suggested the practical President. "He's blind, your Honour," added the Inspector of Factories.- "I.never sack a man for being union," mattered the old man; "I sack the man for being no good to mc." Tlie Court adjourned the case, and the blind man made his exit under the guidance of a boy.

The lonic, which arrived at Hcibart yesterday .from London, is bringing 662 passengers for New Zealand. A Tinwiru tobacconist. fcr his shop open after seven o'clock at night when it should have been closed at that hour, was yesterday fined £o and coats £1 Ss. The siaff of the Now Zealand Farmers" Co-operativo Association held their annual ball in tho Art Gallery last night. Tlie ball-room was prettily decorated for tho occasion. About 150 ooupkts were present, and they .spent an enjoyable time dancing to rausia t-iipplied by Fox's band. The Rev. H..L. F. Palmer asks us to correct some confusion in a report i whioh was furnislitd by him. and .appeared in yesterday's i._sue, ot a conference of Anglican clergy. Tho public meet ins to bo held in tho Chora! Hall -en September. 14th. on the Xolicense question, to be addressed by Anglican clc-rgym-en, is not the outcome qf that conference. The Choral Hall meeting was previously determined upen. ani-J was merely dkcussed at-rho coni forence. The deciding match for the HopkinsHolliss challenge shield (cards and billiards) between tho Lyttelton Club and Christchurch Cycling and Motor Clubwas played on Wednesday night, in the Lvttelton Club's rooms, and rosulted in a'win for the Lyttelton Club by 223 points at billiards and a draw (18 points each) at cards. In the first match m their rooms the C.C.M.C.. secured'a lead of 17 r>oints, and as tho possession of tho shield is decided on the aggregate for the two matches, the Lyttelton Club hold the shield for tho present year. After the match tbo visitors wero entertained in the club hall, the usual toasts wero honoured, and several songs were sung, principally by Mr D. Wyatt, to whom somo of his "Lyttelton Club admirers _ presented a smali token in recognition of his ability as an entertainer.

Ptrba/p3 it is a matter of taste, but most people prefer the outside ot the gaol to the inside of it. Not so with Ah Sing, however. Ah Sing, an eldeu-'y Chinaman, has baen frequently before tho Australian courts on minor chnrges, and says there is no place- like gaol. Ho was brought beibro the Bal-1-arat East magistrates last week on a formal charge of having insufficient means of support. It was explained that the accused, who had been abandoned by his countrymen, in consequence of their belief that ho possessed an evil spirit, would not remain in tho Benevolent Asylum. He preferred gaol, and ho was continually knookinig at the gaol gates for admission. The Bench sentenced) Ah Sing to 12 months' imprisonment, ar.d as h. was leaving the court under polioo escort, ho said, "Gaol velly good."

An exhibition of fruit-tree pruning was given yesterday afternoon at Mr A. Morton's orchard, Greers road, Papanui, by Mr W. J. Courtier, Inspector of orchards. There was an attendance of about one hundred, including several ladies, all of whom appeared keenly interested in the question of fruit growing. The orchard of Mr Merton is a fairly extensive one, and the demonstration was carried out on somo of tho Stunner Pippin trees. Mr Courtier explained the object of pruning, and how it was carried out to strengthen the trees and- produce tho fruit to tho best advantage. Tho trees operated on wero nine years old, and tho workmanlike manner in which tho pruning was done was watched with interest. Afteiwards -Mr Courtier answered a✓ large number of questions. He said a further exhibition would take place at Woolston in an orchard of old trees. At tho close ho was heartily thanked for his address. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Merton for his kindness in affording residents of the district ah opportunity to sec an exhibition of practical pruning.. There was an inference about an interjection at a. political meeting addressed by Mr \ William McLean on Tuesday evening that the Premier had been taken .to .task for appointing one of his'sotts to a' Government position (telegraphs the Wellington agent of the Press Association). Sir Joseph Ward has considered it necessary to call public attention to the actual position, and has written to Mr McLean in the following terms: —"September 2nd, 1908. Dear Mr McLean,—l notice that at your meeting last evening one of those present suggested that I had appointed one of my sons to the public service, which you were good enough to defend, and for which I thank, you. I shall be glad, however, if you will kindly state upon my authority at your next meeting that none of my sons, have been appointed to any position in the Government or public service, nor have any of them at any time received any moneys, directly or indirectly, from the Government for any services. lam also very happy to state that three of my sons, who nave arrived at the ace when it becomes necessary for them to make their own way in the world, long ago decided what their work in life should be, and that is not in any branch of the Government or public service.—(Signed) J. G. Ward."

Sailor men from a\l climes "drop in" at the Seamen's Mission, Wellington, during the course of a year, men with varied careers, who have not only been buffeted by storms at sea, but have experienced tbe stress asboro. In May last year a trimmer from tho steamer N'iwaru was a visitor to tho Mission during that vessel's stay in port (says the "New Zealand Times"). Tho previous year he had graduated from a theological seminary and started to work his way round the world. With less than two pounds in his pockets, he nailed from Now York in a sailing ship to -Melbourne. Leaving his vessel, he worked on a station, as ho describes it, "away back in the bush." Then ho tramped to Sydney working in the Salvation Army Shelter in Sydney, and .übseouentlv shipped on the Niwartt. From' England he went across to America, and is now -associate pastor ot a Baptist Church in West Virginia. Writing to the Missioner, the extrimmer says:—"A number of us from the ship had the privilege of attending an entertainment given by Mrs Wilson (I think that was tho name). In my imagination I can see her as-plainlv sitting on the platform as though I was attending the entertainment at this present moment. May God bless her. I never attended better concerts anywhere than you had in your hall."

In the Adelaide Supreme Court last week Alexander Joseph McDonald, met chant, tiading as McDonald and Company, at Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney." sued Sir Langdon Bonython, proprietor of the Adelaide "Advertiser," for libel, claiming £5000 damages Tho libel was contained in a telegram sent by the "Advertiser's" Melbourne correspondent of the "Ace." and published in the "Advertiser." in June, 190J 7 . It referred to plaintiff as heing now under the ban of the Customs authorities, who had placed his warehouse in quarantine in consequence of certain alleged evasions of Customs duties. Tho telegram furthei alleged that the matter having been brought under the notice of Sir William Lyne. Minister for Customs, that the account' books and documents had been removed to the Customs House, and examined, and said that whatever buri-nei-s is now done is conducted under the supervision of a Customs officer, who checks all. sales. It went on to state i —"A leport waa current in Flinders lane to-day. but was not officially confirmed, that on the sanu* day ft« the firm's premises were quarantined in Melbourne and Sydney, the New Zealand Customs authorities took similar action in connection with the Wellington office." The "Ago" had published these statements, but had apologised, and settled a writ of £5000 by pay'ng £300. The "Advertiser" did not apologise. The sum of £l-*>o d;»mnges was awarded against Sir Langdon Bonython.

At the Wellington Magistrate's «:3ourt yestetday, Robert Alexander Frost, chaxged vrith wifo dt«&irtit>n, was rerrwndcd to Csrri«tchureh.'' '

The Bootmakers", Engine-drivers, and Moulders' Unions in Dunedin have endorsed the resolution of tho Trades and Labour Conference relating to Nolicense, and the Carters', Slaughtermen's, Millers', and Range "Workers Unions have opposed the resolution.

Notice is given in last, night's "Gazette" of tho voluntary cancellation of the registration of ih-o Shifv masters' Associalion of New Zealand. Industrial Association of Workers, registered No 471, situated at \Vollin'- ;- ton.

At a meeting of the Trades and Labour Council at Duuedin last night, the following motion was carried:— '•That the sympathy.of the Council be to "the Canterbury Farm Labourers' Union in the position in which they have been placed owing to the arbitrary and high-handed action of the President of the Arbitration Court in refusing an award, and tho Council endorses the action of Mr J. A. McCullough in entering an emphatic protest against the decision of the Court."

According to a statement mado byMr H. Speight dairing his lecture in the Canterbury College Hall last owning, tho ccal rt-sourcos of tho Dominion «re not nearly r?o inexhaustible as its inhabitants * fondly imagine them to be. Tho estimattd quantity of coal in Xew Zealand is 500 million tons, but this, Mr iSpeight oxp!a.ir.<ed, if worked at the s>arm> rate as tho English mine*, would be exhausted in two-, years. At tho American rate of output it would bo exhausted in eighteen "months, as the American'output in 1006, alone, was 370 million tons.

Tlie six new trailers being built by Messrs Boon and Co., for tho Tramway Board, will be ready for use about the beginning of November. The trailers, which wore designed by tho engineer, Mr Scott-Symington, are of an entirely now pattern, and, when finished, will prove a very valuable addition to the BoaTd's rolling stock- The balloon loop line in the .Square- is only portly laid down,- the Board awaiting an Order-m-Council before it can complete the •ivo-rk. Tho engineer calculates that it will bo premie to fa* isn iJl .° lM> P.j; n four weeks', time from the time of the Government granting permission.

'•They tell us that a certain discontent is proper to us," said -Bishop Julius in his address at the laying_of the foundation stone at the new St. Luke's yesterday. "I suppose it is, even a certain pessimism. Iso doubt there is no progress made in the world except where wo are discontented with the present. Tho prohibitionist sees pulibc-houses everywhere; the criminal refo.-mer sees nothing but a multiplication of Lyttelton Gaols; tho Socialist sees nothing in the world but toding serfs. And we Christian men and women, we look round us and see unbenef, doubt, and indifference. But lam sure that the dwelling on the evils which .we have to fight won't help us to fignt. Thero must- ever come -behind sunshine of the living presence of God, and the assurance that in every worii for him wo are helping to carry oat His most blessed will."

.A large and influential deputation, ©(insisting of over thirty members of. Parliament, waited upon the Hon., R., McNab at Wellington last night in ord«r to urge the nocessitrv of increasing the inadequate salaries ,paid to land valuers (says a Press Association telegram). >The deputation pointed out that much extra work was now 'entailed upon land valuers by the Advances to-Settlers, Advances to Workers, and Land for Settlements Acts, and it was absolutely necessary to secure and-retain the services of the best: men. Mr. McNab, who expressed sympathy with the views uttered'by the deputation, said he had? already decided to place a. sum on the Supplementary .Estimates for an. lncreiwe in the salaries.of land valuere, and ; M hoped within, a year to grade these officere satisfactorily and JBx salaries for'them. ;-;. : "'...--:''-'•;■.'! •'■■'y'}-

Like most New Zealanders'who.visit. England, Mr J.. HJ Marriner, who. has just Teturned: from a visit to the Old, Countiy, was struck with tM exoeectmeagre information regarding New Zealand appearing Fjn the Home papers. An occasional few iittes are »I 1 that apoear.' Mr Marriner took with him a< nmnSer of lenterii issued, _hy the Tourist Department, and exhibited them on several occasions 'in North London. The audiences were much struck and greatly surprised .with these, appearing to beheveS that.we here are •living in.a somewhat uncivilised 3tate. Mr Marriner sajs thet h« travelled all over the and, there, as well as in- Enriand, except in the case of illustrated papers like the "Sketch" and the "Jllueljated London News," ho was struck with, the ; great superiority of Weekly Pi-esp" in the matter of v illustrationsto . oniinarx weeUy; illustrated, journals.. '-•'":.'■'_■' '•'."'". .'.■'•;■''■.

. A bazaar (the object of which is'-tb augment the. funds of ; the.■ Avoik Nolicense League) was opened isi tbel/ nwood Odd follow-' Hall, RoHeston sfcroat, by Mr T. E.: Taylor» yest«day afternoon. There was a crowded attendance both i n the ■af tomooßr and m the evem-. ing. and the stalK-holdois did very satisfactory business. The stalls wetre allotted as foiloTi-Bi-TFancy stall,-Wes-damra 'Wide., Herbert. M'sses Armstrong (2J, and Jack; doH statt, Misses iirefcheway, Wilsott, Jamieson aixl Goodwin- ; decornti-d yacht, Misses G-Jait-ville, Stofecs and Meechj fproduoe and kitchen stall, Misses Wicks, Tretheway and Pao-fcin; Clothing stall,' Mrs Owen and Miss Armstrong; enroots" stall, Mrs Nimmo, Misses Schumacher.',-.- and Wheatley; postcard s*aH, Mis* Ow<m; flowor stall,. M<rs Sbofees and Mies.Bor rows; refreshment room. Mesdamcs AYiken, (21, McLeod, Roberts and Buchanan, and Mi-a Roberts; aa-t gallery. Mr NichoUs; fish pond, Misses Wailts and Wheatley. A number of side shows were provided in the Lo\wood Hall (which is just adjacent to the Oddfellows' building), and were libsrally patronised, especially by the children. Th© bazaar, will he open to-night, and will be. brought to a oonclusioia- on Satwday evening.

• Tbe following letter has reached, the manager of tho Press Company from the Japanese Consul-General for Australasia :~"On the 10th November, 1904 (now nearly four years ago), my predecessor, Mr K. Iwasaki, wrote to you asking for a li«rfr of the names or tho individual subscribers of an amount forwarded by you, composed of contributions by 'readers of your morning paper. 'The Press,' towards the fund in aid of the Japanese sufferers in the then current war. From- the records in thi* Consulate-General, I find that the list ki udly supplied, by you was duly forwarded - to my Government, but no copy of it was kept. I have lately received from tho Governor of Tokio 97 letter* of thanks and 9 wooden sake cups, addressed evidently to these individual subscribers, but the names are written in Japanese characters, which makes it very difficult and, in some cases, impossible, to translate them again into English, which, with the exoeotion of the name of tho town 'Christchurch.' there are no addresses. May I ask if, by good fortune, you hay© keot a copy of the list of names and addresses wnicb you forwarded ta Mr Iwasaki, and, if so, whether I might trouble you for a copy of it, a* I am most' anxious that the letters of acknowledgment and couvenirs which have been forwarded to mc should reach their proper destination." Wo would be obliged if the subscribers to the fund would furnish us with their names «nd addresses to enable us to m_ke up the list asked for by the Consul-GeneraL

:The Auckland Trades and Council endorsed the resolution of Christchurch Council, asking for* th«J rem6val of Mr Justice Sim from tlur' Arbitration Court bench. >•' Tlie interior of the Alexandra Ba3l is in course of re-decoration, which when' complete will look very handsome. Tim colour scheme is terra cotta and green? the wall shields being in the former ' and the pilasters in the. latter colour!-------jA frieze will complete the decoration A At a meeting of the Methodist Co*. ferenco Committee on Temperance and Public Morals at Dunedin yesterday H was decided io send a circular man}, festo to all Methodist congregation* urging the importance of having natoS >.■' placed on the rolls, and recording their» ' votes for No-license on the day of tWv pell. ". ■ - Members of the Christchurch SavasseA Club leave for Wellington Up '. the purpose, of giving a korero on Sat- 4 urday evening to the hapu in \VelHnji--ton at the Town Hall. Tho cSair trill - be occupied by Savago bis Excellency > tho Governor, who is tho chief of the -_ Christchurch Savage Club. It is ex-f pected about thirty members frora, | Christchurch will proceed to Welling-,! ton, and the programme for tho cven*s ing will be furnished by tho -jf.Tho Kaiapoi Volunteer Drill Half -1' 60ft by 100 ft, which was erected in ■) 183."., is now found too smail for th«-M popular socials which tho volunteers itiated and which havo been taken.upi:l by other bodies. A propositi is mnrlj being: made to enlarge the halt by tak-1§ ing out .of the building two or three'".? ante-rooma and the erecting of a front' which would provido accommodation for.' side rooms..and over these alafgoKJota - (60ft by 20ft); whila another suggestion made is to erect a room of the latter.-.'. dimensions as an addition to the rear ef ;. tho hall, to be used as a refre-shmeut % room when socials are being tbe? hall. The funds for erecting the build- .> int? wore raised by means of alaiidi bazaar. .-_.-;:,_ ■::•'"-;i* A good number of officials from: thVivorious places in tho Greendal. Circuit v were present at the quarterly meeting.» of tho Primitive Methodist Church, I held in Wadaingion on Monday last, sA number of new church members were | aaued. A vote baring been taken iti-"i the several churches onrtbc njatter, it-'-$ was decided to use individual cups at all Communion somceaiui the' future.■"•-» Representatives to the forthcomingjlis-.; trict Synod were The Re?:» 4 B. Dudley waa invited to ; continue htapS ministry in tho circuit for a fourthfs year, and on being notified that: there"! were no dissentients in the voting, '-'.ujM agreed to remain. This business mee{i|i) in«r -svas followed by a social te»ahd'S piibliq meeting....... -. '■■ -yysyy On . Wednesday a start with the'laying of the vrator pipes along Colombo "road ;frffipj|. the. pumping; station towards (servoir. About fifty men are at <sss£& ent engaged on the work, but aiwtls&rs gang will he required in a when tho pipe-laying will\bo* ed from the pumping station the city. Tho balance of the ea«-iKH_]° ; pipes required for the riving from England by the" loiiic/on*. September 10th, and thetWaiiganm Srural Pipe Company pleted their contract for pipes. It is deliveries of pipes a«"; several,' gang* - at"i work: I reticulation may early a date A ef poi Football Qubwiuii Mid poi Drill Hall op rWfdnwday e e]F|fii»nfe|| Mr. 6; H.BlackweU^preudeM^ijn..the •% .chair.:., wellL in ! prt^ing^Karidrj^^Outep and Boating,"'referred ail were ;much indebted Roll; secretary of the Pftr|#m*iit«j^| for their Bnceess. Members of the I Messrs-J;' The Chairman,;in r 'proving?:. of -..?The/Guest ferred to't.Mrßoll's tic ; semc_> in J sports ofciootball?aid )-£s^£^Wm efforts. said all in the town regre^.^;JWMl removal to Christchureh.* *na; : /!»»;'*fi|| half of pr> with ii large travelling «< »maiottjiJ)f|l|| whiiih waa inscribed vices*rendered." President's' Cup Teami and : 'tber;misip Coach, Mr'TumhuHV ,wem ceived,; and the coach with a/base, of; pipes. ; ;^;-. :^^M^^B .A_herw»R"'sritkw - mej .harbou* during -i;-i^-^S!*rM^|^a ; fleet; -man, > Le»:^L_.-^»^y < '|^^ ,l«igmgstQ-: t^\<3«wgi^^^»n|i^ oihlni's leng-h of. M* .^i-^^?_fM! ■.mua!l; :^tru^:.the;fraiJ : ;o!B^^ i£d ,ekpmred:it. i^B^Jm^moM 'was-iouitdl floatfflg ; body wiU' ,!>_. tdDaa : .,-fo,^^^||»| Jama .off'one .llooroooioo, In~.th« latter.oa»;vit'. : a' device. by. ar.riiaii' who-was'. in,'. •*r© o?n» of tBo,-'ba«fcßlnK-^ ; *««m|^ the xwwe of into' '■ the ■ water from -,iB;- : but stripping to.a coa_ t"^^ ed next rflorhmg' ma-: ditioii, afber cumstonces the reverse ''iW ; ;Wio»*J|^^^ : ;T!»re..a»..ow»siM_|7=*l&^ uew-spaper .reporter ~fr\«l>hiß.s^«»«^«. ■ ;'ri»'^P«2^^^^^ ■ oares' of - lawiii«."nfi^^^??^BS%jffl^ and-- jn<wni-al-'jsqpeech .Vf;^^.*W?S|ffl2J^ or to the haughty and ;.i^a|l"n«|*.| mandates'of _Sfltekeepers'.,Mte#«»Mi ma ehrad of autborftyi^^»»p jcntionabte *h» whole ■ ech^^^^gfeS Such a mood; 101 l -upon. .■Byjt^BVBV^M tho ■ FuU Oourt :: at Sydn^4a*ili|i|i (saj« the "DaJh/ . Tole^i**7^«l^ time when -throe )»m^eimSt^^WM focussing their ntrada oil some .S*.*^||s law. A. kiM*ty. !^iSßtkm?-luidC|i «!NW before their Honours,;and^tbeja^^ ecanhing "a silence, when thero rose *.*• -:^?^B. whistling from the pres_-tahK.*o«fS i hard-faoed person was ' ;^*«&^"nStSi|g Hps, and piping out, all ta^f^^Sms "I -wouldn't leavo my WlM>iwcd«te|» for you." It was a momentary■s»ra^ I and the whistkar waa 'qniel^.'WoM^ i back to' earth. About : i*niVec&&gm j"Hush!" w_th . tho .-siidd^neaa ,<&*m P««ffl»sn^ i the table looked furtively:■fc^.flpgS. Wav, and' liarristora hid *^^-.^£Sil ra*smen-i in the folds of:-; th^^J> l | gowns. The usher nearly woke. np/«PKy two tipptaffs. started ;^Ms|p rieevce. up in. case there ;W^.^;*s«^S i Thr- offender suddenly becopJUlS^«?¥?;,j that the air had: died; or'iKtJ?^?^ for«-» of Nature. w«ro g*ther**l?na^ft: an electric outbreak, cut -iho:-■%&&&% ! melody* in half and Jooked-..i*«r;.7«|3^ : flash be read his:bff«<*.'-and.>-.wn««"^ his eyes to where their Hot»uraJ*fe^ Hi 3 neck scsemed to creak v omro-»«%?p ! he gazed up to whetf* tho Chief Jb^.; w*» feeling about for wmetlnng WSp-' apparently wanted with great i«Pt«^rlo the wnktling Jim it s«oi)«Wi va. his black oap. but it i authority—a bis, a w»r.; I Nor did h» B-raour ,^™*^^r I weighed it in hJs hand, Icolwd^i^r i man who had been whisUmgabflflft^v jladv for whom ho wouldnli Jc?W&g»> 1 little woedpn hut, and -waiied^-^w.^^;/;; "n sure tip," and the V**WW3n£? his head and lislenod c^W'^^^ young barri*rt-?r who wa:i;<*SM^i-^*. : .^ streams of light with his J &&W^i;'£&

Thirteen births, four marriages, and four deaths were registered at Lyttelton during August.

A special meeting of the City Council will bo held on Monday evening nest, at 7.39. to consider tho estimates

Examinations for officers' commissions were held on Wednesday in this city t_rd*-r the supervision of Captain Potter, A.A.G., and at Timaru under the supervision of Captain '■". McGce.

Before Mr Justice Denniston, sitting in chambers on Wednesday, letters or administration wero granted in tho estate of Laning Coaic.s, of Philadelphia. I'-S.A., deceased, on the application of Mr Hunter.

The Now Zealand Telegraph Department has been advisi-d by tho British Telegraph Department that, owing to tho great- gales in England, and to much damage having been dono to the telegraph lines, traffic to tho North and South-west of England, South Wales, tho Channel Islands, Scotland, and Ireland is being considerably delayed.

In Hastings, at about ten o'clock on Wednesday night (says a Press Association telegram), a person unknown made a deliberate attempt to burn Hickoy's boarding-house by placing shavings under the building and setting lire to them. Fortunately the inmates heard tho noise and were able to rako out the burning rubbish before tho building became ignited. It is stated that the detectives have a clue which is sufficient to lead to an arrest.

A very generous offer has been received by tho Old Colonists' Association from one of the photographers of the city. The offer is to photograph all the members of the Association free of charga, the pictures to bo placed in an album in tho Association rooms witli the name, date of arrival, and name of ship. The same gentleman has also forwarded a very fine selection of photos of the representatives of the first four ships, taken at Jubilee time.

Tho Auckland Slaughtermen's Union has passed resolutions complimenting the Minister for Labour on the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill, expressing satisfaction with the administration of tho Arbitration Court under Mr Justice Sim, disapproval of the Wellington bakers' strike as being illadvisod and unjustified, and expressing a determination to support the Government in the administration of the labour laws in fairness to all concerned or in their repeal. The Union urges moro temperate allegiance to these laws and their administration.

The Rev. H. L. F. Palmer addressed a meeting at New Brighton last night at the Kia Ora Tea Rooms. The Rev. H. T. Pnrchas occum'ed tho chair. The subject was "The Claims of Humanity versus the Claims of tho Liquor Trade." Tito lecture was illustrated by lantern views, Mr R. Bargrovo manipulating the lantern. The lecturer stated that £3,600,000 was spent last year in' New Zealand in drink, and that number of sovereigns, if placed side by side, would reach from Christchurch to Dutisandel railway station and back again, a distance of fifty miles. If placed one on top of tho other they.would reach 3J miles in height; that was as high as Mount Egmont placed on Mount Cook. In weight they would turn the scale -at 28 tons 6 cwt. Tho Waihi mine produced one -ton of gold per year, and would have to work for 29 years to [iroduee the gold consumed in drink ast year in tho Dominion. Mr Kettle, S.M., gave his reserved decision in the Auckland Court yesterday in an action brought by Wilson, a machinist, against . Wick and Sons, timber merchants. Wilson, while employed in Christchurch in May last, was offered employment by defendants, and telegraphed, accepting at £3 10s _ per week, providing ho was given a constant job. Defendants telegraphed: "Come immediately, £3 10s, constant." On July 31st defendants informed Wilson that he could not be kept in their service any longer at £3 10s per .week, but they offered him £3, which he refused to accept. Tho Magistrate said the question to be determined' was what was reasonable notice. If plaintiff could havo remained in defendant's employ at £3 per week, ho should havo done so until he got other employment, and if it could be proved he had that option, the damages would bo reduced accordingly. Ho (Mr Kettle) would take evidence on this point. .-" Probably the next sensation Auckland wiUhavo is a visit from the only Rua, who recently favoured the capital with his presence for a short period (sa3'3 tho "New Zealand Herald"). The hairy chief of the Urowera knew ,too much to como to tho northern city during Fleet Week, when ho would have received only a divided attention 'at most. Coming in the dull time between the fleet and Christmas, Rua will bask in the limelight of publicity that ho apparently loves, and he and his picturesque following will he sure to attract plenty of notice wherever they go. Rua's fame has even spread . across to Australia,, and for some time, past accounts more vivid than accurate havo been published by a section of the . Press thero of his "maTiietic influence." his wealth, and his wives. Recently, • also, a London paper had a good deM to say about him. If tho prophet chief keeps in touch with a "newspaper clippings" agency, as somo great men do, he may by this time be suffering from tho complaint vulgarly knoivn '. as "swelled nead," so much newspaper space has he commanded. Tho actual date of his visit to Auckland has not yet been fixed, but there is no doubt that Auokland will bo notified in plenty of time to mako proper arrangements for his reception. • Tho fortnightly general meeting of the Fabian Society was held on Wednesday when the "basis" of tho London Society was, with one slight addition, adopted. Mrs E. W. Cunniugton gave a short address, on "The Uses of the Fabian Society at Home and here.". She said that tho use of the Society at Home was to.bring-the highest verdict and soundest Socialistic , principles into the political, economic, . and social life of England. To ensure this the Society had called into service ■ some of the leadinn men and women in evervjield of intellectual activity, who had by lectures, publications, and social gatherings assisted the cause. Mrs Sidney Webb had well summed up the faith of tho Fabian Society under four headings, namely :~<l, Indisnation at existing social, - economic, and industrial conditions; (2) desire for improvement; (3 i hope, by closo observation of these conditions, that a better state is possible ; t-t) determination—tho result of increasing knowledge—that improved conditions shall come. The obstructions to Socialism in the Old Country appeared to Mrs Cuniuiisjtoivs observations to be the scorn of the aristocracy, the apathy and anger of the upper middle class, the timidity and nervousness of the lower middle" class, and the ignorance, suspicion, and indifference of tbo poor. The speaker maintained that the nses of the Society in Christchurch would be .exactly tho same, as in England, and i"i? objects were to bo attained by education in political, economic, and industrial questions, and that its final goal was social cohesion. Eugene Spits and Co., Ltd., Ladies' Taijors.—Tailor-made Cestumos, Driving Coats, Motoring Coats. Riding Habits a speciality. 198 Cashel Street (Whitoombe and Tombs' Buildings). 6 Eyestrain. Headaches.—Ernest M. Sandstein, F.S.M.C., D.8.0.A., London, Consulting Optician, may bo consulted on all- cases of defective eyesight. Fifteen years' special study and experience. Latest methods and instruments. Consulting rooms, Cashel street W. (next Ballantyne's). Hours. 9.30 to 5.30. Telephone 307, f*

Boys' All-wool Stockings 6cl, larg-. sizes Hid. Galatea Straw' Hats. 5s lid for Is lid, 2s 3d for 9d.. Every line cut down at Armstrong's Sale. . 6

Spring cleaning. For best value in hrushware and all requirements for Spring cleaning ring up Two-one-nought-three "(Hastie, Bull and Pickering, Ltd., oppos-ito Ballantyne's). Scrub brushes from sixpence each, banister brushes sixpence upwards, skirting brooms, extension-handle dusting brushes, carpet sweepers, buckets, etc. at lowest prices consistent with quality. G A pleasing show of Spring Fashions is made to-day at the D.I.C. tern porary showrooms. Novelties, both ready to wear and unmade, reflect the unquestionable care and good taste displayed by the company's buyers. A special feature of the D.I.C. first Spring Show is tho moderate price at which each dainty fashion is offered. The management invites inspection, reminding visitors that no customer is pressed to purchase at the D.I.C - Simplo ideas, if patented, often bring tortunes. Consult Henry Hughes, patent agent,. 183 Hereford street (opp. United Service Hotel). Consultations free 0 '"Mrs D and I would like to say thit we greatly appreciated tho way in whioh our furniture removal was conducted. Tho efficiency ajid civility of the men so impressed us that wo both believe them to be the finest type oi workmen we have been associated with in any of our removals."— (Signed) W. G. D. Extract from letter addressed to the N.Z. Express Company, Ltd. -t Purchasers of Sutton's seeds aro e_utioned that they can only be obtained in Canterbury through authorised agents. List at our ofiice. Sutton and Sons. 6