NEWS OF THE DAY.

A short story of Bully Hayes on the Otago goldfields appears in '"The Weekly Press" which appears this morning, and offers a vivid pictlire of the "diggings" of 1863. Also of exceptional merit is "The Need of Change," which records the impressions of an American in an Engl—li country house, and in the hands, for the first time, of a valet. A recommendation by the By-laws Committee that the new street running between Hereford and .Cashel streets should be named "Liverpool street" was approved of by tho City Council at last night's meeting. Frank Johnstone, a recent arrival in Wellington, and formerly employed in the Kaitangata coal mine, was assaulted by two men in Court-nay place and kicked in tho head. He was unconscious for nearly an hour. Ho is now in the hospital. The assailants escaped. The subject of the removal of the Godley statue from the Square to another site will be considered at the next meeting of the City Council. At last night's meeting Cr. Gapes gave notice to move thai\ the statue should be removed to a more suitable site in the reserve adjoining- the Council Chamber. Plans for the erection of a Sports Hall b| Armagh street and a building in Gloucester street for the exhibition of West's Pictures have been submitted to the By-laws Committee of the City Council for approval.' The committee reported last night that sufficient exits having been arranged for, it had been decided to grant permission to erect the buildings subject to the building bylaws being complied with.

Mr W. B. Denton writes pointing out that the statement attributed to him during his evidence before the Arbitration Court in the saddlers' dispute, that the majority of those employed in the bag-making branch of the trade received Is an hour is not correct. Mr Denton adds that he stated at the hearing that the saddlery branch of the business had decreased during the last six years.

The By-laws Committee of tbe City Council proposes to put the work of renumbering honses in the city in hand as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. The committee recommended the City Council last night that the decision of the Council to re-num-ber the houses at the public cost should only apply to those houses which wero already numbered, houses which were not numbered to be done at the expense of the occupier or owner, as provided in the by-laws; numbers, as far as practicable, to be fixed to gate-posts. The recommendation was aoi—oved of.

In the Farmer pages of "The Weekly Press" this week is an ecitorial aiticlo on "The Wool Market," which i« also dealt with by special letter from Bradford. There are notes by "Korari" on "Improving Cow Pastures"; "Toya Bean Meal." and "Salt for Mangels." Artides by Dr. Hilgendorf on "Some Fodder Plants for ■Second-class Land" and "The Turnip" by H. A. Knight, are taken from the

"Canterbury Agricultural College Magazine," and there is also a paper by Mr Gillanders, manager of the Moemahaki Experimental Farm, on "Feed for Dairy Cows." Correspondents' letters are from Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, and Southlands There are several columns of rural, stock, and dairy notes, the usual market reports, and a quantity of late commercial news.

Apparently a better time is ahead for tho local timber industry (telegraphs our Greymouth correspondent). 'There are orders to hand for timber to occupy eight tri">s of the steamer D—end— from Hokitika.

The following is the list of stock slaughtered and carcases condemned at the Christchurch aoattoir during June:—Cattle. r>6* slaughtered, 14 condemned ; sheep. 11,999 and 6; lambs, Sl_ and nil; pigs 631 and 1; calves, 170 and nil.

The Kniapni Band Contest Committee have roceuved tho followin_ entries -for the contest to be held in that town: Timaru Marino, Lyttelton Marine, Ashburton County, Ashburton_ Temperance, Elite. Stanmore, and Kaia.oi BraBand— The entries are considered by the committee to bo very satisfactory.

The City Council, acting on the recommendation of the Sydenham Water Supply Committee, decided to advertise lor sale the debenture— for the Sydenham Ward No. 3 Waterworks Loan of £—iOO. It was also resolved to make application to the Government for the Beckenliam-Fisherton Waterworks Loan of £3000.

During the voyage of tho Union Steam Shin Company's Ma.rama to Vancouver, a concert was given on the ship, and at the instance of tho Press delegates who were on board, a collection was taken up for the benefit of the New Zealand Shimvreck Relief Society. The sum of £10 wns realised, and a cheque for this amount readied Mr Wilson, secretary to the Society, at Dunedin yestcrdav.

The secretary of tho City and Suburban Burgesses' Association wrote to the City Council last night on behalf of Falsgrave street residents, asking the Council to take measures which would relieve the locality from the massing of the storm water which occurs at present during periods of heavy rain. The letter was referred to the Works Committee.

Tho engineer's report of the working of the Wellington electric trams for the year_ ended March 31st last state— that 21,679,902 passengers were carried, being 1,374,179 more than during the previous twelve months. The gross revenue was £130,436 (an increase of £11,425*, traffic revenue £128,832 (an increase of £10,226), working expenses £91,672 (nn increase of £8834), excess of revenue ov*— expenses £44.764 (an increase of £2591) -."net surplus £5934 (an increaso of £366).

The proposed tramway extension along Windmill road, recently authorised by the ratepayers, which was to be put in hand shortly, may have to be delayed or the route changed, for at the meeting of the City Council last night the Works Committee recommended that the Tramway Board be notified that the Council would strongly object to a tramline being laid in Windmill road until tbo said street was widened between Moorhouse avenue and Haze Mean road to the same width as south of Hazeldean road.

At the monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town Board a motion to increase the charges for the hire of the Town Hall was carried. It was decided to approve of tbe resolution passed by the Amuri County Council regarding Hospital and Charitable Aid expenditure. The Chairman (Mr E. G. Hubbard) reported that he had interviewed an elesctrical engineer, and had found electric light for the township was too expensive for further consideration. It was resolved that the chairman call a meeting of ratepayers to sanction the raising of a loan for lighting the township with acetylene gas.

While the last electric car to Sockburn was journeying towards its destination one night recently, a couple of male passengers in the saloon of the car became involved in a heated argument. After they had hurled invective and the retort discourteous at each other for some time, one of them, tiring of parliamentary and unparliamentary language as a means of venting his wrath, laid violent hands on his adversary and pushed him through the window of the door, the result being that tho floor was covered with fragments of glass and the man's head slightly cut.

At the annual meeting of the New _ea Times Company, Limited, the shareholders unanimously adopted a proposal for the issue of an additional £50,000 worth of ordinary shares. The directors (says a Press Association message) reported that the preliminaries for the flotation had already been arranged for. The bulk of the new shares had been disposed of. and there were indications that the remainder would shortly be taken up. Reference, was made in the annual report to the encouraging support the "Times" was receiving under its present management, and complimentary allusions were made to the work of tbe various staffs.

At the conference of delegates held in Timaru on Saturday last to consider the appointment of an agricultural instructor for -South Canterbury, Dr. Hilgendorf, who was present by invitation, emohasised the value of knowing the kind of grain best suited to different Boils. Many farmers, he said, were content to go on growing the old kinds of wheat year after year, though it had been proved conclusively that the comparatively new wheat, known as Bordier, yielded better than any other, and al _ays brought at least 6d per bushel more. He added that a farmer at Rakaia last season who had a crop of Bordier wheat, solit all before "it was cut, at 4s Gd per bushel.

The question of the speed of tramcars was referred to ia a report presented by the By-laws Committee to _•& City Council last night. The report stated that the committeo had been requested by the police to render assistance in prosecutions for driving tramcars at excessive speed, which had been the cause of several accidents. Tbe committee did not feel indined to prosecute the Tramway Board's employees without warning, so instructed the Town Clerk to write to the Board informing it of the complaint*, and stating that unless the conditions of the Orders in Council were strictly observed the Council would support the police in prosecutions for breachthereof. The Board's attention was also drawn to the annoyance which was still caused by tramcars being left standing on the west side of Cathedral square. The report was adopted.

The Lyttelton Borough Council met last night. Present—The Mayor (Mr Colin Cook), Crs. F. J. Page, W. Radcliffe, C. Hollis, W_ T. Foster, M. J. Miller, F. W. Anderson, J. H. Collins, S. It. Webb, and N. C. Schumacher, lhe District Health Officer wrote regarding certain dwelling-houses in the borough, some of which he condemned outright, while in the case of others he recommended cert—in re__irs. The letters regarding the condemned houses were referred to the Sanitary Committee, with power to act, and in the case of the others it was decided to (take the necessary steps to see that the recommendations of the Health Officer were carried out. Cr. S. R. Webb moved, in accordance with notice:— "That a legal opinion shotild be obtained as to _10 legality of the action of the Council in passing a motion of censure at a meeting held fourteen days after the alleged offence took. place." Cr. Foster seconded the motion. Cr. Hollis said that in future the Council would know what course to pursue in a matter of this sort. He held that thero was no necessity for the Council to obtain a legal opinion on the matter. The Mayor said be did not think it would be proper to get a legal opinion from their servants. There was nothing in the standing orders to specify the time within which n motion of censure should be passed. After Cr. Webb had replied, the motion was put and lost by seven votes to three.

At Gisborne, yesterday, .___.'■;_ Henry Norcross. butcher, was __3_ ij with having failed to keep II books, also with contracting debfc __T-"__ out reasonable expect—tion of h-_ __• pay them. H. wm _JgjJ£ During Jnne forty building »»■*,_.* have been issued by the City representing a building valn» , _ ~ £14.820. Details are a S fifi, .* "' Central Ward. 10, value £3l_. s„" " enham Ward. 3. value £4180- St « ' bans Ward, 14, value £**_So;*____"' Ward. S, value £1880. ' " B * oß * Tlie annual ball in conn-tion withe Star of Ellesmere "fi Orange Lodge, took nl_ Pe^ I ?J the Leeston Town Hall on T_J2 day night. There was a larg» _" tendance, and a very enjoyable t__ was spent. The music was sunpli«i?J '%k a Lee-on orchestra. * _f, A concert and dance was civen - ■" the Domett Goods Shed last Fn*_y 2 I aid of the prisse fund of the Dor_2 ■ School. There was a large audita*? fl Tlie following contributed —-(a- _ Mesdames Denton and Tanner, Mis__ _ Hedgman, Armstrong, Bord__ __" _ Haughey, and Messrs WestLarf I Puschel, Murgatroyd. and Haughe-y ' _

The Cambridge Terrace Band, of Hope held their monthly meetin- „„ Thursday last, tlie Rev. _. _«•>__--_ being in tho chair. There was a ]».»__ attendance. Items were given b» Misses M. Stringer, Robertson, Xu_? Rattray, McCansland, and Mr "VSTM*! ham. A recitation competition -«_ won by Gladys Lame, with P. Strin__ second. ■

Tlie first five tracks of timber far the Waiau bridge arrived at ____ last Saturday. Mr T. Sullivan templates erecting a boarding-Jiojij* near the site of tlie bridge for tb_ _, commodation of the workers. Th&tv are also to be erected at Spotswxx" _ the near future a Public Hall (a _v for which has been obtained from $» Lands Department), and a bitl'inj saloon.

Z—lV— 11. ,* The first meeting of creditors; tf John Raven, of Springs—n, was held at the Official Assigneo'i uf' fic_ yesterday, when four C—ditmi were present. Tho bankrupt's mtfo ment showed unsecured ciedite-*>jß_ lis 3d, stock-in-trade £5*3 loa■ si"j_-_ book debts £10, the dcficionc-fyjJiW £47 15s lOd. The principal ■_(___[ were: A. G. Raven £60, W. l_csim. J and Co. £24 19s 9d, and Butkr »«,, | £18. Mr A. G. Raven, brother of _■.]"( bankrupt, offered to purchase the «*. ; tato for 10s in tho £1, and the oft was accepted. *" ' At the Magistrate's Coii— &-' Dunedin yesterday, seven p_rst-e_ " wero charged that, having p_, their fares on the railway fte_ j Dunedin to Burnside, they did not qhH 1 the carriage on arriving at taw ■'■ destination, but went to Abbo-fowL | = mile further on. The Departm-it-|jH ing reason to suspect the practice •"■$ \! being carried on (says a Press __;.- ciation message), a special check-wEf* made, with the result that se_bE« people were found overriding _jps destinations. All of those *_—$"•_ pleaded guilty. Two were fined —|'- ; the other cases were adjourned &£ 1 evidence. -.'i An application 1 from one of the makariri River Board's tenants to.e_» n three crops off his land during ,j«4»'v seven years' currency of his le_e, 1 _|if." objected to by Mr W. H. Coo the meeting of the Board jtstetfcfafternoon, on the ground granting of the application vri !_.}* followed by similar applications _»- other tenants. It was j»_te_ OfjV--. that the Board absoluiftV discretion as to _ hetb^p9rmi_ion fw*. cropping should be 'gpren, and if ao _", what terms. Each application im"considered on its m-ite, no preced-_' being established that cropping riglljhshouTd be g—inted at will. In the ■&»' under discussion tlie Board decided te grant the application. ,_ ih~ Another instance of the us-ulnS* of the little owls recently int—dww by the Ac-climat-isation Society MgwiL, by the Otago president of the so-jgfc£ (Mr R. <—ii_.ol_). Tho sparrows wg become an intolerable nuisance in » garden and fowl run. He reoe_f:er—ted an aviary for some gokw pheasants, but their Geed was _-*■—«— by the little pests in an inc-diH*r ■ short time. One of the little owl*-—! : placed in the aviary with most s*ijjt-. factory results (says the "Otago Daflf Times"), and after that day n- WC? sparrow has been seen either hrt_aviary or the fowl run, and temftseth ■ tively few anywhere in the gar_«_,|;; Although the phenomenon has Mtf \ known for many years,' still puzzled to account for a -*— accompanied' by earth tremors, •_—]!-_ heard at irregular intervals frofflj _£- heart of the bush up the Awarea &9&k: at the back of To tar ami i, in the.NfJf;son provinoe (pays the "Mail"}, ftflt'Awaroa the sound appears to be —■-%'- ---but it -arises seaward when ono._ »--; "Canaan." For.months at a ——*__*' is not heard, and then it bre*_ #», again. It was heard a week ago, wLearth -tremor_ were felt by Mr Bl§f_|■:.! a settler- at Awaroa, an_ ot hat*, ~ wg?j the sound has been reported as &***»_ been distinguished 20 miles at % *_R_J The origin of the booming _ pw»irt__oeither due to vokatiic action,. -Jp r t ! "blowholes" caused by a rift «'_§_£] earth letting in the. sea. these "blowholes" are found some mlfe"j inland. : . - #?, \ .... - . . —___$_

A ball was held in the Kaiapoi vw_feteer Drill Hall last evening in tion of the jubilee of the _un_twfl#3= the Southern Cross Masonic Jf?ft'' The hall was elaborately decor- Ud/W f was lit for the first time with P&W& very convenient arrangement w_ __!fe for supper and refreshmen- : turning off a part of the large the orderly-room hitherto used purpose was converted into a dr-g__j|f<' room. From eighty to ono ht__nfi-5 ladies and gentlemen were P Wi ?--]__ The latter were mainly members «.•_■ "*■' craft, and appeared in ',t_> 4«ij •! honoured insignia of Free and Accepfg" Masons. Thero were repre_ntetiv"*Jß," the Grand Lodge and visiting &*-__> present. It was only on Sat— rday tag , it became definitely known thai S"*-"-Sublic engagements of* Lord Pliw*_/, rand Master of the Dommion. wop*; preclude his being present. TmJP'i rangemen_ made by Bros. J. St— W T .M., and his officers, were very con*"" plete. 'St M Very rarely indeed does an Bishop exercise, his power of veto **J|-J meeting of synod (says the "Post"). Synod is comoosed of -«•;* "houses": the Clergy, the .-— the Bishop him-If. When **___*_P°?_-v tion is brought forward in sy_—, J* ' must be agreed to by all three bWMjHT _• at all event, by a majority. * n ._j_'Anglican Synod a long debate***/ place on a proposal to devote portlg" of the church acre in Wan_»oot s*commercial purposes, the idea to*£J? "- :- build with the revenue derived «*j__\ from a church more in keeping *W the needs of the parish. It *H*_S_j *- that many years ago soldiers, who **? " J in tho defence of their country, *Jr ■ others, were interred in tbe g liut most of the graves have -»_ «*j* lost any trace of care that may »■*■ - been originally bestowed on them- v**! speaker declared that the trustees «.. the land had given authority Jo* -5 < right-of-way through the ground, «j5» that when a fence was being **f_ and pestholes were being dug, • wm *J_i wero found. He urged that it »«"» be more in keeping with the nt _?js ■* things to have tho remains i* l exhumed and re-interred in the P-J™f " cemetery. The laity and the C J**&l by an overwhelming majority, a PK?_£ the suggested course, but B_hop «*C vetoed the decision. He didt**> -fj said, with very great pain, Dl P._Vf - ( pointed out that there was the Jj&tt* appeal to general synod. In t_> "_j y fourteen years the Bishop has exe-* - **_- - his power of veto only four tunei»

1""~T-+--n Harbour Board has So tL Marine Department T****"- the regulations regarding ' * f ?«n_ other boats in harbours. * « Thicker said last evening that jjr. 1 nacser -** from t he I work'in factories ;' Fourth ."* u ™*_ B ma chines. "That J tt_ii_akariri.''. _. nrizes awarded in connection ■_V Industries Week schoo essay nitb the -»•""•?,. . pre—nt<d by Mr ft r ;Jpn-S of Canterbury College, in l^Sn-a°H.U to-morrow night. . *__. large number of stray ,do» m ~- Greets was mentioned by Cr. *• V * it the meeting of the City W fast nigh, »n3 on his motion decided to instruct the m?o collect and destroy such meeting, called by the Mayor - 'L _o.Sof the Canterbury Branch '. * MS'onal Defence League, will ' -held in the Choral Hall to-morrow Iht to discuss the German naval ex- , Son and the question ot local de- -". *Br Thacker. speaking at the meeti._ in Mr Hornibrook's gymnasium _f Sen ng. said that he disagreed with StE. Taylor in regard to one im ; _r_nt Point. "I am still in hopes, ' fSS, we will get him to take J«£_ of wine some day." Whereat was n- uch lau^-iter. At the close of the meeting of the OtV Council last ni_ht, Cr. Cooper an--rSnctd his resignation from tho fittoir Committee. A motion was , w_ried unanimously asking Cr. Cooner Tre-i-ider his decision, but Cr. ' CNper replied that he could not do so . & iMe was appointed to fill the Tt*flincy on the committee. N " The Orcan Committee reported to the ritv Council last night that as- the l___ attendance at the recitals showed Sit they were highly appreciated, it _$ been decided to give forty during Se year (including the eleven already Siren).' - and a sub-committee had been f fnpointed to make the necessary ar-aige-en-. The Council adopted the IH**** •The City and Suburban Burgesses " . issociation forwarded a letter to the Qtf Council last night covering the yfo—ng resolution, adopted' at a re'«nt meeting of the Executive: —"That jo'hrder to minimise the temptation to i.-IWiftmg, this Association respect- ' fully asks th? City Council to prohibit ' tint exposnre of goods in tho doorways s_l outside the windows of shop. - Tie letter was referred to the By-laws , Committee. Dr. Hilgendorf, speaking at a con- • ft-ren- of delegates in Timaru, on ** Saturday last, said that farming was le_ profitable now than it had been, and that many farmers would be better off if they sold their holdings and •put their money out at interest. It '■ should, he said, be the aim to alter this state of affairs, and one very good "• fay to &o li would De by the appoint- - nt of agricultural instruct-rs, who * wo uld show, farmers how to treat the ' soil properly and get more out of it. The meeting of business men to be held at the Chamber of Commerce this - afternoon for the purpose of discussing "tie question of naval defence will be full of intorest,in view of the fact that ; the Imperial Defence Conference will s meet in London this* month. The ' *«p_i-— will be the..—cv. B. Eliot ■<■- Chanil-rs (late R.N.), tlie Hon. H. F. •Wigram, M.L.C.. —r'H. J. Marriner, t' 'president of the Canterbury Chamber of . 'Commerce, and the Horf. G. J. Smith, •JI.L.C. ' r *' The question of insurance rates was j- Bjentioned-by Cr. Cooper'at the meett .rag of the City Council last night. He -' complained that although the City had V- a pressuro water supply yet the '„ ref_ were not adjusted accordingly, and the insurance companies now pro* p*-—d to increase those rates. The Mayor replied that the city was'in-. -clu_ed in-.the "A" class of risk, in which the —tea were the lowest, so that in'the -eat of an advance being, made ChristchtircK would be no worse off than any other place governed by that class. The Cbri-—--_- Metliodist literary and Debating Society held a mock parliamentary el-tk_-on Friday last in _» Durbam a_—t-—hoolroom. ; The candid__ were _«__ F. Martin, W. Du_od,,__ A. H-den. The com-pe---M centered policy speeches, and at . the do_ answered numerous questions. As a reai- of the voting, Mr A. ■__- ( fltt (Govermnent) was dected by a _üb- ' ataalial majority. • It was- announced that.the following meeting would be j. -ttda-—: entirely by the ladi-, and • touM take the form of a geographical *. and mi-tt-1 evening. VV _f T- E. Taylor, M.'P.,. had _ good .- :?_» to say about . newspapers last '<.W*-!" ,en . speaking at the meeting *? /v wP« to discuss New Zealand phy- _„<»».-- He referred regretfully to the "' __* m i no 6 tn *t tne att_adance was ' i to ?, my -"""Bo as the importance of the .' ; "filyectdoaiamied, but lie found consou_ fact tlwl ' t« 6 pr_eedbags ' •gw-fbo xeported in the. newspapers. Omen am like pulpits," he.said, *; ' ii ca P shove that pulpit, with -V v -^_rr_o-er ( _. »t. t_der.*&very door in ■-^',_e^_m_— y. No one can stop, its J'l^gfW 6 ,. * nd no hvan'4 prejudice is to keep bim dear from .the -''*_*_ of the Pre<s - With all i_ , ; V-^^™ e ,-odeni Press is one of the - Ifh ■ ess »t nßß f °r tne good -'■'. __• ?°^_ te V_ n waitod on the Hon. _~'' -_j f ow _?? , y«sterday from the -"'"-Sr* 1 ". Kindergarten Association —-'" _«_* T - ew °* ? ettil "B Governiment as- -- Sn?. 06 ln c P">T_ing free kindergarten EH-!_ n^,-fcr tne children of! the poor AiKkland. Mr Bi-Oke_mi-i, the ?e< ~ ,eti4r y of the Association, said i*"__. -l"* negotiating for the engage- _.» trainer who had graduated l 3 ___f- of •_?*, Kin <'e_arten Colleges _V __? w •v'-S'M'd or America. The -v-'f-f 8 ? of «««riß--;thi* director and I -* : .-,tt.__uiin g suitable premises with 1" : _tt 1 * qaMlte B PP«r«ttis -would r*_- -?>'_£_ &mount t<> between £350 ond t#_2l„vv _ num ' * nd the appeal to #s__ )nWlc _■ this would be '#__? »«• fruitful if it were know _ W '„_ *T sfosenptions woidd be-sup-&:__bi by an ««l«al amount from _ 's!__S-* 1 f lent -i_ J ?- Fot-W8 «» ja th© <■? -_Ti ? i'T- 111 _ U l » uite Prepared *? As-dation's work in "•!_M_ tbc 3 r, *_ >? Dunedin. They i J mrt ** y a «-*P-tation of £2 per head *'- fta __-U m _l r 6f Z m ™ attending ' __M?_C-! *? Ml »d_B- n _r to area- ■ Sf _f„? moa _ : _* «"-*nditure fbr ■ of the Association's / ; t_ it f_w? eting °f t*"- Fabian Society '""«__?te ,ng "so 1 0*" carried:-- - ->SS_ w_* eetin » rf- m€ml >ere of the *'.i-S__r_LJ pwu !? tß a^inst the '•IS -_ 00 of the TwiggwEt-- « _T___i ? s « te was bequeathed to for all time. IT ft, _« „ at W .i ch is th e birthright IconS W + ?I WB _ ons * ™eet»_g §-5_ >-„ *.* , the Charitable Aid IWdi S rLi_f ? __' n ,« M6s ignoi_nce _ &_T___-. f c first P. ««Pl« of &*Brs r_S__„ ,B , P ro P° 9in e .*o »» r^/ row, i , -? 1 lat '2er year by 4: SSb- _L_?-;- of u th ,_ few and Bma « •-)■ he,d in *:«>•* by it -•' _♦"»£ i^- 0 * 1 . A nd directly) of " ple rr«l f ' Canterbur y ««d of ;«-,jS,frji The members -of the '''■*Sl__-? jr * f _ lh ,? heartil y thanlj ' r few, °_ Parlia "ent wlio have \- r- S _ rb i Prom P t antl porous - „ H Ch^>k tbe Charitable Aid '* V_!li rU,nous courße * «>d th « _hi -_- V _ n PP°rts the proposal ' '««-* so^" d M Sh T d made elective /; . >. » amenable to popular control."

A meeting of creditors of W llham Hendry, motor and cycle dealer, will be held on Monday next, at 11 a.m.

"Have you any affection for the Tramway Board?" asked the Magistrate of' a witness at the Court yesterday. "Oh, indeed no," replied witness, "it took my mother-in-law down through an accident."

The Melanesian mission vessel Sonthem Cross returned to Auckland from her cruise on Sunday night. Bishop Wilson left the vessel at St. Christoral, in the Solomons, to visit various islands in a whaleboat.

The Gisborne Railway Station was burglariously entered early on Sunday morning, the thieves using a crowbar to break in the door and prise open the cash drawer, from which fifty shillings in silver was taken. The safe was not tampered with.

Tho "Gazette" for July Ist contains the list of special book-; in languages and literature for Cla_ C Certificate and Senior Civil Service Examinations for 1910 and 1911. A large number of amendments to the regulations governing tho Senior Civil Service Examinations are also particularised.

Sitting at Waikouaiti, Mr Hutchison, S.M., unreservedly withdrew the strictures he had made there concerning Messrsi F. /. and W r . C. Moore, solicitors. He said that Mr Justice Williams's observations were based on fuller material, his own judgment having, as it now appeared, proceeded on incomplete and imperfect knowledge of the tacts. The strictures contained in itmust be taken to have been erroiieously based.

The Methodist Conference at Dunedin has appointed a committee to draw up a working scheme regarding an independent conference, for submission at the June quarterly circuit meeting. Up to the present 25 congregations havo considered the question, the number of office-boarers present at the deliberations being 457. Of this number 312 voted in favour of the separation, and 126 opposed it, while 19 took up a neutral attitude.

"Are yon a prohibitionist?" asked Mr Dougall of a witness at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. "It all depends what you mean," interjected MrHaselden, S.M. "I remember a case in which that question was asked rather sarcastically," he continued. "I remarked at* the time, Svell if he is a prohibitionist that is nothing against his character.' Counsel xeplied that he did not mean tho ordinary prohibitionist, but was the witness the subject of a prohibition order."

The rate of progress in the piercing of the Waipori tunnel has up till lately been somewhat slow, says the "Otago Daily Times," but matters will now be expedited considerably, as a machine drill has just been installed at the top end. The bottom end of the tunnel will be similarly attacked next week, so that by working three shifts per day the work will in future be _nished on much more vigorously than has been the case.

A rhododendron tree in full bloom is rather a rarity in this season, especially when it bears a certificate that it has flourished into beauty without the adventitious aid of a hotho use. A small specimen, grown in a halfbarrel, was on view in an auctioneer's yard yesterday, and though the tree was rather stunted in appearance, it was decked with fully matured blooms. It had been left there by a visitor from the country, who assured the exhibitor that it had burst into its springtime adornment in the open air of midwinter.

A soap box orator, who was airing his politic—l views on labour questions in art. unparliamentary way in Lichfield street on Saturday evening, was rudely interrupted by a policeman and escorted to the lock-up. Y_terday the man had to explain ,to Mr W. R. HaseJden, S.M., why he was drunk and disorderly. Sub-Inspector McGiath said that during the course of his address on labour matters and -r-Mtioal subjects, accused made use of some very, coarse language, and a constable arrested him. There was nothing known about accused, and a fine of _ and coste was inflicted.

A suburban butcher who had a short oonversatio- with a "Press" reporter yesterday, waxed very bitter on the alleged decline in the quality of meat which was being passed through the Municipal Abattoirs and then on to the dinner tables of the public. He declared that the abattoirs were passing for consumption in Christchurch meat that would not be looked at in a freezing works. „ His criticism had particular- refefence to ewes, foiirtoo—i and over, which, he said, had not been on" the market here previously, but.had always gone to the boiling down. He added that butchers who had never previously etoeked owes had been forced to do so, in order to meet competition, but he reckoned that it was a sorry day for the consumer.

The leak in the main from the municipal water supply reservoir has been located under the big bank near the outlet from the reservoir. It is alleged to have been due to bad joining. The water will be let into the mains in the Central Ward for the purpose of testing the pipes and the fire plugs. Practically all the work connected with the high pressure system in the Central Ward has,/ been completed, but there still remains to be done the linking up of various small portions, the parts for which have not yet come to hand, but are expected shortly. When the testing has been completed the authorities will be in a position to estimate when connections can be made. At present pipe-laying is progressing in the St. Albans and Linwood wards.

Arbour Day is to be observed on the .•Ist mat., and it is anticipated that there will be a considerable amount of i tree-planting done. The Minister for 1 Internal Affairs (the Hon. D. Buddo) has asked the 'Mayors of the various municipalities and the chairmen of local bodies.to do all in their power to encourage this opportunity for aniateur afforestation. The Board of Education is,.as usualj supplying trees to school committees where a desire has been expressed that the children should do some planting to improve or beautify school groeinds, and already a number of applications have been received. The trees supplied by the Board include pinus insignis, macrocarpa, silver and copper birch, limes, laurestinas, oaks, and other kinds of a useful or ornamental description. Last year some sixty schools were supplied, "and it is anticipated that there will be a similar number this year.

The "dead-beat" and his habits came - tinder review for a brief moment at the Palmerston North Hospital Board meeting on Friday. During a discussion on the difficulty of discriminating between the genuine article and the professional loafer, Mr R. L. Bryant said that at r.*ne time they used to ask for -workwhen they called at the farmhouses. They probably did not want it, but they asked all the same. Nowadays things were different. A man rarely asked for a job; he simply begged for tucker. The Pahiatua track seemed to be a. regular trade route for "sundowners" going from coast to coast. They called at every house, and rarely went away empty-handed. Mr Pearee said that there was a little hut on his property, and recently a "sundowner" had camped there. He made a tour of the farmhouses in the vicinity every day, and returned to the hut at night with,the spoils, and that -went on for a H—nth. Another member, of the Board also mentioned the case of an ingenious person who took up his quarters in a little hut in the Kairanga district, and every day for a fortnight made a tour of the. adjacent farmhouses on a pony!

Licenses for the shooting of , l,a q 1 1 v + and imported game expire on tbo Jlst of the present month.

Attention is drawn to slaughter sale of Urquhart and Falck, Jewellers, who are selling off regardless of cost, at practically half price. Everything to be sold within a month. °

Commercial Travellers! Make your trip successful by utilising the N.Z. Express Co.'s services. They have sample-rooms unannroached for conveninece, and can "handle your goods from end to end of the Dominion. Corner Hereford and Manchester streets, o

Tlie enthusiasm of the Christchurch public was keenly aroused at the commencement of Graham, Wilson and Smellie's stock-taking sale. It has been hold right through the sale, and during this, the closing week, if remarkable money-saving opportunities account for anything, it will be keener than ever. Tho sale closes on Saturday next, and you should' see the really splendid bargains offered before its close. 6

The attention of economical housewives is directed to the D.I.C. Sale Bargains in Men's and Boys' Overcoats, for their husbands and sons. For instance, Men's 32s 6d dark Rainproofs are now marked 21s; little boys' Fancy Overcoats, os lid to 12s 6d; smart Overcoats for youths, 16s 6d to 30s; Rough Tweed 45s Overcoats are going at 355; while Motor Coats are two guineas under usual. Such savings are worth lookin_ into. D.I.C. " 654

On few subjects arc there so many popular delusions as in regard to the eyesight, and tho results are often serious. The defect which is by far most general comes with advancing years. Although the sight may remain porfectly good for distance, j-et the eye cannot accommodate itself to near obj—te, co nsequently glasses are needed. Consult John R. I'rooter, Oculists' Optician; 180 High street, Christchurch. 6

Worth repeating: Matted twitch; farm for sale; Benicia Disc Plough; clean land; farm withdrawn. 2

Commercial Travellers 1 Make your trip sucoessful by utilising the N.Z. Express Co.'s *-ervices. They have sample rooms unapproached for convenience, and can handle your goods from end to end of the Dominion. Corner Hereford and Manchester streets. 6

W T hen Expresses, Spring Drays, or Lorries are wanted at short notice, ring up 250 or 1241. J. M. Hoy-wood and Co., Ltd., will send you either with capable and careful drivers. 4

Wolseley Shearing Machines and Robey Engines. Quotations for complete installations of the above on application. Best oils and greases in stock. McCldland and Anderson, 224 Cashel street, Christchurch. 6

BURIED IN GLASS. Before members of the Institution of Mining Engineers, who the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade at Southwark Bridge road, Mr Gamble, second officer of the brigade, recently demonstrated the value of the collapsible brass helmets, one of which was worn by a fireman at a. bottle exchange fire. Fourteen tons of glass fell on the man's head, and completely buried him, and when he had been dug out down to his shoulders another shower of glass came down him again. "He was in hospital for four months," said Mr Gamble, "and glass was coming out of different parts of his body for six months afterwards, but ho is still one of our best- men." FOOTBALL IN JERUSALEM. The Turkish revolution has made England and everything English very popular in Jerusalem (says a correspondent of the "Daily Mail"). Cricket and football share this popularity to the full. A great many lessons had to be learnt before a good game could be played. The idea of a captain had to be inculcated. Boys in the East do not easily submit to the authority of fel-low-hoys. I remember one Saturday seeing a captain order a player to take up a certain jwsition on the football field. The boy simply refused to go, saying that another position of his own choice was more suitable to him. The captain stood helpless. Charging at football was always taken as an act of spite and malice, and' always resulted in a fight. Cases of loss of temper by boys for failing to catch a ball, or for being outrun by their opponents, were of daily occurrence. A victory usually occasioned a quarrel, and a losa titter dejection and discouragement. Boyg would withdraw from a game because their captain bantered them about _a bad catch or a miss at goal. A spirit of malice existed, between rival teams. All these defects have more or les3 disappeared. There are three boys' school in Jerusalem which play football and cricket matches against each other.