The Ensign. GORE : THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14.

The Eev. H. K. Lawrie is announced to preach in the Waikaka Presbyterian parish on the two ensuing Sabbaths. Mr H. B. Kingdon, formerly of the Gore branch of the N.Z.L. and M.A. Co., and latterly local agent for Messrs M. Carr and Co., has been appointed to the Biversdale branch of Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co's. business, and assumes his new duties on Monday next. Mr J. B. Dick, formerly in business in Gore, where he also occupied a position as Borough Councillor, died at Auckland on Tuesday after a lengthy illness. Mr B. F. Maunsell, of Lansdowne, Masterton (says the ' Star ') has just imported a motor tricycle. This is the first machine of its kind ever landed in New Zealand. The motor power is petroline, and the tricycle is capable of attaining a Bpeed of 24 miles an hour. A Cincinnati gentltfman advertised his desire to sell a valuable secret for 50 cents. He stated that he would tell how he was cured of drinking, smoking, swearing, staying out at night, going to races, gambling, and how to gain 201b in weight in two years. Several persons sent him 50 cents each, and here is the secret they received : — " Just cured of all the bad habits named by an enforced residence for two years, in the Ohio State Prison." The efforts of the Wairoa people to establish a dairy factory have, acaording to a contemporary, received a check by the discovery that the water proposed to be used at the factory is totally unfitted for the purpose. A sample sent to Mr Gilruth has revealed the fact that the water contains liee, microbes and in other ways shows contamination. A Hong Kong correspondent of the Sydney ' Morning Herald ' evidently has a poor opinion of the Chinese as policemen. He writes :— " Our Sikh and European police are a very fine body of men, but the Chineso constable either stands and looks calmly on while a row is in progress, or, if he fears his services may be required, finds that he has urgent business in an opposite direction. It is not in the least use appealing to him as to the fare to bo paid to a ricksha coolie or to ask him the whereabouts of a certain street ; all ho can do is to murmur 'No savee, and move on with an injured expression, as though he had been subjected to some great insult. The Chinese policeman does not even look smart ; ho keeps himself clean, but slouches and lolls about the whole time he is on duty, and chats with the storekeepers or hawkers on his beat, now and again helping himself to a piece of fruit from a stall." The drought as a devastating agency can, at any rate, claim to have done one good work in New South Wales, viz., the virtual extinction of the rabbit from a vast area where previously this scourge sported in undisi>ute(J possession. The ingenuity of man, backed by all the paraphernalia of poison, eats, phosphorised pollard, etc., has been as nothing compared with the wholesale effectiveness of the drought, which has not only destroyed the rabbit, but even obliterated all traces of his habitations with layers of sand. In Victoria rabbits are being kept well under, principally for the high prices thoy are realising for export.

Since taking over the Gore Foundry from Mr Alex Evans, .Messrs .Christie, and Hudson ■ haye mo.de various improvements and additions at' their establishment to render it suitable for the proseoutioh of their business which comprises the erection, repairing and fitting of dredge machinery,' engineering work-,in all ita branches as well as general blacksmithing and iron fdundiag. Having overhauled the whole of the plant in the premises, the firm has erected two new forges, and a punching and shearing machine designed for the preparation of perforated plates and riffles for dredges. Arrangements have also been concluded by Messrs Christie and Hudson to procure a large steam hammer as early as possible, and they are no in a position to compete with firms in the larger centres in all branches of engineering work Ttje firm haß secured the contract for erecting the machinery of the Woolshed No. 2 (Little Waikaka) dredge and expect to make an early start with the work. Besides other jobs of a like nature, Messrs Christie and Hudson are just now engaged in making a full set of gold-saving, plates for Messrs Ibbotson and party's dredge. A two-roomed cottage adjoining the White Hart Hotel, Marton, was destroyed by fire at an early hour yesterday morning. The sole occupant was an- elderly man named Hewitt, an old Wanganui identity, who perished in the flames, deceased being the father of Mrs Samuel Gibbons of the- White Hart Hotel, His charred remains were found close to the door. Evidently he was overcome by smoke in endeavoring to escape. Al the Wyndham Court on Tuesday, before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., Richard Charleston (defended by Mr J. Maoalister) W. Lamport (defended by Mr Wade) and W. Fowler were charged on remand with having broken into the shop of Annie McKinnon and the house of Alex. Thom, Edendale, and stolen therefrom a quantity of goods. After evidence had been heard accused reserved their defence and were committed for trial at the next sitings of the Supreme Court. Jas. Walkor sued R. and F. Wallis (Gore) to recover £13 9s for the alleged conversion' of 30 sheep ;Mr Stout for plaintiff and Mr Bowler defendants. This was a complicated sheep-dealing case, after hearing the evidence in which Mr Poynton gave judgment for defendants with £4 3s costs. A large number of local cases were also decided during the day the sitting of the Court lasting until 9 p.m. Members of Holy Trinity Church Ladies Guild and others responsible for the social given at the Gore Town Hall last evening, are to be highly congratulated upon their excellent choice of performers. Every item given was most praiseworthy, a fact which is made amply manifest when it is recorded that everything was encored. The highest praise must be accorded to the playing of the Orpheus Orchestral Union (a compact local organisation conducted by Mr C. Steans) which rendered an overture to either' part of the programme in really splendid style. The tableaux, too, were much above the average, and each was unquestionably a gem both in originality of conception and excellence of production. These comprised " The Return of Lhe Ne'er Do Well," "The Irish Eviction and the Soldier's Return," "The Old Love and the New," and "The Gipsies Camp." The humorous element was supplied by Mr Christie, who gave a number of mirth-pro-voking songs, and by Miss Richardson and Mr Day, who appeared in , a one-minute pantomime, " Little Miss Muffet," which was distinctly good. A pleasing feature of the entertainment was a " cachuca " dance by four little maids from Mataura, which was. admirably performed. A violin solo, which served to introduce Mr Mayo, was tastefully given. The vocalists of the evening were all most successful in their efforts. These contributors comprised Mrs Palmer, Mißses Cameron (Mataura), Morgan and Johnston, Messrs J. B. Paterson, Foster (Dunedin) Matheson and Irving. The various accompaniments were tastefully given by Mesdames Godby, Patorson and Mayo. Both social and subsequent dance were largely attended. The election of three candidates to fill vacancies in North, South and East Wards in the Gore Borough Council, is proceeding vigorously to-day. Two candidates are contesting each seat, and a large amount of interest in the election is being evinced by ratepayers and electors at large. It is many years since go much excitement has been engendered locally over an event of the kind, and shows that at last citizens are awakening to a recognition of their duties in the affairs of the town in which they live. An amateur diamatic society with a strong membership roll has been formed at Mataura. The services of Mr A. Brandon-Cremer as coach have been engaged, and it is intended to stage " The Octoroon " for two nights in four or five weeks' time. Much enthusiasm is being displayed in the interests of the new society by the members. A meeting was held on Tuesday evening for the purpose of taking steps to resuscitate the original Gore Tennis Club. Some 20 . ladies and gentlemen attended, and Mr A. A. MacGibbon occupied the chair. It was unanimously resolved to carry on the club, for which purpose the following office-bearers were elected : — President, Mr A. A. MacGibbon ; vice-presidents, Messrs D. Montgomery, E. R. Bowler, and D. L. Poppelwell ; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. McLeod ; assistant treasurers, Mesdames King and Dolamore ; committee, Mesdames A. A. MacGibbon, Montgomery, and Bowler, Messrs J. B. Moodie, P. Campbell, and F. Hart. The annual subscription was fixed at 10s for gentlemen and 5s for ladies, and the opening day arranged for Saturday next at 2.30 p.m. It was reported that a membership of 50 was assured, and that the club would start the season with a credit balance of 4s (id. The committee was instructed to attend to the matters of top dressing the courts, repairing the pavilion, and carrying out other necessary improvements. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. At a meeting of members of the Gore Star Football Club last evening, it was resolved to close the Beason by holding a fancy dress ball early next month. The Children's Column appearing in our supplement to-day forms a most attractive feature. In addition to a number of letters from the little folks, the editor (Uncle Phil) has contributed a number of notes on current topics, such as the Transvaal trouble, the Dreyfus case, etc., etc., all of which will be read with considerable interest, not only by the children, but by more experienced mortals as well. . A football match between second fifteens of the Excelsior and Star Clubs was played yesterday ending in a draw, neither side scoring. Play was almost entirely confined to the forwards, and the Excelsiors had on the whole the best of the game. For the Excelsior, Whytock, Eennie, McKechnie and Murtagh (backs) and Richardson, McLeish, Waters and Turnbull were the. pick, those playing best for the Star being Whytock, Turnbull and Latham (backs) and O'Brien, Stewart, Penny, and Tiiinock (forwards). — The Excelsior first fifteen journey to Tapanui on Wednesday to meet the local team. Some years ago, says the ' Tapanui Courier,' when the Waikaka hotel was without a license, £450 could not be obtained for the property. Last month £1550 was offered for the hotel buildings and freehold. Mr W. A. Donald, late president of the Gore A. and P. Association, whose protracted illness has been the subject- for very general regret throughout- the district, and who has been recruiting his health in the Nelson district for several nlonths past, is now on the fair way to complete recovery, and returns to his home at Riversdale about the end of the present month. Members of both Houses of the New Zealand Parliament have forwarded the following cable to Madame Dreyfus in Paris: " Deepest sympathy from members of New Zealand Parliament." As a result of a circular from the officer commanding tho North Canterbury Battalion, an offer of p. company of 100 privates and and three officers has been submitted to the Government for service in South Africa in the event of troops hemp, sent from this colony. Lieutenant Colonel Francis has expressed a wish to command the contingent if the oifer is accepted. Adjutant Hobday has received numerous offers from civilians and ex-army men who have seen service. The end of the century draws near, and somehow the fact impresses one and makes one think. On the threshold, as it were, of the twentieth century, we pause and take a glance back over the years that are gone. How much has happened during. this now dying century ! What wonders have been givon to the world ! The power and use of steam, the electric tolepiaph — these and many others ave the discoveries of the nineteenth century. But that which will cause the closing century to stand out above all that have gone before and all , that are to come, is the fact that in its earlier half \va3 discovered a priceless blessing to mankind — those universal remedies — Holloway's Pills and Ointment.

■ An 1 enterprising.:; young Taranaki Maori named. MauiPbmare who left the colony for I Chicago to qualify for the medical profession is (the Hawera ' Star ' says) from all accounts progressing 'with his studies satisfactorily. 'He is also making a ■ reputation in another direction.- During- the college vacation, he commenced a leoturing tour, taking as his subject Maori history — from Cannibalism to Christianity, and had met with great success, the Chicago ' Tribune ' speaking of him " as a refined and cultured entertainer, speaking English fluently." At Lawrence, on Monday, Mr Warden Stratford refused all the applications for prospecting areas on the Clutha river below Clydevale, \ylth the exception of the application with respeot lo' the island at the mouth of the Waitahuna river, which was adjourned for survey. Mr Stratford refused to interfere with the decision of Mr Hawkins not to allow any claims below Tuapeka Mouth. Some novel river protection works are being carried out at . present on Mr W. C. Buchanan's^ property near Greytown, which will be an additional protection to the river bank. The modus operandi is to secure a great mass of willow cuttings and attach to them wire baskets of stones, and when completed they are to be dropped into the river and fastened to the bank, writes the Greytown correspondent of the Masterton • Times.' An amusing, and probably the latest joke concerning the electric light is just going the round of the Bedfordshire papers. It seems that at Bedford an old lady, on seeing electric light in thift town for the first time, was struck with amazement. After gazing at it for some time, she entered a grocer's shop, and, addressing the assistant, said : " I Bay, mister, how do you make that big light o' yours? ' I am tired of burning paraffin." The shopman replied : '^Oh, it is caused by a series of electric currents." "Oh, is it I" said the old woman. " Then weigh me a pound ; if they won't do for lighting, they'll come in for puddings." _ At an anti-federation meeting held at Invercargill on Tuesday night, the speakers being Messrs Buxton, Collie, Mackloy, and Morris, the following motion, " That a vote of thanks be accorded the speakers, and that in the opinion of the meeting the question of federation is of suck vast importance to the colony that it requires to be more fully discussed before any definite conclusion is arrived at," was carried against anamendment " That in the opinion of the meeting the advanced legislation of this colony has been most beneficial, that its further extension would be checked and its administration seriously hampered by the proposed centralisation, and finally that a sacrifice of the independence of New Zealand now enjoys would be a grave and irretrievable error." The Wellington oity engineer has drawn up plans for an extended electric tramway service for the city at an estimated cost of £260,000. The scheme has to be considered by the City Council. At the Lumsden Court on Monday last, before Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., Ah How was charged with trespassing on the Glenquoich Estate at Athol, and refusing to leave when ordered to do so. A fine of £4 was inflicted, costs 9s, in default one month's imprisonment. P. Brice, W. Styles, 'B. Bissett, K. Steward and J. Campbell were charged with placing offensive matter (to wit, night soil) on a public road at Dipton on the 28th of last month. Mr Henderson defended. A great deal of evidence was heard, .and a very thin defence was set up, causing severe comment from the Magistrate. Bissett, Styles, and Steward were fined £5 each, and^costs to be paid amongst them of £1 7s lOd, in default hard labor for a month ; fourteen days in which to pay the fin,e . were allowed. Bryce, who was very frank over the matter all through, was convicted and discharged, and J. Campbell was discharged. Styleß and Steward were further charged with damaging a fence at Dipton to the extent of ss, the property of the Bunk of New South Wales, on the 18th August last. Both were convicted, and ordered to pay amount of damage, ss, with costs, amounting in all to £1 16s lOd. Hens wanted. National Mortgage and Agenoy Co. publish particulars of clearing sale at Tuturau on 21st inst. Tothill, Watson and Co. sell the Clydesdale stallion, Southern Prince, on 14th October. Eough, black collie dog lost between Knapdale and Gore. Strong, active lad wanted as apprentice to • blacksmithing. Smithfield collie lost. Gore A. and P. Association's annual Horse Parade on Oct; 14. Haspatic induration cured by Clements' Tonic. Christie and ■ Hudson have purchased the Gore Engineering -Works. First-class accommodation at the Federal Coffee Palace, Dunedin. Tothill, Watson and Co. will sejl stock at the Gore yards on Tuesday. Accounts against and amounts owing the estate of P. F. Smith, to be lodged with Public Trustee. A. and T. Inglis are showing first shipments of spring and summer goods. Mrs Lovell has oranges, apples, confectionery, etc., in stock.