The Colonist. Published Daily—Mornings. Nelson, Tuesday, September 20, 1898. GOLF.

A Golf Club is now established in Nelson, and though the links at present used are too small, there is the possibility of extending them when the skill of the members increases. The surroundings are very pretty, and the ground is within reasonably easy distance of the town, especially for those who ride bicycles. Considering the favour which the game has found of recent years, it is decidedly important to a place like Nelson, a considerable part of whose prosperity is dependent on its attractiveness for strangers, that golf-play-ers should be able to indulge in their pec amusement while here. It is curious that the game, which for centuries was entirely confined to Scotland, should suddenly become fashionable over a great part of the world. It has invaded almost every portion of the Queen's dominions, and has also taken possession of the United States, where it is played with the utmost enthusiasm. It is true that at Blackheath and a few other places in England there has been golf for many years, and that at

least forty " years ago it was played at Pan, the birthplace of King Henry the Fourth of France ; but in thesi cases it was introduced by colonies of Scotchmen and received little encouragement from the natives. It is said that Mary Queen of Scots played golf at St Andrews, an example which, after the lajise of more, than three hundred years, is being followed by many of her sex, King Charles the First was playing golf on Leith links when he received news of the rebellion in Ireland. The information was rashly given as it completely spoilt his Majesty's game. He threw down his club arid returned sadly to Holyrood House. King James the Second before he came to the throne was also fond of .the game, but possibly it may have been tha| the patronage of the Stuarts, instead pif being beneficial to golf, may have brought upon it unpopularity, and retarded the triumph which it was afterwards to secure. In Mr Andrew Lang's novel " A Monk of Fife," early in the fifteenth century the hero when a youth quarrels with another lad over a game of golf, and hits him too hard on the head with a olub, a misadventure which forces him to go hHrriedly on hia travels. Golf in its early days was discouraged both by Church and State. It was described in % Scots Act of Parliament of 1457 as the "mother of cursing and idleness, mischief and wastery," and it was styled by the clergy, "an unholy sport"; but in spite of all the evil that was said of 1 it, the game held its own in Scotland, and recently has conquer£d a great part of the world. Golf still bears very strong signs of its Caledonian origin, and any person who professed to play it and was not able to use the proper Scotch technical words would be looked upon as being in heathen darkness. A mm who pronounces the word " put" as ordinary beings usually do, is subject to deserved contempt, and it is strictly necessary for everyone to know the meaning of " niblicks," " cleeks," " brassies," " baffing spoons," and many other things wit*i strange and outlandish names. The youthful attendant of a player is called a "caddy," a word which an eminent authority spells " cadie." Properly in Scotland a caddy or cadie is a messenger of any sort, but the term is appropriated to the game, a~ 1 flto call the claviger anything else^ ; ruin to reputation on the links. Links" are properly sandy commons by the sea-shore, not necessarily having anything to do with golf," but the name is identified with that of a place where the game is played, and it is necessary to stick to it. Everyone begins by despising golf and in seeing nothing in it, but it has a way of taking possession of those who attempt it, and of making them devotees, whether they learn to play well or not. As a rule people are not particularly fond of games which they fail to learn properly, but want of success seems to make little difference in the case of golf. The exercise is moderate, the ekill which can be displayed is almost endless, and people of all ages after infancy are fascinated with it. The Nelson Golf Club is probably the youngest in the world, but from experience elsewhere it is likely to go on and prosper ; and, as adding a healthful amusement for old and young to the place, it deserves all sympathy.

Oddfellows' Social. — At the final meeting of the combined Committee, held last evening, reports were received from the various sub-committees, and very satisfactory progress was reported. The Music Committee stated that the kind services of no less than fifteen vocalists had been secured, and it was also reported that tickets were being rapidly disposed of. It appears that every provision for a pleasant evening being spent has been made, and all that is required is fine weather. It will be seen from the advertisement that all members of Friendly Societies are asked to appear in regalia, and a notice regarding the provision of refreshments also appears. Sekgeant McAidle's Retirement. — The "New Zealand Times" of Friday last states : — " We learn that the retirement of Sergeant McArdle, of Nelson, has been by no means finally settled. Circumstances which it would be premature to disclose induced the Sergeant to make an offer that he would leave the service conditionally. As these conditions have not been complied with. Sergeant McArdle ha 3 applied for an inquiry into the whole of the circumstances of his case, and we hear it is probable that in due course an investigation before a Magistrate will take place." New Scenery fob Les Cloches. — We reported that the Amateur Operatic Society has beem able to jarrange with the Theatre Royal Committee, and the scenic artist of Pollard's Opera Company, Mr L. Williams, to have special scenery painted for the production of " Les Cloches " by the Society. Mr Williams is now in the midst of his work, which will include the painting of four drop scenes and the wings. We have seen the scene depicttng the approach to Corneville in the second scene of the first act, and can say that Mr Williams has done excellent work, the bright and harmonious coloring making a very effective picture of the kind. With the new scenery and the splendid dresses of the Auckland Society, the local amateurs will have the advantage of a good setting for the 1 display of their talents in comic opera. Volun»eeb News. — A circular was received at the local office yesterday to th* effect that the Lee-Metford rifle was being issued, and all the corps in the Colony would in due course be armed with this weapon. The rifle is the '303 pattern, the bayonet of triangular shape On the issue of it, rifle battalion drill will be substituted by infantry battalion drill, companies marching past at the slope with fixed swords, the rifle to be carried as previously, sling downwards.— Private Charles Warren, of the Highland Light Infantry, has been dismissed with ignominy from the Home service, and sentenced to five years' penal servitude for striking an officer of the Royal Engineer Militia across the face with his cap at Shorncliffe. Db S. P. Pbbeton, Lynohburg, Va., writes : — ' I have been very mooh pleased with Sander & Sons Euoalypti Extract in the first stage of phthisis, using it aa an inhalation from a bronchi is ce^le. I never DBed any preparation than Sanders', as I have found the others to be almost useless."—Dr A S. Bobetts, La Cygoe, Kansas, writeB :— " I use Fander & Sons Euoa lypti Extraot in disorders of the recpiratory tract, diphtheria, dysentery etc. It is a favorite drug with me, and -Saner & Sons preparation ib the deßiratum long wished for, the other different preparations of the drag being anything but satisfactory." — Insia getting Sander Se Eons Euoalypti Extract, or else you will be sDpp'ied with worthless oils. Just purohased, English samples Hoeiery oonaisting of Ladies' and Children's Stockings, Men's Sooks, Panta, Shirta, etc, at 50 per cent off the übubl prices. ' Will sell them below landed oobl.— Jaa Armstrong and Go Trafalgar Btreet. ' A cuABiNG line of Gent's heavy Colonia Buitß at 40/-, to be soil at 25/- a tuit, >t Armstrong & Co'e, Trafalgar Btreet.

Ladies' Veilings 21 a ?ard, Flowera id aod, Hats sd, Beautiful Feathers 1/- eaob, at Ja?. Armstrong & Go's, Tratalgar-stieet. Lalies 1 Silk Ties, for 1/-, all Bhadea including white, bream, straw Tosaan, pale blue, pint, navy, and cardinal, the newest tbing out— Jas. Armstrong & Co.j Trafalgar Btreet. IIoubkholI) duties ate bb much the provioo9 of women aa the gaardianahip of young obi'dren or the nursing of the Biok and infirm. Yet, to very many these household duties are distaßteful because they entail redness and roughness of the bands, where personal desire and social domands require ah the refinements of womanhood. The oso of Wilton's Hand Emollient absolalely enßdrea coolness, whiteneßß, and softness of the hands. Sold by all ohemists, 1/ . W. C. ANOELL, Chemist, Neleon, And all Chemists throueboat the Colony. See That You Git it. Sole Manafaotarer — Q. W. Wilton, Pharmaoantical Chemist, Adelaide Road and 215, Willts-et., Wellington. SINOPSI3 cf NEW ADVERTISE MENTB The following new advertisements appear in tbis hsue : — Meeting of Mothers' Union Bargains at the Auokland Clothing and Drapery oo's ea c Application lor prospecting lioense Tenders invited for painting badges Waimea County— deviation of road Seleot seed novelties at « oiler's . Farm for sale by Bisley Bros & Co !