Established 1866. The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Friday, December 20, 1001. LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXV, Issue 295, 20 December 1901, Page 2

Established 1866. The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Friday, December 20, 1001. LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS

Auction.—To-morrow at 1.30 p.m. Messrs Green & Co. will sell at their yards horses, pigs, a cow, and a miscellaneous assortment of crockery.

Tenders.—Tenders, closing at 8 p.m. on the 24th instant, are required for the removal of a cottage in York Street. Specifications, etc., may bo inspected at Messrs Clouston & Co.'s offices.

Horses. —Troop horses are required for South Africa. Particulars can be obtained on application to the office of the Department of Agriculture, Blen heim.

Dairies. —A notification to hotelkeepers, boardinghouse keepers, and others who may have boarders, re the keeping' of cows for the supply of milk, appears in this issue.

Choir Practice.—ln view of the Church parade at the Church of Nativity on Sunday, "there will be a special choir practice this evening at 8 o'clock.

Garrison Band.—The programme of the Garrison Band for Christmas week is announced in our advertising columns. The Band have a hard week's work before them.

Cricket.—The following players will represent the Wairau Seniors against the Awaruas on Saturday, play to start at 10.30 a.m.:—Greenfield, Griffiths, Horton, Lusk, Dunn, Logan, Mclver, Derbyshire, Bottrell, McShane, and Esson.

Almanacs.—We have received a neat set of almanacs—wall and desk— including a useful blotting-book, from Mr H. W. Horton, local agent for the Royal Exchange Assurance Company of London; and a wall calendar from Mr Jno. White, representing the Phoenix Company.

Water Supply.—The water supply struck yesterday at the boring operations at the Wairau Hospital is regarded as of a permanent nature, and as most satisfactory. The pipos are 2h inches in diameter, and the supply struck rises to a height of thirteen feet above the ground.

Civil Business. — Several of the cases set down for hearing this morning at the Magistrate's Court were settled without the intervention of the Magistrate. Shaw and Benning claimed from J. P. Ward £18 0s 2d, cash advanced. Judgment was given by default for that amount and £1 costs. Smale & Hay v. DA. Irvine, claim for £14 Is 7d. Judgment in this case also went by default with costs £1.

Band News.—The Hibernian Band will be fully engaged during the holiday season. On Christmas Day the band propose to play a programme at the Hospital, and on Boxing Day are engaged to play at the Mounted Rifles' Sports. On New dear's Eve (Hogmanay) the band will give a rendition of Scotch selections, and on New Year's Day they will play at the Seddon Sports.

Giki/s School. — This afternoon, before the breaking up ceremony at the Blenheim Girl's School, Miss Brewer, acting-Headniistoess, and Miss Farmar, who has been acting as first assistant mistress during Miss Douslin's absence in South Africa, were the recipients each of a handsome and valuable souvenir, consisting in each instance of a pair of silver serviette rings. The presentations were made on behalf of the senior girls by Miss Kathleen Furness, as a mark of esteem and respect to their head teachers. Both ladies thanked the girls very heartily for their gift. Before finally breaking up afternoon tea and refreshments, provided by the pupils, were handed round.

The Horticultural Society.—A well attended meeting of the Committee of the Marlborough Horticultural Society was held last night. The Secretary reported the finances to be ia a very satisfactory state. The whole of the long standing debts 'had been paid, and the outstanding special donations and members subscriptions when collected will provide sufficient funds to pay all expenses in connection with the Spring Show, and leave a small balance to carry forward. Mr F. H. Hall was appointed to fill a vacancy on the committee. Votes of thanks were passed to the the judges, Orchestral Band, and others who had rendered willing and gratuitous assistance at the recent show. It was decided to meet at an early date in January to arrange details for a Summer Show to be held at the latter end of February.

Antitoxin Victims. —A despafc 1! from St. Louis states that a great sensation has been caused in that city by the announcement that no fewer than eleven children had just died as-the result of antitoxin administered to them as part of a new treatment for diphtheria, and tiiere are twenty-five other children sufferers who are being carefully watched. The cause of death in each of the eleven cases were tetanus, and the physicians in attendance are unanimously of opinion that it was brought about by the antitoxin. A thorough investigation will be made of all the circumstances.

Victoria's Goveukoh.—Sir George Sydenbam Clarice, tbe new Governor of Victoria, is an alert, white-haired, military-looking man.of fifty-four, with a singularly pleasing voico and courteous manner, is a European authority in several military branches, has written mathematical and military treatises of no to, and greatly distinguished himself in Egypt and tlie Soudan. Sir George Las the further qualifications of knowing all about Australasia and being exceedingly popular. He has two hobbies—music and painting—which ho shares with his wife and daughter. Ho himself excels on the 'cello, whilst his daughter is a good violinist,

MiiTfiOEOLOGrcAL.—Captain Edwin wired aa follows :—" North to west and south-west gale, glass fall, but rise after ten hours from now, indications .or ram, and for very heavy gale and soa in the Straits, with rise of glass."

JtatrNK in France. — Only a few years ago France was one of the European nations credited with the smallest consumption of alcohol, but, unfortunately, the tide has turned, and now, according to an article in the Figaro, it stands at the head of the list. -The number of persons with vested interests lias grown to be a mighty army. The growers are no fewer than 2,500,000 in number, the retailers in cafes and drink-shops 533,00\ and tho provisiondealers with oft-licensss 300,000. The total consumption in France last year way 1,188,750.000 gallons of wine, 343,500,000 gallons ot'eidor, 52,750,000 gallons of pure alcohol, and 2,500,000 gallons of liqueurs. Paris takes the lead in this development. The writer of the article, in which attention is called to these figures, terms the twentieth century " The Ago oi Alcohol."

Lonn MiiA'Eit.—Lord Milaer's critics have still to be persuaded that ho is not a masquerading alien. The question as to the legality of liis peerage is again revived by the Daily News and other newspapers which are opposed to him as an administrator, and the Government is asked for an authoritative statement'on the subject. As everyone knows, his father was a German, and no absolute proof is yet forthcoming that Dr Milner went through tho formal process cf becoming a naturalised British subject. It is contended that if he was not legally naturalised the bestowal of a peerage on his son contravenes a law which was passed in the reign of William 111. for the purpose of preventing that monarch from introducing too many Dutchmen, into the sacred preserves of the British aristocracy. Lord Milner was partly educated iix Germany, and on the strength of this fact'he is charged with being " a German by training and sympathy." The assertion is ridiculed by his friends in Britain, and one of them says that the early part of his education at Tubingen was received mainly from his mother, who came oE a well-known Irish family. Tho College of Arms is curiously undecided in its statements on the matter. "From our point of view," says an official who was interviewed, " Lord Milner, having taken hs seat in the House of Lords, is entitled to arms and supporters. If, however, the facts as stated by the Daily News bo correct, then ho is undoubtedly an alien."

To Increase the Use of Wool.—• Legislative Committee of the American Live Stock Association has prepared a Bill providing for the inspection of woollen goods and shoddy and for the proper stamping of tho same. Congress will bo asked to pass it at its next session. By the provisions of this Bill all manufacturers of goods or fabrics of any kind whatsoever made in imitation of woollen goods or fabrics, or goods which when so made are calculated or intended to be sold as woollens or woollen goods, not made wholly of new or unused sheep's wool, shall so mark, label, or tag such goods as that they may be readily distinguished from .genuine wools. That such mark, label, or tag shall be so attached to such goods or fabrics as that it cannot be detached except by dosign; and such label shall accurately state in plain printed letters, and figures the constituent fibres or other materials or substances of which it is composed, or the relative portion or per cent, of each. Provision is also made for heavy fines for the manufacfacturers that evade the law, and also for all tailors and retailors that handle without marks goods requiring marking. Vv rero such a law passed, its vigorous enforcement would be equally beneficial to the purchasers of clothing and to the producers of wool.