NEWS OF THE DAY.

Thoro will be a chambers sitting of the Supremo Court this morning at 10.30 a.m., which will bo followed immediately afterwards by a sitting in banco.

At present all the walks in the public gardens aro receiving a top-dressing of coarse grit, which, when rolled in, will make them, especially the newlyformed ones, in good condition for pedestrians.

A start will be made to-day wTtii putting in the concrete foundation and basin for the fountain in the public gardens, presented by the Christcnurch Beautifying Association, out of funds placed at the disposal of the Association by the trustees of tho late Hon. J. T. Peacock.

At the session of the New Zealand Methodist Conference yesterday, it was announced that the Rev. J. J. Pendray (of Eketahuna) had received » cablegram reporting that his son had perished in a blizzard after crossing a glacier near Lake Stewart, in British Columbia. A resolution of condolence ■was carried.

Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., has received the following telegram, from the Right Hon. the Prime Minister:—'-Referring to your representations regarding military land claims, over five, hundred such claims have been received, the greater number of which are still under reference to the magistrates. Owing to deficient information there are also .» number still to be reported on. It is quite impossible for any of them to bo dealt with before I leave for .England ; in fact, I doubt very much whether the report can possibly be ready before the meeting of Parliament. In any case special legislation would be required to carry out the recommendations."

Messrs J. Down and W. J. Cresswell are mentioned as probable candidates for tho Mayoralty of Spreydon.

Thomas James Hunter is to be a member of tho Oxford Domain Board, in the place of Alfred Charles Pricliard, resigned.

In connection with the proposed contingent for the Coronation, the names of 'fifteen of tho local applicants have been selected and forwarded to headouarters for approval. Tho proposal i's to semi fifteen from each district.

Despito the somewhat severe treatment the lawns in the public gardens received on the occasion of the recent Domain Fete, they are now looking very well, the recent rain having helped in restoring them to their wonted appearance.

The name of the returning officer who is to conduct the first election of members to the Paparoa comity, one of the new counties formed ont of the old Selwyn county, and the dato of the election will appear in next week's "Gazette."

The toUowirvg board has been appointed to have control of the Halswell Domain: —John Eecles Ferguson, Edward Paterson, Owen McGough, Harry Cox, William Moorheed Thompson, Thomas Reginald Amyes, JoTin McDrurv. Albert Hiimrn. and Amos Bird.

The following have been successful in passing Pitman's Theory examination, held at Gilby's College, in December last: —Misses Jane Donnelly. Madge Penberthy, Berkeley, L. Davidson, E. Frost. M'.Gihb, D.'McPhail. E. Naish. V. Rayner; Messrs Hugh Cronin and Hugh Hammond. The Mayor has received a letter from Mrs Chas. Mclntyre, of Boston, Mass., asking for news of her father, John Ileatley, who left Armagh, Ireland, in the' year 1882 or 1883. If anyone, can give* information on the subject of. his whe-rc-aboute the Mayor will be obliged. The programme mapped out for Mr Massev for his North Canterbury tour will, it is found, have to bo changed. 3lr Massey b at nresent speaking in the North" Auckland districts, and his programino there will not close until tho 14th inst. He will then come, down direct to Christchurch, and will set out on his North Canterbury campaign on dates to be arranged. In reply to further representations regarding the necessity for stationing another constable at Aldington, in view of the frequent losses of sheep from the Canterbury Saleynrds Company's yards, the Hon. Dr. Findlay states, that having mado enquiries, he is now satisfied that further assistance is required. Consequently, it has been arranged that an additional constable will be attached to the station, as soon as the strength of the forco will permit. "When tho jurymen engaged in trying tho Helensville murder case took their seats in Court on Saturday morning after being locked up all night, Mr Justice Cooper enquired if they had been comfortably provided for during their compulsory detention? The foreman replied that they had nothing to complain of, except that they had not been permitted to see. the daily papers, and as they wero naturally anxious to keep abreast of current events, they begged that this deficiency might be supplied. His Honour said the request was a very unusual one, as wero the circumstances under which it was made. But, he added, that he saw no reason why it should not be complied with, as the reports of tho caso on which the jury was engaged were fair, and tliuro was nothing in tbem that could not be read by anyone. Ho directed that newspapers should bo obtained.

A question of whether the right man was arrested is involved in tho case of Albert E. Lindwall, who was apprehended at Reef ton on a charge of disobeying a maintenance order issued at Auckland in 1909, his real name being alleged to bo Robert Gibbs, an exmember of tho police force. A constable swore that he had known accused at tho depot, and accused sworo that he was, never in New Zealand until last year. Ho was remanded to nppear at Auckland. En route to Wellington, he is stated to have got overboard from the Arahura at Weatport, and when rescued ho was taken to the hospital. When he reached Wellington a number of policemen who served with Gibbs in the depot, declared that the arrested man wfls not the-ir late companion. Accused might have been dismissed ; but ho chose to go to Auckland and have tho matter finally cleared up.

The Stewart Island oyster season opens on February Ist, and consignments begin to arrive within a day or two of that date, being brought up from the Bluff to Lyttelton by express train, and thence on to Wellington by tho ferry steamers (says the "Dominion"). So far the oysters have been numerous enough—they are reported to be as the sands of the ocean —but whether it is the temperature combined with the time that elapses between the dredging and their arrival in Wellington or not, the fact remains that the percentage of bad oysters has been largo this year, and there has been some dissatisfaction among tho saloonrkeepers of Wellington. One saloon-keeper says that this state of things is not tho fault of the suppliers who get them up from the Bluff as quickly as possible, but he is inclined to the belief that the weather is too warm for them in Wellington in February, and that though it might be quite safe down south, ho considers that the Stewart Island oyster season, so far >as Wellington is concerned, should open on March Ist in preference to February Ist.

A plant popularly known as fennel is so rapidly spreading and obtaining a hold on "many pieces of land in and about Wellington that its growth seems likely soon to assume the dimensions of a "pest." The fact was emphasised by the superintendent of reserves in conversation with a "Dominion" reporter on Tuesday. Fennel, the superintendent remarked, is not classified as a noxious weed, but its, characteristics fully entitle it to hostile attention. Having once obtained a hold on land (and this it does very rapidly) it is exceedingly difficult to extirpate- Luxuriant patches of fennel may be seen at many points of the hillside overlooking the "Hutt road, and it is also much in evidence on some vacant sections at Thorndon. The simplest way to deal with it is to keep it constantly cut down to ground level, and prevent it from seeding. Fennel is an importation from England, where its juice is sometimes used in the manufacture of a fish sauce greatly relished by epicures. Possibly this single useful quality explains Ihe appearance in New Zealand or a plant or which the country woukl be very well rid.

The Union Company are arranging for an Easter excursion to Pelorus Sound by the Mokoia. The proposal is to despatch the Mokoia from Wellington on the night of Thursday, 13th April, direct for D'Urville Island, where calls will be made at Greville harbour and Port Hardy, and opportunities afforded excursionists of landing and exploring the beauties of theso places, and also of indulging in deep sea fishing—a sport for which this vicinity is famous. From Port Hardy the Mokoia will proceed to Pelorus Sound, and her subsequent programme will allow ot three days for the exploration of the intricacies of the Sounds and the innumerable beauty spots which are contained within its coastline of over 300 miles. The Mokoi.i will leave on her return passage to "Wellington on the night of Easter Monday, and is clue bark at Wellington early on the morning of Tuesday, 18th April- Tho vessel, in addition to an efficient, orchestra, will carry extra officers, and also a hairdresser. She will also be provided with launches for the purpose of towing th? boats containing landing parties, anu for fishing purposes.

There being no business for the Itiecarton and Avon Licensing Committees to transact, the meetings of these bodies will lapse this quarter.

Tho five principal fishing rivers of the province were reported clear and in order for fishing at nine o'clock yesterday morning.

Tho steamer lliinut-aka, which was to have taken the first shipment of frozen meat from Tokomaru, was unable to work there, owing to bad weather, and proceeded to Nelson.

The Canterbury Rowing Club will hold n smoke- concert this evening in the boathouse to welcome b.iok the members of the Junior Four, the crew which wr.s so successful at Wanganui. One first offender for drunkenness was fined, os, in default 24 hours' ?rnprisonruent, by Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday, •and another was remanded for a week for medical treatment. The funeral of the late Mr F. A. Archer took place yesterday, the interment being at the Papanui public cemetery. A very largo number of those who were connected with tho late llv Archer in business or in sport, attended. A close holiday was observed by tho townspeople and shopkeepers of Lyttelton yesterday, tho occasion being tho annual picnic" of the Lyttelton District High School. The children and their parents and friends, numbering several hundreds, were convoyed by special train to Ainberley.

The manufacture of the reinforced concrete piles for the foundations is the only work which is at present going on in connection with the contract for the new Government buildings in Cathedral square. A large number of piles will be required, and the;' will require proper seasoning before they are driven in.

Tho secretary of the- Canterbury Employers' Association has written acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the secretai-y of the Municipal 'Representation Committee, asking that employers should provide facilities for their employees to record their votes at the 'approaching municipal elections. Mr G. It. Whiting, president of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, intends standing as a candidate for the East Ward of the newly-formed borough of Sprcydon,. Mr Whiting declined tho request of a deputation which waited on him, and asked him to stand for mayor of tho new borough. Tho quarterly meeting of the Oliristchurch Licensing Committed was Held yesterday, there being present —Messrs JH. W. Bishop, S.M. (chairman), C. Salter, and H. Forwood. The police report for the quarter stated that all the houses had been well conducted. A transfer of thp license of tho Al Hotel from T. j>. Thomas to W. H. Overton was granted. A long special train, heavily laden with pupils from the public schools and their teachers and friends, left Ashburton at eight o'clock yesterday morning for Thnaru, where it was intended to hold the annual school picnic at Caroline- Bay. A heavy, thick, drizzling rain set in shortly before tho excursionists left Ashburton. Tho foundation stones of tho Clarence Road Methodist Church, Lower Iticearton. will be laid to-morrow, at 3 ■p.m., by Mrs Gco. Botvron and Mr G. H. Blackvvfljl. The President of tho Conference will preside, and addresses will be given by Keys. C. H. Laws aiid S. Lawry, and musical items by Rove. A. Mitchell and J. H. Haslam. A geutleman resident in Hastings has received a cutting from a Dutch paper published in the Transvaal, where it is recorded that five- ostrich chicks were sold at £105" each. The gentleman, who is interested in ostrich breeding;, eaid the- climate of the Dominion is in every way suitable for ostrich rearing, but our birds are inferior, as in tho case of sheep and cattle, a good strain would have to be introduced before success would be attained.

The evenings in camp at Trentham during tho big ltifle Association's championship meeting will be brightened, says the "Dominion," in a novel way on the present occasion. An enterprising individual has conceived theidea that kinematograph pictures would serve to while away a pleasant hour or two after the night has swallowed up tho distant targets, and has made arrangements to give a show in a large tent every evening during the meeting.

Members of the Christchurch Domains Board were to have met at the Public Gardens yesterday afternoon tt> visit Pilgrims' Corner and inspect the trees proposed to bo felled there, but only Mr J. Jamieson, Mr E. J. Rightoc (secretary) and Mr J. Young (head gardener) were present, and the visit was postponed. Mr Young proposes to take out tho old and unsightly trees, and to plant suitable deciduous trees in their place. • The chairman (Mr H. J. Beswick) and the Mayor (Mr C. Allison), sent apologies for their unavoidable absence.

The Union Company's Maitai, which left San Francisco on February Bth, arrived at Wellington a little after 10 a.m. yesterday. She had fine weather during the passage. On the voyage from San Francisco ■to Papeete the vessel was able to communicate by wireless with Honolulu, 1400 miles away. The Maitai has brought a large cargo, principally of barley for brewing purposes, but oniy a few passengers. The steamer arrived, in time to enable the Northern portion of her mail to bo sent on by the Main Trunk train.

Those who have already become shareholders in the New Zealand "Wholesale Club, Lhnitedj will be pleased to hear tliat applications for chares have been steadily pouring in sinco the Company was registered and went to allotment last Saturday morning. Applications for .the largest number of shares yet received on a single day were received yesterday. Mr Alexander Owen returned this week from his holiday in the north, and will take up his position as general manager immediately. 6

This delicate organisation—your nervous system —is worth taking care of, and it's an oasy matter to banish those nervous headaches, neuralgia, sleeplessness, if you take Marshall's Fospherine. This "great nerve tonic nourishes the nerves and restores strength, sleep and appetite. Get a bottle of Marshall's Fospherine at yonr chemists to-day—you'll get right again. Is, Is 6d and 2s 6d. 4

Distressing Blemishes. — "Violet Snow" Cream is a positive remedy for superfluous hair. Guaranteed not to harm the most delicate skin. An excellent depilatory is enclosed with every bottle. 4s 6d, all chemists. 6

Baggage in tabloid form! That would bo fine, wouldn't it? Science, however, has not yet made this possible. Still you can earo yourself all trouble with your things if you check them through the N.Z. Express Company. They collect, check, and deliver promptly, and only charge a trifle for cartage. 7

To Farmers, Machine and Traction Engine Owners. All Lubricating Oila obtainable at McClelland and Anderson. All oils guaranteed. 6

Artists' colours, canvases, brushes, and all drawing materials and school of art requisites, at moderate prices. J. W. Gibb, direct importer, 1>54 High street. * REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE OF A NEW MOTOR-CYCLE. During the month just past, a series of remarkable competitive successes has been achieved by a new and improved motor-cycle. Up till quite recently the standard in motor-cycles has been set by the 1910 model -'Triumph," which during the past year demonstrated its superiority over all competitors in a number of exhaustive trials. A better

machine has now made its appearance, and ite success has been instantaneous and startling. Tho machine referred to is tho 1911 model of tho "Triumph," which embodies a number of detail improvements on the old type. Tho new machine went out for its first test in tho Invercargill Lull climb on tho first of February, It came out- first on formula And made fastest time. It beat nine other makes, some of them ot higher powers. It annexed the two gold medals awarded. On the fifteenth of the month it went for another tryingout at Palmorston North, again on tho hills. Again it won the first prize on formula, and again it made iiustest timo. Again it won the two gold medals. On tho eighteenth ot' February, tho "Triumph" won the Hislop Silver Cup for the most meritorious performance on the Duncdin-Naseby and return trial. That's four gold medals and a silver cup inside eighteen days. Tho reason is that tho "Triumph" is sound in every part and right in every detail. Motorevclists should call at Messrs Adams, Ltd.'s shop and sco tho 1911 model. There's only one price—£7o for the fixed engine model, and the free engine machine sells at £80. Lamps, horns, and speedometers are charged as extras. Adams, Ltd., sole- New Zealand •incuts for "Triumphs," High street. Christchurch. 6 A STARTLING CABLE. Messrs Michnlin, of motor tyro fame, have instructed us to reduce tho price of their famous covers by 10 per cent , and their tubes by 15 per cent. Full stocks arriving. A. W. Smith and Son, Central Garage, Worcester street.