News in Brief.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 6202, 24 February 1904, Page 2

News in Brief.

An epidemic of mumps is reported to be prevalent in the Borough.

The Rangitata, Rakaia, and Waifcaki rivers are fishable.

The death is announced in London of Sir Leslie Stephen, literateur, aged 74.

The butchers of Fairfield and Ashburton intend to hold their annual picnic at Temuka at an early date.

The N.Z. Clothing Factory are showing boys' suits in various makes.

Mr A. T. H. Williams, bookseller, has a number of new books by the best authors to hand.

The Waimate School Cadpts have won the South Island Challenge Shield, and the Onehunga Cadets the North Island Shield

The deaths from drowning in New Zea laai last year were 149.

The Napier Borough Council is considering a proposal to expend ,£SO in advertising Napier as a health resort.

Mr H. M. Joues announces that he has in stock a largo variety of books suitable for children.

Wilson's Renovator, for cleaning ladies' dresse3 and gent's suits, ha3 been placed on the Ash burton market, and may be obtained from all grocers.

A recent issue of the ' Time3' of India contains a long article on New Zealand under the heading of "The Long White Lind," and depicts in glowing terms the attractions this colony holds out to the tourist.

The boy Part-cms, who, it will be remembered, fell a distance of over thirty feet while bird nesting at Tinwald some little while baok, and sustained serious injuries, is, we are pleased to hear, progressing splendidly,

A swarm of bepa settled in Mr Jackson's shop window, in East Street, the other day. Mr Jackson says the bees were enticed there by the tempting sweets he has on sale. The joke compensates for the free advertisement.

Messrs T, H, Undrill and Co., cabinetmakers and importers, announce that they are holding a2l days sale, nnd judging from the reduced prices quoted, this sale should be of great interest to all householders, and especially those who are furnishing or thinking of doing so. The firm undertake to furnish from front to back door at shortest notice, in their well known style, and at prices that defy competition. They have the largest stocks in town to choose from, in all the latest makes and styles. Being direct importers they get rock bottom prices, and are able to sell at lowest prices. Inspection is invited.

Rakaia Sports and Baring Club.

A general meeting of the Rakaia Sports and Racing Club was held in the Bakaia Library on Saturday evening, a large number of persons being present. Mr G. Hardy was voted to the chair.

The report and balance sheet, read by the hon. secretary (Mr N. J. Liddy) were adopted. The report stated that the sports meeting on Boxing Day had been an unqualified success, the credit balance of the Club standing at ,£4-113s Gd. The amount paid in stakes in 1902 was .£lO5, in 1903 ,£lO7. The amount taken at gates in 1902 was £57 12s 3d, in 1903 .£66 Ha 7d. The subscriptions in 1902 were ,£2l 83, in 19 ?3 .£23 193. The nominations and acceptances fcr the year 19,02 amounted to £28 3s 6d. The same for 1903 .£37 12* 6d. This was for horse events. Far athletics, 1902 £4 2s 6d, 1903 £7 8s 6d. There was an increase in receipts for rent of publican's booth of £1, and luncheon booth 10s over previous year. There was an increßse also in sale of programmes of Js4> 8s 6d. For the right of sports there was a decrease of £1 0s 6d. There was, however, a sum of dßll 103 received as lioense fees from bookmakers. The expenditure showed .£B9 paid as stakes in horse events; athletics £14 9s 2d; children's races, £3 163 j printing and advertising, £\5 los 2d ; Band £8 4s; gatekeepers, M.G., find music, £6 2s; rent and sundries, «£l 12s 6d; postages £1 2s; labor, £3 133 Gd; honorarium to h?ndicapper and secretary, .£8 Bs.

The report recommended that the aum of £25 be carried forward to the reserve fund, thereby increasing that fuud to .£IOO, whio.h would be ample provision for future contingencies. The remainder (£2l 2s) should be donated to the Domain Board, which had assisted the Club to the best of tKeir ability on ill occasions. Thanks wero returned to the officials, who had done their best to make the meeting a, success. Mr C. A. C. Hardy, M. H. li., expressed his satisfaction at the splendid financial position of the Clnb, and complimented the various officials on the manner in which they had discharged their duties. He moved that the reserve fund ba invested in tha names of thff Secretary and Treasurer, jointly. The mqtion was carried uutuiimously, The Secretary was instructed to communicate with the Domain Board in reference to the bye-laws. It is understood that the Club intend to construct a running track, which has long been necessary to the completeness of the sports ground. The meeting terminated with the usual votes of thanks.