The Bruce Herald TOKOMAIRIRO, MAY 6, 1898.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 2958, 6 May 1898, Page 2

The Bruce Herald TOKOMAIRIRO, MAY 6, 1898.

Mr B. A. Pyke, editor and proprietor of this journal, waß called away and denly yesterday morning, and proceeded to Clyde, whore hia aged mother had been taken seriously ill and was not expected to recover. The pontoon of the staging of the Kaitungata punt Bank during the week, steps are now being taken to raise it. The question whether the English Company will take up its option of the Kaitangata Company's property will be known next month. Although winter has started, trees have not yet shod their leaves, and Bome look vry beautiful juat now in their autumnal tints. A report reaches us that Messrs Fraser (2) and Strouaoh on the Kaitangata Like, near Taratu, obtained 24 braoe of ducks on Monday last. Mr J. E. Brown kindly supplied us with the rainfall reoord in Milton for las 1 month, viz., l'l7in, rain having fallen on 7 days, while the heaviest fall for one day was 30in. A swarm of bees took possession of the operating room of the Palmeraton North Telegraph Office the other day. All the officials had to evacuate the room till the invaders ohose to give way. There is some talk of forming the Fortification Coalpit into a email oompany, »nd of patting down a tramway to haul the coal ; whether it will come off is hard to eay at present. A sportsman at Winton had a good day's shootiDg on the 2nd inst. He bagged twelve dacks in a very Bhort time, aud took them home to his wife and family, much pleased with hlo day's sport. .Next day ha was leas pleased with hiß Bucoeas aa a Bportaman; for he received a bill for thirty shillings, the price of the tame ducks he had shoe ! The trouble with the Maoris in the North still continues, but aa yet no fighting has taken place, although there seems to ba every proßpeot of snch a thing occurring before long. The Government have wired Inspector Hickaon that he must arrange for the arrest of the ringleaders and the surrender of arms. At present a force with Nordenfeldt and Maxim guns are posted near Wai ma, where the troublesome Natives are under arms. The Eight Hon. E. 3. Seddon has now been five years in office as Premier. He took up the portfolio on the Ist May, 1893. Since the constitution was granted, no other Premier has remained in office so many years consecutively. The nearest to Mr Seddon's reoord is that of Sir John Hall, who onoe remained in offioe as Premier for three years eight months and twelve dayp, i.e. from Ist October 1865 to 28th June 1869.

Although our local brass band had entered for tbe country banda contest, whioh was arranged by the Exhibition oommittee t 0 take pl<ice in Dunedin last evening, it waa found impossible to get a sufficient number of players away to do justice to the band. Regret haa been expressed on all banda that such an opportunity to display tbeir playing powers haa been missed, as opinion generally favoured their chance in the contest. The Moegiel, Roxburgh, Port Chalmers, and Naßtby bands were the only othe* competitors, and of these Roxburgh, who has been under the tution of a Dunedin gentleman for some time past, ia reported to be in good playing form.

The annual meeting of the members of St. John's Club waa held in St. John's Hall on Tuesday evening, when there were about 30 persona present, tbe Rev. J. 0. Small ocoupying tbe obalr. The report and balance-sheet for the past year were read and adopted, there being a balance of LI 16a to carry forward. The following officebearers were elected, President, Mr J. C. Small . vice-presidentß, Messrs C. Mahoney and H. M. Marryatt and Mrs R, Condon ; committee, Misses K. Grant, Marryatt and M' William, Mrs C. King and Messrs Wayne, E. Marryatt and J. Sprosen ; secretary and treasurer, Mr B. Brady (re-elected). Several new mombera were proposed, and it was deoided to meet on Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 9 o'olook while an address by the President; waa arranged for next meetingr

St Joseph's Schoolroom on Tuesday evening waa the scene of an enjoyable entertainment arranged by the Very Rev. Father O'Neill for the purpose, as he said, of raising funda to provide material for needlework for tbe young people, who are preparing for a bazaar to be held about the end of June. The night waa beautifully fine, and the attendance numbered close on a 100 persons, while the programme included items of variety in singing, danoing, instrumental musio and recitations. A string band of violin, piccolo, and harp playera waa very much enjoyed, their items in all cases being redemanded. The other performers who took part were :— Messrs J. C. M'Donald (reoitationß), P. Curran (song), J. Powley, P. Hiokey, J. Murtagh (Btep-danoing), and Miss Martina Lynch (songs) ; Misa Scanlan, besides playing a couple of selections, presided at the piano during the evening, and performed her many duties most expeditiously. A Betting of " Jarley'B wax-workß ' by a number of St. Joseph's School pupils was performed to tbe evident amusement of the audienoe, and altogether the evening pa_66_9_fi&9g.- moyMy.

Constable Macßae, of Milton, (says last night'a 'Scar') oapturod at Ratanui aud brought to the Police Court today a Bmall weighing maohine whoße evidence waa shown to ba unjuat. The prosecution failed, being directed against the wrong person. Cuansei theu asked what about tho return of the scales. Hia Worship said that aB there had been no conviction he oould not make^an order. Tbe point, however, was not preeaed. The faot seemed to strike everybody ooncerned that possession was undesirable, and when the parties loft the suspected maohine was left behind.

The annual meeting of the Bruce Poultry Sooiety was held in the Afcbeoa. am on Wednesday night, only five members being present ; Mr D. Tweedii was voted to the chair. Ihe report and balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of L 8 14a sd, were adopted aB read. Tho election of officebearers for the year resulted aa follows President, Mr D. Tweedie ; Vica- Presidents, Measra D. M'Gill, J. Taylor and J. Paul ; with three exceptions the old committaa was re-eleoted. The election of secretary in place of Mr G. K. Graham, who handed in hia resignation, *aa deferred tdl next meeting. Other business was left over till the next meeting, to be held on Saturday 14th inst.

On Tuesday evening the effect obtained from a single joe of acetylene gas was demonstrated in the store of Mr Finlay M'Leod, and though tho apparatus employed was a mere toy, not moaaaring a cubic foot, the result of the experiment was highly satisfactory to several gentlemen interested in the more efficient lighting up of their baainesa premises. The light waa brilliant, and the colors of Mr M'Leod 'a Btock as clear aB by day-light. We are informed that Mr Wayne, tha looal agent for the New Zealand Acetylene Gas Company, is prepared to furnish eatimatea of the coat of lighting with thia illuminaut anything from a single room to a city.

Eeaders will notice that a sale of work and produce haa been arranged for Friday and Saturday in cnneotion with the Wesleyan Church. It will be held in St. George's Hall, opening each day at 3 p.m., and admittance will be free The usual assortment of articles Incidental to a sale of work will be offered at reasonable prices, and a refreshment stall will also be in evidence. In the evening an entertainment programme is to be delivered each night at half-past -even, the sm .11 oharge to which haa been fixed at sixpence. As in former times ther« will no douht be plenty of customers, and if only tho s. >od object for which tho affkir ia in aid is considered, the publio ahould attend in largo crowds.