NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10148, 22 September 1898, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr Inspector Broliam proceeded y«3ter<lcy to Oamaru, to investigate a complaint by A publican there against two of the local constables. He will probably return on FridayYesterday it was reported to the Lyttelton Police that a wharf. labourer, named Henry Burke, a resident of Hcathcote Valley, had been missing since last Saturday.

A telephone office is now open at Woodend. The houi'fl are from 9 j.m. to 5 p.m. The office is to be closed on Sundays and holidays.

I While in Diinedin, Mrs Westmacott, of Christclmrch, was invited to sing in St. Paul's Cathedral, and did so on Sunday evening last.

Our Rllesmere correspondent writes that the lake is running out splendidly into the sea. This will be good news for a large number of lake flat settlers.

False alarms of firo are getting monotonous. Another occurred at 10.40 o'clock last night. The alarm was given from Box 18.

Beautifully fine weather ia now being experienced in the Ashburton district, and all kinds of vegetation is making rapid growth, lambing is progressing satisfactorily.

Telephonic information was received at the police station yesterday afternoon that a woman was apparently seriously ill or dying in Victoria atreot, near the North Belt. Examination at tho Hospital disclosed the fact that an over supply of strong refreshment was the cause of her helpless condition, and she was removed to less hospitable quarters,

The value of the Tamworth pig for crossing with the Berkshire for bacon purposes has often been mentioned, and one of the best results of the cross was seen at Addington Saleyards yesterday. A very prime baconer, said to be a little over ten months old, was offered, and 80a was bid, but this was refused, and the pig was bought at a higher figure for show purposes.

Last evening at Southbrook a female passenger from the down train got down and crossed the line within quite a few yards of the approaching up train. A A false step or her foot catching in her dress might hare caused a distressing acoident. It serves as another instance of the unsuitability of this as a crossing place for trains.

A young woman with dishevelled hair and dripping garments made her appearance at the police station last night in the custody of a constable, who reported that she had been dragged out of the river, into which she had thrown herself from the Victoria street bridge. The account given of the affair was that she had an altercation with her male companion, and terminated it in this rash miumer.

The " V- Zealand Times" states that the CydN. joining Club has decided to procure a brown specially made Saxony cloth for its uniform from the Wellington Woollen Company. The club is vigorously prosecuting the work of erecting danger boards on the bad pinches of road in different parts of the colony.

At a special meeting of the Ashburton County Council on Tuesday afternoon, a considerable amount of discussion took place with reference to the question of the mill intake, aqd it was decided " That it be an instruction to this Council's engineer not to interfere further with the intake of the mill race without the direct authority of this Council." The engineer was in. structed to proceed with then work in co- nneotion with the Ruapuna water supply.

■ The weather in the Waimate district for the past few weeks has been perfect ideal of epring. Warm showers, between which has come warm sunshine, has brought the crops •long splendidly, and the farmers are looking out for big yields. It is expected that this year's harvest will be one of the biggest Ob record, for every farmer has every acre he can spare under crop, and in the Willowbridge and Waihao districts the only grass paddock to be seen is an acre or two round the homestead or the roughest part of the riverbed.

An enthusiastic meeting of a large number of those who arrived by the 3hip Zealamlia on September 21st, 1858, wae held last evening at the Zβ' land Arms Hotel. The Hon. E. 0. J. Stevens occnpied the chair. It was unanimously resolved that a {(icnio to Suinner and a reunion in the evenng should be hold to commemorate the anniversary on Thursday next (September 29th), and a committee, consisting of Mesdames Dale and Johnson and Messrs T. Tankard, S. Johnson, Wilkinson, J. Fox, H. Smith, J. J. Parker and Walter Johneon, was appointed to carry out all the necessary arrangements in connection with the celebration.

Regarding the rate at which steam traction engines should pass through streets and populous towns, members of the Kaiapoi Borough Council on Tuesday decided to call the attention of the police to the rate at which two engines had been driven through the town on Monday. One councillor said the pace was "eyes out." The Mayor pointed out that no law applied to the speed, but a look out had to be kept for horses and vehicles to warn them and assist in passing. Although the motion would be sent to the police, it would perhaps be found that the Council could not regulate the speed of such machines when on the streets.

At a meeting of the Kaiapoi Domain Boad, on Tuesday, Mr Feldwick reported the planting of a, number of new trees, of which , a large proportion had been given by Mr W. Eagle, who was thanked for the same, and a vote of thanks accorded to Mr J. Leiihead for ornamental seats. Accounts amounting to £7 9s were passed for payment, leaving a balance of about £13 in hand. Mr Bugg represented that trout and goldfish had been seen in the lake. An Executive Committee of Messrs Feldwick (chairman), Eagle, JPearce and Doubleday was appointed to manage the domain for the year.

The Chriatchurch Meat Company have killed the large white North Island bullock which they purchased a fortnight ago. The live weight was 26041b, and Mr T. Rowe, the company's shops' manager, estimated the dressed weight at 17601b, while the actual weight was found to be 17201b. It was pointed out in the " Weekly Press " last "Week that, according to the scale of Mr McJannei, of Stirling, who multiplies the live weight of extra prime Smithfield show cattle by 2 and divides by 3, to find the dead weight, the bullock should have dressed 17361b. This shows that the scale worked out very correctly in this case, and also that the bullock may be reckoned as being quite op to Smithfield shew form. Mr Rowe made • *cry fair estimate, but McJannet's scale beat him, as it invariably beats leading butchers in England and Scotland. An unusual opportunity is presented to those intending to buy a piano. Mr Charles Clark will sell four high-class instruments by auction on Wednesday next. 278

Sir George Grey, in his memoirs, points out the frightful obstacles which have to be surmounted by explorers in Central Australia. We have just heard of a wonderful example of British pluck. Mac Donald, the overlander, rode from Port Darwin (Australia) to Adelaide in twenty-nine days, beating previous record by thirty-four days. Mac Donald was mounted on a "Swift" cycle fitted with Dunlop tyres. 3 04 Oatee, Lewry and Co. are now making a •peciality of Ladies' Zealandia and Atalanta Bicycles, at reasonable prices and and easy terms. Zealnndia Cycle Works, Christchurch.—[Ad vt.]

Mr C. Coleridge Farr, hon. secretary of the Magnetic Survey Committee, in Christchurch, has left by the Waikare on his way to Melbourne. It is understood that his visit is made in connection with some valuable magnetic instruments, in obtaining the use of which for the New Zealand survey it is desired to forestall the Antarctic expedition now on its way from Europe.

Constable Tonkin, who has been transferred to Oamaru, left yesterday for that station.

T he recent heavy seas on the Ninety Mile Beacli have piled up a large quantity of fresh sand at Taumutu which is .auriferous, and last week it is reported a Maori, named Phillips, obtained in one day, 30dwt. of gold by the aid of a rery primitive washing appliance.

Quite a tropical downpour of rain set in yesterday moi-ining shortly after 2o'clock, and everything in the gardens was much refreshed thereby. If the weather keeps as fine as it is now, the show* of spring flowers, under the auspices of the Horticultural Society, which takes place on Fnuay, ought to be worth going a very long way to see. There was a severe rain squall at Ljttelton about 3 a.m. yesterday.

Mr A. R. Bloxam, Registrar of the Supreme Court, has arrived by the Gothic, from his holiday in England, and will resume hia duties shortly. All who have had any business to do with the Supreme Court will regret the departure of Mr Thomas, who has been acting as locum tenens for Mr Bloxam. Mr Thomas, by his unfailing courtesy, has made troops of friends here, who will take leave of him, on iis return to Auckland, with much regret.

As rumours were prevalent that StaffBugler Aahton was not likely to live, the veteran on Monday took the most practicaj method of convincing the boys that he ia still to the fore. He blew a series of calls on the silver bugle presented to him by the ladies of Canterbury. The calls. were given considering the bugler was eighty-two years of age last month. Volunteers both past and present will be glad to learn that "Old Dad" AsJiton can yet blow the calls us of yore.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs .'—Amongst the passengers from England by the Gothic ia Mrs Danbar, who comes out to New Zealand in search of health. Mrs Dunbar has written two or three books on social subjects, and has nlled some important journalistic posts in London, such as editor of "London Society" and sub-editor of "The English Woman." She proceeds to Auckland to stay with relatives there, and will afterwards be the guest of Ladyßraddon in Tasmania.

Morris, photographer, from Dunedin, personally takes all the portraits in Colombo street. Call and see new specimens.—[Advt.]

Lovely Spring—We have just opened and are now showing a splendid selection of New Summer Dress Materials, the Choicest Millinery of the Season, New Ribbons, Laces, Gloves, &c., from the best makers, and a splendid selection of General Household Drapery at cash prices, and one of the prettiest selections in New Ties, Scarves, &c, for gents. Inspection invited. Shaw, Robinson and Co.,2l3Cashelstreet,opposite Press Office. 2528

If you require a tonic take the best— Syrup of Hypophosphites. Barneet, Chemist, lib bottle, 4s 6d; £lb, 2s 6d.—

" Crown Brand " Tea Prize Competition : —Ladies' watches, albums, workboxes, workbaskets, &c., &c, given away free by Hubbard, Hall and Co. for " Crowii " Brand Tea, Coupons. Next competition closes 31st October (next month). Hubbard, Hall and Co.—[Advt.]

The Barlow Cycle Mfg. Co. beg to intimate to their numerous customers and the public generally that as they have no old out-of-date stock of parts, &c., they are not putting on the market an inferior slop-made bicycle, but are still manufacturing their well - known up -to - date Excelsiors, which have never been known to collapse in any way, at reasonable prices and terms to suit the/ purchaser, and a guarantee worth 20s in the £ of twelve months from date of purchase. Write for catalogues of Excelsiors and the famous Red Birds. 48 Manchester street, Christclmrcli.--(Advt,)