NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11012, 9 July 1901, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The third Royal number of the "Weekly Press" will be placed bsfore the public tomorrow. It forms a fitting successor to the two numbers for which the .demand was always greater than the supply, and 1 those who were fortunate enough to secure a copy of these are sure to be anxious to possess tba issue which pictorielly completes the Royal Tour in New Zealand. Views are given of many of the pretty arches which were erected at Auckland, Wellington, I Christchurch, and Dunedin, the reception of the Arawas, and the presentation of their canoe at Rotorua, the illuminations at Wellington* including a fine picture of the General Poat Office, this illuminations in Christchurch, showing the Cathedral lit up with electricity", this reception,of the Royal Visitors in Oamaru, and the Royal.party.leavingthe Dunedin Caleaonian Grounds, after the Otago Schools Children's Festival. There are some specially good illustrations of th» interiors of Te Koraha, the Royal residence in Christchurch, and of Canterbury Hall, where the Mayoral Reception was held, the march past of the mounted troops at tlie Great Review, the Ophir leaving Lyttelton, and tha' Duke's farewell, when he signalled "Kia Ora" to the Tutanekai, the scene being splendidly depicted. These complete a I series of historical pictures, valuable as recording an important visit to New Zealand, and enhance the prestige of "The Weekly Press" as an uo-to-date and efficient pictorial journal. In anticipation of another big demand, an extra supply lias been arranged, but as this is necessarily limited, early application will have to be made if disappointment is to be avoided.

The Sydenham Borough Council find there is some doubt as to the powers of the Council to expend the borough funds in providing music for .the public, and have therefore requested the Municipal Association s solicitor to express an opinion on the question.

Mr E. G. Isaac, one of the newry-appointed inspectors undsr the Manual and Technical Branch of the Education Department, is at present in Dunedin, and intends making an exhaustive inquiry into the requirements of the Otago education district under the Act ci last session.

A person who takes out a new book from tbe circulating library, and deliberately cuts oufc 'a valuable map, deserves to be severely punished. A few days ago one of these destructive individuals took out a, seven ailU sixpenny volume, nubliehed only this year, entitled, "Our' Empire Pa|»t and Present, , ' He cut out-an important map of the Channel Islands and returned it in a mutilated! condition.

The vandalism of some persons who have destroyed tbe fcrets on the South belt was before the City Council last evening. One of the councillors described the trees as having been .simply uprooted, so that it could not be mere boyish mischief, but looked like am attempt.to frustrate the planting. ISie matter has been referred to the Works Committee to confer with the beautifying Association, and- perhaps some means may T>e devised to bring the offenders within the grasp of the law.

A correspondent writes: —"Anenfc tbe -•small bird nuisance, and* ths present bad leather: In some of the school grotms», wh'er* children at noon leave bread, etc., yesterday there were hundreds of sparrows and linfeets, and a few blackbirds, to be seen evidently\dowu to low rations. It would not be a. difficult matter, therefore, for farmers to exaeka heavy toll this year on birds which caused , them great loss laet grain season by laying wheat. Several of the Road Boards have been considering the question of skvin* out wheat, but the first cold &p has caught them napping, for, as the stiow melts, the birds find green food and gruba.

- The CSty <Jouncdl last uight derided to -*| taike tbe land for the new yaid under the. ,v | Public Works Act. " Tie tender - for the extension of the- worke ! -| at IMrim Freezing Works for the Belfast V Freezing Company, for which Mr J. C. % Madddson rs arobitocb, has been let to | Messm, J. «od W. Jamieson. | At tlie Magistrate's Courb yesterday, tele- \;% graphs our Oreyinouth two publicans were frned £2 and £20 respect i\ >cf endorsements on their licenses) for '■?« Sunday trading. It is undeistood that hvo '_ '} other prosecutions are~ ponding. "i

A Joint Committee of the' Duncdin City and Suburban Councils has b«>n set up to J--report on the necessity of ertcting woiken' . , swellings. At a conk-ifnce of representatives a proposal was mad* to form ,1 Greater Duncdin by tl«»-amalgamation of the city o t and suburb's, but the motion was lost by a. -.=*.■ large majority. » \t lust night's meeting of the Limvood Borough Coundi, Cr. Seed expressed grati- &.• ficacion that the boroiiffh's cuntributton to - • the expenses of the Royal visit hvl not, ' , reached £500. He reminded the Council of '< his previous unwillingness that, any gj-eater < ' sum than £300 should be promised, but , ': said that he would sooner see the borough -* .- charged more than that amount than that „- ( Christohurcb should have come off a bad J*". foua-Ui among the cities of the colony with '' regard to -the visit. 1

"If the Council wish to make a retaU market of t'he streets the police will not - ~-' interfei-e. ,, Tliis was what Inspector "Ellison put before tlie City Council last night in connection with the number of itinerant vendors who take up the streets of the city. There is no <loubt that th<j9e« -1 people consider the streets a place uher? they can vend their wares without let or liindrance. The Inspector called attention I to several objectionable persons who have ] standte. The matter wm referred to the ' 'iiy-Law Committee, who will, it i* expected, , I take steps to deal with tlve matier. I

The City Council last night had a rather animated discussion over the destructor question. The Works Committee brought ► * down some recommendations in regaid to, the plans wihich they stated would save at "" " least £1000, ''.without in any degree impair- _ ing tie efficiency of the work. Despite ths eloquence of the chairman, of the Works _-"*. Committee, Cγ. Maedonald, who was loyally , supported' by his colleague, Or, Taylor, the ; , Council came to the conclusion that tOiey would adhere to the original plane, with > the exception of holding tlie erection of the machinery room , in abeyance as suggested by the Works Committee. The •Christohuroh City Council's Electric * Lighting Bill was discussed -at the Syden- ' ham ■ Borough Council last night. The , J clauses empowering the City Council to ae~ "< quire land .outside its boundaries, and to be exempt from rates for such properties, f were objected to. Ib was resolved to ask the St. Albans and Linwood Borough Councils to co-operate in urging on tin , members /or. the diiitrict the desirableness of having the Bill amended 1 so that the U.auee for, <' purchase of land in other boroughs should ,1 read "with the governing local body's ""i&n- , seat," and to strike out the cfaupe exempting such properties from paying .'rates. To illustraite his statement made in the = I course of liis sermon on Sunday that the ' / Cburchr of Rome was acquiring a very jjreat ?'' deal of political influence, Bishop Julius ~ r related an incident that occurred only a few'" 1 f days ago. "A woman spoke to mc," said liis Lordship, "about her son." She begged mc to procure v certain pt*ce. for Jum— nothing 'high or >grand—and she said if he only were a 'Roman Catholic he would get ' ib directly. And tin* is true,' - Bishop « Julius added; "it is true, simply bacause the Roman Cat] 101 res work together; they , pull together; they know what they want, and they get .what they waat.", v . ~~ To-night "Sweet Lavender" will be re'*\_ produced by the members of the Ohriet- s»* church Amateur Dramatic Club, in aid of -the Canterbury Bruaich of the New Zea--J, land Natives* Association. The pky it-' - eelf. as was proved on «v former representation, is not only well cast, but wae ex- n cellently acted l . Indeed, dt> would be hardij|j to find a better representation by amateuwvji of. ai piece wJiiuh taxes the powers eveii Ts| of professionals considerably. With the-. 1 , assurance that tie performance will be suecessful andP the still greater incentive of » } » very worthy object there should be a %. crowded house botih to-night and to-mor-jg; xow evening at tiie Theatre Royal to see -* one -of the most charming dramatic idylls g yet produced on our modern stage. 1\ About tea o'clock yesterday evening a% man was seen tearing along High street, Jg followed by another, who was shouting at j£ the top of his. voice, "Stop thief! Stop thief!" Constable O'Cocn-ell,. who wa»<£j standing near the Bank of Australasia, ped the first man, aiwi held lriin until Chief : f Detective Ch-ry'stal. for such tlie pursuer turned out to be, had arrived. The de- \ tective ordered him to bs han<l-s, cuffed, and the man was then walked *• off to the Police Depot, ths constable onoiw ,■> side, and the detective on the'other. A .. little crowdl liad collected by this tinw, *nd ' speculated in awe-stricken whirptrra what the man had done. A 'Trees" re-^ ; presentative arrived 1 at the Police just in time to witness a charge being <B- i\ tered against the prisoner of failing to contribute towards this support of a child. On Saturday Messrs Tonks,,Norton, Co., sold by auction, for .removal, all *"*', buildings on. Oxford terrace, between CasW " street and tbe' old Deanery, the total sum realised being £80. An old house m Mon- ' treal street was sold by the same firm for * £14, to Mr A. Reed. At Messrs Mat«# f! and Co.'s salerooms, on Saturday, , spirited bidding for the; farms of Mfesr* V. P. Henley .(Tai Tapu), Davis (Kaiaptu Island), J. Lean (Yaldhurst), J. bnnttt ■ (Bumharn), C. Birdling (Prebbleton), m,% P. Mannion (Rolleston), ■ all of which auner within a few shillings.of the reserve fljj* prices ranging from £15 to &&.**!**: acre The only sales effected, were on account of Mr P.. Henley, sen.. 5; 80 acres at Tai Tapu, at £24 per acre, Mβ». another 80 acres close by, at £28 per WJ, t to Mr P. Walsh, and a house and «* «*g' of land at P.apanui, to Mr J. Jones, vx ~ £900. , .. a J Yesterday morning, it ia stated, «*£ ice on Victoria lake must have been tm>* and a half inches in thickness. > &. A Stratford telegram .says-.-"The ration tbe unimproved value proposal has carried in this'county by 399 to ib. The express for the South ywjggr was composed largely of the new carrM***;. recently imported from America. * ; .saps, .a .ew. ***s^ aid of the fund for the supply ol cc» % and blankets during the .water. An influential American joiirna'l P™»{™f £ a Soup picture entitled "The' Right R. J. Premier of New Zealand, other prominent Maoris. ,, , The*attendance at the St. Albans VMgj SchS is 426, and at the Side BdwdJUjr,

Srf 5a umbers of 499 and 128 «*«*j tively. ~ ,„ _«..? The dog-poisoning fiend lias evidently appeared in Masterton. Recently a who came into Masterton had » 1«» «JJ. four dogs fail victims, while other &* are reported. * ff' At Lvttelton yesterday, bsfore » r Jfc Radcliffe, J.P., a first offender, f har drunkenness, was fined 5s and ordereo • pay costs, 2s ; Charles Peterson, on a »»£ , lar charge, was similarly dealt witn,«-Vj Kate Moore was convicted and diecoaxgea. Mr W. P. Greenaway, of Donnevirk". ■ pushing the vhite pine trade wißi Ag tralia At present.he luis two idiLb Vtotk 5 ing tit Mokau, cutting white P' ne three vessels make regular trips to tralia with the timber. J i In order to prevent accidents on *gV4 ings when the passenger wkirf at ' Zn is slippery with froet xt & geeted that the Harbour Boaro. »»**"™s.j Should have some gravel or sand spread o«y » portion of it. A, As already intimated the *notnAjm vioualy placed at the disposal of tne *^7> ; . by the Marks Trustees for coale awiW| ? kks has been expended. The.* art a number of applicants -whom it » possible to supply, as the fund » oausted. His Worship, hoover, «w/|? ha,ppy to l-eceive donations, either in or money, aad already, as will be «ew elsewhere, a donation of £10 has o«u z received by ham. Possibly othfrs follow tiie excellent example. gv

'At the Police Court yesterday, fonr flrit offenders for inebriety • were fined 5s or tweraty-four hours' imprisonment, and Jtas. Stapfceton 20a t or forty-eight hours'. This was the only business.

Enquiries ace being instituted as to the ■whereabouts of a well known tradesman in North Canterbury, who has not been, heard of for sonic days by his family or at his "place of business. . ♦ The labour classes in Wellington are uniting to give » complimentary banquet to Sir J. 0. Ward on tW 29th iv honour of hi» elevation to knighthood. All sections of labour are participating."

On Saturday evening- the members of the Kaiapoi Presbyterian Chinch presented Mr Sydney Wright _ with a handsome oak inkitand in appreciation of lib services'as secretary to the Church f<*r the past two years. Rev. W. KiUihie made the presentation.

The Cook County Council hag an overdraft of between £8000 and £&000. The position i* nuher critical, and a proposition wan moved at th* last meeting to dispense with fill the labour employed for a month or two, until some rates can be got in.

A thorough but hitiierto unsuccessful search is being made by the police for the missing limn, Charles Parkinson; who disappeared from Mr R. Heaton Rhodes'* employ on Thursday afternoon. Ths only trace of him yet found is that he was last seen by one Joseph Mcllroy.

A bttilitf being closely cross-questioned in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, was askod by a solicitor if he had not gone after a vehicle to seise it as soon as he heard it viu about to be sold, replied: "Of course I did. If it hid bc-Mi in your parlour I should have come and taken it."

Th» St. Albaiu* School Committee met on Wednesday evening, Mr G. Simpson in the chair. The treasurer reported tlie balance in the bank at £11 16s lid. Messrs Harrison and Deane were appointed Works Committee. Tilie Board of Education wrote confirming the appointment of Miss, L. Hodgson us pupil teacher.

An unmanly person who snowballed a lady on Saturday afternoon got rather more than he bargained for. The lady returned the fire vigorously, and, having given her assailant a good snowballing, rushed him, laid him in the snow, and generally crumpled him up. There was only one verdict by those who* were looking on, viz., "Serve him right!"

The City Council men were making vigorous efforts thirmg yesterday to get the crossings fairly clear of snow and water, and succeeded in putting the streets in something like decent oru«r towarda afternoon. Cathedral square and some of the other open spaces were, however, rather difficult walking, particulikrly for ladies, as the snow had melted.

The snow and frost have been very severe in the Cust district during the last few days. Oh Saturday night 11 degrees of frost, wire registered. But the day« have bten warm and bright, tlws sun shining brightly «;n Friday and Saturday, whilst Christchurch was wrapped in gJoom. On Sunday 70 degrees Ffthr. were registered in the sun, and at night a thaw set in, accompanied by a northwest wind and lightning.

Tho Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association has made a considerable increase in the prizes for some classes- In the wood-chopping competition the first prize has been brought up to £15. New classes are made for sheep dog trials, best polo pony collection, bacon factory products, collection of tinned meats, the most comprehensive collection of grain root*. The prizes are increased in the draught horse section, and a, prize of £12 for factory export butter is given. In the dog and poultry sections » number of i*ew classes are added.

Oomaru apparently whs tho only town in which mow did not fall during the recent bliteard (remarks the "North Otago Times"). Cannot thw fairly be charged to some remlisenese on the putt of the Minister for Lands, who surely ought to have known that Ilia constiUierft« wanted a little snow'/ This i« a more serious matter than the watering of the Royal engines) at Pukeuri, for how much fun could not have been extracted from snowballing the Mayor and Borough Councillors until they sincerely regretted the imposition of that sixpenny rate. The'officer* , and'crew of the Star" of England had m trying experience in the southerly gale which ra-ged on the coast lust •we>sk. The big vessel van into the worst of tho weather in the morning at five o'clock, off Cashpoint, and the officers the, sea as tfe heaviest they have eeen for year*. At time« the ship was literally buried, nothing being visible below the bridge, and even that at timer beityr swept. To add to th« trouble some of the deck cargo, consisting of casks of taliotf, got adrift amd made things very merry for ftUhands. , In asking in the Xegislative Council whether the-Ctorernhient would offer a reward and a free pardon to any person giving evidence such as. would lead to the conviction ' of anyone implicated in setting fire to the Grand Hotel, Auckland, the Hon. Mr Shrimski said that the evidence given at the inquest on the victims of the fire showed that it b*d been wilfully caused. The Minister in charge replied tliat no reward or pardon liad been offered, and whether this was tkme would depend very largely on the result of the inquest now proceeding. It was eta#ed daring tho hearing of the evidence in the woollen dispute before tihe Conciliation Board) yesterday that in certain departments of the Kaiapoi Factory where treadle sewing machines were used, tho machines were worked by the girls '" themselves, and were not connected with one of the revolving shafts. Several girls rt&ted that the work in coneecptence was very heavy, and, in many cases, the girls wore laid up on .this account. In reply to the Chairman of the Board, Mr J. Leithead, mill manager at the, Kaiapoi faotory, ad- . mitttd that the machines were not run by steam, and stated that the girls themselves ~ preferred running them by treadle. The witness, however, stated that during tihe five yearn ehtvhad been employed, no such alternative proposition had ever been made. The Premier at the Wellington Poultry . Society's dinner onJPriday night, in ajludinjr ' to the effocement of the Opposition, said that he was delighted to escape from a plaoe where there had recently been a funeral; but the funeral was only a continuation of the Mfemony at the last general election. The people then buried a good many of the Opposition,' and the few that have remained have burled , themselves. "Joking aside (said * the Premier), I do not know whether it is right to the people who sent certain men to Parliament to opjrose the Government that those members should, without consulting their .constituents, have receded from the fight. Constitutionally those. members •houkl have gone back to their constituents and been whitewashed. Then they would have been returned as Government supporters." It is a fact that, mantelpieces,made in Australia of New Zealand wood are imported into Auckland and sold at a lower

rate than the statutory wages which would be paid for making them there. The timber . .baa to pay freight on conveyance to Australia, freight hue to be paid ou the manufactured article , , duty has to be paid on imported woodwork 22£ per cent., and yet • the mantelpieces can be sold cheaper than they can be mode. In New Zealand ceaseless irritation of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and the annual increasing of liabilities «nd responsibilities on the part of empldyw»~all tliese things, remarks the "New Zealand Herald, ,, liavw their effect. At one time Auckland had almost a monopoly of this Kind of timber manufacture, but it is rapidly passing away because our natural advantages are bang destroyed by legislation. . the etetionmaster at Dunedin «*ane in for tome attention At the hands of members of the Legislative Council last week. Mr Pinkertoo narrated an experience at the hands ot the official in question, whom he described M "• email man, but very much too big for h» job." His grievance was that two friends «l hie travelling to Gor« had not been allowed by Mr Duncan to put their luggage on to* train on wliich they were travelling, but ' jwtunntely a porter with mpre consideration jjjdoome to the rescue. The manner of the ■*J««naaster waa stated to have been very *«"«. That official had stated that be *£»* we, but he (Mr Pinkertoiij prattled *e*™t the railway servants "not caring" for the Welfare of passengers' luggage, and ."•jwond the department that there was °*$** ** give some security for the carriage of luggage. He had not met -with each an 'flf^if 1 "* atl u * a^s °* an y otb* l " railway

Mr H. Newton took his seat on the Conciliation Board for the first time yesterday.

With this copy of to-day's "Press" vnxvone of ©or 10,000 waders will (or should) receive a circular, which will be found of altogether unusual importance, viz.. a booklet, containing sixteen page*, describing the very seasonable bargains which, doling the ensuing twenty-one days, may be secured at the "Great Stock-taking Sab* at " the D.I.C. We commend this eataJßfcue to tbe careful psrosal of every householder, and can safely assert that a half.-hour so spent will result in a most profitable visit to the great emporium named.. 8445

Important Notice.—Drapery and clothing at enormous reductions. A positive ckarance at Beath's. 2s 6d wide silk Gibbon for 6id; ruffled tucking, 3s 6d for Is lid; fur neckkts, Is lid for 5s lid; wool slip mats, 3e 6d for 2s 6d; large size quilts, 8a lid for 6s lid; calico, 2s fy\ dozen; 32s 6d jackets for 23s 6i; ladies' macintoshes. 21s for 14s lid; colonial ribbed blooi/ieri, 5s 6d; flaimt'letta underclothing, knickers, 2s 6d for Is 9d; chemises, 3s lid for 2s 6d; nights, 4s 6d for 2s lid; trimmed bonnets, 30s for 16e lid. Shop early. Wonderful bargains. 8190

Zealandia Cycles—the most up-to-date of all colonial cyclee, good in every part; pleases every, purchaser, and needs no expense for repairs.— Oates, Lowry, and Co., makers, Christchurch. [Advt.]

The leading feature of the.Sairooy Studio is that no effort will be spared to secure the natural pose and expression of sitters.— Studio, 258 Market Square. [Advt.]

No ma|ter how muddy the roads, you can ride to business without getting splashed if you use Bleumel'e whiter mudguards, fitted or detached in one minute — you can get them at "The Anglo," 226 High street, and D.l.C.—Advt.

Mr Grieshsber, jeweller, who has removed to new premises, 155 Colombo street opposite City Hotel, is having a clearing life of his whole stock at greatly reduced prices.—(Advt.)

Iα the window of W. J. Donlop's shop is to be seen a display of most beautiful jewellery.—N.B.—Repair* ol all descriptions done on the premises, 175 High street, opposite J. Knight, batcher, below Clock Tower. [Advt.] Diamonds, Gold, etc.—Clarke an* Go. buy for cash old gold chains, watches, jewellery, etc. Clarke's 26s 18ct. wedding rings are heaviest and best value in New Zealand. Clarke and Co. invite comparison of their engagement rings, watches, jewellery, clocks, electroplate, etc. Jewellery made to order. Watches cleaned 4s 6d, clocks 2s 6d. S. Clarke and Co., 148 Colombo street. —Advt. Bell Bros., 170 High street, jfust past Clock Tower l , manufacturers of the celebrated Bell Cycle, now booking orders— few equal, none superior. Repairs prompt; workmanship guaranteed. 5225 Cooking figs 6d, layer figs 7d. WardelTs. —{Advt) Mr If orris, photographer, Colombo street, Chrietdhuroh, find* it is not generally known that his charge for cabinet portraits of children and three-qnarter-length pictures is 17s 6d per doe., and extra charges for vignetting, groups, large mounts, also the various method* of printing, etc.— (Advt.) Unbroken chilblains almost drive the sufferers silly. The irritation ie often very great. Loasby's Koolibah relieves almost instantly, reduces the swelling, and com--1 pletely cures in a very short time.—(Advt.) Champion brand butter is superior to any J other on the market. 14 is uniform in quality. Price Is per lb. Wardeli's, sole agents.—(Advt.) • Benjamin Gum enjoys a very large sale in New Zealand, and that its fame is spreading is proved by the fact that the proprietors of the popular cough remedy have this season secured orders from Westralia, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, and Fiji.—Advance New Zealand. —(Adyt.V Mr W. E. Sorrtll, the popular, photographer, was badly troubled with unbroken chilblains. He soaked his feet in hot water three times, and applied Loasby's Koolibah after each fomenting. Result, a complete cure.—(Advt.) ■ On bins for wedding, birthday parties, etc., cups and saucers, tumblers, cakestands, knives and forks and spoons, dinner and tea seta, etc., at reasonable t>rices. Fletcher Bros., Crockery and Glassware Importers, Lower High street, Chrwtohurch. —(Advt.) THE KING'S PROPOSED VISIT TO IRELAND. , The "Lord Lieutenant's announcement that the King intends to pay a visit to Ireland "as soon as possible" will cause the liveliest satisfaction on both sides of St. George's Channel, says an English paper. His Majesty's interest in all matters relating to the welfare of Ireland, and Ms keen anxiety to promote the prosperity of that country, were repeatedly manifested before his accession, to the throne, and this timely intimation gives proof-Mf any were needed —that he will spare no personal effort as Kiog, which may toelp to bring a new era of contentment to this pwt of his dominions. AN INTERESTING RELIC. An interesting discovery was made recently in the office of Messrs Harwood and Pincott,' solicitors, at Geelong (Australia), when the original deed regarding the historical attempt to purchase a vast area of land around Port Phillip by John Batman from the aborijjinals of the "Duttigallar" tribe was brought to light. The document, dated 6th June, 1835. is signed by John Batman on behalf of the Port .PhXlip Association, and eight chiefs representing tue the above-mentioned tribe, and the tract of land referred to k set down at 100,000 acres in mid around Port Phillip. There is a memorandum attached to the deed which mentions that the delivery is done by the chiefs biking up part of the soil and placing it i» ithe hands of Join Batman. Connected with fche transaction there are ether documents, all- of -which have been discovered in the same office. One of these, dated 6th October, 1845, recites the rfaot that W. Lonsdale and James Simpson, trustees of the will of Jno. Batman, transferred to Charles Swanston, Batman's one : Beventeenth share in the Port. Phillip Association for £411 15s 2d. The whete of the documents are in excellent preservation. AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE. An extraordinary case, which is being heard in the Rhenish town* of Ebberfeld, says a Home paper, throws a flood of light on certain aspects of. conscription-which the advocates of compulsory military service in England will do well to consider. Over fifty persons are on trial charged with attempts to deceive the military authorities regarding the state of health of certain young men liable to military service. Some time ago the military authorities got wind of a widely spread practice of taking medicine to escape service with the colours. It came to their knowledge that young men. the sons of wealthy parents, were paying large sums, in certain cases £1000, for pills and other medicines which, when taken two or three days before their examination by the military. doctors, gave them the appearance of sufferers from jaundice or heart disease. Medical men lent themselves to this deception, and it is now tolerably certain that army surgeons were cognisant of the frauds, and -were bribed to keep The affair has created a tremendous sensation in Germany.

THE MEANING OF "KIA ORA." Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs 1 —There baa been a good deal of discussion lately about the meaning of the words "Kia Ora," used by H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and York in some of his speeches in New Zealand. Mr' Hone Heke, in reply to an inquiry, •writes: —" *Kia' represents,' the Tword "t0, ,, 'ora' represents 'five' or 'life." There are many other words ora is used, such as safe, saved, satisfied, and a few others. However, wftfen the words are used jointly the literal meaning would be to, lire.* The wider use op the words has always been accepted by t-he Maoris to conrey (1) long life, (2) jjoo/c! health, happiness, and prosperity, (3) kusiri greetings. In fact, it conveys all the b/cat wishes one person intends to convey to/ another or to a number of people. The ±K-o words are used so as avoid the expression being made cumbersome by the many words, to make it

as simple as possible, but to convey as much as possible. The weight and strength of the expression, and the length, "breadth, and depth of its meaning, would be better understood and appreciated by the kindly and sincere manner of the person who gives it utterance- It is said that the Duke oi Cornwall and York mutt have been struck with the words 'kia ora/ as witness his constant use6f them. I can only say that the Maori tribes of New Zealand who" were assembled at Rotorua felt and appreciated the use of the words by our Royal and most distinguished visitor."