NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11130, 23 November 1901, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

'/ Detective. Livingstone arrested a man yesterday oa a charge of failing. to main- . A tain his illegitimate child, and the.same ti man* brother on a charge of disobeying a maintenance order for the -support of an illegitimate child. For the position of secretary to the Timaru Harbour Board, thirty-three applications were received by the Board at a meeting held yesterday" The Board nao> ~, rowed the list down to three, and a final , 11 yrm *• made to-day. The salary is £250 per annum. The staging of the new eastern mole at Timaru is now out a distance of 575 ft, and '- 2_22? be « a t t , PP«i to a dutonoe of oJSfift. The total amount of stone brought down and tipped to date is as foUawsT— Breakwater 2338 ton-, eastern mole 42,605, tramline 2530, Hayes street 372 tons. Mr L. 0. Bernacohi and Mr Coleridge Farr visited Lyttelton yesterday to exa- . mine and adjust some of the soientific inatrumenta, which are to be used by the ,'- Antarotio Expedition, and which are atpre- ,, tent in the office of Captain Maa_i*_, marine superintendent. The Timaru Harbour Board have started a trial of working double shifts in their , quarry in connection with the new harbour v ''works. Sinoe the trial started 460 tons of ■tone ham* been brought down and tipped . per day. Tire engineer reported at a. meet- . lag of the Board, held yesterday, that the h change wm wxwiang successfully, and he recommended that it should be continued during the summer months as it would 1 effect ,-*, a saving in the cost of the new works.

I- At the meeting o£j?he Canterbury Centre r'l- of the New Zealand &wijnminjf Association :■ vet night, the secretary, Mr Sibbold, stated s -.' that he hud written to the* Education Board •; with regard to the teaching of swimming > ' 8* publio schools, but the matter had not S y«t been dealt with by the Board. , The £\ /Beet method of getting swimming taught in eohools was to make it compuJsofy. He pointed out that the apparatus for teach- ■*& mg swimming were very inadequate. Mr V Goodwin referred to the fact that tb» Laii- •!*, vaster Park had erected an inexpensive apJjVV pliance for teaching swimming, and other cpeakers stated that eimilar appldancee are §^y, : in existence at the Christchurch and East §$f ; Chnatchurch bathe.

Ib is understood that a, considerable quantity of wool passed at auction yesterday ham since been sold at advances up to id per lb on the prices then offered.

A thousand cases of cheese are being sent to Wellington from the Bluff and DunedSn by*the Mount, to be graded there and shipped by the Kumars, for London. A small quantity of butter from Lytteiton also goes north to be transhipped in the Kumaro..

A movement is on foot at Lvttelton to raise funds far the erection in the local cemetery of a monument to the memory of the late Mr John Joyce. Messrs John Sullivan, W. Radcliffe, T. C. Field, and G-. Laurenson are willing to accept subscriptions ranging from la upwards.

It is probable that the greater portion of the southern output of cheese and butter this season will be forwarded to Lytteiton or Wellington for grading and shipment, ns this is found cheaper and more convenient than loading at the Bluff or Port Chalmers.

The Dunedin office have advised the local manager of the Union Steam Ship Company that the success of the Sounds excursion this season is now fully assured, the bookings within the last week or two having been exceptionally heavy. There are now only two deck cabins vacant, and the best accommodation below is already gone. On no previous occasion has the berthing list been so full at such an early date. Other intending passengers should make early application for accommodation to avoid disappointment.

M. Leo Cam explained the main points of his Harmonic system of pianoforte playing to a representative of "The Press" yesterday afternoon. The system, which is a<3 easy to learn as the old system is difficult is said to enable a novice within a very short time to play any dance music or song accompaniment without any tort of drudgery whatever.* M. Carri is a composer of repute, and Ids "Palm March" lias earned much popularity throughout New Zealand.

A meeting of the Lytteiton Regatta Committee was held last night. There was a. good attendance, and the Mayor, Mr T. C. Field, presided. The sum of twelve guineas was votedi to the Lytteiton Swimming Club. The collectors reported that £90 had been promised from Christohurch, and £100 from Lytteiton. The sub-committee presented a programme, which was adopted. A request for tlu> inclusion of a model yacht race waa refused. The sum of £30 was voted for fireworks, and Messrs W. Toomey and A. Khind were appointed the Fireworks Committee.

At a sitting of the District Court, held in Timaru, yesterday, before his Honour Judge Ward, J. P. Parke, fanner, of Temuka, was charged on ten counts as follows:—(lj On four charges of contracting debts; (5) omitting to keep books; (6) failing to keeu usual books; (7) obtaining credit under false pretences; (8) obtaining property on credit by fraud; (9) giving fraudulent preference; (10) fraudulent delivery of property.. The jury, after a retirement of forty minutes, found the accused guilty on, one count only, that of contracting debt with T. Buxton, of Xemukai, while in an insolvent position. Sentence was deferred, pending the settlement of a. law point which, was raised.

A stolen bicycle has just been brought to light in Wellington in an extraordinary manner, telegraphs our correspondent. One of the hydraulic jiggers was being used to hoist coal from the ship Weathersfield at the railway wharf. The chain went over the ship, and the slack ran out to the sea bottom. When it was raised again a bicycle was found hanging by one of its wheels to the chain hook. On investigation it was discovered to be a machine which disappeared last month from the wool jetty. The nickel work is damaged beyond repair, and rust has coated the bicycle £o a great extent. There is good reason to believe that the machine was stolen, because when it was missed there was no lamp attached to it, and when it was fished out of the water to-day a good lamp waa on the bracket. Evidently a novice stole the machine, and fear of the < police urged him to get rid of it by tossing it over the wharf. Mr Bla£k had) a. thrilling experience duri ing, the heavy sotf-wester on Tuesday last, i says the Akaroa.."Moil." He was coming . up alone in his oil launch from Lucas Bay. As it was raining hard he waa wearing a long macintosh coat. He lifted! a piece of the floor to pump the boat out, and on Stooping to get the pump his coat caught in the shafting, and ne waa dragged down on has. back -cloae up to the '.abaft. ' His arm went across the hole, which prevented him being dragged any furthe.. The shaft continued io revolve inside the twists of the coat,- whioh panned him down at the shoulder in such a position that-he could not free himself not reach the engine to stop her. After struggling for nearly ten minutes in this position' he exerted all his 'strength, and succeeded in throwing the shaft out of gear. Working with one hand he then up some of tbe turns round the shaft, and dragged himself out of tbeco_s, fr.hioh was torn to shreds. His arm is considerably bruised from the elbow to the shoulder* otherwise ha is all right. Mr Black says it was the worst, ten minutes he ever experienced, as he dad not knowhow it was going to end. As the engine is an eight-hotse power one, and the shaft was revolving at $00 per minute, some idea of the fproe required to throw her out of gear can be imagined!. Good progress is being made with the destructor, building works, which are now aesnming somewhat imposing proportions. •The S.-tuthfield. Freezing Works at Timaru ar«i now open for a short period. Winter rates are being charged. . ■ '. Two .thousand rainbow trout were taken to Waipara on Thursday for Mr Baker, who is placing them in the stream near his farm on the Omihi. A t^egr^, from, Patea states that the , West Coast Refrigerating Company's Grading Workß were opened at Patea on Thursday. Everything is in excellent* order, and there is a large amount of butter to be j handled. I The station practice, heavy gun firing, of tlie N Battery will probably take place next j Tuesday or Wednesday, ana will be followed j by the competitive practice on. Thursday and { Friday. Persons in vessels or boats are cauI tioned to keep clear of danger*from the guns. I The buyers and sellers at the recent wool sales speak in terms of praise of the suitability of the hall in the Canterbury Hall Bu_.dii.gs for selling wool. ''One of the best wool sales rooms in the colony," waa -the' verdict ot one well-known buyer. A Timarti 'paper states that two months ago a couple of pigeons were taken from Fairlie to Napier in a box, and after having beeri at the latter place a week were let out of tlie box. The birds flew off, and were not seen again until a few days ago, when they turned up at Fairlie. * According to Mr T. R. Fleming, Inspector of Schools, Wellington, many teachers are now proposing to study /or .the B.Sc. degree in preference to the. B.A. degree, as they consider that the former will be the more useful to them in the work they have to do. . The Australian Widows' Fund Life Assurance Society has just closed a very successful .year. «The new business completed for tlie year ended .Ist October amounts to £702,259, being an increase of £64,582 on the previous twelve months. Towards this increase the New Zealand Branch has contributed £20,100. , In a letter placed at the disposal of the '<Oamasu Mail," the following account of the state of Central Otago is given:—"I have been up here for c_bout a month, and during -that tame there may have been four caum days: on aU others it las been blowing a howling gale from either north-west or south-west, the cold wind being varied by a snap as bitter as in winter. .1 am told that the wind has been blowing thus for ten weeks. There is not a blade of vegetation on the plain except where tne land has been irrigated, ana even where verdure has been thus ipduoed the /jrass has been cut back by the wind as fas. as it grew. The sheep are just bags of bones, and if rain does not come quickly it must mean ruin to many farmers. They are cultivating an usual,"but in clouds of dust. The oftte are just above the ground, but get no hazier, and the turnip seed still lies dormant* in the moasfcureless soil. The force of the wind has been terrific on occasions. At Wedder-burn a four-horse waggon was Mown over, and one of the horses •was killed. A shed wue blown open and' smashed, and a sun-dried brick cottage and oudt>U-Ldlng were wrecked. In some parts i of the oountry no rain has fallen since last iTSfcr«-ar_." * 7 '

I The work of applying the brake to the rolling stock on the Weßingj too sect-Ofi of the railways will probably occupy about six'months. #_fter tha. the I stock on tihe Auckland section will be fitted I with the brake. There is a probability of Mr Donald Macdonald, the well-known Australian war cor- ! respondent, visiting New Zealand shortly on business connected with the "Australasian." The Hon. T. Y. Duncan, Minister for Lands, is to be entertained at a banquet at Oarnaru on Wednesday, to mark his accession to Ministerial rank. I Quite a number of persons were at tiie Cust Station yesterday morning in order to bid farewell to Miss Webster, the Chinese Missionary, who leaves by the Warrimoo to-night for Sydney, and thence to KienPing, in the Anhuei province. She left China at the commencement of the massacres in August last year, and has addressed many meetings "during her sojourn in this country. "Why did you file?" asked a creditor at a meeting yesterday. "Because I got threatening letters 'from, some 'of my creditors," was the reply. .'■•'."Aft! but you should not have taken notice of threatening letters," retorted the creditor. "There's nothing in them. You should have waited till you got a summons ; that's business." The reported leak in the Antarctic exploring vessel Discovery, says a Cape paper (received by yesterday's mail) existed only in ; the fertile imagination ' of the paragraph ist. The four divers who were reported to be employed in locating the leaks were simply' engaged in removing barnacles from the ship's bottom, and no leak of any kind has been located. Nor is it likely to be, says our contemporary. The ' _3_-weia Star" reports that a determined case of suicide occurred at Okotuku | (Woverley) on Monday. It appears that | an old Maori named Hautu, aged sixty, had had some difference with his neighbours, j who threuitened to take proceedings against him. The affair seems to have oreyed upon his mind, for on going to his hut on Monday another Maori found him suspended by a rope from the ceiling, dead. Acting upon the recommendation of the Chief Librarian, Mr Charles Wilson, the Library Committee-of the General Assembly has decided that stock shall be taken of" the contents of the library. For many years this very necessary precaution against loss of books has been neglected, and in the meantime the library has increased to a very large extent, it being roughly estimated to now contain some'fifty or sixty thousand volumes. In its issues to-day "Truth" will as usual, provide liberally for all sections of the reading public. The stories are full of interest, and the articles selected from the best sources. "Scrutineer" provides a particularly chatty budget of topical "Passing Thoughts, and the special Wellington and Dunedin letters will be found most readable. In the eight o'clock edition particular attention will be devoted to matters of interest to followers of sport and athletics, whilst the latest mining returns as forwarded from our own correspondents will be published. Some sensation was caused in Shrewsbury recently on it becoming known that, in the course of the construction of ajiew sewer 1 through St. Austin Friar street, a large number of bones had been thrown up by the workmen, which it is now stated on the authority of an eminent local antiquarian, are the remains of the men who fell in the battle of Shrewsbury in, 1403, when the King'sforces, under Prince Henry, defeated the Perries and slew Harry Hotspur. The dead of both forces were interred in the Friars' cemetery, which formerly stood on the spot. With true national commercial instinct the bones were promptly sold to a rag and bone merchant tor a. iew shillings. On Thursday a good photograph was obtained of the Northern express from Christchurch to Culverden delayed at Medbury collecting ballast waggons. The evening train -to Waikari was a combined ballast, luggage, and passenger train, the ; passengers getting all the shakes and I bumps at the end of the train. A deputation was to have waited on Mr Hali- ! Jones at Waipara on the matter,.but that j gentleman was closeted with his secretary I in one of the compartments of an Ameri- , can'car, with all the blinds down, and at Rangiora the Mayor of that town took his whole attention. .The photograph referred to will explain haw nicely the passenger service of the main North "line ia attended to. In the course of a conversation with a deputation yesterday, on the subject of the trams, the Mayor very strongly urged the necessity of legislation being obtained by which the public could vote on the question of Greater Christchurch. He pointed out that under the Municipal Corporations Act any portion of a borough could, . by vote of the ratepayers, separate and join on to another borough. For instance, part of Sydenham could, without reference to the Council, join Christchurch. If an integral part of Sydenham did this, and the other boroughs also followed suit, they would be on a fail way to solve the problem of how to Attain a Gmtter Christchurch. The members of the deputation agreed with the Mayor as to the advisablenes- of -the burgesses having the power to vote for amalgamation, without having reference to the Council. Examinations in wool-classing of a most practical nature have been held recently • in connection with the wool department oi ithe South Australian School of Mines. : Some time ago the council fof the institu- | tion appointed a powerful' aboard of ex ! aminers, composed of representatives of the I wool trade in South Australia. Owing to I the examinations being held at a busy time for wool-buyers and wool-brokers, au of them were not able to be present, especially as the examinations were conducted on stations while shearing was in . progress. The owners and managers of | the stations visited did all-that was in their power to facilitate the work of the examiners. Although 36 student, were examined, and. although the official results are not yet made known, it is understood that the examination Was satisfactory to all concerned. Our Kaikoura correspond-iit. states that since Saturday the weather has been very unsettled, and' on Tuesday a heavy northwest gale was experienced, which has uprooted many trees, and blown over chimneys as well as two bathing sheds lately erected on the beach near Goooh's Reef. Tha Kaikoura-Waiau mail coach, owned by Mr W. R. Creed, mail contractor, and driven by his son, Mr Alexander Creed, was blown over at a part of the road known as the Goat Hills*, some four miles on the Kaikoura side of the Conway accommodation house, and about twenty-six miles from.% Kaikoura, resulting in MrAlick Creed breaking- his shoulder, and dislocating his ankle. It is admitted by old residents here that such a wind has not been experienced for over a quarter of a century. Great sympathy has been freely expressed regarding the accident, both for Mr Alichf Creed (who has earned the esteem, as well as the confidence, of the travelling public as a careful whip), and his father, Mr W. R. Creed, who has carried the mails with punctuality under many drawbacks and reverses. The coach was found to be only slightly damaged, and all the horses were subsequently recovered. A deputation from the Bargesses' Association, consisting of Dr. Russell and Mr McCombe, waited on. the..Mayor yesterday, with reference to the tram question. The deputation wished the Mayor to call a public meeting of citizens in order to obtain an expression of opinion on the matter. His Worship pointed out that the delegate, had not yet reported the result of the recent conference to their respective local bodies. Therefore they were unaware of what action the local bodies would take. Until they knew this it seemed to him to be premature to call a public meeting. Of,cours»_f he received a requisition signed by the required number of citiashs he would have to call a meeting, hut he thought it would be better to leave the matter till after the action of the local bodies was advertised. The deputation agreed with the Mayor on this point. The question of tarring the streets was brought up, and Dr. Russell urged that now they were on the eve of a revolution in vehicles, the motor car coming in, the City Council should tar the streets to the side channels, and also have the trams on the side of the streets. The Mayor suggested that the question might be brought up at a future time, as he gathered from Dr. Russell that it had noUbeen dis- j cussed by the Association. ■ I

Pickpockets in Melbourne are past-masters in ih# art. Recently a> miner from the west was standing on t&e Post Office steps, w&en a gentlemanly looking individual trod heavily upon hie toes. Then stepping np to the miner, he placed a hand upon his shoulder and sympa*heticallv apologised for his clumsiness. The aipoLogy was xtiiKngly accepted, but some little time later <(he miner found thkt tie polite apologist bad relieved him of a poeketfbook containing fifteen sovereigns and other valuables.

Tie excess of Chinese departures from tihe coT.ony over the arrivals has for many months past been very marked, says the "New Zealand Times." As a rule, according -to the gazetted returns, aibout fifteen Chinese leave the colony each month, while tie average number of arrivals is one or two. There now appears to be a renewed influx, for the Mokoia, which arrived from Sydney on Wednesday night, brought sixteen Cfeaiese, ten ,of whom were booked for Wellington, and the remaining six for Lyttekon. . The merino is the aristocrat of the sheep tribe, but like his human compeer, he is liable to deteriorate. Experts say ne is '"becoming coarser." Mr F. W. of Wenz and Co., writes at length to the "Stock and Station Journal" on the subject. His contribution consists mainly of the opinions of a European spinner, who comptStns that each rear reveals in merino wool greater harshness and openness, with less elasticity and. serration. "The spinning machine," he says, "againsi whose verdict there is no appeal, rerefuses to produce the normal number of yards to the*pound which is the final test of the spinning quality of wool."

Sugar. —Best white sugar reduced to per lb.—Hubbard, Hall and Co. " 8852

"Procrastination is the thief of time." Hence ladies who intend purchasing new bicycles should* not miss the opportunity now offered by the Massey-Harris Bicycle Company of securing a slightly soiled up-to-date Massey-Harris bicycle at a large reduction. A twelve months , guarantee given with each machine. This stock is fast disappearing, and must be cleared to make room for fcesh shipments arriving. Call at the Massey-Harris Bicycle Depot, Tattersall's Buildings, Cashel street, and inspect the stock. ■ 8370 Owing to the increasing demand of late for New Zealand greenstone goods, many new and artistic designs in jewellery, etc., have been introduced, as will b«ween by « visit to the establishment of Messrs B. Petersen and Co., manufacturing jewellers, High street, who are making a special display of greenstone goods in their window. The firm are also showing a number of the latest designs in ladies' engagement tmd dress rings, and othfcr goods suitable for birthday and Christmas presents. 2£

Mr R. Francis, the Musical Exchange, 159 and 161 Manchester street, notifies that he intends holding special sale Pianos' and Organs to reduce stock', as large consignments are coming forward. Prices ranging from four to seventy-five guineas,-and can be either paid for in cash or easy terms, can be arranged. Inspection invited at our Ohristchurch Premises, or Addington, Leeston, and Kaiapoi Agencies. 6303

Bell Cycles—The\ most reliable and honest machine built in New Zealand. Manufacturers, Bell Bros., 170 High street, just past Clock Tower. Special attention to repairs. 5223

The number of accidents that have recently occurred through bike accidents, kicks from horses, and sprained ankles have served to . emphasise' this fact—that wherever pain or inflammation is present Loasby's Koolibah stands unequalled. Hundreds of testimonials prove this.—Advt.

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

"Anglo-Special" and "Humber" cycles are ideal bicycles for touring, their gxeat'feature being reliability under all conditions of road and weather. Call and examine the up-to-date models. Easy terms. . Your old machine taken as part payment. The AngloNew Zealand Cycle Company, D.LC. and 226 High street.—(Advt.)

For bicycle repairs we specially recommend cyclists to Boyd and Son, who are combining first-class work with moderate charges. 191 Gloucester street, Christchurch. Telephone 47... :. .?■ 29

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, Fiji—Advance New Zealand.— (Advt.)

Mutual affection requires to be preserved by mutual endeavours to please and to meet the wishes of each other. It- would be hard to imagine a more pleasing proof of affection than presenting a lady with one. of Butcher's engagement rings. The possession of one. of these jewels of rare beauty and elegance-will be found a most permanent source of happiness. Butcher, jeweller and ring maker, 210 High street, Christcnuroh.—Advt.

•Do you enjoy pictures? Inspect our samples just received. The P.O.P. Camera and Fine Art Stores, facing Clock Tower.— (Advt.)

Special jewellery sale this day at S. Clarke and Co.'s, 148 . Colombo street. Every -article offered is guaranteed a bargain. Inspection invited. No, one pressed to ..purchase. Botberam English- lever watches, value £6; J64 ss, eight-day striking clocks 12s 6d, high-class Specks 3s 6d, long gold chains, wedding, engagement, rings, silver plate', watches, jewellery, repairs, etc., equally cheap. ' Clarke and Co., 148 Colombo street.—Advt. "

The next Abend of fclie Liedertafel has Ibeen" fixed for the 28t>h inst., at-the Choral Halt, and arrangements have been made by which extra tickets can be obtained from tlie Secretary or Mr A. Appleby.