NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11547, 1 April 1903, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The auction advertisements of J. Mundell, Moling and Shallcrass, Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Taylor, Cole, andl Co., and George King and Co., will be found on pfcge 11 of tlilis issue. The Dunedin Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Fund now totals about £900. The Duradrn Temporary Infectious Diseases Hospital has been definitely closed, scarlet fever having practically^isappeared. It is understood that the Arbitration Court will sit in Ashburton in a few days, to take evidence in reference' to the tailors" dispute. Detectives Fahey and Quirke arrested a man yesterday on a cluirge of having stolen, on Aiarch, 22nd, a purso containing £10, ; tbe property of John Stott. T<hc Agent-General cables tJial the Argentine prohibition oo the importation of New Zealand cattle applies equally to sheep. Tho Minister of Mines and Justice will visit Otftgo and Canterbury -after Easter. Mr Seddcxn will endeavour to he p«sent at tihe banquet to Mr MeNab at Gore on Friday. The Minister for Public Works has promised to give a subsidy at the rate of £200 a year it) a medical man. who will begin practice amongst, tho workmen employed on the Main Trunk Railway at Ongaruhe. The annual meeting of the Beautifying Association wan to have bwn held last night, but owing to the boisterous weather only four members attended, and the meeting wucs adjourned till a date to be announced. Tho Customs duties collected, in Wellington during the financial year ended yesterday established a. rewrd, amounting to £561,*704, an increuee of £51.981 over the previous yeur. Beer duties amounted to £9978, ail increase of £30. At a meeting of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, htild at Wellington, Mr Young, the secretary, referred to the action against one of tlie Janet Nicoll firemen for refusing duty o:i the liigh eeas, and cautioned the men to be careful, as the oifeiice was a very serious env, and if proved the maximum penalty under the Shipping Act was t.welve months' imprisonmenu There were 172 births in the city of Christehurch and district last mo»!i, as against 131 in March of last year. Of the number 89 were males and 83 females. The marriages numbered 88, as against 76 in the corresponding month of 1902. The deatlies were 84 (42 moles and 42 females), .as against 60 in March twelve months ago.

The inclement weather yesterday stopped all work on the Morning, except what oculd be don© below, when* the -crew were engaged reetowing the stores. Several congratulatory cablegrams from the Old Country were delivered on board in the course of wife day. Nothing has yet been decided as to tJie future movements of the vessel. * At a late hour on Monday evening, Mr E. Daniels, of Redclitfs, was unfortunate enough to capsize his punt near the Beacon rock, Sumner. Some cf his mates gave the alarm, and Pilot Day, accompanied by Mr Marshall, launched his dinghy, crossed to the other eide, and despite the darkneso and rain, reached the North Spit and the New Brighton beach without avail. In the meantime Daniels had swum ashore, and regained his home nt Redclitfs. The searching party was signalled by lantern and returned at 9 p.m. Daniels," who was none the worse for hfc adventure after a night's rest, searched the Eetuary for the missing punt yesterday, but it was nowhere to be seen. He wae very fortunate in escaping with hie lift. ,

After Easter the Minister of Mines will make an extensive tour of the .South Island. The Morninston Tramway Works have l>een valued at,"£19,171. at which price the borough has taken it over. The Snn Francisco mail ig expected to reach Wellington by the express this evening. ar.il toa Souchern portion will be j-vi;t Soir.h by tlw KotomaliaTsa., Tho MiaJttor for Lands hoa been nd-vi-fi tiial. wrk tr*A« forty years old are fjrowJn; J;: v. iwc of the Auckland district, alii! hv ha.s taken ;-t».'pif to tsecure some • rvd ::v.u them for th*. . Government foiest i^iu.lj^iou'. _-\; *Ut uuarti'rly meeting of the United liifudly S<,cieties' Utin-vulent Assoiiiation. li.-d on Friday night-, Bro. F. W. Ooo]>er j.'.f-^-dinu , . i' w:ih io rt'sristw under U-.:--!M.»-»ifivfl Socfetit-K Act. A nil i::lnr w:us "Tinted £20 towards tlie • \p' :;.-■« of a trip to England. Tha Workers Compensation for Accidents Act Amendmtnt Act, ISO 2, will come int-» operation to-morrow. The chief feature of tho am-ending Aft is that the enip!«>ver in liable: for accido-ni* which disable the woiker for fjno wevk. instead of for two weeks, as under principal A<:t. The Ac-t also aj>i»lles to agricultural labour. An Auckland tolegraplis: — •'ii.j .'layorul election for the city of jRK-kluud is arousins; a deaj of in-Tfi-tst. It was believed that Councillor >S'.it.;;hbury stood a good chance of being eitaed. Uit now t'nat the Hon. ivon has consented to be a candidate for the olHtv tli< piobabilitiee ure that tlie latter will be successful. Efforts are made by the- Govornm.ii!t. to ctunpit-te tlie resumption of tlte Levtls, I'iaxboiirne. anvl Mount Vernon EsUiU'.s, without having resource to the Coaipensation Court. Tho Surveyor-General hix, Wellington for Christchurch last night in connection with the efforts which are bfir.g n:ade to &eouro the Levels Estate, near Timaiu. Tlie Key. W. 0. Oliver, of Wellington, ;md Mr E. Hardcastle, of Christchurch, have lituined to Oamaru from a deer euilkliig trip to tlie DiiigU , , Lake Hawea dustiict, in (.cmjKiny with ile.'wrs Harold and Cun nodgkinson, of Longslip Stsifion, though the dter were very numerous, few good stags were .seen, iw the season opened too early. liuth visiting sportsmen chat tlK'ir four heads, the β-ev. Mr Oliver's best being two eleven pointers. Mr Hardcastle got a tine royal and a good U-n pointer in his lot.

A ooirespcndtnt, signup himself "Traveller," writes to ihi* Welliiigtou "Po.st" stating -tiia-t repurch;i«e of land forsettlement was advoeattd in the columns of the ".North Otago Timt-s" as long a>;o :is 1867, in a long series of articlts by Mr J. <Jifi'afd:, tho first, "ho believes, to- agitate the question. In 1834 or 1885 printed copies of there letters were- forwarded to the Minister of Lands by Mr Gudgeon, of Auckland. The credit of a popular policy, "Travelkr ,, complains, lias never been given where it is due.

The faying "The old order changetJi, giving place to the new," is strikingly exemplified in tho disappearance of one of the londmarkd of Clirifitchurch, the old Royal Hotel. Half a century ago it was the fa-sh-ionable hotel of the rsquutter.s of that day, and it \va.s looked upon as being quite the thing to etuv at. the Royal. It has now been replaced" by a very fine brick and stone building, thoroughly up-to-dato and an ornament to tine. city. Mr Cusack has furnished the hotel throughout in all excellent manner, the work having been carried out by Messrs W. Strange and Co. in u> way wliich reflects every credit on the firm.

Our Askburton correspondent writes: — With regard to the middle and South Canterbury yields, 45, 50, and up to 60 bushels per acre of wheat from the good lands is being recorded in many instances, while tlie lighter soils are giving correspondingly satisfactory results. Oats in various dßtriots are threshing out averages of 50, 55, 60, 70, and up to 80 and 90 bushels per acre, while in particularly favoured districts the century has been passed in a number of insfanuvs. At all the granaries and railway sheds the grain is coming in very fa«t, and tlie cry of scarcity of railway trucks in again being heard. ,

The Canterbury. College students gave an exceedingly pleasant and bright entertainment last night in the College Hall in aid of the fund for sending the inter 'Varsity athletic team to Auckland. Despite the wintry nature of the weather there was a very good attendance. The first item on the programme, a brisk little comedietta, was admirably interpreted by Messrs A. E. Currie, G- Williams, C Cook, and W. Triggs. A musical interlude followed, the items in which were excellently given by Misses Cook, At. Fox, and L. Cook, Mrs Fisher, and Mr H. M. Reeves. Miss Fox, who nuidc her debut, sang Balfe's "Daybreak" very artistically, and received an enthusiastic encore. Bhe has it very fine mezzo soprano voice of considerable range and culture. The farce which concluded the programme, "Freezing a Mother-in-law," evoked rours of laughter. The characters were taken excellently by the students and the piece went splendidly.

Mr Bragato, the Government Viticultural Expert, has recently been visiting Dargaville, Tekopuni, Mitngawharo, and the surrounding districts, for the purpose of assisting the who have gathered on the gum-fields of that neighbuuihood, to obtain hind for permanent home*. A largo proportion of tho 600 Austrian gum-diggers are, Mr Bragato says, einccrejy desirous of settling p-er-nianentiy ou New Zealand soil, and will make some of tho b.*t of fanners. By tho people among whom they live, the hotelkeepers, farmers, storekeepers, and others, they are very hitrhly respected. Mr Bragato was selected for this errand by the Agricultural Department by reason of ]us knowledge of tho Austrian tongue, and other special qualities.

The Wanganui Borough has accepted tho tender of Mt-phan. Ferguson mid Co. (Melbourne) of £22,000 approximately for the supply of spiral rivetted steel pipes for tinwater works, the scheme for which £70,000 was recently borrowed. This is the time this class of pipe will be used to any extent in this colony, and they will be manufactured in Wunganui, a plant being erected for the jmrpose. Throe other tenders were received. At present forty men are employed in clearing the pipe track and the site fur the danw. It is expected thai the work will be completed in less tlian twelve mtmths. Water ie badly need-ed, us the iukes from which the town derive* its supply are failing seven inches a week, and water has to bo pumped into the pipes.

Gore furnishes the latest "absent-minded beggar, ,- in the shape of a much-esteemed cleric in that district, and the "Ensign" thus narrates his exploit:—He drove with » lady relative in a tasty libtlo trap to the house of a parishioner. The pareon and his lady relative called on the parishioner (who also happens to be postmaster in his particular locality) leaving their trap outside. By-and-by the mailman drove up to deliver the mail and to receive the return bag, and ho also left his venerable turn-out, drawn by a storm-tossed, discouraged black horse at the gate. Ou finding their host had to i attend to his official duties, the parson and ! his lady relative brought their visit to -a close. Serenely they climbed into the mailman's trap and lumbered off, urging the sorry steed to greater effort. Entirely oblivious of the fact that their own horse was a bay, and that their trap was in fairly good repair, and certainly not loaded almost to the muzzle with bags of mail matter, they pursued the even twior of their way, varying the peaceful current of event* by occasionally rattling the ribs of the old horse to remind him that life was real, life was tamest, life was not an empty dream. In the fulness of time tho mailman emerged from tho village post office with liis return cargo. His thoughts are not necessarily for publication, but once the inwardness of 'he situation dawned upon him, he realised that several bags of his Majesty's mail, which had , to be delivered to specified tame, were jogging unpretentiously away in an opposite direction, navigated by the district sky pilot. A hurried pursuit in the parson* trap ensued, and eventually t*he absent-minded pair were overtaken. Not till then did the xnjitake come within their compreheneioo.

'Ilia Auckland Amateur Dramatic Club lnui decided to -wind up owing to the continuous deficits over recent productione. Mr H. Pfarce (Mayor of LLnwood) and Councillor H- J- Otley (Linwood) "will bs candidates for the Greater Cbristchurch City Council. From Gisbohae comes news that tie eeMltttnent lately acquired by the Government, at Mangalieia is to be opened in June. It has been given the uneesUietic name of Wigan. Tlu' "Daily News."' New Plymouth, stu-u.4 that a private letter receivvd t!u-r«; states ilut Conally shoitly retires from tlif Supr-.ine Court. Bench, and that his successor will be Mr 0. tfamuei, of Now Plymouth. Tho fa'ti:mria! yosr of the Ne-vr Zealand Grand Lod«e of Freemasons shows that the eepan.te funds of the Lodge increased by nearly £1800, which is one of tho moet prosperous ycare in th« history of the Lodge. The position was brought, about by large special subscription to the fund fur th* relief of aged and indigent Masons, which benefited by £1000 during the period. Private ii. J. Ezzy. who went to South Africa in March. 1901. with Colonel Lassetter'e regiment, is being enquired for by the New South Wales military aiithoritie.s, who hold moneys due to him. and hive other matters to adjust with him in oll ' nection with his tervice. Kzzy is a coacliMnith by trade, and when last heard of was working in some meat works in the fc-outh Island. The local police authwitk-i.. at tho request of the New South Wales military -authorities, have made investigations in this city and district as far soiitli; a.s Oainaru, but have been unable to get traits of him. A rumour was circulate in t-lio city on Monday to the effect tki.t a. your.g_ man, who was engaged at clerical work in the city had mysteriously disappeared, without any iipparent reason. Aα> the .story goef, h/left his hyme on a bicycle .shortly b.foio 8 o'clock on Friday morning, and went to a hai-rdrfewer's filiop, where he was ishaved. Ha left in good «pirita, and t>inc< j than, it i.s stated, no trace as to hi.s further movements can be obtained. He did not turn up at his work as ukuul. and it \h undr-rst'ood that this fact has been reported to tho police.

They all like it, the ladies like it, and so do tin; men; the children also enjoy driving in a "L)uiiiv" cart. 9

Holiday-makers and others desirous of a change of air near the seaside will be pleased to learn that "Bligh's Gardens," New Brighton, are. again open to. the public. They have been leased by Miss Cowper (late of Wai-Marei, Cambridge terrace), and will b≤ conducted on thoroughly modem lines. , A special feature of the place is the perfect shelter affoided from all winds by the large pine trees which surround the property, enclosing the croquet lawn, tennis court, etc- The beach is only a short distance down the road. Boating may be indulged in on the lagoon and river, running along the edge of the property, and visitors will fird plenty of al fresco seats and shady corners, while some good cricket matches have taken plaoe on the cricket pitch. A 9 an ideal place for an outing for country schools or picnic parties, Bligh's Gardens could be hardly excelled. The tea rooms, and, in fact, tho whole establishment, lias beui very nicely furnished. 47 Wβ would remind the ratepayers of the Mandeville olid lUngiora Road Board who have not yet paid their rates tliat tomorrow will be the last opportunity they will have of doing so without the addition of the 10 per cent. 1182 Jam Jars.—Mason's patent with air-tight screw tope, quarts, usual price 4s 6d, now reduced to 5s 9d per dozen. Half gallon size, usual price 7s, now reduced to 6s; also fn'il eizo glass tumblers at 2s dozen. John Hall and Co., Limited, opposite Clock Tower.—(-dvt.) Foolish lampless cyclists. Why being fined 20e and costs, wfoen Oates, Lowiy, and Co. can supply yon with "Bobby dodger" lamps at 2s 6d* others at all prices up to 15s for the very be*t. 4746 Further large ehipm«nta of new season's novelties arc announced as having arrived at the D.I.C-, and are now opened up, and reaedy for inspection. The management requeyts us to announce that as these very special lines are in such demand ladies are invited to make an early call. Further particulars may be found in the company's advertisement on page 6 of this issue. 24

Beath and Co., Ltd., are now making a> grand display of latest novelties for tha coming season. New mantles, millinery, costumes, mantlee, jackets, dresses, silks, velvets, blsjikets, quilts, furs, gloves, hosiery, also new hate, ties, collars, wiu clothing of every description for gents' wear. Beath and Co., Ltd., Argyle House, I'hristchureh. '<*&

The latest creations in ladies' jackets and paletots for the autumn season, manufactured by the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, are now on view in the leading showrooms. The universal opinion is that for elegance, stylo, and beauty, no imported garments can compare with these. Tha lovely cloths aro soft and warm, while each garment has the stylish, tailor-made effect peculiar to all Kaiapoi. goods. See that your new winter purchase bears the special Kaiapoi ticket, which Ls the guarantee of reliability.

3,000,000 Envelopes, veil assorted; 2000 renins note und letter papers, good and cheap; folio papers, every size and quality. Thousands account books, all sisi* and bindings, now on sale by H. J. Wood und Co., at unpreuedentedly low price**. Oftico requisite and .stationers' sundrj«s, of beet quality. Large new stock of phoio. albums ami ph6to. frames. Thousands of new books, just landed, ako immense .assortment of cheap reading. A great *:a]e of fancy goods upstairs. Injection invited by H. J. Wood and Co., Stationers' Hall, High street. Remember the whole stock is "to be sold off. 2362 Wanted Known—Jewellery eale, for one month, of watehts, clocks, rings, brooches, and all other classes of jewellery, sold at greatly reduced prices. K. Griesliaber, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 155. Colombo streot. 7463 If you have the faintest suspicion that your eyes are not just right, if they bother you in any way, it's, best to liave them examined at once. Do not go to the average optician or spectacle seller, for he is unable to distinguish between optical defects and di/sea&es, but consult John R. Procter, 180 High street, Christchurcb, who will give .you a thorough examination free of charge. 2115 Preserving jare and jam jars at Fletcher Bros. Mason fruit jars, Is lid, 2s 3d, 3s 3d, rubber rings 6d dozen, ako extra lids, tie over jars, lib Iβ 3d, 21b Iβ lid, jelly tumblers Is 3d. tin top Is sd, 1* lid, all per half dozen. Wood spoons 4d, 6d, 9d. Largest assortment of fruit and jam jars in Christchurch at lowest prices shown in window. Packed and defivered. Fletcher Bros., direct importers, Lower High street. —(Advt.) The New Century typewriter is so nicely adjusted that "each part does its "work freely, and yet holds lirmly in its place; the keya work so easily tho sound would scarcely be noticeable to anyone in the same room. The New Century produces 25 per cent, more work than other machines. This is not our statement; it is the conservative opinion of operators who have used all other makes, and swear by the New Century. New Century Typewriter Company, 117 Colombo street. Telephone 1267. 698