NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11730, 3 November 1903, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The funeral of the late Mrs R. Mcllraith took place at Southbridge on. Sunday. The annual nwetjng of the shareholders of Messrs Daigety and Company, Ltd., takes place in Londou en the 12th inst.

Since April Ist 1000 cubic yards of metal have been used on the streets under the control of the Citv Council.

A me?ting of the Conciliation Board will b? held this morning, at ten o'clock, when the- tanners' dispute will be taken. The Beautifying Society have now completed the work of improving the. piece. of ground in front of the oid Provincial Council Chambers;

Yesterday at LyMekon Actinc-Detective Connell arrested a seaman on the Athenic on a charge of stealing a, watch from a shipmate. The special offertory at St. Stephen's Church, Ashburton, on Sunday in aid of the building debt fund amounted to £B9 13s. It is anticipated that the final result of the special appeal will be to reduce the total debt on the Church to considerably less than £2OO. As soon as this is cleared off, it is intended to proceed with th*> building of the chancel and the full completion of the. building.

The amount paid out in old age pensions at Christchurch vesterdav was £849 16m Bd. The Lloyd-Lindsay competition at Rangiora was won by the Wainutkuriri Mounted Rifles. Special services in connection with the ' twenty-seventh anniversary of the dedication of Ail Saints' Church, Sumner, wew held on Sunday. St. John's Church at Okain's Bay i 9 undergoing a thorough renovation, a large sum having been raised in the district for this purpose. Service will be held in the school until the work is finished. In allowing a lessee rent free occupation of the open area of reserves at Okain's Bay, the Land Board has stipulated for the satisfactory protection of native bush and birds from destruction. It is stated that the Government does not intend to commence repairs on the Buknki-Hermitage section of the Mount Cook road until the money has been voted by the House for that purpose. At the meeting of the Philosophical Institute to be. held to-morrow night, five papers, dealing with botanical and other subjects, will be read by members. Captain Rut-ton will also contribute seven short papers. The weather has been exceptionally dry at Okain's Bay this bust mouth. Though grass is very plentiful, farmers are anxious for rain, lest tlie feed should dry off quickly when the summer sets in. Fruit trees of all kinds have made a splendid show. Strong complaints are being maele, both by the head gardener of the Domain and the public, of the behaviour of a number of youths in the gnulens on Sunday afternoons. The Board have decided to request the Inspector of Police to detail one or more constables, with a view of putting an end to the nuisance.

A light drizzling rain fell at Ashburton during Sunday night and Up to six o'clock yesterday morning. A good downfall is now badly needed. The crops are looking healthy and strong, but in many places the gtowtli is at a .standstill, and unless rain comes soon they wilt begin to shoot prematurely into ear.

Shortly after four o'clock yesterday afternoon the fog-horn sounded at Sumner, and Pilot Day and part of the lifeboatcrew responded to the alarm very quickly. A man named Kerr, who resides in this city, had been dodging about in a dinghy, and had got into the current, and was in a dangerous position amongst the breakers on tlie bar. The lifeboat crevr reached him just in time to rescue him. Building permits were issued by the City Surveyor during October, as fol-lows-:—Central Ward, outer urea, 15 buildings, value £5000; inner area, six building**, £17.050: Sydenham Ward, 19 buildings, £7450; St. Albans, 12 buildings, £5950: Linwood, 13 buildings. £I6OO. Th» total fees collected amounted to £77 15s.

During a recent visit to Maori villages on the East Coast of the North Island, Dr. Pomare, Native Health Officer, vaccinated upwards of six hundred natives. He also gave several lectures on health and hygiene, finding the Maoris anxious to learn, and willing to do their best to improve the conditions under which they were living.

A memorandum from the head office was laid before the Land Board at its last meeting, in reference to the alleged "dummyism" in connection with le.ase-iu-perpetuity, No. 527, Lot 5, of the Highoank Settlement. It was resolved to hold an enquiry into the matter at the meeting of the Board on December 10th, and to summon the parties to appear before the Board op that dav.

The City Council last night resolved to write to the Canterbury Fire Underwriters' Association, informing them that the whole of the Council's fire prevention plant is at the disposal of any portion of Greater Chrietchurch in case of fire, and requesting them to arrange for a readjustment of tariffs, so that the Sydenham, Linwood and St. Albans Wards would be placed on the same footing as to fire insurance premiums as the Central Ward.

The weather during the past month has been all that could be desired in the West Oxford district. The lambing percentage on the flats is slightly below the average, while among the hill Hooks it is considerably under that of normal years, and tin ewes in most cases are low in condition. The crops so far do not appear to have suffered from the drought, as the subsoil moisture is not yet exhausted, but should rain keep off even for another week the result will be serious.

Tlie last meeting of the Land Board was attended by Messrs Thomas Humphries (Commissioner of Crown Lands), A. 0. Pringle, J. Scaly, and J. Allan. The usual applications for transfers of leases and licenses were dealt with, six applications for approval of mortgage were declined, as the lessees had not satisfactorily fulfiLled the conditions of their leases, and a schedule of eighteen mortgages to the Advances to Settlers' Office was approved, A number of reports were also dealt with. Regarding the City Council's responsibility in connection with provicling for infectious diseases. Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, in a communication Tead at last night's meeting of the Council, stated: "The position is that an amendment is now before the House which, if carried, will transfer the onus of the treatment of infectious diseases from local authorities to Hospital Boards. With regard to the transfer of Bottle Lake to the hospital authorities, that will require a (special Act. An Act has been prepared, but cannot heintroduced until the previous amendment receives the sanction of the House."

Writing in the "Official Year Book" wit" reference to indigenous trees, Mr T. W. Adams, of Canterbury, says:— ' "Tile opinion seems to be widely held that the indigenous trees cannot, be "propagated and grown as other trees are, but it is not so, as totara, kauri, and all.the other native timber trees can be grown in the nurseries with ease; but it is very doubt-, ', ful whether a timber supply could be secured from thc-m as economically as from species that have been introduced frorn other countries. Yet it is to be hoped that . oitt chief forester will'make plantations of each of our best timber trees, and gird them a trial."

Married women will be admitted to the 1 ballot for the Annan Settlement, on theirhusbands' capital, provided the examination proves satisfactory. Guarantees of | financial assistance in lieu of the possession, by applicants of personal meaus needed: for stocking and cultivating the land willbe accepted only in the' case of a father guaranteeing for one of hi* sons, and then only in the event of the father being, in the opinion of the Land Board, well able to; - provide the necessary funds independent of - his own requirements, and also on condition . thai neither the father nor his wife ate themselves applying for land. Married, women trill not be admitted as eligible] applicants to sections 11, 12, 13, and lV at Highfield, nor for the small grazing runs. •-'';*,

Fifteen of the officers and crew of th 9," Athenic held a ''go-as-you-please" race froO, Lytfcelton to Christchurch over tho Bridle Path, last evening. The competitors were despatched by Mr Vaughan Davis (chief officer) and Mr W. V. Brown (second engineer). Dr. Niall was judae, Mr H. T. S. Howell timekeeper, and Messrs S. Stevenson and W. Williamson pacemakers. WB. Starr (fourth officer) completed the journey in lhr 4min 29sec, winning the first pr'ze (a gold medal): J. Griffin (assistant steward) was second in lhr 6min 2w*. (winning a silver medal), and W. Cot (assistant steward) was third in lhr 6min Jlsee (also winning a .«i!ver medal; Vf> Tomline (lhr llmin 26sec) was fourth; C Bell (lhr llmin sSsec) fifth i H. StrugneH (lhr 12min osec) sixth, and J. McGinn (lhr lomin 28w) was seventh. The Athenic's men thus teat the time put up by a team from H.M.S. Phoebe, who recently wettl over the same ground in a little over lw 21min»

The Mokoia arrived at the Bluff from

Hobart with the English mail yesterday. Among the attractions at the Canterbury Metropolitan Show will be an exhibit son of sheep-shearing by the. Wolselry Company. The new Magistrate's Court buildings at Wellington Mere opened yesterday _oj the Minister of Justice in the present ot a large gathering of the legal fraternity. The nervation for State forest purpose of the. piece of native tsu.lt at he north rido of the Waiau River mouth, baa been agreed to bv the Land Board. Mr H 0 Lane, .secretary of the North Canterbury Board of Education., has received a telegram from the, Minwtei for Education, stating that the franking privilege has been extended to the end of the present mouth. Arr McCtudv. the colonial organiser of the New Zealand Fanners' Union, ad-, dressed a meeting of the Springwua branch of the Union on Thursday evening, dealing with the aims and objects of the Union. A new Presbyterian church, seating 300 people, was opened in Feilding on Sunday. Crowded congregations attended the morning and evening services. Sermons were given by Dr. Erwin, of Christebureh. 'Abe collections amounted to over £4O.

In connection with the City Council's electric light and power supply, it t-. understood that before the end of the present month between .six and eight motors wil, bo installed in different parts of ifce citv.

Eight competitors have entered for the wood-chopping contest at the Canterbury A. and P. Association's November Show. The contest, which is a new feature at the Show, will take place ou the 12th inst., and should prove au attractive item. At Lyttelton yesterday John Edward Olson, aged fourteen, was charged with stealing from the s.s. To Anau, on October 28th. a gold watch and chain, valued at £7, and was remanded till to-day by Mr W. Radcliffe, J.P. The infectious disease cases reported in the Canterbury district during October were:—Scarlet fever 40, enteric fever 1, diphtheria 4, tuberculosis 8. erysipelas 3. In Christchurch and suburbs:—Scarlet fever 13., diphtheria 3, tuberculosis 5, erysipelas' 2. The- scarlet fever return is the smallest since October, 1902. During the ceremony of opening the new Courts at Wellington yesterday, a man named John Dome, who was to come up for sentence on a charge of theft,

slipped out of the wailing-room unnoticed by the police, and disappeared. Elfoits to trme him bad, up to late last

uight, been fruitless. The Stipendiary Magistrate sat until a late hour last night, at Wellington, hearing charges arising out of the- recent raid by tiie police on the aliened "two-up" pehool at the Olympic C!ul>. Charles Eager was committed for trial for keeping a common gaining house, and Frank Sturgeon for assisting in its management. Decision in regard to the remaining 33 defendants was reserved. Murray, who ran second in the Cross-

country Championship in t liristchurch,

broke the Australasian record for ten miles on Saturday, at Dunedin, covering tilt? distance in 56min 16scc, thus lowering the record by 40sec. The committee in charge, of the arrangements carefully conformed to both the New Zealand and Australian rules, and it is confidently expected that Murray's record will be recognised.

The initial steps have been taken to- ' wards the promotion of the New Zealand Stud Company, with a capital of £9OOO. Tho proposal is to acquire some 520 acres at Kereru, near Levin, on the Manawatu line, at a cast of £2500, purchase at the December sales in England a thoroughbred sire at a probable cost of £TOOO, and spend up to £4OOO hi the acquisition of brood mares, and also to buy a colonial stallion of renown. The provisional directors are Messrs C. B. Pharazyn (Featherston), N. McLean. T. B. Dwau, C. W. Tringham, R. T. Tumbull, and L. C. Pharazyn, all of Wellington. According to observations taken at the Drainage Board's pumping station, rain fell on seven days last month, the total fall being .390 in, as compared with a fall of .980 in on seven days in October, 1902. The prevailing wind last month was nor'east, the wind blowing from that direction on fourteen days. Last year the prevailing wind in the month of October was from the south-west. The petition' from the Wellington branch of the Journalists' Institute, praying for the withdrawal of the threat to expel Press reporters from the gallery of the House for refusing to betray confidences, arid also asking for the repeal of the standing order conferring privilege on the proceedings of all Select Committees, is expected to come before the Public Petitions Committee, A to L, to-day. It is the intention of the Institute to call evidence in support of the petition. Considerable changes have taken place in journalistic circles in Taranaki. The Stratford "Post" and "Settler" have been sold to a company, who have amalgamated and issued the ''Post'' last night under the editorship of Mr Cecil Thornton, late of Canterbury. Mr J. H. Clayton, the retiring proprietor of the "Post, ' has purchased the "Daily News," New Plymouth, and will take possession on Saturday next. Mr R. Alexander, late editor of the ",Set--'tler," is entering journalism in Hawke's Bay. Two small boys pleaded guilty at the Police Court yesterday morning to stealing eight purses and three card cases, valued altogetner at 12s 3d, from Messrs Whit combe and Tombs's shop. Mr Dougall appeared for the elder lad. The boys were lectured arid discharged. Two' first offenders were dealt with for drunkenness, and Jessie Hay, alias Kcmpthorae, for the same offence, was sent to the Samaritan Home for three, months. Alexander Martin, alias McClelland, who was convicted and discharged for drunkenness a few days ago, after representing that he would go into the country for work, appeared again, and was fined 60s, in default seven days' imprisonment.

The entries received for tlie Canterbury Metropolitan Show next week constitute a new record for the Association, there being nearlv 20 more entries of stock than at the Jnbileo Show three* years ago, while there is a very large increase in implements, machinery, tents, etc. In stock the principal increases are in horses and cutile, the former totalling over one hundred more than last rear, and of cattle there are about tkirtv more. The principal falling off is in .sheep, the entries falling short of last year's total by one hundred. A number "of Southern breeders will not be represented this year, including several merino breeders, whoso flocks, no doubt. suffered through the severe snowstorm in Julv last.

The specifications for the Christehurch Tramwav Board's installation of electric services 'were on view yesterday at til* Board's office. They are contained in a lulkv volume of nearly 200 pages. Included are "over eighty drawings of the proposed works. The specifications are most complete, and deal with the whole system with the exception of the car-she 1 Mid power-house buildings, which are being designed at present." In order to ensure the receipt of competitive tenders tlw specifications have been divided into seventeen separate section.*. Tweiity-iivecopies of each section have been printed sped illy ii« order to give local tenderers even opportunity of putting in for those portion? that they arc able to supply. Seventyfive copies of the complete specificitiotis lave aho been printed. For the guidance of Home tenderers, there is included m formation as to the maximum load which can be carried by the New Zealand railways, which will enable the successful tenderer or tenderers to ship the various articles in lots that can be handled on the railway between Lyttelton ami Christ - churcli. Included also are the conditions of tender, form of tender, and form tf ccntrack

The Mayor was granted leave of absence, bv the City Council last night, and Cr. C. XI. day was appointed Deputy Mayor.

The formal opening of the Lake Ellesmcre outlet will take place on the 24th iust. The Minister for Lands will be present at the ceremony.

A parade of motor-earn will form part of the grand parade oil the 13th inst., at the Canterbury A. and P. Association's November Show.

The forty-fourth anniversary of Marlborough was celebrated yesterday. The principal attraction was the Awatere Racing Club's Meeting at Beddon. In consequence of the sudden illness ol Mr Good, one of the assessors, the Arbitration case, R. Evans v Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board, to have been heard in Rangiora yesterday, was adjourned to November 17th.

A garden party was given yesterday afternoon by Sir Joseph and Lady Ward at. their residence, in Tinakori road, Wellington. Among the guests were the Governor arid Lady Ranfuriy, Supreme Court Judges, and members of Parliament.

The volunteer case of Gunner Powell, at West-port,, is entering on a new phase. Powell, who was called upon to pay the fine, of 10s imposed upon him, has laid an information against Sergeant Fayen, one of the witnesses before the Military Court, charging him with committing perjury when the informant was chatged with insubordination. Major D'Arcy Uaytor, of Blenheim, who was President of the Court, has been subpoenaed to give evidence.

Shaking as one of the deputation which waited on the City Council last night, on the question of bands playing on trams on Sundavs, the. Rev. J. Mackenzie said he had been informed by Mr S. O. Fair, that the first sermon preached in this city was preached on the site of the City Council bv Dr. Jackson, Bishop Designate of Christchurch. on the text. "Remember the Saboath dav to keep it holy." "If he were here now," Mr Mackenzie added, 'Dr. Jackson would bo tempted to repeat that sermon, and repeat it. with emphasis. The McCormick Big 4 Mower is the recognised monarch of the meadow. It. is the machine you want. 'Morrow, Bassett and Co.

The D.I.C. request us- to direct, public attention to the "Great/ Spring Opening," which commences at the Company's establishment to-day. The Company's windows facing Cashel'street have been most attractively decorated by Mr Frank L- Carr, the champion window dresser of America, one representing the scene "F'-eding the Doves," and the other " Off to the Races." AH departments are very artistically decorated, and a real treat awaits the crowds who will visit this emporium during the next few days. 29

"The best are the cheapest," and we stock only the world's best tpianos and organs. Inspection invited. Lowest prices. Cash or on easy terms. The Apollo Piatio and Music Warehouse, 177 a High street. R. A. Home, manager. 1388 Mr Edward Hope, surgeon dentist, has commenced practice at 45 Hereford street East. Telephone No. 1361. 1481 Highest class modern dentistry, Dr. Black. B.Sc, N.Z. University, D.D.S., United States.,Gold and other fillings a specialty. 186 Colombo street (corner Hereford). 51 In anticipation of requirements for Carnival week, Black, Beattie and Co. are making a general display of men's, youths' and juvenile clothing, including men's tailor-made garments in the best worsteds and coatings. 30 Mrs Thornton Lees, hair physician and complexion specialist., has the latest American methods for restoring and beautifying the hair and skin. Special treatment for baldness. Inglis'3 Buildings, opposite Freeman's. 21 Pianos can be purchased on the one, two, or three-year hire system from 30 guineas; organs from 17 guineas. Lowest prices. Easiest terms. R. Francis, The Musical Exchange, 159 Manchester street, Christchurch. 32 Most reliable watches, corr-ect timekeepers, best value given; gold muff chains, engagement rings. A great variety in greenstone goods, and all kinds of wedding presents at the very lowest prices. K. Grieshaber, 155 Colombo street, Jeweller. 50 Ladies requiring millinery for the races and show should pay a visit of inspection to Black, Beattie and Co.'s spacious showroom, where they are making a special display of very choice millinery in all the latest models at moderate prices. 32 Lamps, Lamps.—Fletcher Bros, hold a large stock of reading, hanging, and hand lamps, and we guarantee to give better value than any other firm in Christchurch. See best show in window for prices of reading lamps complete with shade 3s 6d, hand lamps (brass or glass) Is each, chimneys from 3d, wicks Id; also lamps that burn without chimney. Fletcher Bros-, Direct Importers, Lower High street. 5453 If you have the faintest suspicion that vour eyes are not just right, if they bother you in" any way, it's best to have them examined "at once. Do not go to the average optician or spectacle seller, for he is unable to distinguish between optical defects end diseases, but consult John R. Procter. 180 High street. Christchurch, who will give you a thorough examination fres of charge. 2115 The power of cash. Never in the his- ' tory of New Zealand was the power ot cash more felt than at the present time. If you want to get the best value for your cash, "pay cash." Kincaid's (LLC. (who give the best value in the trade) are issuing with each cash sale a cash discount ticket or check for the value of your purchase, which will entitle you to a useful present or straight-out cash discount. Kincaid's G.I.C. 7 Seeds that will grow from Nimmo and Blair, Dunedin. Flower seeds, 100 varieties. Id packets, Asters. Balsam. Dahlia, Carnation. Everlasting Lobelia. Mignonette, Pansv, Petunia, Sweet Pea, Verbena, etc. Vegetable Seeds, 3d packets, 60 varieties, Peas, Beans, Beet, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot. Cauliflower, Cress, Cucumber, Leek, Lettuce. Onion, Parsley. Parsnip, Pumpkin. Free lists, Fletcher Bros., Lower High street, solo wholesale and retail agents for Canterbury. . 2858 Fortunes are daik made by clever inventions. See handbook, how to obtain "Patents" for inventions, free bv post- from Baldwin and Rayward. 172 Gloucester street, Christchurch. A. H. Hart, representative. —(Advt.) 1

1 THE SKIPPER. OF SHAMROCK HT: Robert Wringe, the skipper of Shamrock 111., is about to follow the example of Jus recent rival, Charles Barr. by becoming an American citizen. The " Central News" says that two well-known yachtsmen in New York have urged Wringe to sail their boats, and in all probability he will sign a contract with one of them to act as skipper for a term of years. In the course of an interview with a newspaper reporter. Wringe said he had long intended to naturalise in Xew York State, but the offer made to him by Sir Thomas Lipton of a pension for life in the event of his winning the America. Cup caused him to postpone action. Now no offer, however attractive, would induce him to leave America or to sail another challenger. "Perhapsj" he raid, "in time I may sail a defeiuleV of the Cup. I certainly hope for the opportunity of sailing against Barr in a yacht, at least of the same class as his. I had no chance to show my seamanship against a yacht which made rings round me." AN UNCOMPLETED STORY. In 1826 (says the "Cambridge Modem History," in the volume dealing with the United States) William Morgan, a poor bricklaver in the village of Batavia, Xew York, announced his intention to publish a book revealing the secrets of Free-

masonry, Batavia was then a frontier village inhabited by men of scanty education, little accustomed to think before they acted. To the local Ma.->onic Lodge Morgan's purpose, seemed abominable, and attempts were at once made to get possession of the manuscript. When these, failed, Morgan was imprisoned for a small debt. He was, however, released, but as ho came out of gaol about midnight he was seized, forced into a carriage, and carried across the State to a mined fort on the Niagara river. There all trace of him disappeared, and to this day his fate is unknown. The man had been kidnapped.'and his captors were punishable by law, but the people, in their excitement, instead of demanding the arrest and punishment of the individual offenders', turned their wratn against the whole Masonic body, and for this the Masons were, largely to blame. Attempts to investigate the "affair were obstructed by Masons j a public office. When indictments v.vre procured against four Masons, they pleaded guilty, and so defeated all attempts to discover the fate of Morgan.