NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12364, 1 December 1905, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Mr Maughan Barnett's name is men*',, - '. 'ife tioned in' connection with tho post' of - -JjM city organist at Wellington. - x. '- ' W The Sister in charge of St. M«y'« * Home has received eighty-two parcel* «, ,' ( < /if groceries from the pupils at tho High. School. , :*.*_•. It is freely reported at Hastings ? ftjij Mr Seddon has acquired- Mr G. ■*£•'. Donnelly's place at Ngat&rawra, he intends to uso as his private resi- V, __? dence.. ' ■<,?£ '''■The Glenledi hills wero whito w»th\*7;_ snow on Friday morning, s>ay» thi>..-,Y "Bruce Herald." Summer has devious ways of manifesting its arrival in these parts— this is one of them i,'.*-" H Acceptablo raiii fell in tho North %,'{v Cantoihury district yesterday atternoon,'- - refresliiiig tho grain crops which wjjf 8 t-j] suffering from the dry nor , -wc6tew. "| rain also' quelled tho dust (effectually. .__ .', j ;s| The following advertisement app<»T« ?! ;£_s in the London ■ "Times" cf the %/b Y£| ult.:—" Motor driver (young New -;>-:§ fj lander) wants employment. Town *j country. Executo running repairs. Lat<J - | chauffeur for tho Maori King, Raftga;- 1 ;' ffi § toto. Apply, Autismasb, "&*"*?':.:■'}% office."- - Yf^Jf.

''' ' - Tha Dunedin Hospital Extension fluid has now reached £G163 About £200 has yet to como to hand. Tho Mayor was slightly better yesterjt a but is still very weak, and will not be able to attend to business for some ,' days. Onr Dunedin correspondent states that 5 ' .Tie number of marriages in that c.ty for ' Xrcn months, <-'» (I,d yesterday, was • *'-i eX actly tho fame number as those •L; r "tha corresponding eleven months or .jast year, which is rather a coincidence. A Wellington telegram states that a - mU on the proposal to adopt rating on ' Eriroproved values in the borough of ."liamar o, taken yesterday. 3ho . "ting was 117 for and 4.-j ngniiwt. As * w» than a third of tho elector recorded their votce, tho i»oll was abortive. V cowl number of people met. tho . premier yesterday altemoon on his ar- • Jirit at Ashburton. Mr Seddon did not n-iko a speech, but hnd a short conf,„nco with representatives .of i»ir McLachlan's committee. On his return -Vorth JH'-xt Monday aiternoon ho will ■ -deliver a <diori spweh on tho Ashburton railway platform. The manager of the Burnham IndusV 8 trial School d.vire-s to acknowledge with • thanks donations towards tlio boys' annual Christmas treat from tho ISorth Canterbury Public Schools Amateur Vthletic .Association, ]>er Messrs C. "\\. Garrard. T. S. Foster; Friend, Buni- ■-. ■ ) um ; Friend, Wellington. Mr H. J- Marshall, of the "Otago Da'ilf Times'' (.tall, bar, l»r< n nominated tor the position of general secretary of ' th* Amalgamated Society of Railway '' servant". He has (says a Press Agsochtion telegram) for i-ome yeans report- ■ J for the JDuirdin branch ca en beroro t'hn Railway Appral IJonnl. and has a good grasp of railway work generally. : , Superintendent Smith h«is received a ■ ckqne for £1 1", towards the funds of the Fire Brigade from Mr Hneall, !■': Colombo street north, whoso premises ■ ITP re saved by tlio Brigade on Saturday .Li Mr Ha-ell pays a high cotnph- .• w. to the alertness of the Brigade, ) nointing out that tl.ey turned out ' Whin four minutes ol receiving tho alarm by telephone. Thero was an exceedingly pleasant ' eathcring last night in the Scottish SoV* ciety rooms in honour ot St. Andrews sr-3 p ay Tiio programme included pipo -'-, music, Scotch songs, and other items, ;;• a |l of which wero admirably given. Ex- • tracts from letters received from Scot- \\,' land-in connection with tho recent carnival, accompanying presents of heath, i "etc., wero listened to with a good deal of interest. ■ j Among tho suggestions made for bringing Australian affairs before the people of Great Britain is ono to distribute free among British schools geographies, copy-books, etc., dealing exclu- • sivily with Australian matters. In the j House of Representatives recently the ; Prime Minister said tho Government had been offered 25,000 copies of a geography published "in Adelaide, and thp purchase would bo considered in connection with the general 6chemo. In tho course of his speech at Shannon, tho Premier read a letter, in which it was stated that a patent process liad boon discovered by which tho waste product" of flax could bo utilised. The Government,, ho added, had found that tho tow thus treated under tlie process would take tho plaoo of cotton waste thousands of ton 3of whioh aro imported into jthe colony. .''lf this proved correct a large savihg would bo effoctcd, and tho result would also bo a great assistance to tho flax industry. Superintendent Smith speaks very highly of the efficacy cf the highpre&suro water supply in Sydenham as a means of fi.ro extinction. In connection with tho firo there yesterday, Voter was got from the main in Carlyle 6troot, $nd ho says that there is quite ■ sufficient farce to givo a jot 40ft high. - " If." Superintendent Smith added, " we could only get a high-pressure water Ripply in Christchurch for firo prevention purposes, I should feel far more , comfortable as to the brigade being ablo to cope with a big firo in the centra J *;of Ihe city." 7 We are informed that a number of .."people who were in the gallery at the ,'' Canterbury Hall on Wednesday night went- out on to tho, front balcony to get a breath of fresh qir. There wero about thirty in tho group, and thoy ■wo startled by hearing a loud creak, ' which sounded clear above the noise or tho crowd below. There was also a sensation as if tho floor of the baloony • had given a little, and our informant ' says a general stampede to a safer spot ' took place. The alarm may have boon quit©' unnecessary, but it would be as voll if an examination Wero made. It was probably only ft littlo settlement of the floor of the balcony owing to tho unusual'weight upon it. A country correspondent of tho Wairattapa "Daily Times" writes:—"The keenest interest is manifested hero in ' the triumphal march of tho Now Zealand: footballers through Groat Britain. They have lowered the Shamrock and tbe Thistle, and it only remains for thorn- now to lower tho Rose, and eat tho Leek, which latter, in one sense, they are not likely to do. I venture to hnggost tliat tho Government should give -every man of the team &■ sub- ' Rtantial bonus, say, £100 & man, for their services to the colony. Such unparalleled success won by a team of colonial athletes i 3 o better advertisement fftr New Zealand than an army of lecturers or a budget of leaflets and yearbooks.", Storios of people at a theatre being carried away by tlio acting an the stage »re numerous, but aro generally regarded as being manufactured. Last night, however, during tho performance of " Monsieur Beauoniro," an illustration occurred of the power of the mimic scene to make one witnessing it entirely'forgot tlio surroundings and take the action as real. A gentleman in the dress-'circlo, during tlie sceno in which *. tho four friends of tho Duke of " Wintenreb attack Beauoaire at once, shouted out excitedly, "How many of you?" Tlio laughter of thoso of tho audience who wero in tho vicinity brought him' quickly to himself. Jt is not,often tliat ono sees such an involuntary high compliment paid to the , fidelity, of stage representations. '■'-' Every Australian who passes through '.' America on his way to England or other 1 European country has to pay the head tax of two dollars (S.s -Id) wliich the Jaw imposes on immigrant aliens (states "an American correspondent). No matter if ho rushes across the continent and Rets aboard the first Atlantic boat, tho two dollars is taken from him equally 'with the Italian who comes to the country and takes up his permanent resid*nce therein. Tho Australian may not know ho ia being so mulcted, but tlie - money is added on to the amount of Jus steamship ticket, and the company hands it over to the Government. Tho legality of the tax was upheld by a, judgment of the Supremo Court a few weeks ago in an action brought by tho Oceanic Steamship Company. The law oipressly states that the head tax shall Hot, bo levied on aliens in transit through the United States, but tho Judges say the possession of a ticket to * European port is* not sufficient evidence tnat the holder thereof ia in transit 'nrotigh tho United States, and that Hie r bolder might sell tho ticket, remain there, and thus defraud tho Government ;c f its two dollars. Tho amount of tho • tax will be refunded upon proof that the alien has travelled through and out of . 'lie United States, but, as pointed out ,'!.? ° no i ,u lg° in a dissenting opinion, : 'It is not perceivable how any scheme I; can bo devised by which they can therej after prove that thoy did in fact carry I «l- Q e '} e professed) purpose of leaving £ Jw United State.*, without incurring a | 'burden of expense and trouble so great f« effectually to deter them from under[.'•fcipz it." Of course this must ap_>!y \- f .equally to New Zealanders.

1 At Masterton yesterday a pcJl was taken in oonnection with the proposal to Ikmtow £25,000 for improvements to the gasworks and for roads and baths, etc. The loan was approved by a large majority. Our Dunedin correspondent telegraphs —The difficulty between the Dock Trust and, the Union Company, with respect to tho dock contract, has now been got over, and it will bo plain sailing in the future. Some anxiety is felt, states tho Wairarnpa " Daily Times" of Monday, concerning the whereabouts of Mr J. Harmann, a well-known resident of Masterton. Tlie musing man left his hone s.omewhat mysteriously en Tucx-day night last, or early "on Wedne-dY-morning, and has not since been wen or heard of. The matter was reported to the police, but so far enquiries and search I have been without result. A letter, I written in lead pined, wiv. found j amongst other papers at Mr Hartmanu's j "rioiiH>, giving certain directions for the disposal of his effect., and tlie care of hi- children, of whom there are six. There Ls nothing in the document that will throw any light upon .Mr Hartmann's disappearance. Tho New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Huapehu, which left Wellington on Saturday last for London, shipped the following lines cf dairy produce at various port- in New Zealand : — From Auckland : 8553 boxes and 432 kegs of butter and 1-18 cases of cheese; from New Plymouth, 11,222 boxes of i butter and 534 cases of cheese; from Pa tea, 5160 boxes of butter; from Wellington, 9752 boxes of butter and 1175 cx-.es of cheese; from Lyttelton, 1799 boxes of butter and 162 castw 1 of cheese; from Dunedin, 1931 boxes of butter and 348 cases of cheese; from tho Bluff, 11-10 cases cf choose. Tlio above figures represent a total of 33,417 boxes and .432 kegs of butter and 3507 cases of checise. A inciting of the Waltham school hath committee was held on Tuesday evening, Mr Harvey, chairman of the rchool committee, presiding. It wao ! decided to approach tho Sydenham water supply committee for tho purpose of obtaining terms on which water oould bo supplied to tho bath. The chairman reported that tenders had bson called for tho construction cf tho bath, and that an offer had been made by a gentleman to givo an illustrated'lecture in aid of tho funds, which now total £200, including about £20 collected by the children in small amounts. In connection with tho proposed bazaar the ladies met during tho week, and" a strong committee was sob up. The general oommittee will meet next Friday to consider tondere. While Mr Seddon was busy expounding tho wickedness of the Opposition to his audience at Shannon on Monday night (states an exchange), a very large inseot, apparently lured by mention of the vaseline and inject powder used by the Conservative party coming down tlie Warganui river many years ago, fell in amazement on the stage. It was somo timo before it recovered from the shock, and then, stretching out its tentacles, it took wing, and mado a few circuits round the hall above the political atmosphere. Presently it hit Mr Seddon on tlio back of the head and hovered about again. The Premier reassured his audienco that he would "screw its neck presently," but the intruder kept buzzing about some more. "It must be a member of tho Opposition," explained Mr Seddon, "coming at mo from the back." And tho insect, covered with ehame, disappeared into the night. A meeting of ladies of Addington and Spreydon interested in tlio proposed Sanatorium for Consumptives, was held in St. Mary's schoolroom on Wednesday afternoon. Tlio meeting was convened by Mesdames J. S. Williams and J. Mackenzie, members of tho Ladies' General Committee, and there were twenty-four ladies present. Dr. Greenwood, in an interesting address, omphasised' tlio necessity for establishing such an institution. The districts wero divided, and tlie following lathes wore appointed to make an immediate house to house canvass, and ask subscriptions for the fund:—Mesdames Crosby, Dalziel, King, Martin, Morris, Moyes, McLeod, Tait and Williams, Mioses Crosby. Day, Greig, Hislop, Hobdon, MoCraoken, McLecd, Simpson and Williams. The Premier (says tho "Post") was in a generous mood on Tuesday. Speaking at tho ceremony of laying the foundation stone of tho -Wellington South sohool, ho declared that Education Boards and School Committees would find him a Minister abounding m good things. Mr Soddom also struck a new not© t>y declaring that ho thought thea-o should be caretakers and caretakers' cottages attached to our rmblic schools. Whon the applause following this suggestion had sufficiently subsided, the voice of the chairman of the Berhamport Committee was heard in an exclamation, "We'll bo after youl" Thereupon! the Premier put forward a safeguarding clause, " But you must approach mo through the constitutional course; you must go to work through the Education Beards." A meeting of the Management Committeo of the Canterbury Automobile Association was held on Wednesday evening. "Present—Dr. Thacker (in the chair), Messrs W. E. Thompson, W. E. Mills. E. M. Sandstein, H. Thompson, H. J. Ranger and Dr. F. G. Gibson. An application from the Now Brighton Borough Council for some assistance for the purpose of making a road to high water mark for the U6© of motorists was declined. An offer of the use of the Metropolitan Trotting I Ground for a motor gymkana on Boxing Day was accepted, and a sub-com-mittee, consisting of Messrs H. Thompson, E. H. James and the secretary, was appointed to make all arrangements. It was decided to communicate with tho Christchurch Cycling nnd Motor Club, thanking them for their action in standing down for Boxing Day in favour of tho Automobile Association, iii reply to the deputation which was introduced to Sir Joseph Ward by Mr T. H. Davey, M.H.R., in regard to tho width of the proposed Waipara bridge, Sir Joseph telegraphed yesterday os follows.—"I havo given instructions that tho bridge across the Waipara shall bo six feet wide." The Association asked for a width of seven feet, out under tho circumstances it is considered that tho six feet provided will bo sufficient for motor traffic. A recent judgment of the Privy Council on tho face of it apparently lays down tlie principle that when-once registration of a title to land has been mado under tihe Land Transfer Act, tlietro U no remedy, even though wrong has been done to the proper owner. The decision was given in tlie Men? Roilii appeal case. Passing comment was made on tliia case by his Honour the Chief Justice (says the " Post") when hearing the case of Stevens and others against the Carterton Borough Council. His Honour said that the decision opened a very wide door, nnd thf ro had been discovered by the Privy Council in regard to the land transfer titles something which waa not discovered in New Zealand before, though the Act had been iv existence for very many year?. Tn Mere Roihi's case the Privy Council had held that registration of title under the Land Transfer Act made lejral the iPogal and improper action of the Native Land Court cf New Zealand, which had giv-en a title to a person to whom tbe title should not have been «iven —given it vo tho prejudice of infants who were interested in the lard. His Honour did not say th..": the Pri/v Council was wrong in the position it- liad taken up, but he thought that if the tlting was to havo been granted it should havo boon created l\» legislation, ?o that remedy might l>c provided for thoso to whom wrong had been done. As the decirion in the Mere Roihi case stood, it inflicted hardships on innocent persons. *

Tho Customs duties collected at the port of Auckland for the month of November amounted to £55,607, as compared with £53,159 for the corresponding month of 1904. Tho gold exported last month from tho same port was 1D.9760z, valued at £78.861, against 18,6040z. valued at £05,392, in November of last year. Mr W. Radcliffe, of Lyttelton, wishes to acknowledge the sum of £7 ls received from the Union Steamship Company to bo devoted to the Casualty Ward Fund. Tlie above sum represents the* proceeds from the 6ale of tickets for admission on board tho Union Company's new turbine steamer Maheno, at Lyttelton yesterday week. Mr V. G. Day, S.M., presided at tho Police Court yesterday. Wm. Partridge was fined £1 .and costs for drunkenness. Grcgor McGregor was charged with being found by night without lawful excuce on the property of James Knight, butcher, High street. James Knight stated that his right-of-way was not properly secured, and the accused seamed to have gone up there and iuto tho 6hop. There was nothing taken. The Magistrate imposed a sentence of six months' imprisonment, tho warrant to bo suspended provided ho wont to tho Samaritan Homo for that period. Reports received in Wanganui state that many natives on the Wanganui river are in sore straits for food, "owing to the potatoes last year being ruined by tho potato blight. Many families aro _\aid to bo practically starving, and reduced to living on lorn and such other food as they could obtain out of the bush. They have no seed potatoes to plant for next winter's food supply. The schoolmaster at Pipiriki says that many native children are attending school thero without food except what they obtain in the bush, and the Roman Catholic priest at Jerusalem writes that littlo children are practically foodless. There is urgent need for relief. Tho Premier has been approached, and has provided some assistance. The members of No. 7 Company Garrison Artillery (N Battery), who aro in camp at Fort Jervois, Ripa Island, had instructional practice with tho guns nt the fort on Thursday and yesterday.Each of tho officers of tho company acted in turn as battery commander. Major Hume, R.N.Z.A., was umpire, and Captain Wall, R.N.Z.A., assistant umpire. After tho shooting was over, Major Hume criticised the practice, pointing out tho defects he had noticed, and remarking tliat tho company had done creditably, seeing that it was using the guns for the first timo, nnd the practice would no doubt have the effect of giving the members confidence when thoy fired tho same guns in the competitive practice. You will have better crops every time alter working the land with a Benicia Disc Plough. Morrow, Bassett and Co. 2 Strange and Co. aro just now offering very special inducements to buyeis. Having secured a number of manufacturers' and warehousemen's surp.us stock at an enoimous concosion on uuual wholesale rates, they are submitting these most attractive goods at correspondingly low prices. Tho lines include fashionable Millinery, Dree. Fabrics, Sample Coshimes, Waslndress Gocds, Reauy-to-Wear Clothing, Sample Footwear, Household Lines, etc. Strange's wore very busy yesterday and tho previous day, and fully expect another big day to-day. 6 These are a few of the epecial purchases just to hand, bought by our buyers (who ovor on tho alert) at exceptional bargain prices:—A manufacturer's lot ot Sampie Curtain Ends, clearing prices ls 3d to 2s lid each, also a lot of Sample Lace Curtains, whioh wo are clearing ot 3s lid, 6s lid. 7s Hd, 9b lid, the pair, 40 Ladies' White Emb; oidorod Blouses at 6s «d, also cream, white, and coloured Muslin Blouses, richly trimmed, at 8s lid, 10s 6d, 12s 6d, 15s lid each, or 25 per cent, below regular values. Our customers always gain a direct benefit from our special purchases. Beath and Co., Ltd., Cashel street. 36 Country and town folks kindly take notice, Little Jim the boot man will be open Show Day till noon, no waiting, extra assistance engaged, and remember ho is tho only boot man in Christchurch who gives coupons and presents. Ml Engine-owners .and farmers are reminded lubrication is the most essential with machinery. Guaranteed good oils aro obtained at H. McClelland's, 224 Cashel Street. 9 A telegram was received from Wellington. Surprised to hear that "Littlo Jim" is the only boot man who gives coupons equal to ls in tho £ in goods or presents. 9 Prohibition in America.—Much Ims been said by T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., and Rev. L. M. Isitt, of prohibition in the States of Maine, and almost' evory living soul knows that this has nothing to do with Little Jim footwear, made to stand re-soleing several times before tlio uppere aro worn out. Ho believes in selling footwear that gives satisfaction at reasonable prices. 29 We are requested to make an important announcement to the ladies of Canterbury. The D.I.C. intimate that important purchases totalling 20,000 yards of charming summer dress fabrics, bought at heavy discounts, aro now being offered at the department counters, samples of which may now be seen in tho Company's Cashel street windows, all to be sold at a price which plaoes them within the reach of all, viz., Is lid per yard, and any length cut. 19 A fine display of ladies' ready-to-wear linen, crash and silk blouses and skirts, is being mado by Graham, Wilson and Smellie in their window and show room, also grey tweed Kaiapoi costumes from 37s 6d. Inspection invited. 17 Bowlers I—Wo wish to draw attention to our "Apollo" Lawn Sweeper. Just tho thing you have been looking It will also sweep paths or any plain surface. A great time and labour savor. Booth, Macdonald and 00.. Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand. 23 Just to hand for the holiday season, a late shipment of novelty neck-wear, right up to date. Silk ties, ls, ls Gd to 5s lid each. Collarettes, ls lid to 8s lid each. Lace ties, Is 9d to 7s lid each. Black, Beattie and Co. 22 There is something worth consideration in the exceptional value we are offering in wide silk ribbons; all this sul .us goods, fashionable shades, were Is Gd, now 10id per yard. Black, Beattie and Co. 22 Tlio road to health is paved with good digestion. Bragg's vegetable charcoal purities the system, invaluable for indigestion, diarrhoea, fevers, etc. Powder in bottles, 2s, 4s, 6s. Biscuits in tins, Is, 2s, 4s. All chemists. Bragg, Wigmore street, London, England. 8 Henry Hughes, the Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Office, 183 Hereford street, Christchurch. 39 -Mrs Soott. Waltham road, Sydenham, has su2erea from Asthma for irany yearsj and tried many so-called cures, but Kurasma is the best; it gives relief at onoe. Sold by all chemists, 3s per bottle. Prepared by Kirk, chemist, Sydenham. 5466 Fletcher Bros. Big reduction. Sale Sricoa. Diu__er-sets 17s lid now 15s d. Tea-sets ft. 9d now 7s lid Bedroom sets 13s 9d now lis 9d. Splendid valua. See window. Oddments to sets at lowest prices. Hardware, cutlery, nnd lampware at Fletcher Bros., Crockery Importers, Lower High street. 24 It you havo tho faintest suspicion that your 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 speotacle seller, for he is unaDio to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, but consult John R. Proctor, 180 High street, Christohurch, who will give you a thorough examination froo of charge. 2145

! Work while yon work, play while you ! play. The Oldsmobile is your best help ! m both. W. A. Ryan and Co., Ltd., 126 Oashel street, Chrifitchurch 6 Wedding and Birthday Presente.— Six engraved tumblers and jug on tray from 6s i)d. Splendid value in tumblers, glassware, chinaware, cutlery, household ironmongery- See windows for sale prices in dinner and bedroom ware, big reductions. Fletcher Bros., direct importers, Lower High street. 24 Eureka clothes for men and boys.— These aro our own make. They are made, too. under a quite new system, which combines all the fit and style of the- fancy-priced tailor, with the economy of the ready-for-service suit. This ensures more satisfaction to you, and at a considerably reduced price. Gall and see the styles* Tribe and Coy. for satr isfaction, 219 High street. 17