NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12570, 13 August 1906, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

"An excellent pictorial paper for sending abroad is the issue of "Tli© Weekly Press" tlmt comes out to-tnorrow, early enough for intending visitors to the races to secure it and poet it for the San Francisco mail, which closes in tho afternoon. As usual, the journal embraces a variety of colonial subjects of interest.to anybody trho knows of New Zealand, and included in the engravings may be mentioned those of tho Governor and th© new Cabinet chosen by the now PfSmter, Sir Joseph Ward, interprovincial Rugby football, and thterprov"iricial hockey matches, a fine panoramic view of the Park terrace front of the Exhibition, and the opening of the new cut in tho Nelson Harbour, a part of tho Nelson Haibour Board's improvement ec*aem*>. The annual Conference of the* New Zealand Farmers' Union meets at Wellington on Tuesday, September 4th, and tho Municipal Association's Conference opens at Wellington on Monday, September 24th. A private cable met>sago received at Wellington from London states that it has been found that the fire which destroyed the barque Pitcairn Island (when on her way from Wellington to London) originated in the wool cargo. The Timaru A. and P. Association have decided to hold their annual horse parade on Saturday, September 29th. Tli© Auckland province boasts tho possession of a family with living reprosenttttives of five generations. The criminal sittings of tiho Supreme Court wiill be resumed this morning, before Mr Justice Goop&r, when the Goodman and Bruges cases will ba taken. The Taranaki "Herald" hears from a reliable source that Mr Way, tho Amerksun oil expert, who is at present in Now Plymouth, considers that there is a far greater extent of oil country in the district than ether people have any idea of. At a meeting of farmers and stockowners, held at Ashburtbn on Saturday, a motion was carried to the effect that tho A. and P. Association tako stem to procure a vetennarysurgeon for the county, end that a guarantee of £300 be offcuvd. . The Premier received advice on Friday notifying that neither New South I Wales nor Tasmaniia would be able- to ! send representatives to any medicaJ conference that might be> held ait Ghristchuroh during the currency ot the International Exhibition. Heavy shipments of potatoes are. expected from California early next month, and it.is believed in. Wellington that tthes© new arrivals will steady the market. The steamer \vith the first cargo will leave Saai Francisco on 23rd August, and , she> will be followed by other potato-laden steamers. Tho Hangitikei . Co-openutivo Dairy which won the big butter competition at the late Manawaitu Winter Show, has forwarded an exhibit of butter (two boxes) to the London Dairy Show for competition: in fcho special class for colonial butter.. Th.ie will be the first time New Zealand butter will be represented ait the big Homo show. ~■ ; '

A telegram from Nelson eta res that the Union Company's steamer M&poiirika, from the West Coast, took the ground on the Boulder Bank on Saturday morning, outside the' partiatfycompleted new entrance, owing to making too short a sweep. She was floated off .undamaged at high tide. About tli© same timo the Palecna, while going out by the old harbour entrance, went aground on c mud fiat, but was safely got off when, the tide rose. The pilot was not aboard either vessel rwhen the mishaps occurred.

Mr J. B Scnitt, eeoretary of the National Dairy Association (South Island), speaking to a Wellington "Post" reporter on Friday, endorsed a remark made at a,' recent meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce • about the deterioration of dairy herds. He said a million sterling a year wae being lost to the oouoitry. The trowblo was Wunfly to v a. kwig course of breeding from impuro stock and' the bad feeding of young stock. The farmera, said' Mr Scott, could not iifibtd to flllow this state of affaire to continuo, an)d it was due to fcho country that tihe groiw prodiicfcion should be raised .to. the Ihigbeet standard. • ■,

''New Zealand Times" states that it is understood that wihen. thfagp are properly under way the membeire of tho Cabinet wiTl adopt 44» fol'lovred iv mar.*- of tilie Auetraliaa Statesi of having fixed hours for different olaesea Ministerial work and declining a* fair as preeibie to trAneact business out c$ tlhcee. houTs. Speakirdg o» this subject, Sir Joseph Wajd said Aw 3mped before long tor be aWe fen djeriee a syetom whereby aM-tho reqmrememite of hie ami duties and of tow public ©ould be QTstemetibally attentled to so far as jlioure are oon« cerned._He epoke-very hopefully of being atfJo to avodd! umduly taxing the ron ffta of both Sue .oqfJeagueje and himself. Questioned on the came subject, the Hon. J. 'A. 'Miliar eaid he had been told he could r.ot,do it. but iw waa going to try very hard to carry a eystem as regards t'li« hours which he would devote to particular -work. ■■.-.•'■•'

The deportation of Kanakas from „Queensland is the sirbjcctof an article in «m» "Fiji Tfmcs," in which it is pointed out, incidentally, thai the termKanaka, as used,m Australia., eigmifeL* of aay <* * ho many WcstOTJi Pacific islands. In Fiji the Ka-naka would be described as a- Polynesian. The "Times" fears', that a «roat wrong may bo inflicted on th& Kanakas in sending them back to savagedom, and eueKests tferit they i should be -taken to, Vi£ Vhi>re they would all find employment. "To compel these people to return to tho lands o.t their birth would be regarded with extreme displeasure in Fiji,, and no one at all intimate with them would lend co-opera6:on to enforce a.ny unrighteous mandate of tho land. A Hook of land could easily be .secured m Jjjji to settle these Queensland outcasts upon, where they could eventually spend ,the reel of their lives." -

~ Concerning tho small birds' n?iieariee, the Timnru 'Tost" of Saturday has the following:—ln this keen oommorcial age the person who can chow hb fellows how to make money quickly and easily is looked upon as a public benefactor. Forty pounds earned in five weoke by the aid of two of Mr W Kings small bird traps is not a bad record, especially when it is considered that thie m what may be termed only a -side show." That is to ray. the birds can be trapped and the ordinary work of the farm carried on at tho j same time without inconvenience. Tlio record above quoted has juet been established at Hunter (about seven miles westward from Makikihi), on "Mr Charles Jackson's farm. Mr Jackson jun., brought his book, of tallies into town with him to-day, and showed to ?.. . Pcßt reporter..receipts from the AVaimate County Council (where the I rds JT ere for OT<!C £40 ' tho whole of which njoney he received between July 3rd and August 11th. Dur-! ing this period he has trapped and sold no fewer than 10,068 birds. This morning he* rpceivrd a cheque from tho \\aimato County Council for £15 ICW injMyinent for his last "'catch" <.' 3720 bird-s. That King's traps are effective "money-niakers" as well a« effectivo agents for ridding tho country of tho small birds' pest no one will be disnoicd to deny eft or this.

The Arbitration Court ' *t ; I-%lMI of tvhadh have boo<n tho past week owing Chapman being engaged " iV>*ofl preme Court, wall &jt 4his,',in&iSH tho Old Provuicial Council'fiwlSlSH Farmer* in NorUi afclo last -week <to plough a«fil9l of land, though iihe sojj wa* hivfjlH enough for drilling in, the growx'h elf grass indie«tePlH spring, and la-rmera speak-JhiiiH ■ In connection with iho mg recency signed concernmg tho delay in doliTmtSHl tho opening <f a letter, the luBHH officials explain that tho lotterfsH mistake, delivered to aaotttJlfiH of tho same nanio, by vhomiJsH] opened. sk>mo deiay .rrat>tSl!H|j the mistake was roportel, counts for the long itiino letter in reaching its desttnaSflfiSHl Perniussion has recently to tho Young Men's tion to work among th© MaoriisH pa durintg tho sortie© was held there ycstwilS|SK| iag, and .t&o men a£UmdtiiH| strangers' tea in -th© rooms an the afternoon, young men sat dowu to teiraraH -Maoris sang "Home, Sweet- HoiiJHi their own. language, and a »r-r?|3PM satisfaction at being prceeaU^^H "Is tiho heart of man na4i»£ttlaffl or bad" was tho subject tho men's mooting at the Ox&SSmH raeo Baptist schoolroom Thero was a good atteudotneifflH Looming opened tho discusSallM said that an his opinion the\*aH heart was neither good nor was actuated by tJio ties. A grea»t many on *he subject, and ftneßy WgM decided to continue tho diccunt|^Sa A church para do of No. 7. GmHu Garrison Artillery (N at Lyt-toltooi yesterday morninklaHi j was oi miustor of forty-iivo of under■ Lieuts. Wardio and Cap-tain Briee, lato company, and now pay and m9| master of the Lyibteltoa ran Surgooai-Cjiptain ox-Lieut. NoriJle wore present. by tho Lyttciton Marino Bandmaster Or, E. CbllLns, marched to Holy Trinity Divine gomice avos . conducted Ifflifl Roy. Otho Fitegt'Tuld, c}ia plain^H A Wffll-att«inded meeting : o^H Womon'e Ghristian Tejnperauoe'^^H was presided over on VV«dooimfl| Mrs Mncdonald. A ooinmtttce^eß pointed to draw up a list cf ittSß tor papers to be read at thb'^B conreution., to be held in AsMjgß in Septconber. Discussion tool^^^B wKih arei«reiice to ..the ck»ing?l^H Womon'e reading room at th«i^H Library, and it was decided r'tolfll to the Biird of GoTOTnort.^i^H matter. jlrs Cole brought jS«B several _m»ttera in, conneotioa vn^B Exhibition, -wJucJi wero diiscusae^^H iu»v member -was initiated' aad^b^H aaembor elected. '*^^B Every year the executive-.^^B Chnstchurch Poultry Ciub ie-^^H inconvenience by Jioldere of-imBH numbers in the art union u^^fi^H jug tOieir prizes. This ye»KJi|§ffl| ivo exception to tho Kile.. BftH^H tickets 23G8 anld 4C30 claim prises, and.i&^B^H annual ovcetinig to bo !be§|w^H9 ing a to dispoeo will be passed. The otheT pt^j^H claimed as follows !■—Finrt, ;|S|^H Allen, Madras trbreet: seo&uPJ^H Hobbs, 13 Fitzgerald strdetT^H bane; tliird, .A. Jonce,,: Fe^^^l fourth, G. Bf. Price. KodolinVie Fv Upper Riooarfoivj^e Mr Fanner, Tankervjllo MaW^^H don j fcoventh., W. . McDonbu^^^H fitorroad, Bb. Alba-ns; eighth^lpH JRanlfurly street, fit. 'A^mt^^^M A laetstiiQg of the GenemJf^aHH i«c< of the Courtenay -Agricitmra^H P^toiul' AsEOciatioo wW^i^f^^^H day. Tho president (Mr D..!t3&||^H son) presided over a good atoSHI l!he annual shotw was fixed .ft^j^H day, "November 15th. ' It imf^H^H m additoon to prwhibitiuevtS^B boggete, to adtopt th« Caobert^SH eociation'a regulation l ia^ r l«iHi trimming and itM^H aneop »hown in tiho wooi been shorn einoe Septcmbei* l^^^Hl Imported- cheep, melligibl^SH^H Bhearisg regulaibbne, Jnayofi^H separably, 'and a- pri^TMiH Judges for the doferent M&inSl nominated. Mr A.' J. Mai^M^B for the pubJioao'e botfth Vftrlgji^H and iit mm ,dooid«d' to iimwpH^H for • band. Tie pre&dcto'ttDf)|§^H tary -wero enuhorieed to Wimni^^H luncheon bootha, and te «M^«H furmiture. Twelve an/taante^H| The funeral cf the fate' Anthony took, place on S*tunki«H noon. y The cortege krft of the deceased ■ at two proceeded to St. Saviour's (%uwiiH| enham, where a short was hrfd. The- pall-bc«rea>f iiilJßl MeasrsT Charles B^a n> WGee, Maekew, G. B.r Nelson, Smith. "At tho church Ilii read by Archdeacon Scott, ft targe congiegation of frifenda of deoeeeed, were:—Canon.Knowtee, CanonJH|H Messrs W. H. Triggs, P. Chapman, G. W. KueselL Vw&aßM M/Ogicri H. Paul, K. ken, J. WaUaoe, D. 0. Godfrey, end many iilliiiii JIHB eervioe consisted of the first the burial service, Pselm, Hymns £40 and 255. . At iK||H| sion the body' was removed, to tery. a large number following itJfSH of the burial xea'd at the craveeiae by -ArciMMJH| Thero wae • iull meeting of the Rangiom cil on Friday. A request*to channel Wales street was mad* dente of that street. It was to' reply that the matter eideied when works of that being done. A complaint from dent of Ivory street was referred Works Committee. The ment showed receipts for-'the/aaHB £300 18s 7d, and credit balance «|a)|B £377 13s lid. Accounts wrewjmm for payment amounting to It was iveolvAd to adVertise dogs within the borough tered within fonrteen days. .WfeWM I H. Grenfell, of Chirietchurch, I'IJM pointed manager of the gasworJdHHH salary of £150 per annum, wltkjMH house, coal, and gas. The 'MM Committee was empowered to yaMIHWB sum of £GOOO authorised for thfejMjW tion of the gasworks. It decided io call for tenders for lion of new council chambers. Jf<M^HH Tho Premier of New South" has promised to make enquiry £i|H| statement made in the LegisfotifffnH &c-mbly of that State to the cffect/JjHl trump steamers manned by ChjSHB Nonvegians, and other ployed at low wages arc at prceeptjMß gaged in the trado between and New Zealand, in unfair cotfglHß tion with yesseh manned- by BnfWM and colonial seamen. Interviewmgnß tho subject, the Minister of (Mr Millar) said he was notawareftMfl anything of the sort complained going on, unless it was being r-ffISBB by ho mo vessels running tralia'andjthe Kaipava. He pointe4«H that the remedy for anything ?IHB if it* was found to be occur with Australia. New Zealand ready passed'a measure, tho Trado Act of 1903, which providedJjflß that was requirwl on our part. was only neccesary for pass a similar measure to ilreas against tiie condition - ofwhich was complained of. ''.-HH

\ Dnnedin telegram states that the Inter-Club Cross-Country Championship on Saturday was won by the Dunedm Harriers, with the Civil Service HarJiora second, unci St. Andrews' Harriers third. \ letter received by a lady in. W«M-lin-ton "last week torn Knfjland was .f Jl "Mies Potatoo street Wy City, &c Own Country.' The London Past Office officials had written across tho face of the letter, -Try New Zealand/ " .. - A speaker at the Young Mons meeting at tho Oxford terrace Baptist Schoolroom last evening said that the Socialists were all going to work on different idoas. If at the next gencrafewtion they were to return a three-fourths majority of Socialist*, New Zealand would bo worse than Russia , ' The- Federated Seameivs Lmon ot New Zealand carried tho following re- • SJlion:-"That thta lmon heart,jy congratulate the Hon. J. A. Miliar cT his inclusion in the Cabinet as Mm W for Marino and labour, and f,,rt Lr congratulate him as bein 3 th« first practical swunan who has held the portfolio of Minister of Manne •5 X? Zealand, if not in the whole trf tiio British Empire. \t the half-yearly meeting of the Canterbury Typographical j- n |on on :? on the Conciliation Ijo.rd eensed'bv the death of the late Mr I. f Bidmea-le. Mr G. Clarke was elected president, in place ot Mr J. A. Loney, resigned, Mr G. J. Scllare being appointed to the vice-presidency. S? J. Wilson was elected a Itoard Somber in placo of Mr Ludbrook, reSenccl. The report made feeling, reference -o tho deaths of the Premier and MrF J Bidmoado. Tho latter was for many years a member of the Union. The almost implicit confidence which tbe general public place* in the Pcet Office has seldom been better J««*ifaed to in an incident which took place hi the city thifi nomng (says tje Wellington '-Post" of Saturday). Looiking throufih an illustrated paper a relideMt saw tiho picture of a friend, who had been taken, in a group. Ho cut out the friend's picture from the Eroup, stuck it on an. envelope, put a penny stamp in the corner, wrote "Wellhi«rtom" at the bottom of the plioto scrap, put tho whole lot in .the feUer-box at tho G.P.0., and sixty minutes later it was handed to the original of tihe picture on. tho envelope. Some time ago a complaint was made to the late Mr Seddon relating to money landing transactlione Ibetwteen one or more Europeans and the natives in tho Taranaki district, which, it was affirmed, wero burdensome to the natives and unfair to business people with Whom the natives fraim time to time contracted debts for ordinary supplies of food and otothing. Mr Seddon promised to look into the matter, and referred tho complaint to the Public Trustee. An enquiry was arranged for. Owing probably to the death of Mr Seddon tho matter has been delayed, but the Hawora "Star" now underHbands that Judge SetivSmith has been requested to undertake tlie enqurry, and that (he will do co in, about a fortnight's time.

The New Zealand ship Sparrow (to be christened shortly the Richard John Seddon) was on Friday morning brought from her anchorage off the Thorndon Esplanafc, Wellington, to the wool jetty, where she is to undergo repainting and a thorough overhaul, to prepare her for * ne reception of boys to be trained for the navy and mercantile marine. The Sparrow just now does not present a very attractive appearance (eaya the New Zealand Times") after her long period of idleness, but it; is hoped soon to have her spick and span again. Although the vessel has been dismantled of her warlike attributes, ehe still, retains her eight big /guns. Matters for the proposed training scheme have not yet been set in train though at an early date it is anticipated that the Government's poeala in this direction will be notified to intending applicants for service.

Mrs Chevalier, widow of a deceased mernbor of the Royal Academy, has offered to the Government of New Zealand as a free gift, conditional only upon their proper housing, a collection .of paintings by her late husband. The lowest estimate of the value of the works of art is £600. Cabinet has. decided to accept the gift with thanks, and to make proper provision for the display and preservation of the paintings. The "Jifew Zealand Times" thinks that this presentation to the country ought to act Qβ an inoentivo to tho people of Wellington to push on as 'vigorously as possible the project for the establishment of an art gallery which might accommodate this generous gift. The Government has on the Estimates a sum of £1000 towards thi* object.

The Oamaru correspondent of the "Otngo Daily Times , * telegraphs that "the , effect of No-license upon business pam?rally-is already being discussed in OaWru. but it is. of course, too early to cay anything definite. The month of July is invariably a quiet one, and it J3 only m comparison, with previous j\->ars tihat tradespeople can state with aroy degree of certainty what their experience has bean. One or two have stated that tiboy observe a decided improvement in the settlement of certain accounts. Drunkenness is at a minimum, the two men arrested during fcho month of July having both come from "the north by rail. One prohibition order wae granted, and no otlior cases of a kind usually associated with drunkenness were' heard. This is as aeainst 11 cases of dtrunkenneas in July, 1905, four prohibition orders, and one assault case. The importation of liquor into the district is confined to email lotfij but of these thsro are evidently a farr number being received. The Act iprevmta the dlerk of tho Court giving even statistical information, from tho notices received by him Tor the purpose of his register of liquor sold to come rnito the O&marU licensing district, nor can the railway authorities say any more. Several premises are under surveillance ore suspicion of sly grog-celling, but the' quantity disposed otf must be very limited unoer tine conditions."

Among tho subjects to discussed at the conference of Australian Agrioulturlal chemists, which opens at Sydney on Monday next, is the neceseity for uniformity in the method of analysing soib, manure©, and feeding Btuffs throughout Ausfraksia. Tlio methods agieed upon by the Berlin conference will come- under review as ft guide to the conference. It- is also proposed to discuss the necessity for carrying out what are called soil surveys throughout Australasia. These surveys are a very important feature of agricultural research in America. By taking for analysis simples of earth from all parts of a district it is possible to ascertain exactly what that particular district is suited for producing. It, was by this means that the Unitod States discovered that it could grow the much prized Sumatra leaf tobacco, which is required for the outsides of tigars. Another subject for discussion is the fertiliser Acts of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, the prevention of adulteration of artificial manures and the fixing of unit values far the guidance of farmers in purchasing. Tho matter of securing uniformity in the conduct of experimental plots for the purpose of ascertaining the relative values of manures in different coils will bo discussed, and in this conncctiou the cenference wi3l turn its attention to the matter of reciprocity generally between New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand will b? represented at tho conference by Mr B. C. Aston. Chief Chemist to tho Agricultural Department.

By the wjll of Mrs Richard Nosworthy, who died last week, the Marll>orough High School benefits by a £.100 bequest for a scholarship, to bo called the Wrigley Scholarship.

A combined meeting of members of various Associations will be held in the Chamber of Commerce HaJl on Friday next, 17th hist., at 8 p.m., with a view- to urging the Government to revise the ohargts an the Chrisrtchurch and Lyttelton railway lino.

At the last meeting of the Land and Railway League in Blenheim, the President, announced ho would make arrangements for an expedition consisting of leading men, along the route of the Blenheim-Tophouse-Buller \ alley Railway with a view to educating public interest in that project.

At the Eketahuna Magistrate's Court on Saturday Herbert Swan Dixon, clork, pleaded guilty to embezzling various sums belonging to his employers, James Jones and Co., and was'remanded for sentence to Wellington. The defalcations amount to £200.

On Friday afternoon Mr Justico Chapman granted probate of the will of the late Mr F. H. Barns, deceased, on tho application of Mr George Harper, to Mre Barns, Mr J. N. Barns, and Mr J. Garrard, three of tho executors, leave being reserved for Mr J. J. Kineey, tlie remaining executor, to apply tor probate at a later time.

Captain Marciel and Mr J. T. Briee, J.P.s, deuilt with tho business at tho Lyttelton Police Court on Saturday. A finst offender, charged with being drunk and disorderly, \vae_ convicted and discharged. John Wyman was charged with drunkenness and with having used obscene language. Ho was convicted and discharged on his agreeing to take out & prohibition order against himself.

The Auckland Education Board's solicitor advises that body that it is not legally justified in acting upon the inspector's suggestion that the grading od teachers be printed in full and f.hat tho document be communicated to teachers for their information. Ho is of opinion that any teacher aggrieved by its publication would bo entitled to go to tlu> Supremo Court for an injunction, and would bo successful.

A Dunedin gentleman a short time ago received an offer to purchase 20 shares in a newly-floated diamond mining oonoem with its scene of operations in Africa-. The price at which tho shares were offered was £50 each, and without a great deal of trouble they wore placed among various acquamitanoes in Dunedin at that figure. The most recent information! is to the effect that the market price in that country of the shares held by those few fortunates is now £250 each.

A caso lias ootme undfcr the notice of Dr Ogston, district health officer for OtaQo, where it is stated that a midwife is suffering from some form of skii> disease on one of her hands. Acting under "The Midwivcs Act, 1904," the district health officer has required her to discontinue practising until such time oe sftie Qias obtained' a certificate from a medical man to the effect that her disease does not involve danger to her patiente. This is believed (says the "Otago Daily Times") to be the first case of.the kind in. the colony in which suoli a course has had to be taken.

Saturday's "North. Otago Times" says:—"Whether Mr C. Swinard will take out letters patent for hie discovery we do not know, but it was supposed that trout ova had' to foe handled witih exquisite care. However, lie found) about a dozeni ova at tihe hatchery that had clung to the surrounding moss and wore thrown away. These he put in hie pocket and carried home. The ova were put in a basin, and are doing well. They were shown at tho meeting of the Acclimatisation Society last niigfht. hatched out, and are an lively as if they had gono through the recognised , proceduTe, the depa-rtiiro from t!he ordinary course not having affected them detrimentally in the slightest degree." ,

A piece of resinous substance lying on a shelf in the office of the Undersecretary for Mines attracted the attention of & Wellington "Pest" representative on Thursday. * The pressman was curious to know whence it came, and was informed that it was a lump of ambribe which had beon found in one of the South Island coal mines. It appears that similar discoveries are not infrequently made amongst brown and lignite coal seams at the Bay of Islands, Whangarei, and in the Wnikato, and also in Central Otago and Southland. It reeembles kaiiri gum in appearance, and is wholly insoluble in alcohol, ether, oil of turpentine, benzine, chloroform, and dilute acid.

A well-attended meeting of the committee which is making ajramgements for the walking race from Lyttelton to Governor's Bay and back, was held on Friday. It was reported that everything pointed to the race being a great success, and that large entries were being received. Messrs 0. Mazey and A. lihind announced that they would give trophies as special prizes." Mr Maaey's trophy was allocated to the competitor . making fastest time. A sub-committee wae appointed to arrange for the holding of events to bo run in Lyttelton between the time of the start and the finish of tho walking race. :

The .mo/uthly meeting of the Rangiora School Committee was held on Wednesday,evening. The Rev. F. P. Fendall presided. The headmaster reported that the average attendance for the moaith had been 300, and that the annual examination had just beeai made by Inspector Ritchie. It was decided to reduoo the length of tho holidays in September, and give ten days at Show and Exhibition time. Accounts amounting to £4 11s 10d were passed for payment. It was decided to plant some trees in the Borough Reserve on a day to be kept as Arbor Day. The Visiting Committee appointed for the ensuing month consisted of Messrs Ball and Boyd.

Tho Executive of the Harbour Boards' Association of New Zealand met at Wellington on Saturday, the Hon. T. K. Maodo.na.ld, M.L.C., chairman of the W«tlim®toin Board, presiding. After considering tlie proposed Harbour Boards-' Superannuation Fund Bill, the executive waited on the Minister for Marino (the Hon. J. A. Millar) to enuqiiire what legiektio-n affecting harbour bqarde wae likely to be introduced during tifoo coming session of Parliament. The Minister stated that he had under consideration a BiM dealing with the constitaition of Harbour boards. A measure consolidating various Harbour Boards' Acts had been drafted, but hud not yet befen, fully considered. He promised to iliavo copies of all Bills m any way affecting harbour boardjs sent to each, board", so that they might fully consider them before they were dealt with by Parliament.

On Friday several of the local members of Parliament inspected tho site in. Sydenham recently purchased by Mrs Grace Neill for the Maternity* Home. The following telegram was sent to tho Hon. G. Fowlds: —"Have just inspected proposed' Maternity Home. Site utterly unsuitable; house twenty-five years old; surroundings the very opposite of what fehcy should be for sirch an institution. Strongly opposed to the purchase. The buiidimg is right el- tho street. A Maternity Home ought to liaye at least an acre of land surrounding it. Scores of suitable places can bo secured here." On Saturday Mr C. M Gray, M.H.R.. receh-ed the following reply: — "C. M. Gray M.H.1?., Christ church.—Re telegram of yesterday, sorry 1 cannot see my way to arrcet arrangement in oomeveetion with Maternity Home; matter definitely settled.—Geo. Fowlds"

The Sixth New Zealand Contingent will hold a reunion in the King Edward Barracks on Wednesday evening next.

Ladies interested in the Grand National will also be interested in seeing the special display of early millinery models now being made in the showroom upstairs. Inspection is invited. Graham, Wilson and Smellie (near-Clock Tower). 23

Now—just now—and for a few days, watches will be sold at cost price. We are over-stocked, and want money. Clarke and Co., practical watchmaker, 148 Colombo etreet. 9

The most attractive showing of jnillinory ever collected in a limited space may be seen in the windows of Messrs Black, Beattie and Co. They are of the daintiest and most charming combinations. We may also mention that the moderato prices charged by this firm aro a decided advantage, "which should not be overlooked where smart millinery is in requisition. 4

Importers can save time and money by hauding their documents to N.Z. Express Co., Ltd., for clearance through customs. All transactions treated as strictly confidential. 11

Exhibition Postcarde.—The-ro is now on view in, the show-case at tho Cashel street entrance of the D.I.C. a very excellent representation of the Exhibition buildings. These post cards have baen very carefully executed from tho olovation. as now seen in Hagley park, and will be a valuable souTenir"to post by_the outgoing San Francseo mail. The price of same ie riicet moderate, being simply One Penmy each. Everyone should see this facsimile of the lioblo edifice which is now under completion, for tho Great International Exhibition shortly to be opened. 10

Seeds that will grow, from Nimmo and Blair, Dunedin. Flower seeds, 100 varieties, Id packet; vegetable eesdi?, 3d packet. Free lists of kinds at Fletcher Bros., Agents, Lower High street. 1Q

For the Grand National Steetplechaeos next week there is a special display of choice millinery modele in one of Messrs Beath and Co.'c windows in Caeliel street. They were specially selected for above event. Ladies should not fail to call and inspect those superb pictures, the styles are recherche, the prices very reasonable. Make an early selection. Please, note Beath's phenomenally eucceeeful winter .sale still continues. From day to day thousands of bargains are thrown out cheaper than over. See windows. 2

English-made Gold Chains, Long Gold Chains, Gold Necklets, Secret link Gold Chains, Gold Ohain Bangles. Largo assortment direct from the manufacturers, London. Wonderful value. Inspection invited. Jones and Sons, Jewellers, 248 High street, Christchurch. " 10 Now , arriving, the Robey engines, in all classes, oil engines, gas engines, and steam pumps, etc. Particulars from H. McClelland, 224 Cashel stjreet, sole representative. o