NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13005, 6 January 1908, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The interest and excitement attaching to New Year's Day were this year enhanced by the departure from Lyttelton of the new Antarctic Expedition in tho Nimrod, under the command of Lieutenant Shackleton, and the selection of a day when nearly everybody goes to the Port was a happy inspiration for advertising the undertaking, and incidentally getting it photographically recorded by innumerable camoraß. "The Weekly Press" staff covered the whole of the incidents associated with the function, and the loading ones are engraved in tho issue of the paper that comes out tomorrow, for tho benefit of those who will only see the departure in, picture and those who may wish to supplement their collections of tho departures and arrivals of the previous Antarctic Expedition vessels. The series in this week's issue gives the publio 6end-off to the Nimrod, the scenes at tho wharf and down the harbour, tho chart of the route to be followed by the expedition, the Lyttelton Harbour Board's picnio to tlio party, the King Edward VII. Land postage stamp, the members of the expedition and tho crow of the Nimrod, and Commander Lieutenant Shackleton. The big Now Zealand motor car reliability trial from Christchurch to Dunedin and back is treated to good illustrations of the start and the finish, and the committee and judges, and thero are several pictures relating to the visit at Lyttelton of the Carnegie Institution's survey yacht Galilee, that is engaged on a survey of the Pacific Ocean. The proposal to have the statutory half-holiday on Saturday ia exciting a great deal of interest amongst shopkeepers. It is intended to take advantage of the provisions of the new Act, and arrange tor a poll of ratepayers on tho subject. The picir'c on tho Racecourse to the sailors of the fleet has been fixed for Thursday, 16th inst., and the collecting sub-committee will set to work actively. It is intended to hold v meeting of tlio General Committee two or three days prior to the picnio to complete arrangements. Tho Christchurch Model Yacht Club at Victoria Lake on Saturday started a race to be sailed in ten heats for v trophy of the value of five guineas presented by Messrs Speight and Co. Two heats were sailed, the first being won by Mr Oake's Emerald Isle, with Mr Gibbs's Miru second, and Mr McCoU's Freda third. The second heat was won by 'Mr Haydon's Doris, with Freda second, and "Mr Dobby's Pateena third. The commodore of the club, Captain Owles, acted as starter and timekeeper On New Year's Eve (says the 'Timaru Post"), a gross piece of larrikinism was perpetrated about a quarter of a mile north of the Geraldine traffic bridge, near the borough. Some persons—supposed to be » party of young fellowß out for a lark—placed a farm gate in the middle of tie road, with the result tha* a motor party coming home late from a country dance, motored over the obstacle at a fast rate, and very nearly came to grief. As it was, the motor car was badly strained, but the occupants—four leading residents of Geraldine—beyond a slight shaking, wero none the worse for the accident. If the car had overturned there would doubtless have been a seriova accident.

The Westport Coal Company's output for last week was 3247 tons 1 cwt. A reception to Mr Keir Hardio will take place to-morrow evening in the Choral Hall. The Baptists resident in Timaru have amalgamated with the Congregationalista as from January Ist, 1908, and they held their first service together yesterday. A prominent figure in marine engineering circles stated to a "New Zealand Times" reporter on Thursday that the shortage in the supply of marine engineers of all grades, which has existed for some time, has* now reached an acute stage. On Thursday there were a number of good positions going a-begging. At their meeting on Friday last, the Mackenzio County Council decided to forward a protest to the Minister for Lands against the closing of tho Land Office at Timaru. The County Councils of Geraldine. Waimato, and Levels are to be asked to support this protest, on the ground that the closing of the Land Office at Timaru will bo a great inconvenience to a large number of Crown tenants. An accident of an unusual kind happened to a motor car recently, on a road at the back of Albury, South Canterbury, 'the leaders in a team of draught horses, whioh were startled by the car coming round a corner suddenly, jumping on to the car instead of away from it. Ono of tho occupants was a good deal dazed and bruised, and tho car was upset and extensively damaged. Two English tourists hove hit upon tho novel idea of "doing" the island on the way to Wellington in a caravan, which they havo had specially constructed in Auckland for the purpose (says the '"New Zealand Herald"). Such a- method of travelling will secure for them absolute independence, if nothing else. Tho vehicle, which left Auckland on Monday morning, is very strdngly built, and fitted with all conveniences for travel. Two tents are being carried, and Captain Hope Johnstone and Mr Earl, tho two gentlemen in question, intend visiting the _ fishing and shooting ground:? in addition to the beouty spots of the island. The holiday under these* conditions should be an ideal one. A couple of young men had a somewhat exeitiug experience in Hnuraki gulf on Tuesday night in an oil launch which they went out in on Monday. They forgot to take with thorn tho required amount of benzino to bring them back to port. The .result was a sudden stoppage, of the engine, and all Tuesday night tho launch drifted about off Hakino. Early on Wednesday morning the Union Company's steamer Atua, inward bound from the Islands, sighted tho launch, and Captain Jordan, tho master of the steamer, observing that something was wrong, put his vessel about. Getting within speaking distance, he was acquainted with the facts of the case, and ho then took the launch in tow. After towing her for about ten miles, Captain Jordan supplied tho men on tho launch with _ couple of cases of benzine, and the little vessel then, proceeded on her way. Owing to the holidays, the monthly meeting of tho Ashburton County Council was held on Saturday, instead of Friday. Amongst the motions carried was one abolishing the Works Committee, which had been under consideration for about six months. The contention of those who were opposed to the further existence of the Committee was that the county overseer, who is now practically doing the work formerly done by the county engineer, should bring up his own reports unaided. Those m favour of retaining the Committee argued that, in 'addition to furnishing tho monthly reports, the Committee did a large amount of other useful work which was of great assistance to the overseer, and which, very much facilitated the general business of the Council. The "New Zealand Times" states that an important step forward in connection with the native 1 school system is foret-iadowed by the publication of a proposed new code of instruction, which is to be informally discussed at a conference of native sohool teachers to be held at the end of the month in Auckland. The standard of instruction is to be raised until it almost reachea the European school level, but a large amount of attention is to be paid to utilitarian subjects. English, arithmetic, handwork, Nature study, morals, singing, and physical instruction are enumerated aa the subjects of instruction, and the importance of thoroughly grounding the children in a knowledge of English at an early stage is emphasised. In regard to manual training, which corneal second only to English in importance, it is proposed' to give teachers full liberty in their choice of subjects for elementary work, so long as they succeed in training children to habits of careful oliscryation and exactitude, combined with cleanliness and neatness. Many good 6tories (says tlie "Timaru Post") are told concerning the ingenuity of school boys in raising money through the sale of small birds' eggs, but it would appear that on occasion tho eggs of the much-maligned little sparrow aro turned to profitable account by the adult. Recently at Albury a well-known Tdanaru 'business man and an equally wellknown stock dealer and farmer found themselves in want of a match and minus a penny to buy a box. Eaoh appealed to the other in vain, and how to get one waa the problem with which they found themselves confronted. It was very soon solved. The pair wont egg-hunting. They soon obtained half a dozen sparrows' eggs, and going boldly into a shop, asked for and obtained a box or matches, tendering the egg* in payment, the storekeeper being an agent, who bought on behalf'of the County Council. He looked closely at tho payment tendered, and said that ho would accept it this time, but remarked that next time he would prefer coin of tho realm to farm produce of this description. A correspondent who signs himself "A Victim." writes as follows to the "Now Zealand Herald":—"As ono who has taken a small part in tho public life of tho country, I desire to protest against the growing custom of levying tributo upon publio men by football clubs, cricket clubs, athletic associations, and other societies. Here is the modus o[>erandi: The members of each club (and there aro hundreds of them) at the annual meeting, proceed to elect a number of patrons, vicepatrons, presidents and vice-presi-dents. Members of Parliament, mayors and councillors, are always chosen for theso positions, tho understanding being that in each case a guinea will be forthcoming. The practice has become a scandal, and I wonder that our so-called 'sportsmen' do not see what a mean thing they nre doing, and that many of their victims "really cannot afford to part with nld tho guineas which aro demanded from them. Not long ago a man who had been for fifteen years in a prominent ()üblic position died; his widow was eft not sufficiently provided for, but his cheque-books showed that for the five years prior to his death ho had given away in subscriptions over £200. Not one of the clubs to which b» had contributed was represented at the funeral, but his successor had hardly taken the place of the man who had passed away, before the same game was being played on him. How can we expect our public men to keep their hands clean when they are victimised in this way? Already our members of Parliament are clamouring for more adequate remuneration, and, knowing something of tho demands upon them, I am not surprised."

Steps are to bo taken shortly to form \ a Domestic Workers' Union in Dunedin on lines similar to thoso already fob; lowed in, Wellington and Christchurch. The Carnegie Institution's mngnotic survey vessel, the Galilee, went into dock 'on Saturday morning for overhaul and repairs, and will come out again about Tuesday or Wednesday. A notification has been issued by the New Zealand Bishops of the Church of England that they desire no clergymen should bo married within three years of their ordination to the diaconate. Two of tho most recent applicants to the Dunedin City Corporation for supplies of electricity for motive purposes are the Roslyn Tram Company and the Burnside Cement Company. Tho former who propose to run their cars by electric power, request 200 horse-power, and the latter 250 horse-power. The King Edward VII., Lord Charles Beresford's flagship, has made what is believed to be a world's record in coaling a battleship from a collier moored alongside. The Commander-in-Chief signalled his congratulations from the Surprise: "Captain Kelly, King Edward VII., is to convey to the officers, ond ship's company my great appreciation of the splendid coaling made. Total nmount taken on board 900 tons, in 3hr 20mih: average, 285 tons per hour." Mr (Maodonald. the official photographer of tho Government Tourist Department, was successful in getting a very comprehensive set of biograph films in connection with tho departure of tbo Nimrod {says the Wellington "Post"). The final set, showing tho exploring vessel in tow of the Koonya, was taken from tho deok of H.M S. Powerful, through the courtesy of Admiral Fawkes. It is intended by tho Department to send copies of tho films to bo shown in various parts of tho British dominions. It is not often that the green ensign is seen flying at a ship's masthead, but Captain O'Neill, of the four-masted barque Fingal, flew it from the ship every Sunday whilo in port at Newcastle. Tho Fingal is owned hy Mr C. E. Martin, of Dublin, who is also owner of the four-masted barquo Howth. When Captain O'Neill first broke the green ensign other ships in port dipped their flags in salute. Tho flag has tho.harp and crown on it, the design beiwr. pretty. Tho steamer Irish Monarch, which called at Lyttelton on her maiden voyage Hast year, flew the green ensign in port. Celebrations of some Maori weddings now proceed by tho week instead of the day. It is a very old custom to maintain tangis for a month, but the sustained wedding festivity is a matter of recent growth. Ono is now proceeding in a South Island centre less than a day's voyage from Wellington (says the "Post"), and the simple expedient of "passing round the hat" is odopted every time the fluid in the barrel runs slow or the cake and cold pork fails to materialise. Tho celebration ia already in its second week, nnd another fortnight's run is confidently anticipated. The present extremely dry weather is causing some anxiety to the agri culturists and pastoralists of the Watrarapa. Great cracks aire to ho scon in the paddocks, but apparently tho stock, where water is plentiful, aro doing fairly well. The weather in the district has been particularly-hot —hotter than that experienced in Wellington. Australian visitors to the Wairarapa assert that the heat ia greater thero than that usual in > Sydney at this time of year. Oare is bor„ ing exercised by people occupying grass lauds owing to the inflammable nature of all vegetation. People having gorso on their country are getting good "burns," although the gorse is fairly green in appearance. Some settlers who neglected to leave shelter belts for stock have gone to the extent of erecting large canvas awnings. The fact that the sheep crowd under these awnings is proof that the heat is phenomenal. Tho private telephone service has become suoh an institution in the Tiniroto district, Poverty Bay, that fior nearly two years the members of the School Committee .of thai township have only met once—<*n the occasion of the annual meeting of householders (says tho Auckland correspondent of the "Dominion"). Tho committee meetings aro conducted regularly eaoh month ovor the telephone. At ~e customary hour of meeting tho members of the committee are placed in comanunication! by telephone. The minutes.are read aid confirmed in the usual way, and business proceeds over the instrument. Annual meetings must, of course, be called to allow the general public to attend if they so desire. The introduction of the telephone, connecting (nearly every homestead in tho locality, es well as those away in the ltaukituri and Te Reinga volleys, has been a big boon to the settlors, who transaot nearly ail their business amongst themselves ond with the town over the wire, without having to leave their homes at all. An official of the Biological Department informed the Wellington "Post" on Saturdays that the sKipmenits of fruit recently received in New Zealand hove been much freer from orchard pests than was the case before the department increased the stringency of its inspections and regulations. Pears, which used to be particularly bad with codlin. moth, aro now remarkably free from that parasite. The stricter measures lately adopted have made the expense or fumigating fruit in Wellington much greater than it would be at place of growing, and the orohardists aro liow fumigating fruit themselves, which they once shipped away on the dhanco that it would pass through at port of destination without any requirements for treatment being made. Some very had shipments haive been returned from Wellington to growers during recent months, and the process has been found ©specially effective for (making notoriously careless- exporters mend their ways. - The consignment of fruit received in Wellington ex ss. 'Moeraki last week was remarkably free from pests, though a consignment of" 100 cases of "Messina lemons had to be sent for fumigation "at the oost'of the shippers. Commenting on the fact that the building societies and like organisations had raised their rate of interest on deposits one half per cent, last month (at present 4j. per oent. for twelve months' deposits),a Wellington business man on Friday told a "New Zealand Times" reporter that the volume of floating capital was so reduced that deposits were slow in coming in to the societies, whose lending powers were thereby restricted. It was because of this reduction in the volume that tho one-half per cent, interest' was added. This absorption of floating capital waa drawn attention to recently by Mr H. Beauchamp, who referred'to the practice established by several large trading concerns in competing for deposits and allowing interest on current accounts. Mr Beauchamp mentioned that tho balancesheets pf seven trading Companies showed that they held an aggregate of £535,516 under this head. The business man referred to above point*d ,to the manner in which the Post Office Savings Bank absorbs deposits, mentioning that in the twelve months ending September 30th the excess ot deposits over withdrawals wps ono million and a quarter pounds, the excess the previous year having been eight hundred thousand pounds—over two million pounds in two years. All this, it was "urged, hampered the operations of building societies, to whom tho public so frequently turn whon desiring to borrow.

_______________________________ *■ The Cirv Council will not meet* till the 20th inst. A messenger in a mercantile office in Dunedin has como in for a considerable legacy, including property in London. *■* The house in St. Asaph street, which was partially destroyed by fire on Fri- ,- day niliglht, was insured in the New Zealand office for £250. The furniture wus uninsured. A start has been made with the installation of tho additional machinery at tho Drainage Board's pumping station. Now that the holidays are over, the committee of the City Council, ap- , pointed in connection with the Godley statue, will meet and confer with tho Cathedral Chapter on the subject. The flag of the Canterbury Club was lKiiif-mosit on Saturday, as a mark of respect to the late Mr T. W. Bruce, one of its members, news of whose il. death was received on Saturday. Tlio postal officials adviso that the damage to the Vancouver mails per Hauroto, which was at first thought to be serious, appears, on further examination, to be of a trifling nature. Tho ratepayers' meeting in connection with tho proposed loan for the purchaso of the Bank of New Zealand corner to widen Colombo street will take place nt the Choral Hall this ' evening, at 8 o'clock. The Mayor has received complaints that the Carlton Mill bridge is being greatly disfigured by cycle advertisements. The Inspector of Police has been informed of the matter, and proceedings will be taken. "Wanganui has now five members of Parliament." said a member of tho Chamber of Commerce to a Wanganui "Herald" reporter, alluding to the fact that, under the new alteration of electoral boundaries, the five electorates of Wanganui, Rangitikei, Patea, Stratford nnd Taumarunui include districts abutting on the Wanganui river. At tho Dunedin Magistrate's Court on, Saturday, <v man, convicted of drunken pots, was deemed to be an habitual drunkard, and was committed ' to the Salvution Army Home at Pakatoo, on tho Haoirakri Gulf. This (says a Press Association telegram) is tho third timo tliat a Dunedin Magistrate _ has put tho provisions of the Habitual Drunkards Act into force. Tho "Post" states that the number of runs (1259) scored on tho Basin Reserve during the three days of the representative cricket match between Canterbury and Wellington, constitutes a record for the colony. The average runs per man works out at 34.2. With its sporting vicissitudes and thrilling finish in the last over that could be bowled, the game will bo long cherished as a glorious memory by the enthusiast. The trophies for the various events at the New Brighton Gala are on view in Mr Jones's window, New Brighton. Sir Joseph Ward (has telegraphed his good wishes to the committee, and accepts with pleasure the position of patron. It is expected that given fine "weather this year's _ala will easily beat all records. _--■ Entries for the amateur flat events closed on Saturday, and the handi- -, caps will be published in Tuesday's or Wednesday's paper. Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkins is unfortunately; unable to act as one of the judges in the route march,-owing to his absence in the South on the 9th inst. You will soon have a surplus in the treasury if you get an L-K-G Milking Machine. Local agents, W. Bassett and Co., 23 Manchester street. 1 Wanted the publio to see our Men's Trousers at 5. lid; Men's Odd Vests at 3s lid; Gents' Ties, three and four . '. for Is; Men's Regatta Shirts, 6s 6d, •* now 2s lid. Men's Knitted Sox at la the p&ir/ the best on the market; and ~~- all sizes in Men's and Boys' Straw Boaters, 6d eaoh. The Noted House "*V for Cheap Drapery and Clothing. G. V Shaw and Co., 213 Cashel street. 6 .!- Grass seeding will soon be in full ' •:■ swing. Armstrong and Co., Limited, are equipping harvesters with Overalls ~'_' 8s 3d, Ss Cd; Hats 9d to la 3d; Bush if Rugs 3s 3d, 3s lid, 6s lid; Sox sd, 6d, 9d. 6 :_£_ F. Wells won the £30 Oamaru Wheel >?£ Race on his speedy Rudge-Whitwotth * f Cycle. W. E.Hyalop and Co., agents. ~:i. • 6 ?S Next Friday, January ,10th, marks t '?| the commencement of a great money- './>% saving event—Graham, Wilson, and Smellie's annual summer sale. But 4l two Bales a year are held by this firm, , /-£ and their: own regular reliable ■took .">§: only is submitted at genuine aal* .-,{o! S rices. This means real bargain* in- . /£ eed for all who attend this sale..' 6 "-5| Ernest M. Sandstein, F.8.M.0., \,i|3 D.8.0.A., (London), Consulthis Opti- :*_|l cian, may be consulted on all oases of de- y ip factive eyesight. Fifteen years' special £ !_§ study and experience. The tnost plete and up-to-date optical parlours ":Mk in the colonies. Consulting rooms, '> J& Cashel street W. (next Hours, 9.30 to 5.30. Telephone 397. 6 i|| The Great Inauguration Sale at T. 'H Armstrong and Co.'«, Limited,' eontinuea its successful course. After-holi- ' &Jj day quotations are lower than ever, and the firm decidedly lead the soft goods .:§( trade in big values and small prices. 6 ?$$ 1908.—Messrs ; Hastie," Bull, and ,7j|. Pickering wish their many friends and £,£& tho pub ho, one and all, a- very happy ,-S| and prosperous New Year. They tak« 'CWv this opportunity of returning .thanks , f 4sSj for the generous support already ao- £gg corded the new hardware enterprise, ?$M opposite Ballantyne's. There tniut be *3g| some reason for this suooe_. What is *uflra it? ' ' 8 7|| A choice assortment of fashions 'at moderate prices are now showing at the D.I.C. These good*.y|»g include a smart lot of costumes, i*ck«U..'i'Mi and knock-about hats for sea and river- 'M f | side wear. The prices are arranged to meet the demands of the present boii- fM day season. -^-•ifi The Road to Health Paved with '$§f good digestion. Bragg*! Vegetable ■'J-M Charcoal. Invaluable for indigestion, diarrhoea, fevers, etc Powder 2b, _,'fj|| 6s; biscuits, Is, 2s, 4s. All Chemists. ,*>ff Bragg, Wigmore street,, London, Eng *■*¥; 24 r?:*i?; The genuine Clearing Sale at Moss's, |f ; .s in tho Royal Exchange Buildings, stilt '^jfi- ( continues. He is selling the qualities in men's mercery at exoep- ">_*!: tionally low prices to effect a clearance \Jj.fS prior to opening Xmas novelties. 6 %_■§ Lubricating is essential in all ma- !ik{ chinory. The best oil can be supplied /,.*. at H. McClelland's, 224 Cashel street. % Christohuroh. All oils guaranteed a 'j;j good. 1 f; Toys that are cheap and yet to be of -J? good quality is what everyone requires ' _■•._ at Christmas. These can be procured at " ';3 John It. Proctor's, Oculists' Optician, .% 180 High street, Christchurch. : j| Mechanical Engines from 9d to £2. ',■„ Clockwork Motor Cars from Is to 16s, tg Steam Engines from 2s 6d to £6. Water • <_| Pistols at 2s and 3a 6d, and other ~ : :£} Mechanical Toys from Is upwards. 6 -,?| Importers can save time and money 2%& by handing their documents to N.Z. 'Jf| Express Coy., Ltd., for clearance ~fjj through Customs. All transactions --j| treated oa strictly confidential. 6 -j ? Jaj That idea of yours. Why not ,/£ fatent it? Consult Henry Hughes, _ -3 atent Agent, 183 Hereford street *$ (opposite United Service Hotel). No .-;g consulting fees. 2 ,iOf Mr Ernest M. Sandstein, F.S.M.C., D.S.O.A. (London), Consulting Opti- -■*.s■. cian, may be consulted on all cases of -'J£ defectivo eyesight The most com- _„! pleto and _p-to-dat© optical parlours ~'%\ in the colonies. Consulting rooms, i_2l Cashel street W. (next Ballantyne'i). ;XM Hours, 0.30 to £.30. Telephoa* ~%|t| 397. * • '"" **V|||

\i«A.\ Millinery 8s lid," Ladies' I*. od. Arn„tiong s Sale.