NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14408, 16 July 1912, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Variety and beauty aro tho leadi characteristics of thia weelcs illustrations in The Weekly l W - In their variety they cover all the principal happenings of the week tho world over; and in beauty some of the coloured pictures would bo hard to beat To New Zealanders the principal picture is'tho Now Zealand Cabinet, which occupies a full page. Hero wo sco tho Kiig's representative* Lord Islington, with his responsible advisers, and we feel sure that all our readers will wish them a successful reign. Another picture that wilt bo sure to find favour is the frontispiece, winch shows the Princo of Vta.los a* «g«toon. Like the Ministry, it" °X°*!*£; a framp - and both these will doubtless find a placo on the la!sI a!s of ma,l 7 ,101 "<-s m A T ow* Zoaland. I icturesque Port Levy is well disnlnvcd m a large picture, and there il Tan tW Ba B nterb„rv 0S f B «*» V-eei* or Canterbury of whom we are so proud. This record >0 f the old settlers which is now appeanug in "Tho Weekly Press" week by week will be treasured "by ererv man and woman who gives moro than a passing thought to the beginnings of our Dominion. Two pictures that will attract notico aro the ingenious motorsled, which is to bo used at tho Fairlie winter .sports, and afterwards at Mount Look, and the automatic telephone, which will probably bo installed in .New ,? ~, TJl ° rea <*'HS pages are liberally illustrated, there being a number ot clover political sketches in tho Peeps or 1 arhament, portraits of prominent cricketers and footballers in "Tho Referee," and a thrilling incident in tho "Would You Convict?" story. Or literary matter there is some tor everybody, and fiction readers will enjoy the instalment of Phillips Oppenheim's now serial, "Tho Lighted Way," which promises to be one of the best this popular author has produced. There is also a good collection of wellwritten complete stories ar.d sketches, Tlio whole or tho different departments aro well fdled. and a paper is produced that "is a. credit to tho publishers. Mr E. R. Waito, F.L.S:, curator of the Museum, has brought back from the Sub-Antarctic a multitude of exhibits for tho Canterbury Museum, and theso will bo exhibited in due course • Tho -"Waipara County Council announce that the bridge, over the Wai- , para river, on the Virginia road; has. b?cri closed, and users of it do so at their own risk. Tho matron of the Children's Convalescent Cottage at New Brighton acknowledges, with thanks, the receipt of the following gifts : —'Meat from Belfast' Freezing Works, case oranges from Mr McFarlane, book from Mrs C. Cox, bookcase from Mr Pearco, underclothing from the M..C-I*., potatoes from Mrs Oglor. ' ■ „. .Work on the Summit road is proceeding apace. Tho Bridle Path has been completed to Cooper's Knob, and thc men arc now engaged widen inc. the road from the top of Hoon Hay Valley towards Kennedy's Bush. Thero has been a wash-out near the head of tho Sumner Valley, and a gang of men will be put on to effect repairs next,week

The annual social meeting, conducted by Major Kirk, was held on Sunday by tho Linwood branch of the Salvation Army, when '.special offerings wero received, and addresses given touching on the work in connection with the Army homes in Christchurch. On Thursday evening the Mayor (Mr H.< Holland) will preside over a meeting addressed by several speakers. Recent acquisitions by the Museum include casts of the heads of two Australian aboriginals, "Wandi." a West Australian, and "Judy Carpenter," who hails from thc Shoalhaven river in Now South Wale*-. Another exhibit is a Bavarian money-bag, which was in use at tho end of the eighteenth century. This was presented to the Museum by Mr 11. Suter. Afc a recent meeting of tho Christchurch Coachworkers' Union tho following resolution Was passed:—"That this Union demands the immediate repeal of tho compulsory clauses of the Defence Act of 1909-1910." A resolution was also passed declining to receivo a delegate from the Federation of Labour, and it was _resolved not to give any financial assistanco towards the strikers at. Waihi or Reefton.

For some timo past disease has affected to a marked extent tlio tomatoes grown in the Dominion. The Agricultural Department is taking steps to try to cope with this outbreak, and tho experiment.-; will be carried out in Christehureh,' tlio locales being Mr A. R. Odering's place at Sprcvdon, nnd Mr J. Maffoy. junr.'s, at Redcliffs. The tomatoes will bo put in under the direction of the Department's experts, and the occasion will tako the form of a field day for those interested. Tho tomatoes will bo cropped in November. The Elgin street Sydenham Baptist Brotherhood held its quarterly meeting on Sunday afternoon, the'presidcnt, the Rev. T. A. Williams, being in the chair. Mrs Wells addressed the meeting on tho subject of "Ideals: Or whnfc we should aim at for the general welfare and. education of our children." The -speaker also read and expounded tho petition that is being forwarded to the Fducstirm Commission by tho W.C.T.U. The military training schemo was also touched upon by 'Mrs Wells. Discussion was entered into by a goouly number ?f those pre.'-.ent. Tho correspondents who have been drawing attention in our columns of late to tho bad state of the sido channels at Papanui, will be interested to learn that the Waimairi County Council has taken the matter in hand, and that a petition has been signed by the ratepayer*-* cf the county for a £3000 loan to curry out the work of channelling and concreting. It is stated that about eighteen months ago a poll was taken, extending over a large area, in-, eluding the particular part complained of, but was lost. Provided the Government grants the loan, the work will be started in tho coming summer.

A young man who had been out for a walk on the Port Hills on Sunday afternoon had a very unpleasant experience in Heathcote Valley, abovo tho Bridlo track, at night. Ho had been trying to make his way down tho steep rocky faces of the gully to tho eastward of tho Godley Cross, when darkners overtook him. Tho weather was thick and cloudy, obscuring tho lights of the township, and not being acquainted with the locality, his position soon became a perilous one, tho rocky hillside in places being almost a sheer precipice, and he ran a grave risk of having a very bad fall and breaking a limb or being killed outright. Finding it impossible to extricate himself from his unenviable position, he commenced to shout loudly for help, but for nearly two hours his cries were unheard. About eight o'clock, however, somo residents of Heathcote heard his shouts. A search party was organised, and he was found about an hour later, and extricated from his awkward predicament. He was not much the worso for his unpleasant experience, although ho' : was cold, tired, and hungry, and after a cup of tea and a rest at a house-in Heathcote, he returned to Christchurch by tho last train. ■.•"..■ j

It was stak-d at yesterday's meeting of t':e Tramway Board that new destisigas for the oars aro at present being prepared m England. Christchurcli electors, or at least that portion of them that will patronise the V .31.C.A. Mock Parliament to-morrow night, will have the privilege of hear- ' m & " Mr Massey" make a policy speech. That is th 0 business of the evening as recorded by tho order paper. A mooting of tho Auckland branch of tho Xavv League was held last night to instil fresh life into tho cause in Auckland and surrounding districts. Tho moetinß was a gr6at SUCCOSSj and a strong executive was set up. A Press Association message says tho success of tho movement is assured.

1* or the* past four weeks tho services of "tho Oxford terrace Baptist Church have been held in tho schoolroom, owing to tho church building being closed for complete re-decoration. At tho service, on Sunday it was announced that tho work would'bo all finished this week, and that the main building would be re-oponcd next -Sunday. Strong interest has always been'manifested on the question of a universal half-holiday. Many will notice with pleasure tho intention of Messrs J. Ballantyno and Co. to closo their establishment at one o'clock on Saturday, instead of Thursday. We understand the change is to tako effect from August Ist. Reference was mado at yesterday's meeting of tho Tramway Board to tho fart that bills relating to a theatrical company had been posted on tho tramcars. Mr Staples asked if this was allowed under th-< Board's conditions. Tho Chairman (Mr Geo. T. Booth) said that it constituted no brooch of tho Board's regulations Tlio General Mnnngor stated that within the last three weeks £30 had been received tor advertisements appearing on tho boards on the cats. Largo congregations havo attended the course of Sunday evening addresses at iho Durham street Methodist Church by the Rev. C. H. Laws, on "Tha Heart of the Gospel.'' Last Sunday night tlio subject was "The Unknown Alan,' ana thc text "If we say that wo have no sin wo deceive ourselves.' > Ihe subject dealt with was v "Self-ignorance. Tho anthem rendered was Bennett a "God is a Spirit," and Miss • Myrtle Twoso sang ''Come Unto Him," from "Tho Messiah-." Next Sunday nigh** Mr Laws's subject trill" ho "1116 luo Steps Into a New Life. The chairman (Mr Geo. T. Booth) .of the Tramway Board, replying to tho Hon. J. Ban- at yesterday's- me-iting ot the Board, said that the matter Ot starting the Fendalton Dallmgton, and Papanui extensions, depended on .the. material coming to -haiA from Sjdney. It was imoossiblo to say when t.io work woukl bo put in hand as • tho ilcenors".w7>w coming in very -slowi>. Tho 1 General Manager sau that.-there were about 500 sleepers in hand at pro sent, and they ought that' number beforo opening i P «g sleepers wore on the boat. Something nearly famine csists. in O^^.^v^ySl of orders.' It is »°w some weeks since liaitangata became a house hold luxury, as much so,to the och.as to the poor, and now dealers are experiencing-.diffi-cultv in obtaining supplies of _-otner TS of household coal. Tho Nightcaps Proprietary arc at present snpplySg country orders with a sptfingbwd, ami Waronui, Taratni, and Saddle Hill mines are reported to be « fortnight behind with their orders., bo far tlio only reason given by the mine-owners for the non-fulfilment of orders is that they are deluged with orders and cannot supply them. The locr.l coal-yards aro nearly depleted also of est Coast coals and of Pclavrmain.'

"Fishermen do not derive niucn of tlio benefit of the high prico of fish,... a fisherman told a Dunedin "Star re*porter on ; Saturday. He said that iv-hermcn never got moro than 4d tor.a groper or barracouta that was exposed lor salo ticketed at ls. Recently the crew to which this fisherman belonged sent up a large bass groper to Dunedin weighing 1571b. Allowing 201b as the weight of the head and tail and fins which constituted the* "trimmings," that bass produced 1371b of prime cookable fish. It w-as retailed at Cd per lb. realising £3 Bs. "And what do you think we. tlio fishermen, received for* bringing that fish ashore from miles beyond Otago Heads? Wo got* 7s;Gd for tho fish, so you can sec that high prices for fi_h in the shops do not mean high prices for the -, fishermen, although," he concluded, "fishermen are now getting a better percentage of tho selling value of fish than they used to do.", . - On Saturday afternoon a meeting of supporters of tho Reform Party was hold in Timaru. Thero was a good 'attendance, representatives of tho Waitaki, Temuka, and Timaru electorates being present.- ' Mr James Wallace

presided. Mr David Jones, organising secretary to the -Reform Party hi the South Island, was in attendance, and ha addressed the meeting at some length <-*•- the aims and objects of the iteform Party, making it clear that tho new Prime Minister would be thoroughly liberal and progressive. After a brief discussion it was decided that a branch pf the Reform League ba constituted in Timaru, and provisional officers were elected. The meeting lasted over two hours, and was of a very enthuciastic nature (says tho "Herald"). After the general meeting, tho executive mot nnd appointed delegates—two from e**ch of tho threo electorates—to attend tho conference- to be held in Wellington on August 3rd. The quarterly meeting of tlio Papanui Methodist Circuit was held on Thurs--day at tho residence of Mr C. Simpson, and was fairly well attended, in cpite of thc inclement weather. The Rev. A. Peters presided. Tho baianoo-sheot showed that tho income had met the expenditure, notwithstanding the very many wet Sundays during the quarter. Mr Willi?"* Keith" was appointed circuit stowaru m tne mace of Mr J. McArthur, who-has left the district 7 Reports on the Sunday schools and Christian Endeavour Societies were most satisfactory. The.membership returns wore: Seniors 149 juniors 27. Matters in connection with tho "Methodist Times" and the proposed mission of tho Rev". Vallance Cook were discuased. It was decided to mako a donation to tho Waihi circuit funds. Considerable timo* was spent considering tbe. remit from tho Conference on tho welfare of the Church and its activities in tho district. At the close refreshments wero served by Mrs and Miss Simpson, who were heartily thanked for their kindness

' W ? m i? , aisc ussion iook piaco at yesterday's meeting of tho Tramway Board on Mr J. A. Flesher's motion proposing tho setting up ot a fares and rime-table Committee. The chairman (Mr Geo. T. Booth) pointed out that if such a committea were appointed it would havo to report to the Works and Traffic Committee, which, i? f n ' "• VOHl<i have to report to the Board. This seemed to him an unnecessary expenditure of time to no good purpose. Tho supporters of the motion pointed out that the proposed committee could report direct to the Board, and that in view of the good work done by a similar committee or the Board which was in existence some years ago it fshould be set up. Opponents stated that the old committee referred to did very littlo without the advice of the Board's officers, and that all that was necessary now was for tho Board's officers to report to the Board any -proposed alterations. The motion was agreed to. tho chnirman and Mo-srs Beavcn and Gray dissenting. Ip view of the setting up of this committee, the Chairman stated that the meeting of tiie Works and Traffic Committee, called for next Friday, would be postponed indefi-iiteiu-

At last n-.ght's moetins of tho tPjS,S i-fm-ri County Council the cn*jin« r ported that all outstanding rates' been Micd for, thc tot:d nun\bor of sons sued amounting to 314. Tho telephone bureau at tho Tclcgrapn Oilico has baon from upstairs to the public office. 'S-'t' the change will no doubt be by those who havo occasion to CQ*mto*(___k * ?- catc with outside bureaux. .^^y Tho Tramway Beard is cxperi-acat. ■? *.- ing witli a slot apparatus for filHto "'*"? time-tables- Two havo been in the Cathedral square shelter, ajfl- 1 one at tho cafe at the corner of Catlas-^"', ' dral square and Worcester street, ■ H '?' is inteudwl to instal more if thoso Vl---" * ready installed are found to bo succe*»J"-** ful. ' Loyal Frenchmen all over tho worfel '- celebrated their national fete yest?*?. ",''. day, and, in honour of the event, "JJ, "- Ilij.orcau, representative of Franco fa . Auckland, held a reception. JJift _fc Consul was waited upon by a '. satherin.!*;, iiicJud'ng foreign Consuls, ."'. many ouiciala and private people, »*js ■ a number of French Mihjrcts. Tja V *' procoedings were most- cordial. A Wellington messasre states that <j& nY Saturday, at 4 o'clock, tv»o me*-f— '"- Albert Pudncy and Henry Adtuns—left ' Island Bay to go over the hills to Pori- - -• rua, where they were to stop tho nigl*-*. -' at the Maori pa. Pudncy infon-acd .i his wife, aud Adam<* told the keener of *" the boarding-house nt which ho stayed* ** ,:• that they would be bark on Sunday .' afternoon, but so far notbin*}* has bcw. "'■ heard of their whereabouts. - '" r

Mr H. G. Ell, when Postmnfiter- "1 General, decided to have erected on tho -■* ferry wharf, Lyttilton, n Mxponco in -i tho slot telephone, recogniii-ig that tho ' establishment of such would be a bona 7, to tho travelling public and the rrf-U dents of tho port. Tho box to hoato. '. tho telephone instrument, which is' r under construction in tho Tel'--.rapb D*. .j. partniont's workshops in Wellington, isX nearly completed, und will shortly placed in position. " \ A block on the Cashmero Hilb-Edg-j. _ •' ware road line occurred about half-past- -.7 six o'clock yesterday evening owing to . the derailment of a car opposite Fisher )* street, Sydenham. Direct coromunia)---•.' tion was interrupted for about-two "' hours, but with the aid of tho flack- '; thorno-road car, which conveyed poa. |' scngers to Fisher street, where ihsj ,-ry transferred to the car to town, the scr-'y vice was maintained. ,"-;/.,.£•,*•. Enquiries mado at thc police-sJaUisa ~.-- -----last night showed that tho bo*<s<&s„ •■ Smith, who disappeared from . on Friday evening, had not been fouti.- -j The river was searched yesterday, but "' without result. His stepmother, wfo> •*"-'• was interviewed, could -throw no liglst .; on the child's disappearance beyond'thai '*-' fact that onco before when tUo » youngster was missing from Jiia'honM,*::.he had been found playing with ipMB!Ci companions in a stream near Cashmere: '*•> Tho Auckland University College J Council yesterday accented the bequest > of £'20,000 made by the lato Sir John-", Logan Campbell ior tho purpose of '. establishing a Chair of Agriculture. A , motion was carried expressing tho -*_ Council's grateful sense of th© benefit - conferred on tho Auckland. Univoruty ~; Collego and tho whole Dominion by tho Z liequofct. Consideration of tho acUou-a to be taken in connection with tho,' Capping Day disturbances was dcforrol "■■■ until the matter has been discussed with ', representatives of tho Piofcssorial *, Board. , - "I notico that in its latest report/?.* the Health Depnrlmcnt complains -that V-' tho fines' imposed hero havo not bed •"}■■■ thc slightest effect on milk vendors, "y, and that this offpneo ot milk is on thc increase," thus sj»lw v '-i MrCutton, S.M., at the* AueklindW* Pol- : co Court -yosterday,. apropos;. "of |v eeveral •-harges against milk . selling milk which contained «»•s*#*«* ' -*' of water. "In view of tbo factsflhitl* thn Department's inspectors beforo nfe. I' shall havo to shift ujf,&sf££ minimum fin*?," ho -concltid-xl. *$*%_ defendnntsrirno came beforo his ship were then fined £0 each, vi\\iq* costs,' and anbthcr, m view of prCWOuiT;-, convictions, was fined £10 and cost*. J*£*i On a • charge that on the eveninjr> <iss* Saturday. Gth inst., alio.stabbed ; Inkster (a* fisherman) with a Annie Monahan, a married, woman.I£■*.1£■*. thirty-seven years of ago, appeared «$-..* the Auckland Polico Court yesterday?-; morning. Sub-Insneetor .•' Hendrgi'i*, stated (according to a 'Prcss.AsJ»ciatioit<,'_ * message l that-an altercation iaroso,in «*■£.** house in Alexandra street between"*; Inkster and Monahan (accused's hwj-J* band) about tho rooms in thc The dispute ended in a'scuffle tho two, in which they both camo;%-i tlio floor. It was alleged that yifrcnjj} Mrs Monahan stabbed Inkster in' tholT. back of the thigh. After evidence been heard, accused, who "Not .guilty,' - was committed Supremo Court for trial, bail beinj.a-jejj lowed in.'two sureties of £50 each. "Ah Despite the recent prosecutions Oigfc glars aro apparently still Auckland (*avs a Press Association »$!"-.$ sago). The" premises or F. my, tobacconist and hairdresser, of ti|® •* Strand Arcade, were entered , &ss£%' timo dunng Saturday night, and g<fflsk\ to the value of about £4 stolon, m-oprictor left the premise? on Satiiak. day. - night. • nnd yesterday morri- : when he v:sited them, he found "fe-f in great disorder, and a nuiqtgSEvj of packets of cigarettes, to tho valtte.'jti(frk about £3, and a hnir-cutt-ns valued at £1, missm**-*. Tho gained an entrance through a tnitwe|b--g at the sulo nf the pliop, and footprints e'early defircd all counter. This is tho second, ..t'n-f-;*!? wjthin the p:tst fortnight that.;,slp| Mencmys prcmiros have been. into. ciVaiotie-* comprising the'moWfl portion of tho haul on each owasjon-^''*}'. A social promoted 'by the church Tramways' Sports Club held in tho Alexandra* Hall last l"igWra Ctiid was well attended. Tlio inarfetsw/Cj •ceremonies were st_asrs G. Pip«r, Fester, and R. McFarlane, and ■fischarged their duties efiiciently. W. H. Moyle, the Eecretary of tlio d«%ft was also most assiduous in tho charge of his many duties. The was provided by Wells's Band; ani%'?| committee of ladies was responsible fo?j&2 the catering, which was excellent. -$Ws: social was the first of several t&M$. given in aid of the club's fqnds.'- ?b#|s" club has secured rooms at 131 Worceft,*ft tcr street, and hones to havto furniihed and ready for the fon ll onening on the first of next The object of the club is to social inteicourse between tho memb'Sf.fi'" of the tramway service. Tlio desires to thank several for gifts of magazines for the rooms..,?VThe accounts for payment sub-nitt«ii c at meetings of tiie Tramway Board ste**;usually pa**sed without comment, btjt-*t*j yesterday's meeting of tbe Board enco was made to the item, --Wilte*-,;" Goss. erecctins booths, £133 95." MrS.* 7 A. Staples remarke<i that he notwejl-'f■ that Mr Goss got all tho clector.il _»«* ' ing booth work, and ho (Mr Sta.d«J t ./ knew that he used tho same i,lV x^ : ~} every time. It seemed to him frt>sh timber was charged for ■?«!?■**. time, and fhnt Mr Goas was matopg *J very good thing out of it. Tha Ge ?Sj7*> ral Manager read the details g 1 ?- 3 the account which showed sixty booths were erected and ta ?s& down, in addition to tbe result at the Provincial Council He said that in the matter of ™?v. booths a large amount of work in a very short space of. timo. t 3 _ I S?s Pearce said that after thc previous «g&g tion.lie himself raised tbt* same' KBS'sg that Mr Staples had raised, and ho Pearce) was satisfied that Mr Goss *»j*t*| not making a gotd thing out of £2. per booth was ellowcd torWgfeg alona. members would bee that « *9s£«s absorb nlmost the whole amount Goss's account. Tho passed. " *§?M ' .. '^»"!S

,*• -.-"" ■" The meet cf tiro Brackerifickl Hunt it Hvr-rlea to-morrow. has been postponed. ctwv.'S to the wet condition of the ground. j *\Y. Wright w'-s.*-. fined £1 at Oriiaaru \ '**!•' rday for failing to render pc*"ionrl M. J. Benninhnm. - _<>r a iimilar off* nee. wa.s fined £2 and couV •■•• and J. Maddigan, for fail- ' to .-:t»*nd parades, was fined £1 a?.d ct, t-. * An eh rtK-n to fill the vacancy on *■»("- Jlcatn-otc County Council, caused th'- K-ii-nation 'of Mr W. S. "'pi'-kh-., w.Il be* held on August sth, j-.n'l roii'in.t- "us c'oio on August Ist. Ibe t.i:'.!:V mcetins in the Choral Hall t«>ni'!'.t, to welcome the now lli'sh*)*' or "Melane-sia. will be addressed I-v ti'-'ir Lordships thc Primato and Vncd. Cabin *t di'-idcd last night to pay tho «-__-'-'!i , -i*- «' 'even members of tho con-t.'-il. Nt o: Ni'W Zealand Senior Cadets winch *• i« '♦J-"-' 1 Canada. Tho contin■vnt w-Al therefore consist of twenty Cad'-i-* and an cllicer (Captain J. G. Fnlhrton'. a-id will not be reduced in stren'*lh m fourteen members, as was •f-rrjTif- ,-(! vl'tn itbecame known that fa-iadt h"d invited fourteen Cadets, i.a-1 not ii.enty. The i'ii-cir ion at the annual meeting nf tb" J.iedertafcl regarding the •utTi* fity for a Town Hall, was.nwn-tioti<-d to the Mayor yesterday hy a reportiT. Mr Holland remarked that the Town Hall project was dependent. to ji c«*ita ; n extant, on the question of the h.v:dii*g over to the municipality of tho old Provincial Council Chambers. In •*. •■•-.*.■ of the work that the Council - has in hand this year, his Worship did not think that tho Town Hall question could be forced. * At tho Papanui Social Club last Friday a mock Supremo Court fitting was "held to hear a divorce case. _\lt-s-,i-7, Ornii'.'e, Bailey, Lawry, Smith, ' Jones, Patrick, Henshall, Groen, BorgMdt, D-rrett, Cook, Bowen, Uren, and U'-ian took. part in tho ' proc-Tiling-i. There was a largo attend-; artci- of members,- and tho "trial" was of a humorous and enjoyable dor&criptioii. After tho vordict had. been returned, refreshments wero served, - aiid jnstiro was dono to tho repast by judre, jury, witnesses, and the parties to the ease. Thc Rev. Mr Mclntyro on Sunday tock strong exception to tho ovldenco given by Sir Robert Stoiit beforo tho Education Commission in favour of the present secular system of education (suvi our, Dunedin correspondent). Tlio pre-icher contended that Sir Robert Stout had not been fair in quoting results only from Franrn and New Zealand, and characterised it as an absurd statement that "if it is tho duty of. tho Stato to teach religion to the children, it is its duty also to teach it to adults." The preacher was especially severe on tho Chief Justice's dictum that morality was not based on religion.. . At tlio Wellington Magistrate's Courfc yesterday, James Scott, Harry Martindnle, and Matthew Livingstone, wero,charged with breaches of tho seei tion of the Gaming' Act.* rotating .to hntting in licensed houses. Sir John

. Findhy said that the case was tho ■ first under that particular section brought before "the Court for interpretalion. For each offence. Scott was liable to tho minimum fine of £20. H© • suggested that ono information bo withdrawn, and ho would enter a, plea of guilty on tho first charge.' Tho 7 police adopted the courso suggested, and a fine of £20 was imposed. Decision was reserved in tho .caso of .Martindale, charged with paying a bet mado by Scott. A rather singular accident occurred at tho Fcilding saleyards a few days ago. A settlor was standing on the -» platform along the top of the cattlo •pens, when an oldcow apparently took Exception to the oilskin coat" he was wearing. The more she looked the less sho liked it, and gradually working herself no intp a fury, sho jumped on her hind fegs and tvith a vicious shako*of tho head and a bntt forward put ono horn through the oilskin. The wearer wai taken.completely by surprise, and --* within another few seconds he found . .himself in the pen beside tha enraged - animal. Ho fell with considerable force,, and in doing so came in. contact with tho cow's horn, as a result of which his leg was badly torn to the bone. The animal.s fury instantly subsided, and no, further attempt to molest him was ■made. Surgical attendance had to bo obtained, and it will bo a while before • Jia will be about again.. The letter signed "Cold and. - Hungry," suggesting the institution of , relief works by the municipality, waa -„ . brought under the notice of the Mayor yesterday. Mr Holland said that ho did . riot think that any necessity existed for starting relief works. There are a few men for whom he would like to • find light work, and he would be glad -to hear from anyone who wants gardening or hedge-trimming done- There •were, he continued, comparatively few -inquiries at the City Council Chambers by, those wanting work. Ho was jblo to get four men placed last week, and had found a place for another that - Taorning. Thoso enquiring for work ■ were, respectable men temporarily out of work, and as far as he (Mr Holland) M 3 advised-, there was no necessity at -' present to disfcuss the question of relief works. Tho Town Clerk expressed the " opinion that tho present winter had been one of the quietest experienced in - -the matter of enquiries for work at the City Cotmcil offices. The comparative figures of the Bul-'-ler coalfields for tho first half of the • year 1911 and that for tho first half of this year show tho very creditable vanco of 48,448 tons 5 cwt. in tho output of- coal from the mines operating in this district (says tho Westport Times"). Tho figures are as follows:-— . 1911: Westport Coal Company, 287,439 , tons 2 cwt.; Westport-Stockton Company, 37,539 tons 8 cwt,; Seddonville State Mine, 21,414 tons 10 cwt.; total, 346.&)3 tons. 1912 -.. Westport Coal Company, 293,409 tons 1 cwt.; WeSt-port-Stockton Company, 60,791 ***cwt.; Seddonville Stato Mine, 35,550 tons 14 cwt.; total,- 394,841 tons 5 cwt.'; increase for 1912, 48,448 tons 5 ■ cwt. It is pleasing to note that all threo mines contributed , to, tho increase,- tho respective increases being as follows:—Westport Coal Company, 11,059 tons 19 cwt.; "Westport-Stockton Company, 23,252 tons 2 cwt.; Seddonville State Mine, 14,136 tons 4 cwt. Thus tho output of coal may be taken os an indication of'the industrial activity of tho country, and the abovo figures should convince even tho most pessimistic that the Dominion still stands on a good wicket. ' A characteristic message of optimism, 'in spite of a tragic note, appears from General Booth in a recent issue of tho War Cry on tho subject of his threatened blindness. "If unexpectedly, the blow has not actually fallen upon mo, ho says, "it is hovering painfully and dangerously near. Instead of the re- ■ of my sight, on which I had -*, so long ardently counted, tho doctors •* tell mo that I am on tho very eve or entire darkness. In a few hours my comrades may bo under the- * painful compulsion of announcing that then .General is hopelessly Wind; In that event, what* a loss—what an indescribably painful loss—-will be mine. Never ajrain to behold the countenances of. my friends. Nover again to look into the sympathetic eyes of my comrades. Never asrain to witness that* which for 60 years gone by has been to mc tho 1 sight of sights—men and women kneeling at tho mercv-seat." The veteran "'. adds that he has lost hope of being able 'to write a lino with any facility, whi»e * . "it will bo "absolutely impossible to read a book, even a page of the Book ot y Books, the Word of G6d." *ct he pro- * ceeds to enumerate all.the mercies that .aro'left to him—his confidence in C-jOtl, ' 7 the confidence and love othisovnOem 7 People, and tho inestimable blessing or

Tho By-Laws Committee of the CityCouncil *is at present considering the 'amendment of the cab fares charged by tho vehicles licensed by the muiucipaxity Tho charg3 by timo for motorcabs is also being considered.

Tho municipal authorities made a raid vertcrdny on stray and vagrant dogs,, and secured six or seven, which will oo kent afc the City Council's yard at the corner of Montreal street and Moorhouse avenue for teven days, to permit of their owners claiming them. It is intended to continue raiding the city, but only six or seven dogs will be captured at a time.

Three first offenders appeared at the Mag strato's Court yesterday before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M. Two were fined os, in default 24 hours' imprisonment, and thc third, who had been arrested for drunkenness at the railwaystation, was fined 10s, in default 4S hours' imprisonment. John Crowley, for his second offence, was fined 10., in default 48 hours' imprisonment.

7 As a consequence of the new award ;n tho hairdressing business, which involves increased wages, shorter hours, and more holidays, an increase in rates has been decided upon, ami on and after Monday next, "for men's hair-cut the charge will be 9d, and American hair-cut Is. Tho charge for shaving and for boy's hair-cut will remain as nt present, sixpence in each case.

Tho idea of having a soap-factory erected in the middle of tho city of Auckland did not appeal to some menil>ers of "tho Auckland City Council at Thursday evening's meeting, when the Works Committee reported having received an application for a permit to erect such a building. Several. members' strongly protested against the city engineer's recommendation that the application should bo granted on cottain conditions. It was decided- to refer the matter back to tho Works Committee.

Jfc is very, very handy. The train-or-boat-to-eatch rush, the early riser the chance visitor, incases such as these Camp Coffee is priceless! 20

To-day.—-Our Stocktaking Sale trill commence to-day, and will continue for 20 days only. Every article in the premises will bo reduced, -while hundreds of linos have been marked down to bargain prices. Here are a few examples:— 6s 6d Shirts for 43 lid. 42s 6d Overcoats for 32s 6d. 9s 6d Black Hard Hats for 6s 6d, 7s 6d Pyjamas for 5s Od. Wo intend this to bo a Real Halo. Hallenstein Bros., Ltd., New Zealand Clothing Factory. 7

Tho most important and progressive firms employ the New Zealand Express Co., Ltd., and approve its alertness, accuracy, and up-to-date methods. Do you want entries passed/ parcels forwarded, goods shipped or stored? Tho New Zealand Express Co. will give you the same servico as is satisfying others. 6

J. M Heywood and Co., Ltd.. have been established for over sixty years as Custom Houso Agents. Their large and varied exp-erienco is at the service of all Importers and tho General Public. 1

This is tho weather you aro reminded of the follies of your ancestors. Gout weather, rheumatism weather. Berry's Rheumatic and Gout Remedy gets at the root of tho trouble by dissolving tho uric acid. Unrivalled for sciatica, gout, rheumatism. 4s 6d post freo ss, Jno Berry, Colombo street, opp. Roocc's. 4

For elo-strit. light, , electric, fittings, electric heaters, electric irons, electrio motors, electrio lifts, electric signs, in fact, everything eU.-trical go to Turnbuli and Jones. Ltd. 6 There are a largo number of people suffering from headaches, eye-strain, or impairment of vision, who put off tho examination of their eyes until long after it should bo done. For the best optical, servico and goods consult John R. Procter, oculists' optician, 200 High street,' Christchurch, who also undertakes repairs of every description. . 8