NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XIIX, Issue 14553, 2 January 1913, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Hon. W D. Johnson, Minister of Public Works in West Australia, arrived at Wellington last night by the steamer Kwinana partly on a pleasure trip s-» ! . partly to enquire into several matters*oi interest to ...s Government, particularly local opt'on.

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., Elizabeth Watson, for a second offence of drunkenness, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, provided slio remained m tho Mount Magdala Home lor threo months. Thomas Reid, a. second offender, was fined 10s, in default fortyeicht hours' imprisonment. James McNichol, for a breach of his prohibition order, was fined 10s, in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment. As .i first offender for drunkenness he was convicted and discharged. William Williams, whose alias is "Wingc," pleaded guilty to having insufficient lawful visible means of support. He was senteaced to two months' imprisonment. John Turner, arrested on a warrant for the maintenance of his wife, W3s remanded to appear in Auckland on January 7th.

The increasing popularity or tho hot salt water baths at Sumner may no gau-n-d by the fact that during .November 3&* baths wore taken, and m December 619. > Tho entertainment to be given in the Sumner Town Hall by "The to-night, in aid of tho *?*<>* »°J family of tho late Mr Atkinson, »h° was drowned on Saturday mises to be a great success. J"-^H n 6 from the number of tckets alread} disposed of, a crowded house xs assured. At about 2.15 yesterday morning , some miscreant climbed the pole at th«corncr of Colombo and Dean street St. Albans, and cut the wires of tho tire alarm circuit above the gon-S. eighteen or twenty feet from tho ground. The whole crcuit. which runs from Manchester and Hereford street and Colombo street to Cranford street. Edgeware road and bhiritj road, was put out of action for a considerable period. An interesting feature of the regatta held at Lvtteiton yesterday was au exhibition of hiirh and fancy oiving by i[ W rs Tod Solomons, Harry Hay, ami Svd Riddington, the Australian swim-ir-rs. From the Wairuna, the Hagship, they dived from heights of oott. 42ft. and 32ft, varying their display ot ordinary diving by some clever fancy work. " Neatness of action characterised every dive, and the swimmers were warmly npyhuided by a large number of spectators. The patronage extended to the beaches at Sumner and New Bngnton yesterday was not gnat because of the rawness "of the wind and the bleakness of tho day. Of the two, New Brighton was much the more popular, but the b;aeh was comparatively deserted, as the wind drove the visitor* to sheder behind the small sandhills on tho roadside. In this connection it would bo of an immense advantage to the pubiic and the appearance of the placj if some trees —preferably Norfolk pines —were oianted for shelter purposes, Tho need was much felt yesterday. 1- or the reasons already mentioned bathing t was nit greatly indulged in at any time of the day, though some enthu- ! siavts ventured with enjoyment into the water at both places. While the ideal weather of the present holiday season is relished by dwellers in the city, it has already (tele : graphs the Auckland correspondent, of the "Post') commenced to occasion concern among their cousins of tho country on account of tho disadvantageous effects that are likely to be felt in. connection with agriculture and pastoral matters. "We have had about four weeks of this dry weather," said one farmer to a reporter on Monday, "and my opinion is that a couple of weeks more is the most we can stand without serious results to the in-du.-trv." A Waikato farmer, when snoken to, said that so far the warm weather had produced no harmful results in his district, but cow owners were beginning to weigh up the probabilities of early rain. If this came the dairying industry would continue to flourish until tho end of May, and on present indications an outstanding record would be established. Tho statement has emanated from Auckland (says a Press Association telegram from Rotorua) that friction had occurred in boardinghouses over the employment of non-unionists, and that feeling was running so high that a strike was premeditated for Christmas day, but that wiser counsels prevailed, and it was decided to send to Auckland for Mr Tom Long to mediate. Tho secretary of tho local Union denies that so far as tho union was concerned there -was any talk of a strike. There had been trouble individually, but the Union executive had not discussed the matter nor dealt with it beyond circularising members to the following eu'oct: —"We wish you to carry out all the clauses of the new award for board-ine-iiouses to the very letter, for any breaches of samo both employee and employer will be brought before tho Court! We wish you to inform our secretary when a now employee starts work at your place of employment because we intend to enforce the preference clause strictly." An event of great interest and importance to tho Methodists of New Zealand occurred yesterday. For somo years thero has been a movement tor tho separation of tho New Zealand Church from Australian Methodism. Before this could como into operation certain legal formalities had to be complied with. Thcso havo ail been completed, and, as authorised by tho several Acts providing for tho independence of tho New Zealand Conference, tho president of the General Conference Ims signed tae necessary document declaring tiiat from tho. first day of January, 1913, tho Methodist Church of Now Zealand comes into ex stenco as a self-governing Church. Tho public celebration of this new departure will take place when the first independent conference meets in AVellington on February st,h. It is expected that tho General Conference will be represented by its president, tho Rev. H, Youngrr.«<n, D.IX, and tho Rev. "W. Morley, D.b. The latter of these is well known in New Zealand, where he spent many years of his ministry, and in former years was a foremost advocate of New Zealand Methodist independence. Two gentlemen (ono from Gisborne and one from Wanganui) who wero recently travelling through some of ttie bushes in .the Bay of i"ienty # district, mado some interesting discoveries in respect of nativo trees (telegraphs our > Gisborno correspondent). Whist at an altitude of about 300 feet, and about half a miio distant from the sea, they came upon a now species of the nei nei, of which some 21 different kinds wero previously known. The newly-discovered species is boil shaped, and grows in bunches at the end of the green leaf. The leaf itself is as fine as grass, and i there are not more than eight blossoms jon ono littlo bunch. The biggest tree of this kind that was seen was 14 feet I high. At a considerably higher altitude thero was found another variety of Tanokaha, about 20 feet high. Tho leaf is bigger than that of the ordinary itanckaha, and has much harder timber, Tho cones aro also larger, and very much liko a small fir cone. This kind of tree was not seen at a lower alt tilde than 2000 feet. Specimens of the leaves and cones of both these trees wero sent to Mr Cheescmnn, of Auckland', and ho reported that they were new kinds, and wero not named.

For weeks past tho wool-prcducing country in Hawke's Bay, from tho rurthcrmost back conn try* to the stations near the towns, has been disgorging *.t----self of tho "golden fleece" (writes the "Hawke's Bay Herald"). Tiains anrl traction cng.nt-s have been arriving at tho Port hcaviiy laden With bales of wool, and tho wool brokers' stores have swallowed them up, and are still asking for and receiving more, lnsido the stores tiers upon tiers oj bales, stacked three, four, and even five hales high, give some indication of what is talcing place. The wool :s not up to fc.hu standard of that offered at the previous sales, as thero is a larger proportion of bush and back-country clips being forwarded. Tho wool is. however, up to the usual standard offered at January sales. A considerable portion of the ewe wool shows a fair amount of matted fleeces, probably caused by the ccntinuous rains which fell throughout the country pr.or to tho commencement of shearing. Lambs wool has como forward only in fair quantities, but the uulk of tho offerings appear to bo ot good quality and free from seed. Amon* tho wools there aro the usual lots of exceptional quality, which were, in most instances shorn too late for tho previous sale, and if tho Americans continue to operate, as no doubt they will tho highest prices may be expected for theso lots. Iho catalogue at these sales w.il, it » anticipated, constitute a record solar as Hawke's Bay is con-

The Uu.on C-,muu:y's trip from T\i\. liiwj-i to i'lcioii uy the Maori yesterday morning was abandoned, owing to a demand by the firemen for 30s lor the trip, wliich tho Company rcluscd to enterta.n.

A fusilado of crackers and fireworks was kept up for some hours at Hangiora on Tuesday evening, aud tho Main street next morning showed that there must have been a mir expenditure of cash in this form of amusement. The violent explosions were exceedingly disturb ng to households within earshot who wished to set the uiiial periods of sleep.

Despite Hio unsettled appearance of the weather yesterday morning, the Christchurch "Tramway Board had a very good day. Tho exact numbers carried ire not yet available, but tho following aro the car io:uls carried tv tho places mentioned : —Cauterbur\ Park, Piumpton, o*_' car loads (12 mora than last year); Sumner, 75 car loads; Now Brighton and Wainoni. 70; the hills between 30 and 40 car loads. Eight car loads were brought back from the cricket match at Lancaster

Park, and all day long the traffic of those who were going or coming from

the station, and to the Lyttelton Regatta, was steady and consistent. To-day the 10.40 and 11.40 a.m. timetable trips from the souare to Riccarton will run via Sockburn instead of via Coach corner.

A gentleman who returned yesterday from an extended tour of tho farming lauds of Canterbury; south of Clirstchurch, says that the wholo count iv community is deeply interested in the tales of possible trouble with the slaughtermen. Never before, ho declares, has ho seen so many fat sheep and lambs reudy for tho killing pens.

Tho agitators havo seen this too, and believo that that in itself is a reason why any action on their part would bo likely to bo effective. But they havo forgotten two very important factors. Feed is more than sufficient, and it is not likely that tho animals would go back in condition, or tho land bo unduly taxed by their being kept longer on .t

Tho other is that tho farmer has awak

encd to tho fact that such a state of affairs as would bo called up by a cessa- - tion of work on the part of tho slaughtermen would bo a direct blow to his own industry; and ho would certainly retaliate by going to the yards and doing tho necessary .work himself.

Not a great number of men would bo required for this, and tho harvest operations would not be interfered with. Those keenest on this courso of activity aro tho young men with small holdings. Their class would bo the most hardly affected, as they havo not t«> much land to fall hack on as tho bigger men. and aro for tho most part proportionately more heavily stocked.

Now that Wellington boasts a handsome new stone General rost Office.

the public will be interested to know the manner in which the old General Post Office is to be used (says the 'Dominion"). In tho main it will bo occupied by tho Post Office Department, which requires a deal more room than is provided in tho new building. There are. however, alterations of importance to bo made in regard to the allocation of the public offices on the ground floor. With their splendid outlook on to a large open triangle commanding a full view of the entrance to the Queen's Wharf, these offices aro of especial value to certain Departments. It has been arranged that the Tourist Department shall occupy tho public office formerly used for letter delivery and registration purposes, and the old public telegraph office is to bo used as the Old Ago Pensions office in Wellington. Thus visitors to Wellington will at once be faced with tho divers© delights of our many scenic resorts, and with the prospect of a pension if they remain long enough in the country. _ The local Registrar of Old Age Pensions (Mr Crow) will havo an office on tho ground floor of. the same building,. but the Commissioner of Old Ago Pensions (Mr Geo. Facho) will most probably be accommodated in the Customhouse. The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon: H. D. J3<?ll> now occupies the offices-formerly used by tho secretary and chief clerk of tho General Post Office on tho top floor of the old building.

278 High street, Christchurch, December 31, 1912. —Wo wish to thank our many customeis for their liberal support during 1912. It ii our intention to enlarge our workrooms, increase our staff, and sell at a price that will enable us to guaranteto nest value in Christchurch. No matter how small or largo your requirements you can save money at Jones and Sons, Tho Manufacturing Jewellers. ..- 7

During holiday rush, don't bring your baggago tp the station at tho last moment. See tho New Zealand Express Company tho day before, arid get them to check it... The company collects baggage, checks on by rail oi sea, delivers at far end —all for a small fee. 9

We have for sale, at locs than half cost, several second-hand Gas Engines by leading makers, guaranteed in good order. Enquiries solicited. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., Casbel street. • 1

"Unless tho remeval of Furniture is ■systematically carried out - the process wilJ be worrying ycu. Therefore, entrust your removal to J. M.' Heywood and Company, Ltd., whoso Ftaff are, above all, systematic and careful."' (5

Hair troubles in school children aro easily cured with Berry's Hair- Lotion. Certain death to nits and parasites, and a sure preventative. Is 6d, post freo 2s. J no. Berry, Colombo street (opp. Reeco's). 2

The perplexing question "what to y :. give for New is easily solved on visiting John R. Procter's optician, 200 . High street, Christchurch. as tho large stock carried includes steam and clockV . work engines, boats, and motor-cars, and a host of other mechanical toys, also magic lanterns, cinematographs, telescopes, field glasses, baroinuruis, microscopes, magnifying glasses, etc.. - etc. .6

New Goods for the New Year. Messrs Hastio, Bull and Pickering are now opening up somo very charming new goods in Pewter, Silverware and Copper. Also too very latest in Ladies' Hand Bags. Everything fresh and new after the Christmas rush. 6