WEATHER CONTRASTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 81, 7 April 1910, Page 8

WEATHER CONTRASTS.

For two or three days New Zealand's weather has b«*on peculiarly disciirninating. A zone of beautiful bluenets has been bounded in the far north and touth by belts of blackness. At 9 o'clock this morning, for example, there was rain between Port Chalmers and Invercargill, and squalls were passing over Manukdii Heacls. The skiea were overcast between Tiritiri and Kawhia, and between Port Chalmers and Oamaru, but all the middio portion of New Zealand had runny Mac*. There are indications to-day for nne weather and a cold night generally, but fchowero may continue in llit extreme youth. Editorial appreciation of the valuable work done by the Government Meteorologist ha-s been expie?sed by the Gisborne Times in a comment on the recent .storm. "It is by no means a rare occurrence for tho Rev. D. C. Bates to give a forecast of exceptional accuracy," remarked the Times. "To such an extent has this officer gained the confidence of the public that his forecasts have been accepted a# of distinct value to sheepowners, and particularly to Southern farmers during lafit harvrst."

With reference to a cable message published yesterday, Mating '.hat tho New Zealand Shipping Company had do dared a bonus of 5» per share, it if explained that it was the customary interim (six months) dividend of 5s per share (not a bonus) that was declared. News was received by Mr. Robert Parker to-day of the sudden death of his brother, while travelling in India. The late Mr. Parker's homo in the Old Country was at Brighton, where he was wont to entertain visitors frem New Zealand. Some of the Press delegates to the recent conference in London h*ve plea wot renienibr»nc» of bia kindness.

In regard to the complaint mentioned in a telegram from Eltham, published in another column, relative to the congestion of business in the Magistrate's Court, the Minister of Justice (Hon. Dr. Findlay) .said this morning that he had no doubt that the difficulty would be at an end in a few days. A sitting of the North Island Railway Appeal Board will be held to-mor-row, to consider appeals by two officials from New Plymouth against reduction of status. Morse lamps are multiplying among the steamers that call at Wellington. Tho Harbour Board's men, who keep watch in the tower at the Queen's Wharf, have quickly developed skill ia signalling. The tower can now talk to the dredge Whakarire even when that haid-workmg vessel is far out of sight. The dredge haa a Morse lamp, which speaks lo tho Signal Station on Beacon Hill, and the station telephones to the tower. A serious accident occurred in Messrs. William Cable and Co.'s foundry, at Kaiwarra, between 11 and 1?? o'clock today. An engineer named Roy Robertson, aged twenty -one, went up a ladder to place a belt on a pulley, so as to start a pump going. His right hand and arm became entangled in the belt, and he narrowly escaped losing his life. His arm was broken and his thumb torn off. His system also sustained a gveat shock. He climbed down the ladder without assistance, and was rendered first aid until Dr. Anderson arrived. Robertson, who is a member of the Thorndon Fire Brigade, and lives at the station, was removed to the hospital. The passengers from Sydney by the Manuka last night included Mr. T. B. Dwan, of Dwan Bros., Wellington. At a meeting of the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last evening a letter was read from the Minister of Internal Affairs stating that it was proposed to notify an open season for Wellington district from 14th May to 14th June, during which hares and Californian quail may be killed. Messrs. W. H. Morrah and Co. will tell by auction in their rooms to-morrow furniture, sewing- machine, and boots and shoes. Messrs. Levien, Shallerass and Co. will hold a clearing sale of household furnituro and general goods at the Central Auction Rooms, Willis-Btreet, to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Tho goods include a fireproof gafo and a roll-top de a k ; also draper}-, tea and coffee. In connection with tho Victoria Laundry, M"essr6. P. Wills and Sonn notify that they have opened a receiving depot at 121, Rid-diford-atreet. Members of tho Pctone Wednesday Hockey Club are at present making preparations , for a minstrel entertainment, which is to be hold at the end of tho month. The committee in charge is sparing no pain° to make tho concert a success. Miss Estcllo Booro will resume her dancing clashes on Saturday.

FUNERAL NOTICE. THE Friends of the late Maurice O'Connor are respectfully invited to iittcnd hifi Funeral, which will leave No. 15, Hopper-street, To-morrow (Friday), fith April, 1910f at 2 p.m., for St. Joseph's Church, Buckle-street, thence for th<s Cemetery, Karori. — E. MORRIS, junr., Undertaker and Embalnier, 60, Taranakiitroet. Tel. 937 (day or night).