TELEGRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19, 24 January 1911, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

VISIT TO A GLACIER. MOUNT ARROWSMITH. fsr TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] CHRISTCPIURCH, This Day. Mr. R. Speight, assistant Curator of the Canterbury Museum, has returned to Christchurcb from a visit to the glacier at the head of the South Ashburton Rivßi', which was first visited by Sir Julius yon flaast about 1862. He was -accompanied by two students, and the party spent an interesting time examining the physical features of the district. H6 states that the glacier has evidently been retreating, but it shows signs of a slight advance recently. Although it is not •long, it contains a very fine ice-fall, beautiful ice pinnacles, and bjue crevasses. The lower portions are considerably encumbered with moraines. Ths district presents some interesting problems in' regard to the action of glaciers in cutting up a plateau region and effecting changes in river drainage. It seems to throw a good deal of light on theeapacity of glaciers to erode river-beds. Advantage was taken of the visit to examine the plant beds which were discovered in the Clent Valley by Sir JuJius yon Haast, with the object specially of obtaining material for the two American students who are investigating certain features of fossil botany in NewZealand. The plant remains, however, are probably of little value to the students, ■although interesting as a means of giving some idea of the rich vegetation in former times. At the head of the Ashburton River there is Mount Arrowsniilh, which is over 9770 feet high, and is the highest mountain in Canterbury outside of the Mount Cook district. It stands far to the east of the main divide, and the mountains in the main divide behind it are considerably lower. If; is in iliis country that the basins of the Kangitata, Ashburton, and Rakaia Rivers meet. Up to the present time Mount Arrowemith has not been climbed, but it is understood that an attempt will be mad* soon to conquer its fastnesses. The district is distinguished by the absence of timber. Mr. Speight 'hardly found sufficient to afford fuel to boil the billy. He describes it as the most treeless country he has ever seen. The only tree that grows there is the ribbomvood. The range that divided" Ashburton from the neighbouring valleys is called Ribbomvood, but. the quantity of wood it bears is small. Very little animal life of any kind was seen. A pair of keas was met with, but bird life is scanty. [PB.ESS ASSOCIATION.] TARADAIE SHOOTING CASE. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. NAPIER, 23rd January. A middle-aged man named Alexander Strachaa, who shot at Herbert Sidney Bradley at Taradale on Wednesday last, the bullet lodging in a serviette contained in Bradley's lunch bag, appeared at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mt S. E. McCarthy, S.M., charged with shooting at Bradley with intent to do grievous bodily harm. Evidence was given to the effect that Slrachan was drinking on Monday and Tuesday, and had talked of shooting his wife and committing' suicide. He was heard to say there would be the biggest tragedy that ever happened in Taradale. Strachan quarrelled with Bradley twelve months ago, and though it was not serious, he always referred to it when drunk. He is a prohibited person, and previously served a 'term of imprisonment for procuring liquor. There were no signs of liquor on him on Wednesday. He purchased a 32 calibre revolver on Tuesday, and 50 cartridges for pig shooting. The bullet found bore rifling marks corresponding to the barrel of the revolver. When he rushed at Bradley he shouted, "I'll shoot you, I'll murder you." When arrested Strachan said, "I am glad I didn't shoot him. Murder was never in my mind." Counsel for the defence said: — "Ac-, cused says he does not remember anything that occurred on Wednesday evening. He was suffering from the effects of drink. He pleads not guilty." Accused was committed for trial at i the Supreme Court. Hie Worship did not think it was a case in which bail should be allowed. It came within the j case Regina v. Valli. The evidence tended to suggest mental degeneration. Assuming the evidence- was true, it might be serious and dangerous to allow ball. WANGANUI CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. WANGANUI, 23rd January. The Wanganui Caledonian Society held its twenty-eighth annual sports to- j day in, glorious weather. The sports I were a great success, the attendance being a record. The takings at the gate wefe_ £15 better than at any previous ! meeting truly Caledonian. The pipers I and dancers and the pedestrian events ! were very interesting. Opie put up a New Zealand amateur record of 12sec for the 120 yards. Two heats in this] event weie "clocked" as being run in { 11 3,ssec, but doubt is expressed as to the reliability of the time. The chief prize-winners in piping, and dancing were -.—Marches, T. Finlayson ; strathspeys and reels, J. Cameron ; Highland j fling, J. M'Keehnie ; sword dance, R. M'Kechnie; Reel o' Tulloch, A. Kilgour; Seauntreus, Jaffray. The wrestling events were won by Alex. Bain. There was an excellent concert in the evening, the attendance being a record. j MARTHAS AND MARYS. AUCKLAND, 23rd January. ! There was a very sparse attendance o! j Marys at the meeting held in the Council Chambers to-day for the purpose of making arrangements in connection with the proposed Coronation gift to Queen Mary by the Marys, Marions, Mays and Marthas of the British Empire. Miss Bagnall presided, and •suggested that the schoolmasters of the province be asked to collect the donations. Eventually the meeting was adjourned until Tuesday next, in order that the movement might become more known. WAIROA RAM FAIR. WAIROA, 23rd January. Hie successful ram fair held here on Saturday may be considered the' beginning of ,an important annual fixture. There was a large attendance of settlers, wno apparently see the necessity ot improving their Bocks in view of the early establishment of freezing works and large markets for stock generally. A ■ number of good young rams on offer j elicited keen competition, one and twoshear flock Lincolns fetching up to four guineas, Romneys up to five guineas. IMPORTANT LEGAL POINT. GISBORNE. 23rd January. A rather important legal point concerning the service of a notice under the. Shearer*' and Agmcultuial Labourers' j ! Accommodation Act. was decided by Mr. W. A. Barton. H.M., at the Magistrate's C'ourt_ to-da\. Frederick J. " Ljenor, <-heepfarmor. was charged with failing to provide adequate accommodation for shearers. Tb* Jtasjjector,^ Awards, ,wia.

prosecuted, said he forwarded the notice in a registered letter. The defence was that tho letter was not received, and tho Act required the notice to be served either on the employer personally, or leaving the same at hi 6 usual or last known place of residence. The Magistrate held that the notice had not been served in accordance with the Act, and dismissed the information. UNIVERSITY SENATE AWARDS. CHRISTCHURCH, 23rd January. At thfe University Senate to-day, the Hayden Prize Committee reported that there were five essays submitted and that the prize should be awarded to John Cruickshartk Morrison, of Wellington, with C. S. Marshall, of Chxisichurch, proxime accessit. It also recommended that the subject for the next competition be "A suggested constitution for the organisation of the British Empire." The report waa adopted. The examiners for the Macmiilan Brown Memoiial Prize, reported tho name of the winner to be Phillip Carrington, of College House, Christchurch ( Canterbury College). UNREGISTERED NEWSPAPER. DAEGAVILLE, 23rd January. Alfred Arthur CharW Laroche *.va& brought before the Helensville Polica Gouit to-day charged with having committed three breaches of .the- Printers and Newspapers Registration Act, 1908. He was fined £10 and costs. The papex was unregistered, and failed to carry an imprint. TARANAIU PETROLEUM MEASURES. NEW PLYMOUTH, 23rd January. Mr. J. D. Henry, representing large financial interests at Home, and well known a« a writer on petroleum matters, has arrived here, and will make New Plymouth his headquarters. Mr. .Henry will start his investigations after the meeting of the congress of the Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers, which will be held at Auckland and Waihi next week, and over which Dr. Bell will preside.