NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 March 1907, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Consequent upon the cablegram wo published last night giving an account of extraordinary "breaks” made in billiards by Messrs Reece and Love joy, experiments were made on local tables by our best billiardists who, however, were only very moderately successful. The cable in question stated that Reece had made a

“break” of 4503 including 2268 by cradle cannons in 98 minutes. Lovejay, playing Gindar, scored 2257 by tlie same stroke. This, of course, easily beats all previous records. Nor is this the first occasion in which these two rising players have figured conspicuously. Quite recently the billiard world was considerably interested in a remarkable break by Lovejoy made during his match against Harverson. The ex-amateur champion had the two object balls in a good position near the left top pocket and they never moved more than an eighth part of an inch. The distance between tho two balls was about a couple of inches, the cue ball being a like distance from each. By the aid of the “double kiss” Lovejoy kept the balls tight against each cushion, and scored at a great pace. His full bieak amounting to 603, and contained a run of 284 close cannons. Thus this is easily the world’s record, and beats that compiled by Cook of 159. It is also Lovejoy’s finest effort, his previous best being 463 made against Stevenson. Reece, who played Stevenson, tho champion, last week, also excelled with the cue, compiling the highest break of his career by stringing together a magnificent 627, which, by tho cruellest piece of luck, is only one loss than that made by Higgle. Reece is one of our rising cueists and only a fortnight ago ran up a break of 501. Never did Britain possess a better lot of voting players than at the present time.

The decision of the Admiralty in the matter of the Portsmouth riots shows that the authorities intend that the reputation of the navy in the mattered discipline shall not be allowed to suffer. The three senior officers concerned are punished by tho loss of their appointments; Lieutenant Collard’s reprimand “has not been noted”—which means the blocking of his career—and slight reductions have been made on tho sentenances passed on stokers Moody and Hay, ringleaders of the revolt. The sentences should certainly recall naval officers to a sense of their first duty—the maintenance of discipline, though we are inclined to the opinion that the revised punishment for Stoker Moody is still a heavy penalty to pay for what appears to have been the result of a sudden tit of temper than of a mutinous disposition. _ At the same lime there is no getting away from the fact that the feeling of unrest and discontent among tho lower deck is really far more widespread than it was at first believed. There was a slight exhibition of it last week at Portland among tho men of the Channel Fleet, who for the third year in succession have been forced to spend Christmas abroad. Many of the men overstayed their leave mill the fleet had sailed, while the others who did return to tho ships indulged in a nu in be of cries and cat-calls, of which “On Your Knee” was particularly, prominent. There is undoubtiy a spirit of unrest, among men which cannot be otherwise than detrimental to the interest of the service, and the Admiralty would be wise to face the mat ter at once by appointing a commitlee lo ascertain what really are those grievances of -which the men complain If they did so, we fancy it would be found that they were chiefly concerned with minor matters relating to want of consideration in the matter of leave and other irritating restrictions. One thing seems certain, that is that the real cause of the discontent among the stokers did not transpire at any of tho recent courts-martial.

A notice to members of the Mawhcra Masonic Lodge appears in another column. Word lias been received that Mr De Fillipi’s Three Channel Flat dredge has sunk. Callaghan’s dredge is stranded. One of the London motor fire engines started on its own hook from the fire brigade station the other day, and wrecked a wall before it came to a stop. It is interesting to note that there are 896 public Acts in force in New Zealand, and 1049 local and personal. The number of Acts repealed is 2,216 and Acts obsolete 52. It is interesting to learn that there is one journalist in the world enjoying an income of £IO,OOO a year. His name is Arthur Brisbane, and he is the editor of a Socialistic paper. The children in the Yarmouth elementary schools have saved £IOOO in pennies in less than twelve months under a saving scheme proposed about a year ago. In consequence of the increased business at the Greymouth railway station, it has been found necessary to lengthen the platform at both ends.

Pie Melons 1 Pie melons make delicious jam. Union Store just landed large quantity. Order early.—Griffen and Smith.— Ad vt. O. W. Moss and Co. submitted to auction yesterday the Co-operative bakery and section in Tainui street, and after spirited bidding it was knocked down to Mr Felix Campbell for £560. Business is reported to be extremely quiet in Palmerston North at present. The Exhibition is blamed a good deal for the existing tightness of the money market in the northern town.

When spoken to on the subject at Timaru the other day the Hon. G. Fowlds said that the withdrawal of the franking privilege was to be given a trial for 12 months. That was what Cabinet had de cided in the meantime.

The telephone line to Lake Kanieri is now under construction, and it is expected will be completed in about a month. As soon as this work is out of hand, the construction gang will move south to go on with the Mahitahi-Okuru line. With the champion oarsman, the champion band, and the champion crew, Wanganui is making a name for itself. The fittings and guns of the warship Montagu, since her wreck at Lundy, have been removed, the cost of this and the attempts to refloat her being about £70,000. The famous lecture, by Mr Frederic Bell, D.D., to ladies only, which was to be given at the Town Hall to-day* has been postponed till 3 p.m. to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon. Ladies, old and young, in search of valuable knowledge, hi;e most cordially invited. Admission free. —Advt. A concert will be held in the Cobden Skating Rink in aid of the school funds on Thursday evening next. _ One hundred and eighty children are taking part, contributing choruses, action songs, solos, recitations, etc. Altogether n very ex cellent programme has been arranged, and there is no doubt but that a treat Is in store for all those who attend.

s’W 1 -r E. W. Spencer has been appointed attorney for The Blackwater Mines, Ltd, London, the New Zealand offices being in Bridge street, Eeefton. Rheumo cures rheumatism and kindred complaints. It eliminates the excess uric acid and purifies the blood. All chemists and stores 2/6 and 4/6. Try it. All stores. —Advt. The works erected at Westport by the G.bvern.in.ent for the conversion ol the Seddonville solft coal into briquettes have been completed, and briquette-making was commenced to-day. Special trains will run on the Westland section in connection with the Masonic function at Hokitika on Wednesday next, particulars of which may be found in our advertising columns. Mr Badger, the well-known painter, intends building at once in Mackay street, having sold his premises in Tainui street to Mr Robb. In the meantime, his business will be carried on at the rear of his . private residence in Mackay street. .

To cure rheumatism, gout, sciatica, or lumbago you must treat the blood. The best remedy is Rheumo, which has cured thousands of sufferers. From all stores and chemists at 2/6 and 4/6. Give it a The Cash Supply Store on Mawhera Quay are holding a great stock-taking sale of all their millinery dress goods, etc for one week only. Ladies would do well to visit this sale, when they will receive Teat bargains, which will be to i their advantage. While at New Plymouth, LieutenantEngineer Wheater, of Westport, was shown over the works at the bores and given an opportunity of seeing oil flowing at the Birthday Well. The Admir-'' alty, it appears, uses considerable quantities of petroleum for the torpedo an! destroyer fleets, on account of it emitting no smoke, as well as for spraying the fires in the big battleships during naval manoeuvres, when a big sudden head of steam is required. The evangelistic meetings are still go ing on in the mission tent, Cobden, good numbers attending. To-night a special treat is in store. Mr Whitehead, senr., arrived from Palmerston North bv the Arahura last night, and will give a lecture to-night on his tour through the Holy Land. Mr Whitehead is well known in New Zealand, and has lately returned from a tour to India, Egypt, Palestine, Great Britain and America. The meeting commences at 7.30. A good crowd is expected. Acting under instructions from Mr John Keating, Harley and Co., Limited, will submit to auction without reserve on Wednesday at 2.15 p.m. the whole of his household furniture and effects, including red plush suite, honeysuckle duchess nair, sideboard, bedsteads, pictures, carpets, new linoleums, cutlery, etc. The sale will take place on the - premises, Hospital street, and the goods will be on view on Wednesday morning for public inspection.

During the hearing of a case against some lads of Freaking telegraph insulators to-day, it was explained that a fine of ten pounds was provided under tho Act for offences of this nature, and should another case be brought before the Court it would he necessary to enforce it. On behalf of the Telegraph Department, it was stated that about Ru.nanga and on the line towards the Seven Mile largo numbers had been broken, and tho efficiency of the service was materially affected owing to their destruction.,.—-^ Arrangements have been made with the manager of the Union Company to despatch the ss Arahura to Westport on Monday morning to enable bowlers to take part in the tournament between the Westport and Grey clubs. The Arahura will leave the wharf between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., arriving at Westport about noon. A number of members have signified their intention of leaving Greymouth on Good Friday morning. We trust every effort will be made by members of the Grey Club to send as in any rinks as possible to Westport. Notwithstanding the wet weather we have had the last few days, a number of bowlers took the opportunity of visiting the green yesterday, and played a number of excellent heads. Messrs Yarrall and Sampson played their match for the President's bowls in the “A” "Division, and after the last head was played the score stood—Yarrall 18, Sampson 14. Mr Sampson, obtaining six points, brought his score up to 20. The green was very heavy. Mr Sampson is now left in the final match, and will try conclusions with Mr Jones to see who will obtain the pair of bowls.

At the Opera House this evening the Greymouth Orchestral Society intend giving their first subscribers’ concert of the present season Mr G. T. Moss, as usual, has arranged a capital programme. The Orchestral selections consist of such excellent numbers as “Under Freedom’s Flag,” “Ernani,” “Bells of Normanby," “Solitude” and “A Night in Venice.” The vocal items consist of “For all Eternity ” by Mr K. S. Dillon, “The World of-v Dreams” by Mrs Absalom, “The King’s Minstrel” by Mr F. Harley and a quartette entitled. “Hail, smiling Morn” by Mrs Harley, and Messrs G. Holder and H. and F. Harley. Mr Goodall will play a cornet solo, and Mr McCarthy a violin item.

It is astonishing how many huge and successful businesses have begun in a very small way, but in nearly every such case the secret of success has been in giving customers the very best possible value lor their money, by civility and honest dealing, thereby ; gamine the confidence of the public, which is essential to success. These are the lines upon which our respected townsman, Mr B. Hart, is determined to run his business, and as his stock of drapery is all new, and has been bought direct from the manufacturers, the general public can rely on petting a really good article at the lowest possible price. We call attention to Mr Hart’s re place advertisement on another page, a perusal of which will be well worth the while.

The Magistrate (Mr W. G. K. Kenrick) held a sitting of the Juvenile Court this morning, when two_ boys, aged six and seven years respectively, were charged with breaking telegraph insulators. The boys pleaded guilty. The Magistrate said he would not enter a conviction, but would dismiss the informations, provided the parents each paid 7s 6d damages. Mr Kenrick severely cautioned the boys against the repetition of such con duct, and intimated his intention of inflicting severe penalties in the future. Mr Sampson (Chief Postmaster), who was present, stated that many hundreds of insulators had been broken, and as the damage was considerable, apart altogether from the interference with the electrical current, the Department intended to ask the Court in future cases to inflict substantial fines.