TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14973, 20 April 1909, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

An ordinary meeting of the committee of the Oxford branch of tho Farmers’ Union was held on Thursday; present—Messrs Meyers (chairman), Cooper,- O’Halloran, Harle, Cross. Brown, Luers, Skurr (2), Weld and Wells. Complaints were made in regard to tho difficulty in loading trucks at Carleton station, owing to the great depth of shingle in the station yard, and the secretary was requested to write to the railway engineer, with a view to securing an improvement. Correspondence was received from the District Railway Traffic Manager, stating that that there was no intention at present of improving the railway services between Oxford and Rangiora and Oxford and Kaiapoi. The secretary presented the audited balancesheet for the year ended March 81, and it was resolved to hold the annual meeting of the branch on Monday, April 26, at 2.30 p.m., in the Library. Detectivo Gibson yesterday arrested a man in Christchurch on a charge of stealing £2O in money from Mr H. J. Lawronco on April 13. This is the third man that has been arrested on this charge. Representations wore recently made to tlio Postmaster-General, Sir Joseph Ward, by Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., in favour of tlio request of tho residents of Wai.au for a new poet office in that township. Sir Joseph Ward has written to Air Forbes stating that ho null go into tho matter fully as soon as he can.

A party of men from Christchurch, who had previously visited Bankside twice this autumn, went there again during the Easter holidays to shoot rabbits, taking ferrets with. them. For tho three visits the party averaged eight guns, and the total bag amounted to a thousand and fifty rabbits. The average number of rabbits secured by each member of the party at each visit was forty-three.

On Thursday evening a. social gathering was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Akaroa, which was crowded with residents and visitors. The Mayor, Mr 6. Armstrong, presided, and presented to Messrs Whelch and Fogwell their chare of the receipts from the sculling championship. The latter was also presented with a purse of sovereigns by Mr J. D. Bruce, on behalf of the people of Akaroa, and a presentation was made to Mr Webb. Speeches were made, and musical items were given, arid a vory enjoyable evening was spent. In an article by the Rev R. Wood in the “ Outlook,” reference is made to die generous help given by the wealthier Presbyterian charges in Otago to the Sustentation Fund during the ministry of some of the pioneer ministers and their immediate successors. In Knox Church, Dunedin, under the ministry of Dr Stuart (from 1871 to 1891) the average aid-giving contribution (not including the dividend) was £3OO per annum a total of £6225 for that period. In First Church, during the ministry of the Rev Lindsay Mackio, the aid-giving average was £270 per annum. These contributions did not include the aid given to help the salaries of home missionaries.

There was a good attendance at the Young Men’s Christian Association’s rooms on Sunday afternoon, when Mr C. M. Stubbs addressed a men’s meeting. Mr Stubbs took as his subject the “watchword” of the Students’ Christian Union, “ The Evangelisation of the world in the present generation,” and spoko of the various religions of the world and the effects they had on the different peoples. He said that ho believed that nothing would satisfy the world but the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it was every true Christian’s hope that the evangelisation of the world was not far distant.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the mail steamer Arawa brought 245 passengers, of whom 217 were in the third class. Ten joined the ship at Cape Town, and the rest are direct from the United Kingdom. They have arrived in the best ■of health, ill fact the port health officer (Dr Pollen) declared to the purser of the sliip (Mr Kissock) that they were the most satisfactory contingent of immigrants that had yet passed Ins inspection. The health of all on board tho ship has boen excellent throughout an exceptionally line passage. The immigration officer (Mr A. A. S. Danby), and Miss Bremner and Mr Proctor (of tlie Labour Department), were early on board the steamer, and interviewed tlie assisted ana other passengers, furnishing them with information as to tho conditions of work and wages in New Zealand. The destinations of the passengers are:—For Auckland 61, Napier 10, Lyttelton _SO, Oamaru, Bluff, Greymouth Wanganui one each, Dunedin 17, Wellington 56, New Plymouth 3, Westport 6. The assisted passengers bring between thorn a declared capital of £636, distributed among 36 passengers only, for in the case of the 30 nominated passengers included in the other 66 assisted it is not necessary to doclaro possession of capital, as they come to friends who are responsible for them not becoming a charge on the State. As a matter of fact, many of them consist of wives and children coming out to join breadwinners already established in tho country. Tho occupations of the assisted passengers by tho Arawa are:—Domestic servants 15, cook 1. farm labourers 4, farmers 6, joiner L,

The report on the condition of the Canterbury trout rivers, telegraphed at 9 a.in. yesterday, was:—Ashley, H r.imakariri, Ashburton, Rangitata and Waitaki, clear; Selwyn, Rakaia and Opilii, fishable.

A successful garden let© in aid of the funds of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Akaroa, was held in the Vicarage grounds on Easter Monday and Tuesday. The fete was well attended on both days and the receipts were upwards of £l5O.

Detective Eade arrested a man yesterday, charged with the theft of an overcoat, bag and other articles, of a total value of about £5, from a wharc in Addington. Tlio man is alleged to have broken into tlio ivhare in September of last year.

The ratepayers of Onslow Borough, Wellington, voted yesterday on proposals to borrow £IOOO for a public bail, £11,300 for drainage and £19,700 for water supply. The town hall proposal was rejected by six votes, the drainage by seventy, and the water supply by forty-five. The Rev F. H. Spencer, agent for the British and Foreign Bible Society, gave a lantern lecture last evening at tho Rangiora Institute Hall on the society’s work iu South America. Air J. Sansom, president of the local branch, was in the chair. It was reported that £2O 3s 3d had been collected in Rangiora and tho vicinity last year towards the funds of the society.

At last evening’s meeting of the City council, tho abbattoir manager reported that tho list of stock slaughtered and carcases condemned at the Christchurch abattoir during March was as follows Cattle, slaughtered, 936 ; condemned, 13: sheep, slaughtered, 8591; condemned, 3: lambs, slaughteredl)96; condemned, nil; pigs, slaughtered, 483; condemned, nil ; calves, 305; condemned, nil. Four schools in Dunedin have recently been ransacked and robbed. At St Clair the robber found only a few shillings, made up of the balance of the cricket fund and so forth. Musselborough also yielded results which the thief doubtless regarded as poor, his booty here consisting of a little ammunition. At Macandrew Road lie secured about £3 and a few odds and ends in the way of curios. In each case the school seems to have been entered through a window. The annual report of the parish of St Michael’s, which was adopted last evening at tlio annual meeting of parishioners, stated that the attendance at the day school had been well maintained during the year, the highest roll number being 138. A very satisfactory report had been received from the inspectors of the Government schools at tho annual examinations. During tho year the diocesan authorities had been able to make a special grant of a bonus of twenty-five per cent on the amount of the teachers’ salaries.

At tho annual meeting of parishioners of St Michael’s Church a year ago, the vestry was instructed to take into consideration the desirability of causing the wholo of the seats in the church to be free and unappropriated. With that object the parishioners were asked by circular-letter to give their views on the subject. Tho replies showed that while a few 'were favourable, a large majority were opixised to a change. A proposal to make lettings of seats terminate at the end of the yoar and to invite fresh applications for renewals was found to he impracticable. vestry therefore decided to let matters stand as they were. This action was endorsed by the re-election of the vestry at the annual meeting held last evening. Tho Staff Committee of the Tramway Board reported yesterday that the merit and demerit record for tlio year ended March 31 had beeii considered. Notice of termination of engagement had been given to ono employee whose record was not at all satisfactory, and two others had been warned that considerable improvement must be shown by them during the next three months. In accordance with tho regulations, all tho members of tho staff commenced tho year with a cloan sheet, no reference being made to past records unless the circumstances warranted such reference. The prizes to the men securing tho best records for the last quarter had been awarded. Complaints from passengers regarding the conduct of certain members of tho staff bad been investigated and dealt with. Tho Tramway Board had occasion a fortnight lago to complain of frequent delays of trams on tho Lincoln Road railway crossing owing to shunting operations in tho railway yards, and the opinion was freely expressed that many unnecessary “ hold-ups ” occurred. At yesterday’s meeting of the Board the chairman (Mr 11. Pearce) stated that there had been a conference between the officers of the Board slid some of the railway officials, and a much better understanding had been come to. The Government from March 31 would not make any charge for the •crossing. A member asked if tho Government would still hold up the trams, and tho chairman replied that he thought not. After the conference lie had come to the conclusion that no good would be done in writing to Wellington on the subject. Later, a letter was read from Mr S. F. Whitcombe, Railway traffic manager, stating that under the new signalling arrangements at Addington station the two signalmen who had been specially employed in connection with the signalling of trams were not now required, and no charge would ho made to tho Board for signalling trains over the crossing, except when signalmen were required to remain on, duty for trams running outside tho ordinary hours. The Purau picnic party, numbering seventeen all told, appeared beforo Messrs G. A. Lewin, J.P., and G. C. Smith, J.P., at tho Lyttelton Police Court yesterday to answer to a charge of stealing a sack and 1001 b of walnuts value £1 15s 6d, tlio property of Harold Gardiner. The party comprised Charles Thomas, Thomas Morris Jones, John Roach, Timothy Canty, Frank Oats, ‘Carl Carlson, George Riley, Thomas Mumford, Joseph Reid, John Bryson, Frederick Wnlkinsliaw, Charles Wood, Alexander Peterson, Herbert Cawson, Daniel O'Leary, William Clark and Robert Armstrong. They were represented by Mr Hunt, and pleaded “ not guilty.” Mr Gardiner said lie, did not want to have the men convict* od He wanted this case to be a warning, for picnic parties were continually invading his private grounds, ransacking his orchards and destroying bush and trees. Mr Hunt asked that the men should be leniently dealt with. They had gone to Purau for an outing, and, finding the walnuts on what they thought was public ground, they bad helped themselves. He did not think the matter was sufficiently serious to warrant a conviction. Tho men were quite willing to pay all costs. Tho Boncli decided not to convict, but ordered the party to pay all costs, amounting to 23.5.

True patriotism does not find expression in hooting, yelling and vituperation. Tho True Patriot is the man who is prepared to Do something for his country—something that will influence others to follow his example. Tho truest patriotism, therefore, is expressed by the immediate purchase of one of Butcher’s 18-ct. Gold Wedding Rings. 210, High Street. N 3157

Ladies’ Gold and Silver Watches, Engagement Bings, Muff Chains and all other classes of Jewellery too numerous to mention at greatly reduced prices. K. Grieshater, 155, Colombo

Plans for the Tramway Board’s nerd cars will be ready in about a fortnight, and tenders will lie called for them immediately. The annual meeting of tho 'Wellington Opera House Company adopted a report recommending a dividend of 5$ per cent making a total of 12J per cent for tlio year. Mr Samuel Bullock, who was for over twenty-three years headmaster of tli© Feudalton School, lias been noini-:-' nated for a seat oil the Education 5 Board, rendered vacant by the retire)”! incut of tlio Hon D. Buddo. j A social gathering in aid of tho' Halswell: Sports Club’s funds was held in the Halswell Schoolroom on Friday, evening. There was a fairly larg# gathering and music and dancing pro* vided an enjoyable entertainment. Harvest thanksgiving services vers held at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Akaroa, on Sunday. Both cervices were fully choral, and tho Rev F. G. Brit tan, of Christchurch, conducted tlio service iu the evening. There were very largo congregations. The “Otago Daily Times” is informed, on what it considers reliablo authority, that a phase of the Government’s retrenchment scheme is that all officers over sixty years of age who ' have been employed, for forty years in the public service are to be retired. A marked improvement is noticeable in the building trade in Greater Wellington in comparison with recent months, states a Press Association telegram. At present the building inspector has before him applications for building, permits aggregating £84,000 in value.

On Easter Monday an enjoyable day was spent by members of the newlyformed Halswell Tennis Club and their friends in the Halswell Domain. Tennis and croquet matches formed the day’s programme. In tho evening a pro-' gressive euchre party was heid in the schoolroom. There was a fairly large attendance. Tho prizes were Avon by IMrs Witbrock and Miss Witbrock, and Messrs C. Streeter and E. Clark.

Tho Rev W. J. Mayers and the party of boys from Dr Barnardo’s Homes, Avh'o are touring Now Zealand, appeared at the Oddfellows’ Flail at Ashburton on Sunday evening and last, evening. On both occasions the hall was packed. Mr Mayers delivered a stirring address on Sunday evening oni child rescue work, and during tho day ho preached at the Ashburton Presbyterian and Wesleyan Methodist Churches to largo congregations. Sailing in the wako of closer settlement, as ho frequently does, the Chinaman is beginning to make his presence felt in Ohakune, on the North Island Main Trunk line. Three Chinese were originally in business there, and a reinforcement of eight went last ireek.Somo of the new arrivals at once set to work prospecting for vegetable garden sites, and one of them showed his confidence in the futuro of the little town by leasing a small shop and paying two years’ rent (£104) in advance.’

A Press Association telegram states that tho Crown Lands Department, having under its control the Forestry Department, intends giving substantial help to farmers avlio are interested ic afforestation and are willing to do theft, din re in regaining for New Zealand some of its lost timber resources. It will provide free a lot of 250 young tot-ara trees to every applicant avlio will undertake to plant them and pay freight from the Riiatangata Nursery near Kamo, where they have been raised. There are 710,000 trees ready for" distribution.

During the past year in Lyttelton! there lias been a steadily increasing demand for water, the average daily* consumption for the whole toivn showing an increase of almost two and a half gallons per head of population. The quantity supplied to the shipping was practically tho same as iu tlio previous year, yet the total quantity raised at Hcathcote increased by over three and a half million gallons. The number of gallons pumped to thef main reservoir Avas 59,737,000, the number pumped at Lyttelton 15,729,000, the number supplied to shipping 9,160,200, and the toAvn consumption 50,576,300. Tho mean consumption per day per unit of population Avas 34.65 gallons, fluctuating from 27 gallons in winter to 43 gallons in summer. »

This week tho TramAvay Board will he called upon to defend an action fot damages arising out of a collision Avitb a motor-car. Yesterday the Board re< ceived two more claims for compensa( tion. Messrs Dougall and Upham, Arming on behalf of Mr F. Fairtuorne, claimed £SO as compensation for a collision between Mr Fairthorne’e trap and a motor-sprinkler on April 3 in Lower* High Street, which was alleged to la due to tlie motonnan’s negligence. Nip G. Corby, of Petone. also Avroto, stating that he had fallen out of a calf on April 15 on tho Riccarton line, owing to the ear jumping the points, and Tie asked for assistance fro in tin* Board, as he alleged that he had lost a fortnight’s time owing to an injury to his hand and face. The matters -were referred to the Works and Ti afbo. Committee.

The arrangement of the -timetable' ill) connection with the new express train' service has occasioned sonio difficulty m the handling of tho trains at Tim arm Tho various trains are now divided in* to groups at this* station, several trains arriving and departing within hidi an hour of one another, and under tins arrangement, tho existing platform ac* commodntion has proved inadequate* Two of tho regular mixed trains can* not be brought up to the platform and passengers and luggage have to cross the main line. This is as dangerous, as it is inconvenient, and represeuta*. tions will probably ho made to tins Railway* Department to secure an at* teration in tho timetables of the twq local trains affected. An alternative method would be the construction of a “dock ” line at the southern end of tlie, station, and this would greatly relieve! the congestion of tho railway business* Extensive additions have been made; to the technical school in Tiraaru, P rac j tically amounting to the erection, or A ne\v school, as the original building has been converted into offices for the South Canterbury Education Board, Tho school was built in 1903, two classy rooms and a small office for the direct tor forming the whole building. Tliesnj rooms have now been taken OV, the Education Board, and , ac VW tions providing more than dout)i^ the original accommodation llav t been made. There, are four ja'gj! class-rooms on the ground flootj intended lor cookery classes, engineer* ing, electricity and wool-classing classy es, and continuation classes, respective* ly tho last named occupying two rooms divided by a patent folding partition,, allowing them to bo combined loi ex-, animations and lectures. Theie are, also offices) for the directm of tlie school, and for the chief inspector of schools. On tho upper.floor, arc three rooms for art, typewriting and scaenco classes. The building is well equipped and tho arrangements for iignting, heating and ventilation aro complete. The new school will be formally opened oil Thursday afternoon by tho Munster) of Education, the Hon G. lowids. i With a supply of eighty horses and carts at their disposal, J. M. HeywoodJ ami Coy., Ltd., are in a position to undertake any carrying work entrusted to them. Telephones 250 and 1241. X 4039

Winter, with its long evenings, is drawing near, and consequently one lias now time to devote to reading or studying, which perhaps w'ould in summer time lie spent in outdoor pursuits. When the print is blurred and the letters seem to run into each other, thus showing a defect which can bo remedied by consulting John R. Proctor. Oculists’ Optician, 180, High Street. ] .3(2681 [

A false alarm of fire was given at ’ten minutes to eleven last night from the Choral Hall alarm box. The collection of pictures at the Tourist Agency has been further enriched by the addition of a large panoramic photograph of Caroline Bay at Timaru, which has been presented by that town. The picture is woll taken, and shows the popular resort crowded with holiday-makers. The new portion of the Magistrate’s Court is woll on the way to completion, and makes a striking addition to the buildings. It is built of grey stone in the same style as that of the older portion, and is prettily faced with white stone. The roof is of slate, and is complete. and the outer walls are finished. Tho internal fitting of the building remains to be done.

The over-crowding of tho railway platform at Timaru by scores of people who had no business there, reached on acute stage during the Easter holidays, and the Railway Department decided to enforce its regulation providing for a charge of twopence for admission to the platform of anyone who has not a ticket in his possession. The regulation came into force yesterday. The Ashburton Guardian ” states that slaughtering operations at the Fairfield freezing works have slackened off a good doal of late, in consequence of sheep and lambs not being in a fit condition for export. Another circurn-. stance that has had a marked effect on the operations at the Fairfield freezing works for the past two years is that numbers of sheep and lambs are sent from the county to other freezing Works.

A statement has been published to the effect that it is proposed by tho Government to abolish tho smaller Education Boards of the dominion, and merge them into the larger districts, granting rating power to the boards to enable them to support to some extent their own institutions. The Hon D. Buddo, when asked last evening if there were any grounds for the statement, replied that he knew of no such proposal.

A meeting of tho Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club was held on Saturday evening, Mr F. Hickmott (president) in the chair. The secretary reported that the schedule for the June snow had been issued, and that Dr 0. J. Russell had kindly consented to judge the cat show, which was being held in connection with the poultry show. Committees were set up for staging and penuing the birds in Ring Edward Barracks.

At the Magistrate’s Court at ICaiapoi yesterday the Mayor (Mr J. H. Blackwell) welcomed Mr T. A. B. Bailey, the newly-appointed Magistrate, and wished him a successful term on the Kaiapoi Bench. The only case before the Court was a charge against Arthur Yaxley of failing to send his two children, aged respectively eight and ten Years, to school. Mr JT A. Blank, .truant officor, gave evidence in support of the charge, and tho defendant ;was fined 10s.

Mr T. M. Chambers, chairman of the Hawke’s Bay County Council, in a financial statement presented to the Council yesterday, stated:—“The increase in the hospital and charitable aid levies year by year has become a heavy charge on the Council revenue. This yeaiythe amount will be £1154 in each caeo, or a total of £2308. For tho eight years ended March 31, 1902, the charitable aid levy averaged £3BO a year. It is now £1154, or an increase of 300 per cent. Taking into account the existence of old age pensions, this increase seems excessive.’

According to a statement, made by tho Hon J. A. Millar (Minister of Railways) to a “ Hawke's Bay Herald ” reporter, the classification of public servants added nearly £150,000 to the anjnual cost of administration. In the (Railways Department, lie added, many 'of- these increases are fixed by statute, but he had set his face against any increase of expenditure and had told everyone that no further rise need be locked for. He had also introduced a number of alterations in the working of the Department which would lead to economy. Trains had been cut out, -and at least one line, which was not paying and never would pay, had beon shut down.

In. connection with a disturbance at ja recent race meeting at Napier Park, John B. Ibby was charged at the Magistrate’s Court at Napier yesterday with using threatening behaviour. Counsel for defendant raised'the point that the police had failed to prove that the Napier Park Racecourse was a public place within the meaning of the Police Offences Act-. Mr S. E. M’CarIhy, Stipendiary Magistrate, in dismissing the case, said he did not say that the Napier Park Racecourse was not a public place, but it had to bo proved that it was a course to which the public had access, either free or on payment of gate money, and that had not been done.

The annual meeting of the Cheviot Scottish Society was neld on Wednea-, clay. There was a fair attendance of members. The following officers were elected:—Chief. Mr T. Mendle; chief(tains, Messrs R. Sloes and W. Bruce; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. Renrtoul; council, Messrs T. Stevenson, D. "M’Gillivray, J. M’Pherson, J. Fleming, [IV. Dalgety, R. R,. Lockhead, J. Flett, O. Dalgety, A. M’Niven and A. TweeVlie and Dr Saunders. It was decided Ito have the first gathering of the Society on or about May 7. It was resolved to arrange with Miss Currie to continue the dancing class of last year. Rules drawn up by a special committee were read and adopted. \ The chairman of the Tramway Board (Mr H. Pearce) stated at yesterday’s meeting of the Board, that at the previous meeting a petition had been received from a numbor of Linwood residents, and had been referred to the works and traffic committee. He was sorry to say that the “Lyttelton Times” in a “local” on the'following day, hind stated that the petition was received 'with laughter by the members of the (Board. There had been a good deal of feeling in connection with the matter among some Linwood residents, and they nad written to him because they considered that they had been insulted. As he had pointed out to them, ho thought it was only a slip tof the reporter, and ho felt sure that this explanation would be accepted by them.

The case set apart for fresh specimens at the Canterbury Museum contains several which have been added [this week. Conspicuous among them is * brilliantly-coloured headkerchief, or |“ tengkolo,” from Java, presented by Mrs C. D. Bowen'. Mr A. R. Bloxam has presented some carved members of a set of ivory chossmon, from China, p.nd another specimen which will make tan addition to the ethnological collection in the Museum is an old feather necklace, presented by Mrs R. B. Hayward. It was made of the red and yellow feathers of bright plumaged birds by natives of the Hawaiian Islands. An old flintlock pistol tinderbox has been obtained by tho Museum Authorities. Mr C. H. Gilby has presented the log of the Jeannio Duncan, Q n ]j er voyage from Lyttelton to Fiji lin 1868, and Mr J. W. Sprott has presented a Maori relic, found in a cave tat Redcliffs. ! Preserving Jars —Just arrived. Mason's pints, quarts and half-gallon; AtlUg jars, wide-mouth, pints, quarts and half-gallon; glass jars, 3 in nest, Is 2d; white jars, 4 in nest, Is 4d; tumblers, fes 6d dozen; preserving pans, cast-iron enamelled, 6s 9d, 6s 9d, 7s 6d: light briamalt from 3s 9d. At Fletcher Kr Importer*. Lower High Street. Men wanting Warm Woollen Wearables for tho winter are asked to Armstrong's Stores, where they will find targe stocks, at lower prices than elsejjvhere. 253813

A requisition is being signed asking Mr John Jamieson to contest the Linivood seat for the coming Tramway Board election.

A suggestion was made at yesterday’s meeting of the Tramway Board that tho Board’s Parliamentary committee should bo called together, Air S. A. Staples stating that thoro wore anomalies in tho Act in regard to the boundaries of districts, and something might be suggested to ensure that lomns should be put on an equal basis. * It seemed, be said, that a new loan would not rank as high as previous loans. It was stated that present loans could not ho interfered with, hut it was agreed to call the committee together. At tho Tepid Baths on Thursday evening tho first round of the Water Polo Championship of Canterbury and the half-mile swimming championship will be decided. There will also be a 100 yards in tor-club handicap and fancy diving. During the evening Mr G. Harris, president of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, will present tho Water Polo banner won by tlio Canterbury team at tho New Zealand championships at ’ Timaru in February. He will also present the Royal Humane Life Saving Society’s bronze medal to Air H. Wauchop, and certificates to Messrs H. Wauchop, V. Drake and H. Williams for bravery in saving life at New Brighton. Standard caps and badges won at the championship meeting will bo presented to a number of swimmers.

INHABITANTS OF ANTARCTICA. A souvenir of Lieutenant Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition has reached Oamaru, Mr C. B. Alorris, of that town, having received from. Mr J. Alurray, the biologist of the expedition, a sample of the life found at the small lake near Cape Royds, where AlrALurray established his headquarters while the other members of the party_setout to locate the magnetic pole. Tho sample comprises a largo number of the rotifers which aro now being introduced to science by Air Alurray, most of which have, unfortunately, suffered by the action of the preservative used. Rotifer mounting is a specialty, and as Air Murray has a number of live specimens in his possession, at present inaccessible, Air Alorris hopes to receive properly mounted examples at a future date. Another of the animalcule is the well-known Water bear. These aro in. a splendid state of preservation, and so, also, are the diatoms from the same lake. A representative of tho “ Oamaru Mail,” who had an opportunity of seeing these tiny creatures under a microscope, states that a comparatively largo one, measuring no more than onefiftieth of an inch/ has to be isolated and cleared of all foreign matter and then sent to sleep with homeopathic dosps of cocaine. This last operation may take many hours before the psychological moment arrives when it has to be fixed with osmic acid. If this is nob done withip. ten seconds tho animal dies and disappears, nothing being visibles but a few globules of oil, evon under the microscope. It is stated that Mr Morris has. found a local rotifer which is apparently identical with those obtained from Cape Royds, but owing to the latter being disfigured, it is impossible to be certain as to identification.

THE RESULTS OF fj?HE AIOTORCYCLE RELIABILITY TRIAL.

Christchurch to Akaroa and return. Distance, 114 miles; 19 competitors.— The motor-cycle reliability hill-climbing and petrol consumption trial was run on March 6, and resulted in a sweeping victory for the 3) h.p. Triumph motors. Everybody knows how the Talbot cars wiped out 36 competitors in the late motor-car trials, and again we have the pleasure to report to the public that the Triumph motor-cycles, in competition with seven well-known makes, have repeated the victory of 'the Talbot team by winning all tho premier prizes. Alt R. English, the judge, awarded the prizes to the '3i h.p. Triumph riders ns follows:—For reliability, open class: Ist, W. Blundell ; 2nd, F. Howarth. Private owners’ class: Ist, C. Bailey; 2nd, A. Beken, Hill-climbing, open class: G. B. Brown. Private owners’ class: F. S. Barnett. Lowest petrol consumption, open class: W. Blundell. Private owners’ class: A. Beken. Best performance in hill climb: G. B. Brown. Highest aggregate marks, for reliability, lowest petrol consumption and hill-climbing: G. B. Brown. Alaking a total of eight first prizes awarded to riders of Triumph motor-cycles. What a victory for Triumphs 1 A world’s record! All other makes of motor-cycles wiped out. The success of the Triumphs in the trials is our reward for selling to the public the highest class goods. Fifty Triumph motor-cycles now arriving, price £7O. Adams Limited, sole New Zealand agents, 138-140, High Street, Christohuroh. 1959