TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14976, 23 April 1909, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Tlio Milford School Committee, Tetnuka, has selected Mr J. 0. Webber, of InvercargiLl, for appointment as headmaster of the school.

On Sunday morning the Rev W. J. Mayers, the senior deputation secretary from Dr Baruardo’s Homes, will preach at Trinity Congregational Church. The boys from the Homes who are travelling with Mr Mayors will be present, and a retiring collection for tho Homes will bo taken.

Tlio Mayor stated yesterday that he had seen one of the tenants of tho City Council, who rented an endowment reserve in tho country. Tho tenant had said that ho was unable to got some fencing done that had boon authorised by tho Council last season owing to tho fact that there was no labour available. There seemed to be plenty of work in the country lor able-bodied mou.

The Raglan County Council, which finds it 3 finances seriously embarrassed by the absence of provision for enforcing the payment of rates on lands owned by Natives, lias issued a circular to other county councils who are concerned in tho matter, suggesting the holding of a conference with a view of taking united action to secure tho needed amendment of the law. A Press Association telegram states that the Raglnn Council’s balance-sheet just issued shows that during tho past two years only £7 has been paid to tho Council out or a total of £2900 duo as rates on Native lands.

Superannuation is to bo applied by the Auckland Education Board. On the motion of the chairman (Mr C. J. Parr) it was resolved at yesterday’s meeting that all the Board’s servants over tho ago of sixty-five years should be retired. This decision is to take effect from January 1, 1910. The chairman’s idea was that when a man was well on in the sixties he could not devote the energy to his work that younger teachers could, and which was essential, and when the State provided superannuation it should be taken advantage of. There.were, ho added, a number of teachers in tho employ of tlio Board who should retire and make way for younger men, who were getting grey waiting for promotion .

An instance of the usefulness of tho biograph as a means of education was presented in one of tho city schools last week. The children wore to writ© essays on the processes of rice-growing and culture, and one boy surprised tho teacher by describing in an accurate manner the whole of the work from tho preparing of tho ground to the gathering of tho harvest. The teacher was certain that tho hoy could not have assimilated so much information from tho lessons that had boon given on tho subject-, and inquired rather indignantly who had helped the scholar in the production of the essay, which was easily the best of the class. Tlio boy assured tho teacher that ho had been helped by no one, but had seen a film at a biograph entertainment that had shown the process just as ho had described it.

In some comments made recently upon tlie supervision of dairies in New Zealand and Victoria, Professor Gilrutli, the new professor of veterinary science at tho Melbourne University, who was formerly chief veterinary officer of New Zealand, said that a more satisfactory state of affairs as regards dairy control existed in A ictoria than in New Zealand. Mr Cameron, tho Victorian chief veterinary officer, agrees wfith this view. As a result of his visit to New Zealand last year, he is satisfied that the system of control possible under tho Victorian Milk and Daily Supervision Act, capable as it is of extension both as regards area and powers of control, is moro advanced than that existing in any other part of Australasia. Tf Victoria needs any further lossons in dairy legislation, ho doubts whether they can bo obtained, from any other country but Denmark. In other States there are hard and fast regulations which sot out tho minimum of requirements, while under tho Victorian Act tho requirements in respect to each dairy farm are left to tlio discretion of tho dairy sunervisor, and are settled bv him on’ their merits in each case. An attempt is nob made to apply tho sumo sot of cast-iron conditions to good land and poor land, to mountainous and to plain country, or to beginners and to those who have been born and bred to dairy tanning. Mr A. AV. Maftin, solo controller of Dr J. A. Sherman’s method of treating rupture, is now in Christchurch, and may bo consulted at Warner’s Hotel up *to tlio 30th. Hours, 10 n.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 5544

Tho New Plymouth Harbour Board lias accepted tlio tender of Messrs Fleming and Ferguson for a dredge to cost £33,000, to be delivered in ten months.

At nine o'clock yesterday the Waimakariri, Solwyn, Rangitata and Opihi were reported as fishable, tho Ashley, Ashburton and Waitaki as clear, and the Rakaia as dirty.

The Feilding Borough Council yesterday at a special meeting passed tlio following resolution?—'“ That the town clork telegraph to tho Valuer-General, stating that tho Council is dissatisfied with the oxcessive valuation, and that an officer of tho Department bo asked to visit Feilding and confer with the Council.”

The Hon A. W. Hogg, speaking at a meeting of tlio Wellington Benevolent Trustees in reference to the granting of relief to indigent persons whoso relatives might easily maintain them, said that there were many cases of old ago pensioners in New Zealand whose relatives wGro “swimming in wealth.” “The patriarch of tho whole crush,” continued Mr Hogg, “is frequently allowed to subsist on tlio pension.” In his opinion, the relatives of those persons who were receiving' charitable aid should bo circularised and shown what their responsibilities were under the Destitute Persons Act. Tho Rev W. A. Evans remarked that the charitable bodies of the several districts should aid each other in gaining intelligence about the relatives of indigent persons. Information has been received by tlio Wellington Hospital Trustees from tho Hospitals Department that there aro two Maori day pupils ready to commence training as nurses in a general hospital, one having been for fifteen months and tlio other for eleven months at tho Napier Hospital. Tho Trustees at a recent meeting were asked if they would be willing to take ono of the pupils for regular training. Tho .Hon C. M. Luke. M.L.C., suggested that the matter should bo referred to the medical superintendent and matron for a report. “Some time ago,” lie added, “ we had a native nurse at the hospital, and I would not like to say that sho was altogether a success.” Mr J. W. M’Ewan remarked that ho would not like to see any distinction made against Maori girls in this respact, but Mr Luke rejoined that as a matter of fact any distinction that had been made was in the other direction altogether. They had endeavoured to give tho Native girls every opportunity of receiving training likely' to bo of use to them among their own people. At the Magistrate’s Court at Tcmuka on Tuesday Mr V. G. Day, S.M., gave judgment by default for the plaintiffs in tho cases of John Lee v. Robert Apes, claim £3 11s 4d, and Dr J. S. Hayes v. Joseph Williams, claim 7s 6d. In tho case of Dr Warren v. John M’Auliffo a claim was made for £3 10. s 6d, being 7s 6d for medical attendance and £3 3s retaining fee for engagement to attond a confinement case in May, 1905. The plaintiff gave evidence that ho had been engaged, but, having to leave Tcmuka for a few days, had arranged with a Timaru doctor to attend cases on his behalf. The defendant stated that ho saw Dr Warren, who told him that he had arranged with a Timaru doctor to attend cases during liis absence, but lie objected strongly to this, considering it unreasonable to have to go to Timaru for medical assistance when life might be endangered. He told Dr Warren that be would make other arrangements, and he then had another doctor to attend his wife. Judgment was given for tho plaintiff with costs.

An unfortunate mistake by a Corporation dustman recently involved tho Dunedin City council officials in negotiations with an indignant lady resident, states tho “ Otago Daily Times.” Sho had been in the habit of leaving liouso refuse enclosed in a band-box outside her gate, for removal by tho street carts, and tho man in charge cam© to know tho box so well by sight' that whenever ho saw it ho unhesitatingly grabbed it and tipped it up over into his cart. Tho other day a band-box containing a number of samples of high-class millinery was deposited near tho gate, and presently the dustman came along. He looked for tho accustomed band-box, found it, and tipped its contents into tho accumulated rubbish in his cart. Then ho discovered his error, retrieved the ruined bate, and disconsolately carried them to tho lady of tho house. After that, tho town clerk was interviewed, and tho general committee reported to the City Council that “the sum of £5 has been paid no a solatium in respect of the claim for goods removed in mistake for refuse.” Tho Council laughed, and adopted tho report. A young man who loft Palmerston to seek'a fortune in Queensland a month or two ago is already sighing wistrully for his native land. Ho is not at ail enamoured of the land of bananas Kanakas, and his advice to New Zealanders who have their laces set towards Australia docs . not read very much like an advertisement for the northern State. Ho states: —“If you meet anybody in New Zealand who is talking of going to Australia,. you will do thorn a good turn by telling them to accept charitable aid in preference to coming here. You will see by the heading of this letter (Rockhampton) that I’ve got well into Northern Queensland, and the more f see of it the less I like of it. Rockhampton is known throughout Queensland as the city of three s’s—sin, sweat and sorrow.” The population of tho northern portion of the State is somewhat candidly dissected: —“This part of Queensland is full of Japanese, Chinese, Kanakas and half-breeds of various kinds, with a fair sprinkling of quarter-hrods, try-backs, etc. They talk about their White Australia! Why, oven the whites themselves out here turn black with tho heat, or else become spotted like a leopard with mosquito bitos, etc. As I sit writing this the red ants aro crawling all over tho paper.” The “Civil Service Journal,” the Civil Service Association’s official organ, lias something to say regarding the largo number of retirements recently announced in tho Government service. It has a qualified approval l'or the step taken by the Cabinet. “There is no doubt whatever that tho decision of Cabinet to retire all public servants who have reached tho age of sixty-fivo years meets tho approval of tlio Service as a whole. Since tuo vast majority of the public officers have not reached that age, to retire the elders would naturally please those to whom such retirements open tho gate of promotion; of promotion not only to the few who succeed to tho special offices vacated, but to- each and every ono along tho upward-sloping lines of position. If, however, tho present Executive finds itself able to carry out tho retirements without exception it will have done more than any previous Ministry Ims been able to do, for the scheme is l>y no means an original one, although tlio passage of the Superannuation Act to tho Statute Book makes tho difficulty less than it lias hitherto been.” The “Journal” sincerely trusts that men retired through weight of years will not be- succeeded by. others nearly of the same ago, if this is done simply Lo allow ret ire me ills on tlio higher salary. Ladies’ Gold and Silver Watches, Engagement Rings, Muff Chains and all other classes of Jewellery too numerous to mention at greatly reduced prices. K. Gricshabcr, 155, Colombo Street. X 3370 Wedding and Birthday presents. Fletcher Brothers have just opened up a useful assortment, including water sets (half a dozen tumblers, jug and tray), from 5s 9d to 9s Grl ; wine sets 7s 9d, tea sets from 7s 9d to 50s, dinner sots 16s 9d to £5 ss. Call and inspect at Fletcher Brothers, Crockery Importers, Lower High Street. X 2565

A draft of thirteen prisoners have been sent to tho tree-planting camp at Hanmer Springs. They were taken by train to Culverden and from there by a special coach, in charge of three warders.

At the Lyt telton Police Court yesterday, Captain Marcicl, J.P., occupied tho bench. Daniel Maefarlano, charged with having been drunk on Wednesday and with having used obsceno language at tho time, pleaded guilty to both charges. Ho Was convicted on tho first ehargo, and on the second was fined £2 and costs, with the alternative of fourteen days’ imprisonment.

Tlio annual social in connection with/ the Queen’s Own Lodge, No. 33. Protestant Alliance, was held on Tuesday night, and was a most successful function. About 200 members and friends were present. Brother F. H. Jones, W.M., presided, and items wore contributed by Misses Pritchard, Dulcio Hadderficld, Shelton, Kinnimoutha Bell and Low, Miss and Master Ballantyne. and Messrs W.tJ. Horwoll, E. Shelton, E. J. Bell and H. Voyco. Master Charlie Horwell jravo a step - dance, and in a character sketch ho took part with Bro-, tlier W. J. Horwoll. Brother John' Middleton, D.G.M., gave a short address, in which he advocated tlio claims of the Society and gave instances of its success in New Zealand and Australia. Refreshments wero provided, after which a dance lasted until midnight. ,Mr W. H. Bottel was the accompanist. Mr Richards, the town, clork of Dunedin, believes in tlio value.of insignia of office, and the impressiveness of form and ceremony. The existence of tlio Mayoral chain, of tho . city of Dunedin is duo to him, but his ambition for tho outward appearance of Dunedin’s council is not yet satisfied. Ho confessed, in replying to fcho toast of his health at the conclusion of tlio ceremony of investiture in Dunedin on. Wednesday afternoon, that ho wanted a new Mayoral robs more in keeping with the dignity of the office, and ho also thought that the time had come when councillors themselves should take upon tlicir shoulders some emblem of office. Ho suggested that each should, provide himself at his 'own expense with a gown. At present tho councillors came in with frock-coat, Norfolk coat, cutaway coat, and all sorts of coats, hut a robe would show at once who was a councillor and who was not.

Coal-mine proprietors throughout Otago aro at the present time loud in their complaints over a serious shortage of railway waggons, tho annoyance oi : tho position being accentuated by the fact that lately a nurnbor of railway waggons havOj according to the statement of the Minister of Railways, been removed to the North Island. Tho shortage is being felt by the companies very seriously indeed, and ono. manager stated to an “ Otago Daily Times” reporter that it was involving both tho companies as- a whole, and tho miners in considerable loss. Only a few hours a day were being worked in the various mines, and in some instances operations had been at a! standstill for a whole day at a time, fbr tho simple reason that the waggons were not there to take tho coal away- ; Tlio position, if unaltered, would be-j coino very acute as tho demand fori coal increased, as the companies would •. not be able to meet orders. As it was, they wero being very heavily handicapped in this respect. An urgent demand will bo mudo to the Minister for additional rolling stock. i It is estimated that there are over) 700 000 cows in Victoria. Of these about 100,000 aro in the 10,000 dairies' winch are inspected by Government of-1 fleers. Originally tlio Dairy Super-: vision Act provided for the departmental control of the districts immediatelysurrounding Melbourne, Ballarat, Geolong, and Bendigo, whence most of the iniiis: used in these largo .centres or population was obtained. But, .in the two and a half years during which tho Act lias been in force, tho Government control has been extended to other moro distant districts supplying .mills to these cities, while many municipalities have voluntarily requested the department to assume the supervision, of the dairies within their boundaries. Now there are about ninety municipalities in which tho Act is in operation, and the work of administration has required tlio establishment of an important branch under the control of Mr S. S. Cameron, a well-known o u fleer of tho Agricultural Department.'. Over- -thirty veterinary officers and, dairy experts are engaged in supervis-j ing "all these dairies. ’That the Act; has already had a beneficial effect on the milk supply of large centres, sav3 the “ Argus,” is acknowledged by. asi who are acquainted with its operation. If they have done nothing else worthy of praise the Government supervisors have been instrumental in destroying over 500 diseased cows which wero being used on dairy farms.

Tho Department of Industries and Commerce has received a communication from tlio New Zealand Government Agent in Sydney, dated April o, dealing with the supply of New Zealand fish in that city. Tlio Agent reports that an effort is now being made to successfully place New Zealand fish on the Sydney market. A\ith this in view Mr Miicsi went across with a consignment of 300 cases -of assorted fish, and immediately entered into negotiations with tho municipality, which controls the fish market. Arrangemeuts were made for supplies or fish from the dominion to. bo publicly auctioned bv one of the city officials. The sale of fish in the markets at Sydney takes place at 5 a.m., which i>s not a convenient hour for householders, consequently the buying is in the hands of middlemen. The prices realised tov this trial shipment were not considered satisfactory, and Mr Milesi is now airanging to sell direct to the general public by temporarily renting a shop in one- of the principal streets and personally superintending sales. Air Miicsi can thus break away from tho middleman, and got into touch with tho purchasing public. Tlio industry should receive a great stimulus. At the present time supplies are erratic . and meagre, whilst Hie public are simply clamorous for a fisli diet. Freight) duty and incidental charges amount to 2d per lb, and perusal of the appended schedule, showing the current prices, evidences the good market offering. Fresh bream 7ct per lb, English b waters ■ld each, New Zealand blue cod 3d pel lb, Now Zealand flounders 10tl, New Zealand solos lOd, mullet 4d. schnnppen 9d, wbitinsr Is, garfish 7d, flathead id. salmon Is 3d, smoked Now Zealand barracoota Bd, smoked Now Zealanc blue cod Is Id. mullet 7d. kippers bd per pair. New Zealand sc mapper ltd per lb, New Zealand warehou lOd and Now Zealand trumpeter lOd per lbThere aro just two moro days m which to secure footwear bargains at tlio City Boot Palace Sale, 10-day and To-morrow, for tlio Sale Closes at.> o’clock on Saturday. If you have visited this Salo before you'll want to. conic. a<r;nn to save more money, and it you haven’t been yet it will pay you to come in now, for tiro best bargains yet, including many special clearing mes of samples and oddments, are spiting now before tho Salo closes. The address is Stock’s City Boot Palace, V hire Mart Buildings, High Street. N-1110 True patriotism does not- find. expression in hooting, yelling and vituperation. Tho True Patriot is the man wiio is prepared to Do something for h.is country —something that will influence others to follow his example. The truest patriotism, therefore, is expressed by the immediate purchase of one of Butcher's 18-ct. Gold Wedding Rings. 210, High Street. X 3167

A now shaft is now being forged in Port Chalmers for the Mararoa. Yesterday several engineers arrived from Dunedin to work on tlio vessel.

Tho Ashburton Hospital Board’s ambulance waggon, which has cost about ■£l4B, has been landed at Lyttelton, and will be delivered to the Board in the course of a few days. Captain H. Featherstone, pilot on the Wairnaluiriri bar, reported last evening that at seven o’clock there was one of tho highest tides ever known in the history of tho river. Tho water was flowing over tho banks and was flooding the gardens of residents in the Kairalci Settlement.

At a. meeting of the Geraldine Licensing Committee, held at Temuka on Tuesday, a temporary transfer tho license of tho Albury Hotel from F. «TWest to F. P. Claridgo was granted. An application from Donald M’Donald, licensoe of the Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook, for leave to closo the premises from May 1 to October 31, was granted.

The Hope of Christchurch Lodge. No. 8, of Good Templars, held its weekly session in the Manchester Chambers on Tuesday, Brother \V. Sharp, P.C.T., presiding. One candidate was initiated. Tho report of the No-license Convention was received. Brother H. Clark, visiting deputy and district counsellor, was officially received. A successful Dutch auction was hold. A lady vlio resides in a suburb of Dunedin wrote to the local School Committee recently, directing attention to the denouncement of tyrants and oppressors that is to bo found in the prophesies of Isaiah. Tho committee in turn passed the letter on to the Education Board, and it was read at Wednesday's meeting, but that was as far as the reproach got, as a question brought forth tho fact that the complaint had some grievance about a fence, and the members were not satisfied that the condemnation invoked had that particular fence in view. The Mayor of Timnru has telegraphed to tho Minister of Justice informing him that there has been a number of serious fires in Timaru under circumstances which suggest that there is an •‘incendiary fiend” about, and consequently groat uneasiness is felt. The “Herald” suggests that the Minister of Justice should strengthen the local police force by the addition of ia mail or men whose sole duty it would be to patrol tbo back streets and byways at irregular hours, so that tho* incendiary would never feel enfo when trespassing by night in pursuit of liis designs. *

A social gathering in connection with the Sydenham 'Methodist Church was held on Wednesday in the schoolroom, Brougham Street. Tho Rev L. Hudson presided. A statement of accounts presented by the circuit stewards showed a credit halanco on the year’s ..work. On behalf of the teachers of the Sunday School, the superintendent, Air Horsley, presented Air and Airs J. Peacock with a handsome teapot on the occasion of their marriage, Mr Peaoock having bfeon secretary of the school for several years. Air J. Harris, a teacher in the school and a local preacher, who is about to tako up home mission work on the West Coast, was presented with a “ Worker’s Bible.” Musical and literary items were given, and refreshments provided by the ladies wore handed round.

An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch Nursing Division of tho St John Ambulance Brigade was held on Monday evening. The resignation of the honorary secretary, Aliss J. M. Rogers, who is about to leave Christchurch, was accepted with regret. Several i members spoke of the work of Aliss !Rogers sinco the inception of the cion, saying that as secretary she had always been untiring in her efforts, and she had oxorcised her practical knowledge of ambulance work ill a must useful field. In a letter to the division, the lady superintendent, Airs F. J. Hiteon, expressed her thanks for the ready and willing assistance she had always received from Aliss Rogers. The practical work of the evening consisted of roller bandaging the elbow and ankle joints, under the supervision of Dr J. Rcstell Thomas, honorary surgeon.

The second annual meeting of members of the Sydenham Public Library Mas hold in the library rooms on Tuesday, a fairly large number of members bring present. The report of the committee and tho balance-sheet were read and adopted. The receipts for tho year amountod to £157 2s 4d and the expenditure to £136 11s 7d, leaving a credit balance of £2O 10s 9d. The retiring committee was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, and the sum. of £3 3s was voted to the secretary. The following officers ■ were elected: —President,' Mr 3D. Jones; vice-president, Mr G, W. J. Parsons; secretary, Mr 0. E. Allen; assistant secretary, Mr W. Clements; treasurer, Mr J. W. Munday; librarian, Mr F. Jacobson; auditors, Messrs T. Worry and P. Ferguson; committee, Messrs A. Allen, F. Clements, S. Crockett, G. Dougall, 11. Harrow, W. Hart. W. Hamilton, W. Jacobsen and M. G. Smith. Tho meeting closed with a vote of thanks to tho chairman, Mr E. Jones. The celebration of the anniversary of the Ashburton Primitive Methodist Sunday School was continued on Wednesday evening, when an entertainment was held. The church was packed. The Itev R. J. Liddell presided, and was supported by tho Rev S. Henderson, or Qhristchurch. The annual report was read, stating that the number on the roll was 142, an increase of nine for the year, and there had been an nverago attendance of 100. The teaching staff numbered 12. The balancesheet showed that the expenditure had been £22 16s 7d and the recoipts £2B Is 64d, leaving a credit balance of £5 4s ll*[d. Officers were elected as follows :—Superintendent, Mr C. F. Horrell; assistant superintendent, Mr W. M. Crawley; secretary, Mr ID. Tilley; treasurer, Miss A. Wellers; organist, Miss Pliaup; assistant organist, Miss E. Kerr; librarian, Mr W. Dailey; custodians, Messrs E. Tilley and W. Dal,ley. A programme of music, songs, recitations and dialogues was givon by the scholars, choir, orchestra, teachers and friends. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to all those who had helped to make tho anniversary a success. Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., held a citting of tho Magistrate’s Court, at Oxford yesterday. A charge against O. Heney (Mr Van' Asch) of supplyjj n o- liquor to a prohibited person was 'dismissed. H. J. Edge (Mr Van Asch) pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness and was further charged with procuring liquor during tho currency of a prohibition order. Tho evidence offered was the same as in the previous case. The Magistrate reserved his decision. C. Morton (Mr Hunt) sued J. F. Fisher (Mr Johnston) for £2l 12s 6d on ft cheque, payment of which had been stopped. IDvidenco was given that the cheque was paid by the defendant to one Robb as wages, and was cashed for djim by the plaintiff. The defendant ! alleged that he subsequently found that ho did not owe so much to Robb and iho stopped tho cheque. Judgment was Igive-n for the plaintiff for tho full 1 amount and costs. Judgment by deIfault for the full amounts claimed and costs was given in tho following cases: ! Rydo Bros. (Mr Johnston) v. John Maddrill, claim £l2B 18s,, E. F Sanley v. John Maddrill £o 4s 3d, A. Jansen v. John Maddrill £lO 14s 7d, ; John Rossiter v. John Maddrill £62 3d and James Hu too v. F. Harley, £ll. A Mistaken Order.—The London lmyere of T. Armstrong and Co. bavo either made a clerical error or they have been tempted by low prices, as the Firm state that they have a surplus of 250 Lovely Costumes that they intend to clear. Samples will bo shown jin the windows. $527

Tlio JRov F. 11. Spencer, organiser for the British and Foreign Bible Society, gavo an address on the work of the Society in the Women’s Christian Tomperance Union’s rooms at. ICaiapoi, on Wednesday evening. llio Rev J. Holland presided, and there was a good attendance. Air Spencer was accorded a hearty vote ol thanks for his address.

A monthly meeting of tlio Mackenzie Town Board was held on. Wednesday ; present—Messrs S. E. Laugesen (chairman), J. J. Stanton and A. J. Allan. It was resolved that at tlio next meeting a rate of throe farthings in the pound on the capital valuo should bo levied for the ensuing year. The clerk was instructed to tako proceedings against owners of dogs not registered beforo Alay 20. It was decided to call a meeting of householders and ratepayers within the district on Friday, Alay 30, to discuss matters of interest.

Tho annual meeting of the Greenchile Mutual Improvement Society was held in tile Greendale Schoolroom on Monday evening. Mr C. H. Adams presided. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £3 11s lid. Officers were elected as follows: —President, Mr G. W. Holland; vice-presidents, Aliss J. Rudd, and Alessrs C. H. Adame and 0. G. Jarman; secretary, Aliss A. Worn fold; treasurer, Air F. Cullen (reelected) ; editor, Air AY. A. AA ikon ; siibeditor, Aliss Early; committee, the ofhcers, and Aliases E. H. Adams and B. C. Wilson, and Air C. Early. It was decided to open the session on April 30, tho evening to be devoted to a question box.

In view of the proposed salo of a largo plantation of forty-year-old pinus insignis trees by tho Mackenzie Domain Board, tho chairman or the Board asked the opinion of Air T. AV. Adams of Greendalo, as to the valuo of the’timber for building purposes. Mr Adams replied as follows: J have no hesitation in saying that tho wood of tlio pinus insignis from trees between thirty and forty years old will saw into timber admirably adapted for tho construction ol all kinds of outbuildings, such as stables, shearingsheds, etc., and I should not hesitate to use the timber from trees, say, or forty years’ growth, for the building of a home, provided I could, get it well cut. The rough manner in which most of tho pine has been cut that has been used eo far, has caused some prejudice against it, but when well cut it looks well, and as it dries it hardens into really good boards, fit for any purpose, as can bp seen in many places in Canterbury.”

A Prcsa Association telegram from Wellington stated that the Glasgow Wharf presented a sight yesterday oil tlio departure of the Corinthic for London. There arc two hundred and eighty-four passengers on hoard, ol whom sixty-four aro in the firsr class, seventy-nine in tho second and quo hundred and forty-one in the third class. Included in the third class w ere some returning immigrants, who, having tried New Zealand, are giving up quest of opportunities. A largo number of well-known New Zealanders are on board, and there was a crowd or friends on the wharf to hid them adieu. Included in the “ farewelling party ashore was the Prime Minister and Lady Ward, also Bishop Lenihan, of Auckland. They were down to see Air and Mrs T. H. Hamer off. Air Smart, superintendent engineer of the Union Steam Ship Company, of Dunedin, and Mrs Smart wore also passengers, and there were many of Air Smart s personal friends down to see tho vessel swing out. Aliss Alina Caldow, a- promising Wellington contralto, who is going "Home to study, was a passenger by the Corinthic. so were Air Hamilton Hodges, the Auckland baritone, and Miss’Rita Rabone, who is bound for I/ondon to study singing at the Royal College of Music. Air and Mrs Allan and party, who are bound for Bolivia, to work in the mission field there, were also passengers.

Tho New Zealand Institute has entered upon a scheme to make the libraries of the various branches available for the whole of its members throughout New Zealand. Tho idea is to make a card catalogue of all the libraries and treat them as one. In order to prevent waste of effort and unnecessary duplication, it is suggested that each branch should specialise in some particular subject. The Canterbury Philosophical Institute intends to specialise in works rolating to tho Antarctic. Wellington will specialise in the anthropology of the South Pacific. The Manawatu Institute has decided to endeavour to specialise in printed books, pamphlets, newspapers, manuscripts, prints, photographs, plans, maps, and all things bearing upon the history, European and Maori, of the west coast of the North Island and the districts of tho Main Trunk line, but particularly the district from Wellington to New Plymouth, the mountain districts, and the Taupo country. Tho Dunedin and other branches will tako up other subjects. Each special library will bo available to members of branches in all parts of the dominion. It is expected that in this way somo very valuable collections will he made. Tho Council of the Canterbury Institute has already communicated with societies, Governments and individuals in different parts of tho world interested in Antarctic exploration, and has received promises of assistance.

Tho pastoralists and others in New South Wales interested in the destruction of rabbits, having failed to secure tho adoption of tho Danysz virus, are now considering the introduction into Australia from Groat Britain of stoats and weasels. Somo weeks ago someone wrote to tho Federal Minister of Customs asking if tho Federal Government would have any objection to tho importation of the animals named, add stating that they had been a distinct success in New Zealand. Inquiries were made, and it was stated by New Zealand authorities that tho stoats and weasels had worked devastation amongst the fauna, particularly certain beautiful native birds, of the dominion. Tt had boon necessary in some eases to isolate specimens of tho birds on islands in order to save them from extinction. Tho Federal Government wroto to tho Premier of New South Wales on the subject, and Mr Wado communicated with Sir Joseph IVard as to tho effect of tho Now Zealand experiment. Sir Joseph Ward answered that in the rabbit-infested areas of New Zealand the stoats and weasels had “ undoubtedly done excellent work.” “In fact,” said the Now Zealand Premier, “in several districts tho pest has practically disappeared.” As regards the effect on tho native and gamo birds, Sir Joseph Ward said that “to some small extent they may interfere with theso, but it is well known that native birds were fast disappearing before tho arrival of tho stoat and weasel.” Before coming to any decision on the matter the Federal Minister of Customs is communicating with tho Australian Ornithologists’ Union, which has promised to give somo important information on tho fauna aspects of the problem.

Eyestrain Headaches.—Mr E. M. Sandstcin', F.5.M.0., D.8.A.0., Ophthalmic Optician, may ho consulted on nil cases of defective eyesight remediablo by glasses. _ Fifteen years’ special study and experience. The most up-to-date and completely-equipped optical parlours in the colonies. Cashel Street W. (next Ballantyno’s). Hours, 9.30 to 6. Telephone 397.. 1898

WHAT ROYAL PATRONAGE COSTS The pecuniary value of R oyal patronage- at tlio festivals of charitable institutions is generally appreciated. Probably few know at what precision ol high rate it is in some cases fixed. Mr H. AY. Lucy, in a letter in the Sydney “ Aborning Herald,” says that he has seen a letter addressed by Sir Arthur Bigge to the trustees of a well-known charity in which tlio private secretary to tho Prince of Wales frankly fixes the terms. “ His Royal Highnoss’s custom,” Sir Arthur writes, “is only to preside at one dinner annually on behalf of charitable institutions, and on such occasions lie looks forward to the collection of at least £10,000.” That is a largo order, but doubtless in this, as in other cases, Mr Lucy says, tho trustees will make it a point of honour to soo it is fully met. RICHARD STRAUSS. Dr Richard Strauss, the composer, is on a fair way to becoming the richest mail in bis profession wlio ever lived. Every note ho writes is well paid for, and tlio copyright carefully guarded. ■ His loading works, “ Fenersnot,” the “ Sinfonia Domostica,” “Salome” and “ Electra,” are sources of largo income. _ For “ Salome” lie gets a substantial royalty on every performance. In the first years of “Salome’s” struggle for a placo on. the stage, Strauss only got about £ISOO a year from it. Now that it forms a regular feature on nearly every operatic stage of importance the royalties from it alone amount to nearly £4OOO a year, and this inoome is certain to increase. From “ Electra,” tho composer’s income probably will be greater still. Ido sold the soore of “Salome” for £2500, but be got for the copyright of the “Electra” score £5500, and is said to have a royalty of 3s on every copy sold. Electra lias boon snapped up by every big stage on tho Continent, and it is estimated that his royalties on that opera will amount in threo years to not less than £6OOO per annum. Oscar Hammerstein, of New York, has paid £IOOO a« a preliminary guarantee for thirty performances, and pledges £3600 in royalties for those thirty performances. Equally secure aro Strauss’s sources of income from his songs, not one of which is sold without the composer receiving his share. Then there is tho maestro’s work as general music director in the Royal Opera House in Berlin, for which he receives £IOOO for three months. From all sources Strauss’s income now probably is £12,000, and bo hopes in five years to double that figure. Ho lives in a very plain flat in’ Berlin, and sees very little general society. In manner he is somewhat gruff, a rough diamond, but is greatly respected and admired by all who are admitted to close friendship with him.