LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 6, 9 January 1893, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Pabltamentaby. —By Gazette notioe Parliament is further prorogued till April 13th. ... Nelson Coach. — The passengers to-day by the coach are Messrs Ogilvie and Shann (2), Mr and Mrs Hale, and Mis 3 Matthews. Unclaimed Lei-tebs. — Letters for thß following persons are lying unclaimed at the Chief Pob6 Office Blenheim :— William Saul Aldridge, Albert Marsh (two) and W. Strawbridge (two). Cbiminali Neolect. — Thß splendid steam fire engine of the Greymouth Brigade had all the tubes of the boiler melted on Ghristmas Eve, through an pffort to get up steam without water — a new idea m the science of hydrostatics. Sheep Inspeotoe. — Mr A. K. Blundell late of Noleon has been appointed sheep inspector at Palmerston North. All things considered we do not see where the necessity for retrenching him ever came m, for he has been engaged- by the Sheep Department on Bpecial work ever sinca he was retired. Csicket. — In the match at Renwicktown between tha Union CO. and the Renwiok Club, the towa players will bo:— Webb, Houldsworth, Green, Buokman, Humphreys, Carroll, M'Cusker, Steinuiuller, G. Carter, N. HUlmer, and J. Sitnson. Emergencies : Marktnann and O'Prisooll. A trap will leave the square at ono o'clock sharp on Wednesday. Sporgeon's Successor. — Tha announcement of the Tabernacle Diaeonato that under no circumstances will a sprinkler, or, indeed, anysno but a ctriot immersionist, be ssleoted as permanent pastor, shut* tuo door on Dr Piaraon. Mr Thomas Spurgaou'a friends me now qnito at ease. The Sounds Natives.— Mr T. W. Pou, of the Native Department, was recently on a vjbU to tha Maori settleraonfc m Queen Charlotte Sound, and gave tha inhabitants Boms valuable advioe on the subject of sanitation. Quita a Dumber of the natives died recently at Waikawa and other settlements from fever, and Mr Pou is anxious that there should be an improvement m the sanitary arrangements of the various Kaiangao. — Post. A Rising Revenue.— For the nine month* ended 31at Decembor, 1892, the consolidated fund of the colony amounted to £3,031,764, as against £2,847,735, for the corresponding period of the previous year. The ordinary revenue colleoted for the month ended 31st December, 1892, was £2,953,226 as ngainst £2,780,196 for the earao period m the previous year, and the land fund £78,537 as against £65,538. The Jessie Bsm>man. — Mr H. Barry, late second officer of the ship Crusader, hus been promoted to the position of chief officer of the ship Jessie Readman, now lying at j Picton, vacant by the death of tha late chief officer. The vacanoy on the Crusader caused by Mr Barry's promotion has been filled by Mr Conrad Mahoney, an apprentice of the veepel, who has recently passed an examination entitling him to the holding of a second mate's certificate. — Post. Obituary, — Mr John Blackett, C.E., who was Engineor in-Chief for the colony from 1884 until 1890, whan ho went to to London as Consulting and Inspecting Engineer for the colony— died at Wellington yesterday, He only arrived m the colony about four weeks ago. His health had been bad for some time before leaving, which caused him to return, He was among the earliest settlers m Taranaki, where he arrived m 1851, bui some six years later removed to Nelson, where he carried out important engineering works. He leaves a widow, son. and two daughters. Salvation Abmy. — On Saturday night and all day yesterday the barracks attracted largo audiences, the Lasses' Band being particularly good. On Saturday evening tha fire balloon was the leading-off feature, and it was successfully manipulated and watohed by a crowd of old and young till it became a mere speck m the sky. At the Eervice kst night Ensigu Wilson gava a short but earnest address, and the singing and playing were a3 good as ever. The' total receipts it was stated came to about £67, the sum of £17 3a 6d having been colleoted on Saturday and Sunday. The band leaves Pioton to-night on their way to Nelson, where they are to put m a week. Inquest, — On Friday Mr A. G. Symons, J.P., held an inquest at Kekerangu as to the cause of the death of the late John Fissenden. From the evidence given it seemed that tho deceased had gone to the Avratore to spend his Christmas, and had had been drinking for a week, though not to excess. On January 2nd, after breakfast, he left by the coaoh for Kekerangu, where ho worked as a roadman. He had dinner at Flaxbourae, and seemei well enough when he reached his destination, except that ho wag a little dull from drink. Next morning he left for his camp. John Lyf ord deposed to having palled on deceased the day befors he died, when he refused to take any food, and could not keep down ovan brandy and water. As he was going to see him next day met Charles Hussey and Peter Day bringing m tha body m a dray. Hussey Baxd he had found Fiseenden lying m hi? tent with whiskey b 9s ide him. Day came inland as they considered that the man was dying they put him m a dr&y, but' on the way to Kekerangu he died. Peter Day and T. W. Elvey corroborated this evidonca Dr. Gunn of Kaikouro, from his post mortem, said death wa3 caused by oongea tion of the brain, brought on by the excessive use of alcohol. A verdiot to this effeot was accordingly brought m. The Sun Basing Powder eclipsej all oners.

Woor. and Shebpejuss.— - Mr Bransoa • (associated with Messrs W. E. Clouetoa and Co.) held his monthly sale of wool and sheepskins on Saturday whan about 850 merino and crossbred skins were sold at prices ranging from 3Ji to s£d, according to condition and quality of skins. It is satisfactory to note that those prices are higher than thoge realised m the* Canterbury markets for full woollod dry. station skins. Several bales of merino and crossbred wool were also brought under the hammer, and quitted at prices which must have given satisfaction to the owners ; medium quality greasy merino 5Jd, medium crossbred 6jjd, hocks and pieces realised from l£d to 4d. The3e monthly sheepßkin salea are becoming very popular and when we know that consignments are sent from Tarndale and Molesworth at the head of the Awatfire to the head of the Wairau Valley it i 3 evident sheepfarrners appreciate the step Mr Branson has taken to provide a regular market for this commodity ; and the _ local fellmoDgers themselves exproßS satisfaction as to the convenience of these regular markets, and judging from their spirited bidding throughout they show a strong determination to outbid all outside competition, Mr Branson deserves to be supported m these monthly sales which are held on the last Saturday m every month. The Steen-Smith Combination.—Bespcoting this clever company, which appears m Blenheim to-night, the Wangauui Herald has the following : — During the last couple of eveninga those who attended at the Oddfellows' Hall have had plenty of food for thought and speculation after witnessing the wonderful entertainment provided by Madame Martha 3teen (mind reader), Mr Charles N. Stesn (spiritualistic exposer), and Mr Osoar Smith (ventriloquist). Mr and Mrs Steen olaim no supernatural or spiritualistic power, but simply stats that their performance is the outcome of long continuad study and arduous work, and most certainly both are gifted with minds of marvellous perception, precision, and retentiveness. The first portion of the entertainment consisted mostly of thoughtreading. An exposure of the billet trick followed, then the committee-men were non-plussed at the dates and hoars of their births being given, ateo full description of their watches. Further tests were furnished by the aid of a pack of cards, and m the body of the hall considerable fun was created by Madame Steen calling out correctly any article touched, and m many cases minutely describing it. Tha professor's exposures of the trickeries practised m .so-called spiritualistio marvels were particularly clean and, clever, and well earned the applause so bountifully bestowed, In the course of his remarks on the trickery practised, Mr Steen said that as for the spirits, it was oartainly peculiar that they could deposit bouquets of flowers on the laps of their clients, but as yet had never been known to deposit a loaf of bread or a ton of ooal for the benefit of the poor and needy. The programme on both evenings proved most interesting and concluded with a olever and amusing display of ventriloquism by Mr O3car Smith, who proved himself a thorough adept m the art, and assisted to send the audience away m high good humor." There is no doubt the visitors are far and away better than anything previously seen m the same line m Blenheim, and there should be a large audience to-night to witness what ia really a marvellous scientific entertainment. Meat m London. — We (Otago Daily Times) have been shown* an actual list of quotations recently given by a retail London butcher fot frozen meat. It was given to a housekeeper for her guidance m ordering for family use, and should give Colonials food for reflection and induce thankfulness that their weekly butcher's bill is not governed by such outrageous prices. We give the quotations m full as follows : — Beef : Sirloin, 9d per lb ; rib (rolled), 9d ; top aide, 9>3 ; silver side, 8£ ; rump steak, Is ; beef steak, lOd. Mutton : Leg?, 9d per lb ; shoulder, 7£ ; loin, 7£ ; saddle, 7J ; neck, 6£; breast, 4J; chop 3, Is. Rotal Mtjsr. — Why ought tho future Poet Laureate, whoever he may be, to occupy rooms over or close to the stables at Buckingham Palace? Beoause he would then be inspired by the Boyal Mews. — Punoh. The salvage sale of drapery is now on at London House. Men's clothing and mercery department m temporary premises opposite. Great reductions are being made m all departments to clear the present stock. Those requiring drapery or olothin< should visit this clearing sale of salvage goods. During the re-building of our premises, the dressmaking is being carried on as usual m the premises opposite London House. — Smals and Hat, Ths most wonderful line of dress stuffa ever seen m Blenheim ! We have fifty pieces of double-width all waol colored cashmerea that are honestly worth 2s 6d yard, we have decided to clear at Is yard. This line cost 2s m the warehouses, and requires to be seen to realise what a bargain it is. Be sure and call before it is too late, at K. Alias's, Market Street. Pbofessob Liebeg says: — "We shall never know how mon were first directed to the use of Coffee, but we niiy consider the article so remarkable for its action on the brain and the substance of the organs of motion as an element of food for organs yet unknown, which are destined to convert the blood into nervous substances, and thus reoruit the energy of the moving and thinking faculties." If you wish to benefit yourself you could not do better than drink Crease's A.I. Coffee. Sold everywhere m 1 and 2lb tins. For it is the best. Holloway's Pill 3. — Indigestion, Stomach and Liver Complaints.— Persons suffering from any derangements of the liver stomach or the organs of digestion, should have recourse to Holloways Pills, as there is no medicine .known that aota on these particular complaints with such certain success. Its peculiar properties strengthen the stomach, increase the appetite androu3e the sluggish liver. For bowol complaints it is invaluable, as it removes every primary derangement, thereby restoring the patient to the soundest health and strength. These preparations may be used at all times and m all climates by persons affected by billiousness, uausea, and disordered liver ; for fla'.uenoy and heartburn they are specifies. Indeed no ailment of the digestive organs can long resist their purifying sad corrective powers.