LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 86, 14 April 1903, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Meteorological.—Captain Edwin wires as follows at noon: "Moderate to strong winds from belween northwest and west and south-west, glass rise, tides moderate."

Dancing Class.—Mrs Lucas will commence her dancing class in the Grove Road hall at 2 o'clock on Saturday next. Calisthenics and physical drill will this year be substituted for fancy dancing.

Excursion.—The free school excursion given the school children to Seddon in commemoration of the opening of the line, and which was promised them on the opening day, took place this morning, and was largely patronised.

Town Property. — Attention is drawn to the closing of tenders for that valuable property in Alfred Street, occupied by Mr C. J. Davis. The property, which is rapidly increasing in value, is in the direct line of traffic from the railway station ; the building is above flood level, and can readily be adopted to almost any business.

Football. —An association football match played at Christchurch on Saturday between Dunedin and Wellington was won by Dunedin by six goals to nil.—A football match was played on the Napier recreation ground on Saturday between the Poneke Club (Wellington) and the City Club. The visitorscoinpletely outclassed the local men in all departments of the game, and they won by 28 points to 3.

For Influenza and Cold in the Head take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s 6d.

Debating Tournament. —A debating tournament between representatives of the various University Colleges took place at Auckland on Saturday night, the subject being the establishment of compulsory military service for the home defence of the Empire. The Canterbury representatives won, Ofcago being placed second. The judges expressed the opinion that snch debates were instructive and beneficial. A musical comedietta was also given, the hall being crowded.

Shooting.—A scratch team of the Renwick Rifle Corps, arranged at short notice, journeyed by special coaches and fired a match at Mahikapawa with the Linkwater Rifle Club on Good Friday. The visitors were successful by 46 points, after allowing several concessions to their ooponents. Next day they met the Canvastown Club and were defeated by 50 points. Some excellent shooting was done on both sides at Canvastown. The weather being perfect. The visiting team was most hospitably treated at both places, and returned to Renwick on Saturday at midnight, thoroughly satisfied with their short outing.

For Bronchial Cough, take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s (3d everywhere.

River Scenery.—One of the best arrangements in connection with the Wairau Regatta yesterday was the running of the little steamer Tui on the excursion from the Blenheim wharf to the Spring Creek landing. About twenty people took advantage of the excursion, and had a fine view of the Opawa and Wairau Rivers. The beauty of the local river scenery was quite a revelation to those passengers who travelled over the full course. The run occupied about two and a half hours. Among the sights was the outlet of the Opawa relief channel.

Fish O!—A curious sight at Picton yesterday was that of large quantities of dead fish strewn along the shores of the harbor. For some days past big shoals of herrings have been driven into the harbor—in many cases so tightly packed that the topmost fish have been forced above the surface of the water. The compact masses rushed along at a great rate and with a swishing noi&e that could be heard in town. The front ranks were thrown in heaps on the beach, and it became necessary to gather up the piscatorial debris and bury it to prevent a stench.

For Children's Hacking Cough at night take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s Od.

1 Picton Notes. —Oue correspondent writes:—H.M.S. Sparrow arrived on ■ Thursday, and there was a church parade on Easter Sunday morning of the war boat's men.—On Good Friday a cricket match was commenced between Petone and Picton on Nelson Square. The pitch was ratber damp and slippery on Friday, and the first innings resulted in Petone making a score of 78, and Picton 72 rims. On Saturday, under better auspices and a drier wicket, Petone made 112 runs in their second innings and Picton 97.— The churches were prettily decorated for Easter Sunday, and good congrega tions attended all three.—Ea3ter Monday brought the usual excursion trains through from Blenheim, though there were not so many excursionists as usual owing to counter - attractions. The Rotomahana from Wellington brought over a great crowd, many of whom went on to Blenheim, the rest either visiting friends or picnicing about the town. —The weather was perfect for the regatta, and the Rangi Pai (famous for her twice attempted suicide) won the first open boat sailing race, Glover's Mab coming second, and Hebloy's Geisha third. In the second handicap sailing race Glover's Mab was first; GreensiU's Rangi Pai second. In the ships' boat pulling race the Tutanekai's boat was first, H.M.S. Sparrow's boat second, Picton boat third. The whaleboat race gave an easy win to Hebley's new boat, with Jackson second, and the Maoris third. The Hospital ball was quite a brilliant affair, the committee having worked hard to make it a success. The decorations were unique, consisting of flags from H.M.S. Sparrow, artistically arranged by the sailors, with bunches of toi-toi in the ventilators and whereever there was room. The stage was transformed into a drawing-room, and the supper prettily laid out under canvas at the side of the hall. People came from far and wide to attend the first of what will, no doubt ; be Pictoa's yearly hospital ball.

" ARRESTED"—Sounds horrible, Empire Company's Extract of Soap arrests all dirt from anything, Ges i$

Declined to Vote. — A peculiar thing happened in connection with the polling at the Hawke's Bay election. At Pourerero one man came to record his vote. Shortly afterwards another voter came along, and ib was discovered he was not on the roll. The first man then declined to have his vote recorded on the ground that there would be no secrecy, he being the only voter.

Missing Friends. —la Lloyds of February 22 inquiry was made concerning the following mihsing friends: — Jones (David) left Rotherhithe twenty years ago for Ocago, New Zealand. Sister Elizabeth asks. — Parmenter (Eliza) and ber two daughters sailed from Glasgow for Dnnedin in 1874 75. Niece inquires.—Williams (John), of Widenidrsb, Hereford, wa3 last heard of in Wellington in 1882. Sister Olive asks.

Sir Hector's Medals.—The late Sir Hector Macdonald's list of medals is as follows : —Afghan War, 1879 80, medal and three clasps ; broDze star (Kabul to Kandahar). Egypt, 1888 98 ; third class Medjidieh ; third class Osmanieh ; medal and three clasps ; Khedive's bronze star and clasp ; D.5.0.; Egyptian medal and six clasps ; Nile medal (1898); A.D.O. South Africa, 1899 - 1900 (medal and six clasps; X.C.8.) This equals that of Lord Wolseley, who is acknowledged to have the finest breast of medals in the British Army. It must be remembered that Sir Hector was some 25 years younger than Lord Wolseley.

Blankets, —Fresh and clean, direct from the mills, and Spurchased before the advance in wool at a special discount, the full benefit of which we are giving to the purchaser. We have over 300 pairs, and confidently recommend them as being the best value ever offered in Marlborough. An inspection solicited.—Smale & Hay, London House.

Tourists. —Last week a party of tourists, including three ladies, crossed from the Hermitge to Westland, by way of Copeland Pass. This is the first occasion females have negotiated the journey. Miss Barri :oat, the well-known journalist, who was one of the party, reached Hokitika yesterday. She describes the trip as a beautiful one, which was enjoyed to the utmost, and .speaks of the scenery as very fine, the bush being exquisite. The West Coast supplies an unlimited field for botanist work. The route travelled should become a very popular tourists' resort, supplying as it doe 3so many opportunities for branch excursions and exploration. She suggests the authorities interested should give the necessary attention to the improvements of tracks and the opening up of natural features, which would give so much pleasure to visitors if rendered more easily accessible. Breakers ahead ! the cold and rain Will soon be with us once again, Soon Winter's breath will freeze the air, For coughs and colds we must prepare, Complaints that cause so much distress, Yet everyone will soon confess That the remedy good and pure Is some— Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 2