LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 60, 12 March 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

A notice appears in the last Gazette to the effect that the public offices throughout the- clolony will be closed on Saturday next, 17th inst., St. Patrick's Day.

The Maori Appeal Court finishes tliis afternoon, and the Maori Land Court, presided over by Judge Bishop, will open to-morrow morning. A large number of natives are already at Spring Creek, and others will- arrive this evening and to-morrow morning.

The Torganten arrived at Picton from Auckland on Saturday with 10,----500 feet of Umber for the Roads and Bridges Department. The timber was railed through to Flaxbourne to-day. Another consignment of 25,000 feet is ■expected"to arrive by the Defender today.

Cricket is apparently defunct in Picton, and the Waitohi Lawn Tennis Club play on the pitch until they secure a suitable piece of ground, the courts on which the club started being proved unsuitable. The club are applying to the Council for a long lease oi a portion of the old barracks ground next to that secured by the Bowling Club.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Nelson College, and in order fitly to commemorate the occasion and to celebrate the opening of the new structure, a re-union of Old Boys will be held in Nelson at the end of December. A provisional programme has been issued by the Old Bdys' Association, working in conjunction with the Board of Governors, and provides for three clays' celebrations (December 27th to 29th), including garden party, Old Boys' smoke concert, picnic,dance, and conversazione. It is expected that several hundred old pupils and masters of the College will be present at the gathering, including a number from Australia.

The Scenic Preservation Society and other authorities have taken up the matter of the intended desecration of Double Bay, aiid will do' all in 'their power to preserve that beautiful resort of picnic parties from destruction. AVhen Maryborough's future depends so much upon tourist traffic, the wanton destruction of the beautiful bays around the Sounds has been deeply deplored by many lovers of the beautiful native bush. Double Bay is almost the only place left now near Picton, and a perfect wave of indignation passed over the town when it became known that the authorities intended to lease it, and leasing means destruction. Another matter which the Society should take up and preserve is the Picton Hospital Gully, which is being gradually but surely denuded of its beautiful birch trees, while the gorse'and broom have taken undisputed possession. A pretty track leads up the side of the gully. and hitherto the track has been shaded by birch trees, but now apparently someone is getting their firewood cheaply and the gully is losing its beauty, like all the surrounding hills.

At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church yesterday harvest thanksgiving services were conducted by the Rev W. O. Robb, the pastor. Special hymns were sung by a full choir, and in the evening, during the taking of the collection, Root's harvest anthem "Praise the Lord; Exalt His Name" was rendered, Mr M. A. Cheek presiding at the organ. Special, sermons, appropriate to the occasion, were preached. That in the morning dealt more" directly with the joy of a bountiful harvest, safely gathered, and was based upon the Psalmist's words, "All Thy paths drop fatness. In the evening, from the text in Psalm 104, " O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom Thou hast made them all: the' earth is full of Thy riches," the preacher led his hearers along the beauteous paths of nature, lifting the mind in admiration of the many wonderful manifestations of a lovely, poetic Creation. A spiritual application was aided by the quotation of the Romans 11, 33: " O the' depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways are past finding out!" v The monetary thank-offerings were of encouraging amounts.

Guard your anaemic young daughter against future ill-health by building up her strength to the normal condition of. youthful .vigor. Steams' Wine will do it—has done it for millions.'^*

McCormick harvesting machines are universally recognised as the standard m- their line. >Agent E. F* Healy, Bienheim. . . ... .