LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 115, 16 May 1908, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

A slight earth tremor was felt in Blenheim at twelve minutes to one o'clock this morning.

The hearing of the alleged poaching cases has been further adjourned to Wednesday.

Mr Scott-Smith,'S.M., presided over a short sitting of the S.M. Court this morning. J. G. Bourke was charged with being helplessly drunk in Grove Road, and was remanded for a week for medical treatment.

It is believed (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington) that practically, the whole of the Civil Servants in the Dominion will elect to come under the benefits of the Civil Service Superannuation Scheme before the Ist June.

A Reefton Press Association telegram states that an enthusiastic meeting last night unanimously resolved to invite the West Coast Brass Bands Association to hold the next contest in Reefton. The necessary ""guarantee was obtained in a few minutes.

An Ashhurton Press Association telegram states that' at the inquest touching the death of Mrs Heriot, who was found dead hanging on a tree in an orchard^at^ Spreadeagle on Thursday morninig, .the jury returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide while temporarily insane.

A Press,1 Association telegram from Dunedin states that, in view of the passing of amending legislation next session, the ' Employers' Association have decided- not to take action regarding aiding,and abetting in strikes, on the understanding that if no amendment",.is made the Government will test f he'present state of the law.

Our contents bill for the back pages to-day comprises, amongst other interesting matter, an instalment of our serial story,-/ 'The Solutions of Radford Shone, " th^l civil case of Corry and Co. v. Ralph Hendra, Blenheim Borough Council, "The Week, the World, and Wellington" (by Frank Morton), Newspaper Verge, Across the Strait, Duels in Russia, etc.

; A Christmas tree and jumble stall at the Church;>of the Nativity Sundayschool on May 20, has been arranged by the women workers to dispose of articles left from sales of work. The proceeds will be in aid of painting the interior of the Sunday-school. Mr H. Wells has s kindly undertaken to arrange a musical afternoon. The tree will be unloaded in the evening. Sigurd Pearson, a Wellington fruiterer, was fined £10 in the Magistrate's Court to-day/ (says a Press Association telegram) for, selling whisky. Decision was reserved :.on a charge of keeping whisky for sale. The defendant's breach of the law had, he said, been caused by Chinese competition in the fruit trade,, ; driving a man to this step to help to make a living.

To-day's weather report gives the sea generally a moderate, though heavy at Farewell Spit, and rough at Cape Campbell. The river at Bealey was high, while at Blenheim the river was still falling. , Cape Maria Van Diemen J (63) 'had the highet temperature and Balclutha (35) was the lowest.

As the result of a couple of weeks' collection (says a Palmerston Press Association telegram) £600 has been subscribed in the town and district towards the purchase of a site for the new technical school. The lists have not yet been called in, and the total is sure to be greatly augmented during the next few days. The sum collected bears the Government subsidy of pound for pound.

The Salvation Army bioscope has just paid to .Blenheim and district a visit which-hasi been much enjoyed" by all who were present at the various performances, : On Wednesday Onamalutu had a treat they have never had before; on Thursday Renwicktown was favoured with a visit; Blenhad its share on Friday, when a good crowd gathered, Miss Iremonger acting as pianist. The operator, Cadet Busby, has ensured his getting an even better welcome on his next visit to this district. .

The meeting last night of the Carpenters' Union did not elect a secretary. It was decided to leave the election over until the annual meeting in June. The matter of hours of work was brought up, when it was stated that some of the employers were not keeping to the letter of the award in the hours they were working their employees, and it was decided that the inspector be written to asking him to investigate and see that the terms of the award be enforced.

Capt. Edwin telegraphed at 0.30 p.m. as follows:—"Westerly strong winds to gale; tides moderate; sea heavy ou coast; rain probable; glass fall.''

Our Christchurch correspondent telegraphs as follows: —At a meeting ot the Canterbury. Lawn Tennis Association last evening, emphatic protest was expressed aganist the change to the Sykes ball for New Zealalid chamj pionships. Resolutions were passed calling on the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association for an explanation of its undue haste and precipitate action in adopting a practically unknown and untried ball.

At last night's meeting of the Council, Councillor Ching mentioned that.Mr Jellyman would shortly be leaving for the North Island to inspect some horses, and he thought it would be a good idea if the Council were to send a man with him to see if any horses could be obtained which would be suitable for the Council. After a brief discussion, it was resolved that Councillor Ching go with Mr Jellyman, and see if he could conclude a suitable bargain.

At the monthly meeting of the Picton Cemetery Board, held last evening, • accounts amounting to £4 8s 6d were passed for payment. A reference was made to some unsightly trees, and one was ordered to be removed. Mr Smith moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Maitland, Simmonds, and Riddell be appointed to consider the matter of re-planting the cemetery with shrubs, with power to act. The motion was carried. This was all the business.

A Press Association telegram from Dunedin states that Mr Graham, in relinquishing the office of Official Assignee to-day after twenty-five years' service, thanked the Judge for the courtesy and help extended to him. Mr Justice Williams,, in reply, said that he sincerely regretted the necessity, for Mr Grahanrs retirement, saying 'that he thought the younger* men could wait a bit. Mr Stephens also expressed on behalf of the. Bar regret at Mr Graham's retirement.

At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening ; Councillor Macey brought under notice the fact that a set of retorts and fittings, etc, for the gasworks had recently been ordered from England. The greater part of these goods were coming out in due course, but some eight casks of fire bricks and clay had been lost in the ill-fated Star of Japan. The value of these goods, including freight, amounted to £14 3s Bd, and the Gas Committee were asking the manufacturer's agent in New Zealand to have the goods replaced at the firm's expense.

The Journal-for the Department of Labour for May says:—"Blenheim. — Building trades: Still brisk;, all carpenters, bricklayers, and plumbers fully employed. Engineering trade: Busy, full time being worked. boot trade: Repairs very. busy. Clothing trade (factories): Tailors and dressmakers very busy, but no overtime worked. Retail trade: Retailers report a fair . month. Miscellaneous: Coachbuilders—Trade iX continues very brisk in all shops on repairs and new work. Saddlers—Business about normal. Unskilled labour: There has been vory little demand for this class of , labour during the month. Local men are fairly well employed. Very few applications for work during the month. ' ,

We have been shown a beautiful sample of clover seed direct from Mr Mills's shelling machine at Grovetown —so cleanly shelled, in fact, that there is found no need to pass the seed, as is usually done, through a dresser. The seed is a Grovetown product, saved from a crop yielding a splendid average. Clover is a particularly good paying crop this season, giving a return in some instances of nearly £30 per acre, and in addition the grower has in most cases had a crop of hay from the same land. Mr J. Healy recently overhauled Mr Mills's machine with such success that satisfaction is expressed on all hands at the splendid results now attained. To farmers who are awaiting the services of the machine this intimation will be good news indeed.

At the Working Men's Club last night, Mr Alf. Hammond, chief steward, w,ho has resigned his position, was the recipient of a silvermounted cigarette case and a set of silverware for Mrs Hammond. The president, in making the presentation, referred to the fact that Mr Hammond had been in charge of the Club for the past five years, and as chief steward had given every satisfaction. He was ever courteous and obliging, and the Club had been more prosperous since he had held the position. He (the president) supposed that as Mr Hammond was voluntarily relinquishing his position he had something better in view; if that were so, he wished him every success. The vice-presi-dent, secretary, and various members all testified to Mr Hammond's ability and never-failing courtesy. Mr Hammond feelingly replied. Mr Hammond also received a travelling certificate from the Club, which the president stated would admit him into any Working Men's Club in the Dominion.

A meeting of the Good Templars was held in the Orange Hall, Halifax Street, last night, there being a good percentage of members present. After the usual business was transacted, Bro. R. H. Gridley, lodge deputy, installed the officers for the ensuing quarter as follows:—Chief Templar, Bro. Corbett sen.; Vice-Templar, Sister Derbyshire; Past Chief Templar, Bro. W. Jellyman; Chaplain, Sister Henrickson; Secretary, Bro. W. McAllister; assistant Secretary, Bro. C. Corbett: Financial Secretary, Sister Oben; Treasurer, Bro. T. • Corbett; Marshal, Bro- Westmann; Deputy Marshal, Sister Hurford; Guard, Bro. Anstice; Sentinel, Bro'. Chmg. It is the intention of the Lodge to hold a social shortly.

The wandering stock nuisance continues to give great annoyance-to residents, who will no doubt regard with satisfaction the resolve or tne Council to appoint an assistant ranger. As we have previously pointed out, Scott and Hawkshaw Streets are regular grazing grounds at night, and little, if anything, appears to be done to stop the evil. A Scott Street resident complains that last night nve draught horses invaded his premises and did considerable damage m his garden. They got in three times, finding that by leaning against his gate they could'force it open, and each time he had to leave his bed to eject them. He will probably keep them on the premises another time till daylight and then impound them.

A runaway of an exciting nature occurred shortly after 11 a.m. to-day. The cart of Mr Arthur Sowman, grocer, was standing outside Dr. Nairn's house, when the horse, becoming startled, bolted in the direction of town, up Market Street and round the Post Office corner into High Street the animal careered. At the' Grosvenor Hotel it grazed a lorry standing outside, a little farther on-it passed between a traction engine and the footpath, and opposite Cooke's store Mr J. Draper's cart had a narrow escape. The horse continued its mad flight over the Springlarids bridge and round the corner to the left, safely weathering the next corner to the right. At the third corner 2 however, the frightened animal met its Waterloo. The impetus of the vehicle caused it to .capsize in turning, throwing the horse on to the grassy roadside. The animal escaped unhurt, and the only damage to the cart was the splintering of a shaft, the breaking of a splash-board, and minor scratchings.