LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 138, 9 June 1909, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Mr E. T. Menlove writes that the rainfall at Ngaionui for May was 10 inches 66 points. The highest fall for twenty-four hours was 824 points on the 10th.

The Oamaru Harbour Board to-day decided to accepo the tender of J. Lothian for dredging the harbour at a cost of £10,833 6s Bd, on lines of a scheme formulated by Mr W. H. Paterson and favourably reported on by Mr J. Blair Mason.

Mr H. A. Stratford, late headmaster of the Canvastown and Renwick schools, who some two years ago was appointed to a similar position in the Ngaire (Taranaki) School, has now received an appointment as headmaster of the Inglewood School, a big school in a progressive Taranaki dairying centre.

The Auckland Harbour Board's receipts for the year were £141,037, and. the net revenue £101,719, an increase of £8000. The profit on the year's transactions was £26,351, making, with the balance carried forward, £46,476. The amount written off for depreciation was £25,095. The net value of the Board's property is estimated at £1,246,449. ■ • ' .':

A big deal in wheat has just taken place, 30,000 bushels of Tuscan and 14,000 bushels of Velvet having been sold last week by an Ashburton firm to a Timaru buyer at equal to 4s 4£d f.o.b. The buyer only wanted the Velvet, and he re-sold the Tuscan to an,'export buyer. ,

Household care is very wearing on the nerves of any woman; they get run down and' devitalised. There is nothing better than Steams' Wine of Cod Liver Extract, the peerless tonic, to build up the whole nerve system and make strong, the weak. *

The price of "butter has been raised : in Wellington to Is o£d wholesale and to Is 2d retail. \ It was reported by the President at the meeting of the.Rugby Union last night that the takings at the gates on Saturday amounted to £5 12s 3d, £4 , 11s at the Show Grounds and £1 Us , at Spring Creek. i The Blenheim Supreme Court open- j ed its quarterly session this morning \ before his Honor Mr Justice Cooper, ( the first case taken being an act-ion i for damages for alleged assault preferred by H. J. Chiverson (Mr McNab) against John and Patrick Casey. The case was proceeding as The Expkess ; went to press. "I am rather surprised," said a farmer to a Wairarapa Daily Times reporter, "that farmers don't grow more peas than they do, and us© them for their stock." Peas as a food for pigs were, he said, almost unequalled, while they were particularly suited to lambs. "Lambs," he continued enthusiastically, "thrive splendidly on them; not only do they grow fat, but they put on meat, the i flavour of which it is hard to beat." For Influenza take Woods' Great i Peppermint Cure. Never fails; Is 6d and 2s 6d. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Sir" Joseph Ward has appointed a committee to investigate the system of book-keeping in the Public Service, with a view to rearrangement and simplifying methods and reduction of the cost. The committee will consist of Messrs Warburton (Auditor-General), Col. Collins (Secretary to the Treasury), Heyes (Advances to Settlers Department) and Morris (Acting-Secre-tary to the Post Office). The merits of thejpost- and pre-audit systems of accoui'fcs will be considered. For Chronic Chest Complaints— Woods' Great rcppermint Cure, Is 6d and 2s 6d.

In considering the Inspector's report at the Awatere Road Board meeting yesterday, in reference to the bridge at the Fiaxbourne River, Mr Rutherford thought a longer plank would suffice, if it were anchored atone side.—Mr Neville said that Mr Strachan had spoken to him about having planks put across all these small creeks. He had to go through them on his bicycle and he-was always getting his feet wet.—Mr Rutherford suggested a bridge such as was put across the Hanmer for motor cars. It was a sort of pontoon anchored at both ends and. rose and fell with the river..-It was decided to supply a larger plank.—The Secretary was instructed to write to the Omaka Road Board, drawing attention to the state of the cutting leading into the Awatere River at Cameron's, on the mam Redwood Pass Road. 5s in the £ discount at Smith's Bank Demand Sale of Drapaiy, now on, opposite Criterion HoteJ. The result of the gu.raing competition in connection with the Garrison Band bullock is to hand. The correct weight, was 6291b, and P. Nash and Annie O'Brien came nearest with a guess of 628£1b. They therefore divide the first and second money. Mr E. Hurcomb was close up with a guess of 6281b and W. Fulton and W. Watson each guessed 6301b. The gross takings were £8 6s, out of which will come the expenses incurred, and the net profit was to have been divided # between the Band and the Hospital. The Band, however, have generously given over their portion to the assistance of Mr Verry, who is in straitened circumstances. The residents of Blenheim and surrounding districts should make a point of inspecting the nice assortment of tailor-made costumes, which are now on view at Kirkcaldie und Stains', Ltd., showroom in Charles Street. The most prominent of our citizens' wives, those ladies that- appreciate gooa taste in dress, unite in their verdict that "Kirk's" ready-to-wear costumes are perfect* The members of the Biblical and Literary Class held their meeting last ni^ht, at which there was a good attendance, Mr Elleray presiding. The Rev. T. R. Richards gave the first of a series of lecturettes on "Elocution and public speaking," and traversed a large amount of ground in the limited time at his disposal. In the course of his address he urged that budding orators must build their arguments on facts and principles, and without this solid grounding they could scarcely hope to become effective debaters; neither were they to expect to become efficient in a limited time, as it necessitated hard study and

much practice. He instanced the inspiring effect produced on preachers and politicians who were able to guide wisely the destinies of their people; the responsiveness evidenced by the home life of the hearer being an encouragement and an incentive that were invaluabe to preacher or to f)olitician who possessed the knewedge and was able to command the reciprocity of his audience. It was imperative, the speaker said, that in the course of a debate everyone should be able to substantiate his points, and that rash assertions should be carefully avoided. Neither would he minimise the importance of wit if well directed in debate. One should never lose his temper, as it was a sign of weakness and indiscretion, and to show annoyance at losing in argument" was in extremely bad taste. He advised young debaters to grade their line of argument from the weakest to the strongest, being careful always to reserve the strongest until the last. They should not be unduly long, but brief and to the point, and they should stand as often as possible on the side endorsed by. conscience. Mr Richards went on to describe amusingly the peculiar habit developed by novices in public speaking in arm' movement and deportment which tickled his hearers. The lecture was followed throughout with intense interest, all the subsequent speakers testifying their appreciation of the intellectual treat supplied. Next Tuesday the Rev. T. R. Richards will give the second of his series on the same subject. Why is it that a much larger number of cyclists pass round the Bank of New Zealand corner, and go off down High Street now than did formerly? The traffic seems rapidly trending that way. We say it is be>cause Parker's new Cycle and Motor Depot lies in that direction, and the conveniences and accommodation provided for the benefit of cyclists by this go-ahead firm, who certainly lead in this line of business in Marlborough, is having its due reward in an increase of business. They provide every possible want of cyclists^ in machines and accessories, or repairs properly done, at reasonable prices open to comparison with every other firm, and a pusiI ness of this magnitude is a credit to the place and deserves all the patronage that can be given to it. Every- j thing about them is substantial and j good, even to the convenient build-' ings they occupy. * i

The Secretary of the Blenheim | Chambgr of Commerce has received, the following letter, which speaks for itself:—"Dear Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter of the 26th inst. inquiring on behalf of the Council of the Marlborough Chamber of Com--1 merce as to the date I propose to i visit Blenheim. As soon as I am in ! a position to do so I shall have pleas- | ure in advising you, but with the ', near approach of session I am afraid ' that I shall not be able to visit Blenhe im before Parliament meets.— Yours faithfully, J. A. Millar." Frosts were reported to-day by Cambridge, Taupo, Blenheim, Christchurch and Oamaru. The lowest temperatures were 34 at Queenstown, 36 at Oamaru, 37 at Taupo, 38 at Bealey, Christchurch and Balclutha, and 39 at Timaru. Blenheim's reading was 49. Fine weather prevailed everywhere, and the wind generally was light. Several of the coastal stations recorded rougii or heavy seas; there was a heavy swell at Cape Campbell. If you use Zymole TJrokeya you will not be bothered with iaiitation of .the throat, causing you to cough.- Always carry them with you; they are pleasant to take * A Wellington Press .Association telegram states that the Royal Pictures syndicate, the lessees of his Majesty's Theatre, intend building a new theatre on a site in Courtenay Place to accommodate 1501) persons. Provision will be made for the erection of a gallery in the future to seat an. additional 550. The theatre will be the largest in the Dominion. The stage will be 70 feet wide by J55 deep. The building will be built of brick, of fireproof construction, in Modern Renaissance style, and handsomely upholstered. The cost is estimated at £22,500. The new theatre will open in March, 1910. Mr Clement Wragge "sat on" the aneroid barometer at Christchurch

the other night (remarks the Lyttelton Times). He said that he hated to see "those things" hanging in the hall in a mahogany case, with "Fair, set fair, dry. very dry, rain," plastered round their dials. "Father goes and taps them in the morning after breakfast, and says, ' I wonder what it will be to-dayP Ah! rain!' But he's wrong, ladies and gentlemen, he's wrong. Those things are no use, with their dials nicely numbered, in Australasia. They are unreliable. The mercurial barometer is the only one worth using." A few years ago it was impossible to buy a good quality bicycle for less than £24 or £25. Suddenly a revolution in prices took place, and highgrade machines could be bought for from £15 to £18. It was thought then that the limit in low prices for high-class machines had been reached, but evidently that impression was incorrect. Messrs Wintringham and Deugarde, the progressive firm of the Blenheim Garage, alongside Town Hall, have just landed, a machine fitted with everything of the very latest, Eadie coatser hub 2 front rim brake, Brooks' saddle, nickel-plated rims with green centres, extra neavy plating throughout, frame enamelled with five coats of enamel, and lined in silver and gold—which makes a particularly handsome machine. In fact, it is a bicycle that probably cannot be purchased elsewhere under £16, yet this firm are asking only £11 10a,. either lady's or gent's. . *'. The output of coal from the mines of: the Westport district during May was 56,185 tons 10 cwt., and the exports 52,721 tons 10 cwt. Of this latter quantity 4259 tons were shipped to foreign ports, viz., to Matupu 1328 tons per barque Saturnus; to Jaluit 1161 tons per barque Dagmar, and to Sydney 1770 tons per steamer Komata. The Westport Coal Company's output for the month was 43;685 tons 3 cwt., and the export 40,736 tons 14 cwt.; Westport Stockton Company 6591 tons 1 cwt. and 6250 ton's 13 cwt.; Seddonville State colliery output 4680 tons 17 cwt., and export 4510 tons 4 cwt. of coal and output 1228 tons 9-cwt. and export 1223 tons 19 cwt. of eggettes and. briquettes. To appreciate music, you need to form a daily intimate companionship with it. You need a piano in the home. The Dresden Piano Company will provide you with a perfect piano, or an excellent organ ? on terms so easy that you'll pay without noticing the outlay. It is the safest of investments, if only because it is of inealculcable benefit to your children, ivtv. M. J. Brookes is manager fo- the North Island. But why not see the local representatives, Messrs Griffiths and Son. *

Pianos and Organs.—Dresden Annual Sale now on at Wellington and at all branches.