LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 307, 31 December 1909, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

At a wedding in Wellington the other'day the bride's name was Miss May Nutt and the bridegroom's Mr Stone. The best man was Green.

Hundreds of Christmas novelties to choose from at W. J. Martin's, the leading jeweller's. Name engraved on free. *

We have to acknowledge the receipt of seasonable greetings from the Hon. G. Fowlds, Mrs Fowlds and family.

"What the miners on the West Coast require," said the Hon. J. Barr, "is to make it a prohibition district. Every blessed place almost —or the reverse of every blessed place— is a licensed house."

As a result of last Saturday's snow storm between 5000 and 6000 newlyshorn hoggets were lost on the Molesworth Estate. The manager states that during the whole of his experience he has never encountered so severe a storm.

The Hon. C. M. Luke, in the Legislative Council the other day, said that last year 280,000 tons of coal were imported into New Zealand, chiefly from Newcastle. This year, according to a reliable authority, the quantity . imported would probably reach 300,000 tons.—The Hon. J. E. Jenkinson: It is a disgrace.

The heavy rain of to-day bids fair to continue long enough appreciably to interfere with the usual New Year's Eve harvest, of the tradesmen. The Hibernian Band intended to occupy the rotunda in the Square tonight and give to the public a programme of Scotch music. If the weather picks up at all this programme will still be adhered to.

A first offender, for drunkenness, was convicted and discharged at the Magistrate's Court this morning by Mr E. J. Hill, J.P. Norman McPherson, an old age pensioner, was brought up on two charges, one of drunkenness and one of procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. He was remanded until the afternon, so that his case could be dealt with by the Magistrate.

The Kaikoura Sun says:—lt is stated that Mr W. Baillie—whose mail contract between Kaikoura and Seddon commences on Saturday next — has bought out the coaches, etc., used on the line by Mr E. Bell. It is further •stated that Mr Baillie contemplates making a slight reduction in the fares. When the railway line Js in such order as to admit of the Seddon-Ward section being opened for passenger traffic (about three months hence, it is hoped) the Flaxbourne township (Ward) will be-made the northern coach terminus, thus reducing the journey by horse traction 14 miles. This will be a great gain in winter. Steps should be taken at once to obtain the assistance of the Members for Wairau and Hurunui to have the train run out. from Blenheim to Ward (when the section is opened) on the mornings of the week that the coach makes the journey to Kaikoura. A Blenheim train already connects on Monday morning with the coach leaving Seddon that day for here.

All enamel buckles, 3s 6d each; silver enamel bangles, 6s 6d each: enamel brooches, 3s 6d, at W. J. Martin's. •

The quarterly social under the auspices of the Ladies' Guild was held last night in Wesley Hall. There was a good attendance, and the Rev. T. R. Richards occupied the chair. The Revs. M. J. Letcher (of, South Africa) and E. P. Blamires were also on the platform. Opportunity of saying good-bye to Sister Catherine was given, and presentations from various quarters were made, including the Wairau No-License League, Ladies' Guild and the small Sunday morning prayer-meeting of young nfen. Testimonies of the good work done by Sister Catherine were given by speakers representing various institutions in connection with the Church. Sister Catherine thanked the people for their tokens of esteem and regard. Mr E. H, Penny, in a few well chosen words, welcomed new comers to the Church and district, . including the Rev. M. J. Letcher. The following items were rendered: Piano solo, Miss Rose; songs, Mrs W. Penny, and Mrs Dowlihg; recitations, Mr Avery, Rev. Mr\ Blamires and Miss Avery. Refreshments were handed round, and the meeting then closed.

Gents' Christmas gifts in endless variety at W. J. Martin's. Call and inspect.' No one asked to buy. *

During the last four or five Parliamentary days the Legislative Council did little more than mark time until business came-up from the House, and on Wednesday afternoon the Hon. Wi Pere raised a loud and long objection. He complained that members had been kept waiting about by reason of the delay in the House, the result being that they were missing all their holidays. In fact, they appeared to have nothing to do but to receive any nonsense that might come from the other place. He suggested that when the House failed to settle any question it should come on at once to the Council, where business would be done very much quicker. The Maori Member went on for some time in spite of numerous calls to order, and at length the Speaker applied the closure by leaving the chair.

Lovely scent bottles and sprays, pin boxes and trays, silver brush and mirror, silver manicures, etc., at W. J. Martin's. Name engraved free. * The Patea Shipping Company's steamer .Kapiti, which arrived unexpectedly at Wanganui on Sunday evening, had a severe encounter with the Christmas hurricane in Cook Strait. The vessel left Westport early on Saturday morning for Patea, and after passing Cape Farewell the gale was encountered. The Kapiti put into Blind Bay for shelter. The: weather improved so that early on Sunday the voyage was resumed. At 3 a.m. the gale increased again, and the position was almost critical. The vessel was hove to. At 9,a.m. the cargo shifted, and the vessel was almojst on her beam ends. The port side of the wheelhouse (on the bridge) was under water, and the rail was completely buried > After much manoeuvring one of the after hatches was lifted for a moment, and men went below to trim the cargo. Fortunately the wind eased off, and the vessel was able to get into Wanganui.

If credit is a convenience, " The Dresden" will gladly extend the ad- ! vantages of its popular and liberal : time-payment system so that you will j eb able to furnish your home with a piano. You merely pay a small deposit I and then instalments of 20s a month, j or more. In no other warehouse in '• New Zealand—or in Australia either —are there so ,many pianos and organs under one roof as at the Dresdren Piano Company's in Wellington, i It is a wonderful stock to select from, i Then, too, there can be no bargaining with the Dresden. Its first price is its last—and lowest. Thus, a child could purchase a piano just as advantageously as could a man. This is the essence of fairness. No .wonder "The Dresden" possesses the confidence of the public. The Company's manager iv the North Island is Mr M. J. Brookes, and its local representatives are Griffiths and Son *

Hastings canneries are not tied to peaches or other tree and shrub fruits. One day last week the Frimley factory shelled by machinery, fpr canning, six tons of peas, and three tons the next day. Fifty pickers are at work in the fields, and that number is to be doubled.

Mr J. T. Mowat informed an JSxPKJ3BB reporter this morning that, in conjunction with Messrs Devereaux and Spiers, he had effected the sale of the Upton Fells Estate, comprising 19,000 acres and carrying 9000 sheep, to Messrs Keene and Reid, of Wellington. -Included in the estate is the celebrated Chalk Range.

A conference of slaughtermen from various parts of the Dominion was commenced on Wednesday at the Trades Hall, Wellington. The proceedings were held in camera. "You will simply have to await developments," was the response made to a reporter's application for information.

In about three weeks there will, wind and weather permitting, be such a display of rata bloom on the faces at and about Stewart Island south as has not been seen for many years (says the Bluff correspondent of the Otago Daily Times). The bloom is spasmodic in its growth. Two, three and even four seasons prove scant, followed by a season of abundance Apparently this is one of the prolific seasons, and it bids fair to be extremely, so. These rata faces in bloom form a magnificent scene, and therefore during the next month or two Stewart Island should be well worthy of attention.

All-over embroidery, all-over lace, in the latest designs^ also embroidery and insertion.—At F. W. Smith and Co.'s. *

Of the. six hundred odd passengers who arrived in Wellington last Monday by the Corinthic only twenty-five or thirty have called at the Labour Department in search of employment (says the New Zealand Times). They comprised farm hands and mechanics. Though "the labour market has undoubtedly improved, the department has on its books a large number of men seeking work. The new arrivals have to wait their turn. Preference of employment is given to married men. The -difficulty experienced by the department is to find men suitable to undertake milking work, or, in fact, men who are willing to go into the country for *any. class of work.

In connection with the recent inquiry into charges alleged against railway officials employed on the Wanganui wharf, the Herald is informed that only two have resigned. The wharfinger, though called on fco resign "for want of discretion in notreporting the alleged irregularities/" has not resigned., and there is a probability of him testing his case. Apropos such matters as the above, the opinion which has been often expressed before may be repeated, adds the Herald, that, in all such cases, inquiries should be held, not in pii~ vate, but with open doors., in the interests alike of the public, the business community and the officials.

Boys' strong suits for 8s; also boys' strong knickers for 2s 6d.—At F.i W. Smith and Co.'s. *

The passer-by who sees the magnificent institution at Seacliff and learns that there are between, seven hundred and eight hundred patients there might sagly reflect on the great increase in insanity, and on. learning, further, that there were in all the institutions in New Zealand 3414 patients might proceed upon these premises to moralise about the effects of the stress of modern civilisation, whereas the truth is (say&..the Otago Daily Times) that diagnosis is more swift and certain. A Madge Wildfire or a Barnaby Rudge at large is no longer a possibility.

' Next time you have a disagreeable cough, don't let it wear ypu out. Get a box of Zymole Trokeys; they loosen the cough and stop irritation. *

A philosopher and economist was discovered by the Christchurch police in a gentleman from the country who celebrated Christmas to the utmost extent of his capacity for alcohol. He was taken in charge on Christmas Eve, states the Press, and was given the option of remaining in custody or of being set at liberty on the understanding that he appeared before the court on Monday inorning. He decided to remain in custody, on the ground that (he had only eighteen pence left, and that that sum would not go far in providing board and lodging. So he partook of the hospitality of the Crown, per the 7taxpayers of New Zealand, till Monday morning, when he received the customary judgment of "ss, or 24 hours." Need-, less to say he elected to partake further of the Crown's hospitality.

Medical authorities agree that, although there are many contributing causes, excess uric acid in the blood is the real cause of Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica, Lumbago and kindred diseases. RHEUMO is the one remedy that will remove the excess uric acid and quickly give relief. Sold by all chemists and stores at 2s 6d and 4s 6d. 1

A rather novel evenf, the result of a side wager, was witnessed at the conclusion of 1-he Little River Sports on Monday, reports the Press. One of the competitors who had a rather good estimation of his sprinting, ability, -offered to race Blood, the well-known walker, over a, hundred yards. The conditions '■■ were that Blood was to receive 40 yards start and walk the remaining 60 yards while the other athlete had to run the whole distance. Needless to say Blood won, the margin in his favour being about 15 yards; The race is a very deceptive one, and to the lay mind the man who runs the distance has the better chance, but against an average walker he would have to put up an extremely brilliant performance to win—in fact, the task is a Herculean one.

How the time flies! It seems but a few months since we were celebrating the incoming of this year, yet it is already time for us to be thinking of the Christmas Presents we intend giving to those near and dear to us. We would like to suggest in this connection that probably the. most useful and pleasure-giving gift that anyone can make1 is a nice new bicycle, and we might here mention that Messrs Wintringbam and Deugarde, of the Blenheim Garage, alongside Town Hall, in anticipation of the Christmas trade, have just landed from Home an extra large shipment of their famous ten guinea "Champion" cycle, both ladies' and gents'. We can assure our readers that this machine is absolutely unequalled for value at the price this firm offer it, and we strongly recommend anyone contemplating the purchase of a cycle to pay ■ vVintringham and Deugarde a visit. '•

The annual meeting of the New! Zealand Educational Institute com* mences in the hall of the V.M.C.A* Buildings next Tuesday. The after-* noon session of Wednesday is to b© devoted to the reading of snort papara on subjects of interest to the teaching profession. Mr Herbert Baillie, chief librarian at the Wellington Municipal Public Library, is to speak on "Library Work with Children; « Few American Notes"; Mr F, GL Gibbs, M.A., headmaster of the Boys*' School, Nelson, on "The Teaching of Nature Study-; and - Prof essor; Hunter, of Victoria University College, on "Attention and Interest." A session of this nature marks a new; departure in the annual meetings of the Educational Institute, and should prove of great benefit. ' Visiting teachers and those members of the? pubic who are interested in educational matters are invited to "T»e present.

Lady Stout contributed to the> London Times of November 19th ai letter a full column in length traversing all the leading arguments heard in England against "Votes for Women." "Experience has proved,"she says, in conclusion, "that thai women s vote does not cause any revolution, though it steadily improves the conditions of life for the women! and children, and thus ensures a. strong, intelligent, and progressive people, who do not shrink at shadows or cringe before imaginary dangers. We have no class,of men who are effeminate in dress or intellect or degenerate in morals, as in older, countries. The comradeship which subsists between the sexes engenders mutual respect, and ensures a strong, industrious, and enterprising race, with high ideals of the duties of citizenship and loyalty to the Empire."

The Tourist Department, from thfl 27th inst., will levy a toll of Is pec head on visitors to the Government1 reserve at Whakarewarewa contain-' ing the geysers. Vistiors will be able to purchase season tickets admitting for 14 days for 23 6d, while residents may get a ticket for a year for Is.; The moneys thus raised, says the New Zealand Herald, will be applied to the upkeep .and improvement of the reserve and the completion of the model pa. It is also proposed to license the native guides, which will give thQ Department some control over them.

OBTAIN A PATENT

New ideas, or improvements on existing arrangements,. should. be patented—provisionally, at any rate* Fullest details as to procedure, etc., are contained in our pamphlet "Advice to Inventors," which will be posted free of cost on application ta HENRY HUGHES, Patent Agent, 157 Featherston Street, Wellington.