LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 2, 4 January 1910, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

The German markets are being flooded with Siberian butter. The German dairy farmers recognise it as a yellow peril.

~ Dunedin advises that cable advice from Manila states that the Stanley dredge obtained 102 ounces for 10J days' dredging.

The wool clip of this season promises to constitute a record, as well over 23,000,000 sheep will be shorn, not counting lambs.

A pleasatnt musical evening is advertised in our columns to take place at the Church-of the Nativity schoolroom to-morrow evening, to pay off the balance due on the piano.

The total number of bankruptcies filed in Marlborough during 1909 was eight, as against 14 in 1908. During the last quarter in each year only one person filed his petition in bankruptcy.

A telegram from Invercargill states that Sir Joseph Ward has received a cablegram from General Baden-Powell stating that he is delighted at the inclusion of boy scouts in the defence system of New Zealand.

Spurious coins are at present in circulation in several parts of the Dominion, and it would be well if local shopkeepers were to keep a careful watch on all money which they handle.

The New Zealand Shipping Company have received advice from their head office that the freight on wool has been reduced to |d for greasy and Jd for scoured, with usual primage on all wool not intended for March sales.

The highest price ever obtained in Auckland for strawberries was received at the Waitemata Co-opera-tive Fruit-growers' auction rooms one day last week, when 2s 6d per 1b was received wholesale for much of the fruit offered.

It is rumoured in Picton (says the Press) that a large squad of men is to be placed upon the railway and wharf reclamation works -at Picton almost immediately, and that the work is to be pushed forward with all speed. We only hope the statement may turn out to be true.'

A Cambridge telegram states that important changes are about to be made in the Te Waikato Sanatorium, located eight miles from the town. The staff is to be considerably curtailed. Miss Rochfort, who has been matron for many years, has resignod. lh© Xarere tree-planting camp for consumptives will be closed.

The most striking event of the agricultural year in Canterbury is the awakening m some sections of the district to the possibilities of milk production. One district in North Canterbury where there was only one butter factory twelve months ago has now three, and all within two miles of each other.

An Ashburton telegram states that as the result of an appeal made by the Rev. Dr. Gibb at the summer coiiterence last night, it is probable that two young men members will go to Otago University with a view to entering the regular ministry of'the Presbyterian Church, while two ana probably three have decided to devote themselves to the home mission work or the church.

Representatives of the different Slaughtermen's Unions have been meeting m Wellington during the last few days. The proceedings of their conference have been kept secret, but it is understood now that they will shortly demand an increase of wages They have no wish to take their case before the Conciliation Commissioners or the Arbitration Court; they prefer so it is stated, to deal direct with the employers.

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

A lady who dallied too long bidding farewell to departing friends on board the Uhmaroa at Lyttelton on inursday afternoon was nearly carried off by the vessel (states The Fress). The gangway had been taken m, and the lines were being let go, when the lady discovered her predicament. No time was to be lost and it was not possible to get the gangway out, so willing hands seized a gram shoot, and the door in the ships rail being opened, the lady was luted by two stewards on to the shoot and, looking as dignified "as possible, and gathering her skirts about her, she quickly "shot the shoot," and landed in "good order and condition" on the wharf, where she was assisted to her feet by the bystanders. The steamer moved off and two members of her crew, who had tarried too long on shore, missed their passages.

j About 7.30 o'clock on Saturday morning (states the N.Z. Times) a number of excursionists on the steamer Mararoa, which was about to sail tor Picton, observed the corpse of a man floating in the harbor near the Cei ntrf °l the outer tee of the Queen's wharr. Before the police were able to secure the body it had disappeared. *our constables in shifts of two men were engaged throughout Saturday in dragging m the vicinity, but without success. On Sunday from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. Constables T. Kelly and Dempsey made a thorough search around and under the wharves, but no'si«ms' were seen of the body. It is believed the corpse was brought to the surface by the action of the Mararoa's propeller and that it may remain submerged for some days yet. Spring Creek, or Marlborou^htown, as it is sometimes called, is" a very pretty spot, and the drive (or ride) is a very enjoyable one; but when one goes out expressly on a specific public business a«d finds That his journey is of no avail, it is a hone of quite another color.' A reporter horn this journal: went out yesterday CrPri? ■&***** me£ ing Of the S Pri"S Cieek Road and River Boards as it was the usual day of the meeting On tha+Sl at hIS destin*tion he found that there was no meeting; there had been no intention of having Tfneet *iasei-lytier—and neither he nor the 53? r! presefat*™ had received any me^t n tlat thei>e W°Uld be n°

Sciatica, or -Lumbago, you can RHEU-Mf? btr reHef- XA« of KJrIJLUMO, the one remedy for thesa sutteiei. Remedies claiming to cure

Upon making inquiries this morning as to the cause of the closing of the flaxmills in the vicinity of Blenheim, an Express reporter was informed that the mills would not be worked during the time that harvesting operations were m progress. Green leaf, it was also mentioned, was becoming scarce.

A Huge Sacrifice.—Stuff to !>e cleared regardless of cost —500 pairs beautiful lace curtains, in white and cream, to be thrown out at Is lid to 12s 6d per pair; worth 3s 6d to 21s the pair.—R. Allan's Closing-down Sale. *

To-day's weather report shows that the prevailing winds were westerly, with either a northerly or a southerly slant, in most cases the latter. They varied in strength from light airs to fresh breezes, Blenheim being m the latter category after last night's gale. Christchurch was the warmest station in the Dominion with a.temperature reading of 76, and the lowest reading was 52 at Balclutha. Blenheim recorded 69, Wellington 64, and Nelson 72. The sea was rough at Raglan. Kawhia, Cape Campbell and Farewell Spit.

Given Away.—Men's all-wool iweed trousers, to clear at 6s 9d per pair; worth double.—R. Allan's End of Lease Sale. *

It is stated that a flaxmill hand working at one of the mills in the Marlborough district drew a oheqae for £30 just before Christmas. Three days later, his employer, passing through a small township, discovered the man, "dead broke," endeavourinoto beg a beer. How much he had spent m drink—and how much he had spent at all—the man did not know • but it is probable that someone else knows how much was in the miilnand s pocket when he explored them

Absolutely last few weeks of lease —Heavy white Turkish towels, to be fired out at 4£d each; a real gift — R. Allan. "*

An accident of a somewhat serions nature befel Mr S, .Buliff yesterday afternoon. He was engaged in delivering i;he wares of Messrs Miller and McKay, his employers, and was accompanied on his rounds by Mr T t*. O bulhvan, anqther of the firm's employees. The pair were seated on a high box in the cart, and when rounding a corner in the vicinity of i -j J- f attys residence in Sprina:lands tte horse shied, and precipitated the occupants of the cart to the ground. (KSullivan fell on his side and was not seriously hurt; but Buliff was less fortunate, and landed on his head and shoulders, the fall rendering him unconscious. After his companion had regained possession of the horse and cart he turned his'attention to Buliff, and after about ten minutes succeeded in bringing him back to consciousness. On arrival-5 Miller and McKay's premises Dr Pentreath was summoned, and on exSTfaT W Buliff to Bering from slight concussion of the brain and severe bruises. On inquiry this morning it was found that Su"iff was progressing favorably, and choild be about again in a couple of weeks . Now is your Chance.-^ingle bed honeycomb quilts, to be fire/ out ft aii , each 5 worth 5s lid each T? Allan's End of Lease Sale. *

of A TefZS j? ying in the llorth end ot lemiKa had a couple of unwelcome visitors the other evening. The werf at W S **** at, the me ««« Sris ami h? mV nlv/he mother, two gins and a lad, and en a knock bp water at the moment, and the soil sate, which stands.in the yard and at once asked the man he was To thtft Wh6ther ¥ had a«»t? xo tnis the.man replied "Yes " and a smaller man at once put in an an pearance. The three talkeduntil tL 7Za i Was ready ' when the men leff If thl^f an f, xamination was made tL «1 h? n xt was found that &+ «? ,had, tak^ the remains of a of t £ fSm? nd I had made a meal of it just outside the owner's gate

Now; is the time to nurrha^

-In the report on the Island of .».. £ \f?r° T the ? ear 1908 > Presented e?™^? OVer3 Or *? the ImPenal Government and submitted to Parliament m May last ther is a reference to tne farst year's working of the m°ent rnnT+£ fla*m%/he "establish! went of the flax industry in St Helena is of fairly recent date, and Mr C, J. Fulton, late New Zealand Government fibre expert, and Mr A. W. Hall, also of New Zealand, were by arrangement between the New Zealand and Home Governments, responsible for its establishment. Mr .Hall has remained as manager of the null and m his report on the first year s working states that during the year there were dressed 1056 tons of f£f n le, a4 H9i tons of fibre and 36 tons of tow, resulting in a gross revenue of £3301, which, after deducting London charges and freight, left a sum of £2849 for the oenefit of the island. The year's transactions showed a profit of £245 of revenue over expenditure. The quality of the fibre would probably be equal to New Zealand good fair average quality, but the price not as good as that realised by the New Zealand article of the same grade me introduction of a new article on the market was, of course, :i factor to be reckoned with, and in the working lack of water and the difficulties of transport had to be contended with. Large areas had been laid out < in flax during the year, and the progress that had been made was regarded by the Governor of the island as most encouraging.

The Dresden Piano Company is proud of the confidence placed in it by the public—a trust built up by years of honest. dealing. Frankness is "The Dresden's" motto in all its ielations with a purchaser. The more the latter knows about the piano lie is buying, the more likely he is to be satisfied. What the Dresden Piano Company has to oifer its patrons is quality—never anything else. Had not good value been a characteristic feature with the Dresden; theirs wouldnot be the business it is to-day. That Company has many advantages. It possesses extensive capital and an enormous output. Thus, it commands stock on a bedrock basis from the world s foremost manufacturers. Then it possesses officers of great experience, of unrivalled judgment and of unquestioned integrity, in whom not only has "The Dresden" the utmost confidence, b"t ou whom the public, too, can rely—to the last word. Local representatives. Griffiths i and bon. ' * -

j An interesting fact in connection* • with gold dredging was mentioned to i a Mataura Ensign representative bjj ! one who has a good deal to do with, I the industry. It was that on swampy] land when washing down is in progress a Large quantity of shot is always met with as the result of the shooting of game on the swamps sine© breech-ioading guns have been generally used. Naturally the heavy shot sinks through the perforated platea together with the gold, and there it remains until the mats are removed and washed.

As is usually the case after the> holidays, when there is a rush of in-« teresting news, both local and outside, waiting to be put through the newspaper, there was yesterday a perfect deluge of horse-racing telegrams, in which only a few persons (who are either anxious to part with some of their earnings or to geti some of somebody else's) are interested.1 It so happened that at one meeting (Greymouth) local horses were running, and of course the results of this meeting were not telegraphed. News comes from Tonga that the daughter of Tofacono of Vaiala, a Sanioan woman named Tunufoi, whd> was a mission teacher at Mua, near; Nukualofa, and lived with a native teacher, stole the church funds left in the pastor's charge, amounting to £144, - and attempted to get off to Samoa with her booty in the s.s-i Tofua. However, the robbery v/as I discovered, and the woman was arrested and the money taken from her. She was sentenced to a term of four years' imprisonment.

The largest printing machine ever? made in France has just been con-t structed in Paris, and will be transhipped from Bordeaux by a special' steamer to Buenos Ayres. This machine, of the rotary type, was buillj for one of the Argentine newspapers,, and its proportions are: —Length; 123 ft, width 13ft. It consists of two machines workiug independently ofi each other, and each part is capable of printing a paper of 64 pages. This machine can print 15,000 copies of a; 64-page paper, 100,000. copies of an eight-page, or 200,000 copies of a; four-page paper per hour!

Proposals for the encouragement of the study of meteorological science in! Melbourne University were considered at a recent meeting of the council ofi the University. It was recommended that the University should institute a' lectureship in meteorology, and that, in order that the teaching should produce the best practical results, the lecturer should be in touch with the Meteorological Department, and have a personal knowledge of its work and access to its records. The Federal Government is to be approached, and, subject to approval, the council ofi the University intends to appoint onei of the higher officers of the Meteorological Department to the position.

A party of picnickers, who had been; to Baxter's Bush, at Henderson, Auckland, had an unusual experience the other day. Driving back in a brake, five of the members of the party, the driver and four young ladies, just before reaching Avpndale, were seized with vomiting and internal pains, and became so ill that it was found necessary, on reaching Avondale, to take them to a medical man's residence for attention. Fortunately the doctor was at home, and administered remedies to the sufferers, after which they recovered sufficiently to be able to drive to Auckland. It is supposed that the members of the party affected were suffering from irritant poisoning, probably due to eating tinned fruit.

Visitors to Melbourne have recently been recording in the.visitors' book of the Central Tourist Bureau their impressions of Melbourne weather* [Sydney may boast of her little harbor, writes a New Zealander. "but to give Melbourne her due she knocks spots off Sydney when it comes to the question of dust." To an Englishman the weather proved most perplexing. "Awkward place," he writesyou never know what suit to wear '* A fine city, but the weather is really too changeable," is the plaint of tf . South vAustralian. "Sunsnine in the. morning1," records a Riverina resifu 'i J .' ram at noon > an<l cyclones in! the afternoon. I prefer sunshine" A tripper from Hobart admitted that there is occasionally a fine day, but that dust usually spoils things.

The people here in Marlborough who are wondering what they could pro■2?.*?:for. Cbxistmas Gifts should visit Kirkcaldie's Agency in Blenheim, w/l ere r^ ey wiU be helped considerably. The firm are now showing an assortment of goods suitable for Christmas gifts, including Toys, Fancy Goods, Boxed Handkerchiefs, Purses Handbags, etc., etc. We would earnestly advise the public to see these goods, as they are quite new and novel. •

A correspondent to the Otago Dailyr Times directs attention to a recent ! enactment in France under which | after the expiration of five years' i.white lead, or paint composed of lin- , seed oil and white lead, and paints containing white lead, will be prohibited for every description of painting work. This is a drastic measure made in the interests off workpeople who, in France, have been subjected to' terrible ravages of disease* caused by the noxious fumes and unhealthy properties of lead. Whether the abolition of the use of white lead in paint will be followed , by other European countries has yet to be seen.. In any case, it is (says the Hardware Trade Journal) a question which may well be ventilated in the interests of? the health of workmen and others. At one time it would have been, almost impossible to have done wnhout white lead, but the difficulties would not be* so great nowadays as formerly, for the use of zinc oxide, so' much "used in paint, has, of course, altered theposition of white lead as the main ingredient. The' chief constituent in! white enamel, employed for decorative purposes, both for metal and wood, is now zinc oxide, a chemical compound which although mere expensixe than white lead, is much! lighter, and covers a larger area than paint, thus equalising the additional cost of its use.

Life is sweet, yet many ;i one risks life and limb daily in sheer ignoranceof the risk they ruii. For instance, how many people ride bicycles that have stood the wear and tear of many: years ? These bicycles in many oases are gone in their vital parts, and may give you a serious accident at anytime. You had better get a new one with strength and safety guaranteed* Bring your old bicycle to the "Best" shop, and we will allow you liberally for it on the purchasa of a new one. We can suit you with a Premier^ Beeston-Humber, or Richmond Genuine B.S.A. You can than ride in safety. Accessories of all kinds repairs, fishing-tackle, gj.it,' and horn minnows may be obtained from B. H Best, Levin's new buildings. * "