LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 56, 7 March 1911, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Residents of Upper /Spring Creek will note that a tennis social is to be held in the Rapaufa Hall on Friday evening. At the Wellington provincial swimming championship meeting on Saturday the 100 yards was won by Brice, and the 440 yards by Freyberg.

The Motueka Star reports that Messrs Hugonin and Henderson, of the Takaka Hills, have just purchased 16 Merino and 5 Romney rams from Messrs Charles Goulter and W. Bell, the well-known breeders of Marlborough. The bulk of the grain-carting in the Ashburton County of late years has been done by steam power, farmers stating that this enables them to commence the preparatory work for the next season's crop and also saves the shoeing of horses, which is a large item. Yesterday's New Zealand Times says: —W. Gillett, who for some time past has acted as head man at the Highden establishment at Awapum, has taken an appointment from the Messrs Stead. Gillett is a capable and painstaking man, who is sure to make his mark in the racing world. Work on the Picton wharf has been plentiful of late, and the men have made good Wages in consequence; in fact (says the Press) one of them made no secret of tho fact that he had earned £G as a result of one week's work. It is at times such as these that the wharf hands have an opportunity •of making up for the slack periods. According to the weather report, telegraphed at 9 a.m., smooth seas are prevailing ail along the coast, with the exception of East Cape, where there is a heavy roll. Russell 69, records the highest temperature, while Cape Campbell, with 58, records the lowest. The wind prevailing is of a variable nature, while moderate to good tides, are. running.

A very large number of people are picking blackberries this year, and sending them, in tins to the Wellington market, remarks the. Feilding Star. Every day about 20 kerosene tins arrive. Every tin contains 301b of the'wild fruit.- The price obtainerl at the auctions is 2jd jtb. 2sd per lb, which is equal to 5s ?|d to 6s 3d per tin. One woman's cheques have amounted to £6, a week.

It is freely stated (reports the Mail) that there is something like a slump in the Nelson beer trade at present. The breweries are having fewer brews, and most publicans say that. the consumption has fallen off to a marked degree. There is- also a rumor that a movement is afoot among working men to have the price of the pint served over the bar reduced from 6d to 4d as in other districts, and it is said that unless publicans grant the concession a strong labor-vote for no-license may be cast at the next poll.

Mr J. Duncan, M.P., has received the following telegram from the Prime Minister:—"Up to the last moment I find that only one' Member has accepted the invitation of the committee of both Houses of Parliament to be their guest at the Coronation. This being so, as eight were asked, for, I have informed the committee that it is regretted that Members will not be able, to avail 'themselves of the1 courteous invitation."

The Coronation Hall at , Grovetown is now twelve months old, and the residents and the trustees, are going to celebrate its first birthby a social to-morrow evening. The hall has just been fitted throughoutl with acetylene gas, the installation carrying eleven lights with a candlepower of 600. The hall has proved of estimable benefit to the residents, who now have a convenient and comfortable place in which to meet or celebrate their social functions.

The fire at the shop in Alfred Street was a good opportunity for bargains in damaged goods, but now they are all gone, and there is nothing in the shop but new and fresh goods. There are, however, still bargains to be had from 300 "Best" high-grade Englishbuilt cycles at £6 10s, £8 10s, £10 10s, £15 10s. Second-hand cycles can be had at £1 10s to £5 10s, all in first-class order. All accessories at lowest prices in Blenheim. I buy direct, and can afford to sell at a minimum of profit. I have also roller skates, fishing, tackle, guns and ammunition—E. H. Best, Alfred Street.

The Prime Minister has telegraphed as follows to all Members of Parliament:—"Upon the eve of my departure1 for the Mother Country I desire to extend to you my greetings, and to express the hope 3 that, upon my return I may find you in the best of good health." Mr J. Duncan, M.P., forwarded the following telegram in reply:—"l reciprocate your greetings most heartily, and in wishing you bon voyage may I say I consider that this Dominion has a capable representative in its Prime Minister to convey our message of loyalty to King George on j the occasion of his Coronation, and also in the high and onerous duties as delegate to the Imperial Conferonce. May one result be to stimulate united action toward maintaining England's continuous suprem-

A Press Association telegram from j Christchurch says that the Christchurch City Council last night decided to offer £8,000 for the purchase of Lancaster Park, which has been offered to the Council for £10,000.

Workmen engaged in the alterations to Ottershaw Park, Cherteey, Surrey, came across a bncked-up cellar, which, on being broken open, was found to contain a large quantity of Madeira and other excellent wines It is thought that the wine va% probably hidden there about 100 years ago by smugglers.

During a royal dinner party, given by the King of Denmark at the, Amalienborg Palace a; stir was caused by the arrival of the fire brigade. The firemen entered the palace and examined it from top to bottom. They refused to retire till ordered personally by the King. The Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board decided on Wednesday last to forward a letterto Dr Mackay, the retiring medical superintendent of the Hospital, expressing appreciation of his services. Mr H Baigent, Chairman, of the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, has been granted six months leave of absence in order to allow him to visit England. Members joined in wishing him a pleasant trip and a safe return. Mr G. Macmahon was elected. deputy-Chairman to act during Mr Baigent's absence.

A remarkable incdent occurred, at a weddng ceremony n Ballarat. lne bride was a young lady, a _ minor, and the bridegroom a middle-aged man The celebrant, however, mistook an elder lady (wno was present as a witness) for the bride, and put the usual questions to her instead ot to the other. When the ring was about to be. placed1 on her finger, the bridegroom, observing the brides agitation/said, "What is the matte*, my girl? Don't you feel well?' and the bride timorously replied, rl think there must be some mistake. 1 'Well, who is really marrying this man?" asked the clergyman,., "Please, sir," I am!'*"responded the ; youthful bride. The clergyman bast an indignant look at the nenarly-maka bride, and went on with the ceremony again with the proper parties. A municipal record was established at Montgomery recently, when Alderman N. Wv Fairies-Humphreys accepted the corporation's unanimous invitation to become mayor of the borough for the eleventh time. He will be the only Coronation year mayor in the United Kingdom who also held a similar office in the two Jubilee years of Queen Victoria and the Coronation of King Edward. Mr who is a native of Durham and in his seventy-fourtK year, is a grandson of the founder oi the lifeboat movement.

A GENEROUS OFFER. I have decided to keep one phonograph and a number of records just to loan out to anyone living m. the country who will be responsible for the safe return of it inside of a week after receiving it. Applications will be recorded in the order in which they are received, and I will give you the date when you can have the machine. There will be no charge and no obligation to buy. Just take the machine to your home, play it for a' week, and return it to me. That settles the bill. I want all the country people to hear the Edison at my expense. You have only to pay the freight each way, and if 2 after hearing the machine, you wish to purchase one, I will sell you a new one and new records and give terms to suit you. Write and register your names, and I will let you know when your turn comes to have the free use of this outfit.—HOLCROFT'S MUSIC Warehouse, blenhetm