Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 12 February 1908, Page 2

The report of the Westp >rt Coal Com-' pany for the year ended 31st j.)«iimi^r, •1907, has been issued. I lih pi-ifita c!*iring that period amounted to .t43 2 L .'l. t * which must be added tho su niot,i.U. .'-4 brought forward, iimkini* a tot-il rt £53.409. By the payment cf an interim dividend of 3s 6d a share last June, absorbing £14.CC0, tlie amount available is reduced t.i £39,4C9, which \\\ n directors prcjjose to deal with as follows: — To payment of a dividend cf 3s td a share and bonus cf Is 9d — making with the interim distribution 12J, per cent, for the y_jai*— £21,000 ; to reserve fund (whicli will then stand at £59,C00), £8000; leavin)- a balance of £10,409 to be carried forward to next year's accounts. The mines, steamers, hulks, and plant stand in the books at £347,602. Other items that swell the assets are :— lnvestments, £20,038 ; and sinking fnud, £20,000. The satisfactory year experienced by the company is reflected by the Stock Exchange quotation of £7 16s buyer for the £5 shares upon which £3 10s has been paid. Tor a New Zealand Cross, a very raro decoration, the sum of £170 was given at Sotheby's in London-, on November 9th, an amount exceeding by £100 what was expected, even by the most sanguine, to be realised. It was the Cross that had been conferred on Constable Solomon Black for bravery at the siege of Ngatapa, in 1869. The rarity of this Cross was attested in the bidding, which was begun by Mr Barrett at £20, Mr Baldwin being his opponent. At £50 Mr Spink joined in the contest, but Mr Baldwin won at the price of £170. In connection with the subject of the presentation of the Cross to Constable-Black the following outline is given by the "Morning Post":— "ln the Maori War there were many deeds of valour, but none moro worthy of esteem than that shown at the siege of Ngatapa in anuary, 1869. A mixed force of military, constabulary, and natives, under Colonel (afterwards Major-General Sir) G. S. Whitmore, took this stronghold after a five days' struggle. Major Fraser, with Nos. 1 and 3 companies of the Armed Constabulary and natives, attacked theh enemy's rearposition, the extreme right ol which, on a scarped ridge, was commanded by the Maoris' rifle pits and works, and a lodgment was only effected after cutting out standing room with a pickaxe. Tho enemy made several sorties against this point, which was an essential one for attacking operations, but it was held by a party of 12 volunteers till the end of the siege. One of the more prominent oi these brave j defenders was Constable Solomon ( Black, who was awarded ono of the. , very few New Zealand Crosses con- , f erred for heroic services. This object, 1 in silver, is in the shape of a Maltese cross surmounted by a ctowu. ,On j the obverse is a wreath of gold, on i the reverse a circular band with the I constable's n.imo inscribed." • Pale, nervous women, with, little strength and failing appetite, are 1 among those who receive - the greatest ) benefit from Steams' Wine, the; match- i less tonic and strength restore" ; Try i >*■•* ••■.■ <