LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 7 April 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

A meeting of the Wakatu Hockey Club will b» held in the shed Ln the Botanical Reserve on Friday next, at 3.30 p.m. Miss C. W. Christie, who js well known in this district, is visiting Motueka with Miss Browning, on bahalf of the Theosophical Society. They are giving a series of lectures dealing with thj teachings of the Society. Miss Christie will visit Nelson in <;bout a fortnight. Particulars of th*-'- meetings will be found in the advt. sement columns. The lectures will ba delivered ob Thursday eveniag, "Reincarnation,'-' and on Sunday "The«sophy and the Bible."

Uv.'l-ws o£ ihcep aro reminded thy. / ,hc-y must ujo their flocks by tho end ; ; >t tha present, moi.th. J Tho Rev. F. H. Spencer, agent of tho \ .ho British and Foreign Bible Society, j visiting the Nelson district. On Sunlay he preached at Wakefield, Bright- , .vater, nnd Hichmcnd, and last night K> gave a lantern lecture in the llecha- , bito Hall, Brightwater, tho F.cv. A. 3 race presiding. The lecturer described :'no rapid advance of Christianity along ( that part of Africa which will "be traversed by the Ope to Cairo Railway, '.nil by various views showed howbarbarism had been replaced by atlvane;d Christian civilisation, and proving Lhut those who contribute to tho Bible Society and Foreign Missions have every reason to be thankful for the. success attending their efforts. Portraits of Drs Stewart J. Lovedale, K. Moffat, and Livingstone, of Bishops Hammington, Steere, and Samuel Crowthor, of A. M. Mackay, of an Abyssinian Archbishop, views of the Victoria Falls on tho Zambesi, of Lovedale, of tho Cathedrals at Blantyre and Mengo, Uganda of natives," and of many other objects, gave point to tho address, which was listened to by a good audience. Tho collections on Sunday, and in tho evening at Brightwater, amounted to £42 3s net, and Bright-water last year contributed £8 to the funds. Mr Spencer also addressed tho boys at tho Nelson College yesterday afternoon, and to-morrow afternoon he addresses tho girls of the Nelson Girls' College. To-night lie is at Ngatimoti, and returns to address a meeting with lantern accompaniment in the Baptist Church to-morrow evening, when l\i? friends of the Society will have .in opportunity of hearing his address. He leaves en "Thursday for Sydney to attend an Australasian conference of representatives to be held there during Plaster week. Among tho visitors who attended the Scottish gathering last evening was Mr John Campbell, of Blenheim, a brother of Mr Jamo9 Campbell, of Nile-street West. .Mr John Campbell was formerly a resident of Nelson, and on being called on last evening to contribute to the entertainment, ho prefaced his song with a few remarks. He informed the gathering that 41 years ago he had sung on tho same snot. At that time there was Artisans' Society in Nelson, and two members of that Society had since become statesmen — tha late Mr H. A. Le-va-tarn and Mr John Graham, the pre- ■ sent member for Nelson. (Applause.) ■Mr Campbell expressed great pleasure at the formation of a Scottish Society in Nelson, and ho felt sure that great good would coma from the Society. The visior then sang "Jessie tho Flower of Dunblane," and hia rendering so pleased the large audienco that he hjid to respond with an encore, selecting "Ai'tcn Water" for his second song. Several 1 Nelsonians afterwards renewed their acquaintance with Mr Campbell. The following nominations have been received for tho committee of tho Nelson A. and P. Association : — Messrs John Best, W. T. Bond, F. C. Batchelor, G. \V. Best, G. B-._t, H. doucher, C. H. Ching, T. B. Chisnall, It. H. Coleman, W. Coleman, J. Ching, G. B. Chisnall, V. A. Clayden, A. rrost, A. Gibbs, Caukrcdger, T. Gcodman, T. H. Holland, W. D. Harkness, J. Hoot, Jellvman, W. R. May, W. F. C. Schwass, G. Talbot, W. Win, J. Wadfworth, and J. S. Wn-.lt. As only 24 members are i-rquiied, an election" will take place. !•'. r (he cilice, of piesident, Mr J. F. Bartlett, th 3 present vice-president, is tha only person nominated, and for the oifico of vice-president Mr Peter Higgius has been nominated. Tho annual meeting of the Nelson Football Referees' Association was held test evening. Piesent— Messrs Hogan (in tho chair), Milter, Atkins, Shrimpton, llurlcv, Nalder, Batchelor, and th 3 secretary, Mr G. Batchelcr. The following officers were elected :— Chairman, Mr H. Nalder; vice-chairman, Mr' Shrimpton; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr G. Batchelor; examination committee, Messrs Logan, G. Batchelor, and Nalder. The appointment of classification and appointment committees was left till next meeting. Mr Nalder was appointed delegate to the annual meeting of the New Zealand Referees' Association. Tho delegate was instructed to invite tho" Association to hold its conference in Nelson next year, if the Nelson Rugby Union will grant —15 towards the expenses. Mr G. Johnston was elected an active member of. the Association. Tho secretary was instructed to write to tho Rugby Union asking, in tho event of the two captains not agreeing en a referee, on what rule the Union get its jxwer to decide th-' question At the Magistrate's Court this morning, Francis Rabbit was fined 5s for drunkenness. Two first offenders wore onvictcd and discharged. Judgment for the plaintiffs was given by tho Magistrate in the following civil cases: — Adnms and Harley (Mr C. ,T. Harley) v. E. J. Harris, claim £S 14s 10s, costs £1 cs Gd; G. Carpenter (Mr A. C. Maginnity) v. N. Coleman, claim £ 1 Sb 6d, costs os. A sitting of the Warden's Court was held this morning, before Mr Warden Kenny. The application of 11. E. Norgrove, R. E. Clouston, and Peter Ewing for special claims at the Tableland were approved by the Warden, and the Minister will be recommended to grant them. Tho balloting- for candidates as the new Management Committee of the Nelson Institute closes to-night, when -he scrutineers will bo Appointed find .lie vote? counted. The result should be available at the Library by 9 ■> 'clock. Ballot papers may be hand,'J ia before the meeting begins. It is not generally known that vc.iscls cm catch fish on occasion. A '■easel destroyed nt Poor Man's Valley the other day dropped a small trout which it had evidently just captured. The winter has set in unußu.lllv early. There trai a «harp frost last night, water in rain pools freezing, md the pra^s being covered in hoar ibis niM-ning. This forenoon (he thermometer was under 50 in the shade. The weather in fine and exhil- . -.rating; Applications are invited by the Nel son Fdjcatien Board for sole teacherships at Birrhfield and Inangahua Junction Schools, and for a pupil teachership in the Nelscn Boys' Central School. The question of the Navy (says the "Westminster Gazette") is not a question cf policy so much hs a question of national security. Here we have to deal with the new fact of the Gorman programme, and the rase h complicated by our own act in producing the new and immensely formidable type of battleship represented by the Dreadnought. That we believe to have been a mistake, and for a vfery simple reas.-.n. V\'e had a superiority which was beyond challenge in /the existing types, and by inventing a new type we give our competitors the opportunity of starting, if not from scratch, at all events, with a very slight handicap, in a new race. However, that is past and done, and if it was a. mistake, it is a mistake for which we must pay. National security requires us to be. supreme in the new type, and we cannot fall back on the plea .that we have a long lead in the other types. Messrs Bisley Bros, and Co. will sell to-morrow, at Richmond yards, 1000 sheep and 25 fat pigs; at Murchison, on Saturday, the 18th inst., 1650 sheep (this salo has been postponed from 11th snst.) ; sales of property on account Mr F. D. Ferguson, Collingwood, and Mr James Riley, Takaka, will be held on 25th inst., not 18th as previously advertised, owing to the Easter holidays. It is satisfactory to know that during the sojourn of Mr Lock (the Universal Provider and Completa and Cheapest Fnrnisher) in the great cities of the. world, the business connected with his extensive emporium will be carried on as usual, and the public can depend jrpon getting the advantages, for which this establishment is famed and which has made the name of Lock a household word, viz., largest and most up-to-date stock, lowest -price*, easiest terms, and fair and square dealing. At Lock's you get everything to make the home comfortable end attractive. Sole agency for Harland'a celebrated pianos, Carf (enter's organs, and the marvellous Atas Sewing Machines, Easibak Lino. Polisher, and other good things.*

T't- n universal}- social in connee- ; ; ,yy.;-h iii. John's Church will be held iu-morrow evening, nt 7.40 o'clock. An attractive programme of music, etc., has been prepared. Tenders nre invited for the pur- c chase for removal of the school build- r ings in i'oi Toi Vallev, formerly I known as the Uirls' Svbool. Mr W. Lock leaves Nelson on Thurs- - day on his trip to Europe and ' America. j The opening of the Stanley Brook '' new church is postponed fiom Easter , Monday til! tha "* x t day, owing to the Tapawera Druids' celebrations. Tha Stoko Road Beard election will be held on Wednesday, 29th inst., at tho office, Richmond. The data of nomination is Thursday, 23rd inst., before noon. Last November Sergeant Dougan sowed a small patch of maize alongside his house in St. John-street, and the growth now probably forms a record for New Zealand. Two plants were pulled up and measured and both were over 15 feet in length. Many of the plants are developing enormoussized cobs. Numerous journals have recently had reference to maize 12 feet to 14 feet in height, grown in tho Auckland and Taranaki provinces, but Sergeant Dougan 's plot appears to "take the cake," as it beats the North Island records by over a foot. One of tho biggest of German shipbuilding yards lias been entrusted wilh an interesting order by the Emperor. It is to make Uie model of a modern battleship, which his Majesty will present to the German Museum m Munich. As it is intended to serve as an objectlesson in the strictest sense of tha term and must consequently present a fatithful reproduction in miniature of the bewildering complexity of mechanism which nowadays constitutes a war vessel, it has bean found necessary to make the model of qui to unusual dimensions. It will, in fact, be some 25ft in length, and will be in longitudinal sections, so that all parts of the construction and equipment can be clearly seen. Guns, machinery, boilers, and electrical installations will be copied from tho original, down to the minutest detail, and they will be so arranged that it will be possible to see them in cparation. It is said that the cost of this unique model will bo about £1600. A case of interest to bush farmers was decided by Mr S. E. McCarthy. S.i.M., at Daiuicvirke, on Thursday,. During the recent bush fires in the Weber district, a settlor took advantage of the wind to light a fire to fight one approaching. After three days the wind changed, and the fires followed the:r original courre, extending to a I property adjoining the one on which tho | file was . lit. causing damage estimated i at £299 19s. Tlie Magistrate gave judgment for £100 damages, holding that tho farmer lighting a fire, on' the adjoining property to plaintiff was responsible, although tihere were many other fires in tha district. Th? Magistrate expressed tho opinion that legislation should bo passed providing for the regulation of firr-lighting. He pointed out thai many bush s-?tt!?rs nnd Crown tenants woro compelled to c! ;, ar their I bi-sh. and burning was the only practi- j ■ cai way. I While tha relations of China with othc-r Pcwers lias sensibly improve:), the number of unsolved questions with Ja- • p:;n, esjyeially with regard lo Mani churia, is increasing. The Yn-lu timber I q-.ics-.iori at An-tuinc; th" settlement of i the Manchunan telegraphs and post -, offices; tho retention of public builds' insrs at Mukden and oth-r cities; the - j retention of tha Fushun ar.d other I*l Manohurian coal mines; the occupation - I of tha territory of Chientao, in Kirin i' | province, on the pretext that, though . long or- upied by China, it really be- -' longed t-> Korea; and the serious "quesi tion cf Japan prohibiting China from I I oxtxidiug her own, railway west of s j the Liau river ,on the ground that - J such an extension would compete with - i a JapaiK-so railway. 35 miles distnnt 1 | .it the nearest, east of the Liau river — 3 these and other questions await souls' tion. 1 j Tha Archbishop of Canterbury, in ? I the.t "New Year's Message" which was ' | tho subject of a r.-.blegre.jn published i lost month, and referring to the great s ! Anglican gatherings about- to be held in -I England, se.id : — -"Wo shall havo to -' faco in England in tha comins year large questions of polity and practice in matters educational, social, liturgical, and 1 I know rot what bcs : de. It is j trail gp- ' lv difficult for in to look d'.t.achedly ard i largely tiDon these familiar contrcver- ' - sips. They are always with us. We • dwell, of necessity, upon tha de- I I tails rnthT than upon the big prin- I riples, and our views are apt to crow ] , mrrow and technical and dull. This j \ year should lift us into fresher air. Many of us havo already learned the', ' ndvactaee-s of bringing to beer upon present day difficulties in English life, tho intelligent criticism of a friend — J American, Italian, or Oenuan — who is I pager to understand, but who vlpwi j the whole, thing in a sam A whnfc different , * "setting" from that which is familiar j to ourselves. We may find that we ' , have unconsciously been distorting the , I share of our prohlems or exaggerating thoir size, and it may wholesomely start!? us to find how they rtv'k? the fresh eve of. s.ay, a Jape.nese Christian or an American teacher, cr an AitGtrai lian politician." In conversation with (he New York i correspondent of the linden "f-'tai'd- j ard," Mr Lewis Nixon, the shipbuilder, ' se.id lie was going to build a vps.v-1 : cape. b! a of a speed of 60 knots, but whieh wou'd hardly be a boat capable of utilising the great possibilities which lay before the small but rapid gascl.ne engine. He said : — **r hr.vp been working for several years on a light torpedo, not over 200ib in weight nnd capable of carrying 40!b. of explosive. Having about brought this beyond the experimental stage, I was stir.ck with the results obtained by Mr Cooper Hewitt, the electrician, with a hydroplau" vres:l. I havo g'mo .actively into the aei oniu'.cdat'rin of a hydroplane- and a ik-'nt lorpoi'o. The keeping back of .s.-vei-al orders for tcrprdo boat-de-stroyers of high speed, and the tise'.esc-JL-S3 rf laying down small boats, m-:!:ii.".-l ma to suspend w>,ik for several months. Now I have been trld to e-et reedy and go ahead again, and as sor-:i as I have a, yard open I shall -.tart on a hvdroplan". As this craft will ba b-.vd cn resu'to a'ree.dy proved, f think it will b? rath-r hard for a battleship to defend herself against m attack bv half a dozen cf these coming from different dire, tions." Mr '-•"ix.-'n added that he had no cr.afti of h~ ]"',v tvne yet buildmi, the fa< t. beiii3 I'i'it his Crescent Ye ri at Eliza'oe'.h. New Jor^er, h.13 b".r, closed for --'ma time. He s.or.ted tho idea of , bui'dhig a battleship tf 39. C00 tons with 1 > ■=p.---d of £0 knets on .-n alcohol fuel, he was confident th-t nr.sn'ir.e cn- j rtn-s. working up to 20. 0C0 horse power, will supersede hcth coa! and crude oil. Mr Nixon, who was trained at Greenwich, designed the battleship Oregon, and he has also built Russia's new gasoline flotilla, with which the authorities in St. Petersburg are reported to be pleased. A chief engineer of an ocean-going steamer sends the"Syren" the following complaint against firemen : — We have been very considerably handicapped since our arrival in Sydney by tbe behaviour of our firemen. Ever since they knew wo wero coming to the Australian ports they have done al! they could to ' annoy us, with the hops of being paid ' off, in order to get the increased money 1 given at these ports. For a considerable time wo had no men at work, and when they did turn up they went about their work in a sullen and unsatisfactory manner ,and wo have thus lost a ' good opportunity of getting a lot of ' work done. Since we left Newcastle we have had comparatively poor steam, considering the quality of the coa! ; but they cannot be induced to exert themselves, and I have no hesitation in saying that I have never before experienced such disorderly behavious and insubordination. Thay even go so far as ho offer violence, with tho hop* of being locked up. I may add that the job is giving us no trouble at 6ea— everything is running very well. A large meeting of market gardeners at Auckland passed a resolution, strongly protesting against the Premier's proposal to utilise prison labour for the production of vegetables, and urging that such a proposal was detrimental to a large number of Europeans engaged in the industry.