LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 12 February 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The following steamers will be within wireless range of Wellington to-night:— Ulimaroa, Wimmera, Navua, lalune, Marama, Zealandia, Mamora, Tutanekai.

• The'monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U. was- held on Tuesday afternoon. In the absence of the President, the chair was taken bv Mrs Watson, vice-president; there was a. fair attendance of members. The secretary rsajl a number of letters from other unions in reference to the delegates f6r the Convention next month. Miss Atkinson and Mrs Page, senr., were elected to act as delegates for the kelson Union, and various arrangements made in connection with the Convention. Offers of hospitality have been received from a large number of members and others; but still more are needed for the accommodation of the expected visitors. A letter from Mr. Israel was read, suggesting that a banner should be provided, to be competed for at the next Baud'of Hope competitions, the banner to go to the Band of Hope gaining the largest number of points. It was deviated that a. special meeting of the Union should be held.on February 25th.

A number of youths, who, in October last, were remanded at the Paddington (Sydney) Court with a view to their making up their arrears of drill were further proceeded against at the .same court last week. None of the youths turned up, but Mr. Lambton, who appeared to prosecute, asked, that the delinquents b e handed over to the custody of Chief Gunner. Argent for a period of three months. The Magistrate: "This will be under the neiv regulations. Have you a place of detention ?" Mr. Lambton:' "Not yet, your Worship; but I think if the order is made for three months it will givo us an-opportunity of allowing' the boys to clear up the arrears of drill." The- magistrate made the order asked for.

The Louis Quinze ball, given by Mrs W. F. Draper recently at Washington, is said to have been one -of the most wonderful ■ functions of the kind ever held. The guests were all to wear pearls, and the resu't of a world search for the choicest of these stones was an amazing display, the aggregate value of -which must have run into millions. The gown worn by the hostess shimmered with pearls worth 500,000 dollars. The costumes were all designed after the vogue of the eighteenth century, and. to heighten the effect, th© paintings in the ball-room were decorated" in the French Yuletide fashion.

The Dandiest Shirts on the market are the "Zealandia" make. We'll sell a big" swag of Men's Zealandia Neglige Shirts in a few days for 2s 6d each. Worth from 4s 6d to 7s 6d each.—Auckland Clothing and Drapery" Co.*

Mr Louis Kerr, 109 Trafalgar-street, has a new advertisement in this issue.*

If you're a live man you'll be right on the spot when our sale starts in a few days. We'll sell Men's stylish Neglige S~hirts~.(Zealandia), n.r 2s 6d each. —Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.'* 11l reply to a matrimonial advertisement inserted in an Italian paper by Signora Giuseppina Marchesi, of Piacenza, a candidate who kept an appointment with her proved to be her husband, from whom she had not heard since he deserted her ten years ago in England. We lead the world in* Ribbon 'Values, ano our new ones are tne best ever. Pure Silk Ribbons in plain, striped, and floral effects, A —lß inches wide, all to gi\ at 6d yard, in a few days' time. —Auckland Clothing ana Drapery Co.* ~~ APOLOGY. Coote and Sandstein, the well-known Opticians, Lambton Quay, Wellington, beg to apologise for not having paid their usual quarterly visit to Nelson. The rapidly increasing business has compelled"the firm to more commodious premises/ a few doors past the previous address. Removing, and fitting up the* new premises with all the modern appliances of the profession, have fullv occupied 1-heij* time. One of the firin will visit Nelson at the earliest possible opportunity, and an announcement «v that effect will be published later.*

Cabinet sat all day on Tuesday.- - c *'? ;s yesterday's "Dominion," In it- little m the shape of news waa gi\en out af Leithe ireeung. Jt is. expected tliat several appointments to the legislative Conned will be made shortly, but no announee-iiii-nt un the subject was made yesterday, iu all likelihood Cabiuet will m<?et again on Saturday.

A peppercorn in a white envelope, the rent of the old village school at Bushburv Wolverhampton, was handed to Mr." "Stavelsy Hill, M.P., on a visit to the school. He said he believed he was now the only man in England who was | actually paid a peppercorn reui an- , nually. j

Some people view the slaughtermen, s strike in rather a strange way (says the "Southland News.' - ) A local bwj.vness man. whose household 'butcher's bill €*i' deutly worries him at the end of the montii, is of opinion that it will be a mood thinjr if all the freezing works are closed down for a year: Ho .maintains that our best mutton is no» f 1 " cheaper rates in London than it is i« Invercargili shops, and he things it is up to the people in the country where the meat is'grown to have a chance of getting it at fair pi-ice*!.- Tt will not on'iy show the slaughtermen thai they can't run the whole" show, he continues, hut also give our flocks a chance to recover.

The casual visitor to Bondi beach sawstrange scenes a few days ago, states the "Sydney Morning Herald." "Hundreds of mell were to be seen racing in and out of the shallow water, beating the sands with heavy sticks, arid every now <in<l then their labours were punctuated by shouts of "Blue-bottle," which caused bathers to run from the water. Those who were armed with sticks beat the "blue-botties'' unmercifully, and then buried the pieces of the fish in the sands. Many bathers were stung, and had to receive the attention of the Life Saving Club members, who quickly applied 'the blue-bag to the affected parts. This move on the part of tho bathers demonstarted that bather* are. treating "blue-bottles" more seriously.

Not many people can claim to possess a letter which lias travelled round practically the whole world. Such, however, is the history of rt letter received bv an Auckland resident by the last English mail. Seven years ago he was an engineer student in Berlin, and while there °his" friends in New Zealand forwarded him a letter from the Christchurch Exhibition. While the letter was travelling to Europe, however, the addressee received a situation*in China, and from there he took up a position as engineer on various tramp steamers. His calling led him to all parts of the globe., and the letter continued to follow "him. The last place at which he sayed for any length of time was Rio de Janeiro, and after he left there the letter lay waiting for two years. A friend came across it in some way, and re-addressed it to New Zealand, where it arrived last week enclosed in another envelope. The original one, however, was intact, and it is a curiosity. It bears the postmarks of no fewer than nine countries, three of which are British possessions.

It has been decided to hold a, meeting of representatives of athletic associations and kindred clubs, and all other persons or bodies interested, for th* purpose of discussing the proposition to ereot baths on the banks of the Maitai, contiguous to the Baptist Church, and of. urging on the City Council speedy-ac-tion in the construction of same it ap proved. On Friday, Feb. 14fch, a meeting is to be held in the Chamber of Commerce Rooms to support the movement. It is hope... that all who take an interest in swimming and who appreciate the value of being able to awim, will be present. The press has been full of drowning accidents of late, and the people of Nelson have a distinct _ duty tc perform in seeing that all children have provided for them facilities for the teaching of swimming.

The Turkish warship -Khoyi-ed-Din Barbarossa was sto'uck by. two shells during a battle. wefore "the combat the Greeks occupied Tenedos, and later sent a wireless message to the Turkish -admiral, saying: "We have occupied Tenedos and await your orders." The Turkish commander replied: "Your shells are falling wide. I would recommend better aim."

!, There is a movement, in America; just |' now, the "Telegraph" says, in oppbsiI tion not o'nly to suggestive dances, but also .vulgar songs. In pursuance of this J crusade, notices have been posted in all Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A. branches throughout the country prohibiting the playing and singing of songs such as "Hitchykoo," "Row, row, row," and ■ "Everybody's doing \t." Such songs, it is urged, are suggestive, and not at all in keeping with the ideals of Christian associations. Mr William Cooper, %fche

general secretary of the organisation, interviewed, said :—-"Formerly street music was derived from the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, but nowadays it seems to come mostly from music-halls, and many of the songs are unspeakable. It is not so. much the actual and literal meaning of the. words sung that is objectionable, as it is the connotation and the idea which is obviously implied, or that one is liable' to anticipate, which constitutes the peculiarly vicious effect of these songs. Popular music to-day is at its lowest ebb, but even if it cannot show brains it ought at least to show decency, and we shall welcome any music designed to this end."

Whether it's due to his white, suit wo know not, but our buyer has never bought bargains like this before. Glori : ous Spangleft Nets, 42 .inch*, wide, for evening wear, at 3d yard, in a, few days. —Auckland Clothinc and Drapery Co.*

Tenders are invited by the Education Department; Wellington, for the supply of groceries, meat, etcT/'to the Boys' Industrial School at Stoke.

When you see our Beautiful Silks for Evening *\Vear in a few days' time, you'll tftfiiK you're in an aeroplane bound for the golden shore; 3d yard will clear the lot.—Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

A meeting of the Pitt Mwrorial Committee will be held at the Council Chambers at 8 o'clock this evening. Our Boss has got all the warehousemen on the run ! In a few days we'll offer glorious Japanese Carpet Squares, rich in design and of grand quality, for 21s each. —Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

Messrs M'Kay Bros., of Invercargill, advertise regarding consignments of fruit to the Southland district. They point out that Invercargill affords an excellent fruit market.

The "Swankiest" Bags for Ladies you ever saw have just been snapped up by the man in white. We'll raise Cain by selling them for ie lid, 2s lid, 3-s lid, 5c 6d. and 7s 6d each in a few days.— Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

The best marksmen arc usually those wiih grey or blue eyes Say ! Isn't this just great? In a few days' time we ut open the season with a big rush and we'll sell"beautiful Silk Ribbons, 4 to 18 inches wide, in plain and fancy effects, for 6d yard.—Auc Jkland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

Wonderful ar- the ways of local bodies. (it inarms tin? "JS T ew Zealand Herald.'') The Auckland City Council met the other evening, unen iiib reports of the Works, Electi:c, and Water, Library and Leys.' Institute Committees, dealing, with 79 different subjects, were- disposed -/' of in 15 minutes. Then the Council lighted upon a irattor of vital importance —who- >

ther a. certain cab wan tifc for use or. not. Seven members harangued the meeting at length and spoke, incidentally, of this purchase* of boots, the Waihl strike, bullock-driving at Paeroa, the standing orders, and of each other's personal j abilities. Thirty-five minutes elapsed before it was decided lo leave the matter in, the hands of the trattic inspector—exact);/ the recommendation first submitted by t)lf! committee which reported upon the subjVwt,

Interesting details required in the description of offenders by guardians- of the law : Nose, straight, pug, hooked, Roman, large or email ; feet, large, small', or proportionate; gait, slovenly, smart, active, erect, stooping, etc. ; chin, round or pointed; general appearance, doctor, clergyman, clerk, labourer, miner, sailor, havvkcr, pugilist, spieler, etc.; particulars of whiskers, hair, eyes, complexion, build, dress when last seen, and numerous other, clues to identity. Thcee directions are set forth in the new policeregulation's.

Mr V, C. Webb, President of the New Zealand federation of Labour, who in passing through Nelson, will deliver an address in the Druids' Hall to-morrow; night, at 8 o'clock, on "The aims ancS objects of the New Zealand Federation of Labour."

Mi si* Harriet C. Nevvcomb, honorary secretary of this Australian and New Zealand Women Voters' Association (London), now in Sydney, will visit. Auckland on February 16th and Wellington on the 28th. Misa Newcomb will be accompanied by Miss Margaret Hodge, and lectures will be delivered by both ladies during their tour in the Dominion on tho aims and work of thu Association. The main object' of the ladies' visit to tho Australasian colonies is to secure representation for-the gentler sex at the seventh biennial congress of the International Women's Suffrage Alliance to be held in Juno in Buda-X'csth. \

The "Otago Daily Times" agree* with "The Press." that the law should bo altered so that all bookmakers should be put on the list of those whose correspondence is refused by tho Post, Office,, and adds that "if the Legislature-is to be quite honest! in the attitude it sumes towards "bookmakers, it should have the-courage to adopt it. A littlo more honesty in the attitude of Parliament towards this aspect of tho gambling evil is strongly called for."

A little child some two years, old, left in charge of'a. relative during its mother's absence, was playing on tho beach at Turner's Point, near the iuouth of the Wairoa River, while the temporary guardian was busy gardening (writes the "Herald's" Clevedon correspondent). On turning round to callthe child, she was horrified to find it had disappeared, and up to tho present no trace whatever has been found of it. The child had a very marked aversion to tho water, which* renders the case still more strange, unless it overbalanced itself and was swept out by the current into the harbour, or ©yen out to sea. Search has been made by .land and sea i in all directions, 1 but so far without avail.