LOCAL AND GENERAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 20 February 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The election petition against the return of Mr V. H. Reed for the Bay of Islands seat will be heard by their Honors Justices Chapman and Hosking, at Kaikohe, on 9th March.

The potato crops "throughout the Otaki district are ! a record. There has been practically no blight, and excellent crops have been harvested all along the coast. Not only so, but fairly satisfactory prices have ruled, and consequently those who grew potatoes in any quantity have done well this season.

j Two semaphore signals have been lately erected either end of the Nelson railway station yard. These are con- ' trolled from the station platform, and • will do much to ensure the general safe- ■ ty of the yard during shunting operations. The St. Vincent-street signal is plainlv visible to the engine-driver of inbound" trains immediately the train enter:; thct. rlvpot. while th? -Tf on the Havn Road end is quite distinct from Auckland Point. The usefulness ul these si'i:als vill he "norr •jb"ici:- v hen (he eno-'nsE "v- fitted -Hh (he '^"es'ingh-UEC brake, -hicb -ill allr.- t)-.-r-r M the station at a greater speed and pull up very quickly. The signal arms are as yet not in working order, but they will in all probability be put into commission early next week. - -ner semaphore arms, are erected at Wakefield, Be]grove, a-nd -Eohatu- stations:- '-•

Il is 39 years to-day since the Cable hiuiioii uu \\akapuaka was opened for traffic, j Adjutant Donald Macaulay will conduct meetings at the Salvation Army Citadel all day on Sunday. Adjutant Rowlands states that a great treat is in store for those who attends. The Organising Secretary of the Church Missionary Association, the Rev. 0. J. Kimberley, will preach to-morrow in the Stoke Church at the morning service> and at Richmond in the evening. He is also giving missionary addresses, Richmond on Monday evening at 7.30, and iStoke at the same hour on Tuesday. Collections will be taken up for missionary work. Bush fires have been ragitigr in Crown land off Astrolabe, and a great quantity of tine bush has been destroyed. Such destruction is regrettable, and if the fires were started as an act of mischief, it is to be hoped the offenders "will be brought to book. The shores in this locality are largely frequented by picnic parties, and a word of caution as to the. danger of starting fires may not be amiss. Three of the candidates for Wellington seats at the last General Eleptipii have sent in their returns df expenses, says the "Post.'' Mr. A. H. Hinamarsh puts his down at £1 7s 6d for printing and advertising. Also he received- £3O lis 8d from the Labour Representation Committee, which was spent on printing and advertising arid the hire of halls. . The Hon. A. L. Herman's return shows an expenditure of £73 2s lOd, on advertising, hire of halls, and salary of secretary*. Mr H. E. Holland declares an expendii ture of £99 Is, on advertising, printing, and rent of halls, and he received £99 I 12s 8d in subscriptions and contributions from various unions.

Last evening a most enjoyable social, gathering was held in the Church of | Christ Schoolroom, when the employees i of Messrs G. Page and' Soils were the, guests of frk*> firm. In addition to a-\ good programme of musical and' elocutionary items, Mr G. L. Page gave a most interesting retrospect of the firm's operations since its establishment, by the Ip-te Mr George Page, some 17 years, ago. ""tartina then in quite a small way, the business had grown by leaps and bounds, until it has necessitated large showrooms and up-to-date- factory with full equipment, capable of supplying every requirement of the furnituretrade in Nelson. During the evening. Miss Black, who has been in the firm's office for several years, was the recipient of a handsome eider-down quilt from.the principals, on the occasion of her approaching marriage. Previously, Miss Black had been, presented with a set of afternoon, tea -spoons and .bread fork, with the good wishes of the employees. At the bountiful supper which followed, several toasts were honoured, and the pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.

j Vice-Admiral Aubert, who retired from active service two years ago, has been recalled and appointed Chief of Staff of the French Navy. This post, which Admiral Aubert had already filled twice before, practically corresponds "'with that of our own First Sea Lord. The French Admiral and Lord Fisher are oia personal friends, and. their, views and policy have so much in common that ; Auberism is synonymous with Fisherlsn?. This change in the professional head of the Ministry of Marine, following as itdoes immediately upon a similar change !at our own Admiralty, may therefore, j be interpreted as something more than » mere coincidence.

In the hands of Mr H. P. Evans, the interior' of the Theatre Royal has been renovated and now presents a great improvement oh the former decorations.. The general effects are "in blues and creams enriched with gold.. The proscenium arch'has been treated in'figiired panels and gold supported with' blue. The w r alls of the auditorium contain on either side two landscape panels of NewZealand scenery and other smaller panels in new ornament poppies and lilac. The balcony front is treated in buffs, cream, and gold, blending from buff to cream.; while the dome is in new ornament and poppy panels all in light tones; and the ceiling is kept in light rich tones to give loftiness to.the building. The whole"work has been carried out with taste and skill and reflects great credit on the artist.

Another example of, the "attempt's "which are being made by conduct trading operations through neutral countries has been discovered in. Auckland, says the "Herald;" The daughter of .a late resident ..opened, a "letter addressed to. her father, -in. which : a quotation was. asked for . 30 tons of acroyides, which was to be -shipped..to Copenhagen, ,this port evidently being the most convenient. This letter was sent by a Spanish firm acting as agent for Max Ziman, of Hamburg, for whom the goods, were : being procured. . This article is extensively, used in the manufacture of explosives,. and is a product: of i Australia. The , recipient took • the letter to a leading Auckland merchant, who, when he discovered the contents, promptly handed the letter to the postal authorities, who have forwarded it to Wellington. " '• ''.'...' ■-...... 1 ..:.- . ■,.

Many.arid /various', tie excuses given in . the Wellington!. Magistrate's buTt. yesterday, " "says the; t parents charged with 'failing! to ? send their children;, to school regularly: ".'Some of the excuses .had a 'tinge .of humour, too. When one man Was asked, fcr'an explanation.,,.he replied':. "Well, it's this way.. The girl, has rib boots., ana!, we couldn't send her.to school* I told the inspector that we" Were getting the boots on Saturday." However, the inspector asserted that the attendance" .had all along been bad- —boots or no boots. A second defendant had his eye bandaged, arid his arm in a sling. He said he kept his boy home to help him, and made a sensational statement as to how he came by his injuries. He had occasion to call at the office of a certain solicitor, and "that solicitor knocked him down like.a dog, and ill-Created and abused me." The Magistrate did not pay much attention to the remai'k, but said : ' 'You are fined 55." Another defendant was "guilty under exceptional circumstances," such circumstances being that he suddenly lost his assistant and desired the help of his boy. A similar fine was imposed.

Push your way in when the .doors open ! Sharp at nine on Tuesday we'll start to throw out, 200 Men's Black Oilskin iCoats for 4s 6d each. Worth 15s. to 37s 6d. You mr.sct be there at nine, for they'll be grabbed quickly.—Auckland 'Clothing and Drapery Co.* Mr Gould will hold a sale of furniture and effects on account of Miss Talbot, at her residence, Richmond, on Thursday next, at 2 p.m. •Closed all day Monday ! Our store will be closed a ll day Monday. We'll be up to our eyes getting ready for the big scramble'on Tuesday.—Auckland - : Clothing and Drapery Co.* Messrs Bisley Bros, and Co. will hold their annual sale of store and fat sheep and cattle at Richmond, on Tuesday next, and their annual ram and ewe fair on Wednesday next. Sharp at nine on Tuesday morning, our doors will he flung wide open, and the scramble will start for those ■■■ heavenly 40-inch Satin Charmeuse at 2s-6d yard. Get in when the doors open.—Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.* . Take Manson's Cat- to Takak.a. Book seats. 'Phone 518' or 464/' Nelson.?

Secoild Lieutenant Ricliafd .Lambart, the London a-cfcor--managcr. has been awarded the D.5.0.-, th" first .actor to receive the honour. Mr. Lambavt comes of a fighting family, his lather -having served m the Boer war of Ifcol. and uw brothers in the late Boer war. He was given his commission sdon alter the outbreak of war.

Flour for delivery next month is quoted to local storekeepers at £l7 a ton (sacks) and £l7 10s (100's), an increase of £1 in si fortnight. This price is at Oamaru, and the cost of freight (nearly £1 a ton) has to lie added.-

The Citizens' " Band will render a special programme at their sacred concert to be given in the Botanical Reserve to-morrow evening after church. They will play Chopin's Funeral March, including "Abide with Me," in memory of Private Ham, the first New Zealander to fall in Egypt.

It. is a popular superstition that the presence of a member of the cloth on shipboard id a sure and • certain omen of a calamitous or at least a rough trip. Imagine, therefore, the feelings of nervous passengers on .board the Btverwa when it was found on leaving Sydney for Auckland that there were exactly thirteen representatives of the clergy. <oii this oeeasion apprehension was fully borne. out lay an tiflttsually rough : trip, which made the vessel ove? 20 hours late in arriving. While ,the , clerics adapted, the inevitable banter good-naturedly, it would perhaps be hardly correct to state that they enjoyed the joke.

The following letter in reference_to H.M.S. Audacious. . signed One v Who Knows," appeared in the Auckland "Star""' ; —''Will you allow one who has nuite recently seen some correapdndence of a semi-official nature, and therefore is somewhat behind the scenes, to assure readers that the Audacious, although she undoubtedly struck a mine off'the roast of Donesral, is not lost, but is with the High Sea "Fleet. The Audacious was built With an inner plating invented by a New Zealahder(a resident of . Cambridge) and to this invention probably owes her. safety. The Admiralty know quite well what they are about, and it would be sheer madness at the present tim<* to to the world information as to her injuries."

A curious story, reminiscent of the interesting davs when New Zealand suffered from {he airship scare, is told by the mate of a northern . trading vessel. One night last week, he states, h»s boat was about midway between Tin and Kawau, when about 'an hour -after midnight he was aroused by captain, who was taking-watch, atid told s t to,coXne and see. a strange light. On .going, on deck he saw a light which was much/too hi"-h for a masthead ; light and too low for a star. It was moving, now growing bigger and brighter, and then becoming paler ns though it was receding -into the distance. All at once 'the _ light approached rapidlv in the direction of the vessel, and the"manoeuvre conjuring up visions of hostile aircraft, it was suggested that the lights of the boat should he extinguished. This, however, was not done, and the lirfit wheeled away. After this the narrator retired to his bunk, 'and he states that the other man remained on deck, and watched the antics of the light for upwards of an hour.

An interesting letter has been addressed from Loudon by Lieut.-Colonel Driscoll, D.5.0., commandant-general of the Legion of Frontiersmen, to the members of the legion "in New Zealand. "There is little opportunity for the mounted work,, in which the legionaries excel, at present," he wrote on 15th December.' "I think it will.be all infantry work this side of the Rhino; but I think there will be big scope for mounted men on the other side *■ later on. The legion .now -totals over 12,000 men. I have been offered the command of an infantry, regiment, hut I feel I must see the legion fixed up first; Members of the legion are joining Everything, and are to be found everywhere. I presided at a dinner of Princess .Patricia's light infantry some days back at Winchester. This regiment was started by the legion in Canada, and consists largely of legion men. I have just received a* letter from Calgary stating that the Government of Canada has approved the raising of a regiment # of , -legionaries purely. The legion is doing : wonderful work in this war, and'l-feci rewarded for the long years of patient toil. But I can never thank New Zealand sufficiently for its grand work for .the legion during the past two and a-half years. New Zealand, for the two years j preceding the -war, has been the 'backbone of the legion, and has never given any trouble or made any'iuss. Good' luck to all my comrades in that splendid little country." There are now over 400 members of the legion with the New Zealand forces in Egypt." , • . '

Never mind xibout breakfast on Tuesday next! Sharp at nine the scramble will start for those Ladies' Black (Cashmere Ribbed fibse at 9d pair, and you must get there when the doors open. — j Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*

The following is the copy of a letter received by the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board from the Horowhenua County Council: —"I have to advise you that the following resolution was passed at a meeting of this council held on the 13th inst.:—"That notice be given to the Wellington Hospital and j' Charitable Aid Board that after 51st .March next this council will refuse to •I pay any demands for hospital and charitHable aid except for hospital treatment at [per head for those patients who cannot j afford to pay.' " Mr Geo. Nash, says the t "Dominion," at once drew attention to I this rather extraordinary letter, and askied the chairman to state the position. I The chairman stated that there was ' statutory power to recover the subsidies ifrom all contributing bodies, by making application to the Government to impound subsidies due to the defaulting I contributing body on its rates. The letter I was received.

Closed- All day Monday store will be closed. We'll all /be grafting,. ; hke slaves, getting ready for .Tuesday s big scramble of Autumn- Goods.—Auckland Clothing and Drapery Co.*. , ..

A line of fat cattle -was Tailed from the West Coast to Christchurch recently, but from all accounts the result of the transaction did ant come up to expectations as far as the dealer was concerned, says She "Lytfceltoi, Times." The cattle, were a prime lot, bui the numerous tunnels on tho. railway and the passage over the Ctira Gorge militated against their arrival in good condition m the City of the Plains. The owner, besides reaching the Addington'Yards with three head less than he started with, was surprised to find that the .bullocks'' dad not realise the values anticipated, and he is not disposed to again purchase fat cattle for sale in outside markets.

■No one else here will sell any Baskets after Tuesday! Sharp at nine on Tuesday we'll heave out 500 big Picnic and Willow Market Baskets—part of a ''banKrupt stock- for Is 6d, 6d 4s 6d, and 5s M each.. Worth U lid. to—Auckland Clothing and 'Drapery^©. In future book sea*s, Phone 318 or 464. for Motueka- an<* JukakA. Your cycle is not put aside for motor repairs at Manks*, and remember we import the best tyres,' lamps.' and sundries direct, therefore no ol .*-.:.™?™ Cycles from £5 6s cash and good too. Be a snort and give us a turn. In motor or cycle goods you'll get prompt service, sivility, and square dealing.

Frequently houses are destroyed b# fire when no one is at home, and there is no Glue as to h<w the . conflagration originated. A j?itfbable, explanationot ; some audi wise-, may b-; gathered from what liapp*nt*d In«A Jwwiaj evening at the residence of Mr E. J> J* 0 the well-known solicitor, whose house> is in St. George's Bay Road, Auckland . i states the "Auckland Star." It was » fortunate circumstance thai Mr ±ro»dergast returned home about B.oU p.n*. instead of ten minute* later, or his t«s£ dence would have "been.destroyed, and there would not have bean any evidence as to the cause. As it was,.by means ot a bucket of water, a fire was extinguished, »nd then it was possible to «^; rtai " how it had originated. When Mrs Prendergast home at o.«> p.m. a sittelt of burning was noticed, and going upstairs a room door was found closed, which upon being opened, showed that tllfiee! was a fire in progress, and Mr Prendergaat soon, cxtioatiished the flames. An examination of the premises then disclosed some very ■ significant facts. Certain property had been gathered together ready for removal, the mattrfitfs of the bed had- been turned up, presumably to discover ,it any valuables had been hidden-there, and various drawers had been ransacked-. Then it would appear as if the visitor had. gone to an upper room -wan a match, and while searching, had accidentally set fire to some clothing. Becoming frightened of discovery, he-must have closed the door and ■'■" decamped without anv loot, because nothing had been removed fro mthe dwelling. Already .the flames had reached the ceiling when discovered by Mt (Prendorgast. . -- [Dates have ..now •■ S^fthe trial, .-oft the ftle^"wrth-a,.viejv-:to:-secj^g.dec4a^^ invalidating the, results .-of ; -the ,**&**£ in the Taumaranui,,. Bay ,oT^>., Island^ sSeVßay, and : Northern^aOri^electoral ; districts.^The:petitjon a ga l^^ I return of. Mr W iT : : Jemvmgs fau- ! maranui will ;be htea*d ;■ at; %?;&&&$ 10;30 a.m. on 'Monday, *he;<&«^W prising, Their- Honors.-. Mr. ; Justice^c-peff and Mr Justice r'Chaprnan.;. ■ An : M*fim Court, comprising thfe Chief :Ju S tice x |S^ Robert Stout\ and,vEEs'fionor; Mr Justice Edwards, w^tl. hear .-the .-; petition against the return of X»r Robert McNab.for,,*he - Hawke's Bay seat on Mond^,on-Ma^ 3 the petition against the return of lau 1 Henare will be heard at. Whangarei ~ by Their Honors ,Mr; ,-and Mr Justice.'SWirig»v;'Th,e^eaTihg l^^he 'petition against N 'the Veturmof Mr. V: :±l. Reed for Bay of 4 . Isl.attdX h^g \ .been; ■ gwg for.Marchrg, , m •| this base being Their -Mr'. Justice I Chapman Ju^i^J|D v slang k v