NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12211, 5 March 1903, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Herald Summary. , . - 'Frisco mail leaves to-morrow. ■-..■ ; '' ; ."'__ ■ Hauroto due from the Islands to-morrow. The Talune arrives from the South Jo-day Stratford County Council has declared the ox-eye daisy a noxious weed; v. - • . . The Advocate states that horsestealing is prevalent in the Taderi district. --^_ a __ a The Ashburton Mail says very fine caraway seed has been grown in the district. _ -About 2000 bales of flax will be sent to •6an Francisco by the mail steamer Ventura month 121 births 54deaths, and 44 marriages were registered in Wel"employee on the Otago dredge Lad his thumb hacked off as the result of ;an accident a day or two ago. •. . ■ i A uniform Banking Bill is to be introduced into the Commonwealth Parliament next session by Sir George Turner. _ # . Canterbury Carpenters and Joiners Union wants ambulance, work made a compulsory subject in the fifth and sixth school standIt' is stated that during the six months ended December 31, 1902, no less than 12 companies were under the winding-up process on the West Coast. " . • The Grey Star says: there is every indication that coal will be sent out from the Seddonville State colliery within 12 months. Then more steamers will be wanted. The Winton Record understands that although a large number of store sheep are offering at the present time there is practically no demand for them. The stoppage of work m the Harbour Board quarry has (says the Grey Star) thrown 25 men-out of employment, and this is causing a good deal of dissatisfaction and inconvenience. . , . Canterbury School Committees Association favours both parents being allowed to vote at school committee elections, and are urging their Parliamentary representatives to move accordingly. ~'„.'_ It was 33 years ago last Saturday since the last of the British troops left New Zealand—the 18th Regiment, . sailing on February. 28. 1870, from Auckland for Sydney, by the steamer Hero. L'"a!_4.-i It appears'that- one of the most fertile farms in the Waikaka Valley has just been, /purchased by an Invercargill syndicate at £18 per acre, for the purpose of dredging the more auriferous portions of it. A recent visitor to Westport informs the Reefton Times that unmistakable signs of progress are everywhere apparent in that 'town. The building trade is brisk, and property is steadily increasing in value. Good' headway is being made with the different section's of the railway line., to the Inangahua Junction. The section from McDowell's Hill is being pushed rapidly ahead. In all about 40 men are employed on the At the ceremony of turning: the first sod' of the electric tramway system at Dunedm on Thursday, Mr. Goodman who is supervising the construction work on betialt ot •Noves Brothers, the contractors, stated that he had the names of 1150 applicants for employment on his books. . \. ' The hop-picking season at the Tuamanna gardens will commence in about three weeks time. A satisfactory yield is looked for, and a Marlborough paper says -that the an- ' ticipation is certainly justified .by the appearance of the crop at the present time. Advice has been received at Hokitika_ by the War Memorial Committee (says a West Coast paper) that the clock tower is practically finished, and will be shipped for Hokitika this week. The work of erection will occupy six weeks. ! _ ■ ■■_ Many visitors to Nelson (says the Lolonisi) complain that they have to pay more tor fruit there than is charged in places to which ' fruit from the district is shipped. But while the retail purchaser or fruit has: to pay a high price it appears that the producer does not secure more than a moderate price when •he is able to sell. „ ~ ... -. At the Sydney , Labour Council it has been proposed that a lawyer should be retained (for the .general purposes- by the unions. One member said although they might not like lawyers they found them necessary! They were like atheists, who sa-d they did not believe in the Deity, but when they were dying sent for the clergyman. «.-', .: ■ ,„ , •' < . The General Manager of Railways has submitted to the Westport Harbour Board an approved design, prepared by the Boards engineer and the chief engineer of the New Zealand, railways, for a coal-loading crane, to be set up oh the new Westport Wharf. The crane will have a loading radius covering 41ft and its complete cost will be about £25,000'. , ''■„ , « : ' , -1 . The locomotive for the Coal; Creek railway line is being fitted up (according to the Grey Star), and should be ready for work by next week. There are now 70 men at work on the line, but with the engine at work it is expected that, a' number of extra men will be required. ■ A deviation that is being made from the present line to. the Seven-mile will require heavy earthworks. ''-'■.'..' _