NEWS IN BRIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13702, 19 March 1908, Page 6

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Tjucx-e left for Fiji. Waikare due from the South to-day. The Prime Minister has left on tour of country districts.

The Governor attended the Maori conference at Waharoa yesterday.

Along the Wellington-Manawatu line full-grown sheep, ewes and wethers, have sold on an average at 5s a head less than they were last year.

A resident of Fendalton, Canterbury, picked from a tree in his orchard a cooking apple weighing lib lloz, and measuring 15j{m in circumference.' ..-■''.. '„ The present Parliament contains more graduates of New Zealand University than any of its predecessors, there being six "representatives of that institution sitting in the House.

The Public Works Department has accepted the tenders of W. U. Mouate, of Greymouth, for the construction of two bridges on the Jfgahere-Blaekbtill railway—one over Soldier's Creek and the other over Ford's Greek. The total cost will be about £1700.

A well-to-do-Russian, who arrived at Wellington from London recently, was prevented temporarily from landing because of his inability to converse in the English language. ■ The Customs officers, however, after going through the usual formalities, eventually allowed the newcomer to land.

A well-known farmer in the Olmtha district (says the Leader) was badly in need of a man for harvest work the other day, and the only man likely to be available, a stranger, was doing a few hours in the lock-up as a drunk. The farmer quickly grasped the situation, stood by for a time, met the man at the door of His Majesty's quarters, and was soon escorting him out to the harvest field.

On Monday last a rally of Christian Envomers was held in the Feilding Methodist Church to meet the Rev. J. T. Pinfold, president of the New Zealand Union, who, in an encouraging speech pointed out that Christian Endeavour stands for moral reform, Christian fellowship, and the spread of Christ's kingdom. The Rev. C. E. Beecroft, president of the Methodist Conference, occupied the chair.

A seaman at the Christchurdi Court stated that a vessel which traded between London and New Zealand did not carry a proper crew. " Why," he said (adds the local Truth), "there were doctors and dentists going Home at Is per month to pass their examination, while the balance consisted of soldiers, clerks, and misfits of the Dominion, who sail Home as seamen at £2 8s per month." ■