Untitled

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 35

Advices received by the Post- Office authorities state that the ft.M.S. Sierra, which left Auckland on January 22nd —three days late—arrived at San Francisco on February Sth—five days later than time-table date, having lost two days on the voyage. 'The Council of the New Zealand Fire Underwriters’ Association concluded its sitting at Dunedin on Saturday, after being six days in conference. During the deliberations it transpired that claims had been paid for fire losses throughout the colony fo? the year ending 31st December amounting: to over £250,000, by far the larger proportion of the sum going to the North Island. Since the beginning of this year claims have arisen aggregating £120,000, the North Island again being the chief contributor. Mr Pickering, of Auckland, was reelected president. The Shorthand Writers’ Association resumed its practice; last Monday, when Air Kits on, president, lectured on r'Up-to-date Shorthand.” The lecturer explained how inventors of modern systems had to contend against a feeling in favour of the older systems. Tills influence was not so prominent- in the colonies, but it had undoubtedly to be met at Home. The lecturer detailed also the constant effort made by the late Sir Isaac Pitman to introduce spelling reform into England; a reform which, while possessing every apparent advantage, was only seriously considered by a few enthusiasts. A hearty vote cf thanks to Mr Kitson was carried unanimously. An important letter from a well-known. Salvation Army officer appears in another column that will well repay perusal. There were 25.000,000 visitors at the Farit Exhibition of 1889.