NEWS’OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2746, 18 February 1896, Page 2

NEWS’OF THE DAY.

The ilaripoaa, with English maiU of 25th January, left San Francisco on the 7tti Febraary, one day late- The Mono.»ai, with colonial mails dated 25th. January, arrirod at csan Francisco on February IGth, three daya late.

The next sitting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand will be hold in Christchurch’ in February next.

Tho Picton Borough Council suggest the appointment of a health officer at that port. Mr T. Wilson, of Palmerston North, has boon elected delegate to the annual meeting of railway servants to be held in Auckland next month.

Our Martinbopough correspondent writes : —The oat crops in this district are exceptionally good this year, especially those put in early, A public meeting was held on Saturday at Tutaekara (writes our spondent)to consider the price of grass seed. The price was considered too low, and it was decided not to sell under 3d and 3fcd, the season’s yield being a failure it would not pay to lot the seed go under the prices resolved upon.

The legal fraternity in Palmerston North are discussing the establishment of a law library.

Mr and Mrs William Evans, of Fitzhorbart street, Palmerston North, celebrated their silver wedding last Thursday. They were married at Swansea on the 12th February, 1871..

By the Cbilka, which reached Lyttelton on tho 12th inst. from Calcutta, there arrived 1000 chests of tea, nearly 100,0001 b weight, ono of tno monthly shipments of Messrs Nelson, Moatc and Co. Diseased cattle must bo very prevalent in the Manawatu district, to judge from the evidence of Mr A. K. Blundell, Stock Inspector, remarks tho Christchurch Press. In a caso in the Palmerston Court on Monday, he stated that ho had condemned over 109 animals daring tho past three yours, and had never been proved wrong. It is but reasonable to suppose that a good number of diseased animals have not come under tho cyo of the Inspector. An unpleasant reflection !

Our Masterton correspondent writes : —The number of sbeop sent away from hero during the forfcnignt has been unprecedented. This morning (Monday) three trains, consisting of waggons, carrying 4499 sheep were despatched; This is the largest number over scut from any station in Now Zealand in a .day, \

"AS an illustration of tho ravages of tho rabbit in the far fcouth, a gentleman who recently visited the Lakes district of Otago informs.ua that there is a station on the Mararoa River which some years ago cvrried 40,000 sheep, and on which not a single sheep is now depastured. Bunny destroyed tho feed so effectually that the flocks had to removed and the station abandoned. There is another station in tho samo neighbourhood from which 900 bales of wool used to be sent to market, but now, owing to the depredations of Brer Rabbit, the output has shrunken to 200 bales. Tho following have been elected offioera of the Palmerston North Orchestral Society : President, Rev H. P. Hunt; vice-presidents, Mrs Fitzherbert and Messrs Hankins, Barnicoatand J. Grace, the last two named reelected ; conductor, Mr Cohen Ire-olocted); leader of orchestra, Mr Isherwood ; treasurer, Rev Mr Young (re-elected); secretary, Mr Burraesfcor (ro-eloctod) ; librarian, Mr Chia» holm (re-elected) ; pianist, Mr Gunter (reelected) ; committee, Messrs Drew, Turner, Crump and Kitchen. Tho General Committee of tho Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural aud Pastoral Association paid a well-deserved compliment to Mr A. McSardy, of Hawke’s Bay, on Saturday (says tho Standard), when they elected him a life member of tho Association,

They at© talking at Picton of prospecting tho district for minerals, and more particularly for coal. The popular Canterbury half-baclc, P. L. Glondinning, has gone to try hia luck on the Thames goldfields. Tho Ekotahuna School Committee has decided to support the nomination of Messrs W. C. Buchanan, W. W. McCardlo and J. Robertson for election on the Education Board.

The sal© of tho nosy and valuable township of Brownston by T. Kennedy Macdonald and Co, is to take place to-day in tho Olympic Hall, Pahiatua, at 3.30 p.m.

To-day, at 2.30 p.m., J. H. Bcthuno and Co. will ssll by public _ auction, absolutely without reserve, at their rooms, Fcatheraton street, for tho benefit of whom it may concern, the hull and valuable 17 horse-power machinery of tho well-known steamship Waitapu, lately damaged by fire, and now on the Wellington Patent Slip, The hull, including stem and stern-posts, will first be submitted, and afterwards the * whole of the machinery will be disposed of in lots to suit buyers. Wo understand the engines, which were built by the Anchor Foundry Company, cost about £ I3OO, and included in tho inventory there is also an expensive new rudder with yellow metal connections, patent anchor, steam winch, cable, wheel chains, 10ft steamer’s lifeboat, ironwork and sundries, presenting a rare opportunity to shipbuilders, ironfoundera and others of obtaining really first-class steamboat requisites. . k* A. G. Taine and Co. are to hold an absolute sale of property, as advertised in another column, on Thursday, at 12 o'clock, at their rooms. The catalogue comprises allotments in Palmerston North and other parts of the Alanawatu. district, Woodvillo, Aro ,street (Wellington), Wacjestown _ and the Hutt.. Some sections at Johnsonville are also to bo offered. .

The Pahiatua sheep fair is to take place to-day. Abraham and Williams offer a large catalogue at’ I o’clock, a* advertised in another column.

Abraham and Williams soli to-day at Pahiatuai 216 acres of land one mllo from the Alfredton t*o?t Office, with a well-built fiveroomed house and W, F. Shortt is to continue to-day at 2 30 the clearing sale at his rooms, prior to removing to his new premises opposite. Sooullar and Chisholn, the well-known dealers, Lambton quay, announce that on account of the unqualified success of tfaeir first annual cash sale they have decided to continue it for two weeks longer. The sale will end absolutely on March 3rd. .This ig a upsfc excellent opportunity to aecuro real bargains.

Nodine and Co. havo received a full shipment of goods suitable for ladies’ tailor-made gowns. v Tenders aro invited by Cook and Gjray for the stook-in-trado, goodwill, &0., in the estate of-Martin Hoaley, boofcmiker, Blenheim. A brak © is advertised for sale.