INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 3942, 6 January 1900, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The recent warm weather has produced myriads of mosquitoes in the Forty-mile Bush, and stock as well as human beings have suffered. The Calif omiap thistle is spreading with great rapidity in the Forty-mile Bush. ; * The,Rev J. K. .Elliott has been nominated by the Wanganui Presbytery as moderator of the General Assembly. . The Wanganui Presbytery has sustained a call to the Rev J. Chisholm from the Main street congregation, Palmerston North. Mr Chisholm has signified’, his acceptance of the call, and the induction has been fixed for the 17th inst. The Ekctahpna Farmers’ Club has invited a conference of the various farmers’ clubs and agricultural associations in the Wairarapa and Forty-mile Bush districts to consider the advisability of establishing an Agricultural School, or farm. Mr P. E. Daniells, of Scott’s Ferry, holds a record for efficient work at one of the most difficult ferries in the colony. During his management (says the “Rangitikei Advocate”) the mails have been taken across 2000 times, and have always been delivered in time. Mounted Constable Robert Kelly, who has been stationed at Nelson for the past fourteen years, has left for Dunedin. Prior to his departure, Sergeant Mackay, on behalf of himself and the members of the local police force, presented Constable Kelly with a handsome silvermounted hunting crop as a mark of esteem.

The Auckland Scenery Conservation Society has passed a resolution condemning the practice of shopkeepers decorating their places of business at Christmas time with nikau palm leaves and tree ferns. The society thinks it a pity that the beautiful nikaus, which are every year getting .scarper, should be sacrificed merely to provide decorations which last only a day or two. It is the custom of the Marist Bros, stationed in New Zealand to each year meet in retreat. By reason of the central position and the accommodation provided, the Stoke Orphanage is the usual meeting place, brothers from all parts of New Zealand have now the “retreat” commencing on the 6th instil is anticipated that about fifty will attend, and the Rev Father Ginisty, S.M., of Sydney, will bo present to conduct the proceedings and give addresses. A narrow escape from a drowning accident occurred on Sunday near the Rowing Club’s sheds (says the “Marlborough Express” of the 3rd instant). SergeantMajor Mason’s son was bathing in ’the river there, and being unable to swim was cautiously wading in the water when he suddenly sank in a quicksand dr soft place on the bottom, and in his efforts to extricate himself became submerged. There was no one else bathing at the time, a number of other bathers being on the point of leaving. Young Mason owes his rescue to the timely help given by one of these, Mr Fairweather, who, on hearing his struggles, rushed to the spot, and without waiting to throw off any of his clothing, promptly plunged into the river to the rescue. One of the oldest residents of Blersheim died last evening (says the ‘‘Marlborough Express” of the 3rd inst.) in the person of Mrs Annie Taylor, the relic of the late Mr Joseph Taylor. The age of the old lady was eighty-five years,- and she had been a Now Zealand settler for forty years. Mrs Taylor arrived at Nelson from England 1 with her husband and young family in the ship Queen of Avon in the year 1859. They came straight on to, the Wairau, in the vessel known sis the Tasmanian Maid, and that trip..is an interesting reminiscence, as showing how tedious was the act of journeying even short distances in the early colonial days. The vessel went from Nelson to Havelock, where there was only one house ; then to Port Underwood; across to Wellington; recrossed the Straits, and sailed up the Wairau River to Big Bush, where'a store was being bruit for Mr Hutcheson. The party settled down at Blenheim, Mr Taylor, who died some six years ago, establishing his blacksmith’s business; and the deceased lady has remained here ever since. She had been a close invalid for some years past, and: passed away last evening at the residence of Mr J. B. Raynor. Messrs Jo T seph, John and Thomas Taylor are sons of deceased, and Mrs J, B. Rayner a daughter. 1 At a mooting of the Bketahuna Farmers’ Club, a paper on agricultural schools and technical education was read by Mr Jacobsen, of Newman. Mr Jacobsen held that it was to obtain proper information concerning the methods of farming bush lands by attending schools ‘of agriculture in the south. What they wanted was a school of their own, controlled, not by the Government, but by the settlers themselves. They did not want a State concern, for political conditions were too frequently introduced. He described a certain agricultural school which had been started in Sweden, and 1 which had proved self-supporting and of good service to settlers. There young men gave their labour free of charge for terms extending up to three years in return for the instruction they received. The output of the farm connected with the school had paid all expenses and a good dividend to the promoters: Boys were not only taught practical farming, but were given; instruction in agricultural chemistry, bookkeeping and other subjects. Girls, too, were admitted to the school and taught how to make butter, cheese, etc. Mr Jacobsen ureyed that a similar institution in the' IScAfaitttftStrict would be invaluable.

The annual “social” and concert of the Gaelic Society in Dunedin on the 2nd inst. was made the occasion of welcoming back to New Zealand the Hon John McKenzie, chief of the society. In a speech, Mr McKeiizie mentioned that during a long conversation which Ije had with' Colonel Hector Macdonald at some Highland sports held near London,*'he (Mr McKenzie), had said, “If the British go to war in the Transvaal it will give you an opportunity to show whaf you can do. You will likely get command of the Highland Brigade, and we will be able to hear of you distinguishing yourself.” To this Colonel Macdonald replied that he did not know whether there would be war or, not, but if there was, he fancied it was not likely ho would be sent there right at once. There was,'; he said, jealousy respecting officers who had risen ; from the ranks, .as he had done, but it was. possible he would get a show if there was any hard fighting to be done. Well, as they knew, Macdonald was now on his way to South Africa, and if he (Mr McKenzie) was any judge of character, they might depend upon it Hector " Macdonald would be heard of.