LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5211, 27 February 1904, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The decisive battle which it was a few lays ago announced would take place at Kirin seems to he now within measurable distance, as Japanese troops are reported to have landed at .Possicb Pay, fifty miles no-nth of Vladivostock. Their march westwards to Kirin, if -undertaken simultaneously with a northward movement by the great Japanese army now in Korea, will place tho Russian forces on the Yalu river in a decidedly awkward position. Tho intelligence that the Russian Administration at Vlalivostock has withdrawn to Khaharovka doubtless lias some connection with tho landing at Possiet Pay, The fact of this binding having boon accomplished without effort to prevent it being made by the Russian squadron at Vladivostock appears to indicate that the Czar’s warships in that quarter are as littlo use for effective action as those at Port Arthur. It is ‘stated that Port Arthur was again attacked by tho Japanese on Thursday, and that tho attack was repulsed, with -what consequences, how?ver, it is not announced. The attempted assault of Tuesday is now said to iiavc resulted in four Japanese steam?rs being destroyed. Tho battleships Retvisan and Czarevitch have been damaged to such an extent that they cannot bo repaired at Port Arthur, and will now bo used is coastguard ships. Reports have been receive*! of tho massacre of villagers near tho Sungari Bridge, in retaliation, Icjubtless, for damage dono to the radlvay recently in that neighbourhood, Tho hop crop is being picked in the Marlborough district. Tho “Express” reports that tllio rod spider has caused jonsiderable damage to the plants. All members of the Eighth, Ninth a.nd Tenth Contingents who are able to attend to receive their war medals at Monday’s mooting at tho Skating Rink aro required to send in their names to the District Adjutant.

Mi* E. G. Pilcher, agent for receiver rf the Greymonth-Point Elizabeth Railway and Coal Company, Limited, writes lo say that the particulars regarding the company which appeared in our evening contemporary were published on his authority. Application is being made to the Govmunent, through Mr J. H. Witheford, by rotiLirncd troopers who havo taken np sections of waste land at Te lyniti, to have their holdings brought under the operation of the Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Act.

A meeting of tho creditors of George Edward Taylor, of Rikiorangi, bankrupfc, will be held on Tuesday afternoon at the Official Assignee’s office. The nuFocured creditors’ claims amount to £309 oa 6d, and tho assets of the estate amount to £372 Os 3d. Principal creditors are:—B. Brown, Ltd., Otaki, £IOO 3s lid; William Henshaw. Rlikiorangt, £100; W. J. Howell, Parapnraiuniu, £OO Os odi. The contest of the North Island Brass Bands Association will commence at Palmerston North next Monday, on the A. and P. grounds, and will continue till Friday. Sixteen .bands will compete, in addition to which 165 players are entered for solo-, trio and quartette‘competitions. Excursion fares are an- , nonneed on both -lines of railway. On Sunday afternoon the Kaikorai Band, on its way to Palmerston, will give a concert on the Thorndon esplanade, commencing at 3 o’clock. Messrs Gelhor and Dowdall, of Palmersfcon North, recently returned from a motor-car trip to- Rotorua. They were away for a fortnight, and during that time visited every township on tho route. Tho roads on tho up-journey n-ero^ very bad. Tho return was made ria Napier, and the travelling was much pleasanter. Tho average speed maintained from Napier to Palmerston North was seventeen miles an hour. The car was tho cause of much curiosity among the natives of out of tho way hapus. A largo block of the reclaimed land opposite tho Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.’s premises in Featherston street is about to bo covered with a building for Messrs Jenkins and Slack, plumbers and brass-founders, of Lambton quay. The building will extend from Whitmore to Ballanoo streets, with frontages to those streets and Featherston street, and will bo constructed of brick, to the height of three stories. Tho building will have a frontage to Featherston street of 183 ft, a * frontage to Ballance street of 49ft Gin, «nd to Whitmore street- of 18ft 7in.

Messrs Jenkins aand Mack's Building, n-hich will cost about £IOOO, is being trocted on the day labour principle, under the supervision of Mr Thomas Carmichael. Tlio tender of Messrs Mitchell and King, of Sydney, has been accepted by Messrs Crichton and McKay, architects, lor the construction of the new bankinghouse to bo erected on La mb ton quay for tho Lank of Now South Wales, on the site of the present building. During the building operations tho work of Iho bank will bo carried on in thepremi»es formerly occupied by Levin and Co., tnd yesterday a tender was lot for certain alterations which will bo necessary before the business can bo transferred. When the bank officials aro housed in their temporary quarters, a tender will be lot for tho'demolition of the present banking-house and the clearing of tho mte. About five or six weeks later on tho work of constructing tho new buildtug wi 11 bo commenced. As set out in the description already published in Mio “ Times,” tho proposed bankinghouse will be of very handsome proportions and design, and of three stories. It is expected that it will bo finished In about eight months. Its cost will be about £35,000. With the demolition of tho building now occupied by the bank, another bit of old Wellington will disappear. Tills was at. one time the Supremo Courthouse of this city. It lias now been for about twenty years in possession of the Bank cf Now South Wales, which before that period carried tm its business in a building at the corner of Willis and Bouloott streets, afterwards occupied by Dr Gore Gillon.

Tho Ash hurst Athletic Club wilMiold itri annual sports gathering on Faster Monday, April 4th.

Tho special session of tho New Zealand University Senate in April next will deal with matters connected with tho selection of candidates for tho Rhodes Scholarships.

More trouble for the householder! Tho Wellington vendors of milk announce that owing to scarcity of that iluid the price is to bo increased from March Ist.

Further evidence was hoard yesterday by the Chief Justice in the case Welshadi Light Company v. R. Lochhead. Tho case is to be resumed, on Monday at 11 a.m. To-day is the twenty-third anniversary of tho buttle of Majuha and the fourth anniversary of General Cronjo’s surrender at Paardoherg. It will be four years ago to-morrow since the Relief ot Ladysmith.

A case of prompt action in the settlement of insurance claims ocourcd in connection with tho fire -which did £-1000 worth of damage at the Gear Company’s works at Potono on Monday last. All claims had been satisfactorily settled by yesterday morning.

A report submitted to the Land Board by one of its rangers showed that the conditions under which sections in Fpuru Hamlet (Lower Hutt) aro held aro being well carried out. Tho Board placed on Record its satisfaction witli tho condition of affairs disclosed by the report. At tho annua! meeting of tho Pctono Fire Brigade, the folowmg were elected officers for the year Captain, C. Loppor; lieutenant. G. Xjowin; foreman, A. Sha.rdlaw; assistant foreman, G. N. Drydcn; station-keeper, AI. Adams; hon surgeon. Dr Ross; committor, H. Ryder, R. Blake and J. Brocklehurst.

Tho number of stock in the colony at tho ond of last year was as follows; Horses, 290,182; cattle, 1,593,547: swine, 226,591; sheep, 18,954,553. Sheep (as compared with 1002-3) show a docreaso of 1,388,174. In horsey there was an 'lncrease of 11,763; in cattle an increase of 132,884, and in swine an increase of 32,851.

The Auckland Board of Education wants somo money from tho Government for its Technical School, and has decided to inform the department that if tho grant applied for as -long ago as October last does not soon make its appearance, tho Board will have to consider whether it will not bo necessary to closo tho school.

“Going homo last night (writes “Truthful”) I was grabber! by a robber concealed in one of the many caverns on a Lambton quay footpath. Ho rifled my pockets before tho police could procure ropes with which to rescue mo from tho depths. What is my remedy? Should it bo criminal process against tho robber or civil action against tho City Council for contributory negligence P”

Tho Petone Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night discussed the question of obtaining a now wharf for Petone. Mr H. Findlay and tho secretary, Mr D. Swanson, were directed to obtain data as to tho size of wharf required and its prospects. In connection with an electric tram ■service for the Hutt Valley, it was decided that the Chamber should co-operate with Mr Wilford, M.H.R., in advocating such a system. At a meeting of tho Friendly Societies’ Council* hold last night, it was decided to call a conference of tho various'fricndly socioti.es in New Zealand to commence on April 20th. Tho question for discussion is the Friendly Societies Act of 1882, several clauses of which aro objected to. Last session of Parliament several amendments were prepared, but were not gone on with, and tho Profiler has asked for further suggestions for next session.

Lord Woßeloy, : n his recently-pub-lished autobiography, roundly condemns the system of political control that so greatly hampers the effectiveness of the British Army. “The rank and file of the army, ik all right,” he says; “the officers-may be good, but. political management is bound to bo bad. Nevertheless, we have got along pretty well, and with a kind Providence above, we may do so until our time for disruption as a nation comes.” Last week a representative of the London dairy produce firm of Oetz -s and Gerritsen reached Sydney, having travelled to Australia, via Singapore, conring through Russia and Siberia, to inspect a number of branches that the firm has established in those countries. He states that a considerable portion of the butter now put on tho London market comes from Siberia, whoso output. is doubling each year. Whilst tho competition of Siberia is becoming a serious matter to other countries, principally Denmark, Australia, he says, has nothing to- fear, because butter from Siberia is' a summer import, whereas that from Australia is chiefly a wintor ono. There is any amount of room for colonial butter in tho Homo markets, bub it is necessary that more care should bo exorcised both in making and preparing it for export. At present, of tho butter received from the' colonies, that from Now Zealand, ho assorts, arrives in tho best condition. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd. has secured a section of laud from - Mr H. Hartley, at Himitangi, and is erecting up-to-date saleyardg there. The sales nave hitherto been conducted at tho old Oroua Downs sbeepyartls. but these have been found somewhat inconvenient both for buyers and sellers, hence tho mfild.ng of suitable yards close to the .Himitangi Railway Station. The first sale in the new yards will be held on Monday, March 7th, and there will be a good entry of both sheep and cattle.

The proprietors of the “New Zealand Mail” are offering £2O in prizes in a photographic competi|ion. Tull particulars may be seen in the “Mail.” The quarterly meeting of Excelsior Lodge of Druids is to be held next Monday evening.

Tho February number of “Life,” the new magazine edited by Dr W. H. Fitchett, is now ready. It is said to be Fetter than the previous issue. Messrs Sidey, Meeoh and Co. wilt sell furniture, clothing and miscellaneous goods at their rooms this afternoon. Laery and Co.. Ltd., will sell hams and bacon at their rooms next Monday morning.

Messrs Farr and Bennie invite tenders for the erection of a. shop, dwelling and bakehouse in Courtenay place. Messrs Freeman B. Jackson and Co. will sell stock at Johnsonville next Tues-

Prices for tea and other commodities are advertised by Mr Campbell, of Man-ners-street and Newtown. Messrs Harcourfc and Co. have a fresh list in our advertising columns of residential properties, farms and businesses for sale.

Messrs Cory and Co., land and financial agents, insert a fresh list of boardinghouses and other businesses placed in their hands for sale.

Messrs Edward Beeves anil Co. advertise a valuable dairy farm in Taranaki district for sale. If dfsired owner will take other property in exchange. Entries for the local examinations in musical knowledge, in connection with Trinity College. London, to be held on June lU.b, will be received up to March 12th at Messrs Begg and Co.’s music shop, Willis street.

Various articles of apparel and adornment dear co the feminine heart are ad* vortis.u in another column by Messrs (Je->rye and Keisß-y, of the Economic. Mr 11. Margulos, eyeaiguc specialist Willis street, publishes a testimonial in auo.hcr column. Messrs Sidey, Mcech and Co. draw*attention to their extensive list of city ami surbiuban properties, etc., appearing m this Nsuo. Tney aro described as a par. liculany good assortment. Tenuepj aro invited for tho purchase ot stock-in-trade, lease of shop, etc., in the banktupt estate of Frederick Unwin, store Keeper, Alangalainoka.

The .Stewart Timber, Glass and Hardware Company has the agency for tho southern portion of this island for the Now I'ork Standard Paint Company's Ruberoid roofing. Giant and Hercules pajjers, etc. An advertisement appears in another column.

Poultry farms of special attraction aro advertised by Messrs William 11. Turnbull and Co. in their changed advertise* mont in this paper; also a building section overlooking Oriental Bay. Tho firm’s Newtown branch is making a speciality of tho house-letting department, having made arrangements with various largo owners in. tho district for the solo agency of their houses.

Messrs J. H. Bethune and Co. will sell by order of the Mortgagees under conduct of tho Registrar of the Supremo Court, on March 16th, a compact residential properly in JOpnni street. The land has a frontage of 30ft by a depth of 130 ft, on which is erected a comfortable 11 vo-roomed dwelling-house. Messrs Macdonald, Wilson and Co. publish full details of tho sale of superior household furniture and piano to be hold at the. family residence of Mr S. Clarke Johnson, ‘’'Kennington.,'” Clifton terrace, on Tuesday next, at 1 o'clock. Other advertisements inserted are the sale on Wednesday next, at the firm’s Exchange Land .Mart, of the Township of Trentham, con.-isang ot 06 sections ranging in area from a quarter aero to two acres each. They are situate immediately opposite the Wallncevillo railway station, and extend back to tho main Hutt road, opposite McGovern’s Hotel. Tho detailed advertisement appears in our auction columns. For the convenience of intending buyers the hours of departure of trains for Trenthnm are stated in same, the special return faro for Saturdays and Sundays being Is 6d. A brake leaving Williams’s Hotel, Petone, at 2 o'clock to-morrow (Sundnj*) will take visitors to the land. Plans can be had on application to tho firm, or at the Trontham store. A fine block of land of 30 acres, situate at the Nai Nai, near the residence of Mr John Duthie, M.H.R., will be submitted on March 10th next, also a very valuable freehold business site in Courtenay place, adjoining the warehouse of Messrs A. and T. Burt, and having land 30ft llin by 120 ft; valuable freehold business site, having a double frontage of 52ft to Dixon street, and 53ft to Edward street, by a depth of 110 ft irregular with the three dwelling-houses erected thereon; and an improved farm property, situate close to Stratford, containing 100 acres. Details of these sales also appear in the auction column. The Christchurch branch of the National Mortgage and Agency Co. advertises in this issue that it has for sale a number of farming properties in the South Island, and that, having inquiries for North Island farms, it will bo pleased to hear from any wishing to dispose of such. The branch has also rams for sale from all the principal breeders. This company, with branches throughout the whole of the South Island, has special facilities for bringing buyers and sellers of stock or land into touch. Messrs Latham and Co., Woodviße, acU vortise a number of farms for sale; also a shop at Woodville to let.