LOCAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5732, 30 October 1905, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Thcro is a possibility of tho Sydney Rowing Club being represented in the four-oar and pair-oar races at tbo next New Zealand championship regatta. Tbe entries for tbe Canterbury Metropolitan Shear exceed, those of last year, which were a record, by 175. The increase is notably in sheep, which, compared with last vear, have increased from OS3 to 753, cattle 217 to 241, and horses 494 to 322. The following tenders have been received by the Public Works Department for the erection of station buildings at Mataroa. North Island Siam Trunk railway.—Waters Bros., -darton, £I6OO (accepted): Russell and Bigncll, Wanganui, £1373. Tbo New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association has jurisdiction over 263 7 oarsmen. They are distributed as follows Canterbury 747, Auckland 339. Wanganui 317. A\ cllington 30i, Otago 304, Hawke’s Bay 171. Southland 165. Nelson 127, Marlborough 03.

Parliament did not prorogue on Saturday night as anticipated. Tho bill which proposes to deal with the Harvester Trust gave rise to a very lengthy debate, many country members showing strong opposition to the measure, and they continued the discussion throughout tlip afternoon and portion of tbo evening, when the motion to put tho bill into committee was eventually agreed to. Tho consideration of amendments niado in various bills by tho Legislative Council occupied further time, and then about a couple of hours were taken up in an alleged "breach of privilege,” certain members declaring that they had been misrepresented in “Hansard” by tho Premier in regard to thdr vote on tho second reading of tho Old Ago Pensions Bill, with a view, to discrediting them in tho eyes of their constituents. This charge was denied by tbo Premier, who maintained, that ho had put tho position correctly. After this, miscellaneous business filled i\ the time until 11.4.0 p.m., at which, hour tho House rose until 11 a.m. t»' day. When tho House reassembles this morning an adjournment is to bo made until 2.30 p.m., out of respect to tlm memory of tho late Mr A. Saunders. It is expected that tho cession will dafinitely terminate this evening.

Ycstciday’s services at St. John’s Church were of a special character commemorative of the iifty-socond anniversary. There were good congregations hour morning and evening, tho Rev Ur, Gibb preaching on each occasion. Tim choir rendered special music. The anniversary will bo further celebrated tomorrow night at tho Dixon street Hall, when a social meeting will bo held. The Rev Dr Gibb will deliver a locturotu upon “The Choice Things of Robert Burns.” This will be musically an<J pictorially illustrated. A conversazione will afterwards bo held. Over a hundred and fifty cyclists took part in a procession, headed by motorcars, on Saturday afternoon, on tho occasion of tho formal opening of the cycling season. The procession, which was organised by tho cycle trade, went from tho General Post Office to the Newtown Park, where sports were to have been held. The approach of ominous-looking clouds caused tlm wheelmen to heat a hasty retreat homewards shortly after arriving at the park. A refreshment marquee had been erected, and it was unfortunate that tho proceedings were marred. A return, ordered on the motion of Mr Alison, was presented to Parliament on Saturday, .showing tho royalties collected on timber, flax, and coal in each land district during tbo year ended March 31sb last. Tho principal amounts collected in timber royalties were as follows:—Auckland, .£30,973; Westland. £11,794; Southland, £3098; Nelson, '£1951; Wellington, £1322. Tho leading totals for flax were :—Auckland, £181;’ Southland, £175; Westland, £l6O. Tho coal royalties collected were as follows:—Nelson, £14,203; .Westland, £2113; Otago, £1352; Auckland £493; Southland, £155; Canterbury, £IOO.

The following remit from the North Canterbury Provincial Council of tli® Farmers’ Union was forwarded for tho order-paper of tho summer conference, but aftenvards withdrawn“ That Farmers’ Union flour mills be established, either by the erection of now mills, or the purchase of existing mills; —olio ini or near eaeli centre of population, viz., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin—with the object of lowering the price of flour, and so allowing consumers to have cheaper bread, -as, the low price of wheat and the lugls price of flour leaves a larger profit to tho Millers’ Trust in New’ Zealand than in any other part of Australasia.” Tiro Audit Commission —their Honors; Justices Denniston, Edwards, and. Cooper—sat' in ' open Chambem on Saturday morning for the purpose of deciding tho manner in which the search for “ tho missing voucher ” should bo conducted. Counsel representing the Government departments and Captain R, J. S. Sodden were 'present, and Mb F. M. B. Fisher, M.H.R., and Air Willia appeared in person. After a long discussion, it was. agreed, on the suggestion of Air Justice Cooper, that all tha cheques for Government moneys on tho Christchurch branch of the Bank of New Zealand for sums between £4O and £IOO should he compared with tha vouchers issued for tho years 1903-4. According to a Parliamentary return, presented on Saturday, for twelve months ended Juno 30th, 1905, 435 X gallons of beer and stout, 4G gallons of wine, 223 S gallons of spirits (total, 0635 gallons of alcoholic liquor), was. railed to stations in the Alataura electorate. In addition, 929 parcels and 35 cases of liquor not otherwise specified were railed to stations in the electorate) during tho same period. The following figures show the quantities of liquor railed to stations in tho Ashburton electorate for the period under re. view : Alo and stout—46l cases, 169, hhds., 1009 kegs, 422 kil., 58 jars, 13 casks, 36 barrels. Spirits—lllo cases, 13 casks, 3 oct., 249 jars, 33 parcels, 3 kegs. Wine—7l cases, 3 jars, 1 keg, Cider—l2 kegs, 4 oct., 2 cases. It is a long time since Wellington was visited by so vivid a play of lightning as between 8 and 9 o’clock lakb eve ling. Flashes of sheet lightning, folio-king rapidly one after tho other, illumined tho north-eastern sky, and now and again crashes of the warring elements above reverberated alarmingly near, while at other times tho thunder appeared to bo little more than a distant echo. Tho weather baa been “ queer ” for some days past, and though it was breezy yesterday tho atmosphere was very muggy. So far tho spring in Wellington has been phenomenally aqueous, and it is to bo hoped that the play of electricity in the heavens last evening will clear tho way, meteorologically, to warm bright spring.

From Messrs Raphael Tuck and Sons. Ltd., London, wo have received our accustomed “Christmas box” of samples of tho seasonable literature issued by this celebrated firm of art publishers. These samples, beautiful and varied though they are. of course convey but a dim idea of tbe immense collection, issued from “Raphael House.” That collection includes Christmas and New Year cards in 3-500 separate designs, 2000 new post-cards, 300 art calendars, and numerous artistic booklets, children’s toy-books, etc. English journals have pronounced the “Raphael” Christmas jiublioations of this year to bo of greater artistic value than ever, comprising a large number of designs of beautiful and novel effect. Tho mere catalogue of those productions, extending to over 300 pages, is in itself a wqrk of art. as it contains many ropro. ductions of the designs, some of which aro miniature colics of celebrated paintings. For the coming festive season, the popularity of the cards and calendars of Raphael Tuck and Sons is assured. Our Great Clearing Sale now in full swing; Chests Drawers 27s od. Occasional Suites £lO. —H. Fielder and Co. 1

A branch of the I, nion Fbi iik of Australia, has been opened :iS Feilding. The Colonial (’inoperative Building Society of AVellinglon Ini.s 1-en re K .~ lorod. r i lie first meeting *« 1 ” heli.l next Wednesday veiling. If tho weather is fine to-day a trial will bo urulr oi Major Beals nor. rifle sights at J'rentbam. A train v.-ill Joavo lor the ration at 1.1-I p.m. The Victorian postal antboritios have prohibited the circulation of all poscoarUK that an- indecent. or border on imioccncy. Any cunls nl nu objectionablo ciiaracN’r posU'd an: do-.troytxl. The Iloaltb Department reports two cases of diphtheria, and one of bloodpoisoning in Wellington for tho week ending Saturday last. No cases of infectious di.-easo were reported from llntt County. According to a Press Association message, tho self-denial week of tho Salvation Army in Dunedin realised £2IOO. At tho Vivian street Citadel to-night a declaration will be made respecting the results of the self-denial week. Joseph James Garrity was charged at tho Feilding Police Court with fraudulently obtaining C-f Os by means of a hotting transaction at Alfredton. The ■suso was renuindrd to be licard at Wellington on Friday next. Tho Wellington Fire Brigade received a call about half-past seven last night to Mr Bmvzaid’s shop on I.amhton quay. Luckily tlieir services were not required, na a, blaze originating in .some fat out of a pan boiling over on to a stove had been suppresned before the brigade arrived. Little nr no damage was done. An urgent meeting of the Wellington Builders’ and Contractors’ Association is to be held at Godber’s rooms. Cuba street, this evening to consider new conditions of contract, as agreed upon (recently ut Tiniarn. Ail builders in tho Wellington district are asked to attend.

Tlio Philosophical Society will meet i»t the Museum next Wednesday evening. The following papers will be read: ■—“Notes on Some Sou 111 Island Birds and Maori Associations Connected Connected Therewith - ' (by Mr James Rowan); “The Transformation of liarley into Malt" (by Mr Percy 13. napeon); “Some Historic Maori Personages’’ (by Mr Thomas W. Downes, Wanganui). The sixty-first anniversary of the Terraco Congregational Church Sunday School was commenced at .special services held yesterday. The preacher at The morning and evening services was the Rev Edward Taylor (Port Chalmers), the Rev B. L. Thomas '(officiating in tho afternoon. The choir, school children, and orchestra rendered a special musical service. To-morrow .night a tea meeting will bo hold in tho schoolroom, to bo followed by a public meeting in tho church. Hospital Sunday lias been fixed for December 3rd, at tho Basin Reserve. Over two hundred bandsmen will take part in tho demonstration, representing the 'Wellington Garrison, Jupp’s Brass, Newtown Brass, Central Mission, Wellington Tramway Brass, Wellington Public School Cadet, -and Potone Brass Bands. Speeches will bo given by Sir Robert Stout and tho Mayor. A collection will be taken at tiro gate, and Tho whole proceeds handed to tho Wellington Hospital.

At tho Boulcott street Church yesterday morning, the Rev Father Hickson drew the attention of tho congregation to tilio fact that there was an electoral .roll on exhibition in the church porch. Ho urged all district electors in tho 'jiarish to see that their names were on tho roll, and ho was particularly emphatic in regard to female electors, who wore prone to neglect tho electoral duties imposed on them by tho State. Tho reverend father referred to tho JJiblo-in-schools question as one that Would ho important at tho approaching flections.

Tlio Extension of Comuiorco Committee of tlio House of Representatives, to ivliora ivas referred tlio Methylated Spirits Bill, reported on Saturday, after taking evidence, that -whilst the question will require tho careful attention of tho Customs Department, it has not boon made clear that tho passing of tlio bill this session is a matter of urgency. Regarding tho point raised as to the spirits being used for adulterating articles for drinking purposes, the evidence does not disclose any such tendency. Tho Ronse and Hurrell Carriage Building Company. Ltd,, have been ajipointed oaachbuiUlera to his Excellency tho Governor. This firm are now completing a contract for electric cars for the Wellington Citv Corporation. They purpose throwing their showroom open to tho public next Saturday afternoon and evening. when one of tho now cars will bo on exhibition. Messrs Macdonald, Wilson and Co. sell to-day, at 12 o'clock, at the farm of. Mrs ,Squires, Stokes’ Valley (who _ has sold same), the whole of her dairy stock, ehoop, pigs, horses, farm implements, dairy utensils, etc.; also tho whole ot tho household furniture, etc. Details appear in tho advertisement inserted in the auction column. Kirkcaldio and Stains, Ltd., advertise ’'great silk values." Business buyers are recommended to road tho announcement made by Messrs Road Bros, in another column. The Globe Proprietary Company has all kinds of businesses for sale. Messrs Lovien, Shallcrass and Co. will hold a final clearing sale of drapery, millinery, otc„ at their auction rooms to-day. To-morrow they will sell wall papers and picture mouldings. Mr J. C. Maddison wants tenders for alterations to Messrs Harcourt and Co.’s promises.

Tho City Council invites tenders till December Ist for leases of throo sections of land dn Willis street, known as "Laory’s block.” The Harbour Board will receive tenders till November 16tli for tho lease of the bookstall on tho Queen's Wharf for a period of three years. The, Board announces that tenders wltl be called in January for tho supply and delivery of 133 tons of hoop steel and li tons of studs for wool-pressing purposes. The railway authorities Announce excursion rated in connection with tho Christchurch show and races. Mise Davcy. milliner, Willis street, has a. notice in our advertising columns. Lowco and lorns. Ltd., announce an alteration in tho date of tho sale of Mr John McLeod’s hauling plant at Martinborough. The sale will bo held On November Bth.