LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5948, 11 July 1906, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A village correspondent of an upcountry newspaper records tho development of the place in which ho lives thus;—“Tho fame of as a terrestrial paradise is so groat that a Celestial has been induced to come down hero among us, and wall find a restingplace for the soles of. his foot in a building now approaching completion P Tho Acting-Minister for Industries and Commerce has sent the following telegram to freezing companies throughout tho colony:—“Tho High Commissioner cables in© that there is a favourable opportunity to advertise merits of Now Zealand tinned meats, and to invito inspection at the Grocers' Exhibition Agricultural Hall, London, opening September next. I would bo glad to know whether your company arc prepared to make exhibit of all your tinned goods. If so I will secure space. Please, telegraph immediately reply.—J. Carroll.” From tho local agents, Levin and Co., Ltd., wo have received a copy of tho annual report of the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company for tho year 1905, 1 as submitted to tho eevoutietn annual meeting of the shareholders. The firo department showed a surplus of £393,705, which was carried to profit and loss account. The general reserve fund stands at £1,400,000; fire ro-insuranco fund, £900,000; Globe perpetual annuity fund, £1,654,200; life and annuity funds, £5,437,817; profit and loss account, after fixing dividend for 1905, £1,010,022.

The principal of the Maori College at Olarovillo (Wairarapa), Rev. S. G. Compton, M.A., reporting to the Diocesan Synod on the year’s work, states that perhaps the most promising feature is that of the improved feeling amongst the scholars and their loyalty to their principal and to their college. Both caliuotmaking and carpentry work have fully justified their existence, and the money expended upon equipment. Cabinets, lockers, desks-, garden scats, and other useful articles of furniture of the boys’ construction aro now in use. Besides this, the boys make up cricket shoes and repair their boots. At the close of March, 1906, five Maori boys were confirmed by the Bishop of the diocese at Masterton.

At a public meeting at Carterton on Monday night it was decided to support » New Zealand memorial to the late Mr Scddon. to be erected in Wellington; that the Mayor of Wellington he requested to invite each electorate in the colony to send one delegate to 9 conference to ho hold in Wellington at an early date to consider the nature of the memorial; that the Government be urged to set aside the Mount Oook site for a memorial technical college, such college to bo free to students from all parts of the colony, who possess qualifications. Mr Hornsby, M.H.R., was appointed delegate to the public meeting at Wellington.

A letter was read from Mr G. Gregor at last meeting of the Auckland City Council upon the question of the municipality providing workmen’s homes. The writer pointed out that workers’ homes a distance from the city involving tram or train fares would not meet tho requirements of those who must reside near their work. Ho suggested f hat tho municipality should erect terraces of workmen's homes of brick, and let each house for about 7s Od per week. Tho architectural details should ho dignified and beautiful, so long as internal'accommodation was not interfered with.' Ho suggested that tho City Council should provide those houses in or near the city, ahd the rent ho estimated would leave a margin representing five per cent on the money expended. Tho Mayor said ho hoped the Auckland Citv Council would take tho load in such an important matter as providing suitable homos for workers. 'The letter was referred to tho Finance Committee.

Giving reasons for tho Arbitration Court’s continuance of preference to unionists in tho Groymouth , wharf labourers’ award, Mr Justice _ Chapman remarked: “Though this is the only wharf labourers’umon in the colony which has preference under an award, it was given by the employers themselves in-the former agreement, and although there was evidence that consent was given by an agent of tho Union Steamship Company without authority, we must treat it as the consent of the company, and other employers had concurred in the consent. Had it been proved that the existence of preference was the source of trouble wc should have had to reconsider the position. But this was not made clear. We think, however, that the process of admission to the union was too cumbrous to meet emergencies, and have accordingly brought the conditions of the award in this respect into accord with a form of clause which has worked satisfactorily elsewhere.” One of the effects of no-liconso in Invercargill is a noticeable diminution in the number of those who lolled about the street corners under the previous conditions, and a complete absence of drunkenness in tho town. Daring the past two days (says the Southland “News”) not a single case of inebriety has been dealt with in the Police Court, and many who formerly did not allow a day to pass without frequent libations seem to have become reconciled to the altered circumstances. There are no evidenoes of drink coming into town from licensed 1 districts in bottles or larger quantities, and generally tho appearances up to the present have been such as to inspire hope in the breasts even of those who could see nothing but ill in the proposal to abol'sb the sale of liquor. Some opponents of tho reform have circulated not only locally, but in the north, that ‘‘many sly grog-shops are springing up,” but this statement is not in accordance with, fact.

The Colonial Co-operative Building Society of Wellington will hold its third loan appropriation by ballot this evening. Tho annual meeting of members of No. 5 Co-operative Building Society will tnko place on tho evening of tho 19th inst.

Tho Stratfcrd "Post” reports that men engaged in driving a timnol in the Manganni district on Saturday struck a spam of coal about 'it. thick by 12ft in length. It is stmted that tho coal is of good quality and burned well.

It was stated at tho meeting of the Eastbourne' Borough Council yesterday that tho requisite number of ognatnres to the petition to bo presented to tho Government, praying that rating in tho borough be on the unimproved value, had been obtained, hut tho lists had not yet bean collected by tho clerk.

Notice was given at the Diocesan Synod last night by Mr W. G. D. Evans (Pctone) to move—“ That this synod affirms tho principle of women’s franchise, and instructs the representatives of this d Kioto a nt the Genova! Synod to endeavour to have tho power to rote at the election of churchwardens and vestrymen granted to the Anglican Ohurchwomon of the colony.” In a report to the Wellington Industrial Association on the use of reinforced concrete in Auckland, for wharfage and for a crane foundation at tho Calliope dock, Mr S. Brown remarks;. “I may nienticm in passing that tho evidence given before tho Arbitration Court in Auckland, just recently, was to tho effect that tho average number of vessels docked in the Calliope, dock ivns, only ono per month.”

Mr Gilruth has recommended tho Government, in connection with the blackleg in Taranaki, to allow farmers between the Manawapou and Patea rivers to remove their own calves without inoculation on eocuring ft permit from the Stock Inspector and stating their intention beforehand. This will obviate tho difficulty caused by there being no inspector ait Manawapou.

The instruments which wc.ro removed from tho Observatory, on ’Observatory Hill, are now housed in a temporary structure in tho grounds of the Government Buildings, whore observations ara taken by tho stars every night when tho sky is favourable. It is understood tho instruments will eventually bo housed on Battery Hill, in the Botanical Gardens, close , to Kolbumo Kiosk. ■

The Anglican Synod, daring its present session, is to discuen a proposal, submitted by Mr C. Hi. Chatwin, “That a practical step bo taken tor the con* solidation of Christ’s people in the direction of propounding a reunion to the Church of England ot the societies founded by the late Itcv. John Wesley (a priest-and scholar of the State Church of England),styled ‘3l-xiodists’; and that they bo invited to rejoin and work with and in the Church rtf their fathers and of their reverend founder.”

In the country districts whore roadmetal is scarce it is found to ho an advantage to allow grass to grow on the sides of the roads. Without it the unmetallod strips become quagmires in winter and heaps of dust in summer, Tho New Plymouth Borough Council has instructed its foreman to discontinue removing the grass from the streets between tho water-tables and tho metal. A ratepayer, who recommended this course, stated that in Palmerston North tho local authorities wont so far as to plant grass in, tho streets. ,

Mr E. J. Fitzgibbon presided over a meeting of the West Coast Association, held at tho rooms of Messrs D wan Bros, last evening. Mr R. H. Willia ms was elected secretary, and Mr W. Morgan auditor. A committee was elected to draw up rules and regulations, and it was agreed that the subscription, be 2» 6d per annum. The meeting decided that the first “social” ot the association bo given in honour of tho new' member for Westland. Intending members aro notified elsewhere in this issue that they can now register their, names with the treasurer, Mr W. E. Ross, of Willis street.

Messrs G. Shirtcliffe (president), G, Wilson, Janies McDellan, Dee, J. Duthio, J. G. Harkness, and R. G. Pilcher were present at a mooting of. tho council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday. The chief' matter of public interest decided wan that at the general mooting of the Chamber, to be hold a fortnight hence, : the council .will recommend that thoChamber set abide from its funds the sum of twenty-four guineas to provide prizes at , tho eight local State schools for (X) commercial arithmetic, (2) original English composition, and (J) handwriting. The Wellington division of-the Now Zealand branch of tho British Medical Association unanimously passed the following resolutions at a largely attended meeting held on July Cth(l) ‘'This division of tho B.M.A, wishes to express sympathy , with: Mr E-. 11. W. Bligh in his crusade against impurity. It is of opinion that his lectures and expositions must be of tho greatest good to the public at large.” (2) ’ This division of tho B.M.A. is of opinion. that the advertisements relating to secret .'diseases and sexual matters now appearing in tho daily and weekly papers and magazines pro disgraceful, and should be prohibited in tho interests of morality,” At tho mooting of tho Eastbourne Borough Council, held yesterday afternoon, Councillor Shortt said the clerk might forward a letter i:o the Wellington Steam Perry Company, informing it of tho disgraceful conduct of sovora.l passengers by tho 10 p.m„ boat to Day’s Bay on Saturdays. Councillor Shortt indicated , that certain persons who make it a practice to travel to the Bay by that boat are not usually too sober, and are in tho practice of shouting out ribald songs and sayings tho whole way acrcas, to tho annoyance of other passengers. The Mayor said the Council had no power to do anything, but a letter could bo forwarded, as in all probability the directors knew nothing of the matter.

The Hutt County Council yesterday considered a letter from the Lower Hutt Borough Council on the question of the establishment. of an abattoir foi the district. The county was asked to join in a scheme for that purpose, It was proposed that tho district should consist of tho boroughs, of Lower Hutt Potone, and Eastbourne, and the Epunij Maungaroa, and Wain ui ridings of the county. It was suggested that the abattoir should be established under authority of section 5 of tho Slaughter, ing and Inspection Act, 1900. In a brief discussion it was stated that the Goar Meat Company was willing to' undertake tho who's of the slaughtering work for the district, which would save (ho local bodies from going to the. expanse of constructing «hs; loirs. It r.-as decided to defer tho matt -r in order to see if the Hutt Borough Council can obtain tho necessary legation to delegate its powers in regard to slaughtering to tho Gear Company,

The child Ida Holdswortli. who had h. rn miming from her home in Thompfion street for some days, was found yos-♦-',l tiny, and returned to her guardians.

A Maoii woman, fifty-ono years of age, who was an inmate of Porirua Asylum, escaped from the institution yesterday morning, and got away hy train ns far an Shannon. The police in the district were notified of her escape. Their Honors the members of the Court of Appeal will sit again at 10.30 thin morning, when their reserved judgluauia in (he eases of I’lunrncr v. J'Jiminer, Hcarhy v. Bearby, and Mitchell v. ■J jl? ~\i)W Zealand Loan and .Mercantile Agoncj Company will he delivered.

Tim . Trustees of the WeJiii/-£ton HonovoUnt Institution mot yewtowlay afternoo “ , Present—the rt«v. J. K. Elihott ((hairnmn), Mrs Harvall, and Mr C. Ijof''on. Routine relief business only iv i transacted. The Oldro Homo lias inmates—s 7 males and 20 females.

Hr 'Viddowson, Stipendiary Magistrate at Hnnodl.ii, yesterday dismissed liio caw in which George Spiers was charged witii hotting on a kerosene tin on .T road adjoining the Tahuna Park rococo i«e. Ho hold that the facta did nob < inclusively ootablish that “ the place " was need for bcttling. The decision will apply to a number of other vases.

Mr B. H. W. i’ligii, of the 111010 Cross League, lias visited every public school in tho city, and addrtesc-d tho senior hoys. Tlio lieadmastcrs have shown greaT Interest in tho work. On Sunday, at 3 p.m., Mr Bligh will address womon and girls over fourteen yearn on “ Tho Power of Womanhood.” Thin meeting will bo in tho Town Wall, and will he presided over by Lady Pliuikot. The lecture is to ho under tho auspices of the nursing branch oi St. iTolin Ambulance Association.

Ono of tbo subjects mentioned by Mr Jennings, M.H.K., when interviewing tho Premier, Ala’ Hnli-Jones, was Unit ul allowing Mioii engaged on public; works in tho King Conntry and on tho North Island railway works tho privilege of leaving work at Id o’cloek on Saturdays, *ho men to make up tho necessary time during tho week. Tills would prevent desecration of tho Sabbath by allowing football and other games, whTeh are now freely indulged in on. Sundays, to be pl-vcd on Saturdays. Tho request was . iado by tho member for Jigmont at tho request of the men. It is only, within tbo past fifteen months that clergymen havo visited these out-of-the-way places. The only occupations for the men aro ' two-np ” and football. Tho question of tho railway route bctwcig/r TTelhngtop and 'the; Wairarapa has boon receiviing considerable consideration of Into by tho Lower Hutt Borough Council, and it recently decided to approach the Minister for llailways to ergo upon him tho advisablenees of constructing a Kno via tbo eastern side of tho Hutt Valley and YVainui, tbonco to a-point near tbo head of tho Wairarapa Lake. It ia pointed out that if this were dono largo tracts of fertile land would bo made accessible. Tbo Lower Hutt Borough Council regards this as a matter of colonial importance, especially to this portion of tho North Island, and it yesterday asked tho co-oporatiou of tho Hutt County Council and tho preoenco of a delegate from tho Council with tho deputation when tho Minister is approached. Tho chairman, Mr It. Bould, was appointed tho Council’s representative. Tho Works Committee of the Christchurch City Council submitted the following report at Monday night’s mooting of the Council;—“The committee begs to report that the time has arrived whon tho present system of electrical supply is unable to cope with tho demand, and that it is necessary to consider tho advisnhlcness of an exteny.on ultimately capable of supplying tho nholo area of tho city and suburbs, and recommends that a special committee bo set up to consider tho relative merits of a water, steam, or other power suitable for the purpose.” Tho recommendation was made in consequence of the current now obtained from tho destructor being unable to supply the demands of tho public. Speakers at tho Council meeting favoured harnessing tho Waimakariri or some other largo adjacent river, and so obtaining unlimited power. The report was adopted.

Tlio Wanganui “ Herald,” in art artioo on “ Gambling and tho Turf,” says: —We believe that in the present of the law the police are wanting in their duty with regard to the very ■largo amount of betting that is permitted to go on with It is notorious that in Wanganui a number of these undesirable gentry aro permitted to ply their calling in our streets apparently wiitli perfect impunity, and that some of our most prominent hotels and public places are being regularly and daily used for the purposes of this illegal business. Hi is is the subject of much unfavourable comment, and. wo have hoard tho supinenoss of tho police dn this respect very severely commented on. While some attempt has been made in other places to put down what has become ah intolerable evil, little appears to have been done in this direction hero, and it is high time that some steps were taken hero in Wanganui, where these harpies aro allowed to carry on their trado with a publicity that amounts to little short of a public scandal, to put an end to such an undesirable state of things. At tho annual meeting of the Livorpool and Loudon and Globe Insurance Company hold at Liverpool on May 15th, tho chairman, Mr F. W. Moore, made the following statement with reference to tho settlement of claims at San Francisco:—“A good deal has appeared in the newspapers about this matter, and some correspondents have gone so far as to send reports that all claims whatsoever, whether for damage by earthquake or by fire, will be settled by tho lire companies- I need scarcely «ay that this is not tho case. Representatives of tho British and American companies interested are assembled nt San Francisco, and a committee has boon formed, and it is hoped that joint notion will be taken to form a basis for the adjustment of claims. Tlio course adopted will, no doubt, he for companies in the first place to ascertain what their undoubted legal liabilities are, and then to promptly satisfy them. With regard to doubtful claims, thoro will probably be many cast's of difficulty, but wo have tho assistance of skilled asses,sore, and we can assure the shareholders that their interests will bo well looked a.fyer and carefully safeguarded, whilst the rights of the assured will bo fully protected. We havo sent assistance from Hew York and Chicago and Mr Dent, our submanager, will shortly be in California. In no caao will wo pay away any largo sum of money in respect of claim* for which wo may be advised that the company is not strictly legally liable, unless we aro fully convinced that tho interests of the business require such payments to bo made.”

Quito recently a shag shot at Makuri (says tho “Pahiatua lira”) wa.s found to contain a trout measuring 13in and weighing a pound. On the Mnngahao, along tho Manawatu road, thero is a colony of fifty or more shags which aro despoiling tho river of fish. Tlio reward offered by the Accl iua'.i'ation Socioty for ullage/ heads appears to have dono iittio to chock tho increase of the pest. Tnpora Akuhaka, a Tanranga Maori, was committed to the at Auckland for sentence on Friday on seven separate charges of procuring natives to impersonate owners of land and to commit forgeries of the owners’ signatures upon transfer deeds. Evidence for the prosecution (showed that tho prisoner secured £154 5s from a Mr Patterson, who was desirous of purchasing native interests in a block of land on Molifci Inland, Tanranga. Lor each native owner who signed the transfer lie received a. reward, and also pocketed most of tho consideration money, tho natives signing tho deeds having no interest in tho lands. An advertisement to-day calls attention to an important adjourned meeting of the Scotsmen resident in this city. The meeting is to bo Hold on Friday evening at 8 o’clock, in the Mayor’s room at tho Town Hall, which has been placed at tlio disposal of the gathering by hid Worship. An invitation is offered to all Scotsmen who aro interested, and tho special attention of intending members of tho Caledonian Society who have not yet signed tho roll is called to tho meeting. This meeting will provide the last opportunity for signing tho original roll of membership, and on this account Scotsmen who aro interested will doubtless make efforts to be present. Resigned, apparently, to roads that aro hogs, tlio up-country newspaper relates without comment the incidents of road travelling. Says tho Ohakuno correspondent of the “Wanganui Chronicle”:—On a recent trip which five drays made in company from Pipiriki to Ohakimc, one dray got stuck four times and capsized once, another was stuck once, two of tho others had their shatters down in tho mud, and two of the drivers wore thrown out of their clraytf. All tlio drivers and horses had been over tho road frequently. Tho cost of carting from Plpiriki to Ohakuno has risen from £2 10s to £9 10s per ton, and it _is difficult to engage teams at that price. Tho Auckland Railways League, at its annual meeting on Saturday, passed a resolution strongly urging tho completion of the Auckland-Gisborno railway. This was stated by one speaker to bo oecond only in point of importance to the district to the North of Auckland lino. A delegation will bo sent to Wellington to co-operate with other leagues in pressing tho matter upon tho notice of the Government, Tho mover of this resolution, Mr A. 8011, considered it important that Southern members should bo shown the advantages of, and necessity for, the construction of railway linos in tho North. He pointed out that this would largely increase tho prosperity of tho South Island, since the North was its best customer. It might not ho out of place to suggest to the Government tie advantage of raising a loan especially for the Auokland-Gis-borno railway. Tho money could ho raised in the colony, and the interest would flow back into tho pockets of the people of the colony. A heavy north-north-westerly gale raged at Wellington yesterday from about 3 a.m. till midday, and inconvenienced shipping considerably. The scow Wanderer, from Havelock, which anchored in the stream at 1 a.m., commenced to drag at daybreak, and at 9 a.m. was within easy stone-throw of tho Oriental Bay beach. However, tho vessel’s anchor then held fast. The tug Duco es mo to her rescue, and after a difficult task extricated tho scow from her awkward position. The Government cruiser Sparrow drifted across tho harbour at about midday. After grazing the hulk Coromandel, she fouled a buoy off the end of tho Glasgow Wharf, but was held by the Duco till anchor was dropped at tho man-of-war moorings, where she is at prestent located. The hulk Arawata also broke away from her moorings in the stream, but waa brought up at the man-of-war anchorage. The Rev Mr Bates advises that from 5 p.m. on Monday till 9 a.m. yesterday tho wind averaged thirty-flvo miles an hour. He computes that tho fiercest gusta yesterday had a velocity of seventy miles an hour. Now that tho petroleum-boring in Taranaki has given promise of success, indications of tho presence of oil aro being found in many parts of the province. A few days ago a report reached the Now Plymouth “Herald” office that mud, bubbling with tho pressure of oil from beneath, had been noticed on a marshy property near the town. A “Herald” representative examined the spot in company with the owner of tho property. First the natural gas escaping from the bed of a stream was ignited, and a strong, steady blaze burst forth. When a hole was made in tho mud, gas escaped in such, quantities that a flame strong enough to boil a kettle could be obtained. The party was given several demonstrations. Tho bubbling mud remained to be seen. A young man witii a long arm worked his hand down into the mud for a couple of feet. Then a sound was heard, as of a small motor-car in motion. Peering into the hole, tho investigator saw motion in the mud, and could clearly discern oil. It is said there are indications that the property is on tho same oil-bearing lino as the Moturoa bore. The “Herald” surmises that the ground may bo thoroughly exploited at an early date. It apparently remains for some serious disaster to shipping to awaken the authorities concerned to tho necessity for maintaining telephonic communication between tho Beacon Hill signal station (Scatoun) and tho city when bad Weather prevails. Yesterday morning tho little steamer Piako waa slowly drawn into danger, and finallv thrown on tho boach at 10 a.m. in Fitzroy Bay, without help being available, owing to a breakdown in tie telephone wire connecting the signal station and the city. In Hie afternoon tho Duco went out, but was, of course, unable to render any assistance. Tho Hinemoa was despatched to the scone also, but, on sending a boat ashore to Pencarrow lighthouse, it was discovered that the crew of the Piako (an elderly man and a youth) were safely housed there. Tho Piako, which arrived at the harbour entrance early on Monday evening from Blenheim, dropped anchor, owing to a breakdown in bor machinery. During the night tho rcaael commenced to drift, and by the morning waa in dangor. She was finally thrown up on the beach to the south-east of Pencarrow lighthouse, where eho now lies on an even keel, just within reach of high tide. The Piako is an iron steamer of twelve tons gross and eight tons net. She wan built in 1877 at the Thames.

A meeting of tho Single Tax I/O ague is to bo held at tho Trades Hall this evening.

“Lb Liberal,” a Socialist newspaper published in tho-French colony of Tahiti, makes tho following flattering comparison between the administration by Now Zealand of the Cook Islands and die French management of Tahiti; — “ We would Dike to see France follow a similar principle for the extension of her colonial influence. I’e would like to fsu her inspired by that same spirit which has actuated our ally England. In this very neighbourhood, close to Tahiti, the Cook Group, which lately became an English colony, i« now in full process of development. In 1904 its Budget showed a surplus of CS,CLU francs, ami in 1905 this Evas increased to 135,000 francs. This country is in every respect similar to Tahiti, which for Homo time past has closed its accounts with a deficit of from two to four hundred thousand francs. It is a fact that Rarotonga, tho principal island of the group, lias no departments of roads and bridges, but thero are raads in the country.” Tho “ Ceylon Observer ” and Messrs Ridley and' Bon, of Christchurch, have been carrying on a joint crusado in Ceylon in tlio direction of having that island’s teas exhibited on a fitting scale at tiio International Exhibition. fair Stanley Bois recently circularised Ceylon planters for the purpose or collecting samples of toa for the Imperial institute. These were tho first new saimiles to bo prepared for exhibition, and the “Observer” strongly urged that they (should, in tho first place, ho sent to tho New Zealand Exhibition before going to London. When the matter wan referred to Sir Stanley Bois ho was afraid it would not be a good thing to send tho samples referred to first to Now Zealand, ae it would etill further delay their arrival at tho Imperial Institute, where they arc really urgently needed to bring Ceylon’s collection there anything like up-to-date. Tho samples from St. Louie wero to have gone to tho linoerial Institute, but wcio hardly worth transport, so woro disposed of in tho States. Tho “Observer,” according to the latest files, was urging the collection of duplicate samples for New Zealand.

Speaking at the annual dinner of the St. George Society of Now York on April 22nd, General Stewart L. YVoodlord explained the attitude of President llocsovelt in refusing aid from other nations in connection with stricken San Francisco. “Tho President, in _ tho midst of tho horrors of San. Francisco,” ho said, '“kindly but firmly declined tho assistance offered by tho other nations, and especially, through St. George’s So'oioty, tho assistance of England. The President meant simply that, bowed as tho American people wero under their load, it was his wish that the American people show to tho world that under such an adversity the United States would take care of its own; would rise equal to the terrible occasion; would food their own hungry, would clothe their own naked, and, spurred bn by tho indomitable courage which this people always have exhibited under stress of distracting calamity, set up their flag and move to tho assistance ol ‘the city that onco was,’ and build a new city, oven though the earth shook beneath its foundations. In doing this—in refusing your great beneficence, tho President still feels that be is greatly honoured, as the American people are, in that England and the other great nations not only sent messages of regret, but offers of substantial material aid. He felt that tho nation, as a nation, would set an example to other nations.”

‘‘Ho is tall, slender, supple, and robust,” says a French journalist of Maxim Gorky, the well-known Russian novelist, whom ho met recently in the Crimea. “His face is notably flat and careworn and his powerful brow is creased with many lines.” The story of M. Gorky’s life is told as follows: “Ho was born in Nijni-Novgorod, in a family that was beyond the reach of want. His grandfather, a. contractor for house painting, brought him up and gave him his first instruction. Maxim Gorky did not go to school. Then the grandfather taught him his trado; his Idea was that his grandson should succeed him. But the lad rebelled; ho dreamed of a life very different from that of a house painter; he wanted to travel through the world, to see men and things; so he ran away. Tho necessity of gaining his living, tho still more imperious love of change, his unflagging desire to see men, made of him a wanderer throughout the vast domain of Russia. He has crossed many times from north to south, from east to west, horn the wooded shores of Finland to the cold peaks of tho Caucasus. By the way, in the eyes of the Russian Government he has remained what he was to have been; the official papers in which the accusation was brought against him in connection with revolutionary schemes describe him as ‘Maxim Gorky, house painter and man of letters. ”

New Zealand is not the only country in which land values are rising. United States newspapers show that that nation is having what is described as “its greatest real estate boom.” People at New York are putting their money into farms, sections, houses, hotels s , and sky-scrapera, and there are glowing reports of big deals, big transportation problems solved, and handsome returns on investments. Throughout the farm lands of tho West there •is speculation approximating a craze. Manhattan Island is described as the scene of the broadest and most important real estate speculation in the world. Everybody at Pittsburg is said to ho speculating, and fortunes are frequently made in a day. At Syracuse buildings worth nearly two and a half million, dollars are under construction, while Baltimore is a hundred million dollars in various undertakings. Property iin some parts of Philadelphia has increased in value by 30 per cent, during tho current year, and a hundred million dollars has been added to the value of farms in Nebraska during the past five years. The city of St. Louis, which, it was anticipated. would experience a slump afthr the Exposition, is booming wonderfully, and great buildings are growing skyward (fifteen to eighteen stories, occupying entire half-blocks) at the rate of two a month. Similar reports are made from a large number of centres. On April 15th—throe days before the terrible earthquakes and fires—San Francisco was enjoying tho greatest laud boom in its history. Buildings of two and three stories were being torn down to make way for loftier structures, and transactions in real estate were becoming startling. In March last tho value of property which changed hands in the Golden City aggregated nearly twenty million dollars. Wet weather footwear of all descriptions may be obtained at A. Lindsay's, Ltd., Lambton quay, and Cuba street. A residential property near Hastings is advertised for sale. Abraham and Williams insert entries for their stock sale at Levin next Frias'®,

Messrs Townsend and Paul will open the now fruit market in Allen street, tomorrow. These premises have been erected by this firm solely for its own use and are not connected with any combined scheme. The premises m Harris street where the firm's business has been carried on for years past will be kept open until further notice a,s a grain store only. Kirkcaldio and Stains, Ltd., advertise smart furs for race wear. Mr W. G. Hutchison, Featherston street, has a number of dairy farms to loa^e. To-day o;t 2.30 p.m. Messrs J. H. Bethuno and Co. will hold a sale of freehold and landed properties. They will submit in the estate of John Kiioy, a central freehold in foresters Lane, off Tory street, having a frontage of 33it, by a depth of o3it, with five-roomed cottage and shed thereon, well situated for erection of bulk store and factory; block of land at Thermion having frontages of L'Jdit to Grant road and 71ft Sin to Harriett street, with liirefe substantial dwellings of five rooms, let to tenants; a valuaolo corner block having frontages of 31ft to Ghuzneo street and 70 fed., to Marion street.

George 1 homos and Co. notify that having let the first floor of xheir premises in Harris street, only the ground door with onice attached is now available for letting. Miss Leah Huberts, inventor and patentee of the imperial' system ox dress-cutting, is to give freo lectures and demonstrations m the Now Century Hall next Monday afternoon and evening. To-morrow Icgsjus will be given at 107, J-ambton quay, on Friday at Fetonc, and on {Saturday afternoon in the Sydney street Jiau. it is claimed that the system may be learned in two lessons, and that it is ko simple that apparently complex designs and the fitting of different figures become easy.

At half-paet 10 this morning Messrs George 1 homas and Co. wiJJ soil at the Fruit Market, Harris street, 83 sacks of Canterbury oaien sheaf chaff. Finest factory butter Is sold at Is per lb at the. Public Service Stores.

A hotel in the Wairarapa district is advertised for sale ’by Orchard's Estate Agency.

Messrs linker uros. insert particulars on our wglitn page of two residential sites which they win sell at their rooms next \\ eelnesday. Georgo and ivorsley, of the Economic, aro disposing of the balance of their real fum at reduced prices. An announcement giving particulars appears on another page. Laer.y and Co. win sell salted herrings at their rooms ac noon to-day Mrs llollciston (iate of Sydney and M.clhoumci), hail* and face specialist, etc., may be consulted at Matcher's Buildings, Willie street. . The Wew Plymouth Oil and Prospecting Company, wed., nas an advertisement in another column. Mr E. W. B, Ho rnabrook. Colonial Mutual Buildings, in the company’s broker. Mr A. Atkinson, ilawera, lias an auctioneering business for sale.