The Oamaru Mail. MONDAY, MAY 15, 1911.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10766, 15 May 1911, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. MONDAY, MAY 15, 1911.

Tho rainfall during the month of April at Duntroon was 231 points (writes our correspondent). The English" mail via Wellington, Sydney, and Brindisi, which was despatched from Oamaru on Thursday, 6th April, arrived in London on the 12th instant—two days early. From April 3 up to last Saturday the numbers registered for military training in the three areas forming No. XV. group, the headquarters of which are at Oamaru, were as follows: —Area 51 (Duntroon), senior cadets 72, territorials 46; area No. 52 (Alexandra), senior cadets 226, territorials 107; area 53 (Oamaru), senior cadets 357, territorials 144. Totals: Senior cadets, 655; territorials, 297. Total registrations in group 952. So far only one man is unfortunately debarred from serving owing to being medically unfit. All applicants for registration have to do is to fill in a form and post it, without a. stamp, to the Defence Office of the area wherein they reside. In addition to the numbers quoted above are a number of serving volunteers, who have elected to continue with the colors. The- Waitaki branch of the Otago Educational Institute held its annual, meeting on Saturday morning in the Middle School. In the absence of the president (Mr Nelson) z Mr Aldred was asked to tako the chair. There was a good attendance. Tho annual report was read and adopted. The roll showed a membership of 5.7, an increase of nine on last year. Six meetings had been held, various members having read papers, which were enjoyed and approcmied by all. While the branch regretted the loss of Mr Nelson from the district, it heartily congratulated him on his promotion. A vote of thanks was passed to the. Middle School Committee for the. use of a loom in which to hold meetings. The election of officers for tho ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Mr W. J. Badgers, Moeraki; vice-president, Mr W. Cron, Oamaru South ; secretary, Mr W. A. Service. Oamaru North; Committee of -Management—President, Vice-President, Secretary, Miss King, Messrs Aldred and Fleming; delegates to Otago Educational Institute —Messrs Cron, Fleming, and Service; vice-presi-dent 0.E.1., Mr James Nelson. At the, subsequent ordinary meeting Mr Barnett, of Kakanui, gave a most interesting paper on moral teaching, but, owing to the lateness of the hour, discussion was postponed. It was decided that Mr Cron be asked to give the jiext paper on Mathematical geography. The business being ended, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

A "rara avis," in the shape of a pure white cock pheasant, has been shot <n the Otonga district, . states a correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, by a nephew of Mr A. G- M'Kenzie, the Whangarei County Chairman. The bird, which was a beautiful specimen, has been seen in the Otonga district several times during the last year. Mr M'Kenzie has arranged' for the pheasant to be stuffed', and it will form one of the exhibits in the Whangarei court at the Auckland Winter Show.

Speaking of the question of the Government lending financial assistance to the international exhibition to he. held at Auckland in 1912, the Hon. G. Fowlds (Minister of Education) said that he had read the protest recently made from Wellington against the suggestion that the venture should he aided by the State. The mistake was evidently made of regarding it as a'purely provincial industrial exhibition, such as that about to be held in Wellington. There had never yet been an international, exhibition in New Zealand to which the Government did. not contribute very The international exhibition at Christchurch five years ago cost the State a very large sum of money, but it reaped a. very much larger return in the way of revenues from Customs, railways, and other departments. There was not the slightest doubt that the Government would readily assist "in making a suct cess of the international fair to be held in Auckland at the end of next year, and lie was confident that the exhibition when it was. held, would be one of: the most successful yet held in the Dominion.

According to the Labor Journal there is-still a keen demand for domestic servants throughout New Zealand. In Christchurch girls are not to be obtained, no matter what wages are offered. In Wellington last month 158 employers sought the Government Labour Bureau's assistance, 65 general servants being applied for, 43 charwomen, and 16 housemaids; 89 applications were received from employees. Out of these, 69 engagements were made. Al Dunedin 121 applications were registered. 01 being from employers. "The services o f 55 generals alone are required, and only 11 applied," records the Dnnedin agent. In Auckland 300 applications were, dealt with: 230 from employers and 70 from women desiring employment. Out of these numbers 61 engagements were made. The immigrants who called were all domesticated, and were immediately placed in comfortable homes at good wages. Of the 51 persons who applied for employment at Christ-church, 47 were suited. For the same period 258 applicants were received from employers. "The Klondike; —Yesterday and Today," bv Turnbull White, is an interesting story of progress which figures in the Windsor Magazine for May. The writer tells a tale of marvellous advancement—the advancement of Daw-

son from a bonanza mining camp to a colonial capital, and the story of the regeneration of Dawson City is but typical of the rest of Klondike. The art of Sir E. A. Waterlow, a s painter of the Downs, supplies material for an article of interest, and fiction from the pens of Justus M. Forman, Robert Barr, Eden Phillpotts, and others helps to make the May number of the magazine .a budget of good reading. In seconding the motion in favor of Home Rulo for Ireland at Palmerston North -Mr Robert M'Nab said that when he lately visited Aldershot he saw a regiment marching past, and General Smith-Dorrien told him that they were the Irish regiment that had been granted the honor of being the first, to enter Ladysmith. He asked what won them that honor, and the General replied : "The number of their dead." Yet those soldiers had been, so far, .refused, the boon that had been readily granted South Africa of the right of self-government in their own country. When one considered these things • it was wonderful to find tho Irish so loyal while getting nothing for their loyalty. According to the Auckland. Herald, ISOO cases of oranges are to be thrown overboard from the Rakanoa at sea. They are part of the Taluhe's cargo from the Cook and Society Islands; and being in a very bad condition were placed on the Rakanoa at Auckland on Wednesday for tho above purpose. - It appears that the fruit had been picked and packed while in a wet condition.

The Skating Rink was well attended at all sessions on Saturday, and judging by the number of learners present at each" session the pastime is fast becoming a popular one. The rink will not "be open this evening, but three sessions will be held to-morrow.

Perhaps one of the finest picture programmes that Mr M'Donald has presented to the Oamaru public was screened at the King's Hall on Saturday evening, arid it is to be regretted that a larger portion of the community was not there to witness it.' The entertainment opened with a magnificent scenic film giving views of the "Waterfalls of Norway"; then followed a powerful drama entitled "First Love is Best." A picture describing the recent fire in Moscow was watched throughout with intense interest, as was "Thomas a'Becket." another dramatic subject. "The Adoption," a Western story was loudly applauded, and it certainly was a meritorious film. "Thou Shalt Not Kill" was another good story well told. A Gazette and several extremely humorous comedies formed the rest of this excellent entertainment. Our attention has been ■ drawn by Mr C. B. Morris to the invasion of our harbor by multitudes of beautiful little hydrb-medusae and ctenophora. This phenomenon occurred two or three days ago, and there are still some millions of these exquisite creatures swimming about the piles of the wharf and the breakwater. Five different species pf medusae, varying in diameter from a quarter of an inch to nearly an inch can "be distinguished. The "ctienophora" has perhaps the most marvellous structure, and all will amply repay careful examination. It is just a question where these jelly-liko little creatures have come from. It is well known that what is called "tho warm New Zealand current," which impinges on our shores from the direction of South America, bears many tropical forms from the North Pacific, and as both "ctenophora" and some of the giant "hydroids" are known to inhabit that region the little wayfarers in our harbor may possible be connected with them. A good example of how the minuto things in nature affect the largest creatures has been afforded lately in connection with this invasion of Oamaru waters. Two large whalesone head and shoulders over 30ft—have been seen recently just off the land by Mr Bruce, the fisherman. These cetaceans are probably feeding on the medusae.

On Saturday night the neighbors and friends of Mr and Mrs Robert Smillie paid them a surprise visit at their residence at Georgetown to bid them goodbye. Mr John Taylor very feelingly spoke of "Bob's" good qualities, and on behalf of those present presented him with a purse of sovereigns and a silvermounted pipe. Mr R. Smillie suitably responded. He "thanked all present for their kind present, and expressed the hope that it would not be long before they were all together again. Mr Alex. Bradley also endorsed Mr Taylor's remarks, and the singing of "They are Jolly Good Fellows" brought a very enjoyable evening to a close. Madame Busoni, wife of the pianist, when interviewed in New York, told the representative of the Globe that married men did not have enough freedom. "There :irc too many swaddling clothes / and apron strings. There is a great cry among women of to-day for greater emancipation; they want to vote and be 'free.' Mind you, I am not criticising women's suffrage, for I suppose a woman lias a right to vote if 6he really wants-to. The .thing I am discussing is real freedom, and who has it? As things are now; so soon as a man marries he more often than not has to give up a- great deal of his freedom —freedom to think and act as he pleases—to please some woman. I have always tried to avoid this. IE my husband wants to walk about the room playing sonatas on an imaginary piano, I never attempt to prevent him." Before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., this morning, John Moloney, of Picton, was charged with failure to comply with an order of the Court providing for the maintenance of his illegitimate child. The arrears amounted to £lO 4s. Mr Lucas appeared for complainant, and defendant failed to put in an appearance. He was sentenced to one month s imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended for a week on payment of £5. A youth named Wm. King pleaded guilty to riding a bicycle on the footpath and was convicted and discharged. A delightful story of the King's generosity was related : recently at Yarmouth bv Alderman C. S. Orde (says the Daily Express). There was, he said, an old couple, Mr and Mrs Folkes, whom he knew personally, living on tho royal estate at Dersingham, who had for "a long time been tenants of King Edward, and had since been tenants of the King. Mis Majesty called upon them some time ago in a friendly, unceremonious way, and chatted with them. On leaving tho King lit a cigar, and offered one to Mr Folkes, who thanked him most heartily, adding that, he did not often get" fa chance to smoke cigars, as his income did not permit him to do so. The King -; laughed and bade tho. old couple farewell, but a day or two later a letter , in the King's handwriting came to;Mr Folkes saying that as he had occupied liis house on the royal estate for so many years, it would bo a great pleasure* to his Majesty -to' give him the house rent free for the rest of his life. Tho King ended his leter by expressing tho hppethat tiiis little relief to bis; incomo would enable him to afford and enjoy a cigar as long as he lived! :.

Those who contend for feminine supremacy in manly pursuits will hear with admiration of the performance of Miss May Macdonald at the Tallangatta Valley race meeting last week, says a Sydney journal. She distinguished herself, not only as a horsewoman, hut as a pedestrian. Miss Macdonald, who is known throughout the North-Eastern district, rode a horse over the jumps at the races, and showed herself so accomplished a mistress of equestrianism that more than one expert declared her performance the best on the ground. Subsequently she walked from Tallangatta to Corryong, a distance of fifty miles, which 6he covered in a day, scorning to confess weariness ■as the result of her long journey.

A man of good address last month introduced-himself on separate occasions to Dr Broughton. of Sorrento, Victoria, and Mr J. Smith, of Portsea, as a member of a firm of bacon-ourers. He related in each case how his motor-car had broken down, and, mentioning that lie was short of cash, politely asked to be assisted. A few questions were putto him, but his reply was always, "Don't argue!" The injunction was obeyed, and Dr Droughton changed a cheque for £l, while Mr Smith supplied the man with £4 10s. Suspicion, was aroused, and a warrant was issued for the man's arrest. Last week a constable saw a man in Swanston street, Melbourne, who answered to the description of the warrant. The constable informed him that he was wanted by the police. "Don't' argue!" said the man. Again the injunction was obeyed, and the man was arrested.

.There, is great jealousy over the language question in polyg'ot Austria. A large. proportion ot the domestic servants in \ ienua are Czechs from Bohemia, and when the census foil due the word wn.s passed round that they should all enter their usual language a"s Czech. The revisers, being teaeher- with German .sympathies, insisted on entering the language as German wherever ihe family employing the servant wa.-> German.' One indignant eook obk-cted that her "usual language" v. a.s not that which she spoke with her mistress, inn that which she and her young'man used when he took Iter out.

Report has it. say* -the New York correspondent of the Daily News, that Caruso is ensured to Lilian Grenviile. the beautiful Canadian >oprano. "ho is hailed out West as the new Melba. "Ah':" said Caruso, when taxed with the-story, "she i-- already wedded to the" nightingale in iter golden throat." "I am a great singer." he added, "because 1 have always remained a bachelor; no man can sin unless he smiles. and I should never smile if 1 married."

Floating S'iOit above the city of San Antonio. Texas, in a dirigible balloon, Miss Marie Shelton and \Y. Walter StoWe. both of San Antonio, were married by the Rev. J. H. Adams, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The balloon was piloted by Captain H. E. Honeywell, of St. Louis. The wedding took place in the clouds, a.s the day .was foggy and misty. The young couple enjoyed a trip of 3o miles across the countrv before the balloon was brought to the earth. They landed in the woods, and had to walk three miles before fiiiding an automobile, which returned them to San Antonio. • . ■.-'-"; A shooting trip up the Blue Nile enabled Lord Kitchener (who has been on. a visit to Khartoum) to obtain:a specimen of a kudu antelope, which he was very anxious to get. There was a fine beast, known for the last three, or four vears, to be in one- of the Blue 2y.fle" districts, which no one had .vet suc~ ceeded in getting. He sjiot at nothing else, and after four days;. and actually within an hour of having .to start.back on.the return journey, lie got a shot at it, and brought it down". -It proved, to be of exceptional size 3 almost, if riot quite, a record head; the length of the horn> being 52in; : ;.:". v .'"-' .' -Mr-Thomas Catling, retired editor'of Lloyd's Weeklv, in "My Life Pilgrimage*" states on the authority of an Edinbnrgh organist, that Mr Gladstone solaced himself during his .celebrated Midlothian campaign by listening \to chnrch music. Having arranged a time forthe organ practice, he was provided with"a kev, bv means of which he could enter the church quite privately. SOeritly and alone lie "would sit in one of the pews with his forehead resting on" his hands, while the organist played familiar and impressive hymn tunes. Mr Gladstone neither looked up nor spoke until the hour compelled him to move; : then, with"' a "Thank you," he passed out,' to throw himself again into the bustling political contest. , , An' elderly man arrived on the ."•"<> I Kill'ground carrying two large wicker baskets. - "These 'ere pigeons are to tell thVpeople" at 'orae 'off things are Roin'." he •explained. "Every' goal l *'<' score I'm goin' to let a blue bird up;, arioVif the other side gets a goal a wnite tin's goin' tip. Supposm they ve scored'-a goal apiece at the nitisli, a. blp'e 'tin arid a white 'im goes ofT together, and if there ain't no score then the-'birds'U 'av'e to go 'ome with me. TJnfprtunately, a youth with an eye to fun Hook advantage of the fanciers at-tention-being centred- on an exciting piece of plav to liberate the whole of the birds.- "Now you've done it, youii" feller"'said the old man, as he gazed atrthe culprit; "it'll cost mo sixpence ■fgr a'telegraft 'ome to stop em from 'aving the band out. All them pigeons together was to be a sign as 'fiwVour- chaps 'ad laid out the re--iF:-" Marion Crawford was in India, editing the Allahabad "Pioneer," when In* wrote "Mr Isaacs " his first novel, anfli sent it to Macmillau. .For thtcc months he heard nothing of it. It was sußinftted ;to John Morley (now Lord Mdrley of Blackburn), then reader for the : Macmillan firm, who pronounced it tf work which would never be popular or pay well, but who recommended its puoEcation as an original production, which was well written, and would do no harm tovthe publishers. The novel was m--stantiv ' successful. It appeared at a time when fashionable world m England and on the Continent was intenlelv interested in esoteric Buddhism anoVthe mvsteries of Mahatmas -and similar Eastern fancies were everywhere discussed. Theosopby was in the air, and there could not have been a more favorable season for the publication of thelbook. „. ..A'thrilling adventure in the bt Gottiard: express has been «l*« cn J"L l,v a Swiss 'commercial traveller, •in.-t-W wavto Milan from Lucerne. When he entered a second-class compartment lie found only one man, who appeared to fi"cLliei>; and also settled down to a nap. Just' before the entrance to the St Gotbard tunnel the "sleeping man sat iip,v'pulled out a revolver, and carefully examiiied the face ot the Swiss Wfi6 in terror shut his eves, satisfied, the stranger placed liercioveron the scat, and emptied the tr.uc - lens pockets of a large quantity ot gold cKainsvVatches, sleeve V«**, Tbracefe* diamond rings, pins, and brooches and after packing them in paper hid tue f&\& in secret pockets of his own. Thfswiss traveller continued to sleep until -the guard entered the compartment at Bellinzona. for the tickoU, WnSa be informed that official, who tclcSied to Chiasso. When the express ggSdat that station the stranger was

J. DAVYS, Dentist, Vfc* KIJROW THURSDAY, May Tm, and may bo consulted at Spierg stay hou.c-mako your calis Never mind that headache. Ask for Stearns' Headache Cure-take one wafer at the chemists-no hcadachcpleasant calls. .