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Otago Daily Times, 27 April 1906, Page 4

j'lip Chief Postmaster at Dunedin received a telegram yesterday from the actingsecretary of the G.P.0., Wellington, stating that the inward 'Frisco mail, which was diverted as a result of the San Francisco fire and. earthquake, will be conveyed from Fiji to New Zealand by the Tutnnekai, a.nd that, if the \foana arrives at Suva on time, the mail should reach Auckland on the 19th prox. There will be no change in tho outward-going steamer to 'Frisco, and mails will be sent as usual, via San Francisco on i\:«day and Wednesday of next week,

Tim Jfoniona compensation ca=es can scarcely close to-day, as had been hoped. The most of yesterday was taken up with confirmatory evidence for the claimants— rcpolition and corroboration. The rain last week-end brought up a little flood at Momona, and the experts on both sides rat out to compare and compute, taking all sorls of fresh levels and observations, measuring the naughty water almost by the pint. Narration of all this by many witnesses has taken up' the time of the court during the most of this week, and the many people who earnestly desire lo 6ec this business finished are praying that no freak of St. Swithin may bring a nit bigger flood tins week-end. If it does—well,' if it docs no man knows what may happen yet.

As a vexed point in minor ethics, the ethics of behaviour, take this. Should a tired man, going homo from the city in the evening, ot necessity yield his seat in the tramcar to some smart young girl who is going half a mile, and is (in any ease) as fresh as a June rose? In practice, sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn't; and when he doesn't, the sprightly girl invariably looks offended, olio of the implied rights of women's "equality" in this happy day being her right to disturb mere man for her own benefit whenever mere man threatens to settle down and become moderately comfortable. ..here arises another question. Should the corporation compel men to p\ra?.lo over ethical problems every time they ride in a public conveyance? In other words, should the corporation lie permitted to wedge into its vehicles such a dense, distorted mass of breathing humanity as no private company would be permitted to carry in any circumstances whatever? In all seriousness, the crowding of the trams is becoming—as Or Burnett tersely expressed it a week or two ago— "positively indecent."

Our correspondent telegraphs:—"At the Police Court at Ophir Timothy Lcnahon and Hugh Galbraith were charged before Mr Ennis, S.M., with a breach of section 42 of the Licensing Act, but the charges were dismissed; while a third one against ltobt. lttithorford, jun., was withdrawn. Mr Hiinlon represented accused. Joseph Duncan M'Lonniin, of Malakanui, publican, was then proceeded against, for Sunday trading, but .this charge was not sustained, and tlie information was dismissed. Sergeant Crawford, of Clyde, prosecuted, and Messrs A. C. Hanlon and J. It. Kirk appeared for accused."

Yesterday the Iproceedings of the drainage caw at. Mosgiel were enlivened by llio testimony of two Irishmen in succession. One of (hose, Mr Alexander Jloyniban, presented the true national characteristics in good development. At the mere mention of the dam that looms always at the back of Momona's resounding grievance, ho waxed declamatory in his indignation. "Tn Ireland," he said, " it. would not be allowed to exist; and I hope the press will take note of that." Noted accordingly. Seems that even in Ireland it is not all injustice.

Mr D. C. Cameron, jun., was yesterday returned unopposed to til! an extraordinary vacancy in the representation of Musselburgh Ward in the St. Kilda. Borough Council.

A woll-ilvessed man, dark-complexioned, lias been noticed to be frequenting the. vicinity of the railway overbridge for the lust day or two. His manner is said to lie insulting to women passing up am! down the- step?, and the police have him under surveillance.

Mr A. Carnegie lias for flip moment dropped Ids feifts of free libraries (writes the correspondent of the Argus) and started on a crusade to reform spelling' words in the English language. He offered £3000 to the Simplified Spelling Board of. New York, on condition thai 20 well-known writers would pledge themselves to spell all their books according to the new code. Eight hundred immediately declared their willingness, of whom Mark Twain is said to have been one. Perhaps it. wa£ one of his little jokes. Mr Rider Haggard, Mr liornard Shaw, and Mr Zangwill have been interviewed on the subject. They arc all dead against Mi Carnegie's phonetic notions. Mr Swinburne declares it lo be x monstrous and barbarous absurdity to suppose, that English can be introduced into the international home by rendering it easier for the international scholar to spell its'words.

Tho subscriptions to the Art Gallery Building Fund are coming in slowly,' but surely. The treasurer reports tho receipt of a further donation of £10 10s from Mr C. P. M. Butiorworlh.

The work of relaying the foundations of tlie Campanile at Venice, which was begun in April, 1903, has been practically completed, .and tho rebuilding of tho famous tower itself is now being proceeded with. The old foundations, which architects and antiquarians believe were those of the ancient defence tower, and were never intended to carry a. tower o( such height as the Campanile, were marvellously preserved, and it has been decided to re-utilise them. As no modern architect could think of rearing the Campanile on such a restricted base, it was resolved to enlarge it so as to distribute the preside over a. wide area. Accordingly, a ditch 12ft wide, was dug round the old foum'ilions. and 3076 newly-cut piles of larchwocd, averaging 13ft long, were driven home almost, to (he point of absolute resistance. They are calculated to have a carrying power of a total weight of 90,000 tons—over four times the estimated weight of the towe. when completed.

The remarkable sum of £3600 was paid at Christie's rooms recently for Nelson's famous memorandum to the licet on the eve of Trafalgar. This historic document, undoubtedly the most important Nelson relic that has ever appeared in the saleroom, consists of four quarto leaves, eacli side of which is covered with the bold characteristic handwriting of the immortal Admiral, and it is interesting to note that in it no provision was made for anything but victory. There is much speculation (says the Daily Mail) as to tho relic's ultimate destination, but at present it will remain at Mr Sabin's premises in Shaftesbury avenue. Mr Sabin. who lias offcrc'l to sell if. to any public institution for whit, be paid for it, has received an offer for it which would bring him a substantial profit. It has been pointed out that this is a. document which should certainly not be allowed'to remain iu private hands.

A meeting will he held in the Wesley Church, Cargill road, this evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr and Mrs Develin on the occasion of their departure for Great Britain.

The annual meeting of shareholders in the. Xo Town Creek Gold Dredging Company will be held at the company's office, Manse street, at i o'clock this afternoon.

Messrs J. A. Duthic and Co. will hold a. sale of property at Milton on Tuesday, May 1. Notice is given that the electoral rolls and defaulters' lists for tile Taieri County arc now open for inspection. The council invites tenders for carrying out four contracts. Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell furniture, etc., at their rooms to-morrow. The annual meeting of ratepayers in tho Portobello road district will be held on Monday, May 7.

Messrs Park, Reynolds, ami Co. will fell office furniture and effects on (be premises, High street, to-day. Tenders arc invited for the extension of the Greymauth wharf. Nominations of candidates lo fill nn extraordinary vacancy in the Queenstown Borough Council will close on May 5. and, if necessary, a poll will be taken on Wednesday, May 12.

One of the most recent developments in connection with the great central missions in England is the formation of brotherhood meetings on Sunday afternoons. Ono in Bradford already numbers over 3000 members, with an average attendance oi 2500. On Sunday afternoon, in the Garrison Hall, the Key. T. Trestrail will give an address on "Brotherheod," and a brotherhood will be formed in connection with the Central Mission here. There will be a musical programme in addition, and men will be heartily welcomed. It is quite true that you can get a smart jacket, a stylish hat, and a new skirt all for i!l. at Dallas and Watt's, CO and 62 George street, Dunedin.—Advt.

Laidlaw and Cray's sale has just been rushed during the last week, and we apologise to nny customer who has not had proper attention." The sale is still on, and v.e would advise intending purchasers lo como early and avoid disappointment. Special reductions in overmantels, electroplate, china, glassware,.—Advt. For Colds in the Head and Influenza. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is Cd and 2s 6d per Bottle.—Advt.,

Space will not permit us to do more than mention that we have opened a very special line in boys' serge Shamrock suits. Prices, from lis 6d to 22s Gd.—Mollisons, Ltd.-Advi:

"Kolore" is a decided success in cases premature grcyness.—Full particulars from Mr Hendy, hair specialist; cole agent N.Z.— Advt.

Tourists in search of mementoes are recommended to inspect the mascnificeiit selection of b?ttpr-cls?s Greenstone Roods at Messrs d. and T. Young's showrooms. 83 Pnnces sire' —A-M.

Professor Bickcrlon asserts that "Loashy's Walioo" is "a highly concentrated medicinal vegetable extract." It is the great remedy for indigestion.—Advt.

Who is Peter Dick?— The most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffes Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt.