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Otago Daily Times, Volume 13793, Issue 13793, 5 January 1907, Page 8

The Government, has received from the Secretary of Stnte for • the Colonies tho following reply to the New Year greetings forwarded by it, thr<*\gh the Governor, to tho King and Queefi" Their Majesties send to your Government and the people ot Now Zealand their sincero thanks for their New Year greetings and expressions of loyalty,"

During tho month of December 14 cases of zymotic diseases were , reported to the local Health Officer. Of these ecven were aoarlfit fgYer cases iu the Cromwell district.

Tho whole of the Cabinet will assemble in Wellington on Monday, when a series of Cabinet meetings will bo held, to deal with a number of questions of policy and administration which require to be settled before tho Prime Minister leaves for London." Sir Joseph Ward will (he has informed a contemporary) remain in Wellington'until about. January 13, when he. will leave with tlio Governor for a visit to the .West Coast, travelling overland from Christchnrch. Ho will remain thero only a few da;*, as ho has to lea.vo Christchureh for Dunedin on January 18. Ho will leave ■Wellington for London on January 26, journeying by tho Maheno (o Sydney, and there joiuingthoMongolia. The Conference of I'rimc Ministers, ho has been advised, will '' open on April 15, and will probably hist threo weeks or a month. On the conclusion colony at tho confcrcnco on shipping laws, and expects to arrivo hero on Juno 28, not in time for tho opening of Parliament, but within I wo or threo days of that function. , A recent Gazette notice practically abolished the franking of Government letters on and after January 1, 1907. All Govomment and public service letters, packcts, and telegrams now require to be slampcd or prepaid in- slamps, with the exception only of letters, packets, and telegrams from his Excellency tho Governor or from any of his Majesty's Ministers, or addresses and petitions to Parliament, provided such do, net cxcecd 21b in weight and aro forwarded without covcr, or with tho covcr open at tho ends. Such an innovation will, if nothing else, materially Bwoll tho post and telegraph revenue of tho colony. A special meeting of tho Otago Land Board was held yesterday, and was attended bv tho Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr D. Barron),, Messrs William Dallas, J. Tough, G. Livingstone, and J. M'Kcniic. . Tho Classification Commissioners appointed to classify- tho pastoral runs expiring in February, 1908, submitted thoir report, which was ordered to bo forwarded to tho Governor. Tho Classification Commissioners were tho Commissioner of Crown Lands and Messrs Dallas and Tough. Messrs Lee and Gravo applied, on behalf of Mrs J. E. Willetts, Papa-l-aio, for a coal area on tho Airedale Estate. It was resolved to recommend the application for tho favourable consideration of tho Governor. Tho next meotiug of tho board was fixed' for Thursday, January 24. During tho month of Dccemlwr 67 renewals of old-age pensions, for amounts ranging from £7 to £26, were' granted in tho Dunedin district by Mr H. Y. Widdow6on, S.M. , Ono application for a renewal was refused on tho ground that the applicant's iucomo was in excess of tho qualifying' amount. In 11 eases pensions were granted , for tho first time, tho amounts ranging from £18 to £26. Tho claims of eight applicants wero rejected—two on account of oxccss of income, two because tho applicants wcro under tho pension age, throe oa account of tho intemperate habits Jof tho applicants, and ono on account of excess of properly. ' The Frimo Minister, questioned by a representative of tho Lytteiton Times as lie was passing through to "Wellington on Friday, said tho holiday traffic, both as regards tho railways and tlio Post and Telegraph Department, had been exceptionally heavy. The complete figures wero not availablo at present, but in Dunedin alono £2400 moro had boon taken at tho Railway Station in fares and charges than during tho Christimas and Now Year holiday season of last jj'oar. The cricket match between Otago's repreBentalive eleven and tho Marylebone Club's touring team commoiiced on Carisbrook yesterday, and the condition of tho game on tho drawing of stumps last night was such as to infuso a great amount of interest into to-day's play. Tho M.C.C. batted first, and compiled 224 runs, The v Otago innings opened inauspioiousl.r, tlio first two wickets falling for lio -runs. The succeeding batsmen, however, put a different complexion on affairs, and at the olo'so of tho afternoon's play five wickets were down for 138 runs, the not out men being C. G. Wilson (Otago's captain) and 11. Graham. It. may reasonably ho anticipated that the. local men will put up a good fight. It should be borne in jnind that the visit, of English teams to tho colony means a big -risk to tho Now Zealand associations, but if, (ho public supports the associations in thoir endeavours to, promote the game . locally it will fend to make visits of English teams more frequent. The local association has provided extra seating accommodation for the public. This was greatly appreciated yesterday. Every endeavour is being made to givo the public all the •information possible concerning the game. Given fine weather to-day, the public may look forward to seeing an interesting day's wokot. Play will commence at 11.30. Before leaving Dunedin yesterday Commander G. Borrctt, of 11.M.5, Pioneer, addressed tho following letter to Mr A. H. Falconer, at tho Sailors' Rest:—"Deal-s',-r-I hrivo to thank you most Heartily for tho interest you have taken in the men of the ship during our stay here, and for tho splendid outing you gave llieni on Now Years Day. Should I return to this port in tho Pioneer or ."any other ship you will always bo welcomo on boardt" Mr J. A. Center, a- Scottish champion piper and dancer of considerable renown (whose efforts at the gathering of the clans at Christchurch were rewarded by tin almost, embarrassing" wealth of medals and a large sum in prize-money),, detailing his impressions of tho sports to :i Press reporter, said tho Meeting was conducted on similar lines to thoso characterising tho principal gatherings in Scotland. Ho was surprised at tho mnuiliconco of the prizes offered, and stated that Ihoso were much 'bettor than wero ottered anywhere at Homo, with the exception of Oban and Inverness. The Jcssio Maclachlan champion gold medal (to be won twioe beforo Incoming the absolute property of the holder), which ho gained on Tuesday for piping, was much more, magnificent than any in his Jargo collection, and if it wero possible for him to do so ho intended to mako a strong bid to finally secure it as his own properly. The management of tho eporls could not have been improved niwii, and although ho had arrived in tho colony a few days ago expecting a great, deal of cxcollenco in everything connected with Highland games, his most sanguine expectations had ken far exceeded. Mr Contcr prccoads next to Wanganni, and later on will lako part in tlio principal Australian gatherings. A young man named John Smith, ivho resides in Porcv street, Ilobart, had a rather thrilling expericnco recently while employed in farming pursuits at Young Town. Ho was engaged in clearing some ground'for Mr A. Johnson, and in picking up somo rubbish a black snake, about 3ft in length, fastened on the top of tho second linger of his left hand, and succeeded in getting a good grip. After shaking tho reptile off, Smith obtained a razor, and after tying a ligature below the wound he tried io cut off the finger. He made several attempts, first with the razor, which succeedcd in cutting through the flesh, but, could not cut- the bone. He then tried to effect this with an axe, butafter smashing tho bono was 6till unsuccessful in severing tho linger. He then went, to a bootmaker, and asked him to finish tho job, but he eitlier could not or would noi undertake it, so ho went, to a milkman named Turner, who, with tho assistance of two axes, soon severed tho fmgor. Smith next made his way to tho hospital, whero the wound was attended to by Dr \Y. B. Heywatxl, who, seeing the battered condition of tho finger, injccted morphia, and amputated it at tho second joint, and the sufferer returned home. In Victoria an inquiry is proceeding as to the cost of converting tho suburban railways from htcam to eloctrio traction, and it k Vjicd the St. Kilda line will bo first

converted. Such operations are costly, not only on account of tho alterations in the lines, but because practically new rolling stock is required, and becauso tho requisite powci'-houeo I ike wis ii runs into a large sum.' But, on the other liaiul, there is very much to be gained in frequency of seivicc and in other ways, and (according to the Daily Telegraph) it is hardly too much to say that electrification has added 40,000,000 passengers per annum to the Sydney tramways, and probably more, A couple of young men, sons of business men in the Midland Counties of England, who havo a, desire to engage in colonial agriculture, recently arrived in i\ew Zealand in quest of suitable properties, in consequence of thoir having heard an address delivered by tho Hon. W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner for tho colony in England. After spending a couple 'of months inspecting farms in tho North island, chiefly in the Wanganni and Ha.ivke's Bay districts, they came to Canterbury. During tho pilot fortnight they havo been visiting the Methwn district" (saya tho Ashburton Guardian), and as a result they are in treaty for a coiiplo of homesteads, of which they will probably become. T'ne owners. At anyrate, says one, "we are quite satisfied with' tho ruling values of iand, and it will not be our fault if Mcthvcn does not prove to be the. place 1 where wo .realise our ideals," Tho Bcga fire-walkers gavo an exhibition in the Athletio Park, Wellington, on Tue.iday. There was a large attendance of tlio public. The New Zealand Times states that the stones used in tho oven wcro not brought from Fiji—as were those used in Christchnrch by t-iicso lire-walkers,-hut were procured from tho neighbourhood of Wellington city. This is the first occasion on which tlto men of Bcga Island have walked in tho " vila-vila-i-revo" on stones other than thoso from their South Sea Jiomo. As. soino people had an idea that '•(lie kick" was done with the aid of special stones, the firc-walkers determined that for tho Wellington exhibition thoy would U6G New Zealand materials. They were at some disadvantage in using theso stones, however, for they broke up under intonso heat,' unliko the volcanic rock which tho islanders prefer to utilise in the ceremony. Tho Times »oes on to say that tho firo-walking was over almost iioforc many of the spectators realised that it was taking place. It did not take long, but even to a. fire-walker probably 20 seconds ou a wclMicated oven is quite long enough. To thoso spectators who wcro seated near tho oven tho heat was very apparent, but there was no opportunity of examining tho stones after the "walk" was over, for piles of green leaves ami boughs lying near by were thrown on to the hot stones; on these tho fire-walkers, re-entering, sat for a few moments, and were joined l;y some of tho other natives. A statement in reference to the operation of tho Rhodes scholarship scheme, which has been prepared by tho Rhodes I rust, shows that there aro now in residence at Oxford under tho Rhodes bequest 161 scholar:-, drawn from tho different countries for which scholarships aro provided. Seventy-one como from the British colonies, 79 from tho United States, and 11 from Germany. Tho scholars arc distributed among 20 of .the Oxford colleges. Only a few men have as' yet reached tho final stage of thoir work, but among the. distinctions won during the past year by Rhodes scholars aro Mr 'W. Barton (Now South Wales), who secured first class in the Final Honour School of Jurisprudence; Sir >T. C. Belian (Melbourne), who has been awarded tho Yinerian and Eldon. law scholarships; Mr N. W. Jolly (South Australia), who won first class in tlio Final 7 Honour School of Natural Science, and has been appointed a probationary student under tho Indian forestry Department; Mr R. L. Robinson (8.A.), who has also been appointed a student under tho Indian Forestry Department; Mr-J. A. Thomson (New Zealand), who has beon awarded the' Burdott-C'onlts scholarship in geology; and Mr I'. W. Robertson (New Zealand), honorary scholar of Trinity College. Of the colonial scholars in residence at the various colleges at Oxford, Canada is represented by 24, Australia by 18, South'' Africa- by 17, New Zealand, Bermuda, Jamaica, and Newfoundland by three each. -The German scholars for the most part remain in residence only two years, tho conditions of German military service and the requirement* of their own universities interfering with the three years' course,at Oxford, Hie "scholarships aro of the yearly valuo of £300, and are tcnablo for threo years. Experience has shown that this sum can, with prudence, be made to covcr all necessary expenses during tho university terms, and also during the vacations, bub it leaves no room for extravagance in any form. Many of the scholars havo availed themselves of fho opportunity to acquire command of the French and German languages by spending their vacations on the Continent, where the expense of living is not great. A New York messago stales that a young man named Freeman died in Washington on November 20. He was a member of the so-called " poisoii squad," organised in 1903 by tho Bureau of Chemistry to test food adulterants. Freeman's mother says lie was discharged from the "squad" after six months as "disabled," and that; he gradually wasted away, despite long residence, and special treatment in Colorado. Mrs Freeman asserts that; tho Government is responsible for her son's death, and her claim will have the advocacy of an ex-Scnntor for New York. Dr Wiley ,|he Chief Government Chombi, denies that, Freeman's death was due Cs eating adulterated food. S To tho average Sassenach most of t'n<i Scottish national dances appear to convey no meaning other than a vague impression 1 of a series of steps, aided and abet tod by complementary gestures of arms and body, tho whole connected with moro or less weird strains of bagpipe music. -By each dancc, however, a definite narrative is unfolded. For example, few of other than Scottish birth or descent woultl have suspected that tho "Seann Triubhar." had any connection with sartorial embellishments coming within tho -unmentionable category. Tho term, however, freely translated, means "old trousers," and the danco is rich in historical associations relating (hereto. After tho battle of Cullodcn the Highlanders were forbidden by British act of Parliament to wear kilts, and forthwith were forced, literally at tlio point of tho bayonet, into "trews." Some timo afterwards the obnoxious "distilling" act was ropcalcd, and in honour of the event tho dance was called into being. It illustrates the act of discarding the hated garments, tho various steps setting forth with great particularity of dotail the efforts of (he Highlandman to lid himself of tho "brceks," his profound contempt for their remembrance, his rejoicing at hp-ving cast them forth for good and all. Tho Charlcvillo correspondent of the Adelaide Register writes:—"Mr Walter Rose, whoso wonderful overland journey with cattle from north-west Australia to Chailevillo excited much interest, states that ho is inclined to doubt (ho reports regarding the existence of quadritmanous aboriginals in the Northern Territory. Ho has neither seen nor heard in liis journeys in the interior anything to justify the belief that, the four-handed missing link between tlio monkey and man exists in Australia. lie thinks (he stories arise through the exaggerated descriptions of deformations caused by leprosy,- which is fairly common among the Northern .Territory blacks. With the object of eliciting information on this subject, Mr Rose intends this time, when ho goes ovorlanding, to provide himself with photographs of monkeys,- ami will circulate these among tho wild tribes. lie thinks lie should get on tho track of the four-handed "men if any aro to ho found,"

In relation to the San Francisco fire, Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, the Auckland district agents of the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company, inform the New Zealand Herald that their head office, at Liverpool, has "apprised them that the, London ami Lancashire is ccnspicuoue, inasmuch- as it lias fallen to its lot to pay out io policy-holders the largest amount by a British company for any one fire. Although Ilie company has already paid over £1,600,000.' it was so well reinsured that the net loss will notexceed £950,000—i.e., somewhat less than tho original estimate. Mr 11. \\. Lucy writes, in his London letter in the Sydney Morning Herald:— "An esteemed friend from tho country visiting- London has had his pleasure' in contemplation of the' varied attractions of tile metropolis marred by tho loss of a watch, cherished more,on account of personal association than of its oonsiderablo intrinsic value. Walking tlio full length of Bond street, emerging on Piccadilly, he wondered to himself whether he should turn cast or west. Mechanically feeling for his watch to gee what- lime it was, he found it was not. The chain limtg- limp and loose, lamenting separation from an old companion. Tho watch was safe, in Oxford street,' for ho had consulted it. Evidently the lx>nd had been loose<l in Bond street, Anxious chiefly for return of his treasured heirloom, he put an advertisement in the paper, saying that if it wera returned a. liberal reward would be given, and no questions asked. This was, of course,.compounding a felony. But sentirnent triumphed over legal prejudices. Promptly came a reply fixing an appointment. Arrived at tho place of tryst, he found a. respsctable-lookirig man, -who responded to tho arranged countersign. The watch was forthcoming in undamaged condition, and .my friend cheerfully paid the line. There was, however, one favour lie had to ask of his newly-found friend. How was it done? In Oxford street tho watch was safe in his pocket. When he' reached Piccadilly it was gone. Ho was absolutely unconscious of any contact with a passer-by in Bond street. 'Com© now,' ho said, 'I havo kept faith with you. I've got tho watch. I might, now nod to that policeman who is passing and give you in custody. But I play fair, so toll mc how you did it.' ' Well, guv'nor,' said the man, edging up t-o him with genial effusiveness, I don t mind teUin' ycr. Ho you remember when you was lookin' at a picture in Agnew's shop you felt something touch you on tho left ear? You turned round imd snicked at it with your right hand. At that moment, your elbow being up, I, from the right-hand side, put my hand in your pocket and sneaked the watch.' My friend was so delighted with the ingenuity of the trick and with the. frankness with which it was disclosed that ho gavo the man ail extra half-crown, and went of! chuokiing. Having niodo some progress on his way homeward, ho put his hand to his pocket to pull out the doublytreasured watch. The pockofc was empty. In that moment of genial approach the thief -had sneaked it, again." ' «, TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES. St. Paul's Cathedral.—Holj- communion, 8 sun.; choral eucharint, 11 a.m.; evensong, 6.30 p.m. Preacher, Von. Archdeacon Robineon. Knox Church.—Morning and. evening, Bov. Adam, Begg. Moray Place Congregational Church.—ll a.tn. and G. 30 p.m., Rev. A. E. Hunt. All Saints' Church— Services at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. (choral celebration) and G. 30 p.m. (preacher, Rev. E. S. Wayne, late of Norfolk Island). _ First Church.—Horning and evening, Rev, Dr Nisbet. -Russell Street Hall: G. 30 p.m.', Mr G. King. ' St. Androw's Church.—ll a*m. and G. 30 p.m., 'Hev. Dr Wnddell.

North-East Valley Presbyterian Church.— 11 a.m. and G. 30 p.m.. JJ.r Alex. Murrnv. Cargill Read Methodist Church.—il a. in and .6.30 p.m., Rev. T, Trestrail. St. Kilda: Jl P.m., liev. C. Eaton; C.S>o.p.ui. ilr J. Lomns.

Primitive Methodist Churches.—Dundas Street: 11 n.m., Jfr S. F, Benton; 6.30 p:m. Rev. W. Laycock,. Kev: 11 a.m., Jiov, S. Bailey; 6.30 p.m.. liev. If. Daniel. Abbotsford: ll a.m., Jfr C. W. Wilkinson; 0.30 p.m., Mr A. Davis. Glonrov: 11 a.m., Rev It. Daniel; 0.30 p.m., Mr D. Gain. Methodist Centra! a.m. and 6.30 p.m., Bev. R. H. : 'Wylic. ' Methodist Church Services. — Trinity Church: 11 a.m.. Sister Olive; 6.30 p.m., Rev. A. Allen, Noodhangh: 11 a.m., Mr P AVilliauiarGSO p.m., Mr S. P. Benton. Northhast Yalley: 11 a.m., Rev. A. Allen: 6.30 p.m., Mr J) C,. Cameron, juu. Oddfellows' Hall, Rattray street.—6.3o pm Dr Comiuins. ''

'tlio Otago Bowling Club's new green will be opened m the presence of ail bowlers and irier.ds who care to attend to-day. The Moerangi ami Ifnheno are advertised elsewhere to run three trips to Portohello and "Wad Bay to-day and c-n Sunday. loung men and visitors to the city are in-vitca'-to attend the social tea at the Young ilea s. Christian Association Rooms 011 Sunday, at 5 p.m. Captain Strang will he in. the chair, and a number of members will give roporlf) of their holidays. , A millinery business is advertised for private sale by Messrs Macdonald, Wilson, and Co, land auctioneers, of Wellington. Full details will be giver.- only to bona fide inquirers on application being mado to that firm. competitors at the Now Zealand Alhloiio Union Championship moetin? on January 2d and 28 arp reminded that ail entries dose at Messrs Grace and Wilson's office tonight.

Tho Rev. E. Cr. Gange, P.E.A.S., the distinguished. Baptist minister who is a,t present visiting tho colony, and who is e.assed among such preachers and leaders in tho Baptist Church as Dr Clifford, Dr Landeis, Dr Lcriiner, Rev. F. B. Aloyer, otc., will preach at Hanover Street Church to-morrow rooming and evening. He is to be ill Dunedin only one Sunday, but will' leoture on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings on "Canada ond the Rockies" and "Our Indian Empire."

Messrs J." H. Bellnme and Co., of Wellington, announce that, in conjunction withMessrs W. 11. Morrah and Co., of tho panne city, they are submitting at auction at Wellington, on Wednesday, 23rd inat., two of tho mast-centrally situated, properties in tlio city of Wellington. Lot 1 comprise,} sections G1 and 02, reclaimed land, having a total frontage to Custom House quay of 80ft l)y a depth of Gsft, oil which is erected the premises until recently occupied _ -by the Bank of Australasia. Lot 2 comprises a freehold business site adjoining tho new building of tho Bank of Australasia, at the corner of Custom Homo quay and Hunter street, and having a frontage of 30ft to Custom House quay by a depth of B(ift Din. On tho land is erected tho twostorcy building known as " Bank Chambers," at present lot to tenants. Bowlers will be interested to know that Messrs G. and T. Young, of 88 Princes street, have just received a freslv supply of Taylor's bowling-green bowls, aud."tbeao'are now on sale.—Advt. The craze of the oily is oentred on Dallas tuid Watt's end-of-Beason sale.—Advt. Spaco will only permit of us to direct .attention to & special purchase of summer dress fabrics which are very suitable for Christmas gifts; price, la lid per yard.—Jlollisons, Lid. —Advt. A gentleman said to-day that be had been ill for three weeks with influenza. Had he used "Lancer" Influenza Cure three days would probably have sufficed; 2s, at all eheimls'. Dont accept substitutes.—Advt. Who is Pms Dick?— The most reliable Watchmaker and Jowellcr, opposil/- Coffee Paiace, Moray place, C.«iedin. Oiwgw strictly moderate.—Adrt.