SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13812, 28 January 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

PERSONAL.

i .' St \ 6 A or « e Do,, 8l". *ho new chief postmaster at Duncdin, took charge of the oral Chief Poet Office a 3 {torn Ist January of the present year. Mr G. B. Ball, late chief clerk, has been granted a month's fiirlouch previous to taking up his duties an assistant inspector of post offices at Wellington. I lie following inepeotors for tho four centres have been appointed to administer the bcaflolding Inspection Act of last ■session:-We lington. Mr Richard A. Bol- : ami; Auckland, Mr Hugh Graham; Uiristclmrch, Mr E. J. G. Stringer; Dunfidm Mr Fred Barton. Their duties begin on Monday next. The Meat Inspecting Department has been hard pressed for men lately and now Mr A. M. Patorson, M.R.C.V.S. formerly veterinarian and organiser to the Southland Branch of the Farmers' v n pf!irl nd . Mr A - J ' Hick man, M.R.C.V.S., who recently arrived from Home, have-been appointed inspectors of moat under the Agricultural Department. Ino former will be stationed at Pareorf and the latter at Waitara. Mr John Kydd has been appointed a surveyor of ships and an inspector of machinery. Ho will, besides, bo an examiner of marine engineers, land engineers, and engine-drivers. He will bo attached to the staff of the Chief Surveyor of Ships in the Inspection of Machinery Department. Mr Kydd has had a lengthened sea experience as a marine engineer j in all grades, and is possessed of the British Board of Trade certificate of the first class. He has also passed in many technical _ and scientific subjects in theexaminations conducted by the Scienoo anil Art Department in Great Britain. He was attached to ono of the largest boiler insurance societies doing business in England as a surveyor for two years. He gained his early experience as an engineer in Scotland, and for some time has taen on the staff of the Belfast Freezing Works in Canterbury. Mr W. E. Spencer, formerly chief inspector of schools at Taranaki, and lately appointed assistant inspector at Hawke's Bay, hae been appointed editor of the School Journal.

Tho appointment of Mr Ernest o. Herbert Webb, 8.E., as' an assistant geologist to tho geological brand) of tho Mines Department has been gazetted. Mr Webb graduated in mining engineering: at the Otago , School of Mines in 1905.

It Iβ understood that Mr Oliver Mcwhinney, private secretary to the Minister of Lands, hae been appointed chief clerk o£ the Hospitals 3ep»rtment undo Dr Hay.

At the Telephone Exchange on the 15th Mre J r C. Brown, who • ha« been appointed to take charge of the Nipier uolephone Oflioa, w»e presented by the telephone staff with a silver-mounted".hand bag ami a silver spectacle-case.

Mr J. M. Gallawuy ww or> the 16th elected to fil! the, vacancy on' the Benevolent Institution Trustees caused by the death of the Hon. H. Gonrley. The Milton Mirror states that Mr Mslioiiey, who has for 10 years been in charge of &e Fairfax School, and previously was 11 years teaching in the Tokomairiro District High School, has received notice of hie appointment to a school at Wsipiro, Hawke'a Bsy. Dr W. W Moore, recently of Richmond, has passed the examination for the diploma of Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Dr Moore is a New Zealand graduate.

Mr J.. P. White, luMiager of the Wiuton branch of the Bank of New Zealand, has received notice of hie promotion to the management of the Hokitika branch. Mr "Whit* has been in charge at Winton for about 10 yeare.

Uγ Camittiew, the Premier of New South Wales, according to a- Sydney message, says that he has no intention of'resigning while his health is good and the present parliamentary majority lastg. Mr H. D. Bedford, M.A., LL.B., has been appointed lecturer in Political Economy for the Otago University. Mr Bedford's career an a student at the University comprised special studies in the subject. He v.-as sometime Macandrfw scholar in Political Economy and senior scholar in political science; also special studies in tho subject. Mr H. M. Lyon, secretary to the Wellington Firo Underwriters' Association, has been appointed secretary to the Accident Underwriters' Association of New Zealand.

The following promotions of officers iu the Kew Zealand Militia, «e gazetted •-Bmetcolonel Webb, to be colonel; Brevet-colono! ■Robin, C.8., to bo colonel; Brevet-colonel Divvies, C.8., to be colonel, Brevet Lieuten-ant-colonel Charter, l 0 be lieuieaant-colonel ■ Captain J. G. Hughes, D.5.0.. to be nitjot. Ctplain Stringer, master of the Rakanoa. xas boon appointed assistant marine sup»rin«enaont at Wellington. Captain Stringer has fcad s, long connection with the Union Company. He has risen from tho rauke. In 1831 he was quartermaster of the steimw Man&pouri, and his commands have included the steamers Pukaki, Whanga-pe, "Wnik&re and Kakanoa.

Mr Hiid Mis 6. B. Dall wero on the Bth entertained by the members of the Kaituna Bowling Ciub at a social prior to their departure for Wellington, whore Mr Ball tikes up tn important position in the Postal Department, Mr Ml has for many years been a prominent member of tho Kailuna. Bowline Club, and ho and Mrs Dall We become exceedingly popular mid highly esteemed, a n d it was felt that some recognition of the fact should be extended to them before they left Dunedin. During the evening, vfluch look a musical form, Mr and Mrs Dall were preeeuted with a handsome afternoon cream and eugar set.

.The following ohanKes in. the Department of agriculture hiTo been decided upon in connection with the creation of the new etoolc division :-F S. Pope, at present in charge or correspondence branch, has been appointed chief clerk in tho head office, in place of R. Enatt, appointed inspector of offices; E. J. Fitigibbon becomes accountajit in the heid office, vice J. E. Spioer, who is to bo oiiiof clerk at Auckland, vice W. Robinson, who has been appointed chief clerk; W. Oiitton, Chief Inspector of Stock and Director of Agricultural Station. Mr Ritchie, secretary of the department, is to retain control of the stock division. Owing to Mr W. A, Sim's elevation to the,position of judge- of the Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Chapman vacates that position as from the 10th mst. It is understood that during tho absence of Mr Jus. (ice Edwards on 12 months' leave Mr Juelice Donniston will preside over the Supreme Court at. Auckland, Mr Justice Chapman taking the business at Christchurch.

Major Smyth, Wellington district, will take temporary chargc-for 12 months, at anyrate—of the Otago Volunteer didriet

The election to fill the vacancy in the representation of the Southern Ward on tho Otago Education Board, caused by the death of Mr .Tumea Sim, has resulted in the return of Mr W. Snow, who received 223 votes, as against 176 recorded in favour of Mr A. S. Malcolm. M.H.R. The other candidate, Mr W. D, Mason, received H vpWe.

An Auckland telegram states ikst Ut W. Bnrnside, head master of the Inglewood School, has been appointed sn inspector ior the Auckland education district, "vies Hγ Goodwin, retired.

Mv U. A. Ballantyne has been appointed clnet inspector for the Taranaki education district, in succession to' itr W. K. Spencer

A well-attended meeting of members of the Duncdin Wharf Labourers' Union and the Dimedin section of the Seamen's Union was held on the Mth for the purpose of making presentations to Mr W. Eelcher prior to his departure for London, where lie will represent Iho seamen at the Maritime Conference. The chair was occupied by Mr Huhbard (of the Wharf Labourers' Union), on behalf of which body llr Berwick presented ?Jr Belcher with a gold midteßo cross, suitably inscribed, as a, token of appreciation of Ilie many services lie hud rendered to unionism. The' Seamen's Union, through Mr M'Kenzie, presented Mr Belcher with * silver-mounted dressing-case. Me W. H. Munro, of the Timaru Post, has been appointed general manager of the new morning paper, which ia to be established in Wellington by the recently-formed company. The company will have a, capital of some £80,000. Mr J. Bcvin, manager of the B.ank of New Zeaknd, Qucenslown, and formerly of Arrow, town, has received notice of bis promotion to the managership at Thames, CASUALTIES AND OFFENCES.. A man named Harry T. Blown, who had been in the employ of tho Duncdin Municipal Gasworks for 28 years, died in the Hospital on tho 24th from hernia, the result of a strain received whilst lifting pipes at the gasworks last week.

News has been received in Auckland from Oiiganio that a girl named Ivy Reid, W years of ago, had been killed on a 1 ramlino through a waggon breaking down. An cldorly man named John King, residing at Inglewood, diod suddenly in bed on the 18th inet after retiring in perfect health. Hβ was one of the oldest settlers ]ier«.

A young man named David Dalloy, a draper's assistant at Ashburton, was drowned in the 'Waimakariri River near Beifast.un the Bth inst. while bathing.

A Wailii miner named John Bird was found lying across hie bed in a Wellington boarding-house on the 9th inst. shot through tho heart. The position and circumstances point to suicide.

Jeremiah Grant, a young man. was killed by a fall of stono in the Keep-it-Dark mine. Deceased was a native of Kew South Wales.

Tho body of a man found at Day's Bay, Wellington, has been identified as that of Saineon David Clcin«nt6, a single man, 36 yoaru of age. On Saturday afternoon the one-year-old son of Mr George Holmes, at Sdckburn, upset a bucket of boiling milk over himself, from the effects of which ho died on the- 13th.

At tho inquest on Albert Edward Newdick, who ehot himself at tho Upper Htitt, a verdict of suicide while temporarily ineaxio was returned. The deceased arrived from England 12 months ago. During tho passage- of the Gothio from London to Wellington on Chri6traas Day a third class passenger—Mr D. Rodman, booked for Oamaru—died from typhoid fevor. Tho deceased had been ill for two weeks.

Thomas Brown, landscape gardener, aged 71, was found dead in Mr T. Wells'a garden at Cambridge on the 7th inst. Heart disease is supposed to havo been the cause of death.

The four-year-old daughter of Mr .Tolin Crist, of Danncvirke, was scalded through the overturning of a bucket of hot water during the momentary absence of her mother, and died from the burns sustained. A farm hand named Albert Edward Ncwdick shot himself at Upper Hutt on the 7th, Deceased was 34- ycare of age, and leaves a wife and four children. He enme from England about 12 months a-go. A lad named Kromcr, aged 14, the son of. a. settler, was killed at Central Moutero on the 7th _by being thrown from a cart ho was driving, the wlieels passing over his body.

Returning from the Bluff regatta, Geo. Price, 15 years of age, fell off the railway platform and had his leg badly mangled, necessitating amputation. Tho body of Eobert Griffiths, a fireman on the Pukaki, was found floating in Lyttelton Harbour on the 3rd. Griffiths had recently been paid off, and wa6 to have joined the ship again, but had not turned u> , when she sailed yesterday. On Priday, the 19th, a farmer named Robort Sloper fell off a load of oats at Glasnovin, near Aniborley, and sustained injuries from which ho died on the 22nd. I

Ail inquest was held concerning the death of W. S. Morrisly, of Ashburton Forks, who was found hanging from a rafter in his hut. Tho jury returned a verdict that death was duo to strangulation, self-inflicted, wliilo in a. state of unsound mind.

Joseph Tanner, a single man. aged 60 years, a bootmaker by trade, tell from bicycle in the street on the 21st, and was picked up dead. Ho was lcaniipg to ,- the niaoluno, and was being assisted bv Mr George Burt. At the inquest a. verdict was returned that duath was due to heart failure.

John G-raydon, aii old man who was knocked down by an Auckland tram car on the 23rd. sustained internal injuries, and died on the 24th. He had failed to hear an approaching ear while crossing the street.

A horse attached to a. baker's cart at Ross bolted on tho Bth. The driver was thrown out, and had his leg broken, and another occupant received slight injuries. An old-age pensioner named James Simpson in trying , to stop tho horse was knocked down, receiving fatal injuries. Patrick M'Cnrthy, a porter at the Hawera railway station, ag«d 27, was killed on the Bth met by the engine of the mail train dunnpehunting operations. Terrible injuries wero inflicted, his hoad being reduced to pulp and the body disembowelled. Ho leaves a wife and two young children. At the Police Court, Timarn, on tho 24th a man was fined £10 (tho maximum penalty) and costs (£1 8s) for transmitting through the poet offico a postcard bearing grossly offensive words. The information was laid by the local postmaster, v;bo intercepted the postcard in question. Mr Ityfe, of Milburn, has received word that Ins son, who had met with an accident up north, had to have his leg amputated in the IWru Hospital. Latest advices (says the Bruce Herald) are that lie had succumbed to his injuries. The adjourned inquest concerning tho death of Mrs Jaine, Waterton, was held on Jan. 24. The inquiry has been adjourned to enable Ihe contents of her stomach to bo analysed. Tho analyst's report was to tho cfFeut tJiat there was no trace of poison. A vordiofc in accordance with the medical evidence-that death was duo to apoplexywas given.

A painfully sudden death occurred at Kinkiriroa omtlio 7th. Jlr John Harper, a comparatively recent setfJer there, had been running after a calf, ami had an attack of breuthlessness in the forenoon, and just at midday, while engaged in carting hay, ho fell down and expired immediately. Tho body of the child Lionel Clements, aged one year and nine monthe, who was missed from his homo at Kaitangata on the 7th jnet.. was found in tho Molyneux Eiver on tho 13th at noon. The body was caught in a snag about a mile down the river from where the child's footsteps were traced.

An inquest was held on fho 10th inst. at tlio Hospital by Mr C. C. Graham (coroner) ami a jury "of six, of whom Mr T. Scurr was chosen foreman, concerning the death of William Cameron Brownie, a young man_ who died in the institution early on Wednesday morning;. The jury returned a verdict that deceased died .of acuto appendicitis, but there was not sufficicnl evidence to show the origin or cause of the same.

A fatal gun accident happened at Tiraaru on the 24th. Two brothers named Newton wort- out hare-shooting, when tho gun carried by Win Newton went off accidentally, shooting George- Newton, who was three yards off, in the head. Deceased was a married man, 23 yeare of ige, recently from Southland. Just before the mail train from iCew Plymouth arrived at Oiaki Staiion on Ihe 21st, a. man, who had been sitting on the platform of a carriage, fell off. Shortly afterwards he was found dead on the track. There is no definite information regarding (he man's identity, but it k beliered that his name is Hadiicld or Haifiekl. Ho was a through passenger from Auckland. Mr C. 0. Graham (City Coroner) held an inquest on the Bth at tho hospital touching tho death of Thomas Ritchie (55), labourer, who died on Monday night from the effecls of sunstroke, sustained whilst at on the site of the new dock at Port Chalmers. The jury returned a, verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. The Traffic Superintendent of Railways received advico late on the 14th mat. to the effect that- Mr A. C. Anderson, a guard, had been drowned while, bathing in a water hole at Omakau. Mr Anderson, who was temporarily stationed at Omakau,- was 23 years of aj>c, r.r,d had been in Hie railway service for 10 ycurs. His relatives reside at Port Chalmers. Tho circumstances surrounding the death of Rnchel Sullivan, aged six years, daughter of Mr C. D. Sullivan, of Ravensboume, formed tlia subject of an inquiry at the Hospital on the 15th before the city coroner (Mr C. C. Graham). The jury's verdict showed that death was due to tetamu. the result of the iniectiou of a fractured arm caused by an accident*)! fail.

Tho Wcllinjrioii coroner held an inquiryOil, ilie Ist imo tho circumstances of '.ho death of .lames Duncan, labourer, who was found on the Queon'a wharf on Monday in a moribund condition. The evidence went to show that th« deceased had an epileptic Sbizure. An autopsy disclosed fracture of dm base of the skull. The jury found that death was-caused by this injury, there being no evidenco to ehow how it was caused.

At the adjourned inquest on (lie body «f John Hornaby, wlio" was killed by a. train near Invcrcargill on December 31, it was found I hat he was muddled with drink, and I hat- no blame wa.s attachablo to tho railway authorities. The evidence showed that Ilie .man continued on the line though he saw the train approaching, and was warned by persons near to look out. 'file engine-driver regarded it as a case of deliberate suicide.

Valdy Bishop, a Ja.rm hand, wa« drowned on the Bth ivhilo bathing in a lagoon on Mr J. Blair MacNcil's properly at To Kouka, about three milee from Balclutha. Deceased was employed by Mr MacXcil, and wae found by his employer lying face downwards in about 3ft of water. His clothing and a towel were found lying on a bank. Dewaecd was subject to fits, and is supposed to havo had a fit while in the water. An inque.it will 1» held.

At-. Christelmreli on ilie ]3Ui inst. .-. middle-aged man named William Scott, was found dead in his bed at the Terminus Hotel. A!; the inquest, a verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide by taking phosphorous wllilo ill a stato of unsound mind, brought about by excessive drinking. The jury added a rider that it. considered tho grossest neglect hiwl been shown by those who saw him immediately Before his death in 7iot calling in incdiral assistance.

The Grown has decided to proceed against "W. S. O'Brien, deputy-superinten-dent of tho Wellington fire Brigade, and P. 0. Spry, driver of tho brigade's motor engine, on a charge of manslaughter in connection with tho death of Mrs Kensington, who was killed on December 17 by being run over by the motor at -the corner of Bowen street and Lambton quay. At the City Police Court on the 9th inst. before Mr C. C. Graham, S.lf., a man named Cabel Thomas, a miner, employed in the Kaitangata coal mir.e, was chargod with assaulting Constable M'Ecnzie at Kaitanga-ta on December 17 so as to cause-him actual bodily harm.—Accused pleaded "Guilty," and was committed for sentence.

At tho inquest at Wcstnori on the 18th touching the death of Mrs Do Pilippi, the medical evidence was to tho effect that death was duo to tho deceased having a convulsive fit while under chloroform for. the purpose of having eome teeth extracted, and that thero wis nothing Co indicate that chloroform should not havo been used. The jury brought in a verdict that no blame wa-s attachable to anyone.

A sad fatality occurred at Napier on the 24th, f/hen n, young woman named Mrs Mary Simmonck _ of Mamckakabo, died while under tho innuence of chloroform, ffhioh had been administered in order that some teeth should be ■extracted. Tho chloroform was administered by Dr Moore, who hod previously examined the deceased, and who found , her perfectly sound. At tho inquest a verdict of death from syncope was returned, no blame being attachable to anyone.

A little girl named Florence Beatrice Lascolles, about three and a-half yeara old, a daughter of Mr M. Lascellcs, was drowned at the Western Spit about 4p.m. on the Bth inst. The child was playing with a. short fishing line on a small jetty near the Sailing Club's shed, and it is surmised that in trying to imitate sonie older children who were fishing the line became entangled round her body, nnd caused her to fall into the water. She was got out very soon after, but though medical assistance was at once obtained, and efforts at resuscitation were continued for some hours, it was without avail, life being extinct.

About a quarter to 6 a.m. on the 2nd one of the railway surfacemen, while engaged in making his customary inspection of the Lyttelton Tunnel, found a man lying in the channel at the side of the rails. The man was picked up and taken to Lyttelton. where he was placed in the casualty ward. It is surmised that the mau must have fa-llcn off one of the late trains on tho Ist. He was found about half a milo from the Lyttelton end of the tunnel. He did not appear to be much hurt, although ho was somewhat bruised about the body and had some cuts on the face. It has been ascertained that tho man's name is John Dickie, aged about, 39 years. He is ii married man with two children, and resides at Kaiapoi.

A little boy named Lionel Clements, aged one year and nine months, was reported to Constable Mackenzie as missing from his home at Kaitangata on the afternoon of tho 7th inst. On. search being made, footprint* corresponding with those of tho missing child were found near the edge of the Molyncux River not very far from his parents' rosidonce. No other trace of the child has been found, and lie i 3 supposed to have been drowned. The missing boy was seen close to t,ho river at about 4.45 p.m. The river has been dragged in the vicinity of the place where the footprints were seen, but without result, a-nd tho banks bave also been searched. The river is very deep, and the current ve-ry strong where- the acoidxmt is supposed to have occurred.

A little girl named Rachel Sullivan, aged five years arid eleven months, ttie daughter of Mr Charles 0. Sullivan, of I?av«i6bourne, died at tho Hospital on th« 14th inst, under very sad circutnetancoH. On January 4, while playing with some companions, she fell off a* box and broke her arm. Her grandmother, ignorant of (he extent of tho injury, bandaged what she thought was simply an abrasion, and next day the child's father sought for a doctor, but did not secure one till late in the afternoon, when Dr Blomfield attended. The child seemed to progress till tho 9th inst., when she complained of a. pain in the injured arm, and was treated by Dr M'Kellar. On Thursday her condition became critical, and she was removed to tho Hospital , suffering from lockjaw. Her arm was amputated, but lihe never rallied.

MISCELLANEOUS. Mr I. W. Raymond has sold the Ermedalo Estate to Mr Thomas, of Canterbury, at a price- beyond five figures. The estate comprises 2750 acres of highlyimproved, undulating, agricultural land, and has few equals in the south. The total revenue of the Auckland Harbour Board fo; 1906 was £83,584, as compared with £76,796 for 1905, thus showing an increase of £6788.

At a meeting of the Teachers' Superannuation Board on the 15th it wae announced that there are 2922 contributors to the fund, their monthly payments reaching £2596. The amount to the credit of the fund on December 31 was £30.000. Messrs N. Fernandos, of Wellington, and Corry, of Napier, owners of the missinp stain trawler Centennial, which left Launceston on October 17 for Wellington and Napier, have been paid £2000, full insurance on the vessel. The statutory meeting of representatives of local bodies to fix the day for observing the weekly half-holiday for the ensuing year in the Dunedin district was held in tlie Town Hall on the 16th. After some discussion Wednesday was again decided upon. A boy named Julius Toeker, has attended the Stratford District High School over 13 yeara without missing a singlo attendance, notwithstanding during that time ho has had a. broken arm, a. wound in his foot caused by a broken bottle, which required 6evoral afcitches. and the usual sickness to whioh childhood is heir. It was reported at the meeting of the management committee of ths Wellington Rugby Union on the 14th that the union had a not credit balance of between £600 and £750. From the 15th lo the 24th December the Union Company carried a daily average of 600 passengers from Wellington to Lyttelton, and between tho 25th and 31st tho average was 460. The yea-r just ended constitutes a record as regards shipping at the port of GreymouHi. the shipping being 63 steamers and 37 sailing vessels, a-nd the tonnage 300,012 tone. In 1905 the toial tonnage was 273,196 tons, or an increase of 26.816 tons during 1906. In 1902 it was 206.256 tons, £0 that last year'e figures show an increase of 33 per cent., or nearly 100,000 tons, in the four years. The average depth of water on the bar for the year was 22ft 3in, which is the greatest since 1898, when it was 22ft lOin. The anuual report of the New Plymouth Harbour Board shows that the revenue last year was £11,859, being an increase of £2256. The imports and exports totalled 65.181 tone, being an increase of 2673 tons. The revenue has doubled since 1893. while the trade has nearly doubled. The board spent out of revenue last year £7223 on permanent extensions.

The foundation stone of the new school building that is about to be erecred us an adjunct to the Selwjni Collegiate School, in Castle stroet, was "well and truly laid" on the 19th by the Primate (Dr Nevill). The Primate was accompanied by Mrs Nevill, and a largu gathering of clergy and laity.

Tho revenue and trade returns of the porl. of Timaru for the year ended December ol were placed before a special meeting of lli« Harbour Board on the Sth. The total figures in each section aro the largest in ilie history of the port. The revenue from ™' ai : f , a E c - 6,li l' ll " ps . etc-, for 1906 totalled £26,461, compared with £25,895 in 1905. f)io imports for 1906 totalled £79,153 tons compared with 76,901 in 1905. The export* 1906. amounted to 77,012 ions, as against 78,926 tons in 1905. Imports and cxporrs in }90& negated 156,165 tons, against 155,627 tons in 1905. Of frozen mutton there were 7£9,09t carcases exported last year, tins being 131.490 carcases in excess ot the previous record. The value of imports and exports (foreign and intercolonial) H\ -H 06 ,, "'"* £1 - 343 ' 32 5,' compared with in 1905. The total registered tonnage of shipping visiting (he port in 1906 was 34,90 C tons in excess of that for 1905. The annual meeting of tho St. Andrew's Orphanage was hold on the 10th. The report showed that there were 80 children in the homes, of which number 23 are in Kelson 9 m Marlborough, 13 in Inaugaliua. and JJuller, 10 in Greymouth. 5 in TakaJca. H in Wellington, and 1 in Napier. Tlie amount contributed by the Charitable Aid Boards was £341 13s; by parent and guaroians, £479 ios; and ordinary subscriptions .had increased from £76 8s to £170 7s, but those from the Orange Lodges had fallen <!»• So far tho present credit balance is *WO. The reports showed that good work is being done, especially in the rescue of oiiidron, whoso training is well spoken of. The president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce is making representations to the Postmaster-general op tho question of ocean mail services. It is pointed out that a service via Brindisi, though a, littlo longer than a, service via San f'ra-ncisco or Vancouver, is regular, reliable, and efficient, and would be infinitely preferable to the present position of uncertainty and confusion. The ohamber, therefore, "urges .Sir Joseph Ward to have the present partial arrangement made applicable to all the steamers leaving Wellington direct for Sydney. , Tho Hon. \V. Hall-,rones, Minister of Public Worke, who has returned from a visit to tho North Island Main Trunk line, reiterates the statement he has made in and out of Parliament that Auckland and Wellington will bo connected by rail at tho end of next year. The criminal business be-iorc- the rourte in Christcluirch during tho quarter ended December 31 shows 844 cases, being an inorcaao of 79 over tho corresponding quarter of last The increase was most marked in crimes against property, mud, theft, eUi., whilo there was a, decrease in crime against the person and reputation, including murder, libel, bigamy, and oil manner of bodily injury. The ajinual police returns for Chrietchurch show tliat the number of crimes reported to the police during 1906 was 1379, as aeainst 1618 during 190 S. The Auckland Harbour Board has been served with notice of claims for compensa. tion for injuries sustained by workmen during the docking of tho steamer Mamari aggregating £5272. Other claims will probably bo lodged.

An election for the return of three members of the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board,, to fill the vacancies caused by tho retirement of Meesre W. Burnett, J. Gore,' and T. Scott, through effluxion of time, and held on the 16th. Five candidates presented themselves for election—namely, Messrs Burnett, Gore, Henry M. Henderson, 11. A. LeCrcn, anil Henry Spiers, and the poll resulted in tho return of Messrs Burnett (541 votce), Gore (544 votes), and Spiers i 376 votes). Tho interest displayed ill the election was small indeed, as may bo gauged from Hie fact that out of 35,881 people on the Dunedin drainage and sewerage district roll only 757 exorcised their power to vote.

During tho year ended December 31 permits for the erection of buildings valued at £628,961 were issued in Wellington. The quarterly returns of attendance for the period ended December 31, 1906, which have been compiled by the secretary of tho Otago Education Board, show that there were 229 schools in operation in thi3 distriot, employing 211 males and 318 female teachers. The number of pupils on the rolls at tho beginning of the quarter was 18.915, and at the end of the quarter 18,995, comprising 9764 boya and 9231 girls. Tho avenge attendance was 8563 bora and 7964 girls, making * total of 16,527,—being 686 lees than the total for the previous quarter, and 782 lees than for the December quarter, 1905. The number of pupils admitted during the quarter was 600 bovs and 516 girls,—totil 1116.

Tho number of breweries in the colony last year was 72, and tiicy employed 731 hands. The wages paid totalled £92,128, and the beer made amounted to ?,634.36? gallons, valued at £572,579.

The election of a memlwr on the Otago Harbour Board to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late chairman (Mr Hugh Gouriey) took place on the 9th. Comparatively little interest wa3 taken in the affair. Only 1276 votes were recorded. Air G. P. Bullock obtaining 725 and Mr F. 0. Shaek'ock 551, Mr Bullock's majority thus being 174-. During- 1906 the Auckland Tramway Company carried 21,104,651 passengers on various sections, as against 19,789,045 for 1905— an increase of 1.315.606.

Tho eolicitore for the Shaw-Savill Company have served notice on tho Auckland Harbour Board of their intention to commence an action to recover £15.000 damages in connection with the accident to the Mamari in the Unlliope Dock.

A nautical inquiry into the foundering of the barquentine Wverland near the Three Kings on December 29 was hold at Auckland on the Uth before Mr C. C. Kettlp. S.M., and Captains Reid and Campbell. nautical accessors. After hearing tho evidence t,l« court came to the conclusion that tiler© had not-been anv negligence on the part of tho vessel's officers, and that there was no reason to suspend their certificate.?.

The- directors of the Ta-ranaki Oil antl Freehold Comnanv have engaged as manager Mr William Balloch. who has taken his duties. Mr Balloch was for 20 years in the employ of a leading firm of arteian well borers in Great Britain, and also had considerable experience in petroleum operations in South Russia. He intonds the compa.ny'ts bores to be much greater in diameter than those put down V other operators. Special a-ppliances have been cabled for to Tlneland.

The jury, in returning tfopir verdict at the inquiry into the Calliope Dock disaster at Auckland made special reference to the way in which tho body of Clark, one of the victims, was treated, by the corpse being, permitted to lie in a shed for some time, thus giving tie rats free access to it. They attached the following rider:—"That the proper authorities are severely censured by the jury for their inhuman neglect of the body of Clark, :uid that we are of opinion that a. proper building should be provided for fluoh caaes." The Coroner (Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M.) Raid he quite agreed wMi the rider. Since the matter came before them he found that the Health Department had tho power to call upon the local bodice to provide a. proper morgue, and be would communicate with the proper authorities on the matter. It was a, disgrace to civilisation that such a thing Bhould happen. As to who was to blamo, it was difficult to say. No doubt tho police did the best they ooiild wider the circumstances.

Quito a. crowd assembled on the wharf at. Port Chalmers on the 15th inst. to witness the departure of the Wnikare on her annual cruise to the wonderland of the West Coast. The weather conditions were ideal, and the eea. was as smooth as a mountain lake. The vessel was gay with bunting, and her appointments and general appearance indicated all that skill and care could accomplish to ensure tho comfort and enjoyment of her passengers. At 3.55 p.m. she cast off from tho wharf to the accompaniment of cheers and a. ealvo of signal rockets. Captain Jl'Donald is in command, and, given reasonable fine weather, the success of this year's Sounds excursion bids fair to be as successful in every way as those of former years. A number of homing pigeons were taken this trip, and will be liberated in the Sounds from time to time.

The following letter has been received by his Excellency the Governor from Viceadmiral Fawkcs, in command of the Australian squadron:—" With reference to my predecessor's letter of March 17. 1904, addressed to his Excellency tho Earl of Ranfurly, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty acquaint me that they have approved of the present arrangements whereby a commission as a medical officer in the royal navy is granted every alternate- year to a New Zealand candidate being continued for a further period of three yeare. This means that a commission is open for the year 1908 (commissions having been offered for the jears 1904 and 1906), and I should therefore be ?lad if your Excellency squid rauje the

same to be made generally known, and arrange for the names of applicants to bo submitted to you." Applicants must bo between tho ages of 21 and 28 years on acceptance, and nniet bo medical practitioners holding certificates under Austrian or New Zealand Universities.

The directors of the Otago Fanners' Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association met on the 22nd. Mr William Grey' presiding. Very satisfactory progress was reported, the risks now held totalling over £104,000. 'The scheme, is finding- much favour among tho farmers, particularly since the reduction in rates which took place last August. Mr Hugh Mitchell, F.1.A.N.Z., was appointed secretary in the place of Jlr J. T. Prain, who has resigned owing io his having accepted an appointment with the firm of Messrs Henderson and Batger, of Invcrcargill.

By the death of Mrs Harrop, relict of Mr William Harrop, the annuity with which she was provided under tho terms of her husband's will will now aceumnhSe with tho bequest made by tho deceased gentleman to tho Anglican Church for the purpose of building- a cathedral on i.ho site of tho present St. Paul's Cathedral. The bequest is. accumulating at the rate of £1000 a. year, and now stands at about £28,000. l;i terms oi the will, this will not bo available until the Anglican body has itself collected £20,000 and £10,000 has actually been spent in building.

Tho Department of Industries and Commerce ha.? shipped by iho Ruupehu a large quantity of exhibits of New Zealand products and manufactures for the Colonial Products Exhibition, to be held at Liverpool in March next, to be followed by the Irish International Exhibition at Dublin, opening in May. Tho exhibits will be shown at Liverpool, and then transferred to Dublin. The shipment is made up of ironsand, a complete act of butter-box and cheese-ease ends for trophy purposes, natural mineral waters, New Zealand wines, woollen rugs, flannels and blankets, a full range of grass seed, wheat, oats, barley, beans, and peas, tinned peas, fruits, jams, and sauces, pickles, condensed milk, sets of portmanteaus, bags, harness, and. saddles manufactured from New Zealand leather, fleeces of wool collected from leading growers, and a bale of each grade of hemp and tow. A brass tablet giving the total gold output of New Zealand is also included in tho department's shipment, and also samples of Now Zealand woods. Private firms co-operated with the department in a generous ma-nner. A full supply of literature and pictures dealing with New Zealand products, manufactures, and tourist resorts also went forward. It is tho intention of the department to make -a further shipment [or Ireland at tho end' of next month.

Returns just completed give the following bankruptcy statistics for Otago and Southland :-Pctilions by debtors, 67; petitions by creditors, 9; orders of immediate discharge, 25; discharge suspended, 7; liabilities (unsecured), £34,621 17s 7d; assets per schedules, £9245 15s 6c!; amounts secured to creditors, £24,725 5s 7d; assets realised, £6728 19s 2d; amount paid in dividends, £3183 8s Ud; preferential claims paid, £420 76 2d; amount paid for secured claims, £2142 Bs. The number of bankruptcies (Otago and Southland) since 1900 are as follow:—1900, 66; 1901, 55; 1902 55; 1803, 36; 19,04, 57; 1905, 65; 1906, 76.' Of the 76 bankruptcies last year the unsecured liabilities were as follow:-Under £50 2to £100, 15; to £250, 23; to £500, 10; to £1000, 17; to £2000, 7; over £2000, 2. In the cablegrams published last week it was stated that London and South African firms had placed orders in Melbourne for 500,000 ducklings, chickens, and turkeys, and that the reason assigned for Victoria capturing the orders was tho strict ejetem of State grading. A member of tho staff of the Wellington Post asked sn officer of the Agricultural Department whether the Victorian system of grading was superior to ours, and was informed • that none of tho Commonwealth States had such a good system as New Zealand. The authorities in this colony will not allow any birds but the best to pass through the depots. New Zealand poultry has a, good name on the London and South African markets, and the Chief Government Export is anxioue that tho reputation which the colony has gained shall not be in any way injured To show how the poultry industry has been expanding in New Zealand of late years, it may be mentioned fliat. last year poultry to the falue of £6389 was sent away, as compared with £4403 in the previous year. The New Zealand Times states that an old Maori lady, who in her youth performed an heroic- action and carried it through so successfully that she has since been known as New Zealand's "Grace Darling," came before his Honor Mr Justice Sim at Wellington on Thursday with an application for the removal of certain restrictions, no doubt legally placed, upon a piece of land known as Waikawa, in which she has an iiiterest-if indeed she is not, with her husband, the owner of the property. The court reserved its decision. The heroine is now advanced in years decrepit, and ill; y et , w hen she was a young girl living with her people at Wakapiiaka, near Nelson, she did a great deed The Delaware, a big ship, helpless, disabled came drifting inshore and eventually stranded. There were some 23 souls aboard, and they found no possible moans of reaching the land. A crowd of Natives and Europeans assembled on tho beach awaiting anxiously the terrible moment when the vessel would break up and the crew would bo lost. No one dared to venture into the boiling breakers: but at last Huria Matenga took hold of a line, swam through the -surging surf, and passed that line aboard the ship, with the result that every person on tho doomed vessel was saved Ihe settlers in Nelson, rightly regarding the act as ono of the most heroic our history records, presented Huria Matenga with a gold watch. Huria is now an old woman hut she still holds the honoured title of New Zealand's "Grace Darling"