LOCAL & GENERAL,

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 22

LOCAL & GENERAL,

Since the formation of the Dunedin centre of St. John Ambulance Association 1316 men have completed a course of instruction aad 619 have received certificates. The auoaber of women who have completed a. coarse of instruction in first aid is 104-2, and for nursing 691. Of these, 555 have received first aid certificates and 198 nursing certificates. The number who have received medallions is 77 men and 68 women.

Mrs Delia Parnell, the mother of the late Irish leader, died on March 27 at her residence, Avondale, Ireland. Woen sitting before the fire her clothing became ignited and she waa terribly burned. She was in her eightieth year. Mrs Parnell was sn American by birth — the only daughter of Commodore Charles Stewart, of the United States Navy, and his wife, the belle of Boston of her time. The commodore was a most distinguished sailor, held i& nigh honour for hia great deeds against the Eoglith in 1812. His greatest feat was the defeat, single-handed, of a cc-uple of British cruisers vitb hia own cruiser, the Constitution. The vessel was nicknamed <'Old Ironsides/ Miss Stewart married in 1834 John Henry Parcell, a son of the famous Sir John ParneH, of Gr&ttan'e Parliament. Mrs P&rnell became, a whole— soule-1 Na. 1 ion nlht with her chaDge of lntnie. Sue bad a sad life, poor woman. Her husband, htr brother, three daughters (one Fanny, a brilliant woman and something of a poetess, and Parneli'a favourite sister) all died. Then came great destitution, due to Mrs Parnell's unlucky speculations and weaknesa at business, and fiualiy the trouble of her son. The latter she took terribly to hears.

Ths Canterbury College authorities are taking a new departure, and are inviting applications in the colony for the position of Professor of Engli>ti Language and Literature. The salary i» £600 per annum without fees.

Some days back (says the Westminster G-tzstte of April 6) a deaf and dumb typesetter, who happened, while raußic was being played in his presence, to be holding an empty c:gar box in his hands, was surprised to find that he experienced an agreeable sensation in his fingers. This ceased as soon as he laid the thin and fragile box aside. Having narrated hia experience to some acquaintances who suffer from the same c&lsmity as himself, they, after trial, also felt the same sensations. He also said that when people "spoke loud in his presence he could feel the sound with the assistance of the box, and hia assertions were confirmed in this also by other deaf and dumb persons. Should there be any scientific foundation for this strange emotion it may be possible for some discoverer acquainted with the laws of touch and sound to confer some precious benefit in the future on the deaf and dumb.

Palm Sunday at Brentford (says the London Telegraph) witnessed a strange and moving spectacle— a bishop seated, not exactly on an ass, but behind one in a costermonger's donkey cart. The Bishop of Marlborough was due fco hold a co&Srmation service a% St. Lawrence's Church, Brentford, bat when his Lordship arrived at Gunnersbury Railway Station in time, ss he thought, to take a cab to the place of appointment, he found, to his great chagrin, that vehicles for hire were conspicuous by their absence. The distance was too great for walking in the few minutes to spare, end the bithop had almost made up his mind to be late for the ceremony when suddenly there caoae on the scane a humble coster with his "moke" and cart, the man having apparently been turning an honest penny by providing the localify with oranges and apples. The aproned ecclesiastic explained to the coster in a moment his dilemma, aud asked for a " lift." The kindly owner of the ass at once consented — the {bishop scrambled into the cart — and the donkey, entering into the humour of the situation, used its four hoofs with 6uch despatch that his Lordship's ride through the principal street of the town waa like a triumphal procession. Thanka to the donkey the bishop arrived at Sfe. Lawrence's in good tim?.

Since the admission of Private Ficdlater, one of the heroes of tho Heights of Dargai, to Netley Hospital (aayo the London Daily News of April 1) he has received large numberß cf congratulatory and flattering messages from all parts of the country. Some cf the letters are of a most remarkabls description. Oue lady, evidently smitten with the heroic conduct of the gallant soldier, -has offered him her hand, heart, and substantial fortune. A Yorkshire man sajs he is prepared to devote his modest savings to secure an interview with the distinguished Highlander, and at least three, theatrical companies are competing for the exclusive rights to secure his services, for which they offer substantial recompense. Findlater har, however, reserved his decision tintil thß arrival of his fellow-piper, Milnes, to whose heroic conduct at Dargai h8 pays the most unse'fi<h tribute. Milues i was, he saya, playing " Cosk o' the North " \ wheo the heights were sUircoed, and Find- i later himself was pipiug the regimeahil inarch past. Milnes was shob through the luogp, and is still far from being convalescent ; but it is expected that after his arrival the bracing air of the Solent will speedily restore hitn. Pindlatev was shot in the ankle, the bullet ploughing through the limb and sinking the heel of his other boor, which was torn aws.y, and the toes badly injured. He is cow well on the way for recovery, and can get about without tbe aid of crutches. ' x

It was announced some time ago that the South Australian Government intended to take immediate steps to improve the JPorb Darwin line, which had proved incompetent to deal with the work thrown upon it. Since the outbreak of the war matters have been worse than ever, owing to the great increase of messages, and the delay, especially to presa messages, is intolerable, yet all that the South Australian Government ha.ye done so far ia to order some copper wire, whicb, a message to the Postal department in Wellington says, " will not arrive for some time, and then has to be erected." No improvement upon the present state of things can be expected for a considerable period yet. "

A new syndicate was preparing when the last mail left to set up in Loadon, in positions sanctioned by the city corporation, a number of majestic-looking iasap-posts that are not only to give light, but will afford a perennial spring of hot water, and, if required, will dispense all the other requisites for & cup of tea or coffee or cocoa. This may sound a little Utopian, but that it is not really so Londonera will almost immediately hive an opportunity of seeing for Ihginseives. The lauip-posts (says the Daily News) are all ready, tea aad condensed milk and sugar have been squeezed into compact little penny blocks, the cup? to be attached to the hot water taps are provided, and nothing remains to be done but to set np the posts, turn on the water, and light the gas, and two or three ha'pennies in ihe slob will do all the rest. You drop a coin into one s!ot, and out conies your block of tea or cocoa with milk 0e sng^r«

which of course yon put into the cup, and then ADother ha'penny will place a whole gallon ot hot water at your disposal, either for yourself or your frieuds whom you may have invited to tea on the unclerst*ndiog th*t they take it in turns with the cup or bring their own crockery. One of these novel centres of entertsiiDmoot is about to be put up in Stoney lane, near the Corporation Model Dwellings, and others are p.rranged for in several d fferent localities. The scheme is not only certain to prove a real boon to densely-populated poor neighbourhoods, but has a real to entitle interest.

Some remarka-bls discoveries have been made (wriws our Melbourne correspondent) as to dirt iv State schools. Tha matter waa first brought under attention when an outbreak of diphtheria occurred iv Hawthorn. The head of the Public Health department is Dr Geohswdi, a gentleman specially imported from England a few year 3 ago, who keeps tbe entire colony in a ferment aboub germa and microbes, and ail these other dreaded disease disseminators which th« old fogey is prons to declare are pcodocts of a diseased imagination. Dr Gies&wcll immediately set forward on a crusade against diriy schools, in which he insisted the diphtheria was bred. He discovered dirt in abundance, at aayra'e, for in one Hawthorn school they removed from the roof chambers three dczou sacks of dust, including oue dozen aacka of birds' nests. More recently a measles epidemic haa shut come of the South Melbourne school*, and Dr GreKSwell has prosecuted his crusade with much effect. His officers have reported that one school had not been painted or lime-washed for nine years, and that tha floors h*d not been scrnbbed or the walls swepb since Christmas. There was a small ordinary dripstone filter for the filtration of all the water used, and it had not been cleabed since its introduction to the school. E'ghteen or 20 bags of rubbish, bird manure, &s., were removed from the roofs, and three loads of dust from the roof chambers, while in many cases the air-vents ware completely blocked by paper, books, rag?, dust, fc2.

Sir John Forrest, the Premier of Western Aiistralia, ai,d Mr Seddon are evident'y kindred spirits. In the course of his reply to a deputation which waited d*a him recently to urge the construction of a railway from Esperance to Norseman, Sir John admitted that responsible govemznent r.a? a ODe-maa Government ; and it always wculd be so. He would not like to be arnungsfc the Ministry where six men were directing Rifairs. Ife would ba like six captains on a eteamar, in which case she would soon be on the rocks.

Mr J. Lowles, H.P., in the course of a 'ecture delivered before the Society of Arts on "The British Empire, its Resources, and its Future," staled that at tbe p ressn t moment the British Empire was 53 times the size of Franc?, 52 times that oi Germany, three aad a-half tiraes that cf tbe United States cf Acnerica, iiirica the. size of Europe, with treble the population of all tha Russias. It extended over 11,000,000 square miles, occupied one-fifth of the globe, contained one-fifth of the human rac?, or 350,000,000 people, embraced fpur contir.eni s, 10,000 islands, 500 promontories, and 2000 livers. The total shipping under the British flag was 10,452,0C0 tons.

The Hon. T. A. Brassey, editor of " Brassey's Naval Annual," at a meeting at TunbricSge Wells (b&jb the St. James's Gazette), addressed him3elr to the subject of the foreign outlook tnd Gre&t Britain's supremacy at sea. The present he described as th 9 most critical period ever eTpsriuieed by this country ia regard to foreign affair?. For the purposes of the "Naval AnnaaJ," and in continuation of hi* father's (Lord Brassey) labours in tbat direction, he had jmt completed a survey of the progre^ of the British Navy, and as a result could astute them that our navy at the present momp.nt was well capable of meeting aoy other two Powers at sea, and further, was in a position to hold its own — though nob without a struggle — against a coalition, comprising Russia, France, and Germauy. No relaxation, however, should be permitted' in the building of new vessels if this position was to be maintained in the future, especially in view of the fact that within the last year or two the advance iv the French and one or two other navies bad been greater than was the eass in regard to our own navy.

The case of J*ruei Kifsbftrdson, an engineer on tbe 6.5. Star of Bogiasid, which was heard at Wellington on the lObh ins*-., should serve as a warning to thoie who desire to avoid the usual routine of lha custom*, though quite willing to pay duty. The evidenos taken showed that Richardson desired to take on shore a bex containing 100 cigars aud two bottles of Florida water. Richardson asked a constable wfcere he could find a custom* officer, and was taken to them, but though he offered to pay the duty the customs officers could noS accept it, as the articles were on the list of "prohibited goods" — packages of not less than 601b of cigars. D&fendact said he was not aware that he was committing a breach of the ao!; when ready and williug to pay tbe duty. Mr Hazelden imposed a fine of £4 16s— treble the duty — with £1 8a CO3tS.

The committee of the Presbyterian Theological Hall (writes our Melbourne correspondent) has had to come before the Presbyterian Commission in forma pauperis in regard to a certain scholarship fund. The capital was invested in certain- bank preference shares when eueh shares were in large demand in Melbourne. The dividends at first were substantial, and on them a certain gcholarship was offered. This was won by a student who worked hard and took high rank at the examination. After the first year or so the dividends began to shrink very materially, and before the period of scholarship expired they had practically disappeared altogether. The student now petitioned the commission to direct the committee to find ways and means of paying him the balance of the bursary. It was agreed that the money — some £33 — should be paid to the student, and that the Theological Hall Committee should bs requested to fiud some way out of the difficulty.

Mr Pauton, the well-known Melbourne police magistrate, recently wrote to tho Solicitorgenera) suggesting that as a certain nectioa of the community objected to his sitting on the bench at the Metropolitan Licensing Court tie would retire if it waa thought desirable. Notwithstanding that the Full Court had vindicated him in connection with allegations made by the Victorian Temperance Alliance, the Solicitor-general intends, for the sake of peace and harmony, to allow Mr Panbon to retire, though no intimation to that effect has yet been givea him. There will be no difficulty in filling the vacancy, as all the police magistrates are licensing magistrates.

The village of Bastleigh, in Hants (says the Westminster Gazette), has as one of its residents a modern astrologer in the person of Mr William Sevier, who declares that from his study of the heavens he is " able to predict all thiugs." The prophet's forecast of events foe the present year includes tho following !— JFs&Bca aud Sjjajo. doomed, trouble at home and

abroad with France, earthquakes, floods, famine, plagues for Spain. Trouble* continued in India. Toe loss of many oce»n liners and steamers. Gales. Earthquakes will take place this year throughout the earth. Only a very slight shock will be felt in this country, which will take place ia August cesfc, Gloucester and South Wales psrta. All nations completely railed up, troubla throughout the world. . War is the programme for the last half of this year. The engineara' strike and its result, the astrologer aver?, w«re foretold by him at the beginning of 1897 ; his gicomy picture of coming events in 1898 is brightened with the one cheering assurance thai; "sever again wculd such strikes take place."

. At a meeting of the householders in the Tatnuka school district tha idea of closing the school as a protest against the action of the South Canterbury Education Board \a nob appointing tho candidate elected by the committee was abandoned at the commencement of the proceedings. The chairman read the opinion of Mr A*pinail, Bolieitc»\ which was to the effect that the action of the board was unassailable. Although it was pointed cue that the appointment was now made and could not be altered, the following resolution wis passed: — "That this meeting of householder* recognise that the position of the Board of Education, although unassailable legally, is yet udjus!; to tha committee and householders, and would urgently ask them to reconsider their decision." At the ' Close of the meeting tho members of the school committee resigned in a body.

There died at Palmerstoji North last week a woman who caw savage life in the early daya of the colony to an extent that few people now alive can boast of. This w»s Mrs E. Brooke, wrho cirae out to New Plytnrufch in fcbe Amelia Thompson in 1841, being then about 13 jears of age. One notable incident in her lire was a journey on foot in tho " forties " from Taranaki to Wellington and back, the only road being the sea beach, and tvery river having to be ferried across. After her marriage Mrs Bfooke lived (from about 1848) on Kapiti Island, then tbe resort of whalers. She was (aays the Palmers' oa Times) the first and at that time the only white woman on Kapiti. Mrs Brooke witnessed some shocking scanes on the islaind, there being frequent intertribal wars, acd cannibalism being a sequel to every fight. She well remembered seeiog baskets of human flesh being sent away to the chiefs of distant tribes. On one occasion, when the slaughter had been unusually great, the severed breasts of the women who had been slain oc taken prisouec formed the principal delicacy forwarded to a powerful chief whose friendship ie was thus sought to Sf-cure. W«-li did Mrs Brooke recollect) such notable warriors as Tamihana, Rauparaha (father and son), the fierce Rangihaeata, aud other great chiefs. Her lata husband was in almost every engagement in the first Tara.naki war, being awarded the New Zealand medal for bravery displayed in various skirmishes with the natives. Mrs Brooke wai herself on oue occasion in peril of her life, having incurred the anger of the natives through having gathered and cooked some Maori cabbiges grown on a piece of ground in Kapiti which had been made tapu, or sacred, in conSfquence of some hair cut off a chief's head having been deposited there. She also witnessed the tragic end of a young native woman whose husband shot her for some alleged breach of conjugal propriety.

The weekly meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees, held on the Estb, was attended by Messrs A. Solomon (chairman), J. Green, C Allan, R. Wilaon, P. Xreseder, R. Watson, and W. Swan. Accounts amounting to £148 Si 3i were passed foe payment. Fifcy-two relief eases were dealt with.

The Public Service Board of New South Wales has published a statement from which it appears^that the savings made by the board in salaries through retrenchment, amalgamation of offices, and adjustment of salaries amounts to £267,890, besides which there is a sum of £25,000 saved in respect of stores, as well as some £9000 for travelling expenses and departmental contingencies. These savings aggregate a total of £301,890, and as this was an annual charge upon the publ'c revenue it represents, as Mr Reid has expressed it, the interest on £8,600,000.

In eleven years the Mount Morgan mine, Queensland, yielded 1,718,1520z of gold of the value of £7,060,000, and there waa paid in dividends the enormous sum of £4-,550,0G0. Original ehareholderß had received a return of £4- 8s per share, while the dividend duty amounted to £108,750 and the royalty to £14,059.

Apropos of the Australian Federation question, Sir Robert Stout, speaking prior to Mr Vale's lecture at Wellington a few nighta ago, said that we in this colony did not sufficiently realise how close were our sister colonies, and there was aa absence of that fellow-feeiing that should exist. Saeh a state of things was a mistake, and he hoped we would be brought into closer relations. There were many ways of doing thip, ono of which was to have representative speakers come from " the other side " to lecture here, and show us that thfy, as are we, are working for the uplifting of humanity. Our hearts beat in unison with them, and if we cannot have political federation we can have a federation of sentiment, of feeling, and of ideas that would prove of inestimable benefit.

Mi M'Gowan, M.H.R., addressing his constituents at Coromandel, said he thought the. danger to the Liberal party lay in its leaning towards the Labour party. This party had been too well favoured, and threatened to dominate everything else. An equitable alliance between the two was what was wanted. He quoted the Master *nd Apprentice Bill as a measure which was not justified, and should not hold good in modern days when machinery usurped the functions of apprentices and men. He thought that the working man should have his share of the profits of new inventions. He disagreed also with an Eight Hours Bill, which compelled a man who wanted to work nine hours to limit his time.

There is a prisoner in the Pentridge Gaol, Melbourne, named William King, who always contrives to keep the warders busy, and who has, by his repeated acts of insubordination, contrived to earn terms of imprisonment far exceeding his original penalty. Af e it weeks ugo he was guilty of Borne acts of gross infringement of the gaol discipline, which secured for him an additional term of nine months' imprisonment, cumulative on his existing sentence. King was placed to work in a small yard in A division, the dour of which opens inside. Evidently struck with the prevailing war fever, King gathered together a number o£ largo stones used as seats, and, piling them up against the gate, Eecurely blockaded it, and then, arming himself with a slingshot, improvised from a .piece of road metal and a towel, defied all and sundry from behind his fortification. He held the position against all-comers for three hours, but when Deputy-Governor Maher mounted the look-out platform above the wall, and warned him that if be uewipted ia these tactic* Ug would

find the consequences serious, King snrren' dered, and, pui'.iog down the b<u, ■•sides, allowed ths warders to «nfrer and »*t3.-; faim. The visiting magistrates awarded King 30 days "solitary "as the coward of " defence of the barricades."

Resident* in the Waitati aad BiueßkiD d'6trict are sending a numerously sigatd pstitson, through Mr B. G. Allen, "M.H.R., to the Minister for Railway?, urging that 6he ilecieioa not to Btop the express train from Christchucch at Waitati unless to leb down passengers from, north of Oamaru should be abandoned.

The young man Jones, drowned near Whaogamutu, Auckland, while pluckily endeavouring to take » line ashore from the barquentineAratapu, is a son of Mr Jones, of Wacrington, aud was barely 20 years cf age. He waa for some time in the service of the Union Company on the Waihoxa, but joined the Arabapu to qualify for a mate's csrtifkate.

Auckland solicitors are up in arms, against a deciaion apparently arrived at by Auckland justices to allow only half a guinea as a, solicitor's fee. Mr Brookfleld, who appeared in & case for the Society foe tha Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, declined to accept sach a paltry fee as half a guinea allowed by the J.P's. He said he had never before heard of anch a low fee beicg allowed, and to accept it would be lowering the profession. Mr Grllies, who appeared for the Acclimatisation Society, ateo. refused a similar fee in two c*ses on the same grounds.

The Christian Outlook learns that Mr Davids M'Kee Wrighb, who began his studies last year with a view ro entering tha ministry of the Presbjterian Church, has now resolved to join the Coßgregstiooal Union.

A special meeticg of tfce Port Chalmers School Comnaittee was held cv Wednesday evening, 25 b, to consider the letter fiom th» Education Board intimating their intention of appointing a ficst female assistant in the pUca of Miss Sinclair (resigned). Afier consideration ib was agreed to recommend Miss M'MilUo to-,the position.

An obelisk of Poet Chalnms stone, 12ft blgb and 2t't 3in square at the base, ia to be erected at Green's Point, Akaroa, on the place where the British flag was first hoisted. The obelisk, ia to bear the inscription, " On, this spot Captain Stanley, of H.M.S. Britomart, hoisted tha Bd'ish flag, and the sovereignty of Great Bntain was formally proclaimed, August 11, 1840."

Mukaroff, of tha Russian nary, who recently arrived at Liverpool from New York, state* that there is building at Newcastle, in England, the most powerful ics» crushing ship ever built. He believes she will be able to cut her way through ice to the North Pole. Her mission is to keep the frozou river* and hharborsu r s of Russia open for navigation durirg the winter, and to perform like duties in the parts of Northern Siberia during summer. The vessel will be completed by nest November.

In the Photographic Society's Room.s, Liverpool street, on Thursday evening, sm audience of about 40 had the privi-" lege of lis-ening to an interesting aud instructive lecture by Dr Roberts, descriptive of his three weeks' furlough in Ihe western wilds of Olago. The decbor ia ao enibuai^siic explorer, and has penetrated to places on which human fool; had never before trod ; asd though he does not profess to be a - lecturer, the homely style in which he detailed the intereetiog views taken during his journeys carried ths interest of his audience without any flagging. To enumerate the views taken, starting from Te Anau township at the head of the Lak a , would occupy to© much space. To see the views displayed oo the canvas created a

deeire to visit the reality. Starting from Captain Duncan's house at Te Anau, reposing in its quiet loveliness, s series of views of lakes, pasreg, gorges, mountains, cascades, and bush followed. Some of the bush scenes were most iste)f6*tiiDg f including representations of splendid specimens of birch and rata. It is to be hoped that Dr Roberta may be prevailed upon to again show his views, so that the general pnblic may have an opportunity of gaining a better acquaintance with the wilds of the We«t Coast.

His Excellency the Governor will visit Milton and Balclufcha on Thursday. At Balclutba he will attend the concert; given in connection with the technical classes, and later on will be entertained at supper by the Borough Council.

A sharp shook of earthquake was felt in Dunedin about 10 minutes to 1 o'clock on Friday afternoon. It was also felt at Invercargill.

A circular has been issued from the Defence Office stating that the Government prize medal competitions in each volunteer district are to take place between the present time and December 31 next. The conditions^ are the same as in previous years. The distances to be fired will be 200 yds standing, 300 yds kneeling, and 500 yds in any military position, for the Martini-Henry ; and 300, 500, and .700 yards respectively for the "303 arm, — the Marfcini-Enfield, which has been ordered from Home. This weapon is a single-loader, with Martini breech action and Sofield barrel. It takes the same ammunition as the Lee-Metford rifle of the Imperial troops, and is said to be superior thereto in one respect, inasmuch as the barrel is more durable.

The Rev. A. Don, missionary to the Chinese, r.Ti-ired a splendid "welcome home" on Wednesday evening, 25th. Fully 170 Chinese and European friends took part in a tea meeting h-id ia the hall of St. Andrew's Church, kindly granted for the purpose. Thi3 complimentary gathering originated entirely with, and was carried through by, the Chinese, assisted by a few ladies and others who are interested in 'Mr Don's work. After tea a pwbiic meeticg took place in the Chinese Cfenrsh, WaJker street, when the place was crowded to the doors. Mr E. B. Cargill presided, and briefly addressed the meeting. Apologies for abcence were received from Revs. W. Hewitson and J. Gibb. Musical items of a pleasing character were given by Miss Dick, Miss Lo Keong and other members of that family, and bolos were sung by Messrs F. Dick aud Nelson. Biief congratulatory addresses of welcome and good cheer were given by Revs. Dr Waddell, W. Ready, W. Bannetman, and C. S. Bowden ; also by Mr Duncau Wright, who intimated that Mr Don had received over 500 letbais from families in China for friends in Ot&go, which letters will be delivered personally by the missionary in the course of a few weeks. Mr Timothy Loir, who has so successfully occupied Mr Don's place during his lofag absence, also addressed both the Chinese and Europeans present. Mr Don, who was deeply moved at the hearty welcome from the large audience, gave a most interesting account of bis eight months' trip through America, Japan, China, and other countries, and everywhere he met Chinese and found Chinese missions ; he also mentioned that in the remote country parts of China he never found the Chinese hostile to strangers, but, on the contrary, they were most hospitable and kindly.

One out of every six inhabitants in France bas an account at the State savings bank. The " Journal Official" ha 3 published a voluminous report on the work of thiß great national institution for the year 1896, which is quite up to date for official publications in France. The amount at the credit of the depositors in the savings banks (over 2000) was then £136,000,000. The amount which each depositor can haee at his or her credit was reduced in 1895 from £80 to £60, but of course ©very < member of a family can have a separate banking book. The rate of interest is 3i per cent. More than half the depositors are women, and the vast majority of them belong to the working classes. The effect of reducing the amount which each individual can hold has not arrested the increase of depositors, bat it bas reduced the total amount in the banks for the first year by over £500,000.

The Government have declined to accept the services of the proposed infantry volunteer corps at Alexandra South.

It is not generally known how great English interests are in Cuba. 'As a matter of fact, most of the principal cigar facbories on the island are run by British capital and belong to British companies. For instance, the famous •'Bock" and "Henry Clay" factories at Havana belong to Liverpool merchants. The •• Intimidad "is owned by on* London syndicate; the "Preeiosas" by another. Amongst all the fine brands of cigars made at Havana and in Cuba generally only two belong to non-Euglish firms, one being owned by a Spanish company and the other by a French one. This, it was pointed out by a well-known cigar importer, is the reason Americans have come to England if they desire to get really good cigars. The best brands are all shipped to England direct to the firms owning the factories they come from. Now that war has broken out between America and Spain, the Havana cigar business will be completely stopped. This will be the chance for the few far-seeing cigar merchants who, two and a-half years ago, on the hint of coming Cuban troubles, bought up and laid in bond all the best brand cigars they could purchase. One big Fleet street dealer is reputed to have laid out £40,000 in this manner. As prices of genuine cigars are expected to rise at least 30 per cent., the profits of these dealers are likely to be handsome ooes.

The net proceeds of the benefit concert tendered to Miss Milly Jacobs amounted to £34 16s, and this Mr S. Jacobs has handed over in equal shares to the Benevolent Trustees and the Hospital Trustees. The cash received for the sale of tickets was £97 3s. The expenditure was : Hall, advertising, ticket-takers, &c, £29 16s ; fees to performers, £32 lls ;— total, £62 7a. Balance, £34 16s.

His Excellency the Governor will formally open the Bruce Woollen Company's mills on Thursday, and will afterwards be entertained at luncheon by the mayor and councillors of the Borough of Milton.

As the 4.20 south train was about to leave the railway station on Saturday a man named Jfcuaee Grey, living at Kaitangata, fell between tfaf- carriages and the platform and sustained tsi\vtsu cuts to his head. He was taken to the bbbpital. His Injuries are not of a serious chajraefcer. ' ~""" ~ ' ;

Our, ...Wellington correspondent telegraphs that there is a great deal of adverse comment upou tht new appointments of justices of the peaoe'&unounoed Ib the Gazette.

On Saturday morning the recommendation of the Cocoili.tion Board with regard to the iron and brass moulders' dispute was giveD, •vnd the board then rermally adjourned for a ttaefe, when » oittiDg will be helcT for the j?ur-

pose of ascertaining whether or not the recommendations have been accopt»d, Mr Bh*ok-

Jock, one of the employers, on Saturday ex-

pressed the opinion that the finding was practically wholly in favour of the men, and also pointed out tbat the recommendation that the number of boys employed should be propor-

tioned to the number of men employed during the previous ysav wa« objectionable, because a

busy year might follow a slack one, or vice versa, and of course tbe boya were wanted when the men were employed. Mr Sim remarked that this point had never been mentioned before, and Mr Farquhar said that the present was another instance of the apathy diipkyed by employers. Matters, he said, io far as employers were concerned, were simply allowed to drift, they did not realise that there was any dispute, and did not attend the board with their case prepared. Apart from the expression of opinion on this poiafc given by members of the board at the close of its recent sitting, it has been noticeable that in every case, with one exception, the employees have been much better prepared in every w»y than the employers, and though the representatives of the former have generally commenced by protesting their unfitness to conduct the proceedings efficiently, they have followed up that protest by making every favourable point in the most emphatic manner, and producing an array of witnesses whose evidence had previously been carefully " briefed," so that nothing should be left to chance ; while so far as the employers were concerned, as Mr Farqubar expressed it, matters have been allowed to drift.

On Friday night a very enthusiastic meeting was held in M'Kerjzie'a Hall, Bslclutha (hie Worship the Mayor in tbe chair) for the purpose of forming a company of mounted rifles, to be the fourth, or D Company of a mounted rifle battalion, for the Qfcago District, as recommended in the report of the Commander of the Forces. A list of 63 names, being the number required, was rapidly filled up, and some 20 others signified their willingness to fill up any vacancies. Judging from fcha stamp of young men present, the Olufcha Mounted Rifles should take a good place for physique in the battalion. So much interest was evinced that on the list being filled a suggestion was made to form a second company, but on the advice of Captain Robin, who was present to assist in the formation of the corps, it was decided to direct their efforts to make a success of the one, and if time showed they were ready for a second company, a move cculd then be made in that direction.

At St. Paul's Cathedral on Sunday morning, Madame Sherwin sang, with graceful expression, the well-known hymn, " There is a green hill far away," Mr Taylor (organist) contributing a sympathetic accompaniment. The anthem "If ye love Me, keep My commandments " was sung by the choir at the evening service. Yen. Archdeacon Robinson preached, at each service. «

Mr W. B. Cahillj ls,ts manager for Messrs Shiel Bros, of the Ballarat Pawn Office, Princes street south, was arrested at Lyttelton on Saturday on board the Te Anau, on a charge of stealing goods belonging to his former employers.

Slowly but surely the telephone in Victoria is supplanting the telegraph as a mean*) of communication between business men over long distances. The advantages of the telephone over the telegraph are manifest. Not only is the communication direct and persona], but it saves time and money. Sixpence for fire minutes — the standard charge — will generally save an answering telegram, and be as good as, if not better than, eighteenpeanee worth of telegraphy. The revenue of the Postal department from the telegrams must necessarily suffer, but the expenses will also decline, as the telephone dispenses with operators, despatching clerks, telegraph messengers, and stationery.

Saturday was the first real winter's day this season. There was a heavy coating of snow on the hills surrounding the city almost down to their base, and throughout the day and evening snow or hail and sVset fell at frequent intervals. It cleared up a little in the evening, and on Sunday the showers were not frequent, but the cold was even greater than on Saturday.

Parliament has baen convened by a proclamation in a Gazette issued on Monday evening to meet " for the despatch of business " on Friday, 24th of June, at 2.30 p.m.

It is now intimated that the express train from Ohristchurch will stop as usual at Hillgrove and Waitati.

The criminal sessions commenced before his Honor Mr Justice Pennefather on Monday. The calendar was short, and his Honor's address to the Grand Jury was correspondingly brief. True bills were found in all the cases, and the Grand Jury before dismissal took occasion to congratulate bis Honor upon his appointment and to express the hope that the criminal business of the court would continue to be light.' During Monday eight eases were disposed of, and the two now remaining, both of which are long ones, are the charges against Jefferd and Donovan in connection with larceny at the Leviathan Hotel and that against Lowen and Brown of sfcealieg from the railway sheds.

The Dunedin Foundry and Engineering Company (late R. S. Sparrow and Co.) have on hand a coati-act to build a vice little steamer for the Lake Te Anau tourist traffic. The Steamer will be constructed of steel, s,od her dimensions will be as follows : — Lsngth 70ft keel, 12ft beam, and 6ft depth moulded. She will be fiited up with 34 berths for sleeping accommodation, and altogether she will be able to take from 150 to 200 pasaengers across the lake. The passenger accommodation will be made as complete and comfortable as possible. There will be two cabins— one for ladies aft, and one for gentlemen forward. Her boiler will be of the marine type, also of steel, and with an indicated horse-power of 110. She will be fitted with compound surface-condensing engines of 100 h.p., and her speed will be 10 knots. The engines and boiler were specially designed by Mr Gardiner, manager of the firm, and the whole of the construction work is being carried out under his supervision. The contract time is the end of September, by which date the steamer will be placed on the lake. She will be built in section*, and fitted up at Lake Te Anau. The new steamer should prove a welcome addition to the tourist facilities for visiting the loveliest spots of Nature's own wonderland in the wild West Coast and Cold Lake region of Otago.

The Revl Dr Stuart memorial statue arrived by the Matatau, and Mr Mur.ro, who has the coiuirjict for ias erection, has made a start upon t&a pedestal So receive the statue, which will ba effected eear the ixrge lamp in the centre of the Triangle. The basemeat course is of Ruapuke granite, and covers a span of 9fb by 7ft. The pedestal will be of Waikawa stone, and will be carried to a height of 9ft. It will thus be seen that the whole of the stone work will be of New Zealand material. The pedestal would have been ready to receive the statue by this time, but for the fact that the quarrying of the picked stone at the Waikawa quarry w*s delayed owing to very wet weather. Whs

bronze statue — which is said to ba a very striking likeness of the late Dr Stuart— is 7ft high, so that the top of the statue will be a height of 16ft; from the ground, and will be of sufficiently imposiDg dimensions to attract tho attention of visitors to the city. If possible, the statue will be unveiled on the 16th pros., with ceremonies fitting to the occasion.

Regarding the reported rising of natives at Samoa, a<i vices have been received by the Wejleyan Mission Office at Sydney from one or the resident missionaries, dated April 14. "The Tumoa party," he writes, "have raised their fls-g at last, and what the issue will be no one c*n tell. At prosent rumour has it that they have even crowned Tamasege as their king, bub I myself doubt this. The result is that the Government is somewhat anxious. The Faas&leleaga hava jusfc held & dono (meeting), and wanted to go to Mulinuu with a talopia (offering), but Salelologa would not consent to them all going, for fear of precipitating a difficulty. Hence you see that there is quite enough to make us auiious lest once more God's worl; in this group be hindered through political differecces."

Thr Treasurer-general of the Transvaal, Mr Boshoff, and his assistant, Mr Raymond, have both been dismissed for irregularities in their accounts (writes the Sydney Diily Te'egraph'a Transraal correspondent). Mr Boshoff, it appe&ss, "lent" his wife £1,000 out of the Amortization fund some y«ars ago, and had neither paid back principal nor interest thereon, his explanation being that he had forgotten about the transaction ; besides, somo of the books of the Amortization fund are missing, and there are other moneys to be accounted for. The complaint againit Mr Raymond, the Assistant-treasurer, was that he failed to refund an advance he had taken on account of his salary nine years ago.

Oar Lawrence correspondent writes :— "Another of the old familiar faces has passed away from us in the person of Mr Thomas Arthur, gnneral merchant, of this town. He was one of our earliest pioneers. He suffered severely for the past few months, and died at bis residence here early on Sunday evening. He leaves a widow and grown-up family."

The New Zealand Natives Association are enrolling members fast, and are losing no time in getting to work. The committee have decided to take the Choral Hall for Wednesday, the 15th \pf June next, ia which to commence their regular meetings. It is proposed to hold a smoke concert, at which the president will deliver a short address, and musical and dramatic items of a varied character will be given. As all New Zealand native-born are to be invited, the holding capacity of the hall should be severely taxed. We wish the association every success.

The Oxford Observer (North Canterbury) reports the death of Dr H. Reeves, a former resident of Ofcago. Dr Reeves came to Duviedin in 1874 in charge of the immigrants on the ship Tweed. He started the practice of his profession in the Taieri district, but met with such a severe accident that it put an end to his professional prospects. He was driving at night to attend a patient, the messenger acting as pilot, when the latter's horee stumbled and fell. The horse the do'otor wait driving fell over the messenger's horse, and the trap was overturned, rolling down a steep bank and pinning the doctor to the ground. Dr Reeves, on recovering, moved to Oxford, where his brother owned somo property, and he settled there.

According to the Western Grazier (published ftt Wilcannia, New South Wales) of 7th May, a member of Parliament, representing a constituency up in the Big River country, recently received the following letter from a free and independent billethunting supporter who did not manage to get the position he was after :—": — " Deer Sur, — You're » dam fraud, and you know it. I don't oare a rap or the billet or for the muney either, but you could have got it for me if you wasn't as mean as muk. Two pounds % week ain't any moar to me than 40 shilling' is to you, but; I object to bein' made an infernil fool of. Soon after you was elected by my hard workin' a feller wanted to bat me that you wouldn't be in the bouse moren a week before you made a has* of yourself. I bet him a cow on that, as I thought you was worth it then= x After I got your note sayin' yon deklined to aokt in th« matter I druv the Cow over to the Feller's plaoe an' tole him he had won her. That's orl I get by howlin' meself horse for you on pole tiny and months befoar. You not only hart a man's Pride but you injure him in bizness. I believe you think you'll get in agen. I don't. An' what I don't think is of moar konsequinoe thaa you itoajin. I believe you take a pleihir in outtin' yon best friends, but wate till the clouds toll by an' they'll cut you — just behind the Ear, tthere the butcher cuts the pig. Yure no man. Yure only a tule for a few squatters. An' i don't think yure much of a grafter either. Go to hel. I lowers raeself ritin to a skunk even tho I mcd him a member of parlerment." <&

Mr A. W. Beaven, when giving evidence before the Arbitration Court at Christchuroh on Friday paid that the average small farmer, with a capital of from £500 to £1000, did not make as good an income as the average town mechanic, and added that tho latber generally had a better diDner on his table than the small f armei; could afiord. Mr Btaven stated thai in the Canterbury district the provort ; cm of boys to men woikuig under the Factoiy Acfc v? » 290 to 575. Id Cunstchureb there were 1540 boys to 2804 men, &nrt ».t the Governmeut Workshops, Addington, 41 boys to 255 men. In the whole of the factories of New Zealand the number of boys employed was 9300, and the number of men 19,000. If the demands of the Engineers' Union as regarded apprentices were carried out, there would be only 950 vacancies for boye each year in the whole of the factories, while at present 8414- boys were yearly coming forward for factory work. If the statement was made general throughout the factories, only 4750 boys would find work in place of the 9300 at present employed.

Mr Neil Paterson, B A,, LL.B,, was admitted on Monday by his Honor Mr Justice Pennefatber as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court.

At a meeting of the Wellington Board of Education held on Wednesday, 25fch ult., the report of the Technical Committee was submitted in reference to military drill in schools. The committee recommended that all boys should be drilled ; that all boys of a minimum height of 4ft Gin who may volunteer should form a cadet battalion composed of six or more companies of a maximum strength of 100 each ; that teachers shall be officers after passing an examination ; that non-commissioned officers shall be boys who have passed a qualifying examination ; that a school of instruction be established. The committee stated that it was intended to make the undertaking as selfsupporting as potsible by means of subscriptions, donations, entertainments, military displays, &0., and that the Government intended to supply 500 miniature Martini-Henry rifles, haversaojre, and accoutrements, Xho xmoni was adopted.