LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 25

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The Tapanui 'Courier reports that there was f "very narrow, escape from a serious accident jrhile the train running from Heriot to Waiwas between 'Kelso and Tapanui, a mass of rock, estimated to, weigh about three tons, falling in front of the engine. The train being h, heavy one, the speed at which it was travelling enabled it to smash. up the rock, and "the cow-catcher cast the greater part of the stone Dlear of the" line. The cow-catcher was broken, and the train was delayed about fchreeluarterß of an hour. Luckily no other damage rr&s done.

The Post says: — Humanity's care for its kind was well illustrated by an incident ■which occurred on Tuesday. A weary-looking vcnian, with a babe at her breast and another toddling at her side, petitioned a local body sitting as a Charitable Aid Board for some assistance. Her story in effect was that her husband had injured his heart through overstraining at bush work, and had been ordered to keep quiet for three months. They had four children, and were living in- a bit of a whare on the. roadside of a country town, for which- shelter they were charged .half -a-crown a^week. .Under the. circumstances starvation stored them in the face. Asked how she was able to reach town, the woman admitted that she had. .got -a friend to pawn an old watch WKich she had possessed, and with the proceeds bought a railway ticket. The local body applied to unanimously decided to give the woman an order upon a storekeeper to supply her with 10s worth of stores per week until further notice, 'and then one of the members present rose and gravely said : " Gentlemen, a 'bob in' for the children." The hat went round the table, and members ,and staff stumped up to a man, and the smile on that woman's face when she was handed the proceeds seemed ample compensation for pockets a little lightened by a kindly and thoughtful act.

The account _pf the burial of the American and British sailors, killed in the action of March 31 in Samoa, states that an American bugler sounded the " last peal " over their common grave. The incident exemplifies a beautiful and touching custom of the United States navy and army. It is the practice (says the Lyttelton Times) when an American soldier or sailor is buried, for the' last call of the day, " Lights out," to be sounded at the close of the funeral ceremony. That call, in 'the American service, is a very beautiful one, and its tise on such an " occasion is pathetically appropriate. It is very fitting that the notes which mark the close of the soldier's 'day, the last which ring in his ears as he lies down to sleep, should also eound oyer.him at the end of his life, when his comrades lay him, in his last bed.

'The local option poll taken in Warrnarnbool, Victoria, on the 4th inst., declared in favour of closing six hotels. There are at present 25 hotels, being 13 in excess of tho statutory number. Greatr interest was token in the day's poll, the Temperance parly advocating the closing of eight hotels, whilst its opponents were in favour of the existing number. There are about 1400 electors, and of these 565 voted. The polling was as under:- 1 -* voted for retaining 12 hotels, 7 for 13, 2 for 14, 8 for 10, 150 for 17, 7 for 18, 79 for 19, 5 for 21, 3 for 22, and 261 for retaining 25 h6tels. The returning officer declared that the determination of the electors was that 19 hotels would be retained, so that cix will have to be closed.

■ It has been arranged to tender, in Dunedin, 'a complimentary benefit to Miss Nina Burns and Miss Muriel Nation, lately of the WocxlsWilliamson Dramatic Company. The original intention was to hold it in the Princess Theatre, on the 21st inst., but as that is the night upon 'which the cantata "Hinemoa" will be produced by the Choral Society, the benefit performance has been postponed until the 25th inst. The programme will comprise the comedy "In Honour Bound," an act of "Caste" by the Garrick Club, an act of "The Pirates of Penzance," and a concert.

The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Christian Endeavour Union took place on the 10th. The Rev. F. W. Boreham was voted to the chair. Several reports were given in by various societies during the month, and on the whole proved very encouraging. Of the country societies, Lawrence and Fairfield were visited. Delegates from most of the societies were present, including a representative from the Canterbury Christian Endeavour Union, who had come in the interests* of the paper of that union — viz., the IZew Zealand Endeavourer. If it was supported hy the Otago societies, he promisee?- that it Would be made larger and much more interesting than' it was at present. The best thanks of the meeting were tendered to Mr Brown, of Mosgiel, forthe loan of his paddock at the time of the recent convention. Arrangements were made for the annual convention, which is to be held on Saturday, June 9, and 6everal committees ware appointed in connection therewith.

The Wairarapa Standard reports a narrow escape from a railway accident, averted only by the promptitude of the driver of the Wel-lington-Napier express train. Our contemporary says : "Where the railway line crosses the road just on this side of Opaki, the passengers were startled by the whistle to down brakes, and in an instant every head was at the windows to ascertain the cause. To their dismay they beheld a horse and trap containing three sheep with apparently no driver leisurely crossing the line. The brakes had the effect of checlriijg the speed sufficiently to clear the trap by about 2ft, when to the horror of everyone it was seen that the reins had been tied to the side of the trap, and the driver — a lad apparently about 14 years of age — was lying in the bottom fast asleep. The noise of the passing train not in the least hastened the speed of the horse or aroused the sleeping figure, who remained unconscious of the danger which he so narrowly escaped."

" It is sometimes said, often on slender evidence, and as a reproach to our national system of education, that, while good instruction is imparted in reading and writing and generally in the attainment of knowledge, the teaching of manners is sadly neglected. Speaking generally, we think teachers deserve the sympathy of the public for the pains taken to correct the faults of their pupils ; ■ but in large mixed schools almost insuperable difficulties sometimes arise in bringing under proper control children who are either altogether neglected at homo or subjected to counteracting influences." — From the Inspector of Schools' annual report to the Wellington Education Board

The Cheviot News stales that 6ome time Bag ilr iiullou onaa&od an. expert to make

a thorough examination of a property, owned by him on the Seaward Range, where kerosene was supposed to exist. The result of his investigation is that he has struck what is believed to be an unlimited- supply of pure kerosene, a sample of which the News had the pleasure of examining. The sample in question, although in the raw state, burns brilliantly. Mr Hullen has gone to Wellington with the object of getting the samples analysed, after which he will take immediate steps to float a company to work the deposits.

Mr J. H. Dalton, of Auckland, has received a letter from a friend at Samoa in which the writer says, under date April 5: — "I have sent my mother and sister to Tutuila, •60 miles away, for safety, and all who can get are doing the same. The three lieutenants that were beheaded on Saturday (April 1) were all members of our messtable, and we were only chaffing Freeman (of the Tauranga) at lunch time on his size as a target, and at 4 p.m. they were all no more. The Germans are all the cause of this. One .never knows at what minute we may be cleared out. Those of us who can are with the main guard in Apia, and are fairly safe, but no one knows. '

The regular meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees, held on the 12th inst., was attended by Messrs Solomon (chairman), Haynes, Wilson, Watson, Swan, and Gourley. Accounts amounting to £455 14s 7d were passed for payment. The Chairman mentioned that he bad been asked by a member of the trust the number of Chinamen who were receiving relief. There were 15 in the Caversham Institution, at 5s 6d a week, or £\ 2s 6d a week for the lot. They were relieving outside, in various parts of the country, 13 Chinamen, at a cost of £2 9s a week, so that there were 28 Chinese altogether, costing the trustees £6 11s 6d a week. Relief cases to the number of 40 were dealt with.

We are glad to learn that the Amenities Society ape making a strong effort to carry out the long-contemplated improvements on the Anderson's Bay road, and have headed the list with a subscription of £100. Several other handsome donations are likely- to be recehed, and if everyone interested in this road ccj'tributes, no matter how small a sum, the projected work is likely to bo carried to a successful issue this season. Residents on the Pfciiinsula and parts of the Flat are, of course, primarily affected, but in reality every citizen is interested, as the improvements will convert w)ia<r in winter is a wind-swepj;, muddy slough into a dry, sheltered road.

We learn that Dr Heinemann, who for the past two or three years has held the position of teacher of German at the Otago University, has decided to -return to London, and has resigned hie position. Dr He.inemann's work has Imhjii performed with care and ability, and his resignation has been accepted with regret.

The 12th inst. being the last occasion upon which the Conciliation Board met us formerly constituted, the board placed on record their hearty appreciation of the services lendered by Mr Sim as chairman during the past three years, and their regret that he could not see his way to continue to act in the same capacity.

Mr J. A. Millar, at a meeting of the Conciliation Board on tho 12th, asked Mr King (clerk of awards) if he would draw up a leturn giving a resume of the work of the, board for the paft three years, so that it might be submitted to tho department and laid on the table of the House. The return, j he suggested, should show the number of dis- j putes which came before the board, the number settled by them, the number that had been referred to the Arbitration Court, and j tho difference between the court's a wauls and the board's recommendations. Mr King signified his willingness to prepare the return asked for. !

A student at Canterbury College, in a letter to the Press, gives a couple of astounding instances of the vagaries of the office of registrar of the Ncw^ Zealand University. One student was debarred by illness from sitting at his university pass examination, and sent due notice, which was duly acknowledged by the registrar. In this acknowledgment that official (the correspondent asfeerts) advised him " to keep this letter, ac the fact of your not sitting may be overlooked." True enough, this salienl fact wass forgolten, and the amazed student leceived in due course a telegram informing him that ho had passed ! Unfortunately, a bigoted Senate refuted to uphold the" mistake of' its representative, but the meeting at "which this was decided was held, .after the date by which the entry for liexl.year's. examination must be in the hands of tho registrar. But a worse ca?o still occurred. A- student who had sat for his examination wa« the victim of a similar mistake. After being informed by official telegram of his success, and after he had entered his name and paid his fees, both for a fresh course of lectures and for a fresh examination this year, his name was one of those missing in the lists published 'by .the Senate last week, and on inquiry he found that ho had failed !

A private cable received in Wellington records the death of Mr Richard Cadbury, of the well-known firm of Cadbury Broo., chocolate -and cocoa manufacturers, at Jerusalem, in the Holy Lund, on the 22nd March. The deceased was a resident of Birmingham, where he was buried on Saturday last.

At Blenheim on tho 7th in&t. a married woman named Cfafar was committed for trial on a charge of* arson. From the evidence given at {he magisterial inquiry, it appears tiie Crafars occupied a house owned by the Blenheim -Building Society, the furniture oeing insured in -the National oiiice for £100. As eomc £9 10rf was due for rent, the Building Society distrained, fearing that other creditors would come in. The bailiff was alleged to have given a hint to Mrs Crafar that if she war.ted anything she had belter put it out of ihe road (tl<e bailiff denied tiiis), and during h : s absence in Wellington some cases packed full were removed. On the 2nd February Mrs Crafar went to the house of a neighbour for two buckets of water, and she had ji'fet left when the alarm of fire was given. When the neighbour went to the liouie the kitchen w;is al! on fire, but he could not gain an entrance by the fionl door. Mrs Crafar called him to the front, and a sewing machine, three chair--, a box, and «\ rabbits-kin rug, which were outside, were removed from danger. Mrs Crafar's explanation to the police was that she «,is about to scrubb out one of the rooms, and had placed the articles outside, and had

then gone for .water, the alarm being given while she was away. A claim was made for the insurance money on the furniture, and this was paid. Later on a case was found in a cottage occupied by a man who 'had been working for the Crafars, and had been living in their house until within a week of the fire. Two other cases containing furniture and articles identified as belonging to Crafar were recovered at the Christchurch railway station. These cases contained blankets, quilts, linoleum, table cloths, crockery, cutlery, jewellery, and wearing apparel, etc., which, acccrding to the proof of loss, were destroyed in the fire.

Mr A. H. Burton gave the fourth of his series of readings from the works of- great authors -at the -Choral Hall on the 12th, there being n good attendance, despite , counterattractions. The" audience had brought under their notice a number of the women portrayed by Dickens. These Mr Burton divided into four categorics — viz., the lovable, the foolish, the quaint, and the hateful women. .Representatives of the four types were referred to, and selections read from Dickens illustrative of them. The selections were happily chosen, and admirably read, and the. audience "showed their appreciation of the .entertainment- by frequent applause, of the -heartiest .kind. Mr .Burton, indeed, succeeded in • thoroughly interesting and amusing those present for nearly two hours, which sa'yß a great deal for his powers of elocution. The amount presented to the Minister for Lands at Wellington on Monday, 10th, was nearly £1100, and a few lists have yet to come in. The Trawling Company, which lias been in course of formation for some little time past, hat> been successfully floated.

In connection with the destruction by fire of the Balclutha gasworks, there is a probability oF an arrangement being arrived at lo light the town by acetylene gas. Proposals have been submitted to the Borough Council by the Acetylene Gas Company lo carry out an experiment with .the piesent plant, each party bearing a proportion of the cost.

A Tapanui correspondent telegraphs: — " Upwards of half of the land offered forming pari of the B-rooksdale estate was sold, and tho balance Unsold is under offer privalely."

Captains Johnson, Kennedy, Wheeler, and Cook hatp.says the Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times, made experiments with a new lamp and light of extraordinary brilliancy just imported by, Captain Martin from Norway. The captains say that the new light is specially adapted for such harbours aa tho Manakau,- and would remove and difficulty, in ua/igaling its tortuous channel even in the darkest and most foggy night.

A Zeehan telegram to the Argus gives particulars of a terrible accident on the Emu Bay Railway Company's works' at Pieman River, resulting in the death of three men, named Robert Wighton, Robert O'Rourke, and John Larson, and in severe injury to Charles Anderson, who subsequently also died. A temporary bridge which had just" been constructed over the Pieman River was being tested with 40 tons of iron -rails. The central part of the bridge; hanging over the middle of the river, was swinging on wire ropes — four on 'each side — tho ropes beinji Listened to slays with cleets. ]t is stated that the four men were on the swinging part of the bridge, moving the rails, when it collapsed, and they all fell into the river, about 40ft below. When taken out of the water from underneath the rails Wighton and O'Rourke died. Larson, who was conveyed to the lintel close by, died in a few hours. Anderson was conveyed to the Waratah Hospital by railway. It is reported that one man was almost cut in half, and that another had his brain 3 dashed out.

It was discovered, on the death in Melbourne of Mr James Seves Hosie, a Melbourne restaurant keoper, that in 1389, in grateful recognition of his successful treatment for a dangerous disease in the Homoeopathic Hospital, he built and equipped a wing to that institution at a cost of £9760, on condition that his name should not be divulged. On his deathbed he removed the condition. Mr Hosie was for many years very successful in business in very unpretentious buildings. J~te then built a more extensive establishment, and also the Turkish baths and the Balhs Hotel, following this up with tho Bijou Theatre. When the boom burst he fared badly, and had to resume his old business.

The South American Evangelical Mission, whoso headquarters are in Toronto, Canada, have lately established an Australasian Council in Melbourne (Rev. W. T. TMackwoll, secretary), and under their auspices four young missionaries e.xpect to leave for Buenos Ayres by the s.p. Kaikoura on the 22nd inj-t. They have all received training in the Rev. W. L. Morton's Home at Bclair, near Adelaide. 'Ihey are, however, all from the province of Otago. A farewell meeting tp wish them Godspeed will bo held in the Choral Hall thi-> evening. Mr Carles Reeve just ai rived from India, will also be present, and address the meeting.

Al. the Victoria hand contest, held in Melbourne, the drill contest resulted in the first prize of £50 being secured by >St. Joseph's Band, Launceslon, with 133 point?. The second prize (£2O) was won by tho South Australian Locomotive Band with 132 points ; und the third prize (£10) was won by tho Launceston City Band with 126 point*. Code's Melbourne Band was fourth witii 125 points. Keen interest was taken in the tffet competition work. The judges nwaided the prizes as follows: — Code's Melbourne Biunl, 90 points. 1; Newcastle '(N.S.W.), £4 points, 2; Newtown (N.S.W.). 83 points, 3; City of Launccston, 81, 4. The other hands scored as follows: — St. Joi-eph's (Lauiieeslon) 30 points, Lord Nelson and St. Arnaud £0, South Australian Locomotive and Eaglehawk 79. Zechan (Tasmania) 76.

About 1 o'clock on Fiiday morning two young men who live in a room at tho roar of Messr.i M'Farlano and Peden's store at the corner of George and Hanover btreets werearoused by a noise, which they soon afterwards discovered had been made by burglars. The young fellow? determined, if possible, to capture tho thieves, And, were going quietly out of the front door with this object when an iron bar, which had been placed behind the door, fell and alarmed the •men (of whesn there were two), who had effected an enlranc?

into the building. The -would-be burglars made off, and" the young fellows rushed out into the street, and seeing one of the wouldbe thieves (who subsequently turned out to be Alexander Blue) walking in the direotion of Filleul street they pursued him. and succeeded in capturing" him in Cargill street. Constable Chi3holm appeared on the scene soon afterwards, and the young men handed over their prisoner to his custody. Blue was bicught before the Police Court later on in the morning, charged. with breaking and entering the store with intent to commit a crime, and remanded for a week. The police have not yet arrested Blue's accomplice.

Up to 5 o clock on Friday evening 591 applications had been made to the City Council for enrolment under the new Municipal Franchise Act. Of this number 72 applications were from ratepayers, 7 from freeholders, and 512 from residential occupants. Yet-lerday was the date fixed for closing the list in Dunedin, but in Christchurch the mayor, after' consultation with the town, clerk, is of opinion that names can be placed on the "list up to the day of the sitting of the council for signing the burgess roll — namely, May 15. In order to give intending applicants, every opportunity of enrolling, it has been decided, therefore, to receive and place on the list all .applications up to May 15.

The case M'Phee v. Wriglit. Stephenson, and Co.-, a claim to recover £370 4s 6cl upon a contract for the sale and purchase of oats, was resumed before his Honor Mr Justice Pennefather on "Friday. The plaintiff's 'case was heard in December and occupied the at-f tention of tlie court for three, full days, and on' Thuisday the case for the defewi' 'vas opened and one witness was examined. '>Ntn t riday the first witness (J. B. Moodic) called. £-,»• the defence was re-examined, and Henry William Hay, Philip Wright, Joliji Paterson -Newman were also called and gave evidence for the defendant. The court sat from 10 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.. and at that time the cross-examina-tion of the third witness was not completed. Mr \'y\ C. MaeGregor, just before the court adjourned, intimated that he intended to examine the witness as to the samples of oats, and that for that purpose it would be well that witness could see them in daylight, and with a clearer light than there was at the time. His Honor said ho had intended adjourning at half-past 5, and an adjournment was accordingly made until 10 o'clock nextmorning.

We are glad to be able to state that all difficulties as to the immediate publication of that portion of the " Flora of New Zealand " prepared by the late Mr T. Kirk ha\o been cleared away, and that the work will appear in the course of a week or two. It was earnestly hoped by all interested in botanical work that Mr Kirk would be able to finish the arduous task for which he was so well fitted, but this hope was destroyed by his death. The portion of the work already in print only covers the orders up to the Composite, but even so far it will prove both interesting and valuable to all students, and we congratulate the Education department and the recently appointed secretary (Mr Hogben) on this publication. The work will be followed as soon as possible by the corresponding atlas of plates. We also understand that on his return from Rarotonga Mr T. F. Cheescman, of the Auckland Museum, will at once take up tho preparation of a new Flora. There is nothing which will so well foster botanical research in this colony as the publication of a trustworthy Flora incorporating the most recent work of collectors.

Tho friends of Mr John Duthie (t6legraphs our Wellington correspondent) have been rendered somewhat anxious about the fctato of his health owing to the fact that his doctors have ordered him to take complete rest in a recumbent position for three weeks or a month. The fact is that Mr Duthie is suffering from heart affection, and he will be well advised if lie retires from public life into the enjoyment of that complete rest to which his long years of laborious public life and private business have entitled him.

Tho Chinese merchant, Key Let, who was convicted at Port Chalmers of smuggling opium and fined £289, has been released from prison, the fine having been paid.

The civil ease M'Pheo v. Wright, Stephenyon, and Co., an action upon a contract for the sale of oats, was resumed at the Supreme Court at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, and onothcr stage in He progress was made. Mr John P.. Newman's cross-examination was concluded, Mr Robert David Munro was called and examined, and the evidence in chief of Mr John- Wright, jun., was taken. At 3 o'clock the court was adjourned.

A second (rial of Mr Markbam Brown'H fire escape took place oh Saturday at the Grand Hotel. A large crowd gathered in front of the hotel, and half a dozen men — one carrying a portmanteau, and others with dummy babies in their arms — descended tafely by means of the escape from tho upper btorey of the building into Princes street. In home instances the men came down very quickly; but two or three of them had some difficulty in getting <i start owing to tlko piece of iron piping which blides down the main rope and to which the "life belt" is attached getting caught in the ledge below the window. There was _also a tendency on the part of home of tho men to cling lightly to the main rope and thus retard their passage, instead of allowing their whole weight to hang on Die life boll. Mr Brown intends to get over tho difficulty of the iron pipe catching in the ledge of the window by attaching wheels to it. The trial on Saturday suggested the possibility, even if the alteration were made, of a person being kept dangling in the air for an indefinite time.

We leain from the convener of the Church Extension Com-niltee of the Pre?byterian Church that two of the three ministers sent for have been appointed by the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, and may bo expected in about six weeks. The two appointed are the Rdv. J. B. Hall, who has been working in connection with the North Leith Free Church, and the Rev. H. K. Laurie, who has for three years done good work at Gibraltar. Both are young and highly spoken of by the Home authorities, and no doubt will be gladly welcomed by the Otago Presbyterian Church and the congregations at present vacant.

During the hearing of thfi ca<-e now before the Supreme Court, ilr Uoakinu on Saturday

made jocular reference, to the very-din».mutiy# character of one of the exhibits 6i oats, and" cautioned the witness not to eat one of the grains as appeared to be -the practice with ' experts when handling samples. Mr Justice Pennefather thereupon remarked that the caution called to his remembrance what happened in Ceylon, where a gentleman who had undertaken to lecture on the banana, -in the early part of his lecture ate the only specimen, he had of the fruit, and then had to stop his discourse because he had, nothing left with which to illustrate it.

There appears to exist in country districts some misconception as to the regulations for admission into the "Dunedin Hospital. Tho Tppanui Courier quoted the case last week of a man from that district, who alleged that, on consulting a medical man, whp pronounced him to be suffering from an internal complaint, he was refused admission into tho Dunedin Hospital unless he paid £5 down, which he eoxild not do. On referring the msstter to Mr P. Miller, chairman of the Hospital Trustees, he stated that he knew nothing of the case beyond the fact that it was not urgent. Tapamri is in the Tiiapeka Hospital " district, and the hospital rate is paid to the Tunpeka County Council, co that the man referred to should have gone to the Tuapeka Hospital for treatment, or' have brought to - Dimetlin an order from the district hospital for admission to the Dunedin institution. Any "• person residing outside the Dunedin district l.as, before admission, to pay for one mouth* ; board and residence at the rate of 28s per week, unless able to produce an order from ; the district hospital. .These regulations ar«» fixed by the law., and the trustees can onlj carry thorn out. In all urgent cases, however, admission is granted, and the district from which the patient comes is charged with the cost/ Sometimes this is recovered after a fight, but sometimes no payment has been received. The instructions to the house surgeons are to err on the side of humanity when considering questions of admission.

The Chancellor of the University of New Zealand (Sir James Hector), in suggesting (says the Post) the faculties of "Medicine" and. "Technology" as specialties for the Victoria College, said he merely offered these suggestions— he had no actual right to make them. A faculty was also wanting for tho Auckland College, though that institution had already distinguished itsolf in a most wonderful way. sweeping away all the university scholarships and prizes for physics and chemistry. Sir James wont on to say that in order 1 ' to be able to read the. ordinary magazines profitably they must have a very large amount o.f knowledge, only to be gained by nctual contact with things themselves. There was no Übo blinking the fact that university colleges must have laboratories established on tho ■ most offieient lines, otherwise their teaching would be fruitless. It was quite ridiculous to see ho%v many people at the present time were absolutely ignorant -of the most essential points of knowledge of electricity, for in- * stance, arid many other subjects only to bo learned through a course of practical study.

The Rev. Dr Waddell announced at St. Andrew's Church on Sunday night that ha intended during the coming winter to give four lectures in connection with St. .Andrew's Lilerarry Institute on the following subjects: — " Christina Rossetti : Saint, Singer and Seer,' | "A Study of 'Tho Mill on the Floss" " " The Prospects of Literature and Art in New Zealand," and "How to Writs a Novel," He further stated that lectures would also, be given by Mr A. Wilson and S'r Robert Stout. ,

Our Nice correspondent informs us («iys the Daily Telegraph) that the mischievous statements published in London to tho effect thai her Majesty had been made the subject of discourteous manifestations at tho Casino at Nice, are absolutely devoid of foundation. The arlisto who impersonated the Queen (among other exalted personages) declares that the story of her being hissed is a complete fabrication. Tho Nicois are very indignant over what they consider to be an insult to their country and good taste. Nowhere, they assert, even in her own dominions, is tha Queen more beloved and appreciated, since she has endeared herself to her southern hosts in a thousand ways. Anybody who in Nice ventured to raise a hostrle voice would run a very distinct danger of being lynched on the spot.

A pleasing reminiscence of the energetic times when our forefathers really tackled Ritualism (says the London Daily Telegraph) was given by a gentleman at the meeting of St. Saviour's Vestry, Southwaik, during a discussion on a proposal to erect an altar screen, filled with '.images of the Madonna and various saints, in the newly-restored cathedral of South London. One of the opponents was Mr Fry, and he proudly remarked : "My family has always dissented ' from the Romanising movements in the church, and at the time of the Puseyite commotion my grandfather pulled tho vicar's, nose ' across this very table."

The Marlborough, Southland, North Canterbury, South Canterbury, Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson, and Olago Education Boards have replied to the circular issued by the Wanganui Education Board, agreeing lo tho suggestion to hold a conference of Education ' Boaids at Wellington. Tho Auckland and We&tland boards do not agree with the proposal.

Dr Thomas Burns was the victim of a very serious and cowardly assau.lt at a very early hour on Tuesday morning. While entering the gate of his residence a man about 6ft in height sprang out from behind the hedge, and, for some reason unknown, struck tho doctor a heavy blow on the temple. The blow .stunned him for a moment, but he at one* turned on his assailant, who, however, escaped, in the darkness. The police are investigating the matter.

The man whose body was found in the bush near Mount Cargill appears to have met with the mournful fate of ending his days as " a stranger in a strange land." From ihe Evidence which was given at the inquest; on Monday, it would apnear that the man^vas either a Spaniard or a Portuguese. He could iiol speak a word of Knglish. He came hero as a failor in an American ship some three months ago, and although kindly treated by the captain, a witness btatcd that from what could be gathered the crew dealt .somewhat, harshly with him owing lo their inability to make him understand them. He ran an ay from the (-hip while .she was in the harbour, - but the want of food cium-cI him to return. The captain m.<-hetl hln> well, and put him

lo work, but he deserted again, and after the ship had sailed was found sleeping out of * doors and suffering from the want of food. A lady connected with the Sailors' Rest did something to alleviate his condition, but six weeks ago he disappeared, and the next that was heard of him was that his body was found in the dense bush near Mount Cargill. ' He had evidently kindled a fire near the spot, but no food was found in his possession. The police have been unable to ascertain Jus name. ' The civil case, MThee v. Wright, Stephen l son, and Co., was resumed at 10 o'clock at the Supreme Court on Monday before his Honor Mr Justice Pennofather. Three witnesses were called for the defence — viz., - John iWright, William Hay [Morton, and Frederick * Oldham. The" last witness was under crossexamination atr 5.20, at which time an adjournment was made, as it was becoming too dark in court for the examination of samples ,by experts. Mr Hofiking intimated that he should not call all the expert witnesses he had intended to call, but that when the evidence of two others had been taken the case would be closed. Counsel expressed tho hope that ,the evidence would be completed in the morning, and the case closed before the court rises on Wednesday evening. ■ Another information Las been laid against Hie Dunedin Jockey Club, and the case' is let down for hearing on Thursday. It charges an offence on the part of the club in adver-^ tising that money for investment would be received at the town office. \ 'An assault case, in wKich a school teacher in"tb.e Milton District High School figured as ■- the plaintiff, engaged the attention of Mr Hawkins, S.M., at Milton on Monday. The evidence went to show that the complainant rwas punished by the defendant "for beating the latter's child at school. In . giving his decision in the case, his Worship' spoke very [ strongly in condemnation of the practice of teachers having recourse to corporal punishment, except in cases where grave moral offences had been committed; and then, he said, punishment should only be inflicted by allowance of the head master. As regards the assault, his Worship held thnt it was not justified and imposed a small fine, stating that he' thought the case should not hare been pressed, in view of the defendant having held out the olive branch of peace after the occurrence. i The estate (comprising 913 acres) and mansion of the late Hon. W. J. M. Jiarnach, j known as " The Camp," on the Peninsula, was offered for sale by auction on Monday by Mr {Walter Hislop, at the rooms, of Messrs Siev- ' Wright Bros, and Co. A bid of £10,000 was made by Mr S. Solomon, whereupon Mr Hislop said, that with that sum to start with, he .■would accept advances of £1000. No further ( offer was forthcoming, and the auctioneer announced that the property could be treated for privately. 1 A case in which Charles M'Veigh, the licen- ' see of the Club Hotel, at Kaitangata, was charged, on three informations, with a breach vof 'the licensing law, was dealt with by 3lr R. fj. Hawkins at Milton on Monday. The case arose through an athletic club holding a smoke concert in tho hotel, at which liquor (was alleged to have been consumed after the closing hour. The defendant, it appeared, 'had obtained a document signed by two members of the licensing committee, which he [thought gave him permission to allow the consumption of liquor after 11 o'clock at the 'concert. His Worship, hoSvev'er,' held that ,the document was a perfectly nul paper, and fined the defendant for allowing liquor to be consumed in the premises after 11. Mr N. Paterson (counsel for the defendant) intimated his intention of appealing against the decision.

Captain Strang, who for tlie past two and a-half years has been acting as marine superintendent of the Union Company, in glace of Captain Cameron, has been appointed travel- . ling marine superintendent for New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania. Tho work has increased of late so much, particularly in Tasmania, that though Captain Cameron has now resumed his duties it' is found necessary to. appoint an assistant. Wellington will be Captain Strang' b headquarters. He leaves for /Sydney in a fortnight. Tho South Dunedin Borough Council spent about three-quarters of an hour on Monday in discussing a motion that the corporation plumber be employed to inspect" and keep in repair all the water taps in tho borough. •When all the councillors had spoken, some of them on three or four occasions, the mayor sprung a surprise upon tho meeting by ruling that the discussion was wholly out of order, as notice of motion was necessary. This ruling was derided by several councillors, and after X warm argument his Worship smilingly said he woul-l "' put tho motion for the fun of the thing." The motion, it may be mentioned, .^as carried. Mr D. E. Hutton, who for a number of years has been assistant teacher in the Duuedin School of Art, has been appointed director of the Wanganui Technical School. When Borne months ago applications were invited for the position, Mr Hutton was one of tho candidates, but at the last moment it was decided to reappoint the previous holder of tho position. That gentleman having resigned, the Wanganui Education Board, without calling for fresh applicants, offered th© position to Mr Hutton, who has forwarded his acceptance. 'This is a compliment of which Mr Hutton has svery reason to be proud. The dispute between tho Railway department and the New Plymouth Harbour Board has been brnugnt to a head by the General Manager of Railways giving notice to tho Union Company that after May 1 passenger trains will only run to the road crossing at the foot of the breakwater, and that tho working of tiie goods traffic between Now Plymouth and the breakwater will ceaie. This »tcp is of serious import to tho district. The Bffect of the stoppage of railway traffic on the -wharf will be that the department wiU» refuse <t» carry goods booked for shipment beypnd the New Plymouth station, and will only accept incoming goods from that station, to which places the Harbour Board will have to carry them. Under Ui&jg circumstances, it is pointed out that tho New Plymouth Board will endanger its goods traffic, which will probably "be diverted to TVailara. " A novel fact has come to our knowledge *(cays a contemporary) in connection with the Old-age Pensions, jp the small settlement of Takaka, in the Nelson Province, an old settler *nd bis daushter have both qualified for, and

are in receipt of, pensions. The father is 95 years of age, and the daughter must be over 65. We very much doubt if there is a parallel case to this in the colony. It is understood that Sergeant O'Neill will assume the duties of his new position at Invercargill about the end of the week. Tho sub-inspector appointed to hold office in Dunedin is expected here in the course of a few days. The Berlin correspondent of the Morning Leader gives currency to a story that the Russian Government has ordered an amended form of the fifth Commandment to be taught in the elementary 'schools in Russian JPolaud. The amendment takes the form of a supplement, which runs, "and show respect and obedience to the ruling monarch and his "officials.'' Instructions have been issued enjoining school teachers to pay particular attention tc this, and to see that all children learn the revised Commandment and repeat it.