LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 52

LOCAL & GENERAL.

A terrible story of Buffering and death in the desert comes from Baluchistan, writes the Bombay correspondent of the London Daily Express. A party of 100 Baluchi traders, with a long camel caravan and a quantity of valuable merchandise, travelled into Afghanistan to trade. They fell into the hands of a band of Afghan marauders, who stripped them of all their possessions, deprived them of their food supplies, and after beating them with spears drove them out of the Ameer's territory. _In the effort to get back to their own district the unfortunate traders lost their way in the desert between Kandahar and Pediin. They wandered about for five weeks, iuffering tortures from hunger and thirst, ar.d when they had killed their last camel m»,ny of them went mad, and all but 10 di*d in terrible agony. The survivors arrived in Pcshin in a most pitiable condition, with hands and Knees terribly lacerated, and it appeared that, no longer able to walk, they had crawled the last 12 miles of their terrible journey. By the death of the Rev. Dr David Kay, formerly of Melbourne, but late of Milburn, Otago, which occurred on the 7th January, the Melbourne University will benefit to tho extent of £5000. Teetator left a will, dated 21st February, IS9*, disposing of personal property in Victoria to the value of £24,323. The will was lodged for probate on the 7th inst. Among other bequests testator leaves £2000 to his niece, Agnes Strain; £1000 to her daughter Bessie, and £400 each to her daughter Maggie and her son John. To the children of Andrew Kay, his brother, he leaves the following amounts : To James, £400; Angus, £500; David, £400. To James Railt, of Stirling, Otago, New Zealand, he bequeaths £500. He directs that £13,000 shall be invested for the benefit of Sir William Hoste, of London, and his son, Wyndham Horatio Nelson Hoste, or their eldest children. Out of the residue of the estate £5000 i 9 to be paid to the_ Melbourne University to found two scholarships, to be called " Caroline Kay Scholarships." The residue from certain property in Collins street, Melbourne, is left to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, to be called the " Caroline Kay's Special Fund Medical Mission to tho Heathen," the money to be devoted to the spreading of the Gospel among; the heathen. The Carterton correspondent of the New Zealand Times writes : —While passing through here on Wednesday, the Premier informed Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, M.H.R., that all boroughs ha-iing fewer inhabitants than set forth in the act for an increase of councillors will retain their present number of nine. Mr Martin, the Municipal Association solicitor, has advised that borough representation cannot be reduced until after the April elections, and the Colonial Secretary — acting, presumably, on the advice of the Solicitor-general — has told the Council (to use the words of the immortal Dooley), "to do as it pleases." The Municipal Act is a labyrinth of inextricable technicalities, and from its " Yes-No " standard would seem to have been drafted by that astute Australian politician Mr G. H. Reid. A lively scene occurred towards the close of the City Council's meeting on the 20th. Cr Muir made a remark that was regarded by his Worship as a reflection on the chair, and the erring councillor was sternly ordered to resume his seat. Cr Muir, said his Worship, warmly, was the only councillor who had caused trouble since lie (Mr Chisholm) had occupied the mayoral chair. He was the youngest councillor in the room, and it ill became him to try to teach the mayor his duty. Cr Muir rose to make a personal explanation, but his Worship peremptorily called on the next business, and several times ordered Cr Muir to resume his seat. Cr ! Muir did so, but immediately rose and left the table, and, putting on his hat, addressed the mayor in these words: "I retire from the council as a protest against {he unfairness of your remarks. You have not afforded me an opportunity of replying to your insinuations." His Worship: "Very well, Cr Muir ; Ido not think the council will have the slightest regret at your determination." Cr Muir occupied a seat in the body of the hall for some minutes, still wearing hi 3 hat, but later on resumed his seat at the table. An important discussion was commenced £t the meeting of the Education Board late on Wednesday afternoon upon the proposal of the Government respecting the appointment of a royal commission to consider the question ot teacheiV salaries. Mr T. Mackenzie spoke very strongly upon the matter, and proposed a resolution regarding it for adoption by the board, and the further discussion of the subject was then adjourned till next day. A meeting of the Organising Committee for the reception of the returned troopers was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon, with a view to Minding up affairs. On looking into the account's, it was found that the amounts guaranteed by subscribers vt ould ba sufficient to cover all obligations, and the secretary (Mr Campbell) was instructed to ! collect the promised subscriptions. The question of bringing country school children to Dunedin during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York came before the Education Board on Wednesday, the letter addressed to the board on the subject by Mr J. -F. M. Fra«er coming up for consideration. There was no debate on the subject, the opinion being general that if practicable the suggestion made should be adopted. A resolution was accordui&ly carried remitting

the matter to a committee of the board to confer with country and city committees and report as to the practicability of the scheme. Amongst the matters considered at the Education Board on Wednesday were, as usual, applications affecting the condition of teachers' residences The Chairman expressed the opinion that if he had the power he would sell every teacher's residence possessed by the board, and allow teachers to build horses thdt would suit themselves. Ho considered it quite impossible for the board to give satisfaction, and the question was one that caused trouble at every meeting. Subsequently, on the motion of Mr T. Mackenzie, it v.as resohed unanimously, and without discussion — "That this board recommend the Minister of Education to permit the board to use a portion of the building fund for the purpose of paying rent for teachers' residences when, in the opinion of the board, such a course is advisable." The City Council were asked on Wednesday to allow Mr Northcote's Company to give a fcr.cred concert on Sunday night at the Agricultural Hall, the concert to commence at he If -past 8, and admission to' be by silver ccin. Cr Park said these Sunday night concerts were getting beyond what they should be. The request should be held over for inquiry, and he would move that the mayor bo empowered to deal with it. His Worship did not agree with this course. Cr Christopher moved — " That the request be declined." He did not favour the desecration of the Sabbath in thin way. Several councillors seconded the motion. The Mayor said that when this particular matter waa discussed at the Municipal Conference in Wellington last year the general opinion was that permission such as was asked for in this case should be refused. Cr Christopher's motion was carried without dissent. The general rale for the ensuing year has been fixed by the City Council at Is 3d in the pound on the annual rateable value, whicli is the rate charged in the current year. The water rate for the next year will j also be the same as during the current year. Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.H.R., returned I on Wednesday from a visit to the Maniototo and Naseby portion of the Waihemo electorate. It is interesting to learn that he found that all the votes for works are now at the disposal of the local authorities. The Star's Auckland Tongan corespondent reports that on February 18 the treaty made between Mr B. Thompson (for the English Government) and King George (for the Tongan Government) was formally ratified on behalf of both Governments. Mr Hamilton Hunter, who has been many years in H.M. service at Fiji, was installed consul by Sir George O'Brien. The temperance work of the Central Mission has been reorganised, and is to be prosecuted with greater vigour. The work amongat the young people is for the future to be carried on under an organisation to be known as " Tho Young Crusaders." The following have been appointed officers: — President, Rev. W. A. Sinclair; vice-presi-dents — Mrs W. R. Don, Dr De Lautour, and Mr A. C. Broad ; committee — Sister Jean, Mrs Cameron, Miss Duncan, Miss Clarke, Mr Foster, and Mr D. Cameron. The distribution of temperance literature is to be taken in hand and a pledge-signing campaign initiated. The Bannockburn correspondent of the Dunstan Times states that a five-roomed house, the property of Mr John Pryde, was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday night, 13th inst. The building was insured. The Education Board dealt on Thursday with the extra grant for the increase of teachers' salaries in this province. Strong exception was taken to the fact that tho Government had not given Otago its fair proportion of the money, hence limiting the board's ability to raise the salaries of the teachers all round. The Government's proposal increased the salaries of 179 teachers; the board's affected 181. The board went in the direction of spending the money in the way of increasing the salaries of the head teachers and mistresses of the country schools. The Mayor of Mornington unfolded a no%el scheme to a public meeting at Mornington laFt Thuisday for the securing of municipal trams. He proposed that a shilling rate should be struck, which would provide the interest on the cost of the construction of a tram from the city, via Stafford street, to the outlying parts of the borough. All residents would be ratepayers under tlie scheme, and all residents would travel free on the cars. The cost of up-keep, maintenance, etc., would be defrayed out of the revenue derived from people travelling m the cars who were not residents. This system, the Mayor said, would double the population in five years, and the rateable value of the borough would proportionately increase. As it would cost no more for a man who lived at the extreme end cf the distiict to got homo ihnn it tlid Hioso ill easy resell of the city, all parts of the borough would soon become populated. Even if it cost them more than a shilling rate, it would pay the Mornington people to go in for the scheme, not only on account of the enhanced values of their properties, but be cause under the present regime they were really paying what was equal to about a 5s rate for their tramp. The meeting was a largo anJ very pn ( hu=iastic one. and tl»o scheme was \ery favourably received. A resolution was unanimously passed recommending the council to take the neces&ary steps to get an act passed authorising the council to construct a tramway. At Thursday's meeting of the University Council Mr James Allen intimated that the i auao, of £100 had been received from out-

side sources toward* getting up a memorial to perpetuate tho memory of the late Profess sor Ulrich. Not much had been done to. augment the fund in Dunedin, but in the course of a few days the committee proposed to do something locally. It was intended, Mr Allen &aid, to communicate with the committee of the Dunedin S*ock Exchange and ask them to co-operate. Others would alao be asked, and the lists would then b«( closed. Mr Allen also mentioned that th# South Australian School of ilines and Iri-» dustries had forwarded a copy of the annual report of the Mine Managers' Association of Austialasia, in which reference was made to the death of Professor Ulrich. The reporb described him "as one - of the pioneers of geological explorations in South Australia and Victoria. Geologists everywhere knew; well how much they owe to his labours." | Our Greymouth correspondent telegraphs that at a meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board a telegram was received from the Premier intimating that an extension of time till July had been given to enable the representative of Sir Edward Dawes, oE London, to inspect and report upon tho Coal Creek coal mines before proceeding; with further expenditure. Regret was expressed at the further delay, and the people of the district are becoming dissatisfied with the manner in whicli coal development is being kept back. It has been decided that the colours of the Duke of York are to be blue and reil in equal widths, and. in the case of a fiag-, a red and blue flag with a rose and crown in wliite in the centre. The crown may be in yellow if preferred, but no other white should be introduced. The horizontal lines are blue and the vertical red, according to heraldry. It should be remembered, however, that the Royal Standard is really tho flag of the Royal Family. The Charitable Aid Board met in Mr T.. S. Graham's office on Thursday afternoon, Mr P. Miller presiding. The other members present were Messrs J. Mill, W. Robertson, J. Smith, R. Mitchell, J. Sim, John Wood, and R. Wilson. The usual appropriations! were passed as follows: — Caversham Industrial School, £596 163 Id; South Dunediu Industrial School, £46 -9s 6d. A claim for £200, sent in by the Benevolent Institution Trustees, and made in connection with a sewerage contract, was ordered to stand over for a month. Some discussion arose on the inconvenience caused by local bodies allowing their contributions to fall into arrear, and it was suggested that in future the board should use its power, and demand tho payment of these" contributions in one sum, instead of allowing themselves to be hampered by monthly payments that -were &c» frequently allowed to fall into arrear. The j secretary was instructed to write to the local bodies formerly represented by the late Mr Baxter, and request them to nominate his successor. A meeting of the "Hospital Board was held imediately after the Charitable Aid Board rose, the members being the same as constitute the latter body. The usual monthly vote of £450 was passed, and there was no further business. j Tho committee of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met on Wednesday evening at the Town Hall, Mr G. Fenwick in the chair. The inspector's and secretary's report 3 were received and adopted, with the direction that they should be printed. Owing to the absence of Mr Justice Williams, it was decided to defer fixing the date of the annual meeting. The committee recorded their pleasure at the re* turn of their vice-president and former secretary, Mr E. E. C Quick, and expressed the hope that he would be present at the annual meeting. A vote of thanks to tha chair concluded the meeting. The members of the Coal Mines Commission (Messrs Haselden, Proud, and Lomas) left town by the early train on Thursday morning to inspect the coal mines in the vicinity of Shag Point. They visited the Allandale and Shag Point mines, spending about a couple of hours in inspecting the former, and an hour and a-half in examining the latter. The evidence of Mr M'lntosh, the manager of the Allandale mine, and also that of Mr Thomas Shore, the manager of the Shag Point mine, was taken, but, apart from these two gentlemen, no witnesses were called, and the commissioners returned to town by the north express last evening. Mr Hatch, of the Colonial Sugar Company at Fiji, received a telegraph message afc Suva stating that six native women and one man had been killed by the recent hurricane* The mill at Ba had been severely damaged, and several thousand acres of cane de« stroyed. Tho second meeting in connection with the Christian Endeavour Convention was held last Thursday, when there mas a somewhat improved attendance, about 200 persons being present. The Rev. J. Muirhead (newlyelected president) wa« in the chair. After the opening exercises, conducted by the Rev. F W. Boreham and Mr J. Comissiong, the usual president's annual address on ' Fellowship with Christ " v. as given by Mr Muirhead, who urged upon his hearera to be true to their pledge. Greetings were read from the New Zealand CE. Union, the Canterbury C.E. Union, and the Southland C.E. Union; and Miss M'Phail, on behalf of the North Otago C.E. Union, wished the union every success in its work, and also gave a greeting. Sister Olive, in the course of an interesting and inspiring address, made special mention of the Purakanui Society, who every week forwarded to her a quantity of produce, etc., for distribution, among the poor of Dunedin. Mr J. H. Todd, of the C.1.M., spoke on the claims of the foreign mission, and pointed out the necessity of Endeavourers doing and giving their best. The thanka of the union having; . beea given, to »U» officer* oi Trinity Church

for the use of their building, to the organist (Miss Hartlej 7 ), and the various speakers, the meeting was closed with the benediction by the Rev. J. Guy, the ex-president of the union. The convention will be continued on Saturday, when a picnic and open-air gathering will be held at Purakanui, to which all are invited. The Government have practically decided, in accordance with the advice of engineerying experts, that the proposed light line of railway from Kawakawa, on the Korth Island Main Trunk line, shall be carried into Stratford, and not into Eltham. A meeting was held at Mosgiel Baptist Church tin Wednesday evening to celebrate the eighteenth anniversary oE the church, and to inaugurate the seventh year of the ministry of the Rev. F. W. Boreham. The tea, which preceded the public meeting, was crowded. The Rev. Mr Boi-eham presided, and splendid addresses were given by the Revs. Dr Waddell, A. V. G. Chandler, and Mr William Ings (of -South Dunedin). The report of the secretary, Mr W. Ings (of East Taiert), showed a good, steady year's Work to have been done ; and a note of great gratitude and hopefulness pervaded all the proceedings. . The meeting was the largest and best of its kind that the church ha^s ever held. The following is an extract from a letter seeeived yesterday by « gentleman in Dun«din from Mr A. C. Begg, who called at Sydney on his way to 4 he Home country: — "The traffic on tramways in Sydney and Melbourne is simply astonishing. I was particularly struck with the Sydney electric trams, large double car 3 following each other at -intervals of 30 to 60 seconds, and all -well filled. Our electric tramway is a- mere toy compared with these, and they run at what looked to me like dangerous speed in crowded streets. Some of our Dunedin city magnates should be sent to watch the traffic in George street, Sydney, for a few 3>oiirs, and they would never again talk of the danger of a Princes street crossing." The new geyser at Rotomahana appears to be attracting a great deal of attention in the north. The Rotorua Chronicle says : The present outbreak continues to attract many visitors to its vicinity daily, and, when nude more easy of access, will prove the greatest attraction of the district. The whole mass of boiling water, about half an acre in extent, is lifted bodily in a domeshaped mass, from the centre of which a lofty column water,_ stones, and other debris snoots to a height of from 200 ft to 300 ft, lasting quite 10 minutes. Immense clouds ef steam mount upwards, until they* mingle with the clouds and are lost in the Uu« cummer sky ; the stones, which are quite hot when picked up, being thrown a great distance. Messrs Hagan and George Ross have been appointed delegates for the Waitahuna Horticultural Society at the conference to be lield in Dunedin during the winter show week, the previously-appointed delegates finding themselves unable to attend. His Worship the Mayor received the following message on Friday from the Mayor of Tjmaru (Mr J. Hole) with reference to the taking over of the city tramways : — " Sincerely congratulate yourself, council, and citizens on purchase of tramways — your latest enterprise — which, together with gas, water, and abattoirs, must result in great benefit to the citizens generally. — J. Hole." His Worship replied thanking the Mayor of Timaru for his congratulations. Representations have been made to the Government with the object of allowing the Wwtport-Cardiff coal mine, now in their bands, to be worked on the co-operative principle. The matter is under consideration. There has been a most unusual rush of business at the Magistrate's Court during the past few months. In thte course of the last quarter 846 summonses went through the court, a number in excess of the summonses put through the courts at any of the other centres in the colony. In the past Wellington has always been ahead of any other city. The clerk of the Police Court (Mr F. W. Hart) has been transferred to Naseby to take the place of Mr John Terry, who has been shifted to Blenheim. Mr E. D. Mosley, of Christchurch, and formerly of the local court, has been appointed in place of Mr Hart. The Premier, in replying to a resolution passed by the Wesleyans of Hamilton condemning the action of the Government in seeing that the member 3of the Imperial contingent who desired it were supplied with a glass of beer at the luncheon in Auckland, said: — "The Imperial troops were ihe guests of the colony, and it was the duty of the colony to see that they were properly entertained. The majority of the members of the Auckland Entertaining Committee hold strong temperance convictions, but .were in no way asked by the citizens of Auckland to experimentalise or practise prohibition on the guests of the colony. May I aak, if the majority had been %'egetarians, ■would it have been light or proper for them to have decided that no meats were to be •provided or consumed by t!>e Imperial 'troops? , . . To gay that the action of ;the Government in seeing that the guests •were given the opportunity of selecting their -own beverages was treating Lord Roberls's 'desire in reference to the matter with contempt is absurd, and proves clearly that Ithose passing a resolution to such effect were entirely unaware of the nature of -Karl Roberts' s expressed wishes. . . . Seeing our guests have departed, I now speak plainly, and say that the lunch provided at Auckland, both for officers and men, wai |he poorest they were offered in

Australasia, and not at all in accordance with Auckland's well-known hospitality." The member 3of the Coal Mines Commission drove out to Green Island on Friday morning and inspected the Mosgiel, Jubilee, Walton Park, and Freeman's coal mines. They made a minute examination of the mines and the workings, took the evidence of the mine managers, and returned to town about 5 o'clock. In the evening the evidence of the inspector of mines, Mr E. R. Green, was taken concerning thes,o mines, and those at Shag Point, which were visited by the commissioners on the day previous. There died at St. Clair on Friday Mr William Wilson, who may be said to have been the father of the engineering trade in Dunedin. He was born at Kirkcaldy, Fifeshire, on March 20, 1819. He served his apprenticeship as a millwright, afterwards worked in Glasgow, and then was engineer on board the We3t India Company's and the P. and 0. Company's boats. He was at Malta on board th 2 Indus wheitthe Crimean war "broke out, and his steamer conveyed a thousand treops for the front. When he returned to England he joined his cousin (Mr George Ross) and Mr James Kilgour.-.and mailed for New Zealand in the barque Clutha, which arrived in Otago on May 20, 1856. Mr Wilson at first entered into business as a builder and contractor, but in 1859 he erected a foundry in Cumberland street, in which he did an extensive business until he unfortunately met with an accident to one of his legs, which laid him up for several months. This led to his selling the foundry, but on recovering he entered into the building trade again, but finally retired about 20 years ago, and took up hi» residence at St. Clair, where he lived in retirement. Ha was of a somewhat retiring disposition, but was greatly esteemed by those who knew him. There is at present to be seen in Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell's window a number of photographs of the works of Mr Allen Hutehinson, who. as a sculptor, has attained a high place in the artistic world. Although a photographic reproduction of the results of an artist's chisel convey but an inadequate idea of their true worth., the large number of people who were attracted by .the pictures could not have failed to be impressed with the genius and fidelity to nature which they disclosed. Apart from their artistic merit, many of the works are of an especial interest and value on account of the character of the subjects, embracing as they do a representative collection of types of the Maori race. They also include a bust of King Kalakaua, executed for the Kalakaua Memorial Committee, of Honolulu, and several studies which were exhibited at the Royal Academy and the exhibition of the Society of Artists, Sydney. A swindle of * particularly mean character was "worked" upon the organisers of the recent performance of '" Judas Maccabaeus " in connection with the Wesleyan Conference proceedings in Wellington. The New Zealand Times Bays that the secretary received a letter fTom an unknown correspondent, who expressed hi 3 ability and desire to help the performance by disposing of the tickets at Karori, if a supply were left for him at an address in the city. Tho secretary sent 20 tickets, no doubt blessing the voluntary worker. Almost simultaneously another official connected with the performance received a letter from another volunteer, who was burning to help "the cause" by disposing of tickets in Petone, and who requested that a supply should be left for him at another address in town. Again 20 tickets were unsuspectingly sent ; and it was only when the officials compared notes and found that the two letters were written by the same person, and signed by fictitious names, that they realised they had been robbed by a new and ingenious method. There is, of course, no means of tracing the perpetrator of the swindle; but the facts are published as a warning to orgsnisers to beware of spontaneous philanthropy of the kind described. The Anniversary holiday was very generally observed on Saturday. The regatta at Waihola proved an attraction to a large number, the High street School sports drew many young people to the Caledonian ground, and the harbour excursions were fairly patronised Picnic parties were strongly in evidence, and the city and suburban trams had heavy loads many times during the day. A large number of flags were waving joyously in the city to mark the occasion of the fifty-third anniversary of the province, but, strange to say, the Town Hall flagpole stood throughout the day destitute of the bunting so conspicuous elsewhere. In the evening the places of amusement were well attended. The hospital returns for the week show that 21 patients were admitted and 20 discharged. One death occurred, the deceased's name being Thomas Crawford. The patients remaining number 96 — the same as. at the expiration of the previous week. Saturday night's audience at the Garrison Hall may have been quite familiar with the history of Otago's early settler^, but with their countenances, all of which were thrown very clearly on the screen, they were strangely unfamiliar. Tiie Rev. Dr Burns was recognised by very few; Mr James Maeandiew, Mr C. C. Kettle, and Captain Cargill were wel corned by only a fair numbei ; Mr Frederick Tuckett, the surveyor who selected the site for Dunedin, was known only by those who could read hi? name at the foot of the screen : Mr John _Jone3 wad received with blank astonishment ; and the first missionaries at Waikouaiti, Mr Walkint — the lecturer of the evening gave to this gentleman a w rong- name — and Mr Creed, were as unknown to the onlookers as was Mr Mon&on, the first gaoler of the town. When Dr Stuart's face appeared, however, loud applause testified to the fact that he was widely recognised. To anyone who ha 3 a regard for the old-time history

' of the province it was somewhat painful to find that young Otago knows little of the facial appearance of the early workers in this part of the colony. If this ignorance of these men indicates indifference to the work done by the pioneers of the settlement, it is not at all an omen of happy augury for tho future of the colony. At Braemar House on Sunday the wife of the Rev Robert Wood, Prebbyterian minister, of Masterton, died after a cry short illness, of hemorrhage in the brain. Mr and Mrs Wood were for some years stationed at Wyndham, and deceased was much respected for her kindly disposition. In future (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph) on all official occasions the president of the Victorian Werieyan Conference will appear begowned like an English bishop, but without the lawn sleeves. At the closing sitting of the conference, the Rev. E. H. Sugden moved to the effect that the president of the conference be authorised to adopt official dress similar to that prescribed by the Lord Chamberlain as official dress for the president of the British Conference. This proposal somewhat, staggered members, and one layman gasped, "What sort of a costume is it?" The answer was as above. Eventually, when the conference recovered itself, it carried the motion by 54 votes to 43, and took its first step back towards the " Establishment," which "it had loved long since, and lost awhile." The American press has been discussing the report of the New York Slate Commission on Prisons, which discloses an alarming increase of drunkenness in that State. There has been a general feeling that drunkenness was on the decrease. The annual report of the State Commission of Prisons warrants no such optimistic conclusion. During the year ending October 1 last, the commitments to penitentiaries, gaols, and workhouses for this cause reached the enormous total of 32,859, about one-third of the total commitments for all causes. In this reckoning no account is made of the cases punished only by fine in the Police Courts. Adding these, it is estimated that fully half the total number of convictions for the past year were for intoxication. It is not easy to find the cause of this alarming showing. There has certainly been no manifest inclination on the part of the police to treat this offence more strictly than before, while conditions of general prosperity such as the State has enjoyed are supposed to be favourable to temperate living. Whatever the cause, a practical suggestion of the Commissioners of Prisons deserves the prompt attention of the Legislature, that New York adopt the " probation law," which has worked successfully, fint in Massachusetts and then in Vermont and Minnesota. By tl.is law a first offender is released, under parole, and put in the charge of a probationary officer for a definite period. If at the end of this period the report is favourable, the offender is released ; if unfavourable, the suspended sentence is imposed. The effect of this policy has been excellent. Of the 115 persons unlawfully executed in America in 1900, 107 were negroes, and of the total number of lynchings all but eight took place in the south. Indiana, Kansas, and Colorado are the northern States that indulged in lynch law last year. In Indiana three coloured men, one of them innocent, were lynched ; in Colorado, two coloured men and one white man suffered the penalty, one of the coloured men being tortured in the most fiendish manner. Kansas chose two white men as its victims. In 16 years 2533 persons have been lynched in the United States, an average of 161 a year. The number in 1900 was considerably below the average, but it was somewhat in excess of the record for 1699, a fact which weakens the inference that lynching is on the decline. The Coal Mines Commission held a sitting at the Town Hall on Monday, when the evidence was taken of Mr CJ. Joachim, general manager of the Westport Coal Company, and Mr W. P. Watson, general manager of the New Zealand Coal and Oil Company. The commission sat again at 10 o'clock on Tuesday. The commissioners are not now seeking evidence, bur are sitting simply with the object of affording people an opportunity of bringing before them any information concerning the mines they may wish. Mr Frank Johnston, an old resident of the city, who died recently at his place of residet cc on the Anderson's Bay road, bequeathed £500 to tho Orphanage of St. Vincent de Paul, South Dunedin, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. Mr Johnston also bequeathed £50 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a charitable organisation of many years' standing connected with St. Joseph's Cathedral. Our Waikouaiti correspondent writes: — Will you allow me to draw attention to the fact that Hip lagooup here are protected a° sanctuaries for game, and that the Hav,ksbury Borough Council will proceed against any persons discharging firearms inside the borough. On Saturday lost a gentleman ignorantly went shooting on tLe "Waikouaiti Domain, killing two stilted plovers, offences which cost him 39?. The powers that be are determined to put a stop to tins unlawful shooting, and the next perso.i caught will probably ''fall deeper in." Mr D. V. Allen. A.0.5.M., a s>mi of Mr E. G. Allen, M.H.R. for Waikouatti, has been selected by the local committee of Coromandel to fill the position of director of the School of Mines at that centre vice Mr P. M'Leud, who Las resigned to take up an important position in the Mines department in Tasmania. At the Moiay place Congregational Church on Sunday morning the Rev. Mr Saunders took occasion to refer, in his address to the cHldren, to the duty and prhilege that weie theirs in honouring the memory of the early pioneers of Otago, the fruit of whose labours we at present enjoyed. It was emphatically a

matter for deep thankfulness that the foundation of this province had been laid by earnest men and women who were inspired with the spirit of the most intense love of God, and it should be deemed our highest privilege to see that the high measure of living which they had established should not be departed from. Mr P. Hally, who has conducted several cases before the Conciliation Board and Arbitration Court, notably that of the Tailoresses' Union, and who is now conducting the case of the Carters' Union before the Conciliation Board, will probably be nominated by the unions for the seat on the Conciliation Board vacant by the resignation of Mr J. A. Millar, M.H.R. Our Palmerston correspondent learns that as a result of .the strike of Dunback rabbit trappers it has now been decided to pay 6d per pair for rabbits, or Id more than the men demanded. We understand that the Hon. W. M. Bolt, M.L.C. , will be a candidate for one of the High Ward seats in the City .Council. To enable collectors who desire to prociire any of the recently- withdrawn Queen's head stamps to do so, a small supply has been sent to the chief postmasters at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The stamps ara to be finally withdrawn from sale on the 31st July. Told by the Mayor of Wellington at the Women's Christian Temperanoe Union Convention last week: "In spite of many temptations he had never tasted alcoholic liquor. He was or.cc one of a company of young fellows, 17 or 13 years of age, in a publichouse in Glasgow. Ho was the only abstainer, and the others resented it, and five or six laid hands on him to pour the liquor down his throat. They didn't manage it."— j (Applause.) " Gardens are becoming very popular in a number of districts," says Mr H. Hill, inspector, in his annual report to the Hawke's Bay Education Board, " but Ormond excels all others in this important aspect of school training ; 135 named varieties of plants and flowers were under cultivation, by the children, and I have seldom seen a prettier sight than the school gardens presented when visited by me in March. Gisborne, Patutahi, Woodville, Dannevirke, Makotuku, and Takapau present grounds of exceptional neatness, but there are far too many that supply evidence of much indifference on the part of teachers and committees." The South Australian Commissioner of Public Works has received information of the i striking of a valuable supply of artesian water in the dry 'north-east. For tome time boring has been proceeding under contract on Yandama Creek, about 40 miles east of the southern *end of Lake Callabonna, where Dr Stirling found the bones of the diprotodon 3 some time ago. Artesian water was reached at a depth of 1566 ft. Boring was continued, and at 1600 ft a strong flow was tapped, and rose fresh water to the surface at the rate of 20,000 gallons a day. There is every prospect of a iargely-increased quantity being obtained by sinking a little deeper. This discovery is- particularly interesting and decidedly important, because the bore is the i most southern one in South Australia, in w hat is known as the Central Australian artesian j basin, which extends practically from Yandama Creek to the Gulf of Carpentaria, a distance of about 1000 miles. As the depth at ' which water was secured is so considerable, the officials consider it a-s an indication that the artesian area extends much further southwards, towards Lake Frome, and that a flow may be secured at Lake Elder and Lake Boolka. The value of the supply is ai'most incalculable, because the locality was previously one of the driest in the State, and I teams were frequently unable to travel for j perhaps more than 12 miles at a time. ' It is j on the route between the western parts of . New South Wales, the Mount Browne goldfields, Milparinka, and other stations to the noith, and Hawker. The flow, which will undoubtedly be permanent, will.keep the road constantly open. Two rival Amer,<\in companies engaged in the business of n.aking asphalt pavement have brought the United States (says the NewYork correspondent of the Sydney Herald) to the vprgc of an open rupture with Venezuela. Venezuela has never been friendly since it became known that the American members of the Arbitration Court acquiesced in the award taking away from her and gi\ing to a European Power no mean slice of what she believed to be her territory The duty of the American arbitrators, in Venezuelan eyes, was to disagree at any cost; and that, in American eyes, would have been true 1 ad the issue of the controversy turned upon the Mouroe doctrine. But the American arbitrators have informally since declared, neither party had any good and valid papci iitle, and the question as a matter of law (having been submitted expressly as such) turned not upon the Monroe doctrine, but upon the familiar doctrine of landlord raid ttnaiii — to wit. that to get a decree ou^tu.g a man the claimant must show a belter Inv than the occupant. A rather exciting incident, whic'.i occurred at the last meeting of the Onehunga Borough 'Council, is reported by the Manukau Chronicle. The council was discussing a lengthy agreement in connection with the water eniv . ply. and a councillor moved that the question be deferred for a week, in order to give councillors an opportunity cf studying the matter. This was seconded by lady Cr Yate?, who had at the time a copy of the agreement in htr hand. Ihe majority, however, hating decided that the matter bhould be settled theie and then, Cr Yates protested, and, upon the to.wi clerk going to her to take the document from her, she held it to the table with- both hands. Thereupon the clerk and one of the councillors attempted to \vre-,t U from her by force, but she pressed it to the table w ith cdl her weight, and, finding that it was impossible to get it without tearing it, they deBi?tcJ. The next day Cr Yates received a letter from the town clerk informing her

that legal proceedings would be taken unlcsf the document were returned. At Monday night's meeting of the GorC Borough Council it was decided to make ai formal protest to the Government against clause. 316 of the Municipal Corporations Act, which provides that w ! here any building was pulled down or partly destroyed by t fire inspectors to stay the progress of a fire,sueh damage should be deemed to be done by firs within the meaning of any insurance policy. If the property so damaged were uninsured, or insufficiently insured, the Borough Council was made responsible for the deficiency. It was also decided to write to the member for the district on the subject. A motion that the local fire inspectors be given strict instructions not to pull any buildings down on any account to stay the progress of a fire was carried unanimously. On Saturday evening Cr Howlison, who is 1 leaving on a prolonged trip to the mother country, was met by a number of gentlemen who were desirous of making, a presentation and wishing him bon voyage. Mr W. H. Smith proposed the health of Cr Howlison in eulogistic terms, wishing him every pleasure, a successful business transaction, and ft safe return to New Zealand. Several other speakers endorsed Mr Smith's good wishes." Cr Howlibou suitably replied. He stated that during his visit Home ha hoped, besides looking after Imb own business affairs, to gain information which might prove of service regarding sanitation, disposal of sewage, and electrical tramways. Cr Howlison's remarks were heartily applauded. At Wednesday's meeting of the City Council Messrs Smith, Chapman, and Sinclair wrote forwarding a deed of agreement for the purchase of the tramways.- The cheque required would he £42,881 17s 4d, ihe matter of a few horses being left in abeyance. On th& motion of Cr Gore, seconded by Cr Carroll, it was decided to affix the common seal of the council to the agreement.