LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 28

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The two Chilian battleships, Libertad >nd Constitucion, which wore purchased by Hie British Admiralty recently, are pro bably the most powerful battleships in the world actually completed and ready for sea. They were built, the first at Barrow, at the Vickers-Maxim works ; and the second at the famous Armstrong yard at Elswick. They represent the latest idea of comparatively small ships of exceptional armament. The Libortad in deep ©ea trials registered a speed of 17i knots for 27 hours continuously. The battery of each of the new ships is as follows: Four lOin guns of the latest pattern, firing a 4501b shell, and capable of piercing 31in of steel ; fourteen 7.5 in guns of great length, firing a 2001b shell, and capable of piercing 29in of steel ; fourteen 14-pounder guns. In protection, these ships have a belt of 7in steel amidships, tapering to 3in at the ends of the vessel. The lOin guns are in two bar'bettea plated with lOin Krupp steel, and ttie 7.5 in guns are be.hind 7in armour. According to the Naval Annual " they are capital shipo of their class, and entirely eclipse the Duncan class, which have the some speed, and lees protection everywhere except in the heavy guns." The nominal Sj-Eed of these two ships is 19 knots.

The City of New York, the Garden tells us, has over 80 parks, ranging in size from ono acre to over 1700 acres. The largest ie Pelham Bay Park, near City Island, with 1756 acres. The others are Van Cortlandt Park, with 1132 acres; Central Park, 843 acres; Bronx Park, 660 acres; and Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 516 acres, besides other smaller parks and breathingspots, making a total of nearly 7000 acres.

The output from the mines of the Westport Coal Company for the month of January was 40,490 tons 10 cwt.

The question of the drainage outfall at Bird Island has been exercising the minds Df the members of the Executive Committee of the Ratepayer* and Householders' Association, end at last week's meeting !t was resolved to instruct the chairman io telegraph to the Minister for Publio Works asking him not to grant permission for the carrying out of the Bird Island Bcheme on any consideration whatever.

The visual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on Wednesday aftermoon, when there were present — Messrs P. Treseder (in the chair), R. M. Clark, R. Wilson, W. Tfrlboys, W. Burnett, A. E. Tapper, and J. Green. The Secretary reported the death in the institution during the week of Henry James, aged 71 years, and James Casey, aged 70 years. The report on ourdoor relief for the month of January last was as follows : 304 cases (131 men, 208 women, and 489 children) at a cosi of £100 12s 6d, as against, for the same month last year, 322 cases (123 men, 229 women, and 530 children), at a cost of £103. Accounts amounting to £429 10s 5d were passed for payment, and 27 cases of relief "were dealt with.

Mr T. K. Sidey, M.H.R., who, at the request of the Executive Committee of the Otago Central Railway League, forwarded a telegram to the Minister for Public Works urging the extension of the Otago Central railway to Ophir befor-e the winter months, received the following reply on Wednesday: " In reply to your telegram of yesterday, the Otago Central Railway will be opened to Ophir as early as possible. For several months the engineer in charge of works has had instructions to fully man tbis section, so that it might be opened at an early date.— W. Hall- Jones."

Mr Jeffery, president of the Educational [nstitute, left on Thursday to attend the Joint Conference on the new syllabus, to be held in Wellington on Saturday. Auckland is to be represented either by Mr Murray or Mr Wells, both well known to delegates to institute meetings. Mr Harkness, of Nelson, is unable to attend, end Mr Watson, of North Canterbury, takes his place, but under what circumstances is not known locally. We regret that Mr D. R. White, M.A.,' principal of the Dunsdin Training College, canuot see his way slear to go, for no gentleman in the colony jan speak with greater authority as to what can and cannot be done by the. pupils of our public schools. It is also a matter for regret that the conference has been called so hurriedly, and under the circumstances we can hardly think that anything more can be done than to draw up a provisional syllabus, to be experimented upon during the coming year or two. 1 The Free Public Library question was advanced an important stage at the City Council meeting last week, the Council passing the following resolution — "That the City Council, having pin-chased section 39, block XIV, Moray place, as a site for the erection of the Free Public Library, hereby resolves, in accordance wth tho terms of Mr Carnegie's offer of September 19, 1903, to expend not less than £700 per annum in support of the Free Public Library, and that his Worship the Mayor be authorised to sign and seal a copy of this resolution, the same to be forwarded to Mr Carnegie." This resolution, the Mayor explained, wa£ the one necessary to secure the grant promised by Mr Carnegie. At a later stage the question of acquuing, by medium of the provisions of tho Publio Works Act, a portion of land adjoining the library site — viz., part of section 40, block XIV, Moray place, came up for discussion. This piece is a triangle, 123 ft in length, running from nothing to 51ft in width, and having 51ft frontage to Moray place; and it was argued that the land would bo materially enhanced in value by the erection of die library. [t was also advciattd ih.it on the additional

portion there should bo -erected a I ending library It was ultimately agreed that proceedings should be taken to acquire the land

Sisters Miriam and Winnie brought their mission to a close on the 3rd, when a large number assembled to hoar tho addresses. Sister Miriam gave the Bible reading as usual, and Sister Winnie gave a very impressive address from the words, " What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Many touching stories were told to illustrate the truth of the text. The singing of these Sisters will not soon be forgotten by tho.se who heard them. At the close, many lingered to say good-bye to the Sister^ and express their thanks for help recencd during the mission. During their short &tay they have made many friend 3in Dunedin, who hope to see them back amongst us on some future occasion.

In the village of Vladimirski, in the Government of Tiflis, Russia, there has. for some years past been bitter enmity between the elder daughters of two families of tho same name, Skayeff. Ono day in December D?ina Skayeff, observing her enemy, Rena Skayeff, start upon an errand to the next village, seized a dagger and ritshed across to her neighbour's dwelling with tho intention of murdering her brother, a boy of 11. Tho first blow, aimed at the boy's heart, only penetrated his right arm. The victim's sister Alexandra, aged 13, rushed to his rescue, and clung in a despeiate embrace to the would-be murderess. in piteous accents Alexandra entreated her to spare her only brother (two other brothers had fallen to the family vendetta) ; but Dsina was as obdurate as she was bloodthirsty. In the struggle between the two girls, Daina let fall her dagger. Instantly releasing her hold, Alexandra seized it and drove it up to the hilt in Dsina's side. The latter tottered a few paces and then fell dead. Alexandra, with the dagger in her hand, at once proceeded to roport the "incident" to the village elder, by whom, the report laconically adds, she was warmly congratulated upon her effective defence of her brother.

At a meeting of the Otago High School Board of Governors, held on Thursday, Mr Thomafi Mackenzie, M.H.R , said that when the Education Bill returned from the Education Committee in tho Houso la*t session it was une'erstood to provide that the pupils w-ho had eecured the neccs-axy rnarka in the scholarship examinations were entitled to free places at the High School if they had passed the Fifth Stand-mi. Tho committee in the Houso were emphatic an objecting to the clause fixing an age limit of 14- ye-ars. The Under-=ecietary of Education had, however, issued regulations which were contrary to what was uudcratood to be the wish of the Education Committee, and a ptipil was not now qualified to be the holder of a free, place, unless ho wss under 14- years on the 31st December preceding the dr-te of his admission to a secondary school. The legulation as it now stood wouid operate \ery hardly on country children who, through breaks in their teaching, could not attend school as regularly a* town childaen. The other members of '■heboard expressed the opinion that the ago limit was undesirable, and, on the motion

of the Hon. T. Fergus, it was decided to write to the Minister of Education drawing his attention to the matter, pointing out the disability under which the limit would place a gi\?at many scholars m the country and suggfstiag its elimination.

Tho Hon. T. Fergus at Thursday's meeting of the Otago High Schools Board of Governors said the board was to be congratulated on the excellent results obtained by the pupils of the Boys' High School at the rec-eut examinations held in the colony and on the number of (scholarships th&y had won The positions tiik^n by the boys cf the school epoke very highly for the- qualry of the teaching they had received and the attention that had been bestowed on them. It was fitting, he thought, that the secretary should be instructed to write to the rectoi expres-iiig the board's appreciation of the work the b'.aff had done duiing the patst y^ar, and congratulating him on the efficiency of the school and the results obtained in the 'ecent examinations, -expiesamg also the hope that the high standard to which the school had ri^en v. ould be maintained in succeeding years. Ho thought it wan a matter of regiet that the provincial press of Otago had not recognised in th-e manner it ehould the results obtained by the school, and he hoped it would do so. It was natural that they should all be very proud of the position taken by the boys of tl.-e -chool. Dr Shand eaid t\\-& coifotaut influx of pupils might have been expected to disorganise the school, but thio did not feem to ba^e happened. Tiie other members of the board endorsed the lemarks of Mr Fergus, and his suggestion was unanimously agreed to.

Thursday may b& said to lia\ c been a red-letter day in the bwtory of Mccgi&l, for two most interesting funK'onr were blended in such a. manner as to bring together an assemblage almost unique in its composition. At the old identities' gathering there were '. is'tors from all paxta, e--. en as far a-s the hille of Central Otago, from Gimmerburn, and from Clyde ; and, at night, had a Scotsman from, the banki- of Ayr been transported by c ono method of instantaneous locomotion to the Volunteer Hall, Mosgiel, it would hn.ve been difficult for him to ha\e rea! : r=ed that he was not ia a Scottish meeting among hi^ '' uin heather hille." The fact that in il.fac distant iulrrs,

pmid=t all the mno anons a»id alterations of this go-p'ieail century, ti>e songs cf Robert Burii. cjx i sppi-.il to the ssntimeiits of rnui and vyoujCii who iiave never seen

th-e cra^s and the heather of Scotland is surely tuo greatest tribute to the niomoiy of " tlio irninoital bard liorn north of the

Tweed' that <t ic possible to pay.

Information was received by tho Pikons Department, Wellington, on Wednesday that Ramsay, who was sentenced to 12 yoaie' imprisonment at Duncuui la=t jear for assault and robbery under scr^ationai circumstances, made an unsuccessful Pttempt to escope from the Auckland Gaol on Tu:rday night.

A house at Clinton, occupied by Robert Chalmcis, was destroyed by lno on Wednesday evening. It was in»urod in tho National office for £180

The n amber of week-end excursionists to Queensto-A':i is not up to tho crowd of last j ear, larg&ly owing, no doubt, to the fact that the majority of intending tounsts are under the lipprescion that Queenstown is "full." This was tho case during tho Chiustmas and Now Year holidays, but we are assured that there is now amplo accommodation available, and can, cb-Tefore, confidently recommend tho-se who intend to visit the beauty spote of thr. Lake district to do so while the weather is fine.

Tl-e general feeling of warm affection wh^ft his Excellency the Governor has won in tho hearts of the peop^ throughout the colony, and the loving admiration with which Lady Ranfurly is regarded, found expression at the social to Mr C Samson at Mosgiel on Friday evening. In proposing the health of his Excellency the Governor, Mr J. Harrison, who represents Strath-Taieri on the County Council, and is chairman of the Otago Farmers' Co-operative directorate, ££>id the Governor and Lady Ranfurly had endeared them-elves to the hearts of the people from end to end of the 00I0113'. Lord Ranfurly had been the most popular Governor New Zealand had ever knervvn, and all loj-al eubjects of his Gracious Majesty the King would be sorry that th<? stay with them of his Majesty's lepresentative was drawing to an end. In responding to the toast, Mr W. Kirkland said Lord Ranfurly had been deservedly popular. He had made himself acquainted with every part of the colony, and had made himself a friend to everyone from the higiiest to the Invest.

Mv C. R. Chapman, who has been paying a visit to Central Otago with a view to observing the country to be traversed by the Otago Central railway, stated in conversation with a representative of this journal yesterday that he saw no reason why the line ehould not be completed to

Ophir in May, and he understood that it wouid be so. as the Poolburn viaduct and the Manuherikia bridge were both completed. A largo gang of the men had been moved on now beyond Ophir to the Chatto Creek section, and ballast trains wero hard at work ballasting from Ida Valley onwards. He also isited Hawea, and noticed that the crops were splondid throughout that district. On ono farm there he noticed tho finest wheat crop he had ever seen, and the grain was now b&ing cut, stocked, and stacked. There was a rnegcificc-nt etrotch of open country in front of the railway yet, and he was firmly convinced the lino should never cease its

advance until it was at Hawea. He noticed also that surveyors wore busy cutting up the Moutere run for closer settlement, and this would be close to the railway at Chatto Creek.

An entertainment entitled " Glasgow, and Doon tho Water" was given in the Green Inland Volunteer Hall on Friday night in aid of the School Picnic Fund, and was fairly ■well attended by the parents and school children, who seemed greatly pleased with eao'i item. The lantern was manipulated by Mi 1). Waldie, and Mr R. Hill gave tho cV'-criptive lecture. The second part consisted of graphophone selections, and these wore very much appreciated. Mr Robert Hill occupied the chair. Tho School Committee desires to thank Mr Waldie for his efforts on the children's behalf.

Few papers have had such a chequered career as the Daily News. Founded by Charles Diokens at the height of his fame it did not succeed, and Dickens retired after a short experience. Then it had years of struggle, and was not far from disappearing when a small syndicate took it ov«r. Of these, four were Mr Labouchere, the late Samuel Morley. Mr Henry Oppenheim, and Mr John Morris, the Avell-known solicitor. Lab by had hi 9 proverbial luck. Ke bought his share, I believe, for something Lke £10,000; he sold it for £90,000. Within a year or two after his receiving this tremendous price the whole property would not liavo brought much more than Labby s fourth. Then thore cam© the South African war and a di\ ld-ed proprietary, and then another syndicate, formed by Mr Lloyd George, and now finally the paper is in the sole hands of Mr Cadbury, and, I am told, is doing very well — M.A.P.

An examination for dredgemasters' certificates was concluded at the Mines Office on Fndaj- evenirg. NmeicM candidates sat. and th-e papeis will be fotwaixjed to t heBoard of Examiners, Wellington Tbeicsults may be expected at an eaily dale The members cf the local beard were : Captain M'Callum, Mr George Bennett, and Mr E. R. Green (Inspector of Mines).

Mr Price, M.L.A., leader of the Labour party of the South Australian State Parliament, speaking at a publio meeting in connection with the tinornployed question, eraid that thp majority of working men had not grasped opportunities for employment. MosG of tho settlers who went up the Murray were lazy and indolent, and money had b&sn spent ou horse-racing and boer which

should bave gone towards tho support of their wives and families. At present working men knew more abotit tin- r-rc sp :ti>i Melbourne Cup winner than about Legislatives wo'-k The time was coming when the working classes would have to study ior thomselvcs with true earnestness the unemployed question.

Mr W. C. MacGregor mentioned to his Honor in Chambpis oa Friday! morning the originating summons re Samuel Henry Andrews, deceased, in which the testator, who died in England a few years ago, had left to the Corporation of Dunedin a. sum of money in trust for the Dunodin Volunteers and the town of Dunedin "as some return for my Guecess in New Zealand, and as a token of my appreciation of the many kmdnessf'i I ha\-e rcc-eive-d there from th© dear Scotch people." Tho summons had boon partlj' argued, Mr MacGregor stated, and it was arranged to argue the remaining questions on Tuesday next.

Mr Donald Roid, jun., M.H.R., received word from Wellington latoly that the Wood-side-Alaungatua telephone extension will be proceeded with at once.

The results of the open-air cure at the Nordrach Sanatorium, Dunedm, for the last quarter may be summarised as follows: — The number of patients treated was 13. The average gain in weight of each, patient for the quarter was 9i?ib. The maximum, weight gained in one week was 61b. The number of patients- undergoing treatment at the termination of the quarter was 10. The recovery of health in each case was usually found to be proportioned to the weight gained.

Another new explosive, which its inventor, Colonel W. Hope, claims to be more powerful and safer than anything previously discovered, is attracting considerable attention in England. It is called veloxifce. It contains no mtro compound, no sulphur, no phosphorus, chlorate, or dangerous ingredient of any kind, and it is smokeless. The flashing point of powder is 630deg, nitro powders 365deg, veloxite 1200deg. Veioxite, says the Westminster Gazette, will safely bear hammering on an anvil. If made m the morning it can be used at night. It is composed of cheap materials, and climate does not affect it Combustion is said to be mild and slow, and the explosive gives a higher velocity to a heavy projectile than any other powder. According t-o tho enthusiastic descriptions which have been published respecting veloxite it is about as harmless as snuff. A few years hence, when other Powers have adopted it for their armies, the British War Office may turn Colonel Hope's old letters out of their pigeon-holes to find that veloxite was discovered by an Englishman, to whose 10 years of experiments they refused any kind of encouragement.

In clearing cut some old papers at the South Austialian Government offices at Adelaide a docket has been discovered containing a letter se-nt 40 years ago to the then Treasurer, in which the writer, Mr R. Peel Raymond, of Sydney, gave information regarding a discovery of gold which had be-en made in tho Northern Territory, between tho Roper River and the- Limmc-n-bight River. He stated that a party had disco\ered immense blocks of quarts, thickly studded with gold, but had boon driven away by the blacks. The Government geologist states that to his knowledge this part of (he country has never been explored for gold, and it is also known that the aboriginals there are very fierce.

A local dentist is in luck (telegraphs the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Press). When the discovery of radium was first made he wrote to the discoverer, and for a few pounds secured nearly a quarter of an ounce of radium, which he kept for experimental purposes. Lately the price of radium, in viow of its value for medicinal purposes, has gone up to £25,000 per ounce, and a comer appears to have been eetablished in the London market, where it is said to be practically unobtainable. The local holder ha? been offered £2000 for his sample, but, under the advice of a wholesale firm of chemists, proposes sending it to London, where he s assured it will =ell for something like £6000.

Speaking at Grey town last Friday evening, the Rev. F Isitt referred to what he termed the degradation of politics by the drink traffic, and asserted that a full 10 per cent, of the present members of the House of Representatives, though not, perhaps, to be designated as drunkards, occasionally got drunk. In this connection he said it was as untrue to say that prohibi. tionista objected to liquor in the home ac it would be to say that they did not object to it in the House of Representatives. They strongly disapproved of it in the House, if it were only on account of some of the eoones it occasioned during last session ; but if liqtior were prohibited in Bellamy's, as they desired, they would not ask that tho Sergeant-at-Arms should confront the Premier and every other member aa he entered the House and search his pockets, demanding also his keys that his locker might be searched for a possible whisky flash Yet it would be as logical and common-sense to demand this in case of Bellamy's being voted " dry " as it would be to adopt similar methods in a district that carried " no-license."'

Considerable excitement was aroused in Durban (according to a correspondent) when it became known that a woman of foreign origin, who had arrived by steamer, and who for some reason was treated as an "undesirable"' and refused permission to land, was offering £300 to any man who would many her and ihus enable her to »iade the law which piolubited her going

ashore. ~\ cry =oon &ome threescore- men, mostly out-of works, made a be-c-hne to the vessel, but wen those who got there firdfc were too late The ship stayed only a short time, and the hopcis of immediate po-scs-ion of funds were dc-troyed as the- loading; batch of aspiring husbands t-aw the prizes borne away over the ocean wave.

Mr Wirt Gerrare, whose latest book, "Greater Russia," was pubh=hed only a few months ago, has been offered an engagement for a long term by a manufacturing firm in Germany, who mako a condition that he shall not conhibute to any periodical or write- book?. The whole- of the information obtained by Mr Gen-are while* on hie travels will be purchased by his empioyeiv- for their ov, n sole uee as traders in the markets of the world.

Rsoeutlj- the Cardiff Borough electucal cngince" found it necessary to disrrues two of his employees, and a scnsationnl sequel to the-ir departure from the works oecun-od one night bubs-equently. Sudden'y the whole of the electric twimway car ee-rviea of the town was brought to a Ftandi-till. and 1 great inconrenisnoe was caused. What had happened was that one of the discharged) employees had evaded the vigilance of the watchman at the works and gained access to the switchboard, with winch he is said! to have tampered. The men in charge* saw a flash in the works and heard a thud. On making investigation.? they found the man lying unconscious, he having received! a very severe shook, which necessitated his removal to the infirmary, where he lay in a critical condition. It is believed that n addition to tampering with the cable whicn controls the- electrical service for Hie Iramways, the man had intended also to interfere with the lighting service of the town.

If the information conveyed in our cablegrams thli- week that negotiations between Russia and Japan have been broken off can be relied on, we may expect within the next day or two to hear of tho first clash of arms between the forces of these two Powers. Tho Russian reply to JapanJs demands was handed to the Japanese- Government on Saturday. It is stated from Russian sources that though the irreducible minimum was not granted, the reply was couched in such conciliatory terms as to give ground for the hope that mutual accord! would be finally arrived at. But Japan — probably recognising the futility of further negotiations, and knowing that Russia's naval and military forces in the Far East would be steadily increased in <he meantime — has put an ond to all such hopes by breaking off negotiations. This, in viow of Japan's former intimations, is tantamount to a declaration of war. and. indeed, there may be no formal eieclaration of war between the two Powers although nonbelligerents will be notified that a state of war exists. It is possible, in view of the return to Port Arthur of the Russian fleet, that the first blow will bo struck on the borders of Korea and Manchuria. The British Admiralty is taking precautionary measures, as in the c-vent of another Power interfering to assist Russia, Britain will, in terms of the treaty of alliance, be called upon to assist Japan.

A correspondent in the Sydney Morning Herald say?: — ''From a tnoroughly trustworthy source I learn that the Premier of New Zealand is engaged in an mti-iguo with tho King of Tonga with a view to making Tonga a dependency of New Zealand. For many years Mr Seddon has been trying to draw to New Zealand a number of the* South Sea Islands. His efforts in this direction in the case of Fiji will be fresh in the memory of all. Haiing failed with Fiji he has now turned his attention to Tonga. Tho fact of publicity being given, to his schemes may help in a measure to frustrate them. The South Sea trade now for the most part comes to Sydney, and it is Mr Seddon's desire to divert it to New Zealand."

Vuccinaiion is still being carried on extensively in this distiiet by tho medical practitioners appointed as official vaccinators, and the demand for vaccine lymph supplied by the Health Department is large. The district health officer |Dr Ogston) left for Alexandra on Saturday to give expert evidence in a case to be heard there to-ddy in which the local borough authorities are> taking action against a local race-owner for alleged breach of his contract to supply xho town with pure water

Tho announcement that tho Rev. J. Alwyn Ewe.n would conduct the service at Knox Church was probably responsible for the exceptionally large congregation that assembled at that place of worship on Sunday evening. Every available scat was tak* a up, and forms had to be brought into requisition to meet the demand for accommodation, while many who could no' find sea^si elsewhere were provided for on the platform on which the pulpit stands. Even then all the intending worshippers could not be accommodated, and a large number had to bo turned away. The Roy. Mr Ewen, preached an eloquent sermon from Ezra v, 4-11 : " What are the names of the rr.-eu that make this building? are tho servants of the God of heaven and earth." In the courso of his remark-. Mr K^en. pointed out that the persons who were leaders in philanthropic movements and' who were cf the greatest Jjenefit to the world, were those who performed their acts of goodness without &ny ostentation, and ho further Douiued out those who wero

expected to act as leaders of movements of the kind mentioned we-ve not person? who were not employed, but bu-y men and women. The p'-cacher impre~-ed upon his hearc-rs the fact that there wa^ work for them to do in their own fnhc-re 3ij .hat quite a s niuch saenhee coaid be ehown Ly

their exertions on behalf of Christianity at * their own doors as if they devoted their

services to the interests of missions in faroff lands.

Mr E. H. Carew, S.M., at Port Chalmers, on Saturday, granted old-age pensions of £18 to one male, £14 to one female, and £11 to a second female. Two applications were adjourned.

The number of patients in the Hospital at the beginning of last week was 103, and 42 were admitted during the week, while 30 were discharged. There were four deaths during the week, the names of the deceased being Frederiok Hill, William Leckie, Benjamin Fow, and Mury Simpson ; and the number at present in the institution is 111.

The injurious effect of flaxmill refuse ■upon the trout of our streams is painfully in evidence just at present at Manuka Creek The mill had only been at work for a couple of days, and when Ranger D. Hasselt visited the place on Sunday he found hundreds of fish dead in the pools as far away as half a mils from the mill. One specimen which rose to the surface on the waters bsing stirred up was a couple of pounds weight It should be pointed out to millowners (writes our Milton correspondent) that steps have to be taken to filter the water before allowing it to enter the course, and that heavy penalties have in many instances been inflicted for river pollution affecting fishermen's rights

It is the intention of the Dunedin Horticultural Society, in conjunction with the Forbury Park Land Company, to hold a floral display at Forbury Park on Anniversary Day (March 23). The entertainment of children will be mad© a feature of the programme, and for this purpose swings, merry-go-rounds, etc., will be brought into requisition ; while it is intended to make the display itself specially attractive from ji. floral point of view.

The Marine Fish Hatchery Board held & meeting otr Monday afternoon, the chairman (Mr 6. M. Thomson) presiding. The other members present were: Messrs C. ■W. S. Chamberlain, D. Barren, and Captain Fleming. Mr R. Chisholm, being out of town, sent an apology. Mr Chamberlain reported that Mr G. Morison's contract for excavation and erection was completed, and that Messrs Bauchop and Co., of Port Chalmers, had finished the cottage and buildings. Tho board decided to appoint Mr Anderton, of Portobello, caretaker, as he had given great satisfaction in the position of clerk of works. It was also reported by the Chairman that the Association for the Advancement of Science had voted £25 towards researches on the food fishes of New Zealand. The American Fish Commission, the Scotch Fishery Board, and the Cape of Good Hope biological station have presented the board with sets' of their publications as nearly complete as it was possible to obtain them. The board also authorised the obtaining of an oil engine and a pump to supply the hatchery with a continuous stream of running water. Arrangements were made for the lining of the pond and the division of it into two portions by a concrete wall. The total expenditure up to date- is a little over £700, and is within the estimate originally submitted to the Government.

At Napier last week a point cropped up in connection with a prosecution under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act for a breach of award. Mr Justice Chapman asked counsel for the prosecution why the inspector of factories had not taken steps to proceed against the employee as well as tiie masters. Dr Findlay pointed out that the act, while it made those who were not members of union? liable, did not peeially provide for individual unionists. The unions were apparently to be liable for their misdeeds. His Honor said that this appeared to be a detect in the act, and he thought a test case should be brought to settle the point. He also suggested that it might bo necessary to obtain a decision on the point whether the funds of the union, would be liable if a member committed a breach of award. It will be remembered that, at Jvaitangata in December last proceedings were brought by the Otago Coal Miners' Union against certain members for accepting a contract for hewing with the company, and that after hearing the case the court inflicted fines of £5 and costs. An appeal is now being made to the Supreme Court in the form of ai motion for a writ prohibiting the enforcement of the penalties on the ground that the Arbitration Court had no jurisdiction to make the order inflicting them, the men being members of the Otago Coal Miners' Union. The plaintiffs are Robert Statham, Albert Tripp, James C. Smith, Donald Cameron, and Christopher Vickers (for •whom Mr J. MacGregor is acting), and the defendants are J. B. Lindsay (inspector of factories) and A. Stubbs (clerk of awards).

A five-roomed house at Ratanui, owned •by Mr Jeremiah Callahan, and occupied by Mr Thomas M'Taggart, was destroyed by fire on Thursday afternoon, 28th ult., at 5 o'olock. Mr M'Taggart, who is employed on the railway extension, was at work, and his ,wife, taking their child, had gone to visit a neighbour after th» midday meal. Mr M'Taggart returned about ♦ 'o'clock, to find the place nearly consumed, only tho chimaiey standing, and that shortly fell with ■A crash. All their furniture and effects jmrere destroyed, the coup-le being left with aiothing but the clothes they stood in. A brother of Mr M'Taggart's, Mr R. M Tagr employed at White's sawmill, also lost clothing and personal effects, including several mementoes and records of his services in South Africa. Mrs M'Tagga-rfc says that when she left the house the kitchen fire was out, and it is 'conjectured that a spark from a neighbouring bush fire— there were several on the hills — set the hous» on fire. There was no insurance on the contents, but the house, was an.svue.cl for ££(}.Q.

Mr and Mrs M'Taggart estimate their loss at £200 — their all, in fact, — and much sympathy is felt for them. Tho engineer on the railway works (Mr Widdow&on) has started a subscription list, and the men are contributing cheerfully. It is thought, the people of Owaka may also do something towards relieving what is undoubtedly a case of genuine misfortune.

In his monthly memo, the Dunedin. City Missionary (Mr Duncan Wright) reported on the following matters to l«et week' 3 meeting of the committee : — (1) Through the thoughtful kindneas of helpers and friends he had at the Chri&fcmas time sent to several families seasonable cheer, which was gratefully received. (2) Notwithstanding that he was on holidays, he had assisted in services at Kelso and elsewhere, which brought him hearty thanks from pastors f.nd people. (3) Classes for Bible-reading in city State schools will be resumed this month at High Street, Union Street, Albany Street, George Street, and Arthur Street. In view of even larger classes than those of the past eight years, the printers have in hand 1500 attendance cards. Almanacs, hymn books, and magazines are now on the way from London, and all the preparations are nearly completed for the year's work. The missionary has in hand a large quantity of beautiful prize cards, Bibles, Teßinments, and wholesome literature. (4) During the last few weeks valued help has been given at Russell Street Hall on Sunday evenings by Mr Gam, Mr M'Lennan, Mr Goodman, Sister Evelyn, and the First Church Endeavourers, -and Mr G. Mirams ; and we have made a hopeful start for 1904. (5) Since returning to town the missionary has seen sick cases old people, dying ones, sud sick children. Words of cheer and prayer are always received with grateful thanks. (6) We hepe, if health bs granted, to have an active and useful year.

The Portobello Road Board notifies that the Anderson's Bay bridge is now closed for heav-y traffic.

The Otokia Drainage Board invites tenders for the scouring-out of certain, ditching along the Otokia-Maungatua road and Kirk's road.