OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 4

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

The Taranaki News saye it is rumoured that a deficit of £803 exists in the financesof the New Plymouth Exhibition. It is also stated that the guarantors have received notice to pay up 50 per cent, of their guarantee.

According to H. L. Macpherson. clerk in the New South Wales Treasury at a salary of £250 a year, who was examined in bankruptcy lasc week, his bankruptcy was caused by borrowing from money-lenders at exorbitant rates of interest. He had been borrowing from one to pay another, and could have paid back the moneys borrowed but for the rat© of interest. "He had paid as high as 240 per cent, to some of the moneylenders.

| The Treasurer of the Free Kindergarten j Association acknowledges receipt of the following subscriptions : —Mrs Eweu, £5 5s • Mra Collins (Queensland). £2 2s ; Mrs D. Hayne= Ferguson and Mitchell, Mr C. F. Greenl siade, and Thomson, Bridger. and Co £1 Is each ; Mrs Leslie. Han is, £1 ; ilrs C I Liggms and Mrs T. R. Fisher, 10s 6d each ; Hon. W. Bolt, Dr Colquhoun, and Mr John Stone, 10s each ; Mr E. A Wald°n Mr F. Z. Moore, and Mr H. Wise, 5s each ;' M., 2s 6d; A Friend, Is 6d. At the Christchurch "Children's Court" on Thursday, Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M. inquired what facilities existed for whipping boys who were convicted of offences, and the sub-inspector replied that the police, had a supply of rods suitable for all ages. Tha after hearing the evidence, remarked that- there was a tendency to 'deal too leniently with juvenile -culprits and' he issued an order that each of two small boys charged with stealing some bottles of aerated waters should receive six strokes with a birch rod. A commercial traveller with a -hiver m the cold pelting rain on Wednesday on a back-blocks road in Canterbury was just wishing for liquid refreshments when the quick-eyed driver noticed a parcel lying- on the road. Although the place was two miles from everywhere in a no-license district, the nareel proved to be a bottle of the best whisky. There was no clue to its owner and no police station within 29 miles at which found property should be left, and the two had much pleasure in treating the find as their own property. — Press. Several daylight robberies arc rcnorted [ from Merivale and other places in St. Alba vs 1 , Christ-church. It 13 stated that the perpetrators of the acts syo round to the residences offering articles for sale if there is anyone at home. If they find that the houses are empty they effect an entrance, or attempt to do so. In once case they stole some flannel shirts* and other articles of small value, but missed about £33 in ca«h. The money had bßen left in a drawer, which was locked, and they did not trouble to open it. They were seen coming out- of one house by a lady, who l'ecognised them. A recent parliamentary return siiow* the number of convictions for sly grog-?ellinc amount of fines inflicted, amount 'paid frl fines, and the rewards paid to people instrumental in obtaining the convictions in. each electorate. Egmont, winch includes portions of the King Country, is the most disreputable enstituency. for during the 12 months ended 30th June last 81 coin ictions for this offence -were obtained: fln.es were inflicted totalling £485, of which £390 was paid, and the authorities naid £150 10s in reward. After Egmont comes Ashburton, with 15 convictions, carrying £270 in fines, of which £50 went uneolleeted. while the reward (fund was drawn on to the extent of £39. Mataura was the next delinquent the convictions in that district numbering 12. but all the fines, totalling £155 fe. wore paid. The rjremium for the^e c.v iciions was £21. No convictions of =ly-°rng<rers were recorded in Slouth Canterbury.