LOcAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 32

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The Alexandra Herald learns that th« Cipgo Central railway camp at Chatto Creek will be shifted to the proposed site from O maka v t f^he Tf™ *~ of the men havl k! W * eks ' time " M <** Galloway" Fla^^eT J^w V° "S tho different places alon» +h ' ftnd qu ite f£? "£ IW the contractor for the Manuherik^ budge (firsi crossing), has had to cea*e wo-t r g tO * he non - ar »val of the maierial { GF the construction of the bridge. Lord and Lady Plunket the other dav> molored into a country township ( sa y S ib.ab .a Ohnstehurch Press), and drew up at an establishment which used to be an hotel prior to the passing of reduction. The lady who came to the door was asked whether the building was an hotel, and after answer. itig m the negative she inquired in all good faith if *h e party in the motor was the tceatncal troupe which was e.-pected to give a play that evening. Amid a good deal of merriment an explanation was made, r,nd profuse apologies were offered. After a little friendly conversation the lady effected the sale of an educated parrot for a good round sum to th- party, which conveyed its purchase away in the car.

iMr Glidden, who recently journeyed thiough New Zealand on his motor car fjur roimd the world., is enthusiastic about iiie colony in hi s fetters to the Boston Sunday Globe. Referring to the scenery, he writes:— "Six monxhs could be profitably spent in this land, which I have christened ' The Last of Creation.' No trip round the world is complete with New Zealand omitted '—and at the end of his letter, '- it is no exaggeration to say of New Zealand that nowhere in the world is there a greater variety of scenery In so small a space, Nature's wonders following each other in quick succession alt the way from Auckland to ihe Bluff, an air-line distance of 1100 miles."

Senator Staniform Smith, who has recently visited the German settlements in New Guinea, New Britain, etc., writes i» the Sydney Daily Telegraph that Mr» Kolbe, of Herbortshohe, is the most re-

inarkablc business woman he has ever n\et. She has 1000 employees, a huge plantation

of 3000 acres, a number of trading and

recruiting vessel*. wholesale and retail stores, etc. She arrives at the office eaily in a rickshaw, drawn By two natives, and

surrounded by her clerks directs the whole ramifications of this vast business with the most consummate skill, as the magnificent success of her business amply proves, while

in her beautiful bungalow residence no more

charming hostess could be found. The husband, who is a German officer, interests

himself chiefly in the plantations. Herbertshohe is the capital of the island new known as New Pomerania (New Britain). It is &ituated en Blanche Bay, at the meating point of the cocoa nut plantations owned respectively by the Kolbes and the German, New Guinea Company. Business starts at

7 a.m., and carried en until 11 o'clock, jivhen all business places are closed for breakfast. The inhabitants then enjoy a siesta until 1 o'clock, when business is resumed until 5 o'clock. New Britain, which is flat, is provided with admirable roads. Great success is said to have been obtained by a Milanese physician, Professor Levi, in the treatment of consumption, by sub-cutaneoua injection of iodine. The treatment is based on a new -way -which hs has discovered of so preparing > the iodine that it shall retain its maximum antiseptic

and curative powers when introduced into the blood. It appears that ordinary iodine, ' owing to a combination which it forms with the alkaline of the blood,, was practically ineffective against the germs of the disease. Professor Levr tried bis method first: on a. number of animals suffering from tuberculosis, aneE the results were so satisfactory that he proceeded to apply it to human patients. Many of these hare been oxamined by a. commission of doctors, who have aided their study of tne cure ly making autopsies on some of the animals ■ treated. A telegram from Milan states that Professor Levi has " already received several offers from foreign countries for the secret of his remedy^ which he will probably accept in order to make the discovery more widely known." ;VThe Kaikoura correspondent of the i Christchurch Press states that another famous Maori chief, Hoani Te Wanakau Tapiha, died last week. He was 73 years old, and was the chief of Nga Tipaka and Nga Ti Maru tribes. He has left manuscripts pertaining to Maori legends and. ; battles, which wUI prove of inestimable value, as he knew every detail of Maori history for hundreds of years back. The position of organist of Knox Church", Dunedin, has, we are informed, been offered to and accepted by Mr W. Paget Gale, at present organist of Napier Cathedral. The secretary of the Shipwrecked Relief Society (Mr H. D. Grace) informs us that* his Worship the Mayor has donated £5 to the funds, and that his Honor Mr Justice! Williams has allowed his contribution of £5 to also go to the funds. Further donations have been received as follow: — The | Most Rev. the Primate. £2 2s, and Ms> lA. Beaver £1 Is. It is anticipated thsti

ethers who have contributed to the relief fund for the crew of the Anjou will permit their contributions to be applied to the society's funda. Mr A. M. Barnett, headmaster of the Upper Junction School, foriwarded on behalf of the school ohildren the sum. of 6s, which the children had (subscribed by penny donations for the assistance of the French sailors, but which they had since decided by a unanimous vote should be handed over to the society.

The Her. Father Hays was received on Ifce West Coast with perhaps even greater enthusiasm than in this part of the island. His mission concluded at Greymouth on the 18th. He will arrive in ©unedin on the 24th inst., and will deliver Rn address in the Garrison Hall on Thursday, 25th, at 8 p.m. Reserved seats can he (secured at the Dresden Piano Company's Depot, and at A. Ohiaroni's, Princes street, opposite- Post Office.

Mr D. Reid, M.H.R. for Taieri, adifiressed the Green Island electors at the "Volunteer Hall on Friday. There was a good attendance, including a fair sprinkling of ladies. The Mayor of Green Island presided. Mr Reid'e. speech was on the lines of those already reported. He was favourably received and frequently applauded. Only one question was asked, end on that being answered a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Reid on the motion of Mr C. Samson, seconded by Mr H. Harraway.

We have to acknowledge the following

donations to the Young Scotchman's Fund: W. T. C, ss; Loch Lomond, ss. Mr J. .Craig, of Owaka, while forwarding 10s, adds that if the subscriptions do not come in freely he is willing to give another 10s.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Otago Educational Institute was held at the Technical School on Saturday morning, ' when there was a small attendance. Mr A. M. Barnett presided. The question of whether there was any reason why the branch should continue to exist was discussed, the consensus of opinion being that its career ought to be continued and, if possible, enlivened by a series of winter Saturday lectures or something of the kind. Regret- was expressed that young teachers showed little disposition to come forward and take an interest in the affairs of tEe branch. Mr A. Marshall was elected president and Mr G. F. Booth re-elected secretary, Messrs Smeaton, Marshall, Booth, M'Donald, Barnett and Davidson Being elected a 'Committee of Management. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of £4 135." The alleged persistent persecution of a~ lady teacher by a member of the committee of the country school of which she was mistress was considered a matter on which advice and, if necessary, legal action should be taken.

The Hospital returns for the past week enow that at the beginning of the week there were 101 patients in the institution, and that during that period 25 patients were admitted and a like number discharged, while the deaths in the institution of Chin Tai, Aaron Johnston, and Elizabeth Moffat are reported, the present number of patients being 98.

On Thursday afternoon (says the North ©tago Times) Mr D. H. Jennings examined ■the teeth of 80 children at the Oama.ru Middle School, the intention being that the result should be communicated to the Dental Conference, shortly to be held in "Wellington. Mr Jennings found only one sound set of teeth among the 80 children, one more had been made sound by the attentions of a dentist, and several more might easily be made sound with a little •work, but in a large number of oases the molars were in a bad condition, and in the rest green stain was very apparent.

A meeting of the Waihemo Domain Board ■was held at Palmerston on Saturday; present—Messrs J. Ross (chairman), G. Clark, D. Ross, R. Cameron, T. Muir, D. M. Philip, and W. E. Griffin. The Chairman reported having interviewed Mr Hugh Fraser regarding an entrance to his property (section 75 block IV, Moeraki), and that correspondence on the matter was still proceeding. Mr Philip brought up the question of the acquirement of an area adjacent to I*&lmerston. for the purposes of a, recreation ground. The Chairman said that so far the committee appointed to inquire into this matter had done nothing 1 . Accounts for the preparation of leases and for work done amounting to £2 6s 6d were passed for payment.

The secretary to the New Zealand Battleship Fund has received a letter from Lord Ranfurly asking for suggestions in connection with the design of the presentation ehield, bell, and album. In case there were plates upon it available for the purpose he asked what ports could be represented. He understood that £500 would be quite enough for the prizes. The secretary to the fund telegraphed to Mr Seddon asking him to cable to i,ord Ranfurly as follows: — T< Inscribe on bell, gunnery shield, and album: 'Presented by the school children of New Zealand.' Leave other details to you" Photos Wellington, Auckland, Lytteltoiv and Port CKalmers posted."

A nice point in Customs administration is now being considered by the department. A. Christchurch. confectioner (says the jLytfcelton Times) imported a quantity of seductive Continental sweets, described generally as chocolate liqueurs. The Customs authorities held that he should pay duty on the alcohol they contained as well as on the confectionery part of them, and after considerable delay the confectioner has paid the duty demanded, pending aa " interpretation.'*

Consumption, which is still very prevalent among the Maori people, carried off a young girl at Puketeraki last week. A tangi was held, being attended by a- number of Natives from different parts, and the funeral took plaoe on Saturday afternoon.

At a meeting held at Tapanui on Friday evening- it was decided to urge the Government to construct 12 miles of the EdievaleRoxburgh extension through the Moa Flat Estate. It was also resolved to approach the Minister of Railways with a request that the rates for goods on the Tapanui branch line should 'be reduced, failing- -which the business people threaten to have their goods carried by traction engines.

Of the 10 locomotives that are being supplied to the Railway Department by Messrs A. and G. Price, of Thames, eight have already been delivered, the ninth will b« delivered next week, and th© tenth in July. This is very satisfactory work (says the New Zealand Times), inasmuch as the contract time for final delivery was December, 1905, and this enterprising firm will have given delivery of 10 locomotives, manufactured entirely within the colony, five months before the expiry of the-, contract time.

At the service held at the Ashburton Baptist Church on Sunday night the Rev. Dr Watson, in speaking of the days prior to thethe Deluge, affirmed (says the Mail) that from the time of Adam to Noah there was no " actin " in the atmosphere, and hence no corruption or fermentation. Alcohol, therefore, was an unknown quantity, and when sceptics sneered at the Bible for its statement that Noah was a perfect man, and yet recorded that he indulged in drink to the point of intoxication, such critics dad not know what they were talking about. What actually happened was that the juice of the grape before the flood had an entirely harmless effect, for no mattta how long it was kept, there would never be fermentation, and the alcoholic properties were always absent. The atmospheric conditions entirely changed at and after the Deluge, and, in complete ignorance of how the new order of things affected the grape juice, in all innocence the patriarch drank as usual, with the deplorable result stated in the Bcok of Genesis.

At Hampden on Thursday, before Messrs W. Murcott and J. Donaldson, J.P.s, on the information ..of Mr Ryan, the Education Board's truant inspector, William Wright was fined 5s and 7s costs for a breach of the School Attendance Act. Before Messrs W. H. Ros=e and James Cogney, J.P.s, at Oamaru on Friday, the following convictions were obtained by the truant officer: — George Wright, Kakauui, fined 5s and 7s costs on each of four in-

foimations; Frederick Sands, Kakanui, fined 4s with 7s costs on two informations ; Archibald Beaton, fined 2s and 7s coats on each of two informations.

The New Cathedral Board publishes in Monday's Daily Times the first list of subscriptions towards the building fund of the new cathedral amounting to over £5000. About half this sum has been received, and the remainder is payable during the next three years or longer at the convenience of subscribers. The second list will appear shortly.

We have received the following donations to the Young Scotchman's Fund: — "Yoag," 2s 6d; John Duncan, Corner Bush, Merton, £1.

At the District Court, Naseby, on Monday, before Mr F. W. Hart, registrar, the matter of the petition of Thomas Morgan, of Cambrians, to have John Ewing, of St. Bathans, miner, adjudicated bankrupt, came up again in the form of a motion to fix the amount of security for costs of an appeal to the Supreme Court. Mr J. R. Kirk appeared in support of the. motion, and Mr Ewing conducted his own case. Tho security was fixed at £20. The question as to whether the registrar was right in dismissing the petition on the point mentioned in his judgment will now be brought before the Supreme Court.

Some adverse) public comment has been made on the action cf two J.P.s who sat at the Police Court on Friday last and dismissed a clearly proved charge of obstruction and assault on a railway stationmaster. Tho assault ami obstruction were admitted by the accused and his counsel, and tho evidence disclosed that the complainant was struck several blows and had his. hat knocked on to the line merely because he stood in the way of a man who was alleged to be semi-intoxicated and who was en«leavouring to get on a train when it was in motion. The excuse put forward for the obstruction and assault was that the accused had previously been annoyed with an acting railway guard, who delayed giving him a ticket after he had paid his fare on the train. One of the justices, we understand, was in favour of a conviction and a fine, but his fellow justice would not consent to this on the ground that if a conviction was recorded the accused would "lose hie billet," and the charge was therefore dismissed, the reason put forward being that as j ecu? ed had apologised after striking the railway official such apology should have 1-ecn accepted as sufficient.

The treasurer of tho North-East V-"-r Borough is to be congratulated on his cess in his loan flotation, as iv was announced on Monday at the meeting of the North-East Valley Council that offers at par had to be declined for the borough's 4£ per cent, debentures. The loan wae largely oversubscribed, and procuration foes were saved in consequence of tho flotation being effected bjf th» tisasuier.

Our Gore correspondent telegraphs that a public meeting was held there on Monday to arrange a welcome for the Rev. Father Hays, who speaks there on Friday. A number of the conveners are Roman Catholics.

—At a special meeting of the Dunedin Fanciern' Club, held at Messrs Grace and Wilson's rooms, Princes street, on Monday, revised rules as submitted by a speciallyappointed connnitree were considered and passed, with suggested alterations, and it was resolvod to print same and to supp'y th«an to member* .»t 3d per copy.

Sir Alfred Harmsworth has turned the proprietorship of the Daily Mail, with the Evening News", the Overseas Mail, the Illustrated Mail, and the Weekly Despatch, into a limited company, with a capital of £1,600.000, of which £300,000 represents buildings and works. The shares are all to be £1 each, and 5 per cent, is offered for cumulative preference and 7 per cent, for cumulative ordinary. The vendors take 500,000 deferred £1 shares as part of the purchase money. The accountants, Dcloitte and Co., declare that the profits on the above properties, before charging incomo tax, directors' fees, and interest, amount to £152,000 a year. There has been a great rush for shares, for the Amalgamated Press — a company which took up 20 or 30 of Sir Alfred's smaller publications — has proved a great success. Sinoa 1896 that combination has distributed £1,386,172 in dividends. It has also built up a reserve fund of £175,000, and all this on a capital of £1,050,000. Whatever the Harmsworths undertake seems to be phenomenally successful. Their rivai, Mr Peareon, is also making his mark in journalistio literature. He has now swung his latest purchase Hie St.mcJard, into line with the Chamberlain fiscal party. It is no longer a Frcetrade organ-

Wo have received the following additional subscriptions on behalf of the " Yoimg" Scotchman" Fund: — Ralph Ewing, £1 Is;

•M. J.," 4s; Two Friends, 10s; D. R. W. Ovenden, £1 Is; A. M., 10s; W. S., Dunedin, ss.

A correspondent sends us the following extract from the British Medical Journal : — "In Cuba recently, several deaths having occurred as a consequence of an overdose of one or the other proprietary medicines, the Cuban Government determined to adopt some means of preventing, as far as possible, any recurrence of these mishaps. Ultimately an old Spanish law was revived, whioh required that the formula of every nostrum should be printed on the label of the bottle in which it is sold. The manufacturers of American medicines brought every possible pressure to bear on the Cuban authorities to repeal the law, but the latter were firm, and declined to do so. Ultimately, as the result of representation and pressure, the Cuban Government conceded that instead of the formula being printed on the label it should be filed with the Cuban Government, which undertook to keep it secret. This is exactly the concession Sir Joseph Ward has offered, and it would be interesting to know if he has followed the Cuban precedent. Be,j that as it may, the American manufacturers cannot very well offer any valid ■ objection to deposit their formulas with the New Zealand Government if they already repose a similar confidence in the Government of Cuba. In Cuba, moreover, a condition of the concession is : if the formula shows cause for belief that tho remedy is dangerous, its sale is hedged with suitable precautions." Our readers will remember that the British manufacturers of patent medicines declined to send their preparations to New Zealand if they were required to lodge their formulae with the Government, and that Sir Joseph Ward — commendably, we think — agreed to a niodification of the regulation which required the lodging of a patent medicine formula only if the manufacturer were called upon to do so.