LOCAL & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 64

LOCAL & GENERAL

The mails which were despatched from i Wellington for the Continent of Europe and the United Kingdom, via Naptas, on Juno 14, arrived in London on the after- ; noon of the 22nd inst. j The heavy north-east wind which has S prevailed has produced unexpected results at j the Heads, a short distance in rear of the ; lighthouse. The fine white sand along j the base of the cliffs on the seaward side I has been driven across the saddle in a steady stream, covering a space of about 50 acres to a depth of a foot or more. This patch, situated about half a mile nearer the Heads than the long-faaniliar stretch 'of sandy waste below the Kaik, is plainly "visible from Port Chalmers, and havmg covered the grass to a. substantial depth, is regarded as a serious lo9S to the residents living in the track of the drift. In all gold-producing countries there is a j see-saw between mining end agriculture, ! and it is refreshing to find the mining 1 fraternity stating tihat there is something \ else besides gold woith -working and living j for. A gentleman prominent in mining j circles was heard to declare a<t a meeting on the 23rd that mining was all very well in Australia, where gold was distributed on ,j a level, but here the precious metal went : up and down like the billows, appearing . and disappearing like a Will o' the wisp. New Zealand was, however, more than i compeiftated by varied scenery and wea- { ther, a vigorous, thriving population, and ■ a most superior agricultural industry, j Shareholders, he said, when disappointed . with dredging results should console themselves with this reflection. The garden at Lhe southern end of the j Publio Art' Gallery begins to present a' creditable appearance, as the shrubs have been planted and the" flower-plots defined. Along tb,e railway fence a row of Oriental planes has been planted, and between every . two of them there has been planted a young- ; ra.ta.- As fche raias eventually grow to a j large size they are not very suitable for,i an ordinary shrubbery, but where planted, ] even when large trees, they will not be. out of place, and when covered with their crim- ! son flowers should form a pleasing feature. | The southern apex of the reserve has been j planted with native shrubs, mingled with a j fe~w flowering exotics, such as lilaos and 1 others, which will serve to brighten the | plot when in bloom. The shrubbery is j .continued in a narrow belt round the back, ! and the front part, which is left open, will be sown with grass. In the grass will be placed three flower-beds, the larger of , which will have as a centre-piece one of j the flowering crab-apples, surrounded by j plants of the handsome Hydrangea paniou- J lata gramdiflora, whilst lower-growing [ flowers will form the outside border. In ' order to give some diversity from other . reserves, a clump of bamboos will be intro- , duoed near the northern end, and in the ' course of a few years this reserve should ; become one of the prettiest in the city. ; The work is being carried out, by Mr Tan- I nock at the sole expense of the Amenities j Sooiety. i An agreement has been entered into between the Slaughtermen's Union of Workers and the proprietors of the Burnside ! Freezing Works (the Ohrietchurch Moat \ Company). This agreement is identical in all respects* with the one' arrived at between the Canterbury workers and the Canterbury Frozen Meat and Produce Export Company and the Christohuroh Meat Company. We understand that a proposal is on foot | for the federation of the Slaughtermen's ; Unions of New Zealand. The proposal has emanated from Wellington, where a conference is likely to be held at an early date. The Otago Slaughtermen' 6 Union has approved of the federation, and intends to be represented at the conference. At the meeting of the Art Gallery Trustees on the 23rd it was announced that debentures issued and cheques received came to £2400; payments to contractor to £4400; amount still owing, £1679; and } balance to credit, £1491 19s lOd. Eleotrio j lighting and furnishing are, however, yet to bo financed, but when this and other items have been provided for by the trustees there will be a debit balance of about £1000. Circulars asking for aid have been issued broadcast, and responses seem to be flowing in freely. For certain reasons the Wakari Rifle Defence Cadets stfsie two months ago disbanded. A naw company has now been formed, with a new staff of officers, Captain C. H. Thompson, who has had South African and other experience, being in command. The other officers are Lieuts. j Blandford and Gray. At the present time i the company has a strength of only 20 privates, but recruits are coming in steadily, and there is every prospect of the company in a reasonable time gaining its full complement, or nearly so, of members, which i 6i 6 63. The committee of the Dunedin Centre St John AmbuUnce Association met on the 24 th inst., when there was a full attendance 5 of members. SVe secretary reported that there were about 500 students attending fcho Dunedin and suburban classes; also that the following classes were in full '. swing in the country districts: — Inver- / cargill (three classes), Mataura, 'Riversdale, f Lumsden, Ba!eit*2?&, Owaka, Clinton, Kaitangata, Wait^ii, Furakanui, Hampden, Palmerston, Het^srt, Kakanui, Kurow, and Oamaru. Good classes are in progress at Maori Hill and Ravensbouriie, and two classes are in course of formation in Caverfiham. District nurse's work was reported upon, aod l^ie committee expressed great l satisfaction &9k. Nuree Barclay's labours, j

Th« action of the chairman and secretary in granting the use of the rooms for meetings of the Trained Nureee' Association "^as approved. Regret was expressed that their portion of the promised subsidy on Hospital Saturday collection taken up in December last had not yet been paid. This places the centre in an embarrassed financial position. It is hoped that ere long the amount will be forthcoming. A considerable amount of correspondence was read, and the secretary's action on various matters was endorsed. The business of the evening showed that the centre is in a very live condition. A proposal by the Horticultural Sooiety to erect a. fountain in the centre of one of the Art Gallery halls when rented for a show oame before the Art Gallery trustees at their meeting on the 23rd. It was pointed out that no damage could possibly be done to the flooring by the apparatus playing, as no water would be spilt, and also that, the aperture left by the fountain when not in use could % be neatly covered by a small trap-door. It was finally decided that the fountain was admissible, but only as far as the smaller hall was concerned. On being approached on. the subject of a goods train being run at night to Invercargill, the Traffic Superintendent at Dunedin- stated that he could not recommend any alteration in the service, as the present schedule is quite sufficient to meet all present requirements. According to latest reports from Preservation Inlet it would appear that a substantial revival in the gold-mining industry is about to take place in that interesting and picturesque locality. A quartz reef is to be exploited at Cuttle Cove, for which purpose the steamer ftimu landed a large quantity of machinery at Cromarty last week, and also took some machinery, etc., for the sluicing claim at Guloh's Head, where come very fine samples of gold are said to have been obtained. A recent visitor to the locality states that he is of opinion that mining will probably boom down there shortly. It is understood that & good deal of Australian capital has been put into the new venture, which it is hoped will turn out more successful than its predecessors. A colonist, aged 69, claims that he has a complaint against the parish authorities of his native place, in Argyleshire. He unburdened himself to the Benevolent Trustees on the 24th. It appears that when asked on a previous occasion if he was married he replied in the, negative, and Gent to Argykshire to prove his statement. The authorities there, -however, wrote back to say that he was married, and enclosed a- copy of the certificate. This, of course, complicated matters, put the old man in a false position, and delayed things generally. Yesterday afternoon, however, it came to light that the parish authorities had made a mistake. The marriage certificate was not his, but that of another of the same name, who is at present in Scotland. The colonist accordingly left the room with his veracity completely vindicated. A correspondent at Luggate states that Mr C. A. Tomlinson, the well-known tourist photographer of Christchurch, who recently secured such a fine set of pictures of the Haaet Valley, arrived at Luggate on Sunday night, after a very successful trip round Lake Hawea and through the Hunter Valley, Highburn, and Dingle country — the honw of the red deer. Mr Tomlinson is much charmed with the views, the mountains being all heavily coated with srow, adding much to the beauty of the photographs. The country is admitted by stalkers from all parts of the world to be equal, if not better, than any other red deer country in the world. Mr Tomlinson is of opinion that the Government should build two large hutsone in the Dingle, and one in the Hunter Valley. These would secure accommodation for stalkers before going to camp, and form a base. At present stalkers and the attendants have to put up with a lot of inconvenience, having to depend upon occupied huts of private holders. Mr Gunn has had as many as 17 deer stalkers and their guides camped in the small Dingle hut at once. Mr Tomlinson expects to visit Mount Aspiring before returning to- Christchurch. Among the applicants for relief at tho meeting of the Benevolent Trustees on the 24th was an able-bodied sea-faring man stranded in Dunedin. He stated that he was a native of this city, but as he had not visited it for 19 years he found himself a stranger. He had recently been discharged from a steamer, and had been unable to get employment. When asked why he had not saved money during his voyages he raid he had been roaming the world like a rolling stone, gathering neither moss nor money. The application was declined. The Labour Day Association, at its meeting on the 24tih passed a resolution of sympathy with the widow and mother of the late Mr George Pearoe, who was one of the past presidents of the association. Mr Pearce occupied that position on the last occasion . on which Labour Day was observed with a procession in Dunedin. Liberal promises of support have Been accorded the promoters of the proposed Otago Trawling Company, which so far bids fair to bo floated privately. It » proposed to start with a capital of £12,000, shares to half that amount having been so far applied for during the past week. It is confidently expected that the remainder of the shares will be placed in a few days, and a meeting will be hold in Dunedin this week to form the company and make the

necessary arrangements to procure an. up-to-date trawler. The latter is expected to cost about £10,000, delivered "here, and the balance of the capital will be reserved to establish markets at the Various towns along the coast, and to cover initial expenses whilst the project is being firmly pushed to a successful issue. We are informed that the abolition of the duty on imported British motor cars will make a difference of over £40 in the price of even a small car. It seems that the day when the use of the automobile will be general is not, after all, so very far off. i The 860 ft of main drive at the main drainage and sewerage outfall at Lawyer's Head was completes on the 25th. Good progress is being made with the two bifurcations. The concrete lining of the main drive will be started next week. j At the annual meeting of _ the Roslyn Presbyterian congregation on the 25th the Rev. J. Chisholm, following up , the text which refers to a city set on a hill, drew attention to the fact that Roslyn was eet on a bill, and that, being so situated, it .ought .to strive to be an example to places of less elevation. The minister went on to demonstrate that Roslyn had done good work, and that within the last five years the Presbyterians residing there had raised for church purposes no less than £5383 15s lOd. The position of the church, he thought, was such that its members ought to be thankful and take courage. At a special meeting of the Dunedin Coachbuilders and Wheelwrights' Industrial Union of Workers, held on the 25th. it was decided to file an application before the Arbitration Court for a new award. At an ' extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in the Burnside Hydraulic Lime and Cement Company- on the 25tb *, resolution, passed at a. previous meeting was confirmed. The resolutiou made changes in the articles of association in order to bring them up to date with the increase of capital passed still earlier. The fourth shipment of the machinery purchased from the Wellington and Marlborough Cement Company is expected to leave Pioton toda^-. The first three shipments arrived in splendid condition, and are now at Burnside. The capital was increased from £6000 to £21,000, and as soon as the fresh capital is subscribed the company • will make a start with its operations. It would appear from certain remarks made at Roslyn «n the 25th by the Rev. J. Chisholm, that among the many people who have taken up their 'residence in that suburb of late comparatively few are Presbyterians. A member of the congregation called attention to the number "of new arrivals, and to the many new houses already erected and in course of construction. Why, he asked, had not the church membership increased in an equal ratio? The minister replied that he had also noted the progressive increase in population. He had made it his business to call on the newcomers, and he could assure his floek N that the only reason they did not attend the Presbyterian Church was that they were not Presbyterians. -V Great hopes are expressed concerning tho possibility of commencing a remunerative industry in connection with the kaolin or pottery clay deposits at New Plymouth, and there is a strong possibility of a company being floated to work the same. We understand that the deposits are easy of access, and enough has already been done to show that they are extensive; the white clay has never been bottomed, and the yellow clay is in a seam 3ft deep. Kaolin forms an important ingredient in the manufacture of porcelain, and is often known as china clay. Large quantities are raised in Cornwall, where it is frequently termed " Cornish clay." Kaolin is almost invariably a product of the alteration of felspar, and is therefore always found in association with felspathic rocks, usually granite. A good deal of apparatus is required to treat the clay, and if a company is formed to exploit the present deposits [t will require to have a large capital in order to set up the necessary machinery. A rather amusing story has been circulated concerning a country farmer who recently brought his wife and only daughter to Dunedin to see the sights. Observing by advertisements that a theatrical company was performing nightly, and also that tickets were to be purchased at a local tobacconist's, the ladies commissioned the farmer to obtain tickets for the production. The gentleman sallied forth, and after inquiring several times was directed to the tobacconist's shop, where he demanded . "three- 3s tickets." The6e were handed over, and ho placed them in hie pocketbook and returned to his wife and daughter. In the evening the three proceeded to the theatre, but when the tickets were presented the farmer found to his amazement that instead of having theatre tickets he was the holder of three three-section tram tickets 1 Needless to say, the mistake wag soon rectified. | The annual movable conference of the M.U.1.0.0.F. was this year held afc Folkestone, where a week was busily passed in | business anef pleasure. Over 1000 delegates and their friends were officially welcomed by the Mayor. On tTie Sunday a grand church parade was held, and a powerful sermon was delivered, by the Primate, the , Archbisho.p of Canterbury. Reference to the occasion was also made in the other pulpite of the seaside town. Large subjects were discussed by the conference, among J these being old-a^e pension*. During ;j,he.

week excursions were made to Boulogne, Dover, and Canterbury. Many notable addresses were delivered, and the dieplay was altogether an impressive one." The report of the proceedings fills eight Urge pages of a special edition of the local newspaper. A youth named Alfred Leonard Blue, who is alleged to be an abeconder from the Burnham Industrial School, was arrested at Fomahaka on the 25th by Detective Hunt on a charge of having, between the sth and the 12th inst., broken into the dwelling of Hugh Webb (Hindon), and stolen, therefrom 24- £l-notes, two sovereigns, one gold ring, one gold nugget pin, one hair watch guard, and one set of gold studs and s'eeve links. He will be brought before the Police Court this morning. Old identities almost believed the past had come again when yesterday afternoon a brewer's dray was bogged to the axles near the heart of the city. The scene was the Upper Dowling street cutting, up which miry incline the drayman urged his horse 3in vain. Before the summit was reached the vehicle stuck "fast and could not be moved either forward or back. Th« leader was unhitched and harnessed to the rear -of . the dray, and was made to pull down hill while the other horses strained at the breeching. Eventually the ponderous vehicle was reluctantly hauled from its miry bed. The Otago 'Acclimatisation Society yesterday afternoon decided to expend a sum not exceeding £50 in erecting additional weirs -in the upper reaches of the Water of Leith. The society's revenue, the chairman stated, was to a very large extent derived from fishing licenses, and the bulk of those licenses were taken out in the city. The sport of a large number was limited to the Water of Leith, and it would be a serious thing for the sooiety if no fishing was t-6 be had there. It vu therefore necessary that the Leith 'e&ouM be made in every sense of the word a fishable stream. Particular attention has been paid by the Ghrietchureh Agricultural' Labourers', Union to the lot of the married couple, and the copy of the schedule placed, before the Otago Farmers' Union yesterday contains the . following clause concerning them.— "Married couples, if both are required to work, shall- be paid aa follows : — Man, £1 7s 6d per week; wife, if cook, 15s per week for four men and 2s per week extra for each person over four, and if required to bake, £1 a week. Married couples shall receive, free of rent or other charges, a house, coal or firewood, and shall be allowed to keep a horse and trap on terms to be arranged, which shall not exceed Is per week. Scale of rations to be arranged between employer and employee! If husband ie required to harvest, then his wages shall be those of a harvester." Some discontent has been felt in certain districts because the railway freight for hares is in excess of that on rabbits, although in these places the hare is regarded as more of a pest than his poor relation, the bunny. Mr Hugh Mitchell has been making inquiries into the matter, and reported the results of his investigations to the Farmers' Union last evening 1 . The outcome is that the railway authorities are to be asked to rate hares as rabbits from districts where the former have been declared a nuisance. . That there are at least two sides to every question is evidenced by the fact that while the Acclimatisation and other societies are urging the destruction of stoats and weasels, many practical farmers regard them as a good thing, which they cannot have too much of. At the meeting of the Otago Farmers' Union last evening a jresolution was to h»nd from the Paimerston Branch, strongly objecting to the wholesale destruction of stoats and weasels. The resolution also included hawks, so it seems the farmers are extending their protection to the "pirates of the air." In this week's Outlook the Rev. A. Cameron acknowledges the receipt of a. handsome donation of £100 from "A Terauka. Farmer," per the Rev. C. Macdonald, in aid of the Theological College Building Fund. We have been handed the sum of £7 19s, representing the result of the subscription of small evjms by miners in New Zealand! to mark their appreciation of the heroio work performed by Diver Hughes a fewmonths ago in rescuing the entombed miner, Varisohetti, at the Westralia mine, Bonnievale, near Coolgardie. This sum is made up of contributions from the following .sources: — Seddonville coal miners, Westport, £1 13s; Taitapu gold miners, Taitapu, £1 15s; Brunner and Tymeside coal miners, Greymouth, £2 ss; Puponga coal miners, Nelson, £2 6s. The ordinary meeting of the Otago Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Association was held at the offices of Messrs Hugh Mitchell and Co. yesterday afternoon. The seoretary submitted a statement of insurances to date, amounting to £6525 since last meeting. The secretary of the Wyndham branch wrote requesting that the seoretary would attend the next meeting of the branch. A good deal of routine business was transacted, and the directors cx Ipressed great satisfaction at the progress made. Mr W. Grey, of Miiburn, was reappointed chairman for the ensuing 12 months. The popular idea that flourmilling as carried on in New Zealand under the' shadow of the Flourmillers' Association is an exceedingly profitable industry appears to -be discounted in the report current in commercial circles of the private

by a »oe»l flourmiller of hie estate to bis creditors. It is rumoured thmt the liabilities run into fire figures, and several of the leading houses in the grain trade are said to be creditors to the time of four figures. It is reported that this state of affairs has been precipitated owing to the high price- at which wheat is offering in comparison with the present price of flour; indeed, it is stated that millers purchasing wheat at ruling rates and turning it into v flour stand to lose anything from £1 to £1 10s per ton on the transaction. Already two or three of the smaller mills in the north have signified their intention of closing- down rather than continuing to deliver flour at the present price, end it is currently alleged that several of the southern molls will be compelled to follow suit shortly. On the other hand, the larger mills who hold stocks of wheat bought on more favourable terms some time back decline to increase their output except at a substantial premium. The present iposition of the flourmilling trade is probably quite unique, and subsequent developments will be watched with interest. The premises of the Otago Agricultural Hall Company which include His Majesty's Theatre and the Victoria Hall liaye been purchased by Messrs John iFnller and Sons. Technically speaking, in the event of the theatre being sold the A. and P. Society is entitled to the first offer of it; but. no opposition is expected from this source. The purchase price has not been disclosed, as certain formalities have yet to be gone through before the sale is completed. It is, however, understood that the transfer will be effected without difficulty. Dr Ogston, District Health Officer, returned to town on Saturday, July 27, after a visit to the Bluff in connection . with matters sanitary, and to Rive-rton in connection with an epidemic of diphtheria; also to Queenstown where- a case of diphtheria required looking into. Twenty-nine patients were admitted to the Hospital during last week, while 29 were discharged, and two deaths occurred . — Elizabeth ■ Mackie and George Smith. The total number of patients remaining at the institution is 117. After a good deal of delay and correspondence, Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., has finally succeeded in obtaining for Evansdale a telephone office and bureau. This convenience will be much valued by the people interested in stock sales and by the public generally. { A lengthy discussion ensued at the meeting of the Otago Employers' Association on July 26 in regard to the prevention of strikes. It was generally concede** #n*t the workers' unions could, it they wished, prevent strikes, and as they had in, the past given no quid pro quo for the benefits derived from the working of the Industrial ! Conciliation and Arbitration Act, it was held thmt the responsibility of strikes should be thrown on the unions. This means a return to the original act of 1894, where employers and unions., were liable to" a penalty not exceeding £500 for aiding or abetting strikes or lockouts. The matter is being referred to the Employers' Federation with a view, to its being \ brought before Parliament. ] The Chief Postmaster advises us that cards ornamented with tinsel, mica, powdered glass, or similar substances are refused transmission through the post unless enclosed in covers. If not so enclosed they will be sent to the Dead Letter Office. An interesting letter "was brought before the Southland Education Board on July 26 by the department. The chairman of the Timaru School Committee drew attention to the fact that for four or five years that school had been immune from epidemics, *ad he attributed this to their method of sweeping. Instead of merely whieking the dust up. into the air, to settle again on walls and ledges, they ussd sawdust damped, with a solution of Little's dip. The «chool was thus thoroughly cleaned •ad disinfected at the came time. Mr Crosby Smith remarked that the idea was an excellent one, and at his suggestion it was decided to have the letter printed and circulated amongst school commitees. An important point was raised at the last meeting of the Southland Education Board (says the Southland Times), the truant inspector reporting that the magistrate at Queenstown had ruled that he bad ao jurisdiction over children attending private schools. The magistrate held that before children could attend a private school they must have an exemption certificate, "and once they had the certificate they no longer came under the provisions of the Education Act. Members pointed out that if this were so the law could be evaded by a man applying for an exemption certificate for his child, and then he could not be prosecuted if his child never attended a private school at all. Sections of the act were quoted to show that the control over private school children was not forfeited, *nd it was contended that the magistrate had overlooked certain provisions. In the meantime it was resolved to advise the managers of private schools that it is necessary for them to apply for a general exemption certificate ac per clause 143 of the act. Settlers in the Ohinemuri district have been occasioned much concern about the drifting of sand, which is obliterating landmarks and choking up navigable waterways. A set of graphic photographs has been prepared, and from these a conception may be gained of the devastation Bone by toe 6&nd dxifts. At the Govern-

ment railway wharf vessels drawing seven feet of Water were formerly able to 'lie, and now cannot come up except in flood time. What was formerly rich pasture land is a hummocky sand dune. A silt bank has overwhelmed a fence, and a place where the settlers formerly tied their boats is now nine or 10 feet under the surface. The settlers are now anxiously casting about for a remedy. August 21 has been suggested by the Otago Employers' Association as a suitable time for the holding of the annual conference of the New Zealand Employers' Federation at Wellington. According to the Post, the Yellow Peril loomed darkly over the Conference of Waterside Workers at Wellington on Thursday. "The Chinaman's virtues are more to be feared in a capitalistic sense than his vices," said Mr Way, "and the business man is in peril -for his very existence." Furniture manufactured in 'Melbourne by Chinese labour can be sold in Christehuroh," said another delegate, "at less than half the price it can be made for in New Zealand." "In Auckland," 'remarked another member, " there is a regular importer of Chinamen, who work for him until they have paid off their polltax, and then they are let loose on the labour market." The delegate from Greymouth, Mr Jackson, considered the Chinese out on the mines were not bad fellows; it was only -in towns their vices became so apparent. Mr J. C. V. Behan, the first Rhodes scholar from Victoria, who has returned to that State for his marriage, says that the Rhodes scholars have settled down now, and Oxford has got used to them. Originally they were always introduced as "the Rhodes scholar," and this was most embarrassing. The £300 a year provided is jiust about sufficient, with careful management, to meet requirements. There are about 170 Rhodes scholars at Oxford. Mr J. A. Thomson, of New Zealand, has Avon the BuTdett-Coutts scholarship in geology; and Mr Wilfred Barton (son of Mr Justice Barton) the Vinerian scholarship of 1907. No other pections of colonials or Americans could shpw such a high average. Mr Behan has to return to Oxford before the October' term begins, in order to take up his lectureship. When the term of the Elder scholarship expires, he intends to go into chambers in London and be called to the Bar. R has been announced' that the Federal Government proposes to introduce legislation to provide for a Federal note issue. Mr Carruthers (Premier of New South Wales), when seen on the matter, said that not only was an issue of notes contemplated, but the Commonwealth Government also intended to take the revenue derived from the 2 per cent, stamp duty now payable by the banks of issue to the State Governments on the value *of notes in circulation. In New South Wales -this amounted to £30,000 per annum. The Premier said he regarded the proposal to j impound this revenue as an assumption of power that no, one contemplated when federation was being considered. [ The Dunedin NavaJs proceeded to the , Heads on Saturday afternoon for practice with the 64-pounder, and made some good shooting with it. Lieut. Cooke had command at the outset, and fired six shots, making four hits. Lieut. Phillips was then made battery commander, and out of seven shot made five hits. Lieut. White followed, but only fired two shots, it being too dark to see with any degree of accuracy. Lieut. White made one hit out of the two shots he fired. A clause in the Public Health Act which, according to the Distriot Health Officer, would seem to have been overlooked, lays down that in the event of the Hospital Board failing to equip a hospital for infectious diseases, the Chief Health Officer may take the necessary steps and recover j the cost from the Hospital Board or the contributing bodies a 6 a debt due to the Crown. The Dunedin City Counoil has taken steps to obtain the co-operation of the councils of the three other large centres in ropresentirig to the Government the hardship which will ensue from imposing the proposed duty on gas and electrical material. The Dunedin Council is in the position that the gas material ordered from Britain will not arrive in time to escape the duty, and thie is felt to be an injustice. With respect to electrical material, the feeling is strongly held that the imposition of the duty will retard the development of electrical power in the colony, which is peculiarly Adapted for it. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Loudon) intends to proceed to Wellington next week, and will lay his views before the Government. Mr F. G. Cumming. who at present holds the position of assistant chaplain and agent of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society, was on July 29 appointed as Mr Torraace's successor as chaplain and .agent. Mr Cumming- has filled the junior position most satisfactorily, and has relieved Mr Torrance of a good deal of the hard work which falls to the lot of the society's agent, and will doubtless prove a worthy successor to Mr Torrance. He will assume the duties of the full position on Mr Torranee's retirement at September 30 next. The committee of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society has had under consideration during the past week or two the question of how best to mark its high appreciation of the services rendered to the society and the community by its agent aud chaplain (3lr J. A- Torrance) during

the long period he has held the position. It is not easy to estimate at their full value those services, and there are probably no persons in the community who have the least idea of the trying and arduous work in the relief of the suffering that has fallen to Mr Torranee's lot. The committee has now decided that the most appropriate way to express its sense of the good work Mr Torrance has done for the past 40 years will be to make a farewell presentation to him at the annual meeting of the .society in October next. In all the discussion now proceeding anent the Government's tariff proposals, especially in so far as they affect footwear, it should always be borne in mind that the prime factor affecting the price of boots and shoes is the cost of the hides from which the leather is made. At the hide sales last week one of the highest prices ever recorded in thi6 part of the colony was obtained at auction by Messrs Waters,' Ritchie, and Co., for an ox hide, which realised BJd per Ib, and netted the owner the sum of £3 3s Bd. This affords yet another illustration of the old-time s%w "There's nothing like leather." Some solicitude was expressed by the Primate (Bishop Nevill) at the opening of the sale of work at All Saints' on July 29 as to the future of Selwyn College. He explained to his hearers that the college had become a thing in being on his initiative and had since been handed over to the diocese. He remarked -that he was getting on in years, and did he know that the future of the college was assured a weight of anxiety would be lifted from bis mind. The Primate suggested that those who had done so well in regard to the Patteson memorial wing should extend their efforts towards inaugurating, say, a scholarship in connection with Selwyn College. The City Treasurer has reported to the General Committee of the City Council that the net profits from the abattoir for the past three years, ending March 31, are as follow :-1905, £51 17s 7d; 1906, £354 15s 8d; and 1907, £586 18s lOd, making a total of £993 12s 3d. Speaking at a Volunteer gathering on July 29, Captain Douglas (Dunedin City Guards) referred to the lack of interest shown by the public in regard to to Volunteering generally and the difficulty experienced in obtaining, recruits for corps, and said it was his intention to bring before fhe Employers' Association a scheme of preference of employment to Volunteers. Those- men who gave their time to Volunteering had a good deal to contend with, and it was only right that those having .large businesses should assist them in some manner. The Volunteer Force was the greatest asset the colony had, and everyone should do something to foster and improve that force. Those favourable to the formation of a Pipers and Dancers' Association were invited to assemble on July 29 at the Excelsior Hotel for the purpose of electing officers and approving rules drawn up by the committee. Mr D. M'Pherson, from the chair, explained that draft rules had been prepared, but in consequence of the paucity of the attendance it was not desirable to deal with them, or to proceed to the election of office-bearers. The propriety of adjourning was discussed, and it was decided to send circulars to those who had attended previous meetings, and others favourably disposed to the proposed association, so as to secure a larger attendance at a future meeting. That the Soot may, though at the antipodes, yet have hi* feet upon his native heather was shown by Mr R. Chisholm in his lecture at the Victoria Hall on July 29. -When in the Highlands Mr CKsholm became so enamoured of the purple bloom that he cut a sod of it, and determined then and there to bring it back with him to Dunedin. There happened to be a shop in sight, and there he obtained a biscuit box, for which the shopkeeper (who appropriately enough was called M'Gregor) would accept no payment, though he had never heard of " a place called New Zealand." In thie box the square patch of heather travelled across two oceans and a continent. " And now, exclaimed the lecturer, waving his stick in justifiable triumph, " that heather grows 1 well and sturdily in my garden." j The Mokoia, which sailed for the north on Tuesday, took away a shipment of 14 extra heavy draught horses, which have been purchased by Messrs Hoult and Sons, Feilding, from Messrs Ross and Glendining. The horses, which are said to be of splendid type and in excellent condition, were disposed of by Messrs Ross and Glendining owing to the lease of their property in Central Otago having been resumed by the Government. Messrs Hoult and Sons intend to take the animals to Wellington and Auckland, where there is said to be a keen demand for such a class. Before the commencement of the civil sitting of the Christchurch Magistrate's Court thei-e was brought under the notice of 3lr Bishop a blue document heacied ''Intention to Proceed."' Across the paper, in larg« red letters, \va6 printed " Registered G.B. 9163," and in one corner a large red 6eal gave the whole an air of importance and offieiality. In the printed text of the paper was stated, in ponderous legal verbiage, that payment for a debt could be made to the Trade Protection Association.- Mr Bishop said he could do nothing unless it was shown that any member of the legal profession was responsible for the affair.

'LINSEED COMPOUND.' The 'Stock, port Remedy' for Coughs and Colds. 0f.40 year*' proven efficacy.