NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 26

NEW ZEALAND NEWS ITEMS

AUCKLAND. A ketch built by Mr C. Bailey, jun., for Sir Rupert Clark, of Melbourne, was launched on December 30 in the presence of the owner and a number of friends. This is the second vessel that Mr Bailey has | built for Sir Rupert Clark in the past I few years, the first boat being the yacht Rawhiti. Great building activity has ben shown in Auckland during the past year, and ! there is every indication of a continuance. The expenditure on-public buildings alone to be put in band dxiring 1909 totals £250,000. WELLINGTON. The Manawatu Standard on December 30 suggests that the Opposition party throughout the Dominion should organise a testimonial in recognition of Mr Mastey's services as Leader of the party. A man named Edward Peck left Managweka on horseback on Boxing Night for his home three miles out. His horse, saddle, and bridle were found on the roadside about a mile from the township on the following inorndng. So far there is no tidings of the missing man, although search parties have been hunting in the vicinity to-day. Peck was employed as road- overseer by the Kiwitea County Council. During the past week the Mimiro and the Kaipara have left Wellington for London with 38,730 and 16,854 carcases of lamb, and 41,642 and 21,571 carcases of mutton. In addition the -two ships took 10,739 quarters of be^ef, 19,926 legs of mutton, and 1458 pieces of mutton. MrW. Gordon Larag, of Glencrieff, Bddeford, Wairarapa, was married on-the 29fch December to Miss Hazel Gladys Hartley Jenkinson, eldest daughter of Mr G. H. ' Jenkinson, stock inspector in charge of Wellington and Wairarapa. Mr Frederick Grerille Thompson, of Ballance, Wairarapa eon of Mr Henry Thompson, late ! land purchase- officer for the Public Works J Department), was married this afternoon jto Miss Hinemarama Osborne Gibbes, j second daughter of Sir E. Osborne Gibbc«, ! Bart.. Secretary of Education in New ! Zealand. t Those who remember old Wellington (says the Post), when the tide used .to flow up to Lambton Quay, will be in- | terested to learn that excavations at the i site of Martin's Fountain are down to the ■ original &eas, and the old beach has been | uncovered. The water rises and falls with ! the tide ns it did when there were no large i hanks or insurance offices on the quay as [ now. CANTERBURY. Some time a# o the Railway Department (■^ajs the Lyttelton Times) instituted a system by whioh passengers on a. long journey could engage a seat in the train in the tame wav as a theatregoer books his seat [ at a place of entertainment. By that means he would not be under the- necessity of placing his cloak or bag on the seat whenever he left the carriage, but could always rely on the reserved seat being available. Inquiries, however, go to show that the innovation has not caught on. Very few people made use of the privilege which costs 6d, and, to use the words of one who has had experience, "The returns cannot have paid_ for the castings affixed to the seats." The weather has been very unsettled here for come time past, and in Ashburtoji on Dec-ember 30 a very heavy shower fell. Though the recent rains cannot be said to have been positively harmful, they have not been altogether welcome. Shearing has in many places been greatly delayed, and in several back stations has occupied, or is occupying, double the ordinary time, whi'e grass seeding operations, which are fairiy general, have been considerably retarded and the harvest is being set back. At the same time there has been, great growth of pasture. In the musical competitions Miss Vera Moore (Dunedin) was first in the piano sofo "Presto Sonata in F," Kathleen R. 1/eyi (Duueain) second. All earthquake shock Wfl*> felt in Christ-

churcn on Thursday evening at 7.20, and it was also felt at Hanmer Springs.