LOCAL & GENERAL

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 83

LOCAL & GENERAL

At a meeting of the Board of .Governors of Canterbury College on Monday (says a Christcburch message) a letter was received from Mr F. R. Anson, England, stating that he intended to present to the Christchurch Museum the original log of the ship Pi raid, which visited New Zealand early last century.

Labour matters in Southland are not too bright at present from the unemployed point of view. A number of sawmills have closed down (the News reports) and others will no doubt follow shortly. Consequently, although there has been a little demand in some cases from the mills still going, the supply far and away exceeds the demand. Flaxmilling is decidedly slack, and the large majority of the mills have closed down for the winter, only one or two having contracts that will occupy them during the ensuing months. There is a very fair demand for ploughmen, and the supply is not up to requirements.

A company is expected to be registered within a few days for the exploitation of the Chatham Island blue cod fisheries. The trade was about to be inaugurated by the ill-fated steamer Duco. However, the enterprise will now be begun anew (says the Pos"t), and it is expected to be in full working drder in three or four months from date. Australian interests in the proposed new Chatham Islands Fishing Company have been taken up, thus assuring a good market for the fish in the Commonwealth. Cool chambers are to be erected at the Chathams for the reception of the fish caught. The Nora Niven, which has been specially built for trawling in New Zealand waters,, will probably be chartered bj the new company. As she hae also cool storage, and the Union Company's intercolonial steamers are similarly fitted, the fish should arrive in Australia in good condition.

At the close of bis remarks to a deputation of representatives of the engineering trad© who waited upon the Hon. J. A. Millar on Monday, and pointed out to him the dulness of trade and the necessity for the introduction of remedial measures, such as fn import duty on certain articles, the Minister stated that he would very shortly give the local engineering firms an opportunity of doing some shipbuilding if they were so prepared. Questioned as to this statement by a Daily Times reporter subsequently, the Hon. Mr Millar said he was referring to the new steamer for the Lake Wakatipu service. He was to have the plans and blue prints of a. ve-ssel from Mr H. M'Rae, naval architect, this week, and as soon as they we.re approved of by Cabinet, tenders would be called for the construction of the vessel in New Zealand. That would in all probability be done in 10 days or a fortnight. The prices quoted for the work by the- New Zealand firm? would be compared with prices which the Government had offered to it by firms outside New Zealand, who were prepared to supply a steamer. Mr M'Rae, in his plans, has provided for a steel twin-screw steamer of 230 tons.

The vicissitudes of a roving pauper were brought under the notice of the magistrate at Invercargill on Friday. The Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (Mr W. A. Stout) proceeded against the family of William James Baldwin, an impecunious inmate of Lome Farm, for his maintenance "there. The various members were represented by Messrs F. V. Raymond, W. Macalister, A. B. Haggitt, and J. S. Neavo. Mr Stout, in placing the case before the court, said that it was a case that had been prominently before the public. This man Baldwin had at one time been working at Myross Bush with his wife and family, but owing to ill-health had got past work. By some means his passage was paid back to England. A relative took charge of him there, but put him into an infirmary. His case was subsequently taken up by some influential persons, who shipped him back to New Zealand. He was not allowed to land, on the grounds of being an undesirable immigrant. However, he eventually got ashore at Lytfcelton, and a daughter brought him down to Invercargill and asked the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board to take him in. They declined, but subsequently gave him an allowance in kind, though not in money. What the board asked was that the relatives should be asked to contribute towards his support in Lome Farm, whei'e he now was. All bona fkd-e members of the family should be ordered to support. The magistrate, after hearing the objections of the solicitors opposing the suggested order, decided to make an order against James Baldwin for 5s a week, and Is 6d a week against both Amelia Towns (daughter) and Amy Baldwin (wife). An amusing instance of evasion by a backblocks farmer of the extra railway freight on imported timber was brought under the notice of the Farmers' Union Provincial Conference on Thursday (says the Christchurch Press). The farmer imported' some timber for hurdles, and was informed by the railway authorities that he would have to pay freight and a-half to get it sent to his district. He protested, but as he got no satisfaction, he resolved to go another way to work, s He had the timber made into hurdles in town, and the timber in the manufactured form was sent to him. The hurdles took up three trucks, while the unmanufactured timber would only have occupied one. The farmer, however, got his hurdles at half freight less than he would have had to pay for the timber in its original state.

A possible explanation of the recent abortive prosecutions for failure to cause' children to be vaccinated may be found in the following paragraph from the New Zealand Times:—"lt was recently mentioned that the Minister of Public Health was obtaining a report upon vaccination in New Zealand. The Hon. D. Buddo, on being questioned regarding the scope of this report, states that it is not going into the merits of vaccination, its efficacy or otherwise. Thou.gr the Minister declined to make any further explanation, it is evident that the administration of the compulsory vaccinator clauses of the Public Health Act, and the big percentage of children who are unvaccinated, though their parents may not have obtained the conscientious objector certificate, are the matters under review. The proportion of successful vaccinations per cent, of total births has diminished from 25£ per cent, in 1903 to 4.82 per cent, in 1908." The surmise may be advanced that a factor in the production of such a, small proportion of successful inoculations is the quality of the lymph, with which' it is understood the department has had considerable difficutly.

A sum of £341 was taken at the doors of the winter show during the 12 hours it was open on the Ist. During the second day of last year's'show £317 was the total of the ticket-sellers' receipts. For the two days £470 has been received, as against £440 for the corresponding days of last year.

There werw interesting developments in a civil case which came before the Suprem* Court at 'Wellington on the Ist (says a Press Association message). The defendant, Charles Nodine, was being sued for specific performance of an agreement to lease certain buildings on Lambton quay, owned by J. A. Hannah. He repudiated the agreement, and although repeatedly warned by the Chief Justice, he stated on oath that he had not signed the agreement produced, thereby making an allegation of forgery against a well-known Wellington legal firm. His Honor gave Nodine until, Saturday to withdraw the statement and to apologise humbly to the court for having made it. His Honor will then consider whether or not he should direct the police to take action against Nodine for perjury.

A Wellington telegram state® that the first patient found recently to be suffering from plague at Auckland was released on the Ist. The second patient is still seriously ill. A Christchurch message states that the P.rime Minister has received confidential communications from the High Commissioner relative to the new commandant for the Dominion recommended by Lord Kitchener. These will be placed before Cabinet, and Sir Joseph Ward hopes at an early date to announce the selection of a very capable officer. The following are the vital statistics for Dunedin for May, 1910:—Births 157, deaths 63, marriages 46. The figures for the corresponding month of last year were:—Births 160, deaths 67, marriages 53.

A cable message from London, dated the 23rd May, in Australian papers which receive the special service of news, states that a cruise of the world by 200 British warships is the great naval project which is contemplated by the Imperial Government. The date of the fleet's departure has not yet been definitely fixed, but it will probably be in the early ipart of next year. The ships will visit all the British dominions, their route, as at present planned, being via Gibraltar, South Africa, India, Australia, Japan, and the Canadian "Pacific coast.

A Press Association telegram from Wanganui states that the Native Minister who left on May 31 for Wellington, met a number of Natives at Jerusalem, Wanganui River, and propounded a scheme for co-operative farming under the direction of a European manager, which the Natives accepted. The idea is that the Natives shall supply their own labour and share in the profits according to the work they do. Concerning the Auckland by-election, a Greymouth message -advises that the Speaker received official information on Tuesday, May 31, of the death of Mr Baume, and immediately issued a warrant to the of Writs to proceed to fill the vacancy. The writ should reach Wellington on Thursday morning.

During, the visit of the Premier to Reefton (says our Greymouth correspondent) Mr Betts, the president of the Inangahua Miners' Union, brought under his notice the sudden disaster at Whitehaven, which had caused the loss of so many lives, and urged the Premier to grant a donation from this Dominion towards the funds now being raised. The Hon. Mr Guinness also supported the request, and pointed out that the Government had donated sums to other countries in similar distress. He (Mr Guinness) thought Parliament would willingly vote a substantial amount to help those in distress, and he would' strongly support the vote if the Government agreed to the request. Sir Joseph Ward stated he would bring the request before the Cabinet, as it had his sympathy. A Christchurch telegram states that it is understood that the Health Department is considering the advisableinesis of establishing special clinics at the hospitals in the four chief centres with a view to detecting tuberculosis in its early stages. Special attention is being given to the procedure necessary to arrest consumption in the •aarly stages.

The lad Anthony Anderson, who was sentenced a few weeks ago to two years' imprisonment at Invercargill for a series of thefts committed in Dune din by him in association with another person, and declared to be an habitual criminal, has been transferred to the Burnham Industrial School.

'" Drunkards are to be divided into 'casual,' 'occasional,' 'habitual,' and 'incorrigible,' " said Mr R.- Gilkison on Tuesday, May 31, when speaking at the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children. He said he had in his possession the draft of a bill concerning drunkards prepared by the Attor-ney-general in connection with his Destitute Persons A«ct which was mooted last year. These proposals embodied some new features of prevention and safeguarding which led Mr Gilkison to characterise it as the best and most scientific treatment of the subject he had heard of. The matter oame up in connection with a discussion on this bill commenced by the chairman, the Rev Canon Ourzon-Siggers, and Mr Gilkison said that the chief feature to be introduced was that in connection with habitual drunkards--as distinguished -from incorrigible.'. They were to be required to report themselves every evening before a certain hour to "some constituted authority and proceed to their homes, and likewise in the mornings were co be subject io observation and control.

A Press Association telegram from Westport states that the men working on the Nine-mile section of the Westport-Reefton railwa.. have contributed Is per man to the Whitehaven Fur.d. Denniston is sending its contribution direct. A Wellington message advises that the Cabinet has voted £IOOO towards the fund.

In view of the reduced price of wheat in the world's markets generally, and the assault upon i) ** New Zealand flour market by prabable importation from Australian sources, the New Zealand Flourmillers' Association has been compelled, in order to save its market, to reduce the price of flour by 10s per ton. The price now stands at £9 15s pe • ton for sacks, with customaryranges for 501 b bags, etc. In accordance with tariff arrangements, the reduction will mean the automatic reduction, by the Master Bakers' Union, of the price of bread by -gd per loaf. The Oity Council on the Ist inst. approved of the Works Committee's recommendation that £2OOO he contributed towards the total cost (estimated at £2700), of carrying cut, by Government officials, a standard survey of the city. It is hoped by this means to do away with many of the difficulties that at present arise in the city owing to the absence of properly recognised street lines. Cr Marlow said that the survey would be of incalculable benefit to property owners by greatly facilitating transfers.

Rev. R. M. Ryburn, of First Church, Invercargill, speaking to the No-license Convention on the Ist inatf, said:—"The children in Invercargill are noticeably better cared for on the average than the children in many license places I. have visited I mean there are fewer children who look unkempt and ragged. In addition to my own observation to that effect, I have the testimony of one of the leading head masters of the public schools in Invercargill. I have been in Invercargill a good deal more than a year now, and I have not been appioached by a single down-at-heels loafer for help. I never had such a free period in license area; it is unexampled in my experienos." Our Wellington correspondent states that several Italians arrived by the Moana from Sydney on. the Ist. They intend taking up fishing at Rona Bay. They successfully passed the test imposed by the Customs for entrance to the Dominion. Physically they ar3 a good type

On the Ist, by 10 votes to eight, the City Council rejected a proposal that the present fire brigade building, soon to be vacated, bo obtained by the council for the purposes of a public market. The majority of councillors thought that the experiment was likely to be a lengthy one, as the Dunedin public would have to be educated in regard to the usefulness of a market, and during, this time (as" Cr Keast expressed it) a large iron she'd on a vacant section would be sufficient, and preferable to using a large building and a valuable piece of ground.

A number of the Grey electors communicated with Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, immediately after Sir Joseph Ward's speech at Hokitika, suggesting that he should arrange with one of his party to address the eleclors of the district. Our Grfymoath correspondent states that Mr James Allen, M.P. for Bruce, will visit Hokitika and deliver a political address on Friday, 10th inst.

At a meeting of the Tapanui Anglers and Deerstalkers' Association the question of culling the herd was fully discussed (reports the Courier), and it was finally agreed to await a definite reply from the Otago Acclimatisation Society as to whether it would declare at least three close seasons in order to give the herd a chance to recover. The only locality where a few good heads were obtained this season was at the north end of the mountain, but the deer were difficult to get at. A discussion also took place in connection with the Otago Acclimatisation Society taking up run leases, and it was pointed out that whilst the Government was spending thou-

sands of pounds tree-planting on this side of the mountains, fires were almost daily to

be seen, and bush and cover were rapidly being destroyed. It was decided that the president and any other members in Dunerlin during show week should endeavour to interview the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, and place the position fully before him, both in the interests of protecting the deer herd and preserving the native bush remaining on the mountains.

The Northern Company's steamer Kawau ran a trip to Little Omaha on February 23, and among the passengers were Mr and M-8 Edward Davies. The paint on the railings, etc., was not dry, and as the weather was fairly rough the passengers had to hang on, and the indifferent sailors were compelled to remain on deck. The result (says a Press Association message from Auckland) was that some of them had their garments marked a light grey in varying patterns. Mr and Mrs Davies sued the company yesterday in the Magistrate's Court for 12 guineas—nine guineas for damages done to a blue tailor-made costume worn by Mrs Davies, and three guineas for Mr Davies's coat. His Worship, in giving judgment, said the plaintiffs were claiming full value for the clothes, and he unhesitatingly characterised both claims as absolutely monstrous. The evidence showed that the paint could have been easily removed by a cleaner and the dress turned out as good as before. Judgment v. ould be given for plaintiffs for £1 13s for the dress and 5s for the coat, and in' so assessing the amounts he telt that he was doing so liberally—almost extravagantly. No costs were allowed.

Mr W. Hawkins, of Canterbury, in the course of a short chat on May 31 with our shipping reporter, previous to the departure of the Aparima for Calcutta, stated that for the past 25 or 26 years he has been engaged in shipping horses from New Zealand and Australia to the Eastern port named. His average consignment, which he personally superintends on the voyages, is 200 per annum, which in 25 years represents the respectable total of 5000. The horses exported are of all kinds —ponies, hacks, phaetons, carriage, and draughts. On being asked how the animals stand tho climate, he' replied:—"Some last well, others live a month ; I have one there that has lasted 13 years." A number of the animals are bought by the Government for military purposes, but the great bulk are sold to run in light vehicles. Mr Hawkins stated that he is hampered in his business in New Zealand owing to absence of facilities to get his consignments to the wharves. a regulation obtaining in Wellington that each separate animal has to be led to the ship's side. Owing to this restriction he does not now take any horses from the port named. Replying to a query in regard to the quality of New Zealand horses, for export, he said the breed of New Zealand horses is deteriorating, and has been doing so ever since the South African war, when the best of the mares were sent away in shiploads Since then, although the stallions have been good, the mares have been hjrht. and more or less " weedy," and the stock, consequently, inferior. A Press Association telegram states that the bakers in Auckland have decided to reduce the price of bread from 8d to 7d as from Monday next.

The drawing of the Otago hockey art union took place on the 2nd inst. Messrs James Park and C. B. Jarman did the actual drawing, and a sergeant of police watched the proceedings. Prizes were disposed of as follow:—First (nugget valued a-t £2O), 1147, Professor Park; second (nugget valued at £10), 202, J. B. Thomson; third (nugget valued at £5, 211; fourth (nugget valued at £5), 201, Maurice Ooughlan; fifth (nugget valued at £5), 4584, S. Wilkie, Lees street; sixth (nugget valued at £5), 2851, R. Quin, Cavershahi.

There appears to be every promise of a continued pressure of Australian flour on the New Zealand market if the present relative condition of the local and outside markets continues. Quotations have been received locally offering to supply flour to New Zealand on the basis of £7 5s per ton free on board at Melbourne. This leaves all freight and insurance charges to be borne by the purchasei', and means that, with the import duty of £1 per ton, an extra. £2 would be added to the cost of the flour as landed here. This would make the cost £9 5s per ton, as against even the recently-reduced price of the New Zealand Flourmillers' Association of £9 15s per ton. No doubt the special price of £7 5s at Melbourne i 6 a "dumping" price, as the association's price there is £8 10s, which, of course, does not apply to shipping to outside parte. It is therefore easily seen that local millers and farmers will have some serious competition to face in the near future. The latest cablegram from Home records the sale of Australian cargoes at down to 30s 6d, 30s and 30s 3d, which is a drop of 10s per quarter during the last three months. The peculiar feature of the market as it concerns New Zealand is that owing to the damage inflicted by the rains at harvest time there is supposed to be not more than enough good l milling wheat for localrequirements. In consequence of this farmers have been securing good prices, ranging from 4s at the opening of the season to 3s 9d for best velvet recently. At these prices millers have laid in larger or smaller stocks, and, of course, when

the Home market began to recede so decidedly a few weeks ago botli millers and farmers ceased operations pending an adjustment of the Home level It is therefore 6een that- with New Zealand wheat high a. favourable opening is presented for cheap Australian flour, and already it is known that over 1000 tons have gone to Auckland, and millers, with stocks of high wheat on their hands, will for a time evidently suffer by this competition. In regard to the Australian flour, bakers state that it yields a better loaf than local wheat, owing to the climatic influences producing a harder and stronger grain.

When the eggette plant is kept fully employed at the State works at Westport (says our Grey mouth correspondent) «ibout 75 tons of eggettes are turned out daily. The demand for eggettes is steadily increasing, and could be greatly increased if there were only more plant for the manufacture of this class of fuel. The eggettes, being handiei in size than the briquettes, are in better demand, but as it happens there are three machines for manufacturing briquettes and only one for eggettes.

Sheep have been worried in considerable numbers in the Clutha district during the past few days. Mr Adam Houliston put some fat ' two-tcoth sheep in a paddock near Balclutha on the night of May, 28 prior to trucking them for the Dunedin show en Monday. Three of them were worried, one very badly, and all had to be killed. Several other farmers have bad their flocks harassed, and some sheep killed outright. Over 50 sheep' belonging to different owners have been worried to death, and many others have had to be killed to ind their sufferings, while whole flocks will never completely recover from ..the knocking about they have, received.

Lord. Plunket, first patron of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, was presented with an appreciative farewell address by that body on the 2nd instant (says a Wellington telegram). The ad-: dross was unique in its artistic simplicity, showing the happy blending of the black letter with Maori ornamentation. Lord Plunket, in reply, said that his criticism of architecture in New Zealand some time ago did not refer to the work of the profession of architects.

It is announced that a poll of the Bay j Town district ratepayers on the question ! of borrowing £6OOO will be held on Satur- | day, June 18.

A tablet erected to the memory of the late Dr Dunlop by his students was unveiled at Knox College on the 2nd by Mrs Lindsay Maokie, one of his old friends. The Rev. John Collie made a most felicitous ' speech, full of feeling and kindly humour. He referred to the late professor's great erudition, his shrewd and caustic wit, his graphic and memorable sayings, and his simple piety. Dr Watt, who was so long associated with Dr Dunlop as his colleague, spoke of the unshadowed' friendship that had existed between them for more than 20 years. The Rev. A. Cameron (chairman of the college council),, thankfully accepted the tablet, which consists of three brass panels in an oak frame, and bears a suitable inscription.

The' annual report of the Otago Accli- ! matisation Society shows that during the | past season there were distributed fry ; and yearlings to the number of 1,768,775, comprising 1,409,100 brown trout, 199,220 ! Loch Leven, 93,455 Scotch burn, and 67,000 Lake Blagdon. We understand that as a result of the conference held on Wednesday, Ist inst., between representatives of the Moulders Amalgamated Society of Engineers' and Boilermakers' Unions and the employers the unions in the other centres will be written to with a view to joint representation being made to the Government, through the medium of a deputation, to introduce measures which will assist in improving trade conditions within NewZealand. One point raised at the meeting was that local bodies which were subsidised by the Government should be urged to have any large construction works carried out within the country, I There are at present several large works in view, which, if carried. out locally, ' will give a decided impetus to the engi- ! neering industry. There is the new steel 'twin-screw steamer for Lake Wakatipu, j for which the Government will very soon . be calling tenders, and the new tug for ' the Otago Harbour Board, a steamer for ' the Clutha River, which the Clutha River Board has under consideration, and a prospective steamer for the local ferry service. It is claimed- that any of these works could be carried out locally, and 1 in each instance tenders will ba forthcoming from some of the Dunedin ; engineering firms. ! A Press Association telegram states that Lord Plunkef left Wellington by the northern express on the 3rd, and was taken leave of at the station by the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet. j At a meeting of the Auckland City, Council on the 2nd (says a Press Association message) claims, for compensation amounting to over £160,000 were received from the owners of business premises on the site which has beer taken under the Public Works Act for the erection of a new electric power station. The biggest claimant is Mr J. J. Crais: (Limited),

who asks £148,000, partly for Jand token and partly for injury to access of other lands and disturbances to business. The other claimants are Messrs Logan Bros., John Burns, and R. and W. Hellaby (Limited).

Our Wellington correspondent states that consequent upon a 10s reduction in the price of flour, the New Zealand Master Bake'rs' Association has decided to reduce the price of bread to 7d, but the Wellington bakers are not likely to agree to the reduction. A Melbourne cablegram states that the price of bread there has been reduced to s£d per 41b loaf.

The leceipts for the three days of the unedin Fanciers' Club's show constitute a record, and should place the club in a very sound position financially. On the first day the sum of £52 was taken at the doors, on the second day £63, and on the third day, yesterday, £llß, mali'.ag a toiaJ of £233, as against £l2O last year.

The Railway Department c.n the 3rd booked 3523 persons to Wingatui racecourse, as against 2057 on the corresponding day of last year, showing an increase of 1466.

An Auckland message states that in the case in which Briscoe and Company sued the Harbour Board for £1069 damages, for the value of explosives destroyed in the powder hulk explosion disaster in November last, judgment was given for the plaintiffs. Certain non-suit points were reserved.

A Palmerston North message states that Tamihana, a well known Oroua Bridge chief, left with his family, for Salt Lake City on the 3rd to join the Mormons there. A large number of Maoris and Mormons gave him a send off. The rumour that the Forestry Department intends to prosecute the planting of trees in the vicinity of Naseby proves (says our correspondent) to be correct. The department has selected an area of 1200 acres near the Government dam, about four miles from Naseby, and is now removing the fencing' material from the disputed area alongside the present plantation for the purpose of re-erecting it on the new area. As soon as a portion of it is fenced in, tree-planting there will commence. In this connection it is interesting to know that the number of pits (that is, holes for receiving trees) that one man can dig in a day, is from 600 to 700; and that the number of trees which one man can plant in pits prepared for the purpose is about the. same. As soon as the fence is removed •from the area near the present plantation the public will be allowed to remove the trees which . have been planted there —free of charge—as, if not removed, they will be rapidly destroyed by cattle and rabbits.

The Government s.s. Hinemoa now proceeding to Cape Maria Van Diemen to replace the overhead wire which con nects the small island on which the lighthouse is situated, with the mainland. The wire gave way during a recent gale. The wire, which measures about 1700 ft, is one, and three-quarter inches in circumference, and is used for sending meat and mails across from the mainland to the lighthouse-keeper. It is stretched across 'the water at a height which permits the Hinemoa to go underneath without her masts getting into proximity with it.. This is the third wire which has been put up within thirty years. A very irksome job is in front of the Hinemoa's crew, as they will have to roll coils of wire up a precipitous hill, and the work will occupy .. two or three days. About three weeks will elapse before the Hinemoa will be back in Wellington.

An interesting reference to a peculiarity in ancient Maori carving was made at Thursday night's meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society. Mr H. 'James said that no doubt all present had observed that there were only three fingers .on either hand of some Maori figures. It had been explained to him that those figures in which only three fingers were shown were those of deities, and that the usual number of fingers were always given in figures of ordinary people. But he did not think that .this was the correct explanation. One of his own children, he had noticed, always showed only three fingeirs on either hand in its drawings of people. He had therefore, come? to the conclusion that the Natives who carved the figures with. three fingers on either hand did so because they did not. know any better. It was only in more 'modern times that the correct number of fingers had been shown on Maori figures. A Maori musical instrument, which resembled closely a flageolet, was shown to members of the Wellington Philosophical Society at the last week's meeting.: The instrument, which is about 18in long, is elaborately carved, and is apparently of great age. Mr Hamilton is of opinion that it came originally from the Bay of Islands, and he explained to the audience that it had been for many years in the possession of a family of an early missionary in New Zealand. Major Robley, a well-known collector of Maori antiquities, had procured the interesting instrument for the society Describing their experiences while in gaol, Messrs O'Connor and Butler, two of the New South Wales coal strike leaders, who were released from prison a few days ago, said they were treated just the same as ordinary prisoners. "We all had the same food, and although we weire not supposed to mix with the other prisoners, we can tell you. that they were the only persons from whom we got a kind word. Work, yes, we had rather too much of it. We were in the oookJaause. and would talk together, but only

when there were no ' screws' about. Then we had to act mum. No; so far as bodily health is concerned, we are perhaps better than before our punishment. We were all a bit run down at the conclusion of the strike, and the regular ■hours and simple life certainly hasn't weakened us. What we> missed, however, most of all was the home life. That's what breaks a man up —no home life. We saw no newspapers, and had no means of learning what was going on in the outside world. We were allowed to read books from the prison library, and had- a light in our cells from sunset till 8 p.m."

' Everyone who has suffered the inconvenience arising from the want of a place to pu hat when he seats himself in church, thea>.i~, or public meeting hall will welcome an ingenious little contrivance devised by Mr T. Morris, who has now quite a list of minor inventions associated with his name. The device is simply a wire hold- ! fast clip, which may be carried in the pocket without inconvenience. The owner of the hat simply attaches the hat to one end of the clip, and a corresponding clip at the other end suffices to hang the hat ; to any &dge or projection in the vicinity. Those who have bad. good hats ruined by placing them on the floor under the seat will appreciate tba kandy little device, will appreciate the handy little device, for which letters patent have been applied f or. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of : Agriculture, accompanied by his private ! secretary (Mr L. D. Johnson), left Dunedin on Saturday morning for Wellington. There were admitted into the Hospital last week 41 patients, and 48 were discharged. Three persons died—Richard Anderson, William M'Kay, and Arthur Callan,—leaving in the institution at the end of the week 151 patients.

At a meeting of the directors of the South Island Dairy Association (Ltd.) last week, Mr John Gray (of Mataura) was elected chairman. It was decided to reduce the minimum fee for the smaller factories from £3 to £2.

On Saturday morning the members of the Clutha River Board, who are about to build a new river steamer, were taken, as the guests of the Peninsula Ferry Company, for a trip down the harbour in the ferry steamer Waikana. The party left at 10 o'clock, and returned at 1.30. The visitors were hospitably entertained at the Portobello Hotel, where a complimentary speech was made by Mr Begg and acknowledged by Mr W. Scott (secretary of the company). The members of the party were Mr J. M. Begg (chairman of the board), Mr and Mrs J. R. Mitchell, Mr and Mrs J. Crawford" Anderson and Miss Anderson, Mr D. T. Fleming and Miss Fleming, Mr J. E. Keenan, Captain and Mrs Butler, and Mr H. M'Rae (naval architect). At the monthly meeting of the executive of the Otago Sunday Softool Union it was decided that the age of the Fourth Grade scholars in the annual examination be from nine to 12 years instead of from 10 to 12 years as at present. The subject for the essay competition is to be " Peter's Great Confession," and an essay competition for teachers on "My Ideal Sunday School" is also being arranged. A letter was received from the Victorian Sunday School Union, regarding the proposed visit in 1911 of Mr G. H. Archibald, the great authority on Sunday school work at Home. It was stated that Mr Archibald's teaching is a great advance on his books, and that great benefit to the Sunday school cause would result from a visit from him. It was decided that if suitable arrangements can be made an invitation be extended to Mr Archibald to visit the Dominion. It was also decided to cordially accept the invitation of the Presbytery Sunday School Association for the teachers of the union to attend the teacher-training classes which are being organised, and that arrangements be made for holding group meetings of union teaohers in various parts of the city and. suburbs.

A gentleman who has just returned to Canterbury after travelling through practically the whole of the North Island, the West Coast, and the Nelson provincial district, writes to a member of the staff of the Ashburton Mail as follows: —" Labour conditions are assuming a gloomy hue in Taranaki, Wanganui, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, and other towns and . districts through which I passed, and large numbers of men, many of whom are recent arrivals in the Dominion, are idle. For the period of the year there are comparatively few works of any magnitude on hand in the North Island, and the introduction of milk-

ing machines on. an extensive scale has thrown a large number of men out of employment. Then again, very few Government works are being carried out; but from what I have seen and heard from the unemployed themselves the matter of finding work for a large number of men will have to be faced by the Government and local bodies at no distant date.

A Gazette notice issued by the Government notifying alterations in conditions in the railway service does not seem to be at alt pleasing to the employees, judging by the* forcible and condemnatory terms made use of in places where railwaymen do congregate. Travelling allowances have been reduoed, and in the case of the clerical staff sick leave has in future to be counted as holiday leave. Another regulation which has given rise to intense dissatisfaction is one which, in the case of a reduction of the staff, a member, who may have been contributing to the fund for as long as 39 years, may be deprived of the benefits of

superannuation allowance. From a cursory glance this clause in the new regulations appears to open up a case for a decided grievance. The men in the service are now busily preparing a plan of campaign in opposition to these alleged infringements on their rights. The First and Second Divisions in Invercargill will (says the Southland Times) shortly hold meetings, and later it is proposed that combined action be taken by the two divisions. We understand that the alterations have

created a lot of dissatisfaction in Dunedin

Word has been received by the Prima Minister that the Commonwealth authorities are considei-ing New Zealand's desires in the matter of places for Cadets in the projected military training college for offioers. Sir Joseph Ward saye that in any scheme of this kind full provision would be made for the fair treatment of the sons of people who were not wealthy. " Whatever we do," he declared, "we must enable the sons of the poorer people to have the same opportunities as the sons of the rich."

The Minister of Education told an Auckland Herald representative that he not in favour of acceding to the requt the Salvation Army that its officers should deliver lectures in thy public schools on the evils of smoking and gambling. The whole of the work during school hours, thought Mr Fowlds, should be done b> the teachers, who could deal with the subjects mentioned when conducting classes on hygiene and related branches of instruction. He did not think that, from the point of view of education, any outsiders should go into the school during school hours.

(A young English poet, who was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for stealing £5, \ and who sent remarkable poems from his ' prison to American magazines, has been pardoned and released from the Minnesota Penitentiary (says the New York correspondent of the London Express). He has j already served five years of his sentence. \ He has received many offers of employ- : ment on newspapers and magazines, but de> dares that he dees not want to continue writing poetry. He desires to study music. He is an excellent pianist, and has learned to play. the clarionet in the prison band. " I took up poetry to pass the time," he said, " and never versified before six months ago, when I wrote poems instead of stories because poetry required less paper." He persistently refuses to reveal his real name, and says he was sent from England to Canada, where he took up fanning unsuccessfully. He left Winnipeg concealed in a goods train which was -Bg to Minnesota. After continuing tOJt 36 hours without food he was thrown off the tram at a wayside station, and he broke into the station. He stole from a money box there to relieve his hunger. There is much public criticism in Minnesota of the judicial system which permitted the imposition of a 10 years' sentence on a. youth of 19 years for such an offence.

At a meeting of the Professorial Beard, held on Saturday at the University, the following resolution was carried unanimously—" The Professorial Board begs to express its .condolence and sympathy with Mrs Hocken and her daughter in their recent bereavement. By the death of Dr Hocken the community has lost an actively, generous and patriotic citizen, and the Univeirsity a member of its council who ever had at heart its best interests."

No entries having been received from. Otago for the examination of underviewers, fireman's, and deputy's certificates, which was to have been held on the 6th..

it was found unnecessary to hold any local examinations. The three fat sheep which were the sub« ject of one of the weight-guessing competitions at the A. and P. Society's show last week were on Monday morning killed at the abattoirs, and the combined weights, when dressed, was certified to by Mr Snowball to be 292£1b, The nearest guess to the correct weight was 2911 b, which was made by five persons —viz., F. Freeman (Abbotsford), 0. Blackwood (Burnside), J. Browru (East Gore), G. Chapman (Ranfurly), and A. M'FarLane, jun. (Dunedin). They accordingly divide the prize money, £2, £l, and 10s, offered for first, second, and third places. The guesses ranged from 1201 bto 3951 b.

A boy of 18 years, named Francis

Docherty, was brought before Mr H. Y. J Widdowson at the Port Chalmers Police ! Court on Monday, and charged with being - ; under the influence of liquor during the •: currency of a prohibition order, issued j against him; Evidence was given by Murdoch M'Kenzie and Frederick Wilks, that ■ accused, who was a passenger by the 10.15 I p.m. train from Dunedin to Port Chalmers on May 21, was intoxicated, and that he conducted .himself in an objeotionable manner. Accused pleaded that he was not a passenger by the train on the night in question, and stated, on oath, that he I stayed in Dunedin that night with some i friends. On being asked by the bench I to name the friends he stopped with i accused declined to do so, and Sergeant Mullany and Constable M'Entree gave evidence that at 11.30 p.m. on the date o£ the information they saw him in Grey street, Port Chalmers. Mr Widdowson informed accused that he was either so intoxicated that he did not remember what had occurred, or he had told the court a deliberate falsehood, and to mark the court's sense of such conduct he imposed a | fine of £5, with costs (£1 3s), th» hi***

rant to be suspended from day 'to"'day to allow of the amount being paid; in default, one month's imprisonment. Accused was further charged : with -using obscene language in a railway carriage on the same date, and, •in reply to the usual question in such .cases, elected to be tried by jury. The further hearing of the charge was accordingly held over until the following day. James Paris, .another offender for breach of a prohibition order, was» fined £2, and costs (7s), for being under the influence of liquor during the currency of the order. ' >"

An interesting apparatus for improving the method of branding frozen sheep has been invented and patented by Mr A. V. Graham of Linwood. Under the present system the brands are made on metal tags, which are tied to the sheep, and these tags may be removed by simply cutting the string. Mr Graham's invention will enable the brand to be burnt into the carcase in such a way that it cannot be obliterated without removing a large piece of the flesh. It is thus described by the Lyttelton Times: "The invention is a handy apparatus, about 18in long, and -weighs only 2glb. The wrought iron die-plate, containing the brand, is heated to any degree by means of a flame, the fuel being stored in the apparatus. The worker has absolute control over the heat. He can make the plate just sufficiently hot to impress the brand on a sheet of paper; he can increase the heat for branding carcases, butter-boxes, or sacking, or he can, if he wishes, imake it so intense that it will melt the die-plate. The fuel costs about Is 6d a week, for eight hours every day. Live stock may also be branded with the apparatus, which has been brought under the notice of the Agricultural Department." Six volunteers who contracted typhoid at the Kitchener camp at Johnsonville put in a claim for compensation, but the Defence Department has repudiated any liability. The Taranaki News, discussing the matter, says: —"The attitude of the New Zealand Defence Department, which at the present time needs the co-operation of every possible fighting man more than ever before, cannot be explained. At theOringi manoeuvres two horses had to be destroyed because of injuries received, and their owners were compensated to the full value of the horses. A private of the Mounted Rifles was injured, and he was sent to the hospital, his expenses being paid. He was then sent to his home at the expense of the State. Regarding these New Plymouth soldiers, the closest investigation is necessary in order that the Defence Department may not be permitted to establish the cruel precedent that it is not responsible for illness contracted in its service. No' on© would blame a voluntary soldier for leaving a service which transgressed the ordinary, rules of chivalrous treatment. The men and their friends prove that typhoid was contracted while on service. The department, in justice, must prove that the disease was contracted while the men were civily employed."

Our Greymouth correspondent states that the State Advances Board has refused applications by/ the Buller County Council for loans of £6OOO to liquidate the overdraft and £3OOO to erect new offices.

The average daily attendance at the Carnegie Public Library for the week ended Saturday, June 4, was 649 persons. Mr Bertillon has made another startling discovery that will till the criminal classes with terror. The eminent director of anthropometry has just completed a new' apparatus which he calls " dynamometre d'effraotions." Up to the present the police and others had only a vague idea of the effect that the traces of a burglar represent. M. Bertillon's -dynamometre measures exactly the muscular effort brought to bear in breaking open a door or window, or in forcing or breaking a safe, box, or other receptacle. By a system of classifying these forces he can tell whether the effort was that of one man alone, or of two or more, whether it was that of a man or woman, or of one young or old. The dynamometre is in two parts —on© to measure effort by pressure, the other that of drawing or pulling. The traces that the person leaves of his movements will give his weight; bis muscular strength will be shown in the character of the chips or splinters that he breaks off a piece of wood, the pressure that he has been able to exert on the tools to break a safe, and his power of pulling, shoving, shifting. If, as is commonly the case, he has forgotten the tools that he used to commit the robbery, the whole scene can be reconstituted by means of these measurements. The instrument can be turned in any direction, or used in any position, so that the police can use it for every surface without disturbing the condition in which they find the place of the crime.

A. Press Association message from Christchurch states that the season so far has been exceptionally foggy. On Sunday the fog was so thick outside Lyttelton Heads that coastal vessels . could not make port. The morning was beautifully fine on shore, but just off the coast a heavy bank of fog hung low. The Mararoa. from Wellington, got within a mile of the heads and anchored. Her smoke and the tops of her masts could be seen from the signal station at times. By the afternoon a dens© fog had settled over the land, and all vessels had perforce to stay outside till yesterday morning. Nothing was seen of the Storm, from Wanganui, on Sunday, but the bell of a steamer (supposed to be the Moura, from Westport) could be heard. All three vessels came inside between 6 and 7 o'clock yesterday morning. The Ulimaroa was also delayed by the fog, and did not reach Bluff

in time to catch the evening tide. She was "expected,- however, to berth shortly after midnight. The non-appearance of the Maheno, from Sydney, caused some uneasiness'in Auckland yesterday. The steamer left Sydney at 2 p.m. on Wednesday last, and was due at Auckland on Sunday morning. Late " yesterday ' afternoon, however, a telegram was received from Cape Brett stating that the vessel had passed there at 4.30 p.m. She was expected to reach port about midnight.

A Wellington telegram states that an extraordinary Gazette has been issued calling members of Parliament together for the despatch of business oh Tuesday, June 28.

A matter which has in times past occasioned the Taieri Drainage Board some trouble i 6 interference with the boxes installed in drains for the regulation of the flow of water. The trouble was referred to at Monday's meeting of that body by Mr Moynihan, who said that some persons had been opening boxes from drains and allowing water to flow in. It was resolved that any person found opening boxes would be prosecuted.

The weekly meeting of the Benevolent Committee of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was held on the 6th instant, when there were present—Messrs W. T. Talboys (chairman), S. S. Myers v H. M. Ewing, and J. J. Clark. The secretary reported that Robert Harrhy (aged 75 .years) and Elizabeth Bell (aged 79 years) had died in the institution during the w.eek. During the month of May relief was administered to 149 outdoor cases, representing 41 men, 124 women, and 241 children, at an average cost per week of. £53 9s 6d, as compared with £53 Is for the previous month. Twenty-two cases of outdoor relief were dealt with by the committee yesterday.

An increase of 300 per cent, in the rate of taxation is a somewhat unusual event, yet that was decided upon at the last meeting of the Taieri Drainage Board in respect of certain lands. Last year the maintenance rat© was fixed at 4d, 3d, and 2d' per acre for "A," " B," and "C " class lands respectively in the main Taieri districts. This proved insufficient for the work to be done, and yesterday it was decided to increase the taxation on the West Taieri division to Is 4d, Is, and 8d for the respective classes, and in the Silverstream and Owhiro divisions to lOd, sd, and 2d respectively. In the case of the two other divisions of Henley and Maungatua slight reductions were made.

Telegraphing on the 6th our Cromwell correspondent stated that there was a warm rain there on Sunday night, and yesterday wias like a summer's .day. The grass is still coming away, and it is a splendid season for the pastoralists. Show week, like other occurrences which attract crowds to the town from the country, invariably has its minor tragedies. The victim of one of these, an old man, came before the Benevolent Committee of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday. He had gone on a drinking bout on his arrival in town from the country, and awoke one morning to find that he had been relieved of £l7 in notes, a fine silver watch, and the return half of his railway ticket. The money represented his hardearned savings, and when he presented himself before the trustees yesterday he was penniless. It was decided to allow him to remain in the Benevolent Institution for a week to effect a recovery, and then to provide him with a ticket back to the country, where he stated he was certain of finding employment. A Ohristchurch message states that Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., sent .the following telegram to Sir Joseph "Ward at Wellington yesterday: —"I desire to enter an emphatic protest against the scheme for importing boy labour. Thousands of boys are graduating from our schools every year,, and the work available in New Zealand belongs rightly to .them, and if the Labour conditions and pay are just our own population will do all the work offering."

It is not considered , likely that the proposal for the establishment: of public markets in the city will be heard any more of in the meantime. The General Committee of the Council had before it yesterday the offer of a site and building in King street, but declined it. The necessity for the establishment of a creche in Dunedin was referred to at yesterday's meeting of the Benevolent Committee of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The suggestion contained in the remarks of the chairman (Mr Talboys), who introduced the subject, was not that there should be one central institution in the city, but that arrangements might be made by Mrs Aneell, the boards' agent, with persons who were receiving assistance from the committee to look after children for a small sum. It would be necessary to have these places in three .or four different parts of the town, otherwise some mothers would have too far to take their children before leaving for work in the morning. He considered that such an arrangement would meet the case very much better than the elaborate creche that had been suggested. Mr Mysrs considered the idea was a splendid one. The committee could establish the homes, and then those ladies who associated themselves with the different societies could go round and visit the homes where the children were being kept for the day and see that they were being properly looked after. Mrs Ansell instanced the case of a woman who had been earning £3 per month by going out washing, but now, because the young girl who had been looking after h«- child-

ren had left her, she was unable to go cut at all, and instead of''being able'to accept the work that was offering was compelled to remain at home and look after her children. It was decided to deal further with this eminently practical proposal at a later date.