LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3015, 27 December 1911, Page 30

LOCAL & GENERAL.

The Government training ship Amokura returned to Wellington on Thursday night from her periodical trip to the outlying southern groups. The vessel sailed from Bluff on November 14. During her absence she visited Stewart Island, The Snares, Enderby, and other Auckland Islands, Adams, . Disappointment, Campbell, and Antipodes Islands, and the Bounty group, in search of castaways, but did not find any. On account of rough weather it was impossible to land at all the islands virited. On those on which a landing was effected the castaway depots were found to be intact. The party did not come across anything in the shape of wreckage. Of the islands, those only which are inhabited are the Campbells. The community there consists of a party of Tory Channel whalers, all of whom were quite well when the Amokura called. They were busily engaged at the time in shearing the 700 odd sheep that are depastured there. Incidentally, it is interesting to note that since being employed as a training ship the Amokura has covered a distance of over 37,000 miles, and during that time ■he has never been steered by anybody -other than the boys undergoing training. The claims of Roman Catholics for State assistance for their schools were dealt with by Bishop Gallagher, of Goulburn (New South Wales), In a speech last week. He said he did not 6upposa they would ever get any assistance from the State—certainly not in his lifetime, although t'hey ought to receive pro rata assistance, as they could not avail themselves of the State eehool system. Any politician wag bound to follow the rule of the majority. The majority, however, held views due to inherited bigotry, and a large leaven of anti Christian and anti-Catholic spirit. Tee time ought to be coming when they would b,> a large enough body to form a confederate union of Catholics—a national union, such as they wero forced to form in Germany against Bismarck. At present 1000 bursaries were open to the State schools and Catholic schools, on condition j that Catholics shuld become apostates. Tt was not equality of opportunity at all. What was called the Liberal party, having more conscience, would be more inclined to give justice to the minority than the party in power.

Cr John Wilson will be a candidate for the mayoralty of Dunedin next year.

.The Supreme Court vacation commenced on the 20th, and there will be no further sittings of the court until February next. A discussion regarding motor traffic at the November meeting of the Waikouaiti County Council evidently 'had the effect of alarming a number of residents in the Purakanui district At its meeting on the 19th the council received a petition from some 33 ratepayers and residents of Blueskin riding calling attention to the Blueskin and Port Chalmers roads in relation to motor traffic. If it was the determination of the council to leave no road in the country barred to motor traffic then the petitioners asked the council to take such steps by fencing and otherwise as' would make the road safe for horse and vehicle traffic. As the matter was very urgent they asked that an inspection be made as early as possible so that the council might be acquainted with the very dangerous state of the road at present. The Chairman pointed out that the writers were under a misapprehension as to the views of the council. Cr Kilpatrick suggested that the-delegates from the council to meet with the representatives of the Motor Association should make use of this petition. Cr Laley said that the road in question was really very dangerous. The Chairman proposed that the petitioners be informed that they had mistaken the council's meaning, and that the council had arranged for a conference with the Motor Association lo have motor traffic put on a- safe and satisfactory basis. Cr Foote said thi6 road was hardly fit for ordinary horse traffic. The road should be protected with a substantia! fence. He did not hope for much to come from the conference. A motion was passed on the lines suggested by the chairman.

The following appeared in The Times. of the Bth"November: —"The New Zealand Government has just purchased for the National Art Gallery at Dunedin the pit;ture by Mr Fred Roe, R. 1., entitled 'The Night Before Trafalgar,' whieh was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1908, and at the Festival of Empire. The subject is Nelson discussing the plan of the battle with the Admirals and Flag Captains in the cabin of the Victory."

At the meeting of the Otago Rowing Association on the 19th, Mr H. D. Brewer, the president of the association, congratulated Mr C. E. Statham on his election to be a member of Parliament. Mr Statham, in returning thanks, stated that the experience gained in rowing had 6tood him in good stead in contesting this election,, end he found the experience of keeping going till the winning gun sounded helped him to keep going till he passed the winning post a good first.

A Christchurch message reports that arising out of the ejectment of certain members of the National Peace Council from the Canterbury A. and P. Association's metropolitan show grounds last November for having distributed anti-militarist literature, .William Enson, Charles Robert Norris MacJcie, Louis Peter Christie, Charles Reginald Ford, and Harry Albert Atkinson, suing on behalf of themselves and the other members of the National Peace Council in. the Magistrate's Court on the 19th claimed from tbs Canterbury A. and P. Association £25 j&amages for breach of contract, £25 dam-

ogcs for trespass on the goods of the said council, and such other relief as the court

might consider entitled to, and the costs of the action. After evidence was given the case was adjourned for legal argument to be taken on a date to be fixed.

At its last meeting the Inangahua County Council (says a Greymouth telegram) unanimously accorded Sir Joseph Ward a hearty vote of thanks for his untiring energy and zeal in. the cause of the defence of this Dominion.

The inexorable law of change is at last drawing its curtain over the final scenes in the life of a building in Maclaggan street, which, during a lengthy career has passed through many vicissitudes. The structure is a wooden one, next to the Gladstone Hotel, and for some years past has been used as a Chinese laundry. Tne present owner of the building, Mr John Collins, decided on its demolition some days ago, and* as a consequence an old land mark is fast disappearing, to be replaced some time in the future by an example of more modern architecture. This old structure, Mr Collins estimates, must have been erected as far back at 1849 or 1850, and was the meeting place of the first Otago Club in Dunedin. Since those early times the appearance of the building has changed to some extent, and it has been utilised for a wide variety of purposes, including a club-room, a store, an hotel, and lastly a laundry, and its demolition will no doubt occasion in the minds of many old residents more than a passing feeling of regret. The Royal Sanitary Institute of- London is now conducting examinations for sanitary inspection certificates in New Zealand, and already several candidates have passed, the examination in Auckland and Wellington. The Publio Health Department represents the Institute in New Zealand and conducts the examinations in each of the centres with the aid of an architect and sanitary engineer as examiners. An examination will be held in Dunedin in Juno, and classes are being formed to prepare candidates. The certificates, being issued from London, enable the holders to obtain appointments in any part of the world.

On behalf of the Public Health Department, Dr Champtaloup has recently made a tour of all the larger laboratories in the Dominion, and investigated the conditions under which the Public Health bacteriological work is conducted. As a result it is hoped that an arrangement will shortly be made whereby all public health bacteriological work will be done free for medical men. thus facilitating the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Owing to the success which attended the first Post-graduate course in medicine last year, the medical faculty of the Otago University has decided to hold another course this year, commencing towards the end of February. The course will extend over three weeks, but will be so divided that medical men who cannot attend the full time may see what they require in the first or latter half. The classes will embrace modern methods of treatment, pratical work in the laboratories which have recently been enlarged and specially fitted for teaching purposes, and demonstrations of the latest applianoes used in the various branches of medicine and surgery. Owing to the Christmas vacation in connection with the schools at which the two Mewhinney children are boarding, a difficulty has arisen. Who is to 'have custody in the meantime? Mr Justice Chapman and Mr Justice Sim were called upon to decide this point on Monday (says the Wellington Post) when the father applied for leave to take this children to his parents' 'home at Hampden, Otago. Mewhinney appeared in person, and Mr A. Gray for Mrs Mewhinney, who objected to the application. After hearing the parties, Mr Justice Chapman delivered the judgment of the court. Thie father, his Honor said, had been given the custody of the children, but the Court of Appeal directed that they must be placed in the schools. The sole duty of this court was to consider the interests of the children. No doubt some consideration ought to be paid to the feelings of the parents, but the children's interest must bo paramount. Neither parent had a home. It was impossible to do anything to reconcile the conflicting interests, but the court 'had this before it: The school authorities did not desire to be burdened during the holidays, and no doubt this matter was not prominently before the Court of Appeal when it made the order. The children must bo removed from the schools, and the order asked for by the father would be issued, the children to be brought back when the schools reopened. During the month of November three vessels were docked in the big dock and six in the Port Chalmers dock, while three vessels were slipped, the total revenue received in charges by the Harbour Board in this direction amounting to £348 14s sd. The revenue in the dock account for November came to £lOls 5s 6d, and the expenditure to £978 10s 2d. The debit balance on the dock account for the 11 months ending November 30 amounts to £1258 5s 4d.

The Finance Committee of the Harbour Board recommends that all men employed by the board for one whole week shall receive not less than £2 10s a week, while all employees whose engagement does not extend to a week shall bo paid at the rate of 9s per day. At the present time the construction of the new municipal abattoirs at Burnside is proceeding somewhat slowly, pending the arrival of a largo consignment of steel girders, which are expected to come to hand, by the Matatua, due here next month. As soon as the girders arrive, the construction of the main building will be vigoir-

ously pushed on with. At present the foundations arc being put in and the understorey work gone on with. The iron pipes which are to connect tho abattoirs with the Drainage Board's main intercepting eewer at Cavorsham, thus forming the new drainage outlet, have been ordered from Home, and when they come to hand this part of the work will be commenced. Tho laying of the line of pipes through the new railway tunnel will be carried out •by tho Railway Department. The Canadian mail . steamer Marama, which arrived at Auckland on the 20th inat., brought 929 bags of European Canadian, American, and. Island mads. She had 350 passengers, of whom 100 left the vessel at Auckland, and the rest proceeded to Sydney.

At the Gisborne Magistrate's Court a Maori had been sued for a debt. Defendant, who did not appear, sent a letter written in good English, stating that as he was of Maori blood he should be furnished with a translation of the summons into the Maori language. The magistrate remarked that it seemed very funny that a man who could write good classical English wanted a translation. The Native was a skilled wool-olasscr. As he was not living with, his tribe, as stipulated by the act, he did not come under the statutory definition J of a Maori, and judgment was given against him by default.

A special meeting of th© Otago Acclimatisation Society was held on the 20th in the Early Settlors' Hall. Fifteen membere were present, and Mr G. W. MTntosh presided- The purpose of the meeting was to consider th© rules of the society as drafted and submitted by a special subcommittee. The chairman said that the rules had been thoroughly gone into by th© council's subcommittee, and, as drafted, they gave the necessary powers and authority to enable the society to' be worked in an up-to-date manner. Ho accordingly formally moved that the rules be adopted. The rules were taken seriatim. Some discussion took place regarding the subject of a superannuation fund for the society's employees, Mr R. Chisholm strongly urging that provision should be made embodying a resolution of th© society a few years ago, that "£l5O a year be set aside- for the benefit of the employees of th© society." On a vote being taken, however, it wa-s decided by 10 votes to four not to accept the amendment moved, by Mr Ghisholm, in these words: —" And such council shall have power to establish a superannuation fund for the benefit of the employees of the society." The remaining rules were adopted without discussion, and, therefore, the chairman's motion for th© adoption of th© rules, as submitted, was approved of, the motion being earned.without dissent.

The conference" between representatives of the various shipping companies trading in New Zealand waters and representatives of tive Lytteiion, Timaru, and West port Waterside Workers' Unions was com menced on the 20th inst., at the office of the Union Steam Ship Co. Mr Webb, pre sident of .the New Zealand Federation of Labour, and Mr Semple, organising seore tary of the Federation of Labour, were present at tlie conference. The sitting was not open to tlie press. The demands made by the unions for increased wages and improved conditions were discussed at considerable length. It was found, however, owing to the limited time available before the holidays, and in view oif the fact that several largo unions whose awards are just about to expire were not represented at the conference, that it would be advisable, and to" the advantage of both sides, to postpone the conference until the beginning of the New Year. The conference was accordingly adjourned until January 10, and what will amount to practically a Dominion confereince will then be held. In the meantime, work will continue withoiit interruption at the several New Zealand porta pending the result of the conference in January. Proceedings on the 20th, we are informed, were characterised by a very cordial tone on both sides, and it is understood that there is every prospect of a satisfactory settlement being arrived at when the conference resumes on January 10. The conference closed with a hearty vote of thanks, moved by the representatives of ihe waterside workers, to the chairman, Mr 0. Holdsworth. The special train which ran up from Timaru to' Lincoln on the 19th cost the 60 farmers who travelled by it £6B. This charge was (says the Timaru Herald) considered unreasonable, working out as it did at 4el per mile. Each farmer had to pay £i 8a 6d, yet the first-class fare to Chiktchurch is only 16s Bd. A calculation was made which showed that the cost of running the train was not as much as it would cost to run a threshing plant for a day, and it was said that the department, in charging such an exorbitant amount, was not running the railways in the interests of the people. In addition to the heavy charge, the department insisted on returning with the train at least an hour curlier than the farmers wanted to return, thereby causing them to miss seeing a number of things at Lincoln College which they would like to have seen. It is only right to add that the local stationmaster was as courteous and obliging as usual, and he was in, no way to blame for the matters complained of.

On September 26, Marion Helen Fraser, wife of William Fraser, a farmer at the Bluff, sued Archibald Clark Anderson, engineer, of Bluff, for £167 2s 3d for moneys lent and costs incurred. The case was adjourned for evidence of the defendant's age to be adduced. The case was re-opened

on Tuesday, when Mr F. G. O'Beirne, defendant's counsel, produced his client's birth certificate showing that he was, in law, an infant when the transactions, the subject of the present action, took place. Under these circumstances (says the Southland Times) Mr H. A. Macdonald, for plaintiff, had nc other option but to accept a non-suit. Mr O'Beirne asked for his costs. Mr Macdonald contested the claim, arguing that Anderson had only avoided an adverse judgment through a technicality. After argument, his Worship allowed two guineas solicitor's fee to defendant

Thirteen applications were received for the position of engineer to the Bluff Harbour Board. Of these one came from England, one from Tasmania, two from Australia, and the rest from different parts of New Zealand. The number was reduced to three, and the final decision gave the position to Mr G. A. Lee, who, since 1906, has been assistant engineer to the Otago Harbour Board. The position (says our Invercargill correspondent) carries a salary of £450 a year.

Last week's meeting of the Harbour Board was the last meeting of the year, and at the close of the businecs the chairman (Mr W. Belcher) made brief reference to the good feeling existing among the members and to the harmonious way in whioh their work at the hoard table had proceeded. He wished one and all of his colleagues the compliments of this festive season and a very happy New Year. Mr Belcher's kindly greetings were cordially reciprocated by members.

In the Juvenile Court on the 21st inst _ before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., two small boys were charged with breaking a couple cl insulators on a 'telegraph pole at Mornington. Sub-inspector Cruickshank explained, that the case was brought as a warning, as the Telegraph Department had suffered a good deal of damage through the action of boys in throwing stones at the insulators. The accused were admonished and discharged. In order that those who are in receipt of old-age pensions may participate, to some extent at least, in the enjoyment of the pleasures of the festive season, they will now receive their monthly payments before the close of th© year. Sir Jcsoph Ward, who is in charge of the department, has (says a Wellington telegram) notified the commissioner that January old-age pensions ar© to bo paid on Friday, the 29th, and Saturday, th© 30th inst.

The election of delegates to represent th© district from Oamra.ru to th© Bluff at the Railway Conference, to be held next year at Wellington, has just been concluded with the following result: —Traffic department, Gaines; locomotive, Hutchins; workshops, J. Barnett (unopposed); maintenance, J. P. Puttick (unopposed). The voting in cases where an election was necessary was as follows: —Traffic : Gaines, 90; Brookman, 76; Ray, 67; M'Tigue, 38; Peake, 38; Waldie, 19; Kavanagh, 14. Locomotive: Hutchins, 44; M'Curdy, 12; Woodhead, 8. ,

Charles Childs, of Puketiro. was charged before Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M., at Owaka, on the 20th inst. with selling liquor on 17th September, at Puketiro (in the nolicense district of Clutha). Constable M'Kenzie conducted the case for the police, and Mr A. Hanlon (Dunedin) appeared for the defendant, who pleaded " Not guilty." George Wilson, Puketiro, gave evidence that he purchased a bottle of whisky, for which he paid 10s, from Childs. Evidence was also given for the police by James Wilson (Clutha) and Jennie Wilson (wifo of George Wilson). Childs was convicted and fined £2O, with costs (£3 16s 6d). Mr Hanlon gave notice of appeal. Another obarge—that of eelling a bottle of whisky for 10s to James Wilson—was dismissed.

An examination of the vital statistics to date for the Dunedin district over the year 1911 discloses, on comparison with the figures for previous years, some interesting, and, in certain respeots, remarkable features. The total number of marriages registered this year, up to the 21st, is 756, as against a total of 682 for the 12 months of 1910. Last year's total of 682 was by far the highest since the office of the registrar was opened at Dunedin on September 1, 1848. It will thus be seen that the numbe r of marriages registered this year, already amounting to 756, wiil constitute an even more pronounced record. The number cf births registered this year up" to the present time is 1733, while the total for the 12 months: of last year was 1728. It is certainly a remarkable fact that as far back as 1880, or 31 years ago, when the population was very considerably below what it is at the present day, the total number of births registered at Dunedin was as high as 1896. For several years previous to that date the yearly total was in close proximity to that for 1880. From then on the local birth rate underwent a gradual decline, until in 1899 the total was as low as 1155. Thereafter the rate displayed a gradual improvement, although it has failed to reach tho standard it attained over 30 years ago. The number of deaths recorded to da to this year is 809, as against 856 for the 12 months of 1910. The total in this department is neither remarkably high nor remarkably low as compared with previous years.

The Rev. W. J. Elliott, who lias for many years taken a deep interest in scientific research work—more particularly as it applies to insect life, —made what must be considered an important discovery in one of the branches of the Ashburton River on Wednesday (reports the Guardian). While in the act of filling a

kettle of water from one of the streams, Mr Elliott noticed a living object in the clear water, about lin to 12in in length, that was going through a series of contortions that induced him to locate the creature as a Gordius. Mr Elliott managed to capture this species of fish, and he forwarded it to Mr James Drummond, F.R.Z.Si., of Christchurch. In conversation with a Press reporter, Mr Elliott said that he had every reason to believe that the creature captured was a Gordius. He explained that this parasite, if such' it could be called, was bred in animalsi, and when expelled it took to the water, in which it thrived and developed. It is about the thickness of whipcord, and when in the water it ties itself into knots —hence the derivation of its name from the " gordian knot." Mr Elliott went on to explain that this was the first of the species he has seen in New Zealand, and he added that he had made a great deal of research in the direction indicated. He has directed Mr Drummond to present the creature to the Canterbury Museum, in the event of it being acceptable. The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, accompanied by his acting private secretary (Mr Harrison), arrived in Dunedin by the second express from the north on Friday. Mr Mackenzie purposes remaining in Dunedin with his family over Christmas week. Employers of domestic servants will be under the necessity, before March 1 next, of insuring themselves against possible claims by their servants for compensation for accidents which may arise out of and in the course of the employment. The amendment passed last session to the Workers' Compensation Act brings within the scope of the statute "domestic service in which the employment or engagement is for a period of not less than seven days." The now law comes into operation, as already stated, on March 1, 1912, and in view of the fact that the defence that the occupation is not carried on for the purposes of the employer's trade or business will no longer be available, the wisdom of effecting an insurance against possible claims for compensation will be apparent to every householder. •

It is worthy of note by those concerned that in the Shipping and Seamen's Act of last session a clause was inserted allowing oandidates for marine engineers' certificates to count three years' regular attendance in a day technical school as equivalent to two years' service in a workshop—that is, as equal to two years' time of their apprenticeship.

At a meeting of the South Dunedin Branch of the Labour party, held on the 20th inst., the following resolution was adopted:—"That the., action of a section of the men in the Hillside Workshops in moving the resolution in favour of Mr Millar's candidature is inimical to the public service generally, and to the railway servants in particular: in face of the fact that he is the only Minister of Railways who has refused to grant the, employees a conference when requested to do so, thus compelling them to resort to the necessity of petitioning Parliament to obtain redress of their grievances." A Wellington telegram states that statistics in the current Gazette show that out of a population in April last of 1,008,468 in New Zealand, 12,050, or 1.2 per cent., are foreign subjects. The number of New Zealand-born persons is 702,779, and those born in the United Kingdom number 228,684. The arrivals for November were 5248, and -the departures 2054, compared with 4542 and 1777 in November of 1910. -

During th© cross-examination of a man who was charged at Port ChalmeTs on Friday with being drunk while in charge of a horse, accused admitted to Sergeant Dungan that he had a keg ,of beer in his oart, but strenuously denied being drunk. Pie had only had one cupful of beer out of the keg. His self-denial, however, had been rewarded by six other drinks at sundry places. The last of half a dozen witnesses for the defence admitted having had one drink, but said it was composed of lemonade and raspberry. This naive admission convulsed the court, with the exception of the police, who were cither too polite or too dejected to join in the hilarity.

Among the many tributes that have been paid recently to the work of the Navy League (Otago Branch), the following is from the- Convent of the Lady of Mercy (South Dunedin), the sisters of which, in a letter to the hon. secretary, say: —"Your valuable prizes were presented to the winners by his Lordship Bishop Verdon on breaking-up day. Since our girls first competed in the Navy League examination, three years ago, we have noticed a growing interest in the history of the navy and in its connection with the growth of the Empire. Wo can, therefore, assure you that, besides being greatly appreciated, the books will be perused studiously in the preparation of future historical compositions." Sir William Russell discussed English farming in an interview in Slydncy last week. " Being a farmer myself," he remarked, " the thing that most impressed me was the slack way in which farming is done in England. For instance, on any ordinary farm in New Zealand—and I suppose it is the same in Australia—you will see one man driving a team of three, and in some instances four, horses with a twofurrow plough. In England you almost invariably see three horses with a singlefurrow plough, a man guiding it, and a boy driving the horses, so that with more labour they do just exactly half the "work I saw the same sort of thing with reapers

and binders. In consequence of what I may term the dilatory methods of the men on the land, their labour costs them nearly as much as ours does, though farm hands receive not more than half the wages paid out here."

As showing the amount of mental and physical strain involved in the duties of a oountry candidate who woos the suffrages of the electors, Mr W. T. Jennings's diary is interesting. Starting on October 90 at Waitara, where he delivered the first address, he finished at Lepperton on December 6, and during that time travelled by train 425 miles, by sawmill engines 46 miles, motor cars 153 miles, steam launches 23 miles, coaches 12 miles,' traps 226 miles, and horseback 452 miles. Ho spoke on 63 occasions, five addresses being given on one day, the places differing from a theatre to a school, sawmills, and bush dining-rooms. The candidate's horse got bogged on a certain road, whioh, in some places, is merely swamp holes. The weather conditions during the campaign were atrocious, a succession of thunder, lightning, hail, rain, and wind storms being encountered. And then the Reform candidate beat him.

Mr Arthur Gethin Creagh, of Curraghan House, County Clare, one of the oldest magistrates in the county, who died recently, had lived a life typifying one aspect of the Irish question (says the Melbourne Argus's London correspondent). For 40 years' he had been under constant police protection. Upon his weekly visit to the town of Ehnis he was escorted by armed policemen. . Three times his life was attempted. Once when sitting, in his study he stooped to caress his cat, when a gunshot was discharged through the window and grazed his shoulder. Shot at when driving to church with his sister he escaped uninjured. He must have felt rather like the Irish landlord mentioned in Sir Mountstuart Grant Duff's diary, who was driving home with an English guest when a bullet whizzed past them. " Oh ! it's only the lodgekeeper," he coolly replied to the excited Englishman's question; and when the latter proposed sending for the police - to arrest the man — "Heaven forbid! he's the worst shot I ever had !"

The desirability of pupils learning only one foreign language was referred to by tbo Inspector-general of Schools and the Inspector of Secondary Schools in the report on their visit of inspection to the Auckland Boys' Grammar School. The inspectors pointed out that 10.7 boys in the school take French as their only foreign language., six take Latin only, one boy takes neither French nor Latin, and 414 boys take both French and Latin. "In our opinion," they state, "most boys would gain a greater educational benefit if they took only one foreign language, and did not attempt both French and Latin. A fair working knowledge of one language is to' be preferred to a smattering of two or three. But in modern secondary schools the matter is largely determined by the option of parents, and the prejuddos in favour of following old customs is undoubtedly very strong." . Two pigeon races ust held are remarkable (says the Sydney Morning Herald) for the great number of birds that were unaccounted for at the finish. In the first, promoted by the Western Sluburbs Homing Society, about 100 birds were liberated in Melbourne for a 500 miles flight to Sydney, and of this lot only one has come home. In the second case the Newtown Society, on December 2, held what is described as the most disastrous race of the season, 103 birds being despatched on a 125 miles course from Gunning to Sydney. The race started at 11.30 a.m., and only one bird arrived homo on the same day—namely, at 6.15 p.m. Next day 11 more arrived, making 91 birds missing. What happens to the missing birds can only be conjectured. Hawks probably pounce upon and devour a percentage. Some of them, through not being properly trained, go astray, and it is thought that some are shot by those who have a perverted sense of sportsmanship.

The rush of postal business at Dunedin during the four days from December 20. to December 23 -was considerably in excess of that for the corresponding period of last year.' During the four days referred to the Postal Department experienced an exceedingly busy time, the following figures, compared with those fox 1910, indicating the amount of business effected: —Mail bafifs. boxes and hampers handled, 1911, 4329; 1910. 3712. Postage stamps sold, 1911, £1748; 1910, £1686 19s The figures in respect of mail bags, boxes and hampers 'handled, and of postage stamps sold during each of the four days of this year are as follows: —December 20, 930 and £301; Deoember 21, 961 and £479; December 22, 1027 and £443; December 23, 1411 and £520.

A complaint against the management of the railways is voioed in the New Zealand Herald. A settler decided to go to Auckland for the holiday season. His nearest point of departure was Te Kuiti, and, on arriving at the railway station, there, he booked for Auckland, expecting to obtain the benefit of the reduced Christmas fares. He had, however, miscalculated, for he was refused any reduction, and had to pay full fare. Had the settler travelled from Taumarunui, which is 40 miles further away than Te Kuiti, he would have been granted a concession, and, as a matter of fact it would have cost him les3 to have paid the full fare from Te Kuiti to Taumarunui and to have taken out an excursion ticket from the latter place than it actually cost him for the shorter journey. Holders of return excursion tickets to

Auckland from up country districts are barred from returning by the Main Trunk express unless they pay another first clace fare. Two visitors from Putaruru, who wanted to return thither, have been so notified. They had no option except to go- as far as Hamilton, and stay the night there, awaiting a slow train for their destination.

The following is the return of the traffic at the Dunedin Telegraph Office on Saturday, December 23, as compared with the corresponding day of last year:—Telegrams forwarded, 1911, 2772; 1910, 2586. Telegrams received, 1911, 3657; ISIO, 3847. Telegrams in transit for other offices, 1911, 12,826; 1910, 12,644. Totals, 1911, 19,255; 1910, 19.077. It will be seen from the above figures that this year's business shows a slight increase over that for last year.

The holiday traffic was only normal during last week till Saturday was reached, when 'the numbers of those travelling went up with a bound. In the trains bound to the north on Saturday no fewer than 3293 passengers were booked. Of this number 30 went to the North Island, and the chief destinations of the other travellers were as follows:—Lyttelton, 133; Christchurch, 313; Timaru. 159; Oamaru, 197; Ma'heno, 40? Hampden, 90; Palmerston, 69; Waikouaiti, 86; Beach Street. 59; Puketeraki, 179; Warrington, 192; Evansdale, 79; Waitati. 260; Purakanui, 221; and Port Chalmers. 223. Yesterday, however, there were not a great many travelling in the north trains, a total of only 523 being recorded. A large number.of people also boarded southern trains, the number amounting to 3278. Of. this total 68 were booked for Clyde; Alexandra, 30; Lawrence, 144; Romahapa, 104; Owaka, 229; Houipapa, 35; Mosgiel, 113; Milton, 132; Stirling. 100: Balclutha, 95; Gore, 100; Inveroargill, 248. Queenstown claimed 129 passengers, and Taieri Mouth and Titri 104. On Christmas Day 662 tickets were issued on the southern line, a good number of this total getting off at Stirling to attend the Kaitangata sports, 23 passengers were also booked for Queenstown. Taking them all round, it is not thought that the figures for the two days come up to those for the corresponding two days last year, the inclement weather no doubt resti'ioting the numbers of those going out of town at this time of the year. A yoang" man named Robert Pomeroy, aged 16J years, - employed as night watchman on the s.s Tarawera, was arrested on Monday at 7.40 a.m. as he was leaving the ship, on a charge of stealing a handbag, the property of a lady named Mrs Brings. Sinoe the arrest was effected five additional

charges of theft have been made against him from men engaged on the vessel. Accused was formerly an inmate of the Burnham Industrial School, but was released on the application of his father. During the past two or three months extensive improvements have been effected at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, and on Saturday afternoon the park was formally reopened by the Mayor (Mr J. J. Dougall). who said the regeneration was an event of which Christchurch people might well feel proud. A Press Association telegram informs us that after referring to the splendid achievements of New Zealand footballers Mr Dougall said he hoped to see the day when New Zealand would occupy a similar position in the cricket world, and when a team of New Zealand cricketers would tour Australia, South Africa, and England and do as well as the footballers. —("Hear, hear.") The existence and improvement of Lancaster Park were due entirely to individual efforts and not to the result of an appeal to the Government or arty other body. The present position of the park showed that there was a certain amount of public spirit in Christchurch, and he would like to see that spirit increased. Lancaster Park was now the finest sports ground in New Zealand, and was well up to the best in Australasia. He felt sure that nothing would give the Canterbury people greater pleasure than to have the Otago cricket team present to assist in opening the new ground.—("Hear, hear.") The long series of contests between the fcwc provinces had' been such as to engender a very fine spirit. He trusted that in the future Lancaster Park might see many years of prosperity and be the means of inculcating in the young men a love of clean sport and fair play.—(Applause.)