LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 31

LOCAL & GENERAL.

"It is now quite certain that I shall return to America for the coming Presidential campaign,", remarks Professor Mills, Labour organiser, writing in the Weekly Herald. "Whether I shall return to tide country again to have a further share in the Labour movement will depend very largely on the action taken at the Unity Conference. In any case, whether my departure shall be permanent or only temporary, I shall carry away with me friendships that I shall always cherish, while I shall take my departure with a feeling of amused forgiveness for the jealousy and the littleness ■which have sought to defeat my work solely and only by unprovoked and vulgar personalities." Speaking to a Wellington Times representative of the collection of paintings brought out, Mr Baillie said that what he had endeavoured to do was to give the New Zealand public a chance of seeing what was being done by the artists of to-day. He explained that painting, in common with other things, did not stand still. A man of to-day no more painted like the man ot yesterday, than the man of to-morrow would paint like the man of to-day. That which should be avoided, in his opinion, was thecopying of standards set by others. This was often done, instead of the painter endeavouring to develop a certain amount ot personality. Some people were never content unless they were doing old things that others had done years before. Every age had its own pictures and its own style of painting. In nearly every award of the Arbitration Court, or at least in a great number of them, there is a provision for giving lower pay to workers who may not be up to tho level of competence, or who, through a physical defect or old age, may not bo able to do what is considered a fair day's work. Under t.h.n awards mentioned these men may be employed at " under-rato pay," under an agreement between the employer, employee, and the union secretary. To instance how the unions resent this clause (says the Dominion) a delegate to the Ironmasters' Conference, held at Christchurch last week, related that he had had a moulder in his employ, an honest old man, who had reached the " sere and yellow leaf " of life, and yet while too slow to keep pace with an ordinary good moulder, was still able to make himself useful, and was happy in doing so. This man he had employed on under-rate pay terms, until not so long ago, when the secretary of the union objected. As the old man was a good- way from being worth tie ruling rate of wages for good men, he had reluctantly to dismiss him. That man was now in the Benevolent Home, "as miserable as a bandicoot," and a charge on the country. It had been no humiliation for him to accept a lower rate of pay than others knowing his incapacity to work up to their standard but his humiliation was profound when he was driven to accept charity by the arbitrary action of a union secretary.

In. an interview with a New Zealand Times representative, Mr Baillio touched on thte apathy of Wellington's wealthy citizens in the past in regard to assisting in the- encouragement of art; Dunedin, Christchurcb, and Auckland had fared much better. "There are many successful business men here," he continued, "but nobody has done anything for art. Wellington certainly possesses several very fine pictures in the local academy, but they li&ve not a suitable habitation. It is rather rough on the pictures. There should, for instance, be an exhibition gallery for local art, but untih t'he public are educated in art, local artists i are not going to fare very well. If you get peoplo really interested in art, they will soon get to know what is ' good stuff,' and when that happens better artists will como j out, because they will know there is a market for their works. 1 know personally j that there are some eminent portrait painters who are quite willing to come out j to the colonics if any encouragement is given. They want to be sure, however, of encouragement." The Spokane Chamber of Commerce, ono of the most energetic bodies in America, is organising a delegation to Australia of business men representing all the States of the Union; but, before completing arrangements, the chamber is waiting for a formal invitation to be cabled by the New South Wales Government. This is an outcome of the visits first of Mr Percy Hunter, and next of Mr Nielsen, to Spokane, and the impressions made by them may be gathered from a letter that has been received by Mr Hunter from Mr R. J. Maclean, the secretary of the Spokane Chamber. Ho says: " You and Mr Neilsen have put Sydney and New South Wales, as well as all of Australia, ' in right' in this community. Much of the information brought to the attention of our people by you and Mr Nielsen is not only intensely interesting to them, but in the main is entirely new to them. Few of them realise that your loading cities are half as large ns they are, and when one informs that that Australia is as largo as the United States they look at one with amazement. You and Mr Nielsen have done your country a great service in travelling through these parte, and addressing the Chambers of Commerce. Australia should send more leading and prominent men to visit this country and Canada, so that we may become better informed regarding its resources, advantages, and opportunities." A movement is on foot to recognise the exceptional services of Mrs Lee, who, during the Maori war of 1860, earned for herself the proud title of " The Heroine of Taranaki." She is now old and frail, and in somewhat straitened oiroumsfcances, and it is thought that the State might fittingly recognise, after a lapse of bo many years, what she pluckily did half a century ago.

At the commencement of the war typhoid fever broke out, and a house situated over half a mile away from the entrenchments had to be pressed into servioe as a hospital. The first " patients " were a mother, two sons and a daughter. But thore was no one to nurse them. Though not yet out of her teens, Mrs Lee came forward and volunteered'for the risky duty. Mother and daughter were past any aid which she could administer; the two eons were in a state of delirium; and then the father and the eldest daughter were stricken with the dread disease and brought to the "hospital." Day after day this gallant lady persevered with her task, but a day came, it is recorded, when the hapless family was reduced to the father and the two eons. As fear of an attack by the Maoris was daily experienced, Mrs Leo did her best to secure the services of a vehicle, and, after several disappointments, the inmates were safely removed by a vehicle driven by Archdeacon Govett and one of his clergymen, Mr Brown. Some choice specimens of fruit grown in Otago Central have been forwarded to this office by Mr J. of the Perseverance Orchard, on the Clyde-Cromwell road. The specimens, which consist of apples and peaches, serve to demonstrate the wonderful capabilities of the district in the matter of fruit-growing. The fruit has grown to an unusual size, but this has not detracted from its value, as both the apples and the peaches are remarkably sweet and wholesome. Meetings in connection with tho New Zealand Young Women's Presbyterian Bible Class Union Conference were held in Wellington a» Easter. An important ohange in the union's policy is the altering of the timo of hold the conference. The next conference will be held at the same time and place as tho summer conference of lflfS-14. The Executive Council will now bo in Dunedin, and the following officers have been elected:—President, Sister Christabel; vicepresident, Miss B. Macfie; secretary, Miss H. Eudey; treasurer, Miss R. Nicol.

A woman called at the Fremantle offioes of the Adelaide Steamship Company last Wednesday, and found out for the first time that hor husband was aboard the missing steamer Koombana. She admitted that she had parted from him on bad terms, but she did not know where he had gone. On the previous Thursday night she had a dream, in which she pictured her husband clinging to the rigging of the boat. She swam out to his assistance, but being vrs&iiccessful in her mission swam back again. It is a peculiar coincidence that the Koombana left Port Hedland on the Wednesday, and must, according to the experiences of other oraft, have met the centre of the cyclonic disturbance on the Thursday night. The eleventh annual council of the Methodist Local Preachers' Mutual Aid Association of New Zealand was held on Good Friday in the Cambridge Terrace Primitive Methodist Church, Christchurch. At the business meeting, Mr H. Patten occupied the ohair in the absenco of the retiring president, Mr 8. F. Benton, of Dunedin, who was unable to attend owing to sickness. The secretary's report stated that a special feature of the year's work was the success which had attended the correspondence classes conducted by the cssociation. A hearty vote of tlianks was accorded the Iter. C. H. Laws for the excellent services he had rendered as tutor. A form of diploma, to be issued to local preachers who pass in at least fivo subjects of the curriculum, was approved. Various matters in connection with the constitution and the working of the branches were considered. Members said that the association was serving a very useful purpose in the mental equipment of lay preachers and in tho relief of cases of distress. The election of the executive for the ensuing year resulted as follows,—President, Mr H. Patten (Ohristchuroh); vice-president, Mr J. M'lndoo (Dunedin); general secretary, Mr J. T. M. Priest (Ashburton); general treasurer, Mr S. W. Andrews (Ashburton) ; auditors, Messrs J. Vose and R. Thompson (Christchurch) ; Genera! Committee —Messrs G. H. Andrew (Christchurch), >S. 8." Cliapman (Ash burton'i, B. Gott (CJhristehurch), J. Avres (Wellington), E. Armstrong (Christchurch), D. J. Aldersley (Wellington), E. Dowland (Dunedin), W. Dobbs (Christchurch), P. Williams (Dunedin), W. Harding (Ashburton), J. P. Simon (Dunedin), and T. J, Kerr (Christcnureh). Mr W. Harding of Willoughby was appointed official correspondent to the Methodist newspapers and secretary of the Correspondence Classes Committee. It was decided to hold the next annual council at Ashburton.

It is stated by the Napier Telegraph that' the action for slander brought by Mr John ' Payne, M.P. for Grey Lynn, against Mr ! \V. F. Massey is based upon the report of j tho committee set up bv the House to go j into tho allegations. The report reads, — j "That Privilege Committee No. 1, to whom \ was referred tho consideration of tho writ- ! ing and publishing of a letter, admitted to j bo written to and received by the honourable member for Franklin, an extract from which letter was read in the House on i Friday, tho 23rd day of February, by the , said honourable meml>er, and a copy of which extract is as follows, —' You may re- , member my introducing you to young , j son of , one of my young Catholic party i who do not follow Ward. He worked hard ; and loyally for us in Parnell, Ponsonby, and especially in Grey Lynn. Ho now assures . mo that Payne has been squared (£1000) to support Ward on a confidence motion. So sure is he of tho correctness of tho information that his dad is offering level money on Payne, voting against you on such motion, and does not waste any money j on beta without some reason ' —is unable to J inquire further into the matters contained s in the order of reference, by reason of the j

fact that Mr Massoy, having been asked to produce the letter referred to and to give the name of the writer, respectfully declined to produce the letter or disclose tfoo name of the writer."

The new administrator of the Northern Territory (Professor Gilruth) was entertained at a farewell dinner in Melbourne on slarch 26 by an enthusiastic band of New Zealand'ers. The table was decorated with New Zealand greenery, and the menu card was decorated with a caricature of the cx-pro-fessor in a cocked hat and uniform, with an inscription in Latin that he " touched nothing which he did not adorn." Mr Fisher, replying to the toast of " The Commonwealth," described the Federation as young, healthy, vigorous, progressive, always ready for any business that any country could perform. Mr Thomas, who also replied, expressed the hope that there would be no partisan controversies over the development of the Northern Territory. He combated the view that, with a maximum of 3000 square miles for pastoral leases, 175 persons might tako up the whole of the Territory. Such a thing could not occur unless the Administrator, who signed the leases, and members of the Land Board, which divided the land, were dishonourable men. The Government liad not sent and was not sending, any such dishonourable men to the Territory.—(Cheers.) He predicted that a time would como when

there would bo a great and a mighty and teeming population in tho Territory—a population loyal to the flag we all love so woll, aind loyal to the ideals and principles which have mado tho British people tho conquering race which it is to-day.— (Cneers.) Tho toast of "The Administrator" was cordially honoured. Dr Gilruth, in his reply, re-affirmed his adherence to tho leasehold principles of land tenure, and declared that ho was going to the Territory with the idea that ho could do something for Australia, for the Empire, and for the race. ,

' Tho general University courses in arts, science, and medieine commenced on tho 10th inst. It is anticipated, judging by tho ' number of students already forward, that tho attendance will be quite up to the average. Classes in accountancy and law are new features of the syllabus this year. j At tho Technical School all the classes are now in operation, with the exception of the third-year electrical course, for which only two students were forthcoming, and the class for tailors' cutting and fitting, for which there was not a single applicant. The first year's engineering class contains sufficient students to form at least two good classes, while the carpentry and I plumbing classes are much in the samo state. Unfortunately the limited accommo- ; dation at tho disposal of tho authorities i will hajdly permit of the much-needed subdivision of the classes. Students, however, are still enrolling, and it may yet bo necessary to procure rooms outside the . building to provido a home for some of ■ these classes. I The fact that burglaries have been taking ' place in Auckland lately on systematic lines i tends to prove that there is a clever gang 1 at work (says a Press Association telegram). I The latest achievement of this pang has been tho successful forcing of an entranco into premises in Symond street. The thieves secured very little of valuo. A Press Association mecsage from Auck- '. land states that the foundation stone of tho new Young Men's Christian Associa- . tion Building at the corner of Wcllesley j street and Coburg street was laid on the ', 10th inst. by tho Governor. The building is to be an imposing one, five storeys high, i and is being erected at a cost of £IB,OOO. Amongst tho tenders accepted by the j Railway Department for the leases of railj way refreshment rooms for fivo years from list April are tho following:—Oamaru, j Mary Lavery, £7O; Palmerston, A. j M'Gregor, £32 10s; Clinton, E. M'lntosh, j £322; Gore, J. A. Paterson, £4O. News was received on tho 10th inst. by tho ' manager of the Royal Insurance Company j that tho dairy factory at Ratanui, Oatlins, i had been destroyed by fire that morning. The place was owned by Mr Daniel Oldham, : and was erected six year 3 ago. The buildI ing was insured in the Royal office for £475 and the contents for £175.

Tho Wellington correspondent of the Lyttelton Times states that the appeals, about 500 in -'.umber, which have gone in from tho civil service ag.'iinst the provincial classification recently gazetted, have not yet been heard, as tho procedure has not been fixed. This will bo done during tho week, when tho Public Service Classification Board will hold a meeting to decide this matter. Tho Magx. ate's Court authorities at Gisborne wero placed in an embarrassing position on Saturday, and tho experience is tho first of tho kind that they have had. Frequently during a holiday season for any police work requiring to bo dis]X>sed of, such as dealing with inebriate?, a justico of the peace is called in. On Saturday three first offenders for drunkenness wero on tho list, and it was proposed to bring them before a J.P. at the court nt 10 o'clock. It was known that several of the justices were out of the district. There are 15 on the list, but not one could bo obtained. Of tho 10 who would ordinarily be in Gisborne, all except two wero in tho country, and of tho two, one was engaged at the bowling tournament, while tho other resided some distance away, and he had no means of transport- Consequently tho cases were adjourned until Wednesday. The Manawatu Times supplies some interesting particulars of the Mormon Maori Conferenoe at Awapuni, near Palmerston North. The conference is in charge of Mr

Romney, the head of the Mormon Church in New Zealand, who has with him 57 elders from Salt Lake City out of the 58 now in New Zealand, the fifty-eighth being too ill to attend. Mr Romney is a lumberman in a large way in Utah, and is also president of the Mormon Sunday Schools Union. He has with him his wife and daughter (who is returning to Utah to bo married), sons, and nephew—a party of six. Ho is a man of considerable means, and it cost him £3OO for passages for his family, all of which he pays himself, and ho also pays the whole of his own ■expenses during the three years that he will remain here, but will receive from the Utah Church the passage money for his return. The 58 elders are members of the various trades and professions, and they also pay their own expenses during the three years' term —the period allotted for mission service in countries where it is necessary to learn a language. Mr Romney was out here 23 years ago for thrco years and a-half, during which time he learnt Maori, and afterwards made a tour of the world. The elders are supposed to learn Maori within their first 12 months, and usually do so, and make their addresses, etc., in the Maori language. The Mormon mission first came to New Zealand 35 years ago, and sinco then there have been over 500 leaders sent out from Salt Lake City. It lias now 6000 Maori adherents. It has established various institutions, and is building a largo Maori Agricultural College near Hastings, to cost £IO,OOO, for which 130 acres have been obtained

Tho London mail brings an intimation to tho effect that Mr H. 0- Cameron, Produce Commissioner for the New Zealand Government, has arranged to give a course of lectures at the London School of Economics and Political Science, his subject being " The Economics of the Refrigerated Food Supply of Great Britain with Special Reference to Distribution." With regard to tho discussion in the Appeal Court some days ago on will forms, the Public Trust Office wishes it to be explained (says a Press Association message from Wellington) that the will which raised the discussion was not " drawn up on the form prepared in tho Public Trust Office," but was merely on one of the blank forms used by that office. Tho office itself had nothing to do with the drawing up of tho will. Tho outside boroughs—Mornington, Roelyn, St. Kilda, and Green Island—and the town district of Anderson's Bay consumed nine million gallons of water during the month of March, St. Kilda taking tho lead with 3i millions. It is an interesting fact that during the pa. c .t two years the consumption of tho outside boroughs has increased by 50 per cent. Medical scientists abroad aro (says the San Francisco Chroniole) becoming greatly interested in tho unusual caso of a little patient in the London Hospital for Incurables who is said to be rapidly regaining her voice and health through the efforts of specialists who have taught her to sing a Maori bush song. She was in an advanced stage of tuberculosis and her voice had gone almost entiroly. A possible explanation of the alleged cure was effected by Madame Betty Brooke, the Australian singer, at present in New York. She had heard of the song cure for tuberculosis as ib is practised among the Maoris in New Zealand, and she has great faith in it herself. " Among the Maoris the healing powers of song are traditional," said Madame Brooke. "In the case of the littlo girl in the London Hospital for Incurables, they first gob heT interested in rhythmic sounds accompanied by gentlo calisthenics or swinging movements of tho arms. Then she was gradually taught to sing tho little bush song which accompanies the swinging movement. She is undoubtedly on the road to recovery. Songs combined with calisthenics have been known to completely cure cases of throat and lung trouble among the Maoris, and I believe they will have tho same effect on all who try them. I believe that songs such as these will eoon become recognised as a regular treatment for threat and lung trouble. ' A Press Association telegram states that .Mr J. 11. Witheford, of Auckland, who wa3 in-striunenl-a 1 in that port having been made a naval base, was in ChrLstchurch on Friday on business connected with tho Para Para Iron Ore Company. Ho informed some of those interested in tho company that ho had £1,000,000 of English capital to divert into the company.

In his presidential address at tlio Conference) of Librarians at Wellington on Saturday Mr T. W. Leys said ho was convinced thai the best method of dealing with travelling libraries was the American system of library commission or board. The work should be carried out under the direction of the State. The sum voted annually by Parliament in aid of public libraries would achieve much better results if administered by such a body. lie pointed out that £3OOO or £4OOO was quite inadequate- for the purposo. Twenty-seven years ago £6OOO was voted for public libraries, an amount more in accordance with tho grants made in Australian Stales for tho same object. In New Zealand during tho last 10 years the- number of libraries had inoreased from 349 to 405, and the incomo on which subsidy was granted from £9993 to £15,954, yet tho subsidy remained stationary until 1910, when it was increased to £4OOO after being stopped altogether for one year. He trusted that an effort would bo made to create a national scheme of public school libraries, and to bring under the notice of the Prime Minister and tho Minister of Education the wants of country districts in this respect. Good public »©rvioo might bo rendered at little cost by the creation of an administrative body con-

sisting of representative men specialty interested in libraries, who would be willing to give their timo and knowledge if thf requisite executive machinery were pro vided to make their labours effective. At a meeting of the Otago Hospifcal and Charitable Aid Board Mr J. H. Walker was, on tho motion of Mr Tapper, seconded by Mr Myers, re-elected as chairman. Mr Walker, in returning thanks for the honour, said this was hig third term in the chair. The business ol tho board would receive his close attention in the future as it had d«ne in tlie past. Local bodies will doubtless bo pleased to know that at the meeting of th« Hospital and Charitable Aid Board tho chairman (Mr J. H. Walker) confirmed the statement made by him at the recer.t meeting of delegates, to the effect that thera would bo no increase in the levy to be mad* upon them for the current year. Last year tho levy was £38,000, and this year £-33,800, or a reduction of £4200. This, he thought, I should be very satisfactory to tho country delegates who met in Dunedin recently, and also to the board. It showed that th* members were endeavouring as far a« possible to conduct the board's business economically Ho Ivoped that next yeas there woud be a further decrease. Th< chairman's statement was received by the board with numerous evidences of satisfaa tion. Captain Admundsen will lecture in Dui* cdin on the 27th inst., on " How I Reached the Pole." In the course of conversation with « Herald ropresentativo (says an Auckland message), Mr Baird (district telegraph en» gineer) stated that the two slot installed at Auckland were providing a great convenience to the public, who by putting two pennies in were enabled to communicate with subscribers on, tho telephone list Theso two telephone* have given satisfaction in every way, and liave shown no tendency to get out of order in spite of their very frequent use. In view of the satisfactory working of the machines the department has decided to insta! three more in tho course of the next 'few da.to.

Tho fact that a gift of 2,500,000 dollars has jiHfc been anonymously mado to th« Massachusots Institute of Technology, Boaton, possesses a direct interest for this Do* minion, since the president of the Institute, Dr R. C. Maclaurin, is a New Zealander. One American paper, referring to tho munificent gift, Bays:—"Back of all tho fresh recognition that has been given to tha institution, have been tho devoted efforts of a wise and untiring directing head. President Maclaurin has won not only the fiood will of alumni and undergraduate* but tho confidence and admiration of the shrewdest men of tho nation, who feel thai he is working in their interests and the interests of tho whole people." And the publication that is daily produced by the students of the Institute describes tho giffc as a splendid tribute to Dr Maclaurin'* work. . It says: " Ever since tho scheme has been decided a long list of masterpieces in diplomacy hava been devised by this man. When we take into account the fact that our President is a Now Zealander, working in a strange country, under, to ft corsain extent, adverse- conditions, an ad« miration must ariso for his power in handling men, and accommodating himself to circumstances, which cannot fall far short of worship." Mr E Ileywood, F.R.CO., who has re* cently arrived from England to take up hts duties as organist and choirmaster of St.. Paul's Cathedral, is anxious to improve, the standing of singing by tho choir boys. II parents realized the advantages a toy may gain through membership of an efficient choir under a capable trainer, Mr Hey* wood would receive the support he deserve* in his undertaking. Nine years is the age at which a boy should begin his training as a chorister, and in most cases he will keep his singing voice till the age of 14 is reached. During his five years' training ho leams not only how to use hi* voice, but how to read music, and, what is, perhaps, more important still, his musical taste is educated. Church music as it is rendered in the Cathedrals, and older Universities, and in many of the parish

diirrdhes in the Old Country is on© of tho glories of the Anglican Church, and has contributed more to the building up of character, and the appreciation of what is really good than is generally recognised. At the Blackpool Musical Festival last year, the Bt. Helen's Parish Church choir, under Mr Heywood gained second place in the «hureh choir competition for men and boys. The following is the report of Dr M'Naught, the judge:—"Chant: Clean and united; some gaps too great, but they were not serious; expressive and clear; enunciation very good* boys capital, excellent chanting. Anthem: Some expressive emphasis ; not overdone; ' agen ' for ' again ' was quite right; punctilious holding of notes their full value; original expression; enunciation a good feature; boys well trained; tenor rather hard in places; phrasing a mark of thoughtful care, not done for, but born of the music; attack of high notes excellent." At the annual meeting of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, Otago Branch, Mt W. Brookman was elected chairman for the ensuing term. The details of tho ballot wero as follow:—Mr W. Brookman, 302 vote*; Mr W. Love, 157; and Mr J. Thomson, 49. A correspondent., who says that the tramway miloage in Bath, England, is about the same as in Dunedin, while tho populations of the two places also correspond has, apropos our reference to the recent resu'ts of the operation of the municipal tramways In this city, directed our attention to the report of the annual meeting of tho Bath Electric Tramways (Ltd.). This showed 1 that tho earnings for the year amounting to £43,854, were £1462 in excess of thoso of the preceding year. The cost of working, the Chairman said, had been very low, and, according to a comparison made in an elee trical paper, the only places in which tramways were worked at a oheaper rate than in Bath were Cork, with a private company, and Leith, with corporation control. The English mail which reached Dunedin Oil tfho 11th inst. loft London on the 9th March, via New Yprk and Vancouver. The Makura reached Auckland on Tuesday morning. The English and American mail comprised 90 bags, and to these were added at Wellington the Australian mails ex Moeraki, and those despatched from Wellington (47 bags) which comprised local matter, making a total of 137 bags for Dunedin.

Replying to a question" by a Daily Times reporter recardine- the profits mode during March by the Dunedin City Corporation tramways, Cr S. S. Myers, chairman of the committee, said he regretted that the sum of £2 10s 9d was the credit result of the working of the system during that period, and considering tne capital invested he was of opinion that the Tramways Committee should seriously Consider the advisability of taking 6ome steps to put the concern on a better footing. He pointed out that the atanding charges for interest and sinking, depreciation, and renewal funds are heavy—in fact, higher than in either Wellington or Christchurch, If these were to be kept up to the present standard, as he considered they should be, then, looking at the matter fmm a business point of view, something required to be done to increase tfhe revenue. Passengers could not be carried at a loss. Those using the cars should provide a payable revenue, and there should be no possible chance of the system becoming a charge on the rates. In Chrißtchurch on certain lines on a holiday all concessions were withdrawn. and an increase in concession fares was to take place there very shortly. In that v lty, also, when the ears were closely packed

it was usual to hear the remark, " In holi- „ day times we must put up with it," while ae soon as the ears in Dunedin were crowded complaints were loud and long, ©specially from the younger members of the community. "Every tramway system in t&o DomTnion has raised the wages of its employees," continued Mr Myers, " and thts year it will mean another £3OOO to Dunedin in that direction alone. With the new cars and fine weather next summer, and under the present good management, we should make ends meet, but if we are to pay for bands, improvements, etc., out of revenue, as wo should do, and show a margin of profit, the committee will have to reconsider the concessions which were made a year ago, and which, it was agreed, Should operate for 12 montlis. Tj.o rocults of those concessions, in my opinion, have not been satisfactory." Mr J. Jacobs, treasurer of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, has received from an anonymous correspondent a £lO-note for the Hospital funds. The donation carries with it a Government subtidy of £l2. It was reported to the meeting oi the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board that 655 babies had been born in the Maternity Hospital in Forth street since the institution was#»oponed. The committee is anxious to secure a number of pic tares for the walls of the hospital. The English mail which was despatched from Dunedin, via Naples, on February 29, arrived in London on the 7th inst. — pno day late. For the vacancy on the New Zealand University Senate, caused by the retirement pf Professor SaJmond, of Dunedin, the following gentlemen have been nominated : Dr Gilray, nominated by Mr C. R. Richardson ; Dr P. Marshall, nominated by J4r W. p. Stewart and Miss Flora M. Allan) rj. Allan Thomson, nominated by Mr E. Webb and Mr G. F. Inglis { Profeeuor D. ft. White, nominated by Mr T. K. Bidey,

'M.P., and Dr Church. The election will j take place on May 1. The electors are the graduates of the New Zealand University, i whose names are on the roll of the Court |of Convocation of the Otago University I district. The election is conducted by means of sealed voting papers, which will be for- | warded to each elector. | The annual registration of factories and ; shops, due on April 1 each year, reveals ' a very satisfactory state of affairs in the i Dunedin district. So far close on 1000 applications have been sent in to the Labour i Department, which is in excess of last j year's total, and there are still a largo j number of applications to come in. A ! certain amount of grace is allowed In the j matter oi registration, especially on account of the holidays, but at the same time a penalty of £5 a day could be enforced for | the time during which a factory was unregistered. I The following tenders have been received !by the General Committee of the City . Council for the manufacture of three frici tion hoists and four beef droppers for the j City Abattoiis: —Dunedin Engineering and j Steel Co., £262 (accepted); Sparrow and Sons, £265 4s; S. Luke and Son. £267; Cossens and Black (Ltd.), £231 10s; J. J. Niven and Co., schedule prices; Andersons. Ltd., £287; Schlaadt Bros.. £319 7s. The 14th Regiment of Territorials will ! go into camp at Milton from Wednesday, I May 1 till May 8. It is expected that j fully 700 men will be under canvas, inj oiuding about 250 from other regiments. i The officer commanding has donated a shield, which will be awarded to the best all 1 round company at the termination of tho • camp. It is expected that the new traffic bridge at ihe mouth of tho Taieri River will be opened about the end of May. The piledriving has been completed, and the work of placing the wooden superstructure in position is being pushed ahead rapidly. The approach at one end is finished.

The Executive of the Auokland Exhibition (says a Press Association message) is meeting with a ready response from the citizens in the matter of financial support for the Dominion Exhibition next year. Already the guaranteed 1 fund stands at £15.000, and further offers of assistance are being received daily. Our Wellington correspondent states that several New Zealanders will be in quarantine for three weeks in Sydney as the result of a case of smallpox on the P. and O. steamer Malwa. Among those detained are the Hon. C. Johnston, M.L.C., and Mrs Johnston, and Mr Harold Boauchamp and family. At a meeting of the Dunedin Citizens' GardeTi Fete Committee it was reported that as a result of the fete the committee had the sum of £I2OO in hand. After a general discuseion as to the objects of the committee, it was decided to give immediate attention to the improvement of the Southern Oval. An area of about seven acres at the rear of the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, and! running from Princes street to the Anderson's Bay road, will be topdressed and made ready for recreation purposes, and an area of the same extent at the south end, taking in from the circus ground to Tay street, is to be similarly treated. Mr Tannock will place men on the work next week. A report is to be obtained on the proposal to form "Swo hookey grounds in Jubilee Park, and also on the proposal to leve/1 and increase the present playing area at Opoho. There was concluded in Dunedin on Friday a conforenco that has been in progress, at intervals, for about 12 months. About a year ago the Merchant Service Guild, representing the captains and deck officers of vessels over 2000 tons, made a demand for an increase in wages and improved conditions of work, and the conference between the- parties, which threatened at one time to assume a very unpleasant aspect, has at lost come to an end, with results, that must be satisfactory to the companies concerned, to the captains and officers, and to the public generally. The agreement, which is published in another column, will remain in force for three years. It will come into operation, as far as pay- is concerned, as from April 1 last, and the new working conditions will operate as from May 1 next. All the parties speuk highly of the tact exercised by Mr H'llly in bringing the parties together. On Thursday afternoon Major-general Godley inspected the lower end of the Otago Peninsula, paying- special attention to possible landing-places. On Friday morning he rr.otor-ed to Long Beach, Murdering Beach, and other places to the north of Otago Heads, and saw the lay of the country in that quarter. In the afternoon he inspected tile nature of the country on the Peninsula between Hooper's Inlet and the Ocean Beach. The information the General has gained in this way will enable him to settle the constitution of the coast defence in these parts—a division of dofence work under the charge of Colonel J. Allen (Const Dofence Commander). Mr John A. Cook, the honorary local representative of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of 'Music, London, has been advised that the board lias awarded 1 exhibitions, tenable at the Royal Academy of Musio, London, to the following candidates who presented themselves for examination last year : Dorothy Browning. Invercargill, pianoforte (t'-nchcr. Mir Charles Gray), and Mary ©ordon Frasor, Dunedin, pianoforte (teacher, Mr Max Scherek). Three exhibitions are offered anmiallv to candidates in Australasia, entitling their holders to free musi-

cal tuition at the Royal Academy or Royal College, London, for a course of not less than two years. It is worthy of note that, in competition with the whole of Australia, New Zealand candidates have carried off two of the three exhibitions offered. The third has been awarded to Miss Mylie, of Bendigo. A cadet named Hilgendorf, employed on the railway, was arrested at Omakau yesterday by Detective Ward on a charge of stealing £4O from a registered letter, and another railway employee named Michael Begley, was arrested' on a charge of receiving £2O. Both the accused were employed in attending to postal duties at Omakau, where they were brought before a local J.P. on Friday and remanded for a week. Of the sum alleged to be appropriated, £2O was returned to the wuthorities.

At Easter a few most enjoyable days were spent in camp at Taieri Mouth by Scout-mistress Keilar and 14 Girl Scouts. The weather there was much more propitious than it was in Dunedin. and nothing was wanting to make the camp a success. The days were occupied with regular physical drill, expeditions in search of specimens for the botanist's badge, and various other outings. The fame of the Scouts had preceded them, for immediately after their arrival they were asked to contribute an item or two to the local Easter concert, which they did with the cheerful alacrity which the Scouts are in honour bound to show when asked for help. Work in cooking was freely indulged in, and an enticing Irish stew was made, whsoh should help to qualify for the cook's badge. The difficulty some of the members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants have experienced in getting their annual loave has been brought under the notice of the Government through the General Manager of Railways (says the Dominion). Mr T. Ronayne has replied to to the society as follows: —"I have the honour to inform you that every endeavour is made to keep the leave up-to-date. It may occasionally happen, where leave has been arranged, that something unforeseen arises which makes a postponement necessary, but wherever possible this is avoided. The most frequent cause of these postponements is that of a member going off sick or on account of accident at one of the smaller stations, necessitating the sending of relief at once, and the nearest relief porter has to be sent." A resident at Rarotonga has written to Mr J. Allen, M.P., drawing his attention to an unsatisfactory state of affairs in the islands. A native named Noongo, charged with murder was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years' haid labour. The case, in the opinion of the jury, -was the outcome of bush beer-drinking, and the authorities were asked to rake strong meas.iree towards the prevention of the brewing of beer and the resulting drunkenness. But about the middle of last month, it alleged 1 , the prisoner was seen at a moving picture show at the local theatre. Mr Allen's correspondent adds: —" \Vhat ean one say for an Administration &o weak as to allow this sort of thing to go on? Small wonder the natives do not care a pin for the court and its mandates." The issue of Votes for Women, the organ of the Women's Suffrage Union, for March 6, which reached us by the Vancouver mail, is a ourious-looking production. On tho first page, in heavy black letters, under the ■heading, " Significant," is the) following announcement: " The Editors who are responsible for Votes for Women in the absence of Mr and Mrs Pethiok Lawrence " —both under remand, without bail, on a charge of conspiring to commit damage to property—" beg to inform their readers that the blank spaces in this week's issue do not represent lack of interesting matter for publication, but mark the suppression by the printers of articles, comments, and historical facts considered by them to be inflammatory matter." Among the matter which the printers were not prepared to take the risk of circulating was the lead-' ing article for the week. The heading of this, "A Challenge!" is printed, and the signature, " Chrisfabel Pankhurst," is also regarded as safe matter for publication, but 1 between the hoading and the signature are a column and a-half of blank space. Eight blank spaces of varying size in other parts of the publication give it an uncommon appearance. In the course of conversation with a representative of the Lyttelton Times on Tuesday evening, tho Australian journalists, who have just completed their toua- of New Zealand, said they wished to endorse the remarks they madi previously, tliat Christchurch was the prettiest town they had seen in New Zealand. They felt that there was nothing Invidious in saying bo, as Christchurch had a type of beauty which was absolutely its own. Tho days they spent in that cit3' wero !■ inongst the happiest in their memories. As to the South Island geneially, they felt that if they had not seen it they would not have been able to I speak with any authority oi the great beauties of the Dominion. The pastoral | scenes along the railway linos and the roads j were charming, and tho scenery at tho Cold j Lakes surpassed oven the highest expectations they had cherished. From Queenstown they made trips to the head of Lake Wakatipu, to Paradise and other places, and one member of the parly, Mrs Briggs, who conies from sunny Queensland', saw snow for tho first time. They also stated that they wero gratified with the cordial reception the3' received from representatives of newspapers in Dunedin. One of the most interesting features of their visit to that jiart of the Dominion was an inspection of

the woollen mills at. Roslyn, where they were surprised at the extent and modern character of the plant and at the quality of the goods produced. Under date of March 1, our London correspondent writes:—"A London paper this week contains two advertisements -for female 6hirt and grouser hands to go out to New Zealand. One is for female trouser machinists, accustomed to power-driven machines. They will have their passage money advanced and l>e guaranteed three years' work. The other is for experienced shirt machinists, for making workmen's shirts. They are guaranteed work at 25s per week and half their passage money. This rather unusual announcement is partly connected, I understand, with tho contracts for tho uniforms for the Territorial Force."

The fire on a mail train near Brisbane on Saturday has had bad 1 results for some Now Zealand correspondence (says the New Zealand Times). The Post Office has been advised by the Brisbane postal authorities that some of the mails in tho fire wero from New Zealand. Letter bags from Dunedin and Chrietchujrch to Brisbane, the contents of which were unknown, wero burned, but the content* of mail bags from Auckland to Hongkong, and from Wellington to Kobe, Japan, are in fair order, tho registered letters being intact. The parcel mail from Wellington to Hongkong wa? badly damaged, but tho insured parcels are intact, and tho Wellington to Brisbane newspaper mail is in fair order. Dr G. C. Simpson* physicist to Captain Scott's Antarctic Expedition, who returned by the Terra Nova, left by the Maunganui en Thursday night for Sydney and Melbourne (says the Christchurch Press). After a brief stay in Australia, Dr Simpson will return to India, and will resume his former work in the Meteorological Department at Simla. Mr H. G. Ponting, special photographer to tie expedition, who spent 15 months in the Antarctic, was also a passenger by the Maunganui for Sydney, where he will join the Orient liner Orama for England. The Terra Nova la now at her lay-up berth at Lyttelton, and will in all probability remain there for some months. Her sails have been unbent and everything put in order for the winter spell. Her officers and crew will go on leave for a fortnight. In connection with the recent correspondence which has appeared regarding tho last voyage of the Athenic to New Zealand, it is stated that a petition, signed by a large number of passengers, has been forwarded to the Board of Trade, Ix>ndon, setting forth certain grievances, principally against the accommodation and food supply of the third-class passengers. It is expected that more will be heard of the matter after the Athenic returns to London. A Press Association telegram states that the Maunganui, which left Wellington at 6.15 on Friday evening for Sydney, had got a considerable distance past the Heads when < it was discovered that an elderly woman passenger was in the wrong boat. She had intended to go to Lyttelton by the Maori. Captain WorraU put back, came to the wharf, and landed his unintentional passenger in time to get on the vesesl she wanted to travel by. The Maunganui resumed her voyage to Sydney at 8 o'clock. With reference to a cablegram in .this issuo reporting that Professor Payr, of Leipsig, has. cured an idiot child by transferring a portion, of the thyroid gland from a healthy mother to tho child's mouth, a prominent Auckland surgeon, in speaking to a Herald representative, said that the operation, though not common, was by no means a new one. The cure would only be of a specific form of idiocy caused by congenital absence of the thyroid glands from the throat of the patient. The operation had been successfully performed both in England and America, with equally good results. Healthy glands,. moreover, had been restored to adult patients, when disease had necessitated tho removal of their own. Neither the cure effected nor the operation of transplantation presented any novel features, save that it was customary to plant the gland in the patient's abdomen and not in his mouth.

The steamer Surrey, which arrived at Auckland on the 9th inst from Liverpool, via Australian ports, brought 150 first and third-class passengers for all parts of New Zealand. The new arrivals should prove a valuable addition to the Dominion's population. They are mostly young or middleaged people, and several families are included in the number. All trades are represented, and the new arrivals anticipate no difficulty in securing suitable employment. About 50 of the third-class passengers left the ship at Auckland, the remainder being allotted' as follows :—Wellington, two saloon end 33 third-class; Dunedin, six (saloon and 18 third-class; Lyttelton, 17; Gisbornc, 12; Wanganui, 2; New Plymouth, 5; Westport, 3; Grey mouth, 6; Timaru, 6; Port Chalmers, 3; and Bluff, 1. The first of the deer-stalkers to return from the Hawea district is Mr E. Hardcastle, of Christchurch, who reports that on the Highburn block, upon which he was stalking the deer, both hinds and stags wero very numerous, but the stags heads Were badly grown. He saw only four royals or better, none of these heads being large, and the great majority of the full-grown stags carried only moderate 10-point heads. There is abundance of feed at tho present time, and the stags were in good condition. He attributes the poor growth of horn to the long, cold, and wet spring and summer, and this opinion is corroborated by the fact that in a number of cases the home wero only just out of tho helmet, showing how late the heads had been in maturing. His

best head was an 11-pointer. During the first week of the season other stalkers whose camps wore low down in the Hunter Valley 'had met with no suacss in the way of geting good heads. The weather was remarkably fine and warm, and on this account the rutting season did not start until about the middle of the first week in April. The only good head reported to have been shot when Mr Hardcastle left the ground was a 15-pointer, which Mr J. Faulkes secured in the Makarora. It is stated to be 60 inches in spread, and is therefore the record for width for New Zealand. The previous record was 44 inches for a 14-pointer, also shot by Mr Faulkes a few years ago.

Mr W. F. Massey (Leader of the Reform party) and Mr D. Buick, M.P (Palmerstom), arrived in Dunedin from the north on Saturday evening. They will leave for Wyndham by the first express to-day (Wednesday) to attend the banquet In honour of Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P. (Mataura). On Friday, at Queenstown, they will take part in a social function to Mr W. Fraser, M.P. It is proposed to tender a banquet to tho Hon. G. Laurenson at Lyttelton, in recognition of his elevation to Cabinet rank. A complimentary social will also be tendered to the Hon. H. G. Ell by his Ghristchuroh friends early next month. It is expected that Sir Joseph Ward and the Prime Minister will be present. Mosgiel residents will be pleased to learn that the Railway Department intends to build an overbridge at the railway station. We are informed by the brokers fox the Taranaki Oil Wells Company (Ltd.) that applications are being received for large parcels of shares. The prospectus for the new company was issued simultaneously in Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Cablegrams received from London on Friday indicate that the shares will be over-sub-scribed, 88 a premium of Is 3d was being offered on the Stock Exchange there. The direotors in London are making arrangements to push forward as quickly as possible the despatch, of drilling machinery and refinery plant. Twenty-five persons were admitted to the Dunedin Hospital during the past week and 24 discharged therefrom. Three deaths occurred in the institution—viz., those of Peter Lawson, Solomon Friedlich, and James Smith. As the number of patents remaining from the previous week was 124, this leaves a total of 122 at the present time. 'Mr D. Stewart, in response to a representative petition asking him to stand for the Mayoralty of Balclutha, has consented to nomination. Mr E. J. Boyd announced some time ago that he woidd not seek reelection The new post office at Balclutha is almost ready for occupation, and an official opening function will take place at a convenient date, when the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-general will probably attend. The financial statement submitted by the secretary at the last meeting of the Drainage Board was considered by the committee on Friday morning, when it was decided to recommend that the rates be struck at lid in the pound for the sewered area and sid for the unsewercd. The amount recommended for the outer area is 2d in the pound Constable Lopdell took the opportunity when giving evidence relative to the arrest of a "drunk" at Balclutha last week to comment on the prevalence of drinking alcohol in trains. He wished to draw a distinction between drunkenness on the streets and on trains, for in the latter case. the offence was not only an annoyance to fellow passengers but a source of danger to the offenders and others. Tho practice of drinking on trains was very common, and some steps should be taken to put a stop to it. The presiding justice (Mr E. J. Boyd) endorsed tho statement, and remarked that substantial fines or imprisonment should be inflicted on those convicted of drunkenness on trains. It may be mentioned (says our Balclutha correspondent) that the only cases of drunkenness dealt with at Balclutha are in connection with men who alight at the station from the trains. Cm© of the boys connected with the theft of £6 Is from Mr Macfie's office in Castle street appeared, on remand, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., on Saturday. His father also appeared and informed the court that he had severely punished him. The magistrate, after reprimanding the lad, discharged him without entering a conviction. In addressing the father, be said: " It is a matter of regret to think that a boy of that age should be brought before the court on such a serious charge." The father: " I can't help it, your Worship, it is not my fault." Continuing, Mr Widdowson said: "I want you to recognise that this boy is not yet 12 years of age; you know you have had serious troublo with him before—not 12 months ago. I want you to realise that although a mother's care is necessary with children, the kind and strong hand of" a father is also necessary. If this boy goes on as he lias beon going there will be only one course to adopt, and that is to send him away from you." It is some time since any person has been charged with sly grofe'-selling in Balclutha, but it is rumoured that a charge of the kind will bo alleged against a Balclutha boarding-house-keeper next court day. The High Schools Board of Governors has accepted the following tenders for the annual rentals of sections in Strath-Taieri for a term of 21 years: Sections 19 and 20, block 11, J. H Matheson, £1 10s; section 1 of 77, block IX, David Grant, £9 17s; section 2 of 77 and 78, block IX, David Grant. £9 12s; section 3 of 78, block IX, D Allan, £l2 3s; section 4 of 78 and 79, block IX, W. D. Mason; section 5 of

78 and 79. block IX, Wm. Mason, £9 12s; The following tenders have been accepted for sections in Arden on the same terms: Sections 27 to 29 (inclusive), block VI, A S. Williams, £1 2s 6d; sections 8 and 23 to 26 (inclusive), block VI, E. Irwin, £3 2s 6d; sections 19 to 22 (inclusive), block VI, E. Irwin. £2 10s; sections 5 to 8 (inclusive), block VII, R. Young, £1 15s; sections 9, 10, 26, and 27, block VII, R. Young, £1 15s; sections 11, 12, 24. 25, block VII, B. Irwin, £1 17s; sections 13, 14, 22, and 23, block VII, A. Robertson, £2 Is; sections 15, 16, 20, and 21, block VII, A. Robertson, £2 3s; sections 28 to 31, (inclusive), block VHj R. Young, £1 15s; sections 5,6, 32, and 33, block VIII, James Robertson, £1 ss; sections 7,8, 30. and 31, block VIII, James Robertson, £1 ss; sections 9, 10, 28, and 29, block VIIL James Robertson, £1 ss; sections 11, 12, 26, and 27, block VIII, G. A Young, £1 10s; sections 13, 14, 24, and 25, block VIII, Andrew Harvie, £2 ss; sections 15 to 17 and 21 to 23 (inclusive), block VIII, A. Robertson, £2 3s 6d; sections 1,2, 34, and 35, block IX, J. Hay, £1 Is; sections 7,8, 31, 32, and 33, block IX, Jane M. Johnston, £1 ss; sectiom 1,2, and 3 block XIII, A. Campbell, £1 Is; sections 4 and 5, block 111, J. Hay, £2 ss. The following tenders were accepted for Arden seotions for one year's lease: —Sections 1 to 19 (inclusive), block IV, J. Hay, £3; sections 7 to 19 (inclusive), block V, J. Robertson, £4 2s; oection 5 to 12 (inclusive), block XIV, T. M'Ciintock, £1 10s. No tenders wore received for section 18, block 11. Strath-Taieri district.

Mr W. F. Massey has been spending a few days in Dunedin seeing friends and taking advantage generally of the brief lull in his strenuous parliamentary labours. On Monday morning Mr Massey, accompanied by Messrs D. Buick, G. M. Thomson, J. Allen, T. K. Sidey, and C. B, Statham, M.P.'s, Mr William Burnett (Mayor), Mr John Ross, Mr Herbert Webb, and Mr G. W. W. B. Hughes, paid a visit of inspection to the new Y.M.O.A. Building in Moray place. The structure, which is now nearirig completion, was very much admired by Mr Massey, who said he had never seen anything like it anywhere. On Tuesday, in company with the members of Parliament mentioned above, Mr Massey visited the fish hatcheries at Portobello. During the day Mr W. Fraser (Wakatipu) and several northern Opposition members joined Mr Massey in Dunedin, and on Wednesday morning the whole party will proceed to Wyndham, where Mr G. J. Anderson is being entertained at a banquet this evening. Mr Massey also intends to be present at a social which is is being tendered to Mr W. Fraser at Queenstown on Friday night, and also, if possible, at a similar gathering of Mr E. P. Lee's supporters at Oamaru on the following Monday. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Sir Joseph Ward left for the south on Monday night, accompanied by Lady Ward and Miss Ward. By way of compliment Jupp's Band played in Awarua grounds and escorted him to the steamer, where Sir Joseph addressed a few words of farewell to those on the wharf. He arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday, and will proceed to Invercargill on Wednesday, taking passage by the Ulimaroa on Monday. He will be away from Wellington for about eix weeks. A Press Association message from Auckland states that a man named Albert Purcell, who now lies in the hospital with a broken leg, made a statement to the police on Monday in which he alleges that another man was wilfully responsible for his injuries. His assailant, he stated, suspected he possessed money, and threw him heavily on the pavement in Queen street on Saturday evening, and then he made off. Purcell at the time was only able to walk with with the assistance of crutches because of a similar injury received some months ago. A Press Association message from Timaru states that a complaint was made to the Chamber of Commerce Committee on Monday of what was considered an unreasonable procedure on the part of the Railway Department in regard to charging overtime for work on the wharves, a recent alteration having thrown upon the shipping agents a larger share than the men receive for overtime pay. The grievance is felt the more inasmuch as overtime is frequently made necessary through the inadequacy of railway facilities to permit of the work being completed in the day hours, and the ship agents are paying their men while waiting for trucks or engines The matter was referred to a subcommittee for further inquiry. Applications for the Timarunga Settlement at Pareora are disappointingly small (says a Timaru telegram), only 19 being lodged at Timaru. It is understood that only two or three have been received at Christchurch. It is supposed that the rentals are too high. Our Invercargill correspondent states that the police raided certain premises in Tay street (one of tho principal streets) on Sunday afternoon and secured a quantity of liquor. Court proceedings "will follow. On Sunday evening the St. Kilda Methodist Church was crowded to listen to the farewell sermon preached by the Rev. R. H. Wylie, who had charge of the ohurch for the past two years. The rev. gentleman took as his subject " Abraham's call and obedience," and in a forceful way showed how the experience of old fitted in with the present-day work of a minister. He complimented the church officers and workers on their loyalty during his stay. At the close the entire congregation joined in tho singing of the favourite hymn. "God be with you." The members will tender Mr Wylie a social on

"Wednesday, when he will take final leave of the charge and hand over the management to his successor, the Rev. A. J. Seamer, who will commence his ministration on Sunday. The English mail which was despatched from Dunedin via Brindisi on March 7 arrived in London on the 12th ux=t.—its due date. A short time before the storm in Christchurch on Tuesday afternoon a man who appeared to be under the influence of liquor and who had been ejected from the bar of an hotel, fell heavily in a right-of-way. He sustained a severe scalp wound which rendered him unconscious. When the storm broke, an effort was made by some by-standers to place the injured man in the passage of another hotel. The proprietor, however, refused to admit the man on the ground that it would render him liable to prosecution for having a drunken man on the premises. The man was, therefore left lying in the rain for some time, but an insistent demand from the bystanders resulted in his deposition in the passage until assistance could be summoned. Eventually the man was removed to the hospital. The annual meeting of the 14th Begimental Band (Milton) was held last week, when there were 16 members present. The annual report was of an encouraging nature, showing that a keen interest vtm being taken in affairs by the members, and practices were being well attended. The balance sheet showed a oredit balance of £34 Is 6d. A new set of Boosey instruments has recently been procured. Officebearers were appointed, and the mattter of recommending a deputy bandmaster, drummajor, sergeant, and corporal was left to the committee to consider. Several matters of a detail nature were arranged, and members' subscription was fixed at Is per month.