LOCAL & GENERAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 9

LOCAL & GENERAL.

On her last trip from Bluff and Dunedin the Maitai carried 102 crates of cheese, which were transhipped to the lonic in Wellington, and sent to London. Of the total 74 were taken on board at Bluff, and 28 at Dunedin. This was the last shipment- for the present season. It is expected that the first shipment of the new season’s produce will be made about the end of October. «

A story of endurance, pluck, and of bush comradeship is to band (says a Wellington Press Association message) from the King Country. It concerns a man named Herbert Wprsley, aged 33 years. He was engaged tree-felling in a bush 20 miles from Raurimu on Monday, when a tree fell on him, breaking and mutilating his thigh. .Eight comrades set out at 5 o’clock that afternoon to carry him on a long journey over steep mountainous country to Raurimu. When they had proceeded five miles they secured a trap, but this broke down, owing to the rough and broken nature of the country being traversed, and the party had to abandon the vehicle. They continued their march sometimes through dense bush, at other times over "rough clearings of piled-up logs, and were frequently wading up to their knees in mud. The night was bitterly cold, and the darkness in the bush was a great handicap, the whole party frequently stumbling over logs, missing their footings and falling down slopes. Worn out and fatigued, they reached Raurimu at 8 o’clock yesterday, where Worsley was placed in the train and conveyed to Hamilton Hospital.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that on the application .of the Wellington District Law Society, the Appeal Court on the 7th made an order absolute striking Oliver Noel Gillespie off the rolls of the barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court. Costs were allowed to the district law society.

The president of the Otago Central Railway League (Mr W. Burnett) has received telegraphic advices from the Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, with assurances that active steps, are being taken in the matter of relieving the congested pressure of unemployment existing at present. Mr A. Moritzson, concerning the progress of the line in question, learns that the Public Works Department has been instructed to complete plans and specifications for the first one and a-half miles of railway from Clyde on as soon as possible, in order that tenders may be called for this section. The Minister has also given instructions to have plans and specifications for the next ’ section completed at once, also in order that tenders may be called. The advance survey party have got the trial survey carried up about six miles and a-half above Clyde, and, judging by appearances, it seems that a legitimate effort is being made to push this work on without' delay. The secretary of the Dunedin Expansion League is now in receipt of the following communication from Mr C. E. Statham, M.P.: —“You have no doubt duly received the joint wire from the Dunedin members in reply to your telegrams re the unemployed. The Hon. Mr Fraser told me last evening that he is sending a responsible officer down ’ specially to deal with the matter, and hopes to be able to give employment to those willing to go into the country to work. He says, however, that he does not see any way so far as thtf public works are concerned, of finding employment for those who do not see their way to gp out of the city. Ho will give instructions that everything possible will be done in the way of making things comfortable for those who go.” Wo understand that Mr Furkert arrived from Wellington last night. A Daily Times reporter learns that a well-known farmer of the Kaitangata district expects at no distant date to be carting milk to the_ dairy factory daily, per motor van.

The act of shaking h&nds with a friend (says the Golden Bay Argus) is not usually considered a dangerous practice, but on Saturday week a man named Thomas Croucher, while greeting in this manner a footballer just returned from Takaka was unfortunate enough to break a bone in his right forearm. The sufferer was driven to Takaka Iy, motor car, and attended to by Dr Woodward, who set the broken limb. Mr Croucher will be incapacitated from work for several fteeks as a result of ths accident.

On the Tth, while members of the Opposition and" labour members were declaiming in the House that the Government stands for monopoly and oppression (says mir Wellington correspondent) the Minister of Public Works was considering ways and means for the relief of distress owing to unemployment. Right through the winter the Minister has done a great deal to provide for those in need of work by finding employment for them on various Government works. Mr Fraser has authorised the expenditure of between £3OO and £4OO on the painting of Government property in Wellington to relieve the unemployment in the painting trade. He has also authorised a considerable expenditure on the painting of public buildings in Auckland. In Dunedin he has found employment for some 80 labourers; 30 of them married men.

“The Pest and Telegraph. Department,” says the Public Service Commissioner in his annual report, "is peculiar as compared with others, as under the Public Service Act' transfers to the department from other

departments are practically impossible, although there is nothing to prevent postal officers from being transferred to other departments. This was at the, request of the officers of the department, but I am afraid the provision is one which is a disadvantage rather than an advantage to the officers themselves, as the rest of the public service is now claiming, through fts asso-' ciation, that the same treatment should be applied to them. The full effect desired by all officers would be met if the restrictions were modified. The Post Office has unusual facilities for training officers in certain classes of clerical work for which it is at, times difficult to find officers properly trained in other departments, while, on the other hand, the Post Office is often in need of general division officers, who could be supplied from other departments instead of being engaged from outside the public service.”

The quality of stenography and typewriting among applicants for positions in the civil service and- also in the service, does not some up to the standard required by the commissioners, who have a good deal to say about it in their report to Parliament, presented on Friday, 3rd inst. Out of 18 "candidates in public examinations in this subject, held in Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson, there were only four passes. The quality of the work was distinctly poor in all essentials. Of 11 girls who presented themselves for examination in the Public Service, Commissioner’s office, not one succeeded in passing a reasonable test, and most failed badly. Experience showed that common-sense arid intelligence, which would tide the candidate over some difficulties, are wanted to a large extent. The quality of the typewriting work was (says the Herald), equally disappointing. “It is hard to understand,” the commissioner states, “why candidates who have attended classes at the various recognised schools and presumably undergone a course of instruction, should' make such a lamentable showing when subjected to a simple test.- The public service now offers good scopes and substantial monetarj' and other benefits to efficient shorthand writers and typists, which. should be sufficient to induce competent, well-trained girls to offer when applications are invited for vacancies. The only comfort to be derived from the present position is that it is not singular to New Zealand.” Similar criticism is directed to the stenographic side of the civil ■ service, whore “the work done, with few exceptions, is of only fair average quality, and lacking that excellence which should be the hall-mark of Government work.”

H.M.S. Torch left Nukualofa (Tonga) on June 11 for Suva (says the New Zealand Herald’s correspondent). From there she proceeds to the New Hebrides on a punitive expedition. The officers are already acquainted with the locality, and do not relish the work before them. On the occa sion of their last visit they had a rather exciting time, in consequence of pursuing a party of natives into the interior at Malekula. Whilst in the midst of heavy undergrowth, the fugitives suddenly disappeared, and despite a prolonged search, no further trace of them was seen. The ship’s party reluctantly turned coastwards, and, on nearing the beach, were surprised to hear the rattle of a broadside from the Torch It appeared that a large number of natives were ambushed, awaiting the sailors’ return from inland, and, but for the vigilance of the look-out on the gunboat, who sighted the gathering of natives, the expedition would certainly have been taken by surprise and have suffered accordingly. A French gunboat is to assist in the present expedition.

The conservation of forests is a matter of vital importance in any community. Much good work. is being done in South Aus tralia in this direction. There has (says the South Australian Register) been much ruthless destruction of timber in the past, and, unfortunately there appears to be still need for public enlightment regarding the great and inevitable harm which follows such vandalism. Vigorous addresses were delivered at a meeting of the Forestry League in Adelaide recently. The doctrine of tree-planting constituted the basis of the remarks, and abundant evidence was provided regarding its utility. Mr Corbin (Instructor -in Forestry at the Adelaide University) spoke of the part played by birds in checking insects which damage standing timber. He remarked that one had only to look at a stack of firewood in the backyard for abundant evidence of the tremendous damage caused by insects. The speaker added that were it not for destructive insects much of that wood would probably not be there.

A tragedy was averted bn Thursday, 2nd inst., by the prompt action of a lady in rescuing a little boy from his perilous plight, and also through the action of two gentlemen, who applied artificial means of respiration to the dying boy (says the Auckland Star). Mrs M'Night was proceeding along Francis street, when she was surprised to see two tiny feet protruding from a sewer grating. Coming closer, she saw that a boy*, whose name is Willie Dunn, residing in Francis street, had fallen head first down the grating, his head and shoulders being submerged in about two feet of water. Hastily pulling him out, she 1 was horrified to see that he was apparently dead. Calling for assistance, she laid the boy down, and two passers by worked on the lad’s body, with the result that animation was eventually restored. Ho was soon sufficiently recovered to be able to proceed to his home. It appears that he

had been playing near the spot' where ho fell, and by some means managed to shift the iron barred grating, and had toppled in.

A report issued by the Lands Department shows that the rabbit pe&t is diminishing in Queensland. Dry seasons have destroyed rabbits in a wonderful way between Wompah and Cooper’s Creek, a distance of 150 miles. In that part of the State there is not a single rabbit, and very few traces of them are to be seen. Increases, however, are reported in some districts where the rainfall has been copious and conditions favourable, but the largest portion of the State is now singularly free from the pest. There has been an incursion of rabbits into 'tile Carnarvon district from New South Wales across dried-up watercourses, which usually filled. Foxes are aiding the dry weather in exterminating the pe&t in the south-west. The opinion generally held is that what with the diminution of rabbits and the.high prices ruling for stock, and the good seasons being experienced in most districts, pastoralists' in Queensland are enjoying an exceptionally prosperous time. A shipment of Australian native birds and animals is being forwarded to Canada by the mail steamer Niagara, which ar_ rived at Auckland on the 2nd inst. from Sydney. The consignment is housed in cages on the boat deck of the liner, and has been presented to the Vancouver Board of Park Commissioners by Mr -E. S. Josephs, the explorer. Mr Josephs passed through Auckland some months ago by /the Niagara with a large consignment of American birds and animals for various Australian zoos. The shipment on the Niagara includes several kangaroos, one eagle, Tasmanian devils, two dingos, one emu, one ibis, several wallabies, four laughing jackasses, cuckoos, one hawk, four opossums, and four mountain dudks. Professor Prince, the Canadian fisheries expert, and Mr L. F- Ayeon, Government officer in charge of New Zealand fisheries, are at present on a visit to the Taranaki district At Hawera (our own correspondent states) Professor Prince held a conference with the Acclimatisation Society. He agreed that the society, in common with the other societies in New Zealand, was suffering greatly from poaching, and the dynamiting of the streams, and in his report to the Government he would make a very strong recommendation on the matter. The Government should take control of -the matter, and should, if necessary, tell off mounted police to patrol the streams. He made passing reference to the -Sel industry, and said that in his report he would suggest some kind of eel tinning or preserving works. If such could be successfully establisheji it would be the means of not only creating an industry, but of ridding the streams and rivers of large quantities of that troublesome fish. He referred to the fact that in Otago the Acclimatisation Societies’s gave settlers eel traps or eel baskets, and they were doing a vast amount of good in destroying one of the greatest enemies of trout. Shags, too, were destructive, and should be shot whenever possible.

Here is a tabloid instance of anonymous letter-writing in Christchurch, inspired either by blackmail, hatred, or jealousy (says a special message to the Southland Times). A married woman received a typed anonymous letter couched in ambiguous terms but impudently accusing her of an indecent communication to a young girl. She handed it to the police, and typewriting experts were called in. They found that the sender had a good deal of natural cunning, for the letter was written through a worn out carbon sheet, making the identification of the machine difficult. Suspicion turned on a young woman typist in a city office, and the typing corresponded with the machine. Hero is the plot laid bare. The young woman to whom the letter was traced had struck up an acquaintance with a married man in business. He treated her with courtesy and she found excuses for trying to ripen the acquaintance. Then one day she received a letter of an indelicate nature, and the next thing that happened was that she had .accused the man’s wife by medium of the first mentioned anonymous letter of writing it She even “ shadowed ” the married woman, and made things very unpleasant until the police stepped in. It was found that the young woman was neurotic and the theory was established that she had written the abusive letter to herself and then accused the wife out of jealousy. The principal parties did not wish to prosecute and the case, like many of its kind, has disappeared into oblivion. The particular case is mentioned as typical of many. When the matter was mentioned to a police officer ho did not deny or confirm it. He said that there were cases of the kind continually coming into the hands of the police, but the principal parties would not prosecute on account of the publicity involved. “ Is it blackmail?” he was asked. “Not as a rule,” he said, “ very often jealousy. A woman takes a fancy to a man and presses her company on him. Ho throws her off and her affection turns to hate, then she writes anonymous letters, perhaps to his wife or other relatives. Such oases are very common and wo have to sift them very carefully.” Frank Rose, aged four yearn and ten months, who, with a little girl, Nancy Jarvis,.rc aged eight, was lost in the bush near Tallebudgcra (New South Wales) on June 16, was found about five miles from where the girl was found nine days previously. Three brothers were walking along the railway line when one of them kicked against a boy, who was lying between two railway sleepers. He was clad only in a

thin shirt and pants, and had been out eight days and nights, exposed to the cold and rain. The little fellow was conveyed to an hotel. He was very feverish. His feet and legs wore badly out- and bruised. Nearly 300 people were out searching the previous Sunday, and there had been large parties out daily. The girl has almost recovered from the effects of the exposure during her four days and three nights in the bush. When found she had travelled from six to eight miles over rough country. The boy left her while she was asleep, she said. They managed to subsist on blade grass roots, but chiefly on water. When night oame on they slept together under a sugar bag, the only covering they had, both being scantily clad. The boy, when parting from the girl, wore only a thin shirt and pants. When found he was in a delirious state-. - It is the intention of Mr Elwood Mead to recommend to the State Ministry of Victoria that it should follow the practice of California in establishing “garden cities” in the irrigation districts. A recommendation to that effect is expected to form a feature of Mr Mead’s report to the Ministry regarding his recent visit to America (says the Age). He was supplied ■by the Californian authorities with a series of photographs depicting the towns which are being set up in the heart of the country districts. In the centre of each of these towns is an open circular space, planted with trees or covered in grassy lawns, and about it are constructed buildings of a modern and artistic character. The idea is that, in a degree, this plan might be followed on some such estates as the Stanhope, and tSat the Ministry, instead of allowing ordinary back-block buildings to spring up, should set the example by constructing around some picturesque centre State buildings somewhat on the lines of the Calirornian.

Interesting discoveries were made during the cruise of the Federal trawler Endeavour, Which has just concluded, (says the Melbourne Age), The principal of these was that many of the soundings shown on the charts which have been doing duty for a good many years are incorrect as regards the depth of water indicated. For instance, the greatest depth in Bass Strait, according to these charts, is 48 fathoms (288 ft), but soundings taken by the Endeavour showed that in many places the lead sank to a depth of 53 fathoms (318 ft). Another of the discoveries was .that the ocean bed is quite regular, and not irregular, as shown by the old charts, and that a big central basin, with a maximum depth of 53 fathoms, extends like a trough from the Tasmanian coast towards Victoria, and then stretches away into the Southern Ocean between Cape Otway and King Island. No fewer than 525 soundings were taken during the cruise. The Federal Fisheries Director thinks that the explanation of, the difference between the old and the new soundings lies in the fact that the old soundings were not taken at the one time, and that different appliances gave different results. This, he says, cannot be allowed to stand' against the soundings taken with the latest appliances. Mr A. Baker, Maltby avenue, Timaru, has been carrying on in a small way, a poultry export industry for the past nine years. He informed a Timaru Herald reporter that since Easter he had killed, plucked, and pipped to Wellington, no fewer than 3000 birds. He sent by the last week-end ferry - steamer 100 turkeys, which is the largest consignment yet sent from South Canterbury. He has dealt with the same Wellington firm all the ■ time, and stales that South Canterbury birds are considered the sweetest on the market, and he is unable to supply the demand. He is convinced that the industry can be made a very profitable one, all that is necessary being more capital than ho has at command. He also from information obtained from Australian poultry journals, that a large trade could be established with the Commonwealth. Another idea, which his experience has suggested to him (Mr Baker was for five years in the Government poultry depot at Christchurch) is that an association or “circle” for the disposal of poultry for local consumption would be a useful and profitable thing. • The agitation against the planting of an avenue of trees in Thames street, Oamaru —work that is now about completed—took on now life on the 7th (says our own correspendent), when a meeting of opponents was held. About' 200 people were present, and both the Beautifying Society and the Borough Council came in for strong coademnation. There was some talk of asking the whole council to resign, and threats indulged of remembering the action of the majority at the next election. There was an emphatic demand to have the trees removed, and it was decided to promote a monster petition to the council to that end. Of course, the other side is not likely to remain quiet, and a counter petition will probably be set in circulation.

That the Federal Governments maternity bonus is appreciated, if only to enable some parents to flout a State law, was indicated at South Melbourne Court recently (says the Age). A little woman came forward to answer to a charge of failing to have her child vaccinated, and Mr Baiw.gwanath, J.P., recognising in her a person who had been previously fined, remarked, “ Well, madam, I am sorry to see you here again;" But, smilingly, “madam” waived aside the expressions of regret, as she replied, “Oh, its all right now, sir. Last 'limp I felt it pretty hard, but 'pw I receive Jg*v from the Government, and can afford *o spay the fine.” The frank statement evoked some laughter, and a sum of £2 was promptly transferred from tire Federal exchequer to

that of the State. In another case a newcomer to the country said she .objected to vaccination, and. __ was explaining to the bench that in country she came from vaccination was optional, when Mr Baragwanath handed her a photograph of a child that had been afflicted with smallpox. It

was a sickening picture, and, shuddering ‘as she quickly handed it back, defendant exclaimed, brokenly, “ Qh, I do not want my child to look like that.” Mr Baragwanath smiled as he noted the effect produced, but

looked glum when the woman added, “But I cannot consent to the child being vaccinated now.” She, too, handed over two fifths of the bonus. A system whereby farmers in the back country could secure wireless communication with the towns is suggested by W. King-Wilt, vice-president of the Wireless Institute of Victoria. He thinks that the farmers in the various localities should organise themselves into a co-operative body, subscribing to a fund which would provide a wireless station for each member, and a central station at the nearest

town, where an operator would be on-duty. For the sum of £2O each a body of 10 i subscribers could purchase instruments, including a transmitter with a range of 10 miles. The cost of the erection of the mast aerial and the assembling of the instruments would depend upon the ability of the erector. The matter of the supply of power could be dealt with by having at the central station a small plant for charging accumulators. 7 Run No. 522, Lake County, containing 15,980 acres, was submitted at auction at the Crown Lands Office on the Bth for a term of lease extending over 14 years. The . was a large attendance of bidders. The upset rental was £lO per annum, and the lease realised £sl per annum, at which figure Mr Joseph G. Fenn, of Arcadia, Paradise, became the lessee.

Given a good cause, the citizens of Dunedin can always be depended upon for a liberal response. .It is pleasing to be able to state that, in the case of the appeal made a few weeks ago by the local branch of the Hibernian Society on behalf of Mr Joseph Fulton, who has been incapacitated for two years, the result is extremely satisfactory. A sum of £sl has just been handed over to the beneficiary, who wishes to express his gratitude to all concerned. The Minister of Public Works (telegraphs our Wellington correspondent) states that every effort will be made to have the Lawrence-Beaumont line in such condition that it can be handed over to the Railway Department at the end of October. The question of continuing this railway beyond Beaumont wiJl bo decided when the Public Works Statement is brought down. The Otago Land Board on the 9th decided to offer for sale four sections at Laudcx part of some country which it is considered would he suitable for fruit-growing. The sections arc about a mile and a-half on the Dunedin side of the railway station, and the area are from 21 to 123 acres in extent. At the conclusion of the meeting a representative of, this paper had a short interview with the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr Sadd), in respect to his recent trip, to Central Otago. Mr Sadd said that a survey was being made of an area acquired by the Cromwell Flat Development Company about two miles beyond the township. The area is being divided into 32 farms, ranging in area from 11 to 21 acres. These arc already irrigated, so that as soon as the survey has been completed the sections can be disposed of and the settlers commence work at once. The lessee of the Earnsclough run (Mr Spain)' has agreed to, allow the Government to resume about 7000 or 8000 acres of that run. It contains a considerable amount of land that is,suitable for fruit-growing, and a good deal of it is either irrigated or could be irrigated at comparatively low cost. Part of the

commissioner’s. work was to inspect the old Alexandra and Dunstan racecourses. The Alexandra course contains -97 acres, and it is proposed to cut it up into eight fruit farms. It ie commanded to a considerable extent by/ the existing water race, and so the scheme could bo gone ahead with almost at once. The Dunstan coarse will be out up into nine farms, but these will be dependent upon water being brought in from the Manuherikia water race, upon the construction of which the Government will bo commencing almost immediately. Mr J. F. Schroder, a prominent resident of Hokitika, says that in his opinion the continued erosion of the town beach will make it imperative for Revel street residents and business people to shift. “ There are several places,” be says, “to which Revel street could be transferred, hut it is positive that unless the street is shifted complete disaster will overtake the town. With this in rflind, then, townspeople must, act unitedly to concentrate a new township. Two alternatives present themselves —to let the sea complete its work of destruction, or to remove business places to a place of safety. So convinced am I that the latter one must be chosen if the safety of the town is to bo consulted, that as a preliminary of shifting I intend selling off the contents of my warehouse forthwith. Let me urge upon business men to act energetically and promptly to save the town from a greater catastrophe. Financial difficulties can be easily overcome. Every delay hastens the danga#*. '

A Press Association jtelegram from Wellington states that the arrivals in New Zealand overseas during May totalled 2812, as compared with 3056 in May, 1913. The departures in the , same month numbered 3730, as against 3151 in May last year. The details arc: —Arrivals: Auckland, 1204; Wellington, 1178; Dunedin, nil; Invercargill, 430. Departures : Auckland, 1271; Wellington, 2066; Dunedin, 5; Invercargill, 388.

A Press Association telegram from Timaru states that as several pupils attending the Waimatai suburban school are suffering from diphtheria, the school is to be closed for 10 days. The school itself is not to blame for the outbreak, according to the medical inspectors. During June, at the Kaitangata Court, £33 2s Id was sued for, £25 16s 7d was recovered, and oivil stamp fees paid in stamps amounted to £2 4s. Twelve criminal cases (continues our correspondent) were dealt with, and. 10 convictions recorded, criminal stamp fees afid fines aggregating £7 10s. The monthly meeting of the Tourist and Amenities Committee of the Dunedin Expansion League was held in the League’s Office on Thursday, 9th; -resent —Messrs Geo. Fenwick (in the chair), J. T. Johnson, A. Moritzson, E. E. Stark, J, J. Clark, A. Bathgate, F. H. Campbell, J. Inglis Wright, and W. D. R. M'Curdie. It was decided to inform the Tuapeka Mining and Prospecting Association that as far as the league was concerned whatever rights in the Waipori Bush the miners at present enjoyed would be absolutely preserved to them under whatever arrangement might be made for the preservation of the bush. Mr E. H. Hiley (general manager of railways) wrote regarding the newspaper report of the first winter vveok-ond excursion to Queenstown. He stated that the circumstance under which the sheep were convoyed on this occasion were exceptional, and that the statements published were greatly exaggerated. The annual report of the committee, as prepared by the secretary, was submitted and approved. Messrs G. Fenwick, A. Bathgate, A. Moritzson, and J. J. Clark were appointed a sub-com-mittee' to wait on the managing director of the Union Company and discuss with, that gentleman the proposed excursions to the Sounds. The secretary was instructed to communicate with the Tourist Department and iffquirc if the department -would

boar the cost of a publication advertising the overland route to the Sounds, the absence of any authentic literature on the trip having been spoken of repeatedly by Australians. Other matters in connection w.rn the tourist bus ness and the amenities of this province were discussed.

The instruction issued by the Railway Department regarding the exclusion of female passengers from smoking compartments on trains has now been in force several weeks (says the Sydney Sian), but even with this short trial the department has found, that the dictum generally is being respected. The rule is not being too rigidly applied to suburban travelling, except that during the business hours women occupying seats in smokers run the risk of being admonished by the ticket collectors. Isolated, cases have arisen, however, where women, in open defiance of the order, have seated themselves in the prohibited compartments, and to .contest their rights of possession have smoked cigarettes in front of the officials. The other day a man insisted on bringing his wife into a smoker of a southern train. “ She smokes,” he mentioned, by way of explanation, and the woman, when asked for proof, puffed .away at a cigarette on the platform. She was then admitted, but the official was reported to his superiors for holding the woman up to ridicule before members of the public. That, it is explained, is the difficulty. A ■ male passenger often objects to a woman being allowed to travel in a smoker, yet the same passenger would probably complain if an attempt were made to exclude his wife in the same way. The department has not power to prosecute persons who, if ordered, refuse to leave a smoking compartment. That point was raised by a man who was, with his family, travelling in a smoker. He nevertheless consented to take a scat elsewhere In the train. It is, however, pointed out that if serious difficulty should arise over the enforcement of the rule the department is prepared to protect itself by the ihtroduction of a by-law. New Zealand may expect a visit from Mr Theodore Roosevelt, ex-President of the Unitfd States, in the not far distant future, declared Sir Joseph Ward in W address at the Celtic Club last Monday, 6th inst. (says the Wellington Post). Sir Joseph aaued that when he was in America he had ‘ spent a day with Mr Roosevelt, who had struck him as being a fearless, progress’ve man, a visit from whom would do the country a great deal of good. Both the late King Edward and Mr Roosevelt, proceeded Sir Joseph, had shown that they knew a great deal about New Zealand. “ They both knew,” he said, “ where the most important racecourses are situated here.” If there wore any restrictions on deer-shooting when Mr Roosevelt visited this country. Sir Joseph suggested that they should be removed for the time being, because the ox? President would, want a much larger bag than the most liberal regulations would allow.

A remarkable story connected with the last voyage of the schooner Americana, which disappeared while bound from San Francisco, to Sydney with timber, was brought by the American mail steamer'Ventura, last week (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph). The Americana left San Fancisco for Sydney, via Knappton, over a year ago, and shortly after sailing a seaman named Louis Buttner had his arm caught in the windlass. It was stated that the arm had to be amputated on board the ship, a common saw being used for the operation. Buttner Was put ashore and sent to a hospital at Eureka. The Amori--cana took in additional cargo at Knappton, and then loft for Sydney, and was never heard of again. Buttner sued the charterers of the Americana for 40,000 dollars, but, as all hands had disappeared with the vessel, he could not obtain witnesses. Shortly before the Ventura left Sian Francisco Charles Berndcs, formerly first mate of the Americana, made his appearance, and filed

a deposition alleging .that he witnessed the accident. He stated that he left the illfated Americana at Knappton, and thereby escaped the doom which awaited his shipmates. ,

An Auckland Merchant, who recently the round trip of the islands, when speaking to a Star representative on the 6th expressed regret that better facilities were not available for bringing produce’ from Tonga. When ho was there fine bananas wore rotting for want of facility to get them to a market. After the disastrous hurricane some time ago the Government of Tonga got fresh banana plants for the island to replenish the areas that were devastated, and now that the crop is ready a market is wanted. The merchant also states that owing to the better facility afforded shippers from Sydney, a good deal of trade is being captured by New South Wales, which formerly came to New Zealand.