The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, June 1. General News.

Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 9, 1 June 1895, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, June 1. General News.

The balance-sheet of the borough of South Invercargill is published in this issue. The Waikiwi bachelors hold their hall on 7th June in Eddy’s hall, Wallacetown Crossing. The musical and other arrangements promise a good night’s enjoyment. A sacred concert will be given in the Elies Road Primitive Methodist Church on Monday evening. The programme includes selections by our leading singers and instrumentalists, and will be of first-class quality.

Mr H. Lyster, who has made a name for himself as a monologue entertainer, is making a tour of the Western District, opening at Nightcaps on Wednesday, sth June— Otautau, Calcium, Riverton, and Orepuki to follow. The entertainments are well worthy of patronage.

The Gore Lodge of Druids intend celebrating their 6th anniversary by holding a social gathering on the 14th June. Last year the brethren donated the whole of the proceeds of their anniversary gathering, £lB odd, to the widow of a deceased brother. The spirit of true brotherhood exemplified on that occasion will no doubt stand them in good stead on the 14th inst. In Dunedin the price of the four lb loaf has been raised to cash and 6d credit. A man named James Brown, who had been out of work for some years, hanged himself in Dunedin on Thursday, A station hand in Vincent County perished from exposure during the recent snow storms^ Peeling reference was made to the death of Bishop Moran during the services in St. Mary’s on Sunday last. Two beautiful wreaths, enclosed in a glass case, were sent by the congregation to Dunedin for the funeral, the bearer being Mr J. W. McKeown, who took the initiative in the movement for obtaining the memorial. The deceased prelate was buried on Wednesday amid every demonstration of respect, the mourners numbering over 2000. Roman Catholic congregations throughout the colony were represented.

The football match played on the Union Grounds on Wednesday between the Britannia (Ist) and Star (2nd) ended in a draw, each team securing a try. The 1.F.0. team who visited Riverton defeated the Western men by eight points to nil.---On Wednesday a match was played between two junior clubs, the Union and Park. The game was a very evenly contested one. The most prominent players were G. Ritchie at centre for the Park, and P. Rout at half for the Union. After a very fast and exciting piece of play, the result was a draw, neither side scoring. Mr C. Matheson gave every satisfaction as referee.

The Hon. J. G. Ward is due in Wellington on 7th July. He is to have a public reception. Mr R. McNab, M.H.R., publishes a list of places at which he will meet the Mataura electors before leaving for Wellington.

An effort is being made to send a consignment of frozen mutton from Invercargill to Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. Graziers and others willing to assist should write to the secretary of the local committee (Mr D. W. McKay) before 16th inst. For the Otago A. and P. Society’s wintershow, opening in Dunedin on Wednesday, excursion fares are announced by the Railway Department. jThe tariff of charges is exceedingly low. In Southland a bird in the hand is worth half-a-dozen in the crops. Settlers who suffer from the unwelcome attentions' of small birds would do well to note the advertisement on the subject published by the Southland County Council. A large line of wheat has been purchased in Oamaru at 3s ,6d per bushel. The Melbourne' wheat market shows a firm tone, and an advance of a penny is reported, values now ranging from 2s 6d to 3s 3d per bushel.

Our new S.M., Mr J. W. Poynton, presided at the Invercargill Police Court for the first time on Wednesday, and remanded to sth June a man named Henry Hughes, charged with obtaining goods at Waikawa by false pretences. The 59 sheep sent Home in the steamer Morayshire arrived in good condition. They each gained lOlbs in weight on the voyage.

Oscar Wilde and his companion Taylor * have been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in connection with what is known as the “ London Society Scandal.” M. Pasteur,' the French scientist, will beidolised by his countrymen. He has declined the offer of an order of merit from the* Emperor of Germany. The Premier states that under the proposed local Government Bill a large number of local bodies will be abolished. Does he mean the County Councils ? Twelve publicans in Christchurch are to be charged with Sunday trading. This is the result of experimental visits paid to a numberof hotels by young men connected vthth one of the churches. The publicans, resenting this mode of warfare, have laid cross-inform- • ations for inciting to a breach of the licensing law. A cable-repairing steamer costing about L,25000 is to be built for the New Zealand Government. It is probable that the Stella will be leased to a trading company. Arthur Orton, who till the other day claimed to be Sir Rodger Tiehborne, states that he gained a knowledge of the family’s affairs from a chum named Slade. Lady Tiehborne gave him L3OO, and this combined with the confidence expressed by many people that he was the real Simon Pure, forced him, he says, to continue the imposition. .At a temperance convention held at Palmerston North, resolutions were passed calling the attention of the Government to the disgraceful laxity in the administration of" the liquor laws ; demanding the removal of certain justices in the Clutha district; and. the placing of drinking clubs on the same footing as publichouses in regard to police supervisions, etc. At a public meeting in connection with the convention, 1200 people were present. One of the speakers (Mr Bell, M. H. R.) advocated local prohibition by a bare majority; colonial prohibition by a majority of districts; and the American system of responsibility of hotelkeepers to persons injured through drunkenness or totheir relatives, and for the support of those impoverished by the drunkenness of relatives Heavy falls of snow occurred in the country districts on Saturday and 'Sunday last. A correspondent of the Tapanui Courier states that the wool shed at the Moa Flat station collapsed through the pressure of snow on the roof, the building being wrecked.

A domestic servant named Jane Dickie waskilled by a train near Prestwick (Scotland) while endeavouring to take her master’s dog off! the line, the animal escaping unhurt. The Court of Session sat into Sunday morning in order to finish a case in which an Airdrie doctor received damages for slander. This (reports the correspondent of a Home 1 paper) is the first time this century that the Court has sat into Sunday to finish a civil action. On Saturday last a number of Government officials took possession of the Midland Railway at Stillwater, West Coast. It is stated that the Government are acting under legal advice, the allegation being that the company have committed a breach of contract. At the Invercargill Police Court on Monday last, Messrs J. Turnbull and E. F. Cuthbertson, J. P’s., fined Marjory Fraser £5 for selling drink without a license. A similar charge against Frank Hewitt was partly heard and adjourned to 3rd June. Mr and Mrs T. Perkins completed fifty years of married life on Monday last. Golden weddings are rare enough to deserve special recognition, and so the friends of Mr and Mrs Perkins assembled in force at Hanan’s Hall on the day mentioned, and presented them, with a purse of sovereigns, accompanied by no end of good wishes. The community was shocked on Saturday last by the news that Miss M. A. Smith, for many years mistress of the Central School, had been drowned in the Waihopai, at a spot not far from Cruickshank’s mill. At the inquest evidence was given to the effect that Miss Smith had left home on Saturday morning for a walk; that she had been highly successful in her vocation, and was of a cheerful disposition ; and that she had probably been attacked by giddiness when stooping over the water to lave her forehead. A verdict of “ Found Drowned ” was returned. The funeral took place on Wednesday, and was very largely attended. The members of the Operatic Society are busily engaged in rehearsing Planquet’s “ Eip Yan Winkle,” which is to be played in July. Some very attractive scenery is being specially painted for the occasion by Mr H. G>. daggers. A very successful sale of work—the outcome of the labours of the sewing class of the Bowmont st church —was held on 24th May,. The proceeds were devoted to the relief of the poor. In the evening, a well-attended service, for which Messrs D. Kingsiand and Sou catered, was held. At the concert songs were sung by Mesdames Diack, A. B. Todd, and Misses Wren, J. Wilson, Eeid, and Messrs J., E. and A. B. Todd; and recitations and readings contributed by Misses Todd, F. Wright, Wilson, and Messrs J. Todd and Eiardon. Selections were given, by the members of the choir with pleasing effect, under the direction of Mr Robert Todd, and the accompaniments w r ere played with excellent taste by Miss J. AVilson. Mr E; Bell, presided and referred to the energeticmanner in which the ladies had worked tomake the gathering a success.

AH young people are familiar w-th the story of “ Dick Whittington and his cat.” It forma the ground-work of an operetta of that name, and this is to be played in the Theatre Boyal on the evenings of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next. The children of St. John’s are the perfermers, and with beautiful dresses, picturesque scenic effects and appropriate music, all who attend should enjoy themselves right well. A number of people spent a very pleasant evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall on the 23rd lilt., when Mr D. Boss, assisted by Mr C. S. Boss, exhibited a collection of pictures by means of the oxy-ether light. The audience were treated to views in nearly every part of Southland, from the paper mills and freezing works at Mataura to mining operations at Bound Hill, together with representations of notable buildings and scenes in the North Island, Queensland and elsewhere, the whole forming a capital evening’s entertainment. Its attractiveness was materially enhanced through the kindness of the Besident of Penguin Land, Mr Joseph Hatch, who lent a number of Macquarie Island views, showing his oil works there and some of the “ rookeries ” from which the raw material is obtained. Mr Boss intends to hold a series of exhibitions during the winter, and the first of these will be announced at an early date. The entertainment given in Hanan’s Hall on ’Wednesday evening in aid of the Sixpenny Clothing Club attracted a numerous audience, “ standing room only ” being the intimation made at the door some time before eight o’clock. Mr B. F. Cuthbertson, in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, proved a model chairman and prefaced the programmehy an admirable little address on the good Work that the members of the Club had done during the past ten or eleven years. A wellplayed insrumcntal quartette was contributed by Mesdames Pilcher and Dunlop, Miss F. Bodgers and Mr Pilcher, and songs by Messrs 3). Todd, F. V. Baymond, J. H. Dickinson, J. L. Watson and a “ Dunedin amateur ’ Hollowed. A violin duet was given with good effect by the Misses Waymouth, and Miss Jessie Gambling won a liberal meed of applause for her piano solo, which was given in a manner exceedingly creditable to so youthful a player. The first part of the entertainment closed with a skirt dance, very gracefully executed by the Misses K. Eogers and S. Woodward. After an interval devoted to refreshments, the audience were treated to a series of tableaux, with limelight effects and vocal illustrations. The grouping was skilfully done and the “ living pictures” were much admired, especially the representations of statuary with which the entertainment closed. Tlianks to sympathisers with the objects of the Club the expenses will be comparatively small. The receipts amounted to £2l 7s. THE BBOWN-JONES and BOBINSON QUESTION. Mrs Brown (married this week) —“ Now which do you really think is the best sewing machine ?” Mrs Bobinon (who has tried every make) —“Why, the Latest Improved NEW DAYIS, of course tis far ahead of all others, and you can get it at our friend JONES’, Dee street, who also repairs all other makes. I advise you to give him a call.”

Between - Eleven and Twelve TEAKS AGO J. S. BAXTER STARTED BUSINESS AND RESOLVED TO GIVE BEST POSSIBLE VALUE EOR READY MONEY. The PUBLIC EULLT APPRECIATED HIS EFFORT, AND THE RESULT IS HE STILL GIVES BETTER VALUE THAN ANT GROCER IN Southland. jVI oral —Buy your groceries from J. S. BAXTER. •‘What! Not closed up yet ?” No, and Mclnerney does not intend to be if he can help it.” “ Well we’d better go and see how Austin is getting on; we are always well treated at his hotel.” “ Yes, when I want comfort and good fare in Winton Igo to the Railway Hotel.”—Advt. In the absence of a public abbatoir for Invercargill, Mr S. R. Merrett, butcher, has decided to leave his yards open to the public to inspect his stock at any time before or during slaughtering operations. In his premises in (Jonon street he will be pleased to give anyone the opportunity of inspecting all meat offered for sale. As a matter of policy as well as strict principle, Mr Merrett buys, only the very best stock procurable. In that way his business has steadily increased, and he endeavors to meet the wants of customers in all parts of the town and surburb ; through which his carts run daily.—Advt, S.P.Q.R. —These letters stand for Mr J. S. Baxter’s famous business motto—“ Small Profits, Quick Returns.” He has always conducted his business on these lines, and he is sticking most faithfully to the principle, as he is selling at prices which are simply aston-ishing.-—Ad.