The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Sept. 11. General News.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 23, 11 September 1897, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Sept. 11. General News.

4> The southern portion of the mails via ’Frisco will probably reach Invercargill on Monday. The Hon. Mr Seddon returned to Wellington on Wednesday, was enthusiastically welcomed. A batch of sly-grog selling cases, including several from Stewart Island, will come before the Invercargill Police Court shortly. Rough play was a feature of the game played by the Wellington footballers on Wednesday. “ They were simply beasts,” was the outspoken verdict of a lady when telling another fair friend about.the match. Our Riverton correspondent reports that the Borough Council intends to have the town lighted by electricity, and for that purpose w ill raise a special loan of £2,000.

Arthur Armstrong got £5860 out of a bank at Sunderland by means of duplicate keys made from moulds, and made off with his haul, In Joly last he was overhauled, and got ten years penal servitude. Scene : Esk street. Time: Tuesday afternoon. Crowds hurrying to the railway station. Countryman to business nian : Excuse me, but what is all this excitement about ? Business man : Our football team. They beat Dunedin. Countryman (disgustedly) Oh is that all! I thought it might have been our new Governor. The Avenal Municipal election, held on Thursday last, resulted in the return of Messrs A. Dunlop, W. S. Brass (re-elected), and R. Cleave, to the vacant seats. The total number of votes polled was 100.

A double range sft 6in long, with high pressure boiler has just been turned out by Messrs J. Walker and Co., Victoria Foundry, for Scott’s Hotel (Bluff). The workmanship and general finish will bear favourable comparison with any range in the market, while there are several improvements noticeable, such as the openings in the top being in nests so as to fit any-sized pot. It is almost superfluous to remind our readers that the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Society produce ‘ Dorothy ’ in the Theatre Royal on Tuesday next. Brilliant dressing, good acting, and the best local talent for singing, will constitute the bill of fare, and should draw crowded houses. A full rehear, sal was held on Thursday night, and promises well for a splendid season. We would strongly advise country readers not to miss this opportunity of ,seeing one of the best comic operas of the day. The box plan is rapidly filling at Lillicrap’s. “ Wren’s attachable safety brake for perambulators ” is now on view in Mr Lockhead’s shop, Tay street. This simple adjunct has long been wanted, as capsizes frequently occur in the streets, and much uneasiness on the part of parents should disappear when one of these breaks are introduced. The arrangement is very light, simple, and effective, and can be fitted to any make of pram. A small lever between the handles actuates the brake, which, when on, cannot be slackened without releasing the lever handle.

The people of Otautau had a night with the Black Family on Wednesday evening, and a delightful one. it was on all sides declared to be. It was the first time the Family had been heard there, but their fame had gone ahead, and despite the wretched weather there was a good attendance, some members of the audience having driven a good many miles sooner than miss the concert. On Thursday night, at Nightcaps, the Family had a bumper house. Among the many good things given, Master Bertie’? cornet playing excited great enthusiasm.

At a recent meeting of the Hawera Branch of the Wanganui Educational Institute an interesting and suggestive paper on some points in the educational systems of Germany and New Zealand was forwarded by Professor Symth, who was for a number of years engaged in scholastic work in Southland, and was at one time in charge of the Waihopai school, and who, since his return from Germany, has been engaged in professorial work in Dunedin. He mentions incidentally in the paper that in Germany, as here, education is compulsory, and that religion is carefully taught in all German schools. Summing up, Professor Smyth believes that there is no country in the world where the work of both teachers and inspectors is better done than in New Zealand, and he adds that the discipline and order of our schools are not behind those of even military Germany, At yesterday’s meeting of the County Council, Messrs Mackley, Field, and Merrett> representing the master butchers, appeared to ascertain what the the Council intended doing in regard to the public abbatoirs question. They were desirous of carrying out any improvements the Council wished, but were told by the Inspector that there was no use spending money as the public abbatoirs would certainly be established. They were against the public abbatoirs, as it meant a great deal more, expense and inconvenience for them, and there would be no paddocking accommodation. After further remarks it was decided that notice be sent to the owners of certain slaughter yards to make improvements, and that a deputation of the Council confer with the Town Council on the matter. A report could then be ready for the public meeting to be held.

The first part of, an interesting article bn the Preservation Inlet gold field will bepublished in pur next issue. The Hon. S. G. Ward'is tb be entertained at a banquet in Invercargill on Thursday evening. The Ministry will be represented by the Hon. J. McKenzie. At a meeting of Mr Ward’s supporters, held yesterday afternoon, final arrangements were made, and it was reported that at the gathering, which will be held in Zealandia Hall, the attendance of Awarua electors would be large and repre* sentative. Messrs Lee, Heed, and Bertrand were the successful candidates in the Bluff municipal elections. A By the casting vote of the chairman (Mr W. H, Hall) the Charitable Aid Bpard on Thursday last agreed to purchase the Lome Estate for an industrial farm. A social gathering in celebration of the joint anniversaries of the Shamrock, Sose andjThistle and St. George Lodges, 1.0.0. F., MiU., was held in the Zealandia Hall on Thursday evening. The interior had been tastefully arranged and decorated by the committee of management, who had imparted a brightness and cosiness to the interior in pleasant contrast to the scene outside, where wind and rain were in full possession. Despite this unfavourable element, there was a good attendance of members of the Order and their friends, and dancing, singing, games and friendly chat made the time pass quickly. ■ Opportunity was given to test the quality/of the refreshments provided by Bro J. Kingsland, whose reputation as a caterer stands high. After an overture by Mr Blue’s orchestra, which afterwards did service for the dances, Bro. J. Ward, P.G.M., delivered a short opening address, and was followed later in the evening by P.P.G.M., Bro. W. B. Scandrett, the speakers in*each case dealing with different phases of the Order. A song..' was contributed by Mrs Blue, a duet by the Misses Shepherd and a cornet solo by Mr Glennie. Master Sutherland danced the Highland Fling in good style, and Bro. Edgington gave a sailor’s hornpipe as though to the manner born. A capital programme of dances was carried out under that experienced M. 0., Bro. J. S. Goldie, who with the joint secretaries (Bros. G. Brass and G. Maekley) and other members of the committee, spared no effort to make things go with a swing: Daring the evening Bro. Maekley was presented by the .P.G.M, with a P.G.’s emblem and sash in acknowledgment of his services as N.G. of the St. George Lodge.