General News.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 45, 12 February 1898, Page 9

General News.

Some interesting lines by the poet Whittier, in reference to a day of darkness in America many years ago, the result of extensive forest fires, are published in this issue. Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., has left for the North to assure duty as a member of the Police Commission. During his absence Major Keddell will take his place.

The nominations from school committees to fill the ordinary vacancies on the Education Board are : —Messrs G. R. George 89, T. Mac Gibbon 44, J. A. Hanan 22, W. B. Scandrett 19, Rev. W. White, 19 and Dr. Mulholland 15. Committees have to elect three members on or before 28th Feb. Sketch plans have been issued by the Lands Department, Invercargill, in connec tion with the sale of sections in ten different districts on 10th March. The annual picnic of the Southland Pioneers’ Association takes place at Mr Jas. Blakie’s farm, Eyal Bush, on Wednesday 23rd Feb. Particulars are advertised. The following team of firemen from the Invercargill proceeds north by the express on Monday for the Auckland demonstration : —Foremen Young and Sangster, Firemen McLean, A Peterson, J. McCormack W. Woodley, and delegate A. Harkness. Last week we noted that Madame Sherwin, the gifted vocalist, had been warmly welcomed on her return to Hobart, and now we have pleasure in stating that the people of Invercargill will have an opportunity of hearing the lady in the Theatre Royal on Monday evening, 21st February. Madame Sherwin is no stranger to this place, having given several concert* about ten years ago. Since then she has travelled far and wide, and won many artistic victories. Her appearance here will be eagerly awaited. Although a host in herself, our visitor is accompanied by a first-class company. The programmes are full of attractions, and crowded houses should be the rule. The Bluff Harbour Board at the instance of the Hon. J. G. Ward, recently urged the Government to appoint grader of dairy produce in order that the large output of cheese from Southland might be exported through the natural channel. The Hon. J. G. Word has also been in communication with the Minister for Agriculture, and has been advised that Mr Sawers will in future j attend any steamer loading at the Bluff. Messrs Mair Bros.,of Invercargill, have just completed the erection of a handsome residence for Mr W. Muir, Carie estate, Wjndham Yalley. It contains ten rooms, and occupies a commanding site. Messrs McKenzie and Wilson, Invercargill, were the architects. The Hellers visited Orepuki last week, and played for two nights to bumper houses. There are not many companies, remarks our correspondent, who can appear here successfully for two nights running. The abridged prospectus of the Southland Woollen and Worsted Company is published in this issue. The public have been crying out for a long time for the establishment of such an enterprise—it now remains to b# seen how they will support it. The proposed capital is £15,000, in shares of £1 each—a sum that should ensure a wide distribution Bush fires continue in Yictoria. Several townships have been obliterated in Gippsland, and in Tasmania numbers of homes have been destroyed, and several lives are reported to be lost. The fires are spreading with alarming rapidity, and people are fleeing for their lives. The Anglican General Synod, sitting in Christchurch, has rejected a bill to grant women the right to vote at parish meetings! and has expressed its disapproval of the methods of raising money by raffles or lotteries for church purposes. The abattoirs question is still receiving the attention of the Council. At Thursday’s meeting a long report was read from the Engineer (Mr Sh arp) detailing his observa. tions in the north and offering suggestions.— Cr. Allen gave notice to move at next meeting that a conference be held between, say, six butchers, to represent the trade, and six councillors, to be elected at next meeting, to discuss the whole question of abattoirs, including that of site, the system under which they shall be worked, and report to the Council as early as possible. The Prince of Wales won nearly £16,000 at horse-racing last year.

Messrs S. Orr and Go., of Dunedin* report that the first parcel of California* barley arrived in the Mararoa. It consisted of 1648 bags, and is to a certain extent checking prices, which would have otherwise: ruled high this season. However, farmers will still get a handsome figure for it. Sales of Marlborough grown are taking place at from 4s 2d to 4s 6d (f.o.b ). New Zealand is a grand country for the working man. In a court case heard at Gore recently one of the witnesses, who described himself as a labourer, admitted having lost £7 in “ speculating ” at the races. Wednesday is becoming a favourite day for weddings in Southland partly due, no doubt, to the fact that the half-holiday is observed on that day. It frequently happens that our worst weather falls on that day. Not long ago two brave young couples were united in “ thunder lightning, and in rain,” and on Wednesday afternoon last the owners of two hearts that had been beating as one for some time, had a still more novel experience, the lamps having to be hghted to enable them to sign their names after the ceremony. May they have plenty of sunshine hereafter. The Irish Athletic Society’s sports, to be held on 16th March, should attract competitors from far and near, and be well patronised by the public. The prize-list has been devised on a most liberal scale, and the St Patrick’s Handicap has been increased to £6O. Particulars as to dates of entries and acceptances are advertised. Shareholders of the Southland Frozen Meat Company are reminded that the annual meeting will be held in Sanaa's Hall at 11 a.m. to-day.

Extract from Orr and Co’s. commercial report: —The southern crops are not sufficiently forward for cutting, though it has started on the Taieri, while as far down as Riveradale Mr Wilson Hall, on his fine Camp estate, has his binders going in full swing in a good 60 bushel to the acre crop of wheat.

At the central ram fair at Wanganui on Wednesday nothing but Lincolns were entered, and orer 500 out of 662 were sold. Mr George Sutton topped the market for studs and flocks. The former averaged L 27 3s for an entry of 10, the highest price realised being 32 guineas. The 20 flocks on behalf of the same breeder averaged L 5 8s Bd. Mr J. R. Sutton’s 18 studs averaged Ll2 9s, the highest fetching LB9, and his flocks averaged L 5 ss. Mr Frei Sutton’s 16 studs averaged LlO Bs, the highest price obtained being 38 guineas, and his flocks made an all-round price of L 3 18s 7d.