The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY, Invercargill, Saturday, June 4. General News,

Southern Cross, Volume 6, Issue 9, 4 June 1898, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY, Invercargill, Saturday, June 4. General News,

Mibb Graham gains one o£ the prizes offered by the proprietors of the Southern Cross for the hest essay on “ How I spent my Easter holidays,” and Master Willcox the other. The essays are published in this issue. The subject of our next competition will be announced next week. During the -visit ot His Excellency the Governor to Invercargill he will place in position a memorial stone, to be set up in connection with the Jubilee additions to the Southland Hospital. It is expected that the volunteers and members of Friendly Societies will take part in the proceedings. By way of marking the event, next week’s Southern Cross will contain a large photo-zinoo engraving of the new structure as It will appear when completed. The picture, which will be issued as a supplement, will form an admirable memento of the memorial ceremony, Orders for extra copie = should reach this office as early as possible next week. The Otago Daily Times reports regarding the potato market that the demand at recent high prices is not over keen, and until present stocks are reduced “ famine ” prices cannot be looked for. The present average value of Derwents is £6. Kidneys are sparce, and very full rates are ruling for prime lots “ true to name.” Isaac Gordon, a money lender, sued a Bath printer for £39. The original loan was £3O. The judge ordered payment of 6d monthly. Mr Gordon will thus recover his money in 130 years, if he and the debtor both live. Mr A. Pasco, who has recently commenced buying rabbits, is, we hear, doing remarkably well, and receiving a good supply. We are glad to hear of this, as it means another opening for employment and the use of large capital in the district. Mr Pasco states that he intends to continue buying till the end of September. Parliament opens for the despatch of business on Friday, June 24th, and Premier Seddon, speaking at Feilding on Monday, unfolded his plan of campaign. The system of local government is to be amended, a scheme of State Fire Insurance is to be submitted, and the Government will stand by the Technical Education Bill of last session. With regard to licensing law amendment he looked ou it as a “ side issue question,” and held that it should be dealt with accordingly. Votes embodying thanks to the speaker and confidence in the Government were passed. His Excellency the Governor is due htre at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The official returns give Mr E. McTfab a majority of 388 in the election for Mataura, We have to acknowledge receipt from the local branch of the Mutual Life Association of a very handsome blotter, with calendar, etc.

The so-called “ weaker vessel ” scored at the Dunedin winter show. Considerable gratification (writes the Mataura correspondent of the Southern Standard) is felt at the splendid achievement of Miss Dumbleton, manager of the Mataura Dairy Factory. With five entries, Miss Dumbleton secured three prizes two firsts and one second (including the M’Nairn Cup) The Hob. J. McKenzie, Minisier of Lands, has not spared himself during his term as Minister. He has probably made himself better acquainted with the landed estate of the colony than any of his predecessors, and now the cares of office are telling upon him. Addressing his constituents the other night he intimated that he did not intend to contest Waihemo at next general election, as it is too large for him in his present state of health. If the Liberal Party wants his services, he will contest a seat that will not entail such arduous work in canvassing.

A young man named Robert Anderson,, engaged on Mr J. Gardner’s Birch wood Estate, was burned to death on Monday through the hut in which he was living: catching fire. Tne deceased was well-known in Invercargill, where his parents have lived for a good many years. Members of the St. John Ambulance Association are reminded that the annual, presentation of certificates and medallions will be made by His Excellency ' the Governor at 8 o’clock on Wednesday evening. The programme will include addresses by a number of local gentlemen, and the Garrison Band will be in attendance. The Southland Frozen Meat Co. ceased taking in rabbits on 31st May. They willi be leady for bunny’s reception when shipping accommodation is available—probably in the course of two or three weeks. Cheap excursion tickets will be issued in connection with the Southland Winter Show Particulars are advertised, Mr B. Roberts, of Birmingham, whose lectures here some two years ago will be remembered by a good many persons, is once more amongst us, and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings delivered two interesting addresses in the Y.M.C.A. His subject on Tuesday dealt with “ The Restoration of the Kingdom of David,” and on Thursday his theme was “ The Resurrection of The subject was handled in a masterly fashion, the speaker enforcing his views with frequent quotations from the Bible, with which he betrayed an intimate acquaintance. The lecture was at once suggestive and exhaustive, and was followed with keen interest by the audience. A correspondent writes ; —The following particulars regarding the late fatal accident on Portland Island, from a private letter, maj interest some readers of the Southekit Cboss. The head keeper’s son, while dressing, saw the second keeper, Mr Siraacia, standing on the edge of the cliff a short distance from the houses, and also noticed the station bull standing about twenty chains away. The boy went downstairs, and look-

ing out again, saw the bull tossing a body which he thought was that of one of the other boys. He at once ran upstairs and woke his father, who rushed out, followed by his son. The bull was then worrying the body upon the ground, and was with some difficulty driven away. It was at once evident that life was extinct. The unfortunate man’s clothing was torn into shreds, and hi* body was a mass of bruises. The body was buried on a small knoll a short distance from the station ; the ensign was flown halfmast high, and a portion of the Roman Catholic burial service was read, the deceased having been a member of that denomination. It can be imagined that the sight of the widow and her nine young children •tanding beside the open grave, in that isolated spot, so completely cut off alike from medical aid and religious comfort, was most impressive. The bull was known to be vicious, but as a chain was fastened over his horns, with a heavy log attached to the end, it was considered that he could do no harm. He frequently chased the boys, for whom he seemed to have a special dislike, and on moonlight nights he often came round the houses, and would chase the keeper as he came from night shift in the lighthouse to his home. Familiarity with danger often induces indifference, however,, and both Miss Hodgkinson, who for nearly two years was in charge of the island school,, and the wife of the head keeper, were in the habit of taking long solitary rambles about the island, to all parts of which the cattle had free access. It was mentioned in the reports that a horse was noticed endeavouring to drive the bull from his victim. This was probably Judy, the pretty little mare lately sent over to relieve the old station horse Punch, who for twenty years had done all the hauling and carting required, Judy always disliked the bull ; he once charged her in the sledge, whereupon she bolted and went nearly the length of the island before she could be stopped. He used sometimes to worry old Punch, and then Judy would go to the reserve and kick at him until she drove him away. In spite of the thirty odd years difference in their ages, a close friendship existed between the twoPjhorses. The plumbers of Greenock and Po£ Glasgow threaten to strike. They want lOd an hour. “ England expects that every man this day will do his duty.”—Mr J. S. Baxtbe, the Cash Grocer, Invercargill, continues to do his duty, by supplying groceries of Very Best Quality at Lowest Possible Prices ior Prompt Nett Cash ; one trial will convince the purchaser of the accuracy of this statement, —Advt.

The Liberal Party at Home is sadly xn need of a leader. After Mr Gladstone retired Lord Rosebery tried his 'prentice band, and proved a failure. He has since come to the front again, but Sir William Harcourt’a claims cannot be ignored, and as neither will play “ second fiddle” to the other, people are looking elsewhere for a solution of the difficulty. The London Spectator suggests the selection of a third man as leader, and having named Mr Morley, Mr Asquith, and Sir Henry Fowler, expresses its preference for the last-named, although not expecting that he will be chosen. Sir Henry Fowler, who is evidently regarded as “ a coming man," formed the subject of an interview in a recent number of the Young Man It is there stated that he achieved his greatest success as Secretary of State for India in the Liberal Administration, and we are further told thaFhe has won for himself a reputation for honesty of purpose and a true simplicity of life, as well as a lasting name for his administrative ability; whilst, in Mr Stead’s words, “ he could never be accused cf any conduct inconsistent with the character of a shrewd, cautious, conscientious Englishman, with a passion for work and—a genius for getting his way! ” When you require good tea and first-class Groceries at the most reasonable price for Beady Money, you cannot do better than send your orders along to Mr J. S. Baxtbb, and we can assure you you will be better served there th»n anywhere in]; Southland.— Advt.