The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. INVERCARGILL, SATURDAY, NOV. 24. General News.

Southern Cross, Volume 8, Issue 31, 24 November 1900, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. INVERCARGILL, SATURDAY, NOV. 24. General News.

A special train with the Minister of Railways on board eame from Riverton to Invercargill in forty-five minutes. The usual time is an hoar and fifty minutes. There will be four sittings of the Supreme Court in Invercargill next year, the dates being sth March, 4th June, 3rd September, and 3rd Dec. H. Y. Styche, of Christchurch, has been found guilty of attempting to procure the murder of his wife., His Honour deferred sentence till to-day (Saturday.) Owing to the increased cost of production Messrs T. Hodgkinson, S. Buxton, H. Wood north, and Thos. Todd and Sons intimate that from Ist December the price of drain pipes will be advanced to the scale elsewhere advertised. Mr T. Crowe’s property at Makarewa will be offered at auction at the National Mortgage and Agency Co.’s Crescent rooms on Ist December. Messrs J. A. Mitchell and Co. have once more secured space in the Garrison Hall for the coming 'wool sales, and are ready to undertake the disposal of clips. Mr Geo. Trew, one of our old identity business men, reminds us that Mr Walter S. Eeid, who recently retired from the office of Solicitor-General, lived in Invercargill during the sixties. He came from Tasmania, the land of his birth, to Invercargill, where he became a partner in the firm of Button & Reid, solicitors. He was afterwards appointed to the position of District Land Registrar, and thence transferred to Hokitika, and subsequently became assistant law officer, and finally Solicitor-General—a position he held for over a quarter of a century. The Wellington Post, iu noticing Mr Reid’s withdrawal into private life, speaks of his long and honourable career in the service of the State. “He set up a high ideal, and his life has been a consistent illustration of the influence that such an ideal exerts upon the* minds and characters of those it touches.”

The Hob. J. G. Ward informed a deputation yesterday that it is intended to acquire blocks 5 and 6, Invercargill, for railway 'workshops. The area is 11 acres, extending from Findhoru street to Tweed street. There are a number of private residences on the ground. A fancy bazaar, for which a host of attractive features have been prepared, will be opened in the Drill Hall, Bluff, on sth -December. Owing to the number of reports of public •vents chronicled in this week’s Cboss, we are compelled to hold over several articles, including an interesting budget of notes from “ Magpie.” His Excellency the Governor left Invercargill for Tapanui on Wednesday. V>iila via ’Frisco are due at Invercargill by this afternoon’s express. Mr W. B. Seandrett, in addition to his ordinary list of properties, has a blacksmith’s business in the country for disposal. The New Zealand Doan and M.A. Co. hold a sale of horses and implements at Otautau on the 30th inst. There were on view during the past week in Messrs Lennie and Sons’ window, some very beautiful flowers, forwarded by two well-known local florists. Mr C. S. Longuet’s contribution consisted of some eight new varieties of geraniums, .handsome and very large trusses being shown, while the quality and colouring of the blooms was of the very highest class. Mr A. Newman exhibited a very rich double scarlet begonia named “ Hon J. G. Ward,” which has excited much admiration. In the one case the plants and in the other the seeds were from the Swanley firm of Cannell and Sons, Kent, England. The examination of candidates for scholarships uuder the Southland Board of Education will on Tuesday, 18th December at the places advertised in this Hue. Mr F. Graeve, whose furniture warehouse is next to McKay Bros.’ Exchange in Esk street, inserts an advertisement in this issue. The contents of the establishment are well worth inspecting —the suites of furniture and especially the escritoires afford striking proof of what can be done with New Zealand timbers in the hands of a skilful tradesman. Wednesday’s holiday was marked by a sad accident, whereby Mr W. Blay, aged 33 years, was killed while engaged in uncoupling carriages in the Invercargill railway yard. No one witnessed the accident, and it is supposed that Mr Blay slipped on the rail and fell in front of a moving carriage. The accident occurred about nine in the evening. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, no blame attaching to anyone, but added a rider to the effect that sufficient evidence was not forthcoming to show that the yard was sufficiently lighted, The deceased who leaves a widow and one child, joined the railway service at Lyttelton some years ago as porter and Bad since been promoted to the position of shunter. His parents live in the Lake Ellesmere district Canterbury, and he had just returned from his annual holiday, during which he had visited his friends and witnessed the opening of the Christchurch Exhibition. Mrs Blay, who has been so suddenly bereft, is a daughter of Mr Undrill, engine-driver, Bluff. Mr Blay was a member of the Invercargill City Band, and took part with his comrades in the ceremony at the South School on Wednesday morning, He , was highly esteemed by bis associates, who will play the Dead March in Saul at the funeral, which takes place to-morrow. An examination for engine-drivers will be hold at the Courthouse, Invercargill, on Tuesday, December 11. Mr R. J. Camming reports the sale of sections 6 and 17, block 2, Campbelltown, adjoining the New Zealand Shipping Company's premises in Gore street, and having a frontage to Gore street of 66 feet and a depth of 330 feet to Barrow street. Mr John Turnbull was the vendor and Mr John Mill, of Port Chalmers, the purchaser, Gbocbeies. —There is not a household in Southland but what requires groceries. Mr J. S. Baxter is prepared to supply these requirements as he has received a big shipment of Sago, Tapioca, Fruits, Cream of Tartar, Teas, Maizena, Coffee, and Cocoa, etc., etc, and he will supply them at most reasonable rates for ready money. Mr Baxter sticks to his trade mark, S.P.Q.R. — Small Profits, Quick Returns.