THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, 2nd NOVEMBER, 1900.

Southland Times, Issue 14787, 2 November 1900, Page 2

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, 2nd NOVEMBER, 1900.

Pensioners' Day. — The old folks, in calling at the Government buildings yesterday, fell into line very well, and the work of passing out the cash proceeded verysmoothly. There were 205 pensions paid, amounting to £293 13s. Wixton Race Privileges. — The booth and luncheon rights was purchased by Win, Little at £43, the cards by H. Rodgera at £26, and the fruit stall by J. Boniface at £4 —a total of £73 as against £58 10s last year. The club keep the gates in their own hands. — Own correspondent. Rowing — Another heat of the pair-oared races, of the Railway Rowing Club for MiRein's trophies, was rowed on" last evening, when Rodie and Bust beat Livingstone and Roberts. Distressing Fatility. — Arthur George Couling, eldest son of Mr Geo. Couling, was struck on the side of the head by the ball while playing cricket on Wednesday last. He did not mention the incident to anyone, but feeling unwell dropped work and went home yesterday forenoon. Medical assistance was obtained but the youth expired at 11.30 last night. Deceased was a popular young fellow and highly respected. Great sympathy Avill be felt for his bereaved parents. Magistrate's Court. — Yesterday, before Messrs John Turnbull and W. Todd, J's.P., judgments were given for the plaintiffs in the following undefended cases : — Belmont Gold Dredging Co. v. A. C. P. Connnin for £8 lijs, posts Ss ; E. Barlow v. Joseph Gavin j (Wellington) for £6 os od, costa 8i ; same v. Charles Duncan (Otautaii) for £3 6s 9d, costs ss ; same v. John Maloney (Wreys Bush) for £3 15s 9d, costs 3s ; on the application of E. Barlow an order was made against John Mills, on a judgment summons for £4 4s 3d, to pay the amount in instalments of 15s per week, in default, three d<\vs' imprisonment. On the application of A- R. Porter an order was made against P. Halpin (Cruickshank's Bush) on a judgment summons for £4 3s, to pay the amount in instalments of £1 per week, in default, three days' imprisonment. Quite Possible. — It is said that anew horror is to be given to war in the form of a torpedo that navigates the air. Its exterior casing is a steel cylinder 30 feet long and live feet three inches in diameter, tapering to a point in front. At the rear is a screw propeller driven by an electric motor, which sustains the torpedo in the air and drives it forward. On top is a fin which acts (more or less) as a rudder. The instrument of destruction is attached by steel wires to a reel which is connected with the dynamo that supplies the power. It can be propelled and steered from the earth by the operator up to a height of 2000 feet and a distance of five miles. It can remain in the air for an hour, and when it reaches the desired point a touch of a button will drop the explosive upon the heads of the enemy : that is to say if the reports of experiments may be relied on. — Neppelin's air ship could do that without wires aud come back for another load of explosive.

Vital Statistics. — Following are the statistics for the Invercargill district for October: — Births; Town, 30; country, 12 — total, 42. Deaths — Town, 12; country, 2 — total, 14. Marriage certificates issued, 17. Crtcket— The match I.C.C. v. Appleby was finished on Wednesday and won by the I.C.C. l.»y 117 runs on the first innings. The inclemency of the weather made things generally disagreeable. Messrs A. Cross and Harper umpired. Following are t lie principal scores : — Langdon 15, Kane 0, Grindlay 27, Matson 11, Purdue 9, Poole 1.3 (not out), Geddes 11, Maguire S. Total for Appleby 's second innings — 111. Fur the winners Purdue took 4 wickets for 49, KingslandS for 27, and Burke 1 for 32. " Honoukaislk" All Rotnd. — On the day the news arrived of the flight of the old President, the War Office published the report of the Court of Enquiry into the condition of the prisoners at Pretoria, and Lord Roberts's severe"coudemnation of the Boer authorities. It is already established that the rank and file were cruelly underfed, and that the sick were treated with absolute brutality, in striking contrast to the invariable kindness which the British have extended to invalided prisoners. One of the most extraordinary revelations of the report was that relating to the conduct of the Rev. J. Gregory, the Church of England clergyman' at' Pretoria, who actually refused to continue his regular ministration alter the escape of Mr Winston Churchhill, an ordinary prisoner of war, and not on parole, because he " desired to maintain the honour due to his position." Riversdale.— The weather for the past week has been boisterous, with variations at brief intervals of hail-showers, which supply an appropriate if incongenial accompaniment. LnrnHiig is now- practically over, and in most cases where the marking process has been got through encouraging results have been verified. Growers are scanning with apprehension the cables that tell of the fall in wool, and wonder if the rise in mutton will counteract its effect upon their incomes. The demand for sheep keeps good and prices are very remunerative to vendors. There is a modicum of satisfaction in noting that the railway department has abandoned the announced intention of discontinuing the running of two trains on Fridays. It is felt, however, that the service is still far from satisfactory, as it only provides for a daily return journey, Riversdale to Gore, while it does not secure a similar convenience from Gore to Riversdale, or Riversdale to Invercargill. This does nob seem an undertaking presenting much difficulty of accomplishment, and if carried into effect would certainly meet the convenience of a large number and have great potentialities for increased intercourse and business with your southern city School— The annual conceit in aid of the funds will eventuate on the 9th Nov. Apart from the merits of the programme to be submitted, past records of successes, and the desideratum in view, should commend this annual fixture to the most liberal patronage of all sections of the community. — Own correspondent, 31st Oct. To Abandon Smokinc. — The man who wants to get clear of the smoking habit should, it is averred, try acid drops. The acidity of the sweets, it is said, causes the tobacco smoke to have a disagreeable taste. It is necessary to have the acid taste in the mouth, or the peculiar nausea consequent on the meeting of the two flavours will not be experienced. Take a few acid drops directly after dinner and then try to smoke. Lost Will Powkr. — Annie Whitcly was before the Dunedin court this week for the 119 th time for drunkenness. The women pleaded that she had kept away from drink for six months, that she always worked hard, and that she would never offend again if she were given another chance. His Worship remarked that it was very hard to know what to do with such a woman. Her only failing seemed to be drink. The SubInspector replied that that was so. She was a married woman, and worked hard enough when not drinking. Hiw Worship (li-ciilt'd to give the woman another chance, and fined her os, v Inch she readily paid. This is Unkind. — The Wairarapa Daily Times, writing about the £40 sessional allowance, says:— "'l he Premier, after getting his followers to incorporate or annex the Fiji islands, gave each and all of them a present of £40 to carry home with them. If he had offered them £.30 they would have incorporated New Guinea ; had lie gone as far as £60, they would have thrown in Jerusalem and Madagascar. Do we blame the Premier for offering such a price for votes — or members for accepting it ? No, for we have never expected a higher standard of political virtue from either one or the other. The electors of New Zealand are simply reaping as they have sown ; and if, as some severe critics infer, they are robbed, it nerves them right. *'