THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, 15th NOVEMBER, 1900.

Southland Times, Issue 14798, 15 November 1900, Page 2

THE Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. THURSDAY, 15th NOVEMBER, 1900.

Technical Education. — A very interesting meeting in connection with this subject took place yesterday evening in the board room at the Education Offices. MrHogben, Inspector-General of Schools, happens to bo in Invercargill at present in the course of his official duties, and Mr Hunan suggested that he should meet as many of the gentlemen who have interested themselves in our technical classes as could be readily invited. Mr Hanan ver\ T properly considered the opportunity a good one for getting some information upon the intention and effects of the Act passed in the late session to make better provision for manual, technical and commercial education. Mr Hogben readily consented and the meeting took place accordingly. There were present, besides the Inspector-General, Mr Hanan, M.H.R. (in the chair), the Yen. Archdeacon Stocker, Dr Smyth, Mr Fowler (Rector of the High Schools), Inspector Braik, Mr W. Macalister, Mr Riddell, Mr Neill, and Mr Gilmour. A number of copies of the Act were upon the table, and Mr Hogben wont leisurely and carefully through \ it, giving very full and explicit explanations of its provisions, especially of the operative , clauses, and of the sections that relate most directly to the conditions of technical education here, or to what might probably be done therein in the future. A large number of questions were put to Mr Hogben during his review of the Act, and were carefully answered. After he had finished his remarks a general discussion on the subject took place, in which all present participated, Mr Hogben answering all questions, and giving information on points suggested by the question or by his own reply. The meeting lasted over two hours and no time was lost, everyone present being evidently anxious to secure as comprehensive a grasp of the scope and purposes of the Act, and of the methods available under its provisions for the promotion of technical education, as possible. At the conclusion Mr Riddell expressed the opinion of all present, in saying that the interview had been highly satisfactory, and had evoked information on many points that would be useful, whatever steps might be taken with regard to technical education in the future. Gas Discount Day. —Consumers are reminded that to-day is the last discount day this month. Cables to Afkica. — The Post and Telegraph Department advises as follows ; Berne notifies that the cable Aden-Zanzibar is interrupted, and all traffic will be sent by way of the west coast without alteration of tariff". Capetown possesses all the codes deposited at Aden, except those of " Mercaur " and " Standt and Hindius.' Telegrams in the language of these two codes, therefore, cannot be accepted. The codes available for use to .South Africa are " A.8.C," " A.Z, " " Scotts Al," and " Broomhall's Comprehensive." The Messiah.— Although on the eve of a holiday and with many of the members in camp, there was a good muster of singers at the first " Messiah " practice last Thursday. The usual rehearsal night (Friday) will be adhered to this week, and for subsequent meetings of chorus, choir delegates, and the various committees. As there is not much too time, singers especially are reminded of tomorrow's practice. Fire. — About 1.45 this morning a fire was discovered at Kia Ora House, at the corner of Spey and Jed streets. Mrs Wilson, the occupier, was awakened by a-noise as of something falling, and on getting up to discover the cause found that a lean-to attached to the kitchen was on fire. The alarm was given, and willing hands soon subdued the flames, but not before the structure was gutted. Fortunately the fire did not spread beyond the lean-to. The brigade turned out promply but their services were not required. The house was insured for £200 in the Norwich Union, and the damage is estimated at £5 or £10. The origin of the fire is unknown. The Volunteers. — Yesterday morning the companies were told off to examine and report on the ground they were to occupy during the afternoon's operations. At 2 p.m. the battalion was paraded, and the City Guards marched off to where they we're to make an attack on the camp. The remaining corps were spread over the intervening ground, and the fight commenced. When the whistle blew to cease firing a number of the enemy had been captured, and the position was in favour of the defenders. Mess was served and the tents were soon struck and piled on the baggage vans. The battalion then marched to the Garrison Hall via Jed and Spey streets, and the men were dismissed about 8 o'clock. Adjutant Henderson expressed his appreciation of the work done during the week's encampment, and thought the men would be much benefited by the experience. A large crowd of spectators were present at the camp during the afternoon, and throughout the week the public have taken a deep interest in the work of the volunteers. Bluff. — Arrangements have just been completed for holding a fancy bazaar at the Bluff early in December. Besides the usual attractions 20 couples will take part in a grand march each evening, headed byBritannia and a representative of the British navy ; each couple in the costume of some foreign nation or colony, and at the close of the march will rank round the central figure, and sing "Rule Britannia." Mr Millar is preparing a chorus of girls who will render the action song "Johnny Smoker." Mr Sylvester will give a conjuring performance and an exhibition of his wonderful illusion " The terial suspension. 1 ' There will also be a girl chorus "*The Red, White, and Blue," and a chorus of flower girls, an art gallery, a wild beast show, the Bluff Baud, and an orchestra. The bazaar will be in aid of the Methodist Church funds. Presentation.— Constable Melville was on Tuesday last presented with a handsome set of carvers in case, suitably inscribed, on the occasion of his marriage. Constable Dick made the^presentation and the recipient suitably replied,

The Pipe Band. — There is a probability of our popular pipers being present at the great ceremony in Sydney on the Ist of January. Mr Kenneth Cameron, to whose enthusiasm the band to a large extent owes both its existence and its excellence, has been stirring in the matter for some time, and the following telegram, signed by Mr Goldie, Mayor, and Mr Hanan, M.H.R., was the outcome: — "Right Hon. Mr Reddon, Wellington. Suggest your sending the Southland Pipo Band to the Australian Commonwealth celebrations. Band's prosence thereat would be an impressively unique feature of the proceedings, and would therefore bring New Zealand into specially striking prominence. Physically, musically and numerically, the band is, as you knpw, unequalled in the colonies, and unsurpassed even in Britain. The Mounted Contingent, if accompanied by the band, would thus be more distinguishable among large numbers of other troops similarly uniformed."' To this a reply has been received from Mr Seddon " That it had been decided to send the band, the Government paying all expenses. For the band to be thus chosen to attend officially one of the most important events of the century is a high honour indeed, of i which Southland may well be proud. Judg- j ing from past appearance, the band ■will acquit themselves in every respect with credit to the colony and to themselves." To this the following reply was received yesterday: — "Cabinet has decided to send the Southland Pipe Band with the contingent representing N.Z. at the Commonwealth celebrations at Sydney. The terms and conditions will be conveyed by the officer commanding the district to the band. R. J. Seddo.v, Premier/ Church Anniversary. — The anniversary soiree of the Don Street Primitive Methodist Church, held yesterday evening, was well attended, and proved very successful. I'he tea tables were presided over by Mesdamcs Pope, Humphries, F. Service, Deiley, Lyon, Ashley, and Pedlow, and Miss Donaldson. J After justice had been done to the abundance of good tilings provided, an adjournment was made to the church, where the public meeting was held. The chair was occupied by Mr G. Froggatt, who, it was mentioned, had occupied the position of circuit steward for over a quarter of a century. The report of the church work showed that though the church membership during the year had suffered from removals and deaths, yet the numbers had been maintained by the reception of new members and stood at 120— the same as last year. The total circuit receipts from all sources had been £429 7s lid. The Don street Sunday School hud 158 scholars on the roll, a slight increase on the previous year, and the" teaching staff consisted of 15 teachers. During the evening addresses were given by the Revs. T. H. Lvon and J. Gibson Smith, and Mr T. Hughes, and selections of music were excellently rendered by the choir, Mr Field conductor and Mr A. Froggatt organist. Mr and Mrs Ihbotson rendered solos which were much appreciated. On the motion of MrW. A. Ashley, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all who had assisted in the anniversary, special mention being made of the Rev. "\V White for his excellent sermons on Sunday. .Wyndii.vm.— At the annual meeting of the Horticultural Society it was decided, owing to the lack of interest displayed bf the public in matters connected with the institution, to abandon the idea of holding the usual flower show during the forthcoming season. This announcement, however, seems to have greatly quickened those who had grown weary, and disposed to sit on their swags, into resuming their wonted activity in this connection. The result was that- a well attended meeting was held on Monday night, when the former resolution was rescinded and a strong committee appointed to carry out the preliminaries in connection with a show, to be held on a date to be fixed. Mr W. R. F. Fraser was elected president and Mr D. F. Bremner secretary. Very great sympathy is expressed for Mr and Mrs George Crosbie and family in the heavy bereavements that ha«'e recently befallen them— two of their sons having died within this month. As already noted in your columns, William died on the 2nd inst., aged 3tf, and his brother James died in Dunedin on Sunday last in his 27th year. The first intimation of the latter's illness was received liy the family when information was sent him of his brother's death ; he was then too ill to come home. His father went to Dunedin the day after William's funeral and remained with James till his death, which resulted from a severe attack of dysentery. It is said he was to have been married in a few weeks. His remains were buried in the Wyndham cemetery to-day, the funeral being very largely attended. — Own correspondent.