Summary of News

Southland Times, Issue 19499, 31 December 1904, Page 2

Summary of News

The Japanesoi after lighting for flvo days, have secured somo commanding positions at Port Arthur and driven tho Russians from several forts. The slaughter has again been appalling.

In Russia they seem to iVar that they may not see the Baltic fleet again.

The Czar's life has been heavily insured in London this week. He has gone off on a mission that is not without risks.

The closing resolutions of the Zenistvosf Conference have treated a sensation in Russia.

So urgent is the condition o? the poor workers in England that Parliament is to meet early (o de.vise means to alleviate it.

Kalgoorlie ha9 been badly damaged by a hurricane. In N.S.W. the heat is terrific.

Japanese warships have passed Anje Point, Java, seeking ior Rojestvensky.

Russia is borrowing 25 millions. Two Russian officers who had given their word of honour that they would not fight again in this war have been detected sneaking back to Vladivostock.

Following on somo of "Australia's illiberal shipping legislation, shipowners are imposing a primage charge over and above frieght on all goods carried.

Russia's representative '. n the Dogger Bank Commission has most inconveniently taken ill nnd delayed proceedings.

The Municipal Band will perform the following programme on the 'Rotunda on New Year's night : — March — " Hosannah " : song—" Ora Pro Nobis " (Piccolomini) ; song—" O Song Divine " ; hymn — "Lead. Kindly Light": selection — " While Shepherds Watched " ; song— " Ave Marie " (Gounod) ; march—'' Crown Him with many Crowns "' ; psalm—" Old Hundred."

The Confmitteo of Memorial Home Uesirc to acknowledge Christmas gifts to the institute from Mtesdames Pemberton, Brown (Myross Bush), Messrs Quinn' and Ross, and also gratuitous cartage by a donor whose name is unknown.

Visitors to the Bluff Regatta on Tues- .? y mii l m f,ml tho ,ar & e marquee of the W.L.T.U., in which refreshments will bo dispensed, on p. site adjoining the Sailora Best. Last year the presence ot this convenience was much appreciated and no doubt it w»jll be equally popular this year.

Sir Joseph Ward is coming South in order to he present at the Southland Uaiedouian games and Bluff regatta,. Lady Warrt is unfortunately unwell, and has been advised to visit Rotorua for a month.

When the express was moving from the platform at Gore yesterday, writes our own correspondent, a young man named Mills a passenger from Dunedin, attempted to get/V>n to one of tho carriages but failed to do more than clutch the iron guard, and oropped between two carriages. Two bystanders promptly grabbed him. by the nether garments and pulled his legs up. while another ran' forward and caught him round the shoulders and so carried him ?•» a * t the trmin, probably saving his lire. It was an extremely narrow escape. Jn distributing the prizes at the Wniknia school. Mr Colin Robertson, Chairman of the Contfmittee, referred to the eilprt that had Ijeen made to c>nv*rt the Waikaia school into a District High School. Ho considered thnt the Got eminent had broken faith with them. The Act stated that an average of twelve was the limit mjuired to secure this end but in their case this had been raised to 20— a number quite heyond their reach. He trusted that they would soon have the benefits of secondary education even without the minimum being reached, and tnat the teachers t who at present taught those subjects gratuitously, would b« remunerated for so doing.

February 15th is the date selected by the Brown's Athletic Society for .their annual sports. A -strong committee .hns been appointed, an increase has been mode .in the prize money, ami the pro-n-raimme has been extended, so that a pleasant afternoon's sport is anticipated. Special New Year services are announced < for the Blull Methodist Church tomorrow, tho Rev. I\ J. Cossum occupying the pulpit. The subjects will he : Mbrning— " Tho Message of the Years " ; choir and orchestra will render appropriate music, including "Te Deum," (■Jackson's setting.)

The starling pest has assumed such proportions in some districts of Victoria that the Royal Agricultural S<r»ciety nnd Fruit Growers' Association have decided to hold a joint deputation to the Minister of Agriculture to ask his co-opera-tion in exterminating the birds. Could a full-grown anon who had been accustomed to stimulate on beer get drunk on one whisky and soda, was a question over which* the police officers and a me-naiber of the legal profession dehated at great length at New Plymouth last week. The defence was that kidney troubles were tho causa of the man's sudden collapse after he had a vl.isky and soda, and in giving Judgment the S.M. practically agreed that that was the true explanation.

Tho funeral of the late Charles McKenzie took place at WJntan on Thursday aiternoon, and was attended bv a large rratherin^r of settlers and friends, almost every part of th© district "being represented. Nearly 100 vehicles Joined th© cortege, whiile many sympathisers journeyed on horseback} and on foot. The services were impressively conducted by the Rev. J. M. Simpson.

Mr Frank Young, Town Cl^rk at Alexandra, who has beoii appointed to a similar position at Gore, expects to asBume his new duties on Thursday.

In a recent interview Mr ilrmeato, tho Government viticulturalist, stated that he was firmly convinced that grape growing and the maoufacture of wine would in a very short time prove themselves among the most important industries in the colony, especially in Hawke's Bay. A ten-acre vineyard can be planted for iiio, and when the vines are in full bearing the land will yield £60 worth of fruit ner acre. The annual cost of maintenance, leathering, etc, would amount to ahout £10 an aore. Wine is jiqw selling at from 8s to 12s per gallon In bulk, and Mr Bragato thinkjs that he will soon see the day when New Zealanders will be able to purchase the finest quality wines at 2s fld per gallon.

The Christmas Tree In connection with the North Invercargill Betptist Miasjon Church, held on Tuesday evening, \vas a : very successful function, and a good sflm, was raised in aid of the enlargement *bf the church, which on Sunday evcuings and social occasions is often uncomlo/t---ably crowded. £2 Os 3d was taken %t tho door, £4 15s 9d fram the saje ot articles, and Voluntary contnlbutlans brought tho total np to £7 2s Gd— a result that is considered {{ratifying. When business hatf • Bes*} diapa^d '• of a Short Bncre<l concert vras held, Mr Swinerd presiding. The programme was much enjoyed, and vptes pf thanks to all who had assisted wepo heartily carried. Master A. Jackson presided at the organ.

The Oreti river (reports the Record) is at present in splendid condition for fly. fishing, and anglerg have returned with . some very larpo boskets during the last few days. Messrs Kidd and Findlay tried their luck near Beflmore „ n d landed 95 fish most of which were in pplendld connltion. The fly is in very general use, and the red tipped Governor, Hed Spinner, and March Brown are- taking very well on the itiver. '

Mr Walsh, the recently appointed postmaster at : Gore, arrived by yelteraoy's express and commenced duty in his new sphere without delay.

The Winton and PqneSt •> Hi# Tennis clubs had an ©xcitinsr contest' ot the former township- early in the week. Tho teams were well, matched, aiid Winton only gained the < victory after clone and; even play, --

It/la announced that the N.Z. Governahf State Fire Inmiranoe" oflice will bo eparfcd.to accept risks on and after tnuary'-.*. ;•■ - l kt the Government Advances to Sett's office yestehiay, Mr T. ' P. Giifedder, one of the stall, was presented with a handsome set . of carvers, as a tangiblo token of the best wishes of his follow clerk» on the occasion of his m»rria«e. The presentation was: made by Mr Oswin , and fittingly acknowledged by Mr Gil. fejdder. ' . . : ;. Messrs Pattison, Black and A. Christie, sen., spent three days fishing the "Walk«da stream at Christmas. : The r|ver was not in good fishing trim, and the catch, 59 trout for the party, was satlsfactoryunder the circumstances. „ .. Mr W. Sprfift^ of Waikaka Vdi)ey school, has been appointed ' headmaster at Waikaia. His predecessor, Mr Hutchinson, ta^es up the- hefcdmastorship of the Waihopai school during Mr McNeil's twelve months' absenco." Referring to Mr Hutchinson's departure from the Waikaia school, Mr Colin Robertson spcke feelingly of the loss sustained by the school and the district. " Mr Hutchinson had done hia duty conscientiously and -well,' and had hrought tho school to ft "very high state of excellence. ~

Gene citizens or 0 in a position just now iv,= ™? uld .. bß f arcical were it not seri- °", lhr ough an oversight tho 100,000 ™J Z?, s . of , w nter recently pumped into the lesenoir has disappeared, owing to tho stop valves not bding turned o«. The Mayor is out of town on a holiday, and JLj n,s absence no one has authority to ?* J\ & re -»llh)g of the reservoir. During tn© Mayor's absence, therefore, or until he can ,]> e communicated with, Gore is ttepnved of its new source, of security asramst. fire. It B eems absurd that a councillor cannot take upon himself, tho responsibility of having tha reservoir re-filled.

The Rev. F. W. Boys will shortly preach his farewell sermon to Winton. ff? h as accepted a call to Balclutha, and will .officiate in Winton only ence moro a l * N(?W Y «""8 Day. The Itecord says that Mr Boys will he greatly lvissed. He has proved himself a most zealous arid energetic worker, white his services have been bright and effective.

__Dr Chappie, who spent a week with Mr Robert ;McNab, M.H.R., at Knapdale. is charmed with the country in that district. .He was driven to Croydon Bush, and a splendid view was obtained from Last Peak. Dr Chaipple expressed his admiration of the view in glowing terms, stating tliat it was the finest panoramic view he hail ever seen <in the colony.

The Meen competition by private buyers for Southland wool continues, nnd tlie nmtfbor of transactions alrendy completed will probably materially limit the quantities to ho submitted at; the coming sales. During the week there has . boon a further slight improvement in prices for crossbreds, from 9J.d to Vlld being civen for average quality.. American and English firms are very strongly represented this year.

Before Messrs W. Todd and W. TT. Hall, J's.P. yesterday, Thomas Scotland, aged 84, was charged with having insufficient lawful means of support. ITe had been an inmate of the. Old Men's Homo on soveral occasions, but would not remain in the institution. Recently he W a s found m the vicinity of Clifton, and a constable brought him to town. — The Bench was of opinion that the man should be placed under greater restraint Mian the law permitted to be imposed by the Charitable Aid authorities, and us no institution had been provided for 9Uch cases, they sent him to gaol for three Months.— A first offender was convicted of drunkenness and discharged.

(Mr McKenzie, a N.S.W. man who is Interested in the pursuits, recently vdsited New Zealand, and now states that dairying in this colony! is far ahead of New South Wales in point of management, and in the intense \ise made of the land, while more care ds exercised in selecting stock. The homesteads are more comfortable, but land values are .much higher than in New South Wales coast district, considering the quality of the land, taut this is largely due to the demand. A man seeking land according to ite value has a very much better opportunity of letting .what ho wants in the rainfall area of New South Wteles than in New Zealand.

This \ipek a cablegram was received, tho most feasible interpretation of which was that the Hon. A. J. Balfour had remonstrated with the Bishop ot Ossory against the production of something or tho nature of a Passion Play in Kjlkelly. There is reason to surmise that the Prime Minister" hr/d nothing to do with the Case"; that something, possibly " better V with reference to^Mr Balfour's Hlneas had dropped by the way and that the remonstrant really was the ; Bishop of Ossory himself, which is more in accordance with the fitnesd of things. As bearing on- the protest ot the liyttelton Times against the slipshod methods of the P. and D. Department (published In these columns yesterdayl) it Is to be noted that two Christchurch papers printed *• Omory " for Ossory, no doubt because: it was so furp/Ished by the Christchurch telegraph office.

B*he annual Oddfellows meeting of the Loyal United Juvenile Lodge was held on Thursday evening, when the election for the various offices resulted u s follows :— N.G., Bro. B. Hinton .-. V.G., Bro. Jesepb Smith: E.S.", Bro. R. A. McLean; W., Bro. G. MKllen ; Q., Bro. D. Swan. Theappointments R. and L.S. to KG., Bros. A. Matheson and P. J. Sinclair ; Jl. and L.S. to V.G.. Bros. T. Smith and A. Brandford. P.G. Bro. S. McLean was installing officer. P.G. Bro. J. Hamilton nmi \.G. Bro. F. Menzies ccrtfuctors. Superintendent P.P.G.M. Bro. T. Findlay presented the prizes for spelling and essay writing competitions, R. A. McLean heing the winner in ea^h claps. Bro. A. Matheson taking second place for essay writing.

Mr Duncan Gilchrist, of Waikaka Valley, has, 'in response to a numerouslysigned requisition to the Mlnistor of .Justice, been, appointed a Commissioner of the Peace.

Madam Heller will lecture again on spiritualism to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock In Ashley's Hall. Tho subject should be very interesting.

In view of tho New Year Holidays W. Lewis and Company have effected important preparations, particularly in Ladies' ready-to-wear attire adapted for Travelling and SecTside weaT. The following very , special linea are now on sale In the" Show Room— Ready-to-wear Holland Dress Skirts from 6s lld, Linen tJrush Skirts from 12s 6d, White Muslin Blouses frdm Ss lld, Coloured Muslin Blouses frotn 3s Oa, Esquistte SUk Blondes from 7s lld, Crash and' Holland Jackets 10s 6d, ' Crash Costumes (Skirt and Jacket) Eton/ Russian or Sac Coats from 17s 6d, tbe costume complete. Sunshades at bargain prices from 2s lld, at Lewis's in Dee dtreet, lnvercargill.

We have Just received our New Year parcel of boys', youths', and men's clothing. Boys Sailor Suits. Boys' twogarment knicker suits from size 8 to size 12, from 6s 6d por suit up. Boys' knicker trousers in tweed, also In Fox's sergo from 2s 6d per pair upwards. Thrifty mothers are recommended to inspect these lines ; Boys' Norfolk , Suits, Boys' Serge suits, Youths' knicker three-garment suits In Colonial tweed from 15s 6d up ; Men's tweed and Fox's serge trousers, also worsted trousers from 6s 6d ,to 15s per pair ,* Max's odd tweed and serge vests 5s 6'd to 6s Gd ; Gent's Mercery fit great variety. The newest things in handkerchiefs, collars, ties, hats in flexible one) frame, also panama straws all fresh and clean for the holidays at remarkably low prices. Gladstone bags in nut brown suitable for presents at '80s and 32s 6d. Brief-bags, Iron Trunks, Hat Boxes, Leather Portmanteaux, Rug Straps and traveUing requisites. A large assortment at prices the keenest la the mafket.— McGruer, Taylor and Co.

Nordrach Sanatorium near Dunedin affords ft quiet and comfortable home, whefc the open-air ewe for consumption is very successfully carried out. The romantic mountainous situation and bracing atmosphere afford the best facilities for the treatment of this disease. Special terms for tent accommodation. Rooms reserved tor cftsps requiring simply complete res and change under medical supervision. ■ the Finsen blue-light treatment.— Apply Dr. Stevenson, Uunedin.