NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12724, 21 February 1910, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

On Saturday night the Customs officers and the police raided premises occupied by Chinamen,, in New street and at Stoke for the purpose or detecting opium smoking. It is understood that as the result of the visit to New street two Celestials will- be brought -before, the Magistrate's Court on a charge of having opium in their possession, and one Chinaman named Ah Hong, who was also found in possession of opium at Stoke,, was arrested.

Lord Plunket, at the banquet given in his honour on Friday evening, spoke enthusiastically of the scenery of the district, mentioning partioularly the beauty of the drive over the Takaka hills. He expressed the opinion that it was not half euough advertised, and suggested that the Government might be approached through the Tourist Department to inako its beauties more widely known. A lot, he said, was heard about. Rotorua, the Buller Gorge, and the Wanganui river, but if more was known. . about the bcaties of the Takaka hills, it would prove an- attraction for tourists.

Owing to three members of . the Nelson Education Board having travelled long distances in order to bo present, the monthly meeting of that body will be held as usual to-day. An adjournment, however, will be made for a short time to enable the members and staff io be present at the official reception of His Excellency.

Messrs E. Buxton and Co., Ltd., who are arranging for the direct shipment of apples by the Paparoa, which loads here for London, next month, desire to impress on shippers the absolute necessity for- sending in their quantities by the 9th of next month. The Paparoa has three cool chambers of different capacities, so that it is necessary to advise- the New Zealand Shipping Company which one to secure.

The contract for the Golden Bay Cement Works, Limited' s, wharf at Golden' Bay has been Jet to Mr Chas. Dixon, of Nelson. The structure, which is to be of the most substantial character, will be built of Australian hardwood, and is- to be completed within six montjis. The company's manager is now r>» +% ground with a large gang of men, and is--en-gaged preparing the s: be for tho works, and malting the approach to the wharf. The iirst shipment of machinery will leave England early next month, and tho manufacturers will have thoir representatives on the ground at an. early date to superintend the erection of the various units of the plant. It is reported that upwards of 45,000 shares have now been sold in the company's capital of £60,000, and the directors anticipate no difficulty in obtaining all the capital they require.

Our Christchurch correspondent sends us a wire to the- following effect: The Council of the League of New Zealand Wheelmen has decided to ask the Nelson centre to hold an inquiry 'within fourteen v days concerning the disqualification of A. Stewart. The appeal of J. Arnst against his disqualification for five years by the North Canterbury centre, in connection with the Timaru to Christchurch road race, was dismissed.