NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13613, 3 January 1913, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

'A Reefton message says that' the weather on Wednesday, night W show^ cry and somewhat mitigated the ejects of the dry weather, but feed is affected, by'the heat and dryness.

It is notified that the Nelson1 Freezing Company's wks at Stoke will commence operation® on Wednesday, January loth.

The date of the acceptance of tender for a twelve-ton moveable hydraulic crane by the Railway Department lias been altered to Saturday, January 18.

A recent traveller by. the Napier-^ ellington express informs the "Hawke s Bay Herald" that it is rumoured that the rails on some of the curves between Danneyir.k© and Takapau require attention, and that a driver has resigned because, although ho has reported the fact, no notice was taken, and nothing done to put them in proper order. ~

The hearing of tho charge of alleged attempted murder of his wife, Isabella Schwass, at Richmond, on. December 19th, preferred against Robert Alfred Schwass is set down for to-day. A further remand will probably be asked toj\

It i s believed, say© a Pahiatua message that four men were drowned by the capsizing of a motor launch on the Akatio coast. The party left Aohanga on Wednesda/y for Castleponit. The launch was found on the beach .yesterday morning, with no trace, of the occupants. The'names of the men are Alexander McKeims, Alexander Duncan, Sam.Potangaroa (a Native), and James Powers (a half-caste).

Tiring of a life on the ocean (and Wellington harbour), wave, two boys belonging to the training ship Amokura deserted last week, prior -to the vessel's sailing for the north. Each lad, with a lifebelt attached, swam ashore. Yesterday one of •them was taken into custody by Detective-Sergeant, Mcllvenoy, and he Anil be, , handed over to the Marine Department authorities. The other boy has not been '-recaptured. Both of them belong to country districts.

An old man named J. J. Burrows, who disappeared from his lodgings some weeks ago. and who left a letter card on the beach at D©vonport (Auckland) on. Saturday .stating that h6 had been unable to get work or food, and hoped his body would soon be found, was discovered alive and well at Takapuna on Wednesday, lie was quite natural,\and expressed regret at the letter, and eaid he had been greatly worried, and felt he could stand it no longer. Provision has been made by friends for his future welfare. ~

The Nelson Horticultural Society's Sweet Pea and Carnation Show will be held at the Drill Hall to-day and tomorrow, and the exhibitions promises to be most successful. The entries received are largely in excess of those for any .previous similar show, and in many of the classes the competition will be exceptionally keen. The display of sweet peas in particular will be very fine, while carnations will easily constitute- a local record. Pot plants too will make one of tho best displays of the kind ever seen locally. Mr. H. A. Fox. of Wellington, the well known sweet pea and carnation specialist* will judge these sections, and no is expected to bring with him, for exhibition, a collection of his own carnation blooms.

Standing on a dungheap, mi Sou(bh Africa General De Wet extolled1 Hertzog (who was recently ejected a« an impossiblist from General Botha's Ministry) and exclaime4-fcliat he would sooner stand there with the Boer people than on the most brilliant and enlightened platform. _ Botha's plan for bringing South Africa into line with the Great 'Imperial movement is being opposed by a very strong section of Boer nationalists, and it is quite evident that the Dutch have not yet lost hope of obtaining political ascendancy in South Agrica. Troublous times are ahead! — Exchange.

The funeral of the late Mr. Austin H. Bisley, which took place yesterday afternoon, was very largely attended. Among (those present were the Mayor and City Councillors, and the City Council employees, ex-mayors and ex-councillors, the president, vice-presi-dent and members of the, Chamber of Commerce, members of the Harbour Board, and Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, the Nelson Jockey Club, taho Major of Richmond, the W.M. and officers of Southern Star Masonic Lodge, and a large number of representatives of commercial, professional, and farming interests, some of the latter coming from long distances. The employees of Messrs. Bisley Bros, and Co. were present in a body and the bearers were taken from their number. A large number of beautiful' wreaths and .floral emblems were forwarded by friends and representative bodies. The burial service was conducted by the Rev J. P. Kempthorne, vicar of Christ Church.

Lady .Bnttorsea told a rather amusing story tho other day in connection with her work among women convicts. She; makes it a point never to visit a prison iii her oldest clothes us so many other, visitors, do. The reason for this is that a woman convict once said they were always glad to see her. "We should never know what the fashions wore," she added, "if you did not come in sometimes.''

Before racing began at Newmarket King George sent for Foy, tho jockey^ who has lately ridden some of the al racehorses in their engagements, and presented him- with a gold mounted riding whip in token of his satisfaction. Blearing that a fund was bsing raised towards a pension, for an old lady known to frequenters of race meetings as /"Old Kate," the racecard seller, His Majesty sent a contribution of £5. "Old Kate," who recently mot with an accident, and who has recently been selling racecards and buttonholes from a landau provided, by some rat-ing men, is overjoyed tit this fresh mark of Royal recognition. Slib wr.s on savor.il occasions noticed by the late King 'Edward, who often bought a flower from her stock.