NEWS OF THE DAY.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13930, 11 February 1914, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The offices of the solicitors practising in the' Nelson district will be closed to-day from 12 noon.

We are in receipt of the .first issue of "The Public Service Journal," the organ of the Public Service Association of New Zealand, a brightly written and well-produced magazine of some thirty pages, dealing with the activities of the various branches of the service. The "Journal," which is, of course, of a non-political character, is designed to provide the means for mutual assistance and mutual protection, and generally assist in promoting the interests of the service. .

"The Sun," the new daily published at Christchttrch, made its appearance on Friday last. The first- issue is a sixteen-page paper presenting some original features of "make up." In an editorial foreword it is promised that "on political and social questions the policy of 'The Sun' will be broadminded and independent."

"Will" proceed on Adt^l ' "A*iWa^iganui-PreSs'Association;. iiefi-' sage states that to raise.funds for ~sud Beautifying Society,' a .big "carnival-is to be. held there* .. Twelve'nominations for *'queen of the carnival*' have been, received. Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, the English actor, who is now in New York, has received a letter in the form of a round robin signed by most of the actors and actresses. of the city-, requesting him to give; a special matinee of "Hamlet" for them, and saying that it "would be. a lasting and delight-1 ful memory of having seen the greatest Hamlet of these times."

The polling booths at the poll, on February 25th, of ratepayers of the Stoke waterworks reserve special rating area, on the question of raising £800 for purchasing land for a, waterworks reserve, will be the Waimea County Council office, Nelson, and the public hall at Stoke:

At a meeting of the Masterton branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, held this week, a resolution, was passed supporting tho proposals' of the Bible in State Schools League. The vote was practically unanimous, one .member only. abstaining from voting.

'■I don*t ■wa&tr the whole .town to be starting taxis," said a witness at the Supreme Court, Timaru, when asked what his daily takings as a taxi driver were. Witness said he would show his books to the jury, but he did not want all the world 'to'know his business.

The Melbourne "Argus" is ohlding a twelve best roses competition. The results of the voting to date are as follows:—Mde. Abel Chatenay, 215; F. K. Druschki 207; White Maman Cochet 176 ; General M'Arthur 169: Lyons Rose 168; K. A. Victoria 167; Belle Siebricht 128; Joseph Hill 89; La France 86; Souv. de Maria de Zaj'a 86; Rhea Rheid 81; Georges Schwartz 70. ■

It has for many years past been the custom to deduct amounts from the salaries of Government officers to make good the defalcations of other officers. The Public Service Association wrote to the Public Service Commissioner, protesting against a system as improper which penalises innocent officers for the dishonesty of others. The Commissioner. has replied, stating that he is bringing this matter under the notice, df the Government, with a suggestion that it might be considered whether the Government should not underwrite all guarantees.

An Invercargill Press Association telegram states that at the Police Court Herbert Watson, a painter, was charged with having committed perjury in the Magistrate's Court at Invercargill by swearing with reference to a painting job the following words: "My brother took the job. He is a tailor. He put me in charge. I got paid fry Austin at Is 3d per hour. My brother gave orders to Austin." DetectiveSergeant Cameron said the accused was summoned by Broad, Small and Co. ftir £30 12s 7d, a debt owing by him, to which he confessed. A judgment summons was issued later, and the accused used the words stated. When he was arrested accused said it would break his mother up, and that he had got mixed up. The defence was reserved, and the accused was committed for trial. Bail was allowed in one surety of £100/ or two of £50.

The important .matter of selecting a member of the Agricultural Board for the Nelson district was concluded yesterday afternoon, Mr A. P. Allport, of Stoke, being chosen. The Nelson disiriqt comprises the.1 whole of the South Island above Canterbury, and delegates from the Nelson, Marlborough, Golden Bay. and West Coast A. and P. Associations were present at the conference which made the selection. Mr Allport is a practical farmer, and in addition one of the foremost of our fruit growers and experts. Mr. Allport is progressive, and the energy and capacity he has displayed in connection with fruit culture and marketing and farming matters generally mark him as eminently fitted for the position for which he has been chosen. Dr. Andrew, president of the Nelson A. and P. Association, presided at the conference. -

Extensive harbour improvements are contemplated by the Bluff Harbour Board, and its engineer, Mr. G. A. Lee, formerly of the Otago Harbour Board, has submitted plans for improvements costing £316.526. Of this amount works costing £59,675 will probably be put in hand right away. Details of the scheme provide for the widening of the present 1800 ft wharf by 18ft long its whole length, at a cost of £21,000, and this will enable the wharves to accommodate vessels' drawing 31ft. of water, •as against 28ft today. In the course of ordinary ing operations it is expected to enable vessels of 33ft to come up to the wharves.

A curious case of misfortune following an absurd act is related by the victim himself, who is not naturally superstitious. Arriving in London from New Zealand, he visited the British Museum and.-.. saw there the mummy of one of the Egyptian Queens, which i£ supposed to bring bad luck to those who interfere with it. In a spirit of irresponsibilty he cursed it. Since then troubles have come to him, not in single spies, but in battalions. First his mother died. He himself contracted in turn pneumonia, throat .affection, and appendicitis. Then he fell downstairs and fractured a bone in his ankle, and the doctors told him that there were only two instances of such a fracture on record. Several other misfortunes followed, and finally he got into debt, and was sent back as being no use for the career on which he had embarked. The story sounds like a fairy tale, but the victim sees nothing funny in it.

WwMpT^eaywffm^tS&^t&w Zealand 5 Ship* TJjj^J^PpajVfcai been advised that therltoiapehu arrived At Wellington .Pmileges;in, connection with the forthcoming.meeting of the Nelson Jockey Club will be sold by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co* SS.Vt»*^ r S m9es> Hardy street on Satu^y-Jjrixt' a¥fll o'clock; " of "m?s Ul T U s w *Plin«ss" is "the motto |e%Vbu«»oft r hS 8 JEffi? and the public are invited to inspeS the bread factory at any time dS working hoars, m order that they may sco for themselves that scrumS cleanliness is observed. wpwoiw

A number of civil cases were calWI T aV he r Magistrate's CwTyetteTday Mr J. S. Evans, S.M., presiding Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the case of Everett Bros. (Mr 10s lOd, costs 10$. Two judgment summonses were dealt with. it the case of Everett Bros. (Mr Wise) v E Cohen, a debt of £4 16s 4d. the judgl ment debtor, who did not appear was ordered to pay the amount within 21 days, the order to be suspended so long as half the amount was paid at the end of that period, and the balance within the next month, in default seven days imprisonment. In the case of J. L. Murray (Masterton), for whom Mr Harley, appeared, against the same judgment debtor, for a debt of £3 18s, including costs, a. similar order was made, with the exception that the default was fixed at three days' imprisonment. An application was made for an adjournment of these cases, but the Magistrate intimated that he would not grant adjournments in judgment summons cases. B

Who is Mr Massey? The "Cape Times" (a Capetewn newspaper) published on January Ist the list of New Year honours. Among the Privy Councillors appeared:—"Mr. W. F. Massey, ex-Prime Minister of New Zealand." A correspondent, in pointing this out, inquires "if it is an exhibition of unpardonable ignorance or an intelligent anticipation of events to come?" -

~ A farmei'went to- a party, and getting into jolly company, drank not wisely, but too well. On returning home he mounted his horse with his face, to its tail, but the horse was an old stager and knew the road, so eventually it landed him safe and sound, but minus his hat, which had blown off. A servant came out to attend to him, and seeing the hatless farmer, cried out, "Wey, maistor, ye've lost yor hat!" "That's nowt, John that's nowt," replied his master; "the aad horse lies lost hi# heed!"

The facetious fellow who tries to be witty at hi 3 neighbours 7 expense generally gets paid back in his own coin. A few day© ago a young man hailed a tramcar, and, when the ■vehicle pulled up, he inquired, "Is there any room in this Noah'© ark of yours, or are yo ufull up?" To which vhe conductor naively returned, "Well, we've got all the animals except the donkey. Step inside, please." Then he looked small.

The Thermometer.; —At three o'clock this morning the thermometer outside this office registered 58 degrees.

The fame of Moutere apple lands has spread from one end of New Zealand to the other. Those interested should not fail to read the announcement in the advertisement columns on page 8 regarding the Rxiby Bay Estate.*