SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1900.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11620, 1 December 1900, Page 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1900.

A hard black hat now lying at the local Police Station "awaits an owner. Che fallowing are the vital statistics of New Plymouth f«r November : — Births, '10; deaths, 7; marriages, 8. According to Cassier's Magazine there *r« onlj about 150 towns in England which have a public supply of electricity. A first offending inebriate was convicted and discharged and ordered to pay cab hire at the Police Court on Friday. His Worship the Mayor was on the Bench. Mr Lippiatt, the well-known horticulturaiat, of Otahuhu, has notified the local Society that he will exhibit a thousand blooms at the show to be held in the Theatre Boyal next Thursday. Tho bullock in the Weight Ouopsing Competition at the Agricultural Show was 5901b5. The nearest guessor was R. Cottier, who placed the animal at 6931ba, with J. W. Foreman next. The weight of the sheep was 921bs, which was exactly guessed by It. Collins, with T. Johns and Mrs Johns next on the list. A former vicar of a country parish not far from Sheffield was a distinguished mathematician, and took a high place in" the Oambridgo Tripos. One day a visitor of the village got into conversation witli one of the parishioners, and tho talk turned to the vicar. " Your clergyman," said the visitor, "is a very ablo man. Why, he is a wrangler." " I novor heard that," was the villager's reply, " but his missus is." Whitdoy Memorial Church, Sunday, December 2nd. — The Rev. S. J. Serpoll's subjects are aB follows: — 11 a.m., " Trading without God;" 7 p.m., " Conversion of Saul of Tarsus."* Arabury Bros, invite inspection of their Curtain Department ; 187 pairs opened to-day? Is Gd up.° Fa*i.ily racipes accurately dispensed at dykes' Ph.iPinaoy(oppjiite Theatre).*

Master Konald Veale has left a parcel of books for buabmen. Captain Edwin wired at 1 o'clock :-— Strong westerly winds after 16 hours from now, and glass falling; tides increase, and considerable sea. The Premier has received a cable from the Agent-General that in the Blackpool meat case judgment was given in favour of the New Zealand Government by the Justices and the defendant fined. The Building Committee of the Christchurch Cathedral have been authorised to commence the preliminary work in connection with the completion of the structure. We have to acknowledge receipt from the Government Printer of the volume of Statutes for 1900. It is the bulkiest for many years, containing no less than 764 pages. In deference to the wishes of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society, the garden party that was arranged to take place on the 6th December, at Mra McTaggart's grounds. Lepperton, has been postponed till the 13th inst. At the Taranaki Jockey' Club's Committee meeting on Friday night an application from the City Band to play at the Summer Meeting was read. The Committee decided that they did not see any leason to make any alteration, and the services ot the Town Band were again engaged. A good story was told at an English election meeting. An Irishman obtained permission from his employer to attend a wedding. Ho turned up next day with his arm in a sling and a black eye. "Hello, what is the matter ?" said his employer. "Well, you see,,' said the wedding guest, "we were very merry yesterday, and I saw a fellow strutting about with a swallow-tailed coat and a white waistcoat. 'And who might you be?' said I. 'I'm the best man,' sez he; and begorro he was, too." In the Supreme Court (in chambers) on Monday last (says the Wanganui Herald), on the motion of Mr Borlase, an exemplification of the probate of the will of the late Mr Archibald Forbes, the celebrated war correspondent, was ordered to be re-sealed, as affecting his property in ISfew Zealand. The will was proved in England, and Mrs Archibald Forbes is th« testator's sole executrix. We understand the late Mr Forbes was for many years the owner of shares in the Wanganui Gas Company, which now pass to his widow. The bazaar in aid of the Primitive Methodist Church was brought to a successful conclusion on Friday night. There was a fair attendance of the public during the -afternoon and evening, and the following contributed items at the concert: — Mesdames Pope and Nixon, Mrs George Arabury, Messrs Miller, Cottier, .Polking and Master Ambury. The box making competition, which caused a good deal of amusement, was won by Mrs Nixon for the neatest box j and Miss Nicholls for the quickest work. The organisers of the bazaar are to be congratulated on the satisfactory results achieved. Several unwarrantable and altogether incorrect statements have been made recently respecting the Bteaming performances of the Northern Company's new steamer Ngapuhi, and claiming for that vessel the fastest passages between New Plymouth and Onehunga, from wharf to I wharf. We (New Zealand Times) have assurance for stating that these reports are as annoying to the officials of the | Northern Company as they cannot fail to be to other interested parties. The new steamer's fastest passage between the two wharves is 10 hours 35 minutes, while the Rotoiti's record is 10 hours 25 minutes. The Takapuna has covered the same | course in 10 hours on more than one i occasion. The Egmont Post says that travellers on the East Road are much astonished to notice that although the road is dry enough for work to be cafr'ed on, there are no men there to do it. Between the end of the metal and Strathmore, nine miles, the Government have four men on | the road, while between -Strathmore and Whangamomona, 21 miles, there is only one man employed. Why this is thus we I cannot say, but it is to be hoped strong representations upon the matter will be made to the Hon Mr Hall- Jones when ho is here. [Probably the vote of £8000 passed by Parliament a few weeks ago is nearly- exhausted, and the Department wants every penny to pay for tho metalling contracts to be let.— Ed. T.H.] ■ Last year a traveller on the North Road between the Clarence River and Kekerangu was astonished (says the Timaru Post) to see a large jelly-like mass on tho beach, apparently stranded by the receding tide. On investigation it proved to be an enormous squid or cuttle fish. Large portions had been torn away, presumably by a sperm whale, which is the only inhabitant of the South Seas that would ba likely to attack such a monster. It may bo stated that the remaining part of the squid which came ashore was estimated to weigh over two tons. [Some years ago a similar fish of hugo proportions was found stranded on the beach below the local gas works.] Mark Twain, in a recent press interview, avers that nine years' contact with Englishmen and Continentals has assured him that the Anglo-American past exists. "'England," he says, "is the best friend we have got in Europe and wa are the only friend she got on earth. No one ventures} to suggest a formal offensive and defensive alliance, but it is to our mutual interest that sentiments along that line should grow in tho hearts of the people. The time is coming when each of the two great peoples will need it in their business. It is out of my line to be pessimistic, but I think that the Chinese concert, which has already become a comedy, is likely to end in tragedy. When the crash cornea it will be best for -England, best for America, and best for the world that the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes should wave together." A good story reaches us from the Cape with reference to General French and Major Davies. The latter, it will, be remembered, met with an accident resulting in some broken ribs. He determined to continue his march and a Cape cart was found for him, but a difficulty j arose about a horse. Just at the right moment, however, a fine looking animal strayed into the lines and was promptly commandeered, the precaution being taken to hog his mane and dock his tail so that the owner would not recognise him. He was harnessed up, and safely carried Major Davies to Johannesburg, Trooper Payne, of luglewood, driving. On arrival at the golden city, the rest of General Frenoh's force was joined, and as the Cape cart drove up Major Davies noticed a smile of amusement passing round a group of men. As others came up tho joke — whatever it was — was passed on and' when General French himself appeared and approached Major Davies the smiles developed into barely smothered laughter. The General, after a short conversation and kind enquiries about the accident, left again, and then Major Davies, a little nettled by the idea that tho men were laughing at him or his equipage, demanded to know ■\vTiat was the cause of it. The explanation was immediately forthcoming that it waB General French's horse that had been uommandoered for his use, although the General did not appear to know the iiiiuial in its disguise. Ambury Bros, opened to-day 187 pairs curtains, 1b 9d to 255; latest and best ?aluo.° Dear Sir, — I recently- contracted a icvero cold, accompanied by distressing lyn.ptoms. I, fortunately, mot a follow Member, who advised me to take Impey's 1 May Appm!." I accepted his advice, md the result waa marvellous. I cannot oo strongly reoDmmend your mediens udging by its effect on myself. You are it liberty to use this testimonial as you hink St. — Your* (ray, F, Lawky, 01.R,° ' \

The Waverley Tennis Club defeated the New Plymouth Clnb on Friday by 193 games to 151. The Taranaki Metropolitan Club's Committee met on Friday night, Mr Samuel presiding. Correspondence between the Chairman and the Auckland Club and the Chairman and Sir George Clifford, Chairman of the Bacing Confeience, was read relative to the Minerva 11. case. Correspondence as to the eligibility of St. Vincent as a "hack" was also read. The gelding is eligible as a "hack." A great deal of business of a routine nature was also transacted. Miss Howell, of Riverton, who s now in Christchurch, has given the Press some notes of interest as to the mutton-bird industry. The habitat of the muttonbird is a cluster of islands near Stewart Island. The birds burrow into the ground, the season being from April to June. When the Maoris go out to catch the birds they dig them out, taking the young ones. " There are millions of bjrds;" says Miss Howell, " and practically an inexhaustible supply." One of the points made by Miss Howell, apart from the edible character of the birds, which she affirms, when properly cooked, is excellent, is that the oil, of which an enormous quantity can be obtained from them, is most valuable," alike for machine purposes and lighting. Beyond this, Miss. Howell says that the oil is a certain cure for apple blight, removing it at once. When the young birds are caught and i packed, they are slightly salted, and put into pits lined with fern. After remaining there for a while, they are taken up, packed into kelp in baskets, and are ready for export. ~ On October 11th Messrs William Dtnny and Brothers launched from the Leven Shipyard, Dumbarton, a new steamer, built to the order of the New Zealand Shipping Company. This vessel will be one of the largest engaged in the trade between England and the colonies, the moulded dimensions being : Length 457 ft, breadth" 53ft,' depth to shelter deck 42£t. She is intended for both passengers and cargo, and handsome accommodation is ; to be provided for forty first class, fifty second-class, and eighty steerage passengers. As the vessel is in- 1 tended to carry large quantities of frozen meat and dairy produce, the three forward holds have been insulated for that purpose. The engines, by Messrs Denny, consist of two on the triple expansion system, with boilers for forced draught, whilst the steamer will be fitted with twin screws. She has been built to the highest class at the British Corporation, and has the usual Board of Trade passenger certificate. The vessel was named the Rimutaka as she left the ways. It is expected that she will reach the colony early next year, and she is at present ■fixed to -take the - March time-table date from New Zealand for London. It is understood that Captain H. E. Greenstreet has been appointed to command the Rimutaka, For real bargains call at Brandt and Chilcott's, Devon House. Come and in spect our stock. 0