TOWN & COUNTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13393, 17 September 1907, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Owing to the Marine Band being prevented by the rain last Sunday from giving the conctrt- on Carolina Bay, it has been decided to play next. Sunday. Sir Harry Muegrove, representing Mr George Musgrove's Royal Grand Opera Company, was in town yesterday making

aii-angements for a performance of "Faust " on Wednesday, 25th inst.

Yesterdays express from Invercavgill met with a slight mishap, a couple of the engine's bogie, wheels getting off the line this side of Seacliff, and it took about an hour to get them on again. The southward express ran on, and crossed life delinquent- at Waiareka. The latter arrived at Timaru at 7.45, instead of 6.50 p.m. f At Ifhe present moment there are ni> fewer than thirteen shops vacant within the: town and one in the suburbs. The majority of these buildings are. new one,s r «ww Apropos of these shops to let, a man wITo started buciiieen here a few weeks ago, found competition so keen thai he. did not take enough to pay the rent. . He left the shop, and returned to England, stilting that he could do "much better there." ! The Timaru Borough Council proposes to establish a. standard for sanitary appliances in connection with tire underground drainage scheme, and t«> import them, as a measure of economy in the interests of the householdeiG. It may be suggested that before they do this the Council should inquire into'the applicability and cost of a " silent flusher" now being made in Wellington. The title, the description, and Mr Mestnyer's testimonial—-Especially the title—are good recommendations of the invention.

There appears to be soma difference of opinion' among the astronomers of the colony whether the comet which was visible -in the early morning.s__a short time ago will become visible in fl)e evenings. At first it. was said to be likely that it would, and that, it might become -a spK-h----did object after it had rounded the sun. Then it was stated that the comet -\yould probably pass mwnly without becoming more plainly visible than it .had been. The astronomical contributor of the Auckland " Herald," however, anticipates that it will " attain considerable proportions" when it reaches our evening sky. T.h? ordinary weekly meeting of the Y.M.C.A. Literary and Debating Club was conducted in the, social roonj. last evening. Mr P. Miller presided over a large attendance of members. A mock municipal election was held. Mr C. Newington acted! as the retiring councillor, and was called ujion to deliver <a speach outlining his intentions on condition that he was successful. He spokti for a, considerable tima on municipal matters, after which questions were asked, and answered in a very earnest and authoritative manner. Mr L. It. Harris contested the seat, and he also delivered a very neat address, differing somewhat to that of the previous candidate, and' lw was also attacked severely with questions, the majority of which were of a frivolous kind. On the vote being takin it resulted in a win for Mi' C. New-' ington by a fair majority. Mr Newington thanked the electore for the honour conferred upon him, and stated that ,he would promote as far as possible the welfare of the municipality. Mr Harris spoke very feelingly when lip. was informed of his defeat, and concluded by saying that at the next election he would contort the sent with more vigour and confidence than he had manifested in connection with the present poll. A hearty vote of 'thanks to the chairman, carried by acclamation, closed' the meeting. Next Monday there will be h;ld a debate on " Statesman ver-. sus Warrior," and as the subject is in capable hands, a liiost interesting a.nd profitable lima is anticipated. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds never f&ili. Is 6d a£d 2« 6d.... ICE FOR EVERYBODY. The domain!, for a handy, compact, littb refrigerating plant has now been met by Messrs Humble ;md Sons, the well-knowi refrigerating engineers, who have placid on the market a practical little machiie at a. cost within easy reach of humhvds of dairy farmers and dealers in perishaile goods, whose requirements do not varrant expensive plants. This machine has been specially designed for-private bitter makers, butchers, ,inilk vondors, fish loalers, hotels, or poultry and egg deders. Full particulars on application to .'. B. MacEwan and C0../Ltd., Dunedin. STANDARD STAR. OYCLEf. 1908 MODELS. Recognising that there is a den* ml for easy running bicycles, we have imported a special line of Standard Cycles, vlueh wo are selling at the va'y low price ofCl2 10s, and fully guaranteed. No better alue has ever be'-n offered in New Zealaid. The Standard is fashionable and baulifully finished. Snecilicatum Exhibits Model. FRAME and 26 inch; HJBS, oil. retaining and dust-proof ; PEDAIS, rubber or rat-trap, 4 inch; HANDLKURS, to order; CRANKS. 7 inch: CSEiR to order; CHAIN. Appelbv Roller; SADDLE, fioun-h; RIMS, Wostwood; BRAKES, Front and Rear Ri;n Brakes TYRES, Palmer and Retlcx Clipper: FNISIi, enamelled black and lined ; all Vight partsheavily nickel-plated. 12 monliis guarantee ; easy terms arranged. Pr.'e £l2 10s. ADAMS, LTD., the Arcade, Timaru.

The. parliamentary correspondent of the " Lvttelton Tlm=s" states that *ir William Steward wilt probably move to reduce the limit fur commencing the graduated land tax. fmm £40.000 to -220,000 wWn the Land and Income A>sessnunt Bill is und.r discussion. The annual meeting of the Mackenzie County Aerie ullurul Society was called ior Saturday "night last. but owing ;;.• the

Saturdav niijht lu^t weath-r" and *'•> t- 10 nuniTrm.s counter m eting'< which were being held. Mich ;■. few members turned up that they ilecii'.ci to adjourn and call it again for Fnday. September 27th. .it 4 p.m. Sund'av was oiw of the rough, si days regarding weather that Fair!;' k.s had this winter. About 3in of s.EO'.r fell on Sacurdav nkht. and u cold driving rain was falling "all Sunday. Aithougii lew are in th? middle of their lambing, there are a considerable i: umber of nearly lambs about which must have strife-red by it. There apper.red to be an epidemic- of meetings in Fairlie on Saturday night lac-t. no Us/ than four being summoned for the same evening. These were the Oddfellows.' Lodgj meeting, the annual meeting of the Mackenzie County Agricultural Societv. the meeting of the Fairlia branch of "tbi Farm Labourers" Union, and the public meeting- called to diet!*:, town matters- Con;-equaitly «:vk one helped to a certain extent to spoil the ether. Ona of the oldest residents of Fairlie. Mr H- Welsh, died somewhat, suddenly at hia residence, Fairlie, on Sunday morning. He had been laid up for the past few davis. but it wa-t not considered anything ■ serious, and tlu- news of hir, death cam . as quite a shock to his friends. He was one or the best known figures at Fairlie. whera Iva U?.s been for the part 30 years associated with a blacksmith s and" wheelwright's business. At the late Exhibition the International Correspondence Schools saenrc-ct high<-.-iL powible award, namely, four gold medal:; and special, for th.-ir popular system of teaching over 200 different technical subjects bv correspondence. Ihe schoo.s established over 15 ysar* ago have considerably over 1,300,000 students ana gradaatrs in various .paitu of the world. including 5500 in New Zealand. The floor space of these schools coveiti seven acres, where 5200 persons are employed. Instruction papers by these schools cost £50,000 per annum to keep them up to date: postage amounts to £BO per day. The bound volumes, lesson papeis. and drawing plates as used by these schools can ba inspected at Oates' cycle shop, Stafford street, wher.? Mr J. VV. Baiiaclcugh. the Christchurch rc-presc-ntative. is having a temporary window display, and will be pleased to" supply full particulars to those interested.

The "Evening Mail." Nelson, sends a small pamphlet dealing with the claims of Nelson to an extension of the NelsonWest Coast railway., at a more expeditious rate than in the past. Nelson's "trunk" line is at present only 42 miles long. About five miles mere are practically completed, and another five mik-s cleared of hush. Then comes a gap of ten or. eleven mile 3 which has never been authorised. It appears that a line was surveyed rightthrough to the West Coast, but aftera deviation was determined on which has taken eleven miles of line, and the whole line is lengthened by that distance, or even more, and the " gap " seems to have arisen from the deviation being authorised without adding to the total mileage ant'jorised. The claim for a more energetigr'prosecution of the construction workwl* based upon.two facts: tirst, that the Government in the latter

parties undertook to make a railway from *selson to Greymouth. and the general Government promised to carry out the work, when abolishing tlie provinces; second, that blocks of land totalling 175.000 acre 3 have been thrown open for settlement, all of which would be benefited by the extension of the railway, and in fact" chnnot be successfully settled without the Tailwav.

You can do a suffering friend a kindly service by saying "Stearns' Headache Cure wili quickly cure that headache." A trial will convince you if you have not yet used it yourself. ... Among the people who visited the remains of the Elginshire were a- number of men ■who -were wearing suits made to fit them for two pounds seventeen and six.-- Those -who wore suits made elsewhere decided there and then never to wear any other than Alfred J. Stephens' suits, made to measure for two pounds seventeen and sis. If you want your suit for the show place yonr order immediately opposite the Post Office.' ...

The coming event in the mind of all cycle ridera is Eandrup Bros, great road race on October 17th. Large numbers oi entries are coming in and the contestgives every promise of turning out a keen one. Wishing to meet the wisnes of intending competitors the firm have just landed a fine consignment of tho very latest model road racers ,with drop frames and Ifin. Westwood rims. ... We have read about the wonderful success the. Be Dion and Darracq have met wifla in reliability contests held in every country in the world, but it is still cf greater interest to the local public to see tkes? performances carried out under their eves. As an instance watch the little 6" h.p. De Dion, tha first to make an appearance in South Canterbury four years ago. This little car, after having served its late owner, A. Martin, Esq.; as -a most useful tool (aa h-s called it), is now to be eeen every day from early till late in all sorts of weathers on cur streets. It i~ constantly being hired out by Sfceates and Bookaert" and also used by all members of this local firm as a hack. Messrs Skeates, Bockaert state, and can prove, that £4 will eseily cover all mechanical repaid don.* to this wonderful little car since it landed in Thnaru four years ago. As for Darraeqs: What car dots more regular and teird work than the 15 h.p. Darrack used by the Canterbury Farmers' Co-op.? The gentleman in charge of this car can not speak too highly as to it" reliabilitv and wearing qualities. As we said before, De Dion and Datracq motor cars did not get their world renowned fame by mere advertisement, but by actual facta based upon years (not months) of experience on the roughest roads in every country cf the globe. The De Dion anca Darrack Companies turn out yearly, and respectively, as many cars as any other five makers put together. Last year's De Dion output was 5000 cars; Darracq's output was 7000. Both firms paid a solid dividend, which h the pulse of every sound" business. In conclusion, do not bay experiments ; buy a De Dion or Darracq and you will have an asset. ...

MOUNTAIN KING ASTHMA POWDER. A powder which gives immediate relief in violent attacks of asthma, broncHnis, etc Is largely cecd and recommended asthmatical people throughout th 2 whole o. the colonics. 2s 6d ' per tin. DP. ENSORS TAMER JUICE. i concentrated extract of highly medicinal vegetable juices, for all aliments Ol the liver, kidneys, bladder, bowek. etc. Kas a healimr. cleansing, and stieugt'.unino- effect on all the digestive, assimilative, am! *scrctorv organs-. 2s 6d per bottle. "WITCH'S OIL. A compound of soothing, mas-aging oils for rhaumatic. sciatic and other like pains. For cold weather aches, rh.-umatis-m. sciatica, and lumbago, it stands pre-eminent. Witch's Oil kills pain, and is the very best liniment in the world for all things a liniment ought to b? good for. 2s 6d per botttk. ...

A tiro brigade cenipceed of Maoris in being formed at Ghintmuiu, Kntoru.i. The captain of tli' Itoionta brigade will instruct, the natives in their new diitK-.--.

Lambing i* now fairly gineral through the Winchester. TViiiuka, and Seadown district.-;: and so Jar there ikviils to be little lts--s through tile r.-c-nt >iormy ivc-u----tlier.

!");■■:p-k-vt! mining i.s making con: id.rabk- p-.egr.ss in New Zealand. At lte.fLf>:i payuhh- quartz is mined at a depth of i/CCfi : at Karangahakv. at 1500 ft : at Waitii. a; lUCGft:'ami at the Thames at 750 ft.

The Waimataitai school opened y<-?ter-day with an attendance of 292 out of 565 on the roll, Mr Werry is temporarily filling- the position of headmaster, with Mr Xewl-.tnd as assistant. Miss Rowley lsas returned nittcli benefited bv her rest.

Stinday was about th- roughest day experienced in Fairlie this winter it heiiuc cold and wet. and a gocd deal of -snowfell during the day. When the Fairlie train arrived in Timarn yesterday morning a thicl: mantle of fT.cw .-till covered th_- ronfe of the carriages.

At'low tide yesterday afternoon the stnf line ou the south sido'of the eastern mole was off the eighth pier of the staging—--2CO fvet out. from the The shingle. (k,:s m.t "go oat" so rapidly as- it used to do. as it ba< now to Sank up a longer stretch of foreshore.

A facetious member of the Westport Fire Brigade, who had embarked on the sea'of matrimony, wrote to the brigade apologising for non-attendance at the monthly meeting, owing to the fact that he had been engaged in a "coupling event'* at St. Caniee's Church during the dav.

The weather yesterday appeared to have become once more " set fair." the sun shining all day from* a clear sky. So far this month nearly 2 inches of rain have fallen at Timarn. Mr R. Ferguson's registrations totalling 183 points. His.record for AugEst was 5.25 inches; heaviest fall 2.59 on ths 23rd. For the eight months ended August his total was which is a good deal below the average.

A basket social will be held in connection with the Star Football Club in the Assembly Rooms on Thursday nest.

At half-past 2 o'clock on Sunday morning heavy rain began to fall at Winchester, and by .half-past 8 two-thirds of an wch wire registered. The day was very bleak, a south-east wind bringing tip sleety showers, with now and again a little hail, at intervab throughout th; dav. The total rainfall for Sunday wao .92 inch. Mr Alf. I.awton, the well-known comedian, who shortly after .his appearance in Wellington with "Th? Hiraisii .Hearts " Company, four months ago. was stricken with serious illness, died in Wellington Hospital o:i Sunday. He leaves a widow and a- three-year-old son. He was born in X*-w York, and was 48 years of age. The death is announced from Hokitika of Mr .Tnnr-s .S. Benyon, till lately proprietor of the " Ktunara Times," and also of Mr Alfred Patterson. Both were pioneer men of South Westlaud.

Major Jackson Keddell, Stipendiary Magistrate at Oamaru. will shortlyietire on "a pension. Born in Kent in 1801. he joined the 16th Lancers in 1850, but soon after left, and went to Victoria, where he rosa to be sub-inspector in the Mounted Police. Obtaining leave to visit Otago, he settled there, in 1562, and became coroner on the goldfields. He served in the Waikato under General Cameron, and became major in 1864. He was subsequently Magistrate at Thames, Coromandel. Central Otago. and Greymouth, his last move being-to Oamaru, in 1892. Discussing the competitors at the recent boxing championships in Wellington, the captain of the New South Wales team said:—'" Elliott is a good man; but he is what I call a flicker. I consider that he has a short reach, and to lengthen _it he flicks with the end of his glove. The referee cautioned him, and he flicked on just the same. He is not a New Zealander: he came from England to Timaru some few months ago, how many I don't ioiow. Bv the rules of the competition he had to be in-New Zealand for six months: lam told —whether it is true or not I don't know—that he has not been here for six months, and I have asked the Boxing Council to call upon him for a declaration."

In a case in the Magistrate's Court at Auckland, yesterday, in which Karl Foller George Musgrove for £lO, a week's wages, the defence, being that the amount was deducted owing io plaintiffs inability to sing his part, Mr Mah'pny for defendant, contended that he had a right to fine- plaintiff under clause- 2 of the agreement, which stated that any person failing, or neglecting to appear, had to lose three weeks' salary. Mr Sharpies contended that under the provisions of the Truck Act, wages must be paid in full. Mr Mahony contended that the Track Act did not apply to operatic singers. The Itfagistrate reserved his decision.

Several new postal regulations are to come into force on October 1. On. and after that date the rates of postage on letters and letter-cards addressed to places b:yond Xew Zealand will be a? follows:—To United Kingdom, British pce.?essions, and other countries to which the postage is now Id, Id for each ounce or fraction thereof, instead of, as at present, for each half-ounce. To all places, 2M for the first ounce and for each succeeding ounce or fraction thereof. At pKGtnt the rate is 24 d for each half-ounce or fraction th.-reof. A poster will shortly be issued instructing the public in the matter of tinselled post cards. Any cards orcame-nt;-d with tinsel, mica, powdered glass, or fimib.r substance will not be permitted unk-ss they are enclosed in cover.-, fiiuce the sorting of such articles is injurious to the health of the sorters. If tinselled cards are posted without cove: ioz thry will hi sent to the dead letter office. When enclosed they will be liable to the letter rate of postage if they bear written communications; otherwise, they may ha-sent as printed matter within Xew Zealand and the United States.

At the Magistrate's Court at Christchurch last week, befora Mr H. W. Bishop. S.M.. a suit v.-as heard over a sum of £555 ss—a share of profits on a consignment of furs. The plaintiff said that about April last he ordered £l5O worth oi fur 3 from Home, and defendant oideivd £IOO worth. These amounts were inclusive of duty. In order not to compete against each other, they decided to enter into partnership, and took a shop in High street for retailing the goods. Defendant was to pay for the goods plaintiff ordered, and plaintiff was to receive half the profits. Defendant's wife and plaintiff's wife lived on the premises. From April 29th to August 3rd the cost of the goods sold was £l4B 17s sd. and thev realised £404 8s sd, or a gross profit of £255 lis. After deducting working expends £32 6s, the net profit was £173 5?. During the last three weeks of Hi-:- business, witness could not ascertain what amount had been sold, but striking an average the net profit amounted to £37 Is sd. bringing the net profit to £2lO 6s sd. To this had to he added £4-1 5s profit, on the balance sold at auction, whirl) brought the net profit to £254 6s 5i ... ._;*

The Tomuka and Opihi rivers are in fair Hood, showing that the rainfall in the hills meat have been very heavy.

The. Winchester School was examined by the ins]K-ecui':: on Friday and iliv children are now having a J'oihiight's holiday.

The I'.anoiova borough borrowed £BOOO for municipal gasworks. These are nuw in operation. The actual ecst is limr found to be £BOOI.

The foundation ston? of the new chapel f:ii- ;'re Monasteiy of the Sacred Heart \v;, ;j laid by Bi>h<-p Grimes at- C'liristchurch on Saturday. 'i lie building is in brick and etone. A Dunedin baker says that you tan get seventy loaves of bread to the bag from Adelaide Hour, as against sixtyfour to sixty-six to tin; bag of Xew Zealand flour. Theft was- a heavy fall of snow on the high landi; of the Wtfitport district on •Saturday. la interfered .slightly with the working of the Westport Coal Company's ccal at Lavertry incline. The Tai Tapn Dairy Company last year sold 637,0911b t;f butter, exported and locally. The average price to suppliers for butter-fat was 11 3-16 d. Suppliers l-ic-ivad in all £29,501.

Th? Kaiapoi Borough Council will lay before the burgesses a scheme for acetylene gas lighting- at an estimated ccfit of

one-third of coal gasworks, and with mantles to the burners the light is claimed to be superior.

The Xew Plymouth Bowling Club has decided to erect a memorial to. the' late Mr Jes. Paul, who was known as the father of bowling in Xew Zealand.

.Seven deaths: of old residents have occurred within the past fortnight at Westpoit. Dredge 350 has b.=en drifted to the outer end of the main wharf, and tinned end for end, to clear out the angle in tdw works. The stuff being dug up yesterday was clay with coarse shingle on ton. and the clav appeared to be evi-n tougher than fha't met with at the shore end of the wharf. The usual music of the gear was considerably varied by a lively rattle of beach boulders rolling down the shoots. At the- last meeting of the Council of the Ashburton /Acclimatisation Society, one member said that an instance of the destruction of trout had come under his notice. A creek had been shut off for cleaning purposes, and the fish had actually died in thousands. He thought thatin "cases of the kind the .Society should be informed, and should send a man to transfer the fk-h to the rivers or running creeks.

,/a correspondent signing himself "New Zealand Bora," writes from Auckland to thr Dailv Mail' Oversea,, Edition' to say that in New, Zealand certain slang words are very prevalent, and he quotes a number, including among them ""Kia Ora" and "Whare." A native New Zealander ought to know that these are not slang words.. Among the rest are "a station," "a run," and "a store." It has been arranged to have day .sales of rickets for the Children's Ward benefit entertainment on Thursday next, and Messrs E. Pratt, tobacconist; Geo. Hilton, fruiterer: and J. Hutchinson, confectioner, have thzsß ticket.'; for sale. Those, wishing to eecure :;sats are advised to obtain tickets before the opening, as the tickets are selling rapidly. It may be mentioned that in every church in Timaru on Sunday the erection of lira Children's Ward was referred to and warmly supported from the different pulpits. *

There appears to be soma difference of opinion among the astronomers of the colony whether the comet which was visible in the early mornings a short time ago will become visible in the evenings. At first it was said to be likely that it would, and that it might become a splendid object after it had rounded the sun. Then, it was stated that-■ the'comet would probably pass away without becoming more plainly visible than it had been. Ths astronomical contributor of the Auckland "Herald", however, anticipates that it will "attain considerable proportions" when it reaches the evening sky.

Apropos of reform of criminals, the following is a true account of a conversation held some time back with a wellknown Maori, and incidentally gives one an insight into the Maori's estimation of generosity as a virtue (writes a correspondent of" the Hawera "Star"): "Be Gov'ment, he mad." Pakeha: "Why?" Maori : "Some time me not give money, 2s 6d, for dog—he sendifc me to prison, ?Cew Plymouth. Igo to the coach Hawera : den de train. I. get de bed, the kai, ths bath for seven day. By gorree. Thai the way I know he fool, dat Governmens. When I come back the pa he send de man with me train Hawera, den he gimme ss, by gorree, for the coach. 'Stead me pay two and six he gimme ss. What for? *Eh? Same like, I think, every time, eh?" At the conference of the Geraldine and Levels Comity Councils on Saturday, Mr F. W. Marchant mentioned that a bridge of 395 ft span is to be built at Auckland of ferro-concrete. This- bridge is to span a deep gully which separates Grafton, a fashionable residential suburb, from'the business city. The distance between them is only ten minutes' walk in a straight line, but owing to the- Cemetery Gully Grafton is half an hour away from the'eitv. The proposed bridge is to span the gullv with a central semicircular arch of 320 ft," two spans of 35, four of 70, arid two of 75 feet each. The main arch will he- the largest masonry arch in the world, the nearest being a span of 295 ft at Planen in Saxony. The carnage way will be 24ft wide, with side walks 6ft wide. It is estimated to absorb 1400 tons of cement.

■SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. % Guinness and LiCren —Stock sale at Geraldine, on Wednesday; farms for sale. N.Z. L. and M.A. Co.—Sale at Geraldine, to-morrow; at Studholme, on Friday. Jonas and Co.—Auction rooms closed;, holiday to-morrow. Dr 'Burns, Pleasant Point—Wants boy attend horses. Assembly Rooms—Social and dance ,on 23rd inst. Howell Co., Dunedin—Special value piano £SO. Wright, Stephenson and Co.—Auction sale of Waimea estate, 28th September. W. Albert and Co.—New house and sections on Highfk-ld for sale. Albury Pacing Club —Nominations close on 27th September. Mullin and Temple—Properties for sale. Caledonian Sccietv —Sports on Labour Day, 9th October. Star Football Club—Social, on Thursday evening. R. Keiland—Stud notice of British

Lion. Perry, P-srry and Kinneruey—Trust moneys to lend. Skrfates and Bockaert—A fur lost; reward. J. O'Rouvke—Details nf men's summer goods, at moderate prices. . J. Baxter—Has Ir.st a bearskin muff. Lost —Four one pound nates; reward. Wanteds;—Seven notices.

Section 26, in Cave Village, about 2± acres, has been temporally reserved from sale as a- stock saleyard.

Mr Thomas William Taylor is gazetted deputy sheriff and clerk to the Licensing Committee at. Tirnaru, vice .Air T. Howley. The s.s. Maheno arrived at Bluff at 9 a.m. yesterday from Hobart, with an English mail. The mail via Vancouver, from Sydney. August 6th, reached London on the 13th inst.

Mr Forrester, of the Stock Department, reports that he found thousands of ladybird beetles in bluegum plantations on Mead Settlement, Rakaia, and no trace of blight." A voting man who lias been .several times "before the Court lately charged with drunkeness was charged yesterday with being a lunatic at large, and was remanded for medical ispection. An Opiuuik-e Maori was, asked the other day if he were married. 'Oh, no," he said, 'the wahine cost too- much ; want too many trips to Xew Plymouth; too many new boots-, and nearly every week the new blouse."

The following figures give the number of live stock in the colonv: Horses, mules and assss, 343,059: cattle, 1,851.750; dairy cows (included in the foregoing). 543",927 ; eheep, 20,103,-471; swine, 242.273.

The old "Plough Inn"' at Riccarton, which has stood for about 50 years, is to be pulled down. The rooms are too small for modern requirements and the timber is suffering from decay. The "Plough Inn" wa3 probably the first house on the plains to be licensed.

The- Telegraph Department advised yesterday morning that- the Gisborne and Wairoa lines are faulty, and there would be heavy delay for stations beyond Napier. Also, that both lines to Canton were interrupted, and messages were'being ed from Hongkong. Wheat and flour shipments from Australia to destinations beyond the Commonwealth since December 15. 1906, consist of, approximately, 24,682,670 bushels wheat and 1.2-58,556 sacks flour together equivalent to 30,722,779 bushels, or 822,931 tons of wheat. The value may be estimated approximately at £4,830,000.

A man named John Osborne Stanley was 'arrested yesterday morning by Detective Fitzgerald and Constable Harvey on a charge of failing to comply with a maintenance order made against, him oh behalf of his wife in Dunedin. He appeared before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., and was remanded to appear at Dunedin tomorrow.

Already shearere are being booked for sheds inland around the district by local labour bureaus, says the. "WairarapaTimes."' Although it is the custom to book sheds early in advance by shearers, the increase in popularity of sheep farming through the high prices ruling for wool has caused an additional number of shearers to be recjuired, and this year station-holders are taking time by the forelock to prevent being kept too iate in getting their wool out.

A milk vendor of Masterton recently' had his license cancelled by the" health authorities under the daily regulations, which makes it unlawful for a person suffering from a contagious disease to carry on business as a dairyman. As this person has no other means of. livelihood, a. petition is being drafted for presentation to Parliament, whereby compensation is being asked on tha same principle as that which applies in the ease of diseased c'toek killed at", abattoirs, where the butchers are compensated for condemned animals.