LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7544, 29 October 1902, Page 3

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

■m ■ ♦ — — • The Dunedin correspondent of this paper telegraphs that Mr Seddon will unveil Sir John M'Kenzie'a cairn at Pukeriti on Nov. *J. Sip Joseph Ward also will be present. In the bankruptcy . of J. J. Denholm, istorekeeper, Papanui Road, St Albans, the first meeting of creditors will be held, in the office of the Official Assignee, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In future, th© dates of the annual camps of Volunteers, as permitted by the regulation*, will be approved by officers commanding the districts without reference 1 to headquarters. A general meeting of the members of the Lyttelton Club will be held next Monday evening. The progressive euchre parties in connection with the club will be discontinued till January. A meeting of draughts players is to be held at Mx W. Robinson's placei of business, $n High Street, to-morrow evening, at 7.30, to make arrangements for organising the New Zealand Championship Tourney, which is to be held in Christchurch next Barter. All interested in; the gan& are invited to atbend. Th« telegraphic weather report at 9 a.in. to-day showed that the barometer was ■teady aH. over the colony. At Auckland, an wast wind- wsa Wowing, with a clear eky. In Wellington, a south-east wind was blowing, and the «ky was overcast. A north wind was blowing in Dumedini and Invercargiil, and the sky was clear. At the Ghristchurch Magnetic Observatory, at 9,30 a.m. to-day, the barometer stood at 30.297. The maximum and mdnijnum temperatures during the preceding twenty-four hours were 57.2 aiad 47.0 respectively, flfoe maximum temperature in the Bun Was 129.0, and the minimum temperature on the grass was 41.7. The barometer was steady. The presentation of a testimonial from the people of Christchurch and the suburbs to Mr and! Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, in recognition of the services rendered! "by them to the district during Mr Rhodes's term of office as Mayor, will be made at the Alexandra Hall at 3.30 -p.m. to-morrow. A general invitation ! has been extended to the citizens, and the committee hopes to •cc a good representation of ladies. A mew feature baa been introduced in ibhe programme for the Metropolitan Show this year by the Canterbury Agricultural' and Pastoral Association. In order to encourage riding and 1 driving among boys and <girls, the Association 3ias instituted competitions in the classes for boys' and girls' ponies. Special prizes of two guineas and one guinea, for first and second respectively, will be given in each of the two classes. As the weather gets wanner, the number of inquiries at the Chri6tchurchi Tourist offices increases, The attention of tourists Jfc&re seems to be divided fairly evenly between the Wanganui Raver ana the Southern Lakes. During the past fortnight, however, many visitors have inquired! in regard to the West Coast. The Australian States are well represented among those who seek information in regard to the colony's health resorts and scenic' beauties. The ".New Zealand! Times" says that the Minister of Lands hopes as soon as convenient after the general elections to proceed' to Auckland to make arrangements for the proper sterilisation of imported bones. Several outbreaks of anthrax in the Auckland and Taraavaki districts have been traced to imported 'bones, and the urgent necessity for making provision for their efficient sterilisation ihas been earaphaeised by Departmental officers and members of Parliament. The first annual meeting of the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was held last evening ; present — Messrs W. A. O'Callaghan, (Canterbury Club), R. F. Crosbie (Christchurch Amateur Club), F. D. Kesteven. (Union Club), G. Scott (Avon) and F. M'CuHough (Timaru). Mr O'Oalkghan was appointed chairman, of the Centre, and Mr Kesteven secretary and treasurer. It was decided to communicate with the Lyttelton Regatta Committee, pointing out that its programme must be submitted to the Association before being issued, ffihe Timaru Club will be communicated' with in regard to itsprogramme for Nov. 20. Two seamen of the ship Blenheim were before the Napier Magistrate's Court today on a charge of wilful neglect of duty. From the evidence it appeared that the men had joined the vessel at Wellington and signed articles lor the voyage Home at £5 a month each. They contended, however, that although they signed in this manner, it was only done so that an advance fcnight be made to them to ipay their debts due at Wellington, it' being understood that they would ireceive' their discharge when the vessel reached Napier. The case for the prosecution is that the men signed for the voyage Home with a full knowledge of what they were doing. The accused •were remanded for a wieek owing to the illfaess of Captain Colville. There continues to be general improvepient in the quality of flax offering for export at the grading ports of the colony. In Southland, where the industry is rapidly fcxtendmg, and' where there are at least two hew mills waiting for machinery, the millers are very anxious to improve the quality toi the 'hemp. The chief Government ihenup grader, who has just returned! from a southern visdt, graded 1045 bates of flax during bu tour, one miller in the .Rangiora district Striking "superior" quality — the best of the five qualities. This was the first time that quality has been reached since the inauguration of Government grading. Most jpf the business is done in tie third class, »• good fair " quality. The Auckland "Star" is informed by tone acquainted with the late Mr Frederick Button, from whose estate the Rev A. Dowie benefited to the extent of £10,000, that 3m was a sheep-breeder at Runniyineada, Thornbury, Southland. He sold his estate twelve months ago, and left for by way of America, and died suddenly at Chicago. The "Star's" informant served a cadetahdp with Lim at !Thornbury, and says he had views the reVerse of complimentary to Dowie when he left the colony. Prior to leaving the Bluff he stated that his estate was worth £13,000. He was unmarried, and leaves three brothers and 1 one married; sister, also six nephews and nieces. All are now" likely to be benefited under the will. There was a scene at Nelson thi9 mom- ' |ng at the Conference between Mr Hogbem, the Inspector-General of Schools, the Nelson Education Board and the Committees of the Nelson, schools. Before the proceedings opened Mr Hogben said that matters for discussion were departmental and therefore private, and desired the exclusion of the Press before he would say anything or officially conifer, as he held that personal questions might arise. The local members pointed out that this was quite unusual, but Mr Hogben insisted 1 , and a motion to exclude the Press was carried on the casting vote of the chairman. Thereupon Major Franlklya, a member of the Education! Board, declined to countenance .proceedings with closed doors, as lihe matter for discussion was. of public interest, and! left the room. Townend's Sulphur Hair Restorer will positively restore grey or faded 'hair to its natural colour; is not a dye. Price 2s per bojttle; by post, securely packed, 2s 9d. •tfwne&d,. Chemist, ChrUchurch, ~ 2521