LOCAL AND GENERAL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10418, 23 March 1912, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The " Canterbury Times" management has been very fortunate in procuring a series of photographs taken on board Captain Amundsen's Antarctic exploration vessel, the Fram, on its return to Hobart from its successful journey to the South Polar regions. The series includes pictures of the famous explorer and his ship's crew, of the remarkable little vessel that has withstood the pounding and grinding of the ice of the Arctic and Antarctic, of the party of five that reached the South Pole, of the eastern party that was despatched to explore Kino- Edward VII. Land, and other incidents of the historical expedition. The series will be published in next week's number of the "Canterbury Times." Other subjects that will bo dealt with prominently in the illustrations will include the Napier Park races, the Kaikonra Agricultural and Pastoral Association's annual show, the visit of the Mayor of Chnstchurch and City Councillors and others to Timaru on March 18 the opening or the new band rotunda at limaru, the deputation that waited upon Sir Joseph Ward recently in Wellington to urge, him to retain the leadership of the Liberal Partv, the St Patricks Day Sports in Wellington, the camp of Territorials at Marakeke, Mawkes .bay. at which 1000 received military instruction, the opening of the new swimming bath at Grevtown, the motor reliability trial from Christcliurch to Hanmcr Springs and back, and the gum-digging industry in the dominions Far North. The' reading pages will be well stocked with up-to-date lnlornialion, instructive articles ™ short and serial stories. the Canterbury Times" will be place i on the local market on Tuesday. An observation of some interest to solicitors was made by Mr Justice Denmston this mornincr in holding over an application for probate in regard to Frederick Woodsford (Mr Smithson). He stated that the attestation dausc was defective in notstating that both witnesses were present at the same time when they signed. This defect, which was, common to many printed forms had been frequently referred to. and was the subject of a recent judgment by Mr Justice Edwards. Practitioners should see that the rule on the point was strictly observed. An affidavit must be filed.

Nothing better in convalescence, Stearns' Wine of Cod Liver Extract nourishes and strengthens—puts you on your feet in a hurry and keeps you there. 15 Wanted known that there's a wealth of enjovment to be derived from a pipeful or MILD DERBY Plug. It's famous for its sterling quality. Try a plug. 18 Tho National Mortgage and Agency Company of Christ-church, in conjunction with W. J. Hopkins and Company, some time ago sold the Dalethorpc Estate as a going concern, on account of Mr George Rutherford, to Messrs Itowron Brothers, of Christchurch. They now report having sold the whole (.state in subdivision as follows: 7500 acres to Mr John Milliken. of Springfield: 6500 acres to Mr Doudas Smith, of Opawa; 505 acres to Messrs Doody Brothers, of White-r-lids; 3500 acres to Mr L. E. Rutherford, of Cora Lynn, Bealey. Tho stock ami plant- wore sold by autcion on Tuesda-y last. The qualify of the shvp' was a great feature of the sale, and as a consequence there was a very large attendance of the public. T.b'o prices realised were very satisfactory—tho top figure was 22s Id. for a. line of two-tooth half-brods. Tho horses and cattle brought top values, as likewise the implements, harness, buggies,

All the Canterbury trout streams were reported clear this morning.

The "Wellington radio station reports that the Athenic will, probably bo within wireless range during the day and liie M.aunganui, Victoria .-uid Mo.lic.no to-night. A eoHison between a cyclist and. f» motor-cyclist with side-car took plaeo last evening at the corner of Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace, but fortunately no serious damage was done. Fine weather was being experienced in most parts of the dominion according to the report issued at nine o'clock this morning. Passing showers were reported from the northern portions of the South Island.

At a well attended meeting in Wellington presided over by the acting Mayor. Mr John Smith, last night, an Early Settlers 1 and Historical Association of "Wellington was formed, with the object of collecting relics of early settlement and records of the history of the province.

The absent-minded, person is frequently met with, but it must hare been a more than usual wandering mind that failed to distinguish a watercart from nnother kind of vehicle in Colombo Street to-day. After crossing the street immediately behind some traffic this absent-minded individual stood wondering for some minutes why ho was wet through up to his knees, and then it seemed to dawn on him that watering-carts are sometimes used in Christchurch.

The whale that was stranded between Allandale and Teddington was found by Mr H. Davenport, who saw it first ir, shallow water at about 7 a.m. yesterday. He went out in a boat to observe it. The whale made a strenuous fight to get out from the shallows until the tide receded and left it high and dry. It expired at about noon. Mr Davenport then handed his discovery over to Mr Edgar R. Waite for the Museum, The whale is estimated to weight about two tons and a half.

Natives in the Hawke's Bay district have in some cases been concluding land transactions, some long leases having fallen in, states the "Tribune," and they are, consequently, very flush of cash. It is reported that one Maori in that locality had an £BSO motor-car on order. The car had been landed in Wellington, but in the meantime he wanted to have a party out for tha clay. Pie hied him to a garage, and endeavoured to arrange for the hire of a car. The only car available was a new one (cost £650),, and this the proprietor would not hire out. The Maori tried toj>ersuade liim, but without success. Finnlly he said: "All right, you no hire the car. How much you sell him?" The figure was named, a cheque was promptly handed over for the amount, and the purchaser went off triumphant, without a thought of the morrow.

A deputation from the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts waited on the Wellington City Council on Thursday night, asking for a granl to assist in the purchase oi some pictures from the collection heinsi brought from England by Mr .Tohn Baillie. Mr H. M. Gore, president of the Academy, explained that the Government was establishing a public art gallery in connection with the Dominion Museum, and the Academy would consider a proposal to hand the whole of its collection of pictures over as the nucleus of a national art gallery. The Academy had now £SOO, voted by Parliament'in 1910 for tha purchase of works of art from the forthcoming exhibition, hut it hoped that the sum would be very_ largely augmented bv public contributions. It °was hoped to raise £2OOO. At the present time the Council gave the Academv an annual grant of £SO foi the present gallery. Tin's would # be discontinued under the new conditions. The acting-Mayor expressed sympathy with the Academy and promised that the request would receive careful coi.sideration.

A band of missionaries in_ Tierra del Fuego were murdered in 1859, and the event was recalled in an interesting manner six weeks ago, when Mr Alfred Cole, of Bristol, and his wife celebrated their golden wedding. Mr Cole is the sole survivor of the missionary massacre in Tierra del Fuego in November, 1859, when eight missionaries from the ship Allen Gardner went ashore and were killed by the natives. Mr Colo was left in charge of the ship whilst his companions landed, but he was forced to leave the vessel and flee to the interior when tho natives approached. The ship was completely stripped of all its movable effects. Cole wandered about the then almost unknown islands, and after sixteen days of privation aud_ misery he surrendered to the natives in despair. He was treated with comparative kindness, and lived among them for three months, when he was rescued by a relief expedition sent from the Falkland Islands in search of the missionary ship.

Arrangements have been completed for the bazaar to be held on March 28, 29 and 30, tinder the auspices of the Scottish Society in the Society's rooms The, bazaar is of a memorial character, to carry out the wishes of the late Chiei Henderson that an effort should be made to wipe off a debt. The members took up the proposal with enthusiasm, and the stalls will be loaded with an assortment of things both .useful and ornamental, especially useful. The produce stall will be very Scottish in tone, oatmeal and haggis being included in the stock list. On the sewing and knitting stalls the guidwives and lassies will give ample evidence that they have not forgotten the use of the knitting needles, and hand-knitted socks and stockings will be in evidence. A doll stall is said on the prospectus to have "dolls wi' claes, dolls wantin' claes, wee Hielan'men, fisher lads an' lasses." Rock and "gundy" will be found amongst other things on the lollie stall, the art and bookstall will be rich in pictures of Scottish scenery; white heather will be found on a wellsupplied flower, plant and seed stall, and Scottish dainties will be abundant in the tea room—"shortbread, scones, oatcake, crowdie, an' ither guid tilings." The Highland costume will be largely in evidence, both among men and women, and appropriate entertainments will be given at intervals.

Every year a. certain nnmbor of acres are devoured by the sea on the British coasts, remarks a London journal. The same loss occurs on the French coast, and a serious situation has arisen in tho village of Aiguillon, on the Brittany coast. An entire farm is in danger of being swept away at this point of the coast, for the sea is slowly devouring; the sand dunes which form the natural protection of tho land. It is , feared that the next storm on this '

coast will flood 4000 acres, and the Government is exhorted to take steps at onco to build a sea wall. Tho village of Aiguillon is not the only place threatened on the French coast. All along the, coast, from the mouth of tho Somme to the Seine, lh© same process of erosion is going on. On tho leftbank of the mouth of the Somnie a strip of 10.000 acres is in danger, its only protection being a beach of shingle which is being gradually undermined. The beach of Cmival has been ruiiied by the recent storms,, and trie collection of stones from the bank .•>•? shingle that surrounds the coast, &r building purposes, has greatly assisted the encroachments- of the sea. Ev«v. Trenort is suffering from the attacks of the sea. The local authorities wii! be obliged to take stops to prevent tho danger fining any further. But tho work' of "strengthening; the natural defences of tlia coast is laborious and e;<]wmsiv3, and tho Government win be. asked for assistanr.o. _ In such eases a stitch in time saw* nine. Wanted known that MILD DERBY Plug is the tobacco with a regret. Tho regret is that you wasted so many veurs before you began smoking it. Tit a pluc. 20 '

The Public "Wc-rka Department has apparently not yet learned of the Greater Christchurch amalgamation. From time to time during the past nine years it has issued circulars to the Mayors of boroughs now incorporated in the city, and to-day the postal authorities forwarded to the Mayor oi Christchurch two Public Works circulars addressed to the Mayors of St Albans and Sydenham respectively.