Local and General.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11969, 11 June 1903, Page 4

Local and General.

4 We remind our readers of thb lecturie on the recen* Pai'liamentajy trip toi be delivered by Mr. A. D. Willis, M.H.R., at the Museum Ha.ll at 8 o'clock this evening. Admission will be one shilling, members free. A somewhat unusual sigh-ib was to be seen in bhe sky on Monday evening, a. re- : markable cloud form, which many thought to be a new comet, bekigf* observable. It was in reality one of those clouds known as Carro Stratus, or what are more: generally known as "mares' tails." The fact of there being an otherwise cloudless sky made the object more noticeable. Approximately the total -tonnage of vessels which have visited Picton during the : first five months of the years 1902 and 1903 respectively are as follows : 1902, 187,067 tons; 1903, 230,043 tons. The totals :.u- ---' i elude ovean-jjoing vessels, wliieh represent- ' ed in 1902 47,445 tons, and in 1903 102,- ---' 737 tons. The Government steamers are not included. We understand that final arrangements in connection with the new rifle range at ; Putiki are at present being made by the ; Defence authorities. A prominent officiaL of that department paid a special visit to Wanganui onl Tuesday for the purpose of '" completing arrangements with the local ' authorities.

Miss Beasley, of the Hospital staff, has passed her final examination for the .position of nurse. The annual meeting in connection with the social work of the Salvation Army will be held in the Barracks on Monday evening next. Mr W. G. Bassett will take the chair. The theoretical ex&imination of Trinity College, London, will take place at the Boys' District High School, Wanganui, on Saturday, 13th instant, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.- Candidates are asked to be in..their places ten minutes before the appointed time of commencing the exairoinution. The "Rangitikei Advocate" says—"We are informed that Mr James Smith, of Taihajpe, will, be a, candidate for one of the vacant seats on the Wanganui Education Board a* the coming election*. He will no doubt receive the unanimous support of the country School Committees." The "Manawatu Standard" adlds—"With all diffidence, we venture to express a doubt about the last sentence—like the electors of Rangitikei, we know Mr Smith." Says the "Standard" —An amusing "mock" Court case of interest to our readers was enacted on the Ventura, bound for 'Frisco, the other dlay. The participants were Mr D. Sinclair, the judge; J. B. ClaiksoM, one of the jurymen; G. Hall (till recently employed at Messrs Barraud and Abraham's), plaintiff; and -D. Adams (builder, of' Wellington). The facts of the case were that the day before Hall "was going into &c bath-room for his usual morning bath, when Adams pulled him back and beat him at1 the breakfast, table by about 10 minutes. " Therefore "■ Hall sued Adams for 7s 6d. The body of the court was crowded. After hearing a very lengthy evidence on the case, the judge dismiesed it, calling upon the plaintiff and defendant to "shout" for the. crowd, amounting to about 10s each. Mr. T. H. James yesterday brought under thie notice of the Hospital Board the necessity existing for fire extinguishing apparatus at the Hospital. He pointed out that the building was practically without means to prevent the spread of firfe, and; stated that if the recent fire in. the padded room had not been discovered in its incipient stages it would have been impossible to prevent its spreading through) the wards. Mr. James suggested that the Hospital should be connected with the town water mains so soon as the Okehu water supply, scheme was completed. In the meantime a two-inch pipa 'should be .laid! fromi the artesian water supply to the corridors, where taps and buckets could! bo distributed. Mr. Newman suggested the advisatility of utilising iron doors to prevent the spread of fire down the corridors—an idea which Mr. James commaiended. It was ultimaitelv decided that Mr. James suggeft &.£ next meeting a definite, sohemie and an estimate of the ;cost. • ; Some years ago-(says a writer in, the "Bang") Lord Rosebery said these remarkable words: "There is one signal quality which I specially admire in the policy of Russia, it is practically unaffected '>y the ilifa of man or the lapse of _ time —it moves on, as it were, by its owni impetus; and it is silent, concentrated!, perpetual, andl unbroken; it is therefore sucoessfuL',' That accuiate desdriptiion: of Russian; polr icy ccimiea to; mind when one reads thai Japan is doing her utmost at the Court of the King of Korea to dissuade the Government "from granting to Russia a concession for ii railway from Sjeoul to Wiju. Japan realises only too clearly that if this concession ba given <to Russia, it wiE_rajean much more than the mere construction of a railway. The railway between Seoul, the capital, and' Chemulpo was taken over, by Japan three or four! yeaite ago, and Japan obtained the right to construct a railway between SeouiL and Fusan, The project of tliis line to Wiju, which is likely to become a very important port in the future, has been under consideration for some timie. The Chief Commissioner of Customs is a British subject, and it will b-o remembered that the -Russian Goyernirer>it did its best to supplant him with a Russian a little while ago, but the -attempt was thwarted. The bulk of Korean txade is with Japan, so that the Japanese Govertnimient views Russian influence in. Korea with suspicion. Wihten. railways ana constructed, they are used' by the nation which constructs them, and all this is a part of a definite .policy which Russia pursues in the "silent; concentrated, perpetual" fashion described by Lord Rosebcrv- ■ " " A Parisian comispoiadient, mi describing the newest colours, writes: "And now I may here 'tell you thsut_ the very "smartest thing possible for everting wear is a brilliant Royal blue tulle gown; but oh! how judiciously it has to be chosen—and worn! A beautiful example of this daring fashion is a model destined for one of the courts, I believe, for later" on in the season, which is to be worn by a cV- known English beauty. The long skirt is a mass of tdny flouncea as high as the knees; the upper p.irb of the fouriieau, closely nuoule to the figure, is in embroidered tulle, the design of closiely-twinedl leaves and! tendrils carried out in dull blue and vpilet tones o£ beautiful tinted pearte. The corsage has a deep belt of this embroidery, the upper portion of the bodice being of folds ot tulle arranged in a point back and front. Tlie sleeves are tiny puffs of tlie ,tulle gathered into a band of the embroidery, whicn, is here and there relieved! hy, stalks and tendrils of gold, producing a really lovely effect. Blue and purple, red and purpte, are the note for the moment, decidedly, among the best couturiers' models. There h a rage for the grape as a-trimming for hats and ball gowns, and the designs of tho newest and richest embroideries are 'suggested' by this Inost bacchanalian of subjects. A pretty toilette at a recent marriage was of Royal blue voile (or eolienne). Tlie pleated skint was long, and ample, round the feet and quite untrimmed. The corsage of thq. boleato order, had ami embroidered band, forming collar1 and nevers, somewhat in the state fashion, the ends falling below the edge of tihe bolero to about 4 inches below the waist, and finishied with a deep fringe. This embroidery was in soft tones of purple, green, and; blue upon a deep ivory ground 1. Sleeves of the blue material were made tight-fit-ting, with deep cuffs of the embroidery* and very widle puffs at tlie elbow. The toque to be Worn with this dress was composed entirely of green leaves, with putfple and greyish blue grapes, his scheme •of colour is le dernier cri over heie, and, properly thought out, nothing can be more becoming to a certain type of woman."

St. Andrew's Kilwinning Lodge meets this (Thursday)' evening. The Lodge will betyled at 7 o'clock sharp. Visitors are cordially invited. Messrs. Fraser and Sons, Auckland, are the contractors to supply 300 tons of iron '•—■■ bridge work for the main trunk railway near Whakapaki. The price is about £7000. The Taranaki Maoris do not view the elevation of Mahufca to the Upper House and the Executive Council with approval, and the question will be discussed at a ■ laige meeting at Paribaka next week. Mr. Thos. W. Gale, a. well known resident of Wellington, and formerly a member of the Harbour Board, and manager of Messrs. Johnston and. Co., merchants, died yesterday morning. Captain Edwin telegraphed at noon yesterday—Strong winds to a gale from between west and south-west and south; glass rise; tides high; considteiable sea-. The Shak&speare Society recently formed at Wellington is such a. success, and the membership so numerous, that the readers hava to be divided into three sections, which meet weekly in different buildings. Sir Robert Stout has been elected patron, •and: Dr. Findlay president. The many Wanganui friends of Captain Robertson, late skipper of the barquentine bb. Kfl^i, wll be pleased! to hear that the cable message we. published some little time back referring <to the drowning of a Captain Robertson while voyaging to New Guinea did not refer to our old friend, who, we, understand, is in the Auckland province. A deputation representing all the local bodies waked oh Sir Joseph Ward at Napier yesterday morning to urge the necessity "of the Government! improving the means of communication by land! and sea with Wairoai, with a view to the opening up of the Waikaremoana to tourist traffic. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, saiid: he recognised the tourist resorts as one of the most valuable assets of the colony, and the Gor verament were doing their utmost to de- • -velop them. At the same tiitaie it mu&t taieat each district fairly, and keep within the bounds of reasonable expenditure. He promised to do all in his power to accede to the wishes of the deputation. Among the applicants for relief who appeared before the Board of Benevolent Trustees at Wellington on Tuesday was. a veteran of four campaigns, who nad won a distinguished conduct medial for valour in the field. He had served in the Indian. Mutiny, in the Chinese Wai' of 1859, in the Abyssinian War, and) the last Boer War. He was wounded in India, in Abyssinia, and at Paardeberg. Ftaom SouthAfrica he was sent Home to Netley Hospital, and on • being discharged unfit for service came back to New Zealand. His pension of 2s.- 6d. per week had been ■mortgaged until January. The old fellow was admitted: to the Home. A boy of between "seven and eight summers was brought ur> at the Police Court yesterday morning, charged with the theft of five pigeons. The evidence showed that! th& culprit had gone to' an aviary, which was Bailed up, foiled it open with an iron bar, afod 'taken out four prize pigeons and a dove. He informed his parents that they had been given to hdm by a gentleman who was removing from the neighbourhood, and they believed his story. During the hearing in Court the boy confessed that he » and several others had! stolen some qolt balls and sticks from St. John's Hill, md when chased had hidden them. Messrs. J. H. Keesing and F. A. KrulL J's.P., occupied the bench, and they, after admonishing the boy, released him on his stepfather promising to use the iod! and not spaate tfcie child. The question of the repiesentation of the Rangitikei County Council* on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards was raised by Mr. Newman at the Board's meeting yesterday. It was pointed out that RanWas entitled! to four representatives, who were Messrs. Remington, Duncan, i &imipson,' and -Newman. Mr. Remington ■<. would, during'; tha session of Parliament, v be absent from commAftee meetings, and! as Mr. Duncan was absent from! the colonies, the County's representatives were reduced to two. Mr. Newman stated that the County Council thoughlti Mr. Duncan's ' seat should be declared vacant, and anothei' gentleman appointed, he to *es;gn on Mr. Duncan's return. There was no wish to be discourteous to Mr. Duncan, whose services were highly valued by the Rangitikei Council, but it was felt tbait the County would not have sufficient representation during his absence. Aftsr a short discussion, it was discovered that the Act would) not allow of the proposed step being taken, Mr. Duncan having been granted leave of absence at the previous meeting. , .. •■ The Hospital Board vestenday discussed the desirability, of duty being removed from drugs, etc., imported foi' hospital purposes. The discussion was raised by a letter from the secretary of the Wellington Hospital, m which letter iti was stated that the Wellington Hospital authorities sought the co-operation of Hospital Boards in the colony "in an endeavour to obtain from the Government the privilege of importing 'free of duty' all drugs required for hospital uses which are not manufactured in the colony." After discussion, Mr. Newman proposed1, "Thfcit the Board is in sympathy with the Wellington! Board in endeavouring to get drugs rey quired for hospital purposes free of duty. ~"T Mr. Williams moved as .an amendment, "That the letter lie on the table till next meeting." This was seconded by Mrs.-. Williamson, and carried^ Mr Newman; having withdrawn bis-motion. It was pointed out, in the course of the discussion, that only those Boards Avho imported drugs ■would benefit, ana that if the Government granted the request an avenue would be oened for scheming .to import free of duty drugs other than; those' required lor hospital purposes. SANDER AND SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT. According to report of a great number of physicians of the highest professional standing, there are offered Eucalypti Extracts which possess no curative properties. In protection of the world-wide fame of Sander and Sons' preparation, we publish a' few extracts from these reports, which bear fully out that no reliance can be placed in other products—Dr. W. B. Rush. Daklond, Via., writes: "It is sometimes difficult to obtain the trenume article (bander and Sons'). I employed different other .preparations; they had no effect. Dr. H B. Drake," Portland, Oregon, says: "Since I became acquainted with this preparation (Sander and Sons') I use no. other form of Eucalyptuß, as I think it i 6 by far the best." Dr. L. P. Preston, Lynchburg, Va., writes: "I never used any preparation other thaaa Sander and Sons, as I found the others to be almost useless. Dr. J. T. Cormel, Kansas City. Kansas says: 'sCare has to be exercised not to be supplied with spurious preparations,^ done br my supply druggist." Dr. H. H. Hart, New' York ?ays : "It goes without saying that Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract >is the best in the market." Dr. James Reekie, Fairview, N.M.: "So wide is the range of applications of Sander and Sons . Eucalypti Extract that I carry it with me ' wherever I go. Ifind it useful in diarrhoea, pll throat affections, bronchitis, etc."

The Chief Postmaster wishes to notify for general information that the "New Zealand Hand-book" for 1903 may now bef seen on application ait any Office which is a money order office. The "News of the World," London, speaking of the late Sir Hector Macdonald, says emphatically that had the courtmartial taken place "it would have found Hector Macdonald's honour1 stainless. «The unhappy officer is dead; no inquiry can now be held, .but the dead hero stands acquitted of wrong in the eyes of his grateful countrymen." The contract price for the Victoria Ward at the Hospital was i 52193, and the work has been carried out for actually 11s 6d under that figure. Such was the substance of a statement submitted' to the Hospital Board yesterday, when several members expressed their appreciation of the architect (Mr T. H. James) having carried out the work without extras,. which one member stated totted up to sucn an enormous figure when the original .structure was erected. It is stated that some North. Canterbury residents have become entitled to a fortune running into six figures. The two chief beneficiaries, who are brothers, live, one at Oxford and the other at Amberley, and it is reported, that they are heirs to a tin and coal mine in England -as well as to accumulated funds in the hands of the British Government. One of the heirs is employed as a house-painter. A motor fire-engine, the first of the kind brought to New Zealand, has just been landed from the Ruapehu at Wellington. It was built by Merry weather and Co., of London, to the order of Messrs Aiken and Wilson, of Wellington, on behalf of the Wanganui Fire Brig«te, and has coat about £900. The engine was sent to Edinburgh for a trial in .that hilly city, and did wonderfully good work there. ~lt can travel on a flat road at a speed :of between 20 ■ and 30 miles an hour, easily run up an incline of one in ten, and deliver a jet of water at the rate of 400 gallons a minute to a height of 160 ft. The new engine is ex'piected in Wanganui to-day. The ordinary mionthly meeting, of the Kaukatea Road Board'was neld yesterday, there being present Messrs. J. E. Wilson, J. J. Tylee, James Higgle, and D. Heriihy. The returning-officer reported that. Messrs. Herlihy, Jones, and J. Tylee had been re-elected unopposed. Ml 4. J. E. Wilson was elected chairman for jbhe ensuing twelve months. Mr. Higgie gave notice that he would move j«b next meet-' ing that the .wages of the surfaceman be increased Ky 6di'.'"per day. It was resolved that Messrs. Norman Higgie and Porteous be notified that they must forthwith remove the obstraction in the water table caused by the furze grubbed by tlhem on the road." The meeting then adjourned!. At the conclusion of the ordinary business at the Hospital board meeting yesterday the Board went into oomimattee_to receive tenders for the proposed additional accommodation required for the nursing staff.^ On resuming it was reported that a deputation consisting of the Chairman andi Messi's. Newman and Williams had! been ■appointed to make a personal application to the Right Hon. the Premier on behalf of the Board for a graqb of £1000 to enable the Board to erect a complete nurse1?' homej and that Messris. Remnngtoni and Willis, M.H.R.'s. be asked to introduce the dentation ami render any assistance m. regard to the matter; also that Mr>\BCatriek (Mayor of Wanganui) be asked to accompany thfe deputation. It was also reported that it had been "decided to ibtoid ovex' till next meeting tihe openingl, of tenders pending the result of the interview with the Premier. . Says yesterday's "N.Z. Times"—Private telegrams from Auckland, received in WeiUngton on Monday evening by Mr W. H. Tisdall and Messrs Briscoe, MacNeil and Co, announced that the pigeon--shooting. match between Mr C. H. Gorrick (of New South Wales) and Mr D. Fraser (of New Zealand) took .place in Auckland on. Monday. There were several hitches in ar-* ranging the preliminaries of this contest, and the distance from which shots were to be fired was an exceptionally vexed question, but according to latest advices the distance was to be 33 yards for each inarksmian. The match was for £100, Mr Gorrick firing with imported amberite and Mr Fraser with colonial iimmunition, Mr Charles Chavanmes was appointed referee for the match. The shooting may be described—altogether without exaggeration— as marvellous, for Gorrick dropped 97 birds out of 100, andl his opponent finished with the very creditable record of 90 birds out of.loo. In spite of the inclemency of the weather a large number of tourists and business men are availing themisefvefr^f the ■'opportunities offered by Thomas Cook and Son for booking through to the Old/ Country and the Continent. Messrs. Mellsop, Eliotti and Co., the local • agents, informl us that during the last fortnight they have booked Mr. R. W. Brown and family to London, Mr-. D. Mcßeth to South Sea Islands', Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Geprgetti and son and Miss Blake to London, Mr. J. H. S. Mackay to London, Mi", and Mrs. F. Carlson to Monte Video, Mr. Donald Grant to London, Mr. J. B. Olarksom to London, Mr. B. Belmonte to California, Mr. and Mrcs. F. McGibney and party to 'Frisco, besides numerou§ intercolonial and coastal bookings. We wouid advise tourists, to make inquiries and app_lv for sailing lists and quotations befoiie making their bookings elsewhere, as Thomas Cook and; Son have their agents 'ta all coitners of the globe, and English-speaking agents in all principal towns.