PITH AND POINT.

Western Star, 20 March 1903, Page 3

PITH AND POINT.

Destructive fire at the Bluff. Shooting season opens on Ist May, and closes on 31st July. Uncertain weather. Farmers anxious. St. Patrick Day's sports marred by the inclement weather. Sydney wool sales showed an improvement. Czar's manifesto outlining reforms has caused disappointment. Eussia clamours for a free press, independence of the judges, a freely elected chamber, and control of the administration.

To ask for these rights in Russia is i.o be branded as a revolutionary.

Sir Robert Stout has an article in the current number of the Review of Reviews condemning the tote. Mr C. Pharyzn, a New Zealander, suicided in the Thames. Serious Bush fires have occurred in the flawkes Bay district. A charge against John King, the Auckland Registrar of Electors, of

having left names off the main roll is being enquired into. As a result of the enquiry into the Newtown local option poll, several persons are to be prosecuted for voting under age. Sir Joseph Ward proposed the toast of " The day we celebrate " at the St. Patrick's Day gathering at Sydney. The Aberdeen University has con-fen-ed a Doctorship of Divinity on the Rev. James Gibb, of Dunedin.

German newspapers pay a high tribute to Mr Chamberlain. They've changed their tune. The Shamrock hotel at Awatoto (Hawkes Bay) was destroyed by fire on Tuesday night, and several children were severely burnt. Robert Tait, a returned contingenter, made a fool of himself at Auckland. Because a young women refused him, he fired six shots at himself, missing each time, and then fell to the ground. He will receive a " court" lecture for attempted .suicide. The House of Commons is likely to take cognisance of the stress of foreign competition. According to the census, every person in Riverton has a religion. Scotland is troubled with a whisky surplus. Auckland wants £IOO,OOO next session for expenditure on railways north of the city.

The Navy estimates are described as 4 unparalleled in peace or war."