LOCAL AND GENERAL

Western Star, 30 January 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Last week we published a letter received by Mr J. C. Thomson, M.H.R., from the Hon. VV. Hall-Joues, Minister for Public Works—relative to the Orepuki-Waiau line. In that letter the Minister promised to further communicate, which is now to hand, and is as follows Referring to your letter of the Ist instant, and my reply of 11th idem, dealing with the resumption of construction work on the above railway, I have the honor to state that a report has been f received from the District Engineer, in which ho states that the Engineer selected to take charge of the line has been delayed by bad weather, which i revented him finishing some survey work on the Lawrence-Roxburgh Railway. He has now however, completed this work, and expects to be able to take charge of the Oreapki-Waiau line in a few days. I understand that the Railway League have been communicating direct with the District Engineer on the matter. • \ / - "A - 'Miss J. A. Hamilton, who for four years has ably filled the position of Mistress at the Riverton School, owing to the reorganisation, will now assume charge of the High School department, and the Committee, from past experience, have full confidence that she will conduct this department with energy, zeal and ability. Mias Hamilton gained a three years scholarship at the Invercargill Girl’s High School in 1887, which she vacated at the end of 18 months to enter the Girton Coilego, Dunedin—a first-class secondary school wheie the work is- taken up to Degree Standards in all classes. She remained there three years, and matriculated in 1892, being gold medallist of the college in 1893 gaining first class honors over 90 per cent) in English, Arithmetic, Geography, Physiography, Geometry, and Algebra, and second class over 80 per cent in Latin, French. History and Elocution. In 1895 Miss Hamilton passed the D. examination, and is now classified as D2. In 1897 and in 1898 she kept terms at the University, and in 1898 sat for the first section of the B. A. Degree, but unfortunately her papers were lost on the wieck of the Mataura in the straints of Magellan. Miss Hamilton holds special certificates for laundry work, dressmaking cookery and first-aid to the injured. As a teacher she is a hard worker and aa enthusiast.

Among the stories told (.1 Sir Henry Keppel, the “ little admiral” who lived to 90, by his biographer, Sir Algernon West, are these.two: “At an unlucky race meeting, when he had been completely cleaned out he borrowed a fiver from a friend, saying, “ I always make a point pf taking back to my wife part of my winnings.” “ During an Autumn cruise at Cowes, it came on to rain hard. Two of his ncices took shelter under a verandah of the hotel, which had been reserved for a rich stockholder, who turned them out in the wet. Sir Henry,, hearing of this was furious, and started out with his nephew to demand an apology—he had an umbrella in his hand—saying, 1 1 am too old to strike him, butl can poke his eye out.’ The stockbroker said, ‘ How was I to know they were ladies ?” ‘ Damn you sir,' said the Admiral, 1 don’t you know a thoroughbred from a cart horse? If you don’t, I’ll teach you.’ ”

Attention has been directed by our Fairfax correspondent to the dog nuisance, and he suggested as a remedy that the dog tax should be increased. Our Scotts Gap correspondent draws attention to the loss sustained by a settler there through mongrels worrying his sheep. It will cost him and such a loss is too much of a joke. If people will keep useless animals, gpod only for destruction, they should pay for the luxury on the pfinpiple that luxuries should be taxed more than necessaries. Probably the application of this principle would solve the difficulty, A State apiary, or bee sarm, has been established at Ruaknra, Waikato, A start lias been made with 3t hiv^s,

Some twenty of the visiting Masons to Invercargill in connection with the Convocation of the Royal Arch Chapter drove to Riverton on Sunday and spent a day up the Pourakino, after luncheon at the Aparima Hotel. In describing the outing, the Southland Times says : Southlanders do not know the lovely scenes that await a visit to that locality. As the river is ascended the trees arch overhead and form an avenue of unsurpassed beauty, whilst the shadows, due primarily to the dark colour of the water, cannot be equalled anywhere. The visitors had nothing but compliments to pay their hosts for the outing. The day was beautifully fine and everyone enjoyed the trip.

Of the 13,000 necessary for the Pasteur experiments in rabbit extermination, has been locally raised in Sydney. Surveying for closer settlement in Wellington province is just now very active.

Two youths, one seventeen and the other nineteen years of age, were sentenced to death at Winchester for the murder of girls—one a sister and the other a sweetheart.

There were 105 cases of suicide in the colony during 1905.1

The London Board of the National Bank of New Zealand have resolved to issue 50,000 of the unissued shares of £7 10s each to existing shareholders in the proportion of one share for every two shares now held, at £$ 10s per share, of which £2 10s will be capital and £1 premium. The bottom of the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Calilornia is said to be so level that a railway could be run for five hundred miles without altering * the grade anywhere. Some day will have submar

ine railways. Why not ? An appeal is being made to the sporting people of Otago to raise £iso to send Hector Burke, the well-known runner to compete at

the Olympian sports early next 3-ear. v

Word was received here yesterday that the first parcel of this season’s cheese consigned direct Home by Island Dairy Factor}- Co has realised the gratifying price of 62s per cwt. —Wyndham Farmer. The first hotel in New South Wales to be called upon to pay the maximum license fee of £IOO a year is the Grand Central, York Street, S}-dney, the rental of which was assessed at ,£3OOO a year,

which carried the maximum fee. The residents of Stewart Island contemplate the formation of an esplanade. > Up to the present the Ashburton County Council has purchased 246000 birds’ eggs and heads, «i:d has paid out ,£246 to small hoys and Oliver collectors. The Wild Bush Picnic committee wish to thank the ladie’s committee, Misses Prentice, C. Guise, Wilson, White., Bona Watson, for the able way they canvassed the district for prize-money, and it was largely due to these young ladies’ efforts that such good prizes were given. The Riverton storekeepers and public are also deserving of thanks, as they have always contributed handsomely towards the picnic fund. crj-'We hear that the Riverton HarA hour Board are to be asked to call lor an enquiry into the stranding of the Rose Casey, which, by the way, will soon be out of dock again to resume her running. Grass-cutting is ' now proceeding throughout the district. There Appears to be a fairly large area under crop this season, ami some of it promises good yields. Montgomery’s popular kinematograph entertainment takes place in the Victoria ‘Hall this evening. Mr Montgomery’s company bears a good reputation locally, and a full house is a certainty. J The tenders for cutting drains at Hokonui have been accepted. The annual Presbyterian Church soiree and congregational meeting will be held in the Victoria Hall to-morrow evening at 6.30. The rabbit pest is much in evidence just now, and a batch of Lumsden settlers have been mulcted in heavy fines for failing to keep Brer Rabbit within bounds. This fact should serve as a. reminder to any who are oblivious of the existence of rabbits on their properties. A pound in time saves nine. - B.'he Railway Department have' lifted the Riverton Borough Coun that the upkeep of the Riverton, bridge will in future devolve upon them. Cheering news, particularly when the bridge is done, and repairs are incessantly required. The dual capacity of inspector of dairies and noxious weeds for Wallace is filled by one inspector. Sometime ago representations were made to the Department to have the offices separated in order that the Avork might be more efficiently discharged. It has, however, been decided to make no change in the meantime.

For the position of second inspector of schools for the Southland district, 32 applications have been received from all parts of the colony, among them being seven Southland teachers. The applications are being very carefully considered. JyThe death is announced at Invercargill of Mrs Macrae, formerly of Otautau, at the age of 56 In a certain part of Southland the householders did not 'deem it of sufficient importance to elect a school committee. The Board appointed two commissioners, who recently gave the customcry New Year holidays. Now, some of the householders are up in arms, holding the opinion that extended holidays should be given at harvest

time, and not at New Year. They desired the actions of the commissioners overruled. This was not done. The time for the consideration of these matters is at the election of a committee, and no doubt these householders will not be so remiss in the future, but will take some interest in the election. Two skeletons were found on the beach near Raglan, Auckland, a few davs ago, also small pieces ofclothing, bone buttons, and the remnants of a woman’s boot. Over 20 years ago a sailing vessel during a westerly gale, gained the harbour, and on "her subsequent voyage she was wrecked near by. On that occasion the captain had his wife aboanl, and it is believed the remains are tlieirs,

Mr Peter McL'eod, of ’Otamita, owner of acres of land, was fined and costs for .failing to destroy rabbits on his property. Evidence went to show that defendant was letting his land to trappers and thus causing suspicion of farming rabbits. Mr R. McNay’s Orderly won two races at Tapanui on Thursday—the Maiden Plate and Welter Hack —paying £1 14s and £2 19s respectively.

TheGere schools’ excursion to Riverton to-morrow arrives at ir. 3 a.m., and leaves at 5.10. p.m. Fine weather will see a very large number of excursionists.

Judging by the number of entries received for next Wednesday's Cycling Sports (says the Times) patrons can rely on a pleasant afternoon’s •uting. It has been found absolutely essential that the events be split into no less than 36 heats and finals, so the management will have to get off an event every five minutes. This will be somewhat difficult to accomplish, and the officials have an arduous afternoon’s work before them. Mes srs Chalmers (Christchurch), Shea, McAuliffe, Rogers, and Waldie arrive by the late express and will have some preliminary trials on the track on Tuesday. A final meeting of the committee was held on Saturday evening when arrangements were completed. The number of people travelling to Bluff on Regatta Day was made the subject of a guessing competition by the committee and the result has now been made known. Mr Ted Anderson 6900 and Mr A. H. King 6905, were equally near to the official number of passengers, 6902%, so they divide , the £5 prize. The next best guess was made by Mr J. C. Wilson, Otautau The ancient church of St. Piran, Cornwall, which was recently discovered in the sands at Perran, is about t» be restored. The church stands near the ancient town of Cornwall, long since lost in the sands, and is considered to be by far the oldest in the country.

In no branch of Taranaki industry is the scarcity of labor being more keenly felt than amongst dairy farmers. To such an extent is

this the case that many farmers who are unfortunate enough not to have the assistance of families of their own, have had to reduce the extent of their herds. In v one instance in particular that has come under the notice of the Daily News, a farmer in the Ureti district has reduced bis dairy herd from 80 cows to 30. Imperfect as it may be if like conditions threaten to prevail another season, the milking machine will find a ready; market in Taranaki.

The flow of lava from Savaii volcano, Samoa, on December 28, took withit the remaining houses of Toapaipai village. The only buildings now remaining are the Catholic and London mission churches. The damage is very great. Last year the Toapaipai copra crop was 300,0001 b. The lava is now within 50ft of the Malicola plantations, but they are not in immediate dan ger.

One feature of the shearing season just ended in New South Wales is the extraordinary increase in the use of machines, which by next year will be almost universal in the larger sheds throughout Australia.

“ And when you have got the number of hours in ' a workrag-day down to the minimum, what then?’ asked the manufacturer. “ Oh, then we’ll go in for a thirty-min-ute hour,” remarked the walking delegate. Master S, Cupples, of Fairfax, passed the examination for the'Ed ucation Board senior scholarships, and for senior free places in secondary schools. Master A. Reynold of Riverton, was also a successful candidate. An instance of the advantage of being a member of a Friendly Society was given at the KaiapoiOdd fellows Lodge meeting on Tuesday evening. A member who joined the lodge in October 1872, died early last year. He paid in contributions ,£BB os sd, of which ,£52 16s 3d went to the sick andfuncr.il find. He was unfortunate enough to be an invalid for 24% years, and drew sick pay amounting to £425 i;s 6d also &5 from the distress fund, and at his death £3O was paid to his family making a total of £470 12s 6d.

The installation of Aparima Lodge, No 39, 1.0.0. F., A.C., took place on 24th inst. D.D.G.M. Bro. F. Nash was the installing officer, and was assisted by P.G’s Bros. Perry, Clark, Ewan, Smith and Swap. The following offices were filled—J P G, Bro M Gonley ; NG, Bro. T. Ward ; Y.G, Bro. R. Walker ; Sec, Bio. C. D. Mills ; Tres, Bro. P. Joyce ; R. Sec. Bro. J Tangney ; R.S. N.G, Bro W IDimmock ; L.S.N.G, Bro Love ; Con. Bro. C. Cull ; L.S.S, Bro J, Murray ; R.S.S, Bro. H. Culling ; War, Bro A. Blatch ; L.S.V.G, Bro A. Bulnmn ; LG, Bro. J. Barlow ; O.G, Bro. J. Callaghan. The lodge now numbers 80 members, six having joined for the half-year. The funds arb—Sick and funeral £413-8s 2d, management £lB 18s 2d, benevolent £29 19s 2d. The visiting brethren were entertained after at a social, when songs were given by Bros. Humphries, Gonley, Stevens, and Culling. The Noxious Weeds Inspector visited the Nightcaps and Otautau districts last week, and draws the attention of occupiers of town or country properties to the necessity of clearing noxious weeds, ragwort, Canadian thistles, etc—and thereby save the risk of Court proceedings which the Department intend to enforce. The Waimatuku and Otautau Cricket Clubs will try conclusions to-morrow on the ground of the latter. A match has also been arranged between Colac and Otautau on the occasion of the school excursion to Colac on Thursday week February 9th. The Otautau Tennis Club will journey to Win ton to-morrow and plav a return match with the local club.