SOCIETY ON DITS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XIX, 8 May 1897, Page 577

SOCIETY ON DITS.

That an old identity of Broad Bay, Otago, Mr John Rhodes, formed one of the Guard of Honour at the Queen’s coronation. He enlisted in 1832 to serve King William IV. in the Chatham division of the Royal Marines, and was transferred to the ‘ Castor ’ frigate (Captain Lord John Hay), for service on the coast of Spain. Returning home he soon afterwards took part in the Jeu de j'oie on the accession of Her Majesty to the throne, and later, while with his division at Chatham, his company was selected to take part in lining the streets for the coronation procession to and from Westminster Abbey. He is now 82, still hale and hearty. . That 50.000 people were carried on the Dunedin tramlines during the holidays. That in consequence of the extra charge now made for telephones, over one hundred Christchurch subscribers have left. Others are also giving up their ’phones in various cities. It is probable that the loss in numbers will not be made up by the increase in rates. That the Auckland Harbour Board's foreman of works is to be provided with a bicycle. That the entertainment given by the Marist Brothers’ pupils in Auckland was an excellent one. It was repeated in aid of the Hawke’s Bay Fund. That it is proposed to introduce the eight hours’ svstem as regards the nurses at the Auckland Hospital. Probably the idea will be carried out on the same lines as now in vogue in Wellington, viz., the emergency nurse system. That an accident to Master Harold Vause, second son of the postmaster at Te Awamutu, Mr J. P. Vause. is reported. The lad was dismounting from his pony when he slipped, and falling on hisshoulder broke one of the small bones. The injury was attended to by Dr. Pairman, and the unfortunate young fellow is progressing favourably. That the great sympathy felt for the sufferers by the Hawke s Bay floods is taking most practical forms—concerts, matinees, theatrical performances, etc., etc., being given for the purpose of raising funds for their relief. That an illuminated address is being prepared bv Mr Atcherly, of the Survey Department. Wellington, which the New Zealand Veterans’ Association intend presenting to the Queen on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. That a sure preventive for the codlin moth is said by a Gore gentleman to consist of hanging twigs of bluegum on branches of the trees affected. The idea is to allow the smell of blue gum to pervade the atmosphere in which the moth exists; and, with this object in view, it is good to break the leaves of the bluegum and let the smell escape. On dit also that an orchardist in Nelson who tried this idea has completely eradicated the pest, while the surrounding gardens are full of it. That the St. George’s Rowing Club (Auckland) ball, to eventuate this (Wednesday) evening, bears every indication of being a charming and attractive function. That gilded sixpences have been passed off as halfsovereigns in Auckland last week. That the cost of the flood to the Rangitikei. Kiwitea, and Manawatu County Councils, Manchester Road Board, and the Feilding Borough in bridges alone will be over 20,000. That the Glen Var Wine Company, Auckland, is the largest wine producer in the colony—over 4,000 gallons per year. Wairarapa comes second with 2.000. This has been ascertained by statistics. The wine this season is said to be of a peculiarly delicious flavour and strength. That sportsmen have not been successful amongst the ducks on the Waitaki at the opening of this season unless tn the far interior, where good bags have been made On the Canterbury side of the Waitaki hares are fairly numerous, although their numbers have experienced a reduction during the past few years. That a capital season is predicted for the Greenwood Company at Thames. Paeroa, Coromandel, etc

That the opening meet of the Pakaranga Hunt Club will be a smart affair, should the weather prove propitious. It takes place at •Arborfield,’ Ellerslie, on Saturday, May 15th. where the Master of the Hounds (Colonel Dawson) and Mrs Dawson reside, and where they will dispense their usual kind hosoitality in the way of luncheon. That the first grand communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand met last week in Invercargill, and excited great interest among the Masonic bodv. About too representatives were present. The visiting officials say that it is the most successful and numerously-attended function since the inauguration of the Grand Lodge. Brother Baron was installed as M.W.G.M. for the second term. That for so small a place, Picton is famous for fires. Another one occurred on Friday night in a cottage on the W aikawa Road. The inmates escaped in their night attire only. The man who works on the freezing hulk, ‘Edwin Fox,’ cut himself severely on the arm breaking through a window, and will not be able to work for some weeks. Nothing whatever was saved, so that the unfortunate people are in a sorry plight till something is done for their relief. A subscription list has been well filled, and, as usual, Picton is to the fore in good works. That a recent visitor to White Island (Whakaari) in the Bay of Plenty, by the s.s. ‘ Fungal ’ from Whakatane, says that great changes hvae taken place in the island during the last two years. The lake has increased in size, being now close up to the main steam ‘ blow-hole.’ An immense body of steam was being ejected from the various ‘ safety-valves ’ on the island. That the Wellington Chamber of Commerce will be represented at the Sydney Conference on May iSth bv the Hon. C. J. Johnston. The local Chamber has set up a committee to report re the increased rate for the use of telephones. That the bad weather predicted by Captain Edwin and Mr Wragge has not yet arrived in Picton. The most perfect weather has prevailed since Easter. That Lady Douglas is organising another entertainment in Wellington, which is to be given next wees in the Opera House in aid of the Hawke's Bay Fund. That news conies from British East Africa to the effect that Mr James W. Blackett, at one time connected with the Public Works Department of New Zealand, and also who started the survey of the Main Trunk Railwav from the Marton Junction Station, is now at a place celled Kikuyu, as district engineer, at a good salary. That Mrs T. R. Fisher (Dunedin) is on a visit to Christchurch, and at present the guest of Mrs Aiken, Opawa. That Captain Babot has received news that Captain Evans was too unwell to leave London with his ship, the ‘ Matatua,’ which is coming to the colony in charge of Mr Holmes, chief officer. Captain Evans is recoverimr his health. That in Wellington about thirty or forty subscribers have left the telephone exchange in consequence of the increased rates. That Mr George Crichton, chief clerk for the Wellington district to the Government Life Insurance Department, has been transferred to Dunedin. That it is proposed to get a company at the Bluff, and obtain a steamer, fitted with a refrigerator, to call on the several fishing smacks at Ruapuke, Stewart Island, Preservation Inlet, and elsewhere, and convey the fish to a hulk (also containing a refrigerator; stationed at the Bluff, where the stores would lie till despatched to Melbourne and other markets. That Sir George Grey is seriously ill. That Mr Albert James Allom. an old Auckland resident, has been appointed secretary to the Committee formed in Auckland to collect subscriptions for the Hawke’s Bay flood relief fund. He says the suffering and distress is by no means exaggerated. That Messrs W. Niccol and Garcia, of Paeroa, met with an accident last week. They were trying to avoid a collision with another buggy when theirow 11 overturned. Though much shaken, neither gentleman was seriously injured. That Mr Thomas Short, of Awhitu, cut his foot badly with an axe last week. He is now in the Auckland Hospital. That a Royal Commission has been appointed to inquire into the Private Benefit Societies. It consists of Major Steward, Mr Tregear (Labour Department), and Mr George Fisher. That two newspaper reporters driving without lights had a lucky escape the other night on the I’aeroa-Kara-ngahake Road. They met another vehicle also minus lights, and in avoiding this trap their sulkv was overturned. It was wrecked, and the horse slightly hurt. The reporters escaped uninjured. 1 hat Mr John Falls, who leaves Auckland for the China Inland Mission, was present at a valedictory prior to his departure. That the prizes won by the children of the Orphan Home, Parnell, Auckland, were distributed by Mrs Nelson at the annual meeting last week. At the conclusion it was intimated that the honorary secretary. Mr J. B. Gilfillan and Mrs Gilfillan intended giving additional prizes for both boys and girls during the ensuing year. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies' the bon. medical officer (Dr. Roberton). the examiner (Mrs Goodhue), the bon. secretary (Mr J. B Gilfillan), the bon. treasurer (Mr Walker), and the special reference being made to the services of the hon. secretary and treasurer. That too subscribers have left the Christchurch Telephone Exchange on account of the rise in the charge, but the number is not yet certainly known.

That a beautiful water-colour copy of a postage stamp collection exhibited in the Ait Society’s Exhibition by Miss Adela Roche has been placed in the Auckland Art Gallery for exhibition on loan. That Bishop and Mrs Willis, of Honolulu, passed through Auckland en route for the great Conference at Lambeth, England, in June. That a pleasing recognition of his services has been given a New Zealander. The University of New Zealand, acting upon the recommendation of its examiners in England, has granted the degree of Doctor of Science to Mr J. C. Maclaurin. As is well known to all who are interested in the ‘ cyanide process,’ Dr. Maclaurin has published in the journal of the Chemical Society a number of valuable papers on cyanide questions. These researches have now gained for him the highest scientific honour which the University can bestow. That a bag, containing one hundred ounces of gold, supposed to be one of the two missing bags stolen on the occasion of the robbery of a police escort at Clyde in 1871 has been found above Roaring Meg Creek by some men sluicing.