Minor Matters.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VII, 17 August 1901, Page 301

Minor Matters.

Kxtrso .CinAry Ace dsnt *0 * Lady. A singular accident befell a Mies Emily Roberts recently. She was going downstairs, fully dressed to go out, when she tripped over the front part of her dress, and was precipitated to the bottom. Two hatpins, each about five inches long, penetrated either side of her head up to the end of the pins. She was immediately rendered unconscious. The horse ambulance from the hospital was rung up. and she was conveyed to that institution. where she remains in a serious condition. A Loyal Anchland School Girl. That caustic critic and writer of smart “pars,” the editor of the “Triad” (one of the best conversa- ' tionaiisis in the colony by the way), in a recent issue of his paper, remarks that Dunedin held first honours for decorations, etc., in connection with the recent Royal visit. He has received the following schoolgirl letter from an anonymous writer in Auckland: July 10, 1001. To the Editor of the “Triad”: I see your correspond for the “Triad” places the four principal cities of New Zealand in this manner: Dunedin, first; Wellington, second; and Auckland, third. We didn't know you were up here; if we had, we should have made better preparations. All the same, I think yon are wrong in your judgment, or perhaps you were treated to liberally by “Dick” and the Duke, and by that time the illuminations came on you were slightly mired. I wonder, he commends in reply, if this young lady was present at the celebrations in each of the other centres: if not, what reason has she for thinking I am wrong in my judgment I am quite certain that I have never been “to” liberally treated bv the Right Honorable Dr. Seddon. PESO flippantly alluded to as “Dick” by my fair, yet somewhat unfair correspondent. Surely also the tendency, assuming the truth of her second alternative, would have been rather to magnify the illuminations and to cause me to see Heaven's ebon vault, Studded with stars unutterably bright. Never mind. Utile girl, be loyal to your town, honestly if you can. but in any case be loyal. ■b + 4. Disagreeabla Boating in Dunedin, A young man named Harry O’Donnell, residing at Burkes (Dunedin) had a most unpleasant experience in the harbour last week, though fortunately no serious consequences resulted. About fi-e o'clock he went to secure his boat, which was lying alongside a little jetty. As she was at the south side, and not protected from the weather, he endeavoured with the aid cf a boathook to take her to the other side of the jetty, but owing- to the h.gh tide and the very rougrh water he could not get near the jetty again, and, hav.ng neither oars nor sail, drifted about the harbour from six o'clock until eight. He made several desperate attempts to head the craft for home, but without success. At one time he took off his coat and tried to make a sail of it. and V. hen that failed he broke a piece of one of the seats and paddled as wed as he could to the other side cf the harbour, which he reached, and got ashore at Grassy Point. Before he left his boat he put some stones into her to keep her steady, as she was exposed and lying among a lot of stones. He then struck out for the city cold, wet, and hungry (as he had had no tea), and reached Dunedin at 10 o'clock, in time to catch his tram home, just as his people were beginning to feel anxious about him, especially as they discovered that the boat hbm away.

How «>ie ContlDMt Strike* a New Zealander. Writing to a friend about his tour through Europe, whilst en route for England, Mr Herbert Rawson, a wellknown Wellingtonian. says:—"The atmosphere of Italy is beautifully clear, reminding a New Zealander continually of New Zealand. From Lake Como we visited Lucerne, then down the Rhine, and through Belgium and Holland. Amsterdam is very much like Venice, and, with its houses mostly out of the perpendicular, and its smelly canals, can well be called a sister town. All the way from Naples to Amsterdam the same thing struck us, namely, the care everybody takes of plantations and gardens. In Florence you pass beautiful rose-beds and spring bulbs without a fence, and yet not a flower seems to be touched. The parks are beautifully kept, and, in fact, the whole of the inhabitants seem to take a pride in keeping these beautiful resorts in first-class order. Every town we have passed through seems to take a delight in its breathing places, and large sums are spent by the corporations in keeping these plantations up to date. - ’ £■ 4- 4* A Wellington man, who has done a lot of travelling in both islands, and who is a walking guide so far as hotels are. concerned, tells of a quaint experience he had recently down South. Not feeling very well after his arrival, he determined upon having a bath, and, on communicating his wish to an attendant, he was taken upstairs. It was found that the bathroom door would not lock, but the attendant said that he would see that nobody entered. Two or three times the traveller thought he saw the door pushed ajar a few inches. and, on going to it. found that he was correct, for the attendant was just then peeping through. "Well, you see, sir, it's this way,” said the man in livery, when apologising, “last night a man suicided in that bath, and, noticing that you were not looking well. I was told to keep an eye on you, and—” But that was enough: the traveller scrambled into some clothes, and finished his toilet in his own room, without further argument. — "Free Lance.” 4r Love and Patriotism in New Zes land. Eighteen months ago Joshua C. Freeman wanted to marry Nora B. East, and threatened to enlist in the contingent if she refused him. "Enlist,” she said, “the country needs you worse than I do. Perhaps when you return I will marry you.” Freeman enlisted, and returned from the war recently. By chance he met Miss East in town. “You said •p er^la P s >’ ” was his greeting to her. "I meant yes,” was her reply, “if you re-en-list.” They were married, and the groom departed at once to again offer his services to the Government. On the way he received a telegram, saying: "You need not re-enlist if you do not want to.” + + + Hatmer Springs in Winter. Although this is practically the offseason at Hantner Springs, a few visitors remain there for the mountain air, and although at night it may be cold there have been some delightfully warm days. It was possible on Sunday and some of the days of last week to sit out and feel the warmth of the sun in middle day. although the hills around are nearly all white with snow, and look very pretty. Some of the returned troopers are staying at the Sanatorium, and are assisting at tree-planting, which Mr. Rogers, the caretaker of the baths, is supervising. The framework of the new post office, being erected by Messrs. Gulliver <fc Rogers, of Rangiora, is up. The Church of England building is in a forward state, and church members and friends are giving the furnishings. so that it may be opened early before the visitors’ season. The Rev. W. Campbell, Preabyterinn minister

at Waiau. it is expected, may this season take up residence at Hamner, aud Sunday services at this favourite health resort will be more regular aud certain than hitherto. King Edward and the Diamond NeclLlacs. “The latest story about the King,” writes “The BulletinV* London correspondent, “is so ‘rich’ that it matters little as to its truth. Edward VII., desiring to make a present, called upon the selective taste and services of the Ccunless of to buy a d.amond necklace not to exceed £lOOO in cost. The Countess thrilled, and with worldly wisdom saw that the gift must be for herself. The £ I<XM) necklaces in Bond-street were fine, but one at £2OOO pleased her aristocratic eyes more, so she personally pasd the 100 per cent, difference and submitted the gemmed circlet for His Majesty’s approval. lI.M. approved so much that he gsve it to Madame G.. one of his German connections. Now the C. of wants to know how to get her £lOOO back without insulting the Royal generosity.” 4* 4 4 Chinese Eggs in the Colonie®. The stale imported Chinese egg is now very largely consumed in N.S.W., and to a less degree tn some other States. It is said that the importers could profitably sell these e ggs in Sydney at 4d per dozen. One merchant states that he got a letter t’other day from Hongkong offering eggs at that port at Id and 2d per dozen. The egg industry is worth about £500.000 per annum in N.S.W. If no s:eps are taken it will soon be practically monopolised by the Chow with his cheap chilled egg laid by an overworked heathen hen. 4 4 4 In His Wife s Steps. It is reported that the Rev. Dr. Charles Sheldon, of Topeka, Kansas, who wrote a book advising employers to treat their servants as equals, is having serious domestic troubles. His wife recently refused to allow her servant-girl to dine with the family. The girl promptly gave up her place, and before leaving she reminded Mrs. Sheldon that her husband had recently solved the servant-girl problem by declaring that domestics should have equal privileges with the family. Mrs. Sheldon told the girl that she was not responsible for her husband's opinions; he could write books, but she intended to rule the household. The pastor's dilemma is said to have caused great amusement. This is not the first time that the wife has demonstrated how chimerical are her husband’s theories. 4 4 4 Hats off to Sergeant Collis, readers of the “Graphic,” for, like Kipling's hero, he is “First amongst the women, An’ amazing first in war.” Many troopers have been tendered socials of welcome and had presentations made them, but none has made a speech in reply, so calculated to increase his popularity in his own district, especially, and amongst the fair sex more especially still, than Sergeant Collis, of the Totara district. Collis was presented with a gold watch and chain at a social last week. In acknowledging the same he said if he returned to South Africa he would take a “Waitaki Girl” to look after him. for of all the South African girls he had met —English, Dutch, or Boer, and he could speak of them from experience gained while executing his military duties—none could compare with the fair maidens of New Zealand, more especially those of the Totara district. (Great applause.) 4* 4* 4* Au Excuse Which Failed. A person named John Burke O’Brien appeared at the Wellington Police Court last week, charged with drunkenness. He informed the Bench that, after an absence of five years, he returned from the South, and on the following day was mesmerised in a hotel, and was arrested while under the mesmeric influence. He had an engagement at I'oxton. which he would have to forfeit if detained. He asked Mr. J. God her, J.P.. who occupied the Bench, “as an old Magistrate,” to agree with him that he had

been unfairly treated. A fine of 6/ was unpogtd. whereupon the voluble one asked the Court to accept an 1.0. V. for the amount. The laughter caused by this request was quickly followed by the removal of O’Brien.' It is well-known that a strict watch, is kept upon quite a number of people in Wellington city who enter drapery emporiums. and who, through being afflicted with kleptomania, or something like that, get away with a great deal more than they pay for. According to the "Free Lance,” a painful scene occurred in a big shop quite rece.’Uly. A rather stylishly-dressed lady, who was giving the attendant a lot of trouble over her few small purchases. managed to secrete a piece of dress stuff under her cloak while the girl’s back was turned. The little operation was observed by another employee, who was standing round a corner, however, and he followed her out. brought her back, and confronted her with his employer in the office. She burst into tears, asked to be let off, but steadfastly refused to give her name. "Oh, well, then.” said the proprietor. "I must send for a policeman.” At that moment one of the hands in the clothing departmenthappened to be passing the office, and involuntarily stopped when he saw the little party within. "Do vou know this lady. Mr ?” asked the employer. "Yes, sir," replied the man, trembling from head to foot, “she is my wife, Bir; what has she done?” “Oh. it does not matter; just send her home.” And he did. What happened when he went home to tea that night may easily be imagined. •J. * -iWhy the Innkeeper Was Savage. This story is told by an hotelkeeper, whose excitement increases each time he repeats it. "He came to my house, and ordered what he called a ‘porter supper.’ Not knowing him. I naturally asked for the money in advance, and at that he walks off in a huff, inviting the bar customers to ’s pub, opposite. Two hours later I learned that they had had a high old time, and the stranger had paid cash for everything, and had piles of money, and was going to stay In the township. I met him the next morning and apologised, and he was quite affable, and brought his traps over. During the afternoon he asked me to cash a cheque for a tenner, but I could only give him six quid on account of it. As he wanted to catch the first train in the morning. I borrowed the other four quid from the blacksmith and storekeeper. The train goes through at 5, and it was pelting hailstones, but I went down the paddock, bailed up a cow. and got him a warm breakfast. Even that I wouldn’t have minded, but I carried his blessed portmanteau half a mile to the station. He bade me good-bye most kindly, and told me not to forget to meet the train next day, when he was coining back And I went there like a fool to me*t. him. When I think of carrying that portmanteau and helping him to escape with my tenner. I’m ready to go and water all the grog in the place out of pure vexation.”