The News of the Week

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 23, 3 June 1908, Page 6

The News of the Week

IN THE DOMINION, Wellington Unitarians have subscribed £l,BOO for the building of a church. The Otira railway station safe was blown open on May 27th, and over £lOO stolen. The Government is giving an endowment of 1.080 acres of land to the Foxton Harbour Board. I'he Taranaki Bacon Company, finding its operations unprofitable, has decided to go into liquidation. There are now 415 students attending lectures at Victoria College, Wellington, against 386 last year. The steamer Tonic, whose departure was delayed on account of a fire in the No. 1 hold, left for London on May 25th. *Albert C. Elliott, the Wellington bankrupt, has been sentenced to three years' hard labour for fraud and theft. Out of a total of 19 millions, the agricultural exports of New Zealand last year amounted to no -less than IGA millions. While leaving ‘Bluff Harbour, the steamer Wairuna grounded on William .Davy Bank, but was refloated at high t ide. The Union Company has decided to launch the s.s. Taviuni through the western breakwater into the Buller Bi ver. A New Zealand Flax Exhibition is to be held at Wellington on an early date. It will be liberally assisted by the Government. Chicken pox is prevalent in Wellington, and numbers of children who are affected are being kept from school in consequence. The Blackball Miners’ Union has decided to cancel its registration, and withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court. Cabinet has resolved, for scenery preservation purposes, to reserve 26,000 acres of bush land on both banks of the .Wanganui River. I he Faraorangi Estate, near Feilding, consisting of 5,500 acres, has been inspected with a view to its acquisition by the Government for close settlement. From June 4th to 10th is to be “New Zealand Industries Week,” when shopkeepers are to make special displays of goods manufactured in the Dominion. The directors of the Wellington Gas Company have decided to offer the gasworks to the City Council on terms to be subject to approval of shareholders. I'he scow Maroro, which-was overdue at Raglan, arrived there in safety last week from Wanganui. The vessel fell in with light winds which prolonged the passage. 'l'he New Zealand Trust and Loan Company shows a profit of £21,696 for the year. A dividend of 5 per cent is announced, and £19,696 will be carried forward to next year. ’l'he tonnage of cargo handled at the port of Wellington during the year ended March 31 reached a total of 2,745.875 tons, an increase of 5G.538 tons over the total for the previous year. As the result of a visit by Mr. Pryor (secretary of the Employers' Federation) to Hastings, arrangements have been made for ihe formation of a strong branch of the Federation there. ’l'he Hastings Plasterers’ Union discussed a proposal to demand an increase in wages, (hi the advice of Mr. Johns, inspector of factories, th* men decided t<» amicably approach the employers. For the four weeks ended April 28 last the revenue from the Wellington tramways totalled £10.438 3/4. being an increase of over £1.060 by comparison with Ihr f<»ur weekly period of April. 1907. During a recent fortnight over 100 tons of canned fruits were sent away from the Frimlcy Works. Hastings. The mamiger of the works estimates that next B<*ason the works will put through nearly 1,000 tons of fruit. Cost of conciliation! It is stated that the case which has just been concludcil before the Canterbury Conciliation Board has cost the Farm Lal>ourers’ Union over £6OO. Thia includes aliout £250 for having the evidence reported

A new library, costing £2,000, presented by Mr. Carneigie to Dannevirke, was opene don May 27th by the Mayor. The building is a handsome brick structure, and is provided with every convenience. Tile secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department (Mr. D. Robertson) lias in contemplation a scheme for converting the whole of the officers of the Department into a fire brigade for service in case of any outbreak in the future.

The Tourist Department j s advised that the Prince ot Wales has deposited his priceless collection of Maori arts and crafts, together with other New Zealand gifts made, during the Royal tour, in the Imperial Institute museum. At a r.eeting of the Christchurch City Council, it was resolved to raise a loan of £ 17,000 to improve and extend the municipal electric supply plant. It was reported that the receipts from the municipal tepid baths since opening a fortnight ago, totalled £205. At ten p.m. on May 20th a young man in a back street of In vereargill was “stuck up” by a masked man who demanded money. A scuffle ensued, in which tile assailant used his knife, inflicting slight wounds, and made off, but not before his tie and mask were secured.

As the result of the low values of wool, it is stated that there is scarcely a farmer in the Manawatu district who has drawn on the bank for advances on wool forwarded to London but will have to refund part of his advance, his return being less than was estimated. In consequence of the bush fires during the summer, grass seed to the value of about ±11001) has been supplied on pro- 1 missory notes to the Crown tenants in the Hawke’s Bay land district, practically all in the Waipawa County, where, in addition, about .£3OOO worth of seed has been sown on unoccupied Crown lands. Speaking at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Rabbit Board, the chairman, Mr. T. Crosse, drew attention to the proposal to erect a rabbit canning factory in the Waikato, and declared that -any attempt to use the rabbit commercially would seriously handicap efforts to cope with the pest. Surprise and disappointment has been occasioned by the fact that no one has been nominated for the Research Scholarship of £lOO a year and expenses offered to Auckland. May 28th was the last day for receipt of nominations. It is probable that the Scholarship will lapse for ihe year. The Minister for Railways (The Hon. W. Hall Jones) and the departmental officers have been considering the question of a time-table for the express railway service between Auckland and Dunedin, or between Auckland and Invercargill, on the completion of the Main Trunk line in December. The president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, speaking on Saturday night to the members of the Auckland branch, said the demands of the men included a general increase in wages, a universal 48-hour week, full civil and political rights, and better facilities for promotion from one grade to another. Residents on the Chatham Islands intend to take steps to establish a museum there. In many parts of the islands there are large numbers of interesting and valuable specimens, including the bones of fossil birds, Maori and Moriori implements and weapons, and Moriori tree-carvings, and it is thought ths”, these should be kept on the islands instead of being sent to museums in other places. During April, New Zealand lost 201 in population by excess of departures over arrivals. The flow inwards was 3022 (2636 adults and 386 children), and the outward ebb was 3313 (3014 adults and 2119 children). In the preceding April the loss was 1632, a credit of 2156 Against a debit of 3788. Last year, of course, the Exhibition, which had attracted many visitors, explained the heavy exodus. In fining several orehardists in the Nelson district for failing to eradicate disease, and prevent its spread, the stipendiary magistrate said that everyone knew the importance of the fruit industry. Motucka alone last season sent

out £52,000 worth. The industry should be guarded by proper, precautions, and it was very unfair to those who took’the trouble to keep down the pests for others not to do so. A conference of chemists representing all parts of New Zealand will be held in Wellington on June 9. The agenda paper embraces subjects dealing with commercial, scientific, and legal questions, with special reference to the Poisons let, Anti-quackery Bill, and Bure Food Act. The primaryobject of the conference is to bring about a federation to which all Pharmaceutical Associations will be affiliated. 'The agents of the Weir line of steamers are in receipt of information that within the next few months the service between San Francisco and Auckland will be very much accelerated. Faster steamers are being secured, and it is believed that about July next a much improved time-table will be brought into operation, making the service of real value as being the most direct means of mail communication with the United States and London.

Dr. Mason, President of the Board of Trade, had a conference the other day with the Palmerston North Master Butchers’ Association with a view to improving the methods of handling and storing meat for sale for human consumption. Acting on Dr. Mason’s advice, it was resolved to ask the Borough Council to draw up stringent regulations for the inspection and licensing of all butchers’ premises, and hawking carts. Nothing has been done in the matter of the acquisition of the Wellington and Manawatu Company’s railway line by the Government, except that formal notice has been given to the company that on December 7 the State will exercise its power to take over the line. It is stated that the company will adopt a strictly negative attitude. There is a possibility that legislation will be brought forward during the coming session, by which the transfer will take place on December 7, leaving the question of compensation to be settled afterwards. Visit of American Fleet. In collection with the forthcoming visit of the United States fleet, the Harbour Board decided, on the motion of Mr Napier—“ That the Board, in Committee consider and report as to the official welcome by the Board of the American Fleet, and what harbour arrangements are desirable to make to promote the convenience and comfort of the officers and men.” The -Mayor of Auckland has sent several communications to the Premier, asking him to notify as soon as possible the exact nature of the programme which the Government propose to carry out in connection with the visit of the United States fleet, so as to enable the local committee to decide upon their part in the celebrations, and begin making arrangements immediately. Mr. Myers further suggested the desirability of a representative of the Government coming to Auckland at once to confer with the loral committee, so as to ensure that the citizens’ programme shall dovetail into that of the Government. In the meantime, information in regard to the probable programme is being collected, and as soon as the Government announce their intentions the local preparations can be immediately put in hand. In answer to a communication from the Mayor and the Chairman of the.Harbour Board, the Premier has intimated that he will be prepared to introduce a bill legalising tile expenditure by the local -odies of such sums as they may deem fit in connection with the celebrations . A cable was received on May 28th by the American Consul-General for New Zealand (Mr W. A. Prickett), from Admiral Sperry, Commander of the American Fleet, concerning the anchorage, which would be available in the Auckland harbour for the 16 large battleships which are included in the squadron. The following was the text of the cable received by Mr. Prickett from Admiral Sperry, at Seattle:—"Fleet arrives August 9. Please procure from authorities plan of anchorage for sixteen battleships; also boat landings. Mail to San Francisco.” Mr Prickett has written to the Prime Minister, and to the lion. E. Mitchelson, Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, requesting to be supplied

with official information on the points mentioned by the Admiral. As the result of an’ interview, the Consul-Gen-eral ■ has been assured by the latter gentleman that all particulars will be forthcoming immediately. . As stated by Captain Duder, Harbour Master, when the acceptance of New Zealand’s invitation to the fleet was first announced, no difficulty will ba experienced in accommodating the squadron in the Waitemata. In the four miles of water available from North Head to Birkenhead, an anchorage from five fathoms upwards extends for the greater part, at least half a mile wide. Six of the largest vessels could be placed in each mile, and with two lines of ships, the four miles of water referred to could accommodate some 50 vessels, with an average distance of 960 ft. between each set. As none of the largest vessels draw over 30ft. it will probably be found that the largest may be placed where it is proposed to anchor the smallest.

Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Poore, Com-mander-in-Chief of the Australian Station, aboard the flagship Powerful, leaves Sydney on July 11th for the' Islands, thence proceeding to Auckland, arriving on July 30th to await the arrival of the American licet.

The Federal Government has been informed by the Colonial Office that for reasons of State it would be impossible for the Imperial Government te fall in with its scheme to allow the China Squadron to join the Australian Squadron in welcoming the American fleet to Australasia. The Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, has stated in reference to the appointment of Messrs. T. E. Donne, Superintendent of the Tourist Department, and T. Hainer, Under-Secretary for Mines, as Entertainment Commissioners, that when a programme had been drawn up by these officers, the Government’s decision would probably be announced. Mr. G. Joachim, general manager of the Westport Coal Company, while on viewedd on the subject of coaling the American fleet, on its arrival in Auckland. Mr. Joachim said that so far it was not known what the requirements of the fleet would be. They might want very little coal, or on the other hand they might require a great deal. [Each of the 14 battleships is supposed to consume an average of 300 tons per day, and it will depend upon the size of their bunkers as to what their requirements will be on reaching New Zealand. The Westport Coal Company supplies His Majesty’s Navy, and in the event of the Australian cquadron coming to Auckland, will have the coaling of the local fleet to attend to. Nothing has so far been heard of any arrangements regarding the American fleet, Mr. Joachim says, but any negotiations that are entered into with the American authorities will be don? through the London office of the Com pany. There is no likelihood, he adds, of any difficulty arising over the question of meeting with the demands of the fleet.

The Sydney City Council purposes spending a sum of £5OOO as its share of entertaining the American fleet during the week it will be in Sydney. A Submarine Earthquake. The barque Pallas, which arrived at Sydney from Mollendo, Peru, on May 25, had q remarkable experience while in the vicinity of the Samoan Group. During a lull in the breeze, and while the sea was perfectly calm, the vessel shook, and quivered from stem to stern, and then, as though struck a mighty blow on the keel, was lifted bodily out of the water, returning to her native element with a severe Lump. Several big tidal waves followed in quick succession, but fortunately the vessel rode them out without sustainin" any damage. Some hours later a similar visitation affected the ship, a shock, which lasted for ten seconds, shaking her like a leaf. The phenomena are supposed to be due to a submarine earthquake. “ Blessed Are the Peace-makers.” During the time the Auckland tramways were stopped a requisiton was being circulated for signature, asking Mr. E. Tregear, Chief Secretary for to represent the third great party affected by the dispute, viz., the general public of Auckland, and request that the number of helpless women and girls, to say nothing of the men, who were compelled to walk miles to their employ meat

should also he considered. The fortunate settlement of the strike, however, made it unnecessary that the request should be presented to Mr.'Tregear, but before that gentleman returned to Wellington on May 27 th a number of friends (assembled at the Auckland Railway station, and Mr. Oliver Mason handed to him an address, which stated that on behalf of the working classes ©f Auckland the signatories wished to express theii’ hearty appreciation of Mr. Tregear’s valuable services in bringing to such a successful conclusion the recent strike on the part of the tramway employees of Auckland. The requisition expressed the opinion that they did not see enough of Mr. Tregear in Auckland, and advantage was therefore taken of that opportunity of showing that in the minds of every thinking man and woman the name of Edward Tregear was honoured, respected, and loved. The requisition also expressed the heartiest good wishes for Mr. Tregear’s happiness and prosperity. Amongst the first signatures to the requisition were Messrs. Oliver Mason, J. F. Catley, R. F. Way, A. Graham, James Collett, Emily Nichol (on behalf of the working women), and W. S. Moxome.

Mr. Tregear said that he could hardly express bow gratified this address had made him feel. He had to try fro be in many places, but was very busy at the centre. However, in cases of emergency, like that just past, he was on hand to lend his assistance. The strike had been a greater difficulty to overcome than he had anticipated. The plight of the workers who had taken up residence at great distances from their work had made the position serious. He should go back happy in the thought that he had been of tie slightest service to the peow of Auckland—that his small help had been rewarded with the resumption of' the tram service, and that he had been able to help the law. He would treasure the address as one of the most precious things ever given him. Wzeek of a Steamer. Information was received in Auckland on May 27th that the Northern Steamship Co.’s steamer Muritai was a total wreck at the Hen and Chickens, but no lives were lost. The vessel ran into a cluster of rocks at the Big Chicken, of the Hen and Chicken group of islands, during a heavy fog. The utmost calmness prevailed on board, and all hands were saved, although the vessel is a hopeless wreck, with two large rents in her bottom. The passengers and crew were landed on the .island, and •were taken off again in the evening arriving at Auckland by the steamer Kanieri at 4 next morning. The Muritai was an iron steamer of 225 tons gross, and was built at Paisley, Scotland, in 1884. She traded on the Australian coast for some years and in 1897 was purchased by the Northern Company. This makes the second vessel the Northern Company have lost during the past twelve months, the other vessel being the Kia Ora. Empire Rifle Match. ' ‘ Colonel Collins, executive officer of the New Zealand, Rifle Association, speaking at a rifle club dinner, said the Commonwealth Council of the Rifle Associations of Australia intended to make 1909 memorable. Arrangements Were being made for a second Empire match, and there was a prospect of the Empire being represented, not only by the Mother Country, but by the several units of the Dominion. Colonel Collins considers New Zealand should be represented, that steps should be taken to induce representatives of the Empire who visit Australia to extend their tour to New Zealand. The Cost of Living. The somewhat startling information was conveyed to the Benevolent Trustees at Wellington, at a meeting held on May 26 th, that the difficult problem of how to live on half a crown a week was being solved by a young man, the adopted son of an old lady. When asked by the Chairman what revenue he had coming in, the applicant for relief replied—“ Two pound a month. That's mother’s pension." “What do you pay for rent?" was the next question —“|Beven and sixpence, Sir,” replied the applicant; “we live on half a crown • wook.” The trustees found on close

investigation that the young man’s story was accurate in every particular, and that he was living with his mother in a house that was damp, dark, and wretched. As a consequence of these conditions of living, it was stated that the applicant was a victim to rheumatism, for which he was being treated at the hospital as an out-patient. The Board decided to make a rent allowance in order that the young man and his mother might move into healthier quarters, The Tramway Strike Criticised. “My union does not believe in strikes, and looks upon them as relics of barbarism,” said Mr. J. Molloy, a delegate from the Operative’s Union, at last meeting of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council, in discussing the recent tramway strike. The speaker further added that his union had not authorised him to vote on the subject, and for that reason he preferred not to record his vote. Mr. R. Spratt (Fishcurers’ Union) said he saw no reason for the recent strike. It was the law of the land that a man could be given a week’s wages and his services be disposed of. It was, he added, a noticeable fact that the tramway employees had been running the public. (Cries of “Rot.”). Only last meeting he had tried to get home in a ear, which, though empty, had refused to stop for him. Other members rose to protest against any such statements being made, and a rather lively scene followed, delegates speaking equally strongly in favour of the action of the strikers. The chairman ended proceedings by saying that the time limit was up, and the meeting closed, and added that he thought it was far from creditable to them as a Council that two members had talked the matter out of time wnen such momentous issues ’were involved. The Waikato Coalfields. The coal areas of the Waipa district have just been examined by Mr John Hayes, consulting engineer, of Wellington, and formerly Government Mining Engineer. Mr Hayes expressed a favourable opinion of the possibilities of the areas in question, and is also impressed with the very superior quality of the coal. One seam in particular shows, he states, a much higher value than that of any other Coal he has yet seen in this island south of Auckland, and very closely approximates in quality a wellknown and favourite coal mined on the west coast of the South Island. New Labour Legislation. Questioned at Dunedin with regard to the measures, he proposes to introduce during the coming session, the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, Said he would bring in a Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Bill, Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill,* Harbours Amendment Bill (consolidated measure), and Inspection of Machinery Bill. The Arbitration Bill would be on all fours with last year’s measure, with one or two amendments, which experience had shown to be necessary. There might be included in it a modification-of the Canadian system, under which parties to an industrial dispute are required to file a statement of claims, and then, under a penalty, to wait 30 days before striking. The Colonial Sunday. The Rev Dr Waddell made cutting and pointed reference in the course of a recent sermon in St Andrew’s Church, Dunedin, to the manner in winch many professing Christians spend their Sundays. “It is,” he said, “a day on which they may sleep more, and smoke moil, and eat more, and lounge more. It is a clean-shirt day, 101 l about day, visiting day, gossiping day, generally vacant and self-indulgent day. And if these men and women go to church,” he added, “they- go to see or to be seen, to hear the music, and criticise, to look bored at sermon time, and yawn and consult their watches; and heave a sigh of relief when the whole thing is over.” The “ Starved ” Clergy. Concerning Presbyterian stipends, Mr Robert Ward writes to the “Otago DailyTimes,” giving the stipends paid by various congregations in the Dominion,

compared with Otago’s: — St. John’s, Wellington, £7OO per annum; St. Andrew’s, Wellington, £500; Kent Terrace, Wellington, £400; Gisborne £350; St. David’s, Auckland, £350; St. Andrew’s, Auckland, £350; Rcmuera, Auckland, £310; Napier, £350; Palmers ton North £350; Wanganui, £450; St. James’s, Auckland, £300; Hawera, £3OO. Total, £4710. First Church, Dunedin, £700; Knox Church, Dunedin, 1*650; St. Andrew’s, Dunedin, £500; St. Paul’s, Oamaru, £400; St. Paul’s, Invercargill, £375; First Church, Invercargill, £400; Tokomairiro, £300; East Taieri. £300; Winton, £300; North-east Valley, £300; South Dunedin, £300; Port Chalmers, £3OO. Total. £4825. Mr Ward says, “Comparing the figures of Otago and the North Island, with practically similar stipends, Otago gave as aid to institutions and Home Missions £3 for every £1 paid in thd North. The congregations in Otago were also paying interest on nearly £2OOO more debt; and the Trust Funds will not lift the debt off these Otago congregations. Powers of Fire Boards. Representatives of the various Fire Hoards in the Dominion waited upon the Attorney-General on May 29th and urged the necessity of amending the Fire Brigades Act of last session. The chief amendment urger was in the direction of giving the Boards power to raise money for the erection of buildings or the acquisition of property. In reply. Dr. Findlay said he believed in giving the Fire Boards as much power as other local bodies for carrying out what was an important public service. He would bring th a deputation’s representations before Cabinet. Cliristcliurch. Water Supply. Tile Mayor of Christchurch performed the c e remony of turning the first sod in the work of construction of the reservoir on Cashmere Hills, the Christchurch system of high-pressure water supply. The Mayor said the scheme would involve an expenditure of £115,000. The reservoir would be 240 feet above the level of Cathedral Square; it would hold a million and a quarter gallons. The reservoir would be decked with ferroconcrete, and about 120 miles of pipes would be used ill reticulation. The whole work would be completed in seven months. State Fire Insurance. Mr J. 11. Richardson, Commissioner of the Government Life Insurance Department, will also take over the managemen of the State Fire Office, which position Mr Brindley has resigned. Mr. J. W. Brindley, general manager of the State Fire Insurance Department, who is relinquishing that position at the end of the month on the grounds of illhealth and the inadequate remuneration attached to the position, submits that he has built up “a magnificent business” for the State. The Government’s share of the fire insurance done in the colony is close upon 10 per cent, one of the largest and soundest business in the colony, and it has been done with raw-edged tools and against keen opposition, states tin* retiring manager. “For three years, notwithstanding the low rates, 1 have made the Department pay; this year, an exceptional year for fires, we are in the position of being able to show a margin of profit,, a feat which the private Companies consider impossible, provided there is no extraordinary bad lock towards the (*nd of the year. We are making a profit, though we are selling for £2O what was originally sold for £30.” Mr. Brindley was referring to the reduction of 33.\ per cent in the premiums on dwelling houses. Capping Ceremony at Auckland. The annual capping ceremony in connection with the Auckland University College took place on Friday last. The Chancellor of the University (Sir Robert. Stout, K.U.M.G.) presided, and delivered an interesting address. His Excellency Lord Plunket, Mr. .1. W. Joynt (Registrar of the University of New Zealand), and others also spoke, the proceedings being ('ulivened by singing, cock-crowing, and sundry other noises on the part of the undergraduates. The following is the list of degrees conferred: — Master of Arts: Graham Roy Barnett (of Victoria College), first class honours

in mathematics and mathematical physics; William Robert Tuck, first - class honoqrs in mental science.

Master of Science: David Ernest Hansen, first-class honours in chemistry (physical) ; Solomon Netheim Zinian, first-class honours in mathematics and mathematical physics; also third class honours in physical science (heat, sound and light).

Bachelor of Arts: Edith Charlotte.Co! lins, Owen James Hodge (of Otago Uni versity), Charles Boughton Jordan, Nel son Thomas Lambourne.

Bachelor of Science: Wilfrid George Aldridge (senior scholar), Mona Martha Brown, M.A., Joseph Charles Simmonds. Bachelor of Laws: Robert Rowan Bell, Fergus Gale Dunlop, M.A., Martin Heywood Hampson, Athol Fielding Howarth, 8.A., Charles Frederick Chipman Miller, B.A. Bachelor of Commerce: Maxwell Walker, M.A. Bachelor of Engineering (metallurgical) : Gerhardt Adolphus Chapman Ulrich (of Otago University). A Jockey’s Deatli Warning. In connection with the deatli of the jockey, Fahey, the “Chronicle” (Wanganui) publishes the following:—“There is no doubt that when W. Fahey mounted Arahura on Saturday he felt within iiis innermost self that he would never ride again. A man who was wit Fahey the previous night asked for a match, and the jockey, handing him the box, said, ‘There you are, old man: it’s the last thing 1 shall ever give you. lam going to ride Arahura tomorrow, but it will be my last race. 1 dreamed the other night that I would be killed during the race.” The other man laughed, and the fateful words wore forgotten till news of the accident became known. Farmers' Union. Conference. The annual conference of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Farmers* Union was held last week at Feilding, Mr. J. G. Wilson presiding. A number of resolutions were passed, and the following officers were elected:—President, Mr. J. G. Wilson (re-elected); VicePresident, Mr. J. (’. Cooper; Executive, Messrs. Ewen, ('ampbell, G. U. Wheeler, W. J. Birch, Captain Hewitt, 1). H. Guthrie, F. F. Hockley, W. B. Matheson, 11. A. Nevins, T. Moss, J. H. Escott, J. O. Didwell, D. McGregor, and 8. J. Carman; delegates to Colonial Conference, Messrs. J. C. Cooper and F. F. Hockley. Government Aid to Settlers Returns of the value of grass seed supplied to settlers by the Government as the result of the serious bush fires that occurred early in the year show that the amount expended was over £25,000. Details are as follows: — Auckland, 201 settlers, value of seed, £7837; Hawke's Bay, eight settlers, C 133; Taranaki, 102 settlers, £1515; Wellington, 310 settlers, £13,223; Nelson, 41 settlers, £1023; Marlborough, 21 settlers, £1081; Southland, one settler, £l7 10/-. The value of seed sown on Crown lands was £4349. Of this Auckland absorbed £490; Hawke’s Bay, £ 1254; Taranaki, £4O; Wellington, £578; Nelson, £440; Marlborough £ 1138. Dunedin's New Drainage Scheme. The diainage ami sewerage outlet for Dunedin city and suburbs at Lawyer’s Head is now completed, ana last week the city's sewerage was turned through it ami discharged direct into the Pacific Ocean for the first time. The work, which was commenced in February, 1907, comprises over 1100 ft. of tunnelling, and 112 ft. of shafting. Maori Heads. Mr. A. Hamilton, Director of the Dominion Museum, has received a letter from Major Robley, the well known collector of tattooed Maori heads, on which he has written a standard work, in which he states that though the greater part, of his collection of heads was sold and went to American museums, he has retained five of the very best specimens, which ho hopes that the New Zealand Government will buy for the national collection. Though Major Robley’e offer of his previous collection was twice declined by New Zealand, he still hopes

that some of the heads will be kept in this country. There is not one tattooed Maori head in the Dominion Museum, Mr. Hamilton states, and though the Christchurch and Auckland Museums each have two, they are not the best specimens obtainable. A number of the European Museums are well supplied with these heads, many of which were specially tattooed in view of the trade that formerly flourished, their owners, who were generally slaves, being promptly killed when the tattooing was completed. The great Museum in Paris has a whole shelf full of Maori heads. Our Export Trade. The Hon. R. McNab (Minister for Agriculture) laid before his audience at the opening of the Middlemareh Agricultural Hall on Friday night some interesting figures, showing the exports of the Dominion for the year ended December 31 last. The total exports of the Dominion are valued at £20,680,957. Detailed figures for the year are as follow: —

The Minister further pointed out that for (‘very £lOO of wealth sent out of this country for a market beyond the seas, £B2 of that £lOO was sent out by the farmer of New Zealand.

Farmers’ Politics. . At the annual conference, of delegates to the Southland branch of the Farmers’ Union, held in Invercargill, Mr. F. ISTeQueen presided, and 47 delegates were present. Various resolutions were passed, including one expressing the opinion that the Dominion’s contribution to the Australasian squadron should be at least £lOO,OOO, and another calling upon the Government to take more active steps for promoting the immigration of lann labourers from the United Kingdom. The conference also expressed itself in favour of freehold tenure, with reasonable limitation of area. Accidents, Suicides, etc. The youngest child of Mr C. K. Smith, Makotuku, aged about three years, wandered into a creek near the house on May 27th and was drowned. A fatal accident occurred at Penrose on May 25, the victim being a middle-aged man named .James Barton, a resident of Mount Smart-road, Onehunga. As a platelayer named Matthew Brennan was returning on a railway jigger to his home at Onehunga, he picked Barton up at Bcmuera. After leaving Penrose a heavy rain storm was met with, and it is thought that this is the reason why those on the jigger failed to notice the approach of the 5.25 train from Onehunga until it was impossible to avert an accident. A collision ensued, the engine crashing into the jigger, and hurling it and its occupants off the rails. Barton was killed on the spot, while Brennan Was seriously injured. At Papakura on May 25. an elderly man named John O'lxnighlin was run over by the 4.15 train from Auckland and killed. Deceased was employed as a gardener by Mr. R. Willis, of Papakura. and while crossing the railway line, about 100 yards north «>f the railway station, he was ruy clown and killed almost instantaneously. Robert Lumsden. 50 years of age. was killed in the State* coal mine by a fall of coal on May 26th. A young man named Arthur Percy Cooper. traveller for White and Sons, drapers, New Plymouth, was found dead near the mouth of the Oeo River on May 26th with a shot-gun lying between his legs. Deceased was about 24 years of age, an<l has been about four years in the Dominion, where lie had no relatives. A fire, resulting in the destruction of a five-roomed house and the death of a child six months old, occurred at Balclutha on May 25th. Mrs. Weir, wife of a coal merchant, who occupied the house, left the dwelling for a brief period to milk a cow, and when she returned

the house was in flames. Mrs. Weir rescued her three children, hut the baby was so badly burned about the face, arms, and feet that she died the following morning.

Beatrice Shiels, a child five years of age, who was admitted to the Christchurch hospital on May 23rd suffering from severe burns, as a result of her clothes catching fire, died on the 25th.

A man named Charles Batchelor, a hairdresser, fell off a Ferry-road tramcar at Christchurch, on May 26th, and fractured the base of his skull. He died n the hospital the following day. An infant a year and eight months old, named Herbert Drummond, the son of Ernest Drummond, Riwaka, was found drowned on May 29th in a creek near the farmstead.

At an inquest on the body of Sylvester Miles Cotter, a fisherman, native of blew South Wales, who was drowned at Henrietta Bay, Ruapuke, on Tuesday night, a verdict of found drowned was returned l .

John W. Nield, butcher, of Mangawhare, was drowned in the river near Dargaville on Tuesday night. The night was foggy, and deceased left the Mangawhare Hotel for his home, which was only a few hundred yards away, about nine o’clock with a lantern, but lost his way and fell into the river.

A young man, supposed to be Colin Morris, of Port Chalmers, met with a fatal accident on the railway on Saturday night, his dead body being found alongside the line, about half a mile south of Dunedin station. The deceased was apparently about 18 or 20 years of age, and it is surmised that he got on the Mosgiel train instead of the Port Chalmers’ train, and jumped off when he noticed his mistake.

Quantit v. Value. Wool (lbs) 171,635.695 7,657,278 <train (bushels) 229,593 53.205 Frozen meat (cwt).. 2,354,808 3.420,664 Butter (cwt) .. 328.441 1,615,345 Cheese (cwt) .. 236,833 662.355 riiormium (tons) 28,547 832,068 Hides — 187,079 Live stock — 70,684 Meats (potted - and preserved) .. 106,032 Sausage skins — 68.497 Babbit skins — 53, i 51 Sheepskins and pelts — 796. 127 Tallow — 560.967 Seed (crass and ■ 87.300