IN THE DOMINION,

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 9, 26 August 1908, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION,

’ & tender for £2889 Mas been accepted tot the erection of tho Whangarei Poet Office. The result of the year’s work of the Canterbury Farmers* Co-operative Aseociatton show that their loss by the big fire was £2,822. The profit for the year was £20,651, which, added to £3,615 assets brought forward, gives £24,267 for distribution this year. Dr. Buck investigated the epidemic amongst the Maoris at Tokaanu, whkjh is a virulent for of inflirtw, aggravated by the cold weather and the numbers of natives living in tents attending the land court. The judge of the land eourt has adjourned the court till the summer months, so as to enable the natives to got better. A letter posted in Dunedin by Messrs. Hallenstein Bros, to a person in Christchurch, Canterbury, has had some varied experiences. It was addressed to a gentleman at Christ College, and as there was a bill inside, it may safely be assumed that the person for whom it was intended was a student. Some person unknown added England to the address, .with, the result that the letter was sent Home. From England it went to Ireland, over the greater part of which country it must have travelled, as the envelope now has twenty-two postmarks on it and is covered with addresses on the front and has one on the back. Tho letter was posted on February 29, and was returned on Thursday, August 13. The Marist Brothers’ new brick school in Shakespeare-road, Napier, erected to replace tho wooden structure which was partially destroyed by fire, was dedicated by Archbishop Redwood on Sunday. Prior to the ceremony there was a large procession, headed by the band from St. Patrick’s Church through the town to the school. In tho course of his address, the Archbishop congratulated the Catholics of Napier on the erection of the school, and said it was one of the many evidences that the Catholic body throughout New Zealand were determined that their children should have religious education as well as secular instruction. Mr. J. Vigor Brown, Mayor of Napier, Ibn returning home at the end of the 'American fleet’s visit, was interviewed by U’ reporter of the “Daily Telegraph.” He spoke most enthusiastically of the manner in which the American visitors were entertained. Asked if he would give a general idea of what had impressed him in connection with the municipal affairs of Auckland, Mr. Brown said, “There is no doubt that Mr. A. M. Myers is the best Mayor that Auckland has ever had. Ho is a practical business man, and he brings energy and experience to bear pn all branches of municipal works. Ha is doing a lot to keep Auckland in the front rank of the cities of New Zealand, Und there is no doubt, in my mind, that 'Auckland will be the best and finest city in the Dominion. Tho population is growing by leaps and bounds, and it is as hard to get an empty house there as it is in Napier. The Mayor is not afraid of his own shadow, and the ratepayers recognise his ability in supporting him in all the public schemes which he brings forward for the good of the town.” When attending a hunt club meet at Martlnborough the other day, a curious experience befel Mr. C. E. Brewer, a local resident. “ It happened,” said Mr. Brewer, “ that I was wearing a new Waistcoat, tho front of which was made from the skin of a young fawn. I had never attended a hunt before. With a •few friends, including some ladies, 1 'drove up in a vehicle in order, as they said, to see the 1 throw off.’ Immediately ijve arrived on the scene of action, the flogs (I believe that the correct name is hounds), well, the dogs rushed over to pur vehicle, yelling very loudly. £ thought that this was part of the business, and did net take much notice, until <?ome of the dogs tried to jump into our trap. Then the huntsman galloped up on horseback, and tootled a horn, and when be got up to me, he said', * Why don't you throw the meat out?’ I said, -* There’s no meat, only whnt’s alive * [(meaning myself and my frienda); but be could not have heard my voice) there was 00 much noise, and he cried out again,

angry like, * Why don’t vou throw out the meat!' At this hte dogs seemed to get more excited than ever. They jumped and ydlled «0 much that I thought they were going to tear us all to pieces. The ladies screamed, and! one fainted, and all the time the huntsman was crying out, ‘Why don’t you throw o«'S the meatf By this time out vehicle was surrounded by the hunting party, and all the people who had como to see the hunt. They did not seem to be able to fix things up satisfactorily, and as the dogs were getting more excited and the ladies more frightened, I diesided to effect a retreat. I set the horse at a gallop followed by the dogs, but after pursuing me for a quarter of a mile, the huntsman tootled them back to him, and we escaped. I learned afterwards that the dogs that day were after my new fawn waistcoat.” Premier Reported by Blind Boy. An unprecedented feat was established in Auckland last week by a student of the Institute for the Blind. The youth, whoso name is Doric Algie, is fifteen years of age, and hae been taught to record readings at a rate of about 120 a minute upon a specially-constructed machine. The system used is Pitman’s shorthand and Braille adroitly applied to one another. The boy touches certain keys, which puncture a tape, and afterwards, by merely running a finger over the punctures, the boy can translate the dictation. He has only been learning nine months, and is wonderfully proficient. Dorio could last week be seen at the Industries Exhibition daily writing for marvelling crowds, and he was tested by Sir Joseph Ward. To sec what the sightless stenographer could do, Sir Joseph stood behind him and spoke as follows: —“This is the first occasion upon which I have had the pleasure of having any comments taken down in a substitution for shorthand, such as you are doing now by the touch of the fingers, without the advantage of eyesight, and I would like to express the great pleasure I feel in finding that you are able to use your energies in such a useful and satisfactory manner. It is very creditable indeed to the tuition of the institution, in which you are, and shows really what extraordinary faculties can be developed without that great blessing of eyesight which so many of us do not realise the great value of until we see those who unfortunately have not the advantage of it.” The trial was most satisfactory, and the lad subsequently took down a speech by the Premier, who moderated his usually rapid delivery to suit the capabilities of his uncommon reporter. Welcome Visitors. The steamer Oswestry Grange, due to arrive in Wellington from Liverpool about September 1, is bringing 57 nominated passengers, including eight domestic servants, seven farmers, and several farm labourers. A mother and her two daughters, who are domestics, have declared that they possess capital of £llOO, and they are booked for Auckland. Fleet Week's Business. Auckland is once more itself, and flags and greenery, lamps, and set-pieces have been dismantled. As was only expected, the tramway traffic during the week totalled surprising figures. For the eight days from Saturday, the Bth, until Saturday, the 15th, the receipts were £6500, from 1,014,000 passengers; while on Monday 149,000 travelled on the cars. Tho Railway Department estimates that tha Inward traffic fleet week accounted for between 25,000 and 30,000 passengers. During the five days the Quay-street Postal Bureau was opened, tho officers there handled 40328 posttcards, 9112 letters, 3454 newspapers, 667 parcels, and 2518 book packages. It must be remembered that this bureau was only used by officers and men from the battleships, and only a portion of the correspondence wm dealt with there.

The Napier Working Men's Glnb has decided to call competitive designs for a plan for a new buikliug, the cost not to exceed £ 10,0000. A premium of 100 guinea* is offered for the beat plan. The tender for the construction of the Napier municipal bath largely exceeded the amount authorised by the loan (£6000), and the Council wiH modify tho plans and call fresh tenders. Roderick Campbell, aged 25, grazed his knee a fortnight ago while playing football in Gisborne. Two days later systems of blood-poisoning developed, from which he died last week. Sly-Grog Selling. In the Wellington Magistrate’s Court, Jno. Millante was fined £35 for slg-grog selling, and Joseph Paiggie was fined £2 for being found on Millante’s premises. William Noland and Joseph McCarthy, charged with hawking intoxicating liquor for sale, were each fined £25. The alternative for each of the three chief offenders was fixed at one month’s imprisonment. Left to Die. Magistrate Riddell convicted John Juden and John Olsen of cruelly illtreating three horses at Hastings. The police gave evidence that the horses were worked in the plough, when one, a framework covered by skin and bones, fell in the furrow, and was left to die. Juden was fined £3 and costs 4/-. Olsen, on account of his youth, was ordered to come up when called. Tramway Employees’ Wages. It is estimated that the increases of pay either granted or to be granted to corporation employees in connection with the Wellington tramways will necessitate an extra expenditure of £lB9O per annum. Ammunition for the Trentham Meeting. In order to ensure that ammunition to be used at the next Trentham Rifle Meeting shall be of uniform character, Colonel Collins, executive officer of the New Zealand Rifle Association, has arranged with the Colonial Ammunition Company to manufacture a special order of 120,000 cartridges, made up in packets of 7,8, 10, and 11 rounds. Bank Holidays. A bill is now before Prniiament dealing to some extent with bank holidays, of which there is a growing feeling that New Zealand has too many. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce is availing of the opportunity to urge the Government to eliminate the three saints’ days from the list of holidays observed by banks, and the AncKland Chamber has agreed to co-operate by doing likewise. The Missing Aeon. The s.s. Aeon, now log overdue at Auckland from San Francisco, has been re insured at 30 guineas per cent. The Aeon left San Francisco on July 6 last for Apia, Auckland, Napier, and Sydney, and, except that she was sixteen days overdue at Apia (Samoa) on the 4th inst., nothing has since been heard of her, the opinion being hold in local shipping circles that an accident has befallen the vessel. Tho first opinion, that something had happened ty her machinery, is now giving place to graver fears owing to the prolonged absence of news of the vessel. The steamer Lord Sefton left San Francisco on August 2 for the same ports as the Aeon, execepting Napier, and it is possible that she will have news of the missing steamer. The Lord Sefton is scheduled to reach Auckland on the 31st Aug. The Yeddo is also searching for the missing steamer. Tho Yeddo, was sighted this side of Norfolk Island on Saturday week, but it is doubtful if the Aeon has got further west than Samoa. The Yeddo goes right on to the American coast in pursuance of her quest- A couple of other steamers are also keeping a look-out for the Aeon. The Aeon's

cargo is as follows:—For Apia, 79 toms New Zealand, 183 tons; Australia, 279 tons of general cargo aud I,OIO, UUU super, ft lumber. She also has 950,000 ft of lumber for Napier. The Bakers’ Strike. Andrew Collins, J.P.. a member of ths Conciliation Board for Wellington district, and general secretary of the Wellington Operative Bakers’ Union, is to be prosecuted by the Labour Department before tho Arbitration Court this week for haring, it is alleged, aided and abetted the recent strike of bakers in this city. He will be charged with a breach of the bakers’ award. About 40 other persons will be prosecuted for various breaches of the same award. Mixed Schools. Interviewed on the subject of the Education Board's discussion ro native schools, tho Hon. G. Fowlds says the native health officer went to Tamarunui» and telegraphed that tho allegations made were unkind and untrue. The officer found in one case a tubercular gland trouble, and (wo slight cases of skin disease. Generally speaking, Mr Fowlds says, he has been through many native schools, and had found the standard of cleanliness equal to European schools. Even in the best suburban schools mothers had the same trouble with vermin and skin diseases. Ho suggested segregation. The matter is one of public policy, on which Mr Fowlds holds strong epinions. The unanimous finding of the Education Committee as adopted by the House, indicates tho feeling of members that Taumarunui should bo offered to tho Auckland Board, as other Board schools open to native and European children. Anckland’s New Town Hall. A meeting of tho. Town Hall Committee, in accordance with the decision that the lowest tender should be accepted if the poll of ratepayers passed the loan proposals, cabled to Messrs. J. and E. J. Clarke, architects, of Melbourne, to send a representative of tho firm to Auckland to arrange preliminary matters. While it is estimated that it will take three years to complete tho contract, lb is intended to push on with the two largo halls so as to have them ready at As early a date as possible, probably in two years time. Kaiauoi Woollen Company, The report of tho directors of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, Limited, for the year ending July 31, 1908, states that, notwithstanding by the late fire, the directors anticn paled that the report and balance-sheet would be considered satisfactory by the shareholders. The plant had been kept at the usual high standard of efficiency by the expenditure of £3667 on now machinery, and £1319 on necessary repairs. The sum of £3400 had been provided for depreciation, stock had been carefully taken at present value, and provision made for all bad debts. After paying the interim dividend of 3 per cent., absorbing £3OOO, the profit and loss account showed an available balance of £7492 5/2, which tho directors recommended should be allocated as follows:—Dividend of 4 per cent, for the half-year, making 7 per cent, for tho year, on ordinary shares, and on preference shares a dividend at the rale of 64 per cent, per annum from allotment, £l5OO to be added to tho reserve, and the balance of £1432 to bo carried forward.