SOUTH ISLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 1, 5 January 1910, Page 6

SOUTH ISLAND.

Our Coal Export Trade. A welcome visitor to Westport at present is Mr. Johnson, who has resided at Noumea, New Caledonia, for the past twenty years. Mr. Johnson, who arrived in Westport by the French steamer St. Louis, is a contractor at Noumea for the supply of eoal to the warships. A “Times” reporter had a conversation with Mr. Johnson, and learnt that his particular business in Westport is to endeavour to fix up commercial contract's for the supply of coal, those who have had samples of the Admiralty coal being highly impressed with the value of it. Large smelting works for nickel and cobalt are being established in New Caledonia, and in the reduction process a large quantity of coal and coke will be required. Mr. Johnson is in business negotiation with the Westport Coal Company. Mr. F. Munro has explained to him the coking values of the soft coal deposits of the district. He goes to Sydney from Westport. The Bishop of Walapn. Archdeacon Averill, Bishop-elect of Waiapu, and Mrs. Averill bode good-bye to the parishioners of St. Michael’s at a garden party on Thursday. There was a very large attendance. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to present Archdeacon Averill with a gold episcopal ring arid domestic silverware on behalf or the clergy of the diocese. Tire accompanying address stated that the clergy desired to avail themselves of the opportunity of expressing their sincere personal esteem and appreciation of Archdeacon Averill’s faithful and devoted work, and at . the same time the hopr's they entertained of him, and their earnest wishes for his success, under Almighty God, in the high sphere of work to which

he had been called. In acknowledging, Archdeacon Averill stated that he had received a bank slip for £l7O, as a small token of appreciation and affection from the parishioners and members of the congregation. Katinos in the South. About half a dozen katipo spiders have I>een found on the Waikuku beach, near Woodend, by Mr. W. Thompson, a resident of Rangiora, who is camping there just now, says a Southern paper. The first one was found accidentally, and a search showed that others were present. One, which was forwarded to Christchurch last week, is an exceptionally fine specimen. The body is larger than usual, and the bright orange-red stripe down the back ia very conspicuous. Several of the specimens shown in a window in Rangiora attracted attention. The katipo has been found in other places near Woodend, which is believed to be close to the southern boundary of its habitat. It has never been recorded south of Banks Peninsula.