NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 38, 19 September 1901, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

The friends of the Very Rev. Dean Mahoney (says the Nelson Colonist) will be pleased to learn that he is making a rapid recovery, and is expected in the course of a few days to be his usual self.

The Cheviot settlers have evidently not forgotten wbat they owe to the late Sir John McKenstie, as we understand that a sum of £60 has been collected there towards the proposed memorial to the deceased statesman.

By the Home mail the result of of the Trinity College, Londonmusical examinations, whioh were held at St. Bride's Convent Masterton, in June last, oame tc hand. The following are the luimes of the successful candidates :—lntermediate: — Intermediate division.— Honors section— Elizabeth Collerton 88, Mary Eooleton 80, Siasie Hourigan 84 ; p*ss section— Olive lorns 91, S ssie Hourigan 89, Elizabeth Collerton 80, Mary Fcoleton 79. Junior division.— Honors section— Elsie Richards 96, Olive lorna 79, Winifred Jones 72 ; pass section — Elsie Richards 100 Winifred Jones 82.

An interesting instance of the forethought of the early settlers who went in for tre» planting has been bn ught nnder the notice of the Temuka Leader. The year following the '68 flood Mr. Woffenden planted on a section on Peraldme road (eince acquired by Mr. K^lman) some blueguins. That th^e have grown apace is evinoed by the fact that one felled recently yields 1070 feet of sawn timber. The 10ft section of the butt contributes 450 feet. Several

other trees are equally good. It is also interesting to note that the several saw millers in the district are kept fairly steadily engaged in converting well grown pinus insignia into marketable sawn timber. A good deal of this is being utilised for building material, and in ite proper sizes this timber makes excellent butter boxes.

Nkw Zealand has suffered the loss of a well-known citizen in the person of Mr. M J. S. Mack •' zie, who died at his residence, Dunedin, on Sunday morning. Mr Mackenzie was born in Rossshire, Scotland, and at the age of 16 set out with his widowed mother and other members of the family to Australia. Affcer experiencing all the ups and downs of station life for some time he came to this Colony about 30 years ago. Since th< n he hnd been principally engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, but spared sufficient time to take part in public affairs having been a member of the House of Representatives for several sessions.

A deputation of members of the House introluc< d by Mr* Hogg waited on the Premier the other day to urge upon the Government retaining all Crown lands and of granting only perpetual leaves. Mr. Hogg pointed out that an increasing number of freeholds were being granted, and urged that the alienation of the publio estate should be checked. He asked that in future there should be but one tenure governing land disposed of by the Crown — perpetual lease, with periodical revaluation — the existing facilities for changing the tenures of Crown leaseholds to be withdrawn. It was also pointed out by Mr. Hogg that a considerable portion of the money now expended by the State on publio workß had enhanced the value of properties afterwards purchased by the Government for settlement. He did not think it right that the credit and taxes of people should be utilised in this way. The Premier said he would prefer that the capital value of the land should remain with the Crown, but he did not think it possible to bring in a measnre this session. There would also be a difficulty in getting a Bill through the House dealing with revaluations. He would, however, do as much as possible to prevent Crown Lands being turned into freehold.

The final social of the Beries which have been held in St. Mary's Hall during the winter months took place on Thursday evening (says the Nelson Colonitf). when there was again a large attendance of the public — a proof of the popularity of these pleasant gatherings. An excellent concert programme had been arranged, the programme opening with an instrumental duet by Mr. C. Trussel (cornet) and Miss Scott (piano), after which songs were rendered by Misses Driscoll, Reeves, Leggatt, Garrard (2), Messrs. A. C. Maginnity, O'Beirne, Condell, and Pratt, and a reciiation was given by Mr. Rishworth. Miss Duff accompanied (with the exception of one played by M ss Driscoll) throughout with taste, and the appreciation of the concert was Bhown by the fact every item was encored. The Very Rev. Dean Mahoney was sufficiently recovered after his recent serious illness to be present for a time, and his appearance in the room was the signal for rounds of hearty applause. At the conclusion of the concert the Rev. George Mabony returned thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had so ably assisted in making the concert the succass it was, and to the audience for their attendance. He also took the opportunity to thank all those who had made such kind inquiries as to the Dean's health. Refreshments in abundance were then handed round by a number of ladies and gentlemen, and the committee and Mr. B. Crisp, the secretary, who had charge of the arrangements, are to be congratulated on the success of the gathering.