NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 9, 27 February 1902, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

A week's mission (says the Southern Standard) was opened in the Gore Catholic church on Sunday, when there were crowded congregations. The Very Rev. Father Boyle and the Rev. Father Henry are conducting the mission. M. Edotjard Glasper, French. Government Inspector of Mines, arrived in the Colony from Sydney some days ago to Btudy, on behalf of the French Government, the application of our labor laws in regard to the mining industry. He is visiting all the principal mining centres of the Colony. We (Temulia Leader) were pleased to note the following local names in the list of passes for the Civil Service examinations :—: — T. H. Knight, St. Joseph's School, Temuka ; and M. O'Brien (Temuka), St. Patrick's College, Wellington. The advantages of close settlement (says the Wairarapa Star) are strongly illustrated in tha recently-acquired Mangatoro Block. Formerly, at the most, 11 people lived on the estate ; now one Bection has a family of 11. What the other 82 sections will carry in human beings is variously estimated at from 50 to 60 for a start. The Government had acquired 41 blocks of land for settlement purposes during the three years ended Maroh 31, 1901. The total area was 252,036 alr 29p. Six estates, with an area of 29,041 a Or lOp, were purchased in Auckland ; two, with an area of 27,482 a 3r 19p, in Hawke's Bay ; eight, with an area of 15,721 aOr lOp, in Wellington; two, with, an area of 41,760 a, in Marlborough ; 16, with an area of 103,134 aOr 39p, in Canterbury ; one, with an area of 4243 a3r 28p, in Nelson ; and six, with an area of 30,653 alr 3p, in Otago. Sir Maurice O'Robke mentioned at a meeting of the University Senate that during the 30 years in which the University of New Zealand had been in existence only two candidates had

attained the d9gree of Bachelor of Music. Professor Thomas (Auckland) said the reason there were so few applicants was that persons who went into music did not seek a degree. In the year 1900 only two degrees of B. Mus. were granted by the University of Cambridge, although the total number of degrees was roughly, 1000. Mr Humphrey Berkeley, of Fiji, had an interview with the Premier a few days ago on matters connected with the Fijiana, the result of which is that Mr Berkeley has decided to proceed to England with Mr Seddon to place before the Imperial authorities the condition of the Fijians. Mr Berkeley asserts that the Fijians are in a state of absolute vassalage, and at the suggestion of the Premier he has decided to lecture throughout the Colony on the condition of slavery and oppression under which the natives of the islands are suffering. According to Mr. Donne, of the Government Tourist Department, Rotorua has this season attracted more visitors than ever known before. The electric light installation there has been moat successful, and is, he thinks, going to prove a good investment, quite apart from the illumination of the Government buildings and the sanatorium grounds. The electrio light is now being installed in the Grand Hotel at Rotorua. Visitors from all parts of the world have this season nocked into the Hot Lakes district. The Government gardens at the present time are said to be a perfect picture. A big demonstration organised by the Christehuroh Trades and Labor Counoil against trusts and combines was held in Cathedral square on Saturday night. It took the shape of a very unanimous gathering of the workers, and speeches were made by the movers of the various resolutions. The meeting protested against the necessaries of life being monopolised by private individuals for the purpose of securing for themselves an unfair share of the wealth of the community, and resolved that the Government should be urged to introduce a Food Trust Bill at the beginning of next session, and that, in view of the failure of legislation in other countries to deal effectually with similar trusts, the proposed Bill should provide for the State taking over and controlling any such trust that may be formed. During the next month (says the New Zealand Times) about 50,000 acres of land will be offered for selection at Kawahia, halfway between New Plymouth, and Onehunga. Kawahia is a splendid harbor, and offers a capital place for shipping. The land, which is covered in places with fern, manuka, and heavy timber, is tolerably rough, but good grazing country. It is well watered, not too elevated, enjoys a capital climate, and although designated second-class land, will carry from two to four sheep to the acre. The sections vary from 200 to 1600 acres, and they will be offered for cash or license, with right of purchase or lease in perpetuity. There is likely to be a scramble for the land, as the price is extremely low. About a month later some 80,000 acres in the same neighborhood will be offered for selection. This will constitute all the best country in this portion of the North Island. The retirement shortly of Inspectors Pardy (Dunedin) and Pender (Wellington) has given an opportunity for promotions in the police service. Inspector O'Brien, of Napier, will succeed Inspector Pardy at Dunedin, Inspector Ellison, of Christchurch, will take the place of Inspector Pender at Wellington, while Inspector Gillie?, of Wanganui, has been appointed to Ohristchurch in succession to Inspector Ellison. Sub-inspector Kiely, of Dunedin, has been promoted to be inspector, and takes charge at Wanganui. Sub-inspector Macdonnell, of Greymouth, is also promoted to be an inspector, and takes charge of the Hawke's Bay district. He will be succeeded at Greymouth by Sub-inspector Wilson, of Wellington. The new sub-inspectors are Sergeant Dwyer, of Wanganui, who will succeed Mr. Kiely at Dunedin, and Sergeant O'Donovan, at present in charge of the probationary class at Wellington, who will be stationed at Wellington. ' Master Timothy Francis Ryan, son of Mr. W. Ryan, Palme raton North, took first place in the competition for the St. Patrick's College scholarships. Apropos of the success of Master Ryan, the Manawatu Standard has the following : It must be satisfactory to the Sisters of Mercy at the Palmerston Convent to know that the first competitor, Master Ryan, has never attended any school but theirs, affording another proof that women are capable of giving thorough instruction in the higher branches of education. The second boy, Master Casey, of Wellington, attends the Marist Brothers' Sjhool there, and comes of a clever family. His brother has already won a similar scholarship, and bis sitter topped the list recently for the Colony in the Civil Service examination. It is rather a coincidence that the maiden name of the late Mrs. Ryan was Casey, although she was no relation to the boy who was second to her son. Messrs Wood Bros., of Christchurch, sent a representative some time ago to South Africa to inquire into the possibilities of trade with this Colony. He has just returned from bis trip, and speaks very hopefully of the prospects of opening up markets in South Africa for New Zealand produce. He points out that though Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, and, more particularly, the part known as the conquered territory, the Transvaal and parts of Natal contain land suitable for agricultural and pastoral pursuits, these districts are most precarious on account of the seasons, insect pests, and stock diseases. As the minds of all are centred in the development of the Rand, he thinks it is highly probable that the possibility of doing something big in a short time will prove more attractive than steadily plodding at farming for some considerable time. South Africa will require to make large imports of every agricultural product — oats, barley, flour, bran, oatmeal, potatoes, onions, butter, cheese, poultry, frozen and tinned meats, eggs, and fruit ; also timber, boots and shoes, and woollen goods.

Various centres in the Colony are taking action for the purpose of showing their appreciation of the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. The Chrietchurch people, without distinction of party, have decided to present him with a purse of sovereigns prior to his departure for England to attend the Coronation ceremonies. In Dunedin he will be entertained at a b mquet and conversazione. The people of Invercargill intend to present a testimonial, the people of Nelson following the same course Those of Auckland and Wellington are in favor of a presentation of a purse of sovereigns, and committees for the purpose of carrying out this idea are actively at work. The Premier is threatened with banquets on the West Coast and other districts, but an the time until his departure is limited it is doubtful if he will be able to accept many offers of hospitality of this nature. It is evident from tbe general manner in which the idea of a presentation of a purse of sovereigns has been taken up, even by those who differ from the Right Hon. gentleman politically, that it will be a great success, and that the total amount will surprise those who have been engaged in throwing cold water on the proposal.