NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 36, 4 September 1902, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

Farm ebs in many parts of the Ashburton County complain of tiie scarcity of feed. ■ The Government intend to erect a monument to the memory of returned troopers who have died and been buried in Wellington. Thk Wellington Trades and Labor Council objeot to gaols ia centres of population, and consider they should be located in' the' country where the prisoners could be put to some productive employ ment. The fiaxmills on the Manawatu line are working at great pressure at present, some of them turning out five tons of fibre toftr stripper daily. The different mills find lucrative employment' for a larg e number of hands. The trial bore for hot water in the Rotorua Sanatorium grounds wan completed a few daya ago, and it was found that Ml unlimited supply could be sbtained at a depth of 26ft, with* tern* perature of 180deg. Though the water on the surfaoe is of. an adid nature, at the lower level it was found to be strongly alkaline. The Peninsula and Orient, the New Zealand, the Shaw, Savill, the Messageries Maritimes, the North German Shipping Companies, and the Canadian Pacific Railway have arranged to considerably reduoe fares round the world via Australia and China. The Bluff Harbor Board have decided to oharge only on in* ward and outward pilotage on foreign-going steamers that visit the port more than once on the same voyage ; to reduoe the pilotage from 3Jd per ton to 2£d per ton each way ; and fixed the maximum. charges for the total pilotage, port charges, and berthage at £150, The changes on last year's business means a rebate of about £1300* The crops over South Canterbury are now showing well above the ground, and the genial weather that haß prevailed of late has promoted a healthy growth. The area under wheat and oats tkiri year is (cays the Preti) extensive, and, given a good season, a bountiful harvest will be the result. At the weekly meeting of the Ashburton Catholio Literary Society last week a letter was received from the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, who is now residing at Akaroa, and much regret was expressed by members at the loss of Dr. Kennedy, who had been an enthusiastic member of the Society. The debate for the evening was on a local subject. Messrs D. McDonuell and J. Moison took the affirmative, and negative Bides respectively, and an interesting discussion ensued, after which a vote was taken, which resulted in favor of Mr Moieon's side by a small majority. A cobrespondent writes to the Timaru Herald' comipln&Tung of the scarcity of labor in South Canterbury. On many farms, he says, ploughing is at a standstill, for the Bimple reason that no labor can be obtained. There is a considerable amount of grain still in stack, waiting to be threshed, but some of the mill-owners who lately essayed to get through some of their threshing have been compelled to return home tor want of hands. ' Thk annual report of the Wellington Woollen Company shows that the year's profits amount to £10,723 13s, which, with the amount brought forward (£1553 14s 8d), gives £12,277 7b 8d tor allocation. An interim dividend for the six months to 31st January last, absorbing £2247 Os Id, had been paid ; £2500 bai been written off for depreciation of plant and bnildings ; and £200 and £1000 transferred to reserve and the employers' liability reserve funds respectively. The directors recommended the payment of a further dividend of 4£ per cent., making 8 percent, for the year, leaving £1640 Gs lid to be carried forward. Mil. W. Wood, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Com* merce, at the annual meeting urged the necessity for a direct line to South Afrioa, but said steamers should not call at Australia, wbioh was New Zealand's rival. He suggested that arrangements be made with the Union Steamship Company to take a cargo to South Afrioa. In regard to the frozen meat trade, he said it was in a satisfactory position, but might be improved by the appointment of au association or individuals to look after its interests in London. The Chamber passed a motion urging on the Government the importance of early arrangements being made for a steam service to South Africa, and suggested that the New Zealand Shipping Company, Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, Union Company, and the Tyser lines be given an opportunity to tender for the service. Chuistchuech Truth pays the following compliment to the charaoteribtic energy of his Lordship Bishop Grimes and the

generosity of the Catholics of his diocese : ' Bishop Grimes oontinuet to garner in the needful for his new cathedral, which is going •head very fast. We have not heard any reports of similar success** among the Anglioans of the province in their efforts to complete their fine building. Either leas energy has been exhibited by the Cathedral Chapter than by Bishop Grimes, or elee the Anglioans' pookets are not bo open as the Roman Catholics.' Our opinion is that the Chapter is not hustling half enough. It should take a leaf out of Dr. Grimes's admirable book, and canvas the Anglicans of Canterbury and Westland with the enthusiasm displayed by the head of the Roman Catholic diocese.' The Nelson Education Board at its last meeting refused to allow its inspectors to examine the Catholic schools at Reefton. The application was refused by a majority of one. It is interesting to note the reasons which actuated the majority in declining to aooede to the request. One saw in it the thin end of the wedge of denominationalism ; another recognised in it some danger to the national system of education, although he expressed himself warmly in favor of Bible-reading in the State echooln ; and a third contended that the object of the application was to obtain the inspectors' certificates, which were necessary for obtaining positions in the public service. Tiro members contended that private schools were to some extent relieving the Government, and, furthermore, that it was the duty of the Board to see that all the children in the district were receiving a suitable Education. These arguments did not weigh with the majority, and the request was declined. c Thb transfer of some of the sub-inspectors of the police foreit notified. Among those affected is Sub-Inspector Dwyer, of Dun edin, who goes to Christchurch. Mr Dwyer has been stationed in Dunedin for only a period of five months, but during that time the public have come to recognise in him a capable and energetic officer, who has discharged his duties with thorough impartiality »nd with commendable firmness. To say that general regret has been experienced at his departure would be hardly correot as he has not been here long enough for the public to fully appreciate his abilities, but those who have had an opportunity of seeing the conscientious manner in which he has discharged his duties will feel that we have lost the services of a very capable officer. Thb Right Hon. R. J. Seddon and Mrs Seddon have been on tour in Ireland. They were the guest* of the Duke of Abercorn al Tyrone, and also of Vipcount Charlemont, the father of Lady Banfurly. Whilst in the North th*-y paid a vipit to Belfast. According to latest accounts they were in the South, and were entertained in Cork by the Lo-d Mayor. From there they went to Killarney. The Lyttelttn Time* says with reference to Mr Seddon's visit to Ireland : — ' The Premier should be able to supply the supporters of Mr T. W. Russell's oompulsory purchase scheme with some telling facts ; and if, on his own side, he reads the lesson aright, he will surely return to New Zealand more firmly convinced than ever that the aggregation of huge estates is a menace to the peaoe of a country It was the memory of the lot of the unfortunate crofters that made Sir John M'Kenzie a land reformer, and we shall be surprised if the sufferings of the Irish peasants do not appeal forcibly to the sympathies of a democrat like Mr Seddon. We may be counting too much on the Premier's visit to Ireland, but New Zealand will be the gainer if that country Bends him back with a renewed determination to push on the cutting up of the large •states and the close settlement of the land.' A pleasant family reunion took place at the residence of Mr J. J. Marlow, Musselburgh, Dunedin, recently, the oocasion being the celebration of the golden wedding of Mr and Mrs D. Harris, of Purakanui, who had the happiness of meeting their five children and fifteen grandchildren. The gathering also included Mr J. J. Connor (brother of Mrs Harris), Mrs Connor and family, Mrs Nelson fa sister) and family, Mr D. Lefevre (son-in-law), Rev. Father Ooffey, and a number of old friends. Others who could not attend tent messages of congratulations. Mr Harris arrived in Melbourne in 1852, being part owner of a vessel which flew the American fltg. Being smitten with the gold fever. Mr Harris and his partner told the vessel and cargo and engaged in the carrying business to Castlemaine, Bendigo, etc. Soon after Mr Harris was married to Mist W. Connor, in St. Francis', the first Catholic Church ereoted in Victoria. In 1862 Mr Harris oame to Dunedin bringing with him a shipment of horses, and having disposed of theee to advantage, he acquired a fleet of lighters and engaged in carrying cargo from Port Chalmers to Dunedin. Later on he purchased several sections in the Lower Harbor district, and built a homestead thereon, where he has resided for the last 37 years. On their return to their home after the oelebrations of the golden wedding in Dunedin Mr and Mrs Harris were entertained by a number of their neighbors, and presented with an addreßß and a purse of sovereigns.