NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 37, 11 September 1902, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

Thb reading matter in the Triad is always of a high order, and the current issue is well up to the standard of this popular monthly. It ii stated that close on 1000 tons of flax were graded in Wellington by the Government experts last month, or about seven timea as much as in August last year. THB Government have decided to grant £15,000, extended over a period of three years, towards the coat of Victoria College buildings, Wellington. The college authorities applied for £30.000. Intimation has been received that Mr T. B. Knott, the examiner appointed by the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music, will commence the practioal examinations in Dunedin on November 7. An expert informs a Napier paper that the butchers in New Zealand are now paying upon 100 bullocks £350 more than they did two yeara ago. In fact, he saya, all meat haa riaen something like 35 per cent, in two years. Colonel Porter, C.8., has succeeded to the title of Baron Strathnairn and the estates in Nairn, Scotland, left by his grand uncle, the late Field-marshal, Sir Hugh Rose, Earl of Strathnairn, since 1889 without an heir. A COMPANY ia being formed in Chriatchurch for the purpose of acquiring a portion of an estate at Papanui and converting it into a place of publio recreation and amusement, on the lines of the popular pleasure resorts in American and Continental cities. The Chief Health Officer is having inquiries made on the subject of disinterment by Chineee of the bodies of their countrymen, whioh is said to be carried on on a wholesale scale just now. Dr. Mason thinks a period of about 15 years ought to elapse after burial before disinterments are permitted. A Wairabapa settler, resident at Alfredton, an applicant for an old-age pension, states that he was born in 1801. He had reared eight of a family, six of whom were married. He is now father of eight ohildren, and his descendants number 68 grand-children, 218 great-grand-children, and 10 great-great-grand-children, making a total of 304. Ten of the number are in the fifth generation. The full pension haa been granted to him. The New Zealand Shipping Company, the Shaw-Savill and Albion Company, and the Union Steam Ship Company have written to Mr S<;ddon that the terms of the contract for the South African services are too onerous to admit of their tendering. Several other firms have sent in tendera. Speaking at Amberley, Mr Blackmore, Government pooaologist, mentioned that last year Tasmania exported 350,000 cases of apples, and said he saw no reason why Canterbury, providing proper attention was paid to the orchards, could not export a similar quantity. It ia a remarkable circumstance, says the Manaia (Taranaki) Witness, that on the Waimate Plains — the very heart of the dairy indußtry of the Colory — butter cannot be procured at under Is 3d per lb retail ; while at Wellington, which draws its supplies from this and other districts, the same article can be supplied for Is. Our contemporary adds that there is a likelihood of a further rise locally of 2d per lb. ' Are you in favor of trusts ? ' was a question asked of a candidate at a recent political meeting in Canterbury. 'Trusts? I don't quite understand,' was the answer. ' What are trusts ? ' ' Well, combines,' eaid the inquirer. ' Oh, I see — you mean threshers,' beamed the candidate, and promptly proceeded to express his approbation of this useful agricultural adjunct. We have to thank a Feilding correspondent for a copy of Ths Jacobite, the organ of the Legitimate Jacobite League of Great Britain and Ireland. The number before us contains a reprint of a portion of an article, which appeared ia the columns of the N.Z. Tablet some months ago, entitled ' '• Bloody " M.iry and " Good " Queen Bess.' Mr Seddon, Mrs Seddon, nrjd the New Zealand Coronation Contingent have left for this Culouy by the Tou^ariro. The New Zealanders, at the last minute, abandoned the raaroh through London. A special train conveyed them from Aldershot to Tilbury. They were accorded an enthusiastic send-off at Aldershot, Majorgeneral Douglas and the officers of the garrison attending. Mr Seddon joined the Tongariro at Plymouth. Mb F. T. Moore, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on August 29 for sending threatening letters to Sir J, O. Ward, Acting-Premier, was released from gaol on Saturday, after receiving a full pardon. He left for South Africa, rla Australia, by the Weatralia in the evening. Prior to his departure he was entertained by a number of friends. It is reported that Sir J. G. Ward Bent a letter to Moore before his departure, in which the ActingPremier expreaßed the opinion that the sending of the threatening letter was done impulsively, and without any evil intent. There was a large gathering at the last meeting of the JLshburton Catholic Literary Society when Mr A. J. Muller lectured on 'Astronomy.' He was assisted by Mr F. Cooper with his limelight views. Mr Muller handled hia Bubject in a masterly manner, and gave a great treat to his audience. The lecture was most instructive and interesting. A hearty vote of thanks waa accorded to Mr Muller for hiß lectnre, and a desire was expressed for another at Borne future date. A vote of thanka to the chairman and to Mr Cooper ttrmii atei a very pleasant evening arnojg the stars aud planets.

Quite a large number of interested onlookers assembled the other evening in the Catholic boys' schoolroom (saya the Inangahua Times) to witness the first ping-pong tournament ever played in Reef ton, between the members of the PP. Club and the Catholic Literary aud Debating Society. The tournment was well played, and the result mutually satisfactory. Mr T. W. J. Ferens acted as referee. The totals were: Ping-PongClub, l? 0; Literary Society, 126. In the doubles the scores were :—72: — 72 points to the Debating Society, against their opponents 56 points. The result of the tournament ia thus practically a draw and will be played off again. An interesting comparison of figures bearing upon the administration of the four central hospitals of the Colony has been furnished to the Wellington Hospital Trustees by the secretary. The compilation showed that during the year the Wellington Hospital had the largest number of in-patient*, the figures being : Wellington 1999, Auckland 1982, Christohurch 1610, Dunedin 1310. The Wellington death rate was much lower than that of any of the other hospitals. Wellington also treated the greatest number of out-patients. The daily oostof patients in the four hospitals was : Auckland, 4s Id per head ; Wellington, 4a 5Jd ; Dunedin, 4s lid ; Cbristchurcb, 5s 5Jd. Deducting the money recovered from patients for treatment, the daily cost was : At Auckland, 3<* O^d per head ; WellingtoD, 3s6£d ; Dunedin, 4s 2Jd ; Chriatchurch, 4s llji. Salaries and coat of repairs, etc., were reckoned in the per head expense. During last year Wellington Hospital had to meet heavy expenditure on repairs, and the institution also paid the highest salaries of any hospital in the Colony. A meeting hdd on Thursday evening in the Ashburton Catholic Boya' School, for the purpose of forming a Sports Association in succession to the now defunct St. Patrick'a Sports Association, was very well attended. The chair was occupied by the Very Rev. Dean O'Donnell, who explained the object of the meeting. He felt satisfied that a Sports meeting oa St Patrick's Day would be a successful function. The remaining assets of the late Association would be at the disposal of its successor, if formed. Oa the motion of Mr H. P. Madden the following resolution was adopted : — ' That an Association be formed, to bs called the St. Patrick'a Day Sports Association, for the purpose of holding Bporta on St. Patrick's Day.' The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : — Patron, Very Rev. Deau O'Donnell ; president, Mr. M. Lagan ; vice-presidents, Drs. Bolger, Hunter, and Boyd ; Messrs J. McLachlan, M.H.R., ; W. H. Collins, Mayor ; T Stone, John Lambie, A. Lane, J. O'Grady, W. H. Dardis, Danl. McKendry, J. Mullan, D. Thomas, Denis McKendry, H. Cullen, A. Whitaker, Jos Tucker, P. Devane, W. Shearman, T. Daly, J. Seily, John Small, R. Friedlander, J. W. Timmina, J. Orr, W. H. Rule. J. C. N. Grigg and J. Studholme ; hon. treas., Mr T. Hancox ; sec, D. Moriarty ; committee, Messrs W. Burns, J. Mullan, F. Wilson, S. Madden, F. Pritchard, J. Mellor, A. J. Tyrrell-Baxter, M. J. Moriarity, A. Miiiller, and H. Milsoin ; auditors, Messrs E. J. Righton and H. McSherry. The subscription fee was fixed at 2a 6], and the committee was recommended to draft a set of rulea for the guidance of the Association. On Saturday afternoon a well patronised and highly su?C3Hßful chamber ooncert was given in the Victoria Hall, Duneiin, by Mißß Anita Moss, who was assisted by Mias Olive Little (pianiste), Mr J. Coombs (violinist). Mr R. Moss ('cellist), and Mr Farquhar Young (vocalist). The programme was of judicious length and of exceptional mtrit. It is rarely that one reaching such a high degree of excellence haa been given in this city. Miss Moss'a contribution to the programme consisted of ' Son Leggero ' and ' Mira o Bella,' by Donizetti, and Aylward'e ' Anthem of love' ; the latter with 'cello obligato by Mr Moss. In these items Miss Moss scoted a distinct snecess — in fact, she has never been heard to better advantage in Dar.ediu. Encores were demanded, but she contented herself with bowing her acknowledgments. Mr Farquhar Young's choice of the ' Bandolero,' by Stuart, was a happy one and well suited his voice. Miss Little (piano) and Mr Coombs were particularly successful in the 'Grandea variations,' which was thoroughly enjoyed. Miss Little's pianoforte solo, B ethoven's 'Sonata appassionata,' was a brilliant performance, which drew hearty applaute from the audience. A 'Nocturne,' by Rhomberg, was the item seleoted by Mr Mosp. As a 'cello player he takes high rank, and his contribution ou this ojcaaion was not the least worthy amoDg miny good lteina A trio for piano, violin, and 'cello by Miss Little and Messrs Coombs and Moss completed a programme which was heartily appreciated by all present. Mtss Moss is to be warmly complimented on the artistic euoo6ss of her first chamber conoert of the season.