NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 45, 5 November 1903, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

The musical supplement issued with the ' Triad ' for the current month is in itself well worth the price of this popular monthly. The current iss\ie of the ' Recorder,' the organ of the Government Insurance Department, just to hand, contains a godd deal of matter of interest to those about to insure their lives. The illustrations are very good. There are now ,1141 telegraph offices open in New Zealand— an increase of 127 since this time last year. There are 502 money order offices— an increase of 11— and 487 savings banks— an increase of 10. The Mangaweka viaduct is on the verge of completion. The viaduct is 950 ft long and 175 ft above ground at the higjhest part. Arrangements are well in hand for pushing on with the railway towards Taihape. In a recent letter our Auckland correspondent attributed the entire credit of collecting the amount necessary for the purchase of the motor car, to be presented to Bishop Lenihan, to Rev. Father Patterson. We are informed that a portion of the credit is due to Mr. A. Kohn, who acted conjointly with Father Patterson in the work. At the last meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Literary Society an entertainment was held, when vocal items were contributed by Messrs. M. O'Connor (2), and T. Brophy ; recitations by Messrs. F. K. Cooper and J. J. Moriarty ; readings by Messrs. T. Stephens and T. Adam ; and Mr. W. Soal related some interesting experiences of a shearing shed. On Sunday, October 4 (says the ' Thames Star '), at St. Francis's Ohurch, the children celebrated the renewal of their baptismal vows in the presence of a large congregation. The Right R^v. Mgr. O'Reilly preached an eloquent and impressive address to the little ones, after which one of the number read the vows. Special music was rendered for this occasion by the choir, which was very much appreciated by the congregation. The rainfall in Wellington during the past month has been the smallest since October, 1894, when little less than half an inch was registered. During the past 31 days there was rain om seven days, but only light showers fell, the total fall being barely three-quarters of an inch. Owing to the extremely dry season a majority of tihe people on the high levels round the city dependent on tanks are experiencing a water famine. It is pleasing to note (writes our Wellington correspondent) that four members of the Catholic Young Men's Club, Messrs. J. Eccletan, W. Perry, H. O'Leary, and E. Fitzgibbon were Successful in the recent term examinations at the Victoria University College. Mr. Ecclet'om and Mr. O'Leary passed in Latin, mental science, jurisprudence, and constitutional history, the first named doing well in mental science. Messrs. Perry and Fitzgibbon passed in Latin, English, jurisprudence, and constitutional history. Mr. Fitzgibbon secured the coveted honor of three first class pasises. The entries for the Canterbury metropolitan show next week constitute a new record for the Association, there being about 20 more entries for stock than at the Jubilee show three years ago, while there is a very large inarease in implements, machinery, tents, etc. In stiock, the principal increase is in horses and cattle, the former being over 100 more than last year. Sheep show

a falling-off of 100 entries, including entries' from several prominent merino breeders in the south, whose flocks have probably been affected by the big snowstorm in July.

One of the problems grappled with by the Bakers' Conference held in Auckland was the underselling by certain employers— particularly the small employer who put 18 hours' daily work intohis own business and thus does as much as two men paid by another employer. To check underselling, the Conference decided to ask the Government to appoint a Board to fix the minimum price of bread, and to make it illegal for anyone to sell below that price. If the Government will not accept the suggestion the executive committee of the Association will carry it into effect. To ensure certainty of masters getting qualified men, it is proposed to institute a register containing the names of all known competent bakers. To provide agains£~bad debts, the Conference agreed that bread should be delivered at the same price as is charged over the counter, but an extra penny per 4ft loaf will be charged on accounts of over a month's standing.

The spring season of 1903 (says the ' Otago Daily Times ') will be memorable as being the best experienced in this part of the Colony for many years, and as being in marked contrast to the weather which generally prevails at that time of the year. With almost unfailing regularity for a number of years the weather during spring has been cold and boisterous, and very severe on vegetation of every description, and even wjhen the early part of the season was favorable late frosts, heavy rains or gales of wind have done a great deal to shatter the hopes of a good season, these conditions have, however, been remarkable for their absence this season, and if the summer weather is good the settlers^ should be rewarded with bountiful crops. Mr. J. C. Blackmore, Government pomologist, who has received reports from all parts of the South Island, states that the indications of a very bountiful yield of fruit are extremely bright. The weather in all the districts reported upon by Mr. Blackmore has up to the present been most favorable to the free setting of blossoms on the fruit trees, being warm and dry, with an absence of frosts and high winds. Unless frosts intervene— an unlikely happening at this late stage of the year— a record crop of all fruits may be expected, especially in the coastal districts, where the almost continuous rainfall has of late years been unfavorable to the free setting of the fruit. Mr. Blackmore is in hopes that the surplus yield this season will lead to the establishment of several canning and presevering, factories. The department has been endeavoring to so increase the output to such an extent that the canning industry can be started and developed on sound commercial lines.