The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, April. 30, 1903 THE LICENSING COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 364, 30 April 1903, Page 4

The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, April. 30, 1903 THE LICENSING COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIP.

A good deal of indignation has been expressed throughout this part of the electorate at the action of the Department in gazetting? Mr Cruickshank,S.M. of the Bruce district, as chairman of the .Tuapeka Licensing Committee. We cannot furnish any explanation of such an action on the part of the powers that be, except that it is another instance of a successful carrying-out of the time-honored policy of "how not to doit," Since his appointment as S.M, and Warden of this district, Mr Burgess has proved himself one of the most able, conscientious, and impartial officials that has ever occupied the magisterial bench in Central Otago, and as chairman of the licensing committee he has fulfilled his duties in a similarly capable manner, and with an impartiality that none can question. It has beea the custom to hold the licensing meetings at Roxburgh (because of its central situation) and Mr Warden Burgess has always fixed the court sittings at that place, so that the licensing meetings could be held at the same time. Roxburgh, it may be explained, is within Mr Burgess's district, and by holding the court and licensing meetings on the same day, the result was that travelling expenses were reduced to a minimum. Now, however, that a foreign magistrate has been appointed to the position, the result will be that expenses will be increased, and as the local bodies have to provide the wherewithal to pay these expenses, we think that combined action should be taken to protest against the appointment of Mr Cruickshank to the chairmanship, and ask that Mr Burgess be reappointed. We might add that we have no fault to find with Mr Cruickshank, but in view of the facts we have set forth, we think that the Department should re consider the appointment. It may be that the appointment is the result of a departmental oversight, and has only to be pointed out to be remedied.

We are requested to state that the Methodist service will be at 10 o'clock next Sunday, instead of 11. The " Cromwell Argus" says that quail are very destructive to the grapes at Bendigo and are proving a perfect pest. The next English and European mail, via •Frisco will close at the Alexandra postoffice on Sunday evening next, at 7 p.m. The Premier concurs that some precaution must be taken to protect the colony from the continued invasion of stowaways. Robert Scott, a well-known wrestler, dislocated, his ankle on the railway bridge works, Hokitika, on Friday, and will probably be confined to the local hospital for some weeks. We have in type an article dealing with the recently-published remarks, of Mr A L Herdman, M.H.K., regarding the Otago Central Railway, which we are obliged to hold over till next issue. Lady Ranfurly, wife of His Excellency the Governor, will leave New Zealand permanently in October next, to reside in England. Lord Ranfurly remains in the colony a few months longer. Messes Mollison and Co, of Dunedin, notify that their representative (Mr Jas Crombie) will be in Alexandra to-day (Thursday) with samples of their latest Autumn and Winter goods. Albert Adams, a wealthy lottery organiser, nicknamed •' The Policy King of New York," has been sentenced in New York to one year's imprisonment for keeping a betting establishment. A contemporary asks: " Will the sentence be carried out?" A Nelson publican's license was endorced and he was fined £1 for supplying a man with liquor on a Sunday. Defendant admitted the charge and said he thought the man lived three miles away; but measurement proved the distance to be two miles and a-quarter. Our Bannockburn correspondent writes : —Last Wednesday week, Mrs A Ritchie had the misfortune to ' fall over a bank near her house, and sustained several injuries tQ her right arm. Medical aid was soon obtained, and the sufferer is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances. Every dog will have his day, And life its ups and downs, The face may wear a smile to.day, To-morrow perhaps a frown;,. When things run smooth we little guess What we may yet endure, As coughs and colds, 'tis then we bless

. In this issue, Mr James Nieper announces a reduction in the prices of beef and mutton. Private J Roache, who shot Private Carey during a riot in Pretoria, will be executed. The others have been reprieved Our Dunedin correspondent wired on the 28th inst, as follows : "Appeal Court dismissed the appeal of Port < halmers case. Prohibition takes effect June next." The youths in Alexandra are taking steps to form a Junior Football Club, and the" - promoters desire us to return their thanks to '■■'■ the public for the generous reponse made ttf : ' their appeal for funds. THE " Dun.-tan Times " reports that at a meeting of the Clyde Sports lub, held last Thursday, several speakers made complimentary reference to the manner in which the Alexandra Brass Band fulfilled its contract, the general opinion beingtbat it was a refreshing contrast to former years. Ma John Wkichtson, well known in sporting circles throughout Central Qtago, * died at Cromwell on Thursday last, after a' long and painful illness. The deceased gentleman, who was an old and highly respected resident of the Cromwell district, was 72 years of age at the time of his death. . > f . Mr WT L Travers, a well-known barrister, in alighting from a moving train at the Lower Hutt the other night, fell between the platform and the cars One leg was broken, and he was cut about the head;*' The leg has been amputated below the knee. Mr Travers succumbed to his injuries. Four life members have died since the? last batch of Legislative Councillors were gazetted a fortnight ago, viz, Sir G Whit-'-more, Capt Morris. Dr Grace and Mr*" Swanston It is reported that further calls" are to be made after Parliament meets, and that Sir G M O'Rorfce will be included itf the list. '*» The "Mataura Esign " reports a most remarkable accident on Mr Alex. Keir's farm at Charlton, near Gore. A mare put her foot through a stump which was flash' with the surface, and it jambed fastinthfl hole. She made desperate efforts to get free; and finally, maddened with pain and fright; wrenched the foot off at the pastern joint. She had to be destroyed. ". The Emir of Kano, with 1200 horse and 2000 foot, attacked a mounted British patrol, consisting of 44 members of the West African force, under Lieutenant Wright, at Kotokoross. Lieutenant Wright formed a square zareba of.dense thorns, and successfully repulsed ten charges, killing 300 of the enemy, including 11 chiefs. Only one of the British was hit. The British bad only 50 rounds of ammunition left when the enemy fled. ''' * Montgomery's Entertainers are a company whose visits to the goldfields are always welcomed, and on their appearance at Alexandra last Saturday evening the welcome accorded them was even more pronounced than usual, the hall being packed to the doors. The entertainment was one of the best we have seen on the goldfields, ami Mr Montgomery quite excelled himself. The biograph pictures were excellent, and include scenes of the Delhi Durbar arifa numerous novelties The singing of Miss Hargood and Mr Montgomery was heartily enjoyed, and Mr Bob Hall's comic songs kept the audience in roars of laughter. The company appear here again next Saturday evening, when we fully expect to see another crowded house. .