The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, March 24, 1904 The Court sits at Ophir on Tuesday next, 20th inst.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 411, 24 March 1904, Page 4

The Herald. Alexandra, Thursday, March 24, 1904 The Court sits at Ophir on Tuesday next, 20th inst.

The Chatto Creek school building is now completed. Mr V. J. Coombs, dentist, may be consulted at Ophir on Friday, April Ist.

Mbs Hansen inserts a card in this issue announcing that she has commenced bnsias a dressmaker.

Mb B, Eady, of Ida Valley, has commenced the erection of his new hotel at the Ophir railway station.

The annual meeting of the Alexandra Golf Club is called for Monday evening next, in the Library. The Alexandra Gun Club's handicap shooting match takes place on Saturday next, commencing at 12 noon.

A petition is being extensively signed in the Ophir district asking the Premier to visit that town at an early date.

The work of repairing the Borough race is practically completed, and it is expected the water will be turned on before the end of the week* ,

It is reported that Mr P. R. Dix, the theatrical manager, has issued a writ claiming £SOO damages from the Qtago Witness for alleged libel.

The annual general meeting of the Vincent Jockey Club will be held at the Shamrock Hotel, Ophir, on Tuesday evening next, 29th inst. The sections in the Rosewall Settlement were ballotted for at Timaru on Friday last. Among the successful applicants is Mr W. Wall, of Matakanui, who drew section 82. It is rumored at Greytown, Wairarapa, that a requisition is being largely signed asking a local naturalised Celestial gentleman to contest the mayoralty at the forthcoming election. , A company is being formed to acquire and work the Ophir flour mill. The capital of the proposed company is £I6OO, of which 620 fully paid up shares are to be allotted to the vendors in payment for the property. The Inspector's recommendation on the application from Ida Valley for a subsidised school was laid before the Education Board at last week's meeting. The board decided it could not see its way to grant the request. t On Monday morning last a fire broke out in Mrs Cameron's residence, but the flames were subdued before serious damage was done. The damage amounts to about £25, which is covered by insurance in the [Standard Office. The Fire Brigade turned fout with commendable piomptitude on the alarm being given. Mb E M Finlay has issued a writ, claiming £5Ol damages, against Mr George Spencer, chairman of directors of the Perseverance Gold Dredging Company, for libel. The alleged libel is contained in a circular issued to shareholders iu the company, and signed by Mr Spencer. The oase will be heard at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Old England's Navy rules the sea No matter where her ships may be, Her flag will fly in every clime, Foremost till tne end of time, Her hardy sailor loves to roam Upon the waves he calls his home, While from the cold he is secure, Taking— Woods' Gbeat Peppebmint Cube. Premier Seddon, in referring to the State fire insuranca, said it was pleasing to note that there had been a conference of insurance company managers, and as the outcome instructions had been given, more particularly in the country districts, to reduce the existing premiums. Before the Government had appointed a manager, what it had been aiming at had been effected, and reasonable premiums would now bo charged. ;

A very remarkable incident occurred on the steamer Oceana recently at Beira, South Africa (says an exchange). A few days before the vessel was completely discharged a tremendous swarm of bees took possession of the upper bridge and practically dared all comers to dislodge them. They hung in a huge bunch, which, according to an eyewitness, w;is about 2ft long-and Ift broad. After sundry means had been tried to dislodge the unwelcome visitors, the boatswain was enveloped in flags, and with a flare light succeeded in cremating the majority, the remainder making a bee-line for cooler quarters. The St Patrick's Handicap, of £3O and | gold medal, tirst, £7 second, £3 third, and £1 10s fourth, at the Irish Athletic Society's Sports at Invercargill, was won by T Kirk. Winton (l(%ds) with L C M'Lachlan, Napier, (syds) second, J Robinson (Byds) third, and W Black (4yds) fourth, The race was a splendid one, only a few inches separating the placed men. The ex-cham-pion, M'Lachlan, is said to be in good form. At the same meeting J Kobinson won the 75 yards Flying Handicap, off the 3£yds mark in 7 1-5 seconds. Mr C M'Glashan obtained first prize for bagpipes music. The • " Southland News" speaks of the latter's performance as a very fine one. Our local constable, Mr Dale, informs us that he has received a circular from the Labour Department to the effect that there are openings for energetic young men as porters, &c, for positions on the Railway Department, and also labourers. The work is principally in the North Island, but never theless it is a good opening for our promising youths who are now on the point of leaving school, to look forward to. We are given to understand that the porter's billets apply to youths up to 18 years of age, and the labourers up to 34 years. Of course the labourer's wages are given at 7s per day and no guarabtee of constant work. The necessary application forms are in the hands of Constable Dale and he will only be too pleased to supply the forms and advise likely applicants.