NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11493, 28 January 1903, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The auction advertieemente of H. B. Jorensen, Dalgety and Co., D. Thomas, flarcourt and Co., Henderaon and Batger, C. R. Wjlson, F. 0. Tabart, F. S. Malcolm and Co., George King and-Co., and Taylor, Cole and Co., will bo found on page 11 of this iseue. Colonel Webb uneofceds Colonel Newall ac officer commanding the Wellington district. Farther reductions aro being made in the Defence Department. The services of a. large number of temporary clerks are to be dispensed with at the end of the month. On account of the renovations not being completed, the Lyttelton Borough School •will not be re-opened till Monday, February 3th. At a meeting of the Kaiapoi No-License League, held at Rangiora yesterday, it «m decided to take no action in respect of the election of the Licensing Committee. In" connection with .having the best adTiw with regard to utilising the rivers in New Zealand for generating electrical energy, a Press Association telegram Itfttee that the Government intends to get » report from an expert who ie expected to arrive from Hobart next week. The Kai&poi Borough Council, by" four TOt*» to two, decided to adopt the Thursday half-holiday. An amendment to adjourn the meeting for a full attendance of Councillors to discuss the question of keeping open on Thursday afternoons (sale 4ayn), end close on Wednesday or Friday, *m lost. - • The no-license party in Timaru are now taking active step to secure the return of & temperance committee for the Licencing Bench. The election takes place in March next. An attempt j bting made to get Mr Bedford, M.H.R.. for Dunedin, to deliver * temperance lecture in Timaru •bout the end of February. At laot a definite move is being made tn Timaru for the beautifioation of Carolina Bay. Competitive designs for the improvement of the Bay were called for by tihe Mayor, who offered £10 10s for th* beet, and that forwarded Mr A. J. Morris, a solicitor's clerk an Timaru, has been Awarded the prize It is proposed t» «p*nd £3000 on improving the Bay, •ad, subject to the consent of the rateWMs, the work will shortly be put in kaid. The following returns of expenses have *«en sent by the candidates for the Lyttelton *>at at the last general election to the Betnrning Officer (Mp C. Ferrier) : — Mr tt. Laurenson £41 16s, Mr W. Rollitt £13 2a 6d. For the Avon electorate tne following returns have been received: — M» J. R. Brunt £53 8a Id. Mr W. W. Tan«r £43 10s Bd, Mr A. Loughrey £40 8s 6d, Mr J. S. Myers (including the £10 forfeited) £13 7s 6d. The Timaru Borough Council are now taking in hand, in a very enthusiastic way, the project on foot for the creation of a "Greater Timaru." At the present time there are endless difficulties in regard to dSninage, m between' the Borough and the Levels County, tuid if the Borough can be •o extended as to embrace the whole of the -watershed, it is thought that these difficulties will be for ever solved. The Borough Council has borrowed £10,000 for dnuaage purposes, and the first contract for inverting the gullies was let on Monday night. Bishop Julius, with Mr H. W. Bishop, • member of the Standing Committee, met the natives at Tuhawai yesterday with nfuvDce to the Mauri Mission Churches and additions to udjacent parishes. At Uta request of those present it was decided that represantutivee of the Maoris α-t Ttth&wM, R»paki, Little River, and other J*h», should confer with his Lordship on th* matter at Chriatchuroh. Great coneon teemed to be 'felt by the natives at U» departure of the Rev. W. Blaythwaite toot Tuhawai.

The unveiling of the memorial to the lat* Farrier-Sergeant Turner, who vra& JnUed in the Both&sberg fight in South Africa, wiU take place at Ainberley on Saturday next, at 3 p.m. Tiie Board of managers in connection with technical education have arranged for a meeting to-morrow evening, with some of the worker?*, in order to ascertain their views as to the manner in which technical education can be applied. The next of the pennant bowliag matches (which have been recently instituted here by tho New Zealand Bowling Association in connection with clubs affiliated to it) will take, place to-morrow afternoon, on the green of the Canterbury ■ Club. The following programme will be played by DerryVt private band on Sydenham K<> tundui thi.s evening, at <*ight o'clock: — March, "Liberty Prevails"; selection, "San Toy"; Spanish wait/.. "Torero ,, ; lancers , , ''Soldiers of the Queen"; select ion, "Beauties of England"; "Canadian Bam Dance"; march, "Strategist." Mr K. Pitoaithly has been re-elected chairman of thy Drainage Board, and the following committees have been elected to ■carry on the detail work of the Boaj-di:— Tinauce —Messrs Davey, Fonvster, Melntyrf, Palaifet, and Whitcombf; Works— -Messrs Burgess, Down, Otley, Samuels, and Staple* ; Farm—Messrs Burgess, Forrester, Samuels, iind Staples. The new looms of the Young Women's Christian Association, in Gloucester street, i aie commodious and well furnished. The luncheon room, 40 feet by 30 feet, is fitted with a. platform, and will be uml for meetings generally. It will seat 200 people with comfort. There are also a buaid room, 18 fett by 10 feet, a reading room, 18 feet by 13 ieet, a vestibule, attached to the luncheon room, large enough to Iβ used as a, sitting room, and lavatories. There is ;i fireplace in each of the rooms. Mr J. C. Blackmuiv. Government PomologLst for the South Island, who has just returned from a vinit to Invercargill, etates that the eeaeon in Southland is about six weeks later, taking the average of the past U-n years. A week ago last Monday the fimt line weather was experienced for some time. The fruit crops are very poor, and there is practically no fruit till (Ja-niaru is readied. In the last-named district tliere is a heavy crop of pears, a, fair crop of apples, and a moderate one of plums. In this district the small fruits are about three weeks later than usual. The carpenters in Wellington feel much aggrieved at a K-cent award of the Arbitration Court affecting their trade, and held a mass meeting in that city last night to consider the situation. The opinion was generally expressed that carpenters should not be paid less than Is 6d per hour. A resolution was passed expressing the opinion that the award was contrary to the weight of evidence, and declaring the- Arbitration Court unworthy of confidence. A motion in favour of withdrawing , from work was not seconded, but it was decided to demand Is 6d ]>er hour from the beginning of February. On Saturday Sir John Hall presented the prizes to the children attending the Hororata Sunday school in the presents of a. large number of parents and friends. After the children had been addressed by by Sir John and the Rev. J. Rogers, Master Claud McCarthy, on behalf of the teachers and scholars, presented a farewell address to Sir John prior to his departure for England, expressing their appreciation of the great interest he had always taken in Sunday school matters, and wishing ihim a pleasant voyage and a safe return to New Zealand. The proceedings closed with three 'hearty cheers for Sir John Hall and Mr Rogers. At the annual meeting oi the Waimakariri Harbour Board heid on Monday night, there were present Messrs Doubledav (chairman), Daly, Keetley, Mathews, W. Paroham, and Edmonds. The annual accounts showed"— Receipts, balance 1900. £143 10s 2d, rente £267 7d, sundries £1 7s, total £402 4s 2d. The expenditure was—Secretary £18, sundries £18 19 4d, signalman £52, sundries £9 li lid, groynes, etc., £26 3e 9d, interest £27, transfered to debenture account £33 19s 10d, liu.kn.ee on deposit account £100, bank current account £109 9s 7d, cheque on hand £9 7s 9d- In the payment of debentures to Lyttelton Harbour Board (£450) £416 0a 2d l*ad> been paid by sinking fund, and £33 19s 10d transferred from the general account* The assets of the Board and landed property were valued at £6817 7s Id. Tiie accounts were adopted. The Board accepted spedfieatdons for repairs to buildings, leases of which had piredThe annual meeting of the Kowai Domain Board was held at Amberley on Monday afternoon. The Chairman, in his report, commented on the several important changes which had taken place during the past year, viz., the appointment of three new members and the handing over of the LeithiieiU and Sefton reserves to local Boards appointed by the Governor. The loss of these two reserves would, he said, be more of a benefit to the Board, as the revenue derived was email and the expenditure likely to toe large in the near future. The plantation of pines on the Raceoouree reserve had been completed, and at the Amberley Domain arrangements Iwd been made for the comfort of tihe visitors. This Domain being •. •*vourite resort for picnickers, it ie suggested that two large boilers, for boiling water, be erected in brick and covered in. It is also suggested that trees be planted along the dividing fence separating the northern and southern ends of the Domain. During the year a Coronation oak had been planted (and is surrounded by an iron railing) in commemoration of the Coronation of King Edward VII. The balance-sheet ehowed i credit balance of £16 Iβ 9d. Mr T. H. Evans was unanimously re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. An interesting letter has been received in Dunedin from Mr W. J. Forsyth, nu ex-High School boy, and son of Mr J. Forsyth, of that city, who has been for some yeare in Mexico. At the time of writing he had just disposed of his interest in a coffee plantation at Hauntla, prior to. leaving that district. He encloses an extract from a Spanish paper describing a reception accorded him and hie wife by the Mayor and Corporation of that town, from which it is easy to gather that he has won the respect and admiration of those amongst whom he has been living. Complimentary speeches extolling his virtues yrepa made, and a ball followed, which was kept up to the early hours, and was an unqualified success. Talking of the Indians on the plantations, Mr Forsyte makes it evident that lie knew how to gain the confidence and affection of an essentially suspicious race. "I have been lawyer, judge, doctor, in fact, everything to them," he says, "with more real power among them than the priests or tAeir Government.' The train of thought ever natural to a Mexican mind is apparent in the remark of a Mexican to Mr Forayth in reference to his influence amongst the Indians. "You could, ,, he said, "get up the biggest revolution that has ever been seen in the country, and upset the Government." Considerably over 100 people attended the annual picnic of the Insurance Offices, which was held at Hoon Hay yesterday. It is understood that the meetings of the newly-elected Tramway Board will be open to the representatives of the Press. The avant courier of the Fitzgerald Bros, circus ihaa arrived at the Bluff. The show commences its New Zealand tour at an early date. At to-day's meetings of the Education Board an application that the Kaiapoi Public School be converted into a District High School, will be considered. At a meeting of the Lyttelton Borough School Committee, held on Monday, it was resolved to recommend Misses L. M. Wood and A. 1 , . Morgan to fill vacancies tor pupil teachers. Mr t>. V. Just, the headmaster, reported that all the pupil teachers of the school had passed at the last examination, ami that Miss E. A. Wood, fourth year pupil teacher, had passed the University matriculation examination. . The whole* committee undertook to arrange for the annual picnic *

The San Francisco mail arrived at Auckland yesterday. The mail is due at Wellington at 8.15 p.m. to-day, and the Rotomahana will be delayed to carry on the southern portico. Two shocks of earthquake were felt in the Manapouri district, Otago, on Monday, at two o'clock. The eiirtiiqfuake felt at Dunedin was recorded by the instrument at the Magnetic Observatory in this city. The rise of the wave was from 1-5048 va 1.58. On Monday the earthquake felt at Dun-t-din at 1.50 p.m. was recorded by the instrument at the Magnetic Observatory i.o this city. The rise of the wave was from 1.5048 to 1.58. Major-General Babington passed through Ghristchureh yesterday on his way to make a tour of inspection through the Otago volunteer district. The commandant, who was accompanied by Captain Campbell, was met at the Christchurch raihvav station by Colonel AVebb. The Cycling Committee of the Sydenham Football Club met on Monday, when it was decided to hold a- run on Sunday next, leaving tho club rooms at 9 o'clock a.m., for Teddingtun, via Aumner, Lyttelton, and Governor's Bay, returning via Gtbbie's Valley and 'lai Tapu. Mm have been tei to work by the Beautifying Association on the island near the Hereford .street bridge, where the plants and flower* are looking trim and neat. It is to be regretted that the public have, considerably damaged the native gardens near Madras street bridge, of wliicli the late Mr S. D. Barker was the founder. At Lytteiton yesterday, before Messrs W. Cook and C Furrier, J.P.'.s. George Fanning, an A.B. on me i ake'ha. -was charged with assaulting John Ernest Going (Mr Beswidt) at Tiinaru, on January 19th, and ttt Lyttelton on January 25th. The Bench, aiter hearing the evidence of the complainant a.nd the chief officer and two of the crew, for th? prosecution, and of the defendant, fined the latter 20s ur.d costs, with the alternative of fourteen days' imprisonment .and ordeied him to fa'nd two sureties in £25 that he would keep the peac« for sis months. The Rangioru police brought up on summons Kdward Dal wood, a young man charged with supplying a prohibited person with drink. Accused informed Mr Bishop, S.M., that ht- was guilty. Constable Evunden said lie saw the accused take a can of beer from an hotel towards a disused gravel pit at the rear of the town. Accused,, seeing him, planted it in some willows, and then the constable withdrew, but returned another way to find that a prohibited person was sharing the contents of the can. The Magistrate —It is a clear case, the fine is 40-% and costs, and next time accused will go to gaol without option of v fine. From Taupo we learn of an incident m which Sir Robert Stout, C.J., prominently figured and in which he acted in an eminently characteristic manner (says the "Napier Daily Telegraph.") Hb? Honour was in tne district when the dead body of a man named Robert Rogers was found in the Arateatea rapids on Tuesday last. Considerable difficulty was found, owing to the eparseness of the population, in securing a jury for the inquest. Sir Robert heard this, and, on being informed that after all resources had apparently been exhausted there was etill a man short, voluntarily offered his services ! It was not necessary, however, to take advantage of his courtesy and consideration, as at the last moment a sixth man turned up, but had lie eat the picture -would have been one edifying to t very democratic heart. Imagine the Chief Justice of New Zealand sitting on a coroner's jury, and perhaps not even occupying the proud position of Foreman 1

A final meeting of the Committee of the Lybtelton Regatta of 1903 was held on Monday. The Ghmetchurch Amateur Bowing Club complimented the Committee on the promptitude with which the money won by the Club had been paid. Messrs D Page and G. S. Gill were appointed auditors of the accounts. After the formal proceedings were finished, Mr G. Laurenson, M.H.R., the Commodore, took the chair, and those present partook of his hospitality. During the evening Captain Parker was presented with a very 'handsome liqueur stand, a cigar case, and a travelling rug. Mr Kesteven, representing the Union Rowing Club, received an order on Messrs Sandetein and Son for the very acceptable clock the firm gave for the winners of the most points in the rowing races, and the secretary and treasurer were handed envelopes containing cheques a* a recog nition of their services.

Mr William Hall, an old and respected resident of Governor's Bay, who died last week at Lyttelton, was a native of Gios sop, Derbyshire, England, and arrived in Lyttelton by the ship Victory in 1863, accompanied by his mother and two brother*. They at once took up their residence in Governor's Bay, and opened up a stone quarry, from which etone was supplied foi the foundations of the Christchurch Cathedral and the Bank of New Zealand. The stone was conveyed to Lyttelton or Sumner by lighters, or by a large punt, to Lyttelton, the transit being very arduou* and often dangerous. A large number of resident*, and friends from Kaiapoi, Christchurch and Lytteitor: attended the funeral to pay their last respect* to tfce deceased gentleman. The funeral took place at Governor's Bay on Sunday, when, despite the heavy rain, a large number of mourners from Lyttelton and the grounding bays, attended. The Rev. Pntdhett officiated*

A sure indication of the prosperity t>{ Canterbury as the euccese of the D.LC. great clearing sale. Enormous crowds throng this immense establishment dailyThe management declare that thi* sale )» lie most successful, so far, they have evir held. This is accounted for by the fact that every article is reduced and marked at sale price, and also by th* genuine bargains offered in every department. For this week the D.I.C. are advertising further bargains, and reduction* in ail department*. "<«2 Wanted Known—Jewellery gal*, for one month, of watches, clocks, rings, brooches, and all other classes of jewellery, cold at greatly reduced prices. K. Grieshaber, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 155 Colombo street. '463 3,000,000 Envelopes, well assorted; 2000 reams note and letter papers, good and cheap; folio papers, every size and quality. Thousands account books, all sixes and bindings, now on sale by H. <J. Wood and Co., at - unpreoedentedly low prices. Office requisites and stationers' sundries, of best quality. Large new stock of photo, albums and photo, frames. Thousands of new books, just landed, also immense assortment of cheap reading. A great sale of fancy goods upstairs. Inspection invited by H. J. Wood and Co., Stationtrs' Hall, High street. Remember the whole r>took is to be sold off. 2362 If you have the faintest suspicion tnat your eyes are not just right, if they bother "you in any way, it's best to have them examined at once. Do not go to the av%mge optician or spectacle seller, for he is unabie to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, but consult John K. Procter, 180 High street, Christchurch, who will give you a thorough examination free of charse. 2115 Those who have friends in the Old Country could not do better than send them one of Messrs Tiibe and Co. a photo screens, depictive- *>f New Zealand flora and rare Maori carvings. We understand these are given away free to every purchaser to the value of 20s and upwards. 8