NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11510, 17 February 1903, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Anglers are obtaining good sport at tne Ssouth of the Ashburton river. The directors of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company have declared an interim" dividend for the half year ending January 31st, at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum, which • will he paid in March next. At the meeting of the Lhrwood Borough 'Council last night, the Inspector reported ' that since last meeting there had been eight oases of scarlet fever, and two of scarletiha within the district. The Dunedin correspondent of "The Press" telegraphs that Mr J. O'Brien has Itesigned Iris position a« one of the euphonium players an. the New Zealand Band. The Otago players leave Dunedin for the North this morning. Mr A. Schleeinger lias received from Mr K. Fox, proprietor of the "New York Police Gazette," twelve silk handkerchiefs upon which ore depicted' tho details of an oid-tund, prize tight. These hove been pent as a presentation to the newly-formed Boxing Association of Canterbury. One of the horses in the New Brighton tram -refused to start from Cathedral square at one o'clock yesterday afternoon, and had barely oeen reduced to submission when a cyclist ran into the guard. A second cyclist then collided with both men, but fortunately nobody suffered any injury. At the Kaiapoi Magistrate's Court yesterday Messrs R. Moore and E. Feldwick, Justices, presided. The charges of tlieft sgainst 'Hemplemnn, in connection with the fire at the Kaiapoi Brewery were adjourned till the 23r_ inst. S. Howard, a boy, of Ohoka, was fined 4s» and costs for having thrown stones through the windows of a h_kb_g owned by Mr W. Tlmrlow. At the meeting of tho Ministers' Association yesterday, the Rev. J. Mackenzie, JLA, was elected president, and Rev. M. A. Pratt secretary, for the ensuing year. The retiring officers. Rev. North and Gow, - were thanked for their services. An adN dress was delivered to the Association by the Rev. Jos. Lyoll, who attended the meeting. A church parade of the Ashburton Rifles and Guards was held on Sunday last, St which there was a good muster of both companies under Lieut. Hayes and Captain Clarke. The parade was under the command of Captain Dolman, V.D. The companies, beaded by the County Brass Band, marched to St. Stephen's Church, The service was conducted by the Rev. E. Whitehouse. At 8.40 o'clock last night an alarm of fire was given, an outbreak having occurred in the premises occupied by Messrs W. and J. Grant, in Victoria street. It appears that one of the partners went into the front shop with a candle, and afterwards went outside, when his attention was attracted by someone knocking at the front door. Some cycle accessories and rubbish in the vicinity of the counter had become r'ted, but the fire was put out before arrival of me brigade. The contents of the building were insured for £250 in the New Zealand Office. The building '.a *art of a block which is insured in the National Office for £2500. Between eight sod ten pounds worth of damage was done. An it appears that some mlsu-derstana-ing exists regarding the valuation of improvements on the pastoral runs to be offered for lease at. Timaru and Christehurch on the 24th and 27th of tins month, the Department of Lands and . Burvey wishes it to be known that the amounts stated on the sole plans are the maximum sums which the law would allow to be claimed from the incoming tenants for the improvements ou the runs, and by no means represent the actual amounts which they will be called on to pay. As a matter of fact, the actual amounts payable will probably, in nearly all cases, be very much kss than the maximum amount allowed by law. The Land Act provides that tlie value of the improvements shall be definkely assessed not lesa than one month before the expiration—on March Ist, 1904 —of the existing licenses. The assessments will, therefore, be made about the end ot this year, and the amount of tlie. assessment will have to be paid by tlie new tenant before entering into p__es*ion of ' his run. b______T "" """ * '"-C—WrT^ - "_T y*

The Moeraki arrived'at. the, Bluff from riobart vcsterday with the Kaiglish mail.

It is the intention of tho Domain Board to place boxes in the park as receptacles for luncheon papers and other refuse. Firing for Government prize* by the South Canterbury Rifle Association takes place at umairu on the 22nd inst. The contents of Mra Gill's house in Montreal street, destroyed by fire yesterday, were insured for £65 in the New Zealand office. Two of the six-pounder Nordenfeldt guns retired' from the E Battery, will be retained in this district for the Lyttelton garrison. No steps have yet been taken in connection with the election of a licensing committee, which is to be held about, March 23rd. At Lvttelton yesterday, before Mr W- Radcliffe. J.P., Frederick ISargent was charged with helpless drunkenness, and was remanded for a week for medical treatment. A London cable message in Australian ir.iijers states that eight of the Society Islands were devastated by the recent tidal wave and hurricane. Mr T. Humphries, Commissioner of Crown Lands, aJid Mr A. Barron, Land Purchase Commissioner, left* yesterday for Highfieid, to inspect land there proposed to be ucquired. Voting on the election of a member on the Board of Governors of Canterbury Colkge. to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of .Mr T. S. Weston, concluded yesterday, but, in accordance with statutory "requirements, the result will not be made public till next. Monday. The first performance of Messrs Hill and Adams's opera "Tapu" was given at Wellington last night (telegraphs our correspondent), and made a decidedly favourable impression. In the music Mr Hilt has more than sustained his reputation, for many of the numbers are decidedly m;lodious and delightfully quaint and original. The opera was capitally staged, the scenes representing Mount Egmont and the rink Terraces being quite works of art. The weak spot in the play is the dialogue, in which there is room for improvement. On the whole, however, the company made a decided "hit" with the new production, and encores were the order of the evening. In addition to the telegram sent last, week by the Hon. Hall-Jones to Mr McLachlan, M.H.R., in reference to the application of the Ashburton Borough Council that a report on the river power of the county might be supplied by the Government expert about to visit the colony, the following communication has been received by the Ashbtoton Borough Council from the Under-Secrexarv for Public Works:—"Sir, —I have the honour by direction of the Minister of Public Works to reply to your letter of the 4th inst., asking that the expert should be employed by the Government to report on the suitability of certain rivers 'in the colony for the above purpose, and to inform you that your request wiljj be duly considered, and desire to know which rivers the expert will be asked to report upon. In the meantime it would be very useful if you would kindly ascertain, and let me know what quantity of water is available in the rivers you mention for the development of power at the time of their minimum flow. The charge to be made to local bodies for the expert's services has not yet been determined.— J9 H. Blow, Under-Secretary."

In liis annual report, the Collector ot Customs states that the revenue at the port of Auckland for 1902 was far in excess of that of any other previous year. The exports, amounting to £2,113,876, show oh increase of £190,083. The increased expoit of flax, butter, frozen meats, gold, silver, live stock, and maize was very marked. The dairying industry is progreasing marvellously. Replying to the ..Agricultural Conference, held some time ago in Dunedin, Sir J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, states that 100 additional waggons have been placed on the Hurunui-Bluff railway section." In view of the large increase in the railway rolling stock." he says, "ant) the fact that the stock is now sufficient to meet requirements, I cannot see my way to undertake the erection of grain sheds at country stations." The Premier has received the following cable from Mr W. P. Reeves, from London, dated February 15th:—"In answer to your telegram of February 12th, the War Office states that the results of the competition for meat have not yet been received from South Africa. There is no reason to think any alterations have been made in the conditions of the tender. 1 will endeavour to obtain information as soon as possible."

Captain Linn, secretary of the New Zealand Royal Humane Society, has received on application for the recognition of on act of bravery on the part of Frederick Kregar, of Waverley, who, on January 22nd, rescued R. G. Sinclair from drowning on the Waverley sea beach. It will be remembered that Kreger was lowered down a perpendicular cliff forty feet by means of a small Mixing line, and Avas rthe means of saving Sinclair, who had fallen over the cliff. /* A rather largo concourse of persons, gathered on Sunday afternoon by the river near Kaiapoi, to witness a publio baptism by immersion. A male candidate was admitted to the Baptist Communion by the Rev. J. .North. Pastor and convert waded into tho water up to the waist, and the novitiate was then irnrn&rsed with the usual ritual. In the. evening three females went through the rite in the Kaiapoi Church, and some of the congregation, attracted by the unusual proceedings, were reproved by the minister lor their conduct in standing on the seats and tittering during the mersion of tho candidates in a tank. Confronted with the disposal of the human bones found four feet beneath the level of Hereford street, the Sub-Inspector of Police decided, from obvious indications, that they had probably belonged to some savuisce chieftain who died centuries ago. Unwilling that the police station should become a sepulchre for such relics, he told the finder that for all he cared he could put them back in the ground. The bones were taken back to Mr Soanes's office, where they could be seen yesterday bundled together ignominiously in a common bucket. / Mr R. M. Taylor, J.P., and Mr C. Hood-Williams, J.l'., presided at the Police Court yesterday. John Wilson, who was drunk on the railway platform on 'Saturday, and who had been previously convicted within the last six months, was fined 10s, with the alternative of fortyeight hours' imprisonment. A similar penalty was meted out to Catherine Stephenson. Three first offenders were each fined 5s and costs, with the usual alternative. J. F. Nelson pleaded "Guilty" to having used obscene language in a public place, and elected to be dealt with summarily. He stub sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour. At a meeting of the directors of the Lancaster Park Company, to be held to-day, some proposed improvements at the Park will be discussed. In view of the cricket match between New Zealand and Lord Hawke's team, it is proposed to erect an up-to-date scoring board. Another improvement that is under consideration is the provision of Oetter accommodation for bicycles. It has been suggested j that there should be a special gate through which cyclists- will be able to take their own machines, and stow than away themselves. When tiie> Agricultural Conference met in Dunedin recently, it forwarded to the Ministers of Agriculture and Railways a number of questions involving railway rates and railway working as far as they affected tlie pastoral and agricultural interests. At Saturday's meeting of the Timaru A. and P. Association, the replies of the Departments were read and discussed. Members of the Association wens agreed that little <ff no good had come of the representatians made to the Government, and that it was only wasting time seeking a remedy at the hands of the Departments. The President said the whole thing had been dealt with very summarily by the Minister, and another member remarked that it practically amounted to this, "The Minister of Railways knows everything, and we, the parties interested, know _othi__.'

No one having yet been appointed to the command of the Canterbury jlilitia and Volunteer District, in Colonel Webb's place, the affairs of the district" are being adniinbtered by Captain Hobday, District Adjutant. X, J. Searle, formerly licensee of Searle's Hotel, applied for a discharge from bankruptcy in Wellington yesterday, opposition being offered on behalf of several creditors. In the course of the evidence Searle made some curious statements, practically amounting to a charge of persecution on the part of persons interested in the trade, lie Btaied that ho had been offered £600 to clear out of the colony, because he had threatened to contest a seat on the Licensing Committee, the reason for the bribe being that certain people wanted to keep him off the committee because he knew too much. Ho if fused the offer, so now an attempt was being made to hamper him in all possible wars. One of the allegations mad« against the bankrupt was that two days before bankruptcy he had been seen with a large roll «f notes and a bag of gold. The bankrupt denied the statement, waving that the bag seen contained only old'coins. The Chief Justice granted tho* discharge conditional on Searle paying preferential claims. This means something to you if you are thinking of buying a "Daisy" road cart. Morrow, Bas.sett and Co. 7142 Strange's great clearing sale has seemingly lost none of its attractiveness, judging "by the large number of daily visitors. On Thursday next Strange's entire premises (warehouse and factories) will be closed all day for the firm's annual picnic to the staff, 'and on Friday morning the very successful sale will b* resumed. Meantime the -fresh sale attractions are. well worthy of attention. 26 D.I.C. Announcement.—-As- announced in our advertising columns, we remind our readers of the final clearing up for three days only of large quantities of remnants and odd lengths of some of the very choicest goods contained in the Drapery Importing Company's warehouse just for To-day, Tomorrow, and Wednesday.—-Advt.

Simplicity is a desirable feature. Take a complicated piece of machinery, and it takes an expert to understand it. Ii you are not an expert mechanic, beware of the complicated bicycle. Choose the simplest for it ia less apt to get out of order. MasseyHarris Bicycles are marvels of simplicity. Major Taylor rides a Massey. Depot, 148 Cashel street. 6436 Wanted Known —Jewellery sale, for one month, of watches, clocks, rings, brooches, and all other classes of jewellery, sold at greatly reduced prices. K. Grieehaber, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 155 Colombo street. '463 The crowds that continue to attend Beath's great drapery sale is a proof of its popularity. • Further enormous reductions. Great sacrifices in mantles, millinery, and underclothing to-day. Cashmere costume skirts 25s for 16s lid, black jackets 22s 6d for 5s lid, three-quarter Cravenette jackets, new shapes, 35s for 23s 6d. 27s 6d capes for 6s lid, trimmed hats 14s 6d for 6s lid, Frenoh sailors 5s lid for 3s 6d; Panamas,, 6s lid for Is, sailors os lid for Is, ctTsets, double busk, 4s 6d for 2s 6d, woven combinations 4s lid for 2s lid, pink wool vests Is 6d for 9d. See windows to-day. Beath's sale. 0 We have a number of second-hand machines of various makes for sale cheap. Every -machine lias been thoroughly overruled by our expert, and ia guaranteed in good order and condition. Drop us a line, or ring us up on Telephone 1267, and we will be pleased tosubmit a machine for your inspection. New Century Typewriter Co., 117 Colombo street, Christohurcb. 7162 Our cycle repairing capacity is 30 to 60 machines daily. We have the most comi plete manufacturing pTant in Australasia, therefore we can effect the most intricate repairs faithfully and reasonably. Oates, Lbwry and Co., "Zealandia" Cycle Works, ChristobuToh. 4746 H you have the faintest suspicion that 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 average optician* or spectacle seller, for he is unable to distinguish .betwetn optical defects and diseases, but consult John R. Procter, 180 High street, Christchurch, who will give you a thorough examination free of charge. 2115

3,000,000 Envelopes, well assorted; 2000 I reams note and letter papers, good and cheap; folio papers, every size and qua- i lity. Thousands account books, all sizes and bindings, now on sale by H. J. Wood and Co., at unprecedentedly low' prices. Office requisites and stationers' sundries, of beet 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., Stationers' Hall, High street. Remember the whole stock is to be sold off. 2362 Fortunes are daily made by clever inventions. See handbook, bow to obtain "Patents" for inventions, free by post from Baldwin and Rayward. 172 Gloucester ttreet, Christchurch. A. H. Hart, representative.—(Advt.) . 1 Largest staff of jewellers in Christohurcb. at Jones and Sons'. Best workmanship, lowest prices. Trade work as usual, c.o.p. 6' Dinner and tea sets. —Fletcher Bros, have just.opened up another fine assortment of dinner oets from 19s 6d upwards, tea sets from 7s 9d, bedroom sets from 13s 9d> China cups and saucers, W. and G., 2s lid, pink and celeste, 3 gold lines, 3s 6d, plain white earthenware Is 9d, all at half-dozen. Fletcher Bros., China and glassware importers, Lower High Street, Christchurch. —(Advt.)