LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 1 February 1901, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The first section of the WaiparaCheviot Railway is expected to be open for traffic in July, and the second by the end of the year. As a result of the heavy rain, says the Bruce “Herald” of yesterday, crops in this district suffered to some extent, but the larger portion of the grain beaten down has since risen, and if no heavier rain falls the damage generally speaking will be slight. Mr Maurice O’Brien, formerly in the Railway Department at Ashburton, has, through the instrumentality of Major Steward, obtained an appointment in the Telegraph Department, Cape Colony, at a salary of £260 a year. In the opimon of most of the returned men, the war in South Africa is still far from its conclusion. Some of them estimate that the British require at least 50,000 men, with two horses apiece, if matters are to be pushed to the hoped for conclusion.

At the Magistrate’s Court at Wairoa, Honi Poti, tho central figure in the events leading up to the prosecution and acquittal of the proprietor of the “Guardian” for publishing alleged indescent matter, has been committed for trial on six charges. The evidence (says a Press Association telegram) disclosed the fact that witchcraft and tohunguism have a terrible hold on the native mind.

Dr Hucho, Attache for Agriculture to the German Consulate-General, at Sydney is now on a visit to New Zealand seeking information for his Department. Ho visits tho secretaries of agricultural associations, and gathers information regarding agricultural and pastoral pursuits, and the general working of each association. After visiting some of the southern towns, and having a general look at the country, he goes north again, spending some time in the Wellington district.

Through the enterprise of Mr R’chard Williams, of Samoa, a pigeongram service is about to be instituted in the Samoa Group. The Auckland “ Star ” reports i hat the birds have been shipped from Auckland, and upon their arrival in Apia will bo at once handed over to Dr. Solf, tho German Governor, who will make every effort to promote tho new service. The South Canterbury Board of Education receives, according to tho list supplied, £1,824 of the special vote for the increase in teachers’ salaries. The Board being asked for suggestions, have resolved to reply that they are at a loss to make any, as they cannot discover the principle on which the proposed additions to the respective salaries are made ; and they ask the Department for information. A former Mayor of Christchurch is ambitious of gaining a seat in no less important a body than the Senate of the Australian Commonwealth. AVe learn that a meeting of the managing committee for Mr Eden George’s candidature for the Senate was held at tho Miner’s Arms Hotel, Sydney, lately, an alterman named “Andy” Kelly being in the chair. Promises of support were received from 15 members of Parliament, Several offered to accompany Mr Eden George on his tour through the colony. Tho dates and towns for 37 meetings were arranged, and an advance agent was appointed. • When the Chinaman goes in for sport and charity it is not with the intention of making a profit out of it. Tho Castlemaine Leader says :—“The Chinese won the £lO prize for the best display in Tuesday’s carnival, but would not touch a penny of the money. They reckoned that they came to assist the charities, and not to win prizes. So they donated the prize-money to the carnival funds. In addition to this act of generosity, they also refused to partake of any refreshments without paying for them, although the committee took them to the booths and invited them to partake of whatever they might be pleased to call for.” Although the police force have been “ instructed ” to wear crape bands round their left arm they have not been supplied with them, and have consequently to purchase them themselves in order to conform with the instructions. Had the political men “ requested, ’’ the fact might not have been remarked, but the instructions are a mandate which must be complied with,

Tho directors of the Kohinoor Gold Dredging Company have received from the contractors for the dredge, Messrs Luke and Sons, a progress report, in which it is stated that the main ladder, driving gear, elevator, and screen, and the principal parts of the machinery are well forward, and it is expected that the whole will be completed well wiihin contract time.

It would have been a noble sight (says the Dunedin Star) to have seen the S.M. down South sentencing tho sly-grog sellers recently caught rodhanded at Balclutha. What an ultra consciencious man he must be to bo sure. Ho stated that however painful to him he would do his duty. Ton days imprisonment and no fine. How the sly-groggers must have chuckled. Ten days holiday and then “ full speed ahead.”

A sensational divorce case is promised in England. Tho respondent is a peer and an ex-Cabinet Minister. The evidence, it is said, will recall the gay doings of the old Cremorne days. It ts not generally known that the Post Office authorities have by instruction of Hon J. G. Ward abolished tho fine known as “ double deficient postage,”