Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1901.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 March 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1901.

We again remind advertisers that advertisements cannot bo accepted after 10 o’clock on Monday morning as we go to press at noon in order to allow our staff to be present at the races.

G W Moss and Co will sell at Ashtons stables at 11 o’clock on Monday morning carriage and draught horses. A good number of visitors arrived in town to day, per trains and steamers, and St. Patrick's holidays promise to bo particularly good for 1 lie tradespeople, while the sport for the next three days should prove enjoyable. There was a good attendance at Bernard’s circus. The various events, which have bren fully sketched in our columns, were gone through in a most creditable manner. The Dunn Brothers gave an exposition of wrestling in five different styles. At the conclusion James Dunn

had a couple of bouts with the boar, but was unable to throw the beast. To-night the Circus give another performance when the well known wrestlers—Dunn Brothers—will again appear; and Harry Dunn will give Bruin a few minutes stiff work, and wo arc inclined to believe, throw him.

At a meeting of tho Ahaura School Committee hold on Thursday evening, Mr Hill from Taranaki was recommended to tho Board for the appointment of head teacher. It is understood that the Board are averse to giving outside their own districts whore the qualification is equal. Wo remind lovers of tho noble art of self defence, that Mr J. Pcttengoll, champion boxer of New Zealand will give an exhibition of boxing, club swinging, etc., at the Drill Shed this evening. The Midland Bailway Commission have held several sittings here during tho past week when voluminous evidence was taken, and tho railway works, etc., inspected. They are likely to remain in the district for a few days longer on business connected with tho Commission.

Mr H. W. ifoung, engineer to the Waiwhero Sluicing Company, Barrytown, informs us that Mr Morris, the manager, has banked 128 ounces of retorted gold for the month since sluicing was recommenced. This gold was won from one face only, with incomplete supply of water. When the full head of water from Canoe Creek is brought to bear on both faces—as will soon be —we think that this compary will got a reward for their pa’lent enterprise.

The contract for the Pacific (all British) cable (says the London correspondent of the Melbourne Argus) was signed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Michael Kicks-Bcach), and Mr. W. H. Fisher, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; Lord Stratheona and Mount Royal, Mr Henry Copeland, Sir Andrew Clarke, Mr W. P. Reeves, and Sir Horace To/er, The total amount of the contract entered into with the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company is £1,795,000. The cost of the Vancouver and Fanning Island section, which has to lie completed by December 31st, 1902, is £1,007,002. The cost of the Fanning Island to Fiji section, which has to be completed by the same date, is £388,358, and the three remaining sections —Fiji to Norfolk Island, Norfolk Island to Morctou Bay, and Norfolk Island to New Zealand —which have all to be finished by June 30. 1902, is £339,010. The Government have decided that Monday, 18th March, shall bo observed as St. Patrick’s Day by the Civil Service throughout the Colony.

Colonel Pole-Penton has advised that the Easter encampment for the Wellington volunteer district be held in the immediate vicinity of that city, so that the forces may co-operate with the forts. The Tommies have made some funny remarks on Maoriland, but the following about hits the bull:—At Palmerston South the train stopped as usual for lunch and the troops were as usual heartily cheered. “ New Zealand bo blowed,’’ remarked a trooper on returning to the train' “ It’s New England better and freer than old England ?” “ Yes,” added another. “No blooming aristocracy. Everything free and easy like.” A grand national concert will be held in St. Patrick’s Convent School on Monday evening next, in connection with the formal opening of the magnificent new schoolhouso. The entertainment provided, judging by the programme, is varied, bright, and patriotic, and should thoroughly satisfy the most fastidious of the pleasure-seekers who will crowd the iiouse. The convent pupils, young and old, past and present, contribute items, including the charming operetta of “The Fairy Governors” in which the principal characters are taken by the Misses Eily Hannan, Lily Cottle, M. E. No man and Mabel Harris. The Garrick Club Orchestra, under their able leader, Mr E. Apted, contribute the tuneful overture “The humours of Donnybrook.” The Misses Guthrie. Algie, and N. McDonnell execute instrumental selections in triple solo, on three pianos. The Misses Driscoll, Burger, and K. Galbraith, (three visitors of great musical reputation) Rosabel Weber and Eily Hannan contribute vocal items, and songs will also be given by Messrs Geo. Moss, Guthrie, Doogan and Rev D. J. Malone. Go early and do not miss the National Flag Drill. Tickets are 2/• each, and very few are left, so a word to the wise is sufficient.

MrJ. H. Siggs recently gave to the Hawera musuem some cannon balls. These were fired from H.M.S. Alligatar on the Taranaki coast, and were carried on to Mr Siggs’s property, and afterwards found, having lain embedded since 18:32. The reason of the shots being fired was due to the wife of the captain of the Harriet (wrecked beyond Opunake) been captured by the Maoris, and the Alligator came along, firing shots into a settlement near the coast line. The crew effecting a landing at the mouth of the Waingongoro and rescued the captive.

Colonel Ponton’s term of office as Commander of the Xew Zealand Forces will expire on 17th October. It is understood that he has been offered a more lucrative appointment in another colony. In the course of a conversation with a representative of the Post recently, the Premier stated that the relations between himself and Colonel Peuton were of a most cordial character.

The Government Buildings throughout the colony will bo illuminated on the night of the arrival of the Dube and Duchess of Cornwall with the transparencies made for the celebration of peace in South Africa, and it is expected that private indivuals will also provide illuminaions and fireworks. The Government has decided to import largo quantities of fireworks which will bo disposed free of duty to municipalities and the general public. While an attempt will bo made to secure the presence of the men-of-war of the European Powers in Australasian waters on the occasion of the Royal visit, the foreign Consuls are also to be asked to erect triumphal arches in the streets of the principal centres, A curious feature tsays the “ Post ”) of a late issue of the loi Karanga, the newspaper published at Rnratonga, is the publication of a long advertisement giving a list of debts for which provisional certificates under the Private Debts Act 1900, were issued. The explanation is that last year the local Legislative passed a law making it impossible to recover debts from Maoris after the beginning of this year. Many natives wore, however, already in debt to traders, who had to prove their claims before the end of the year in order that process of law might bo pursued into this year, and the list in question comprises the claims so csta blished

Tho statement published in certain southern pipers that tho staff of the Dunedin branch of tho Bank of Now Zealand, n to bo increased, is not confirmed by tho authorities at the head oilicc. The general manager stated in reply to a representative of the New Zea-

land Times, that beyond tho ordinary transfers which arc continually going on, no special increase of any of the staffs is in view. The first shipment of machinery for the Island Creek dredge leaves Dunedin For Westport this week. The revenue on the Westport-Moki-iiinui line for the four-weekly period ■nding February 2iul, 1001, was £1,055 Is 3d, and the expenditure £2,018 Ss Id, 10.73 of the revenue.

Several gigantic Indian non-commis-sioned officers, while waiting at the Christchurch Railway Station, were greatly delighted with tho pennyweigh-ing-maehiuc placed on tho platform. A porter was generously “shouting,” and numbers availed themselves of the opportunity. One high officer turned the indicator round to l(!st 7ib, while another more stupendous still weighed 17st 211 b. The knowledge of Now Zealand geography is not quite so extensive in tho Netherlands as it might bo. A post-card received by Mr S, Carroll of Wellington, from Tho Hague by the San Francisco mail bore tho following quaint addresses

—“Administrator of the New Zealand Trade Boview, Wellington and Wanganui, Melbourne.,’

Tho little beer tablets that have lately come into use in some of tho German cities are considered a desideratum. A lover of the popular beverage can carry a little brewery in his vest pocket. One of tho tablets, dropped ir.t) a glass of water, instantly converts it into a glass of foaming beer.

“Mr Seddou is, on the whole the most vigorous, striking, and successful figure on the stage of Australasian politics.”—* Review of Reviews,

The Government have imposed a quarantine of twenty-four hours on steamers arriving in New Zealand from Sydney. The Union Steam Ship Company have decided in the meantime not to increase the rates on cargo from Sydney but it will be necessary to make a charge of one shilling per ton on all cargo from Sydney with a minimum of threepence. If the quarantine is to be continued at the Union Coy find they are being put to heavy expense in consequence they have to consider the advisability of increasing their freight rates.

The hemp market, says the Now Zealand Produce Commissioner in London, in a report dated list February, has been steady, and prices firm for some weeks before the time of writing, at £2l 10s per ton on spot for good fair Wellington. During the last week in January, how-. ever, a keener desire was shown, and prices advanced £1 per ton, Mr Cameron adds that it would be a great pity if the flaxmills in New Zealand were to shut down, as_ there is every prospect of iairly good prices being obtainable on the London market for some time to come. Ho thinks, however, that producers should try to improve the standard of of their output. A good deal of the Hemp arriving in London is capable of very considerable improvement. The New Zealand Produce Commissioner .in England (Mr H. C. Cameron), v in his report dated Ist February, speaks of the improvement of quality of this season’s butter when compared with that of former years, the result of which, he says, is that the butter is steadily finding its way into hands that have not hitherto touched it. Of the cheese that had lately arrived, at the time of writing the quality was rather uneven. Some was really “fine, mild,” and well made, but a number of lots were decidedly “off flavour,” a few also being “ strong ’’ and “ soft.” Prices had been irregular and inclined to fall, but 52s was being accepted in some cases for good brands, some of the inferior makes selling as low as 465. There is, says Mr Cameron, no doubt that there will have to be considerable losses made by those purchasers who paid the top cheese in the colony this season they will be able to clear their stoflß;

Some wonderful underground ruins have been discovered in Alexandria Electric light is to be installed, and it is thought that the ruins will rival the pyramids as an attraction.

A panic occured in a Chicago theatre owing to a false alarm of lire. Seven persons were killed and 22 injured.

The Empress of Germany is presenting all servants who have remained forty years with one family with gold crosses. The Chairman of the London County Council recently convened a meeting to consider the best means of suppressing Hooliganism.

King Leopold of Belgium has ordered a motor gipsy van to cost £6000; it will contain three rooms, and have a speed of 45 miles an hour,

The iron and steel trades of Sheffied are in a state of depression, and there is a general opinion that the cycle of prosperity is at an end.

The United States Congress is considering proposals for a gigantic ship canal to carry the largest sea-going steamers from Now York to Chicago. This canal is to cost eighty millions. M. M itte, Russian Minister of Finance, was created a Count in January. He started his career as a freight clerk on a Russian railway, and is said to have at one time driven an engine. The marriage of Mr Alfred Vauderbilij to Miss Elsie French has attracted a good deal of attention at Home. The bridegroom owns £10,000,000 and the bride is heiress toj £2,000,000.

Lord Kitchener has decided to arm the cavalry brigades with Lec-Enflelds in place of carbines. The regiments will now become mounted infantry.

The Kaiser is having “ In Memoriam " cards presented to the relatives of all Garmons who have fallen in China. The card is from his own design.

'■ Sam ” Lewis, the famous London money-lender, died on 15th January. He is said to have lent money to almost every aristocratic family in England. The Admiralty rs endeavouring to secure a greater cfficioncyjjg gunnery by sending the training oSrees to sea in first-class cruisers for a week at a time.

The London Daily Express is endeavouring to “wake up” England and to show how foreigners are running away with our trade. The chief remedy suggested is better technical education. Three girls at Nottingham tied themselves together with strips of flannel, and threw themselves into the Trent. They left a letter stating that they intended to commit suicide. No motive is

Professor Wiggins, of Ottawa, claims to have discovered a method of wireless telephony. Ho declares he was the originator of wireless telegraphy seven years ago, and that Signor Marconi is a plagiarist.

It is rumoured that Lord Ourzon is to resign the Viceroyalty of India on ac-

count of Lady Curzon’s health. Lord Cadogan is considered a likely successor.