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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 26 March 1901, Page 2

Owing to the prevalence of diptheria at Oobden the Committee have decided to close the school for the present, as a precaution against the further spread of the disease. E. M’Neill, of Roefton, will sell at Mr Lee’s office to-morrow afternoon at 3o’clock, the racehorses Lepanto, Reikura, and Slaider, with all engagements. The Druids are holding a social tomorrow evening, when visitors are expected from Brunner, Ahaura, and Eeefton. A presentation to one of the members will be one of the items. A pleasant evening’s amusement may be expected. At the last meeting of Directors of the Economic Building Society, it was decided to ballot for two £IOO allotments and sell two £IOO allotments, on Thursday 4th April. Only those shareholders, whose dues are paid up to Ist April, the next subscription night, will be enabled to participate. G. W. Moss and Co., will hold a sale of household furniture and effects at the residence of Mrs Nan car row, Mackay Street, to-morrow. The list comprises 500 lots and affords a splendid opportunity to those requiring furniture and household necessaries. The sale will start at 2 o’clock sharp. Diptheria, which has been prevalent in our midst for some time, has at last claimed a victim in the death this morning of tho youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Nelson, of Oobden, who are well known in this district. Universal sympathy is felt for the parents and relatives in their affliction. The drainage of the locality is of an obsolete character, and it is a matter of grave importance that the Cobden’s County resresentativef Mr Ryall, should make an inspection. The general sanitary arrangements of Oobden are about as defective as could be conceived, the drainage being practically nil.

Tenders are invited in our advertising columns for carting 100 tons of machinery (more or loss) for the Caledonian Gold Dredging Company. Specifications may bo seen at the office of Messrs Sligo and Bundle, forwarding agents. Tenders are invited in our advertising columns for the supply of 2000 butter boxes for the Grey Valley Butter Factory Co. (Ltd). Specifications may bo seen at this office. Considerable complaint is at present being made in Auckland by the mercantile and other firms at the difficulty of securing boys for clerical work. A number of school teachers who have been interviewed on the subject attribute this to the fact that it is one of the results of so many young'men leaving the colony for South Africa ; that a greater number of boys are now being sent to secondary schools ; and that a greater number of parents now send their children to learn trades than was formerly the case. For the first two days after leaving Wellington for Hobart the troopship Dalhousie had to contend against strong winds, which delayed her arrival. Owing to the outbreak of plague the ship will not call at Adelaide. She'goes to Melbourne for decking, and afterwards probably calls at Sydney for coal. Prom there she goes to Batavia via Thursday Island. The vessel takes in a quantity of coal at Hobart.

The following from the “New York Tribune” of January 10th sufficiently indicates how ill-formed the various communities of the world are concerning one another’s affairs The institution of the Commonwealth of Australia was accomplished on Ist January, 1901, and the first Parliament was opened on that day by the Duke of York, who made his trip to the far-away country expressly for that purpose, to show how deeply the Queen of England was interested in the occasion.

Colonel Francis, in a chat with a Christchurch ‘Star’ representative the other day, made some guarded remarks upon the defences of Gibraltar, which ho had been allowed to inspect thoroughly under seal of strict confidence. Whilst thus unable to give any details, he spoke with enthusiasm of the marvellous defences and the apparently complete command of the adjacent territory and waterway which the British armament held. The neutral territory between the fortifications and Spain, which used to compass two miles, has now been reduced by British requirements and diplomacy to a strip of 500 yards.

A remarkable instance of the time resisting properties of “hard-tack” is mentioned by one of the troopers who has returned to Melbourne. Ho states that among the boxes of biscuits which wore supplied to them in camp were several which boro the date 1879. Twenty-two years’ * confinement in the Government stores at Durban had failed to give the biscuit oven a tinge of mustiness. The biscuit referred to had doubtless been sent out during the Zulu campaign, when it is stated that the men wore supplied with beef which had been in the brine since the outbreak of the Crimean war. Melbourne postmen are reported to dread the arrival of the New Zealand mail. A large number of the letters and papers posted in New Siealand boar only the penny stamp. These are surcharged on arrivial at Melbourne, and the trouble the postmen have in collecting the deficient postage and fine is heartrending.

The Borough Council notify that tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last day on which to pay rates, otherwise 10% additional will bo charged. The Borough Council are filling up the unsightly open drain in Herbert street, and are putting stone in the bottom of it for subsoil drainage. The pipe drain for sewerage in this locality will be constructed in another place whore more fall can be obtained. A meeting of the Greymouth Jockey Club will be held at the club room, Albion Hotel, this evening at eight o’clock. A sitting of the Assessment Court was begun at mid-day in the Court House, Greymouth. The first case of assessment upon a licensed holding, is being argued as a test case. The hearing of evidence and argument will likely take the greater part of the afternoon. Tenders are invited in our columns for , of machinery for the Orwell Cieek Gold Dredging Company. The people of Greymouth may expect a treat at the concert on Wednesday ovenino, when Miss Solomon makes her first appearance before a Greymouth audience. Miss Solomon is a niece of M. Pollock esqr., of Hokitika, and first began her musical training under Sister Agnes of Wellington, but showing such extraordinary ability it was thought advisable to go further afield, so it was decided to send her to Sydney where she studied assiduously under Signor Harzon the well known vocalist, and many were the expressions of regret by her Sydney friends when Miss Solomon decided to return to her New Zealand home. Possessing a voice of such rare sweetness, all should, who possibly can, avail themselves of this splendid opportunity of hearing really first class singing. A , , , A very pretty wedding was celebrated at Kumar a Trinity Church on Saturday morning, the contracting parties being Mr W. G. MWhirter, of Greenstone, and Miss Laura Williams of Kumara. The Rev. E. Whitehouse tied the nuptial knot. The happy pair left the church amidst showers of rice and good wishes, and were driven to the residence of the bride s mother where a sumptuous breakfast had been provided.

We are gradually becoming familiar with small volunteer corps, composed entirely of school boys. At the Tiritea school, near Palmerston North, however, a mounted school corps has been formed. The number stands at present at 16, and the officers from the non-coms., are selected from the boys. Nor _is the scheme looked upon as mere pastime, for the troopers say that the sergeant-major is a "whale” for drill.

The troopship Chicago took away 100 tons of jam from Hobart for South Africa. Mr Chamberlain has been petitioned by St. Kitts, in the West Indies, to send it the myna, or Indian starling, to devour the local scourge of grasshoppers. In Rhodesia the naturalisation of English starlings has abolished the locust.

In Pahiatui there is one hotel to every 305, Dannevirke one to 380, Napier one to 374, Blenheim one to 371; Palmerston North one to 417, one to 667 Nelson one to 896, Wanjanui one to 570, Hawera one to 357, Thames one to 312, Westport one to 188, Greymouth one to 155, Hokitika one to 123, Kumara one to 88, and Eeefton one to every 223 people, It is stated that a largo number of people were turned away from the Hobart Town Hall a short time ago, when a lay preacher gave “ a splendid address ” on the text, “ Behold I have played the fool, and erred exceedingly. Hon, J, G. Ward has donned the prophet’s mantle and predicts that the present Government will continue in office for another ten or fifteen years. That is the good old[stylo of the prophetic profession ; to prophesy what you know is bound to happen. On dit that a company is to bo formed having for its object the erection of an electric lighting plant capable of supplying Kumara and Dillmanstown with electric light. So far estimates are being > got of the lighting plant and there will bo no difficulty with regard to power, as 500 h.p. can be got if required by moans

of water pressure. Sergt. D. J. Hutchison, of the First Westland Bifles, with the score of 98, is leading for the West Coast District for the Government medal. Simpson, of Kaiapoi, is the highest scorer for the South Island with 100.

W. M’Kay and Son, having opened up their autumn and winter goods, are now showing an unrivalled assortment of drapery and clothing. Navy and black serges from Is 6d per yard. Heavy British dress stuff lOd, Is, Is Odperjd. Splendid goods for winter wear—a lovely range of black fancy dress stuffs and postumo lengths—at undeniably low prices. Furs and tippets, a big range, from 2s Gd each. Kid gloves, lined and unlined, and fur tops, ribbons, laces and velvet in endless variety.— Advt.