NEWS AND NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 2 May 1901, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

The Mildura crop of raisins this season is estimated at 1100 tons, and the quality is reported to bo better than last year. The proportion for export is 60 per cent. A return of the gate money taken during the seven days of the show of the Royal Agricultural Society, Sydney, shows that the total was £7282, compared with £4712 for the ten days of last year’s show. The loss of population in Oamaru of recent years has, it is said, been somewhat remarkable. At the census of 1881 the population was set down at 6090, so that according to the last census, as the result of two decades of colonial dovclopement, the depressing fact remains that the borough contains 1254 loss people than it did in 1881. The census of 1880 disclosed a drop of 710, followed by a decrease at the at the next census of 390 in the next five years, and a further decrease of 389 in the last five years. The French four-masted ship Emillee Siegfried has been chartered by the French Government to take guns and naval stores to Now Caledonia, The guns on arrival will bo transhipped for the Pacific Sqnadron. A reclassification scheme for the Vic-

torian railways has been agreed upon, in order to place the wages of employees on the same level as those outside the department. The scheme will involve an additional expenditure of £50,000 to £IOO,OOO.

A coincidence in connection with the Bruce census returns is that the population of Milton and Kaitangata, two ad-

joining boroughs, has increased in each case by 102 since the last quinquennial period. The New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw, Savill and Tyser Company have decided to reduce the freights over the colony on the following lines in connection with the recently inaugurated steam service to South Africa—Flour, 40s per ton of 20001 b ; wheat, 40s per ton of 2241 b; oats, 50s per ton; compressed hay, 90s per ton. At the annual session of the Good Templars of New South Wales held recently, the Grand Secretary in his report, stated that the membership on 31st January last numbered 4758, as against 4,683 at the corresponding date in 1900. About a fortnight ago the driver of the 8.35 p.m. train Heathcote (Vic.) to Melbourne, reported an extraordinary occurrence. When nearing Axedale a boulder of rock weighing 2cwt fell off the embankment on to the cow-catcher while the train was going 25 miles an hour. The rock was tossed in the air, and landed in front of the engine, and in this way was carried into Bendigo. The guard was not aware of the occurrence until the train arrived in Bendigo. The rock had evidently been loosened by the recent rain.

The Duke of Cornwall and York has

consented to accept an adeundem degree of from the Melbourne University. It is probable that the honorary degree of L.L.D. will be conferred on his Royal Highness. The plans for the new building in Sydney for the Bank of Australasia, which is estimated to cost about £IOO,OOO, provide for a structure designed in pure Italian renaissance, giving accommodation for four stories with basement and cellars the whole of the ground and lower floors being set apart for banking purposes, and the upper floors for offices. A suggestion has been made in Wellington that there should be a “ living arch ” composed of school children, on the occasion of the Royal visit. Messrs James Chesnay and J. S. Lang have been re-gazetted members of the Westland Land Board.

It has been decided that an engineer be engaged to give an estimate of a highpressure water supply, and an open race supply for Eangiora.

The Taieri Advocate is informed that there is a probability of an excellent seam of coal being opened out in the hills near Ctakia.

A skeleton has been discovered atPohcnui, in the Hunterville district, but there is no 'clue as to its identity. A special train running between Benalla and St. James (Vic,), came to a sudden stop the other evening. The cause was a struggle between Driver Ryan and Fireman Denny. It appears that the fireman had suddenly become uncontrolable, and had made several attempts to jump from the moving engine. After a severe struggle Denny was secured, and brought into Benalla in the guard’s van. His conduct was due to an epileptic fit. Mr John See, ths new Premier of New South Wales is fifty-five years of age. He arrived in Australia in his early boyhood, and is what is known as a “selfmade man.” He was a favourite butt at one time of the late Sir Henry Parkcs. A private letter from Mdlle. Dolores (Trcbelli) mentions that in addition to herself, the soloists at the State concerts given to the Duke and Duchess of York in, -Sydney and Melbourne, the soloists will be Madame Belle Cole and Mr Philip Newbury. Mr Alfred Hill will conduct the Sydney Liedertafel items. The following resolution was passed at a conference between the Education Board, High School Board, headmasters of the Timaru and suburban schools, principals of the High Schools, and inspectors, at Timaru:—“That this conference is of opinion that to duplicate secondary schools in towns where High Schools are already established would cause an expensive overlapping of the functions of the primary and secondary systems, and seriously damage the usefulness of the present High Schools, and would further respectfully suggest the desirability of the educational authorities adopting some general scheme, whereby the fees and emoluments payable under the regulations for pupils who have passed the Sixth Standard and attend District High Schools, could bo paid to the present High School authorities upon the condition that all pupils who have passed the Sixth Standard at the primary schools, and who wish to continue their education at a high School, shall be admitted free.”

The prizes for the competitive plans of the new Town Hall, Wellington, have been awarded by the City Council. The first prize goes to Mr Cliarlosworth (Wellington), the second to Mr Crichton (Wellington), and the third to Mr Hurst Soagor (Christchurch). Thera is still some dry humour to bo found in New Plymouth. The Town clerk recently received enclosed in an envelope five totalisator tickets, with a note stating that the worthless carboard was intended for exhibits for the museum. The town clerk can have the satisfaction that the five pieces of cardboard cost someone a pound apiece, although not fit specimens to grace the tables of the museum. The consumption of coal in the furnaces of the big ocean steamers must be enormous. The Oceanic daily consumes 480 tons, her lightest run being 52l knots ; the Deutchsland, 470 tons, highest daily run; the Lucania, 475 tons, 562 knots highest daily run, and the American liner, St. Paul,. 300 tons, with 540 knots highest daily run. Reporting to the Timaru Harbour on Friday on the respective merits of the day of labour and the contract systems of carrying out big works, Mr Dobson stated that he expected that the saving to the Board by employing day labour would be about £15,000. He said that in most cases the contract system was preferable, but this work was a notable exception.

The New Zealand Shipping Company and the 'Shaw. Savill, and Tyser Company, says the “ Post ” have decided to reduce the freights over the colony on the following lines in connection with the recently inaugurated steam service to South Africa ;—Flour, 40s per ton of 20001 b ; wheat, 40s per ton on 22401 b ; oats, 50s per ton ; compressed hay, 90s per ton.

The Wellington Trade Council has resolved —“ That the Government be poth tioned to provide all volunteers with their uniforms-, instead of leaving them to be provided by the various companies out of the capitation grant as at present. The fitting together of the railway cars made in America is being hurried on at the Petonc workshops, and it is preity certain that the whole of them will bo available for the heavy traffic expected during the Royal visit. Tnc shops are working day and night. At a mooting of the Auckland City Council, Mr. F. G. Baume, on behalf of the Gladstone Memorial Committee, presented to the city a marble bust of Mr. Gladstone, subscribed for by Auckland admirers of the deceased statesman. The bust will be placed in the Free Library. Lieut-General Baden-Powcll, in acknowledging a book of photos sent to him by Otago residents, expresses a hope that he may be in a position to come and see New Zealand some day. There is over £I6OO in hand for the Queen’s Statute Memorial Fund, and the Committee anticipate no difficulty in raising the £3OOO required. An ideal spot has been selected for the statute in a corner of the Triangle, a short distance on the northern side of where the statute of Dr. Stuart now stands. The following instructions have been issued to the police throughout the colony: “ Care is to bo taken that every licensed house (under the Infants’ Life Protection Act), is in future inspected at least once in every two months, and where there is any reason to believe or even suspect that the infants are not at all time l ’ receiving due care and attention, visits at more frequent intervals are to be made. The visiting officer is to endorse the licensee’s record book on every occasion a visit of inspection is made, and at all stations where there is a matron a register is to be kept in which the matron will daily record particulars of all inspections made by her. At stations where there is no matron the officer inspecting will make an entry of the inspection in the station dairy.”

The United States warship Brooklyn which arrived in Sydney the other day from the China station to take part at the inauguration of the Commonwealth, is an armoured cruiser of 9250 tons. The vessel was built in 1895, and cost £700,000. She has a belt 3ft 7\ inches in thickness, and is armed with eight 8-in and twelve 5-in quick-firing guns. At the trial she recorded 21'9 knots per hour. During the trouble with Spain the Brooklyn took an active part in the operations at Cuba. The six-weekly service to South Africa, which was recently inaugurated, appears to bo scarcely sufficient for the purpose. The Rangatira, which left on the 12th instant, took the following cargo from New Zealand for South Africa: —2000 carcases lambs, 3000 carcases mutton, 1000 quarters beef, 648 sides of pork, 1,582 boxes butter, 90 crates rabbits, : 204-6 sacks oats, 50 sacks oatmeal, 791 sacks bran, 500 sacks barley, 1,388 cases preserved meats, 81 cases cheese, and 24 packages poultry. The next boat on the service is the Indramayo, which is to sail on the Ist June, and already the space available for produce for South Africa is taken, the insulating space having all been bespoken for meat and butter for that part of the world. It is understood that a good deal of butter will be shut out; and as the next boat, the Tekoa, will not be going until six weeks after the Indramayo, exporters will have considerable difficulty in getting their goods away. Present indications are that the experiment of a six-weekly service will meet with a large measure of success. Efforts will probably bo made to induce the Government to give a sufficient subsidy to enable it to be converted into a monthly service. To be had at Griffen and Smith’s Union Store a choice assortment of spring flowering bulbs, comprising the following well-known kinds :—Crocuses, Anemones, Tulips. Narcisies, Snowflakes, Ireseas, and other numerous varieties. — Advt. WADE’S TEETHING POWDERS for babies are soothing, reduce fever and prevent blotches. Price 1/-

Poor old China’s gone to pieces, Of her vast possessions reft, Day by clay her power decreases, Soon there’ll be but little left. She’ll no longer be a nation, But for ever be obscure ; Coughs and Colds have no foundation, Dosed with Woods’ Pepbebmint Cube. It is necessary now that the Barber has made it appearance, for ladies to see that the blankets arc in good order, otherwise they will have to call in the doctor and you all know what his charges are one visit, one pair of blankets. All wo say is go to Christopher Smith, our “up-to-date” Cash Draper, and see his exceptional bargains in blankets; only 5/11, 10/6,15/6 20/-, 27/6 a pair.— Advt.

Having secured the services of a lady who has gained her experience in some of the best houses in Melbourne, Messrs McKay and Son have much pleasure in drawing attention to their millinery department, which is now one of the most complete in Grey mouth. We guarantee all orders entrusted to this department to give satisfaction.’ A complete stock of Mackintoshes, Jackets, Capes, Underclothing and Corsets, just to hand.— Advt.