Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1901.

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

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1901.

As the Stae is published early to-day, it is Vfcry much of a holiday paper —very little late news.

The Presbyterian concert last night was well attended, the building being packed. The programme, a very good one, was appreciated. Eeport held over till tomorrow. The Catholic Church was crowded at the celebration of Midnight Mass on Christmas Evo. The Rev Father Ainsworth who has but recently returned from a visit to ths Old Country, delivered an excellent address.

To-night the Muldoon Picnic Party give their first entertainment in the Opera House, where there is pretty certain to be a large audience. The combination is an exceedingly clever one, and the entertainment is in keeping therewith. Mr Clark arrived to-day by the Mapourika. Among visitors to the district are Mr Fenwick, editor of the Otago Daily Times, and Mr p ligo, of Dunedin. Both gentlemen are largely interested in golddredging, and during their sojourn will visit the various dredging centres on the Coast.

A very large number of citizens left per train for Eeefton this morning to attend tt e races. A little later on Trinity Church picnic party left for the New River, and thereafter the town was absolutely deserted, with the exception of a few persons, whose business precluded them from leaving. Dredging for the next ten days will be a sub]ect of no moment on the West Coast, the residents of which, when they go in for holidays and sport, go in whole hearted. The last results, and the only ones likely to be heard of this side of the New Year, are Hokitika River, 38 ounces for C 6 hours, and A. 1., 60 ounces for 118 hours.

At Trinity Church yesterday forenoon service there was a very large congregation, the llev Mr York delivering an excellent address c mimemorative of the occasion. The service was a full choral one, the choir strong, and good. During the offertory Miss Kettle sang "The Prince of Peace" with exquisite taste and expression. In the evening the church which was beautifully decorated, and as is the usual custom, was crowded to hear the annual Christmas concert, a report of which will be given in our next issue. Christmas Eve at Greyinouth was a busy time for business folks, all of whom appeared to be doing a strong business. The town was thronged with people, young folks being many, all in quest of the good articles given at such times. Up to the hour of closing of the shops the number of people about was large, the thining out process taking place shortly afterwards. Yesterday we asked a business man how trade had been, and his reply, which was further endorsed by another, was that tho season had been the best for many years. Taking Christmas Eve by itself it was not so good as the previous year, but be added the Xmas trade on this occasion really began on the previous Saturday night, was continued on the Monday, and finished up on Tuesday. The three nights together far exceeded any previous occasion. "That," he said, "was my experience, and I have every reason to be satisfied." The first Newcastle coal ever landed at the Napier breakwater was discharged there last week.

Nearly 70,000 tons of corks aro needed for the bottled beer and aerated waters consumed annually in Great Britain. The Ameer of Afghanistan's mint at Kabul is managed by an Englishman. The kran, or half rupee, is the smallest silver coin struck.

London has 56 parks and gardens of from one-fourth of an acre to 198 acres, and thirty-one spaces and commons from one to 2C7 acres in size.

According to a parliamentary return the total amount expended on technical education in England, Wales and Ire ; land during the year 1899-1900 was £915,134.

There have been many demands for Ihe services of a girl, who became a pit boy in New South Wales. The Merthyr Guardian are handing over the girl and the.letters to her parents.

The great English friendly societies favor an old age pension scheme, to which, the Imperial Consolidated Fund shall contribute two-thirds of the cost, and local taxation the other third. A trial was made at "Wellington on Saturday of the first of the cars for the Kelburne-Karori tramway, when everything passed off smoothly. The lino will in all probability be opened for traffic on Monday next.

A gentleman interested in the mutton and lamb trade estimates that the recent rains in the colony have given half a million sterling to the export of frozen meat, which would have been seriously short if the drought had continued. It is understood that at a meeting of the Moonlight Sluicing Company held at Dunedin recently an offer from the manager of the claim (which is not in active operation at present) to work it on tribute was considered. The directors propose to call a meeting of shareholders some time in January ior the purpose of consulting them as to whether the offer should be accepted, to and also explain the financial poution of the company.

The Nurses Eegistration Act, which comes into force on the Ist January next, sets out the qualifications necessary to obtain registration under four headings. These are :—Where a nurse has attained the age of 23 and holds a three-years' certificate of training from her hospital, showing that she has had 12 lectures from the medical officer and matron during each year of her training, and who passes the State examination; any nurse trained in a hospital, outside of New Zealand, if her hospital training and knowledge are equivalent to that required from local nurses; and every nurse who at present holds a three-years' certificate from a hospital, having had systematic instruction from the medical) officer and matron, if she applies before Ist June next. Until 31sc December, 1902, any nuise who may not come within the provisions referred to. but who has had not less than four years' experience and complies with the required regulations can be registered. Marie Joanna Kersaho, who died recently on the island cf Croix, in France, at the age of sevent-two, is said to have had the distinction of being the only woman sea captain in the world. She went to sea with her father when she was twelve years old, and after his death she captained three more vessels, and obtained several medals and money rewards for heroism on the water.

The Hastings Standard has it on the best authority that a claim for £650 has been sent in to the New Zealand Shipping Company for the services of the Hastings Fire Brigade in connection with the recent fire on the Wairnate at Napier.

At the Supreme Court criminal sittings in Brisbane, on November sth, Isabella Horsfall alias Lucy Keeve, described as an actress, was convicted of breaking into and stealing from a dwelling. She was sentenced to three years' hard labor. Prisoner, who was an immigrant, and recently arrived, said she thought the Government ought to return her home, as she was unable to get work.

Henry Cutmore, known as " The Fire King," which name was given to him through making himself so notorious by setting fire to haystacks and grass, has died in Geelong Gaol from injuries caused by jumping from the balcony of the gaol. He was transported in 1848 for slashing off a policeman's nose with a cut from a raw hide whip. Cutmore spent the greater part of his life in gaol.

In view of the formation of an Eighth Contingent, says the Post, there is some curiosity as to whether our newlyappointed Commandant, Major-General Babington, will be in the colony in time to take part in the despatch of the troops. We learn on enquiry that nothing definite is known as to the Commandant's movements. It is said that he will not leave England until early in next year. Another new warship has been added to the list of Her Malesty's navy. The cruiser King Alfred was launched at Vickars and Co's yards at Barrow on October 31st. The King Alfied will be the largest and fastest armourel cruiser in the world. Her length is 500 ft„ her width 71ft, and her draught 26ft. Her speed of 21 knot 3 will be attained by two sets of triple-expansion engines develop--30,000 horse-power, the most powerful indicated engines ever put into a warship. The engines drive screw lers at a rate of 120 per' minute, while steam is generated in the boilers at the rate of 3001 b pressure per square inch in water tube boilers. The King Alfred carries 2,500 tons of coal in her bunkers, and will, therefore, be able to steam at a cruising speed of 14 knots for 12,500 sea miles, equal to a voyage from Portsmouth to Melbourne, without renewing her coal supply. A sensational shooting incident took place at Grahamstown, Thames, last week, when a man named Clement J. Moore deliberately fired a r.evolver three times in rapid succession at Mr Samuel Howard, the licensee of the Royal Hotel, and then placed the revolver at his own forehead and blew his brains out. Mr Howard is seriously* l wounded, but is expected to recover. Moore wae sixtythree years of age, and it is thought he at one time belonged to the Armed Constabulary. The cause of the shooting is supposed to be in connection with a grievance that Moore had about the Imperial mine at Karangahake, which mining property Mr Howard was formerly manager of for a period of four or five years, and Moore himself was formerly a shareholder. Through nonpayment of calls Moore Jsome time ago seems to have been compelled to forfeit his shares, and this 1 apparently preyed upon his mind, with the result that he' eventually attributed his ill-fortune to Mr Howard, although he appears not to have said anything to the latter about it, but told others so.

The superior qualities of the Ceylon Teas, are rapidly supplanting the inferior Chinese products in all the markets of western civilization. The teas grown in the virgin lands of the Singalese, possesses greater strength, richer aroma, andan infinitely larger percentage of the Alkaloid Theine, (the active principle and stimulating property of the plant) than do the teas grown by artificial cultivation on exhausted soil of China. Hence bulk for bulk, the Ceylon Teas are cheaper, purer, more stimulating, and possess a rare fragrance, wanting in those of the Celestial Empire. Of all the brands of Ceylon Teas, the " Kiosk " stands eminently supreme aud without rival. Messrs Harley and Co, the wellknown auctioneers and general agents, are the sole agents for Westland of this incomparable brand, and sell it to the general public in full chests, and 51b packages. If a trial is made of the Kiosk tea, no other will again be used and knowing that "once a customer a customer for ever." Messrs Harley and Co, are offering it for the present at prices that no other firm can compete against. AH large consumers, and heads of households, would do well to give the " Kiosk'' tea a trial. There is quality, economy, and money in it.—Advt-

During Xmas week the place to purchase the choiciest confectionery presents etc. is at Mrs Bennington's, Tainui street. A splendid assortment of confectionery in all its branches has just been opened ap. Ginger and hop beer at 4/. per dozen' nspection invited, Apvt.

The vessels in Table Bay, South Africa, on October 9th, were 15 steamers and 49 sailing vessels, while there were 32 in the docks, making a total of 96 vessels in port.

A New York cablegram dated October 26th states that a wireless telegraph message was transmitted from tho Campania to the Lucania on tho high seas on the 25th. The Lucania forwarded the message to Philadelphia, via Ireland, and it reached its destination a day before the Campania arrived at that port. This is claimed to be a record for distance.

A visit is to be paid to the Chatham Islands next month by Dr. Pomare, Native Health. Officer, who will take with him £4O or JESO worth of drugs for the use of the natives. The drugs are being provided by the Government, and will be placed under the charge of some public officer. While at the islands the doctor will make an inspection of the sanitary condition of tho native villages, and give instruction on such matters pertaining to health as are likely to be of future value.

According to tho latest mail advices, the much boomed Cape Nome goldfield in Arctic America is a pestilental and disorderly camp. A steamer from that alledged' El Dorado recently arrived in Vancouver with five hundred passengers, mostly richer in experience and poorer in pocket. They report that while a few have made fortunes, the great majority of the people in the place they left were "sick and indigent."

A Wanganui paper hears on good authority that the butchers intend to reduce thn price of meat from tho Ist of January, in consequence of a drop in the price of sheep, which will be generally felt from the beginning of the year. On enquiry in Wellington we aro informed that no such reduction will take place there, the wholesale merchants considering it necessary to keep up the present rates in order to recoup themselves for recent losses.

A large area o! the native land in Hawkes Bay is infested with noxious weeds. The Agricultural Department has called upon the Maoris to clear off the weeds, but owing to the multiplicity of owners it finds it difficult to enforce the law.

The Gisborne Herald states that Mr Sims, of Christchurch, who obtained a divorce from his wife on the ground of her elopment with a high legal luminary, was married to a Christchurch lady last week.

General Buller in his famous speech laid it down tha? a public servant should be judged, not by his actions or their result, but by his motives.

If a captain loses his ship he is courtmartialled, and if it be found that he has has been incompetent, even without any negligence that could be called culpable, he suffers for it severely as regards his subsequent career. If, on the other hand an army captain loses bis company he is quite likely to be made a 0.8. to console him for his "rank bad luck." The result of the two systems may be seen in the relative efficiency of the army and navy.

During the recent manoeuvres in Switzerland, tho general staff made a series of experiments characteristic of the most democratic army in Europe. They were designed to test tho influence on the troops of smoking being permitted in the ranks during long marches. A staff officer, writing in the Tagbla'tt, of Lucerne, declares that tho results showed tho balance of advantage to lie entirely on the side of the full pipe. There were no difficulties of discipline, which was really improved, because smoking kept the men more cheerful and less sensitivo of fatigue.

An English shipping exchange of recent date states that there is reason to believe that it has come to tho knowledge of the British authorities that attempts are being, or will be, made to tamper with horses shipped for South Africa, by inoculating them with a destructive or at least disabling serum. The evidence of a plot with this object is so strong that the greatest watchfulness is being exhibited. Captains are being warned to keep an eye on suspicious characters hanging about the place of shipment, and to be particularly circumspect in regard to the men sent in charge of the animals as caretakers.

Another tragic ending to. the old story of love and jealousy took place at Waiotahi, Ray of Plenty, last week. In Febuar? last a young and pretty Maori girl named Hiro te Ua, married a young Maori of the Arawa tribe, named Kipa Nini. Hiro te Da was unfortunately of a jealous disposition. She could not bear to let her husband out of her sight, and as ho was obliged to go away from time to time to earn a little money to keep things moving until harvesting time, his absence preyed on her mind, and as there were other pretty girls about she began to fancy that her husband was not as true and loyal to her as lie should be. On Monday of last week he was away at work. Hiro, influenced by some story that she had heard, shot herself through the heart.

Writing to the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr W. H. Lucy Bays:-"Li Hung Chung, a towering figure in politics in the Far East, is personally familiar in this country by reason of his visit hero three or four years ago. I remember meeting him at the princely banquet spread for him by way of luncheon by the directors of a great cable construction company. The simple Chinoae caused to be spread in intimation that his mission here was to buy ships, guns, telegraphs, cablea and other costly produces. He went the round of the principal establishments, picked up much useful information, aDd went home without leaving a single order. I remember how, being offered the free range of their cable by the expectant directors, the old gentloman, makingthomcstof the opportuniiy, Fat down and despatched a message to Pekin, which at ordinary charges would have cost him many pounds.

! The Paris Temps of October 27 devotes I a striking leading article to tho Duke of Cornwall's journey round the British Empire. The imagination, it says, cannot help being powerfully impressed by the spectacle of this Empire on which the sun never sots. Its purely material grandeur is of a nature to inspire reflection, especially as is this case this material grandeur is established upon a moral basis. This Empiro created by a little nation living on an island often lost in tho fogs of tho North sea reposes on freedom of will, and enroles under the banner of tho mother country nations whose loyalty is a fine homage to its liberalism, the surest guarantee of unity.

I Tho showrooms and ladieß' departments of Messrs Tymons and Co.'s 1 drapery establishment, have been placed under tho immediate personal charge of Miss McWilliaros, who has oome from Australia under special engagement to the firm. Miss McWilliams has a professional status unsurpassed in the Colonia. world, and at Messrs Buckley and Nunn's and Roberts and Moffatt's huge establishments in Melbourne, and Horderns, and Palmer's colossal fashionable Sydney warehouses, tho departments under her direction were the special and most attractive features, At Messrs Tymons and Co.'s warehouse the latest, lest and mo?t fashionable styles can there!we be relied upon, and all information, ccrcerning the perfectionjof dress and personal decoration will be cheerfully given.—Advt,

The Eastern jinriksha is soon to be introduced in Rotorua. Mr L. D. Nathan was recently on a tour through Japan, and purchased several of these man-power vehicles, which are now on their way to Auckland, and will be sent to Rotorua for the summer with the idea that durng the tourist season visitors may be taken between the hotels and the sanatorium and baths by Maoris who Jk desire to earn an honest penny.