WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2211, 8 June 1908, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, June 0. MAIN TRUNK LINE. The latest announcement by the Premier regarding tho North island Trunk railway time-table meets with general acceptance on the part of most sensible people. Business men argue that scenery must give place to last mails and saving of passengers time on the journey. Besides, the Auckland scenery is not a patch on the scenery of tho South Id and, all “ except in the neighborhood oi the volcanoes that along the Main Irulik lino will not be specially attractive to tourists. Moreover, there will be other trains than the express from which scenery can be viewed, anu those who really want to see the volcanoes wonderland will bo persuaded to stop over for two or three days at one or other of tho tourist resorts that will surely spring up along the line oi : route. Indeed, with, coniiortable accommodation and good triiclcs and huts in the grand Tonganro National Park, a very largo tuonst traffic is certain to be developed.

A UNIQUE IMPLEMENT. . At last night’s meeting of the Philosophical Society Dr. Newman showed a strange implement wrought from the jawbone of a sperm whale found at Taradalo, Hawke’s Bay, by a laborer digging in wet clay. It was about six inches in length, perforated like a needle and sharpened at one end. Its genuineness has been question, one sceptic asserting that it was neither more or less than a British marling spike, but the carving was of native pattern and the pointed portion, instead of being conical as is common in European work, was also characteristically Maori in type. “Being a four-sided pyramid'.it was, lie believed, unique, and it had been difficult to gain trustworthy information concerning its purpose.” The late Archdeacon S. Williams had told him is was called an Ahao, and he found that another name was Purupuru. Only recently, through the assistance of Mr. Percy Smith and the knowledge of some old Maoris at New Plymouth, he said lie had found its purpose. It wag really a marlin spike used for the caulking of seagoing canoes, and having a like end in view the Maoris had developed an implement almost exactly resembling that of the European. One old Maon, himself a canoe-builder in his day, has admired it highly as a perfect specimen. AN ARTIST’S SUCCESS. Mr. G. E.’ Butler, the Wellington artist who has had some Home training and recently returned to England to practise hig profession, has had two pictures accepted and hung by til© Royal Academy. Mr. Butler is a son of Mr. Butler, of Wellington, who recently purchased the picture-selling and framing business carried oil by McGregor, Wright and Co. His work is well-known in New Zealand. Amongst the British artists who predicted a good future for the young New Zealander was tile well-known painter Mr. Alfred East. Indeed, it was lie who advised Mr. Butler to return to England. OBITUARY. Nows lias been received here of the death in tlio Auckland Hospital of Mr. B isil Scott, a man who led a roving life, and had a world-wide experience as a sailor and in other capacities. He was a well-educated, well-read man, and a most interesting conversationalist. For a 'time he was Inspector of Fisheries at Port Stephens. More recently ho was in the service of the Union Steamship Co., and later still on the Wellington telephone mechanical staff. His father was on the staff of the British Embassy at St. Petersburg, and Mr. Basil Soott was horn in the 'Russian capital. Ho was a first cousin of tho Right Hon. John Sinclair, Secretary for Scotland .in the present Liberal administration.

The death occurred this morning of Mrs. Ashbolt, wife of Mr. Alfred Ashbolt, for many years connected with tho “Now Zealand Times.” The deceased lady was well-known in Wellington, and her death, after a painful illness, will be deeply regretted by a largo circle of friends and acquaintances. QUEENSLAND LANDS. Among the passengers for Australia by the Ulimaroa_to-day are the Hon. J. 1). Ormond, Messrs E. J. Watt, and T. H. Dowry, of Hawke’s Bay, -who are visiting Queensland to inspect Hie large areas of agricultural and' pastoral lands that are under offer there. Several Now Zealanders are said to have recently made excellent investments in- that State, and it would seem a 6 if more of our monied men intend to follow in their footsteps. - STOCK EXCHANGE. Oil ’Change to-day Talismans sold at £2 Bs, Tangiora at 9d, Big Rivers at £1 56, Loan and Mercantile at 4s sd, and Westport Coal at £6 18s 6d.