DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 111, 30 November 1908, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

With reference to the forthcoming entertainment to be given on Wednesday evening by the Taylor-Carringfon Humanized Fictnros. we cannot do better than quote from a recent paragraph in the "Southland Times" "The Taylor-Carrington partnership has frequently entertained Invercargill audiences by means of the dramatic art, but their form of pictorial representation challenges successful comparison with the best. Invercargill has been visited by the best picture shows that have toured the Colonies, but Mr Taylor need not fear that any of them will receive precedence in the minds of those present last night the whole exhibition is right out of the beaten track...a prosperous season is assured!

Amongst the most recent businesses opeened in Te Kutii. must be mentioned the Hop Beer and Cordial factory of Mr McColl. The advantages of such, a business being in our midst will he highly appreciated during the coming summer months, and there has already been placed on the market by Mr McColl, drinks which compare favourably with other brews. A complete plant of the latest, machinery peculiar to this business has been erected in the factory, and with the assistance of expert workmen, a share of business from Te Kuiti and surroundings districts is confidently looked for.

The attention of Te Kuiti residents is drawn to an announcement in another column of a public meeting to be held on Thursday evening to discuss the question om erecting a library building. It is to be hoped a good representative meeting will ensue, and will result in the adoption of a "scheme for the purpose indicated. The position of the local library does not reflect credit upon the community, and there is little doubt that the residents recognise their responsibility in the matter. The site for a library has been donated by Mr F. Darrow, whose public spirit is to be commended, and it is hoped such an example will encourage others to assist in such a worthy object. The meetin is called for 7.30 p.m. at the Chronicle office and the attendance of the public should result in improving the present unsatisfactory position. .During the recent election campaign, Mr Remington, member for Rangitikei, in consequence of allegations made by Mr Geo. Hutchison at Wanganiu, said he wai willing, providing his committee did not object, to contest the Rangitikei seat with Mr Hutchison, if the latter would guarantee £75 "for election expenses. Mr Hutchison has accepted the challenge and presumably, if Mr Remington's committee raises no objection, the Rangitikei electors'will experience the joy of another contest for their favour. The privileges of the member of parliament are many and various, and are generally understood to embrace the most desirable things within the scope of mortal man. Exactly what those things are it would be difficult for the ordinary man to define, but a King Country school boy evidently has a well established theory on the subject A receont essay by the boy on the subject of why men desired to enter parliament contained the opinion that the chief reason was because free travelling, and the numerous banquets they were entertained at, enabled them to live very cheaply. If the money stringency continues until next election there should be an unprccdented run on the politician's billet,.

Mr Waller Runciman's new Education Bill, which after having been formally read a first time in the House of Commons, is now published, and is halied with some hope. The Times approves of the new measure, and says that the masterly policy displayed by Mr Runciman has greatly enhanced his political reputation, and that he has snatched the possibility oi' success from the brink of failure. The Hill makes the county council type of school general, abolishes tests, and offers different denominations (lie right of entry into all schools. Assist-ant-teachers are to be allowed to volunteer to give denominational teaching twice a week, and head teachers in transferred schools are allowed to do the same, but only in the next, live years may they similarly volunteer. The local authorities permission can only be withheld if the services required affect the general conduct, and discipline of the school. Contracting out, except in single school areas, is permitted under certain conditions. Mr Arthur Kaifour. Header of the Oppositoin, was not consulted regarding the proposal of giving a State grant.

The steamer Sardinia, while on a voyage from Liverpool to Aelxandria. with 2(H) passengers aboard, took fire off the island of Malta. When the flames burst through the deck many of the passengers jumped overboard, and were drowned. Most, of these were Maltese and natives of the Levant. Further details of the fire aboard the steamer Sardinia show that the master Captain Litler. the officers, and crew behaved with great heroism. Captain Litler stuck to his post throughout, and perished in the dames. When the tire damaged the steam steering apparatus, the captain went and worked with the hand-gear, bringing the vessel's head round the headland towards Fort Ricasoli, and avoiding the powder magazine at the mouth of the harbour. Eighteen out of 41 of the Sardinia's crew, five out of eleven of the ordinary passengers, including one Britisher, and 100 out of HO Moorish pilgrims perished. The vessel had just left tiie harbour of Valottn, the chief town of Malta, and there, were thousands of spectators on shore. Energetic assistance in rescue work was carried out under the supervision of Admirals Curzon-Howe and Fisher, pinnaces, tugs, and launches being sent out to the burning vessel with strong parties of bluejackets. A number of Arabs, who were in the forward part of the steamer, including many women and children, refused, to jump overboard, although urged to do so by numerous floats' crews, who were unable to approach owing to the high seas. [ The hatches were blown oil', killing many, mostly Arabs. Everyone in flic engineroom was burnt to death. The flames were 200 feet high, and repented exnlosions occurred. Finally, still burning, the vessel struck the Ricasoli rpeks. The Sardinia's pincers and and the naval parties. acted "\vith the utmost heroism thi.uubjipUf.