DISTRICT PARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 224, 12 January 1910, Page 2

DISTRICT PARS.

I A Masterton shearer, Mr J. Bristol, \vho a few days ago shore 231 sheep sby machine in 8| hours, appears to be fairly consistent worker. His record for three days, each of 8f hours, is as follows: —211, 231, 232. Captain Post, master of the Government steamer Tutanekai, and Captain Sundstrum, of Dunedin, formerly master of the Invercargill, have been appointed assessors for the magisterial inquiry into the wreck of the Waikare, which will be opened at Dunedin today.

The value of wool exported from Wellington last year was £1,515,276, compared with £1,162,080 in the previous year; butter, £364,120, against £213,411; chesse, £194,154, against £104,197; beef, £137,646, against £85,297; mutton, £275,677, against £354,447; lamb, £312,205, against £248,160. -

Rabbits and hares are regarded as pests in New Zealand, but they provide a means of livelihood to many people, and bring considerable revenue to the Dominion. In the year 1908 the number exported as food was 2,717,795 of the value of £58,066; and the number of rabbit skins exported was 6,463,618, valued at £59,808.

Strong objection is shown to the Chinese using the municipal baths in Napier, and they are hitting back in a manner quite unexpected. A day or so ago a facetious Napier gentleman met a Chinaman he knew. "Hullo, John," said he, "you going to the baths?" Said John in reply, "No fear, me likee to bathe in the clean water.''

Mr J. Nicholls, the well-known storekeeper of Te Kuiti, wishes to draw attention to the fact that he has opened a branch store at Waimeha. At present the business is being conducted in temporary premises, but it is Mr Nicholl's intention to build an up-to-date store at an early date. Settlers can rely upon having their wants supplied at the cheapest possible prices.

A remarkable escape from very serious injury was experienced on Tuesday by Mrs Fred Wade, of Kawhia. When returning home from the Marokopa races the lady's horse dashed round a lamp post, with the result that the lady struck the post heavily. Mrs Wade was dashed heavily to the ground, and was very severely bruised and shaken, but no bones were broken.

While a case was being heard at the Clerkenwell Police Court counsel referred to an Act of George 111. "Am I going to be tried under an Act hundreds of years old?" the prisoner demanded indignantly. "I have heard you can be hanged for theft under "these old Acts, and I don't want that." The magistrate mentioned that there was an Act, passed seventy years ago. "Is that the very latest?" the prisoner inquired. "I want to be tried up to date."

This season Auckland has twice been called upon to defend its title to the Plunket Cricket Shield. The trophy is the most coveted in the New Zealand cricket world, and Wellington and Canterbury have each had a try to wrest it from the Northern province. Otago is also coming along very shortly, and supporters of the Southern province entertain high hopes of carrying off the Shield, which has remained in possession of Auckland since it was first competed for. The big sculling handicap held on the Wangan'ui river last week resulted in a win for JR. Arnst, the champion, with Hagney second, and-Webb, exthird. The final, in which only the three placed men took part was noteworthy from the fact that Webb, who was in receipt of three seconds from Arnst, was rowing in great style at the end of a mile, an 3 both he and Arnst apparently had Hagney'a measure, when Webb suddenly stopped rowing, leaving the scratch man to win comfortably from Hagney. Webb resumed rowing and finished ten or twelve lengths in the rear.

■ At Pirongia on Wednesday last, the marriage took place of Mr John Evans, of Te Rau-a-moa, son of Mr John Evans, of Derby, England, to Miss Jennie Mary Milner, second daughter of Mr H. Milner, of Auckland. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. F. W. Clarke, and the bride was given away by Mr A. L. Higgins. The bride wore a white silk dress, trimmed with old lace. She was attended by live bridesmaids, three being sisters of the bride, Miss Muriel Higgins and Miss Goodenough. As the party left the church Mendelssohn's Wedding March was played by Mr Eugene Aubin. The honeymoon will be spent at Kawhia. Although Dr. Cook, of Arctic fame, has ceased lecturing for the present, a phonograph record, which has been duplicated many times and sent broadcast over the United States, narrates to various audiences the explorer's alleged deeds. It now transpires, the Chronicle says, that Dr. Cook received £I2OO from the phonograph company for the record. The company states that Dr Cook, with a quick eye for business, offered his services to them for this purpose two days after his arrival at Copenhagen, and mentioned his terms as £3OO a minute. The company stipulated for four minutes only, and that is the length of the record.