LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 75, 1 April 1902, Page 2

LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS.

Retibed. —Inspector Fender retired yesterday from the police force after upwards "of forty years' active service. Privileges,—The privileges in connection with the Autumn meeting of the Marlborough Racing Club, to be held at Riverlands on 15th and 16th April, will be sold by public auction by Mr L. Griffiths at noon on Saturday next.

Nominations.—The list of nominations for the Marlborough Racing Club's autumn meeting appears to-day on the fourth page. Dkedging.—-During the week ended March 31 returns have been reported from 42 Otago dredges, the total yield being 1108ozs Bdwt 21grs. Easter Camp.—The Blenheim Rifles and Garrison Band returned from the Nelson Camp this morning. They left Nelson by the Rotorua at midnight, and reached town about ten o'clock. METEOROLOGICAL.--Captain Edwin wires as follows: —" North-east to east and south-east gale after 12 hours from now, glass fall, tides high, sea heavy, and heavy rain." Entertainment. — The Wellington Edelweiss Society made their appearance in Ewart's Hall last night. Selections with the mandolin, banjo, and guitar, and vocal numbers, entertained an audience of fair proportions. Swimming.—At the inquest held at Spring Creek on Friday the father of the boy who was clrowned in attempting to cross the river on a punt, said that he had moVe than once endeavored, without success, to induce the lad to learn swimming. Fares and Freights.—Owing to the quarantine restrictions placed on steamers arriving from Sydney and Melbourne, the Union Coy's passenger rates from these ports have been increased by ten per cent., and upon all cargo from Australian and Tasmanian ports an extra shilling per ton will be charged to cover the cost of fumigation. Weather Report.—To-day's weather report stated rain was falling at Russell, Taupo, New Plymouth, Cape Egmont, Nelson,Westport, and Queenstown. Most stations reported cloudy or overcast skies. Egmont 74* was the highest temperature, and Invercargill 50* the lowest. Blenheim temperature registered 61. . Returned Contingenter. — Lieut. Cribb, an old Blenheim boy, who was in the postal service here and in Greymouth, returned to the colony from South Africa a few days ago, and arrived in Blenheim at the end of last week on a visit to his relatives. Lieutenant Cribb joined his contingent on the West Coast. Sale of Westbrook.—Messrs Griffiths and Son were successful in quitting Mrs A. Ward's property, known as "Westbrook," at the satisfactory figure of £2500 on Saturday last by public auction to Mr Edward Rowe, of Speinglands. The clearing sale of stock, implements, etc., will be held on Wednesday week, 9th April. Flaxbourne Estate.—lt is rumored that the negotiations between the Government and the owners of the Flaxbourne estate have come to a conclusion, and that a settlement has been arrived at which will mean the early acquisition of the property by the Government for the purpose ot close settlement. Easter Sunday.—A goodly number of bluejackets landed on Sunday morning and marched to St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Picton. Others attended services at Holy Ttinity (Anglican) and St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) churches, both churches having been prettily decorated. The Anglican Church was well filled in the evening, there being a number of strangers present from the warships and other visitors to the town. The solo in the anthem was rendered by Mrs Riddell. The Fleet. — The warships have taken their departure from Picton, leaving only pleasant memories behind them. The officers and men enjoyed their stay and would have liked to remain longer, had not1 duty called them elsewhere. The Ringarooma, Phoebe, and Mildura sailed between eight and nine a.m., the Royal Arthur and Lizard steaming quietly away about noon. Fortunately the Karamea arrived in port early, and thus filled a part of the gap left by the interesting visitors. Tenth Contingent.—The attention of local applicants for enrolment in the Tenth Contingent is directed to the district order appearing In our advertising columns, giving the names of those selected and ordering the parade for their departure for the Christchurch camp.—lntimation has been received at Dunedin that the number of men to be recruited in Otago for the Tenth Contingent has been increased to 220 instead of 200. Regatta.—The Picton regatta as a regatta was a decided failure. In the first sailing race only three boats entered, and the Britannia, though heavily handicapped, came in an easy first. In the pulling races (four oars) two were won by a orew from the Pelorus Sound. Other races were got off, but little interest was taken in any of them. The Rotomahana brought over about 700 excursionists, many of whom went off by train to continue their journey ; still a goodly number scattered about and put the only life there was in the day's proceedings in the town. Cricket.—A match, Officers v. Men of the Fleet, was played on Nelson Square, Picton, on Saturday. The men went in first and scored heavily, and the officers had an uphill innings all through, the men proving themselves as good in the field as at the wickets. Had time allowed, probably the officers might have made top score, for though few runs were made ifie best bowler in the fleet failed in stumping more than a few wickets and when time was called the officers still had several men to the good. The officers entertained the ladies at afternoon iea on the Square, and all spent a pleasant afternoon. The Races.—Much satisfaction is expressed in local sporting circles at the fine list of nominations received by the Marlborough Racing Club on Saturday evening for the forthcoming autumn meeting. For the same meeting last year the total entries were 171, while for the meeting to be held on 15th and 16th instant no less that 350 have Been received, more than double. Everything points to a splendid gathering, a band is to be engaged, and everything will be done that is possible to ensure success. At a meeting of committee held on Saturday evening it was decided to pay out on first and second horses in cases where there are more than five starters, issuing only £1 tickets, but in cases of five starters or less dividend will be paid on first horse horse only, and the usual £1 and 10a machines will be opened. The approaching Coronation Holds first place in conversation, The world will stop till Edward crowned, Then recommence its daily round ; While those who gave a loyal cheer May be dead within a year, I Unless for colds they do procure |W. E. Woods' Great Pepperment ! Cure.