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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3521, 13 May 1905, Page 2

During the meeting of the Debating Society on Wednesday evening, the question cropped up as to whether the 3 iciety was to continue its work on strictly secular lines or not. It was pointed out by one of the members that while anything of a sectarian religious nature was prohibited, the Society did not confine itself exclusively to matters secular. This view was •'cserally endorsed by other speakers. We understand that the Rev. J. Fealherston has written Mr J. Vile, M.H.R., thanking him for his considerate action in postponing bis political address from the 17th to 19th inst., .to as not to clash with the concert which is to be given in the Public Hall on the 17th by a musical combination from Shannon in aid of the local Methods! church funds. All lovers of high :lass music should hear this talented : unpany from our neighbouring township.

j Heavy weather is reported from Sydney and Melbourne.

The bowling championship of New South Wales for this year has been won by Mr G. Carrie.

An inquiry is being held into the ad ministration of the New South Wales Land Department. Mr S. W. Luxford, of Awapuni, on Thursday shipped a very fine pure bred Ayrshire bull for Melbourne. Messrs Wyatt Clark and Co., hold their second weekly auction sale at 2 o’clock this afterno in. The attendance at the Foxton State School for the week ending to-day averaged 217.8, and absences 37% making total roll number of 255. Mr Ah Pat gives notice to day that all cash register receipts must be in by Saturday next, 30th May, on account ol the change of proprietorship.

Copies of pamphlets containing specimen lessons from the Bible-in-Schools Text Book as approved by tne Wellington Conference are now being issued.

Captain Edwin telegraphed to-day : 11 Moderate to strong winds from between west and south-west and south, glass rise, tides good, sea moderate, expect very cold night;” An important meeting of the St. Patrick’s Sports Club is called for Monday evening, when the allocation of the moneys in hand will be dealt with. All members would do well to attend.

The installaliotj, of officers of Lodge Te Awahou is taking place this afternoon, and a reminder is given of the lecture on “ Vanity Fair " to be given at 8, to which the public will be admitted.

A woman who was apprehended at Parnell in a helpless state of drunkennes-, was found to he in the possession of nearly £IOO in gold. She also c rrried documents which demonstrated that she was worth at least £IOOO. In reply to a deputation from Levin, the Colonial Secreiary agreed that the township should be formed into a borough. The population of Levin is 1200 ; 120 signed for the proposal and 64 against. The Minister said theonly question was as to the boundaries, and he deferred his decision.

A copy of the manifesto issued issued by the Wellington State Schools De fence League, whose object is “to maintain the present system of free compulsory secular education in the Primary Schools as provided by the Education Act, 1877,” has reached us, and will receive attention in due course.

During the annual communication of the Masonic Grand Lodge at Palmerston .North (says the Manawatu Times) a handsome presentation of a set of gavels and striking stands was made to the Grand Lodge by Bro. F. J. Brown, of Otaki. The gavels and striking stand were made out of the tusks of a mastodon found in Alaska. The ivory is- mounted in gold bands studded with nuggets valued at over £IOO. Startling developments have come out of the alleged Customs hands at Melbourne in connection with importations of New Zealand'.fish. A witness named Lucas in his evidence said he declined Allen’s offer of money to go to New Zealand, and his overtures to destroy his books, which he produced in Court. He was the first to inform the Customs that duty was being shortpaid on New Zealand fish.

A number of defended cases, including an interesting “pig" case, were set down for yesterday but owing to almost the wliole of the day being •ccupied in hraring the case Ross v. Gadsby and Shadbolt v. Stevens, Easton and Austin, they were adjourned to the next sitting of the Court, June 16th. It would be more expeditious and satisfactory if the Magistrate were to sit here offener than once a month, or else remain for two days every month. The former alteration would, we believe, give the greater convenience to local Court officials and residents.

At the S.M. Court yesterday, before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., judgment for plaintiffs was given in the cases G. H. Stiles (Mr Arkle) v. Manner, claim £2 10s od, and costs 10s ; John Hooker (Arkle) v. Douglas Lawson, claim £B, solicitors’ fee x6s fid, court costs Bs, Smale and Hay v. Samuel McLaggen, £6 12s fid and costs jßs fid. Several others were set down for hearing. In one, Ernest Francis Shadbolt (Mr Baldwin) v. Stevens, Easton and Austin, a claim for £lOl 2s 3d, evidence was heard and an adjournment taken for argument on a day to be arranged. In Archibald H. Ross (Mr Hardin) v. Arthur Gadsby, claim £39 13s 3d, plaintiff was nonsuited with costs. In remaining cases, owing to the lateness of the sitting, which lasted till 6.30 p.m., adjournments were granted till next court day. A special meeting of the local Literary and Debating Society was held on Wednesday evening last to discuss and eriticise the Journal, the magazine recently published by the Society. Mr R 1 Moore was elected to the chair. The Journal was well dissected by the meeting, the general opinion being that the first number ot the magazine was very s'' f: cfnc‘orv. On Monday evening qn '-ti vi lnternational Arbitratiwj; I-- i< -I ' f° r War? will he de I '-!'-A a 1 a I'irge attendance is looked f