General News

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 18, 29 July 1893, Page 8

General News

The win wing numbers iu the City Band art union are advertised. A notice in reference to rates is inserted in this issue by the Southland County Council The Russian press exhorts France to complete her work and destroy Britain’s prestige in Asia. According to Dame Rumour, several imfortant business changes are impending in nVercargill. The House of Representatives, after a wearisome debate, got into Committee of Supply on Thursday evening. The barque Ganymede has, up to date, put out about 600 tons of her inward cargo at the Bluff. A very successful concert was given in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening under the auspices of the United Fire Brigades. The measles epedimic shows signs of abating at the Bluff, and the school will re-open on Monday next. The financial crisis is becoming more acute throughout the United States. Fresh banking failures have taken place in Indianopolis, Milwaukie, and Louisville. They do things on a big scale in the States. Mr Simpson, a member of Congress for Kansas, submits to Congress a bill proposing to purchase Canada. The woolshed at Gladfield station, and between 400 and 500 sacks of oats, were destroyed by fire last Sunday. Both building and contents were insured. The Campbelltown dramatic club have in rehearsal an interesting little comedy entitled “ Taken from the French,” which they propose playing next month. The proceeds will, as usual, be devoted to some charitable ob ject. Thousands of people are dying of famine at Shanoi, a province in China. Some of the survivors have been compelled to eat dead bodies. As one consequence of the famine children are being sold at two dollars each. The Bluff Harbour Board disposed of the P. S. Titan’s machinery by public auction on Wednesday, Messrs Macalister (engineer), and Hatch (chemist) of Invercargill being the purchasers. The first prize in the City Band’s art union—a suite of furniture—was won by Mr Carr, manager of the Bank of Australasia; the second, a gent’s bicycle, went to Riverton; the daisy cart goes to Napier ; the lady’s gold watch to the Bluff; and the lady’s bicycle to Mr J. T. Lumsden. A mail for Australia closes at Invercargill at 11 a.m. to-day, and for the United Kingdom at 3.45 p.m. Mails for these countries will also close here at 10.45 a.m. on Friday next, 4th August. The Paris correspondent i f the Times says the French Government, following the precedent in Tonquiu, does not intend to formally declare war against Siam.

The remains of Mr Thos. Yale, formerly of Tewais run, were interred in the Bluff cemetery on Wednesday. During Mr Yale’s occupation of Tewais he frequently visited the port; making a lot of friends, who now sincerely mourn his loss. According to an American authority, out of the many thousands of officers in the British army who carry swords, comparatively few have the smallest notion of how to use them. Then and now. Speaking at the champion ploughing match dinner, Mr C. Gray said that on the previous day he had seen sheep sold for 22s each, of a quality that not so many years ago would not have realised more than 6s 3d each. It is stated in recent cable 'messages that there are indications in the Government organs that the British Government will not seriously contest French demands in Siam. The French fleet begins the blockade of Bankok to-day. From London we learn that the market is Overstocked with Jfew Zealand lamb, and that prices generally have declined Id to Jd per lb. It is believed that, owing to heavy re clamations, due to last season’s losses on shipments, the price of colonial butter will this year be considerably below that of last season. The Bluff regatta committee announce a new attraction for next regatta, viz., an eight-oared inrigged race for a prize of £IOO. It is to be noped local oarsmen will not allow strangers to bear off this prize without an attempt to retain it. The event is to be decided on 2nd January next. A recent visitor to the colony, Mr W. J. Harris, the fair trade delegate, contributes to the Melbourne Argus an article entitled “ The Best Farm in the World.” Mr Harris characterises the best farm in the world as Mr John Grigg’s, Longbeach, near Ashburton in Canterbury, and declares that “it is the best managed too.” Just after the post office tower was completed the other day, a canny Scot appeared on the scene and informed the workmen that if they hoisted the banner of Auld Scotia from the flagstaff.he would “shout for all hands.” Nothing loth, the men promptly secured the bit of bunting, and went aloft with it. It was soon waving proudly in the breeze, but when the men returned to earth again, the canny Scot had disappeared. He had gratified his patriotism at the expense — well, certainly not of his pocket. In recogni tion of bis action, the flag was speedily lowered to half-mast. A meeting of the Board of Management of the local Young Men’s Christian Association was held on the 24th inst., when plans were submitted of a building suitable for the requirements of members. It consists of two storeys, and includes a lecture hall (37ft by 24ft), a large, well-lighted reading room, class rooms, and ante-rooms. It was stated that the approximate cost of the building Would be £7OO. The plans submitted v. e e approved, and it was decided to proceed with the erection of the building as soon as half of that sum has been subscribed. A corps of canvassers was appointed, and will set to work immediately. It is hoped that the building will be ready for occupation by the beginning of next winter. The premises, which will be a decided acquisition to the architecture of the town, will be erected on the vacant section adjoining the Municipal Chambers.