The Southern Cross. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Jan. 13. General News

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 January 1894, Page 8

The Southern Cross. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Jan. 13. General News

A prize in St. Mary’s Art Union, which is much admired, is a very pretty oil painting representing a scene in Central Otago. The picture, which is the work of Miss M. Thomson, of Leet st., reflects very high credit upon the young lady, and is an evidence of her artistic accomplishments. Russia’s naval estimates are based on an increase of three millions as compared with last year’s vote. Mr A. A. McNab, of the Invercargill Land Office, has been promoted to be receiver of land revenue at Christchurch. Messrs Win. Conyers and Beck, formerly of the N.Z. railway service, are mentioned as applicants for the Victorian railway commissionships, pending permanent appointments being made. Returns show that out of a total of 302,997 registered votes in the colony 220,082 exercised the franchise, that 10,539 electors in three uncontestcd seats were not called upon to vote at all, and that 72,376 electors who did not vote in the contested districts will be struck off the rolls. In the North Island 10',881 votes were recorded out of 112,499 voters on the rolls, and in the South Island 114,198 votes were recorded out of 160,498 voters on the rolls. At yesterday’s meeting of the Southland Education Board the following appointments were made : Cardrona, J. G. Stockwell, head teacher; Woodlands, A. H. Hiddlestone, head teacher; Waikawa, Mary E. White, head teacher; Chatton Pvoad, Agnes Gray, head teacher; Winton, \J. Donald, assistant teacher ; Wyndham, Jeapnie Saunders, pupil teacher. —W A. McGaw was appointed Inspector of Works.—An 'application from Winton for additions to the infant room and for additional j school apparatus, was referred to the Inspector for his report—Tenders were ordered to be invited for the following works :—Wallacetown : Additions to teachers residence. Macetown, Koromiko, Ardlussa, and Waipunama, new school buildings two to accommodate GO, and two to accommodate 50, pupils. The drawing of prizes in St. Mary’s Art Union takes place on Wednesday evening next when a popular concert will be given in the Theatre Royal. Apart from the great attraction of the drawing for the valuable prizes offered, a capital programme of vocal and instrumental musio has been arranged, and the names of the performers is sufficient guarantee that the concert will be of a high order. His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Raeside) will preside, and together with several townsmen will supervise the drawing. No tickets are to be sold later than Tuesday, when the blocks are to be returned. The winning numbers will be published in our next issue. An opportunity is given to everyone w'ho can write to compete for a splendid goldlined tea set of thirty-nine pieces, now on view in Messrs Begg and Sons’ window, Tay street. That firm elsewere announce that the set will be given away to the writer of of the best short paragraph on “ Tea.” It requires no special ability to write a few lines on that familiar commodity, and as the prize is worth trying for, young or old may compete successfully. The conditions are advertised. Dr Hendry, who is about to settle in Mataura, was the recipient the other evening, of a handsome writing-desk from the choir of Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church. The New r Zealand Pine Co.’s Union sawmill at One Tree Point was burnt down on Thursday. A heap of sawdust near the mill caught fire a few days ago, but had been kept in check without difficulty till Thursday, when a breeze sprang up, and spread the fire, with the result stated. The manager telephoned to town for assistance, but although this was forthcoming, it was too late to avert the destruction of the property. The Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute closed its annual session at Nelson on Thursday. Mr. W. G. Mehaffey (Invercargill) was elected president. The next meeting is to be held in Invercargill.

The second wo.ol sale of the season was held in Dunedin on Thursday, when' extra buyers were present. There was an excelent demand for all submitted, but values were unimproved. The higher prices secured were due to the superior quality of the wool. The demand was much stronger for coarse lustrous wool, and the finer sorts of cross and Jhalfbred commanded top prices, lOd being reached. The latest report from Sydney is to the effect that 6000 men in various trades are out of work, and that the distress is appalling. At the same time, Bishop Webber, of Queensland, speaking before the Colonial Institute in London, declared that the greatest need of Australia was population—- “ Australia was a land of promise, crying: loudly for men and women. Mr E. T. Rhodes, Timaru, fourth son of the late Mr George Rhodes, a pioneer settler of South Canterbury, has died from blood poisoning. He caught cold, which set up quinsy while acting as judge at the Caledonian sports. The abscess was lanced, but septicajmia supervened. “ How simple! Wonder it was never thought of before !” Such will doubtless be the remarks excited when persons happen to see one of the “ rat obstructors ” invented by Mr J. B. Moir, plumber, of this town. It is designed for use in sheds and buildings in. which sheepskins and hides are hung to dry. These are usually suspended from a rail, and the rats in many instances materially reduce their market value by their unwelcome attentions. To obviate this is the object of Mr Moir’s contrivance, which takes the form of a hollow roller, which revolves on the slightest provocation. Do our readers “ tumble ”to what happens. The inquisitive rat docs at all events. A roller is placed at eacli end of the rail from which skins and hides hang in tempting array. To reach them his ratship must approach from cither end. The moment lie steps on the roller it revolves and he tumbles to the floor. If he is of the “ try again ” disposition he makes another essay,, with of course the same result, and so on till he gets tired of the game. The rollers are sold at a very cheap rate, and the saving effected will far more than repay their cost. People pestered with flies cannot do better than get my sticky ily paper —four for sixpence. —E. Clcmpson, Dee and Tay streets.— Ai)vx.

Until a few years ago most of the farmers within easy distance of the town were content to ride into town in their drays. The order of things has now greatly changed, and the general rule is to find our country visitors driving briskly along in light vehicles such as spring carts and dog carts. Competition in. the manufacture of these has correspondingly increased, each maker introducing some new' feature of distinction. Mr J. Bath, who is well-known as a builder of the heavier vehicles, has of late been tiumiug a good deal of attention to the building of all kinds of light vehicles. His buggies and daisy traps are constructed with a view to comfort, and. finished off in the best style, his aim being not to turn out anything that is not a credit to his establishment. — Advt.