The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Oct. 27. General News.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 31, 27 October 1894, Page 8

The Southern Cross PUBLISHED WEEKLY. Invercargill, Saturday, Oct. 27. General News.

Next week we will begin the publication of a new serial story, entitled “ The Man from Melbourne,” of which we have secured the copyright. The novel, which will be published in twenty weekly instalments, is by Mrs Henry E. Dudeney, and is described as admit ably written, one critic remarking—- “ The plot is extremely ingenious . . . and the narrative is dramatic iu the extreme.” At a recent meeting of the Golden Site (Wilson’s River) Company it was decided to pay a dividend of 6d per share on 30,000 shares. As inquiries have been made as to what this really means to the shareholders, we have obtained the following particulars in regard to the history of the venture. It was registered in November, 1893, work having been carried on up to that date by a syndicate. The capital was £30,000, in 30,000 shares of one L each, of which 22,000 shares, paid up to 15s, were allotted to the promoters for ■ their interest they paying all expenses up to January 17th, a call of 2d per share being made for that purpose. The remaining 8,000 shares were taken up by a Christchurch syndicate, who have since paid 9s per share in calls towards the develop ment of the workings. As all shares participate alike in the dividend the sum of £750 will be absorbed in its payment. As the result of the two crushings made since September last gold to the value of £2,500 has been obtained. The event is of course a satisfactory one to the-shareholders, and it is also noteworthy as marking a new order of things in regard to mining ventures in Southland, being, we understand, the first occasion on which a dividend has been declared in connection therewith. Messrs J. N. Simon and Co. hold a clearing sale of furniture, etc., at Woodstock, near Woodlands on Wednesday.

According to the Press Association serious trouble is anticipated ever shearing in the North Otago district. The sawmill at Centre Bush owned by Messrs Cooper and Co- was destroyed by fire on Tuesday. It was insured in the New Zeeland office for £350. The three male teachers at the Oamaru Boys’ School take £B9O a year in salaries ; the same number of female teachers at the Girls’ School get only £385 among them. The Czar of Russia is still alive, but the end is rapidly approaching. His second son, who is also suffering from ill-health, has renounced his rights as heir-presu'mptive in favour of his younger brother. No wonder, either, for “ uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” especially in Kussia. Two candidates (Messrs J. Stead and W. Batchelor) are out for the mayoralty of Invercargill.

The J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association, as agents for Messrs Thomas Cook and Son, the famous tourist agency firm, call attention in our business columns to the special arrangements for the convenience of parties.wishing to go to Coolgardie. To Mr E. R. Godward, of the Invercargill Cycling Clnb, belongs the distraction of having lowered the record between Invercargill and Dunedin. On Tuesday he covered the distance in 12h. SOJmin., or 25Jmin. less than the old record.

Mrs Hatton, President of the Women’s Franchise League, declares that if members of Parliament do not show more, earnestness in dealing with questions of social reform it may be necessary to insist on the right of women to be elected members.

Parliament closed on Wednesday. “ For this relief, much thanks,” the public as well as members will exclaim. During the session or e hundred new laws were enacted, or a fraction under one apiece for the members of both Houses. Messrs McNab and Kelly, M.H R.’s, returned to Invercargill on Thursday, and the Hon. J. G. Ward is due to-day.

A sale of work is to be held in the Don street schoolroom next Wednesday and Thursday in aid of the fund for reducing the debt on the Strath earn Primitive Methodist Church. The members of the Strathearn sewing guild have been working hard for a considerable time, and with the assistance kindly given by a number of friends have managed to get together a very good assortment of all kinds of fancy and useful articles. These will be offered at very reasonable figures, and should command a ready sale. There will also be a good variety of children’s toys on sale, and the usual miscellaneous articles found at bazaars. The sale will be opened at three p.xn. by Mr J. W. Kelly, M.H.R., and will remain open on Wednesday and Thursday. The small admission charge of sixpence will be made. The American road grader imported by the Southland County Council some months ago wasted this week for the first time near Ota Creek railway station, upon a piece of read belonging to the Oteramika Road Board in the presence o' members, of the Council and the board and the county inspector. The trial proved very successful, the slopes being finished off better than could be done with the scoop or by hand, and at less than half the cost. Half a mile of road was formed in two days, and the grader should prove u great saving to the council in forming new roads and dressing old ones. Notwithstanding the long spell of dry weather the grass is looking remarkably well about Edondale, especially on the Company’s land. Several paddocks and oats show a fine healthy blade, and the grubbers are now at work preparing the ground for turnips. The prime condition of the cattle running in tnc paddocks show what can be done by working tbe land properly. On the whole work on the estate is further advanced now han at this time Jast y ear. Changes continue to take place in the Eastern district. At Mataura Mr S. K. Carswell has taken over Mr Sheffield’s business, and Mr Greenwood has opened in a new shop as watchmaker and tobacconist. At Gore a good few changes are noticeable, particularly the new shops and temperance hotel in the building formerly used as White’s Railway Hotel. Your Spring and Summer Clothes, which may have been laid by during the winter, months, can be scoured and pressed by our new process which extracts all dirt and grecse without disturbing the shape. Suits, 5s Coats, 2s 6d; Trousers, 2s. Ladies’ Costume, Cricket, Cycling, Band Uniforms carefully renovated. Country parcels, carriage paid oneway. GEORGE ROSS & CO., opposite Supreme Courthouse, Tay street.—Advt. “What! Not closed up yet?” “No, and Mclnerney does not intend to be if he can help it.” “ Well, we’d better go and see how Austin is getting on ; we are always welltreated at his hotel.” “ Yes, when I want comfort and good fare in Winton I go to the Railway Hotel.”—Advt.