General News.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 38, 15 December 1894, Page 9

General News.

Letters on the Gothenburg System and overloaded Mining Companies are crowded out of this issue. Entries for all racing handicaps at the Win ton Caledonian Society’s Sports close at eight o’clock to-night.

"Very ■ handsome pictorial calendars have been issued by Mr B. B. Jones, chemist, and Mr J. S. Baxter, merchant. We have to thank those gentlemen for copies. The Horticultural Society hold their midsummer show on Dec. 28th.

The City Guards’ Band open their grand bazaar in the Theatre Royal on Monday evening. Numerous attractions have been arranged for the occasion and no pains will be spared to promote the enjoyment of patrons. May-pole dancing, the everpopular Richardson’s show, band contest, etc., are included in the bill of fare, and it may be taken for granted that the Theatre will be thronged nightly. A large and varied assortment of wares will be on sale. We have received from Mr J. R. McDonald, local agent of the New Zealand Bible, Tract, and Book Society, a copy in book form of the

Rev. J. McNeill’s New Zealand addresses. Portraits of the famous evangelist and his musical coadjutor (Mr Burke), are included in the volume, which is sold at the very moderate charge of one shilling posted, 2d extra. As readers know, Mr McNeill’s recent visit to Dunedin excited great inter-

cst amolig all classes of the community—his intense earnestness and unconventional style attracting people who seldom trouble their heads about “that sort of thing.” In too many cases platform oratory suffers greatly when transferred to type, but the reporter has succeeded admirably in his task, and the addresses as printed, with their graphic illustrations, quaint forms of expression, homely humour, and direct way of putting things, fairly pulsate with life. Our enterprising bicyclist (Mr Duncan McPherson) returned last Thursday, having been exactly six weeks away, during which time he has travelled up one side of New Zealand, from Invercargill to Auckland, and ■down the other—a ride that has not been attempted by any other cyclist in the colony. Going up from Wellington he passed through Napier and the Hot Lakes district, where both he £and his bike were objects of great interest to European? and Maories alike. Hardly any of them had seen such a thing before. So far had his fame spread that even in those out-of-the way places he was often greeted with the query, “Are you McPherson, from Invercargill ?”• After staying a

few days in Auckland, he came down the west side of the North Island to Wellington, and down to the eastern side of the South Island, till he reached home on Thursday, doing the whole distance from Auckland to Invercargill in a fortnight—remarkably good travelling.

The weight-guessing competitions in connection with the A. and P. Show brought forward a good many competitors. The weight of the five prize sheep was 5001b5., and was guessed correctly by Mr A. R. Campbell (Riverton), Mr Thomas Eraser (Waianiwa) being second with 4991 b. There were 4S entries. The weight of the bullock was 1250 lbs., and the nearest guess was 12551 b., made by Mr R. Craig (Edendale). Mr E. Turner (Invercargill) took second with a guess of 12791 b. There were 41 entries. Mr J. W. Mitchell is-once more a member of the Invercargill Borough Council, having been returned unopposed for the North Ward on Thursday. French diplomatists a’e reported to be deeply impressed with the results of the Prince of Wales’ visit to Russia. It is declared that the young Czar assured the Prince that while he lived there would never be anything but friendship between Russia and Britain, Sir John Thompson, Premier of Canada, died suddenly in Windsor Castle immediately on being sworn before the Queen as a member of the Privy Council. London advices state that the market is resenting the call on the Bank of New Ztaland’s shareholders, and shares will not sell at 15s discount, Shareholders are combining to oppose payment of the call. At the Dunedin Horticultural Show on Thursday thers was a fine display of roses. Those sent from Christchurch and Invercargill attracted a good deal of attention. At the meeting of the Southland County Council ou Thursday Mr R. P. MacGoun, clerk and treasurer, was granted a , month’s leave of absence owing to ill-bealth.—Tenders were ordered to be called for the supply of gravel in the Wallacetowu, Awarua, Waihopai and Hokonui Ridings. Several sections in the Waiau district will be open for sale or selection at the Land Office on Wednesday next. A visitor to the show on Wednesday estimated that the stock, implements, and machinery, with the clothing worn by the spectators (averaged, by the way, at £5 each) represented a money value of over £IOO,OOO. Not bad for a district that once ou a time was declared, on official authority, to be unsuitable for settlement. Frozen meat bad not then been thought of, though indeed there was no stock to freeze. Mr J. Caldwell, ex-Governor of Dunedin G-aol, is dead.

Our Arrowtown correspondent telegraphs that the Wakalip district hospital was burned down on Wednesday. The patients were removed unharmed. Insurance, .£1,600 in National office. Incendiarism is suspected.

A transfer of the annual license No. 343 for part of section 20, Waiau, from J. C. Ellis to Sir Thomas Elder and Robert Barr Smith has been declined by the Southland Land Board. That oody considered that theland was required for settlement, and resolved that Mr Ellis be given three months’ notice of resumption.

Dealing with several applications for time to pay arrears at the last meeting of the Southland Land Board the chairman requested the press to give publicity to the fact that any settler whose rent is in arrears for 12 months or over will be unable to obtain a Government loan, and, further, that such settlers run the risk of immediate forfeiture of their holdings.

Their money bags have not deprived the Rothschilds of patriotism. They have consented to float a Russian loan of 151 millions, but only on the express assurance that the persecution of the Jews in Russian territory shah cease. The entries for the Kennington Athletic Society’s sports close to-night (Saturday), when they are to be in the secretary’s hands at Kennington, or lodged for him at the Royal Hotel. Besides the ordinary events there will be a champion sawing match, for which very valuable gold medals will be given to the winners. The day’s sport will conclude with “ catching the greasy pig,” Mrs Jackson having kindly placed c one at the disposal of the directors. With fine weather a good number of people will be brought together to wish one another seasonable greetings and witness the games.

Lovers of the curious and the beautiful will have their tastes gratified to a certain extent in that direction at present on paying a visit to Messrs J. Lennie and Sons’ Waikiwi Nursery, where, amidst the wealth of seasonable blooms, there are a few varieties which call for special notice on account of the novelty of the subjects, apart altogether from the beauty aspect. Three of the principal we enumerate below :—Arum Dracunculus (or Brown Calla Lily) has green stems curiously mottled with white, and bearing large choco-late-coloured spathes with darker stamens and emitting a most disagreeable odour, so much so as to be positively unbearable, and proving a great attraction for flies and insects. Yucca G-loriosa grows to a height of six to eight feet, and has narrow, very sturdy leaves of a dark green colour, and produces in favourable seasons an immense panicle of white flowers at a height of three or four feet above the foliage. Eor lawns and specimen plants the Yuccas are all very suitable, and Y. Uloriosa in flower is an especially noble variety. Nemesia Strumosa Suttoni : This annual was" lately introduced from Africa by Sutton and Sons, and is a valuable addition to that class. Eor indoor decoration it will be very useful, but we do not think it is sufficiently hardy to grow on the open borders here. Colours range from white, through all shades of yellow and orange to brown, and the flower resembles somewhat the mimulus, though smaller. Watch for A. Weir & Sons’ Cheap Summer Sale of Boots, Shoes, &c. Particulars next week.—Ax>vt. THE BROWN-JONES and ROBINSON QUESTION. Mrs Brown (married last week) —“ Now which do you really think is the best sewing machine ?” Mrs Robinson (who has tried every make) —“ Why, the Latest Improved NEW DAYIS, of course. It’s far ahead of all others, and you can get it at our friend JONES’, Dee street, who also repairs all other makes. I advise you to give him a call.”

J. S. BAXTER IS SELLING ALL Groceries of the BEST Quality at EXTREMELY LOW PRICES FOR READY- ! money. A Trial will convince you [ THAT HE IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN ANY j OTHER IN THE TRADE. | 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 greese J without disturbing the shape. Suits, 5s .j Coats, 2s fid; Trousers, 2s. Ladies’ Costume, Cricket, Cycling, Band Uniforms curefully renovated. Country parcels, carriage paid oneway. GEORGE ROSS & CO., opposite j Supreme Courthouse, Tay street. —Advt. j ‘•What!;] “Not closed up yet ?” No, ann | 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 well treated at his hotel.” “ Yes, when I want comfort and good fare in Winton Igo to the Railway Hotel.”—Advt, ESSfS