NEWS OF THE DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 259, 17 December 1903, Page 2

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The first section of the Dunedin tramways was opened 011 Wednesday • The North British Insurance Ctmipalny's local office forwards a neatlittle desk calendar.

There are severe grass tires in various districts of New South W'ales, thousands of acres being devastated! To-morrow afternoon the distribution of prizes ait tiho Hig.lv School will be held, parents ainid friends of scholars lx>i<ng, invited to bo present. The annual "breaiHr-up" unx j (ljs _ tribiition of prizes in connection with the Convent Sahiools wiill take place thus afternoon. cruiser Scylla, with time-ex-pired crews from the Australian station left Sydney for Portsmouth 011 Wednesday. The Department of Agriculture hopes to be able to supply growers with, cuttings from To Mala State experimental vineyard next season. A curious fact has been noted by. Arctic travellers—snow, when at a very low temperature, absorbs moisture and dries garments. It is now denied in Chrislchurch that the disease attacking horses is the dreaded pink-eye. It j s stated that the disease is only common influenza. Margaret Fletcher, agod 81, died at" the Wellington Hospital on Tuesday from the effects of burns (sustained while lifting a kettle off a fire. Trams will connect with steamers at the breakwater leaving town 85 follows —0 a.m. T;ik <l|'Un; 1 from North, 9 a.m. Rotoiti from South, 11.20 a.m. Takapuna for South, 8.20 p.m. Kotoiti for North,

It, M nVp'orttecl (Says a North Otago journal-) that the lirst station to shear i'n the Upper Waitaki has met with disheartening results. Out of a total of 19,800 sheep only 7200 were shorn, the other 12,(500 having been destroyed in the snowstorm.

It has been suggested Unit the law should be amended to compel persons indiscriminately supplying blank cheques to indemnify any . who subsequently sutlers by cashing cheques which may ultimately \iVoVu to be valueless-,

lUic 'cfowvened for last evening' 4n connection with the proposal to erect ail up-to-date hotel on the slopes of Mount Egtnont was adjourned, the attendance on account of several other 'attractions being small. The .matter was 'discussed Informally, and it was deckled to meet agaiin oin Monday next at 4 p.m.

The new Council buildings at Nelson were opened on Vvccmusday afternoon by the Hod. Col. l'itt, At-torney-Gwneral'. Thcsiu buildings are of 'brick with suitable offices «nd a ODttWcil Chamber (56l't by 28ft. There .was a large attendance and | the public were tlumked by the Mayor and Councillors.

T.he awmiial concert by the children of the Convent Schools wbs held last evening in St. Jo®eph'» Sohioolroom, iMd was well attcwdtti 'toy parents and friends of the little caws. An atti'aiet'iive programme of lmiisical, vocal nurd other items ffns rendered, to t'he evident Enjoyment of all present/. Ttho -action songs, amid drill were Especially good, particularly wtiaeaiMe beihig tihe flower drill by thie senior perils. The intricate movements of a gaviotto were prettily executed, and an action- swing "National Emblems" was very good, A vooal solo, " The Little Newsboy,'" was loudly applauded. The .Eltham Argus says One of the failings of the age is the tendeacy 'to belittle aad traiduco our pubKc in on. There are some people w'hio imagine that as 1 soon as a man attains any public position, whether it be that of a sulwol committee mail, councillor or mayor, he is at once fair game for lvbellous comment. It is a narrow-minded view of public life, and keeps many a •gwd main from offering his services to the public.

The Southlo'Hl Land Board has ap- ] proved the recommendation of the Commissioner, Mr Hny, that over one ntilllioii acues iai the Fiord district on tho South West Coast of theisland be reserved as "Tho Sounds National Park." A million acres is something like a park, and it is safe to say that the Sounds district, already established in public favour •and famed abroad, will yet be one of the most frequented holiday grounds in this hemisphere. A deputation from the Gel'man Workmen's Congress held at Frankfort appealed to Count von Bulow, Imperial Chancellor, to give legislative effect to the Congress proposals in favour of the extension of the right of coalition, recognition of trades unions, the formation of labour chambers, and no em'ployers to be workmen. Count von Bulow promised practical consideration of the 'suggestions, aind doclaj-od that the Kaiser's earnest des-ire was to make the Germain the best-oil workmen in the world.

During the lightning storm On Friday afternoon Mr Dittmcr, of Urnutaaroa, had a most exciting experience, s*ays the Dannevirke Advocate. Tie was leading his horse and dray through the gate u>t. his fiirm, and was just in the act of turning round* to speak to Mr Devonshire when a flash came and struck the horse dead at his feet. Mr Dittmor had hold of the horse's head at the time, and .the back of his hand was slightly burned, but beyond this and a slight shock be received no hurtful effects, the escape so far ns-.bs

Mr Stanford, S.M., presided in the Police Court yesterday. A Maori youth named Heta, brought in by Constable Hickman from Opunake was committed to the Bumhatn Industrial School, wild am order for maintenance will be made next Court day at Opunake. Joseph Hurke, who had appeared the previous day charged with theft committed at Wuitara, was admitted to probation tor six months, the money (£3) to be repaid. A man named Thomas appeared an a charge of .deserting his wile at Kimlboitom. H'is wile was present, aiud aigreed to waii't a niwntih for Thomas to make another home, 'failing which the good offices of the S.M. will be requisitioned to dMty™ ° thCl ' SOIUUOn ° f th °

Marshall Field, Chicago's richest merchant and one of the shrewdest busines.'/ men in America has returnZLJ 0 " 1 t S t, ' ip .. a! ' ! ' oad - an interviow on his arrival rim New York he talked of Mr Chamberlain's fiscal plan. He said : "Of course, it will he a iserious thing for America if gland should adopt a protective WW üboui P[ no.w n -uurtSAS jj™ our export business in iron and steel with foodstuffs and textile fabrics to some extent would receive a hard blow. I understand the general impression, in this country is that Mr Chamberlain will not carry through his proposed scheme. For one, however, I believe that he will win in the end—not this year, perhaps, but next.

The Comimisslioner of the Bureau or Immigration, United States, reports that the steerage immigration the fiscal year shows an increase of 32 per cent, over last year. The greatest number arrive from Italy ; Austria-Hungary comes next, and Russia third. Of the total 230,622 immigrants, 185,667 could neither read nor write. The Commissioner declares that such immigrants are a menace to the physical, social, mcral and political security of the country, and that suitable legislation should be enacted to keep out some of tlifcm and to establish agencies by means o! which these people may be induced to settle, in. the country districts and to keep away from the cities. Approximately 1,000,000 immigrants annually arrive in tli» United States.

The agricultural aind pastoral revival seems to Iw most marked in New South Wales. A trade circular received by a. iirm of Weilin^ton merchantsl, has the following remarks on the prospects at Dec. 1 ''lt is "ow many years since such a season has been experienced in this State, item has been plentiful, in fact, so much so that some l districts even complain of an excess of moisture. At the same time the rainfall lor the year is yet some nine inches below the average. The rain, however, bavinig fallen lmiin'ly im the sprin.gl time, has given a luxuriance to all vegvtatio'n seldom seen before. The peculiarity of the season, independent of the rains, lias been the low temperatures experienced, although we aie now fairly in the summer season. The absence of heat will cause the harvest to be a late one s'ay a fortnight to throe weeks later than usual. That all cereals and also lmy will he abusndaint is now certain]. I'lie abundance 01' grass will give a great impetus to the dairviiwr interest, the products from which are now 'becoming an important factor m the wealth of the State. Lauid is now being taken up liberally for the tin ther development of this importoint industry. The only drawis a< th.,t°th Ul ' P, 'f L ' nt bri * outlook L , V l ; onLlIU '«I «'et weather has de\ eloped numerous insect pests notably caterpillars, which in some districts arc injuring the crops."

The "Melbourne's" 3s lid white dicss shirts for men are a marvel of value. The bargain corner's bargam® make Devoiv-street famous.*

It is expected that five rinks from the hjcal bowling club' will leave New Plymouth by the l o'clock tram to<day lor Stratford where a good game awui'ts them. Veritas, v writing to the New Zealand Times, says " The clergy serm to be troubled a'bout the empty J Churches oui Surida-ys-, t «Wrt ftppear to 1 be at a loss (tor the reason. It is not far to seek, bet them look at fib me and ask themselves whether they are doing the whole of their duty with regard to their parishioners. I say they are not by a long way. They can hardly expert people to attend their ch'urches whun they don't visit people curd make themselves known. faerc* is a ease in point. I have bv.vn in New Zealand since arid have been a marrieid man aril father of n family since 1884 ; wnxl though, I belong; to a church', yet fltirW® the whole of tlvose ytfftrf I lv'ave only liaid three visit my family in the dif'feiHirirt towns 1 have lived in in the Ilawke's Bay arn'd Wellington districts. Let the clergy do their 'duty by periodically visiting tlve people

and interesting themselves in their well-being (but not to cram religion down out throats at every visit), and make theiiisohvs sociable mkl friendly, umd they will have t<heir

ahul'elies, ujihl Sunidwy-Schools too, better utteri'ded; I trust this will bring 6n« Vif these gentlemen up Melrxsso way occasionally. Handkerchiefs make specially ac-

ceptable Christmas gifts for main or woman. The "Melbourne" —the bargain comer—oilers a full rang*; of pure silk, fancy embroidered anid heni stitched hiaiKlkercliiicfs at Is lid, 2s 6a to 4s 6d each.*

Engagement Kings, Wedding Rings, and Keepers, certainly the finest stock on the West Coast of New Zealand. A good present with each wedding ring at J. H. Parker's, Jewellor, next liailway Crossing. .Devonstreet, New Plymouth.—Advt. Do you readers know my name. Which has already gained much fame? I aw Of billy small dimensions. But own to very great pretensions. As lots of friends will certify My merits a trial will justify. To cure all throat affections I lay claim, And please Bock's Balsam is my name.