LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8068, 27 March 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

About 100 trucks of sheep were consigned to Wellington from the Masterton railway station last week. Blackbirds and niiuahs are reported lo have caused severe loss to fruit, growers iu the Masterton district this season. A number of creameries iu the Wairarapa district (states the " Age ") will close down shortly for the season, owing to the supply of milk diminishing. During last week several sharks were seen iu Nelson harbour, and on Wednesday two lisherincu captured one which measured oyr 9 feet in length. Another ll! feet long was noticed iu llie vicinity of the Anchor Company's wharf.

An Jnvercargill resident had a startling experience with a loaded revolver tile other tiny. He had his left himd over (lie muzzle, when the belt attached lo the weapon touched the trigger, and there was an explosion. The bullet passed through his hand and narrowly missed his head. Eleven purebred Angora goats have been liberated on Moturoa Island, opposite Ship Cove, tiucen Charlotte Sound, by the Department of Ariculture, and with the previous Angora goats liberated these will form the nucleus of the Government flock.

Geuernl Li Fou Chen, of the Imperial Chinese Army, has arrived at Antwerp on a special mission for the Chinese Government. The general's real name is Spiuglacrt, and he is a Belgian subject. He went out to China in 188(5 as im interpreter. He came under the uotiee of Li Hung Chang, who appointed him a Customs commissioner. Subsequently he was given the rank of mandarin, and he was recently made a general. He has married a Chinese lady, and makes a practice of appearing on all occasions in Chinese clothing suitable to his rank. This is Ihe first time he has been 111 Europe for 111 years.

A return showing the movement-of population in New Zealand during the iiuini|ucunial period 11101-5 has iieeu issued from the ollice of the RegistrarGeneral. On:ltsl December, 1901, the population (excluding Maoris) was 757,ii57, the increase during the year being: By excess of births over deaths 12,H57, by execs* of arrivals over departures (1522, or a total increase of 11t,37U, or 2.52 per cent, on the population of the previous year. The figures for the following years are : 11102: Population 807,1)21), increase by excess of inrths over deaths 12,2 ND, increase by excess of arrivals over departures 7'J'J2 ; net increase 20,272, or 2.57 per cent. 11103 : Population H 32505, increase by excess of births over deaths l:),:llll, increase by excess of arrivals over departures 11,275; net

increase 2 f ,57(i, or 3.0 t percent. I'.IO-l: Population 857,53'J, increase by excess of births over deaths ll,(i7!l, increase by excess of arrivals over departures 10,355 ; net increase 25,031, or 3.01 cent. 1U05: Population SS2,-102, increase by excess of births over deaths !u.'>2l, increase by excess of arrivals over departures 11302; net increase 21,1)23, or 2.111 per cent,

Mr L. F. Ayson, Inspector of Fish, cries, was in Oamaru recently, and iv representative of (hi' "Mail" had a short conversation with him. Asked concerning the salmon and whitelisli ova, recently imported from America, Mr Ayson was enthusiastic. Of the .salmon -tin' shipmcut was one of half a million—were hatched out at. Ilaliatiiramca, and the remainder at the temporary hatchery at Lake Ohau. Hutli consignments hatched out splendidly, in fuel they could hardly have done better. Two million whitclish ova were imported, or twice as many as mi the previous occasion, aud uf these one million were liberated in Lake Tckapo, and the other million in Lake Kauicri, on the West Coast. All the ova are hatched out and doing well. .Mr Ayson has every reason to feel satisfied with the latest importation of the Government, for not only have the hatchery operations been eminently successful, but less than \ per cent, of the ova perished in transport between San Francisco and the hatcheries. This result was principally due to the care the boxes of ova received en route, Mr Ayson himself having taken three shifts daily 011 the steamer removing dead ova, which are "easily picked out, but would spread contamination if allowed to remain in the boxes. IiHKI/MO SOO.Y CTJililJ HIM, A lew doses ol lihciuno soon cured Mr tico. (.'"Hedge, the well-known Wellington master mariner. lie writes:—"J was attacked with rheumatic gout. My r fcel were much swollen, and so very painful tliat 1 had to keep in bed. Hearing of your cure for gout. 1 sent for a bottle of !! 11 nun. and after taking a few doses the elVect was magical—the severe pain left aud the swelling disappeared. I wa* soon on my feel again and able to go to work," Uhciimo is sold everywhere at 2s Od and fs (id a buttle,

The Premier aud the AttonnyGeneral left for the Chatham Islands by the Tutauckai on Saturday, They

are expected back early next week. Tlio visit is the tirst which any Cabinet Minister lias made to that part ol the colony.

Iu Christchurch they are considering means of subduing the riotous football 1 barracker. At the annual meeting of tlie Sydenham Football Club, Captain Mcikleham advocated the formation of a vigilance committee, whoiic eliief itiission would be to keep watch on the playing ground. Some of the students at Canterbury College, being of a mercenary disposition, have been doing a brisk business by retailings teuographic notes of the professorial lectures. The sale of lecture notes has, therefore, been declared illegal unless the permission of the lecturer is obtained.

The "Onlooker" slates that Mr .John Barns scut a petition to His Majesty, asking to be allowed to dispense with the gold-laced official uniform wbich he would have to wear as President of the Local Government Board, when in the Royal presence, aud that his petition was refused.

A monster cheese, weighing half a ton, is now being made at the Ngaire factory to the order of the West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for exhibition at the Palmerston North Winter Show. Various coins to the value of £ls will be placed iu the cheese.

Last week Mr A, Sutton found, near Bridgewaler, Nelson, an immense moth, unlike all the hepidoptera of New Zealand. It was black-grey with lighter markings varying from buff to brown. The full extent of wings in an uudamagod state would lie from iUin. to 9in., its body is 3yin. long and 2:(in. in circumference. Its larva is supposed to have been brought to the colony ill a log ol timber.

An Auckland U.ix grader, in advocating the cultivation of llax, said that in Canterbury uncultivated' areas have produced up to 8 ) tons of green flax - to the acre, aud ill -re millers pay royalties of 15s, and in some cases £l, per ton. He saw no reason why cultivated areas should not be equally productive. Besides, it should be taken into account that tliix, once planted, requires neither time, labor, nor attention till ready tor cutting. Algcciras, where the Morocco Conference is holding its meeting, is most beautifully situated on the western side of its bay, over against- Gibraltar, from which it is distant about ten miles by a circuitous road, so that the assembled diplomatists of Europe are menacingly commanded by the big guns of the " Rock." The place is of great historical interest, for as the doorstep or port of entry into Europe, it was occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and Moors. As it was here that the Moors inaugurated their conquests in' Europe, so it is also here, by the natural law of compensation, that Morocco is to be guarded against the counter encroachment of Europe. Its twenty months' siego by Christendom, about the middle of the fourteenth century, was the greatest military event of (lie time. With a population of about 2t),00U, it still retains its old-world Moorish appearance, but is now chiefly famous for its bull-fights, the beauty of its Andalusiau women, aud the lusciousncss of its oranges.

Bai'un Suycmatsu, the Japanese, statesmau, publishes a remarkable protest against what he terms the indignities meted out to himself and threo other Japanese gentlemen of high position with whom he was travelling on board the North German Lloyd steamer Victcn, from Genoa. He declares that the very minimum of consideration was shown them, on the pretext that they were Japanese, and that the captain of the vessel assigned to them the very worst places at tabic. He adds that the Chinese Minister to the Court of St. James was no better treated. " With whatever contempt the Chinese Empire .may be viewed by some Occidentals, it is only natural that treatment such as this should be resented, though silently." Barou Suycmatsu concludes: " For nigh on two years we have done our best to behave like the civilised people of the West, and I, for one, have done all I couid to promote every goodwill between the East and West; but the result appears not a bit better in some quarters of the West. When we calmly think about it, it almost saddens our hearts. Wo shall certainly not fail to tell our countrymen theluuniliaating circumstances we are subjected to, and warm them to emulate Occidental civilisation more and moro, so that the time may come when we may be treated with an appropriate civility."

It was reported a month ago that Turkish troops had occupied Tabah, a place in the Sinai l'euinsula, near the head of the Gulf of Akabah. The British Government, on behalf of the Egyptian Government, entered a protest against t)n> occupation of the place, and offered to refer the c|Ucslion to the Anglo-Turkish Commission, provided that Tabah was lirst evacuated. It was next reported that the Turks were trying to seize the Island of Farsan, opposite Tabah, and that the cruiser Diana had prevented the operation being carried out. The railway being built by the Turkish Governmeut from Damascus to 'Mecca, has thrown a branch to Akabali, at the head of the gulf of the same name, and Turkey doubtless requires possession of Tabah as a measure for the protection of the terminus. Since the affair took place it has been reported that the Egyptian Government has decided to establish military posts along the border, from the gulf to the Mediterranean. The Sinai Peninsula was the scene of the wanderings of the Jews, and of the law-giving of Moses.

A somewhat rare difficulty ot a matrimonial nature occurred recently in Auckland. A widow who had been wooed and wou bv the brother of her doccascd husband, chose an Anglican clergyman to perform the marriage ceremony, and the happy expectant pair lined up at the altar iu the presence of a number of invited guests. It was only at this moment that the clergyman discovered the relationship of the parlies, and he created consternation by declaring that he could not perform the ceremony, as it was against the rules of the church. The feelings of the couple sank to zero, to rise somewhat when the minister suggested a way out of the apparent deadlock. A Nonconformist minister was called on the telephone, but he was away from home. Another well-known clergyman of a denomination having no scruples upon the subject of marriage with deceased husband's brothers was then rung up. He answered the call, and at once undertook to relieve the cnibarassing situation by inviting the Ijride and bridegroom with their friends to his residence, whero the marriage ceremony was performed, much to the relief of the chief parties interested.

MERIT KEWAltlJifiU Br uOUH'i OF JUSTICE. The acknowledged gooil qualities and success ot SANDiiii and Sons' Euuaia-J'Ti Extiiact have brought out many imitations, and one case was just tried in the Supreme Court of Victoria, before, bis Honor Chief Justice Sir J. Madden, K.C., M.G., etc, His honor, in giving judgment, said witli regard to the ttKNl'iNii Sandhu And Icons' Eucalypti Extract, that whenever an article is commended t) the public by reason of its good qualities etc,, it is not permissible to Imitate any os its features. He restrained the imitator perpetually from doing so, and ordered them to pay all costs.

Therefore, insist upon wlm'. is proved beyond all doubt by skilful witnesses at Hie Supreme Court of Viito.ia, and hv many authorities during the last :i() years, to be a preparation of genuine merit, viz.: The Gkxiune Sander & I'UBJi VoI,ATII.i; KITALYi'TI lixrtlACr.

A speciality is made of Ladies' I [air Dressing aud Ladies' Toilet necessities at the Kgniont Hairdressing Saloon, Egnionl street. A very fine showing of Indies' sundries offered. The proprietary have made quite a reputation lor their skilful and pleasing attention to tliis department.—Advx,

Tlie borough engineer has prepared I a schedule of the Borough Council's properly. The following are the sum-| mariseil figures: Waterworks, stock aud buildings, £1362; drainage, £217 10s; general, £lB7 10s 2d; machinery and plant, £3051 2s (id ; baths, £2305; I Town Hall, £735; total, £6BBB 6s 3d.

What is supposed to bo a gang of professional burglars are at work in ChristcUurch. One house was entered, and properly to the value of £ii() stolen. In a second- instance burglars made a systematic search of the pre- | mises and secured considerable booty.

Some weeks ago a telegram was published which stated that a man named Smith, who suicided in South Australia, was identical with Louis De Rougemont. This now turns out to be incorrect, as the real De Rougemont is in England, and a scries of stories written by him aro now appearing in the ShefHold " Daily Telegraph."

It is lioped (says the Wcstport correspondent of the Greymouth " Star ") that something will be done to improve the State mine at Mokihinui, for the men are now having a lot of slack time, and it is just a starvation liying with the miners and their families in that locality. After the coal inquiry the mine improved in working, and full time was worked for several pays, but it has gone back to its old stylo—one shift a week.

The terms of the Commission of inquiry into J. <T. Mcikle's case have been made known to Mr Meikle's committee; who have written to the Premier, entering n protest, as they consider the order of reference is such as likely to lead to injustice being done to MrMeikle. The committee state that their suggestions have been ignored. Judges Edwards and Cooper have been appointed Commissioners,

From the publishers (Messrs Giddie and Blomlield, of the Auckland •' Observer ") wc have received a copy of '•The triumphant tour of the N.Z, Footballers," a souvenir of the lour of our footballers written from notes by I lie Manager. The publication is highly interesting, and every devotee of <sur national game should not be without a copy. It is brightly written, well illustrated, and sold at t lie price of Is It can with confidence be recommended to everyone.

"Evidently the country around Toko and towards Whangamomoni is being found to be particularly adapted for sheep-carrying, and of late there has been quite an influx of sheep to the district. On Monday two special trains were required to take large flocks from Stratford to the terminus of the branch line. Owing to the remunerative returns from mutton and-wool.at present, n number of fanners are reported to be giving up dairyiug and turning their attention to sheep-farming.

Experts have lately conic to tlic conclusion that the South Tole will be re&clied long before its rival iu the' North, and this in spite of the much greater number of expeditions iu search of the latter. They base their reasoning on the hypothesis that the belt of ice is|really a remnant of the old glacial period, and that it is rapidly melting away. The formation in the Antarctic region is quite differed from that iu the Arctic. Instead of icefields (properly so-called) there is an almost continuous and unbroken high belt. This belt has retreated inward 30 miles during the last 50 years. When the whole is melted, it is thought that it will be impossible for it to be frozen into the same formation again. It will simply become subject to the operation which cold has on salt water during the winter months. It is further believed that a vast tract of land lies there which will becomo not only habitable but of some importance commercially.

A case of some interest to seedsmen was heard at the S.M. Court on Monday. William Joseph Smith, a farmer residing at Bell Block, sued the City Fruit and Flower Co., for i';i 15s, being the amount of expense to which he was put in ro-sowing a crop of Swedes. There was a dispute as to whether plaintiff had been supplied with the wrong seed Plaintiff declared that he asked for Swede turnip seed, but the defendants denied this, saying that he had asked for a good winter turnip seed, and he had been supplied with such, viz., the Abordeen greentopped variety. This sort proved unsuitable for late pig feeding. The defendants denied that the plantiff had stated what ho particularly required the crop for, and held that he had been supplied with the best kind of winter turnip seed, as distinct from Swedes. The defendants had offered 10s as compensation for the loss. After hearing the evidence the S.M, suggested a compromise, and the defendants meeting the plaintiff fairly, the case was withdrawn. Mr Grey appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Cecil Wright for the defendants.

The cable message stating that the High Commissioner was willing to give a thousand domestic servants reduced passages to New Zealand regardless of the capital qualification, induced a

Christchurch " Press" reporter to visit several registry offices to ascertain the state of the labor market in respect to domestics He found that the supply of New Zealand girls for household purposes w as inadequate to the demand which now prevails and has prevailed for some time past. Several of the persons seen gave their assurance that it the proposed shipment came to hand the girls would be disposed of within a week. A glance at the books raised a doubt iu the reporter's mind as to whether one shipment would suffice, as one lady declared that she could lind places for fifty girls that aftornoon. "What do you think of [the High Commissioner's proposals?" the reporter asked one lady in charge of a registry office. " Well, if he would send me the thousand—provided' they were good generals—l would guarantee to lind places in a week for every one of them ; but I am afraid they would be the riff-raff."

To-morrow Messrs Bcwley and Griffiths sell without l'eservo Mr H. Gray's lirst-class herd of dairy cattle and the whole of the other live and dead stock. Farmers will do well to attend this sale, as everything offered is good of its class, and indispensable on farms that are run on up-to-date lines. A free express will meet the morning train from Hawera, and another will leave the mart at 10 o'clock.

For reliable boots and shoos ot all sorts at bedrock prices go to Dockrill's Devon Street Central, who has earned the reputation for the last 25 years of selling the above class of boots at the lowest prices. Postal orders always receive extra attention, as I guarantee to give every satisfaction iu fit and Btvlo. —A DVT. A BOON TO DAIRYMEN

A bail has been patented by a Tarauaki firm, which is far iu advance of auy other contrivance for securing cows while being milked. It is operated from the back of the cow, and she can be bailed up or released with the greatest ease by even the smallest milker. Dairymen will find theso bails are not only great time-savers, but are reliable, easy to fix, aud never get out of repair; in fact, can be fixed with little alteration iu any shed in which old bails arc at present in uso. The articles supplied arc: —2 screw pulleys, 14ft of cord and ring, 1 iron bail; and the cost is only a few shillings. Messrs Robertson and Bond, of Liardct-street, New Fly mouth, are the patentees and vendors. Ail illustrated leaflet, and all estimates or particulars, will be provided to enquirers free. The following letter just received speaks volumes: —Messrs. Robertson and Bond, New Plymouth. Dear Sirs, —I hare plea, sure 111 stating that the new cow bails you supplied arc giving every satisfaction, They are easy to fix, and effect a great saving of time. I firmly believe if they were used continually for twelve mouths they would more than save their first cost. I can confidently J recommend them to all dairymen. Wishing you every success, I am, faith-1 fully yours,—Houskt Clejiow, OmataJ ■ Tttruuaki, 1