Local News.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 46, 8 April 1899, Page 3

Local News.

The O&maru Mail states that Mr H. R. Parker will not be a candidate for the Waitaki seat. We notice Miss E. Low, of Waimate, has taken the M.A.. degree with honours, being second class in English, French, and botany.

Charles Henry Carter, the enginedriver of the excursion train which caused the Rakaia disaster, was again remanded on Wednesday on a charge of manslaughter. " Have you ever worn Velvet Pile Flannelette ?" If once worn you will wear no other, for comfort and durability. From 7/6 a dozen at Shackleton and Grant's, other makes from 2/11 doz. — Advt. This evening a maeting of the local kickists will be held in the Library Hall, to set the ball rolling for another season. It is to be hoped that a lars;e number will join the club, and bring Waimate to the front in New Zealand's choicest game. On Thursday afternoon, Miss Maunder, who is travelling in the interests of the New Zaaland W.C.T.U., mat the members of the Waimxte branch, and gave a very practical address on Union work. Miss Maunder will probably r«turn to Waimate in July, and give a public address on her expariences in a recent trip c to Amsrica and Europe. The railway revenue for the financial year, which ended on Friday last, is expected to exceed the estimite of £1,370,000, by mDre than £90,030 The expenditure for the year was estimated at £916,000, and it is believed that it has been slightly exceeded. The losses which the Dapartrmnt will sustain over the Eakaia disaster will be charged to the current year's account. On Monday night last, a -variety concert was given in the Oldfellews' Hall by the children of St. Patrick's School. Owing to counter attractions, the attendance w<is not large. The first part of the programme consisted of instrumental items and action song 3 by the pupils, who acquitted themselves very well. The concert was concluded by a drarni, " Irish Heroine," in which the characters were

filled by the pupils attending the school. Each and everyone played his or her part without a hitch.

Forestry. — The usual fortnightly meeting of the Lodge was held on. Monday last, but owing to the holidays it was postponed till next Monday. The Juvenile Court will meet on Tuesday. This promises to be a successful institution, a larjj'* number having joined. We noUco Shackleton and Grant are showing an unusual line of very heavy flannelette, strong Harvard, and fleecy back leather shirts at a price we are sure cannot leave much profit, only 3/6. They are well worth 5/6. — Advt. The Review of Reviews, looking through the English Board of Trade's colonial statistics, finds that measured by annual public revenues, Australasia is a long way ahead of the other dependencies except India. The revenues of each section in 1897, to nearest quarter million sterling were — India 91, Australasia 31, Cape of Good Hope and Natal 9£, Canada and Newfoundland 8, West Indies If, Ceylon I£. The revenues of Australasia exceed by nearly 50 per cent, the totals of all other colonies put together. On Tuesday night a largely attended meeting was held in the Rechabite Hall, Wellington, to discuss the condition and prospects of unskilled labourers. Hon. J. G. Jenkinson, M.L.C., presided. He explained that the meeting was called to organise a league of unskilled labourers whose wants are not reached by Trades Unions, and referred to a circular issued by the Brotherhood of Labour, which organisation is strong in Wellington and adjacent districts. Speeches were made by Messrs J. Hutcheson, M.H.R., D. M'Laren and Key. W. A. Groves. Mr John Brown, secretary of the Board of Labour, sketched out a scheme of organisation for wage earners. Many of the men present expressed readiness to join the proposed league. Is all this an indication that the New Zealand Workers' Union is defunct ? The Nukuroa Band of Hope commenced its winter session on Tuesday evening with a grand attendance of members and a fair programme. The chair was taken by Mr W. Middleiniss, who announced that he was leaving the district to take up work in the Salvation Army. Mr G. Dash, on behalf of the members of the committee, expressed the sense of loss felt at Mr Middlemiss' departure, and voiced the feelings of the meeting in his eulogium of the energy displayed and the work accomplished by the chairman of the evening. Mr Hopkins also spoke of the loss the district would sustain, and called upon the meeting to express by acclamation the gratitude felt for past help and the good wishes for Mr Middlemiss' future. After the storm of acclamation subsided, Mr Middlemiss feelingly responded, and the singmg of " God be with you" concluded a meeting the members will not quickly forget. Now the cold weather is coming, blankets will be required, and tha enquiry, " Where can I get the best value." is easily answered, for Shackleton and Grant are selling full-sized blankets for 13/6, not coarse imitation but good quality t which anyone can use with comfort. — Advt. From the 10th inst., a system of insurance will be introduced for parcels addressed to places in New Zealand, New

South Wale?, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and the United Kingdom. The maximum amount for which a parcel may be insured is .£5O, and the fees payable are : In New Zealand, 4d for £10, and 2d for every additional £10 ; to the Australian colonias mentioned above, 5d lor .£lO, and 2^d for each additional £10 ; to the United Kingdom, 6d for £10, and 3d tor each additional £10. Insurances may also be effected on parcels addressed to several European and other countries. Negotiations have also been in progress for some time for the introduction of ascheme by which, on the sender accepting responsibility, parcels may be delivered free of customs duties and other charges to the addressee, but the inauguration of this system has been delayed owing to the want oi nnauimity on the part of some of the Australian colonies. It will remsmbered that at tha ballo for sections on the Waikakahi estate, Mr John McLachlan, a member of the County Land Board, charged the Board with wrongfully refusing certain applicants and favouring others. On Wednesday last, a letter from Mr McLaren was published in the Lyttelton Times, in which he repeats and amplifies his charges, and asks tor an enquiry. In yesterday's issue of the same journal, Mr F. R. Flatman, M.H.R., says that he backs up the demand for an enquiry. In concluding an article dealing with the correspondence, the editor says :—lf: — If Mr McLachlan is correct, some of those into whose hands the land administration of the colony has fallen have betrayed the trust reposed in them. We do not assume that the truth is necessinly with the accusing side, but the charges have been publicly made, and it is important in the interests of everybody concerned that they should be justified or refuted.

Picnic. — On Tuesday last the annual treat to the children of St. Augustine's Sunday school was held va Knottingly Park. The attendance was not large, but all present spent a very enjoyable day. In the evening a social was held in the schoolroom, there being present church members from all parts of the district. Dancing was engaged in and kept up till shortly after one o'clock. Mr Collins supplied the music and Mr J. Drayton acted as M.G. There was a liberal supply of refreshments and the time passed all too quickly.

Kinematdgraph. — On Thursday and Friday evenings last, M. Northcote'a well-known company played in Waimate to poor houses. This was on account of the miserable weather, as the show is as good as ever. The Spanish-American war pictures are exceedingly good, as are the singing by members of the company, and the clever skating of Mr Fred. Norns. This evening, the company plays in the Library Hall, and the building should be packed to the doors. On Monday evening last, a welcome social to the Key. J. Nixon was held in the Primitive Methodist Church. Addresses were given by the Revs. Morrison, Dukes, and Nixon. Solos were sung bj Mrs Nixon and Miss Julian.