News Items.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 173, 9 July 1901, Page 3

News Items.

The whaling season at the stations of Auckland has so far beau particularly successful. At OH9 station, Whangamumu, four whales w*re caught in one day and towed to the station. The New Zealand Timas states that this is the largest haul yet made in a single day at Whangamuimt. Sis Excellency the Governor is expected in Auckland to-day. He will go up from Wellington in H M.S. Pylades, and will make a short stay in the northern city. The Pylad*s, after landing the Governor, sails on a cruise to the South Sea Islands*

The report of the Commissioners appointed to examine the machines and processes submitted in competition for the bonuses of i 61850 and £250 offered for the encouragement of the New Zealand hemp industry, has been issued as a leaflet by the Department of Agriculture. The applicants came from different parts of the world, including Europe and America, With regard to one process in Belgium, and another in France, the Commissioners recommend the Government to endeavour to obtain further particulars. Among the Neff Zealand claimants of the bonus the process of one is described as being “ too slow and not worthy of practical adoption.** Another ie M far too expensive, and the results as obtained by experiment of uo practical benefit,” A third has

been applied repeatedly without success previously, and “ it ie neither ecouomical in labour nor better in results.’* One claimant omitted to send details of a method which he stated he had discovered, and the Corn l missioners made every endeavour to see the plant, but without success. A doctor sent a carefully-prepared analysis, showing the value of the waste products of New Zealand flax when used as a manure, and on this the Commissioners remark : “ Those of us who have long been acquainted with- the industry have repeatedly seen the good results to be obtained from this, so that we can hardly recognise it aS a new discovery." Finally Mr Toogood, of Featberston, who had previously been recommended for a bonus of £l5O, was recommended for another bonus of £l5O.

Melbourne is enjoying a good laugh over a lively “shindy” between Mr Barton, the Prime Minister, and the famous L. L. Smith, politician and advertising medico, says the Melbourne correspondent of the Otago Daily Times. L. L. Smith is chairman of the trustees who have charge of the Exhibition Building. For the Royal visit these trustees furnished two rooms at a total cost of over £6OO. The “ furniture ” included wines (even dry gin, which, as Mr Barton says, surely no one expected the Duke and Duchess to drink) and cigars. Now the trustees ask the Federal Government to pay the Bill. “ I’ll see you hanged first,” is Mr Barton’s reply ; “ you should have hired, not bought, the furniture; besides, Royalty did not require rooms at the Exhibition; besides, they did not want cigars and gin; and the whole thing is an atrocious scandal.’

Who drank the champagne?” he asked further. “ Why, you did and your colleagues,” cheekily answered Dr Smith; and then things grow warm. Mr Barton touched an electric bell for an attendant to put Dr Smith out. “ Don’t trouble, I’m off,” said the doctor, and a lively interview closed. The report is capital reading.