General News.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 148, 4 January 1902, Page 2

General News.

The recent census shows that there are 550.000 more native Christians in India than in 1891.

It is announced fhat the Prince of Wales will represent Ding Edward at the Kaiser’s birthday celebrations. , The G.F.C.A. have, at the request of several clients, decided to recommence their periodical horse sales, 1 and advertise this issue for entries. The master bakers of Dunedin resolved to advance the price of bread to old per 41b loaf fot cash, in oonsequence of the advance in floor t» £1 15s per ton, Lord Marcus Beresford has been appointed equerry and manager of the King’s stud of thoroughbreds. From this it would appear that the King intends to continue racing.

A large historic gathering of methodist bodies was held in Sydney to celebrate the formal consummation of the union of Methodise churches, dating from New'Years’Day.

Mr W. M. Hamilton, local agent for the Royal Insurance Company, sends us a very handsome blotting book issued by the company. It is strongly bound in leather, and would last foe years.

The Leeds Mercury says that Sir H. Campbell Bannerman saw Lord Rose!* bery, who insisted on the acceptance of the policy outlined in bis speech without variation. Sir H. Campbell Bannermau consults Sir W. Harcourfc and Me Morlay. . Yesterday, before the Bey. Gj Barclay and Mr W. J*etit, JJP.’s, P. Richards, a prohibited person, was charged with drunkenness and sent tp gaol for a fortnight without the optioh of a fine. For the same off«nce Thomas Hogan was fined Ss.indefapU twenty-four hours' imprisonment. Tbs . fine w s$ notpeifi* 1 Vi prohibition otfsft.

Mr W. Halliday, ’Wellington Hotel, •Christchurch, won tho first prize of j£3600, and Me Robertson, Main street, South Dunedin, the second prize of f9OO, in Tattersall’s sweep on the Carrington Stakes. Mr Halliday was formerly of Waimate. The Standard states that Lord Rosebery has declined Sir H. Campbell Bannerman’s invitation to join the leadership, of the party. Sir H. Campbell Bannerraan strongly _ challenges the Liberal Imperialists whether they will support uim in the House of Commons.

A man named Brockman has returned to Perth from a six months •exploration of the unknown territor y between the west coast and Kimberley. Though he failed in his primary object, the discovery of mineral-bear-ing country, yet he discovered immense tracts, which he estimated at 6.000,000 •acres, all splendid pastoral country, well watered and grassed. Two young men. William A. Low •and Charles Peake, well known in ■athletic and cycling circles, wandered ;abou'o South Dunedin armH wH> a revolver last Sunday evening trying to •create a reign of terror. They 'threatened and frightened several persons. They have been arrested ■and admitted to bail, tho affdr being •apparently a senseless escapade. The Zionist conference held at /Basle, in Switzerland, has established •a fund to purchase settlements in Syria arid Palestine. Idea is to send the Jews home and provide toil for ’them, A sheer waste of time. If they opened banks and pawnshops, with a healthy demand for old do’, it might do, but providing Jews with work is like bringing coal to Newcastle —it isn’t wanted. The Government have decided to send in future to America for the steel bridges required for road works in provincial districts. It is estimated that those structures can be obtained in the United States and erected at a saving of 30 per cent, to 50 per cent, on the locally manufactured article. The first o’-dor that will be sent away will probably be the one for a bridge to span the Eangitikei river at Mangaweka. No honour ■■ will be conferred at New Year. Hereafter they will be conferred on Coronation Day and tho King’s Birthday. An exchange suggests that as King Dick ia to he present at tho crowning he should ask leave to institute a new order, that of the “ Golden Fleece,” in New Zealand. It would be conferred on politicians and those who have the administration of public funcis, and on them alone.

Bush fires are raging around 'Gundagai (N.S.W.R The damage is estimated at over £IOO,OOO. Besides immense areas oi grass, 0000 acres, of ■standing crop, thousands of bags of wheat, several thousand sheep, and hundreds of horses and cattle were •burned. Many settlers were burned ■out and lost everything. Many famous beauty spots, including grand ■bush scenery round Lewa Falls, have been ruined. The Hon. J. McGowan arrived last ■night from Rotorua, having travelled ■overland from Wanganui, in order to inspect the tree planting by prisoners at Waiotapu. Mr Mcpov/an stages that he is well pleased with the work ■done. The prisoners have constructed ten miles of fencing, planted about >'Bo,ooo trees, and formed a number of roads, which will ho useful for tourist traffic. At Waiotapu Mr McGowan ■met Mr B. R. Wise, Attorney-General sof New South Wales. The Russian Press accuses Great .Britain of inflaming China and Japan in regard to the Manchurian Convention, and adds that vßiina is unlawfully protesting against the essential clauses of the treaty. Russia declines to agree to the amendments in the Manchurian treaty. M. Lessar ) has intimated that unless the treaty is concluded in a fortnight, negotiations ■will be discontinued, and Russia's occupation of Manchurian territory maintained.

On Wednesday morning, and in a less degree bn Taursday morning, the ticket selling service at the 'Waimate >• station proved entirely inadequate. Wnild be passengers were struggling 'and pushing for nearly an hour in their o ideavour to get tickets, and the tram ■wta delayed twenty minutes. This occurs every New Year s Day, and it is time something was done. A railing in front of the present window to let 4 one person in and out at a time is most mecessary, and another window would gprove very useful. In another column Mr S. J. Adams makes an announcement re his timber, o#u, iaod fltewrod business. After n U ajg nftt Mfr Adams _ will ejhfiea#if rough timber in the / wards This deduction bnfld, a 3 be JKwafded bw larggjjjptdffcreawd sales. Aoother is fcat^ftet Ime ajfc*fffq3te Kaitanfeaca <j»! ,> will be twfSed in price,Htfjf nf bag.f Raadap e ndvi9bd.cb'loMa\ilfe cut fof 'other a! mts.-yAdvt. Since the broke the baoirat Monte Carlo ” and ’ ;> evoke next morning with a splitting headache, a farced tongue, and “ that tired feeling,” to find himself famous, k this Mecca of gamesters has been invaded

by man who play by system, ihey ' usually advertise it for sale being Toally philanthropists in disguise, and not liking to win money in large quantities —and then gently slope, so as to be away when the victims go to the ironmonger’s for a revolver. A real live lord (Lord Eoslyn) is the latest crank. He proposes to form a company, and guarantees to win *2100,000 under his system. He may be called on for that hundred thou , and then again he mightn’t, hut his chance isn’t worth wasting money on. Mr Barton has received from Mr Chamberlain a copy of a despatch from the British Minister at Buenos Ayres respecting immigration to the JJeW Australia settlement. It refers to the fact that Mr John Lane has J been appointed honorary agent in i Australia with a view to attracting !'■ A;<n r |igratiot S Paraguay, and states "Aina IX livelihood is obtainable may be / Wmittod, but immigrants will be ' lisappointed if they expect a prosper“lus .one. The Paraguayan (xovern- / meat offers inducements in the shape oHaeilities for the acquisition of land, V . but grants are coupled with provisions in favour of the squatters already in nominal occupation. This leads to trouble, which already, has been felt in ’ the New Australia colony. The des"A-, patoh also sounds a warning against M the laxity of repression of crime .in % Paraguay, and the presence of a floatvery read^

A London correspondent writes It is with much pleasure that I have to record an unqualified success won by Mrs Howie, or “Princess Te Rangi Pai,” in her first public appearance in England as a professional singer. Her debut was made in Liverpool at a grand concert ,in which she was associated with a perfect crowd of vocal “ stars.” It is all the more gratifying to he able to state that the New Zealand singer held her own so well. She was the only unknown artist that appeared on tho programme, among such tremendous public favourites as Lady Halle, Mr Santley, and others, yet her reception was most cordial, and both of her songs were enthusiastically applauded. Lady Halle and Mr Santley heartily congratulated her on her success.

The following is from M.A.P.: — “ The Premier of New Zealand must have laughed heartily at tho absurd rumour set going the other day that ho was to be unpointed Governor of the Orange River colony. ‘ Dick ’ Seddon is part and parcel ,of Now Zealand, and when ho loaves there for good it will be for heaven, and nowhere else. Seddon is thoroughly wrapped up in his own colony, and he will work for its interests with all h’.s great strength as long as ho has any work left in him. He has been at the head of affairs in Wellington for nearly ten years, and as them is practically no Opposition party in the House of Representatives, it lom<s as if ho would hold Ids present position till he dies, as his old chief and predecessor did before him.” That is id! very well, but there is always the chance of going out of power, and the Governorship of tho Orange River colony is a life job. , ’ A terrible tragedy took place nf: Otakc-hu, near Htuvcra, on December 31st, when a settler named W. A. Blemu-rhassct and his son wore jd;ut dead by another man named Hill, who then committed suicide. At the inquest held next day, the evidence went to show that them had been bad feeling between the parties for years, in connection with rating matters-. The elder Blennerhassct was shot twice, in the nock and head, the first time probably from a distance of about ten yards, tho second at three yards. The younger had a wound in the right breast, apparently inflicted at a distance of about one or two yards. Then-, was a wound on Mill’s forehead, which had been inflicted before death, but the medical man did not think it could have caused mental derangement. Tins wound arose from a blow with a railing, with which the younger Blennerhaaset lift Hill during a squabble on the pvaviou day. The widow and two men gave evidence of hearing sounds of a gunshot, and finding the dead bodies. A verdict was returned that the deceased died at the hands of Hill.

THE DECEMBER RAINFALL. At “ Crosby ” during December a rainfall of 0.31 was recorded, bringing the total for the year to 26.5 inches. In 1900 35,8 inches foil; in 1809, 17. G inches ; and in 1893, 29.93. Mr Beckett tells ns that tho rainfall last month was the heaviest for any one month for four years, except for October, 1900, when 6.35 inches fell. GREETINGS. Premier Dick of Manrilancl and Premier “Toby' 1 Barton of the Commonwealth have both rubbed shoulders with Royalty and its courtiers, and are experts in what is vulgarly called “ pulling legs.” D;ek. hv means of the cable, took first hold, sending hearty congratulations on tho first anniversary of tho Common wealth. “ Toby ” replied with thanks, wishing “ your splendid Colony oil prosperity, peace and plenty.” Then ho winked the other eye, and went home to work out some little ideas of his own for excluding Now Zealand products.

MORE GREETINGS. The Czar of all the Rnssins is now engaged in falling on the neck of “la belle'France.” In sending greetings to President Loubet. in his own name and that of the Czarina, lie said Among the pleasantest memories of the year is my visit to your oeamiftil country. Our friend and ally is particularly dear to us.” Loubet sent an appreciative reply. M. Lounet afterwards held a reception of foreign diplomats. The Papal Nuncio, as senior diplomat, praised Franco’s lofty ideal throughout the Chinese crisis. M. Loubet, in returning thanks, said that the outlook was one of general agreement among the Powers. Some--were strengthening the ties of alliance and friendship. General Andre, the French Minister of War, and General Kropatkin, Russian Minister of War, exchuiged greetings. One has to remember that it is New Year time, but the above might be comic reading next New Year.

RAISING THE WIND. A Wellington correspondent informs the Press that the following circular has been sent out, and has caused some comment; —“ Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand. Private and_ confidential. Dear Sir.—For the purpose of defraying the administrative cost and incidental expenses of the Liberal Federation of New Zealand, funds are required. This all-important organisation should be maintained. It has done good work in the past, yet much is required to be done so as to maintain and ensure the continuity of the Liberal Administration, which the present position of the colony has proved to be in the best interests of the people. Believing you to be a well wisher of the cause, I trust you may see your way to send a favourable reply and render some financial help. Donations should be addressed to me or to the President, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon ; if by cheque, to be made payable to a number or otherwise. You can rely on the strictest privacy being observed, knowing as I do, especially with those in business, that it does not do to have their actions in these matter?, made known. Wishing you the compliments of the season. — Yours faithfully, ARTHUR EDWARDS. Secretary. “ The President, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, will be glad to receive the names of any political friends to whom silimar appeals might bo addressed.”