GENERAL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2706, 10 January 1910, Page 2

GENERAL NEWS.

The tendency to get into hob water on New Year’s" Eve cannot be considered altogether un-British (remarks the ‘'Dominion of Jan. 1). It sometimes shows an inordinate turn of geniality, which may induce a desire to kick over the traces, but such was far from the case with a passenger by the Victoria vesterday. Rising betimes, he decided that a hot salt water bath was a desirable prologue to the day, so lie turned on one of the hot water taps and then allowed his attention to wander for a few moments. Returning to the bath, he hopped in without thought, and before he could withdraw' the venturesome foot it was so badly scalded that assistance had to be summoned,. and the foot was given several dressings. It was with halting gait that the visitor surveyed the busy aspect of 'Wellington’s "streets yesterday.

The Hon. R. M’Konzie told a report, er at Christchurch that there had been made at the Seddonvillc State coal mine recently one of the best discoveries of hard coal ever made in New Zealand. A fresh seam had been met with. It was an exceptionally large one, and it was believed contained several million tons of coal. Only one bore had been put into the seam, but if it- was all like the sample it would yield great quantities of first-class article. The new State mine, about three miles and a half from the Point Elizabeth mine, was making satisfactory progress. At present an inclined tramway was in course of construction to tlie top of the Paparoa range, to help in the working of the mine. It was hoped that Mr. Sheckleton, the Australian _ expert, would be very successful in his efforts to produce briquettes. He was experimenting in that direction, and had undertaken to make 500 tons at a certain price.

The vandals with the penknife and the irresistible impulse to carve their initials on anything that will readily receive them are really responsible for the necessary repairs which arc now being made to the capping stones on the balcony of the Cathedral spire (says the Christchurch “Press”). The stones which are being removed had been so deeply marked by these illicit carvings that scores of hollows were left for rain water. The result was that the interiors of the. stones lyere exposed to a certain extent, and the prooess of decay was immensely hastened. The stones which have been taken down show this very obviously. The new material now being put in is New South Wales sandstone, which is sufficiently hard to resist misdirected efforts at carving, and stands well against the most inclement weather.