GENERAL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2720, 27 January 1910, Page 7

GENERAL NEWS.

A Wellington resident, who is in Christchurch spending a holiday, - has been telling a “Lyttelton Times” reporter that business- affairs and trade in the capital city are far from bright. He says, in fact, that they are very bad. The position, apparently, has arisen on account of the wild speculation in land which has taken place in the city for several years. According to the visitor to Christchurch some large firms in Wellington have got into awkward positions,gas they have not been able to get rid of properties which have, come into their hands at high values. In regard to people of smaller means, many of them seem to have bought properties on the, 10 per cent, deposit basis. They had no intention of continuing to hold and to pay instalments, expecting to make transfers quickly at fair advances. Owing to the decrease in the demand these properties are lei c t on their hands, and they find some difficulty in retaining them without meeting with losses.

A recommendation that mixed'' bathing he allowed at the baths on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week came before the Napier Borough Council at its last meeting. “I know,” says the inspector (Air Donaldson) “that in tlie opinion of a large number of people, mixed bathing should not be allowed in a small pool, but I think the objection would be got over if only bathers were allowed in, and the custodian instructed to see that no one was to be allowed on the galleries who was merely a looker-on. It lias been suggested that these on-lookers would kill mixed bathing, and although no complaints have been received as to the conduct, of non-bathers, it might be as well to make the restriction.” The Alayor (Air Vigor Brown): “I don’t see it at all. I think parents, relatives, etc., should bo allowed to see how their friends or connections are behaving themselves.” The matter was referred to the Batlis Committee.

Filled with confidence in his abilities to manage a sailing punt, a young man inveigled two trusting friends to accompany him for a sail at Sumner one day last week. All went veil until the centreboard touched the bottom and the boat capsized. The captain forgot all about tlie tradition about sticking to liis ship and struck out boldly for New Brighton, while the passengers clung tenaciously to the bottom of the punt-. However, the skipper had not swum far before he found that his leg was seriouslv entangled with a rope, and he swam back and resumed command. In stern, albeit hasty tones, he ordered liis passengers off the boat, “he. lore it sinks, vou idiots.”' The Sumner pilot quickly launched a boat, and row. eel to the rescue ultimately towing the mint back to safety. AV-hen the captain was reproachfully addressed, “I thought you said vou could sail a boat!” he replied with much asperity, “Well, so I thought. How tihe dickens was I to know? I’d never tried before.”

A large and representative gathering of natives assembled at Parenga on Thursday last, to meet Dr. Buck, ALP. (says the correspondent of the “New Zealand Herald”). The natives tendered their representative an oldfashioned Alaori welcome, much enthusiasm being displayed. Dr. Buck oxplained in detail the- work of the session, as it affected the Alaori people, and dealt at great length with the Native Land Act. At thei conclusion of the address the meeting expressed its satisfaction that provision had been made in the new law to facilitate the settlement of" lands by native owners. At the request of several speakers Dr. Buck' then explained plained tlie principles of the new Defence Bill. The natives expressed satisfaction with the measure, and unanimously expressed a wish that in the event- of trouble they should be given an opportunity equally with the pakchas, of defending their country.

The cunning of the grey duck) was commented on by Air. Edgar F. Stead at a meeting -of the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society. Air. Stead stated that there was no game in New Zealand which scented danger like the bird in question, and when the shooting season commenced it- quickly changed its quarters to some small lagoon in the Vicinity of which shooting was not allowed, and where the duck was out of danger.

LIONS IN AFRICA. Somebody said the other day, after reading of the slaughter of wild beasts by Air Roosevelt- on his 'present expedition, that soon there would be no lions left in. Africa. Air H. A. Bryden, an authority on the subject, holds no such opinion. Notwithstanding the odds against him, lie writes in “Chambers’ Journal,” the lion in Africa still roams over an immense extent of country. He yields slowly to civilisation, it "is true; but in the wilder and imore remote parts of the Continent his reign is still practically unchallenged. It took 200 years to drive the animal north of the Orange River. South of the Zambesi the last lion may .perchance have disappeared within the next 30 or 40 years. In many parts of Africa, Air Bryden thinks, it may be safely anticipated that the roar of the lion will be heard for at least another 100 years; in some places possibly 200 years imay be nearer the mark. The lion, in truth, dies hard. His destruction is only accomplished by sportsmen of great courage and determination, men who <are experts in the use of the rifle, and whose eyes and nerves .may be depended upon in the last extremity .of danger. Even with such as these, the lion is not always the loser. “GREAT SCOTT!”

Scott was the central figure in the match between New South Wales and Queensland on the ‘Sydney Cricket Ground last week, says the “Daily Telegraph.” He is the fast bowler from Petersham. Ho has not the physique of a fast bowler. One and it half of him would make a Cotter, two a Jones, and three a Richardson. Consequently he is something of a surprise E’et. You don’t expect cannon from pop guns. He takes a long run, starting with his (head-on a level with his knees. He has a high delivery, and consequently even on a good wicket he makes the ball come head high. His achievements in eight overs in order were: —He hit Haftigan on the arm, and the ball dropping down struck the wicket. He hit Thomson under the heart, and tho batsman after rolling over and over on the turf several minutes in agony had to retire. He hit Redgrave on the thigh, and the game was held up for some time until tho batsman returned to the batting again. iHe dislocated wicketkeeper -Harvey’s middle finger of the loft hand, and Goddard had to take the gloves while Harvey sought medical attention. He struck Fletcher on tli e funny-bone and the crowd lauglied delightedly while the batsmen _ did a sort of polka mazurka round tlie wicliet'..