NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8482, 13 May 1893, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

CON-FE3SIONS OF A M BSMERIC SUBJECT.— An amusing article giving a mesmeric sub-ject-s account of his profession, which he complains is sadly over-crowded just now, Will be found on page 9. Affairs in Australia. -Mr James Mills, M H R-, who has just arrived from Australia, gives an interesting account of the deplorable condition of affairs existing across the water. He also gives some important information regarding the future operations of the Union Company. Political. —Mr R. Moore, M.H.R. for Kaiapoi, will address the electors at Kaiapoi on Wednesday evening. The Chrysanthemum Show. — There tr&s a fairly good attendance yesterday at the Chrysanthemum Show in the Oddfellows' HalL Taken as a whole, considering the very peculiar season, the display of blooms was a very good one. HouDAr Football. —A match was played en Thursday between the boys of Dunstable House and Victoria House, resulting in an easy victory for the former. The scores were 30 points to nil. Luxton, McColl, Saunders, Lancaster and Webster played well for their respective sides.

Belfast- —The Rev. J. Hosking lectured in the Bible Christian church on Tuesday evening to a very moderate house. The Rev. Guntrell occupied the chair.—Steps are being taken for the erection of a Presbyter—— church in Belfast, aud a movement _v been started, having for its object the erection of a Church of England parsonage. -ScrtJRE at Kaiapoi.—On Thursday night Hr W. W. Collins delivered a lecture at Kaiapoi on " The conflict between science tad religion." The lecture was an interesting one, and was much appreciated by the audience, which would have been larger but for the fact that a special excursion train took a great number to Christchurch United Temperance Meeting. — The JUv. Sidney J. Baker, of the Trinity Conmg&UoaaL, and Rev. Frank W. Jaitt, of _Mt belt Wesleyan Church, are the prinaS—i speakers at the meeting to be held in the !bam street Hall to-morrow evening. The Rev. H. C. M. Watson will preside. During the meeting the Rev. A. Mitchell, Those reputation as a singer preceded his wcent arrival from Victoria, will sing " The Holy City." Members of any church choir Will be welcome in the choir, which Mr H. Com—k has kindly consented to conduct. Ch-istchtjrch Poultry Society. — A Committee meeting of this Society was held ffhursday evening. There was a full attendance of the members present. The Art Union Committee reported that they had purchased several useful and valuable articles as prizes. Judges were nominated for the various classes. It was decided not te publish the names of the various gentleBen elected until tneir consent to act had been received by the Secretary. A large Amount of routine business in connection with the approaching show was disposed of. Si-ingston.—A most successful concert was given in the schoolroom, Spriilgston, on Thursday evening to a crowded audience. A pianoforte duet was played by Mrs McCuUough and Miss Henry, songs were given by Misses Brake, Spicer (2), Racy, Messrs Morgan, Ogier, Read, Britton, Worthy, Woodward, Crawford and Rowland. Duets by Messrs Ogier and Lilleyman and Messrs Crawford and Worthy, glees and a part long by Hanson and others, and a recitation by Mr Morgan. The proceeds were in aid oi Springaton Cricket Club, Lyceum Lectures.—Mr W. W. Collins feet-res twice at the Lyceum to-morrow. In the afternoon the lecture will be in reply to tbe Rev. H. C. M. Watson on " The most Sertaiu fact in history." The evening lecture will be " Darwin, and the effects of his discoveries on modern thought." A number oi specially prepared diagrams, &c., will be thews by the means of the oxy-ether light hatero. On Monday evening it is announced —- Collins will deliver the second of his —lostnted lectures to young folks. Local Industry.—There is now on view si the music saloon of Messrs Milner and Thompson one of the handsomest specimens of local industry exhibited for many a long day. This is a piano in mottled kauri case, -he bard of the establishment, whose lyrics folly entitle him to the Laureateship of England—or something else—has been wrestling for weeks with a "pome" on this piano. The difficulty of a rhyme with " mottled kauri" that does not include "Maori" has up to the present prevented this gem of poetry seeing the light of day. But the bard is determined to wrestle with that "pome" or die. In the meantime tbe crowds who have been endeavouring to get tickets to see the fascinating Misses Lethbridge, Conyers and Leamar have time to -Ota the beauties of the piano under notice, whereat Mr Thompson rejoices. t Association. — The fortnightly Committee meeting was held on Thursday evening, Mr H. B. Kirk (President) was in the chair. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Derbidge, Inspector of Works, Lyttelton, as follows: — " The following is the result of the ninety days test of the two samples of cement supplied by you:—No. 1 sample, 1479, 1650, 1260, 1545,1480, 1644 lbs per briquette ; and No. 2-unple, 1355, mo, 1560,1215, 1365, 1527 per briquette. I moulded and tested the cement myself, and took every care of same." Tue President explained that No. 1 sample was Auckland cement, and averaged 670 lbs, and No. 2 sample English cement, and averaged 606 lbs, thus showing that the long test was in favour of the colonial cement. A telegram was read from Mrs Ballauce thanking the Association for its telegram of condolence. After some routine business had been transacted and one new member elected the meeting adjourned for a fortnight. The Mas under, the Bed.—How much do nervous people dread the old bogey, " the Bum under the bed," and yet in spite of diligent and constant search he is seldom to be found. It does sometimes happen, however, that he appears in the flesh, as the kuidkirj of the City Hotel and his wife discovered to their annoyance on Thursday £ight. It appears that a few minutes after 2-ta. both were awakened by a noise in ™* bedroom. The gas was turned up, and -U-_ was found hiding under the bed. He to be under the influence of liquor said he was the son of a well-known *-kh*n, and begged the landlord not to pßdhim over to the police. The landkfd said he would have to call a con stable, and if the man was the h e represented himself to be he a>uld go. The landlord took the man outside and whistled for a constable. The *"*** however, suddenly took to his heels *-« got clear away. The matter was rePwted, and Detective Benjamin was able y*«terday to find the offender, as he had ou •previous occasion when in the hands of r* police claimed the same citizen as his ?*«w. The man has served several terms *g&ol, and will be brought before the morning.on a charge of being "and by night without lawful excuse in «* City Hotel. The Favourite Mount.—Art Union wnmiittees always order Star Cycles. r** d w hat the Invercargill Band Socleiy "*J. oi Humber Star model, as made for " Ti r Union - T -e Secretary writes: - &•»•.» Band members, wish to express ■»a*.iaction at the splendid workmanship 7* *«« Sur Wheels." —Adams, Curtib-s *k„JJ o 70 Manchester street, Chrint-ehurch.-iADVT.J 16

Savaoe Club.—The korero of i;he -very successful Savage Club will be held in its new quarters, the Hall of the Chamber of Commerce, on Monday evening next. Nearly two hundred members have already joined, and everything points to a very successful career. It has been determined to limit the session to eighteen nights in all, that is sixteen more.

Special Settlement.—At a meeting of the Springfield Special Settlement Association, Messrs J. Doak and R. Lindsay were selected as delegates to select a block of land for the Association. The Secretary was requested to make all arrangements for them to proceed to Taranaki on receiving a reply from the Surveyor-General. The two delegates left for the North on Thursday per Takapuna.

Sydenham Licensing Committees. Messrs W. White sen., John Whitelaw, Edward Jones, Wm. Langdown, and John Coles have been nominated for the four wards in Sydenham as members of the Licensing Committees ; Mr Augustus Doyle for the Addington and East Wards, and Mr Theodore Doyle for the Waltham and Newtown Wards. The elections will take place as follows :— \ lii:u«ton Ward, May 22nd ; Newtown Ward, May 23rd; Waltham Ward, May 25th ; aud East Ward, May 26th. J

Fire.—At a quarter to six o'clock yesterday morning a fire destroyed a set of stables belonging to Mr W. P. Cowlishaw, and situated on his premises at Avonside. The stables, which were uninsured, consisted of two horse boxes, in one of which was the hunter Paradox, two stalls, a room containing food, and a fowl roost. A slaughterman in the employ of Messrs Hopkins and Co., who was on his way to town, discovered the fire, and he gave the alarm, and with several members of Mr Cowlishaw's family and household succeeded in saving the horse, the food, and a vehicle. The Coming Invasion.—That the army of laughter-makers, in the shape of the Gaiety Company, who make their jdescent upon ns next week, will receive a hearty and enthusiastic welcome is assured. Yesterday, from early morn, the patient band of ticket-buyers filled Messrs Milner and Thompson's to overflowing. Prominent business men went in at half-past nine and only got out in time for lunch, The booking is phenomenal; indeed.no company that has ever been here has had such a let of seats. This speak* well for the coming Beason, and also for the artful and effective manner iv which Mr W. Hughes has worked up the excitement. Yesterday morning, just as a slight inducement to any waverers, he placed a ii ame of pictures in Milner and Thompson's, which finished the matter. Soon after the pictures appeared the rush set in, and continued until afternoon. So fas as can be seen the letting here is a record for the colony. A Good Crop op Turnips.—Mr A. Gunn, of Racecourse Hill, brought to town four turnips grown on his property, weighing respectively 171b, 17£lb, 20±lb and 211b. They are of the variety known as purple tops. It is estimated that this crop will run nearly 200 tons to the acre. Mr Gunn used Islington turnip fertiliser, one cwt. to the acre, with the result that he has had a most satisfactory crop. Some of the neighbouring properties, where two cwt. of imported fertiliser was used, have only a poor crop. This speaks well for tbe use of our waste products and the satisfactory manner in which the Christchurch Meat Company is turning to use the waste material of their factories. The seed was obtained from Mr R. A. Joseph, Cashel street. Two of the turnips are now on view at the offices of the Christchurch Meat Company and the other two at Mr R. A. Joseph's. Children's Chrysanthemum Show. — The annual chrysanthemum show by the children of the Belfast main school was held on Wednesday afternoon. There was a large exhibition by all the standards, and in the arrangement and variety of the flowers there was a great improvement on last year's show. Mrs W. Wilson and Mrs H. A E. Hurley very kindly acted as judges. The following is the prize list:—Standard VI., Charles Duncan 1, Louie Tisch 2, John Moore 3. Standard V., Harry Tyson 1, Arthur Marshall 2. Standard IV., Gerty Easterbrook 1, Eva Hunnibell 2, Cliff Caldwell 3, Claud Smith 4, Annie Thatcher 5, Nellie Allen 6. Standard 111., Louie Easterbrook 1, Mabel Nisbett 2, Fanny Ferfuson 3. Standard 11., E. Lane 1, Annie loore 2, H. Pateman 3, Stella Caldwell 4, M. Ferguson 5, A. Lange 6. Standard 1., Robert Moore 1, A. Smith 2, A. Ericson 3, C. Nicholls 4, Nellie Ferguson 5. P. 1., Charles Morgan 1, G. Wright 2, Hetty Longman 3, R. Blackburn 4, R. Caldwell 5. Infants, Conny Lindsay 1, V. Smith 2, A. Nicholls 3, F. Tyson ■ 4, W. Macdonald 5. Two special prizes were awarded. To Gerty Easterbrook, by Mrs Wilson, for variety ; and to Robert Moore, by Mrs H. A. E. Hurley, for arrangement. Colemane and Sons' Trophies.—We have seen the two beautiful medals presented by Colemane and Sons, eucalypte manufacturers, of Brawiin, to the successful shearer whe accomplished %he greatest marvel in shearing which we have ever heard recorded. John P. Howe, of Blackall (Q.), actually shore, by machine, 237 sheep, in 8 hours, and, in the same time, by hand, Howe shore 321. We may state that when we first saw this record, we altered the first figure of the 321, believing it was simply impossible for any man to put through this number of sheep in one working day; but we are assured by Messrs Colemane, who have fully verified the feat, that it was accomplished. They accordingly forwarded on Monday last to the address named the two medals, and Howe ought to be a very proud man to become the possessor of them. The first of them is the size of a crown, and the second of half-a-crown; and the inscription was very neatly done by Elkington and Co., of Sydney. On the larger one it reads as follows: —"Presented by Colemane and Sons, Ltd., Eucalypte manufacturers, Cootamundra, N.S.W., for the highest tally of sheep shorn in the colonies, in eight hours, for the season 1892, by hand shearing. Won by John R. Howe, Blackall, Queensland. Sheep shorn, 321, at Alice Downs (Q.)." — Cootamundra Liberal, April sth. SOUTHBRIDGE TOWN BOARD. — The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Thursday evening in the Board office. Present—Messrs R. C. Burns (Chairman), A. Cameron, Jno. Kilbride, T. Shearman, R. Webster, C. H. Willis, and Jas. Kilbride. Correspondence was received from the Selwyn County Council, requesting the sum of £5 14s 7d for water charges, aud applying for share of contribution towards Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards to 31st March, 1894, viz., one-eighth of a penny in the £, £18 6s 2d. From H. Slater, applying to have the name of J. Malcolmson inserted in the roll for part lot 8, R.S. 3344 and 404 L Granted. The Works Committee stated that the seats in the hall had been painted and other little matters done, and suggested that the Board take the matter of leaks in the roof into considertkm. It was decided to call for tenders for I covering the Town Hall roof with iron. It was decided to call a special meeting on Tuesday next to hear the report of the Works Committee re the shingle pit and consider the shingling of the main street. Mr C. H. Willis was elected a member of the Works Committee. The Board decided ; to let the half-acre road adjoining Mi | Shepherd's property to Mr J. Woods at a I rental for the first year of 10s, on consideration he erects a fence to the satisfaction of the Works Committee, and _1 per annum afterwards. It was also decided to write to Mr Jas. Vigors informing him the Board i requires him to pay rent for the use of the road in proportion to the terms he pays rent of the amount of land in the paddock. It was also decided that all road rents take : effect from the Ist June. Accounts amounting to £46 Ids 6d were passed for payment aad the meeting adjourned. All deposit tickets issued by the Eden GEORGE Company/, -.imtted, are extended and can be used up to September 30th. As the studio and workrooms are now under the personal management of Mr bi.NKS, the delay which has lately been experienced in the delivery of orders will roon disappear, and every cabinet and opal will be inspected before delivery so that none but the most artistically finished photos will be allowed to leave the studio. Messrs Wrigglusworth and Binns will shortly open a studio iv Christchurch for the production of their patented matt opaitypes. which have created such a furore among fashionable circles in We_iu«ton.—(Advt.] Standish __jd Prjkeoe's m Rembrandt" lighted evening dress photographs, finished in Platinette. are admitted the acme of art. Studio, Hitch street.— [Adxt.J We Hatk a Baby, and to keep it well stive it TpWKBND'S Tasteless Powders. Sold everywhere. One shilling, sent by post on receipt of 1- stamps.—j Advt.]

Mixing.—Mr James Henderson, Hereford street, reports the return for the current wee„ of the United Alpine QuartMining Company, Lunited, as follows, viz. :— 6_ooz of amalgam from 415 tons. Direct Veto.—Another meeting to consider this qnestion will be held in Cathedral square this evening at eight o'clock. Shorthand Writers' Association—ln anther column will be found a notice calling members of this Association to a meeting for speed practice to be held this evening at the \.M.C.A. rooms.

A Nugget Collection.—A church collection at the Nevis waa recently enhanced by the addition of a nuggtt, value 8s 4d. The Cromwell Argus suggests that a nugget collection should be held once a year. Collision.—A collision occurred shortly after noon, yesterday, at the intersection of Colombo and Cashel streets. As a carrier's waggon, belougiog to Mr H. Miles, of Rangiora, was going along Cashel street the end of the pole caught the hind wheel of Mr W. Brooker's cab, which was being driven down Colombo street. The cab was capsized and somewhat damaged. An Amusement Record.—On Thursday evening Christchurch put up an amusement attendance record which would be hard to beat. Excluding private parties, lectures, Mutual Improvement Associations, &a, there were no less than 5000 people who paid for amusement on Thursday evening, viz., 3000 at the Circus and 2000 at the Popular Concert at the Tuam street HalL

Commercial Travellers' Association. — The annual ball of the Commercial Travellers' Association was held last night ac Hobbs' Assembly Rooms and was well attended. The Committee had provided excellent music, capital refreshments, and a good floor. Under these circumstances it was only to be expected that the gathering would be a complete success. The only regret was that the lady commercial—Mrs Sawkins—was unable to be present owing to an engagement taking her out of town. The Gaiety Company Season. —As already announced, the Gaiety Company open their season in Christchurch—which promises to be very successful—on Tuesday evening next. Over twelve hundred seats were sold yesterday at the box office for the various nights. • The wardrobe and scenery for the first two pieces arrived yesterday from Wellington per steamer Takapuna, together with the principal mechanist and his assistants, so that everything will be in good working order for the opening performance. Everything will be placed on the stage in the same manner and style as in Melbourne and Sydney. Popular Concerts. —The management of the popular concerts hold in the Tuam street Hall have decided to repeat the very successful concert of Thursday evening as an extra one on Monday night in the same place. Songs will be given by Miss F. Martin, Johnstone and Rowley, and Messrs Woodhouse, Robarts, Weir and Edgar. The Truda Bros, will play concerted pieces aud also instrumental solos; Miss Vartha will play a piano solo, and Mr Dave Gardner gives one of bis clever sketches. The new arrangements made at the hall for admitting the public worked very well indeed, as, although there was a large audience and the hall was filled in a short Bpace of time, there was no crushing. Presentation. — A pleasing ceremony took place at the Crown Hotel, Temuka, on Thursday evening. Mr W. Hollwell, on behalf of the members of the Loyal Alejandro vna Lodge, 1.0.0. F., presented Mr E. S. Smith, who is leaving the district, with a suitably inscribed picture, showing the emblems of the order. Mr Hollwell's complimentary remarks on Mr Smith's valuable services as a member of the local Lodge, were endorsed by other gentlemen, who testified to bis honourable character as a business man, and to the services he hud rendered to the Volunteers, the Caledonian Society (for whom be acted as handicapper), and to the various football clubs. A very pleasant hour was subsequently spent in conviviality. Mr Smith, who has been a prominent athlete, has purchased a farm in Southland. General regret is felt at his departure.

Singular Deaths op Horses. —Mr Levens, the veterinary surgeon, of Temuka, has just been investigating the cause of death of a horse ac Peel Forest, owned by Mr Smith. During the last twelve months Mr Smith has lost three horses, which received all attention and were fed with oats and chaff similar to that used by his neighbours. The appearance of the animals when sick led to the suspicion that they had been poisoned. The presence of a peculiar substance in various parts of the paddock was looked upon as confirmation of this theory. The matter was placed in the hands of the police. Mr Levens, however, is of opinion that this substance is a form of fungus, and that the horse died from fungoid poisoning. The substance under the microscope looks distinctly like a fungus growth in more or less advanced stages. At its ripest it seems to resemble che smut found on corn. The paddock has been laid down for years, and being sheltered on all sides by bush is calculated to furnish a fair field for fungus growth. A sample of tbe fnugus has been sent by our tepresentative to Professor Hutton.

Extraordinary Charge against a Boy. —The Titnaru R. M. Court was occupied all yesterday with hearing the charge of maliciously administering poison against a boy of 17, named Bowman, employed by Mrs Woollcombe, widow of the late Capt. Woollcome. He admitted putting "Rough on Rats " into a basin of gruel prepared for her overnight, bat said he Lad done so accidentally. At first he was afraid to mention it for fear of a row, and then he forgot ic. His explanation was that he had been laying poison for rats, aud some stuck to his Augers. He did not wash his hands, but A'eut to the larder for some fowl feed, and the powder dropped off his fingers into the gruel. The principal evidence to contradict that explanation refers co the quantity. Dr. Murdoch saw it "in spots," and estimated the whole at about ten grains, something less than there would be on a heaped threepenny piece. Professor Black, analyst, stated that he found fractions of grains in samples of vomit four and a half grains in the scum off the gruel, two to three grains being a fatal dose. There is no evidence so far to show motive. The case is unfinished, and was adjourned until next Wednesd*y for the evidence of Mrs Woollcombe.

Funeral.—The funeral of the late Mr W. Taylor, head master of the Addington school, took place yesterday, and was largely attended. Amongst those following were the children and teachers of the school, the teachers and children in the upper standards of the West Christchurch school, members of the Addington School Committee, Chairman and memoers of the West Christchurch School Committee, teachers from Spreydon, Sydenham, East Christchurch, Richmond, and St. Albans schools, also the head masters of West Christchurch, Sydenham, East Christchurch, Ferry road, and other schools, the W. M., officers and brethren of the Canterbury Lodge, several members, ex-members, and the Secretary to the Board of Education, members of the Albion Fjotball Club, and a large munber of friends of the deceased. The Rev. Gordon Webster read the burial service, after which the chiidien attending the school passed round the open grave and deposited wreaths and bunches of flowers, numbering upwards of 200. Several beautiful wreaths were forwarded from the teachers, members of the Addington School Committee, Albion Football Club, teachers of West Christchurch school, also from the members of the West Christchurch Committee, Special wreaths were sent by the children iv the ILL, IV., V. and VI. Standards of the Addington school. The pall bearers were Messrs Clarkson, Ambrose, Rowley, P. Menzies, Cumberworth, J. and H. Kennedy.

MtLiTART Display.—A Committee meeting was held in the E Battery Orderlyroom last night. Correspondence was read from Dunedin, Oamaru, Titnaru, Ashburton, and Rangiora. It was decided to ask Sergeant-Major Wardell to act as judge for the gun dismounting competition. The Rangiora Rifles wrote asking if officers were allowed to pull in the tug-of-war. The Secretary stated he had replied in the affirmative. Tbe Ground Committee reported that a space of ground, 30yds by 60yds. would be roped out, and ample seating accommodation would be provided. The Committee has also procured two of the finest collections of ancient arms and armour in Canterbury, which, with the bridge models and electrical appliances belonging to the Engineers, Bhould make a capital exhibition in the Driilshed, for which no extra charge will be made. The lighting of the drill grounds will be by several aro lights, which should be the most brilliant light ever seen in New Zealand.

Political.—Sir John Hall will address the electors of Ellesmere at the Town Hall, Rakaia, on the 18th, and at the schoolroom, Methven. on the 19th inst., on both occasions at 8 p.m. Mr R. Moore, M.H.R. for Kaiapoi, will address his constituents at the Oddfellows' Hall, Kaiapoi, on Wednesday next at 8 p.m. Sunday Popular Lectures.—To-morrow afternoon, at the Tuam strict Hall, at three o'clock, the Rev. John Hosking will lecture on "The philosophy of miraculous energy and evidential value of miracles in support of the divine origin of Christianity and the supernatural character of the Bible." Questions are invited and a collection for expenses will be made. Mr F. S. Parker will

preside. • VALEDiCTORr.—On Monday evening Mr A. J. Davie and staff, who have completed the building of a new school at Rolleston, were entertained by the residents previous to their departure at a smoke concert in the commercial room of the Rolleston Hotel. About thirty sat down to dinner, provided by Mr McPhelan. Speeches of a complimentary character, in reference to Mr Davie and his staff, were made, to which Mr Davie and Mr A. Fleming replied. Durißg the evening several toasts were honoured. Songs were sung by Messrs Bryden, Farrell, Spincer, Newton, Brown, Fleming, Harris and Davie.

Bible Talk.—Tbe continuation of the series of Bible Talks by Mr Worthington at the Temple of Truth will be found on page 2. The subject ia "In my Father's house are many mansions."