NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10147, 21 September 1898, Page 5

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The most thrilling lion story ever written Is in tli is week's " Weekly Press," the true account of a telegraph operator in Africa being dragged out of bed by a man-eater, in whose jaws he remained for about; twenty minutes.

The railway traffio on the Lyttelton line ie pretty heavy just now. Yesterday morning a train of eighty-five trucks loaded with titnhbr, coal, Sec, and drawn by two engines, left Port for Christchureh. Messrs J. Studholme, jun., R. Tarbottom mul A. Bntterick are appointed trustees of the Hinds Public Cemetery. There were ei/rht bankruptcies in the • colony last week—a labourer, two tailors, three fanners, a carpenter, and one out of the colony was declared bankrupt within it. It is repotted that the Government faluera have been again inspecting at Glennjark, which was under offer till to-day to .the Land Purchase Board, and it is possible 'i, purchase may be made before it is all sold '.' * privately. ,'»%■ The E Bpttery held a Government parade ■■ ! 'fast higiit under Lieut. McNicoll. There was a muster of about fifty of all ranks. Atter parading in the Drillshed the corps was taken for a march out.

The borough of Sydenham attained its majority yesterday. It is exactly twentyine years since Sydenham was created a borough.

Several complaints have reached the polico of the indiscriminate use of pea rifles by boys -nnd yoSiths in the suburbs. The police are going to take active measures to suppress the nuisance.

The buyers of land on the Homebush estate Ye busily improving their property by cropping, fencing, and building. Given ft good season (writes out , correspondent) some of them will clear off a big slice of the money they paid for the land.

At a meeting of the Ground Committee of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association at Rangiora on Tuesday, arrangements were made for the coming •how. It was agreed to let the ground to the Rangiora Ride Volunteers for a private camp for a week from October 6th.

An adjjffion of sixty-three acres has been made to the Ashley Gorge recreation district in the Mount Thomas and Upper Ashley, Oxford and Mairaki survey districts. In Lowry Peeks district 8a 3r, R. 33, has been reierved for a public recreation ground, and 49a in Akaroa survey district for preservation of forest for scenery and climate pur* poses.

From lettere received by the last mail, we learn that Mr B. H. * •". who left the Boys' High School a y«... to go to Gny'B Hospital and the London . .ivnrnty, h*s already begun to obtain the j-uiwessee that proverbially fall to colonial boys at English seats of learning. In his course at the University for the B.So. degree he ha? passed his examinations with distinction,, and obtained honours in chemistry ; and though he has been less than a year at Gtty'e he has been appointed Assistant ' Chemical Demonstrator.

The committee of the Otago Agricultural *nd Pastoral Society have decided to hold a fat stock competition in conjunction with the next winter show, to be held in Ounedtn in June next. The classes will include four for cattle, two for pigs, five for fat wethers, *nd seven for fat hoggets. For the hogget Masses a special prize of £50 is offered, the conditions being that the first, jecond and third prize winners in each class are to be killed and sent Home, and the prize awarded to the pen netting the highest price per head for carcase, ekin and fat.

The Riccarton Wesleyan Churoh was crowded yosterday afternoon, when Mr J. CUikeon, son of Mr W. B. Clarkson, was tarried to Mis 3 Elsie Ballantyne, third daughter of Mrs Ballantyne, of Upper Riccarton. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. Lee, of St. Albans. The church WM prettily decorated by the ladiee w the choir, of which Miss Ballantyne had for several years been n member. The onde was given away by her brother, Mr H. Bellantyne, and was attended by three wideemaids. Mr Harry Matron acted as beet man to the bridegroom. As the newlyWedded couple left the church a wedding inarch was played by Miss Taylor. The "ride was the recipient of a number of eoetly presents. At the Midland saleyards yesterday afternoon the health of the bride •nd bridegroom was proposed by Mr H. H. *lns, and the toast was cordially received »y those present. Mr T. C. Clarkson re•ponded on behalf of the bridegroom.

The trophies which are being competed jor in connection with the golf tournament «*ve been made by Messrs Jones and Sons, w Cashel street, "and will be on view for *>veral days. The medals are of gold, and *"<>* good workmanship. That for the «iampion9hip is in the shape of a St. Andrew's cross, ornamented with Scotch thistlt) and crossed golf sticks. The handi<*p medal ia a similar crosu with a wreath °| Scotch thistles, surmounted with two {j™eta, and bearing the monogram C.G U. ■•be trophy for the club championship is •fter a Maltese crosa, also carrying the Sonogram of the club, and attached to a *reath of Scotch thistles and two golf «übe. Beside them is shown the challenge •meld presented to the Club by its hon. •ecretary, Mr Norman G. W. Hanmer. This is of silver, made to represent a St. vteorge's cross, and is affixed to a shield of *ood, with appropriate ornamentation.

Hie Worship the Mayor* forwarded the resolutions passed on Monday night, at the public meeting re Inspector Broham's retirement, to Wellington by the Northern steamer yesterday evening.

Ihe New Zealand Natives' Association constitution was discussed by the Committee of the Christchurch centre on Monday, and it was finally decided to postpone further consideration of it until a special meeting for the purpose had been called.

Ihe Superintendent of the Fire Brigade has received a cheque for two guineas from Mr Lawrence, of the Papanui Hotel. It is in acknowledgment of the prompt manner in which the Brigade answered the call which was made on the occasion of the recent fare at the stables belonging to the hotel.

A pastoral letter has been addressed by Archbishop Redwood to the clergy of the archdiocese, stating that he has officially convened the first Provincial Council for January 21st next. It will be held at Wellington.

A handsome silver cruet has been presented as a trophy by Mr C. Ensor, president of the Ashley Cricket Association, to Mr G. Rollinson, of the Kaiapoi C.C., for the highest batting average of last season. The cruet was on view at the Corn Exchange, Rangiora. It bears a suitable inscription.

The promoters of the Auckland Exhibition have telegraphed to Gisborne asking the price of the kurai discovered at Arowhanae, together with the tree in which it was found. As the latter is a tremendous rata growing in the heart of the mountains, some sixty miles fi om Gisborne, in a country in which there is no road, let alone railway communication, it would seem that the enterprising Aucklanders have given a very large order.

A strange exemplification in these modern flav-3 of the advent of Rip Van Winkle into his native village, as pourtrayed in the play, has taken place here. A gentleman who lias been abeent from Christchurch for twenty years returned the other day and commenced his peregrinations through the city, which had grown out of his knowledge. Here, there and everywhere his enquiries caused gre*t consternation, as he was asking for men who have long since paeaed over to the great majority. In nearly every case this occurred, and after a clay or two of wandering and finding all the old faces gone, be settled down to dream of the good old days that are gone.

A case was heard in theS.M. Court yesterday, in which Mr C. P. Hugonin, the manager of the Cashmere estate, Drought up two youths for trespass with dogs and guns on the estate. At this period of the year, just when the ewes are lamb«ng, it is very necessary that any disturbing element should be kept at a distance. One would suppose that people would have more sense than to trespass in this manner on the property, and Mr Hugonin has brought these cases as a warning to others—a warning which it is to be hoped they will take. The annual meeting of the EUesmere Caledonian Society was held on Monday evening. The balance-sheet as read showed receipts to have been £127 63 6d and expenditure £126 Is 4d. The balance of liabilities over assets was £9 12s lOd. The following officers were elected :— Patrons, Sir John Hall, Messrs W. H. Montgomery (M.H.R.), J. C. Wason (M.H.R.), D. McMillan, J. R. Campbell, H. L. Button, J. McLachlan and W. B. Andrews; president, Mr John Cowan ; vice-presidents, Messrs J. Rennie, Jas. Lambie, T. B. Howson and D. Gilmonr; treasurer, Dr. T. J. Withers; secretary, Mr E. Cowan ; piper, Mr R. McTavish; starter, Mr D. Matson; liandicappers, Messrs £. F. Bentley, J. McMillan,and T. Moorhead ; the handicappers for cycling are to be selected by the League of New Zealand Wheelmen ; committee, Messrs J. McMillan, A. Low, J. Kilbride, Q. S. Parker, C. H. Willis, C. R. Thornton, W. Nicholson, J. Morrison, Jas. Storry, F. Paddy, R. Webster, W. Lockhead, W. B. Andrews, Walker, MoConnell, G. Benny, Rev. P. J. Cocks and Mr W. R. Smith; auditors, Messrs Geo. Murquand and W. Scott. Mr J. R. Campbell gave the use of one of his paddocks for the sports. The 16th December was the day appointed for the annual sports.

Mr Arthur H. Adams, formerly of the " Post" literary staff, Wellington, and now of Sydney, haa received from Mr A. G. Stephens, author of the well-known " Bed Page " of the " Bulletin," a letter in which very high praise is awarded to Mr Adams's volume of New Zealand poems, now in the press. "Some of the poems," writes Mr Stephens, "give mc that indescribable' thrill—that ' little wriggle down the spine,' as Brnnton Stephens phrases it —which is, which is, after all, one's boat personal assurance of what is good in the domain of verse. I defy any intelligent Maorilander to read ' Maoriland, My Mother,' and not feel so inspired. You will unquestionably rank as chief Maoriland poet until a greater comes along. Thomas Bracken's vogue was based on hie talent for gilding fa|niliar human,sentiment. He sometimes phrased his sentiment tolerably ; but his work is al\yaye commonplace in tone aud touch. Domett, on the other hand, though his achievement is weightier and far bulkier than yours, was almost destitute of the power of conveying warm poetical emotions. His veree is.clever and interesting, but never thrilling—and I hold to the ' thrill , as essential. Whatever leaves you cold is not poetry—for you— however admirable, however skilled." The new volume is to be issued about Christmas.

Mrs Noy and Miss Martin, teachers of the Elixir System of Dress-cutting, without chart or patterns, are in Christohurch, at Morten's BuiWinw, and are prepared to give ladies lessons, either at the rooms, or at their private houses, as arranged. They have many testimonials re efficiency. 221'

The Barlow Cycle Mfg. Co. beg to intimate to their numerous customers and the public generally that .as they have no old out-of-date stock of parts, &c.,'they are not putting on the market an inferior slop-made bicycle, but are still manufacturing their weU - known up -to - date .Excelsiors, which have never been known to collapse in any Way, at reasonable prices and terms to suit the purchaser, and a guarantee worth 20s in the £ of twelve months from date of purchase. Write for catalogues of Excelsiors and the famous Bed Birds. 48 Manchester street, Christchurdb.—(Advt.)

Oates, Lowry and Co. are now making a speciality of Ladies , Zealandia and At&lanta Bicycles, at reasonable prices and and easy terms. Zealandia Cycle Works, Christchurch.—[Advt.]

' Morris, photographer, from Dunedin, personally takes all the portraits in Colombo street. Call and see new specimens.—[Advt.]

Morrow, Bassett and Co., Manchester street, have just received another shipment of the famous Sterling Bicycles (built like a watch). 9&15 Lovely Spring—We have just opened and are now showing a splendid selection of New Summer Dress Materials, the Choicest Millinery of the Season, New Ribbons, Laces, Gloves, &c, from the best makers, and a splendid selection of General Household Drapery at cash prices, and one of the prettiest selections in New Tie 3, Scarves, &c, for gents. Inspection invited. Shaw, Robinson and C 0.,213 Cashel street, opposite Press Office. 2528 If you require a tonic take the best— Syrup •of Hypophosphites. Barneet, Chemist, lib bottle, 4s 6d; 41b, 2s 6d.— " Crown Brand " Tea Prize Competition: Ladies' watches, albums, workboxes, workbaskets, &c, Bus., given awoy free by Hubbard, Hall and Co. for " Crown " Brand Tea Coupons. Next competition closes 31st October (next month). Hubbard, Hall and Co.—[Advt.]