NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10265, 7 February 1899, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Amongst the passengers by the express from the South last night were a large num» ber of tourists from Mount Cook.

At a meeting of the Ellesmere Board ol -• Health on Wednesday, three cases of typhoid .• .- fever in the district were reported. * It was reported at the St. Albans Council last night that there were 59 men employed on the loan works and 8 hired horses and drays. Several members of the Canterbury Athletic team returned from Dunedin by the ex- ' '■ press last night. , ..<The St. Albans Council last night decided -a- _«i ■fytp draSr the attention of the local constable ~, , to the. gracing of cattle on the roads and the jjjding; •qfjrjbicycles on the footpaths of the ,i,3JAlianui,road. ' "'A sitting of the Old Age Pension Court r was held yesterday before Mr Beetham, B.M. Eighty- summonses to attend had been issued for the sitting. Of these 14 were partiafiy dealt with and adjourned, and in 11 the ap- . plicante did not put in an appearance. Out i- of the 55 applications, all of which were ! granted, 51 old people were awarded full . | pensions and 4 part pensions. y • Mrs Cunnington, during the course of hei ' historical lecture last evening, said the I ancient Chaldeans had names for all the adverse conditions,, &c., .under which they had , to live, such, for instance, as the hot winds [that came from Africa. She remarked, "I ' don't know what they would have called the ' nor'-westers that come down the Papanui ) road; it would have been some big name, : no doubt." [ Music lovers will be glad to hear of the » approaching visit "to Chri_tchurch of Miss ! Elsie Hall, the gifted Australian pianist, [ who is now on a tour of the colonies. Miss j Hall, who is sa? native of Toowpomba, ,in I Queensland, studied in Germany, "and in the i course of a brilliant career as a pupil gained, ! at the age of seventeen years, the renowned Mendelssohn State Prize in Berlin in 1895, she being the first English girl to win thia important scholarship. In 1890 the young student had gained one of the four pianoforte scholarships awarded by the Royal College of Music. Miss Elsie Hall, who has now pae-ed the ordeal of criticism in London, is described by the English Press in terms of high praise. Since appearing in the world's capital in 1897, she lias performed in Berlin, and has just completed a tour in .Australia. Miss Hall, who ia. now in Wellington, will • appear in* Dunedin before visiting Christ--1 church. ,

•I pension claimant <ri Monday at Kaij allowed his temper to get the better Tjji, judgment. When told that his age lost he proved he blurted out he did not !_-e for tho pension, and it would make no odd* to him if he never got it, i Messrs A. Kaye and I. Gibbs being the onJv members nominated by tiie members «f tho ChamlOT of Commerce to represent them ou the Hsu-hour Hoard, were declared duly ele- ton. Mr Cibhs was a member of the'lafe Ftoard. and Mr Kaye takes tiie place of the Hon. J. T. Peacock, who declined nominate"-

Last week an old man named George Bath—"st, living by himself at Okain's Bay, -tv, robbed of -4 9s in notes and silver. A grass-seeder, named Gallivau, was arrested, £nd taken to Akaroa. where he was tried next dar, but was discharged.

Xhe following appointments have been —_de in the Post' Office in the past halfteat'- -G. W. K«pple, j_-«:„a,nt me—ten• J-r; H. I. Me.l-11an. cadet. Post Office: V >I. Mill: 1 , cuielt.:.'. Telephone Exchange, Christchurch; Ji - *• i' illt < letter carrier, Kaiapoi ; '.». W. Atmore,, postmaster and tde-T.iph.ist, Cherta-y ;J. 13. Sterling, Hundalce. J. I- Wf.lfrcys, Brace, as postmasters ;A. X- Orme, postmaster and te!egl_ph_t at Waiuui.

A sinill drinking pavilion is being erected St the Hanmer springs for the use of visitors —ho take the waters internally, and will form a very desirable addition to the buildin,*. A very complete set of meteorological instruments has been placed in position by Jlr R. B. Gore, of the Wellington Museum. These include solar radiation thermometer, tain anemometer (for measuring the force oi the wind I. maximum and minimum thermometers and barometer—in fact a very complete equipment.

A native <>f Mecklenburg, who put up a tent in the Wniinca. was turned back from the Pensions Court for not having his letters of naturalisation. He accordingly asked a Press iiw.ii to lend a liand in tilling up a claim tor letters of naturalization in the event of tluiir becoming of service to him in 1905. The latter lcaniexl, m answer to his question*, that the applicant had begun to vote as far back as 1860, and it took only about ten minutes for the Press man to find tie Naturalisation Act of 1860, with the man's name in it, and that of his wife.

In connection with the exliibition of the works of tho students at tho School of Art, which is now open, it may bo stated that a goodly number cf the students who have been cm bled to take sidvantage of the free lalicJai-ships offered by the Industrial Association, have taken high places in connection with not only their own particular department, but others of the school.

An Auckland telegram states that the Italian warship Etna arrived from Fiji on Saturday. The vessel is on a cruise round tho world, and has visited Spain, Madeira, Kast and West Coasts of South America, Central America. San Francisco, Honolulu, Satnk'i and Fiji during the cruise. After a short stay at Auckland she proceeds to Sydney. The Etna is a first-class cruiser, and has a protected deck, and a large armament. Her complement is 320 men. Captain Giovello, of the Etna, visited New Zealand in 1878 in the Chris(tofero Colombo.

The Akaroa County Council met on Satur-" day. Present—Messrs Anson (clvairman), Bud— Jian, Piper, Roberts, Scott, Mason, and E. E. Lelievre. The treasurer reported that the sum of £331 19s 2d had been collected since last meeting, and accounts totalling £296'3s Id were presented for payment. Mr James Hay was re-elected representative on the Lyttelton Harbour Board. The tender of Mr Earshow, of Akaroa, for the manufacture of dog collars, was accepted. Tho report of the general meeting of the Railway Reform League was read. It was resolved to confer with the Akaroa Borough Council on the subject of a daily train to Little River. It was resolved to call the attention of the member for the district to tiie high fees charged for the copying and inspecting of public maps.

The first of a course of thirteen historical lectures on "Leading Men of Leading Nations" was given by Mrs Cunnington at the V.M.C.A. rooms last evening, when there was a fair attendance. The idea in the mind of the Icoturcss in arranging-the qpurse was to make the subject asointeresting as possible, and so inspire lier hearers with the desire to read and study it further for themselves. Tho course would cover tho history of the anciont nations, tho Aryans, Grecians, Romans, Arabs, Ac, and would deal with the growth of modern nations up to the present time. She pointed out how much the discovery and translation of the ancient Chaldean cuneiform writings had added to the knowledge regarding the eastern races and their antiquity. Dividing the human race into three great groups —the yellow, black, and white races—tho lecturess gave an account of tho yellow race from the earliest period of which there were any records, and described the origin of the white race, which Was descended from the yellow race, and was composed chielly of Aryans and Semitics. The lecture was an interesting one, and the course should prove very instructive to those who go through it. In the course of a,sermon on Sunday, the Rev. H. C. M. Watson said that mauy people in Christchurch regarded their religion as a moans of social or financial advancement. They all knew men who selected their church, Qr congregation, with an eye j to business ; poor women, anxious " to get | into society, who attached themselves to this or that congregation, as that most likely to promote their self-seeking ends—a poor pitiful course—which brought just oontempt from all right-thinking people. He referred to the late Sir Win. Stawell, the brilliant Chief Justice cf Victoria, who at one time lived in an obscure parish, and worshipped in a poor and unfinished church, although within a milo and a half of a ~_hionable church. Tho sense of duty in regard to divine worship was greatly wanting in Christchurch. In speaking upon the character of St. Paul and the hostility it always evoked, he said the truth was, St. Paul was a straight man, and straight men were always unpleasant mon. We admired them in the abstract, or when they attained the sphere of saintlincss, but did not like them in practical lite. The "Triad" (February number) is just to hand. This popular monthly is no doubt eagerly welcomed by its numerous readers throughout the colony. The current number is up to tho "Triad's" usual high standard wid contains as a music supplement a song by Anton Strelezki. entitled "Dreams" (words by Baroness Porteous). Numerous prize competitions are announced, and the prizes offered appear to bo well worth trying for. Pwticulars appear elsewhere. We wish our contemporary every success in its useful sphere. { . 9342 The famous Elswick cycle bearings, stated by English cycling journals to be perfection; Zoahvadia bicycles fitted with 1899 pattern Elswick bearings, twin roller chains, and Dunbp tyres, for £21. Oats, Lowry and Co., makers, Christchurch.—(Advt.) If you require a tonic take the best— Syrup of Hypophosp hates. Harnett, Chemist, lib bottle, 4s 6d; .lb, 2s 6d. 16 Two Nuts to Crack.—Excelsior and Red Bird Bicycles.—Send for catalogues. Barlow Cycle Manufacturing Company, Manchester street. Gould and Co.'s Quinine Wine restores txhausted vitality. -Sufferers from general debility, depression, weakness, tired •nd languid feeling, poverty of blood, &c., should take our Quinine Whie. prepared from sound Spanish wine and pure quinine. Price, 3i 6d per bottle. Hotden and Cole, next Ballautyne.—(Advt.) Half-mile New Zealand record flying start reduced to 57sec by A. W. Humphreys mounted on a Waverley, at Lancaster Park, on Jaouarv 13th. Waverley Cycle Depot, 217 Colombo street, 2396 Morris, photographer, from Dunedin, personally takes all the portraits in Colombo street. Call and see new specimens.—{Advt.] Further Reductions in Groceries :—Oatmeal reduced to 3s per bag, Californian tinned apricots, peaches and pears reduced toßd per tin, sharps 4s 9d per sack, kerc•ene 5s 6d per tin. sugar (sparkling white crystals) 2d per lb with tea.—Hubbard, Hall and Co. Having received a shipment of B.S.A 1899 bicycle fittings, we can execute orders built of these at £19. Boyd and Son, Gloucester street, Christchurch. Telephone 658. 8861

His Honour Mr Justice Denniston -will sit in Chambers and Bankruptcy to-day. The Chamber sitting will be at 10.30 a.m. " j During the absence on holiday of Miss Funston, the organist of the Pro-Cathcdr._. Barbadoes street, Miss Katie Young will preside at the organ. One of the latest inventions is a piston mustard pot. It was brought out last month by an Auckland school teacher. Provisional specification.s are accepted from Messrs Gardner and Greie. Christchurch. for an improved fuel and method of producing the same. Some 165 applications have been received by the North Canterbury Education Board for seven positions as teachers in various schools under its jurisdiction. Communication with the West Coast has been resumed, and the ordinary coaching time-table will be kept this week. Several delegates, on their way to attend the Congregation—l Church Conference in Dunedin, left by the express yesterday morning. There were three bankruptcies in the colony last week, a sheep farmer, an architect, and a tailor. Tho estate of the late Mr A. Cowie, Christchurch, has been taken under management by tbe Public Trustee, also that of the late Mr G. Agar, Lyttelton. No less than 105 of the depositors in the Holritika Savings Bank, according to the return of unclaimed moneys, have neglected to take away their balances, which range in amounts trom £7 15s 6d to the modest sixpence. The vexed question aa to whether the School Committees shall have the right to appoint teachers outer de those selected by the Board for their approval will probably be a subject of discussion at the meeting of the Education Board on Wednesday next. Some two hundred Christchurch factory occupiers have failed to register their factories in compliance with the Act, and proceedings will shortly be taken against them. A Masonic, service was conducted by Rev. Bro. Ronaldson, in St. Bartholomew's Church, Kaiapoi, on Sunday afternoon, at which about thirty of the Southern Cross Lodge attended with Bro. Bowdon, W.M. There was a good congregation, and an address was given suitable to the occasion. At the Kaiapoi Pensions Court to-day, a woman proved her husb—aid had been naturalised iii 1863, and she was granted a pension in full. A man, close on the pension age, produced a declaration w__ieh stated the person making the same "believed" the claimant was of pension age. Mr Bishop said the Court must have better evidence than that, and the case was adjourned. Four Maori men and a w—trine attended, and were required to send in a statement of their land by next Court sitting, on February 20th. One Native stated he was landless. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr Beetham, S.M., i ju-gment went by default for the plaintiffs in the case, G. L. Beath and Co. vW. McGallon, £2 10s. In that of W. Austin v Joseph Brunt, claim I£s 5s sd, the debtor was" ordered to pay forthwith, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. Several cases were adjourned. | The Rev. A. P. Lingard, curate of the I Mornington Parish Church, Dunedin, preached his first sermon in that church on Sunday evening, when there was a full attendance. The musical portion of the service-was brightly rendered, the choir, under Mr F. Baker, formerly of Christchurch, being augmented for the occasion. At the morning service the Rev. H. H. Mathias, of Kaiapoi, officiated. At the opening of the new Catholic church afc Hornby, on Sunday, his Lordship Bishop Grimes made an eloquent and feeling reference to the death of the late Very Rev. Stephen Curnmings, V.G., speaking of the many good qualities of the deceased, and his energy and devotedness as a priest of the Clmrcli. Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of Father Curnmings will be celebrated at the Pro-Cathedral, Barbadoes street, this morning. Another old resident of Christchurch, Mr Richard Murphy, of 90 Madras street, died on Sunday, in" his sixty-fifth year. Mr Murphy _raved in New Zealand about 33 years ago, and for a number of years was engaged in business on the West Coast on the gold diggings. Deceased, who waa much respected by all who knew him, leaves one son and six daughters to mourn their loss. It is stated that the police patrol, which had been carefully carried out since the last horse-stabbing case, had been relaxed just previous to the outrages last Saturday, and. the men taken off. This would tend to show that the horse fiend must have been closely acquainted with the movements of the police. Yesterday all the detective force were out making the usual enquiries throughout the district. The mutilation of Mrs Scarlett's horse must, from the appearance of the wound, have taken place after the animal's death, and consequently the man must have been delayed some time at the brewery before leaving it. A comical unrehearsed incident took place last night at the Theatre during the performance of "Harbour Lights." The hero had gallantly knocked, down and rendered presumably senseless his opponent, one of the villains of the piece. The curtain should have fallen on this marked display of the triumph of virtue over vice, a lesson which it is the peculiar mission of melodrama to inculcate. But, lo and behold! the curtain refused to descend and the villain remained stretched out for some minutes. Still the curtain refused to shut in tho scene of his defeat. After a while, recognising, no doubt, that he had remained prone long enough to exemplify the strength of the righteous fist of virtue as personified by Mr Knight, the villain arose and walked calmly off at the Erompt side. Just then the frantic yo heave o's which the crew had applied to the curtain had the desired effect, and it fell gracefully on the now empty stage.

A sudden alarm of a night attack could scarcely have caused among the local Volunteers more excitement and more amusing episodes than the telephone message at the police station on Sunday morning announcing the re-appearance of the horse fined, caused amongst the poilce. When the news arrived of the Amberley murder the officers and men *v_re on duty, and only a few- minutes elapsed before they were ready to visit the scene. In the present case they were caught in the quiet of- the Sunday morning at an hour when many of them were undergoing their customary toilettes, or partaking of their first meal. The Ser-geant-Major rushed away with the lather on one side of his face to .the Inspector, who lost no time in getting to the scene of the outrage. A messenger to one of the detectives found him at breakfast, and he made his way to the station demolishing the bread and butter he Irad commenced to eat when the suddenness of the information interrupted him. The staff were despatched in a fast turn-out. and hardly had the sounds of the wheels disappeared, when the news of another case created a fresh al|rm. For -want of detectives, a sergeant was sent for, and he also had no time to complete his morning shave, presenting, as he sped on his "bike" to the station, something of the appearance of one of Rider Haggard's characters, who was suddenly interrupted by a party of natives, and while in their territory, went about with the beard on one half of. his face. These little incidents lent humour to a very serious affair, but in no way diminished the ardour of the members of the Force in hunting up the information.

A New Departure in the Drapery Business. —We have just completed arrangements with Australasian Free Insurance Association, giving us the sole right to issue policies of insurance in Christchurch and suburbs, free of charge or cost of any kind to all buyers of drapery and ciothingto the value of seven eh-lings and sixpence and over. Our £50 policy holds good for seven days from date of issue, and renewed with every purchase of 7s 6d worth of good*. Our £100 policy is good for twenty-eight days from the date of issue. These "policies keep all customers dealing regularly with us constantly insured without cost, and all payments are guaranteed by the Scottish Metropolitan Life Assurance Company, of High street, Dunedin. By de—M—g with us regularly you are always insured against accident without cost to yourself. Send for one of our pocketbooks, giving full particulars, it will pay you. Shaw, Rofei-son and Co., 213 Cashel street, o_r_rtsta—vb-