NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10268, 10 February 1899, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

— -I . J\ , His Ilonour Mr Justice Denniston win sit in Chambers this morning at 11 o'clock. \. Jhere was a heavy coaling of snow" on '. , the Southern Alps yesterday morning, and oh several of the lower ranges. . The substantial fine of £20 and costs imposed on a woman at Ambevley Courby yesterday for illegal sale of liquor at Tipapft.j__|. Th<-'fine was paid. m \ -, i ThjLßight Hon.' It. J. Seddon arrived at - Xyttel'ton by the Rotomahana at 9 o'clock i iastH__ght. A special carriage was in wait- ,■ mc-, and tho Premier and party left for Ciiristchurch by special train about a quarter, of an horn' later. The weather at Itanmer Plains showedsigns of clearing up yesterday morning. Tho hills around are white with snow, adding greatly to the • picturesqueness of the " scenery. , : ' Since the publication of the last list the amount subscribed to the Cathedal Comple- ' ' tion Fund has risen "to over £4000. This - has been brought about by several liberal . subscriptions. s .' The following members of the Waimakariri* Harbour Board have been elected "without opposition by the burgesses of Kaiapoi: — Messrs W. Doubleday and R. H. Mathews; - - by ratepayers of Mandeville Rood - Messrs F. Horrell and B. Lissaman, and by" . , ratepayers of Eyre-ton district, Messrs J. ___ ' Wright and G. Chilton. The Board meet "', on. 14th to elect a chairman and receive ■ accounts. At the close of the performance of "Hs_- ' ' bdur Lights" on Wednesday night' a _. presentation was made to Mr "Tommy" ___, Foster, stage manager of the "Sigif * of the Cross Company." The present, which was in the for*u of a hand- ' some silver-mounted pipe, was presented by •' : Mr A. Grainge on behalf of, "Christchui'ch' Boy_v'\ Mr Foster, who has made himself very popular in Chr istchurch, suitably re-, ■ J plied. • _'. The weather yesterday wss somewhat.unkind to the promoters of the New Brighton - fireworks display. It looked anything but bright in the early part of the day, and the display was postponed till Tuesday next, -- < but lo and behold! the afternoon cleared -' up beautifully, and the evening was an ideal - ' one for fireworks. - « An elderly man, bearing a renowned name,' but owning quite a different record, with his "tongue hung in the centre," answered. to a charge of drunkenness at the Court yesterday, that he did not consider that he was inebriated at the time of his arrest, and -when the constable stated that the man had to be taken to the station in a cab, he in- -_- sinuatcd that that was a luxury usually indulged in by the police. He voluwy protested to the Bench that he had never done anything dishonourable, tnat a very little liquor upset him, that he came to town to buy clothes and not to drink, and that if the Court was going to firtfe him for nothing he hoped it would be "lanaint." The _ prisoner's loquacity amused* the Court habitues, and provoked stentorian calls for silence, but fell fruitless on the justices: -__ Having regard to a little list in front of them, they were "lanaint" to the tune of "-/_ fourteen days'hard labour. The annual inspection and social reunion of the Ashburton Fire Brigade took place on Wednesday evening. The Brigade and plant were inspected by Crs. E. W. Hanmer, J. Maynard, J. Pauling, and E. J. Paul, w ho found everything in a most effi-' cient-and satisfactory state. After the inspection the Brigade sat down to an excellent repast, laid, out in the engine shed.. The Mayor (Mr H. Friedlander) pre.ided, * . and- amongst the visiters were Mr C. J. . , Haipar, a member of the County Council, ~ Cra. Thomas, Maynard, Paul, and Pauling, (l( Djc. Maude (the Brigade's honorary sur- ",„ geon), andi Messrs Wm. Rollitt (of Sumner), , % Ch-sk, JV Miles, W. H. Dardis, H. Ste- ; iseo£|-_«-H<'> Gates, and Wm. Brooking. She. captain and members wero warmly coniplimentcd en the strength and general efficiency of the Brigade, and the enjgineer, Mr E. Dolman, was accorded weU-des-rved praise for the excellent condition in which . ] he keeps all the Brigade's plant. A: number of toasts were honoured. At the _ annual meeting, held the previous evening, the following officers were elected: —Captain, Mr A. A. Fooks; lieutenants, Messrs T. Barber and F.< Nokes; auditor and treasurer, Mr H. H. Fooks; committee, .Messrs Baker, Parker and Boroughs; foreman steamer, Mr H. Baker; curricle, Mr W. Cooke; hook and ladder, Mr J. W. Baker. _, - s

Ma'or St. Geo. Douglas, postmaster at tt kitik* > 9 spending a brief holiday r«on_st hi* Ashbiirton friends. He arrived from the West Coast on Wednesday evening, niter experiencing a very rouch passage durtafe jL the coach journey from the Otira till •■* _ft»r crossing the Bealey. The question of a two gallon jar of be«r and ft bottle of whiskey being a reasonable ftipplv iU " l )r ' v ' lte bouse entered into a case r p.fefdav. The constable was asked ihht; would not. in fact, consider it a small supply. H* "a"' * v ,iU ' ;,s nis bouse was concerned. liis never hid any beer or spirits in it. "N'oi any':" oneried learned counsel. ">*( t a drop/ r<._>!i"d the officer, "for the 0 pint eif-!'*t<.» \ivir.-'." The polling for the two vac-ant scats in the gumner Borough Council took place yesterdiv. 1 bc'v were four < amlidaies, and considerable interest was evinced in the election. Tho result was as under: —J. M. Glennii*. 72 ;C. P. Ilulberr, 63; — Strong, 52; and Wood-Junes, 49. Messrs Glennie and Hulbert were declared elected. The annual picnic of the children attending the IJi-hmond School was held yesterday, and notwithstanding the threatening character of tb-' weather, was well attended, though a little la'.e in starting. The children, accomputicd by their Um-luts. ninny ff their parents and members c.f the whool committee, wen i-i.nveyed by train to Oxford by way of the Wiiiimikariri O-irge. and they were brought back to town via Rangiora. The (_u«-stion of the issue of a. subpeona. and of* for stmt', cropped up in a case at Amber ley Court yesterday. A Cliri.stchuiiU witness had htvn called on a summons hs.it.-d to v firm of solicitors by a Chrisahui'.'h .In-iicr. and the Clerk of the j Court pi>inted out that he had* not received tho fee*. The said that it w.i< irrcgu'ar. and he should have to enquire into it, th*; document to be sent to iiis otiice for that purjioso. Fruiterers and fruitgrowers sank all trade di_('ieiicc< yesterday and combined for the purpose of making their annual picnic a success, jwid they managed very well. Having selected the cricket ground at Hagloy Park, they had but a short distance to go. while from the pictiiresuueness of the surroundings they could well imagine ther were in the country. Tho gale had blown itself out before the time arranged for* them to sit down for lunch, and they had a particularly pleasant afternoon, during which the wholesalers played cricket against the retailers, and competitive races were carried out. Mr R. K. N, Twopeny is now revisiting Christchurch in connection with the development of his monthly magazine, "The Pastora!i.«t.s' Review." The literary and sporting supplement recently started in the Review is tieing considerably extended, with the intention of working up into something like the "Badminton Magazine," whilst the regular Christchurch letter is to bo supplemented by special articles on New Zealand practical topics anil a New Zealand frozen meat letter. ' The "Pu-toralists' Review" has made a good name for itself as a useful magazine, and its present developments will no doubt add to its popularity. ! , Mr George Pearce, the well-known fancier, who has been on a visit to England, returned by the Gothic, and arrived last night by tho Rotomahana. He has brougl., with liim a valuable consignment of poultry and pigeons for different local fanciers. He baa from T. C. Heath a trio of Golden Wyandottes for Dr. Rrittin ; from Proctor, of Durham, a trio of Dark Dorkings and a trio of Buff Cochins for Mr Arthur Smith. Jit pigeons ho has three nairs of Black Baldheads, and five Show Homers for himself; eleven working Homers for Messrs Hardie, Stewart, Gerard, Butterfield, and S. Saunders; several Tumblers for Mr J. McLean; and a pair of Blue Chequered Dragons for Mr T. Kesteven; and a medium-faced Silver Dun Antwerp., cock for Mr A. Demham. The working Homers ate from Mr A. H. Osmond, editor of "The Ratling Pigeon," and the show Homers from Mr Frank Kershaw, and all tho Tumblers from Mr Henry Child, of Birmingham, author of "The Flying Tumbler. ' Tho Dragons are from Mr S. P. j Page. Mr Pearce has also four Norwich , plain head canaries for Air W. Krrington, and p -pair for Mr A. H. Hester. The Canaries f are from the aviaries of Mackley Bros., of Norwich. A cab driver, when charged at the court yesterday with a breach of tne City by-laws, applied to have his case tried before the S.M. "Why?"' asked the Mayor, who was eluvrhtan of the Bench. "You make the by-laws, and I don't think it is fair for, you; to sit," answered the defendant. Thb 1 Chairman: "I do not make them. Do £ou' object to mc adjudicating on the case?" The defendant: "Yes." The Chairman: ''I don't mind someone else doing it." After further conversation, in which the defendant said he had good defence, and the Inspector said he could not have any, the Chairman said it was very bad taste on the defendant's par* to raise the objection he had raised, but it would be allowed and the case adjourned. He did not wish the defendant to think that he was not going t'> ret justice. The defendant: "1 am afraid I would not." The Chairman: "You have been allowed a good deal of latitude. I suppose you don't know that for wnat you cave been saying you are liable to be sent to prison for contempt of court." The defendant: "It doesn't matter much." The Chairman: "I will consider that it is from . your ignorance that you make these remarks and we won't insist upon the powers we nave. I would advise you when you come into court again, whatever magistrate may be on the bench, to bridle your4ongue, or you may find yourself in" an unpleasant place. The defendant left the court muttering his dissatisfaction. Cyclists, who recjuiro their machines well and car-ful.'y repaired, should _ond them to „ - • iuera " Qf the deling 'trade—Boyd and Son, Gloucester street. 'Telephone. 658 / • - ff '. • 9539 1 our wise investment in bicycle pleasure wr 99 demands/ that you read the new Waver ey Catalogue, free on application to Waverley Depot, 2lf, Colombo •treet, Christcl|_rch.—(Advt.). Gould and/Co.'s Quinine Wine re*stores exhausted vitality. Sufferers from depres- , non, weakness, tired and languid feeling, poverty of bjbod, *c, should take our Quinine Wino, Jirepared from sound Spanish Wine aud tfurc quinine. Price, 3s 6d per bottle. His_deh and Cole, next Ballantjne.—(Acftt.) Half-milo New Zealand record flying rtart reduced to 57sec by A. W. Humphreys mounted on a Waverley, at Lancaster Park, on January 13th. Wavorlev Cycle Depot, «l" Colombo street._. " 2396 Morris, photographer, from Dunedin, Personally takes all the portraits in Ulombo street. Call and see new speci- . «ne_3.-i[Advt.] Further Reductions in Groceries:—OatWeal reduced to 3s per bag, Californian . armed apricots, peaches and pears reduced M>Bdper tin, sharps 4s 9d per sack, kero•ene 5« 6d per tin. sugar (sparkling white wyatals) 2d per lb with tea.—Hubbard, Wall and Co. i The famous Elswick cycle, bearings, stated oy English cycling journals to be perfection. «al_ndia bicycles fitted with 1899 pattern tlswick bearings, twin roller chains, and "unbp tyres, for £21. Oats. Lowry and *-■».. makers, Christchurch.—(Advt.) If you require a t»onic take the best— ■syrup of Hypopho-phates. Barnett, theorist, lib bottle, 4s 6d; 2s 6d. 16 . q. l '*' o Crack.—Excelsior and Red oi.d Bicycles.—Send for catalogues. Bar|o**" Cycle Manufacturing Company, Man- [_ alerter street. A New Departure in the Drapery Busi-«e_.-\V e have just completed arrange•nnts with Australasian Free Insurance Asttciation. giving us the sole right to issue Policies of insurance in Christchurch and wourbs, free of charge or cost of any kind -o all buyers of drapery and clothing'to the ™ oe of seven shillings and sixpence land <>**er. Our £50 policy holds good for seven «*ys from date of issue, and renewed with •"■ery purchase of 7s 6d worth of goods. yar £100 policy is good for twenty-eight y flays from tho date of issue. |<rhoie policies keep all customers dealing regularly with us constantly insured with£t»fc cost, and ali payments" are guaranteed oj" the Scottish Metropolitan Life Assur■J*ce Company,, of High street, Dunedin. j*y de ilin Q ' with us regularly you are always •"Wired against accident without cost to Yourself. Send for one of our . pocketwoks giving full particulars, it will pay fou. Shaw, Robinson and Co., 213 Cashel *«et, Christchurch.

WELLINGTON FILE BRIGADE. Out of 43 applicants for the captaincy of the Fire Brigade, the Wellington City Council last night selected Mr T. T. Hugo, | Adelaide. There were 14 candidates from New Zealand, and 29 from Australia, and tho selection committe- reduced these to three, the other two being Messrs A. E. Moorman (Brisbane), and Wm, Newsome (Ballarat). THE BILLIARD CHAMPION ROBERTS. The champion at tmiiards, John -loberts, has put up a new record. In a match w. J. G. Sala, in Loudon (says "Robin Hood," in "The Australasian"), starting on a break, he had only made 14 when he lost the white ball, but going on lie actually turned the break into one of 386, thus making no less than 372 by consecutive losir.g hazards in the middle and top pockets off the red. Truly a wonderful performance, and one that takes the wind out of the sails of those who have of late been harping on the decadence of this marvellous player. LADY CURZON'S FATHER. Mr Letter, father of Lady Curzon, has paid for the Indian outfit of bo h his" daughter and his son-in-law. He insisted upon it. His joy at having produced a daughter who is to be Vicereine of India knows absolutely no bounds. Money has poured out in gifts to the happy pur, which can alone give adequate emphasis to Mr Leiter's emotion*. Lady Curzon of Kedleston enter? ii|ion her extra official duties with a trousseau absolutely unexampled in the posswsi sions of past Vicereines, while Mr Leiter has given Lord Curzon himself three official durbar cloaks in tte finest velvet and gold. A TERRIBLE MISTAKE. A tragic mistake lias been made by a resident of Johannesburg. "During the night," sjvs the Johannesburg "Standard" of recent date. 'Mrs Mackintosh, wife of the late manager of E. K. Green and Co., awoke under tiie impression that there were thieves in the hous-, and awakened her husband. He went round, saw nobody, and returned to bed. His wife, still feeling restless, arose, and, unknown to her hu-band, sat on a scac by the window. Mr Mackintosh again awoke, and seeing a head at the window, drew his revolver and shot his wife through tho temple, dead. Immediately afterwards he discovered the terrible mistake he had made. Mr Mackintosh was arrested, but immediately released on bail." A WOMAN'S FEARFUL EXPERIENCE. Dona Maria Luisa Inigo, known as the heroine of Punta Brava, has arrived in Barcelona, her native place. She was living on a tobacco plantation in Cuba, with her husband and two sons, when the insurgent leader Banderas and liis men appeared on the scene. A melee ensued, and all the males were shot. ' Dona Inigo was offered her life if she would cry, "Viva Cuba libre!" but she boldly replied "Viva Espaaia," whereupon Banderas struck her. She flew at him and plucked out one of his eyes. Then his followers fell upon her, cut off her ears to get her jewelled pendants, wrenched off a finger for the rings she wore, struck her on the head with a sabre, pierced her with 15 wounds, and left her for —lad. She was, however, picked up on their retreat, taken to a hospital, and gradually recovered, though a terrible wr.vk AN AMERICAN VISITOR. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs: —Amongst the visitors to Wellington at tho present t_me is Mr H. B. Lloyd, of Chicago, author of the "Labour Co-partnership" and ."Wealth Against Commonwealth: a Study fill TrusW Mr Lloyd ha* come out here o study our land and Jajjour systems, old age pension scheme, and general legislation for some months, to enable hhn better to judge if there is a "political way out" of the difficulties which oppress those who wage battle against the trusts. In pursuance of his object, he will visit different parts of the colony, and attend the sitting- of-the-Conciliation Boards, Arbitration Coixtß,~Qt&- : Age Pension Courts, &c, and place himself in communication with men of all shades of opinion, with a view to getting more than a surface knowledge of the ramifications of our legal, social,' and economic systems. Finally, he will report the results of his observations to Mr Carroll D. Wright, Commissioner of Labour to the United and will also publish a ' hook coniveying his impressions to the outside tforld. THE .GUNS AT GIBRALTAR. * It is a current belief in England (says the "Daily Mail") tliat Gibraltar has -always commanded the straits which bear its name. That belief, however, was till recently incorrect. The straits are 12i miles wide, and the best guns mounted at Gibraltar would not reach across. But .now two of the newest 9.2 in wire guns, 36ft long, and firing a shell of 3801b, are being mounted on Europa Point. These guns have a range of 15 miles, •and will put their shot, at close quarters, through 3ft of iron, so they are most formidable weapons. They can be loaded and handled by two or three men, and are so well mounted that they can fire a shot a minuto. Though only weighing 27 tons, they are vastly, superior to the old 38-ton and 100-ton muzzle-loading guns, which some years ago were the best guns at Gibraltar. A great deal of work is being quietly done upon the defences of Gibraltar, which may now be pronounced impregnable. THE MASSEY-WATSON ESTATE. | At a sale of property in Auckland in the estate of Mr George Massey-Watson (whose bankruptcy excited considerable attention recently), the sum realised amounted to about £15Q. the "Herald' reports:—A bulldog,; Cceur de Lion, bred by Mr Archibald Lawson, j of Meigle, Perthshire, Scotland, and born on August 29th, 1895, was knocked down to the popular comic singer and actor, Mr Harry Rickards, for £30. "Currie," a nickname bestowed upon Cceur de Lion by his former master, took the first prize, champion prize, and special prize at the last Auckland Kenn?! Club show. He was also highly commended at Edinburgh, and is stated to have been J purchased by Mr Massey-Watson for £250. | "Crib," a bull-terrier, bred by the Earl of Monteith, and a perfect specimen of'his kind, also went at £30, Mr Harry Rickards in this case again being the purchaser. Crib is about 2J years old. A large musicalbox, which cost £170 in England, and over j £25 in duty to land in this colony, became tbe property of Mr McLaugldan for £17. \ Another bargain was an Astrakan coat, valued at £36: the buyer, however, got the costly article at £4 10s. Several rings found purchasers at £3 a-piece. WHO IS ANDREW LANG? | The following amusing extract is from "The Child's Guide to Literature" in Messrs Hatehards' "Books of To-day and the Books of To-morrow: — Q.: Who is Andrew Lang? A.: A Syndicate of literary gentlemen. Q.: Bat 1 have seen photographs of him. A.: They were composite photographs. Q.: You mean to say he really doesn't exist? A.: He couldn't. No man could do as much as he. Q.: How much? A.: He writes leading articles for the "Daily News." He reviews novels for "The Times." He gossips in "Longman's." He is the new historian of Scotland. He is the first authority on the '45. He edits fairy tales, and Dickens, and Walter Scott. He translates Homer and Theocritus. He knows Edmund Gosse— Qj.; Steady on. f A.: He can preface anything; Coleridge s poems, Australian folk tales, or Hittite inscriptions. He is a poet and a parodist and a determined letter-writer. He knows all about cricket. He plays golf. He catchesalmon. # Q.: I say! I say. A.: He's the biographer of Lord Iddesleigh and J. G. Lcckhart. He is an authority on religion and _pirit>-rapping. .He discovered Rider Haggard. He — Q.: That'll do. Have it your own way. A.: Yes, I thought I could convince you. There is no Andrew Lang. It is only a name—like Bovril—for trade purposes. Andrew Lang is really a Kensington secret society that exists to make good reading.