NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10269, 11 February 1899, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

m The auction advertisements of Wilson and Sons, Wright, Stephenson and Co. and John Ingram will be found on page 11 of this issue.. A Conference of Anglican Bishops is to be held here during next week. The Rangitata river is now clear and in gopd order for fishing. , The House Committee of the Samaritan Home sit for three hours one day a week was the information conveyed to the trustees yesterday. "Well, that'is something to contemplate," remarked a trustee, resignedly. The inmates at the Samaritan Home include a man whose feet are too large for the largest size ready made boots. The trustees voted a sum of money yesterday to meet thjs unusual contingency. The East Oxford District School Committee, at their held on 6th inst., appointed their 'secretary as truant officer, with a view to an increase in the number, and more regularity in attendance of scholars I at that school. It is understood the Premier,. Mr Seddon, will at Dunedin, in Southland, and irififie Clutha electorate. Mr Sed- I don left Addington by the early train yes- | terday for Duneuin. He will be about a fortnight in, Otago before returning to Wellington. There is on view at the offices of Messrs G. G. Stead and Co. a root of the white elephant potato, the haulms of which are no less than eight feet in length. It was grown in a garden at Addington, and there i was a fair crop of tubers at the root. The friends of MrW. S. Smith, of Amberley, will regret to learn that he intends leav- | ing shortly to take up his residence in Auckland. In many positions Mr Smith has been much estesmed, and he will be greatly missed. Mr P. McCaughey, whose death was re- ] corded by cabfe yesterday, was, next to the late Mr James Tyson, the largest station holder in Australia, His chief station was I Coree, in the Riveriua district. Mr Mc- ) Caughey, with his brother, Mr -S. McCaughey, who is at present in New Zealand, were tho first to introduce into Australia the American Vermont merino sheep. The deceased was a cousin of Sir Samuel Wilson, and came from Belfast, Ireland. A miraculous escape from sudden death I happened at Waiohin© last Friday, according to the Carterton "Observer." Young Saver, who was working on the co-opera- j tive works felling bush close to the river, | was precipitated into the river, a distance of 100 ft, through a tree which he was felling slipping bodily, roots and all. Sayer hung to the roots and landed in the water, just up to his neck, and escaped with a good shaking and cuts about his legs. Pajmarston exchanges announce the death of Mr E. Lyon, an old settler, 62 Sears of age. Mr Lyon left England for Tew Zealand in 1856, and on arrival ai Wellington tried to book a passage by the 40-ton schooner Tyne for Wanganui, v-but the berths all being taken did the journey on foot. He took four days to geS to Wanganui, a week ahead of' the schooner— another instance of how things have pror Arc. old woman produced a document at 10 ? ensions Court yesterday drawn out by Mr Haskins, Town Clerk. "Ah,' said _j§_ et " am ' "Mr Haskins is always sending up these unsigned declarations. You go to him and get him to sign this document in the presence of a Justice of the Peace, and bring it back. You had better bring Mr Haskins back with you to explain this extra-j ordinary conduct." Mr Haskins subsequent-* ly attended and promised to send no morel unattested declarations. --J C On Wednesday evening the Kaiapoi police! arrested a Burnham eseanee near the Girderf bridge. There were three in the batch, but! the other two cleared across country like! hares. Five charges of\ breaking and enter-1 ing and theft will be preferred against the boy who was caught. He is alleged to have stolen small sums of- money ranging from sixpence to four shillings, from two houses on the New Brighton road, one at Linwood, one at Avonside, and one at Fendal.ton. From the "Gloucestershire Chronicle." dated October 29th, 1898, we quote with pleasure a tribute to the memory of one of Canterbury's Pilgrims by those' who knew him in his younger days, and were connected with him in the Post Office in the old conntry, a character we feel sure he maintained until tlie day of his death:—-"The late Henry John Washbourn was a gentleman of culture, energy and ability, and was beloved by a large circle of devoted friends for his honour, integrity, fidelity, urbanity, congeniality, and kindness of heart." Mr C. Hunter Brawn, who died at Nelson at the close of last year, was a constant contributor to the funds of the St. Saviour's Guild, and by the death of the Rev. W. J. Habens' the Guild lost a roost valued friend. His connection with tho work of St. Mary's Home was chiefly through the Industrial Schools Act. Some children belonging to the industrial schoob? had always been among the inmates, arm possibly, reported the secretary of Stfl Saviour's Guild last night, it is hardly realised how much the work has been helped by the provision of the Act that a child committed to the authority of the schools is under that authority till the age of twenty-one. This provision was due to Urn Ute idr Habtns

A roll of municipal electors qualified under the extended franchise will be made up in April. At New Plymouth the other day the. Stock Inspector (Mr Orbell) was obliged to condemn no less than 52 tuberculous pigs out of one herd. Mr R. M. Tolhurst, who has just been elected as a member of the Wellington City Council, has declared himself a strong supporter of the proposal for Greater Wellington. The sifting of old age pension claims was continued by Mr Beetham, S.M., at the Magistrates Court yesterday morning. Those liable to pay income tax are reminded that Monday next is the last day on wluch it can be paid without the addition., ofthe 10 per cent. fine. r£X the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs S. Lawrence and E. Smith, J.P.s, a man not before convicted, was charged with drunkenness, and fined ss, or, in default, twenty-four hours' imprisonment. There was no other business. To-day the usual eight-page editions of "Truth" will be published at _ p.m. and 4 p.m. Among the contents will be found the continuing chapters of "The Man and his Kingdom, and short tales and sketches. Up-to-date articles will also appear on all branches of sport, matters of interest to the ladies, and on general subjects. In addition the latest local and telegraphic news will also be given, and a cartoon, "Another Million Up." On Wednesday Mr T. -Leithead, son of the Manager of the Kaiapoi Woollen Mills, returned home by the s.s. Gothic, and from Wellington by the Rotomahana on Thursday. Mr Leithead has been for two years in Great Britain, for the greater part of the time in the woollen manufactory of Geo. Roberts and Company, Stirling, and also at other factories, attending to the question of manufacture and designing of woollen fabrics. He states that the latest addition to the Kaiapoi Mills brings them up to date with the best mills in Great Britain. Last year a gentleman residing in Christchurch sent to his sister in the North of England a Canterbury lamb through J. M. Heywood ana Co. By the Vancouver mail he received a letter in which the receipt of the lamb was alluded to as follows: — "Thanks very much for the most delicious lamb, which arrived three da 3's before Christmas Day, in nerfect condition, and we greatly enjoyed it for dinner on tbat day. It was really a great treat, so very much better than we can get here, and in much better condition. We sent a quarter to , and he seemed much pleased with it.' The Wellington. "Evening Post" says: — The arrival of the Warrimoo from Vancouver brought to hand 350 Virginian quan for the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, and a case of Columbian salmon ova consigned to the Minister of Marine, Of the quail 360 birds were originally shipped, but ten died from croup and other complaints. The remainder have been landed in excellent condition, thanks to the attention of their care- j taker, Chief Officer Hammon. They will be kept in Wellington for v a few days until the method of distribution to the country districts is arranged. It is probable that they will be liberated in coveys of a dozen. They were caught in Kansas mountains by the famous bird-catcher, J. Payne, under arrangements by Mr L. Ayson, the Society's curator, now on a mission to America." A train containing about 600 school children and parents and teachers from j Kaiapoi yesterday was met by the tram at Papanui, and conveyed to Sumner for the i first excursion ever held in connection with j the school. The weather was auspicious, and the picnic much enjoyed by all present. A misunderstanding arose in Kaiapoi over the Mayor's and Council's request that a holiday should be observed for the borough school esjjtirsion, and about two- ! thirds of the shops and stores were open, | having complied with the law by closing on the Thursday half-holiday. It appears ther Committee of the school gave a very short public notice, and instead of selecting Thursday, which would have ueen more convenient to the shopkeepers, they fixed the excursion to suit the school and to affect the , attendance, -roll as little as possible. All lovers of music will regret to learn that Christchurch is losing one of her leading musicians in the person of Mrs T. A. Revell, who leaves for Wellington next week. Mrs Revell has been closely connected with music in Christchurch for the last eleven years, and has taken leading parts in some of the most important works performed under the auspices of the Musical Union and other societies, as well as giving her services generously to the cause of charity. Mrs Revell is a prominent member of the Canterbury Society of Professional Musicians, occupying a seat on the Council, and also acting as one of the examiners in singing for the scholarships given by the Society. While congratulating Wellington on the acquisition of a talented musician, one cannot but deplore i the loss we shall sustain by her departure. However, all will join in wishing Mrs Revell health and prosperity in her new home. The Sumner Regatta and Fete Committee met on Thursday in Mr Drew's room. Mr E. R. Deacon, Mayor, was in the chair, and a considerable number were present. * The i hon. secretary, Mr J*ergh, read a report Of j tlie gala, and the hon. treasurer read the balance sheet. The receipts from all sources . had been £85 3s and the expenditure (prizes j £27 15s, other expenses £52*55) £60 19s 9_d, leaving a. credit balance of £24 3s __d. The balance sheet Was adopted, Mr C. P. Hul- i bert and others drawing attention to the large amount of the expenses. The balance in hand was vested in Mr Drew and the Mayor, as trustees, to be placed by them in the Post Office Savings Bank and kept as a nucleus for next year's Regatta and Fete fund. Votes of thanks were passed to the hon. secretary, the hon. treasurer, the contributors of prizes, the Tramway Company, and to Mr Drew for the repeated use of his room for committee meetings. At the Pier Hotel, Kaiapoi, on Thursday evening, a number of friends met to present Mr Wm. Fraser, who is leaving that town, with a purse of money, a rug made at the local mills, and a handsome pipe. Mr R. Moore, M.H.R., in making the presentation, referred to the positions which their guest had hekl , on the Borough Council, as President of the Caledonian Society, a member of the School Conimittee, and officer, of the Society, and as a doctor bf the Building Society. Mr Fraser";«wtabljr sponded. One or two toasts were given, and during tne proceedings regret was expressed by those present upon Mr Fraser and nig, daughters having decided to remove to CjEstchurch. (^ afternoon his Worship tae% m Mayor, Superintendent Smith, Inspector [Broham, and several members of the City ■"Council inspected a contrivance for giving I alarm in case of fire. This is called May's f is the mii elecI tricJan In the Telegraph Department, Dunledin. The invention may briefly be described thus: Along the centre of a room, and close to tiie ceiling, a wire is carried, having at its centre a small electric contact point, which is in connection with an electric magnet and a Morse telegraph transmitter. The wire is exceedingly sensitive, and any increase of temperature beyond what it is adjusted to immediately causes it to lengthen and close the contact. An indicator board is placed outside the building, having discs so arranged as to indicate either the floors or the rooms by numbers or letters. The wire is connected by means of clamps to the telephone wire, leading to the Fire Brigade Station. So soon as the heat in any part of the building lises above the temperature at which the ommumcator is set, contact is completed, he discs showing the location of the fire !rop, and the news is sent through the lorse transmitter to the Fire Brigade >ta*ions, a gong meanwhile giving the alarm in the premises themselves. Tlie advantages claimed for the instrument is that the alarm is given quicker than by any automatlc alarm in use, and the exact location of the. fire in a building or a block is at once given. All those present were much pleased with the invention, and the trial was a complete success. It is notified that the apparatus will be on view at thaj ■Chester street Station to-day and ™- The famous Elswjck cycle bearings, stated fey English cycling journals to be perfection. Zealandia bicycles fitted with 1899 pattern Elswick bearings, twin roller chains, and Dunbp tyres, tor £21. Oatt, Lowry and Co., ________ Christchurch,—.Adrt.)

Last evening Constable Morgan, of Kaikoura, brought into town a man committed for trial for alleged theft of six pounds. At the general meeting of the Railway Reform League last night, the committee's report, dealing with the grievances which it is sought to remedy, was read and adopted. A *suuua__ry of the report appears on page 4. Mr Tom M'Whirter, manager of the Tarras and Morven Hills Station, is going in for breeding a race of black sheep. He now has (says the "Cromwell Argus") a flock numbering nearly 1000. He finds that black wool commands from Id to 2d a pound more than white. It is used to make the of an order of monks whose rules oblige them to wear clothes made of undyed bUck wool. The experiment and its result •mill be watched with interest by those concerned in sheep-breeding. The monthly meeting of the Southbridge Town Board was held on Thursday evening. Present—Messrs R. Webster (chairman), C. H. Willis, W. R. Smith, J. R. Campbell and R. P. Hill. The petition standing over from previous Board night relative to the closing of some of the roads in the township was considered, and finally it was decided that owing to the Board not having power to lease the roads the petition be not granted. The Board decided to levy a rate of ls 6d per annum against all persons having the use of the water-race water in their sections in tli9 town district. One of the gentlemen who were elected to represent the local bodies on the Samaritan Home trustees adheres to the position he took up when the Conference was held. This is what Mr J. L. Wilson, of Kaiapoi, wrote to the body in question :—" Upon a further referenco to the Act and regulations I am convinced the election of all the present trustees is irregular, and that no compact between them can legalise their position unless it is officially recognised by the Government. Moreover, the majority was apparently adverse to correcting the bungle in such a manner as in my opinion would establish a Board of Trustees in the legal rights, and that protection which tho Act and regulations are intended to afford only to a Board constituted as provided by law. I have to say that, finding I have no proper position on the Board, not even an office as trustee to resign, I can simply intimate that I do not purpose to commit myself in any way." The chairman of the Samaritan Home yesterday took exception to the reported statement of the chairman of the Charitable Aid Board " that the suspension of payment of contribution to the Samaritan Home soon brought about the recognition of the rights of the local bodies' representatives, who have since taken their seats on the Board of Trustees." That was a somewhat unfortunate way of putting it, said Mr Bridge. As f_r as he understood the 1 matter, the legal aspect was put on one side, because the trusteej did not feel justified in causing public money to be spent in a Supreme Court action. Neither he nor tho other trustees receded from the position they had held all along, and the remarks referred to put tlie trustees and the voluntary contributors in a false position. Mr J Board said the paragraph was never intended to bear the construction placed on it. It was only in accordance with the action taken by the Charitable Aid Board the suspension of the payment until satisfactory arrangements had been arrived at. He regretted that they had been misunderstood. Tlie matter ended with this explanation. A woman, charged at the Dunedin Police Coui_t, on Thursday, with the offence j of drunkenness and of damaging part of the I prison cell furniture", became very excited, | and (says the '• Star") bringing her clenched ! fist down twice on the bookboard iv front of I the dock, broke it and wrenched ib off. j Then, after looking wildly round the court, she tbrew it with a crash on the floor, and j when the court orderly attempted to force | hei on to the seat she broke forth into a j torrent of abuse of .the police force, courts I and everything in general, Mr C. C. Graham, the presiding magistrate, was evidently of opinion that the woman's mind was unhinged, for he declined to make any order in tho meantime, but remanded accused for a week, so that she could be medically examined. Mr Ruddick, the Dairy Commissioner, in an address at Cartartcua,»BaicL (reports the " Leader ") that though: he had been only about twelve weeks in the colony he had seen a great part of it, especially where dairying was carried on, and as far as he was able to judge, the country was certainly adapted for the industry. He had been in most parts of the world where the dairying industry flourished, and considering j the length of time it had been established in ' | New Zealand he would say it was on a good basis, and should be carried on with a margin j !of pr6fib as great as in any country in the | j world. The general run of factories in the j colony would be regarded as very fair indeed, and some of them excellent; there I was also a "good class of men in charge of I j them. He would not say there waa no room ! for improvement, for the standard was continually being raised, and they had to keep | on following it. Several members of the committee of the Industrial Association visited the School of Art last night, and inspected the work done by the students in the different subj jects in which instruction is given. Very I general satisfaction was expressed with the j work, the members of the committee j especially praising some fine friezes done by | Mr P. Goodsall, the competitive designs for grate and fireirons drawn by Messrs Hart j and Munnings and the decorative paintings. The head master, Mr G. Herbert Elliot, and Mr S. Hurst Seager accompanied the visitors on their tour of inspection and fully explained the nature of the work. The opinion was expressed that the instruction given at the school was exactly what was required for those desiring to be perfect in the higher branches of their trades. 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 to 8d per tin, sharps 4s 9d per sack, kerosene 5* 6d per tin. sugar (sparkling white crystals) 2d per lb with tea.—-Hubbard, Hall and Co. If you require a tonic take the best— Syrup of Hypophosphates. Barnett, Chemist, lib bottle, 4s 6d; .lb, 2s 6d. 16 .;■" .T*#«> Ntt'ts fo C^k.- r Excelsior and Red Bted Bicycles.—-Send for catalogues. Barlow Cycle Manufacturing Company, Manchester street. Cyclists) who requite .their machines well and, carefuK_p,Jig»ired,^oul6Vsend them to itthe ''Premiers'''of the cycling trade—Boyd Iwd Son, Gloucester street. Telephone, 658. r* _ . 9539 f Your wise investment in bicycle pleasure I for '99 demands that you read the new I Waverley Catalogue, free on application to I Waverley Cycle Depot, 217, Colombo street, Christchurch.—(Advt.). * Gould" and Co.'s Quinine Wine restores exhausted vitality. Sufferers from - depression, weakness, tired and languid feeling, poverty of blood, &0., should take our Quinine Wine, prepared from sound Spanish wine and- pure quinine. Price, 3s 6d per bottle. Hobden and Cole, next Ballan-tyne.—-{Advt.) "Swift" Cycles are like the current of swift waters, they carry everything before them. Just landed, the Austral "Swift," with '99 improvements. Weight 271b, price £22. Write to the Austral Cycle Agency, Limited, Colombo street, for an Illustrated Art Catalogue, sent post free on application.. 9257 A New Departure in the Drapery Business.—We have just completed arrange- j dints with Australasian Free Insurance As- I sociation, giving us the sole right to issue policies of insurance in Christchurch and suburbs, free of-charge or coat of any kind ; :o all buyers of draoery and clothing to the ralue of "seven shillings and sixpence and ; sver. Our- £50 policy holds good for seven lays from date of issue, and renewed with jvery purchase of 7s 6d worth of goods. 3ur £100 policy is good for twenty-eight lays from the date of issue. Fhese policies keep all customers dealing regujarly with us constantly insured withr McTcost, and all payments are guaranteed By, the Scottish Metropolitan Life Assurance Company,, of High street, Dunedin. By dealing 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, Robinson and Co., 213 Cashel street, Chriftchurch.

ThY ordinary "meeting of the Land Board did not take place on Thursday, owing to the absence in South Canterbury on land purchase business of Messrs Weetman, D. McMillan and A. C. Pringle. The girl Ethel Bride, who on January 31st attempted to commit suicide by taking spirits of salts, is to bo charged with attempted suicide at the Police Court today. Captain Mitchell, the head of the Dunedin Fire Brigade, is at present on a visit to Christchurch. He has been to Wellington with a view of looking into the state of the tiro brigade there, and giving the benefit of his lengthened experience. It has been definitely arranged (says the "New Zealand Herald") that Captain Russell, tho leader of the Opposition, will address a public meeting in Auckland, either in the last week of February or the first week of March. It is surprising what a large proportion of the applicants for old age pensions fail to put in an appearance when summoned to attend the Court. Mr Beet-ham. S.M., commented 'on tins yesterday, remarking that he would have to strike out a number of cases altogether, and give the applicants the trouble of going through tlie business again if they did not come up when summoned. THE INSATIABLE WEST COAST. The West. Coast people have a Inibit of speaking their mind pretty freely, and do not "care to be left out of the distribution of tho Government-iil loaves and fishes. For instance, the "Charleston Herald" threatens Mr Guinness with strong opposition at the general election "unless he secures tihje district £14,000 before the end oi the session." THE PLENTIFUL J.P. "Look here," said Mr Beefchom, S.M., at the Old Ago Pensions Court yesterday. "It is no use you _k*ople coming here with these declarations unsigned by a Justice of the Peace. There's no excuse for not getting them signed. Justices are so plentiful you cannot throw a stone without hitting one." THE EVILS OF TIGHT-LACING. A case of death from tight-lacing is reported from Traralgou, Victoria. A girl named Graham, aged fourteen, was found lying in tho street, paralysed down the right side of the body. She was removed to the hospital for treatment, and died there. Doctors attribute the paralysis to tightlacing. A COFFIN OF KAURI GUM. __ skeleton has been found between tho branches and trunk of a kauri tree near Kauerua, Hokianga, in the North of Auckland. A tomahawk was found in some gum alongside the skeleton. It is supposed the bones aro of a Portuguese gum digger, who disappeared 20 years ago. He is supposed to have met with an accident while looking for gum in the tree, and died there miserably, soft gum afterwards forming round the body. STAVING OFF A FIT. The "New Zealand Times" playfully ob* serves that a new use has been found for the harmless but necessary newspaper man. At a meeting of the Wellington Benevolent Society Trustees, an applicant for relief, who waa afraid he was about to be attacked with an. epileptic fit, asked ' of the repdrters attending tho meeting to •__ seize his -wrist and hold it tightly. ' He v *v explained afterwards that he had been * medically advised to do this when threatened with a fib. The effect was magical j Tho pressman's grip was equal to a shock from a galvanic battery and quite sufficient to scare off a thousand affections of the paroxysmal order. Of course the threatened epileptic fit did not attack tho applicant, and his gratitude to the newspaper man knew no bounds. THE MOATS EGG. The moa's egg recently dredged out of tho f banks of the Moiyneux is now to be handed to -Tofessor Benhasm, to be placed in the museum, as soon as a suitable case has been * "'m^^^Z^" ,t tii^l3my] ftme£T' "&? a meeting of the Council of the Otago Institute it was resolved to record the Council's appreciation of the public-spirited action of Mr Alexander Black in securing it for the museum, and to place him on the list of life members of the institute; Mr Black found the money to secure the egg in. time to prevent it from being acquired oy a wealthy collector, and himself contributed £5 towards its acquisition. Hie one stipulation which he makes is that it shall not be subject to be disposed of, but shall remain permanently in the Dunedin Museum.