NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11400, 10 October 1902, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

j' An effort is being made to improve the ! position of tlhe Stenmore Brass Band. Afc a meeting of past and present membera last J night, it was decided to hold a practice next I week under Mr Bonz, and to endeavour to work up more interest in the band. Mr Witheford is urging the Government to supply all applicants with plans and full details of the terms under which the land set apart for returned troopers can be taken op. He has (handed a list of applicants to the Department. -.■•■■.■,■■ The second of the municipal band concerts was given last night on the Rotunda, Victoria square. The Woolston Band, under Lieutenant Srddall, played ■ a good programme of music. The weather was very pleasant, and there was a large' attendance of the public. The annual ball of the non-commissioned officers of the Garrison took place last night at the Art Gallery. There was a large attendance, and the Committee had made all arrangements for the comfort and convenience of their guests. The rooms were very prettily decorated. The Mount Hutt Road Board has decid*3 to communicate with the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and the South Rakaia Road Board wdth inference to taking steps for establishing telephonic oomj iramication between Christohuxch and Ashi burton. To-morrow, at 3 p.m., Sir John Hall will I lay itihe foundation sfcone of the new schoolroom in connection with St. Savkyur's Cburoh, Sydenham. Funds have been accumulating for iMs work for several years, and the amount in hand being now £830, it is felt safe to make a beginning, though some £600 will yet be needed. At Opitonui, Coromandel Peninsula, it knows how to blow. A whirlwind struck a miner's "shanty" as he was sleeping at 6 a.m., lifted off and twisted out of shape the iron roof, and turned bunk amd oocu- ! pant—by name Jas. Bird—upside down :on the floor. ' The bunk covered and ■ shielded Bird, but hia portmanteau, which I had been lying- close to his head, was riddled by the flying debris. "The main part of the 'building (says the Thames "Star") was carried into the Opitonui stream close by, font some portions were carried across the creek, some two or three humdrred yards. A mew double-barrelled fowlingpiece was carried across the stream by the force of <the wind and literally dashed +o pieceis on the* rocks. Everything of a light nature, such as a bank pass-book and papers, went heavenward, and has not been seen since." A meeting of-the Standing Committee of the Technical Education Conference will be held to-night, at the rooms of the Industrial Association, to consider (1) the replies received from the Board of Governors and the Board of Education, in which they were asked to what extent they were prepared to cover the ground; (2) a letter received from the Secretary of Education, Wellington; (3) to further consider the recommendation of the committee: "That the Board of Education be the controlling authority, and if so whether it is desirable to invite the Board to contribute to the cost of the work and so secure a vote in ths management; (4) whether the conference should be advised to enter into th? business of setting up classes, with all the attendant questions, apparatus, efcaff, etc., etc., or whether those questions should be loft- for the new Board of Managers to arrange ; and (5) prepare suggestions for electing a Board of Managers for Minister's approval. An event which caused more amusement than anything else which happened in connection with the Christ's College sports yesterday, was one which was not upon the programme. A number of the boys arranged a boat race upon the river, between a couple of punts constructed, with very creditable workmanship, by tibemselres, and named by them tie "Cambridge " and the " New Zealand." As the event took place during the interval preceding the Old Boys' Race, a fairly large gathering of spectators collected to watoh it, and derived considerable amusement from the strenuous rivalry of the two crews, who were well matched in their complete want of acquaintance with the science of poling. Amid much enthusiasm and laughter, the " New Zealand" was appropriately steered to victory, but she had haaxUy completed .her course when both punts upset. It is only fair to state, on the authority, subsequently given, of the navigators, that this climax wae entirely pre-arranged, and was merely an instance of heroic self-immersion planned entirely for the diversion of the spectators.

At the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday, 175 civil cases were dealt "with establishing a record for one day'e prol ceedmgs. The previous record for thai city was 165 cases. A meeting of the General Committee ©i the Cathedral Completion Fund was held on Wednesday afternoon, in the Cantep. bury Hall buildings, -when there were ore. sent:—.ter Geo. Harris (in the chair), Dean Harper, Messrs H. L- Bowker, W, w Hargratves. Wm. Recce, Gilbert Reeves' R. Hill Fisher, A. Carrick, and H. Smith Ansted, mth apologies from Me&sre Ge o Jameson and W. D. Andrews. The Chairl man reported that he, had communicated watch the Chapter conveying the resolution of the last meeting, when the Committee pledged themselves to contimie the efforts to raise the reqinr<?d sum of £5500 to com. plete the Cathedral, in accordance ■with tie proposals of the Chapter. The report from the Sub-Committee wae re&d, ia ■which it was stated that active steps had been taken by a personal canvass, and the issuing of 3000 circulars to pa,st subsciibwe and the general public, resulting in fcbj satisfactory sum of £1592 being promised within ten days, conditionally that the w. quired amount of £3500 was raised, The Sub-Committee had every reason to aj. ticipate that further support would be ceived, and they hoped before the meeting of the Synod, on 21st inst., that a nuul larger amount would be recorded*. Sever«l suggestions were mad© by the Sub-Conunji. •tee, and the report Ava« unanimously adopted. After transacting other business the meeting adjourned. The Palmerston North Hospital Board has decided to add an extra ward to the Hospital. The sittings of the Court of Appeal wiH open in Wellington on Monday next Thero are some Christchurch cases set down for hearing. Mr Musgrove has cabled pencilling Jaau»ry 14th for Madame Melba's concert at the King's Theatre, late the Agricultural Hall, in Dunedin. At Lyttelton yesterday, before Mr J. T. Bi'ioe, J.P., George Cook, charged with stealing at Wellington a watch valued at £7 10s, was remanded to Wellington. There are a number of cases of measles and influenza at Feilding. One hundred children are absent from school. It is believed that the returned troopers introduced the diseases. An ambulance waggon for the Beaorer Corps has arrived. Accommodation for the waggon is to be piwdded in th« Drfllshed grounds, in the vicinity of the C.V.C. orderly-room. There died at Rapaki early yesterday Mr * John Solomon Score, a> half-caete, and father-in-law to Mr Honi Tare Tikao, The deceased, who was in his 67th yeeti was well known on the Peninsula. The patent supplement to the "Gazette" of October 2nd is notable as containing the claims and specifications of the Feesenden improvements in wireless telegraphy, and the claims for Sir Oliver Lodge's receivers for wireless telegraphy. A curious incident happened in connection with the recent flood in the Waikaka (southland) district. A number of sheen were seen floating down the river, and perched ton their backs were several rabbits—partners of a perilous and uncertain voyage. At a meeting of the Thna.ru Board of Education yesterday, the Country School Committee sent in its resignation as a- protest against the action of the Board in upholding the action of a schoolmistress for alleged excessive punishment of little children. The resignation was accepted, and a new committee is to be elected. All the business at the Magistrate's Court yesterday consisted of debtrool* leaking and default cases. There were t*n solicitors present, and a number of police officials, but not a single interested party —plaintiff or defendant—and not even an "interested spectator." As one solicitor remarked, "the civil business is not what it used to be." A meeting of the local branch of the Farmers' Union was held in the Qreenpatk School on Tuesday evening. There was a good attendance of members. . The Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy Export Compaoy have offered to allow a special diecount of 5 per cent, off the price of their manures to members of the Fanners' Union, which has been accepted by the Provincial Executive. The meeting decided to obtain a telephone to the district. The agreement between the Governmeni and the Manawatu Railway Company for interchange of running rights, etc., is to remain in force for a year. The Company estimates it will incur tthie loss of a thousand or two during that period, but widl benefit ultimately. , The terms are regarded by the public generally as satisfactory. The mystery concerning the company that has secured tie South African contract is still preserved, although the feeling here ('writes a Wellington correspondent of "The Press") is that it is a syndicate in which the Houlder Eros., Tyser, and Federal Companies are interested. The eched*£e of freights, and other details of contract are now being prepared for signature, and it ia stated "that the company will be ready to «nter upon the service in a month's time. In Auckland the .production of ostrich feathers bids fair to become an important industry. One firm that has been breeding ostriches has found its accoramodaticn too emaH, and has purchased property to the extent of 3600 acres, to which it haa transferred ite stock. It is proposed to largely increase the ostrich flock, and the prospects of the industry may be garaged by the fact that the present supply of feathers is equal to only about one-third of lie Auckland demand, to say nothing of the Southern market. The "Post" remarks: —The experience of a Wellington farmer who has gone in for poultry-raieing will interest many of our readers. He has kept his stock up to 350 head, and he finds that after paying £42 for food there is a net return of £70 from the sale of eggs and fowls for the past twelve months. The eggs sold at an average of a shilling and a farthing per dozen. The poultry was of the common breed. The average number of eggs laid by each bird during the year was 60. The fanner ii improving the strain of his poultry, and believes that during the next year he will obtain an average of 100 eggs per bird. The Christehurch Defence Rifle Club, formerlr the Honorary Reserve Corps, opened the shooting season on its range at Caehnwre yesterday. There was a good attendance of members", over twelve be>Dg present. Prior to going on the range, *ac Captain, Mr A. H. Turn bull, was welcomed, and hia health was proposed by Mr A. Omdersen in a few appropriate words, ana heartily honoured by the members. Mr Turnbull briefly responded. From the ZOO yards distance, Mr Turnbull fired the mat shot, and declared- the season open. Fmng at 200, 500, and 600 yards was then started. In addition to the strong wind, which w?« blowing, shooting was carried on at a disadvantage, as the members shot with tn* new magazine rifle, a weapon they tod ,T previous acquaintance with. A scraten match was fired during the afternoon «! tween teams selected by the captain ana treasurer, the latter's winning by 565 poinw to 504. Strange and Company's special «*«!£ fcion of spring and summer washing w*}**- ohas attracted crowds of visitors. To-day is the last day of this attractive exlabinoTK 20,000 books to bo sold at lf^S 9 reduction off Englfch published pn<*»We are informed that Messrs «- J. Wood and Go. intend selling off tie whole of their large and valuable stock at unprecedentedly low prices. The pawnership expiring by effluxion of time, ana the goodwill amf lease having been acquired by a syndicate, the premises are to D « pulled down, and large now biuldmg erected, for which the plans are now m hand. This will be the largest sale ot books and stationery ever held m tne colony. ' 523 " Wedding Presents—Largest w"? ,1 ""! at lowest prices in Christchurch. We are making a splendid show in windows, everything marked in plain figures. We d«y competition. Fletcher Bros. Drect Importers, High street, Christch ( Adv t.)

Wanted known—Best value given in town D wedding, keeper, and engagement rings. Bi watches, end all classes ol jewellwy. X Grieehaber, manufacturing jeweller, 155 Colombo street. V2B?

If you have the faintest suspicion that wur *y M are not J ust ri S ht, if the y bother tou in uny way, it's best to have them «amincd at once. Do not goto t|>« wrerasr* optician or spectacle eelkr, for M | R unable to distinguish between optical A«ffrts and diseases, but consult John R. Procter. ISO High street, Chmtchurch. ho will give you a thorough examination JU of :uarg*: ~.,... , . 2 . 115 Wβ are short of ladies' hiring bicvdes, and will allow full va,ue for any make as Srfc I*™" 1 * for n€W u P- to ' da ? e £»' f A\i* aid arrange «>sy terms for balSf* , <£?«.. LowVy, and Co.-(Advt.) Srnr road racer—Very fast, easy-running We built up of all the latest patents Cnl-iallT made for fast riding over l ough road*, 'adjustable handle-bars to roit th« Tr, 84 cear, 7-inch cranks, price £22. ££;*£» arrigrf to suit customers. CaU «A inject at Adams Star Cycle Company, ?S d Sch-ter street ud 193 Colombo ,treet, near Cathedral. ' Boyd and Son, Gloucester street, axe fcvutine tbeir large appliances and staff i TJt delusively to bicycle repairs. RβtulS vfn at lowest prices.i'Advt.)

ROYALTY AND THE TYPEWRITER.

Probably for the first time in history, •ypeu-rit-ers have been used aboard the Kings yacht during bis Majesty's recent (ojourn'on the water. Throughout the later ware of the last reign it was always a matW for surprise that every reply, no matter ho«- 'brief or how formal, received from the Queen'e secretary, was indited an ink nml written <by hand. The advent of King Kdward lias also meant the advent of the typewriter in the palace.

A FARMERS' COMBINATION,

The farroeitt' combination, to market crops worked a> successfully las* year. writes the New York correspondent of the "fitandaird," thoti a great extension of operation* will be observed this in&TTCSt The Fanners' National Co-operative Exchange was organised with a. capital of liftv million its objects are to buy w'eell breadstuff*, build and operate olev*U?w, nnd do whatever else is germane to these things. With its assistance the fsrmere fouml themselves Mβ better to choose the time for marketing products, ajttfog conceerionH from railways, and gewrally saving Rome of their profits, heretofore secured by middlemen between the farms and the Euit>penn consumers.

RELIGION IN THE ARMY

In the course of a paper read before the Adelaide Church Congress, the Federal Comraandnnt, General Sir Edwaid Hutfcoo, said it was unquestionable that the development of the volunteer movement in Great Britain, and the creation of citizen armies hi various self-governing portions of the Empire, bad bad a great-and power iiil eflect in raising the whole etatue of the foldier, and in placing military service upon a higher lewl as part of the national life. The force which he had the proud honour to command, consisted of Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, and picked mounted infantry of the regular army, numbering nearly 6000 men. During the whole period of hie command their conduct was practically exemplary, and he had never to convene a court-umrfciflj, or even to punish a single delinquent. The tone and bearing of the officers and men was of tihe highest order. Ho attributed, in a large measure, that admirable result to the devoted labours and earnest zeal of the chaplaine of all desomdnattonii who were attached to his force.

UNIVERSITY MEN IN THE TRANSVAAL.

Among the mutterings <mc hears (writes a Johannesburg correspondent) as to the peculiar nature of the selections of men to fill Government appointments, Iβ one concerning the extraordinary number of young Balliol men who have received lucrative positions. None of them have had any • experience of administrative work, and au are without local experience. It is said that it takes a residence of nine years to convince a man that he knows very little about South African affairs. The selec-

tion of so many youths fresh from home, •well educated though they may be, without administrative experience to atone even to a 'small extent for their ignorance of everything South African, is looked upon as c alight by colonist*, and aa cer- - tarn to lead to mistake's, which must prove tumbling blocks In the path of progress. f li U recognised that Lord Milner cannot posMbly personally attend to everything, and that he has now to depute much reuponsibiildry to those who are too new to the country to perceive some of the pit- ' falle in their path; and who for some reason are not partial to advice from those who are well informed as to the ante- . cedmte of candidates/ The appointment of Sir Arthur Lawley as Liemtenant-Go-rernor has given the greatest satisfaction, Sβ being certain to .provide a remedy for many things which are at present creating grievances.