NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11691, 18 September 1903, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Frederick Cooper, committed on two charges of forgery, will come up for sentence at, 10.30 this morning. It is proposed to make enquiries as to the suitability of the City Council's reserve at. New Brighton for planting Australian hardwood trees.

On Monday, at 19 a.m., the eases in which the Ashburton Club are' taking action against the Colonial Secretary, in connection with the cancellation, of the club's charter, will be taken.

Private 0. Stephens, of Staveley. who was wounded during ihe South African campaign, has received, through the Mayor of Ashburton, 510 from the Mansion .House Patriotic Fund, London.

The area over which the Acclimatisation Society propose asking that the protection of hares should be removed is from the south bank of the river Ashley to the north ban!; of the Rakaia.

It. is currently reported in Wellington that Mr John W. Brindley, formerly genera! manager for the Victoria Insurance Company in New Zealand, with headquarters in Dunedin, is the expert who has been advising Mr Scddon in regard to State fire insurance, and that he is to receive the appointment of genera; manager of the Department.

For many years past, the Hagley Park Cricket. Ground Committee have endeavoured to get the Domain Board to cut down the fir trees on the western side of the ground owing to the shadows they cast upon the pitches towards evening. lite Board has at length consented to do away with the obstruction, and cricketers will be glad to learn that nearly all of the trees have already been removed. .Mr O'Callaghan Raine writes, somewhat modifying his previous letter re the non-stopping of a tram at Heathcote bridge. He says:—"The seat is under a macrocarpa, and certainly rather obscure. Stepping out as the tram passed, it is possible, being at the rear, 1 was not seen. I was surprised, as the general conduct of the men is both courteous and obliging." The many friends of Mr D. Ryan will learn with regret of his decease, which took place in the" Bottle Lake Hospital yesterday morning. He was suffering from a complication of diseases, and but little hope of his recovery was entertained when he was admitted to the Hospital. There were few club entertainments given for some time past on the programmes of which Mr Ryan's name did not appear. He had a considerable fund of humour, and his recitations were always received with favour. Mr Ryan was most generous in placing his services at the disposal of any charitable object, and he will be much missed. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M., said that if the

doctrine were admitted that a person was legally entitled to what benefit he might derive from the shelter or protection of a boundary fence, it would result in endless complications. The complainant was entitled to a legal fence and nothing more. If this were not so it would be possible for cause of action to arise through the cutting down of a macrocarpa dividing fence 20ft higli, or an adjoining belt of trees, on the ground that a neighbour's shelter was destroyed. The two days' steady warm rain in the North Canterbury district have already produced a marked change on vegetable growth. In certain localities the water is held on the surface by reason of the dryness of the under soil. On the hills where the snow still remained the rain has cleared much of the country, so that sheep will at once resume their pasturage. For a time the rivers will be high. Yesterday a train passenger stated the Hurunui waß greatly discoloured. The Ashley river rose to a good level, but no damage from flood had happened. The Cust and Eyre rivers added to the volume of the Wnimakariri.

A Glasgow paper of recent date reports the death of Mr Peter Ingrain, who had reached the advanced age of 78. He had served for twenty-two years in the Royal Highlanders in the Mediterranean, West Indies, and America. He was in the Crimea, following the fortunes of war from the Alma to Kertch Yenakale, and after BaJaclava at Sebastopol, being severely wounded at the Redan. On leaving the army he engaged with a Glasgow firm, and after many years of faithful service Mr Ingram received from his employers a pension in addition to that received by him for wounds from the army. In his last illness the old veteran was cheered by a visit from his nephew, Mr J. Ingram, of Oxford, Canterbury, New Zealand who left Lanark 35 years ago, and was then on a visit to Scotland.

-Yesterday the ceremony of starting the new Post Office clock and set of bells at Oamaru was carried out by Mr John Buckley, of Redcastle, who gave £6BO for the purpose. The clock chimes and large hour bell are said to be the finest in the" colony. The four chiming bells weigh 25 cwt. and the large hour bell two tons three quarters, and their tone is remarkably fine. Mr Buckley's gift was in memory of his uncle, the late Mr John McLean, of Redcastle. The clock tower is part of the original design of the post office, and was erected on the understanding that the town would provide £250 of the sum required for the purchase of the clock and bells. Mr Buckley then came forward and increased the amount to nearly £7OO in order that the tower might have a finer set of bells than that at first proposed. After the ceremony the Mayor invited a number of citizens" to luncheon, where speeches complimenting Mr Buckley and the Government for the gift of tho clock bells and tower were made.

Of the new classes proposed to be started on October sth by the Cliristehurch Technical Associated Classes Association, twenty, one pupils, up to last -nig—, enrolled their names for the wool-sorting class, and fifteen for the women's theory and practice of cutting class. From the number of students who had enrolled up to last night, ib is probable that the majority of the new classes will be started. In a few the numbers are below the minimum required by the Department, but ib is anticipated that they will increase. Ten additional pupils have enrolled for the cabinet-making class. which with those who previously joined will now be a very strong one. There are thirteen new pupils in the book-beeping class. Many pupils are taking advantage of the concession granted in the reduction of fees by joining three commercial classes. The last lessons have been given at the Richmond a.nd Sydenham classes, which will now be amalgamated with those held in Victoria Hall. Mr Win. Evans, managing director of the Atlas Milling Company, Timaru, writing to the Asjiburton "Mail" on the public weighbridge question, says his experience has been that railway weights cannot be relied on. The Department, as a rule, have no man specially appointed to do the weighing, and sometimes men are allowed to weigh who are quite incompetent for the work. Again, the weight of the trucks varies very much in fine and wet weather, and very often the scales themselves are out of order and inaccurate. This being so, most merchants have scales of their own, but, if not attended to, with a man specially told off to do the weighing, as an expert, the weight may still be unreliable, and should be checked by the threshing machine weights. The farmers have this matter in their own hands, if they can arrange to have their threshing done by day labour instead of by contract. Day labour may cost a little extra, but, in "the end, it will pay the farmer better than contract work, as he can be sure of his weights when he supervises the weighing himself.

Tht Marlborough Chamber of Commerc has passed a resolution asking the Govern' went to get Mr Handcoek, ihe Americai; electrical expert, to report on the power of the Awatere, Pelorus, and Wairaurives*. The Otago Education Board passed a resolution yesterday, recommending the trustees under the will of the late Mr Cecil Rhodes to fix 25, rather than 22, as the maximum age of scholars. Mr G. H. Grapes, the well-known fruit grower, of Pnraparaumu. Wellington, hr.s taken up a large piece of land at Tauranga, in the Auckland province, where he proposes to grow fruits which cannot be produced further south. Besides supplying the Auckland market, he will run fruit to Rotorua. every morning by motor car. Intimation has been received by Mr E. Cuthbert, secretary of the Drainage Board, that the whole of'the plant for the Board's auxiliary pumping station at the corner of Cambridge terrace snd Hereford street is on board" the Wakanui, which is due at Lytiehon about the end of this month. The Westland Land Board has expressed its intention not to grant in future anv extension of time to lessees of finxmill areas during which to erect their plant, unless most "exceptional reasons are shown, livery effort is to hi made, to prevent large areas being locked up for speculative purposes.

The Wauganui Education Board has forwarded to the North Canterbury Board the following motion: "That, this Board desires to place on record its disapproval of the statement made in the House by the. Premier, to the effect that Boards of Education could not be trusted to pay to school committees a special grant voted by Parliament for those committees, and to express the opinion that there is no justification for the imputation that the disposal of their funds by Education Boards has been carried out in anything but the nio.'t honest and economical manner.'' A case of divided authority in a town between two local bodies was referred to by Or. Blackwell at the Kaiapoi Council, who said that body years since planted some willows which* grew to be handsome trees. This ye;ir the Waimakariri Harbour Board was busy cutting many of them down, without permission from the Council. In falling the trunks of the trees damaging an embankment erected by the Couneil,° and it seemed as if the Board would take no steps to repair the Council's property.

The anniversary of the Primitive Methodic Sunday School, Linwood, was held on Sunday. * The sermon was preached in the morning by the Rev. M. A. Pratt, and in the evening by the Rev. Dr. Elmslie. In the afternoon* the Rev. C. E. Ward conducted a children's service. On Monday the annual tea was held. The report showed that the income of the school was £•26 14s 6d, and of the Band of Hope £8 9s 6d. Addresses were delivered by Messrs Sharp, Earwaker, and the Rev. C. E. Ward. The children's tea was held on Tuesday, after which a magic lantern entertainment was given. A largely attended social was held on Wednesday in the Cambridge Terrace Primitive Methodist Lecture Hall, to bid good-bye to Mrs E. Gibbard and Miss L. A. Coombridge, who are leaving on Friday for England. The Rev. C E. Ward presided. Some good singing was given, and short, addresses were delivered by Mr Earwaker, Mr Stringer, Mesdames Burt, Field and Oliver, when some very kindly things were said of both ladies. Rev. *C. E. Ward made presentations of books, travelling rug, etc. During the, evening Mr and Mrs Jewell were warmly welcomed, they having that day returned from the Old Country. A most enjoyable evening was spent, the ladies providing refreshments.

Opinio™ differ aa to the desirability of the proposal made by Mr L. Hart at the meeting of the Council of the Acclimatisation Society on Wednesday night that the •protected portion of the river Avon, between the Hospital and the bend on the Ricoarton road, should be opened for fishing one month during next season. A piscatorial enthusiast, speaking to a representative of "The Press" on the subject, thought it would be a great mistake if the proposal were agreed to. If "sharks" exist, ho considered it would be better for the Society to have them netted. Being so convenient to the Society's gardens he understood that the excess stock of fish have been turned into the river in the locality referred to, and as these fish are in the habit of being fed regularly, it would require no play nor any skill to secure them. To throw a bait into the water would be sufficient to have it rushed by every fish within. reasonable bounds of it. Furthermore, if this part of the river were tnrown open to the philanthropists who want to decimate the sharks, it would not be considered worm •while malting too fine a distinction as to the stage at which a trout became a shark —in other words, all the fish hooked would be sharks. In the interests of fishermen, properly so-called, it is surely reasonable, the speaker continued, that the Society should retain a portion of the river as a sanctuary, and he thought it should be extended to Stanmore bridge. The recent arrangements made by the Lyttelton Harbour Board, by which subscribers to the telephone exchange can, at certain periods, communicate with the Heads and obtain information regarding the arrival of steamers, were not provided without much trouble. This will be partially realised when it is stated that there are no fewer than fourteen different stations on the Board's telephone system, and the difficulty was to devise means by Avhich all these would not be rung up simultaneously when only the Heads was wanted. Mr Bowley, of - the Telegraph Department, by the exercise of considerable intelligence and ingenuity, has pucceeded, however, in solving the difficulty. Two other proposals to provide the desired communications would have involved an expenditure of about £3OO. The Board's wire to the Heads was erected in 1881, at a cost- of £llOO. It is interesting to note that the Board has also laid a cable between the North and South Heads, a distance of two knots. The first laid was a portion of the old Cook Straits cable, hut it soon became inefficient, and was replaced in 1891 by a new one. Prior to the laying of the cable a wire of phosphor bronze was stretched from Head to Head by the late Mr Frank Hebden. The distance was 2310 yards. Owing to this long stretch it sagged in the middle, and the mast of the Rotomahana, one day in 1887, came ia contact with it and carried it away.

The thirteenth annual meeting of the Canterbury Athletic Clubs' Protection Association will be held in the Sydenham Football Club's rooms on Tuesday next. The committee's report states, inter alia: That the number of members who have endeavoured to avoid payment of their club subscriptions has increased to such an extent as to have compelled the officials to submit names numbering over double those submitted last year, but it is trusted that the work of the Association in dealing with these cases will greatly assist affiliated clubs in recovering arrears due to them. Five new clubs havo been elected, making a total membership of thirty clubs, as against twenty-five last year. Reported defaulters frequently dispute their membership with the clubs reporting them, and unless some more substantial evidence than the mere production of the club's minute book can be brought forward, such as signed documents, the-committee will be unable to take action. The committee has held eleven meetings, and has had submitted to it 106 names, dealt with as follows:—29 have been induced to" settle with their clubs, 57 have been finally declared defaulters, 5 have been held'over, 2 the committee could not post until further evidence was procured by their clubs, 7 have been withdrawn owing to notices being returned unclaimed, etc., and 6 are at present under consideration. Of those declared defaulters 10 havo since settled, and, together with 10 old defaulters who have settled during the year, there is a grand total of 49 having paid their arrears through the efforts of the Association, amounting to over £27. The Association has a credit balance of £l2 10s 9i

. . hi,., 11 «n ;>*■■-' vThe killing of bitterns is prohibited ia '*i '•■ Canterbury by proclamation in last night'i -Gazette." ' . '•' • Steps will bo taken to re-open the .% ; Coronation Bath at Kaiapoi at an eartajjSi, I date. ftf'J:' The Dunedin Education Board has caN>- | ricd a resolution favouring the early intro-ZOl.;-duct ion of a Teachers' Superannuation Bill, : | The Hawera Borough Council on Wednes. A'-jf lay accepted the Tender of 'Messrs Newton ■•: J did Youlson, at £23B* 10s. fur the drain- ;<: I age extrusion works. Xr.e highest tender N i was £'639 15s. | The Auckland City Council election resulted " in the return of Messrs Grey, I Hufeheson, Parr, Shannon, Court, Entrican, ;|j Casey, Bagn.all, Brown. Julian, and Knight, ? 1 The only new member is Mr Eufrican. S ; I Operations in connection with the deepen- ■ f ing of the river Halswell, to improve it, •,' J will lvi> commenced . almost immediately ':Z § under the control of the Selwyn County i | Council. The pontoons for the dredgo .> j »\fe forwarded by traction engine on Wed- , i nesday, and the machinery will follow in avVf dav or two. |

Owing to the heavy range of the sea in. Lyttelton Harbour yesterday, caused byi tht> south-easterly weather outside, it. was not considered advisable to do any dredgl ing and run the risk of breakages. Tb£ dredge was coaling yesterday, and some neve' links were put on. Judging from the entries which are coming in, the Spring and Bulb Show, under the auspices of the. Canterbury United Horticultural Society, which takes place in the Art Gallery on Tuesday and Wednesday next, promises to be a great success.

A correspondent writes suggesting th'at\ a covering of tar should bo placed on the floor of the Lichfield street fire brigade -. station, as the present concrete flooring gives the horses no grip when they are about to start off for a lire.

The Minister of Marine has been advised that the regulations of the British jtsoard of Trade have been extended, and will not now come into force till January Ist. This will have the effect of permining engineers who have served their time in smaller steamers going up in the meantime for examinations as chief and second engineers.

A man named Robert dawn, an expressman of Wellington, was committed for trial at Blenheim yesterday, on a charge of wilfully setting fire .to a bedroom of a house occupied by his wife,. He made a statement to the effect that ha went to the house to induce his wife to go back to Wellington, and tlie fire was caused by herself and another man. '- Under the will of the late Mr Nicholas Quinn, of Makikihi, the new Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch receives a bequest ot £7OO, whilst a bequest of £6OO has beea left to the Timaru Catholic Church, one ol £4OO to the church at Waimate, and another of £2OO to the Makikihi Church. The convents at Christchurch, Timaru, and Waimate receive £SO each.

Captain J. R. McDonald, of the Fourth' Contingent, has been commissioned by. the Government to write the history of tins New Zealand Contingents in South Africa. Captain 'McDonald, who is at present on a visit to Rotorua, intends returning to Wellington in a few days to undertake^ thor work. *

. The Clutha Presbytery has passed a resolution expressing great regret that the, Government has refused to give justice to' the majority of the Bruce electors, in not giving effect to their prayer for the validation of the licensing poll, or the taking of any other steps to carry into effect the will of tho people so decidedly expressed at the poll. * • .

The Wellington correspondent of the. "Southland News" telegraphs: —"It is said 5,: that a reduction in the hands employed airy?. Hillside and Addington workshops- .wi11.4 '% shortly be mode, and some of the mostV*;£ skilled permanent employees will be trams- ;;i.;J ferred to the new shops in Invercargill." >■% At the Tramway Board's meeting yesterday, a letter was read from the secre- sS tary of the New Brighton Tramway Com- s£i pany, stating that he was not aware of "V -* any incivility •or misconduct on the part: ; of the conductors, nor had any complaints been received. The letter was ra* . ceived. • With reference to the stakes given in connection with trotting, referred to by :- - Mr C. S. Howell at the annual dinner of. the. Trotting Association, the amount of ', £3OOO spoken of is what will be given by oue single Club this season. During.last ■ season the amount, of stakes paid 'by " Trotting Clubs .w&s.'*£lo,37B,''and Racing Clubs gave £3IBO in ■ addition. Last season one Club gave £6500 in stake's. The Dunedin Suburban Schools' Con-'■■';■ ference drew the Minister's attention to. the inadequacy of the salaries of male assistants in the large schools. Mr Hogben replied that the Committees had tha option of employing a smaller staff and paying increased salaries under the scale. He added: "The Conference seems to desirs that their schools should have larger stalls and larger salaries as well." The Minister ~ j is unable to "take any action. A man charged with vagrancy at tha Police Court yesterday told the Bench confidentially : "My name is not one of tho most charming, and my reputation:- : the most amiable." His idea of. conforming to the condition on which he was discharged on a previous occasion, namely, that ho should leave tho.city, was, after a few days' work at Dunsandel, to retura ■ to town. In further remarks he pathe* iv: tically said he did not know why he was worried to death and harassed by tha police, especially during the winter. Referring to the fact that he had solicited - work high and low in the city, he remarked that probably amongst those he had . • approached Mere the gentlemen on tha ~ - Bench.

Whether the New Brighton Athletic . Club will hold a carnival this year depends on tho Tramway Company, Mr James, and tho Pier Company. The sub-corn- . mittee appointed to ascertain what amount; of financial support could be obtained for the proposed carnival on labour Day, reported to the Club's Committee on Wednesday that the Tram Companies had offered one-fourth of the net profits for the day, and Mr James had promised £3. In the ensuing, discussion, the opinion was expressed that those deriving the greatest amount of profit from the holding of the carnival had not offered to deal generously with tho club. It wa.s accordingly resolved that no : 4f carnival should bo held by the club, unless ' the Tram Companies contributed one-haif of the net profits for the day, and 31r James £7 7s, and the Pier Company £5 3s. The secretary was instructed to write to the Tram Companies, Mr James, and the Pier Company, embodying the above. This ultimatum is to be conveyed to the parties involved, who are asktd to by to-morrow, when a meeting will, ha held to finally decide the matter :., Some investigator has said that every man ha;; an unpublished novel in tjlß- '■ bottom of his box. Colour was given by this generalisation by the story told by an applicant- for relief to the Wellington Benevolent Trustees, says' the "New' Zealand Times." "I'm writing a book of i»5 wanderings," said the applicant; "I'm in correspondence witli Guy Boothby; I met 1 him on a etniion in Australia. I ? have 18S | sheets of foolscap in my box, and I can 1 tell you, gentleman, I had some most.«- . fl traordinary adventures!" The- applicant ■ assured the Trustees that he had been | in New Zealand three years three .*■;" months and three days; that he went first to school at Ashby House, Bristol, \ and finally graduated at Cambridge. Tho man was in a deplorable condition, and «r" he asked to be given a fresh set of clothing. The Trustees, who suspected ti>np ■ ' . the applicant's troubles were partly J - i to what is colloquially known as 'bendin.-' the elbow," informed' him that he would-' be given a now shirt. "I will just show, you my trousers, gentlemej, how they are gene, sirs!" replied the man. The. Trustees saw accordingly, and added a P 3l ? of new oneß to tho order. . *

I Vetinary Surgeon, «. -other, | series of lectures imder thMJj^ I the EHwmere A. and I. -^ ot - fiub . & terdav afternoon at Lees *°% llberC „losiß." Despite the inclemency of "> the in commn.ncat.on in* • fa dcstroy tions regarding the o[ ing bluegnm _lj « Might attack. Timnru. Ho «* IK , t]ipre j s „o chance V S information is being of coping .*g>* j wma(3 e public. T' 1. «■«■• was brought The rtotee of the Auckland City ■»d«r.the«g» 0 r from tfae : ■ K■ofltoVr. and it was de- ' m ? Ct L?rt? Streets Committee should Wfc on the vrholo question of the dntmthe city. The Mayor, in an ad- '■ £/to tho "newly.elect,d Council «id tl several important meters would have lT dealt with, including improved rater supplv, drainage, public abattoirs, JAtructor, and sanitary arrangements. ■a iMdfce of the School Committee and TWifkv merit, at the schoolhouse, when £"S?dSd to hold an exhibition of school work, works of art, curios, etc on . Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Show Week the proceeds to be applied towards the purchase of a piano for the school and • • for other objects. Several committees «cre «eb up to deal with the different section? of the exhibition. It was decided to ask the Tram Companies to give a portion of the tram takings during the time the exhibition was open.

& ease of considerable interest to dairy formers was heard in the Magistrate's Court at Hamilton on Wednesday and yesterday. Harrison Benton claimed £2OO from J. J- Rayner, for alleged breaches of 8 contract for milking on shares. It was stated that Rayner, who owned a farm, persisted iu grazing several hundred sheep on paddocks supposed to have been allotted to plaintiff, even after the commencement of the contract. The case depended on the questions whether defendant was only obliged, under his agreement, to find suitable pasture on any part of the farm, and whether other suitable pasture could bo provided by defendant if he persisted in running sheep in such numbers upon that pasture. After a, lengthy hearing the Magistrate said he would give a written judgment, but intimated that judgment would be for plaintilf.

The Otago Education Board yesterday passed a resolution, entering its emphatic protest against the withdrawal of s the right to frank official correspondence. 'Members of the Board were all agreed that the age limit for Rhodes scholar- : ships should be 25 instead of 22, as the | alteration would let those whom it was | handed to benefit be benefited instead of those who have no need for such benefits as the scholarships are intended to confer. The full text of the Board's recommendation to the trustees of the Rhodes scholarships is as follows:—" We respectfully suggest that it would be better to : fix 25 rather than 22 as the maximum age : of scholars, because the fixing of the lower age limit might have the effect of placing at a disadvantage students of the poorer class, who have to earn their living whilst attending the University, as compared ; with students who are able not only to devote their whole time to preparation, but' also to obtain tho assistance of • tutore."

Write to the nearest McCormick agent . • for a copv of the McCormick book for 1903, • entitled "A Model Machine." Morrow, Bassett, and Co. 2 Dr. T. A. Black, B.Sc., N.Z. University, ■■» D.D.S., United States, dentist. Specialty, gold, amalgam, combination fillings. ' Colombo street (above Brice's). 20 The first display of fashions and novelties just held at tho D.I. 0. has given the fashion-loving portion of our lady popula- '. lion full opportunity of noting the trend iff of the styles and colours for the incoming fr spring season, and already this company's || departments are busily engaged in supplySting the popular demands. The millinery, H costumes, laoo goods, and thousand and one confections opened up are perfect mar- ■ velfl of taste and delicate colouring, in which,.the management report very brisk business * Black, Beattie and Co. have completed extensive alterations to their show rooms. | They are now making a special display of V- trimmed and untrimmed millinery in all ® the latest models and styles, and invite a ; visit of. inspection. 22 U .Working men who are heavy on shirta \'i» and trousers should look at Tribe and Co.'s H prices. They have tho right goods at tho right prices. W. A. Tribe and Co., next . Ashby, Bergh. 2 ■'..'■' Black Beattie and Co. are making a nice

display of their new suitings and trouserings for the spring, showing the latest novelties in black and white effects, which are now so much worn. 19 •Mr Edward Hope, surgeon dentist, has commenced practice at 45 Hereford street East. 'Telephone No. 1361. 1481 Most reliable watches, correct timekeepers, best value given; gold muff chains, engagement- rings. A great variety in greenstone goods, and all kinds of wedding presents at the very lowest prices. K. Grieshaber, 155 Colombo street, Jeweller. 50

Mrs Thornton Lees, hair physician and complexion specialist, has the latest American methods for restoring and beautifying tho hair and skin. Special treatment for baldness. Inglis's Buildings, opposite Freeman's. 21

.Spring shipments of latest novelties from the principal centres of fashion are now being at the warehouse of Messrs Beatih and Co., Limited, (Jashel

'.■■-■.'street, whoso Home buyers have been tin* . Usually successful in their efforts, the style, ".Quality, and price bang all that could be desired. New fancy novelties, ribbons and " : 3ace goods, new hosiery, gloves, and blousings, new blouces, costumes; and under- - clothing, new model millinery, new dresses and filks, new household drapery, furnish- • ings and linoleums, new juvenile and gents' ■ clothing, new mercery, hate, etc. Now open for inspection ;tnd comparison at Benth and Co.'s, Limited, Christchurch. 19 Lamps, Lamps.—Fletcher Bros, hold a large stock of reading, hanging, and hand lamps, and we guarantee to give better value than any other tirm in Christchurch. Bee best show in window for prices of reading lamps complete with shade 3s 6d, hand'lamps (brass or glass) Is each, chimneys from 3d, wicks Id; also lamps that born without chimney. Fletcher Bros., Direct Importers, Lower High street. 5458 Wanted to Sell—Ladies' New Hudwm bicycle, in tip top order, new tyres. Price • £B, £1 down and £1 per month. Adams • Sun Cycle Depot, High street, next- to Kngiht's, butcher. 4568 Large fortunes have been realised by lucky inventors. JSve handbook on "Patents," free, from Baldwin and Kay ward (A. H. Hart, representative), 172 Gloucester street, Christchurch.—(A'dvt.) 4 'FLOGGING A WOMAN. Late New York advices stated that a great wave of indignation was spreading | over the country because of the lashing i*';. of a girl prisoner in a Georgia- prison. Mali mie De Crist, a young white woman, was ,/ given thirty lashes on the bare back for ■ speaking rudely to the warden's wife. The js superintendent of Hie prison, who is responsible for the lashing, has resigned and •v fled, fearing lynching. The entire South .'-?» aroused, and petitions arc pouring in for (f Congressional action .making the lashing : r .J)t a white woman a felony. M A CRICKET REFORM. ;> News of a cricket reform conies from :/. Canada'. The scoring sheets of the •'Dominion now contain spaces headed i .—"Fielder's errors" and ''Noteworthy ; ■''.' fielding." The umpires signal the requisite information for these two columns to

the scorers. Very big scoring sheets, remarks a London paper, will be necessary in England if all the missed catches are to be registered in this fashion. How about New Zealand scorers? HEALTH FROM HEAVY RAIN. There is apparently one bright sido to the shockingly wet weather experienced at Home this summer. A correspondent of the "Pall Mali Gazette" draws attention to the following remarkable statistics: "The torrents of rain have done much more than lay the com and interfere with our pleasures—they have washed the atmosphere clear of impurities, and every town in the kingdom has had its sewers scoured again and again. As a consequence, the undertakers are almost going into bankruptcy, and the public health has probably never been, so uniformly excellent at this time of the year. For the seventysix great towns of England and Wales, the death-rate has been steadily diminishing—--14.4, 13.7, 13.5, and last week 13.4. As many as sixteen towns had rates below 10, Tottenham being lowest with 5.7. Inner London's returns show a similar decline in tho rate of mortality—l 3.9, 13.3, 13.0, and now the very low 'level of 12.7—th0 112 a deaths in last week being 513 below fcbr corrected average. In every instance there was a large saving of life in the various classes of zymotic or "dirt" diseases, the total of 128 deaths for the whole group comparing wonderfully well with the normal of 361, being practically onethird. The deaths from diarrhoea and dysentry were less than a quarter of the usual number, nearly tho whole of the mortality from this cause being among young children. For tho entire area of Greater London the week's death-rate was 11. Y, while for the eight suburban town districts it was only 8.7. The .abnormal rainfall has had much to do in bringing about these highly-satisfactory results." A JOURNALISTIC DESSERT. As the public is thoroughly well aware, the Saturday issue of "Truth" differs from tho issues of other days of the week, in combining with its ordinary functions as a chronicle of current happenings, the best characteristics of the modern magazine. The newspaper-reading public has come to look upon Saturday as a day specially reserved for the introduction into their mental dii(t of a dessert in the shape of bright stories, well-written sketches, aud entertaining articles on the most diverse subjects. The care always taken in the past to make the Saturday editions of "Truth" a capital investment for a penny has in no wise been relaxed in connection with the issue of to-morrow. A further instalment of the excellent serial will be furnished, as well as a further budget of six of the short stories which form probably the most attractive feature of the journal. The ladies' gossip and the dramatic news will be found as fresh and up-to-date as ever. The arrival this week of a San Francisco and a Brindisi mail have supplied ample material for the selection of especially interesting accounts of tho most notable happenings in the world outside us. In addition to the other features of Truth," the news of the day by wire and cable will appear with completeness and accuracy in to-morrow's issue, and in the eight o'clock edition (which will as usual be preceded by editions at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.) readers will be furnished with a complete resume of tho afternoon's events on the Turf and in the domain of football