NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12397, 10 January 1906, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY.

Tho auction advertisements of Chae. Clark and C. A. Leee and Co., will bo found on pago II of this issue. The well-known yacht Wnterbeetle •which has been sold to an Akaroa gentleman, was stepped' by tho Cygnet winch left Lyttelton for Akaroa jW terday afternoon. Tho Ground Commit tec of tho Northern, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at ttangiora, yesterday let the grazing of tho chow ground to Mr H Hoberte at £10 for tho year. At tho meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association last night, Mr Vincent gave notice to move that tho rule providing that tho ap-point-men t of the captain of interprovincial teams should bo made by the selection committee or the selectors be altered, so as to place the appointment in tho hands of the team. His Lordship Bishop Grimes returned on Monday night from Cheviot, where ho spent a part of Saturday, all Simday, and a port of Monday. Tho Bishop preached to large congregations on bunday, and confirmed twenty-four candidates presented to him by Father Price, who k in charge of Cheviot and tho surrounding districts. The Catholic church is situated on the finest Mto m Cheviot, and it was most beautifully decorated for tho occasion. In his morning discourso the Bishop congratulated the people on tho evident signs of progress everywhere visible in tho settlement. The Auckland "Star" chronicles a yorj daring theft. A .gentleman went into tho telegraph office to dispatch a. telegram, having with him a parcel of some value, lie placed the parcel on tho desk beside him, wroto out his telegram, stepped over and handed it straight to the clerk, and was backagain inside of two seconds, ho maintains, yet the parcel had vanished apparently in, thin air. His astonishment was too great at first for utterance, as there were net above a dozen people in the place, none of whom could be safely regarded as likely suspects.

nfOil A large grain shed, capable of holditi IOO.OItO bushels, is about to be erecte At tho J-ikf Road Railway Station. Yesterday wa« one of the busiest daj in t*li<e Magistrate's Court experience for a long time. Mr Bishop eat froi 10.30 a..m. until after 6 p.ra. The crops in the Tai Tapu district ar ' more backward this season tlian the have been for several years past, e.n warm treat her is now required to brin the yield up to tlhe average. A 22 mile bicycle road race, tvhic ■nvjb run at Killinchy on Friday ever ing, resulted «s follows:—F. Allan 1, fci Aliun 2. B. Pointer 3. Fastest time B. Pointer, 69min 30s<?e. The Ashburton ltoad Boards' Aseocie tion have revised their by-laws in th direction of providing that tractioi engine owners must register with a ltoa< Beard. .No fee is payable ior reijietna tiou. An immense eel was caught, in i canal near Tai Tapu last week by sonn men tvho were cleaning away the weeds The- et>l measured lit Gin in length, wa. 12 inches round the thickest part of tin body, and turned the wale at 221b. At the meeting of the Sotithbridg< School Committee held on Friday, th< headniaKter reported that during IOfK the average attendance wns 137.8 in th< primary department, and 33 in th< department. At Rangiora yesterday Mr J. C Blaokniore, Government Pomologist gave a lecture on (he diseases of the potato, and tho beet method* of checking tho.io di.seaMY*. He stated itwouk: Iμ? an advantitgo if each encoiir.'igtMl some one io l-ake up >prayiiif! as ;i business. The Christchurch Ilardware Club lieki a SoycLs swimming iiandioap at tho East Christchurch baths, for a special prize presented by Mr W. Feiuier. The race resultetl sis follows:—C. C. Howard 1, W. G. Alexander (4sec) 2, J , . Cowtlory (2.sec) 3, C. Charters (sscc) 4. Time, 17 3-sth sec. 'Hie polling for the election of a member of the South Waimakariri Iliver Board for the Avon Stib-Dietrict took place yesterday. There tvero two candidatps, Mr Charles Burgees, tho retiring member of the Board, and Mr W. P. Spencer. The result was Spencer

109, Burgees 33. Jt is not only blighted love and th , J curse ci drink that brine about domesti j discord. In a maintenance catso 1 ' Court yesterday, tilic wife was aske i \\ hy «Im> and hor lawful lord and pre t tretor parted, Tho woman looked th man—a braimy follow—scornful!; j 11 p and down, and then repliod tersely "He won't work." ? More re H. I. Jones and Son, Limited • of Wanganui, have engaged Davit ' Johnston, a well-known golf profes > vsional from St. Andrews, who left Kiigi land by the Paparoa, which; nailed or December 29th. In a lato tournameni at Edzell, Johnston, wJio was drawn with, that famous ex-champion Taylor, did tho two rounds in. IG2. Johnstor ' was last season professional to the Compoigno Golf Club in Franca. Mr J. Graham Gow, who leaves foi the East on Saturday in connection with tho coming Exhibition at Christchuich. will (says our Wellington correspondent) in addition to workrug in interests of tho Exhibition, enquiro into ,tho trado possibilities in China and Japan, end the possibility of opening up new markets for the colony's products. The polling for the election of one member of tlhe Drainage Board for the Avon Sub-District and ono for the Heatthcote District took place yesterday. The candidates were:—For Avon, Messrs C. Burgees, W. J. Walter, and 11. M. Cresewell; for Heatihooto, Messrs G. Molntyre and Walter Hill. The resulte -were:—Avon, W. J. Walter 167, R. M. Cresswell 63, O. Burgees 5. Heathoote, Walter Hill 289, G. McIntyre 37. Some idea of tho growth traffic on tho Auckland. electric tramways may be gathered from the returns for tho past year, as supplied by Mr P. M. Hansen, managing director of tho company. During 1905 almost twenty million, passengers were carried o>l the various sections, this being an increase of one million and a quarter on the figures for 1904. In 1903 (the first full jyear of the company's operations) thirteen million and a half people were carried by the care. Tho supporters of Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, are eirranging for a complimentary banquet to their member. The function will prob-* ably bo held at Pukekohe. i'he Bay of P' uity electors intend to banquet Mr \V. H. Hemes. M.H.It., at Katikati, and a movement for a presentation to Mr F. W. Lang, tho late member for Waikato, is also on foot. At Timaru on Saturday Major Beckingham picked up an interesting curio in an auction room, where it had been lying for a ,good while awaiting a purchaser. It was a .303 rifle that had been through the Boer war. The barrel is well worn by cordite powder, end! the stock is battered all over with rough usage. The flat of the stock is rudely ornamented with rough pocket-knife carving, showing the name of "J. L. Dyer, L 28 23 Comp."; and in a very rudely outlined and depressed heart are the letters in relief, "N.Z.M.11. 7th." A meeting of the Anglers , Club was held last evening. Mr H. Dawson, of Cust, wrote stating that fishing was booming in that district. The average weight of the fish caught was lib, and fish up to 2lb had been taken with, tho fly. There- was porno discussion concerning the Awarding of the spinning cup iTJ connection wi-tlh. tihe club's recent competition. It was agreed that the trophy should not bo awarded to the competitor who .had sent in tho best "take," as tihe fish had not been sent in in time for tho official weighing. The matter of holding another competition was deferred utotii next meeting. The Spademan Cup, which was won by Mr H. W. Webb, and the Fly Cup, won by Mr C. Rides, were presented to them, and they will, be the (holders of the trophies for ono year. The ordinary meeting of the Waimakariri Harbour Board was held in the Kaiapoi -manteipal chambers on Monday. Present:—Messrs Doubleday (chairman), Keetley, Parnham, Poarco, JSdmonds, and Young. A letter was received from tho Marine Department requesting to bo furnished with observations on th* tidee for February, to test the accuracy of the Nautical tide table, and it was decided to supply the information. It was reported that during the last month the bar was sounded twice, tho depth being 9ft. The yardarm at the signal staff, reported decayed, was ordered to be replaced. Tho receipts einoo last meeting were reported to bo £68 19s, and the balance in hand £100 12s. Accounts to the amount of £4 (is 8d wero passed for payment. A little incident occurred a few days ngo, in which the Premier and a local banner of pronounced Opposition views figured, and which demonstrates Mr Seddon's good nature, and helps to exp«un the great hold he has upon the People says the " Taranaki Herald." Mr "Farmer" had important business down tho Une, but he missed the train Hearing that Mr Seddon was travelling a httlo later by a special train, he made bold to ask for a passage, to which Mr beddon readily agreed, end off they vent. As Mr "Farmer's" destinalion was neared, ho. began to have some misgivings as to whether Mr Seddon would Temember to Jiavo him put down. Ho approached tho secretaries, but they advised him not to worry, that Mr Seddon never forgot Jittle things liko that, and, sure enough, a few moments later tho Premier sought out our friend, and twid, " I promised to put you down at the next station, didn't I? Well, hero we are; get off, and good luck to .you." Tho Premier didn't know who it was he harl^favoured, but it was all the same to him, he had done a kind action.

; We are informed that the . for taking tho census this year■ißlrday, 20th April next. tffi i A Hastings telegram states thifc^ l acres of fho Waimananwt run wmJK i by auction yesterday at £7 7 a peVypJf The Rakain river was still diecojj^ yesterday morning, and the otherff^A torbury rivers were reported cJetrifeiThe Wnkanui flour mills hat» w& ren-oved from Wnkanui to -VselmHrV the rato of progress being a nWuJrlpmile, per day. ifl* Tlio circulating and refe-reni**' pertinent* of the Public Library trinl* closed till Friday for diitemi»rin,.l cleaning purposes. * M, the. Wait ham Orphanage. urwWrtJ control of the Charitable Aid bL!S will Ik> opened this niornme at lftJH in the S.M. Court, before M r VtSI Bishop, S.M. r * JH At a nicotine of the electors of tL Kainpoi district, held in the R«nejS? Volunteer Drill Hall yesteirlav ' rnngeineuts were made for tondento complimentary social to Air R m2M, the Opposition candidate-, at an **$* date. It was decided that, the m«S? should bo addressed by ono or tS flueiitial gentlemen, and that a di£ should take pLaco afterwards. During tho past month the WdW ton Inspector of the Society rorff Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, 2 inquired into fifty-ono cases. Twenl ono honses were put off tho roads mST ing from lamenew, colic, corns and iL flueuza, two were destroyed, three d 2»" whilst, under treatment, and four «*. isolated suffering from frtranguUtioa!^ Tho following crews have beenW teredjpr the Union Rowing Cfolv IVial Fours, to bo rowed oniFehiS!l fiths-11. B. Marshall. 1). B ffit? A Duggaa, C. W. Clark (stroke??? SctaliJFo. J. McColl. H. ffi' n* Stubbs (stroke); R. F. Sime* W , . r* Hanwell. W. Watson, A. Hall (etrekt:" P. Neale, F. J. McDonald, W.d , J. Miles (stroke). V o ™. Tho Kaiapoi High School CeminJUe* at ite meeting on Monday, reoefod i' letter from tho Board of Education £ timating that as tho average attending' was decreasing a pupil teacher mfetfa withdrawn. It wae decided to aerteu tho transfer of Mr Isles, teacher. It was decided to hold ft* - annual picnic at Suniner o» the £nt" Friday of next month. f ' A momo. issued by the Tel«rriM ■ Depart men t yesterday, gives tie foL.' lowing ac tlio charges to bo paid fa every period of three minutes occupied by users of the telephone trunk wire* —Not' exceeding 25 miles, subscribe' 3d, non-subscribere 6d; not exceed* 50 miles, all persons 6d; not exoeedist' 75 miles, 9d; not exceeding IOQ Is; not exceeding 140 milce, Is CdsMt" exceeding 180 miles, 2s; every euodeji' jj , ing distance of 40 miles, 6d. • .^j' r, The following gentlemen have b«k n appointed by the committee, of tW i- Chamber of Commerce as a oamnotto to consider and report upon the selieefc"' of Mr Cyrus Williams for a canal M' ' Christohurch:—Messrs A. L. "Parsoai' 3 n W. D. Mearee, H. Quane, W. JuSJ • H. Wood, E. G. Staveley/G. Bon*? ■ P. D. S. Neave, A. Kaye, J. A. ft& n tick, G. T. I. Gibbs, p;^ s ' Archer, P. Waymouth, and 'Jt-Q?'. r Moore. , \syf It t 'JJAi b When tho poles for the overhead irtA"havo all been erected, which Trill -3r very coon .now, tJio electric trams will-S*^ 0 able to commence running on the IM''- ,- ---° coin road. The line, which "™«'pmo 6 tho West Christchuroh School, and s*' along Moorliouso avenue, join et'Ffil 1 ; 1 road, and continue as a single line tcnijf 1 the railway. A double, line is tiS 6 formed to the trotting grounds, " the line is a single one to the: B»*f- » Hay road. .Jjj|& ; . A letter was read at the meetjwS . the . Society for tho PrcTrootiewp|?t Cruelty to Animals last night &p£§|". man who Ji-nd purchased <a proved to bo valueless, and the Society for a remedy. His was that the animal eh on Id iiliPkiifg 9 condemned so that it could been cold. Tho Society decided I could not take any action in the fflljfa'.f, I The inspector slated that the been returned by thebuyer to j seller, who had turnedl.it out, wife! had never been eeen again. £&$% Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., eTjdenfljf has the opinion that the average Nvtf Zealander takes to betting young aa|> early. During the hearing of ting oasee yosterday Mr fiwin,'oonMdr for the defence, ridiculed the idea'ep ono defendant, being guilty of ,'ffMßjf'bling, 'and remarked on his youth. The magistrate smiled"<jui«i% oally. "Can you toll mc at the young New Zealander doea 'bep%' gamblingi"' he queried;-- "Well.'-'ttK never etarted yet," replied oouneeV.wiw! an air of virtuous pride. "You remarked the magistrate. "W«tP;I;; should certainly have thought yoa ; U%t> from the way——" and ilia tffaahjp-* left a suggestive blank. ■ -f^£> A good deal of excitement was oaailib, in front of the Empire Hotel in M>i%f< street at about 3.30 o'clock on afternoon, cays the "Now Ze«!*a(;. Times." A covered-in van, belongjiljtr to Mr Pinnock, of tho Trocadero, ;■§? proceeding; down tho etreet, wiwn v «fer of the puis by which the eh*fts attached to the van dropped Wfljtf, allowing one shaft and one end of tfcj£f t eliaft-bars to eag on one enough to touch the horse c hidd i#f|< Irritated at this, the horse veered denly, and the van collided witi|»£. brake, causing tho otlier pin to out. The shaft-bar struck the cned animal on tho legs, causing fc'Jtlffi bolt away down the street, at the time jerking the driver on ,to the RtWlifpH Tho horse raced down CuetomhotafS-M quay between the fihafte, end, to the General Post Office, ton-arde the entrance to the QniwjPU wliarf, leaped! the wooden roiling Wroe giiaixle the railway line brick wool store, and pulled) up a number of portors , iiand-cart*. horse negotiated the rail in good.. e ty"*|iß but the iron etep attached to shafts caught and snapped the ■ • O *~|lß four-inoli wooden rail. Harry Blade, who wee driving tho hone tlie first time, suffered a nasty cut 'gJH the back of the head, and othermM<*wi||lßj badly shaken. He was attended t*£!|| Fletcher's pharmacy close by. horse was uniujurcd; little or #J| damage was done to tho vehicle. . v fa|; At the Rangiora. Magistrate* C° n, S| ! yesterday, before Mr V. G. Day, s.Mf h Hannah Coatee applied for eixmtnujhrn Reparation against her husband, J g P*j|| Coates (Mr Johnston), to whom ehe m^ K been_ married twenty-three Persistent cruelty waa sworn to as l , ing prevailed during that period, Jjjyjv more recently, in August, and December, on one of which occasions complainant's hand wee <$*?'■> with a. table knifo, wliich defendant in his hand while using strong '■JR?: guage. In answer to a question ejjjwj plainant eaid defendant's brother in the same house. Defendant twice wanted her to go into anotif jg • house. The eldest son stated instances of cruelty in language *X^ A action occurred every neck. In later cases tho language was bad »jw the violence was suoh ho had to fero and eject ant had lier liand cut in ono of tfllfc rows. Constable Evenden had been frequently sent for to tho peace when defendant was exc«M| r On ono occasion recently he fan , plainant'e hand with a l>ad cut, she «said, in defendant's presence jlp?jaused by him. Sho had )f defendant abusing her on t*eifi|J"' threo occasions. Mi: Johnston ie did' not propose, to call e v 'd°. nc<> ei|fe' Slagifitrate nuulo an order gi v ' n Kß|||fe ilainant custody of four chilflrcn iixteen years, defendaut to con 20s per week. , / lulS,

The Kflikonai Band on Monday night jLj to enter for tho Exhibiton Con~fS? TThis is one of the loading bands |n the colony. The Hon. W. Hal J- Jones spont yoster- , * jnppectiiiK tho holdings comprising Wβ Rcpewell Settlement, eaid a Timaru »Potone i» gotta ng worse than Don- ■ «iantinopl<* for (\<Vfi, and I understand ♦We are about fivo million there," said councillor at. Monday's meeting of petone Borough Council. The following weather report was ,-leeraphed by Cnptain Edwin at noon vpstcrdflv:— "Strong winds to gale- from Ltween "north-east and north and west; cUw fall; tides good; sea considerable; rain probably hoary." \fter tho holidays considerable, activity prevails in connection with Exhibition matters. On Monday night no fewer than four committees were. Hieetinp simultaneously in tho Exhibition offices. Iα tho Onma-ni Magistrate's Court r«itcrdav Thomas William* and William Meay, <>M sigo pensioners, pleaded ' j[ty <o drunkenness. Both had previous convictions, and the Court ordered thftn to forfeit threo instalments of their pen?ions. It is probable that Hector Bnrk, Drake, and Williams (who represented \ew Zealand at tho Australasian Amateur Championship Meeting) will compel© sit tbo Wairarapa Amateur Athletic Club's Meeting at, Mastorton on January :22nd. Goodbehorc, the Wellington Collego crack, has entered for tho 100 yds and 400 yds. Tho business at tho Lyttolton Police Court yesterday "was disposed of by >f»ws C. Ferrior, J.P., and F. H. Barm, J. P. A charge against John Sullivan, on remand, of stealing an oilskin coat value 15k, tho property of \ William, was dismissed. A first offender for drunkenness, who was also charged with being illegally on tho promises of Andrew ChriMenson, "was convicted and discharged. A number of paddocks of grain in tho Masterton district havo already been. cut, but considerable trouble is being experienced on account of the wet -weather.' Farmers in tbo Wairarapa, who are late with shearing operations, -aro particularly unfortunate with changeable weather, and tho recent cold snaps were responsible for a heavy death rate, among newly shorn, sheep. Crops all over tho Masterton dietriot are looking noil, and it is expected that the returns nil compare favourably with, those of other years. A committee meeting of the East Cliristchiirch Amateur Swimming Club was held on Monday afternoon, when there were present:—Messrs A. Oalvert (in the chair), Wauchop, H. S. Williams, V. J. Dnake, C. Howard, C. Bryant, C. Bullivant and F. Haworth. 'Forty-eight now members were elected, and the programme for the annual carnival was adopted, including ladies' bracelet, 100 yards, first £3 3e 6eoond £1 Is; first-class interolub, 78 yards, first £3 3s, second £1 Is; second-class inter-club, 52 yards, first £2 2s, second £1 Is; obstacle race, first lOe 6d; relay race, first £2 Sβ; springboard dive, first lQs Gd, besides other club recce. Harry Pearce., tho veteran wrestler, who claims to be the champion all-round wrestler of Australia, yesterday had an interview at Wellington, with Clarence Weber, principal of the Victorian, Health and Strength College, who also claims ohampionship honours for wrestling, and endeavoured to arrange a match. Peairco offered to meet Weber in any three, five, or soven styles, tho choice to rest with Weber. It is understood Weber is willing to meet Peareo in oatch-as-oatdh-can, only, but Pearce prefers a larger contract, and offere to meet Weber without a wager, or for any wager up to £50. The train service on tho LytteltonChrisMiurch line was somewhat disorganised yesterday morning. Tho "ferry" train, with passengers from tho Mararon, left Xyttclton after the arrival of tho 8M a.m. train from town.'"The "tablet" which is picked up by the engine-driver or tho fireman of a train entering tho tunnel was by some means or other dropped in the tunnel. According to tho regulations, no train is allowed to enter the tunnel without the "tablet," and tho train which usually leaves Port nt 0.25 p.m. was delayed for an hour while search waa being made for the missing "tablet." It was found at last, nnd taken back to Lyttelton on a trolley, nnd tho train left Port at 10.22 a.m. . The "ferry" train took the running of tbo 9.55 a.m. train from Christchurdh. Tho Engineers' Band will play the following programme on tho Rotunda, Sydenham Park this evening:— 1, Quick March, "Waldmore," F. H. Losey; 2, Morceau, "A Night in Switzerland," J. Ord Hume; 3, AVoltz Cotillon, "Prince Charming," Karl Kaps; 4, Selection, "Bohemian Girl," Balfe; 5, Lancens, "Gambols on tho Green," 51. Kayner; 6, Waltz, "Gipsy Revels," Fitzgerald; 7, Selection, "The Golden Sceptre," J. A. Greenwood; 8, March, "To the Asfcault," J. Orel Hume. Tomorrow evening tho Elite Band will piny the following programme on the Rotunda, Victoria square:—l, March, "The Stars and Strfpes for Ever, , ' -Souea; 2, Valse, "Sobre Las Olas," J. Ilceas; 3, Selection, "Gems of Modern Melody," H. Round; 4, A Summer Idyll, "Hiawatha," Noil Moret; 5, Exhibition Quickstep, "The 8.8. and 0.F.," J. Ord Hume; 6, Valse, "My Oolleen," Felix Burns; 7, Grand Selection, "Maritana," Wallace; 8, Andanto and Galop, "Genevieve," F. H. Losey; 0, Contest March, "Newcastle/ , T. E. Buloh. Mr Edward T. Page, President of tho Page-Davis Co. Correspondence School, Chicago, writes to the editor of tho "Weekly Press:"—"l havo iust finished rending with the keenest pleasure the I December iesuo of your very attractive publioaticn. I feel a particular interest in Now Zealand and everything she is doing through the medium of publicity to come beforo tho world with her rich resourced, products, and natural attritions and advantages. My appreciation of her importance in tho world has led to the establishment, as you ere doubtless aware, of a branch of our advertising school by •correspondence in Christchurch. I see from the advertising payee of tho 'Weekly Press' that many of your business, men nre . fttrake to t3it> necessity of advertising, end I may add that it h only necessary for them to run copy that will "ring commensurate- rot urns, in order speedily to double and treble th? volume of your advertising. Wishing you and your country continuous prosperity throughout the new year, nnd your .coming exposition the largest measure of success.—Yours most cordially, EdWard T. Page." Messrs G. Shaw and , Co.'s premises. Cashel street, will be closed all day on .Thursday, preparing for their annual Jale at 10 a.m. Friday morning, January 12th. * '8 Iα their new advert isement Messrs Graham, Wil>on. and Smellio announce that they are not holding a. sale, but that in «ich department- there are goods <" fashion which will be sold at ridiculously low prices. 9 Tho modern farmer must- have a McCormick if h«» wishes to bo a successful fanner. Morrow, Bnj-sott and Co., Bedford row. 4 . Strange ,uid Co. are just now offer•Eg yeiy special inducements to buyers *f inillrifery, mantles, jackets, cost nines, skirta. bldUKxs, dress fabrics, bilks, ana ««hionablo goods generally. In fact |he bargains extend to all departments, a iu it is wdl worth every lady's while to call in and see them. 2 We are giving the best value in bicycles ever ottered in Chrietchurch. rrioes from I'll to JL'lo I.sts. Genuine £nglish-bui)t U.S.A. bicycles £12 10s. impairs unequalled in quality at mode'at* prices. Eoyd and Son, 101 Gloucester street, Caristchurch. 6

Jam and Fruit Jars at Wholesale | Prices.—Tie over jars lib Is 3d, 21b Iβ lid; tin screw tops Is 6d, Is lld;j Masons Is lid, 2s 3d, 3s 3d, all per half dozen. Also in stock, improved American widemouth, Gilchrist jars, Atlas (all fuzes) preserving pans, brass and Iron enamel, light steel enamel from 3s 3d; extra rings and screw tope. Fletcher Bros., direct importers, Lower High street. 31 Eureka clothes for men and boys.— These are our own make. They are made, too, under a quite new 6ystem. which combines all the fit and style of tho fancy-priced tailor, with the economy of the ready-for-service suit. This ensures more satisfaction to you, end at ft considerably reduced price. Call and Roe the styles. Tribe and Coy. for satisfaction, 219 High street. 17 Mr Schulz, engine driver, 7 George street, Christchurch, toys he has had asthma for fifteen years, and that Kurasnva stops an attack at once. A doso at night ensures a good night's (deep. Sold by all chemists, 3s per bottle. Prepared by Kirk, chemist, Sydenham. 30 Competitors admit that the "Singer" motor cycle is unquestionably the beet of all. Oatos, Lowry and Co., solo agents. 6 Tho blou6ee at 4s lid each shown in tho D.I.C. windows should interest all ladies who wish to combine taste with moderate expense. They are in fancy, ."■prig, end plain muslins, trimmed daintily with taco and insertion. Other special lines are worthy of interest to any who can visit tho Model church Store, known as tho D.I.C. 10 Great end of season sale now on. Tho whole stock nt reduced prices. Geiiuino bargains. Wide millinery ribbons, Is 3d tor did, Is lid for 9Jd. Silk and Inco collarettes, etc., 35e for 5s lid. Ladies' H.S. handkerchiefs, IOJd halfdozen. Fancy muslins, Is 6d for 3jd. Fancy lawns and sateens, Is 3d for ojd. Wool delaines, Is lid for Is 3Jd. Towels 7Jd for 4 j<l. Pink flannelettes, 8s lid for os 6d doz. Puro Japanese silk, nil colours, Is. Fancy dress voillea, 3s 3d for Is 9d. Bargains everywhere. See windows. Beath's great sale. 6 At Black, Beattio's great bargains are in evidence. Dainty French muslin 2s 3d, now Iβ yard: ladies' fancy straw hate 6s 6d to 10s 6d, for Is each; cashmere hose Is 9d for Is; pair collars and collarettes 3s 3d to 6s lid, for Iβ 6d to 2e lid each; coloured crash skirte 10s 6d for 5s Hα each. 16 While wishing all a prosperous New Year, Messrs »Graham, Wilson, and Smellio point the way to prosperity in their advertisement of to-day. Prosperity comes of wise expenditure, that is getting value for your money. This firm's strong point lies in its valuegiving propensity. 18 Patents, trades marks, designs.— Henry Hughes, patent agent, 183 Hereford fetreet, Ohristdhurch, obtains patents in all countries. - Reliable advice on application. Telephone 254. U The great number who visited the establishment of Black, Beattie and Co. this week is sufficient proof that the reputation this firm holds for value is being more than maintained. Special Eurohase lines in every department at alf usual prices. 15 Balloons used in war says Lord Roberts, are great. Balloons used as Now Year presents are groat says "Little Jim,' T The Boot Man. Every customer spending over Is gets a large balroon or calendar free, for this year only. 8 Engine-owners and farmers are reminded lubrication is the most essential with machinery. Guaranteed good oile are obtained at H. McClelLand'e. 224 Oashol street. J) The Oldsmobilo Motor-cars have been again reduced in price. The quality is better than ever. Messrs W. A. Ryan and Co., Ltd., 126 . Cashel etreet, Christchurcb... 16 Fletcher Bros.—Big reduction. Sale prices. Dinner sets 17s lid, now 15s yd; tea sets 9s 9d, now 7s lid; bedroom sets 13s 9d, now lls 9d. Splendid value. See window. Oddments to sets at lowest prices. Hardware, cutlery, and lampware at Fletcher Bros., crockery importers, Lower High etreet. 24 A SUNvSHINY CITY. The "Nelson Evening Mail," in publishing and contrasting tho sunshine records, .obtained by Mr John Tinline at Nelson, during the years 1904 and 1905, refers to the action of "The Press" in publishing similar records for Christchurch, and endorses our frequently urged suggestion that the Government should provide for records of sunshine, as well as etorm, being kept at tho various meteorological etations in tho colony. Aβ was the case here, more cloudy weather was experienced in Nelson ket year than during 1904, the figures ehowing a decrease of sunshine of 131 hours 32 minutes for the twelvemonths, against tho Christchurch figures of 173 hours 24 minutes.- Nelson certainly continues to justify its reputation as a sunshiny city for, in spite of tho decrease shown on the 1904 figures, its record for last year, as compiled by Mr Tinline, amounts to 2878 hours 50 minutes, against tho Christchurch total of 19-18 hours 40 minutes. During 1904 the sunshine registered at Nelson totalled 3010 hours 22 minutes, giving a daily average of 8 hours 14 minutes for the twelvemonths, against 7 hours 53 minutes last year. ,- Tn our month of short<wt days," the "Mail" remarks, commenting on tho 1905 figures, "the average was fh'o hours, which is an exceedingly good record." The 'MeiT' snggeste* that "it would be> well for tho City Council, which has been invited to send exhibits to tho International Exhibition, to be held at Christchurch, io furnish fwmo particulars concerning tho attractions of Nelson, nnd to include therein details of the return wo have referred to." DARING HONEYMOON TRIP. Tho Count Do Losdain, of the French Legation at Pekin, andl hie bride, who recently arrived at Darjeeling from Tibet, and are shortly expected in Calcutta, havo established a record in Central Asian travel. They went north from Pekin to Mingh.si, and thence north again, difccovering two buried cities. Tlmjj- then travelled to tho Gobi desert, discovering a nt>w lake, and returned south-west to Liangcbow, whenco they circuited on the north the lake of Koko Nur, in Tibet, and , arrived at the lonely Tsaidam fait swamps. The daring explorers reached the sources of the Yangtsc Kiang- river. They endured incredible hardships, and at one timo saw no human being for fitty days. They nearly perished on a terrible upland mud plateau 19,800 ft high, only four of their transport animals eiirviving. Thence tho Count and his wife struck south to Tingri iNor and down to the Sang Chu river, nvoiding Shigatee, on the route from India to J Lhasa, and , coming straight to Gyantee. I They found the Tibetans throughout friendly, and attribute their extraordinary success to tho effects of the recent British Expedition. COMF.DY OF YES AND NO. A bridal couple recently came before the registrar in a small town in Mecklenburg. Tli<- official in due formula asked tho bridegroom if lie would take the woman his wedded wife (says a corwpondent of th-o "Daily Mail). He answered, "No, I muifo think the matter over." There was consternation and protestation among tho assembled company, and tho brfdegrcom finally asked for an hour in which to reflect. Hβ then shut himself up alone- in a room and spent an hour meditating on his future. At the end of that time the couple made their second appearance before the registrar. The bridegroom replied to the usual question with a joyful "Yes!" The official then

asked fhe bride the same .question. Her reply was very loud and distinct. "No," she said. "I can't accept such a weathercock, weak-willed individual as husband." She then drew herself up with scornful dignity and left tho room, j AN ABSENT-MINDED SCIENTIST. The announcement of the death of Sir John. Burden-Sanderson, one of the most celebrated of English medical scientists, has revived eeveral stories of the absent-mindedness of this distinguished man. On one occasion Lady Sanderson left ihim one ovening to conduct some guests to the dining-room. When she came down into the halt she found him helping them into tiheir gxeat-ooat.s, shaking hands, and eaying good-night. Left one morning to boil his own egg for breakfast, with instnictidns to give it three minutes, ho was found staring imtently at the egg in his hand, while his watch waa merrily boiling away in the saucepan. On another, occasion he went for .a walk with a gentleman who was staying in his house. On arriving back home Sir John, turned to his guest as they reached the gate, and, holding out his hand, said, "It has been, tho freatest pleasure to mo to meet you. ,wish I could ask you to spend a few days with one, but the house w full, as we have somo people staying with us." The late Sir Henry Acland delighted to tell one story of Sir John's absentmindedness. While a guest at hie house, the famous scientist one day asked Miss Acland if .bo might have h.is lunch earlier than usual, as he had an important call ,to make. The lunch was served, and Sir John left the Ten minutes later he returned, rang tho boll, and asked tho astonished servant to bring up lunch. It was duly served, and Mit-s Acland had the .satisfaction of seeing her guest mako a second hearty meal. At the university, where he jW-as known among irreverent undergrade, as "the Burdcr," ho would often delight (his claew by stuffing one, chaJky duster after the other into .his pocket, and eventually using his pocket handkerchief to clean tho blackboard.