NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12569, 11 August 1906, Page 9

NEWS OF THE DAY.

For a number of years Christchurch »-as distin-'"-- 1 -** 1 *' or the ljea,lt >' of lts privaJPrdens. which bore testimony to tbe enth.i-iasm and tin! of local amateur horticulturists. Subsequently the advent of the bicycle and tlio increasing facilities for indulging in outdoor sports caused' a diminution in -be interest k-therto taken in gardening. Ncw-a-days, however, a reaction seems to be sotting in; (more attention, is b"ing paid to horticulture than lias been the case for soma time. With tlio hope, therefore, of stimulating interest in this delightful recreation amomg thceo who have not yet learned its fascination, and of assisting those who aro already members of the great comrany oi amateur gardeners, we print iv this issue tlio hist of a weekly series of •• Garden. Notes."' These are written by tm expert, aud are intended tor 1•> 'lie'lp in«l" encouragement of the man who himself cultivates his qtiarterKtro garden. Their purpose is more fu'Jv explained in tne liitroduotory paragraph. Wo may add that aLI queries shouM be addressed to •■Hcrtus," care of tho Editor ot The Press" «nd should reach tliis ofiico not later than Wednesday night in each week.

' Tho auction announcements of P. A. Herman, C. A. Lees and Company, Baker Bros., Tonks, Norton and Company, Guinness and Lo Crcn, Deveroux, King and Company, Charles Clark, H. T. Smith, Dalgety and Company, and Harding, Son and Company, will bo found on page lo of this issue. At tho Auckland Magistrate's Court yesterday, two di_irv>;en wero fined £■"> each for failing to thoroughly cleans© two milk cans. At tho mooting for men, to bo held at tho Baptist Schoolroom to-morrow night, tho subject, "Is the Heart of Man Naturally Bad or Good?" will bo discussed. Tho Rangiora typo-writing classes in connection with tho Manual and Technical Classes, commenced on Thursday evening, in tho Road Board Office, with nine pupils. A general meeting of tho members of No. 3 Industrial Building Society was held last, evening to dispose by ballot of tho 121 st nppronrintion of £300, which fell to share 735. Tho matron of thef Children's Aid Society's Home would be glad to receive donations of infants' cots and bedding. Will parents, whose children have grown out of snch things, sho asks, assist a deserving home by giving these articles? The entertiiinment given by the Royal New Zealand Artillery Entertainers and friends on Tuesday evening, in the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall, in aid of the funds of tiro Lyttelton Casualty Ward, after paying expenses, realised the sum of £14 3s 6d. At a meeting of a local horse show committee it was proposed that ono of the judges to- be asked to decide tbe merits of riding how-cs should be a wellknown lady rider. The meeting decided, however, to. keen tho judging under . masculine control, at any rate for tho next exhibition. At a meeting of the Board of Managers cf F>t. Peter's Presbyterian Church on Thursday it was decided to take steps n,t once to enlarge tho accommodation of tho church. It was agreed to hold a bazaar on September 27th and 28tih to defray tho expenses of the alteration. At Lancaster Park this afternoon two football matches of an interesting 1 nature will be decided. The Greymouth team, which defeated Ellcsmere . during tho week, nro set down to meet Merivale, and a team representing tho Peninsula will moot a Canterbury selection. The ground has dried up considerably during the week, and both contests should bo well worth seeing. _ At the colonial wool sales in London in May, Messrs J. and J. Coop's wool from tho flocks on their properties at /Little River sold as follows:—Slipe— 4 hales of halfbrod lambs ls 6_d. 4 bales crossbred ls sd, 3 bales at ls 2}d; greasy—s2 bales ls to ls 3Jd, 28 bales Bjd to ls, the locks felling at Bjd, pieces at 9_d to 11.d; 20 bales 7d to Is OJd, the pieces selling at 7d to 10_d, and pieces and locks Bd. It is understood that two bills affecting native matters havo been drafted for submission to the House during the coming session, <a.nd every effort will be made to place them on the Statute book. Ono is a policy measure, the provisions of which havo not yet received the final sanction of Cabinet. Tho other is a consolidating measure framed for that purpose. The option of securing a collection of Moriori relics, including about twentytwo skeletons, has been offered to the Government. Dr. Mason says that these skeletons should not bo allowed to go out of the country, ns they aro very valuable from an ethnological point of view. He has spent much time in taking measurements of these specimens*, and has had photographs taken. These pictures, with necessary information, will be sent to Sir William McEwen, the celebrated brain 6urgoon. The Ashburton Orchestral Society's second concert of tho season, under Hon* Zimmerman, drew a crowded house at the local Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday evening, when an excellent programme was gone tlvrough in a manner which won warm expressions of ; appreciation from tho largo audience. Tho vocal soloists wero Mrs W. Anderson, Miss Alcorn and Mr Chas. Reid (Christchurch), and Mr W. Lanliom (Christchurch) played a trombone solo excellently. Misn P. Buchanan, L.A.8., and Mr L. S. McClurg each contributed violin 6olos, and were heartily applauded. The orchestral items were most enjoyable. At Ashburton yesterday, before Mr C. A. Wray, S.M., Thomas Stephens was fined 5s and costs for riding a bicycle on the footpath. Begg and Company sued Robert Kerr for £15 on the sale of a piano. Defendant stated that he had bought tlie piano from W. Smith, who had boon agent for tho firm, for £10. Smith, who had stated that there had been £25 or £26 paid in instalment moneys on the instrument by another wouJd-be purchaser, had received tlie money in cash and had written on the receipt that he allowed £15, "as a wedding present," passing thin off to defendant as a joke. Smith* land sine© lx-on convicted of cmbozzlomtnt of the firm's moneys. Judgment was given for plaintiffs for tho amount claimed, with costs. W. Sparrow claimed £1 3s Id from P. Toomey on a judgment summon?. An order was made for payment, forthwith, in default threo days' imprisonment. In tho judgment summons case of W. Sparrow v. Alexander Brown, claim £4, no order was made.

Tlie View Hill School children • have collected 16s 6d, which has been forwarded to Nurse Maude for her consumption camps.

A memorial scrvico to tbe late Mr Frederic H. Barns will bo held nt St. Michael's Church to-morrow, commencing at 11 a.m. Sixteen English Leicester rams shipped by Mr William Nixon left for Sydney by the Wiinmera yesterday, and thirty-six rams shipped .i)y Messrs Dalgety and Company 'loft by the Mo„raki for Melbourne. At a meeting of tho Rangiora Borough Council last evening, applications wore received lor the position of managiT of the gasworks, to be erected short ly. Thero wero six applications, and Mr J. H. Grenville, of the Christchurch gasworks, was appointed. The annual social of tho Builders' and Cor/oi-actors' Association took place la-st might in the Art Gallery, and proved most successful. There was a largo attendance, and the arrangements made by the committee for litio comfort and pleasure of those attending were highly appreciated. Dancing commenced shortly after eight o'clock, and was kept up with great spirit till tlie ecuuclnsion of the programme Tho Woolston Brass Band will play tho following program mo to-morrow afternoon in Hagley Park, commencing at a quarter to threo o'clock: —March, •'Waldmerc'' (Low.'y); euphonium solo, "Tho Vilbigo Blacksmith" -(VVeiea); contest .selection, "l'n Hallo in Maschero" (Ord Hume); cornet solo, •'Sing Mo to Sleep" (G lie no); intermezzo, "Bridal Roses" (tkd Hume); march, "Tinteru Abbey - ' (Onl Hume). At a meeting of the Wellington City Council on Thursday evening, Councillor Cohen asked whether any arrangements had been made for tlio exhumation of tho remains in the old cemetery overlooking GlenbcTvie road, preparatory to tho formation of a new recreation ground for Thorndon. The Mayor replied that ho kid been too busy -hunting for money to do recreation ground work to give the subject mentioned any attention, but tho matter would bo looked after in good time. Tho chairman of the Canterbury Industrial Association stated _k_st night that owing to a decision of the City Council, various organisations had boon deprived of the use of the Council rooms. Ho had offered the use of the Association's rcom to the Beautifying Association, and he thought it might also bo granted to some of the other associations, such as the St. John Ambulance Association. Tlio chairman's action was approved.

Tho case of the Commissioner of Taxm versus the Dunedin City Corporation was concluded at Dunedin last evening. This was a claim for £553, duty on tramway material. The point involved was whether points and crossings for electric tramways were rails for tramways or tramway material not otherwiso enumerated. Tho special jury gave a unanimous verdict that tho articles were rails for tramways, and therefore not dutiable. Judgment was entered up for tlio City Corporation, with costs on the highest scale.

At tho last meeting of the Christchurch Poultry Club, the president (Mr E. J. Ross) presided, and there was n good attendance. The treasurer (Mr ! larkson) presented tho balance-sheet for the last year, and a vote of thanks was accorded the Executive for tho successful year just ended. Complete arrangements wero made for tho annual meeting on Monday, and it was decided to recoivo at that meeting nominations of judges for tho Club's Intercolonial Show, to be held in June, 1907.

Our Dunedin correspondent tele- | graphs:—"With reference to the probability of a State coal depot being cci ta.biish.ed in Dunedin, the president of the Dunedin Coal Merchants' Association said that the Association did not consider it probable that anything cf i that sort- could bo done here. State coal would probably retail heire at 32s per ton, ajid this could not compete with Crtago lignite at 18s per ton, or KaOtangata coal at 23s por ton. The j proportion of Went Coast coal to ligI nite said here was less than in other I centres." I It has boon arranged that a conference shall be held with tho members of the House to discuss tho question of the Lyttelton Railway rates. Those •invited to take part will bo represon- \ tatives of tho Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association, Employers' Association, Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Trades and Labour Council, Farmers' Union, City Council, and Lyttelton and Woolston Borough Councils. Tho whole of the members for North Canterbury, including Ashburton, will be asked to be present on the occasion. It is probablo that tlie meeting will bo held noxt Friday night, but the details of tho arrangements aro .not yet complete. An excellent concert was given in the Rangiora Literary Institute on Thursday evening by the Dresden Piano Company, in aid of the funds of St. John's Church, Rangiora. Tho large hall was well filled, and the programme gave every satisfaction, nearly every item being .encored. Songs were sung by the Misses Livingstone and Chegwin and Messrs Foster (Dunedin), Angus Ruesell and Bon Stevens. Mr Vero Buchanan played two violin solos, and Mis E. E. Gahagan two pianoforte selections. Mr F. Carisbrcok gave a fugel horn solo and a humorous sketch, and Mr Ernest Schatz brought down tho house with his amusing songs and sketches. Tlio concert was under the direction of Mr R. A. Homo and Mr Gibbs Jordan, who played the accompaniments. At a well attended meeting of tho Council of tho Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association at Rangiora yesterday, it was decided that there bo two judges in the horse classes and ono judge in every other class of the show. Judges were nominated in tho different sections. An amondiment of Regulation 12 was agreed to—"That tho names of sire and dam of all entries of horses and cattle must be given, or it should be stated in the catalogue that the breeding was unknown." The pre-, eident (Mr F. Lance) suggested that tlie director of the Lincoln College be informed one of his advanced students might attend the judges in the honse and cattle classes. After somo discussion, a motion by Mr K. Mcintosh was adopted, "That a young farmers' judging competition be held in tho horses, shorthorns, and certain of the sheep classes, the entrants to be over 18 years of ago, and certificates to be given for Ithe first and Beoond orders- of merit." Mr V. G. Day, S.M., presided at the Police Court yesterday, Archibald MoFarlane waa fined 5s for drunkenness and 40s for procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Francis Michael Sellans, who pleaded guilty on Thursday to tho theft of several articlos, was brought up for sentence. Tbe Magistrate said that he did not like to send a young fellow like Sellars to gaol, and would give him another opportunity. He trusted it would be a lesson to him. and if he came before the Court again ho would certainly sond him to gaol. For stealing the blankets he would order him to pay tho value, 18s, also the value of the heifer, £2 3s. A fine of £2 was inflicted for stealing the bicycle. He was ordered to pay £3 10s costs. For purloining an umbrella he was convicted, and convictions were also recorded against him in the previous cases. John Brown Johnston was remanded on a charge of stealing two and a-half bags of chaff at Sumner, tho property of Hayward and Co. Mr Harvey stated that in the case McPJiee v. McPhoe, in which one brother charged the other with assault, an. arnicabio settlement had been arrived at.

Wekaa are uncommonly plentiful in Taranaki this season. In some places they have become quite a nuisance. It is not generally known that instructions were recently issued to all guards on tho New Zealand railways to see that no boys travel in smoking carriages. In the Divorce Court at Dunedin yesterday a decree nisi was granted in tho ca.se of Mcintosh v. Mcintosh, a wife's petition for dissolution of niarriago on the ground of constructive desertion. Two first offenders, suffering from tho effects of drink, appeared before Mr C Forrier, J.P., at the Lvttelton Police Court, yesterday. They were remanded for medical treatment. Mr Justice Oooper will arrive from Dunedin to-night by the express to take up the work of tlie criminal session on Monday. .Mr Justice Chapman will resume the Arbitration Court work on that day. Word has been received by Mr W. T. Wood, M.H.8., that tho Government has definitely decided to open a -state coal depot in Palmerston -North. A site has alrcadv been obtained, but the date of the'opening is not yet announced. The Auckland bakers' carts wero suddenly pounced on by tlio police recently, with tho result that nineteen, drivers were fined £1 each yesterday tor neglecting to provide scales lor bread-delivery carts. Edward Seager, the owner of tlio stoam trawler i'aiuka, which met with a.n accident when coming from the Sounds to Wellington recently, was fined at the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday 20s, with £-1 Us costs, for having allowed her to proceed to sea without a certificate of survey. Captain Jaoobsen, of the barquentine Speculant, which arrived at Auckland yesterday, refKirts that twenty miles south-cast of tho East Capo ho sighted a-hip's mast upright in the water with remnants of sails and rigging clinging to it. It resembled tlie lower main mart of a ketch, and presumably was putt ot the ketch Sir Henry. Mr Wray, S.M., gave judgment at the Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday in tiie" case against William Porter, charged with keeping liquor for sale. Defendant was fined £20 and costs, in default ono mouth. A fortnight waa given i-i which to pay tho lino, and tho liquor found on tho premises was ordered to bo confiscated. The Museum staff are at present engaged iv making a collection of New Zealand insects, and tho first ease, has now been placed in the "new exhibits'' bureau, __ whence it will bo removed to the New Zealand room. Tho case contains specimens of tho order Orthoptcra. which comprises the larger insects, including crickets, locusts, grasshoppers, etc., anel nearly fifty specimens of tho order havo been mounted. A remarkable discovery of a frog sealod in a block of bluestooie was made on Thursday at Auckland by a workman who had occasion to sliape an irregular piece of metal. One blow of the hammer split off a long elab and liberated the frog, which sprang from a small cavity, from which it oouid not possibly have been released without outside interference, but in which it had evidently been supplied with air and light. Its colour was normal and its eyes wero apparently efficient. Tho frog was handed to the museum. It is presumod that the frog reached tho cavity in the stone, and as tho roptilo grow it got too big to leave by way of the honeycomb holes. Some outspoken comments on the way in which certain public works aro carried out wero made by Mr R. MoKenzie, M.H.R., at tlie opening of the TacLmor section of the Midland Railway. It had, ho said, been a big struggle to get so far. Twenty miles of extension had been done in twenty years—a male a year. This rate of progress meant tho throwing away of public .money, and beat anything on the face of the earth. (Laughter.) A contractor would havo completed tho extensions for a third of tho money they had oost in one-tenth of the time. (Hear, hear.) Tho fault was at headquarters. A trap, a motor car, and a hansom got mixed up in Oxford terrace yesterday with serious, but, happily, not fatal, results. The horse in the trap shied at the motor car, and bumped into the hansom, which contained a lady" md gentleman, and capsized it. Tho horse in tho hansom the interference emphatically, and started to kick his master's property to pieces. Tho occupants made a hasty and undignified exit through a window, and, fortunately, escaped with a severe* shaking. Tlie tangle was gradually sorted out with tho assistance of bystanders, the principal damage being done to the cab, which hail a buckled wheel and several minor injuries.

The Management Commrbteo of the Canterbury Automobile Association met last night. Present—Dr. C. Morton Anderson (chairman'), Dr. F. Goulbourn Gibson, Dr. R. W. Anderson, Mr R. M. Maodonald, Mr H. J. Ranger, iand Mr H. Thompson. Mr MacdonaJd stated with regard to tho Waipara bridge, which was desired by stock-ownera, motorists, and others, that the Government was prepared to spend £800 on such a bridge. If tlie Government oould bo induced to spend £100 moro a bridge completely satisfactory to motorists oould be orectod. It was resolved that a deputation wait on. Sir Joseph Ward, either here or hi Wellington, in regard to tho matter, and that at tho same time the question of the duty on, motor tyres be brought before tho Minister. Three new members were elected. It was resolved to notify kindred associations in Now Zealand of the resolutions passed.

In tho Supremo Court yesterday Mr Donnelly, in the counse of an eloquent and impassioned appeal to the j<ury, explained the process of making "sweeps" at raco meetings. Ho described the system in detail, snowing a familiarity with hie subject that bespoke practical experience. After a while the Crown Prosecutor mildly suggested that his learned friend was giving evidence. Mr Doninolly did not burke the impeachment. "I was a reporter in tho early days," he replied smilingly, "and had to report many races, thus becoming familiar with these sweeps. But since I took to the law, I can't afford to go to races," he added. Ladies interested in the G-rand National will also be interested in seeing the special display of early millinery models now being made in the showroom upstairs. Inspection is invited. Graham, Wilson and Sinellio (near Clock Tower). 23 Now—just now—and for a few days, watches will be sold at cost price. We are over-stocked, and want money. Clarke and Co., practical watchmaker, 148 Colombo street. 9 The most attractive showing of millinery ever collected in a limited space roav be seen in the windows of Messrs Black, Beattio and Co. They aro of the daintiest and most charming combinations. We may also mention that the moderate prices charged by this firm are a decided advantage, which should not be overlooked where smart millinery is in requisition. 4 The vernal air and the birth of flowers tell of the delightful springtime, with warm sunny days to oome. With change of eoason comes change of attire, and womenfolk in particular must"pay homage to fashion. At the Farmers' Co-op. the exhibition of spring and summer fashions is as interesting as it is educative, and no woman who wishes to be fully informed on the new styles should miss this exhibition. Tho advertisement on another oago gives dotailcd information. * 6

[ Importers can save time and money by handing their documents to N.Z. Express Co., Ltd., for clearance through customs. All transactions treated as strictly confidential. 11 Exhibition Postcards. —There is now on view in tho ebow-caso at tlie Cashel street entrance of tho D.I.C. a very excellent representation of the Exhibition buildings. These post cards have been very carefully executed from the elevation as now seen in Hagley park, and will be a valuable souvenir to post by the outgoing San Francsco mail. Tbe price ofsame is most moderate, being simply One Penny each. Everyone should too this facsimile of the noble edifice which is now under completion, for the Groat International Exhibition shortly to be opened. 10 Having ir. view the influx of visitors for the Grand National, T. Armstrong and Co.a sensational price sale will be continued. Smart millinery for the races from 4s lid to 12s Gd, exquisite models 15s Gd to 30s, rich black earaculo coato 30s to G3s, gloves, hosiery, ribbons, laces, umbrellas 2s lid to 8s Hd—tho value given is their best advertisement. G The attendance of the public, day after day, at Strangc's Stocktaking Sale is enormcius, and a giVac many of the visitors come from places .fur distant from Christchurch, tho fame of tho sale having apparently spread far and wvde. A large lot of extraordinarily tempting lines will b_> submitted to buyers to-day and to-morrow, and during n-xt werk, and ot range's ex doc t to be busier than ever! " G Seeds that will grow, from Nimmo and Blair, Juncdin. Flower seeds, 100 varieties, I<l packet; vegetable seeds, 3d packet. Free lists of kinds at Fletcher Bros., Agents, Lower High street. 10 Owing to the sudden climatic changes existing in Christchurch, many people havo boon suffering from couglm and colds oi' lato. At such a timo it is well to bear in mind the fact that Wallace and Co.'s Coudi Elixir is a sure, certain cure lor all throat and ch«t troubles. This remedy of proven merit acts upon the mucous membrane, entirely removing from tho system the cause of the trouble, whereas many preparations for the same complaint contain injurious narcotics which merely temporarily .silence tlio oough to sleep to awaken with renewed vigour and discomfort to tho .sufferer. Wallace's Cough Elixir is sold at ls and 2s par bottle by all reliable chemists, and is as suitable for children as for adults. Wallace and Co., chemists, Triangle. 10 For the Grand National Steeplechases next week thero is a special display of choice millinery models in ono of Messrs Beath and Co.'s windows in Cashel street. They were specially selected for above event. Ladies should not fail to call and inspect these superb pictures, the styles are recherche, tho prices very reasonable. Make . early selection. Please note Beath's phenomenally successful winter sale still continues. From day to day thousands of bargains aro thrown out cheaper than ever. Sco windows. / 2 Tho sensational sale in progress at Armstrong's, High street and Victoria square, will prove a boon to visitors to the National. Geuita' frame hats 7s lid; umbrellas, 3s lid, 5s Gd, 7s Gd; tennis shirts, Is lid, 2s 9d, 3o lid, 4s 3d; covert ooat, 21s; rain coats, 2J)s Gd, 35s Gd; mackintoshes, 12s Gd, 18a Gd, 255; all-wool suits, 18s Gd, 22a Gd, Boys' clothing and everything else on same basis. Inspect special door and window display. 8 English-made Gold Chains, Long Gold Chains, Gold Neoklets, Secret link Gold Chains, Gold Chain Bangles. Large assortment direct from the manufacturers, London. Wonderful value. Inspection invited. Jones and Sons, Jewellers, 248 High street, Christchurch. 10 Mr E. A. Earp, consulting optician by examination, l. ay be consulted daily at F. T. Pnnnoll and Co., Cathedral square. Hours, 9 a.m. till G p.m. Artificial light used. Consultation free. Moderate prices. l 14 If you have the faintest suspicion tliat your eyes ore not just right, if they bother you in any way, it's best to nave thorn examined at once. Do not go to the average opticion or spectacle seller, for he '« unable to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, but consult John R. Proctor. 180 High street, Christchurch, who will give you a thorough examination, free of charge • 2145 W. M. Ashton and Co., of Wanganui, are offering for one month only, a station property which they can reoommend as a good safe investment, and one that will return a high rate of interest for the capital invested. If you want such a property don't miss inspecting this one advertised in another column. 6 Now arriving, tho Robey steam engines, in all classes, oil engines, gas engines, and steam puuips, etc. Particulars from H. McClelland, 224 Cashel street, sole representative. 5