Christchurch Notes.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1039, 22 June 1894, Page 6

Christchurch Notes.

[prom our own correspondent. 1

The adjourned meeting of the City Licensing Committee held on Monday last had under consideration various applications from persons who had received notice that their houses were to be done away with. Twelve licensees had received such notice, and had to appear before the committee to " show cause." Various reasons were assigned for the " why" and " wherefore " of the existence of the various_pubs, and after duly considering all the evidence taken, the committee decided on nine houses which they intended to slaughter. The houses closed are principally very old buildings, only one — the Albert — being anything of a decent structure, and the committee's reason for refusing tho license to this hotel is hard to conceive. The house is situated close to the theatre, is largely used by travelling companies, and is well conducted, besides being a very superior building of brick and stone. Licenses' were granted to some houses which ought to have been pulled down or burned long ago, as they are scarcely tit for habitation. The majority of the p!;>ccs closed are the properly of one brewery company. The Canterbury winter so far has been exceptionally mild. It is remarkable inasmuch as more rain has fallen than in any previous winter up to date for six years. At the present time many paddocks are under water from the heavy storm of three weeks ago. Very little frost has favoured us with its presence — not sufficient to freeze the water on the moi'iiinsj; hath. Unless we have some snow and frost before the spring sets in we will be over-run with vermin of all descriptions. The ground is full of the larvte of insects, and the heavy rains are doing nothing towards destroying the destroyers. In our flower and vegetable gardens young snails and slugs are in thousands, also wood-lice. Our only hope is a frosty July and August. What the fanners are like is hard to say, as they have enemie3 to fight which we in the town and suburbs know nothing of, such as bots, grubs, brown beetles, caferpillars, etc. The enemies of vegetation seem to be annually increasing. Only a very ft-w years ago the first real snails were found in our gardens ; now they are thousands, with shells as big aa half of a hen's e^'g on their backs ; and most destructive things they arc, especially where tender plants are being grown. Another of our enemies is the wood-louse, or perhaps better known as "slaters." This insect not only destroys the roots of flowers and vegetables, but bores the roots of fruit trees to such an extent that the branches decay and rot one after the other, but. the tree is done for.

At the. Chris! church Magistrate's Court on Saturday last nine members of the crew of the R. M.S. Tainui were charged with having dutiable goods in their possession on which customs had not been paid. The goods consisted mostly of tobacco and cigars, which the men alleged they had purchaser! for their own use. A large amount of evidenca was taken on both sirle^. The magistral** pointed out that under the Act the men were only allowed to have a certain amount of tohncco for their own consumption, and fines ranging from L 5 to 15s were inflicted.

Quite a ne.v thing in bicycles has been turned out. by a Christchurch firm of maker?. The machine has been named " the Maori," and is the invention of Mr T. C. Denniso!), of Oamaru. The cycle is propelled by the feet and hands working, simultaneously, the action of riding resembling that in rowing, the level for (he hands being pivot-d to the frame. The steering is effected by a universal joint, with connective rods lo the steering head. The gearing is 150 inches, which allows '.he machine to cover 3S feet for every revolution of the crank ; but this is considered Loo high for road work, and it is thought that a lower gear would suit the new machine much better.

Some time at>o yon published an article on ths uses of electricity, detailing the many benefits which had been rendered to man through its agency. A case which may be of interest to some of your readers has come under my notice. A yon nij man of my acquaintance some years nyo received an injury to his right knee through a fall from a bicycle. Little notice was at fli'st taken of the Injury further then to " lie up" till the stiffness left the joint. About three years from the time of the accident a painful stiffness set in, accompanied by swelling and displacement of the sinews. Several medical men vere consulted, and finally the sufferer was removed to ihe hospital. After treatment there for some considerable, time he was discharged, apparently cured, and returned to work ; but only for a few weeks, when both legs went wrong at the knee joints, and the unlucky fellow found himself almost a helpless cripple. He remained in this condition from Eebruary 1892 till the end of January of the present year, in the meantime trying every conceivable remedy without avail. A medical galvanist happened to hear of the pitiable condition of the unfortunate cripple, and visited and offered to cure him. The sufferer was naturally sceptical, but thought no harm could be done in trying. He has had reason to bless the day he decided on being " galvanised. " The specialist set the sinews right, nnd applied the batteries to the effected parts, In six weeks his patient was able to indulge in a swim, a luxury which had for so many years been denied him. He is now filling his place which he was compelled to vacate, and can walk 10 miles a day with the greatest of ease and comfort. The much doctored pins seem stronger than ever, and have so far given no indication of returning trouble.