TOWN & COUNTRY,

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5586, 20 January 1879, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY,

Mr A. Hayman.— Mr Hayman, the well known agent for the Kelly and Leon Minstrels, is now in Christchurch.

Snow ok thb Mountains.— Within the last two days (says Ashburton Mail) a considerable quantity of snow has fallen on the mountain tops within 25 miles of Ashburton, and yesterday the prospect thus furnished b the warm sunlight was strikingly grand beautiful.

Thb South Belt.— The steam road-roEe: has been at work at an early hour each morning of the past week rolling the metal on the South belt, and has made the travelling for pedestrians to the railway, east and west, more pleasant than has been the case for months.

Bbaybbs and Bindkbs.—lntending competitors are reminded that the trial or these machines, under the auspices of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association ■will be held in a paddock belonging to ilr John Carter, at Tinwald, on Wednesday next. A very fair crop of wheat has been selected for the work, and the competition between the machines, two of which are already entered, is looked forward to with some interest by farmers in the district. EiIWAYEMPI I OYKKs , Picsic.—Messrs J. Knight and 3J. P. Crosbie having been appointed a sub-committee to visit Bangiors and endeavour to obtain a suitable place for the picnic, went down for that purpose hr the early train on Saturday. The paddock belonging to Mr Sansom, lately owned by the Hon H. B. Qreason, was found to be suitable in every respect, and on application to the former gentleman, he very kindly placed it at the disposal of the Committee. The ground it at the southbrook station, has a nice stream running through the whole paddock, and there is plenty of room to shunt the whole train towards the mills. The sub-committee made arrangements with Mr M'Gregor to supply milk for the children, and, authorised by the general committee, appointed Mr Roberts, of the Club Hotel, a caterer for the day. It is probable that the picnic will be held on Feb. S, and it has been intimated that no deduction will be made on the pay-sheets for that day. Employees whose duties will not permit of wieir attending the picnic will be given a holiday on another date. Mb Vabmy’s Mwrcixaa.—The Children’s service held at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Saturday afternoon was a great success, the Hall being well filled. At the close of a very interesting service an after-meeting was hold m the room at the book of the Hall, whore a large number of the children repaired. After Mr A arley had {frayed, and given them a few words of counsel, he spoke with and shook hands with every child on leaving. Yesterday morning Mr Varley preached in the Congregational. Church to a crowded congregation. In the afternoon the meeting at the Theatre was largely ‘ attended, when ilr Varley took for his text 2 Cor., v. chap., 20 v. in the evening the Theatre was crowded to ere 37 P* After being packed as closely as possible wherever seat accommodawon could be found, the regular seats of the xneatre being supplemented by chairs and forms placed" over the entire area of the *age and other parts, very largo numbers during the whole of the service. nt rt! U t^e discourse was the parable or tne Prodigal Son, which was treated by sue preacher in quite an original manner, {a*L* o.wp” B *’ evident ontlie part of the iwg audience throughout. It was announced nI»M P* 0a *' Billy Bray ’’ would take fftVn' Ji Tu . esda y the farewell meetings will be an oil-day conference is to fch« «W ® onry Varley being chairman of fmm i/l °® mm oQoing with a prayer meeting from vw to be followed by a meeting bv »», i **. addresses will bo delivered contiS ? lmsterß a° d others. This will e 5 an afternoon sitting from !o 7*" "“'” S

— ‘ riiwr —Bv the s.s. Taupo on M r MThcrson took nis horse Sstun ar Wr M'Lcan was a gSr * T r;r & *. bITls on South LiNB.-The work f S S down the nawH shaped steel rails in °[JShe iron rails south of Selayn is profit favourably, and up to the present exactlv half a mile has been completed. Tt is intended to push on the work as fast as nrtn-intorft'roncc with traffic will permit. An accident happened to a man named Peter Gilbertson on Friday morning Messrs J- and A Baxter’s sawmill*. It «nnears that a log rolled off the saw bench tn Gilbertson's ancle, and smashed it, breaking several bones. Mr John Baxter* ... 0 f the owners of tho mills, immediately greyed him to Oxford, and thence by midj„v train to Christchurch Hospital. Gainful Accident. —On Saturday afternoon a serious accident occurred to a eon t jfr James Butts, contractor, Kaiapoi, d four rears. The lad was playing about & father’s premises, when he got too near a nassinc dray, and fell in front of the wheel, irhich passed over one of his thighs, causing a xfrr bad compound fracture of the bone. Dr Ovenden was sent for, ami attended to tho ud at once. Hopes are entertained that vouth and careful attention will prevent the loss of the limb. _ The Hospital Concert. —ln tho notice of the hospital concert given on Friday evening tic name of one of the artists was unintentionally omitted. This was Signor Pietro Luisette, who contributed the “ Largo al factotum" from “II Bsrbicre." This gentiemsn made his debut, on this occasion, before s Christchurch audience. He possesses a well cultivated voice, and his rendering of the buffo song was so well appreciated that he was honoured with an encore, in Kfnonsc to which he gave one verse of <• Bread and cheese and lueses.” Kiiaroi Railway Station.—To witness the passengers get out —or rather tumble out train at the railway station is a erbt which should he only once seen by some of the railway authorities to ensure a remedy. For some time it has been a most patent fact that the lengthening of the platform was a pronnirf necessity; but nothing has been done to improve the condition of.things, and as tbe people using the train have not thought fit to complain, no notice is taken of the requirement. Asit &,thepresant'aisN)inmoda2on is just sufficient for tWcarriages, and the pssseogen in the remainder of tho bain have le scramble out the best way they can. Wools ton' Spores Committee. —A meeting was held at the Wharf Hotel on ThursdsV evening, when the following officers were appointed:—President —Hon J. T. Fisher j iodges—Messrs Stuckey and Attwood ; handirappers and starters —Messrs Paritt and Davis; referee fer walking race—Mr F. Paritt It was proposed by Mr J. W. Davis, seconded by Mr J. Scott—“ That the sports be advertised as amateur spots, and. the prire* as valued and not as money prisea.” Carried. No trouble will be spared by the Committee to make these sports a thorough success, and should Monday, Jan. 27, the day on which they will be held prove fine, a great number of spectators and competitors an anticipated. Contempt of Court. —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston had occasion, on Saturday, to rebuke a young man for what, if not a contempt of Court, was a gross breach of etiquette. The young man, who happens to be an attorney’s clerk, when leaving the Court, put on his hat while he was still in the presence of the judge. His Honor expressed tii indignation very emphatically, and threatened to inflict a heavy fine on any future delinquent. What made the matter no better wss the fact that on the previous evening, after the Court had adjourned, bat before the judge had left the bench, those who had been occupied in the business of the day, glad of the relief after a long sitting, began to indulge in badinage without noticing his Honor’s presence. Labsjei.vs at the Ritsb-sidz.—Some time since we called attention to the serious annoyance to which boating parties were subjected by stone throwing. The nuisance ceased for a time, but has since been revived, and carried on with increased vigour, especially in the neighbourhood of Stanmore bridge. Bovs station themselves on the bridge, whence they drop stones into passing boats, and during the past few days they have invented a new phase of larrikinism, which appears to afford them intense delight. This consists in skilfully dropping lighted matches on to the occupants of boats, who are naturally startled thereby, and by their convulsive movements afford the youngsters the desired sensation. For the information of the police authorities, it may be mentioned that these larrikins congregate for the most part during the evening, and especially on Saturdays.

The “ Consolidation ” Locomotive.— In ou? notice of these locomotives on Saturday—six of which hare been ordered from Philadelphia by Mr Conyers, Commissioner of Railways—-it was stated in error that some of these engines had been working satisfactorily on the “Southern railways.” It should hare read “ New South Wales railways,” as, up to the present time, none of these locomotives hare been introduced into Kew Zealand. These engines, though very heavy, have their weight distributed over so many wheels that the wear and tear canted by them in pulling heavy loads over light rails U tniling compared with that caused by tie large English locomotives. It is intended ti*t the first of the “ Consolidation ” engines shad, »Ltn ready, work the heavy goods “~f Dunedin and Oamaru, at which part the line requires more “ nursing ” than on the other sections.

Bnxukps, —A billiard match was played ®a Sit uni ay evening at the Terminus Hotel, between W. Weston, the champion player of the A ultra la* iaa Colonies, and Mr Key, who vrll henceforth be engaged in the new billiard *ocm. The game waa 600 up, Weston giving ““ opponent 240. On both sides some extremely pretty play was shown, each man apparently doing his best to win, and towards .the cloie keen interest was evinced by the large gathering of spectators. It was not until BIS had been scored that Weston eaugbt up, and then they passed each ether repeatedly, m a series of very short breaks, until the •core stood at 860 for Key against Weston’s b 35. The latter then ran up by a fine break, m which some excellent play was shown, to 665. His subsequent figures were 592, 894, and game, Key having then reached 674. It may be mentioned that the billiard room of the Terminus Hotel is said to be the finest in this Colony. It is furnished with four tables, and even then there is such an abundance of room that both players and spectators will find ample accommodation. For the spectators, raised seats are as usual placed all round the apartment. Waimakahibi Harbour Board.— The first meeting of this Board under the 41 Harbours Act, 1878," was held at Mr Wearing’s office, Charles street, Kaiapoi, on Friday last; present—Messrs Coup (chairman], ’Poahby, Matthews, and Wearing. The ’Chairman stated that the only business (o transact was the election of a Chairman as provided by section 62 of the "Harbours -Act, 1878,” after which the Board could hold an ordinsiT meeting. Mr Matthews proposed and Mr Wearing seconded—“ That Mr Coup 4e Chairman of the Board.” Carried. The Board then proceeded to hold its ordinary meeting. Resolved, on the motion of Mr Mathew*—“That Mr Wearing’s office be the nmd polling place of the Kaiapoi district, and that the ICandeville and Bangwra Eoad Board be asked for the use of their office as a polliiur place in that district, and the Ohoka School Committee for their schoolroom, Jackson’s road, for a similar purpose for the Eyrcton district.” An offer was received from Mr Wearing to lease S 3 feat of the reserre adjoining his hotel for 30 years, at a shilling per foot rent, the tenant to fill the wserve up to the same level as the hotel site. Poahby proposed that Mr Wearing’s bo accepted. He said that at present tba reserve in question was simply a bog-hols Rnd a great nuisance in the town, os after eT ® , T fresh it was full of stagnant water which could not got away. The proposition was seconded by Mr Mathew* and carried. Accounts amounting to £6 Is were passed for payment. The next meeting of the ?* rd « held 0D fob. 7. at 7.30,«, Mr Wearing's office. ’

Criminal Ohbtbtouurch, —ln another column will be found a table showing the offences which wore reported at the Christ* church police dopbt during the quarter ending Deo. 31 last, the number of arrests made, and the increase or decrease, as compared with the previous quarter. Tub .English Mail,— The inward English mail riii Ban Francisco reached Port per as, Taiaroa at 12.86 p.m. yesterday. The Christchurch and Southern portion of the mail was sent up by the afternoon train. The Otago mail bogs were taken on by the s.s. Hawen at 1.15 p.m. A quantity of news culled from our mail exchanges will be found in our sixth page. Auiois Forgery. — A man named Walter Bullivant alias Weston, alias Hedge, will be brought up at the Police Court this morning under a writ of habeas corpus, 110 was son* fenced at Auckland to a term of 18 months' imprisonment for forgory and uttering, and removed thence to Lyttelton. No fewer than ten charges of forgory and uttering are now to be preferred against him. Thk Canterbury Cricketers.— lt will be seen that the Canterbury Eleven won their last match in Melbourne very easily, as they have defeated the Richmond Club by eight wickets. It should be stated in fairness that the latter did not play nearly their usual strength. The team leave Melbourne to* morrow, and play at Hobart Town on Thun* day. Trout Fishing. —At a meeting of trout fishers held at the Commercial Hotel on Saturday afternoon, it was resolved to peti* tion the Acclimatisation Society to restrict licensc*holders to fishing with an artificial or natural fly, and artificial or natural minnow. The petition lies for signature at the shop of Mr M’William, tobacconist, Colombo street. 'An extended repott of the meeting appears elsewhere. Railway Waggons.— Out of the last consignment of waggons which arrived some weeks ago 70 have been put together in the railway workshops, during the last four weeks and placed in work, the last five being put on the line this week. The timber work of a large number of waggons is nearly completed, and the department are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the necessary ironwork to put them In running order.

. Tub NbwvFootbbidqe.—The proporations ■ for the erection of the new footbridge over the Avon in a line with the east heft, have been advanced jmolher stage. Iriaddition.to) the few pieces of timber notieflg. some teq. "days ago, there ia now a portion of a piledriving apparatus deposited on the bank. At Ibis rate of progress, which" may fairly be looked upon as extraordinary, the new bridge and the milleniom will probably be coetaneous. On the opposite side of the river the roadway is being formed, and streets are being made through the land recently sold.

Obstruction in the Avon.— The attention of the contractors for clearing the Avon Is called to an obstruction in the river at Cowlishaw’s comer. A large branch has for some time past been permitted to remain there. It is a decided nuisance, and as it may moreover prove a source of danger, it should be removed as speedily' as possible. We may also mention that the river through the Domain is quite choked in places by broken branchee, and at the College bridge a perfect dam has been formed by floating rubbish. These collections are a source of great annoyance to the boating parties that are constantly passing up and down the Avon.

Opening of the Invercargill Line. —Mr W. M. Hannay, Secretary of Railways, leaves this morning for the South to complete arrangements for running the first express train from Dunedin to Invercargill. Yesterday at 6 a.m. two of the new powerful American passenger engines, which have lately arrived and been erected in the railway workshops, started for Dunedin. Since being put together these engines have been working on the Christchurch section on trial, and have fully answered all expectations. They will he permanently used for working the express trams between Dunedin and Invercargill, starting from each end daily. For the present it is intended that the journey from Christchurch to Invercargill shall occupy two days—eleven hours to Dunedin, and six and a half hours the following day to Invercargill. When the Invercargill section has been fenced in securely, it is not unlikely that the through journey toll be ran from Christchurch with only ordinary stoppages.

A special mooting of the Christchurch Volunteer Fire Police will be held at (he Fire Brigade Hall this evening at 7.80. The meeting of the Christchurch Chess Club will be held at Warner's Hotel on Thursday evening next. The immigrants by the Waikato will be open for engagement at the Addington Bu.-acks on Wednes<The first competition to select two members to represent the Yeomanry Cavalry at the Nelson meeting will take place at the range on Friday, at 11 a.m. The installation banquet of the St. Augnstine Lodge will be held at the Hail on Thursday, at 7.30 p.m, A match will be played in Latimer square next Saturday between the Terminus C.C. and the I.yttMon Times C.C. The Terminus team will be— Keesrs S, Sarjeant, Hooper. Drinkwell, Grey, Haydon, Wheeler, Thos. Sari cant, P. Thomson, 8. Thomson, Bennett, and HalHgan. Play will commence at r. 15 p.m.

Appearances Against Him. —“JSgles” in the Australasian is responsible for the following:—“ A gentleman who has an excellent opinion of his own appearance and importance was pursued along the Bourke street pavement by an energetic cabman, with the cry of * Collingwood, sir! Collingwood! first cab for Collingwood!' Irritated with the man’s persistence, the pedestrian in angry tone turned to him, saying ‘ Do I look as if I wanted to go to Collingwood?’ But that cabman was equal to circumstances. ‘Beg pardon, sir. Pentridge ? Pentridge ?’ ’’ For the information of the ignorant we may mention that Pentridge is the principal gaol of Victoria. Maori Justice. —To bury a man alive with a view to the avoidance of bloodshed is rather a grim method of doing him to death. There is a story told by Sir George Grey about a Whangarei chief named Tirarua, which affords an illustration of this. Many years ago, whsn Sir George Grey was Governor, a murder was committed by one of Tirarua’s people, and ho (Sir George) wrote to Tirarua, asking what he intended to do. Tirarua answered, “ That it was written in Scripture that whoso sheddoth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, and to avoid shedding blood he had buried the murderer alive.’’ Sir George said the murderer waa first buried up to lus shoulders, and was then asked if ho required anything. The victim asked and obtained some water, and after that his bead was covered up, and so he died. Sir George only heard of the affair after its occurrence. Native Disturbance.—The following tele{ram, published in the Tauranga paper on ‘ucsday last, will be found new to our readers: — “ Hokianga, last night.—A Native disturbance of rather a serious nature has taken place here between the Lower Maebou Natives and the Neatehaere people. Between 40 and BO armed men from Lower Wailiou, under Te Waiko (the T"*" who took a conspicuous part in the Native row some years ago) and Te Wehu have taken pot session of Mutuwera Point including the cultivated land of Nui Hake end others, and are amusing themselves at by burning scrub and firing vollw with ball cartridges. They have plenty of ammunition, and can go in for this kind of amusement for some time. Hostilities of a more serious nature are postponed till after Wednesday, on which day a meeting of . n ? t,TO . here of the County Conned will take pk°® try and settle matters peaceably « should fail in doing so it u feared that the row will turn out far more serious than at P The Coliibby Exrtoßion inWaies.— The New Zealander says s—The colliery accident in South Wales, vaguely specified as at me Rhondda mine, in our telegram** i >... probability, in the Great Western ry. situated about one mile and a ha P Ehondda Valley, above Pontypridd, an intimate knowledge of the D thfl fancy it can be no other working* _ Great Western, as. if it had been some mile, higher still up the Bhondda where over 100 lives were lost «ome ad years since, •c“« ind g°G Western would have appeared. The ~ ra wor kings is an old colUery. and ha* bUI running several miles unaer and the gas for years back in.the aery No. 8 scam ha* been difficult to m»nag ,

and although the colliery—if it be the one we imagine—has hitherto escaped accident of a grievous character, has always required con* stanfc caro and watoUfuliioas. In 1860 its output was about 100,000 tons per annum. The depth of the shafts wore 160 yards. Higher up the valley the celebrated Forndnlo colliery explosion took place in 1867, when 181 dead were pulled to the surface j hut this colliery was working in the four-foot steam coal seam, a far more dangerous measure than the Rhondda No. 3. Forndalo belonged to the Davies Bros, one of whom was with Dr Hector for a long timo on tho West Const of tho Middle Island. A Singular Asset. —The definition of an “asset" is thus recorded by “Attious," of tho Melbourne Leader A rather amusing question of what are available assets arose in an English Bankruptcy Court tho other day, tho result of which convoys a hint that all insolvents ought to take. A sleeping partner in a firm which had suspended _ payment was questioned before tho Commissioner of Bankruptcy as to his means. He pleaded that for years ho had not a shilling. “ Come," said the solicitor to the estate, “ you look well j take plenty of exorcise, I suppose ?” “ Yes.” “ You have been able to get about better since you possessed a cork leg." Again an affirmative from the witness. “Well, tell the Court what you paid for that leg." In vain the victim appealed to the Commissioner, but ho was told it was a question ho could easily answer. " Come," said tho solicitor, “if I keep you in the box all day I mean to have an answer. Was it £5 or was it a £IOO P" “No.” “ Well, 50 guineas P" Still silence. _ Again the solicitor went to work, and the witness, badgered out of all patience, replied at last, “ Sixty guineas. “And how long have you had this leg?” was the next question. “Only about two days." “ So, then, you must have paid for it after you were served with notice that you were liable for the debts of the firm with which you were connected P" “ Yes." “ That will do, you can screw off your leg and hand it over to the official assignee; it constitutes an asset of the firm. The witness left the box, with a much clearer notion of the reading of the law of liabilities than ever he had before.