TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5952, 24 March 1880, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Spoeting.—Mr Harry Goodman amred at Mr Sam ueL Eowell’a ,»tal>l« ■ MouJay higfit, ■bfiiiging with him’Chancellor, York, Titania and Tera., ' So'HoLAßxto.—Mr T. G. Smith, late of Kaiapoi Island school, has been appointed to the Ashley sohool, vice Mr J. Thompson, who takes SupeeMe douET. —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston will sit, in Chambers this morning at eleven, The list ot ’oahiieß set down for hearing will be found in fche usual place; - SbeiouS Accident.—A: man in‘tbe ; employ of Messrs Innes and 00., brewers, qt Sydenham, received a serious cut in the arm by the bursting of a bottle on Monday. He .was taken to Dr ’ Deamer, who dressed the wounds. Life Assueanck.—Mr Moritz Bowron delivered an interesting leeture on this subject to an attentive though not largo audience at the Eangiora, Literary. > Institute on Monday evening. He will lecture this evening at the • Ashley sphbpl-honse. , Impoetant LandS aik.—Messrs H. Matson and Co. sold yesterday the whole of the Berwick estate, lying between Linwood and the Stahmore road, at prices which recall those of a couple of years ago. The sale realised £lT,2n; : and will bo found detailed in another column. Cobb’s Office.—lt will be seen from an advertisement in another. column that this old-established institution has changed the location of its home, and the corner of the Triangle, the familiar rendezvous of old Canterbury travellers, now knows it np more. The office of Messrs Cobb is row to be found in the more pretentious, if not more con-,, veniently aituated, structure recently erected opposite the Post-office in Cathedral square.

Wife Bbamn» at Sotjthbbidqb.— On Monday night about 10 o’clock, Constable Hole hearing a man named George MTntyre enquire for the chemist, and knowing him to be in the habit of illusing his wife, suspected that he had been doing, so again, and on proceeding to his house found the woman in an exhausted state and the floor of the room covered with blood. The man having come down to the house, the constable at once arrested him. After getting the woman some refreshments, Constable Hole got his horse and galloped off to Leeetoh for Dr Chapman. The jattor on examining Mrs MTntyre found that she had been severely kicked in the abdomen, causing great internal hemorrhage. She still. lies in a precarious condition. M'lntyre will bo brought up this morning at the Magistrate’s Court. ctr 1

A Pugilistic Seoebtabt. The Cooperative Land Company, which for some time past has held its meetings in a room belonging to Mr Spence, near the White Horse Hotel, had a mostexoitihg experience on' Monday evening. It appears, that a section of the memhers trahted tp ; rtnd the Secretary, Mr Baseley, as their, representative to inspect the land offered for settlement. ; This course was opposed, by another section, who desired that at ahy. j»fe more than One delegate; should be sent, and that there should first be a clearer understanding with th j Government on certain points. In the course of the proceedings at Monday's meeting, "one word led to another,” the Secretary got unduly excited, and eventually he : used his fists, committing a double assault upon Mr ,W. Kent, Mr Spence, probably being apprehensive of damage to ms property, sent for a constable, but by the time; the officer arrived the parties had got into, the street. Two summonses have been obtsined|againet Mr Baseley. one for assault, and the other for using abusive language. ; .

Oddfbmowb’ HAX.Ti.--At the Oddfellows’ Hall last night an entertainment was given by the “Zealandia Minstrels ” and the Battalion Band for the benefit of the funds of the Christchurch Oi’ioket Club. The gallery was crowded, and the other parts of the hall were moderately attended. The programme, was of fully average merit, bub was very long, and was rendered unnecessarily tedious by the frequent compliance with noisy encores from “ the gods.” The Band gave excellent selections, including the most popular airs from "Montana,” Offenbaoh’s “La Vie Parisienne," and Dorn’s Excelsior.” The vocalists were Messrs J. H; Edmonds, E. Valentino, E, Earrant, A. Vowlesi Harry Webb, 0, J. Eamiht, and J. B. Kirk; each of whom possesses a voice more or loss cultivated, and had chosen songs suited to bis specim qualiflcationß, , The vooif numbers wore as follow :r-“ Gipsies ehorus,” song,“ I dreamt my little boy of thee;” comic song, "Babies on tbe block 5” ballad, "Come, darling, rest Vour little head}!’, song, "Mother, take pie home again j” comic song, “ Patrick, mind the baby ;" song, “ Annie, dear. I’m called away j chorus, " The Eaooon track,;’, ’ song by the river sidesodg, The Avalanche j" comio song, "Dannie; he takes afteP iho;’’ duet, “ AU’s well;” ooniio songi ‘ Tim Elahcrtysong and bhorijis, “ Gone are, the days.” To complete the Onterthere ' wiere a solo on the bones by Mr Harry Webb, a stump speech'by Mr Jfe Valentine, and a oomio sketch, to which additional effect'was, giyeu : *by one of the fiipe scenes suddenly falling upon the principal performer.

AmbbioAN ShakbOcoumdbb. —A specimen of the above, exhibited yesterday;/in-the window of Professor Ayers shop, attracted oonsidertbld attentibn from itt jpeonliar marking and nearly lifo-like appearance fo a snake.

Assist at South Bakaia. A man named William James, Bowden ahas Billy the Cook, was yesterday arrested by Constable Bouse on acborg® of stealing clothing, 4o„ from aiwuff b6lo'ipfl|K to D» 0» Monteith it the Bailway Hotel. Ho, will be brought up, at the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court for trial; to*day; >'■»>'!■■■ , “Down iK THS MorTH,”—Several pro-' minorit members of : the police force, including the whole of the detective department, were observed, yesterday togethe# m a most despondent mood. On inquiry being mode as to the cause for their lugubrious, aspect, it appeared that once more “ a solitary drunk " was the only case for the Magistrate, and that there was “positively no basinets, doing." . 5 ; . ’ ~ Accident.— A horse being driven jforois Barbaddes stireet bridge yesterday, by;', Mr R. Ferguson, got its leg through one of the planks, and before, it could be extricated,] sustained severe injuries. On hearing of the accident, the Oity Surveyor had the plank at once taken up, it was found that the horse had stepped on a large knot in the wood, which had, jt would seem, been previously loosened by some heavy load passing over it. ..] . ■ ;/ 1 < Inquest.-Au inquest was held at Baldwin’s Hotel,, yesterday, before Dr Trevor, Coroner, touching the death of a child aged; sixteen months, which was scalded to death, on Monday last. Mr A. Mamin was chosen foreman or'the' jury.' Mrs Addis, mother Of the deceased; said thub she had poured some boiling water In a tub, and while her bach was turned the little thing fell into the water, a»d was so severely scalded that death soon followed, A verdict of “accidental death." was returned.. , .

INTBBPBOVINOIAL EIPLB found that to fire this match on next Saturday morning, as proposed,by the Otago men, would interfere greatly-with the- programme' of the Demonstration Committee, and a proposal to contest it on the following Tuesday. baa been sent to Dunedin by our men. The alteration is not yet agreed to. It may bo - presumed that the majority of the Southerners will remain in] Christchurch for the first dayte races, if - not for the secondhand the match could readily be fired on the Tuesday morning, commencing at 8.30' a.m., and be com*. fleted'in time for all to proceed to the races, t will be a great pity if this arrangement cannot hdcarried oat, as an Interprovincial match is of some public interest,' and should he fired at ■nchhoors as to induce attendance from outsiders.. .., ,;

Lotal B aksiob a Loses.. —The quarterly meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday evening, at which there was a'fairattendance. The question of electing a lecture master to serve during the pleasure of the Lodge, in lieu of giving the officetq tlje G.M., was discussed, and agreed td," hut no appointment was made, pending the election in June. It was decided to apply . ,to the G.M. and Board of Directors for a surplus in aid of the management fond, at the time the assets were valued. The trustees intimated their ,willingnes«tolendjßlso on good freetold security, they, haring; that amount at their disposal It was stated that the first meeting of the Ashley district would be held on April 12, and the following delegates were elected to attend it, viz :—P.P.G.M. Stevens, P.G. Ivory, and P. G. Gulliver; The Iheetihg was a long one, lasting till 10.S0 p.m.

r The Woek of Wbeii-dbbsskd Labeikins. —On Monday night a series of acts of the most; wanton destructiveness were perpetrated in the PdbJio Qatdens by a few ‘reSj&ctabljrattired lade, who when followed,' retired into' the College grounds! The fine clomp 6f lilium giganteunt, which was bearing a specially yaluahle lot of seed, was completely smashed, .the thick stems being broken and laid prostrate; and a collection of a special variety of maize, which bad been most carefully tended for the purpose of acclimatis ing the sort as. of agricultural value, Whs f utterly ruined. In both oases the havoc was cauaed by deliberately and repeatedly jump-: ing into the clumps. Various other minor acts of mischief were done at the same time. Of late these matters have been of frequent occurrence, and sis there is said to be ample proof that the destruction was wrought by College-boys, it is quite; time the authorities of the College turned their attention to the matter. ,

Pbdesteianibm.—On Monday, afc 10 a.m., A. Hudson started oh his walk of 50 miles in 12 hours, in the Town, Hall, Amberloy. To complete one mile, 46 laps were required, which, with the short turns, were greatly against the walker.. The match was for £5, Hudson backing himself against time. At the start, 3 to 1 was.offered and taken againßb Hudson, andevemnp. to 9.30 p.m. 2 to Ifwks taken. At 11 minutes to 10, Hudson had to walk three-quarters of a mile, and as he was showing, signs of distress very few thought he would complete his task, but amid the cheers of a large number who were, present, at two minutes to 10 he completed the 50 miles, aqd walked another ;fire laps when the clock struck. 10. During tho 12. hours Hudson iiestpd at 2.10. p;nf. for 20 minutes, and at 8.17 p;m. six minutes. Considering that Hudson had hot been into training, also the fair manner in which he walked, he well deserved the cheers that greeted him on the completion of his walk.

Pbbsbntatiok at Ashley.—Before the commencement of the annual meeting on Monday evening last, Mr Prank Croft, Chair- , man of the retiring committee, on behalf of the parents end scholars of the district, presented Mr James Thompson, their late master, with a handsome black marble clock suitably inscribed. In making the presentation Mr Croft remarked that nearly 100 separate subscriptions had been received, which was proof of the universal esteem which Mr enjoyed, and on behalf of the Committee, the parents and the scholars, he wished for Mr and Mrs Thomp- ' son happiness and success in their newap-. pointment. Mr Thompson said that it gaye mm a great deal bf. satisfaction to knoiv that, after , Jus nine years' residence at Ashley as teacher, he was leaving the; district with the good wishes of the people, and he wouldvalue their present mainly as a token that he had been. successful in his efforts to'do what he conceived to be his duty; The election bf a new Committee was then proceeded with, and , resulted as follows < —Messrs F. Croft, Bllwood, Wright, T. Croft, O’Neill, Fraser and: Graham. At a subsequent. meeting bf the Committee Mr F. Croft was re-elected Chairman, and Mr T. Smith was appointed ■master. ! Apiabian Association.—The Committee of the Apiarian Association met last evening, and transacted a very fair amount of routine business. There, are now 60 members, and steps are being taken for the promotion of beekeeping in the rural districts, specially as a means whereby farmers may add to their profits. Dr Irving mentioned that he had been in communication with the Secretary to the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and that he had arranged to deliver a lecture in Ashburton on the evening of Thursday, April 1. The lecture will be rendered as interesting as possible, and the new exhibition or uniooiub hive made for the Association will be, exhibited, to the audience, with a sheet of oomb and queen and worker bees. Mr Jameson reported that be hkd been in communication with Mr S. C. the bon. Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society. That gentleman had. kindly promised to take steps in the direction of securing an’importation of Ligurian baos, and possibly of Humble bees also. The President stated that'he had written to Yiotoria respecting bees; ho was now. requested to communicate on the same subject with theMessrs Abbott and Messrs Neighbour, pf London, and to ascertain the price at which stocks could be secured. A Jist of standard- - books on bees and bee keeping was brought up, and further papers for the Canterbury Times Apiarian column were decided upon, the subjects Being‘‘Driving ahfififransfemng” (to appear on next Saturday), and “ Feeding.’! The Committee decided to adjonrn for a fortnight, when a general meeting of members of the Association is to be held in the i Manchester street Congregational School- i room, . .

Thbatbb RoiAl— “The -Pilot” and “Robert Macaire ” formed the programme at the Theatre Itoyal last night. They will bo repeated to-night. Easteb Review.-— Some of- the men from distant places who intend to take part in theEaster Review have already arrived, and.nodoubt large numbers will report themselves dating to-day, - JDkath at the Hospital.— The-: little oluid, Lily Gilpin, three and a-half years old, who was, injured by falling between a railway train and the platform on March 8, died yesterday about three o’clock in the Hospital. An inquest on the body will probably be held this afternoon.

Tat Ligfbiah Bee.— Various statement# having been made to the elect that someyears ago 'Ligurian (Italian) bees were successfully landed in'this Colony and acclimatised here, the Committee of the Canterbury Apiarian Association are. anxious to learn any authentic details. Perhaps some of our .readeri..may .be able to throw a light on this matter.

Donations to the Hospital. —The Hone*Steward at the Rfospital requests us to acknowledge the receipt by him of a very liberal donation of fruit, from the St Albans and Crescent road Wesleyan Methodist Churches; Also the receipt of 13 light Brahma fowls-from, Mrs Eereday, making a totsl of 28 which that lady has kindly given for the Hospital fowl yard.

Cheysanthemcm Oolttteb. —We leam that at the. Chrysanthemum Show of the Christchurch Horticultural Society, which takes place about six weeks hence, some finespecimens will in all probability be shown. Stimulated by the special stand exhibited last year, through the agency of Mr Greenaway, local florists and amateurs have devoted more attention to the chrysanthemum, and in one instance at least, culture under glass hasbeen resorted to, so. as to ensure the best possible results. U.A.G.D.—The Hope of St. Albans Lodge held thefr fortnights summoned meeting at their Lodge-room, Knightatown, last evening. The-Secretary read a letter from Wellington, stating that the Lodge -had been registered under the Friendly Societies Act. There was a fair attendance, including visitors from sister Lodges. One member was initiated. A resolution was passed that a benovelent fund be established, and a Committee was appointed to carry out the same. After someroutine business had been transacted, the 'Lodge closed in due form. Good Tbmplaet.— Last evening a Lodge of Good Templars was instituted in Lytteltonby Mr William Hnskihg, of this city. The applicants for the charter were members of the crew of the Waimate, and a considerablenumber of .them were duly initiated, the formal inauguration of the lodge and the installation'of the officers being subsequently proceeded with. The use of the Wesleyan Schoolroom was. .kindly granted for the ceremonial. This -s the first Templar Lodge instltuted'in connection with any vessel of the New Zealand . Shipping Company, and more than, ordinary interest therefore attaches to the occasion, Cokobbt AT.KAiAPOi.r— The concert in aid

of the funds of the Kaiapoi Brass Band took 'place .- on‘Monday evening, in the Odfellows* Hall. There 'was bat a moderate attendance,, and the programme submitted was not nearly so good as on former occasions. The selections by the Band and the comet solo, andsong by Mr Hammond, were, without doubt, the beet portions of the programme, and two songs, “Dot Britty Liddle Shpeider” and “ The Hungary Army,” by Mr W. N. Leech, seemed to hnd a good deal of favour.* Daring the'evening the gas was so bad that the Hall' was in a' state of iiemi-darkness, and daring the dance which' was ’ held afterwards, the Hail .was several times all but dark. The - total receipts amounted to £S 10s. . Febnsidb.—Acorresponded'; writes : —One of those social gatherings, which tend to-foster-friendly relationships and mate people better acquainted with each other, took place here on Friday last. The question of a harvest • thanksgiving haring been mooted amongst the parishioners, a determination was come toto oOinbine a picnic with the usual service,. end Mr Brown, of Mount Thomas station, kindly offering to throw open his grounds and plantation for the purpose, it was decided' to hold tbe. gathering there. Accordingly, pri the day appointed, which proved to beexceptionally fine and propitious, a large party of Fernside residents and friends from • Bangiora proceeded in vehicles of various kinds to the rendezvous. Arrived there they' were cordially welcomed by Mr J. T. Brown,. and at 11.30 a harvest thanksgiving sendee, conducted by the Ber T. Otway, was-held in' a very picturesque part of the plantation.. The remainder of the day, after attending to • the wants of the inner man, was spent hr strolling about the beautiful gardens, &c.,. football*playing for the men and boys, and. 1 games of various kinds for the women and children, after which all re-assembled to partake of an al fresco tea, followed by music and singing. Before leaving hearty cheers weregiven for Mr Brown, and all then started for home, having thoroughly enjoyed the day’souting. . • Alford Foebst.—A correspondent writing on March 22 says The weather in this district since harvest commenced has been anything but what could be desired j in fact, fertile last three weeks or ampnth we have scarcely--had two good harvest days in succession.. We have not had much heavy rain, but nearly every night there has beeh a continual drizzle. Even reaping could only be carried on for a few hours in the afternoon of about two orthree days per week, and some crops that have been cut about a fortnight have not since - been dry enough to tie; asfor stacking, why it is quite but of the question. On Satnrday aftemoon a regular downpour commenced,, lasting; up to Sunday morning} and, in fact,. there are no prospects of its clearing np even now. Bound about Methven the harvest isyearly all finished. Only about ten miles* from here they seem to have had fine -weather all through and escaped all the heavyfogs and light drizzling rains which we havebeen subject to. As far as can be judged at .present, the yield in general will be up to tbe most sanguine expectations, and when threshing commences in earnest the railway to* Methven will find plenty to do to keep the griia olear from the several stations on theline. At Mount Somers, although hundreds of stacks can be seen looming up in the distance, there is still a large area of grainin’ stock waiting for fine weather to get itstacked. The season there appears to be about three weeks or a month earlier than ours, and they, have therefore got the greater* portion of their harvest over before the bad weather set in. The supposed average yield’ of wheat in Mount Somers is from 30 to 45bushels per acre, and oats from 50 to 7(X Cttst Sparrow Club.—This club, whichwas formed in the spring of hut year, held ameeting in the Boad Board Office on Monday night to review the work they had accomplished, and prepare ways and means for thespreading of their opinions and a morevigorous prosecution of the war against the feathered pests during the coming agricultural year. Mr H. Scott having retired fromthe chair at last meeting, Mr T. Conway waselected to the vacant office on the motion of Messrs Howson and G. Gardener. Mr Howson reported he had destroyed 18,000 eggs r but .he thought if the West Eyreton people had co-operated with the club in the hearty manner their interests demanded that thequantity wbuld.have bean much greater. TheChairman stated that hehad by letter solicited the personal and pecuniary assistance of many farmers in the adjoining districts in order toincrease the club’s influence and beneficial action-to the farming class. The club had received £9 in subscriptions, which sum, with other assistance, had enabled it to pay all expenses. The number of birds poisoned had bsen great, and from personal observation hewas of opinion that cracked corn was the best adapted for effecting this purpose, as thebirds eat it much readier than the whole grain. At the request of those present, the chairman stated that he would prepare lists by next meeting for canvassing the district tor members and subscriptions. A proposition by Messrs Howson and M'Olinton that the club meetings during the winter be held on the third Monday in eMh month was carried. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the Chairman and Mr Howson for their gratuitous labours on behalf of the club during the summer, brought the meeting to a close.

XJjnvKESiTX Boat Bacb.—The annual racei between Oxford and Cambridge was wpn by Oxford yesterday. ISiis •victory puts (Oxford ono ahead, as each university hid up to. this vear scored 17 wiaa, besides the famous .Steadheat.of 1877. . ' ' Oo»CBBT.^THei Cawmdini Concert Coin* pony gave ah entertainment at Ashburton on fiondhy evening to a fair audience. As the Otompany will appea?. nest week in Christoharoh, we forbear to give any criticia'mof the performance at present. AssassMßOT Cocfte, r-®io Assessment Court of the Waitara district was held at the Bead Board oflkc, Waikari, on Saturday lost before Mr 0. Whitefoord, judge. There prero one or two email objections, which were flowed, and the roll was signed. > The Victoria Stbsbt Weil.—The plug iss been drivenoiitof this wcllwhiohhasnow reached a depth.of 140ft, t, Jt thought that t . this stoppage Was caused* by tlib pipes having become embedded in a large subterranean tree, sad it is intended to continue to drive through this obstacle, if possible, by means of iron rode. Afterwards, should water not be : xsacbed, dynamite ; will be used. ■ Dstri» Fttkebae.—The funeral of the late Bro Charles Perry took place yesterday, when a bomber of members of the Order werei; present and followed the remains of their deceased brother to the Heathcote CemeteryEight Druids acted as bearers' and pallbearers. After the Usual service A. D. Bro Barrington, of the Mistletoe Lodge, of which Lodge the deceased was a member, read the Druids' funeral oration in a most impressive manner.. The Rev G. J. Choimondeley was officiating minister. A bazaar and flower show in connection with the ■Wesleyan Church, Woodend, will be held'oh Easter Monday, commencing at 18 noon; - —.. Jfe Moritz Bowron will deliver a lecture on" Life' Assurance " at the Town Hall, Seffcon, this evening. The usual monthly meeting of the at Augustine Lodge. 609, 8.C.,wi1l bo held this evening at halfgait seven. >,• , . ; will bo delivered by Mr W, Powley, afethQHall, Worcester street, this evening at half- I put seven. Subject : “ Groaningia bondage and in> liberty." L The following will reprosonttbe BakeraC.C. against the Biohmond C.C. ou Good Friday next on the Association ground. Play to commence at halfnut ten sharp:—Messrs - Thompson, Buchanan ($, iitohie, Lavuty, Whitfield, 1 P. HaddriU, 3J snnßtt,- Bntier, Washer ; emergencies—Fotder«Tiil Alexander,

American Sewing Machine - Teadb.— Th™ branch, of machinery la becoming of great importance in tine United States, very, nearly 4000 skilled artisans being employed in: tbs Barring machine factories. The following 1 fignips.ofaow'that an intensive' export.trade is-, being carried on under this Lead:—Germany,539,000d01a England, 455,030d01a ; Mexico, 153,00Odola; Australia, 110,000dols ; Colombia, 93,000da15; Cuba, 66,000d01s ; France, ■ 41,C00doIs ; Venezuela, 30,000dols; Brazil,' 1 Sl.OOOdola ; Argentine, 18,C00dols; Scotland, 16,00 Idols; Peru, 15,000; Central America. 32,000dols; Belgium, -10,000dols ; ;\Kova Scotia, Il.OOOdola ; Hawaii,' SOOOdola j Porto Bico, SOOOdoIs ; Quebec, TOflOd 0 ?® ! , other countries, 29,000d019—t0 ta1,1,661,000de15. A Fahous Dancke.—The Cbuhtbss Bois- - -goalies, uSe Mdlle. Taghoni, the fain Otis >;dauneoae, who is 70 years of.age, having lost her fortune, is how tea'ohihg dahbihl'iAnd deportment to the daughters: Of the elite in I/ondon. She retired early from the stage; while i j*t . bouquets rained upon it, together withjorincely offers from the great; opera houses. In ’ a iiietch of her in the World elpiSßaid to have shade these truthful remarks "'i—f' * I think, and Ihave always that ah artist doi?s well to retire while the bravi of the public are stili ringing in her ears., Nothing is r more terrible than to see the desire to make ihoney survive artistic power or the means of expressing it. Yet nothing is more common. _ It !«»■ given me infinite sorrow, to hear the singers who charmed the world in my dancing, days’ singing ' year after year, till the- rich voice vanished in a cloud of poriture, a new device,to conceal a damaged organjv to see them making a hundred-and-one‘ last appear-. < ances, and accepting salaries wh.’ch theywoold have spurned when their fresh young voices went straight to the hearts of their audiences. To me this spectacle ’is £i full iof sadness. Artists, like generals, , should vanish :5n the midst of- their triumph—not survive their reputation, at least in public.” ’ •>. i . Naesow Escape of a Wxeb-Waeeeb. 1 — The Southern,Argus (New South Wales) reports that an accident which at first it was jjhonght would he.very serious occurred to the Australian wire-walker Blpndm and b lad whom he was carrying on his hack on Friday evening .on avacantpiece of land nearjSt Clement’s Church of England, Qoalburn. Several reports .are about as to the reason, one . being that a horseman most foolishly tied his horse to a support of the guy, and upon some kerosene being thrown on the fire the horse immediately rushed-backwards displacing the piece of wood. Another is that the ground Being So hard the timber had not been placed in the ground a sufficient depth. Upon Biondin and his companion’in peril (who was as heavy as Biondin) getting a short distance along the wire, it was seen to give, and gradually fall in towards the other support of the wire. The presence of mind displayed by Biondin was something surprising. He quietly told his companion not to get flurried or struggle about, but hold on to him tightly, ■which he did, and Biondin kept walking on the wire in its falling downward incline until within about 10 , feet of the ground, when, with a sudden plunge, ho threw himself and his burden away from under the falling guy,: sustaining nothing further than a. slight braise to his ankle and a good shaking, the, lad ho was carrying also receiving ,a very severe shake, and cutting Bis mouth, which hied a great deal. • !■: Gatlin Guns. -—The opinion which finds expression in a suggestion made by the Army. and Navy Gazette, • that three Gatlin guns should be, attached to every battalion of infantry, is well worth, consideration.. Of lato it has frequently happened, as on .several occasions m South Africa and in Afghanistan for instance, that a comparatively small British, force has found itself attacked by an enemy of an enormous numerical superiority; and there. win be no doubt that machine guns would ho found most serviceable weapons for repulsing such onslaughts. A weapon from which from 600 to 1000 bullets can, if necessary, be discharged per minute"cohld be used with deadly and decisive effect against an assailant closing in dense passes round a defensive force or post. The fire of a machine gun is, at moderate ranges, as accurate ae that of infantry; far more so, indeed,, under some circumstances, and its bullets are Just as hard hitting as those fired from a rifle. ' The weapon itself is light, easily transported, and can be worked by veiy few men. If two or three of these machine guns were given to every battalion they could be worked by men of the Battalion itself, and if necessary they could bo easily moved by them from point to point, and taken wherever the battalion went. They would then always -He at hand when their services might be required ; for the defence, it might be, of a post left in charge of a small garrison, or to render secure a previously chosen place of refuge in a cantonment. Had the handful of troops who so gallantly defended the Residency in Cabuioa Slept 8, or had the 24th Regiment when attacked at Isandala had a few machine guns, ready for action, the issues of those two days might, there can be no doubt, have been other than they Ware. 1 ~ ;