TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 6809, 23 December 1882, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Chbibtohcboh Bbbwsbt.—a meeting of tbs shareholders of 9. Manning and 00. wi» held yesterday afternoon, when a resolution was confirmed authorising the Director! to deal with the unallotted shares. Matoiux Libbbaiitt.— Bis Wonhip the Mayor of Christchurch, with Hie liberality for which be is noted, intimated at a meeting of the Benevolent Association yesterday that he would defray the expenses of a Christmas dinner to all those who are in receipt of charitable aid in the city. SPOUTIXO. —The general entries for the 0 J.O. Summer Meeting appear in another column. Bight are nominated for the Welter Handicap, ths tame number far the Two-year-old Handicap, fire for the Selling Baoe, while nine are left in the Christchurch Cup, Iris and Comet being the only two that declined the further payment. Thb Opbba.— The popularity of " Boccaccio ” doea not appear to be diminishing, for larit night there was another fsebionabfe audience at its fifth repretentation. The encores are as numerous and as hearty as ever. The opera will be repeated this evening.

RlVl.it Match. —The return rifle match between the E Battery and the Kowai Rifle Club will be fired on the Kaiapoi Range, on Dec. 27, ten men a-tide. Great diaappointment was felt amongst the memben of the Kowai Club on account of the Battery not accepting the challenge of 20 men aside, aa the Club contains a number of fair shots who never get the chance of taking part in a match. Fbbsohal—We undentacd that Mr H, 8. Valentine, General Manager in London for the New Zealand Agricultural Company, will ■hortly rieit Canterbury with the object of comparing the land* here with those of Southland and Otago, before he returns to England. Ur Valentine has been m the Colony for six months, and leaves for London immediately after his visit to Canterbury, which will be made next week

PnmTBIABISX.—We remind our sp'rticg readers that the footrace between Woods and Hols ton, for £26 a-side, takes place at Lancaster Park at 3 o’clock this afternoon. The distances are 120yds, 150yds, and 200yds. Mr A. hi. OUivier has kindly consented to officiate as judge, and Mr S. P. Andrews as starter. As probably no two better or more equally matched “ peds ” hare ever met in this Colony, there should be a large attendance at Lancaster Park this afternoon.

Fioseeb Bictoxe CLFB.—Ihe general monthly meeting of this Club was held at headquarters on Thursday. There was a fair attendance of members. Messrs Williams and Short were elected members. Mr Douglas haring resigned the office of subcaptaincy, Mr 8 ear ell was unanimously elected to the office, and Mr Lowry was duly elected a Committeeman in lieu of Mr SearelL The delegates appointed to the Cyclists Alliance were Messrs Lowry, Hill, Bsarell, and Dunsford. After some routine business had been transacted the meeting adjourned.

Chbistchuhch Hobpitai— The members of the City Guards Band gare an open air concert in the Hospital Grounds la-t evenicg. The programme, which has already been published, was gone through in a manner which reflected great credit on the performer;. A large number of the public were p.-e.«en‘, and, together with the staff and coni\Je*cent patients of the institution, grea-lv e joyed the excellent music. A collection, by m -aus of boxes placed in various po.-ti as ,f the grounds, was made on behalf of the D Patients' Belief Fond. Ashbubtov Post Office. Ashburton County readers will take note t'rnf os Christmas and New Year’s Day the Ashburton Posh Office will be closed to the public, though the ordinary mails will go and cos.a u usual. The Telegraph department will be open for two hours—from 9 to 10 a.m., and from 7 till 8 p.m. On Boxing day the Post Office will be again closed, except for an hour between 9 and 10, but a delivery by lettercarrier will begin at eight. The same Tele* graph hours as above will be observed. Thi Gabibaxdi Mbmobxal—A meeting of the Garibaldi Memorial Committee was held last evening, in Mr A. 0. Wilson’s office i present—Messrs A. 0. Wilson (Chairman), Wesser, Parenti, Sgrilli, Federli, and PozzL It was stated that the total amount ef the subscriptions towards the memorial was £6l 12s 6d. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Fozsi, seconded by Mr Fedrr.i—- ---“ That Mr Wilson be empowered to send an order Home for a bast of the late General Garibaldi, at a cost of £SO, the bust to be placed upon its arrival in tbs Canterbury Museum.

Bbbiofs A coil) HITT.—Mr Henry Piper, landlord of the Woolston Hotel, met with a serious accident on the Heath cote Racecourse yesterday. Mr Piper was training for the coming He»!hccte Baces, when, either by collision with one of the posts which are placed at awkward turnings abont the course, or through his horse stumbling orer a hurdle (exact information is not to hand), he smashed his knee cap, and broke his leg below the knee. He was convened to his house, and medical assistance obtained, but there is little doubt that the injuries are such as to seriously disable Mr Piper for some time.

Fbihwdit Pocimis’ BPOSTS.-A meeting of the Fete Committee was held on Thursday evening, when it was decided to insert a mile race (open) in the programme. Tenders were opened for the publicans' booth, and that of Mr J. A. Hansmann for £36 eras accepted. Several matters of detail in connection with Anal arrangements were considered, and the Secretary reported that he had made satisfactory arrangements with the Judge* for the Irish jig. After settling some routine business, the meeting adjourned for a fortnight. The following are the acceptances for the various events of the sports to be held in the show grounds on Boxing |>ayOne Mile Walking Race — H. J. Shaw, W. Goodyear, W. Spicer, W. Speight, and S. M'Court. Grand Handicap—A. rierce, J. Oodyre, A. J. Lawrence, A. Mummery, G. Goodwin, H. Lowry, A. Scrimshaw, A. Anderson, J. Nicholas, and W. Mayxe. Two Mile Handicap Walking Race—o. /. Lawrence, J. Osborne, 0. H. Pierce, W. Spicer, J. 0. Wilson, and W. Speight. Half Mile Handicap (Friendly Societies' cup)—o. Scrimshaw, A. Anderson, 0. H. Fierce, and J. Nicholas. Half Mile Handicap (Licensed Victuallers’ cup)—W. AUardyce, Q. Goodwin, M. M'Oormiok, 0. Scrimshaw, W. Hancock, and A. Pierce. We may remind intending competitors for the Mile Handicap that entries will close to-night at 8 p.m, at the Oddfellows’ Chambers. OHBisxMia Sbbtiom.—There will be s service at the Cathedral at half-past seven this evening, when the customary Christmas carols will be sung by the choir. There will be a collection at this service in aid of the choir recreation fund. There will be Communion service at 7 and 8 o’clock on Christmas morning, followed by services at 11 s.m. and 3.46 p.m. We have received the following regarding services at other churches: St John’s—The services in the Church will be more musical than usual, the anthem being taken from the Messiah, consisting of the solo and chorus ** O, thou that Tellest." The Christmas service will be preceded by a C *J°* service, commencing at 11 o'clock on Sunday night, and lasting till midnight. The Church will be as usual, decorated in harmony with the season.—St Mary’s Merivale —To-morrow (Christmas Eve) there will be a special care service at this Church after the ordinary service, at 7 p.m. The evening service itsf will be of a specially choral character, v Garrett’s music will be taken to the cantid«> and the Christmas anthem will be sung. Christmas Day there will be a oelebratio the Holy Communion at 8.30 a.m., another at the midday service. The act d? is the splendid one by Henry Sm*”* Angel Gabriel was sent from God. . * Deum will be taken to the cauriepy. Dykes. There will be no service on Evening, J

ScrBBiTB Corral.—Hia Honor Ur Justice Johnston sat in Chamber* yesterday, and die* posed of a number of applications. The saxt sitting in Chambers will be on Jan. 6. AfIHBCBTOW CATHOLIC CHFHOH BRIL.— rjte b«]i oast by Messrs John Anderson and gone for the Ashburton Catholic Church has been temporarily hung in the Church grounds, »sd will be rung for the first time on Christmas morning. It weighs 4cwt. BiOTCti Back#.— The annual race meeting of the Pioneer Bicycle Club, which is to be held at Lancaster Park on Boxing Day, bids fair to be a most successful gathering. The programme comprises a dozen Brants, besides scratch matches, and upwards of 1560 entries bare been received for the various races. Among the competitors are some of the best known riders from Dunedin, including Mr y, Gotten. The services of a band have been engaged for the day, and there appears •very likelihood of a very good day's sport. The banc leaps are published in another column. ItfFSOVBKKirrs AT Stdbs ham.— The appearance of the business portion of the Borough of Sydenham has been con* ■iderably improved daring the past few months by the erection of several buildings of a more pretentious character than the older business premises in the Borough. Amongst these it an hotel of brick with an effective stuccoed front. The other building, being of two storeys, and provided with brick partywall*, also present a somewhat imposing appearance. ins Latb Fibb AT Elmwood.—We are

given (o understand that the cause of the disastrous firs at Elmwood, Fapanui road, the residence of Mr R. H. Rhodes, has been discovered. A brick was left out of the chimney close to which the outbreak occurred, ■od in the hole was inserted the end of a piece of timber. Presumably the wood became in time converted into to much tinder, was ignited by sparks, smouldered until some outer current was reached, and then bunt into flame. UHOKA AND ETBBTON BACBCOUBSB.— The works being constructed by the Ohoka and Eyreton Domain Board on the Bacecooree Heserv* have nearly approached completion, and the grand stand will be ready for use on Tuesday. An arrangement has been entered into with the railway authorities which will enable passengers travelling by the special train to pay their admission fee to the course at the tame time that they procure their railway tickets. Ltttbitoh Obphanaqb.—The master of the Lyttelton Orphanege requests u* to draw attention to the fact that donations of any kind to enable the children of the institution to partake in same little degree of the usual festivities at this season of the year, will be thankfully received. It is customary for the children of the State schools to receive prizes, and otherwise to be feted by their friends at this season j unfortunately, the orphans have no friends, and it is only in the enjoyments which the public extend to them that they can be made to forget that they ore not like other children. Hbw Biflb Company,—A movement io about fo be initiated for the formation of a Rifle Company in the Borough of Sydenham. It seems that some months ago, when the old Volunteer regulationo were in force, a requisition was sent to Wellington by a number of residents in the Borough, but their services were not accepted. How, however, the Mayor, finding that circumstances have been altered by the new regulations, has determined to call a meeting •t an early date in order to revive the subject. It is expected that a strong company will be formed with comparative ease. Woßixira Mbit’s Club.— The members of the Working Men’s Omb have discovered a use for the lawn in hunt of their rooms, which promisee to be a source of pleasure cot cnly to themselves bnt to the public. Last evening the Cavalry Band, under the leadership of Mr T. Tankard, performed a camber of selections in excellent style by torchlight on the lawn. A number of ladies —wives and relatives of the members—were accommodated with chairs under the trees, several of the members busied themselves in dispensing fruit and other refreshments to the visitors, and the whole presented the appearance of a garden party. The music of the Band had the effect of collecting a considerable crowd on the terrace in front of the Club, and the performers were frequently applauded. There are some hopes of renewing ftiiM open-air conceits fortnightly, and if this is accomplished the attractive character of the Working Men’s Club will be much enhanced.

Meetings of Societies.—The half-yearly meeting of the Anchor Lodge, U.A.0.D.„ was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Wooleton, en Wedneedar evening, F. A. Bro Davie in the chair. P.D.P. Bro Will*teed end P.A.'b Bros Nathan and Winchop were present. A considerable amount of routine batmen was transacted, including the nomination for officers. P.A ’s Bros W. Hildyard (Lj t‘elton), Bill, and Winchop (Sydenham), were nominated for District President. The Lodge was closed in the usual manner by A.P. Bro Dean shortly before midnight.— The half-yearly summoned meeting of the Loyal Volunteer Lodge, ALU., 1.0.0. F., was held on Wednesday evening, a large number of members being present, also a good number of visiting brethren. 5 he following brethren were elected and installed officers for the ensuing «ix months:—N.G., Bro W. Gahagan; Y.G., Bro J. Pleasenee; SB., Bro Doig; P. 3., Bro Ashton; re-elected Treasurer, Bro Qr. Hocking ; re-elected Medical Officers, Dr* Guthrie and Thomas. Three candidates were proposed for membership. Beoeipts for the evening, £solßs. Masonic.— The annual meeting of the Canterbury Masonic Lodge, No. 1048, E. 0., was held last night, when Bro W. T. C. Mills was duly installed W.M. for the ensuing year, ajid the following officers were invested, viz.: —Bro J. P. Cooper, S.W.; W. H. Messenger, J.W.; A. C. Wright, Chaplain; P.M. J. Bay lee, Treasurer; B. Wilberfoes, Secretary j J* G. L. t-’cctt, 8.D.; G. Davies, j.D. ; F. J. Evans, D. 0.; G. bwann, LG.; A. Thiele, Tyler. P.D.G., S.W. Bro W. Deamer officiated as Installing Master, and at the conclusion of the ceremony the annual banquet was held and the usual Masonic toasts were honoured. —On Thursday evening last the new hall for the lonio Lodge at Leeiton woe opened. There were about fifty brethren present from different Lodges. Bro Henry Thomson, D.D.G.M., presided, and performed the ceremony of consecration in the usual manner, and as it was the annual meeting of the Lodge he also installed the following officers, to serve for the ensuing year, viz.:—Bro John M'Lachlan, W.M. j Bro M. J. Watkins, S.W. ; Bro W. Kan lake, J.W.: Bro the Bev W. S. Bean, Chaplain } Bro B. Lochbead, Treasurer; Bro F. Jameson, Secretary j Bro W. O. Lunn, B.*D.; Bro W. Woodman, J.D.; Bro John Bennett, D. 0.; Bro Whitcombe, 1.0. At the conclusion of the ceremony the D.D.Q.M. congratulated the members on having built so complete and comfortable a hall. He was glad t j see that, whilst providing all that was required, they had not been too extravagant and crippled the Lodge for years to come. He was also pleased to notice that the officers worked well and appeared to take an interest in what was being done. He wished the Lodge much success. The Lodge was then closed in the usual manner, and the brethren adjourned to supper at Host Spring’s. After the cloth had been cleared and the usual Masonic toasts disposed of, Bro M'Leohlan, on behalf of the members of the lonio Lodge, presented J.P.M. Bro Hilliard with a very handsome Post Master’s jewel. The jewel, which bore the recipient’s monogram, was inscribed as follows:—“ Presented to Bro W. Billiard by the members of the lonic Lodge, No. 1917, after two years of office as Worshipful Master, Dec., 1882.” Bro Hilliard briefly and suitably acknowledged the present, and the brethren soon after dispersed, after baring spent a most enjoyable evening. The programme of the Lyttelton land sports, to be hela on New Year’s Lay, is advertised elsewhere. The works executed by the students at the School of Art, will he exhibited in the Sehool from 10 a m. to 4 p.ro., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday next, and three following days. The members of the Court Star of Canterbury, A.0.F., ore requested to assemble at their Hall, on Tuesday, at 9.30 0.m.. to join file procession. A concert and ball is advertised to be held on Boxing night, at the Sydenham Oddfellowe* HalL The handicaps tot the Templeton Sports, on Bee. 27, are advertised else share. A special excursion train wilt leave ChrUtahnroh fee Temple-

toe. at 11.80 a.m.. returning at 6,50 p.m. An antes taiument and ball will be held lit the evening. A concert and hall in aid ot the (and tor building the new Oran go Hall at Ashburton, will be held on Boxing Dftj« Tbo programme of the Halswell and Sproydon Sports, to be held oa Boxing Say, la advertised IMthoTOs The seventeenth anniversary of the Bpringaton Wesleyan Chapel will be observed on Sunday, when the Bev J. S. Small ay will preach in the morning, and the Her J, Crewea in the evening, a tea meeting, gift auction, Ae., in connection with the annivetentr. will be held on Christman Day. T A Horticultural show, bisaar, sport* and hall will bo held on Boxing Day, at the Ealapol Maori A special meeting of the Corn Exchange will be held at the room*, at 8 30 p.m. this afternoon. The following will represent the Midland 0.0. In their match with the Addington C.U at Bagiey Park to-day {Saturday) i -Messrs Lan enoe. Bargreaves, GtahUobmldt, Mono*, Palalret, Pnllpot, Wood, Grossman. Tab, HiU and Hunt. Anchor eleven will also slur at Haglcy Park against the United Papannl C.O, and will he composed ao followsMeeara Clarke, Bobinson, Fez, Smith, Taylor, Qarty, Withers, Tyrwhitt, Francis, Ktesoi and Drake. An important sale of freehold properties at Waimate, comprising several largo farms and suburban sections, is announced for 'l hunday next, when the Hew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, will offer, by public auction, the variouo estates of Hr Leonard Price, who is about to leave for England.

FbdkratioN. —Who (writes the Federal Australian) says federation is not advancing at railroad speed in this part of the world P Already Victoria and Hew South Wales—or say Melbourne and Sydney are bound together in geographical unity by the unbreakable iron link, and now the fiat has gone forth on both sides for the similar union of Victoria and South Australia, or say Melbourne and Adelaide. Within a week the Parliaments of the two Colonies have given their sanction each to its own share of the grand undertaking. About 190 miles of rails in ell will require to be laid down at a cost, they say, of about a million sterling, and this truly international work will be completed within the next 18 months. A through line of 500 miles will then convey the traveller from the shores of Hobson's Bay to the shores of St Vincent’s Guif without a break. Is not this federation, aye, and confederation into the bargain ?

Pyramidal Ybab of Fbofhbot. —An obscure religions paper of England, called the Protestant Standard, takes a view of the recent Egyptian war that is at least novel and startling. It is, in brief, that England, in carrying on the war, was unconsciously fulfilling a prophecy of the New Testament, and that it is the prelude to the “ end of this dispensation, and the beginning of that which followeth." The year 1882 is therefore to be the “ pyramidal year of prophecy.” The English people are the ten lost tribes of Israel, and as such are to be the agent in accomplishing the prophecies in the Book of the Revelation. Turkey ie Edom, and is about to perish by the “ drying up of its own Euphrates.” Egypt ii Esau, and ie about to fall into the hands of “ British Israel,” after which the Jews are to go back to Palestine. This is the programme up to date. It is defective, however, in not explaining, first, how the British Philistine is to be persuaded that he in not a Philistine, but a Jew ; and, second, how shall he be beguiled to leave hie sea-girt isle and emigrate to the bare Syrian hills of the Jordan land.

Chiu aitd Pbbv. — The Buenos Ayres Standard of Sept. 28, in its “Beview for Europe,” says s—“ The event of the fortnight is the conclusion of the long and bloody war on the West Coast The peace treaty has been agreed to by the Chilian Government and the captive President of Peru, Garcia Calderon, the terms being the payment of £40,000,0X1 sterling by Peru as war indemnity, and the cession of the Provinces of Tarapaca and Tacna, the visitors advancing to the vanquished some six millions hard douars for current expenses, Lima to be occupied by a Chilian garrison for one year. The terms are hard, but not more so than those who knew the relative strength of the belligerents expected ever since the crashing of the Peruvian armies in the field and the capture of Lima. To prevent any interference on the part of the ex-Diotator Piero Is, who is expected daily in Lima on bis return from Europe, the Chilian military authorities have orders to arrest him the moment he lands. The worst terms of peace are better than war for an exhausted country, and it is to be hoped that the guerilla element in Peru will not be allowed to interfere with the arrangements now come to.” On the other hand, the Anglo-Brasilian Times of Oct. 8 states that “a telegram from the Biver Plate reports the failure of the negotiations for a settlement of the war in the west, the Chilian Government refusing to make abatement from the terms of cession of territory and payment of war indemnity."

Fibb at Sydney Telephone Exchange. —The office of the Telephone Exchange Company at Sydney has just been the scene of an accident, which shows that the network of wires now being spread over all large towns needs most careful supervision. On the evening of Dec. 12 everything in the office was in the usual order, but next morning (he sweepers found that it had been in flames, though luckily the fire had burnt itself out. Many of the wires leading to the switch-board were partially fused, and the switch-board itself was charred to a cinder. The roof ef the office was blackened, and the floor bespattered with molten gutta-percha, the coating of the office wires. The came of the accident appears to have arisen from an electric light wire coming in contact with a telephone wire. During the past few evenings the electric light had been displayed at Aarons’ Exchange Hotel. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Dec. 12, the electric lighte at the hotel flashed and burned low. On examination it was found that the wire of the discharge plug was fused. Mr Aarons at once sent over to the officials in charge of the generating engine at the Colonial Secretary’s former office, and the lights were extinguished for a few minutes until a new plug was fixed, after which they burned as steadily and brilliantly as ever. It is assumed that at this moment the telephone and electric light wires formed a contact, that many of the small coils and attachments in the telephone exchange office were fused and became white hot, and that the intense heat thus thrown out melted the gutta percha coating of the wires, and blistered, blackened, and charred various parts of the office woodwork. A Bbatb Gibl.— The house of a settler named Sutherland, at Hedgehope, in Southland, was burned down on Deo. 11. Mrs Sutherland had gone on a visit to Toieri, and the father went off with a team to Woodlands in (he forenoon, leaving his eldest daughter, a girl of 18 years, to look after the bouse and younger children. She states that during the afternoon she lit a fire with scrub to baks, and supposes that a spark set fire to the roof. The fire had gained a strong bold before she knew of it, and her first impulse was to run upstairs for her baby brother, who was asleep. She reached him, but on trying to return she found that the flames were coming up the stair, and that it was impossible for her to pass slowly through them. It was at this point the girl showed a sagacity not possessed by many of her sex, even of mature years, in the presence of danger. Going to the window, she opened it and threw out a mattress and other bedding, on top of which she dropped the affrighted child. Wrapping herself in a blanket, she hurried down the burning stairway and escaped. No one lives within a mile of Mr Sutherland's, so that no-help could be got to save clothing or furnitnre, and all was consumed. Neighbours took the children away, and the shock Mrs Sutherland suffered on walking home next day to find her house swept away, and her children scattered, can scarcely be realised. The little fellow whe was so unceremoniously dropped from the window got a severe fright, and has been affected by sbeplesensis since. Though the fire occurred so long ago, the fact has only just become known to the Invercargill papers from which we obtain the narrative above.