TOWN & COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6876, 14 March 1883, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY

■■ ■*>■- Tub Ooiokiai. SacßiiAßT.--Th« Hod T. Dick was a p**i«ager by ths Wanaka for Wellington yesterday. Difliaicx OooaT.~Hi» Honor Judge Ward iat in the Diatriot Court yeaterdaj, and dUposed of two of the osms set down for hearing. Of the other two, one has been adjourned till next month, and ths other will be nailed on at 11 o'clock this morning. Oaiaoohxah Booistt.—A •psoial general meeting of ths Canterbury Caledonian Society was held lait night, when ths books purchated at Home as the nuoleua of a Seottieh reference library were laid on ths table, and formed the theme of general admiration. Some time ago the Society voted £BO for thii purpoie, and they certainly seem to hare got the fall worth of their money. A report of the meeting will be found elsewhere.

Boabs of Cohsbbyatobs.—An ordinary meeting of the bouth Waimaaariri Board of Conservator- was held yesterday afternoon. It was stated that there was a balance in hand of £375 13s id. It was resolved that where the rates were leviable under "The Rating Aot, 1876," a rate of id in tbe £ should se levied in the general district, and, in addition, a rate of id in the £ in the special district. Where the rates are leviable under " The Bating Act, 1882," they are to be l-32nd part of a psany in ths£ in the general district, and 1-Saad part of a penny in the £ in addition, in the special district.

Mbbxvaxb Football Club.—The annual meeting of tbe Merivale Football Club was hold on Monday evening, Mr H. Lowry in the chair. There was a large attendance of members. Xhe balance • sheet was read and adopted. 'Xhe election of officer* for the ensuing season was then proceeded with with the following result:—• President, Mr F. M'Devitt (re-eleotew) j vice-Preiident, Q. JfcL Juddj Captain, A Gapes i vice-Captain, H. Kvans; V. L. Pozri, Secretary and Treasarer. Xhe Captain, Ties-Captain, H. Nuttall, W. Spicer, and B. Tucker, were elected on the General Committee, and the Captain, viceCaptain, and W. Garrard on the Selection Committee. It was resolved that the first match should take place on April 7, and a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. Fifteen new members were elected, after whioh the meeting terminated. ToiUBTBBBS,—Major Lean held the usual monthly inspection parade of the Christchurch corps last night. Full numbers of the City Guards, City and Sydenham Bifles and Christ's College Bifles wero on parade in tbe drill shed, and took open order for inspection, whioh occupied but a short time, after which each corps was put through a series of movements by the respective commanding officer. The members of the Christ's College Bine corps appeared, for the first time, in full uniform with arms, and were put through the manual exercise, after whioh they.and the City Guards, marohed out, headed by ths garrison band (Hamilton's). On Saturday next, an encampmont will be held by the Christ's College Bifles, near Biocarton, for the purpose of learning sentry and skirmishing drill, &o. A large majority of those present last night signified their willingness to march out at 2.50 p.m. on Saturday j a second detachment will follow at 7 p.m. Bations, tents, cooking utensil* and bedding—♦'.«. straw—is to be found them, but eaoh man is expected to provide himself with blankets and a great coat. Those who send these to the drillshed by 1 p.m. on Saturday, will have them taken out, otherwise they will be under the necessity of carrying them.

Pbssbktatiob.—A number of the residents of Sydenham met last evening, at Lawrence's Club Hotel, in order to bid farewell to Sergeant Brooks, who after acting as guardian of the peace in the Borough for five years, has been transferred to Akaroa. His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Joyce) presided, and tbe vicoohair waa occupied by Mr 8. Day. The Mayor expressed in warm terms his appreciation of the way in whioh theßergeant had discharged his duties, and explained that a number of the friends of Sergeant and Mrs Brooks had resolved not to allow them to depart without some token of their respect and esteem. He then presented the Sergeant with an elegant silver tea and coffee service, suitably inscribed, as a gift to Mrs Brooks, the sugar-basiu appropriately containing a number of sovereigns. A handsome walking-stick, with •liver ferrule, was presented to the Berge*jat," a* an aid in travelling OTer the hills of tbe Peninsula." His Worship alto read an address, couched ia very complimentary terms, expressive of the deep regret of tho inhabitant* of the Borough in parting with so conscientious a publio servant and so estimable a citisen, and also their best wishes for hi* future welfare. The Mayor concluded by expreattng the great respect in whioh he and others had always held Sergeant Brooks, as a man who in all that he did strove to follow the thing that was right. Sergeant Brooks, in reply, professed his inability to thank his friends for the kindne*. with which thoy had treated Mr* Brooks and himself. He had always tried to do his duty, and though he had perhaps made enemies (no, no!), he had also mude some friends. He again begged to thank them very warmly for their kind expressions of opinion and their very handsome present. The h*alth of Her Msjesty having been duly honoured, the Mavor proposed " the health of Sergeant Brooks," who possessed tbe good opinion of both publicans and teetotaller*. Xhe toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Sergeant Urooks responded ia suitable terms, and proposed "the health of the Mayor. Other toast* followed, some capital soog* were sung, and a very pjeaiant evening spent. Among the toasts was that or Messrs Day and Smith, who had been chiefly instrumental ia getting up the testimonial

B«A«<Hia* vuou EMM. Du»to»j>.— Yesterday th* name* of nia* **em»n war* iw» Krted to the polio* m being absent without ive from B.H.S. Diamond. Up to » UlUi hour last night oaly one of them had been arrested. A reward i* offered 1m their approbsnsloa,

InqoMi.—• An inquest wh held at the Sunnysid* Asylum yesterday, before Ihr Coward, coroner, on tht bodj of a patient named Sarah P/OJ, who died la th* ujsiittition ,011 Monday. The medical evidence showed that death had revolted from pulmonary consumption, tod a verdict of " Death from natural can***" wu returned. H» MxcvLinor th» Goramiron.- Sir William JervoJ*, attended by hi* privet* Secretary, Mr V. W. Fensefathsr, visited the Worme! School, Crenroer square, yesterday afternoon and want carefully mtt th* building, ineltdiogaU tb* cUee-room* is which tb* pupil* were at work. lli* Kxc*lt*ney, accompanied by Major Lean, afterward* went by special train to Ly ttelton, and closely examined the entrance to th* harbour, with a view to sites for defensive work*. Thi* morning His .Bj> o*li*acy wiii prwesd by apodal train to Lincoln, and will inspect th* Aptalhual ColMiiraro o» BiTßPArm*. A pnbli* meeting ef ratepayers in th* MandeviUe and Banglora Boed District wm bald at thi Board • office, Bangiore, at ii ».m. yesterday, for th* purpose of considering m apptioettou mad* under tha Public Work* Act of 1878 for the doting of a road on th* wait tid* of rural •action* 1288, 2060, and 1333, in th* district. There wa* but»limited attendance, and Mr M. Duncan waa voted to the chair. Thar* being no objaction railed to tha granting of tha application, Mr a Leggett formally rawed, asd Mr J. 0. Boyi seconded—" lb*t th* road be oloied/' Thi* hanng be«n agreed to, tha meeting terminated.

M» ABOHIBALD FoaHia.—The celebrated war correspondent delivered hie lectors entitled, " Th* Experience* of a War Cornspondsnt," in the Oddfellow*' Hall, Kaiapoi, on Monday evening. There wa* cot a large attendance, consequent, H may be presumed, upon tb* several alterations in tb* date of the lecture. The lector*, however, afforded great gratification to tho** who heard it, and waa applauded repeatedly. Mr Forbes, in conversation afterwards, pa**«d a tribute of praise to the building, remarking that its aooustio propertie* were superior to any hall he had lectured in in the Colonies. Mr Forbes le r t for the West Coast yesterday morning, where he will deliver tome lecture 1 ?r*viou* to hi* departure for New South r*al** and Queensland.

1i«?lbtos School Cohbhitm. Tho monthly meeting of thi* Committee wa* held on Monday evening j preeent—Messrs 8, Bailey (Ohairman),(j. Benjamin, J. Jones, 6, P. Eassel, Q. Lucook asd Jama* Voice. Correspondence was received .—From Mr L, G. Wright enclosing receipt for monthly aalarles asd a list of articles required in the school { also from Miss Hunun, pupil teacher, in reference to salary. The Chairman was authorised to procure the necessary articles for the ichool, and to forward Miss flumm'i letter to th* Board of Education. A letter wa* received from tha B*r A. 0. Wright asking permission to give religious instruction is the school twice a week after school hours, which waa granted. Mewra Benjamin, Kissel and Lucock w*re appointed to pur* chat* prise* for th* children. Tha meeting then adjourned.

Otot Bchooi, ConMiTTii. The Bevel meeting of the above Committee wa* held on Monday evening; preesnt—Messrs H***all, Hart, Mankerville, M'Kie, Cromic, Atkinaon, and M'Cuichen. She Chairman reported having received the resignation of Miss Ford a* mistress of the main aehooL Corrsspondence waa received from the Board, authorising the Committee to advertise for a successor. It waa resolved that the compulsory clause of the Ordinance should be enforced, and that a lilt of irregular attendant* should be forwarded to the Sergeant of Police, with a request to take action in th* matter. The arrangement* for the children'* treat, to be given on Thursday, were concluded, it being reported that conveyance* had bees obtained for the purpose of carrying the children from the East Oxford Station to the bush. After the transaction of a large amount of routine business, the Committee adjourned.

I SraisasTOH. —Services in celebration of the anniversary of the Spricgston Wesleyen Bunday School were held on hundey. The Bev S. J. Garlick preeohed morning end evening, and in the afternoon Mr Peryman gave the address at the children's service. The hymns at the three services were led bj the choir, consisting of the children, who had been diligently practising for eome time put, under the able leadership of Ml Taylor, ably seconded by the organist Miss Will*, who played with much taste. On Monday the annual treat took place in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Gammeok, who u alwejs to the fore in helping the children enjoy themselves. Although the day wae ahowery a goodly number turned up at 1 p.ro n when they were taken in hand by Messrs Eime, Willi, and other*, who endeavoured, by the united aid of cakes, toys, fruit, Ac., to paat off what would haTO probably turned out a dreary afternoon. At 4 pan. the tea wai announced for the children; at 5.30 the adulte eat down, numbering about 100. An adjournment to the chapel then followed. The Bev J. 8. Smalley took the ohair. Mr home, Superintendent of the school, read the annual report, whioh showed number of children on books, 100; average attendance, 67 1 number of teachers, IS. The accounts showed for this year that the school is in debt about lis 6d, which sum will probably be made up by some friends. The Here ttarliok and JCeall delivered addressee, after which rotes of thanks to the ladies (ttcsdamee Sime, J. Kime and Keast) for the trays, and all who helped, dosed the proceedings. OmioUT.—-A cricket match, which resulted in a draw, was played yesterday afternoon on flagley Bark, between the members of the "Jo" Company and members of the staff of the Fnu. The former went first to the wickets, and succeeded in putting together the reepeoUble total of 120, the three bats- j men reaching double figures beiogßtacsfleld, S 6: Lawrence (sub), 23 1 and Vernon, 16. The JPr«t» succeeded in getting 108 for six wiokete when time was called, the highest being Marr (not out), 49 j Brunt, 29 s and Board, 19.—A match was played on Saturday last between elevens selected from the employees of Mr D. Beese and the Plasterers of Ohristchuroh, whioh resulted in a victory for the former by six wickets and two *uns.— The long talked of match between the City Councillors and cx-CouneiUore and dtiiets came off at Hagley Perk yesterday. Only ■ix Councillors were able, to cite their eervieee, and the vaoanries were filled by substitutes, some of whom did uncommonly well. Mr Ayers captained the erne dignUeriee sod Mr WiUmer the repreientatiree of the past. In order to keep the scoring, which was expected to be unusually heavy, within decent limits a rule was enacted that no one should bat longer than 20 minutes, and so the game was comfortably finished within the bounds of the day. Messrs Briggs and Hill acted in the important position of umpires, commonly no sineoure in watches of this kind. A start was made at elev*n o'clock, the Council taking up their innings first. So well did Mr WiUmer handle the bell, that they all caino out for 72, Murray, t 8 j Ayeis, 13 { and Hobbe a one being able to resist the insidious shooters delivered by the demon bowler. When the others went in Mr Cuff made such good use of his SO minutes that he had knocked up 35 before retiring, and backed up by Hobbe, 18; Hobday, 17 t the gallant captain, 14» and Huibcrt, 10, the total reached 118. Nothing undismayed the eonsoript fathers went to work again, and this time amassed 97—Hobbe, 19 1 Brioe, 14 1 and Murray, 18, thus leafing their opponents 67 to get, whioh they did not accomplish till six wiokete had succumbed. The veteran colt WiUmer was again to the front, scoring 18. CouEcUlor Vincent bowled with much effect, but bis efforts, hetoie as they were, could not stave off defeat A capital luncheon was provided on the ground, whioh it was a matter of general remark, received greater punishment than even the bowling.—lhe unfinished Cup-match, between the United and Midland Olube la to be resumed at Haeley Park to»morrow evening at 4 80 o'clock. Ike Mislead have to go hi nr their **•! iosungs.

Simttx Elic«ox-»«. r », ~~ - tMmm the electors of B.iL„ ton Town Hall, at he^7 B 7 * *• W eveuing. * ' ' "c.ock Uiis FBlMmvi MrrnoDigT r U r. tM meeting tn connection Wl 7"f*"- -The sary aervie** of lh» A.hbuL t? noifw ' M*thod!*t Church was hYldTw **■*»• tb* *v*»i»g a number (J f .J, d *7- In delivered is th. Town Hail CI "*** presided, »sd there w M » faif » ,?/«** number of hymns end reciU'io.- ,* rendered. uo *'• ww « •»»

AiSßtwroir CHisai Factobv -a, ing of tha Director, of th. .bor, held on Monday, a requieitioo *„ r z£2» fram tha faroari in the dUirirt ? whether tha factory wooki bo r; £■{£« and of tha cbaeM-makiog « e »K-n nZ, t May 31. Tha BacraUryVu reply that th* factory would be kept o Mn « long ae a euppJy of milk wu forthoommt hrmvsm JSatal iiuiQAm.~uaui n Adjotaot sewail iniptcted the Jatal Brigade, th, Drill mi, Mondayattntog. 2babrig«ie we, eput u m L h ranaw, mantMU, and firing eierciMi, »ad w^n eompliaketated by the Aljßtm&t on thtir general proflcitney. CapUm M'L«li* n M . Bounced that there wu a racaocy in the LieatacanUbip, which it wm the dot* of th* Brigade to fill np. 7 W *

"B00M»0rf"-Io the Diatriet CocrL yeetarday, it wm atatad in erideoce that » practice prarailed in the Baiiwiiy Ikpurimeni of "booking oft" empioy«#i occ»«ioc*ii»* Xhi* Wa* eiplaised to be that erery night the work for th* n**t day wm aiifitted to tha mim, *ad thoee who were not required wtr« H booked df." For day* that t hey were thu unemployed, the man received no pay. I> # prartic* wm aaimadrerted on ae beir.f hard upon the men, who, by th* regulation! of th» Department, are compelled to hold them•ehe* available for work when called upon. Fairer Fail,—The fancy fair to be held on Wedneiday and 'Thursday in Batter w t «sk, in aid of th* Faitonage land for the St Aibace dutriot, protnwea to be very attractiTe. Ihe "art »t*ll," together with tha "freitasd iower itall ' (which will contain a numb«r of rtry artittk fern baakete and beautiful p>t pianU) will provide a tempting var.tty of object* for the mora «a the tic porch«««Tt. Thaofferisga which have been gene?oo*iy T.ad« for thii undertaking will aleo i&clua* % i W |« Miortfflfint of thoroughly tuefol article*, acd aa ° money'i-worth" will be tha mctto of the promoteri, it ii hoped that thu whole will b* latufactorily dapoaed of. Thi* fuburban cure i» aliioet entirely iu:-portad by the working claaie*; their eSor:#, tfcer*. fore, to build a panooage may w«;. eciut general sympathy and eupport. Llßwooo lowir Boiao— Ac o?unary meetiog cf this Hoard was held or: Monday evening kit, at 7 p.m.; pretent—Mew* dephan*, Collier, Hale, E. looker, and H. Toomer. In the absence of the Chairman Mr Clephane waa voted to the chair. Mr Hale apologised for Mr Goodman, who waa unable to attend. waa read from the Drainage Board, enclosing 12 copta* of that Board's account* for the pa*t year. Ihe Fisan*e Committee reported receipt* during the peat fortnight for dog rcgietraikra £7, acd recommended that «unary aecounti, value £2llßa 7d, be paid. Ihe Work* Com* aoittee reported that several occapier* of property hare failed to comply with th* notice* to trim (heir fence* and tree*, and recommended that itepa be taken to enforce compliance with the notieei. Beaolved—- ; "That tha Clerk be is attendance at th* office, to receive payment of rate*, daily from 12 to 1 pan. and on Mondays from 10 am. to 4 p.m.j that final notice be given to pereeoi who have failed to comply with the notice* to trim their fence* and tree* to do the aame immediately." The wages sheet and account* were pawed for payment, asd tha meeting closed. i Baptist Btnn>ar Bchooi*—lhe twelfth anniversary of tha chrotchurcn £Upti*t Sunday School waa celebrated by ipecial «r----vice* in the Church on t3o.nc.av lk»t, and by a tea and public meeting yesterd*; evening. About 3X> of the children acd their friend* partook of a lumptuotu te>, the Üb.tt being presided over by the teachers of the sahooL At tha public meeting, which was fairly attended, the Bev C. Dallaaton, pastor of tha charob, occupied the chair, and appropriate addreaaf* were delivered by the Ben J. Ward, Standring, Wilson, Crewes, and Johnston. The annual report of the Superintendent wa* read, and stated that the school waa in a very satisfactory condition. There were on the roll the names of 180 girl* and 165 boys, making a total of 346 pupils. The average attendance wa* 255. The number of teachers connected with the school was 29. The Band of Hope waa also in a flourishing cocdiuon, and mustered 86 members. Tho children's services held each Sunday mornicg had proved very successful, and hai been wall attended. Sight scholars had jsised the membership of the Church duric; the year. The Treasurer's report was also sdtuf&ctory, showing that the receipt* had more than covered the expenditure, leaving a balance in hand. During the th* children, under the direction of Air I. Chivers, sang several hymns. Mr H. Ccrri.-a presided at the organ. THBATKI Hgyax —A very fair s-iwee* waa attracted last night to the theiir? f x the second performance of that exc*ecx|;y piece of farcical comedy "The Grasshopper. Miss Jennie Lee again carried th* hou»e with her by her vivaciou* acting and energy in the part of th* heroine, tne extraordinary contrast between her assumption of the character and that of " Jo" again beiojj widely commented on. Mr Burnatt. too, was again most successful as the artist FUppet, and Mr Leopold seemed completely in hi* element as Jingle, the disreputable " F* 0 - per-rietor" of the travelling "tukkus"; while dismal Jimmy, the clown, and Hercules Samson, the man with the iron jaw, were in competent hands, entrusted as they were to Messrs Herbert acd Seville. Mr W. B. Warner is scarcely so successful with th*> Hon Sydney Morass as he was with th* part assigned to him in " Jo," hut is fair on the whole, asd particularly good in place* durirg his scene* with Lady Ernestine. Mr Sterling Whyte sustained first impressions. Bis .ttigbiand innkeeper is a faithful acd conocientiou* piece of acting. The s?eoery u oxceedingly good throughout the piece, especially the set in tha second act, wfeu-h represent* the ojnservatory and river in front of Lady Buckram's house. Ihey are painty by Mr George Gordon, tha well-known Melboars* scenic artist, the same, if we are ot mistaken, whoee brush gave us the present pretty drop-scene in use at the Jheaiie. At aJI events, the stretch of water witly"** floating on it *eems to betray the **":e The rustic bridge leading over to the .Va--house 00 the other *ide, and the haue;:«' > if* charming pieces of work. Tha toliowißf will tfar fir the stalest the Metbven C.O. io-«3»y, * : ?,'"',, 1'). ..a.i-.Me.STs S"oi, Bareas. Wo----;, JttS*«.Ty*whitt, atoock, Laurent. »'». IDO and Ball. . . i.^rie, lha *#Q«r*l mealing of tho -* •'"/.7: t * I * meatkm»a iu our isnim ot y«*t«rd»T, : ?„ '" g i lT held to»aw*iow, as was stawJ. but w "* J ° The anaiveWMV solrA.of tha Pri«lti« M* tb Cboxek. Cambri3g« t«rraoi»,.noar fc> bridge, will be b«W this »<«»»<; Th«> ea-" •sWc eeaw eatoet mesle, and »"'*"s' d"uumiidaiirared by the Ke*s Kimsiie, Morlei, v*i>*Waon, ana Ward. i,„.,i.i i»«viiWon wUI be held oa 'thurgdaj at «. 0 "peot«of Lio M«do will ««" °"/L d y,uoW phreaoloßleal «t*Tt*ißineßt*al the Odutea UUOI. Lieb««ld streot. to-morrow oTaoia,r, ia^wSaw.^^i..District wiU take place at tfc- »•« wry. wiU be hoM oa April ».

T __ Lio »vd or William Tell.—Th«» THI w "*"._ w f . |lh i n the bUtonc*! story ". will find much comfort in Slid w« thS.exui.noe of .dewier, but Itf i !£«.th»t • family of th»tn»me,.in SSwdS teiiu., p£t in th. Au,tmn £\£ B««idet thi».th« book throwi «wt J?°E»™TnWot t°« dittorted fc|>»*

»u Gueeolffi'a follower OmeweU, who has faithsrio mystified genealogists, is cleared up aaaCromwelL , , THB LAUD LIAOtJB FuSDS,—It M admitted that £2OOO was pid by the Land fjeague for the espeetes of the Iranmembers off aruamcnt. Mid it is expected to ultimately transpire that over £20,000 has been spent on Irish Parliamentary agitation in contravention of the condition that not « *>enny should b« used for such a purpose. Bawd Cohtmt.—Tho o»maru and inver* cargiil Gerrieon Bands i»To long been nnh for the premier position among th« y Bands of thU Island. Several challenge* wore thrown out, bat difficulties aiway* *»PI»d ap- in fact. io many b*w »M» much iik* a cm* •' " «•• "''*? .•"£ XJ"T i« daren't come on." The S»e7**W row M •Stblim P ™.«on that fceirmutuUW* fare?eei are waily going to r* settled at last, S3aires the conditions of the meeting as *»»««•—"She contest to take place on Batnrdev evening, March 24, three piece* to w. ~!»Ti«(i by e*oa band, two they have praeti/d »nd oae to be reed at eight -one or two intijtd—Meim Ooomtws and Wuhttt of J)ua*din, both or either of them » judges to he supplied with conductor's coptee of the pieces played j balh bands to send their new music to be received by the eotuieg Sen | Francisco mail, unopened, to Lieut-Colonel Stately, in Dunedin, to be held by him MU the competition, when the judges will select .from the pawsel* the eight piece they deter* mine oa for the bands to play.'* ... EXTSAOSMKAUT OrfBAOS.—A _ Singular outrage i* reported from Aberdare Valley, on the Brwoßibire border, and great indignation e,g*iritt the perpetrator* i» said to prevail in the locality. J*akin Morgan, an aged faraar, of Peoderya, T»ated the residence of hit insaferda, John and Thomas Harris, who j lire io the locality, with the object of presenting them with a piece of pork. Hi says that oa arriving there he waa made drank with wbiakey by Mmre Harrta, who are given to practical joking. Whet he wa» intoxicated, they shaved his head and cut off hie whisker* and eyebrow*. Ihey than snutilat<4 him in a dreadful manner with a large pair of aciseart, from the effect of which his life ia sow deapaired of. After commit. ting the outrage, the perpetrator* blackened the victim's faoe. He waa then deetdwith liquor a ascend time and left on a bed, where he remained until the following day, when he san&ged to get nut of the home and crawl home, Hia aufteringt were interne. He hat b«0 attended by ievereJ joedieal men, and the opinion ia expreaeed that after the infliction of the woacda » red-hot poker or iron mm u»ed to atop the bleeding. The parsons of the outrage diaappeared, but the police took the matter in hand. j Chsafu THRAxass.—The burning of the Alham&a doea not teem to have had much «Sect on the official mind. Some time ago the Criterion Theatre waa condemned by the Board of Work* as " not a fit place for public entertainment." Three montha ago the Lord Chamberlain addreaaed a latter to the Board again atkisg iU opinion on the aobject The tetter waa referred to the Building Act {JommiUee, which baa reported to the Board recommending that hi* lordship nhould be te!d that although plana of proposed altera* tiona had been tent in, the buiioiag waa for the preaent highly uctafe. This reoom* tnjndation waa rejected, and the Board ultimately agreed to suggest that a provisional license for three months should be granted. ■The reasons which seem to have induced the Board to stultify itself in this way are very curious. One was its reluctance to assume Buy responsibility which might just as fairly be thrown on the Lord Chamberlain—a good instance., as one of the speakers said, of " the Isconvenitnce of a divided authority." The other reason was the interference with pro* pert j which any attempt to aaTe the lives of the ibeatre-goers would involve. The Board " ouiht te hare some regard for the capital invested in the building," and ought not to Interfere " when property had the sanction of law." It is clear that the Board of Works cmght to be affiliated at once to the "Defence of Liberty and Property League."

Los&ox Hqtkjs.—Another death in the centre of London hu occurred In a house declared by the reßeving-offieer "tobe wholly onSt for human habitation, being neither wind oar rater tight! '* Qm hardly knows, says the Pi# Jfoif Gazette, whether to be more shocked- or more thankful at the frequency of these frightful revelaticßs, Were the majority of mankind still «ocUst tc read such report* frith the 7emark, **How dreadful!" and then forget all about them, there would be nothing to counterbalance their horror. Bat people are more and m»re waking up to the conviction that the dwelling* queitian is a burning question, and one that will hare to be dealt with in a big way, and dealt with soon. At such a time every freth glance that we are compelled to cast into that awful abjti of fcum&n misery which London con* eeais in the teeming courts that lie between it* wesitb-aboundicg, busy, filthy thoroughfares, helps to prepare men's minds for the large remedies which trill alone be sufficient to meet so great &n eriL "2he Ocroner asked why the local authorities were not applied to, and was informed they knew all about it. He observed that he was well aware of the difficulties which beset them in pulling down these wretched abodes. . . . , It

would, however, be well to call attention to these places." It is well to call, and call, and ceil, if with no ether purpose than to get it race for all into men's minds that great eacriftce and great efforts hare got to be made to dent with a state of things which all our present machinery and resources can hardly touch.

Thb PoLmcix Lsadbss o? tbb Frmras. —Mr Labouebere in Truth boldly asserts his belief in Mr Chamberlain, ths Badieal chieftain, as a Premier of the future. The Some Nmt writing of more immediate, etentu&lilies says:—-While Mr Gladstone is i basking in tha rays of the sun at Bmera st i Gtnccf, it is natural that there should be much i peculation afloat as to what will { happen when he ceates to be a practical force in politics. Thug far be hu shown himself to | be not ocly the sol* living statesman who can \ twite Baoical* and Whigs, but the great restraining influence upon the aggressive propaganda of Badteahsm. The future poeittun of the Badical Party, of which Mr Cbaoiberkin is the accepted leader, must depend very much upon ths attitude adopted by the successor of Mr Gladstone as the liberal chief. If Lord Hartington is repmred to accept a substantial poron of the Badical programme, which ill include measures of no puny araeter, Mr Chamterlain and his friends U continue to act with him. If, on the ler hand, the Liberal Leader identifies lself with the Whigs and their traditional ; .ey, the rupture between Whiggism and icalism will be complete, and Mr Chamber- • and his friends will trust to themselves «. As a matter of fact, there is reason Hieve that L->rd Hartington is prepared \ a certain paint to co-operate with Mr Aberlain, At the same time, it must be -'nbered that in the course of a very few TLord Hartington will become Duke of *? shire. His accession to the ancestral teiil compel him to recede into the backf*. His political importance, in other ■""'will be in an inverse proportion to his "dignity. It is the disappearance of M>dstone and the promotion of Lord 2£"ton which causes the future of parties an( * ic» in England to be so uncertain. tm .ijr Livbkpool.—A serious w**" l occurred early on the morning of Boxthtj at the central station of the Cholines Committee, Livk>rpooL The polie on jjaty in the neighbourhood hearty ao j M imagined it resulted m explosion. One constable hurried ffto tai» what had occurred, but the d " kl *revented him seeing more than tb * t l stretch of railway wsJl had dieit tha who k rf the roadW V *!•* hsard gas escapa in great volume phere , m u ,I^4 t T ,2°'» Information W at once ofiriLi. 8" Oompaay, one of who* b»S,*• ««« «S tad t»« broken aia^Ji** l *- The «•«•!» wwat*pP«l Out people dwelling

in the street tho dang*r they were ia. Some railway officials were **rly *a the spot, and with the help of fi**« *»d torehe*,the nature of the accident was perceived. The fittw»y line at this point was cut through yellow eandstone to exoarotion was protected bf a heavy•wall 40Tt bigb on each siSe, the watf being about 10ft above the street level. The railway officials found that thU greatwaU length of about 70 yards, and w>th it many tool of sandstone, the whole of the street haviM aiten way with the wall, lajing bare the nidations of the Bijon Opera Bouse. By order of the authorities, the Optra House, which now stands on the brink of a precipice, wae closed. The accident is mppoitd to have been oassed by tpereolation of wator through the sandstone. Da»om *bok Flowssb —'To die of a rose in aromatic pain M would appear to be not altogether an impossible lusury, judging by the narrow escape of one of the ushers at the lying & ***** °- M * Qtabetta. The odour of the innumerable flowers upon the coffin was, we are told, so overpowering that the unfortunate man was asphyxiated, and with difficulty restored, But a more probable, though nt the same time more prosaio view of the matter, is that the poisonous carbonic add gas evolved by the respiration of the fio* era was the real eauta of hit illness. This case should be taken as a strong confirmation of the well-founded belief that flowers in a sleeping apartment are dangerous* a belief which, unlike moat articles of popular faith, is founded upon seienUlo principles. Greta plant* during the daytime are eminently wholesome indoors, but during the night doubtfully to. Flowers, and all coloured parte of a plant, on the other hand, are always dange»nt*-*to th<« same extent that human beings or other animals are dangerous, for they exhaust the necessary oxygen, and fill the room with injurious carbonic acid gas. A Stbasqb Dxam—An extraordinary affair is reported to hare occurred at Qreenvale, North Carolina. It appears that a large number of bales of cotton had been received there from Bell's Ferry, and in one of them, when being cut open for examination, was found the body of a negro, pressed almost out of shape. Inquiries were at once made, and the body was ultimately recognised as that of a coloured man named James Bradley. Bradley, it wae stated, was about to get married to a young woman from Pitt's County, when two women turned up and claimed him as their husband, and each had a child in her arms, of which they said he was the father. Bradley thereupon ran into a cotton gin-hoaae while the labourers were at dinner, and nothing more was seen of him until his body was found as stated. It was thought at first that he had been thrown into the press by one of the labourers, but an investigation showed that this supposition was not teaable, and all the facts pointed to the conclusion that, in a fit of despair, the unfortunate fellow had thrown himself into one of the partially filled presses during the absenoe of the workmen, and had been pressed to death.