TOWN & COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6898, 9 April 1883, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY

ABHBTJSTOH Libbaby.—The contract for boildiog the new Ashburton library in briok hat at last been signed, end operations trill commence at once, The contract price is £96917» 6J, and the contractors are Messrs Nelson and Coutts, Ashburton. Cablb Commpwicatioh.—We received the following intimation from the Telegraph Office last night:—•"We have been notified that both oables between Port Darwin and Banjoewanfie are interrupted. The reputing steamer is on the spot, and it is expected communication will be very shortly restored." Spoetiho.—After the Timara Baces s trotting match was arranged between Cock Robin, who is now the property of a Christohuroh sportsman, and a 'Ximara horse named Councillor, belonging to the wellknown " ped " O'Connor. The match is for £SO a side, over a coarse of three miles, and comes off on April 27, on the Timara racecourse.

East Belt Wksibyan Ohttboh.—The anniversary serrises in connection with the Eist Belt Wesleyan Sunday sohool were held yesterday. The Bev 0. Taylor preaohed at the morning service. In the afternoon the Bev £. Best delivered an address to the scholars, and the evening service was conducted by the Bev W. Morley. The anniversary tea meeting will take place on Tuesday evening in the schoolroom adjoining the church.

B.M. Cottbt. Seventeen informations laid by the police or private individual* are set down for hearing at the Besident Magistrate's Court to-day. Perhaps the only one of special interest is an action under the Education Act against a parent in the St Albans District, who is alleged to hare neglected to send his ofeild to the district eohool after notice to do so had been served on him by the Committee, such child not holding a certificate of exemption as provided by section 90 of the Aot. In addition to the information cases, there is a ohargv of larceny and one of damaging property to be disposed of. Tbmpletok.—A most auooessful harvest Kthering was held in this parish on Friday it. She proceedings commenced with divine service in St Saviour's Church, followed by a tea. The tea tables were presided over by Mesdames M'Olelland, Laurell, 8. Bailey, W. Bailey, Dawson, Carpenter, Brown, and the Misses Foreman, Dawson, Benjamin, and Hampton. An excellent concert was held in the evening, and was very largely attended. Those who kindly assisted were Misses King, Wilkinson, Bailey, Qabbates, Mrs Pyne, Messrs Ooraerford, Hanson, Ayton, Mozshead, and Dawson. Votes of thanks were accorded to all those who assisted in making the festival a success.

Oust.—The annual soiree in connection with the Presbyterian Churoh took place on Friday evening last. There was a large attendance at the tea, trays being gratuitously supplied by Mesdames Buddenklau, Cromio, M'Olaohlan, and M'Outoher, who, together with Misses Buddenklau and Tollatt, were most assiduous in endeavouring to supply the oreature w»nts of those present. The after meeting was opened by the Bev M'Callum, who ocoupied the chair. He briefly referred to several matters of interest affeoting the congregation, and concluded by introducing Mr C. E. Button, who was present to deliver his lecture on astronomy. The lecture was interspersed with musical selections rendered by Mr and Mrs M'Leod, and respite the inattention of some of the youthful portion of the oommunity was highly appreciated, the leoturor being frequently applauded. The concluding portion oonsisted of a variety of magic views which were successful in amusing the young folk. Hearty votes of thanks were unanimously passed to all who had taken part in the meeting, which was dosed by the singing of the doxology. Tsui of Agbioumubai lotusmhhw. A very successful trial of diso harrows and o-iltivatore made by George Booth and Bon, of Ohriilohurch, took plaoe at Set ton, on Friday, in a paddook kindly placed at the disposal of the local agent, Mr Barclay, by Mr Hiatt, who also found the teams, and in every way assisted to make the trial a success. The trial had previously been arranged for earlier dates, but had to be put off on account of the severity of the weather, and, as it was, the ground was quite soaked by the late rains. Taking into consideration the short notice, there were a good number of farmers present, and they expressed their entire satisfaction with both implements. They, however, preferred the cultivators for the sort of ground they were tried in, to the diso harrows, although the latter certainly teemed to do their work well. Bobs' patent is a deoided improvement, as the driver can balance the harrow, and make it cut equally all over, by the pressure of his foot, immediately after the trial of these implements, the team was hitohed on to a lifting harrow, with 23 teeth, belonging to Mr Hiatt, and took a few turns with It, those present considering it one of the best implements of its kind for raising weeds. The ground being damp, the weeds did not drop off the tines so well as they do when it is dry. On the whole, the different implements tried were considered the best of their kind for the purposes they are meant for.

Stress** Const.— Hi* Honor Mr Justi e Johnston will sit ia the Supreme Court today, lit It *.m. At the cases to be taken are to be tried by the Judge without a jury, the iuw» who hid been summoned for toda* have been informed by advertisement from tba Sheriff that their attondaoce will not be required. OAWTiBBoay Ih*«»xo» lim.—The following tender* have been received for toe Malvern contract, formation and. permanent way, Oxford to Malvern section of the Canterbury interior main line : Accepted : GWgg and Guild, Sheffield, £2llO. l)e----dined : Jesse Coatee, Pelmerston South, £2717 1 Onniton and Co, Duoedio, £3159. AeotDWH.—On IMday, about % o'clock in the evening, a carpenter named John Jo»iah Wilkimon, who wae driving a dray loaded with timber down a cutting at 100 B*kai* Gorge bridge, met with an accident tbrongb the horeei taking fright Be wise knocked | down, and one of the wheel* passed over hie right leg, breaking it. He wae brought to the Hospital late oa Saturday night, and hU injured limb wae promptly attended to; he is now doing well. LursßXi> Oil Cowfaott. meeting of the Canterbury Linseed Oil Company wae held on Baturday aft*-noon, in the offiiee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Asaocietion. Ihere wae a fairly full attendance of shareholders, 'lhe raport and balance-sheet, which epoke in sanguine terms of the prospects of the Company, were adopted, and the election oi the Board of Directors and auditor concluded the meeting. A report of the meeting appears in another column.

Nbw ZtALAKo Ponißißa. A gentleman who occupies a prominent position in connection with, the coal and pottery industries of New South Wales it at present on a risit to Christeburch. This is Mr Talbot WihoD, of the Lithgow Valley Coal and Pottery Works, who is making a tour of the Colony with a raw to ascertaining what position tbe abore • mentioned industries hold among us. So far Mr Wilton has been most favourably impressed with what he has observed. He acknowledge* baring picked up a few wrinkle* from the ettery work* of Otago, and also that he has timed something worth kaowing from so examination of those of Canterbury, He was particularly struck with the mineral wealth in the Malvern Hills district, for which he hat ventured to predict a great future.

Chbibi'i Collbgb Birais. Neither cricket nor football being in full awing on Saturday, (he members of the Chris!;'i College Bifle Corpa took advantage of the " off day " and marched into Hagley Park with the College Cadet Corps for the purpoie of going through some skirmishing drill. Bath corps paraded at 2.15 p.m. on the College quadrangle, under Captain H. Alan Scott, lieutenant Martin and Honorary LiantenanU Bhodes and Webb respectively. After being there put through a short amount of preliminary squad dr,il by Captain U. V. Bichards, drill-instructor to both the Bifles anaCadeU, the two companies crossed the footbridge leading into the Park, and at ones extended into skirmishing order. After neejriy two hours of almost continuous exercise iu skirmishing and inarching, tbe little force moved on? the ground by way of the Carltoo bridge and Park terrace back to the College, where it was dismissed, having gone through various evolutions en route, such as re-forming line on the march, forming two deep from sections of fours, &o.

Thbatbb Boxal—The Juvenile Opera Company appeared for tbe delectation of children on Saturday afternoon at the Theatre Boyal, in " H.H.S. Pinafore," tbe humours of which were evidently keenly relished by the youthful audience, who crowded the lower part of the home, though the dress-circle was not so well patronised. In the evening the little artiste appeared for the last time in "Les Cloches de Oorneville," and were favoured with an excellent house, especially in the stalls and pit, whose occupant* were most demonstrative in their appreciation of the efforts made to please them. To-night there is to be another entire change of programme, the oompany producing for the first time here the pantomime, "Harlequin Jack the Giantkiller, or the Knights of the Bound Table," for whioh the management display the scenery and effects and the dresses which have won for is great praise wherever it has been seen. From the aptitude shown by the children in the comic " business" and the introduced dances of the operas they have appeared in, there is every reason to expect that they will be quite at home in pantomime.

Pbbsbktation.—On Saturday a presentation to Mr G. 8. Beaton was made by the members of the Addington Gaol staff who have held office under him, some of them ever since his appointment to the position until his recent promotion to Auckland. The presentation was in the form of a handsome marble clock, accompanied bj an illuminated address, which were handed to Mr Beston in the presence of the stiff by Warder Fladham, the oldest officer in the gaol, whose daughter also had, with muoh taste and excellent penmanship, prepared the address. On a silver plate inserted over the dial die following inscription was engraved:—" Presented to Mr G. 8. Beaton by the officers of Her Majesty's Gaol, Addington, March, 1888." Warder Fladham took the opportunity to express the regret all felt at the departure from among them of Mr and Mrs Boston. Mr Beston acknowledged the compliment in feeling terms, in the course of his remarks pointing out that he owed his promotion to no political influence, as it was totally unexpected by him. He attributed it to the desire of the authorities to encourage the exercise of induitry, ability, and cs,reful attention to duty, and to recognise these qualities in a substantial manner when the opportunity offered itself. Mr Beaton leaves for Auckland with Mrs Beston on Thursday next. He is to talte charge of the Auckland Gaol, but Mrs Beaton, who has been matron at Addington during the whole period of ber husband's holding office there, now retires from the public service. Thb Hospital Bhqtobx at Waimath.— j On Friday afternoon, Drs De Lautour, of Oamaru; and Staopoole, of Cromwell, attended at the Waimate Hospital, with the surgeon, Dr Chilton, and examined the amputated limb of the youth Fallen. In the evening both dootors handed in a report (in reply to written questions) to Mr John Manchester, who received it on behalf of the Waimate Hospital Committee. The report exonerated Dr Chilton from the most serious oharges brought against him, but he was blamed for not calling in the assistance of another medical man, and for not consulting the patient, Michael Fallen, before amputating the limb. The principal questions were (1) Was immediate amputation necessary ? and (2) Was the posterior tibial artery torn across as described in Dr Chilton's evidence P The answer to the first was to the effect that immediate amputation was necessary under the circumstances described by Dr Chilton, who stated that white examining the limb there was a sudden outburst of blood from the posterior tibial artery, with other In* juries to the soft parts. The answer to the second queation was in the affirmative, the doctors adding that in their opinion the artery was torn across at the time of the acoide&t. Drs De Lautour and Staopoole then answered a great number of questions put by Messrs MaEehester,Bherwin, Gall and John Fallen, the father of the patient. Dr De Lautour said it might have been nosaible to unite the bones by cutting off a section, but the patient would hive been incapacitated for a long period, and it was possible that erysipelas or blood poisoning would have let in. He added that under the oircumatances described to him the Hospital surgeon had aoted for the best It was stated that the limb was injured by a blunt spade while being dug up i but both dootors, while regretting this should have happened, expressed their belief that the posterior tibial artery was not injured by the spade, aa in that ease the tear would have borne a differ* •nt appearance. Great interest waa taken in the proceedings, the minutes of whioh are to be presented at next meeting of the Hospibd Committee, who will then make some recommendation to the Council, .to Beagle conjuring eu'ertainmsnt, postpone! h»« last| week, will be given at the Youtg Men's Club. Glouowter street, at eight o'olook tbis eveninsf. The tost meeting©! the Ljtteltcn You*g Men's

Mutual ImpasTameat assoe'ttinn r*. «vi be bed on oVonios ' tW * ,ear ' wU * O«y.hydro*e. light, win tX iMi rttMiohLtf! schoolroom to-aouow <.»enio,. woaeed. tn .?? 1 the ecboj! fond . B ' P™-** l * « »"i or

Mr J. Q. Walker notifte. th»t hit miwiin elsstee hate te b returned «t tbe tjavlilam £i hrod tbe Konnal Sfihooi. Kliarae itrwt w,« ' °" 'ib» last of tbe so.tea of open.»ir ooncerts'kt «i„. WorktD* Wen'« Clat, mil Uke pkT™ P i evwrin*. the lati City O-.arts «nd C»v»lrv h«nS will amil«iro»-e for thw oce»«i<Hi, *n4 a tar*}-, u cboees programme 2uu> bees trraxured. 1 ho aantist moetloncf the Lincoln Libnwy .nv scrttjers will be fteU on Woodsy next. Tbe Butler sad Resy. chcleithip Ba d two s n«. ittadent seitoUriblp* will be offered for r-,n,«Jr tloo at Car st's College in May next. Tho telflrX will take plsoe on or o(ter Juc«-1. '

Fctiwi! Of th« Sc«.—The total ecii P « e of tbe sun on May 6 will Isst six mmutei, » r .d a longer one will probably not occur within the next ICO tea's. It will be partkily risible in tna>-y places, but few wit. ten it m its entirety, &• i?s path lies almoit entirely through tbe ecean, touching land nowhere but at a little island in the South Pacific called Caroline Inland, which is out of the track of any established commerce or tray.]. The French Government has determice-i to send aa expedition to that island ; it is a'rr.orl certain an American party will go t'rm-,» ? and it ie more than probable that a grv.d international gathering of astronomer) »i;j take place at Caroline Island bo take part in this scientific quest. Tl Mah«*X—-The Maori malcinUnt whose name has been so prominent during the list few days, wae referred to, it will be remembered, in the earlier telegrams, w on? of the evicted Farihaka Natives. Te M&hski, we learn from tbe New Zealand Htrald i» an inferior chief of the Ngatimanioooto ''■.'-*. He resided at Paribska with Te'Whiter some considerable time, and was one of the " political ploughmen " who were arm ted for ploughing land on the West Coast For that offence he isrred some time in Otago evjl, and, after his release, returned to P&rihaka, whence he wae tent to Waikato at the dispersal of that settlement.

Thb OojrsrerjmTß Lsasbb A paragraph in a recent number of the World h&g feme bearing on the split in the Oonservaf m ranks at Horn* reported by cable this week. Ac cordLog to our contemporary there »a§ to be a change in the Opposition leadership won after the opening of Parliament. " 3i? 8. Nortbcote will not continue to occupy a position in which he does not possets the vided confidence of the party. It U nr> Mcret that he is deeply hurt at the ducocte.M *hi/;h baa been manifeited among hit 10d0w,.-,, and as his health will not allow him again t- iocttr the worry and labour of a trying position, it will give him a decent pretext for reti rir i. The choice of hie successor will help to multiply the divisions in the Conservative racks. Both Lord John Manner* and Sir Bicbard Cross aapire to the position; but neither of them will satisfy the yoaoger men of the party, who do not w»nt t» be led any more by the ' old fogies * of Conservatism."

Thb Abh»ubshax Coixscnoy. The trustees of the British Museum have bees afforded an opportunity of purchasing for the nation the Ashburnham collection of manuscripts, ihe collection amcunts in all to about four thousand volumes, forming an aggregate of unusuil rarity and value. It it - divided into four parts, viz., the Italian collection, purchased from M. Libri in 1848; the French manuscripts of M. Barrois ; tbe famous Btruve library, illustrating English history and literature, and the misiellaneous collection of the Earl of Ashburnham himself. The oldest manuscripts consUt of portions of the sacredftWritings in Greek and latin,, among them being a Psalter of the fourth century and a wonderfully illuminate 1 Pentateuch of the sixth. The Eaglish division comprises aa exceedingly valuable collection of State papers relating to the reigns of Elizabeth, Charles 11. and George L, and th» fiiary of Clarendon, the grandfather of two Qisen* of England. The chagrin creat dby tbe loss of the Hamilton Library last yeir will, no doubt, impel the trustees of the National Library to be more liberal in treating with the owners of this unique collect ion.

Bbubkmbsx of as Emuteht Lawtkb.— The retirement through ill health of Mr Benjamin, Q.C., from practice at the English bar closes one of the most remarkable professional careers of the present century. Called to the American Bar in 1832, he soon acquired a practice in the United States, and was returned as Senator for Louisiana. When the war brake out between the Sorth and South, he was made Attorney-General, Minister of War, and ultimately Chief Secretary of State to Jefferson Davis. On the surrender of General Lee, Mr Benjamin came to England, and through the interest of Lord Cairns was admitted to the English Bar on keeping only one year's term. At this time he was fiftyfour years of age, but he worked with the moat dauntless energy, and shortly obtained an extensive elieatel*. After six years he was made a Queen's Counsel, and has since been retained in almost every case of importance, receiving as much as a thousand guineas ashi* brief more than once. During the past year his income is said to have reached £25,000. Mr Benjamin mire than once declined the offer of a judgeship. Ababi is Ciracar. —Arabi appears to be fairly contented in his new home, although tbe accommodation is not exactly to his or bis companions' taste. It appears that all the Egyptian exiles are located in four large European houses, whereas each family would infinitely prefer a dwelling house apart. The large houses they occupy are expensive to keep up, for there is little doubt that they are none of them very prosperous. Arabi's personal effects on leaving Egypt, it is stated, did not amount to £2OO in value, and it is now admitted that the expenses of defence were born by Mr Wilfred Blunt The alio trance of one pound per family Der diem is to be shortly increased. But in spite of discomfort and short caramons Arabi seem* to pan his time pleasantly, and imitates another greater but no leu unfortunate military commander, the First Napoleon, who beguiled his dreary exile in St Helena by fighting his battle) over again. Arabi's comments upon the war in which he was worsted will be read with interest by all who watched or took part in the Egyptian campaign. On two moot point* his evidence is very important. He dearly admits that he was repulsed at Khastassin by General Graham, and pays a willing tribute to the gallantry of that officer's small force, which successfully resisted greatly superior numbers. This disposes of the opinion put forward by some that the infantry under Graham was really saved by Drury Lowe's cavalrr. Again, he admits that the garrison of Tel-elKebir was completely surprised when attacked, thus contradicting Sir E. Hamley, who, in hi-' published account, states that the Egyptu" cavalry discovered our advance before « reached the line of entrenchments. Arabi follows too with elose attention the measures and reforms introduced into Egjpf. *** approves of Lord Dufferin's scheme as to two Chambers and two Ministers. Oaiyhe would wish the latter to be Englishman. He is nor apparently a loyal well-wisher to and belter in Knglend, and trusts us to make Egypt « free, prosperous and happy-a lafting record of England*s goodness and power. Tni PaoPKKTT Tax.—A crucial test of ttic rating value of properties is that P^™ 10 ?* the Property Assessment Act which enables the Government to take over any property the official taluation put on it, if the owner prefers to part with such property ratner than he taxed on the official valuation. Ibree such instances, we ind from the N.Z. Times, came before the Board of Benewers for the Wellington distriot during the sitting jus* concluded. Mr Jacob Joseph, the well-known merchant, was assessed on sixteen properties within the oity. The total official valuation was £60,610, whereas Mr Joseph had ass*used them in his Property tax return as being worth £44,900, and he therefore appearect before the reviewers to claim a redaction ot £15,710 on the whole. Mr Bell, representing the Property Tax Department, elected to toko over two of Mr Joseph's Forties at the official valuations-namely, £15,900 for the store on Lembton ouay, and £7576 for the property in Wfflia street, occupied oy Meiers Whittem, Nicholson and Co., *n« owned by Mr Joseph. To* this charge Mr Joseph declined to agree, and pro-

fcrred to keep his properties and withdraw , hu objection* Born* reductions were | then made on the other fourteen property owned by Mr Joseph. Another such ease WM » propwty in Manners street, belonging to trasteea of the late W. B. Bhodes, valued officially at £6SOO. Mr Brandon, for the trustees, contended that as the property had been sold for £B6OO, that should be t»ken at its present value. Mr Bell, for Department, thereupon elected to take over the property at the official valuation. Mr Brandon sliced for a day to consider, and eventually told the reviewers that he would agree to tb» official valuation rather than part with the '"SfWtH Xiul» T**« !<**»- Among the routes proposed for the mem Sunk line in the Worth Island, is one by the fianritifeei Biver, which has its me southSSukeTmupo. The Chief Surveyor of the Welliogton district is now exploring this route. Preliminary explorations (*i»ys the Xamg'iliM Advocate) have been made, wo believe, bv Mr .Mealy, and Mr Marchant, has. we presume, gone aloog the tr*ck«marked out by that gentleman's party. Onbiatsed witnets** »P«*k of this line as being the best possible for the North Island trunk railway. Cockroach Mbdicixb.-—Wo take the following from the JBuropm* Mail :—" Where will science not lead us P Beeently it was discovered that dead oats could be converted into batter, and now one of the worst household pests, the ccckrcacb, is said to form a most valuable medicine. In Russia, already, it is almost universal as a diuretic in certain disease*, whilst in European medical practice it is frequently us»d—we will fain believa unknown to the individual—as a care for Bright** disease. The Professor of Materia aledica in Jefferson's College advocates the drinking of cockroach tea, and ■ays that cockroaches are not entirely unknown in the medical practice in Philadelphia, 'though physicians do not care to have it known.' When prescribed it is in tho shape of a pill made with the powder of the dried insect Besides the pill form, a solution of cockroaches is sometimes employed. It is prepared by soaking fat female specimens in whiskey. Physicians are not wanting who affirm that it is only a matter of time for cockroaches to become of common use in this country. The news, however, will scarcely be welcome to any but great sufferers." Adkibalty Jobs. - 1 rvtk would very much like to hear what reply the official* at the Admiralty can make to the statements of Captain Watt, of Liverpool, some of which are well worthy of public attention. In 1877 am estimate of £21,000 was approved for repairing the Admiralty yacht Enchantress (a wooden vessel then fourteen years old), although a new iron veetel of the same size could have been built and fitted for £30,000. She total cost of her repairs was £41,000! The refit of the training ships Atalanta and JEorydic* cost £62,846, although four new iron Of composite vessels would hare cost little more, according to a return obtained last session. Pour vessels (Garnet, Opal, Sapphire and Turquoise) bavo served one commission of lets than five years, and require £140,000 to repair them. Captain Watt concludes with the Nautilus, a woeden training br g of 501 tons, built in 1879 at a cost of £21.250. The writer built for his own use, in 1881, a tailing ▼easel of iron of IC-00 tons displacement, ef the best description, and fitted with steam gear to work the anchors and cargo, for £7BOO. Why the country should have paid £13.000 more for a vessel of half the tonnage is a question whish requires an answer. Tms Movhtg Bos is Ibblastd.—A correspondent of the Dublin Daily Express gives the following account of a physical phenomenon at Castlerea, County Roscommon, He says:—Having heard many reports about this moving bog, I resolved to visit the scene of devastation. Never have I witnessed as strange a phenomenon. About midway between Castlerea and Bellinagare, a distance of six miles, there is a gently sloping vale, abounding in rich meadow and pasture lands. The road at this point is somewhat higher than the adjacent fields. Along this valley the bog has forced its way. Ob reaching the road it was held in check for a considerable time, but eventually it burst across, and rushed with amazing rapidity, covering in its course upwards of 120 acres of fine pasture lands. One farmhouse stands quite surrounded with the mod, the occupants having to fieo for their lives, leaving behind a cart, on which tfcay were busily heaping some of their furniture. All communication between Castlerea and Bellinagare is cut' off, huge masses of bog, coated with heather, remaining oa the road for nearly a quarter ef a mile, fully 10ft deep. Being anxious to view the source from which it issued, I started up the field towards the bog. I found it commenced abiut half a mile from the road, having formed a large subsidence of amazing extent, from whioh a stream of mud'was still irresistibly forcing its way. It has now forced its way into the river daek, which Sows through this town, and immense quantities are passing towards Bailinatloe. Borne care and supervision will be required at the various bridges along the Sock, to prevent their being filled up. Bain stall continues to fall very heavily, and more serious results are apprehended.