TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7222, 23 April 1884, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Mb Chaeles Bright.—Mr Charles Bright gave the third and last of his series of lectures last night at the Freethought Hall. There was a very large attendance. Drainage Board.—The meeting of the Drainage Board, which in the ordinary course would have been held yesterday, has been postponed for a week, the Board being the defendants in a case which is now on at the Supreme Court. Benefit Concert at Timaeu.—A successful entertainment was given in the Theatre Royal, on Monday evening, in aid of Mr T. J. Kennedy, a well-lmown caterer for public amusement, theatrical factotum and dress-circle attendant, who, some time ago, was seriously injured by an accident. The house was filled, and a lengthy programme was received with general approval. The net proceeds handed ter the heneficiaire amounted to <£so. Ship Desertion. —At the Lyttelton Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday before J. T. Rouse and H. Allwright, Esqs., William Elliott, a youth, pleaded guilty to deserting from the barque Supreme lost February. Since that time the vessel has been to Newcastle, and is now in Port on her return trip. The other night the prisoner went on board, drunk, and caused a disturbance amongst the crew, enticing them to go on shore. The aaptain of the barque said prisoner was originally shipped at Boston for a term of three years. The Bench sent prisoner to gaol for six weeks, to bo put on board if the ship sailed before. Wesley Sunday School, East Belt.— The anniversary tea in connection with the above took place last evening, when about 220 persons sat down and did justice to a good tea, presided over by the Misses Banks (2), Main, Morris, Martin, Blakeley, Goodman, Smith, Carter, Ewings, Robinson, and Mrs Martin. After the tea a public meeting was held in the Church, when addresses were delivered by the Revs Erwin, of the North Belt Presbyterian Church j Hoatson, Congregational Church ; and Messrs Smith and Cannon. The Superintendent, Mr M. Martin, occupied the chair and read the annual report, which stated that there were in connection with the school 22 officers and teachers and 259 scholars. He stated that the balance-sheet showed a deficiency, but the library had been added to considerably, and now contained 282 volumes. Ihe Rev G. Bond, tho newly-appointed minister of the church, was introduced to tho meeting by Mr J. T. Smith, and addressed the assemblage. During tho evening a number of appropriate hymns were sung by the children. Miss Smith presiding at the organ. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies who had presided at the tea, to the Chairman, and to Mr W. Harris, who has presented the congregation with a tea service, to be used on occasions like the gathering of last evening#

Christchurch Rifles. —His Excellency tho Governor has appointed tho RevW. A. Pasooe, incumbent of Avonside, to bo Honorary Chaplain, and Dr Thomas to be Honorary Surgeon, of tho Christchurch Rifles.

Weather Exchange, New Zealand; Fine with decreasedprcssureall over Colony, and southerly winds or calm. Australia : 1 mo, uniform pressure westerly, winds over south-east portion, and northerly in west. Barometers—Now Zealand : Russell and Wellington, 30-2 j Bluff, 30’3. Australia: Sydney and Albany, 30’0. Supreme Court —His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, and a Jury of four, wore occupied all day yesterday in tho Supremo Court with the case Wright v. the Christchurch Drainage Board, in which tho plaintiff’s case was just concluded when the Court adjourned at 4.45 p.m. till 10.30 this morning. Pharmacy Examinations.— The examinations in connection with the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand will be hold to-day. There are two candidates from Christchurch who are to write their papers to-day at the Hospital, beginning at half-past ten in tho morning, The papers will be forwarded to Auckland, where the Examining Board reside. Wesletan South Sea Mission,— A very large audience attended the Ashburton Wesleyan Church on Monday evening, when an able address on Wesleyan Mission work in the South Seas was given by the Rev W. Kelynack, D.D,, Secretary to the Board of Missions of the Australasian Wesleyan Church. The address was frequently applauded, and was attentively listened to. A collection was made at the close.

Local Industry.— Messrs Austin, Kirk and Co. have just started a new branch Of industry in the shape of the manufacture of large earthenware vessels, to he used by spirit dealers and aerated water makers instead of casks. They are made of a kind of brown stoneware, and are of two sizes, viz., 36 and 30*gallons. They are furnished with lids, and with holes to receive taps for the purpose of drawing off the contents. Some of those jars have been supplied to Mr Miisom, of Kaiapoi, who purchased them for the purpose of holding Various liquors that he found were impaired in quality if put into wooden casks. A.O.P.—The Court Star of Canterbury, No. 2309, held a meeting on Monday evening ,at the Foresters’ Hall, Oxford terrace. The attendance was very good. The Woodwards reported that the sick members were progressing very favourably. Bro Y ogel tendered his resignation as S.W./ and Bro Wade was elected to fill the vacancy. Bro Harris was elected as Junior Woodward. The report- of the district meeting was read and received. One member was admitted upon clearance card from England. In the matter of a donation to the widow of the late H. West, it was decided to consider it at the next meeting of the Court. It was also decided that, in future, all loans and renewals of loans should be arranged by the Management Committee. Two candidates were proposed for membership, after which the G.R. closed the Court. The receipts of the evening amounted to £lO7 10s 6d. “ La Mascotte.” —To-night Williamson’s Opera Company make their first appearance at the Theatre Royal in Audran’s opera “La Mascotte.” The Company number over three score, and bring with them a very high reputation from the North Island, where they have been extremely popular. The cast, which will be found in our advertising columns, shows that the title role is taken by Miss Nellie Stewart, who won such golden opinions here a few years ago in the amusing o Ua podrida “ Rainbow Revels;” and that other prominent lady characters are taken by Misses Liddiard, Osborne, Maggie Stewart, and Ford, names which are a guarantee of excellence. Among the gentlemen of the company are, that well-established Christchurch favourite, Mr Howard Yernon, and Mr W. H. Woodfield, who makes his first appearance in Christchurch to-night, but who has an established reputation. The dresses, scenery, and ballet are, it is said, of a bigh order, and.as Mr John Wallace is the stage manager, the patrons of the opera may well expect something approaching perfection in the matter of mist en seine.

Ashley.—A correspondent writes : —The members of the Free Methodist Church are about to erect a place of .worship hete. Mr M. Peach has generously given a quarter of an acre section, conveniently situated, as a site, and considerable assistance has been promised in money and labour. Under such encouraging circumstances, it is hoped that the new building will be erected, and ready for use, in a very short time. The funeral of the .late Mr Eobert Boyce, whose melancholy death was recorded on Monday, took place last Sunday afternoon. It was estimated that nearly 100 persons followed the corpse to its last resting-place. Great sympathy is felt for the aged widow in her sad and sudden bereavement. The School Committee propose giving an entertainment shortly in aid of the prize fund. A meeting was held on Monday -night to arrange details. The farmers in this district have nearly all suffered more or less severely from the unfavourable weather. To some it is feared the combined influences of bad weather, low prices, and increased freight, will mean bankruptcy. The coming winter is looked forward to on all sides with gloomy forebodings. There is an utter absence of political feeling here. To some extent, no doubt, this is due to the peculiar arrangement of the'electoral district—part of the village being included in the Cheviot district, and the remainder in the Ashley district. Neither the member for Ashley, nor the representative of the Cheviot district, ever favour the electors of this mutilated electoral community with an address. It is stated that Mr Pearson will, ere long, qjjeak in the Lobam schoolroom, and perhaps when he has accomplished that task, he may find it in his heart to enlighten the electors here. Papanui Ploughing Match Dinner.— A very pleasant gathering, in connection with the Papanui Ploughing Match Committee, ..was held at the Sawyers’ Arms Hotel last evening. The members of the Committee sat down to an excellent dinner provided by Host Wild. Mr J. Donald occupied the chair,X&nd Mr T. Frame the vice-chair. After the table had been cleared, the toast of the Queen and Royal Family was duly honoured. Several other toasts were drunk, including “ Success to agricultural interests,” and " Prosperity to the members of the Papanui Ploughing Match Committee.” The Chairman explained the purpose for which the meeting had been held seme months ago. He said it had been decided to have a photographic group of the six original founders of the ploughing matches in Papanui, together with the twelve members of the Committee. The work had been entrusted to Messrs George and Walton, who hadturnedbuta work of art. Several of these photographs had been prepared and handsomely framed, for presentation to the. parties interested. The Chairman presented one of tbo photographs to Mr Peter Elder; and announced that the other members of the Committee could receive theirs on application. The health of Messrs George and Walton was duly toasted and responded to, as also that of the Chairman and vice-Chairman, “The Press,” and ” The Ladies.” The Rev ■Mr Hauxwell, who was present, referring to the present political situation, gave the sentiments of a " fair, -just, and honest Ministry,” hoping that, whatever changes might take place in the Government, the interests of the colonists would be protected by good and trustworthy men being elected to Parliament. Several songs were sung, which served to enliven the proceedings, and the meeting broke up, after spending a very pleasant time, with the Binging of “ Aula Lang Syne.”

The Jewish Church. —By the Rotorua to-day, the Revs I. Zachariah (Christchurch) and B. Lichtenstein (Dunedin) leave for Wellington to attend a conference there of New Zealand Jewish ministers. Hitherto all technical matters in connection with the Jewish religion have had to bo referred to Victoria, but the Chief Rabbi has now authorised the formation of a Jewish Synod for New Zealand, and it is with this object that the above-named rev gentlemen visit Wellington. For the future all ecclesiastical affairs of a special character will bo dealt with by the New Zealand Synod, which will, undoubtedly, be a great convenience to the New Zealand Jewish congregations.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.—A harvest thanksgiving was held in the Anglican Church, Ashley, on Sunday evening last. The church, which had been appropriately decorated, was well filled by an attentive congregation. The preacher was the Rev E. R. Otway, and the musical portions of the service were under the direction of Mr T. 0. Smith, who presided at the har-monium.—-A harvest thanksgiving was held at All Saints’ Church, Prebbleton, on Sunday last, in the afternoon. The service was well attended. The church was very tastefully decorated, and there was a fine display of all kinds of fruit and vegetables. The sermon was preached by the Incumbent, the Rev A, C. Wright. Canterbury College.— Last night Professor Bickerton delivered, in the Chemical Lecture Theatre at the Canterbury College, one of his series of lectures on "Elementary Experimental Science.” There was a very large attendance. The subjects treated were the following : Force, energy, inertia, momentum and mass, the forces of nature, magnetism and electricity, gravitation, and molecular and chemical forces. The lecture was illustrated by numerous experiments, which were evidently much appreciated. Professor Bickerton may be congratulated on, the popularity of the subjects he treats of, for the lectures of two other Professors had to be abandoned in consequence of the attendance at them numbering only four and six respectively.

The Addington Workshops Band (under the direction o£ Mr J. Pooley) will perform the following programme in Cathedral Square this evening at 8 o’clock: —March, Valse, “ Venetia”; polka, “Little Treasure”; Overture, “Itanana in Algeria"; Lanctrg, “Rip Van Winkle"; fantasia, “The Royal Musketeers"; echottische, “Dora"; slow march, "Reception”; finale, “God Save the Queen.” The House Steward of Christchurch Hospital wishes to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt, per the Rev C. Bowen, of a quantity of fruit and vegetables from the congregation of St Peter’s Church, ;Rico»rton. A meeting of the New Brighton Racing Club will be held at the Empire Hotel this evening at 7.30.

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St Mary's, Merivale, will be held this evening in the schoolroom, at 8 o’clock. A special meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will he held at the Immigration office to-day, at i p.m. A special meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society will be held at 4 p.m, to-morrow, to consider what action should bo taken in view of the recent decision in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, which affirmed that it was lawful, for members of the Plumpton Ground Company to course hares on that ground without taking out licenses.

The annual report of the Australian Mutual Provident Society appears In our commercial columns. — [Advt,]

A Cat’s Devotion to its Touno. —It was only a cat, but tbe maternal devotion it showed was certainly very remarkable and touching. A fire occurred in London last month, destroying tusby’s Music Hall. One of the proprietors of the hall possessed a tabby and tortoise-shell cat. The animal had four kittens, which she was allowed to keep in a basket at the rear of the stage. Soon after the fire was discovered the cat was seen rushing about frantically. She several times attempted to make her way down, the corridor in the direction of the stage, but each time she was beaten back by the smoke. At last she made another rim, and was lost to view amidst the smoke. Presently she reappeared with one of the kittens in her mouth. This she laid carefully down near to her master’s feet in the small hall, which the fire had not touched. Again she rushed through the smoke, and again reappeared with a kitten, and this proceeding she repeated the third time. She was now apparently half-blinded and choked by the smoke she had passed through, but she seemed unable to rest while she knew that one of her kittens was in danger, and, giving a look at the little struggling group on the floor, the cat once more dashed down the corridor toward the seething flames, which by this time had enveloped the stage and the lower end of the hall. She did not come back. Afterwards, when examining the ruins, some of the firemen came across the remains of mother and kitten lying side by side where the fire had overtaken them. The Oldest Town in the United States. —The oldest town in Texas, and, it is believed, in the United States, is Ysleta, situate on the Eio Grande, and near El Paso, the chief town in the county of that name. It has a population of 2500 souls. The place is one of peculiar interest, alike from its age, its people, its architecture, its agriculture, and its general products. It is a well-established, historical fact that a Spanish military explorer, named Corando, visited the town in 1540, and found it then a popular and prosperous civilised Indian community. He was immediately followed by the Franciscan friars, who erected a church and established schools. Ysleta is believed to have been a considerable centre of population centuries before the visit of Corando. It is not a little curious, considering the advance of civilisation from Europe, that the same race of people exist in the town to-day as existed 350 years ago, and that they are engaged in the same agricultural and mechanical pursuits as their forefathers at that period and for ages preceding.

HOW MOTHER-O’-PEARL BUTTONS ARB Made. —Though buttons of all kinds are made in Birmingham, the pearl branch is the most extensive. Mother-o’-pearl is a 'most suitable material for making buttons; it is so strong, so pretty, and so easily worked. The shells are obtained from Australia, Manila, Bombay, Egypt, South America, and some other places; They are as large as dessert-plates, and half an inch in thickness. The button-maker cuts the shells up into lozenge-shaped pieces of various sizes, so as to leave as little waste as possible, for the shells are expensive, a ton of picked specimens costing .£3OO. The cutting is done by means of a saw in the shape of a tube, with the teeth cut upon the rim of one of its ends. The saw is made to spin round in a lathe, and rapidly •pierces the shell held to it by the workman, cutting out a piece which is as large as its internal diameter. The pieces thus cut are too thick to be used for buttons, and are split up into three or more lozenges, each of which is tinned separately in a lathe, and has the holes drilled in it through which it is to be sewn to the garment on which it is ultimately to find a place. —Little Folks.

Beaten by a Black Man. —The Melbourne Telegraph relates that a scene of a most disgraceful nature, but terminating in a fanner that was both satisfactory and amusing, occurred on a recent Sunday. A company of the Salvation Army were conducting service on the south bank of the river, not far from the Prince’s Bridge, when their proceedings were interrupted by a hulking youth, who subsequently gave the name of Morris Dwyer. The language used by this man, it is alleged, was very bad. The disturbance attracted the attention of the sturdy little black-tracker (Moses) who happened to be passing. Moses ranks as a constable in the Victorian police force, and he stepped up to the offender and warned him to desist. The rage of Dwyer now became uncontrollable, and he endeavoured to show his contempt for Moses by first proclaiming that he was a white man, and then savagely assaulting him, To the (intense delight of the spectators and the, humiliation of Dwyer, Moses handled his man in splendid style. After a brief but keen struggle, he fairly doubled

his prisoner ap, and marched him straight, to the lock-up, where he charged Mm with unlawful assault. In a decidedly crest—fallen conditi a, Bv.-yor was glad to seek refuge in a cell.