TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7225, 26 April 1884, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Political News.—lt is stated that Mr W. Dunlop mil be a candidate for the Avon seat in the General Assembly. The name of Mr T. S. "Weston is also mentioned as that of a probable candidate. The last named gentleman and Mr Guinness are spoken of as candidates for Christehurcn North. Churchmen's Club. —We understand that the Organising Committee of the Christchurch Churchmen's Club are working hard in the interests of the projected institution, and have already secured about 180 members. It is proposed to convene a general meeting of subscriber? on the return of the Primate from the West Coast—about the end of May or early in June. Woeking Hen's Club.—The late City Guards Band performed last evening on the green of the Working Men's Club. under the leadership of Mr M'Lean. Themany lady visitors who were present were provided with* chairs ranged round the green, and the excellent music of the band attracted a large crowd in front of the Club premises. In about a fortnight"? time, it is expected that the Cavalry and City Guards bands will aru-ilgamate to give the final of these enjoyable open air musical performances in connection with the Club.

Disc Hakorotvs.—A public trial of disc harrows took place yesterday at Mr Hartnell's farm, Lavington, Kakaia. Messrs P. and D. Duncan had on the ground one of their implements with the latest improvements, and the work was superintended by Mr P. Duncan. A goodly number of farmers and others were present. The work done was of an excellent class, and all were well pleased at the result. Messrs ! Booth, Macdonald and Co. were to have had a trial with one of their well-known implements, but owing to the unfortunate breakage of a casting near the railway station, the machine was unable to compete, much to the regret of the farmers present. Musical Society's Concert.—The full programme for the first concert of the current season appears in another column. The first part is given to Smart's highly popular cantata "The Bride of Dunkerron," and the second part to a miscellaneous selection of instrumental and voeal music. The concert will serve to introduce two gentlemen amateuro as soloists, and when we mention that the Society will be represented by over 80 voices, a good concert may be fully anticipated. The instrumental portion, too, will, we feel sure, be a treat, as the performers' names are a sufficient guarantee on that score. We have been requested to mention that, should any honorary members not yet have received tickets, they will be forwarded on request to the Secretary. Political Squib.—A remarkably welldesigned political cartoon is now on view in town. The artist, who has worked out his ideas in crayon, has delineated a powerful screw press. The bed-plate typifies " The foundation of Canterbury's trouble —the Abolition of the Provinces." The framework of this " Atkinson Crushing Machine" is built up with North Island ' railways, Immigration, Grain Tax, the discharge of workmen from the Addington shops, Taranaki Harbour works, and Dunedin railway station. The ponderous lever is balanced on "Centralism," and it 3 handles are " East Coast Railways " and "North Island Loafi." Mounted on the press, and working its lever, are the Premier and the Minister of Lands. The former ejaculates, " Now then, Roily, my boy, down with it; you're all right!" and Roily replies, "One more squeeze before we part." In the press, and subjected to its crushing power, are working men, fanners, &c. Some are yet straining every nerve to bear up against the pressure, but the haggard farmer has given up hope; ae can only sit on his corn-sacks and'"D— — the Government." "Akaroa William stands on one side of the press, prepared to out through the supports of the structure.

rr H i! Premier.—Major Atkinson will AAnw the electors of Christchurch at the Tuaiu street Hall this evening, at 7 °'cm'' Keserves.—At the invitation of i,is Worship the Mayor, the City Councillors md several other prominent citizens Yesterday paid a visit of inspection to tho city reserves. A report of the trip appears in another column. TEMrKRANCB.— Mr J. Harding, Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the Order of Good Templars, addressed a meeting of iuveniles in the St Stephen's schoolroom, Ashburton, yesterday afternoon. There were about 2oQ children present. Complimentary Dinner, —At the Royal Hotel, Southbridgo, a dinner, under tho auspices of tho Farmers' Club, was tendered to Mr J. J. Elwin, on his resignation of the Secretaryship, and his leaving the district. A large number attended. Ctkn-aie Concert. —An open-air eoneert was given by the Lyttelton and Stanmore brass bands on Thursday night in Linwood. Tho two bands amalgamated on the occasion, and their performance was evidently much appreciated by the large gathering of people. Child liOst. —A little child named Thompson, four years of age, who was lost on the Rakaia river bed, was found the next day about a mile and a half from home, and, although the night had been very cold and frosty, she was none the worse for the outing. Supreme Court.—The civil sittings of the Supreme Court were continued yesterday, before his Honor Mr Justice Johnston. The case of Bramley v. Wilson and Mulcock was taken, and was not finished when the Court adjourned. The case will be resumed at 10.30 a.m. this morning. Raxoiora Horticultural Societt. — A meeting of the Committee of the Rangiora Horticultural Society was held on Thursday; Mr S. Stephens presiding. The Secretary reported that the points to be awarded for the season numbered 775; and it was resolved, on the motion of the Rev J. Parkin, to pay thein at the rate of 4d each. This being all the business the meeting then adjourned. Weather Exchange. New Zealand: Fine, with still increasing pressure and south-east winds in North, calm in central, and north in South. Australia: Steep depression,passing south of Australia, with north-east in Eastern and south-west in Western Districts. Barometers—New Zealand : Russell, Wellington, and Bluff, 30-4. Australia: Sydney, 29-9; Portland, 29-5; Albany, 30"0; Hobart, 29-8. Alleged Dcmmtism.—A protest supported by counsel's opinion was lodged at the Land Board office on Thursday by Mr Robert M'Adam, of Amberley, against Mr 6. D. Greenwood (at present out of the Colony), holder of pastoral deferred payment section 35155, Teviotdale, on the following grounds : —First, Nonfulfilment of declaration; and second, Non-compliance with the residence clause of the Pastoral Deferred Payment Act. A.O.F.—The quarterly meeting of the members of the Widows and Orphans' Fund connected with the above Order was held in the Foresters' Hall on Thursday evening. The following officers were present : —Bro Joseph Piper, President (in the chair) ; Bro James Gapes, P.C.R., vice-Pre-tddent; BroT. Hudson, P.D.C.R., junior, Treasurer; and Bro Crooks, P.D.C.R., Secretary. The President brought before the meeting the case of the widow and family of the late Bro West. He moved — -" That the sum of JEIO be presented to Mrs West as a slight recognition of her past services in promoting the welfare of the fund by assisting at the annual performances." The resolution was agreed to unanimously, and the Secretary, Bro Crooks; was appointed to hand the donation to Mrs West. The officers were appointed as a Committee, with power to add to their number, to device means of carrying out the annual entertainment. After some routine business, the meeting terminated.

Addiugton Ceicket Club.—The members of the Addington Cricket Club held their annual gathering in the Oddfellows' Hall, Montreal street South, last evening. The chair was occupied by Mr J. Hopper. There was a fairly numerous attendance of members, and a number of ladies were also present. Several vocal and instrumental selections were contributed during the evening, and the proceedings were concluded with a dance. The Secretary submitted the annual report, which congratulated the Club on the fairly successful results of the season, though there had been a decrease in the number of matches, owing to the unfavourable weather. The play of the Club, however, was superior to that of any previous year. Notwithstanding several drawbacks, the perseverance of the members had been rewerded by their defeating the Lancaster Park representatives (the then holders of the Challenge Cup). This was the only cup match won by the Club. In the second eleven the same want of interest had been shown as was the case with the fifteen. This eleven had, however, succeeded fairly well. The Treasurer's report showed a credit balance of £2 2s Bd, and a balance of assets over liabilities of £Go 16s 2d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. Theatee Royal.—Another very large audience was present at the Theatre Eoyal last night, attracted by the very excellent performance of "La Mascotte," which is now being given there nightly by the Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove company. Audran's opera appears likely to draw all Christchurch before it is withdrawn, for the efforts of Miss Nellie Stewart and the other principal performera meet with applause and laughter that is genuine and continuous. " Glou Glou" is the most popular number of the opera, as it was in London, and last night, when sung at the end of the second act, received a double encore. Each of the principal performers was called before the curtain after the finale to this same act. It would be most agreeable to say that the performance now contains no single feature that can detract from the pleasure of hearing it; but as long as the Grand Duke of Piambino will not consent to confine his buffoonery and word-fracturing within reasonable and legitimate bounds, there will always be something to complain of in the representation of "La Mascotte." In this matter he might learn lessons, both from Mr Kelly, who keeps within fair limits, and from the visitors to the pit, who now and then greet his worst attempts at jocularity with quietly derisive laughter that is very suggestive to those accustomed to study the not over-fastidious taste generally displayed in that part of the house.

The Waimakariri Gorge Bridge in closed to traffic until further aotice, between the hours ol 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. A meetiDg is to be held on Monday evening, at Trinity Hall, Manchester street, regarding the working of the copper lode at Malvern. Specimens areto be on view at the meeting. ■oV?-**! °- Worths will preach on "Christ's gelation to Civilisation and Human Progress," in bt Asaph street Church to-morrow evening. A bazaar will be held in tho Town Hall, Amberley, on Saturday, May 24. An ordinary meeting of the Philosophical Itistitute of Canterbury will be held at the Public Library, on Thursday, May 1, at 8 p.m. lae second annual meeting of the Canterbury Caledonian Society will be held at the Commercial Hotel on Monday, at 8 p.m. rhe House Steward of Christchurch Hospital «2£ft ack . IM J wl ??S e ' ™ th thanks . the receipt of a IESi nL oi .J rmt ' &c -' from the congregation of &hfromM rß Wttterflelds; 141bof grapes from a Jady ; and 12 hares from Four Peaks Station

The Little Riveb Collision.—That t^S^-J 617 im P ressive incident of the -L-ittlo River collision, to which deserved prominence was given by the Rev Robert ocott in his funeral address over the remains of James Craik, the driver of the Passenger train. To state it in Mr Scott's own words, " Like the driver of the goods £am who, with the grip of death, held in «a hand the b&ton which told that the collision was not his fault, so our dear departed friend, when found, held in his aana the telegram which bore similar

testimony." There is something very striking in tho circumstance of the two drivers holding thus in their hands to the last the evidence that, whoever had blundered, they were doing thoir duty at their post in obedience to the official instructions, of which they retained tho proof.— Australasian.

The Capture op Bacninh.—After tho capture of Bacninh, lying reports furnished by Chinoso officers of rank, appeared in several Chinese papers, recounting how the Chinese had rallied and driven out tho French with the loss of 7000 men, after which preparations were made to ro-take Sontag. Perhaps this had something to do with the sauguinary treatmont of their officers by tho Chinese Government. The Jordan Canal Scheme. Tho Palestine Canal scheme continues tho subject of intermittent attention, Tho promoters are the Duke of Sutherland, Admiral Sir E. Inglefield, Admiral Lord C. Paget, Mr Mackinnon, and others. About a year ago Sir E. Inglefield applied to tho Sultan at Constantinople for a firman granting permission for the proposed canal, and he has just this week gained that permission. Now only the question of costs stands in the way. Various engineers have examined the route, and their conclusion is that tho cost will be ,£55,M'i,000. The north or upper canal, 2GJ miles long, leading from Acre to the Dead Sea, would cost only £4,880,000; while the southern or lower part, stretching over a distance of 07 miles to tho Gulf of Akabah, would absorb the gigantic balance. The Duke of Sutherland will be in England in March, and the promoters will then- definitely decide on future action. Of the southern part, 21 miles would be a tunnel 100 ft high and 100 ft wide.

A Femalk Fire Brigade.—The London correspondent of the Birmingham Post gives some particulars of a Female Fire Brigade. The lady students of Girton College, having lately had cause for alarm by the over-heating of one of the stove pipes of the building, resolved on forming themselves into a fire brigade, and the lady Superintendent applied to Captain Shaw for assistance in the instruction and drilling of the pupils. The gallant Captain, however, declined to assistthe young ladies of Girton to what he believed would be certain danger, and an ordinary fireman was then hired to teach the young ladies their duty. In an incredibly short time they became proficient, and, in spite of their petticoats, as nimble as any member of a simple country brigade. They can work the engines and execute the manoeuvres with the greatest precision, and when Captain Shaw was called upon to witness their drill, he was fain to compliment them heartily on their proficiency.

Land Nationalisation in Japan.—A representative of the New Zealand Herald interviewed the doctor on board the Tsukuba in Auckland, and obtained a good deal of interesting information from him relative to social and political customs in Japan. It appears that the land is nationalised in Japan, and (writes the Herald) "we are quite sure that Mr Rolleston would receive not a few valuable hints towards his next Land Bill if he could have an hour's conversation with the surgeon of the Tsukuba. The Government of Japan simply gives a certificate to occupy land. If that certificate has been given the land is never taken without compensation; In old times the different districts were held by the daimios, or nobles, but now the land is all under the Emperor. The holders of land pay rent to the Government. The amount of rent varies in different places, the highest being in the middle of the capital, and in those parts of the country where the soil is good. The land is inspected by Government officers, and the rent to be paid is settled. J if the owner sells he sells merely the right to occupy. The right to occupy is perpetual so long as the rent is paid to the Government. There is not at present* any limit to the amount of land a man may hold, but Dr AoM thinks it likely that by-and-bye a limit will be put to the quantity any one person may hold." A Story of the Sea.—A young lieutenant of the navy and a Russian merchant went, in October last, to the Gulf of St Olga, in Eastern Asia, to visit the lead and silver mines which are worked by the Mantchu Tartars. Returning from the mines, they learned, with dismay, that the last steamer had left. To return on horseback to Vladivostock meant 20 days of hardship in a rugged, roadless country, where tigers abound and rivers are numerous. The two young men, therefore, decided to return by barge ; twelve Mantchu oarsmen were hired, and they set out. For a few days all went well, but an autumn Btorm swept down upon them, and for more than a week they were at the mercy of the waves. All their provisions, except one box of biscuits, were swept overboard, the oars and the rudder broken, and the sail torn to shreds. The Mantchus fell down in despair, weeping, crying, and praying. The gallant young lieutenant alone was left to undertake the direction of the boat, and although one of his legs was frozen, and his companions were slowly dying of starvation, he never despaired. By superhuman efforts he succeeded, after a voyage of thirteen days, in reaching a little Japanese port, where they were received with great kindness by the natives. A few days later they were picked up by a Russian steamer, which took them back to Vladivostock. The merchant is loud in the praises of Lieutenant Abaza, declaring that without his energy, unselfishness, and ability, they would all have been lost.