TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7485, 26 February 1885, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Picnic.—The Fire Brigade picnic has been postponed until Tuesday next on account of the unfavourable weather. St Albans Borough Council. —Mr J. Penteney offers himself as a candidate for the vacany in the Borough Council of St Albans. Oddfellows' Hall. —Clifford's Mirror of the World opens at the above Hall on Tuesday. The proceeds of the first evening's entertainment are to be given to the Band Kotunda fund. Lecture on General Gordon.—This evening the Rev H. C. M. Watson will deliver his lecture on General Gordon at the Drillshed. Admission is free, and it is possible the Hon E. Stout will deliver an address if he arrives from the South in time. A number of Volunteers will be present, and a portion of the seats will be reserved for ladies. Hospital Patients. —At the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board held yesterday afternoon, the Hospital Committee reported that during the previous fortnight 20 patients had been admitted and the same number had been discharged, leaving 58 in the Institution There had been three deaths during the fortnight. At the corresponding period last year the number of patients was 67. Ashburton Courthouse. —Once, in the history of the Ashburton Courthouse, which was built in 1880, has an attempt been made to put the grounds in order. As weeds grow apace everywhere, it was scarcely to be hoped that they would forget to grow on the Court grounds. They did not forget, but, with a commendable industry, grew and grew till they covered the pretence to a flower border with a thick matting of wire weed, sorrel, and all the other creeping abominations which the gardener's soul abhors. At last, when it was hinted that hosts of excursionists from Christchureh and Timaru were to visit the town, men were put on to clean up. The result is that the weeds have all been turned in, and a more tidy appearance has been assumed by the surroundings of the Hall of Justice. It may be added that, in «" of the excursion this morning, a great >./j of the weedy places about town have 'uo.«i heir luxuriance of waste growth consi (lovably pruned, and altogether the town looks a good deal tidier.

.Hospital Enquiry.—ln a letter addressed to the Hospital Board, which, -will be found in extenso in the report of the Board's meeting published on another page, Dr Stewart expressed his satisfaction with the result of the Hospital enquiry and his non-apprehension of any Royal Commission that may be appointed. Board op Education.—A special meeting of the Board of Education was held last evening to consider certain correspondence in reference to the management of the Ashburton and Rangiora schools. The meeting was a private one, as the Board went into Committee before any business was done. The result of the meeting will be furnished for publication in tomorrow's issue.

Pound in the Harbour.—A narrowbrimmed, black, shell hat and an oak walking-stick were found yesterday at Lyttelton, floating in the water at the steamers' wharf, close to the s.s. Kotomahana. They were handed over to the custody of the police. It is to be hoped that there has not been another case of drowning in the harbour. The police will be glad to recognise a living claimant with a good title to the property.

Weather Exchange. New Zealand : High pressure to south-west; showery on south and east coasts; generally increased pressure; winds southerly. Australia : Pine weather, with high pressure, especially over interior ; westerly and south winds. Barometers. New Zealand: Eussell, 30:1; Wellington, 30-1; Bluff, 303. Australia: Albany, 29 9 ; Hobart, 29-9; Portland, 30-1: Sydney, 30-2. " Eun on the Bristol."—The company now appearing at the Theatre Eoyal lose nothing of their popularity as their season advances. Last night there was a capital attendance downstairs, and the jokes and absurd situations were as much enjoyed as were the excellent singing, dancing, and business of the several characters in the piece. The season is rapidly closing, tomorrow being the last night. Ministerial.—A telegram has been received from Sir J. "Vogel, stating that he will arrive in Christchurch in the latter part of next week. He will put up at Coker's Hotel during his stay.—The Hon the Minister for Public Works will leave for Wellington by the s.s. Te Anau to-day. It is expected that the Hon the Premier will proceed north in the same steamer. Theatrical. —Miss De Grey and Company, who have been playing in Invercargill and Dunedin for some weeks past, will open in Christchurch next Thursday. The members, including Miss De Grey, are mestly new to Christchurch, but amongst them are , Mrs Walter Hill and Mr J. P. West. The repertoire contains a number of new dramas, one of which, a version of Ouida's novel " Moths" will form the opening piece. The Eabettquakes in Spain. —Mr Arenas, Spanish Vice-Consul, has opened a subscription list for the relief of sufferers by the terrible earthquakes which devastated the southern districts of Spain at Christmas. Appeals for help are being responded to liberally in England and America, and Mr Arenas will be extremely happy to receive any contributions which Colonists may feel disposed to forward for the same object. Accident. —On Wednesday afternoon a small boy named Driscoll, while crossing the North ioad, Kaiapoi, opposite Mr Geering's shop, in trying to avoid a horse and dray, was knocked down and run over by a horse*and trap passing in a contrary direction. He was carried into Mr C. M, Brooke's, the chemist • who attended to the 'sufferer's injuries. The boy was badly cut about the head and face and bruised about the body. The occupant of the trap (a lady), although fully aware that the child was hurt, drove off without offering any assistance. The Excursions to Ashburton. —Yesterday, after two days of intermittent rain, the weather at Ashburton cleared up, and there is every promise of the exsionists having excellent weather. The Committee having charge of the baby show, &c, at the Sports Ground have left nothing undone to make the day enjoyable. A large list of competitors for the baby show is expected, and a field of five have entered for the five-mile bicycle race, most of whom are Christchurch cracks, while the one-mile event is also to be well contested. Every preparation has been made for the comfort and convenience of visitors.

Art Exhibition. —All pictures to be exhibited by members at the annual exhibition of the Canterbury Society of Arts, must be sent in to the large room above Mr Simpson's bookseller's shop before 4 p.m. to-day. The work of cataloguing the exhibits will be undertaken on Saturday, so that it is absolutely necessary that all the pictures should be in the hands of the Committee of Management in time. A special feature of the exhibition this year will be a collection of the works of Auckland artists. The loan collection is also expected to be of such excellence as to constitute a very strong attraction to visitors. The exhibition is to be opened on Monday next.

Industrial Exhibition. —Mr J. L. Scott, President of 'the Industrial Association, has telegraphed to Mr Callis, Secretary to the New Zealand Exhibition, asking that the time for receiving applications for space may he extended for a fortnight, as the local subCommittees in Christchureh have not yet had time to obtain sufficient entries to constitute a satisfactory representation of the district. The following answer was received: —" All entries for general branch close Saturday this week at the various offices of the local Committees. Fifty-two thousand square feet now applied for. Cannot extend date. You can employ extra clerical assistance if thought necessary." Chess.—The lovers of the game of chess will be glad to know that there is more than a probability of their being able to • witness what have been well called the " marvellous " feats of the world-renowned blindfold player, Mr Blackburne, who is now in. Australia, but who will, if he sees a prospect of sufficient encouragement being given him, visit New Zealand in the course of a few months, or even weeks. He proposes to come to New Zealand from Sydney, returning to Melbourne via Hobart, where he has already been offered an engagement. Some idea may be formed of his extraordinary skill in the royal game from the fact that he recently played 20 games simultaneously, winning 18 of them and drawing the other two. In these his moves were made with extraordinary rapidity, numbering no fewer than 320 in the first hour and a quarter. A number of subscriptions have already been promised, and a special meeting of the Canterbury Chess Club is convened for to-morrow evening, when all chess players will be cordially welcomed. A Fracas.—Yesterday morning a fracas,, which created some excitement, but fortunately ended without any serious results, took place at the Temperance Hotel in Cashel street. It appears that the Directors had decided to take over the hotel from the present tenant, and had arranged that the Chairman and others of their number should go to the premises at half-past 9 o'clock and take possession. About half an hour before that time one of the Directors, perhaps wishing to expedite matters, went and informed the landlord that he (the Director) was to be considered as in charge of the hotel. An altercation ensued, and resulted in the Director finding himself outside the building, and the door shut. Another Director now arrived, and commenced siege operations by opening a window and endeavouring to enter thereat. The landlord opposed his ingress, and hostilities were proceeding when the Chairman of Directors, with the Secretary to the Company, appeared on the scene; whereupon the besieged, recognising in them the presence of constituted authority, opened the doors, and the affair ended peaceably

Dunedin Eaoe Meeting.—The passengers by the express to Dunedin yesterday morning were estimated to number 150, and last night.about 100 persons went south by the special train, which left Christchurch at half-past 8 o'clock. Cheap tickets, the issue of which has aided the attraction of the Dunedin races in thus increasing the number of passengers, will continue to be issued to-day and to-mor-row. The anniversary of the Sydenham Baptist Church will he eeJebrated this evening by a tea and public meeting, at which various ministers will speak. The choir will also sing several anthems. Nominations to All the vacancy iu the City Council for the N.W. Ward, caused by the resignation of Mr T. S. Lambert, will close at the City Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 10. The election, if necessary, will take place on March 20. The annual general meeting of shareholders of the Christchurch Meat ana Produce Freezing- Company, will he held in the rooms of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, on Tuesday, March 5, at 2 p.m. A safe of work and musical ".ntertamment will be held iu the Oddfellows" Hall, Sydenham, today. The dramatic class in connec ion with the Working Men's Club and in .S.A., will give an entertainment this evening, at 8 o'clock. The Addington Workshops Band will perform the following programme this evening on the proposed rotunda site, commencing at 7.30 p.m. sharp:—March, "Hark, the Voice of Freedom Calls," E. Newton; overture, 'lnterpretation," Bosquier; valse, "Eemembrance," J. Pooley; quadrille, " Merry Songs," E. Newton; fant sia, " Elowor of Beauty," Boscpiier; valse, "Doriuda," E. Smith; polka, " Pestonnette," E. Marie; fantasia, "Les Chevaliers," E. Mullott; quadrille, " The Jolly Girls," T. Dawson; march, " Old Brigade," It. Smith; finale, "God Save the Queen."

The Agent-Geneeali. The Dunedin Star says that Sir F. D. Bell has announced his determination to retire from the AgentGeneralship when his term expires, and to return to the Colony, via Melbourne.

An Educational Pakiah. —Someone has said that a licensed victualler is not legally a responsible person, because the law will not permit him to do certain things that "any respectable householder" may do. This would appear to be the opinion of a School Committee at Waverley, who recommended the Education Board to dismiss the teacher of the local £>iato school, because he married the proprietress of a publichouse in the village!

Bibliomania.—Four thousand nine hundred and fifty pounds for a single volume seems incredible, and yet the record of the Syston Park Library sale credits the famous Mr Quaritch with giving that sum for a copy of a rare 15th century psalm and hymn book. There are only 10 copies known, and if nine of these chanced to be destroyed by fire, the last remaining would be worth a ransom. As it is, the market value has gone up in very recent years from £136 10s to the extravagant figure above-named.

Arabi as a Peacemaker. —Whatever Arabi may have done in Egypt, in Ceylon it seems clear that he has brought peace and not a sword. He has betaken himself in the land of his exile to that familiar refuge of disappointed politicians, the cause of education, and haß been playing a prominent part in the foundation of a Mahoinmedan boys' school in Colombo. The foundation of this school, besides supplying, no doubt, " a long felt want," has nad the excellent effect, sc we learn from the Weekly Ceylon Observer, of reconciling the three factions into which the Mahommedan community at Colombo has hitherto been divided. Representatives of these factions were for the first time brought together at a public meeting in connection with the new school, and Arabi was put up to act as peacemaker. So powerful was the effect of the "very touching speech" which he delivered on the occasion, that immediately he sat down the leaders of the rival factions arose and saluted each other in the presence of the meeting. "The Deae, Dear Neighbours/'— " The dear, dear neighbours," to quote Mr Max O'Eell's little witticism, is a piece of irony applicable not only to the relations of England and France. Frenchmen and Germans are filled with the same kind of cordiality for one another in a yet more striking degree. We all know how close and demonstrative is the friendship between France and Germany just at^ present, yet no sooner is the former definitely engaged in war with China than there is a perfect rush of Germans into the service of the latter Power. " Many Germans." says a telegram from Hong Kong, " are arriving for military and naval service by each mail. The total number who have already joined the Chinese service is 126." No doubt allowance must be made for the superabundant energies of a nation which has so .many more professional fighters than it can at ordinary times find work for. Yet, for all. that, we may well doubt whether the Germans would he so keen to volunteer in this quarrel if one of the belligerent parties were not their " dear, dear neighbour."

I ZULTJLAND AND THE GERMANS. —The Government, acting through Sir Henry Bulwer, Governor of Natal, has sent a gunboat to assert the claim of England to the coastline of Zululand. This step has not been taken a day too soon, for we now learn from a leading German newspaper—the Allgemcine Zeitung —that Herr Einwald, the German traveller, had acquired St Lucia Bay, with 100,000 acres of land, from King Dinuzulu, son and successor of Cetywayo, for the firm of Liideritz, the same Germans who have given us so much trouble at Angra Pequena. Apart from the dubious rights which we may have acquired by the conquest of Zululand, we have old-established claims to St Lucia Bay, based on the cession to us of that important place' by Panda, Cetywayo's predecessor. It remains to be seen whether our Government will have the spirit to assert and maintain the rights of this country in face of the hostility of Prince Bismarck. King Dinuzulu is a mere boy who has no power to alienate a single acre of Zululand without the consent of the principal chiefs, who certainly know nothing of any bargain which Herr Einwald may have made with the youth, who has perhaps been tempted by the traveller's musical boxes, swords, and other gewgaws well adapted to catch the fancy ot a savage. The Cabinet were warned nearly two months ago of the event which has now taken place. They paid little heed to Jthe warning . at the moment, but fortunately they roused themselves to action by sending a vessel of war to rehoist the British flag at St Lucia Bay before the Germans had time to proclaim it German territory. "A Cey from Fiji."—Under the title cf " A Cry from Fiji," Mr William Pillingham Parr, writing from Levuka, Oct. 22, to the St James' Gazette, makes the following serious charge against English rule in Fiji: — " I think I shall be able to show you that zeal has outrun discretion pretty considerably in Fiji. In the olden days, before the introduction of money and before annexation, there was the old cannibal custom called 'lala,' under which a chief might command the services of his people as he required them ; but the return he made, as of course, for the service performed was to feast the people during the operation and give them a present in kind when it was finished. After the annexation of the islands by Great Britain the custom of 'lala' was legalised by the Colonial Government in order that the chiefs might collect the taxes from the Natives, and the result has been the most utter and absolute slavery of the commoners. In olden days a chief was clubbed to death for unjustly exercising 'lala;' now even a petty town police officer, on account of his position, can * lala' almost anything. Consequently, thousands of the natives are living in the most abject misery. They have scarcely a roof to cover them, no mats, no clothes, no fowls, no pigs—only wild food—everything having been ' lala'd' from them; and, having no time at their own disposal, they have not been able to plant gardens. .Nearly all the time they are not working for the Government they must work for their chief j and if a Fijian earns any money from a white man to support his wife and family, it is taken from

him by his chief. As there is no law to* ' which these poor wretches can appeal, can. you wonder that nearly every week we hear of their committing suicide in order toescape from such tyranny ?" , i New Zealand Mails via Australia.— The Melbourne Age says that Sir Julius Vogel, on behalf of the New Zealand Government, has entered into an arrangement with the Victorian postal authorities,, by which the latter will in future undertake the duty of receiving and despatchingall New Zealand mails arriving by the P.., and O. and Orient Companies' steamers, ' Hitherto this duty was performed by MrSelsman, of Port Melbourne, who was employed by the New Zealand Government, The New Zealand postal authorities have : agreed to pay .£lls per year to the Victorian Postal Department for the privilegeof having their mails received and despatched by the quickest route to New Zealand.

An Egyptian Execution.—A singularly primitive way of carrying out a, sentence of capital punishment was witnessed at Keneh, the capital cf the province between Assouan and Assiout. According to the law. there, the sentencecan be remitted at the desire of the murdered man's family, their forgiveness being;-, purchased. In this instance the prisoner's family had subscribed ,£SO towards J 3100,. which would have been accepted had the-,, balance been forthcoming from his friends.However, it. was not, so at 9 a.m. the condemned man was led to some very rudegallows, under which he sat down in the-' most unconcerned way, drinking water andl ' altogether behaving as if he was merely*" a spectator instead of the principal! actor in the tragedy. He put therope round his own neck, the knotbeing exactly at the back. An' English officer in the Egyptian army suggested that it would be much better tindeir the ear, but his interference was rejected.The family of the unfortunate man thenadvanced and implored his liberation at< the feet of the mother and brother of the- i victim. The latter was inclined tojj clemency, but the former was quiteM obdurate, shouting loudly that as he hadf« killed her son he must die for it. These-i parleys lasted over an hour. It is the-] custom that the nearest male relative of the murdered man performs the office of executioner, so at last the prisoner quietlystepped on to a stool not two feet. high*, which the brother pushed away from under bim. Of course this only caused him to bestrangled, his legs dragging about on the ground, so a bystander took hold of them and lifted them up, whilst the executioner, amidst the howls and groans of the crowd,.. shortened the rope and then had to escape - as best he could. The body continued towrithe for a long time and hung there till 5 p.m. There were scarcely any officials or--police present. Co-operative Laboub in Italy,—AttAssociation of about 1000 labourers has" : just arrived at Rome. They are about todrain the Campagna on strictly co-opera- ' tive principles. This Society has already constructed the Place d'Arme of Bavenna, bnilt several portions of the railway embankments in the Eomagna, and recently competed to obtain the contract for thesanitary works of the Campagna. Theorganisation of these men recalls the free companies of journeymen masons whe* travelled over Europe during the Middle-. Ages, building cathedrals, constructing" bridges, &c. They bring with them aft necessary materials and tools. A doctor, a dispensing chemist, tailors, bootmakers 1 ,, and cooks form part of the Association, so as to provide its members with the; necessary medical care, clothing, and food* A Committee, composed of members of theAssociation, freely elected, directs the work.. The money received is first' employed irt providing all that is necessary for the ex— : istence of the members, then a portion is£ set aside to create a fund for old age and| sickness, and all that remains after done is divided among the workers. This. Association, needless to say, is looked uponwith much sympathy by all who take interest in the social question, and the Government has supplied its members with railway tickets at reduced prices. A lady of Bavenna has also made the men a present, of quinine to the value of .£4O, so as t»» enable them to resist the malarial fever, for which the Campagna is notorious. Thus, afeleast, some among the Italian workmen,, though unaided by such powerful organisations as English Trade Unions, have contrived, not merely to obtain better wages; from the middle-man, but to do away with, him altogether, and this, too, when competing with ordinary contractors for public--works.