TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7561, 28 May 1885, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Civil Sbbvice Examination.—Eighth on the list of passes in the Civil Service examination for junior candidates is Henry Arthur Jackman, of Christchurch, who scored 1563 out of a possible 2400 marks in the four compulsory subjects.

Lyttelton Artilleby.—The OfficerCommanding the Lyttelton Artillery has made thefollowingappointments:—Gunner Manning to be Sergeant-Major j Gunner Sowden, Quarter-Master; Gunners Malcolmson, Galbraith, J. J. Kirby, and Ashcroft to be Sergeants; GunnersGilmoreand Arnold to be Corporals ; Gunners E. Hill and Robinson to be Bombardiers. Messrs Hallenstein Bros, and Co.'s tender for the supply to the Corps of undress uniforms has been accepted. Colombo Road "Wesleyan Chuech.'— Sermons in connection with the anniversary of the above church were preached on Sunday last; in the morning by the Rev J. J. Lewis, and in the evening by the Rev J. Berry, President of the Conference. In the afternoon a very interesting children's service was conducted by the * Rev. W. Keall. The attendance at all the services was large. The annual soiree took place on Monday, and was an unqualified success. The tables were bountifully spread by a Committee of ladies, whose efforts were thoroughly appreciated by the large assemblage. The public meeting which followed was largely attended, and was presided over by Mr Shierlaw, Senior Circuit Steward, who, after a few introductory remarks, called upon the Treasurer to read the report. Addresses ware then given by the Revs Gilmour, Lewis, Taylor, and Mr E. Salter. The church choir, under the leadership of Mr J. Roberts, much enhanced the general enjoyment by rendering several anthems in a very creditable manner. The RevW. Keall briefly returned thanks to all who had assisted in any way, which was carried by acclamation. The pronouncing of the Benediction brought to a close one of the best and most successful anniversaries ever held at the church.

The Member fob Ashley.—The constituents of the Ashley electorate have invited their member, Mr ,W., F. Pearson, to a "banquet, to be held at Oxford on June 8. Lyttelton Library. The Lyttelton Public Library has received a handsome donation of fifty volumes of neatly bound books from Mr Adam Chalmers, Mayor of Lyttelton.

Election op Auditors.—Messrs T. Boss and J. B. Wilson were the only nominees for the position of Auditors for the Borough of Rangiora, and they were therefore declared re-elected. ■

Parliament Out of Session. —Mr M'Millan, M.H.R., addressed his constituents at Sheffield on Tuesday evening, and received a vote of confidence. Mr L. Harper, member for Avon, speaks at Papanui to-night.

Oxford.—The Oxford Amateur Dramatic, Club gave a performance in the Town Hall, East Oxford, on Monday night. The attendance was very fair, though not so good as usual. The plays weie well put, on the stage, and the members took their parts well. . Judging from the frequent Ipplause, their efforts were fully appreCity Eeserves.—Councillors' Hoskmg, !rooks and Prudhoe, members of the City leserves Committee, yesterday, with the 'own Clerk, vißited the reserves near New Jrighton for the purpose of determining he position in which they will plam 'O,OOO three-year-old pines, &c, given t< he city by Mr Haskins, the Town 'Clerk ?he place fixed upon is about hal£-a-mil< roin the Bottle Lake road, and abutting ohj he Cemetery Board's reserve. The City Jouncil will aIBO plant 25,000 additional hree-year-old trees in the reserve near the ea, thus doubling the area of the plantaion there. The timely action being now aken by the City Council will in. future {ears give to the citizens of Christchurch

•#¥9StSfiß l^RfAi!.— -Thenumerous audi-j ence that attended the Theatre Royal last' night had no reason to complain of the scantiness' of the entertainment provided for them by the Howarde Comedy and Burlesque Company, who certainly worked hard to please their patrons. The performance opened with ■ an amusing little comedy, "Founded on Facts," in which the three Miss Howardes sustained the feminine, and Messrs Cowan, Hennessy and F. Bennett the masculine rdles. To the comedy succeeded an olio of songs and dances, wherein Miss Jessie and Miss Kate sang a number of popular songs and Mr P. Renno danced several step dances. The evening concluded with the musical drama, " The Jolly Young "Waterman," with the following cast:—Tom. Tug, Miss Jessie; Mrs Bundle, Miss Kate; Wilhelmina, Miss Minnie Howarde j Bundle, Mr W. H. Cowan; and Robin, Mr J. F. Hennessy. The applause and laughter showed the efforts of the little Company were well appreciated. Merivale Entertainment, —Last evening a very good musical entertainment was given in Merivale schoolroom.' The. Rev T. Flavell was unfortunately prevented from attending. Mr A. M. Webb, who presided, explained that Mr Flavell had met with an accident which, it was feared, would render him unable to attend to his clerical duties for a week or so. The Entertainment Committee had been fortunate in securing the aid of Sighor P. Xuit«tti and Mr Simms' Glee Party, who did much to render the musical part of . the entertainment a success. Signor Luisetti sang "Anchored" and "When Passion's Trance," in both of which his powerful and cultured voice was heard to advantage. Mr Simms* party sang three glees in good style. Mr F. J. Garrick was very happy in his humorous Irish readings, of which he gave three, all of which were encored. The Misses Helmore, Miss Nuttall, Miss Stubbs, Mrs and Miss Scrivener, Messrs T. H. Barnett, Newman, and I. Gibbs all contributed to the evening's enjoyment by their vocal selections. The attendance was not so large as usual, perhaps from the fact that the dramatic elements had univoidably been omitted from this entertainment. At the next one, however, to be given four weeks hence, the Committee hope to be able to supply this omission.

Parliamentary Association. The attendance, both of members and visitors, at the meeting of the Christchurch Parliamentary Association last night showed that the interest taken in the Association is by no means flagging. The proceedings were not so animated as those of the" previous sitting night; but, nevertheless, members found the wherewithal to occupy themselves till half-past 10 o'clock.' Seven new members were elected. Leave was given to the Attorney-General, Mr W. P. Beeves, to introduce a Suburban Electorate Bill. The member for Rodney, Mr J. Crewes, moved a resolution affirming that to legislate so as to settle a large number of persons on the lands of the Colony, and to render the same as productive as possible, was one of the most important duties of the House; and that the development of the mineral resources of the Colony should receive much more attention "than Parliament had hitherto given to it. After abrief debate, the motion was negatived on the voices. The remainder of the evening was occupied chiefly -in the discussion on a Bill, introduced by the Minister of Mines, Mr Martin, for abolishing the duty on gold. The second reading of "this measure was finally carried without a division. It is expected that the proceedings next sitting night will be' of especial interest, as the subject of the Volunteer Act and Regulations is to come up for discussion. . 1.0.0.P.,M.U.—The thirty-second anniversary of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge, 1.0.0.F.,M.TJ., was celebrated by a supper and ball in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street, last evening. Bro T. Kent, P.P.G.M., occupied the chair, and quite 300 of the brethren, including many visitors from sister lodges, sat down to supper. The tables were tastefully decorated by the Committee of the Lodge, who also supplied the' refreshments. The wives and lady frien'ds of the members, to the number of about 200, were accommodated with seats on the stage and in the gallery during the supper, and formed a pleasing adjunct to the heretofore somewhat selfish manner in which these anniversaries bave been celebrated in Canterbury, though at similar occasions in England, it is usual for the ladies to sit at the table. After full justice had been done to the good things provided, the Chairman gave the toast of "The Queen and the Manchester Unity," which was duly honoured. Bro George Collier proposed "The District Officers," which was responded to by those of the rank present. The toast of " The G.M and Board of Directors" was proposed by Bro Thomas Grantham. Bro C. Foster, in responding, gave a number of statistics, amongst which he stated that the Unity consisted of 580,000 members, with a capital of .£5,600,000. Other toasts given and responded to were—" The Medical Officers," by Bro B.J. Leahy, responded to by Bro W. Thomas, M.D.; "Kindred Societies," by Bro E. Jones; " The Sister Lodges," responded to by the N.G.'s and representatives of all the Lodges present; *' The Juvenile Lodges," ably responded to by Bro G. Gardiner., Bro C. J. Wilkins, in responding to the toast of,the City of Christchurch Lodge, thanked Bro J. H. Brocket for having undertaken at short notice the duties of pianist, in accompanying the various songs given during the evening. The health of " The Ladies" concluded the toaßt-list. During the eveningsongs ware given by Bros C. J. Wilkins, M'Diarmid, J. Frostick, Price, J. Glanvffle, C. Lightband, G. Miller, R. .P. Maurice, and R. J. Pearce. The lastnamed also contributed a banjo solo. At 10.30 p.m. the room was cleared for dancing, which was kept np to a late hour, the music being supplied by the Messrs Fleming.

Weather Exchange.— New Zealand: Generally fine with increased pressure and south-westerly winds. Australia: Decreased pressure on south coast, otherwise steady and high, fine and clear, with wesj terly winds, except in south and Tasmania, where it is overcast. Barometers.—New Zealand: Bussell, 30'3; Wellington and Bluff, 30-1. Australia: Sydney, 30-3; Portland and Albany, 300; Hobart, 30-2. | Mayoral Dinner at Lyttelton.—A | dinner was given at Lyttelton on Tuesday evening by Mr Adam, Chalmers, Mayor of Lyttelton, to celebrate the Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. The company consisted of about twenty persons, representing the Borough Council, learned professions, Harbour Board, the Volunteers, Fire Brigade, and House of Bepresentatives. The dinner "took place at the British Hotel; and the company were catered for in Mr Savage's well known excellent style, and nothing was spared to render the evening a most pleasant one. Besides a long list of toasts which were duly proposed and enthusiastically received, several gentlemen gave some well rendered songs, which contributed largely to the success of the affair. After doing ample justice to the good things provided by the hospitality iof the Mayor the company separated, having thoroughly enjoyed the first resumption of the annual civic feast of Lyttelton. The following were the toasts given during the evening : —" The Queen/' " Governor and Parliament," "Our Defenders," "The Borough Council," "The Mayor," " Officers of the Council," " Learned Professions," "Lyttelton Harbour Board," |"Fire Brigade," "Prosperity to Lyttel[ton," "Shipping and Commerce," "The [Press," "Borough Auditors," " The KLadies," and " Mr Savage." ■I A public meeting will; be held in the literary {lnstitute, Bnngiora. at 7.30 p.m. to-day to consider Bthe question of " Placing under the control of the tNorth Canterbury Jockey Club the portion of the 'Domaiu now used as ft racecourse." i wMy:, will deliver his ninth lecture on i" ftnfldmg'Coristruction'' at Canterbury College •this evening, at 8 o'clock. The polling ■ on the local option vote for the ' Heathcote district will be held to-day, at the Road Board office, Perry road, and at the Halswell Road Board office, Lincoln road. An election of seven persons to form the Licensing Committer* for the Malvern district will be hel i to-diiy. The polling places aro. the Bond Board office, Coaigato; Besident Magistrate's Courthouse, Sheffield; Boad Board office,-Spring-field ; and Telegraph office, Beoley. The following were the persons nominn ted:—Messrs A. B. Savers, J. P. Barr, J. D. Enys, J. Jebson, J. Lord, J. A. M'llraith, and <J. Eutherford. A concert, in aid of St Mary's Sunday school, Springston, will be held in the public schoolroom, Springston, this evening, at 8 o'clock. A banquet to Mr D. M'Millan, M.H.8., will take place in Davies" Hotel, Springfield, at 6 o'clock, this evening.

Abbest. op One of Zebehb's Accomplices. A Maltese, speaking several languages, of plausible demeanour, was 'arrested at Assouan in March as a suspicious character. On being searched, letters were found in his possession written by Zebehr Pasha to the Mahdi, tha contents of which'are said to afford ample justification of the action of the Government in arresting and deporting the first-named worthy. The prisoner has been sent oh to Cairo. . Pabis Fortifications. The French Minister of War, acting on the recommendation of. the Commission of the Defences of Paris, has declined,, it is understood, to sanction the proposed demolition of the fortifications, although the Government, the city, and the working classes would have been largely by their removal. In so doing the Minister is acting contrary to the opinion of a high military authority in France, who asserts that a camp retranchd is a terrible mistake in modern'warfare.

Political Savages?.—They would seem to be getting quite savage in ' England in their comments upon public men. The following passage from Vanity Fair of March 21 smacks of the politics of the old days of Gilrav and Bowlandson : —" lam greatly disappointed to learn that the man Kimberley, who was hanged at Birmingham on Tuesday, was not a Cabinet Minister, after all. For a moment a bright hope dawned upon me that, at anyrate, we had got rid of one of them. But it seems that the Secretary for India had nothing to do with the murder of the woman named Parker. He has hitherto only been convicted of complicity in the murder of the man named Gordon."

A Hint to Needy Vestries. —Probably there is no spectacle so dear to the eyes and the hearts of young unmarried ladies as a wedding, especially if the bride and her bevy of bridesmaids are likely to distinguish themselves in the way of personal adornments. Taking advantage of this feminine weakness, the promoters of a church charity, with the concurrence of the vicar and churchwardens of an English parish, recently made a small charge for admission to the church on the occasion of a fashionable wedding. The building was crowded, and the result was > a substantial addition to the fundeof the object benefited.. Possibly the example may be followed elsewhere.

JOURNALISTS AS MAGISTRATES.—A reply was read at Halifax Town Council meeting recently from the Lord Chancellor, to a memorial signed by a member of the Council and the Bench of Magistrates, asking that Alfred Rarnsden, ex-Mayor and proprietor of the Halifax Courier, be placed on the Commission of Peace. His Lordship refused to accede to the memorial, on the ground that an important duty of provincial * newspapers must be to , criticise the, proceedings of local Magistrates, and that if it were common for tne editors and pro-' i prietors of these papers to be magistiates themselves, there would be great danger of their attaining an undue share of influence in disputed matters. Russian Relationb, With Persia. — The Russians are congratulating themselves upon the friendship of the Shah of Persia, a significant fact at the present moment. A Moscow paper gives an interesting account of the camp of the Crown Prince of Persia, who is at present engaged in repressing the bands of robbers who have lately worried the inhabitants upon the Russian boundaries. The " good, service which the Prince of Persia is thereby rendering to Russia" is highly extolled. His camp consists of about 2000 cavalry, with its band and a battery, and is at present upon the River Seraks, a naine often recurring in the East, but one at the moment not of pleasant sound to English ears. The break of day is announced by the cannon and music, the whole service of the prince rising at thiß signal. His .spare time is occupied in hunting. The dinner is announced by a salute of the battery, and during thi meal the band of the camp plays the Persian March or somo favourite Persian airs. Prom this Bpottho camp is to be moved to Chadshi Chill, opposite the Russian Dohe wat. The harem accompanies the prince. While ho has boen in the district the bands of robbers have entirely disappeared. " In fact," concludes the Moscow Journal, "the Prince of Persia, the future Shah, is acting in auoh a uian» ner that we can only bo greatly thankful to him." Naval Fortifications ov ENQbASSS*""It may be interesting to learn that) in the opinion of a French general who has Just published a work on the armament* w defensive systems of the great powers fcr Europe," the naval strengthotlMtMn is incomparable, and that no one colud sob-. sibly contest its superiority" while h«e Considers that tho JJia.OOO.OOd wnieh mM been spent since 1872 in Stertifefflg %m mouths of the Thames m& MMw«s> the entrance to Plymouth igouM aM Milford Havou, Dover aM QußenSfeiw'&j Norwich and Portlands >«v& IKMSSea the Mother Country ttafefr *§S«*& from invasion, even fettg&'dsi&t Mtt <G&p.nel fleet to have been SeStiwM W .tfi'rabled. Tho naine writer-, *e* ferring to Napoleon** viarSfulW ipteell project of a descent upon EnglaM in I8&4> asks, "What would liaVe h«S had succeodedP" and implies to tne <quea* tion as follows :■— *' Without assured com-

munications behind them, flung into th&- . midst of a hostile population, his troops-,. would undoubtedly have paid dearly for" their successes. And then, returning from*" • the Indieß, where Villeneuve had orders to detain it, the English fleet would* ■- have resumed possession of the Channel,, thus liberated in au instant, and would have cut off our army from its base' Napoleon would never have returned to-' Prance."

Gold and Silver. —The .reason ('•V serves" Fairplay) why silver has relatively fallen in value, while gold has rel uively increased in value, is that of late the production of silver has been in excess of the production of gold. The production of? gold undoubtedly has not kept pace with the increased trade of the world. The. production of silver . has more than done so. The effect of this is that silver has gone down in value, while gold still keeps its standard.This is a difficulty which cannot be got over by legislation. When people are ready to take silver at a fired price in lieu. of gold, it will be time to fix that price, but there is no reason to suppose that any such result can ever be attained as long as there is an open market for silver and an operti market for gold, in which the former declines in values, and while the latter tends to increase.

An Elephant on the Loose.—-One need n't go in these day s to Timbuctoo to have experiences which in former times were denied to those wfc* did not explore the wildest regions. The following adventure, which happened to a peaceful Lincolnshire! farmer the other day, might occur to you, - reader, or to me, to-u:orrow, yet none can* - say it was not stupendous and amazing. At 7 o'clock in the morning, while driving in agig from one market town to another, hemeets an elephant quite unattended. "The road was soft, and the elephant "took up>stones and earth in his trunk, which heplayfully threw at him." This was itself game which neither the farmer' .nor' his horse at all appreciated, but as thegigantic animal neared them its behaviour- ■ became even more peculiar. Instead of keeping its own side, as a sagacious elephant should have done, ifc. crossed the'road and stood immediately before the gig. The horse,, "not beings accustomed to elephants," was greatly alarmed, bolted, and overturned the gigand its' occupant, breaking the latter*® ankle. Thereupon the animal, so fair from, apologising for what had occurred, " straddled over him,'.' eat grass from the hedge, and barley from, the field, and toshow his contempt " spat the same in his face." For all which injuries and insults., •' the farmer has naturally demanded and • obtained damages from the proprietor of the elephant, who was connected (but unfortunately not by a rope) with a travelling' - caravan. One can fancy the honest farmer* retailing this experience to his children's , children, fortunate if. their comment when, asked what is the explanation of the phenomenon is not the same as that passed, by Walter Scott upon his ancient relation's, ghost story, " Aiblins our grandfather is a ''. leear."—London Town Talk.

A Sebiotjs . Bltjndeb.—The right hon. gentleman lived in the pleasantest of Bquares in London, and gave the pleasantest of dinners at the most agreeable of houses. One of the great ornaments of the place was the magnificent conservatory,* which, when the fountains were playing at high, pressure, and fully illuminated 'by the special service of lights provided for the purpose, really presented -a delightful scene, and made the most charming of afternoon resorts. To improve the fountains, the statesman 'decided to lay on am' additional water supply from cisterns at the top of the house j and for this the workmen were put in possession nofc . long ago, under particular injunctions as to the neatness of their work and noninterference with existing arrangements* The work was completed, and the workmen had gone, and the eve of one of the important social occasions arrived, when a. full display was desired. ' The water worka in the conservatory, .presented the attractions of a Versailles&n a small scale. Then." the illumination was tried. Tableau—. Every gas-burner in the house played a. sparkling jet; every chandelier was an? improvised fountain. Summoned to thescene, that statesman found the water laid on at every corner of the house from ceiling - " to cellar. There was darknesß in the streets and "water in the mains/' In their" eagerness to do a neat thing, and do itexpeditiously, the workmen had connectedthe high-pressure cistern with the gas service.—Court Journal.

An Adameess Eden. The London, Daily News says:—There seems to be a-. fine opening for. young men of good address, as the advertisers • sometimes say. Precitely where it is, unfortunately, wecannot tell with entire confidence, though, it' must be easy to find out. It is about 300 miles from London, and is in a town, "much beloved by shoemakers and glaziers." That surely ought to be clear _, enough for any smart young man worthy of a rich and handsome wife, and nothing; less than this is all but guaranteed to such, a one if he will only take the hint and go„ "If a handkerchief was flung, ye gods and. ■ i little fishes!" writes a "Disconsolate , damsel "—one of the prizes—" how we would rush to pick it up." There are, it seems, all sorts of advantages in this broadly indicated locality; *' but we have one, I may almost say fatal, drawback—we have no young men. Can any words of mine adequately describe so horrible and-' distressing a situation ? " If a dance is . given, there are no partners. The men; live for solo whist—all old fogies in fact, and that although these hapless damsels are 5 , by no means penniless, " far from it." That they are handsome also is obvious, when it is added that in this Adamless Eden they are all young Jewesses. The letter quoted from appears in the Jewish World. That, it may be thought, is a difficulty in the way of a good many who would otherwise promptly be making tracks for this town only 300 miles from London. It is by no means certain, however, that the difficulty is insuperable, or even serious. "Candidly speaking/ w™esthe fair correspondent of the Jewish World, "I don't wonder at our provincial girls, marrying out of their religion. If thatisn't a hint, it would be difhcult to say what is. Young men, whether Jews or Gentiles, would certainly do well to grrethis locality a look up before getting to business again on Monday morning-