TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7793, 25 February 1886, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Minister of Lands.—The Minister of Native Affairs, the Hon Mr Ballance, left Dunedin yesterday by the express train, but broke Ms journey at Oamaru, whence he will come on to-day.

The Church op England Mission.— The Eevs Messrs Bodington and Lason, the Church of England Missioners, arrived from the West Coast by the 7.40 p.m. train yesterday. They were met at the station by the Eevs W. Harper and T. Flavell, and will be formally welcomed to Christchurch by the Most Rev the Primate at Evensong in the Cathedral at 5.15 p.m. today.

Crime. —There are ten informations of a criminal and quasi-criminal character to be heard before the Magistrate's Court to-day. One of them contains a serious charge, viz., obtaining wine, spirits, and other merchandise, value JEII4, by false pretences. Two men are accused of netting trout in the Selwyn river contrary to the regulations for the protection of these fish. There is a case of alleged larceny, and one or two less important charges. New Zealand Protection Association. —The usual weekly meeting was held on Tuesday last, when there was a fair attendance. A good deal of routine business was transacted in Committee. The consideration of the Parliamentary Committee's reply to the article on Freetrade, which appeared in the Watchman on Feb. 10, was postponed until Tuesday next, when it will be brought up and discussed. The consideration of preparing a pamphlet on Protection will also come before the next meeting. The Secretary read some correspondence, and after the election of new members, and financial matters were discussed, the meeting adjourned.

Cobbection. Mrs Isabella G. Flett writes, in reference to her letter of complaint to the Lyttelton Borough. Council read at laßt meeting, that the stormwater ran through, and not under, her house, as reported. Magistebial. —At the Police-court yesterday morning, before Dr Prankish and Messrs Rhind and Donald, John Goggin, who had been drunk in Durham street on the previous night, was fined 10s, with the usual alternative of imprisonment. Ecclesiastical.—Owing to the indisposition of Mrs Barry, wife of the Primate of Australia, His Lordship, who is visiting the Lakes, will not arrive in Christchurch until Tuesday next. The conversazione, which was to have been held to welcome the bishop stands postponed sine die. The Tuam Stbeet Fatality. The Coroner's jury yesterday, after hearing the evidence as to the death of Mr Johnson Midgley, returned a verdict to the effect that he died from natural causes. The Coroner, who is also the Resident Magistrate, at once discharged Mr Taylor from custody.

Miss Caeandini's Conceet. —The concert advertised to be given this evening in the Oddfellows' Hall is postponed to a future date, probably Monday, March 8. Miss Carandini is suffering from a severe cold, and as there are so many public entertainments announced for next week, in which the many friends of the beneficiare will be engaged, it is deemed best to postpone the concert. The date will be definitely announced in a day or two. Alleged Laeseny.—Yesterday afternoon Detective O'Connor arrested John A. Sorrell and Thomas E. Spain, a travelling photographer and his assistant, on a rather peculiar charge of larceny. The accused were stopping at the Golden Fleece Hotel, and they are charged with stealing an American flag, a German flag, an ink bottle and a pen, the property of A. H. Hardecke, the proprietor of the hotel. The accused will be brought before the Magistrate's Court this morning.

Mabine Aetists. We (Otago Daily Times) had the pleasure yifterday of seeing two water-colour drawings, the work of Mr Raymond Hornbrook, of Port Chalmers, a rising marine artist. Mr R. Hornbrook, in the works he has just completed, represents the Union Steamship Company's steamer Wanaka entering and leaving Lyttelton harbour. The subjects are treated in a masterly manner, and judged by these works the artist would appear to have a very successful career before him.

Phenomenal. —We were shown last night from the garden of Mr JacKman, of this city, three bunches of the plum known as the American damson, and they certainly presented a most phenomenal appearance. The fruit lay as thick and close as the thickest cluster of grapes. There must have been fully fifty dh each bunch. Such prolific growth is astonishing. We understand that an Australian gentleman intends taking them home to 'South Australia to exhibit them as specimens of New Zealand growth. Ashbueton Volunteebs. —The two companies of Volunteers in Ashburton paraded on Tuesday night for inspection by the Adjutant, pieliminary to taking part in the daylight parade of the battalion at Timaru to-day. Major Stuart Newall inspected the men, who mustered to about 70 of all ranks, and all the officers were present. It was announced that the muster for the Timaru parade would take place at the Post-office, this morning, at nine o'clock, and the men would leave by the express. The New Zealand Rifle Association Meeting.—A number of southern Volunteers, intending competitors in the New Zealand Rifle Association's meeting, arrived here last night by the express en route for Wanganui. The corps represented were the Peninsula Naval Artillery, L Battery New Zealand Artillery, and Riverton Rifles. So far as is known at present, none of the Christchurch corps will send teams to the meeting, though it is stated that a few individual Volunteers intend to proceed thither, notably Lieutenant Adams and Private Wakelin, of the Christchurch Rifles.

Official.—Within the last fortnight several changes in the Government Officials have been made in the Methven district. Mr Reynolds having obtained leave of absence for a holiday, the duties of stationmaster have been fulfilled by Mr Henry Seager. It is understood that the latter gentleman will be transferred to Rangitata on the return of Mr Reynolds. Mr C. Cowan, the new telegraphist and postmaster, has been here a little over a week. Pending the arrival of a new master, the duties of head teacher of the school are being temporarily fulfilled by Mr Johann Voss, from the Normal Training College, Christchurch. Lyttelton Bobough Election. The election of one member to fill the vacancy in the Lyttelton Borough Council, caused by the death of the late Dr Macdonald, took place yesterday. There were only two aspirants to municipal honours, Messrs Samuel Rollin Webb and James .Boynton Milsoin, and the election throughout was a very quiet one; for although there was a certain amount of canvassing done, the town wore its usual business aspect. Mr Webb, although he had several times sat in the Council, and twice filled the Mayoral chair, was expected to have a very hard struggle to win. The election resulted as follows :—Milsom, 201; Webb, 195. Mr Milsom is therefore elected.

Mb Burnett's Mission.—Yesterday afternoon Mr Matthew Burnett delivered an address in the lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A., under the auspices of the Women's Temperance Union. In the evening he addressed a large meeting in the Oddfellows' Hall, Sydenham. There was a large attendance, and the meeting passed off successfully. At the close a number of persons signed the pledge and donned the blue. The chair was occupied by the Kev H. B. Bedstone, and the mission choir sang several pieces of music. Tonight Mr Burnett will lecture in the Wesleyan Church, Woolston, at 8 o'clock. Previous to the meeting in the church, an open-air gathering will be held. The Blue Kibbon Band will be in attendance. Pbesentation. —On Monday evening last the members of the Stanmore Brasß Band assembled to bid farewell to their Secretary (Mr A. Barbour), previous to his leaving for Melbourne. Bandmaster M'Killop, on behalf of the members, thanked Mr Barbour for the valuable services rendered by him since the formation of the Band, but before saying goodbye he wished to make him a small present as an acknowledgment of his services. The presentation consisted of a handsome silver watch, which was suitably inscribed by Mr J. F. Stratz, was then handed to Mr Barbour, who thanked the members for their kindness, and while he was absent he would always think of the kind brotherly feeling they had shown to him in the past, and hoped the Band would still continue to prosper as it had done in the past, and with these few remarks he would bid them good-bye. The Census.—A few facts in connection with the approaching census as far as regards the districts adjacent to Christchurch may be read with interest. The night of March 28 will be the "census night," and all persons are to be enumerated in the returns who are upon that night in the houses at which the census forms have been left. The forms will be collected by the sub-enumerators as soon after March 28 as practicable. The collection of agricultural statistics will be commenced, earlier, about the middle of March, and we hope to be able to publish them about the end of next month, by which time the returns will have been compiled. Mr W. G. Walker, Clerk to the Eesident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, is the chief census enumerator for the country lying between the Waimakariri and Bangitata rivers, and comprising the Counties of Selwyn, Ashbur ton, and Akaroa, and all the Boroughs contained therein.

Sib Julius Vogel.—A special communication from Auckland states that at Sir Julius Vogel's meeting on Tuesday the house was packed from floor to ceiling, hundreds of people being turned away, and that the vote of confidence was carried by a large majority.

Peowlebs About.—A sum of .£lO was missed from the cashbox at the Hurunui Hotel on the day of the local races, and it is suspected that some of the queer characters, who are .supposed to have attended the meeting, may have had to do with stealing it. Thf> police are making investigations into the matter.

The Locomotive Difficulty. —We are pleased to be able to inform our readers that the difficulty between the Government and Messrs Scott Bros., wiDh reference to the alleged breach of the terms of the contract for the construction of locomotives, has been settled on terms which are said to be satisfactory to both parties. The work in connection with the contract, which has been suspended for the past few weeks, was resumed yesterday, and will now be pushed on vigorously.

The annual general meeting of the C Company of the Ist Uattalion Canterbury Eifle Volunteers will be held in the orderly room on Tuesday at 8 p.m. A special festival service, in connection with the Diocesan Cuoral Association, will be held in the Cathedral at 7.30 a.m. on March 2. The preacher will be the Most Bev the Primate of Australia, Dr Barry. A meeting of the Amuri Sheep Farmers' Association will be held at the Waiau Hotel on Tue day, March 2, at 5 p.m., for the purpose of considering the administration of the Sheep and Babbit Acts. The twelfth annual meeting of the No. 3 Building and Land Society will be held at the Society's ofllce, Worcester street, at 7.30 p.m. to-day. The fifteenth annual meeting of the Permanent Investment and Loan Association will be held at 7.30 this evening, in Mr Charleß Clark's auction rooms, Hereford street. An entertainment for the benefit of Mr A. Ingleson will be given at the Working Men's Club at 8 o'clock this evening. Volunteers are invited to attend (in plain clothes) a meeting of the Volunteer Eifle Association, to be held in the Drillßhed at 8 p.m. to-morrow. The Grand Hotel, Dunedin. Admittedly the finest in Australasia. First-class sample rooms.—[Advt J

Kill oe Cues.—There is a good tale told of a certain M.D., who, having purchased a kill or cure practice in a western town, was asked by a friend how he was jogging along in the way of business. " First class," replied the doctor. " I've had one case already j a birth in one of our first families." " Glad to hear it," exclaimed the friend; "how did you susceed ?" " Well, pretty fair for a start," answered the new pill-puncher. " Tou see the woman died, and the child died, but hang me if I don't think I'll save the old man after all." Oue Futuee Mastees. Under the phrase of " Our Future Masters," a writer in the current number of the Fortnightly Review recounts countless experiences, with a highly discouraging result, in his efforts to be of some use to the larrikin class in London, so as, if possible, to train them to turn into good Christians and good citizens. He found a chief preliminary difficulty in their want of comprehension of the commonest Biblical terms. For instance, in order to impress the cardinal need of repentance, a process utterly incomprehensible to his pupils, he asked, " Have you never seen two men quarrelling, and heard one of them say, "I'll make you repent this ?'" To be sure they had heard that often enough! " Well, what did he mean ?" Two or three answered at once, " I'll punch your 'ead," a translation altogether too free for theological purposes.

What the Old Tuek Looted. —The barbarians who entered Constantinople with the destructive instincts of children, and the art knowledge of ourang-outangs, did their work too well. All that was beautiful was useless or unholy; the Asiatic troops were mad with slaughter and the lust of destruction, and everything, except the great church and a column or two, perished for ever. " Where the Turk's foot is planted, grass never grows again," or civilisation either; and the most precious relics of antiquity perished at the bidding of men who would have pronounced a 'Venus by Praxiteles either a useless or an unholy image, and have lighted cooking fires above a mosaic a thousand years old and worth their evil lives a million times over. Some few things may have been saved from the wreck. The crypts of St Sophia have never been searched by civilised men, and it is quite possible that the 30 guardians ,of the treasury showed the inquisitive infidel, whom they would have liked to cut down, only the less filled rooms of the great storehouse, and kept the most valuable articles unpolluted by his gaze. There must be a secret treasure house as well as the more open one, and in it may be things worth seeing—the plunder of Armenia, for instance; but it is more probable that it contains only a treasure in metals and stones, and nothing which the world would value. There has been in the world's history no besom of destruction for all that is noble in man or splendid in art like a Turkish conquest, which effaces all things save the lowest taxpayer, and makes of him a" slave. — Spectator.

An Adventubess.—A New York writer complains of ttienumber of female swindlers in that city. The latest is the wife of a dead English lord. She gave a couple of sharp old ladies some worthless cheques in payment for her board, and as a natural consequence, brought up in gaol. It would seem that tbis class of adventurers are seldom without friends. A very fine lady went through a dozen hotels here, living at the rate of a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars a week. None but the best apartments suited her, and she rode from place to place, not in an ordinary turnout, but in a private carriage, with coachman and footman in livery, so that everybody thought she was rolling in wealth. At last the calls for the payment of bills became pressing, when all at once the hotel was startled with the announcement that the lady's room had been entered and 10.000 dols worth of diamonds had been stolen. Waiters were called up and examined; chambermaids were overhauled; bell boys were scrutinised; but nothing was found, just in the nick of time a detective dropped in, and gobbled the lady, when a list of her swindles appeared longer than the moral law. Just as matters were coming to a head, a kind-hearted old gent was induced by her daughter to come forward and settled all her bills, and she walked out of court a free woman, although at one time it appeared as if she would land in the •penitentiary. Serio-comic. A most " lamentable comedy/" which casts a curious light on certain characteristics of French life, has, according to the Fyfe Neivs, been recently enacted in one of the suburban cemeteries of Paris. On the occasion of the recent annual visit of the French people to the tombs of the dead, a young widow arrived at the monument erected to the memory of her dead husband, and she prepared to place some fresh flowers and coronals on his grave. Whilsb engaged in this highly meritorious action, she was suddenly surprised to see a young woman of about her own age, and of a very prepossessing appearance, whom she immediately "recognised as one of the playmates of her own and of her husband's infancy, approach the grave and also prepare to bestrew it with winter flowers. The widow ' at once arose to the height of the situation, and indignantly cried, "Oh, you were the woman, were you, that was the cause of all my trouble, and enticed my husband away ? " and she fell upon her rival like an enraged lioness. A desperate tooth and nail encounter raged between them for several minuteß before the tomb, during which the flowers and immortelles which each had brought to deck the grave with were scattered to the four winds of heaven, and trampled beneath their feet. The piercing shrieks of the combatants, as they warmed up to their work, brought the keepers of the cemetery and others to the spot, and the two rivals, who had in the meantime done i a considerable amount of damage to eaeh

other's faces and dresses, were separated with sptne difficulty. They shortly afterwards left the cemetery. A Torpedo on thb Loose.—A torpedo has broken loose from its moorings on the coast of Tripoli, and is now floating about somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. The Government of Tripoli has been guarding the coast with torpedoes in view of the possibility of an Italian invasion. Excellent Example.—The ladies of Melbourne, who recently met for the purpose of setting on foot a movement to present Mrs Moorhouse (wife of the Bishop) with a testimonial, decided to receive subscriptions ranging from Is to jei Is, and further to publish the names of all subscribers, and not the individual amounts.

Duty on leon.—A number of Eussian ironmasters are making great efforts to obtain an increase of the already excessive duties which protect their industry, and the Metallurgical Congress assembled at St Petersburg has resolved by a large majority to propose the absolute prohibition of foreign iron, or an enormous increase in the duty. German War-Ship.—The new German war-ship Oldenburg, which is nearly ready for launching, is a broadside ship with ten lOin guns—five on each side, two above, and three below deck, but the whole five can be concentrated on the same point with sufficient force, it is estimated, to disable even the strongest iron-clad. The displacement of the Oldenburg is 5200 tons, and her engines 3000 horse-power, enabling her to steam 14 English miles an hour.

The Royal Fiddler.—lt is, perhaps, somewhat hard that the Duke of Edinburgh should be chaffed on his fiddling, at a time when, as we learn on high authority, His Royal Bighnesß, while supposed to be carrying on high jinks with a select shooting party at Eastwell,was in reality sitting with ashes on his head and sackcloth on his back, bemoaning the loss of dear old Mrs M'Boskey, his children's Scotch nurse. But I have just come across a story so apropos that I must tell it. It seems that George 111., when Prince of Wales, desired to learn the violin, and engaged a preceptor. After some months of practice he enquired of the maestro what progress he had made. "Sir," said the Italian, "there are three kinds of violin players—those who cannot play at all, those who play badly, and those who play well. Your Royal Highness has arrived at the second stage." The Duke of Edinburgh arrived there years ago: and there he has remained.