TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXV, Issue 7864, 20 May 1886, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Temperance Mission. —Sir William Fox and Mr T. W. Glover will arrive in Christchurch on Saturday next. May 22, and will hold a series of meetings in the city and suburbs during the following week. These meetings will be addressed by Sir W. Fox and Mr Glover in connection with the New Zealand Alliance. Eiccarton Choral Society. —The above Society will perform Handel's oratorio, “Judas Maccabeus," on Friday evening next. May 21. The Society has been working very hard rehearsing, so that, with the assistance promised them by some wellknown amateurs, a very good rendering of the oratorio should be given. The London Wool Market, according to private telegrams, is in a healthy condition, and several clips which were withdrawn from last sales have been sold privately at enhanced values. We trust the improved tone will continue, as the next series of sales will include a very large proportion of New Zealand wool.

Presentation or the Prize Essay Medal. —Last evening Mr George Hart was formally presented, by the President of the Industrial Association, with the silver medal awarded him for his essay on the industries of the Colony. There was a large attendance of ladies and gentlemen, and many complimentary speeches were made on the excellence of Mr Hart’s paper. Electricity and its Applications.— The interesting course of lectures which Professor Bickerton is giving upon this subject is evidently appreciated by the public, as each succeeding lecture is attended by an increased audience. The attendance last evening numbered nearly 150. “ Static,” or what is better known as “ frictional ” electricity, was the subject of the lecture. All those who have any acouaintance with the subject know that in*order to make clear the principles of frictional electricity numerous experiments are necessary in which the apparatus must be perfectly dry. The Professor laboured under great disadvantages, as the Lecture Theatre of' Canterbury College has not been proof against the recent storm, the effects of which are visible in the dampness of a large portion of the walls and floor close to the lecturer’s desk. -The air was consequently charged with moisture, but notwithstanding this, owing to the precautions taken, the experiments were, for the most part, very successful. With their aid Professor Bickerton explained the principles of the science very clearly, and was listened to with great attention throughout. The lecture next Wednesday will be on ,r Dynamic Electricity.” Narrow Escape of the ■Parliament House. —A Press Association telegram from Wellington conveys a somewhat startling report as follows : —“ Information has just leaked out that the Parliament Buildings had a narrow escape from destruction by fire on Saturday night. A few minutes before seven on that evening, the messenger on duty at the Speaker’s private apartments had occasion to enter Sir Maurice O’Korbe’s sitting-room, when he discovered the wooden mantelpiece to be on fire. He immediately called for assistance, and had one of the hose reels kept on the premises run out, and the fire was extinguished before any serious amount of damage was done. Had the fire not been discovered at the moment it was, the probability is that the whole building would have been destroyed, including the valuable library, as within five minutes after that time it is usual, on Saturday nights, for the Speaker’s apartments to be locked up. Considering the severity of the gale that was blowing, the terrible results that would have followed are apparent, had the fire not been discovered in its incipient stage, as the flames could easily have passed up the adjoining staircase and spread through the whole building. An examination has since been made, which shows that the fire originated through defective workmanship. Only half an inch of plaster divided the woodwork from the flames passing up the chimney. Boarding that the flames had not touched showed signs of having been charred by fire on previous occasions

Ambulance ' Association. The good work undertaken here by the St John Ambulance Association does not show any sign of flagging, as the classes this year are attended by large numbers of students, who evince the greatest interest in the' work. At the lecture to ladies, given by Dr Moorhouse, in the Provincial Council Chamber yesterday afternoon, 47 ladies were present. Gathering to Welcome a Minister.— A social gathering of the parishioners of St John the Baptist is to be held in the parish schoolroom on May 26, to welcome the Rev H. C. M, Watson, who is expected to return from England in the s.s. Kaikoura very shortly. A band has been engaged for the occasion. Should the steamer by any chance not arrive in time, the date will be altered. Rabbit Pest. —News has been received by the New Zealand Woolgrowers' Association that Mr J, D. Lance, M.H.R.,

obtained a Committee of both Houses to enquire into the best means of eradicating the rabbits. At a recent meeting at Lawrence resolutions advocating the purchase by the Government of rabbit skins, the occupation of all reserves and unoccupied Crown Lands, and placing the administration of the Rabbit Act under control of local bodies, were passed.

Theatre Royal. Messrs Leon and Cushman's Minstrels will open a season ia> the Theatre Royal this evening. The troupe have won a high reputation elsewhere as purveyors of amusement, and the entertainment is one [of a most sparkling and laughable character, Mr Leon's character sketches are said to be unique. The Otago Daily Times says of the performance :— *' Those who like their amusement light and effervescent cannot fail to be pleased with the Leon and Cushman Minstrels." Temperance Lecture.— The first of a series of Temperance lectures was given in the Prebbleton Town Hall on Monday, May 17, by the Eev W. Keall, of Sydenham. The chair was taken by Mr J. N. Tosswill. The lecturer was received very heartily, and gave a very instructive and amusing address, which elicited great applause. The telling incidents related during the lecture had the effect of enrolling 16 on the Temperance hooks. A vote of thanks was given to the Eev Mr Keall for his able address.

St Leon’s Circus. —St Leon’s Circus was crowded last night, when the audience was treated to a new programme, the most sensational act of which was performed by Scho, who threw a somersault over the fixed bayonets of four files of Volunteers, the latter firing a volley at the time. The other items of the programme were rendered with the usual skill and grace of the members of the company, and were greeted with every mark of approbation by the audience. Another performance will be given at the circus to-night. This evening the wonderful feat of throwing somersaults over twelve fixed bayonets will be repeated for the last time. Scottish Eiples’ Concert. —The lovers of Scottish music will have, a treat tonight at the Oddfellows’ Hall, judging from the advertised programme of the concert to be given there in aid of the funds of the Canterbury Scottish Eifles. Among the ladies and gentlemen who are to take part in the performance are Miss Pairhurst, who has given up a holiday in order to be present, Mrs Hodge, Misses Currie and Innes, Messrs Piischel, Lindsay, Forbes, Lieutenant Anderson, and Mr J. Mac Lean Dunn, whose Scotch comic songs are so well known and appreciated. Several members of the corps will display their skill in their National dances, the music for which will be furnished by Piper Campbell. The well-wishers of the corps, and of Volunteering generally, should muster in strong force at the Oddfellows’ Hall to-night. South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. —An ordinary meeting of this Board was held last evening. After the usual charitable aid business had been gone through, and the Hospital’ accounts ' (.£156 4s 9d) and charitable aid accounts (.£6B 9s 8d) passed for payment, the Chairman stated that the estimates of the Board for the ensuing year had been forwarded to the Government, and he had received a telegram from the Colonial Secretary, stating that he does not see that the Act requires that the estimates should be approved by the Government ; and from the Premier stating that the Government would pay the Board the subsidies that the Act allows. It was then resolved that the architect be instructed to prepare working plans and specifications for alterations and additions to the Timaru Hospital buildings, as per sketch plan adopted by the Board, and submit the same at the next ordinary meeting of the Board. A discussion took place on the proposed district that is to be under the jurisdiction of the Waimate Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and it was resolved—“ That this Board understanding that a petition will be presented to Parliament during the present session to have the Waimate district declared a separate hospital district, and that it is proposed that the northern boundary of that district shall be the Pareora river, this Board desires to point out that such boundary would be most unfair to the Timaru district, and would request that, in the event of a separate district being formed, that either the Otaio or Makikihi rivers be the boundary.” Mr Clark’s notice of motion—“ That this Board hand over to the Waimate trustees the dispensing of .charitable aid in their respective districts,” then came on for discussion, and was lost, and the Board then rose. New Zealand Protection Association. —A special general meeting of the above Association was held in their rooms on Tuesday evening. May 18. There was a good attendance of members, and a good deal of.business was transacted and correspondence read. The President, in addressing the meeting, said that it must be gratifying to all that a Syndicate had taken up the contract to construct the East and West Coast and Nelson Eailway, and had paid the deposit of .£SOOO. He felt the railway would be the means of creating work for thousands of people, and distributing money throughout the Colony, and would soon bring about prosperous times. The President also congratulated the Association on the progress Protection was making throughout the Colony, and urged them to continue their efforts until their objects were gained, which, in his opinion, would benefit all classes of the community. He then referred to an article in the Press , of May 10, dealing with the riots and labour question in America, and stated that he had written a letter to the Press in reply to this article, which had not been published, pointing out that the riots and disturbances in the United States had nothing whatever to do with Protection. Most of the strikes had been on railways, and to bring about the eight hours’ system, and the workmen had been upset by the influx of Socialism from other countries. That low or starvation wages was the cause, as the Press states, is not correct. News by the last mail states that in New Haven, Con., there had been a strike amongst the carriage makers (which is an average of other mechanical trades), when the mechanics were receiving from 10s to 20s per day, and helpers from 7s to 10s per day. This, he thought, did away with th* idea that it was either low wages or Protection, which had caused the riots and disturbances amongst the workmen of the United States. The meeting then took up the question of finance, and came to a satisfactory arrangement. The Secretary read a portion of a pamphlet, entitled “ Protection to Colonial Industries,” by Mr Thomas Hogarth, of Tasmania, which was received with the greatest satisfaction. It being too late to discuss it, it was decided to have the remainder of the pamphlet read at next Tuesday’s meeting, after which a discussion will be invited.,

Ashburton Hunt Club. —A meeting of the Ashburton Hunt' Club came off on Tuesday evening. The meets for the month ,of June were fixed, and arrangements were made for a concert and ball. ... Hakateee Town Boaed Election.— For the election of a Town Board for Hakatere (Ashburton), the following gentlemen have been nominated; Messrs G. WAndrews, J. Caldicott, P, Fawcett, F. T ■ Mayo. B. Hughes, W. W. White, and B. Carter. The election takes place on May 29.

Loss bt Floods, —lt has been currently reported in the city this week that the loss by the floods at Cashmere was extremely heavy, and that the sheep there had been drowned by hundreds. The fact is that twenty long-woolled rams were drowned; and the value of these may be estimated when we state that the manager of the estate was about to kill 5 Acknowledgment.— ilV iMayor wishes to acknowledge the receipt $f -25 from the Rev Father Ginaty, £2 2s from Mr T. S. Weston, and £1 Is from frr H. J. Ross towards the fund for the rklief of the sufferers by the recent floods. % Worship has received several additional applications from persons wishing fol relief, most of whom wanted bedding ad coals. named William Henry Ashby escaped from the Sunnyside Asylum, and has not since been heard of. He is described as being twenty-seven years of age, sft 7in high, medium build, light brown hair and beard, which is very thin, and short; two teeth are missing out of the front of his lower jaw, and his left eyelid hangs down. He was dressed in a dark suit, and a soft black felt hat.

The Collapsing Wall at Timaru.— The damage to Messrs Jonas and Bourn's auction rooms in Timaru is greater than was at first thought, as the floor of that part of the building over the wool and tallow store gave way, and the sacks of grain that were stored there, in falling, struck the partition wall between the wool and tallow store and the furniture auction room, part of which wall gave way, the bricks falling into the room. Messrs Jonas mid Bourn estimate that the cost of repairing the damage will be £2OO. The election Committee of Mr J. L. Scott are Invited to meet him at the Club Hotel, Sydenham, this evening, at 8 o'clock. The Blue Ribbon Ooapel Temperance Union -will hold their annnal meeting in the .Hall of the Y.M.C.A., on Friday, May 21, at 7.30 p.m. A lecture will be given by the Rev J. Berry in the St Albans Wesleyan schoolroom, this evening, at 7.30. B

Attention is drawn to several alterations in the railway time-table tor Monday next, May 24. ■ A grand popular bazaar and winter garden, under the auspices of the Baptist Church, will be held in the large Hall, Tuam street, commencing on June

In future the meetings of the Malvern Bead Board will he held on the last Thursday in each month, at 2 p.m., instead of the first Friday, as hitherto.

The C Company Christchurch Bifle Volunteers will parade this evening, at the Drillshed, at 7 p.m.

A public meeting of the Tai Tapn Bead (Board will be held in the schoolroom, Tai Tapu, on Tuesday, May 25, at7.3opm. The following will play for the East Christchurch School F.C. against Colombo Boad School F.C. on Friday, at 2.30 p.m,F. Ward, F. Marshal’, H. Marshall, 1. Armitage, J. Izett (Captain), W. Boon, E. Forbes, J. Lambert, W. Styche, C. Haydon, G. Williams, T. Brown, A. Gatherer, J. Wallace, B. H'Claren; emergencies—J. Thomson, J. M'Bae, J. Blanket.

A Queee Stoet. —An extraordinary story comes from Dublin. Persons inquiring into the distress of the country, give notice, of course, of their visits ,to the various districts. In several places this notice has had a wonderful effect in “producing" misery. On the day commissioners were expected in one parish every cow was driven to the mountains, women and children took to their beds, pretending sickness; wads of straw were substituted for cabin windows; doors were broken off, and dirty old bags took the place of ordinary bed-clothing.

Cremation. Mrs Mortimer Collins, widow of the most musical of the minor poets, was cremated at Woking recently. It may seem a little hard to allude in specific terms to death, that tragedy which is so common-place, which must so absolutely be felt by us all, and which sooner or later will close its-dark curtains about us. At the same time, however, sensible people should look facts, even the grimmest, in the face. Cremation is sensible, and it r os scientific; it is a method of interment which gives back to Nature Nature’s with the least trouble, and in the mdfefe satisfactory manner. Besides that, t|o,| it is a fashion of funeral honoured ipVJ antiquity. | | A Public Headsman. —In W the late hangman of Vienna, the natfire3| of that ■ effervescent' city must have dostl what is called a "type.’’ He shuffle^o£f| this mortal coil in consequence of a #ore| throat, contracted while in the execU»ion : - of a subsidiary profession. That is toj*ay, : he was dog-catching at the time, for fflich i was his unofficial calling. He was tithe Schinder (High German “ Wassendfeister ”), the man who with gaff and cast%et captures all suspicious-looking curs, &d such as have no license medal at .their necks, and pops them howling into a capT But though an adept at this business, he took scant pride in it; his whole power_:fef being proud was bestowed on his official calling. “I am a State functionary with a fixed salary and a royalty on heads besides; my post is an ancient and responsible one,” he would say over the wine of which he drank deeply to anyone who ventured to sneer at him ; " and, if you do your business as neatly and conscientiously as I do mine, then I don’t mind shaking hands with you.” It was a terrible hand he would hold out, preternaturally broad and long, and the whole man as he stood would have delighted the heart of a Harrison Ainsworth for a model. The " Scharfrichter” was squat of figure, though enormously broad; his head was very large and very bald, with a lipless month, like a long slit, and tiny winking eyes. His strength was colossal, and his temper short, so that it was a saying among those who cultivated, his society that to get into his hands off the scaffold was almost as bad as being his patient under the beam. Decapitation has for some years been out of fashion hi Austria—though it does not take much to- make a Viennese "lose his head”!—but still the doublehanded “ Staats-Sohwert” is the visible emblem of the executioner. It weighs 401 b and is 4ft long; the blade is of Spanish steel and an inch thick in the’ middle, but the edge is as sharp as the tongue of slander. This grim engine of the law was Willenbacher’s pet lamb; he kept it in a high state of polish, and it hung over his bed. " There was room for talent in those days,” he would say with a sigh; "but now it is poor work. Rope, rope, nothing but rope! What’s hanging indeed!” and he would shrug his shoulders contemptuously. Certainly in Master Willenbacher, “ the old man with the scythe ” has mowed down one of his ablest lieutenants. His son succeeds him.