TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8122, 19 March 1887, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

A New Justice.— Mr John Hamilton, of Lyttelton, engineer, was yesterday morning sworn in as a Justice of the Peace by his Honor Mr Justice Johnston. Divorce. —The trial of the divorce suit, Dixon v. Dixon, was yesterday fixed to take place before the Judge alone, at the next sitting of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court. —ln Chambers yesterday morning, his Honor Mr Justice Johnston granted letters of administration re Isaac Bryan, deceased, to Ann Bryan (Mr Salter) ; and probate re John Paterson, deceased, to Thomas Duncan and Andrew Murdock (Mr Cotterill). The S.S. Triumph. —Some enquiry was being made in shipping circles yesterday with regard to the probable whereabouts of the. steamship Triumph, which left the Bluff for London on Jan. 27, and is now fifty days out. The steamer should have called at Rio, but the agents have received no cablegram notifying her arrival at that port. Freemasonry. —On Tuesday evening last, the Lodge of Concord, 1925, E.C., Papanui, held their annual installation of W.M. and investiture of ofacers. Fully 200 brethren were present. The ceremony was performed in a very impressive manner by Bro W. Deamer, Deputy D.G.M. The following is the list of officers : W.M., Bro A. H. Hancock ; S.W., Bro W. DeveniehMearea; J.W., Bro R. Triggs; Treasurer, Bro N. Ellis; Secretary, Bro J. P. Brandon; S.D., Bro J. W. Homer; J.D., Bro S. B. Parker; Organist, Bro C. E. Jennings ; Director of Ceremonies, Bro H. H. Paul; 1.G., Bro A. Johnson ; Tyler, Bro Gr. May. The banquet was held in the Papanui Town Hall, and a very enjoyable evening spent.

Evangelistic Mission. —Mr D tin cam Wright, evangelist, who has been conducting a week’s Mission at the AshburtonPresbyterian Church, has been listened to by large audiences at each service, and onWednesday he held a special service for. females, a,t which a large number attended. This Mission will conclude on Sunday evening. North C anterbury Caledonian Society.—ln addition to the events in the programme of the above Society’s sports atAmberley on Thursday, the President, Mr Myles Campbell, gave a special prize ofJJI for the " Seantreus,” one of the most: graceful of Scottish dances. This was wonby Mr T. M'Kay, whose performance wasloudly applauded. The Volunteers. —Lieutenant-Colonel: Toss will. Commander of the First BattalionCanterbury Bides, has sent in his resignation to the Minister of Defence. It is an,; open secret that "relations have beenstrained” between Colonel Tosswill andthe district authorities for some time past,, and it is understood that herein lies the cause of his resignation. Durham street Wesleyan Church.— A meeting of members of the Durbam street Wesleyan Church was held last ■ night, for the purpose of consideringmatters in connection with the publication* of" the New Zealand Methodist. The Eev J. Berry presided, and it was decided toappoint collectors to solicit subscriptionstowards the funds of the paper. British and Foreign Bible Society.— The Eev Henry T. Eobjohns, 8.A., arrived' overland from the West Coast on Wednesday night, and is advertised to condnct services to-morrow. He is the representative of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He has been a minister in the Old Country, and a writer of some standing, being a contributor to the new Pulpit' Commentary. For some three months hehas been visiting all the auxiliaries and branches of the Bible Society, forming new ones and generally helping and encouraging those engaged in Bible work. Mission Services.—On Thursday Mr andf Mrs Smalley concluded a very successful series of mission services at Temuka. The* services have been held in connection withthe Wesleyan Church, the evangelists having visited Temuka at the invitation of' that body. For the greater convenience of the public, the Volunteer Hall was engaged, for the occasion, and its seating capacity was on several occasions severely tried. The addresses, which were apparently received with considerable favour, wereenlivened by music supplied by the choir oP the Wesleyan Church, and also by severalfriends. On Thursday evening a great Ifemperance meeting was held. Theffemuka Brass Band paraded the streets* mefore the meeting, headed by the Eeve ftmalley and Thomas, and subsequently Iblayed a selection in front of the hall. TheBaeeting was a very spirited one, somejreally good speeches being made. At theConclusion of the meeting close on SO persons, adults and children, took the pledge.

B Entertainment.—A. concert was held* ®u the Lyttelton Oddfellows' Hall on ■Thursday evening, for the benefit of Wames Loader, who met with a serious acciBent some time ago. The concert was ■eld under the auspices of Court Queen# jf the Isles, A.0.P., to which Lodge' ■loader belongs. The programme inSluded songs, &c., given by members of jfeie Christchurch Working Men's ClubWariety Troupe, and all the items on the {programme were well received by the* rory large audience. Songs were contributed by Messrs Ashford, Myers*. Jeant, Cotton, Bncbanan, Hobbs, and Vaster Oakes. Mr Davidson contributed i| recitation, for which he received a ®served encore; a clog-dance by Mr* ifiuott, a sailor’s hornpipe by Mr Carr, jmth of whom were encored, and a comic llcture by Mr Williams, concluded the list part of the evening's entertainment. The second part consisted of afilree. entitled “He Carries a Razor,” in winch parts were taken by Messrs E. ifttton, W. Bowden, B. Hutton, and T. a alanjer. Daring the evening, Mr H. A J|l wright thanked those present on behalf 08 the Committee for their presence, and JH Brno proposed a hearty vote of thanks tolH He gentlemen taking part in the entertain-lH #nt. V BMotheeing Pens fob Lambs.: —Mr P(anil, of Christchurch, has shown ns a jiprking model of an ingenious mothering fin for sheep, which can also be used as aHading pen for cattle. In the lambing Mason, as is well known, a large number or . valuable young lambs are lost, somellfough the unwillingness of the ewes to * aapkle their young, and others through the' djgith of their mothers. The old-fashioned pfifn. of constructing a mothering pen withbaddies is obviously inconvenient, and Mr CHill has overcome the difficulty by constneting a handy pen, on wheels, which', ca with ease be moved by one man to any pjjHt of the paddocks. Ic is sft in length. b||2Et Sin wide, and 3ft high. It is of strong construction, hound with iron at the j(Kits. As will be at once apparent to anyofi acquainted with the aubj’ect, the size of tl% pen is exactly what is wanted to prevent the ewe from being able to injure the lamb. The pen is provided with a moveable spar bottom, by the use of which it istiroped into a convenient feeding rack, and' ca» also be used for conveying provender* * parts of the paddocks. Mr cdml has also made a larger pen, Bft long. bjSßft Gin wide, constructed with a move--, abut bottom on the same principle. This-. is *,ore especially suited for use with caMe. It is fitted with a feeding trough foiMiard food. One of the smaller pens,, complete,' may he inspected at Mr GeorgeEwg's place of business in Cashel street, anafmodels of both have been placed in and Pastoral Association'srodms.

B&tjidism. —The Juvenile Oak of Sydenham Lodge held their meeting on Wed—nelfifey night. One candidate having bell initiated, and some other routinebusiness gone through, the Lodge adjoulned for harmony, during which amuMier of recitations were _ given by HjjrMmnis members in competition for ahandsome book, presented by the Management Committee. Bro Logan, P.A., of theadulb Lodge, presented the book with a few appropriate remarks to Bro H. Prince,, he having been awarded the prize by tho judges. The Management Committee also presented a framed diplomato Bros M'lllroy and Betts, Juvenile P.A/s, for the very satisfactory manner in whichthey had conducted the business of theLodge while in office. Bro Weir, VJL, of' the adult Lodge, made the presentationsPrizes were offered by Bros J. Prince and Brew, P.A/s, of the adult Lodge, to be competed for on some future occasion. The President, Bro Hulbert, having addressed the members as to the necessity of their constant attendance, and of encouraging other boys to join the Lodge, the meeting was closed in the usual form.—Ameeting of tho Eoyal Arch Chapter was held in the Presbyterian Lyttelton, on Thursday, March 17, for the purpose of conferring degrees on the certified officers in the district. The Worthy Chief Bard, Bro P.B. Petrie, occupied thechair, supported by Past District Presidents Bro J. E. Tomlinson and J. Swinnerton. Several officers being in waiting, and after being certified, they were admitted and raised to the several degrees to which their certificates entitled them, the ceremony being very impressively performed by the Worthy Chief and his attendantrBard, after which the Chapter resolved into an open meeting. Several questions of interest to tho Order were discussed,, together with a unanimous resolution — “ That this Chapter recommend that the Lodges in Canterbury express their loyalty on the approaching celebration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee by taking an active portin the festivities.” The Chapter tiers adjourned.

Irrigation. The Ashburton County Council sat at two o’clock yesterday in Committee, and received and discussed an ad interim report on tbe irrigation question. Stack Fires.—By a fire which occurred at Hinds on Tuesday, Mr Colin Campbell lost four stacks of wheat, representing about 8000 bushels. The same day two stacks of oats and two of wheat, the property of Mr Fitzgerald, were destroyed. The same day Mr Adam Jackson had three stacks of wheat burned at Ealing. All the grain in the three fires were more or less The Cibcus.—There was a very fair attendance at the Circus last night, the various feats being gone through in firstclass style, .especially the difficult one of taming a somersault over fixed bayonets. The performance finished with the laughable novelty of circus riding exposed. There will be two performances to-day—a matin&a for children at three o’clock and the usual performance at eight o’clock, which will finish the company’s season in Christchurch.

Canterbury Caledonian Society. The Directors of the Canterbury Caledonian Society have decided to offer two scholarships of the annual value of £2O, tenable for two years, to be competed for by children who have regularly attended a public school nnder tbe North Canterbury Board of Education for six months, prior to April 1. One scholarship (Class B), will be open to children under thirteen years of ago, of Scotch parents, and the •ther (Class C) to children nnder fourteen, of any nationality. Weighing Machine. Yesterday a patent automatic weighing machine was on view in the store of the New Zealand Shipping Company at Lyttelton. The machine is the property of a commercial traveller, and is a most remarkable piece of workmanship, inasmuch as it refuses to register the weight of anything placed upon the table, unless a coin is first pat into the box attached to the machine. This in some way connects with the works, and throws the machine “in gear.” It is patented by Mr Everett, and by Messrs W. and T. Avery, of Birmingham.

Accident. —A gentleman from Tiraam, whilst proceeding to the eports at Geraldine on Thursday, met with a disagreeable accident about half-way between Temuka and Winchester. He was driving in a -buggy engaged from Mr Lukey, of Thnaru, when the horse, from some unexplained reason, took fright at something, and commenced kicking violently. The tplash'hoardwas the first to go, then the shafts, and portion of the harness. Fortunately, the horse did not bolt, and was, after a time, sufficiently pacified as to allow himself to be disengaged from the broken trap, and taken back to Temuka. The buggy was also removed to Temuka later on for repairs. No injury resulted to the occupant. Cansjeebuey Aet Society. —There was -a very large attendance at the Exhibition last evening, when Mrs Westmacott, Misses Spensley, Lavinia Taylor, Pender and Carson, and Messrs Grey and Bead, gave some charming eohgs and a concertina and pianoforte duet. This afternoon, at 8 o'clock, the Art Union will be drawn, and at B.SO there will be a vocal and instrumental concert, and in the evening a special programme has been arranged of vocal and orchestral selections. We are -requested to call tbe attention of purchasers and exhibitors to the advertisement notifying that, on Monday next, the exhibits will be dispersed. As this is the last day of the Exhibition, we would suggest to all those who have not visited it, not to miss the opportunity of doing so.

A Sad Case. —There arrived inTimarn yesterday an old man named Thomas Taylor,- between 60 and 70 years of age, who had been found a few days ago on the Grampians Estate. It appears from what we can learn at present, that Taylor was up the country in the direction of the -estate, looking for work. Ho found none, and wandered abont among the hills, having lost his way. Growing weak for want of food, he sat down, and some time after, on trying to rise, found himself unable to do so, and actually remained there ten days. He was at the point of death when found by a shepherd, and was immediately removed to the homestead, where he was cared for, and as soon as possible brought to Timaru and placed in the hands of the police. Mr Lough was communicated with, and he obtained an order for the poor fellow's admission to the Immigration Barracks, whither he was taken yesterday. Be is still terribly weak, but is m a fair way towards recovery. St Patbick's Day at Leeston. —The commemoration of St Patrick's Bay in the ■Ellesmere district took the shape of a school children's treat and parish picnic, under the auspices of H. A.C. B. S. The gathering was held on the ground of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The weather in the forenoon was anything hut promising. Notwithstanding this fact a large attendance visited the grounds during the day. A lengthy programme of events was gone through, the major part of which was confined to the amusement of the younger folk. Befreshments of an appetising nature were provided by the ladies of the congregation, to which ample justice was done. After the outdoor pastimes had been disposed of, a new surprise awaited the pleasure seekers, in the shape of an impromptu concert, which had been got up in the show shed. Some capital Irish donees were given by Messrs Kilbride, M'Cabe, Bohan and Haughey, and some good songs were rendered by Messrs p. and T. Hally, Leamy, Kilbride, Misses Hally, O’Brien and Milner. The singing of "All Hail St Patrick’s Day” brought the entertainment to a close, after which TWr O'Brien addressed a few words to those present, and thanked all those who bad assisted to make tbe day a success, and the gathering dispersed well pleased with their day’s outing. One Who Knew Infant New Zealand. —Mr Pridham and his secretary, of whom so much has been said by our Otago contemporaries, arrived here on Tuesday evening last and took up their abode at Coker’s Hotel. Mr Pridham will be glad to see there not only bis Oxford contemporaries, but any surviving member of the New Zealand Company, or of the later Godley organisation. Although this is his first visit to New Zealand, Mr Pridham was connected more or less with the development of these islands from the establishment of the New Zealand Company to the death of Mr W. S. Moorhouse, formerly a fellow-student at the Middle Temple. It was Mr Pridham who lifted up his voice against the cession of Akaroa to France, which a weak-kneed Colonial Secretary at one time contemplated; and it was he who prevailed npon the present Earl Grey (then Lord Howick) to cancel the sale of the Chatham Islands to a Hamburgh Colonisation Company, which had already been effected by the New Zealand Company. Having retired from the .Bar in Victoria, Mr Pridham is now here for the purpose of - taking notes historical, political, and statistical —of our post and present condition. Incidentally he will uJao treat of our flora and fauna, our geology and mineralogy, &c., in which departments valuable assistance is promised by Dnuediu experts. His visit should he acceptable to journalists generally, inasmuch as he contributed to Simmond’a Colonial Magazine and the Australasian and Hew Zealand Gazette so early as 1&15, and was appointed to the post of Times’ special correspondent in 1848, only vacating it at the close of hostilities in 1851. Of Mr jPridham'a adventures throughout Europe a record remains in his "Kossuth and Magyar Land,” which was published in 1852. Mr Pridham's more elaborate work. « England's Colonial Empire,” three volumes of which have already appeared, he now seeks to continue.

Telephonic Communication. ment has been set on foot at Ashburton to establish a telephone exchange between that town and Christchurch, and subscribers are being canvassed for. Fire.—The Hinds Hotel, kept by Mr Edwin Oliver, was burnt to the ground yesterday. The fire is supposed to have been caused by sparks from the wasting furnace finding their way through a broken window. Nothing was saved. Ihe building was insured for .*2380 m the Colonial.

The Opeba. —We learn from a Dunedin correspondent that a crowded audience witnessed the first production of “ lolanthe” by the Royal Comic Opera Company last night, the performance being a signal success in every way. The principals were called before the curtain, and the scene representing the palace yard by moonlight excited enthusiastic applause. |j Band Performance. — Yesterday evening, the Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Searell, played in the rotunda, Latimer square. The various pieces vere exceedingly well rendered, and the large crowd which assembled in the square manifested their approval by frequent applause. The new gas lamps with which the Trotunda has recently been fitted were lighted for the first time, and answered admirably. As, however, there was not a breath of wind, there could not be said to have been any test of their capabilities as protectors to the lights. Ashburton Cadets. —Last night the Ashburton Cadets, whose services were recently gazetted as accepted by the Governor, held their first parade. Thirtysix boys were on parade, but the strength of the young corps is considerably over 40, Captain Dolman, Sergeant-Major Hayes, and Sergeant M'Donald took charge of the squad of boys for recruit drill. Major Douglas addressed the lads before they were dismissed, and mentioned that their first Government inspection would take place on Monday, along with the two adult companies. He was very well pleased, both with the boys’ muster, and tbe way they had gone through their preliminaty drill. Jubilee Minstrels. —The Jubilees were again rewarded by a grand house last night, the lower portion of the theatre being packed. Of the earlier parts “In the Bright Mansions” was, perhaps, the best, and it was capitally sung. Mr Boudin's bass song,“ The Old Sexton,” was deservedly encored, and he gave the comical song, “The Lazy Man,” which roused the hearty laughter of the audience. The second selection was a beautiful trio, “Oh, Restless Sea,” sung by Miss Lawrence and Messrs Williams and Loudin. It was loudly encored, and the performers repeated the last verse. In the second half of the programme the part song of “ The Bella " was very cleverly sung, and as an encore the company gave “Jingling Bells,” a merry little part song. Owing to the illness of one of the company, “ I’ve been redeemed” was substituted for “I know that my Redeemer lives.” The selection, “He moves in the middle of the air,” a good example of their peculiar style, was encored, and “ In the Morning” was given in place of a repetition. Another noteworthy example of their singing was the performance of “Wrestling Jacob.” The Jubilee Singers continue their performances daring next week. I.O.G.T.—The usual weekly meeting of tbe Dauntless Lodge, 1.0.G.T., was held on Friday evening, in the Druid’s Hall. There was a fair attendance of members and visitors, and Bro Kenneally, P.C.T., occupied the chair. Bro Parker reported fully on the Temperance Conference held on the previous evening, and was awarded a hearty vote of thanks. Bro T. G. Dyson, of Dunedin, having offered a prize to the member introducing the most candidates during the last quarter, it was duly forwarded to the Lodge. The presentation (a handsome book), was duly handed to Bro. H. Hale, tho successful competitor, and the W.S. was instructed to forward a letter of thanks to Bro Dyson, for the interest he had taken in the Lodge. The Lodge accepted an invitation to pay a fraternal visit to the Sea Shell Lodge, Lyttelton, on Monday evening next. Bros Fisher, Clephane and Kenneally were appointed to represent the Lodge on the Grand Lodge Reception Committee. The Secretary was requested to send a letter to the Rangiora Lodge, thanking them for the reception given the members on their recent visit to that town. A short time was then devoted to the “ good of the Order,” and the Lodge was then closed in due form. A Chapter op Disasters. Our Malvern correspondent writes:—Mr Phillips, of the Racecourse Hill, sustained a severe fall from his bicycle when returning from tbe Kowai Pass Races on March 10. He was picked up in an insensible condition by some men going home in a buggy, who took him to the station and sent for medical assistance. He was found to be severely bruised about the face and head, and suffering from concussion of the brain, bat has now recovered sufficiently to get about again.—While Mr Cocks was busy bottling some aerated water in his factory, at Sheffield, one of the bottles burst. A little girl of his, who was sitting eight or ten yards off, was struck by a flying fragment of glass, which slit tbe upper lip and inflicted a small cut on tbe right nostril of the nose. She was taken to the doctor, who stitched up the lip. The wound is recovering rapidly.—On Friday, as a boy named Yeoman, in the employ of Messrs Judd and Son, bakers, Waddington, wasteturning from his rounds, the horse he was riding tripped and fell, rolling over on the boy’s leg, which sustained a simple fracture below the knee. Mrs Ball, who was passing at the time, picked the boy. up and put him in her buggy, and took him to Waddington, where the leg was set. The horse is also injured, and will for some time be unfit for work. West Etreton Road Foard. —A meeting of this Board was held on Monday evening; present—Messrs Addinell (Chairman), Horrell, Smith, Sheat, and Waiting. The outward correspondence was read and approved. The Surveyor’s report was read and adopted. Letters were read from the Town Clerk, Christchurch, stating that the first meeting of the Queen’s JubUee Committee would be held on Wednesday, at 7.30 p.m., at the Provincial Council Chambers. The Clerk was directed to write in reply that owing to the distance from Christchurch it would be very inconvenient for the members of this Board to act on the Committee. Prom the PaymasterGeneral, advising payment of £134 14s lid to tbe credit of the Board at tbe Union Bank of Australia, Rangiora, being 75 per cent of rate struck for 1886 ' and 1887. Mr Bailey requested the Board to allow him to make a ford across the South Eyre road, so as to take the water-race on to bis land. Granted, on condition of the ford being put in paved with large stones 16ft wide and 40ft long, and covered with shingle Sin thick in line with the centre of the road. Mr Waiting proposed, and Mr Sheat seconded—“ That in future the Board make all fords applied for for water-races at the cost of those applying for them, and that those already applied for must be done to the satisfaction of the Board at once, or the Board will do the work and recover the cost from those who have neglected to put in proper fords.” The Chairman was instructed to re-deposit .£2OOO for twelve months. Resolved—'‘That all rates not paid on April 11 be sued for without further notice.” The Clerk stated the new dog collars were now ready for registration of dogs. 'the annual meeting of the Christchurch Football Club will be held at tho Commeroi.il Hotel atß p m. to-Aay# On Friday an excursion train will run to Little Elver, thus affording' Christchurch and other citizens an opportunity of being present at the Little River races or otherwise of spending a holiday. Tbe train will leave Christchurch at 9.15 and arrive here at 8.10. p.m. Tickets can he bought in advance at tbe railway station and during the afternoon of Thursday at the Cathedral square office.

The annual mooting of the North Canterbury Football Olnb will take place on Tuesday evening at the Junction Hotel, Rangiora. , The match arranged between the Christ's College Biflea and the Sydenham Rifles will take place th'S afternoon, the weather being too thick to fire last Wednesday morning. The following will represent theC.O.E.V.: —Lieutenant Hellish, Sergeant-Major Hanmer, Sergeants Smith and Stow, Corporal Greenstreet, Privates K. and B, Blakiston, Hoa* kyns, Robison, and Bngler Blakiston; emergency— Privates W. Cox and Leveredge. A van will leave the square at 1.30 p.m. sharp. To Singers and Speakers.—Those with weak throats, tainted breath, unhealthy oral surfaces, should always carry wii h them the •* Wyeth " compressed Chlorate of Potash Tablets. These tablets dissolve slowly in tbe month and restore its healthfulness at once. Singers and public speakers will find them invaluable. Full directions with each bottle.—[Advt.J Blandish and Preeco's Photographs are the most popular. See specimens everywhere.— [A DVT.] Davies and Lamb, the popular hairdressers and tobacconists, 253, Triangle, High street—[Advt.]