TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8123, 21 March 1887, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Waimakaeiri Harbour Board. The vacancy on this Board, caused by the resignation of Mr B. Coup, one of the Government nominees, has been filled up by the appointment of Mr William Fraser. The Fire at the Hinds.— lt appears that the insurance on the hotel building at the Hinds, burned down on Friday, is £llOO, not £3BO, as previously stated, and there is also an insurance of £3OO on the furniture, but in what office has not yet transpired. A Generous Gift. —Mr George Gould, with his usual liberality, has purchased, for presentation to the Museum, the picture of a Maori boy, by Miss Sperrey (priced in the catalogue at £2O), which has been on exhibition in the gallery of the Canterbury Society of Arts during the past three week.

Harvest Thansgivinq. Services in celebration of harvest thanksgiving were held in Durham street Wesleyan Church yesterday morning and evening. The church was very tastefully decorated with a choice display of fruit and flowers, the whole of which it is intended to send to the hospital for the benefit of the patients. The service in the morning was led by the Bev G. Bond, and in the evening by the Eev J. J. Lewis.

A Literary Novelty. —By an advertisement in another column our readers are informed that Mrs Hill, who is here upon a literary mission in the interests of the Morning Post, has, at the special request of a large number of our most influential fellow-citizens, consented to give us some of her personal experiences of European, Asiatic, and Colonial travel. They are to be embodied in a lecture, to be delivered at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday, March 25. The Mayor will preside. The Jubilee. —This subject was referred to as follows, at Friday night’s meeting of the Eangiora Borough Council: —The Mayor referred to the invitations received from Christchurch to take part in the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration, and asked what the Council intended to do in the matter. For his part he would not have anything to do with the commemoration unless it took the form of something beneficial to the public. The Councillors agreed with the Mayor’s sentiments, and it was deemed advisable to remain passive until the Christchurch people’s plans are made known. It was suggested tbat if the proposals are not in accord with the Councillors* wishes, the Jubilee should be commemorated locally by obtaining an artesian water supply and erecting a drinking fountain. The Mayor expressed his willingness to subscribe £5 towards an object of the kind, and the suggestion met with tne approval of the Councillors.

The Ciecus. —There was another very large gathering in the London Circus Compands tent on Saturday afternoon, when a special performance for the amusement of children was given. The performance in the evening was well attended, and was as fully entertaining as any which have preceded it. This evening the Company will perform at Lyttelton, on the reclaimed land near the goods shed. Agricultural Statistics, —We publish to-day a tabulated statement, compiled by ns from the Government returns, of the crops and produce for the agricultural year 1886-1887. The figures relating to the yield of grain will he particularly of value; and the comparison with the three preceding years is of great interest. It would appear from the tables that a greater proportion than was supposed of laud intended for wheat was diverted from that purpose by the wet winter, and also that oats are a much lighter crop than we calculated.

The Ashburton Racing Club. —At a meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club, held on Friday evening, a letter from the Tradesmen's Racing Club was read, suggesting an amalgamation of the two bodies. It was decided to ast the Tradesman's Club to formulate its proposal, and meet the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club on March 25. It was resolved, in reply to a deputation from the Caledonian Society, to grant the use of the course for a sports meeting at a rant of £ls, but if any other than Boxing Day were selected, the rent would be only £lO, as the Club had under consideration the question of holding a summer meeting on Boxing Day. Cantebbubt Bowling Club, —A very pleasant match was begun on the green of the'Canterbury Bowling Club on Saturday afternoon, when the players who had represented the Club at the Dunedin tournament. played the rest of the Club. It was arranged that play should continue for two hours and a half, at three rinks, but owing to the absence of one of the principal representatives, only two played off on Saturday. At one of these the representatives beat their opponents by ten points, the scores being 31 to 21. At the other the representatives got the worst of it, making 23 to their antagonists 26. The total score so far is thus—Representatives, 54; Club, 47, The third rink will probably play early this week.

Theatre Eoyal.—There was a good house at the Theatre on Saturday night to hear another, of the Jubilee Singers' concerts, and the Company can have no canaq to complain of a want of appreciation of their music in Christchurch, tor nearly all the items in the first part of the-pro-gramme had to be repeated. .The best of their.choruses were perhaps “ Steal. Away to Jesus/’ “ Gabriehs■ Call” given* as u an encore to " Oh, Brothers, are you Getting Beady P” MrLoudin, who was hot in very good voice, sang “A Free Lance, am I/' and gave as an encore the “Laughing Song.’’ Several of the items of; the second part of the programme had to-bb repeated, a secular quartette, for male voices, “ Give me me own Native Me,” taking the best; The. Singers perform at the Theatre during the present week. Sheffield Sports.—A meeting of the Sheffield and Waddington Sports Committee was held at Wallace’s Hotel, Sheffield, on Monday last; present—Messrs Graham,;:Wallace, Brown, Cocks, Payne, Davis, Peach, and Hight. It was resolved —“That - as an unusual attendance is expected at . .the sports, the Secretary be requested .to communicate with the railway authorities, and ask that additional carriage accommodation might be put on the train; also, ask if excursion fares would be allowed, and if the Traffic Manager would permit the evening return train to-be delayed an hour.’’ Messrs Brown and'-Cocks reported having interviewed the -Domain Board about the running track. The Secretory was instructed to call' for tenders for the publican’s qjad confectioner’s booths. The ‘advisability of making a small charge for admission to the grounds was discussed, but it was finally agreed not to do so.

Concert at Lekston. —A concert in aid the district school prize fund was given in the Tovm Hall, Leeston, on Friday evening. The programme, which was rather a lengthy one, consisted of glees and recitations by the school children, and songs by some of the local amateurs. The various parts taken by the school children were, on the whole, very creditably done, more especially the recitations, which showed that an amount of training had been carried on, and reflected great credit on the masters engaged in this work. The children were ably assisted by Mesdames Goldsmith, Overton, Misses Cree and Lunn, and Messrs Morris, Overton, Holley and Claridge, who sung some capital songs during the entertainment, at the conclusion of which Mr Barnett, Chairman of the Committee, addressed a few words to those present, and the concert concluded by singing the National Anthem. Fiee at Ashburton. —By a fire which occurred on Saturday night a four-roomed cottage in Cameron street West was destroyed. The fire was observed shortly before eight, and the alarm being instantly sounded both Brigades were promptly on the spot. It was seen at once, however, that the fire had too great a hold on the building for the latter to be saved by any effort of the firemen, who thereupon directed their attention to preventing the flames from spreading to the adjacent houses, belonging to Mr M'Callum. Thanks to the excellent water supply the firemen’s efforts in this direction were successful, and the building in which the fire occurred burned away harmlessly. It was the property of Mr Mullaney, and had been occupied by a tenant until within a few hours of the alarm, the removal having only taken place in the afternoon. The house was insured, but in what office or to what amount had not been ascertained when our telegram was despatched. Cust Hoad Board —The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on March 14; present, all the members.—Correspondence was read:—From the Treasury, advising the payment into the Union Bank of Australia, Bangiora, of £277 8s 9d, being 75 per cent of the subsidy due to the Board under the Local Bodies, Powers and Finance Act.—From the manager of the Bank, acknowledging receipt of the same. —From Mr E. E. Deacon, inviting the Board to attend a meeting to consider what alterations are necessary in the Eoad Boards Act. It was decided that, as Mr Deacon’s letter was received too late, some suggestions as to matters requiring alteration be sent to him.—From Mr W. H. Beere, informing the Board that the gorse fence on the College reserve is overhanging the drain and blocking the water. Notice to be sent to the Eegistrar of the College to trim the fence and stub the gorse growing on the road abutting on the reserve.— From the same, requesting the Board to take the water along the Ashley roadside to the at his gate into the natural course. Mr Beere Sbe informed that no alteration is being ade in the road, but the Board has no objection to his taking the water along the roadside, provided no damage is done to the road. Prom the Trustee in the Murphy estate, stating that he had no objection to the removal of the concrete wall at the upper gravel pit, near Bennetts. From Mr Stringer, advising the Board that the appeal in Mussen and another v. the Board had been abandoned, and the action is consequently at an end, and enclosing his account amounting to £6 13s 2d, less one guinea, cost paid by plaintiff; the account to be paid. The Clerk was instructed to give Mr Tipping notice to remove the willows out of the water course on M'Collough’s road, opposite the new ford. It was decided that the bridge on the main road, near Mr Dimond’s, be widened ; tbat Messrs M'Lachlin and Gallettly retire at the next election. Accounts amounting to £25 2s 6d were passed, and the Board adjourned.

Football.—The first general meeting of the Linwood Football Club was held on Saturday evening at the Royal George Hotel, when the following officers were elected President, Mr A. J. White; Captain, Mr C. Mills; Secretary, Mr T. Marshall; Treasurer, Mr P. Triggs. The subscription for the year was fixed at 2s 6d. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Danil for the use of the room brought the meeting to a close. Fiee in Sydenham, —About five o'clock on Saturday morning a five-roomed house, situated in Lytton street, Sydenham, was burned down. It was an old building, constructed of cob and wood, and was owned by Henry Brewer, and occupied by a labourer named Thomas A. Gobbe. It was insured by Mr Brewer for jfilOO, in the London and Lancashire Office. Mr Qobbe's furniture, most of which was destroyed, was uninsured. He states that, on account of his child being ill, a kerosene lamp had been left burning on a chair by the bedside. Mrs Gobbe, in getting up, accidentally knocked the lamp over. The bed clothes at once were in a blaze. Mr Gobbe ran into the back room to get out three children who were sleeping there, and had only just time to do so before the house was in flames. The railway horn sounded, and the firemen promptly turned out. Nothing could be done, however, to save the cottage, which was detached, so that no other buildings were in danger. A cheap excursion to Little Eiver is advertised for Friday next, when the Little Eiver races will take place. The Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the district will inspect the Christ’s College Cadets at 4.15 p.m. to-day. Children photographed by the instantaneous process. Standish and Freeoe, Studio, 218, High street.— [Advt.l Davies and Lamb, the popular hairdressers and tobacconists, 253, Triangle, High street.—[Anvtr.]

A Foreign Critic on British Uniforms. —An Austrian staff officer of distinction, who has been over here lately, writes to a friend: —“ I have seen nothing to equal the absurdity of the forage-cap of the Household Cavalry and other corps in the British Army. It is a kind of thick cloth disc considerably less than the head, to the side of which it is affixed by a strap under the chin, looking very much like an excrescence on the soldier’s skull, or lik* a mushroom on the stem of a tree stump; and it can neither protect the wearer from rain, heat, cold, nor sunshine. Having how had, a run through the Armies of Europe, I am convinced that for practical grotesque’ absurdity and inutility, the British disc is quite beyond competition. There are some infantry regiments with curious Scotch caps, not unlike our * fpragers,’ but peakless and without flaps, which are less comical, but still useless as head coverings, and quite unsuitable for service, by reason of little strings of ribands which fly about in the wind, and are in no way ornamental.

Tobacco Blindness. —The anti-tobacco people ought to have their attention called to the fapt that “ tobacco blindness ” is becoming quite a common affliction. At present there are several persons being treated for it at one London hospital. It first takes the form of “ colour blindness,” the sufferers who have smoked themselves into this condition being quite unable to distinguish the colour of a piece of red doth held up before them. That is the popular medical test, though there is also a more scientific one. Eventually the victim of tobacco blindness sometimes loses his eyesight altogether. Although smoking is to a large extent the cause of the malady, and so gives it its name, heavy drinking is also partly responsible. Unless the smoking and drinking go together, the “tobacco blindness” is not serious, A proof of this is, that if a doctor has a'case of it in hand, he always insists oh abstinence, when, as a rule, the sufferer gradually regains his sight.—Si James’ Gazette. i t :, - Electric-lighting op Railway Trains. —Among the patents granted by the Attorney-General yesterday (says the Argus of March 2) was one to Mr I. A. Timmis, of Westminster, England, for improvements in the arrangements for electrically lighting railway trains, the object of which is to provide means for the economical and safe distribution and control of the electric current, so that each vehicle that is electrically lighted carries with it sufficient battery power to light the lamps necessary for its own lighting, and when a vehicle so fitted is coupled up to a train ready for running the normal condition of the lighting arrangements is that the lamps are all lighted, or in other words, the circuit is closed. The guard is able to turn on or turn out the lights at will, and in the event of a vehicle becoming disconnected from a train, the act of disconnection will close the circuit, if not already closed. Under each vehicle is a separate battery, and a complete wire electric circuit is made therefrom through the vehicle, all the lamps being placed in circuit and lit when the circuit is closed. Arrangements are provided for switching out any one or any number of lamps. Sharks as Pood. — A correspondent of the Argus, who has been experimenting on young sharks as food, gives his experience in the following terms: —“ Whether boiled or fried I found them equally good. I never tried the head and shoulders portion. This I used simply to cut off and throw away, dividing the fish for this purpose just behind the big back fin. The remaining portion, divided into halfinch cutlets by a single sweep of the knife, .made a capital dish when fried, bat there was yet another and further experience in store for me. It occurred to me to smoke the entire fish after it had been cleaned out and well washed in seawater. So, rigging a fish spear or other stick across the wide throat of a bush chimney, I tied up my young sharks by the tails to the stick (fish say, from 18in to 2ft long), and the ordinary wood smoke from the sheoak firing, together with the heat of the chimney, did the rest. So we had smoking and cooking both complete in one operation. The fish so treated reminded me very much of Pinnon haddock in point of flavour and firmness. It was excellent hot, very good cold, and would beep for a length of time. When before you on the plate the rough, sand-papery skin peeled off readily before the knife, and the cartilaginous backbone (the only appreciable bone in the fish) came away at once.” Russian Espionage. —We (N.Z. Herald ) have received a paper from a gentleman in Auckland bearing a curious mark of the espionage and despotism of the Russian Government. This gentleman has a daughter (born in Australia) who is married to a Pole, and who occasionally resides in Warsaw with her husband’s relations. A friend in London sent to this lady a copy of the Illustrated London News of Dec. 25, which contains some observations on the position and policy of Russia. This article has been blackened over by some Government officer in a hideous, but effective manner. The Russian Government are determined that not even foreign residents shall be able to read any remarks upon the Russian policy. We have procured another copy of the paper, and quote the following sentences, which are the most severe of the article smudged over. Probably the most offensive portion is that personally referring to the Czar: “All oyer Europe there is a vague sense of uneasiness as to the chances of war in the_ near future. Por the existence of this feeling, Russia is chiefly responsible. The relations between Prance and Germany are very unsatisfactory, but no one supposes that either of these Powers would at present be likely to go to war with the other if Russia were in a pacific mood. Unhappily it is_ impossible to say what may be the intentions of the Russian Government. Its decisions depend wholly upon the will of the Czar, and he is the most arbitrary and eccentric potentate who has for many a day ruled over any great European country.”

/ Cadkts - —ft has been decided? (states Broad Arrow ) to alter the age tor appointments of naval cadets. This alteration will not affect the competition in June - next. At the examinations in- November 1887, and June, 1888, the limits of age will be not less than 12* nor more than 14, on. Jan. 15 and July following. At subsequent examinations not less than 13, nor more than 14£ on Jan. 15 and July lowing. No candidate who has been, or may be rejected twice, will be allowed a. third trial. Revised regulations for examination and appointment of cadets will be prepared, and notice will be given when, they are ready for issue.. Judging by Apbeabances. —The Bishopof Newcastle (says a contemparary) has ahabit of riding third class, and of course he meets with all kinds of people, who often. bear away with them kindly remembrancesof his Lordship. On a recent occasion he was riding third class, when there enteredthe compartment a collier of the rough-ond—r ready sort. The collier looked at the Bishop(who had disposed himself to look as nnlike a Church dignitary as possible) and said, " 1 reckon thou’rt a country parson ?” “ I was once/’ said the Bishop, not wishing tomake a perfectly accurate reply, and yet ■ anxious not to disclose his identity toosoon. “ Ah,” remarked the collier in apitying tone, concluding that the one-time-country parson had disgraced his cloth,, and been stripped of his clerical attributes,, “ Drink, I suppose.”