TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8149, 21 April 1887, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Stanmoee Electorate. —Mr D. Reese addressed the electors of Stan more last night, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence, at the East Belt Oddfellows’ Hall. Buffaloes. —On Monday night the usual meeting of the Lodge of Buffaloes was held, several members of sister lodges in Australia being present. It was decided by the Lodge to inform the Jubilee Committee that the members would join in the procession. Cadet Corps.—A form of application to the Government, to be signed by those lads who are desirous of becoming members of the Christchurch Queen's Cadet Corps has been lying at the place of business of His Worship the Mayor for the past two days, and has already received some forty signatures. The Sydenham Band. —The members of this band played a number of items last Friday evening for the amusement of the residents of Park road, Addington, which were much appreciated by those present. It is a pleasure to mark the progress this band is making under Bandmaster M'Lean, and the residents wish them every success. Evangelistic Missions. —Mr Duncan Wright, evangelist, from Otago, is now visiting Southbridge. On Sunday morning he commenced a special mission in the Presbyterian Church. His animated and earnest style of address secures the interest of the large congregations that attend the services. Mr Wright has a clear Gospel ring in his preaching, and makes his meaning plain to the dullest hearer. In addition to being a fluent, pleasing speaker, he possesses eminent musical talents, and often illustrates his discourse by singing some suitable hymn. The mission continues here this week, and then Mr Wright goes on to Kaiapoi, and afterwards to Christchurch. A Monster Pumpkin. —The "pumpkin season ” has commenced, that season during which enthusiastic gardeners rush to newspaper oflices with glowing descriptions of the size and weight of the gourds of various kinds they have succeeded in producing. Very frequently these are not by any means “ out of the common,” being more wonderful in their growers’ eyes than in those of anybody else. It is seldom, however, that the gardeners in question succeed in growing such a monster as that exhibited yesterday in the shop of Mr Young, and grown by Mr C. Parker. This, which is of the ironbark variety, weighs no less than 159i1b, and is about six feet in circumference. 1

Swamp Hens. Notwithstanding the fact that swamp hens have been protected by Government for this season, these birds are still slaughtered ruthlessly, as the number brought into town testifies. It is to be feared that the object of protecting the birds will not be attained this season at all events.

Concert. The smote concert with which the officers of the First Canterbury Battalion purpose to celebrate their return from the Easter encampment, will take place on Friday evening in Warner’s Assembly Rooms, instead of at the Christ’s College Rifles’ Orderly Room, as at first intended. Invitations have been issued to the staff and the officers of the headquarters’ corps. Leeston Wesleyan Church. —A special harvest thanksgiving was held in the Leeston Wesleyan Church on Sunday last. The church, which had been most tastefully decorated, presented a pretty appearance. The Rev C. H. Standage conducted the service, and took his text from Acts iv, 19 v, from which he delivered an impressive address. Miss Barnett presided at the organ, and the choir, under the leadership of Mr D. Wills, considerably helped to make the service an attractive one. Christ’s College Gymnasium. —The boys attending the Gymnasium, at Christ’s College, are now taking part in a competition in certain of the exercises, and we have been requested to state that parents and friends interested are invited to be present in the gallery. The hours are from 12 to 2 and from 4 to 6, except on Tuesday next, when they will be from 2to 4. On this day the more advanced boys only in each class will compete, and the exercises will be of a more difficult character. Narrow Escape. About two o’clock yesterday afternoon, Mr Richard Stevens’ store and dwelling house, St Asaph street, Linwood, had a very narrow escape from destruction by fire. His son, a little boy five years of age, got hold of a box of matches and went to play with them behind a stack of straw, which he soon managed to set on fire. His cries of fright on seeing the flames alarmed the neighbours, who, after considerable trouble, put the fire out. If it had not been for their promptitude, Mr Stevens’ premises would probably have been destroyed. A stable, containing a large stock of chaff, which was uninsured, stood close to the burning stack. Had the buildings caught alight, it would have been impossible to have saved them, as there is no water supply in the neighbourhoodProtection Association. —The weekly meeting of this Association was well attended. Mr Douglas presided, and a large amount of routine business was transacted. The following resolution was unanimously carried:—“ That it be recommended to the Government that they follow in the lines of the Victorian policy of Protection.” It was also agreed to forward the above resolution to kindred Associations throughout the Colony for the purpose of drawing public attention to a series of free discussions upon Protection and Freetrade; also to circulate a number of handbills throughout the workshops and elsewhere notifying the evenings for discussion. Mr Wheeler kindly consented to open the next debate with a short essay, and a large meeting is anticipated. It was decided to ask Mr Bracken to address a Christchurch audience. Christchurch Hounds. —The first meet of the season of the Christchurch harriers in the Ellesmere district took place at Leeston on Tuesday last. The hounds, which arrived by the early train, were accompanied by several Christchurch sportsmen, besides the popular Master, Mr Kimbell. The throw off took place at Mr W. D. Lawrence’s farm, Ravensworth, at which there was a large field, including several ladies. Amongst those present we noticed Misses Coe, Washbourne, Mrs C. Prankish, Hon E. Parkef, Rev E. Whitehouse, Messrs Woodman, C. Prankish, George Gould, junr., Avigdor, Randall, Washbourne, Mathias and others. The weather, which has been rather dry lately, prevented any very long runs, the scent lying very badly; nevertheless, the huntsmen had two kills, the pace during both runs being fast and furious. Altogether, a most enjoyable day was spent, the harriers returning to Christchurch by the evening train. A.U.F. —The usual meeting of Court Star of Canterbury, No. 2309, A.0.F., was held on Monday evening, at the Foresters’ Hall, Oxford terrace, when a considerable number of members attended. The C.E., Bro Tanner, occupied the chair, and was supported by Bros Wade, Hudson; and Hobbs, P.C.R.’e, and a number of past officers of the Court and District. The condition of the sick was favourably reported on by the Woodwards, and it was stated that in two necessitous cases the officers had, with the sanction of the Court, made grants of £5 to each. Some debate followed, and, at length, Bro W, Hobbs, P.C.R., moved—“ That all cases of a similar nature should, in future, be dealt with by the Managing Committee.” This was seconded by Bro Eushbridge, and supported by Bros Gapes and Bath. The latter complimented the M.C. as forming the most efficient Committee that had ever guided the destinies of the Court. The motion was unanimously carried. The Court Treasurer stated that on the previous meeting night the sum of £225 had been paid into the funds, the argest amount ever paid at a single meeting of the Court. The report of the late district meeting was laid on the table by the District Secretary, and it was stated that during the last ten years the district had paid in funeral claims over £IOOO, the average annual burden of which to every Forester in Canterbury only amounted to 3s sd. A candidate having been approved of the meeting for membership, and another initiated into the Order, the Court was closed in due form. Presentation to Mb Hamersley.— Mr A. St Q, Hamersley, of Timaru, who has, for a number of years been a prominent figure in Canterbury in legal,.volunteering and sporting circles, took his departure for the Old Country, accompanied by Mrs Hamersley, on Wednesday last. Previous to bis departure a number of his friends gave him a farewell entertainment in the shape of a luncheon at Mr D. M‘Guinness’ Club Hotel, Timaru. The chair was taken by Captain Woollcombe, Dr M'lntyre being vice-Chairman. Captain Woollcombe (after “The Queen” had been duly honoured), in proposing Mr Hamersley’s health, pointed out that those present bad met together not only regretfully to bid him farewell, but also to show their appreciation of his efforts, from the time of his arrival in the Colony, to make the various undertakings with which he associated himself—from footboll to volunteeringsuccessful. By this he had rendered good service to the Colony in encouraging the youths now growing np to engage in manly sports, a most desirable thing in a youngs country. The toast was most heartily received. In responding, Mr Hamersley said that from boyhood he had been accustomed to old English sports, and he thought the best service be could render to the Colony he had settled in was to encourage the young idea to engage in the same pursuits. He trusted that if he returned to New Zealand he should settle down in a district like Canterbury, which he looked upon as the most sporting in the Colony, and where he had always met with the greatest hospitality and kindness. Dr M'lntyre, in the most eloquent terms, then proposed the health of Mrs Hamersley, referring to her readiness on all occasions to second her husband’s efforts to promote the social welfare of the district. This toast was most enthusiastically received, and Mr Hamersley replied with evident appreciation of Dr M'lntyre’s remarks. Other toasts followed, and the company dispersed with many wishes that Mr and Mrs Hamersley would enjoy their trip.

Police Court. —There was a clean sheet at the Police Court yesterday morning. Little River Rifle Club —A meeting was held at Little River, in the Library, on Tuesday evening last, for the purpose of forming a Rifle Club. There was a good number present, and Mr W. H. Broderick occupied the chair. It was resolved “ That a Club be formed, to be called the Little River Rifle Club; the entrance fee to be 10s, and the annual subscription 10s.” A Committee, consisting of Messrs Broderick, H. White, T. Quealy, S. Harris, and John Coop, was appointed to canvass for members and subscriptions; to report at a meeting to be held on April 23. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. Timaeu Harbour Board. —At the ordinary meeting yesterday, Mr Platman complained of a letter from Mr Turner to the Board having been published in the Lyttelton Times and Timaru Herald on Feb. 23. The Board ordered its thanks to be conveyed to Mr John OUivier for his services as auditor during the last ten years. The Board granted the Captain of the Naval Artillery permission to erect davits on the wharf for the Corps cutter. A Committee was appointed to enquire into the cause of the damage to the barque Norman M'Leod. The several reports were read and adopted. The salary of the Engineer was increased by i>loo per annum. After transacting some routine business, the Board adjourned. The adjourned meeting of the residents of Oxford, to consider the most suitatla way of commemorating Her Majesty’s Jubilee, will bo held at the Road Board office, at 7,!i0, on April 27. A bazaar, in aid of the Manse fand of the Presby. terian church, Kangiora, will bo given on A prll 2G. The Master of the Orphanage begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of £l. from the Ponndkeeper and Banger of Sumner, in aid of the Orphanage I ibrary fund. T'ho Master of the Armagh street Depot begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of vegetables from Messrs Johnstone and Bond, of Christchurch, fruit and vegetables from the Ves’ry of New Brighton Church, rabbits and fish from Mr Warne, fishmonger, &0., Christchurch, and a parcel of clothing from a friend for the use of the inmates of the Depot. The Fat and the Lean. —lt is generally supposed that fat people have much more blood thau others. On the contrary, they have less. The blood they have, moreover, is really poor, while the fat fills the space which is required even for the circulation of that. Fat people have, then, less vital energy than the thin, not possessing sufficient blood to bring every organ up to its full working power, and the fat hindering what blood there is from flowing freely enough to the organs, especially at the moment of action requiring it. Besides all this, the fat obstructs the play of the lungs, so that sufficient air cannot be inhaled to purify the blood; the natural and necessary combustion is thus so interfered with that the functions of the body are hindered. It follows that too much exertion should always be guarded against in people of large and fatty development, and too much should never be expected of them. —San Francisco Argonaut. The Approaching American Exhibition.—Work on the buildings of the American Exhibition of the Arts, Industries, Manufactures, and Products of the United States.to be opened on May 2 at Earl’s Court, Kensington, is progressing very rapidly. Over 400 men are now at work on the grounds, and when the electric light plant, for which a 600 horse-power engine and boiler are being put in place, is completed, night work will be begun. The managers report that the applications for space in the building far exceed its capacity, and from these space has been allotted only to the very best class of exhibits. The display of agricultural implements will be particularly complete and interesting, and a large number of exhibits of machinery in motion will be seen. Not the least interesting of these will be the manufacture of machine-made watches and clocks, for which the United States is justly famous. Several large American railroads will also make exhibits, illustrative of the agricultural and mineral products of the territory through which their lines run. Another (feature will be American lagerbeer, in the manufacture and consumption of which the Yankees claim to surpass even the “ Yaterland.”