TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8302, 17 October 1887, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Cable Interruption.—lnformation has been received, stating that the Port Darwin line is interrupted north of Barrow Creek. Christ’s College Sports.—Tho following additional handicaps for the Old Boys’ Race have keen declared :—A. Templar, 3yds ; E. J. Gotterill, 12yds; G. Templar, 12yds; G. Helmore, 12yds; G. Harris, 13yds j C. M. TurreU, 13yds ; J. Delamaiu, 14yds.

Sydenham Mayoralty. —Mr W. Langdown, in compliance with the request of a number of ratepayers of Sydenham, has consented to become a candidate for the position of Mayor of the Borough. Accident. —About II o’clock on Saturday morning a hansom going along Manchester street south broke down through the wheel catching in the tram line, and causing the axle to snap. It was driven by a man named Bristol, who escaped without injury. The Christchurch Cadets. —The uniforms for No. 3 Company will be distributed at the Drillshed on Tuesday evening next, at six o’clock. The Ladies’ Committee for the bazaar in aid of the uniform fund will meet at the City Council Chambers at 3 p.m. on the same day. Dauntless Lodge, 1.0.G.T. The Dauntless Lodge, 1.0.G.T., met as usual on Friday evening in the Druids’ Hall, and was well attended. One candidate was initiated and several proposed for membership, after which the Second Degree was conferred upon ten candidates, and the Third Degree upon five. The Weather. —The weather on Saturday was very cold and bleak, with occasional gleams of sunshine. Yesterday, during most of the day, there was a hot north-wester with bright sunshine, but in the afternoon and evening the wind went round to the south-west, and there were several heavy showers. “ The Schemer.” —Mr E. F. Barnett’s original drama “The Schemer” was repeated at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, when the audience called the author before the curtain several times, and appeared to be as well satisfied as on the previous evening. The amateurs, it should be said, had not made the most of the interval between the two performances to perfect themselves in their business, for there were several very trying “ stage to lets ” scarcely excusable in a second public representation. Sale op Privileges. —The privileges of the Ellesmere. Show to be held on Nov. 1 were sold at Leeston on Friday last by Messrs Matson and Co., and realised satisfactory prices. The publican’s booth fell to Mr Britton, Southbridge, for £3 ; the refreshment booth to Mr Robinson, Christchurch, for £5 10s; and the confectioner’s booth to Mr Koester, Christchurch, for £7. The prize list this year is exceptionally large, over .£IOO being offered in special prizes, and should the weather be favourable, a large gathering is anticipated.

Kaiapoi Improvements. —ln addition to the very great improvements to the neighbourhood of the well known ** Kaikainui Corner,” caused by the erection of Burnip’a new saleyards, farmers and others will be glad to notice that the venerable range of stabling has been put into thorough repair. It might be as well to call the attention of the authorities to the dangerous trap for the unwary offered by the deep and wide ditch bordering the thoroughfare in the immediate vicinity of the saleyards and the main road, which is at present totally unprotected. A Plucky Act. —On Saturday afternoon, at about 4 o’clock, a horse and cart, the property of Mr Broadley, baker, bolted at full gallop from near the White Horse Hotel up Tuam street. Mr W. Fox, who was standing at the corner of Tuam and Durham streets, endeavoured to stop the horse, but failing to do this, he had the presence of mind to seize the iron stay at the back part of the cart. Ho had no sooner got hold than his legs went from under him, but he persevered, and, after many unsuccessful attempts, he succeeded in getting a firm hold of the frame on the top of the cart, and eventually managed to get into the vehicle. Once there he lost no time in getting out on to the shafts, caught hold of the reins, and stopped the horse. The only damage done was to Mr Fox’s boots, the right boot being torn off his foot. If the vehicle had not been stopped in this plucky manner, before it reached Ward’s Brewery serious damage would have been dene, as there were hundreds of people about at that time enjoying themselves at the boating.

Upper Waitaki Ferry. Messrs Elworthy, M*Laron, and Cameron as members of the Waimate County Council, together with Mr W. J. Black, County Overseer, met a deputation from the Waitaki County Council, consisting of Messrs Sutherland, Hutton, Borrie as members, and Mr Banks as Engineer, at Kurow, on Wednesday last, to arrange terms for the working of a punt on the Upper Waitaki Ferry, so as to allow the settlers in the Gibson country an outlet from their stations for stock and produce. After taking into consideration every point an agreement was come to, whereby W. J. Cain, the owner of the punt, was to shift it to a more convenient locality, and have the right of working it for two years, the Councils of Waitaki and Waimate to give him a subsidy, provided the scale of charges at present in force were reduced one-half. The arrangement arrived at is said to be satisfactory to the settlers interested, and doubtless will meet with the full approval of the two Councils.

Mandeville and Eangiora River Board. —The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Oct. 6; present—Messrs Murdoch (Chairman), Duncan, Smith, and Belcher. The outward correspondence was read and approved. ■ The Surveyor’s report was read and adopted. Letters were read from the Manager of the Union Bank of Australia ra banking account. From the Mandeville and Eangiora Road Board, stating that they could not entertain the proposal to turn part of Dockey Creek water into the No. 1 drain. From Patrick Kennedy and nine other ratepayers, requesting the Board to undertake the widening of the No. 2 drain. Resolved—- “ That when a proper petition was sent in signed, by all interested in the work agreeing to give the land required and hold the Board free from damage, the Board will undertake the work as soon as funds will permit.” Mr William M'Gregor requested the Board to do something to prevent the water flowing over the road at the south end of the Flaxton bridge, and was informed the overflow was unavoidable on account of the shingle brought down by the floods. Messrs Meara and Nichol asked the Board for payment for extra work done in cleaning No, 2 drain south, and were allowed £2 for same. Resolved—“ That the Ranger be authorised to impound all stock found straying along the Eangiora main drain.” Resolved—- “ That the banks below the new bridge be sown with grass seed.” The tender of J. Baynes for Barker’s road drain was accepted. Accounts amounting to iMB 11a were passed and ordered to be paid.

Temthia Licensing Bench. —The quarterly sitting of the Temuka Licensing Bench was held on Friday; present— Messrs Talbot (Chairman), A. Grant, D. Inwood, J. Myer and James Blyth. The question of the hotel lamps was brought forward, and it was resolved to allow the publicans to extinguish the lights in front of their hotels at 11 o’clock, provided that the Town Board arranged for a sufficient supply of lamps for the street Mr John Farrell, through his solicitor, Mr Aspinall, applied for a transfer of the license of the Winchester Hotel, from himself to Thomas Farrell. Constable Morton objected, on the ground that in his opinion, Thomas Farrell was not a fit and proper person to conduct an hotel, especially in a place like Winchester, where police supervision could not bo regularly exercised. Ho referred the Committee to his own and Constable Willoughby’s reports of May, 1881. The hotel had not since been satisfactorily conducted. Irregularities had occurred and on enquiry it was found that these had invariably happened when Thomas Farrell had been in charge. Mr Aspinall maintained that no real objection had been made, and referred the Committee to Clauses 62 and 87 of the Licensing Act. He also handed in letters from Messrs Tripp, Slack, and Dr Fish, members of the Kaukapuka Licensing Bench, who testified to Thomas Farrell being a fit person to hold a license, and that no complaint had been made against him while occupying an hotel in Geraldine. After retiring for consideration, the Chairman said that the Committee would grant the transfer. The present arrangements were unsatisfactory, and it would be preferable to throw the responsibility on one man. The Committee would take care chat the house was properly conducted in future. The report on the other houses in the district was satisfactory.

Petty Larceny. —On Saturday two , little boys, aged respectively ten and eight f years, were arrested by Detective O’Connor on a charge of stealing a number of brass weights from the shop of Mr J. D. Watson, ■ Sumner. Some of the weights were found in their possession. The Unemployed. —A meeting of the unemployed was held in Cathedral square on Saturday morning. It was decided to hold another meeting on Monday morning, when, unless something has been done for the men by the Government, a requisition asking the Mayor to call a public meeting will be adopted and circulated for signature. Personal. —Mr Arthur Appleby, son of Mr Appleby, who is so favourably known as an enthusiastic lover of good music, left Christchurch on Saturday by the Aorangi for Wellington, eti route for the Old Country. After a brief sojourn in Bugland, young Mr Appleby goes to Germany to study music under the best masters there. Literary Competition. The first annual literary competition In connection with the Christchurch Literary Societies Union is announced to take place this evening in the Y.M.C.A. Lecture Hall. The chair will be taken at eight o’clock by Dr Frankish, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Association. The programme, which will be somewhat novel to a Christchurch audience, will consist of competitions in elocution and extempore speaking, also the reading of the prize essay on "The Resources of New Zealand ” by one of the members, and the reading of the prize poem, and we think should prove very interesting. Similar competitions have made a name for themselves in Adelaide, the last one, at which the Governor presided, being particularly successful. Ellesmere A. and P. Association. —A Committee meeting of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the Leeston Hotel on Thursday last. There was a good attendance, the President (Mr W. G. Lunn) in the chair. Sir John Hall and Mr A. Smithson were elected members of the Association. Messrs H. Alingtou and C. D. Morris were nominated for membership. The judges’ list was gone through, and any vacancies were filled up. The Secretary informed the Committee that the services of the Bumham Band had been obtained. The meeting then allocated the numerous special prizes, and after transacting other business of a routine nature, the meeting adjourned. Beooksidb. —The annual meeting of the congregation of the Brookside Presbyterian Church was held on Thursday last, there being a large attendance, the Rev Mr Cree presiding. The Chairman reviewed the work of the church for the past year, which was considered satisfactory. The financial statement was then read by Mr John Boag, which showed the receipts ’ of the year to be £lB4 lls 6d, and with the balance in hand from the previous year, the total receipts amounted to .£lB7 17s 3d, whilst the expenditure amounted to J 8175 6s 6d, leaving a credit balance of £l2 10s 9d. The report as read, which may be considered highly satisfactory, was adopted. The Sabbath School report showed the receipts of the year to amount to £6 10s, and the expenditure on prizes, &c. had been £4 13s 6d, thus leaving a credit balance of JBI 16s 6d. The cemetery report was read, and showed a credit balance of £l3 lls. A Committee consisting of Mesdames Walker, M'Kay, M!Lachlan, Scott, and Graham was appointed to arrange for a Sabbath-school tea meeting. The following gentlemen were then elected to act bn the Financial Committee for the ensuing year, viz. Messrs Donald, Scott, M‘Eay, Walker,

Eobinson, Nelson, and M'Lachlan. A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the retiring Committee and the choir, and the meeting closed with prayer. The Majeronis. —A dramatic treat of rare excellence will take place to-night at the Theatre BoyaL The Majeronis and their entire Company, after a most ful season in Dunedin and Timaru, arrive in Christchurch to-day by the 2.10 p.m. train, and as the scenery and effects, with the working staff, arrived on Thursday, all will be in readiness for the opening to-night. The initial production of the season will be Yiotorien Sardou’s masterpiece, “ Fedora,” a full cast of which appears in our advertising columns. As it is explained by the Majeronis, the reason for only giving two representations of each of their great productions, is the fact that the season is limited to 12 nights, and having 18 changes of programme in their repertoire, they are desirous of giving the Christchurch play-going public a chance of seeing them in as many of their specialities as possible. One of the great features of this season is the handsome costumes worn by Signora Majeroni. Cycling. —On Saturday the Christchurch Bicycle Club held their usual weekly run by going to New Brighton and back. A stoppage was made at the boat sheds to allow them to witness the procession and races in connection with the opening of the boating season. About 3.30 p.m. the " assembly” was sounded, and a start made for New Brighton, which was reached in good time. The run back was very pleasant, the wind carrying them along at a merry pace. The roads were in splendid order all the way, and if the weather keeps fair they should be soon fit for record breaking. Next Saturday a novelty in bicycle circles will be held by the Club, in the shape of a paper-chase. A large number of members are expected to take part in it. At the beginning of last season Captain Oates and Sub-Captain Andrews offered medals to those attending the most runs during the season. Mr Andrews, with a total cf 31 out of a possible 84, won Mr Oates’ prize, whilst Mr Bilcliffe, with 28 to his credit, won the other prize. The former was for riders attending in uniform, and the latter for those with or At a smoke concert given on Friday evening at the Club’s rooms Mr Andrews took the chair, and a very enjoyable evening was spent by those present, songs, &c., being given by the members and friends. Southbridge Town Board. —The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was held on Thursday; present—Messrs E. C. Burns (Chairman), J. E. Campbell, J. Kilbride, J. Low, L. Langeshwardt, J. Morrison, and E. Webster. Correspondence was read from the County Council re shingle pits, to the effect that the Board could get the shingle if the Eoad Board was willing; also, stating that there were no County roads within the town district, and that the Board bad no right to grant slaughter licenses. The Clerk explained that, when the arbitration was maud between the Eoad and Town Boards, the arbitrator said that the gravel pits were public property. He had since seen the Chairman of the County Council, and ho stated that the pits were vested in the County Council, and that they had transferred the pits over to the different Eoad Boards. A letter was read from the waterrace caretaker, advising that if the town district required it the County would put a race to the town boundary, the Board to take charge of it afterwards. It was decided to ask the Council what they would charge to bring the water through the township as far as the Bank of New Zealand corner. The papers requisite for floating the Town Hall loan, also full instructions as to carrying out the same, were read. The Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps. Mr Dugan waited on the Board, and complained that a culvert near his property was broken down. The pay-sheet, amounting to *lO 18s, was passed for payment, subject to revisal. Three applications were received for the Clerkship, and Mr C. H. Willis was ■ selected for the office. Mr Low stated that he and the Chairman had examined the hooks. They were found to be all right, but ho would suggest that a book be kept for the Town Hall. It was decided that a Town Hall book be obtained- It was decided to write to Mr C. if BpLOggr asking him whether he would transfeVtiSsbathing place to the Board, as had been agreed to by Mrs Bridge. The Clerk thanked the members, more especially the Chairman, for the courtesy, &c„ he had received during his term of office. The Chairman testified to Mr Park’s services buring the earlier period, but thought that the Board’s work had been neglected latterly, no doubt on account of the Clerk having his own private business to attend to. The meeting then terminated.

A Clean Sheet.—At the R.M. Court on Saturday morning, there were no police charges set down for hearing, and the Court adjourned until this morning. A meeting of the Education Board will be held at tie Board room on Thurjday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.tn.

A Boa Constrictor in the Paris Sewers. —Some sewer-men met with a strange adventure while at work the other night in one of the labyrinths of subterranean Paris. The correspondent of the Telegraph says that as they were busily engaged in cleaning out that part of the metropolitan cloaca which is under the Boulevard de Vilette, they suddenly heard a loud and prolonged sound of hissing, which some of them took to be the cries of a person in distress, who had, perhaps, fallen into the drain at one of the open points. Radonnet, the foreman of the gang, thought, however, that the strange noise was cause by evil-doers, who were probably hiding in the sewers from the police; so betook up his shovel and marched boldly towards the spot whence the sounds proceeded. After having proceeded a considerable distance he saw, by the dim light of the sewer lamps, an enormous boaconstrictor coiled around one of the water ducts, with its head protruding towards him. Redonnet immediately stunned the reptile with a vigorous blow from his shovel, and, his workmen having come up, the whole party set to work until they battered the life out of the ill-fated and impudent boa. The remains of the reptile were then carefully collected and borne in triumph to the surface of the earth, and thence to the nearest police station, where, it appears, the boa was " wanted,” as it had managed to escape from the menagerie of a wandering showman.