TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8902, 19 September 1889, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

“ Canterbuet Times.”— A well-selected Mail Budget and a liberal supply of London correspondence—the latter dealing with a variety of interesting topics—are among the prominent features of the Canterbury Times this week* An article dealing with the daily lives and surroundings of the dock labourers comes at a particularly opportune moment, and throws much light on the circumstances which led up to the recent strikes in the world’s metropolis. A well-written account of the Royal wedding, and a graphic description of the concluding scenes in the famous May brick trial, at once arrest attention, and other European news is presented in its most readable form. The Agricultural Editor deals with a wide range of subjects, and several contributors supply papers which will be highly appreciated by country readers. A week’s holiday spent among the picturesque scenery of the Malvern Hills and West Canterbury provides a master of descriptive writing with the material for On the Heights, and there is an entertaining comparison between French and English Fiction which everyone should read. The Farthest Outpost of the Empire carries us to an important, but little known, part of the world, and the Discipline of the Battle Field, Btrange Food, Leprosy in America, and the Ethics of Games of Chance are just a few of the admirable sketches provided. Sport and Pastimes are dealt with in the popular style that has long distinguished our contemporary, and every department of a high-class magazine and newspaper is well filled.

Y.M.C.A.—The Literary class met on Monday evening, when about thirty were present, to hear a paper given by Mr Torrance on Scott’s “Lord of the Isles.” The Chairman announced that the closing social would take place next Monday. A Curiosity. —The West Coast Times says Among the curios to be forwarded to the Dunedin Exhibition is the skeleton of a marine rarity supposed to belong to the sea serpent tribe. Its length is nearly eight feet. The skeleton was picked up on the Hokitika beach, the gulls having previously denuded it of its flesh.

Concert at Glentunnhl, —A concert was held at Qlentunnel on Friday evening to raise money towards the public Library. Mr J. A. M'llraith presided. A large audience fully appreciated the excellent manner in which the following ladies and gentlemen gave their contributions: Misses Taylor, A. Brown, M. Brown, E. Barlow, J. Barlow, and Messrs Jameson, Oliver, T. Brown, J. Brown, W. Leeming, Cook, A. Leeming, Ronaldson, Livingstone, M‘Kie, M'Gregor, and the Hororata Minstrels. The proceedings terminated with a ball.

Direct Mail Contract.— The report of the Postmaster-General contains the .following in reference to the mail contract entered into with the New Zealand Shipping Company:—“ For the first time since the commencement of the direct contract service in November, 1884, a late delivery has to be recorded. Up to May, 1888, the mails were invariably delivered witbin contract time, and the regularity which characterised the service can onlybe regarded as of the highest merit. We understand the Postmaster-General _is negotiating with the New Zealand Shipping Company to carry the mads m terms of the resolutions passed by Parliament last week. The New Zealand Shipping Company deserve every encouragement and support for the very efficient manner in which they have carried out the present mail contract, and we hope arrangement* will be completed to continue that service.

- . Electoral.— Mr William Pratt, M.H.R. JLior the Middle Island Native District pays Wiia Kaiapoi constituents a visit to-day. ■**. Hors* Parade.— The entrances for the Ashburton horse parade on Saturday number 31. Draught entries, 20 j thoroughbreds, 5; carriage, &c., 5; ponies, 1. _ . . Somes’ Scholarships. Four junior scholarships were recently offered for competition to boys attending the public schools. The first was taken by East Christchurch and the other three by the Normal School. Thu Member tor Timaru. A con temporary says:—We learn that Mr R Turnbull, the member for Timaru, will remain in Wellington a few weeks for the purpose of undergoing an operation for calculus. We very much regret to learn that Mr Turnbull is so great a sufferer from this most painful complaint. Pai>aoe Rink. —As advertised elsewhere, Mr Donnolly has arranged to open at the Rink to-day, a bulb and camellia show. It is anticipated that the exhibits will be both numerous and choice, and everything points to a successful exhibition. Hyacinth a will be a special feature in the show. Skating will be permitted as usual, so that visitors will have every opportunity of spending a pleasant time. Macho Lantbbn Entertainment. —An entertainment of this description was given at the Baptist Sunday school, Lincoln, on Tuesday evening by the Rev C. Dallaaton. The church was fairly well filled with an audience to whom a number of amusing and instructive views were shown, and who accorded Mr Dallaaton and Mr T. E. Fraser, who accompanied him, a hearty vote of thanks. Imperial Federation. —From the Imperial Federation of August 1, the organ of the League in London, we extract the following:—’'The monthly meeting of the Executive Committee (London) was held on Monday, July 15, at the office of the League, SirEawson Eawson, K.C.M.G.,C.8., in the chair, when a letter was read from the Secretary of the Canterbury (New Zealand) Branch requesting affiliation. The Secretary having repotted that the rules had been complied with, the Branch was ordered to he duly affiliated.” The Mail Delated. —The delay in the transhipment of the San Francisco mail at Wellington is too serious to be passed over. The Wanaka arrived at Wellington at 8.80 p.m. on Sunday night, and the southern portion of the mail was kept there till 7.30 a.m. on Monday morning, when it was sent on by the Grafton. There was thus a delay of eleven hours, most vexatious to all whose correspondence was concerned, and especially to business men. Surely better arrangements can be made than f.hia for the transhipment of mails. Entertainment at Oxford. —On Friday evening Professor De Loree gave an entertainment in the Town Hall, East Oxford, in aid of the district school prize funds. The first part consisted of a panorama of the world, ahowing the most characteristic scenes in Europe, Asia, Airiest', America, and Australia, not forgetting New Zealand, including the latest views in the Alpine regions of Mount Cook. After which the Professor astonished his youthful audience by a display of his wonderful magical powers, provoking shouts of laughter by bis numerous comical tricks. The Queensland Lilt.— -The Wanganui Chronicle says -.—Horticultural savants will be glad to hear that Mr Liffiton has in his garden two specimens of the Queensland lily (Daryanthus Palmeri), just breaking their crown preparatory to throwing out their gigantic flower stalk, which rises to a height of 10ft or 12ft, and throws out a tnnan of red and white bloom, attached to laterals branching at right angles from the main stem. Very few of those have flowered in this Colony, and the full development of this horticultural beauty is looked forward to with some interest. /current in town yesterday to the effect gy'ihat certain ratepayers intended to entd| Wii a protest against the legality of the Cit# f UCouncil s action in reducing the rental ol Jthe Corporation tramway, and thus de| Iprivxng the ratepayers of a portion of thefl Inaset represented by the lease as fixed by| Bender. The proposal has not yet taken |flefhuta shape. In connection with the sub ject of tramway concessions, it is stated Ithat the Canterbury Tramway Company f intend to apply to bo relieved of the onus lof maintaining the roadway which their ,rails traverse. - Parker, of Armagh street, has a sample of concrete which he considers to be highly suitable for use in the construction of the New Brighton pier. He makes no secret of the ingredients composing the concrete. They are sea water, sea sand and Portland cement. The proportion of cement to sand is Ito 10. The sample was made three or four years ago, and improves with age. Mr Parker believes that the action of sea water upon a structure composed of such a concrete would be beneficial rather than prejudicial. He is quite ready to show the sample referred to to anyone interested. Salvation Armt.— A great Council of War is announced from Saturday, Sept. 21, to Wednesday, Sept. 25, to celebrate the third anniversary of the opening of the Victoria street Salvation Army Barracks. A preliminary notice appears in another place, and full particulars as to the nature of the meetings, &c., are to follow. A full force of officers, soldiers and brass hands are expected, amongst the "leading lights” being Colonel and Mrs Taylor, Major Eolfe from Auckland, Major and Mrs Hammond from Dunedin, and A.D.C. and Mrs Veal. The “Birthday Banquet,” to he held on Tuesday next, promises to bq a feature of the proceedings. South Obabi School Committee.—An ordinary meeting of the Committee was held on Monday evening; present—Messrs J. M'Leod (Chairman), Bates, Collie. O’Neil, Langdon and Ellis. The head master repotted the roll number to be—boys, 47; girls, 39; total, 86. The average for the quarter up to date was 68*3. He also reported that the school was not being properly cleaned. It was resolved that as the Inspector and visitor had also complained of the same matter, notice be sent to the charwoman about it. From the Board, forwarding the Inspector's report of his late visit. The report was considered highly satisfactoiy. It was resolved that the school be closed during the two afternoons of the race days. Some accounts having been passed, Mr Bates was appointed visitor for the ensuing month, and the meeting terminated. Lecture at LiNWOODa—At tho weekly meeting of the Linwood Literary Society, held in the Congregational Church, Ferry road, on Tuesday, Dr Forster delivered the first of two lectures on *' Russia,” the Rev C. H. Bradbury being Chairman. The lecturer took as the first part of his subject ‘'Social Life in Russia,” and, after describing the extent and geographical fear turea of tho country, gave his audience a vivid insight into the conditions under which tho peasantry of that miserable country exist. He then dealt with the aims and methods of the Nihilists, and by the applause given it was evident that the sympathies of his audience were won on behalf of these reformers. AU who had the privilege of hearing the lecture certainly felt a thrill of thankfulness that their lot was cast under a more beneficent rule than that of the great autocrat. The remaining lecture will be given next Tuesday evening. More “Early Fruit.”— Mr Gilbert, of Heathcote Valley, has begun tho business of cultivating mushrooms systematically, a thing which is done largely in France, especially in the environs of Paris, but which, as far as we are aware, has not been taken up hero by any of' our gardeners, professional or amateur. We gather that the process foTlowed has been to collect hone-dung from fields in which mushrooms have been growing, to keep this under favourable conditions, and, when the spawn had developed, to plant out the'tiny mushrooms under glass, as if they were cucumbers or other vegetables requiring some forcing and protection. The process has moat certainly been successful, for Mr Gilbert could show a splendid Maori kitful of the favourite esculent, some of the specimens 4in, Sin, and Gin in diameter. We hope he will find a sale for his early ‘•fruit.”

Co-operative Land Association. —This Association has just acquired another block of land of forty acres. This makes the fourteenth block taken up by the Association for sub-division amongst the members. Inquest at the Asylum. —An inquest was held at the Asylum yesterday, before Mr E. Beetbam, on Joseph Blore, the first lunatic committed in the Province. He was committed to the Asylum in Lyttelton in 1857, and died on Tuesday of senile decay. He was about seventy-five years of age. The Late Gale. —During the height of the late strong Nor’-wester, a gorse fence on Mr Brown’s farm, at Flaxton, took fire from sparks. So great, however, was the force of tho wind that the fire burned very slowly, each of its first “ feelers ” being blown out, and no difficulty was found in stopping it in time to avert considerable damage. Rainfall. —The rainfall at the Raugiora High School for the week ending Wednesday, Sept. 18, was as follows: —Thursday, Sept. 12, *69lin, wind S.W.; Friday, Sept. 18, -006 in, wind N.E.; Saturday, Sept. 14, •008 in, wind N.E.; Tuesday, Sept. 17, •225 in, wind S.E. to S.W. Total, *93oin. The measurements are taken at 8.45 a.m. for the previous twenty-four hours. Timaru Boating Club. —The annual meeting of this Club was held last night ; Mr Matheson, Captain in the chair. The Committee's report congratulated members on a successful year, the membership having more than doubled increased from thirty-seven to seventy-six. The Club was in a good financial position. The debt to the Bank had been decreased by £35, and it was hoped to wipe off the debt altogether this year. The receipts last year were £ll3, including £79 13s from subscriptions, Jill 15s from donations towards prizes. After allowing ,£42 for depreciation, the plant was valued at £lO6 n excess of liabilities. Heating Appliances. —The lecture to be delivered this evening by Mr S. HurstSeager, under the auspices of the Canterbury, Philosophical Association, promises to be an interesting one. It is intended to explain all the various methods of heating buildings that have been adopted at different times. A large number of models have been prepared, including one of an Iceland geyser in operation. The principles of construction of all kinds of grates will be explained, with suggestions as to economy of fuel. will be given of heating by gas, hot air, hot water and steam systems, and the merits of these systems contrasted. An Unruly Cow, —Yesterday, as some store cattle which had been at the Addington Market were being driven to their purchaser’s residence by a man named Thomas Carter, one of the mob, a cow, which evidently desired to sever her connection with her then companions, turned “crusty” and showed fight. Carter, who was driving her, being desirous of asserting his control, headed her, and was about to proceed with a vigorous course of flagellation when the animal turned on him and, catching him at a convenient angle, upset him, horse and all. Finding herself victorious, she proceeded on her aggressive career, but coming in contact with a rail fence too strong to vanquish, she dislocated her hip-joint and had to bo destroyed. United Methodist Free Church, St Asaph Street. —For some time past the choir of this church, assisted by other ladies and gentlemen, have been preparing for a grand vocal and instrumental sacred concert, to be given this evening in the church, by a chorus and orchestra of sixty performers, under the conductorship of Mr A. Corrick, the organist of the church. The principal part of the concert will be Weber’s Maas in G. Mies A. S. Taylor is entrusted with the soprano solos of the Mass, Mesdames Corrick and C. M. Gray the contralto, Mr J. Puschell the tenor, and Mr E. Halley the bass. The other part of the concert will consist of solos and duets by the abovenamed ladies and gentlemen and others, and choruses by the choir. Judging by the final rehearsal it is evident a great treat is in store for ■all who can attend the concert.

| Trout in the Grey River.— Mr David glonald, farmer, of Totara Flat (says the nangahua Times ), who may be said to be jthe father of acclimatisation in the Grey Valley, and whose interest in the subject seems to rather increase than diminish with the years he has devoted to the cause, in his round of inspection on Monday last, found a fine trout, 201 b in •weight, in one of the shoals in the Grey river, about a mile below tho farm. The flsh was dead, having become stranded in one of the shoals in the river. Owing to the long spell of dry weather the river had fallen abnormally low, thus draining off many of tho favourite disporting grounds of the fish, and thereby necessitating additional vigilance on Mr Donald’s part in keeping them out of danger. This is the third big trout Mr Donald has similarly found of late, the others being 211 b and 201 b weight respectively. Oust. —The quarterly summoned meeting of the Lodge of Oddfellows took place on Tuesday evening, when there was a large attendance, including visitors from Christchurch and Oxford Lodges. One candidate was initiated as a member of the Order. Regarding the damage done to the hall by the recent gale, a Committee, consisting of Bros Garland, Hassall, Crothers, Bennett, and C. Webster, were appointed to draw up specifications and supervise the work. The District Master, Bro P. Smith, was present, and addressed the Lodge, congratulating the members on the manner in which the business was transacted. Arrangements were made for a number of Brethren to visit the Loyal Rangiora Lodge on Monday evening. Intimation was given that the next meeting would be a summoned one, to elect a delegate to the District meeting. The unanimous thanks of the meeting were accorded to the visitors for their attendance. Theatre Royal. —As Mr Bland Holt had every right to expect, the Theatre Royal was again crowded last night when “ The Union Jack ” was repeated. Though the performance could nob be considered an improvement on that of Tuesday, yet the drama was better enjoyed by those who had seen it previously, simply because the finer points in the dialogue and the nicer details in the situations could be better appreciated. The orchestra, under the leadership of Herr Btinz, won golden opinions by their execution of the numerous selections which form their portion of the entertainment. The supernumeraries, too, including a detachment from the City Guards, deserve praise for the manner in which they did the work entrusted to them, work generally overlooked in newspaper notices, but work upon which very much of the completeness of a representation depends. The applause last night was most enthusiastic, and the principal artists in the company had again and again to appear before the curtain. “The Union Jack " will be played once more to-night. Lbbston Wesleyan Church. The quarterly meeting was held on Tuesday afternoon; present—Rev J. A. Luxford (Chairman), Messrs H. Overton, T. Frampton, F. Overton, C. Withell, C. Taylor, G. Grainger, J. Barnett, Q. Barker, F. Bishop, J. Thompson, W. and G. Watson, T. Moor, T. Shepherd, P. Goldsmith, T. Hill, D. Wills and J. Woodward. The membership was reported as 174, and average attendance at Sunday school 188. The income for the quarter w«a £BO 7s 11, and expenditure £B7. The Rev J. A. Luxford received a hearty invitation to remain a third year in tho circuit. The question of an independent Conference for New Zealand was discussed, and a motion moved “ that an independent and separate ('ouference is desirable,” was carried by a majority of one. Seven voted for the motion, six against it, and the others declined to vote either way. Chairmen were appointed for the Home mission meetings to bo held throughout the district. A recommendation was sent to Conference, urging tho appointment of a young European Minister to attend to the spiritual needs of the Maoris of Canterbury. It was resolved to hold congregational meetings in each place to discuss the advisability of getting ministerial assistance for Sunday services, A hearty vote of thanks wea accorded to Mr Joseph Thompson, who is leaving the district, for his valuable services as a local preacher. The vote was enthusiastically carried.

A Notable Case.— A man was fined 5s as a " first offender ” at Timaru yesterday, who, when picked up in the street the previous night, had £97 in money in his pockets. Courtenay. —The Chairman of the Courtenay Road Board has, in compliance with a requisition, called a meeting of the ratepayers of the district for Monday, Sept. 30, at the Board’s office, Kirwee, to discuss the advisability of asking the Selwyn County Council to construct a water-race from the Waimakariri gorge bridge.

Obituary.— The Oama.ru Mail says : It is with great regret that we have to announce the passing way, in his eightythird year, of another old Oamaru identity, Mr William Hay. The deceased arrived at Port Chalmers in 1860, and after stopping there eighteen months came to Oamaru in the brig Thomas and Henry, which was stationed here as a receiving vessel. He remained on the brig until she was removed by the Government, when be joined Captain Sewell, who had charge of the surf boats, where he stayed until Captain Sewell gave them up. He next joined Messrs Traill and Eoxby in their store, and when they retired from business, he obtained employment with Messrs Anderson and Mowat, millers and grain merchants. When his son, Mr D. Hay, started business as a grain merchant, he joined him, and it was during that time he met with a severe accident, falling from the roof of the store, and breaking both legs. Although ostensibly recovering, he had never been the same man since, and the accident was indirectly the cause of his death. Of late years, Mr Hay had retired from business. Although taking no part in public affairs, Mr Hay had a wide circle of friends, whose respect and esteem ho commanded, and who will learn with regret of his decease. The Lyttelton Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Mr I). M'Killop, will, weather permitting, play tho following programme at the corner of London and Oxford streets, this evening, at eight o’clock Quick march, “Always Beady,” ifl. Newton j grand comio fantasia, •* Bound the Clock,” Bare; polka, "Spick and Span," H. Bound; valse, “farewell to Thee,” E. Newton; quadrille, “Cali to Arms,” H. Bouud; fantasia, ••Seaside Echoes,” Hare; sohottlsohe, "Sunbeams,'' Oscar Bennett; valse," Light and Shade,” H. Bouud; quick march, “ Tell Mo, Mary,” W. V. ScholoB; finale, “ God Save the Queen.” Spring, beautiful Spring. White yon have new life, new vigour, and new apparel, be photographed by C. H. Maiming. Preity baby photos made a study of. 150, Colombo street.

An Astonishing Tale of Longevity comes from Odessa, where it is said there is still a man living who is 140 years old! What a loss such a veteran would have been to an annuity office! Daniel Samoiloff is his name. He was born at Saratoff in 1749—just four years after the last Stuart rebellion was crushed in the old country—and his life was not passed in coddling, but was stormy enough. He served valiantly with Field-Marshal Pugatcheff, and when arrested for his exploits under that chieftain, he was treated to 180 blows from the knout, and condemned to hard labour for life in the Siberian mines. Of this hard labour he put in thirty-eight years. Old Parr will eventually be discounted.

Actresses and their Dresses. —The large sums which actresses spend on their stage toilettes nowadays constitute so serious a drain on their income that one is not surprised to fiud Mdme. Marie Laurent, tho clever and popular actress of' the Gymnase, appealing to her Manager for some addition to her salary to enable her to meet it. M. Lemonnier, who contributes an article on the subject to the Journal Amusant, states that Mdme. Doche, the original “Dame aux Camelias,” expended £l2O on the dresses which she wore in the drama, and that this piece of extravagance, as it was then considered, was the talk of Paris for a time. Sarah Bernhardt, he adds, no.w spends twice that amount on the toilette in which she appears in the last act alone. No doubt £240 is a large price to pay for a dress ; but it seems reasonable enough when compared with that which Felix baa just charged Miss Emma Abbot, the American prima donna, for a costume which she ordered of him. The cost of this chef d’auvre, on which the eminent couturier has exhausted, we are told, the resources of his art, reaches the, for most purposes, exhausting figure of £BOO.