TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 8903, 20 September 1889, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

The Weather in the Geraldine District. Yesterday afternoon the weather broke with a heavy downpour of sleet, snow, and rain. Mr Sullivan’s Mission.— Mr George T. Sullivan will close his mission in Christchurch on Wednesday evening, and will The Corporation Tramway. —lt has been decided to take a legal opinion in reference to the action of the City Council- , in reducing the amount of the rent of the :.: Corporation trappy Service.— A confirmation service will be held at St Saviour’s, West Lyttelton, on Sunday at eleven o’clock. It was first, arranged to be held during the afternoon, but has been altered in consequence of the medical advisers to the Bishop forbidding him being out after sundown. Kaiapoi Woollen Company.— ln connection with the Clothing Factory, steps are being taken to form a library for the use of the employees. About a hundred and fifty books have been secured. It is proposed to bold an excursion at an early date, and Professor Bickerton has kindly offered the use of his grounds at New Brighton. Baukapuka Licensing Committee. — The adjourned quarterly meeting was held in Geraldine on Wednesday at noon; present—Mr J. H. Barker (Chairman), A. Macdonald, W. E. Barker and W. M. Moore. The meeting had been adjourned for the purpose of obtaining evidence as to the character of Mr P. Daly, who had applied for the license of the Hilton Hotel to be transferred from Mrs Jane Tindall to himself. The transfer was granted. United Methodist Free Church, Richmond.—An entertainment was given by the Bond of Hope in connection with the above church on Wednesday evening, when there was a very good attendance of members and visitors. The programme consisted of dialogues, recitations, and instrumental items, a duet by Mr and Miss Johnston being much appreciated; and an address by the Rev S. Maofarlane concluded a very pleasant evening’s entertainment. A Curious Friendship. —Some four or five months ago a family, who then lived in Temnka (says the Leader ) removed to some other district, leaving thefr house empty. They left behind them a wild hen they could not catch, and a cat, and ever since the oat and hen have been inseparable. They sleep side by side, they attend each other in their walks abroad, and when the hen is scratching for food the cat is Bitting by, looking on. It is perhaps the strangest instance of companionship on record. Railway Excursions. Despite the advantages of cheap fares and a pleasant outing, yesterday’s excursion trains did hot attract a large number of passengers. Abont sixty were booked for Little River, where Messrs Matson and Co ore holding one of their periodical sales of timber on behalf of the proprietors of the Terawera sawmills, while the number of sporting men who proceeded to Timaru to be present at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting was limited to under thirty. Sale op Racing Privileges. —Messrs J. Mnndell and Co., on Wednesday afternoon last, submitted the privileges in connection with the forthcoming spring meeting of the Geraldine Racing Club. The bidding was spirited, and the following prices Were obtained: —Grand stand booh, T. M'Anliffe, £23-, No. 1 booth, T. M'Auliffe, £l4 ; No. 2 booth, T. M'Auliffe, .£8 10s { refreshment booth, J. Riordan, £5 10s. The race cards and the gates were withdrawn, the latter at a bid of <£s9, and were Ultimately disposed of privately. Sydenham. — A meeting of the School Committee was held on Sept. 17, all the members present. A letter was received from the Board of Education intimating that previous to taking any definite steps respecting the transfer of _ site for the proposed swimming bath, it will be necessary to obtain the consent of the Minister for Education. On that being obtained the Board’s solicitor will be instructed to proceed with the transfer. The Board also requested the Committee to ascertain on what terms a suitable site can be obtained for an additional schoolroom. Resolved “that Mr Forrester obtain the necessary information and the Board be advised as early as possible.” Six applications were received fop the two vacancies in the school staff, viz., fifth and sixth master; Messrs J. P. Kalaugher and W. M. West were recommended for the position. Oust Institute.— The annual meeting of the Committee of the Oust Institute took place on Wednesday evening c pro* sent—Messrs J. Ruddenklau in the chair, Cromie, Tipping, Early, and Hassall, Hon. Seo. The statement of accounts as presented by the Secretary and audited by Mg E. W. Cooper, showing a credit balance o| 6a 9d, was received and adopted. The following gentlemen were elected as a Committee of Management for the ensuing term: Messrs H. J. Horroll, G. P. Chapman, E. W. Cooper, A. Searell, T. Horrell, J. C. Tipping, G. H. White, T. Cottle, R. Blunden, W. A. Atkinson, A. D. HassaU,andtheßevH.D. Rodger. The new Committee will hold a meeting on Thursday evening. Sept. 26, when the question of patting the hall in a thorough state of repair will come under review. It is satisfactory to learn that there is at last some interest taken in the affaire of the Institute, as over JSIS has been already promised with a view of *oaking,good the damage done by the recent gale.

Bangiora Horse Fair.— The annual Stud Horse Parade under the auspices of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has been fixed for Tuesday, Oot. 1. Sydenham Poultry Society. The eighth annual meeting of this Society was held last night. A highly satisfactory report and balance-sheet was presented. A report appears elsewhere. ENTERTAINMENT LYTTELTON .—It had been arranged by Mr Crook to give a dissolving view entertainment last evening in the Lyttelton Oddfellows* Hall. Owing, however, to the downpour, the entertainment was postponed until to-night. The Peas Industry.— Messrs Cook Brothers; of Lyttelton, have for sometime past had a gang of men engaged cutting flax on their run off the Sumner road. A largo quantity has already been cut and forwarded to Homby to one of the mills, and hundreds of tons are still there waiting to undergo the same operations. University Examinations.-— Sir James Hector, Chancellor of the New Zealand University, has appointed Mr Louis Cohen Examiner in English for the next matriculation and junior scholarship examinations of the University. Mr Cohen was one of the first graduates of the University, and is the first to be honoured by the appointment as an examiner under its regynS. Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —The Committee appointed to revise the premium catalogue of the above Association’s annual exhibition, met yesterday at the Bead Board office, and carried out the work entrusted to them. No important alterations were made. Three applications for the post of Secretary to the Association were received, and that of Mr A. Templar was accepted. Ashburton Horse Parade.— The parade of entire horses at Ashburton on Saturday will be the largest ever seen in the district, no less than thirty-one horses of all descriptions having been entered. By a reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that not a few of them are for sale, and Messrs Williams and Bland, of Ashburton, advertise no less than eight of the horses to be shown. Tihwald.— A concert was given in the Tinwald Templar Hall on Wednesday evening in aid of the St Andrew’s Church. There was a large attendance, and a programme, the items of which were contributed by local amateurs, was submitted successfully to an appreciative audience. The Bev Mr Garbett was in the chair, and thanked all who had helped to make the concert a success.

I.O.G.T.—At the usual meeting of the Ashburton Star of the East Lodge on Wednesday evening, a banner suitably inscribed was presented to the Lodge by a few members, and Sister Edwards also presented the Lodge with a handsome altar cushion. The other business was of the usual naturej but to show how the order is progressing in Ashbnrton, it may be mentioned that over 160 members were present at this meeting. St Mabt’s, Addington. The parishioners of Addington are about to appeal to the sympathies of the people of the city by a bazaar, at the end of next month. Much interest is being taken in the preparations necessary to an endeavour of this kind, and there promises to be a good display of articles. The bazaar will be opened in the Oddfellows’ Ball, Lichfield street, on Oot. 24, and in addition to the stalls tor the sale of goods, there will be many attractions of an entertaining kind. Amateur Opera Company.—At a Committee meeting of the Christchurch Amateur Opera Company held last evening, it was decided to put in rehearsal at a very early date Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera, “The Pirates of Penzance.” Judging from previous performances of these deservedly popular amateurs, the public may look forward to a repetition at no distant period of the many enjoyable evenings previously spent with them.

Passed Away.— Mrs 0. A. Maslin, mother of Mr W. S. Maslin, auctioneer, one of the oldest residents in the Geraldine district, breathed her last on Monday morning, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr T. Sherratt. The deceased lady was seventy years of age. Mrs Maslin arrived in the Maori in 1859, landing at Lyttelton, with her husband and family, shortly afterwards going southward. She was much beloved by all who were acquainted with her. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon. Industrial Building Society. A meeting was held last evening at the Oddfellows’ Chambers to allot the seventh appropriation of JB3OO. Mr H. Crookes Chairman of Directors, presided, and there was A large attendance. The Directors recommended that in accordance with the original intention of the promoters, the present appropriation should be by ballot. Messrs E. Watts and A. Mander were appointed scrutineers. Share No. 41 was declared entitled to the loan of A3OO for twelve years without interest. There will be an appropriation in No. 3 Society on Sept. 26. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings.

The Overcrowding at Sydenham Schools.— Arrangements have been made by the Committee of the Sydenham Schools, with the approval of the Board of Education, to secure the use of the Oddfellows* Hall, Colombo road, with a view of coping with the increasing attendance which cannot otherwise be accommodated. The necessary desks, &c., are now being provided, and on Monday the hall will be utilised for the reception of about 200 of the first standard, the ante-rooms being used as class-rooms. The authorities have secured the hall for six months, during which time it is hoped that some permanent improvement will be made. At the same time the hall will be available for use in the ordinary way in the evening.

Lyttelton United Temperance Association. —The monthly meeting of the above Association was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday last, and, notwithstanding the wet night, there was a large attendance of members and friends. It is to be regretted that the friends who promised to come from Christchurch to provide tho evening’s entertainment failed to put in an appearance, with the exception of Mr and Mrs Heath, who deserve great praise for coming alone and giving their assistance. In spite of the disappointment a pleasant evening was spent, the Eev .G. Bond closing with one of his characteristic speeches, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr and Mrs Heath.

Lawn Tennis.— The President of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Club has kindly offered four prizes to be played for on Sept. 28 at the Cranmer square courts. The tournament will consist of two ©rents, ■viz., a combined ladies’ and gentlemen’s double handicap, and a gentlemen’s double handicap. Play will commence at 2 p.m. Entries will be received by Messrs E. J. Boss and B. D. Harman not later than Tuesday, Hopt. 21. If the number of entries will not give sufficient time to play through the whole tournament in one afternoon, arrangements must be made by the players to play off the first and second round of each handicap before Saturday. As Mrs Nedwili has kindly offered to give tea, tbe Committee will bo pleased to see members and their friends and those interested in tennis.

Odr One Mam Government. —A Napier contemporary says:—lt has often been asserted that Sir H. Atkinson constitutes the whole of tbe Government, but such statements have generally come from the mouths of the enemy, and few people ■would have expected to hoar it from the bon gentleman’s own lips. On Saturday night the Premier was speaking of the disorganisation of the House to which Mr Ballanc© had alluded, and he plaintively added that no one could feel that disorganisation more than he did, for the whole weight of it fell upon him. •* On the Government,” interrupted Mr Hutchison " Upon me,” eaid tbe Premier in correction ; “and when I speak of myself I speak not of an individual, but of the Government.” To say that the whole House exploded with laughter is to mildly describe what followed. Sir Harry got out of the difficulty by stating that he was please to see his hon friends amused, but anybody who knew anything about Constitutional law must be aware that whatever the Premier spoke of he spoke for the Government.

Arrest.—A man named John Luke was arrested yesterday by Sergeant Stagpoole on a charge of stealing a purse containing money, some tobacco and lib tea, of a total value of M 12s, from the dwellinghouse of James Smith, ab Cashmere. The accused will be brought up at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Union Bowing Club. —At a Committee meeting of the Club held at the Commercial Hotel last evening the following were elected members:—J. W. Flesher, W. Bacon, C. Pannell, J. Lord, J. Henderson, J. Skinner, G. Bilcliffe, W. Johnston, C. M. Mason, W. E. Neville, B. Sinclair, C. E. Griffen, E. L. Wallace, C. H. Wagstaff, G. Manifold, and E. H. Hey wood. Christchurch Horticultural Society. —The first show of the present season, entitled the bulb and camellia show, was held yesterday in the Palace Eink, and was a decided success. A report appears elsewhere. The show will remain open to-day between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., and is well worthy of a visit. Skating will be continued as usual during the evening. . Theatre Eotal.— The popularity gamed by Bland Holt’s sensational play “ Union Jack,” did not suffer by the wet weather last night, as long before the curtain rose there was a full downstairs house, and a well patronised dress circle. Doubtless, this accounted in a measure for the spirited performance. Every point was made, and the audience were, if ing than on previous evenings in the matter of calls before the curtain. “ Union Jack ” will be repeated to-night. Christchurch Bicycle Club.—A general meeting of the Christchurch and St Albans Bicycle Clubs was held at the Christchurch Bicycle Club’s rooms on Wednesday, when there was a very good attendance, Mr N. Oates in the chair. It was resolved that the two Clubs amalgamate, keeping the name of the Christchurch Bicycle Club. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr Sandstein; VicePresidents, Messrs A. E. G. Ehodes, E. B. Ehodes and C. E. Bishop; captain, W. T. M'Kay; sub-captains, J. D. Colville and W. Moor; Secretary, J. C. Cusack; Treasurer, J. Oates; Committee — Messrs N. Oates, Andrews, Hobbs and Topliss; buglers, Messrs Leslie, Moor, Hobbs and Thomson. It was resolved to join the opening run on Sept. 28, and that members be requested to meet at Club rooms at 2.15 p.m. After passing a hearty votes of thanks the meeting terminated. The Moon.— ln further reference to the cable message stating that disturbances were taking place in the lunar crater known as Plinius, it is ©£ interest to recall the fact that some twenty years ago there was keen controversy relative to a similar statement. On that occasion the crater Linnd was referred to. Inasmuch as it seemed to have become smaller, and less capable of discernment through the telescope, there seemed to be reason for the assumption of a change going on. But inasmuch as the crater presented very different appearances under different degrees of illumination, the evidence was held to he inconclusive. Another statement put forward was that a now crater bad appeared, of small dimensions. In the course of the well-known Gresham College lectures (“The Sun, its Planets, &o.”) the following passage occurs: —‘‘In any case we must allow that land-slips, and a gradual deterioration and crumbling of the lunar rocks must almost undoubtedly still continue as a result of the intense alternation of heat and cold which the moon undergoes,” East Oxford.— On Wednesday evening the Oxford Dramatic Society gave an entertainment at the East Oxford Town Hall, for the benefit of E. Rossifcer, who lately met with a bad accident while bush falling. They were assisted by the Oxford Orchestral Society, who must be complimented on this their first appearance on the progress they have made under the able leadership of Mr Brown. The first part consisted of “The Fairy’s Father,” in which the prompter seemed to have rather the best of it, followed by ‘‘ Beautiful Snow,” by Miss Carrie Fischer, and a parody on “ Beautiful Snow ” by Mr Alf ingleson, who appeared as a street arab, and elicited shouts of laughter by his clever acting. The Eev E. H. Wyatt, for the Bav H. Williams, thanked the audience for their attendance, and expressed his surprise and regret that when so many ladies and gentlemen had given their services for a charitable cause, their efforts should be met by so little support among the labouring men of Oxford. He wished especially to thank Miss Carrie Fischer, who had most kindly given up her benefit on this occasion, and hoped she would be no loser, but would be greeted with a bumper house during the Oxford race week. The concluding part was the amusing farce of “ My Turn Next,” in which Miss Ada Parish, Miss Carrie Fischer, Mr Harbidge, Mr P. Smith, and Mr A. Ingleson took leading parts, and being well up in their respective roles, were much applauded.

The annual meeting of the Addington Cricket Club will be held to-morrow eveuing’, at the Commercial Hotel. A meeting of the Ladles* Committee in connection with the forthcoming ball of the Canterbury Caledonian Society will be bold this afternoon at the Society's tooma, 158, Hereford street. Mr Herrick desires to acknowledge with sincere thanks the following: *- Mrs Fisher, milk ; Mr Freeman, scones, &o,; friend, dripping; Mr Whitfield, Mr Broadiey and Bread Company, bread; friend, hoote; friend, scones; working men at Templeton Freezing Works, £2; friend, Kalapoi, clothing ; Mr Sox. Waikari, half carcase beef; Mrs Nairn, egga; Mr B. Carter, batter; Anglesea Lodge, Lincoln, £2 10s ; friend, 5s ; Mr Mann, large meat pie and meat; friend, books.