TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9089, 28 April 1890, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Philosophical Institute. —An ordinarv meeting of the Canterbury Philosophical Institute will be held on Thursday evening, when a paper by Mr J. T. Meeson. 8.A., on “The Rainfall of New Zealand,” will be read. Masonic. —In connection with the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, a condensed history of the Craft in Canterbury is given elsewhere! n this issue. Daly qualified members of the Grand Lodge are again reminded that the business meeting takes place to-morrow evening in the St Augustine Hall, commeuciug punctuftUy-atY.3O.

Kaiapoi Rifles. Forty-two members attended the Government inspection parade ou Friday, under Captain Whitefoord. Instructor Barrett was present. The Humours of “La Gfippe.”—A photographic artist in this city, whose establishment was closed on Saturday, announced on his door that he would return in a day or two, “la grippe” permitting.

Tub Opera. —That pretty opera La Masr.otle was repeated at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night, and was well received. It will be repeated again by the Williamson, Garner and Musgrove Company, tonight. Monetary and Commercial. — Under this heading some items of special interest will he found in this issue:—Details of the Winifred’s fire-damaged cargo, Bahama Islands sisal and the freight on New Zealand flax and the much-vexed Australian question, rust in wheat. Alleged Horse Stealing. George White, alias Clifford, will be brought up at the Police Court this morning, upon another charge of horse stealing. He is accused of stealing a horse, value .£lO, the property of Thomas Lament, of Summerton, near Rakaia. It is alleged that he sold the animal in Christchurch a day or two after it was stolen.

Road Board Elections. —The retiring members, Messrs J. Stalker and G. Wallace, were the only candidates nominated for the vacancies ou the Mandeville aad Rangiora Road Board, and they were declared duly elected. For the vacancies on the Kowai Board, Messrs H. Mahler aud J. Vallance, junr., were re-elected, being the only persons nominated. The Motett Society. The Christchurch Motett Society will perform Handel’s “Judas Maccabmus,” in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, tomorrow evening. The soloists will ho Mrs Davis Hunt, Misses A. S. Taylor, Rowley, Button, aud Messrs Puschell and Halley. A final rehearsal will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall this evening. Charge of Stabbing. —Yesterday afternoon John Nixon, tailor, was arrested by Constable Dougan on a charge of assaulting a man named Y/illiam Naylor by stabbing him with a pocket knife. It is stated that Nixon was having a quarrel with his wife at bis house, Lichfield street, near St Michael's Church, when Naylor interfered, and received a stab from a pocket knife in the fleshy part of the arm. The wound inflicted was not a serious one. Nixon was arrested, and will be brought before the Police Court this morning. The Cathedral. —There was a very large congregation at the Cathedral yesterday evening, when the Right Rev the Bishop of Nelson preached. The Easter music was given, aud the anthem was Handel’s “ I Know that My Redeemer Livetb.” Before beginning his sermon, his Lordship asked those present to pray for the Bishop-elect. The congregation knelt in silent prayer, after which his Lordship read a prayer from the Consecration Service. He then preached, with great impressiveness, ou the subject of the Resurrection.

School. Committee Elections. — The annual election of School Committees for the ensuing year will take place in the respective districts at seven o’clock this evening. As requested, we publish the clause of the Act which defines the term householder, which is as f ollows :—“ Householder means every adult male or female person who as owner, or tenant lessee or occupier, occupies uses or resides in any dwelling-house, shop warehouse or other building in any district, or every parent or guardian who is liable to maintain, or has the custody of, any child.”

Important Horse Sales. —Attention is directed to Messrs H. Matson and Co.’s advertisements of impending horse sales. The first is at Tat ter sail’s next Saturday, when, in addition to the ordinary horses, some racehorses will be sold. Amongst them are the steeplechaser Royalty and the racing mare Tarra (4yrs, by Bundoora— Bribery), tbe trotters Star of Honour and Fraulein, and an untried three-year-old colt by Berlin. Mr Boag’s important sale of pure-bred draught horses, mares, &c., besides trotters, will also be conducted by the same firm on May 6, at the owner’s farm.

Peeethocgiit Lecture. Yesterday evening Mr W. W. Collins, of Sydney, delivered the first of a series of lectures at the Freethought Hall. About two hundred people were present, and Mr C. J. Eae occupied the chair. The lecturer, who is a fluent and impressive speaker, treated of the subject, “How the World was Made,” arguing that the Mosaic account of the creation was not in accord with the teachings of science. He then gave an account of the formation of the earth, based on the deductions of geologists. The lecture was listened to with marked attention, and was frequently applauded.

East Belt Weslhtan Mutual Improvement Association.— The session for the present year was opened on Thursday evening with a social. The Rev W. COliver, the newly-elected President, occupied the chair. Musical selections by Miss Brown, songs by Misses Armitage and Minifie and Messrs Booth, Cant and Lyons, and recitations by Miss M. Minifie and Mr Stenning were well received, and various amusements were heartily entered into. Miss Banks, organist of Wesley Church, presided at the piano. Judging from the large attendance and the interest evinced, the Association should have a successful session.

Living Whist. —The concluding scene of this pretty spectacular novelty was witnessed on Saturday night in the Tuam street Hall. There was a better attendance than on the two previous evenings. Play was conducted with celerity, as is proved by the fact that a complete rubber was played out and won by the reds by a treble and single. The game having been played on the lines of short whist, with honours counted, resulted in a drawn game —a rubber each side. The winners of the final rubber, Messrs Izard and Macpherson, had a stroke of luck in their last hand, as they counted four by honours and scored out. During the evening the fair “pack” again sang parodies on Gilbert and Sullivan’s songs, and with excellent music rendered by the band the evening passed only too quickly.

Ash set. —A concert took place in the district schoolroom on Friday evening ■under the auspices of the local LO.G.T. Lodge. The object was to render assistance to a resident in building a new house in place of one burnt down some time ago. There was a good attendance, the chair being occupied by Mr J. Vosa. The programme, which was a lengthy one, consisted of songs by Misses M'Callum, Eoss, Maynard, Peach, and Mr T. Adams; duets by Misses Collie and Kennedy; apolitical stump speech by Mr H. Whatman; recitations by Messrs Marshall, Whatman, and Yoss; and readings by Messrs J. Banks, jun., J. H. Baird, Bowron, Morrall, and Hickmott. The accompanists during the evening were Misses Gardiner, Ell wood, and Peach. After votes of thanks and singing the National Anthem, the meeting terminated. LO.G.T,—The Dauntless Lodge, No. 7, held its weekly meeting on Friday evening. One candidate was initiated. A large number of members of Good Intent Lodge, Eangiora, paid a fraternal visit, aad gave an invitation for a return visit. The election of officers for the ensuing quartet resulted as follows Chief Templar, Bro Cawthine; Vice Templar, Sister Ashbolt; Secretary, Sister Eay; Financial Secretary, Bro Eobinson ; Treasurers, Bro Treweek ; Chaplain, Bro Fisher; Marshall, Bro Ashbolt; Guard, Bro Pickett; Sentinel, Bro Ashbolt, junr.; Superintendent Juvenile Temple, Bro J. J, Parker. Refreshments were handed round, and harmony was indulged in.—The Hope of Christchurch Lodge met on Thursday, the C.T., Bro Efford, presiding. Cue candidate was initiated, and one member received by clearance. The election of officers resulted as follows Chief Templar, Bro J. A. Efford, re-elected; Vice Templar, Sister E. Long, re - elected; Superintendent of Juvenile Temple, Sister B. Pegley, reelected; Secretary, Bro T. Nixon, junr. ; Treasurer, Sister Dale, re-elected; Financial Secretary, Sister M. Hull; Chaplain, Bro Bleach; Marshall, Bro J. M‘Connell; Guard, Bro Nison, ssnr.; Sentinel, Bro Bridges; Assistant Secretary, Sister Nixon, junr.; Deputy Marshall, Sister Bastion; Past Chief Templar, Bro J. Young.

Street Improvements. —The removal of the old wooden verandah over Messrs. Petersen and Co.’a and Gill’s establishments in High street has effected a considerable improvement in that portion of the main thoroughfare.

School Holidays. Relative to the meetings to be held to-night for the election of School Committees, a correspondent states that an attempt is to be made to shorten the holidays at present allowed. He pleads that in these days of “cram’’and “exam.” such a course can scarcely he conducive to the health of the children. The Cake. Persons resident in New Zealand (says the Wellington Post) had better advise their friends abroad who may contemplate matrimony to omit the usual courtesy of sending a morsel of wedding cake by post, as the Customs now claim duty on all such parcels, and the recipient is called on to pay at a rate far higher even the most fashionable confectioner” would charge for the most indigestible wedding cake he could possibly manufacture.

Theatrical. — A Wellington telegram, received last night, says:—No event of recent years in the history of Wellington theatres has created more interest than the production by Williamson, Garner and | Musgrove, of Mrs Burnett’s beautiful f story, “ Little Lord Fauntlercy.” For the ■ past three nights the Opera House haa been packed to suffocation. The piece is one of the most pronounced successes ever known in the city. Last evening (Saturday) the theatre was honoured by the presence of their Lordships the Bishops of Dunedin and Waiapu. New Brighton,— On Friday evening a meeting was held to form a Debating Society, and was well attended. JThe chair was taken by Mr W. Wilson. It was decided to form a Society, and 4d ask Mr E. Blake, M.H.R., to become' Patron; Mr Wilson. President; Messrs Burns, Moor, Allpresa and Patterson, VicePresidents; Mr Ashby, Secretary; and Mr Sefton, Treasurer. The following were elected a Committee— Messrs Purchas, Glanville,Bishop, Hawkes and T. Blackett. It was decided to hold fortnightly meetings! A large number joined, and it is expected that many ladies will attend and assist in the musical evenings which it is intended to have in connection with the Club. /

Aquatic, —A canoe race which is creating a large amount of interest in theatrical circles is to be decided this momxug| The contestants who, we are assured, are both possible future aspirants for the world’s sculling championship, are Messrs Imano and Johnson, of Messrs Williamson|Garner and Musgrove’s Opera Company; The course is from Shaw’s boatsbeds to the Carlton bridge, the stakes .£5 a side and the time of starting 11.30 a.m. Both men are reported as being very fit and in strict training, sad both have executed tbe distance in phenomenal time. Given a fine day, a clear course, no favour, and the highly improbable drawback of a capsize, a record in the canoeing line is looked for. The betting is at present slightly in favour of the tenor, but the baritone’s supporters are very confident and inclined to accept the odds.

Christchurch Hunt Club. —Saturday’s sport was confined to a drag hunt locality of "The Pines,” Hew Brighton, where Mr Free provided two excellent runs for the party, over good country. A start was made from Free’s Hotel in the direction of Mr Delamain’a paddock, and over the New Brighton racecourse.The second run was over Mr Delamain’s paddocks and back across the double, near the grand stand on tbe course, to Free’s, where it finished. The afternoon was passed most enjoyably, and without a mishap. Amongst those who took pact were the Master, Messrs A. Lyon on Maori Maid, C. Wynn-Williams on Pippin, B. Lane on The Monk, Todhunter on Bachelor, Vickers on Maud, W. B. Cowlishaw on Parados, i). Kimbell on Rambler, F. J. Kimbell on a grey mare. Among the ladies were Misses Kimbell, Helamsin, Cowlishaw, and Helmore. A number of spectators in carriages and ! vehicles witnessed the sport. Acoustic Eccentricities. relates in the Otago Daily Times that he listened to the Hon T. W. Hislop when 1 that gentleman was orating at the close of the Exhibition. He also attempted to take a shorthand note of the speech. He heard very imperfectly, he says, and his notes came out in this way:—“ I have to express the regret of the Premier at his being.

unable ... to mark an era . . ~ in the subduing ... of the Maoris, i But the duty now devolved upon me! . . . is to boro the audience with statistics ... of the many errors of, judgment . , . that have retarded the progress of the Colony ... and with the immigration returns. ... 1 think yon will agree with mo - . . that this; undertaking . . . reflects great credit upon . . . the local jealousies . . . of the people of Hew Zealand . . » and the workmen of other parts of the world, . . . and should discourage any in-; clination ... to blow ... up ‘ . . . the foundations . . . of the. Colonies. Somewhere or other in his works, ■ Carlyle tells ns . . j that the Exhibi-! tion Commissioners will be able . . . soon to develop into a workmen’s college , . . which will be . . . satisfactory ... to the artisan classes of the Colony. (Loud applause.)” Brotherhood of Labour.—The fortnightly meeting of the United Brotherhood of Labour was held at the Sons of Temper- • ance Hall, Gloucester street, on Saturday evening, the President in the chair. The meeting was well attended, over thirty members being present. A letter was read from the Trades and Labour Union, Sydney, Hew South Wales, re one of the Brotherhood who had left for that Colony, stating that he had obtained a very good situation there through an introduction he had received from the Brotherhood. A letter was also road from the Trades and Labour Council of re affiliation, and it was decided by a large majority that tho Brotherhood should take immediate action to affiliate with that body. Mr Guinness said he wished to impress on the members of the Brotherhood the necessity of bolding well together as the elections for the House of Assembly would soon be coming on, and every, member should be careful who he sent up to the House to represent him. A motion —“ That no person employing labour should he a member of the Union ” —waa lost by a small majority. It was decided that all meetings he advertised in the Times and Star papers. Several new members were duly elected- The meeting closed with tho usual vote of thanks to tho chairman, and also a vote of thanks to Mr Zouch for acting as minute clerk to the meeting.

Cbiceet. ~ A general meeting of the Midland Club was held on Saturday night at the Eoyal Hotel. The business was the presentation of both the senior and junior cups, which were won by the Club on last season’s play, to the captains of, the winning teams. Mr W. H. WynnWilliams, who is President of the Club, occupied the chair in his capacity of President oc* the Canterbury Cricket Association. Representatives of other Clubs were present, and after the usual' toasts had been duly honoured, the Chair-! man presented the senior cup to Mr E. P,i Barnes, Vice-Captain of the senior eleven, who acted ir Mr Wheatley’s unavoidable ! absence, and the junior cup to Mr W. Eichards, captain of the junior team. He, congratulated these gentlemen and the dab generally upon thoir dual victory, and expressed the pleasure he felt in being present at the gathering. Messrs Barnes and Eichards replied, and handed back the Cups, to the Chairman, requesting him to take charge of them, until ouch time as they were wrested away from the Club by any rival teams. Mr Cohen proposed the toast of “ Other Clubs," and in doing bo expressed the opinion that the Cricket Association, as the governing body of the game, should evince more interest in the winding up of the season,, and should take upon itself the doty each year of formally presenting trophies won by any of the dabs under its supervision. Some very good songs and music were interspersed through the proceedings, and an enjoyable evening was terminated in decent time.

■ Chsistchwch Goldhining Coup ant* half-yearly general meeting of the P w<.M4 tlirg of this Company will he held at 8 p.EQ; on Monday next, at the Commercial Hotel* Dsedsino Company. —la this issue is advertised the prospectus of the White Cliffs Dredging Company, Limited. The 6oeno of operations will be the beaches of the Bidder river, some twenty-two miles from Westport* Street Melody. —The numerous visitors to Christchurch on Saturday were kept interested by a man, who, being deprived of an arm and leg, utilises his power of whistling to earn a living. He has spent a considerable time in Dunedin daring the Exhibition, and hia performance is undoubtedly a unique display of whistling.

BniTiss and Foreign Bible Society.— A meeting of the Kaiapoi Auxiliary Branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society was hold at Kaiapoi on .Thursday, presided over-by the Kev H. T. Eubjohns. The following officers were elected: —President of Kaiapoi Branch, Dr Murray; Committee, Eeva M'Gregor and Bond, Messrs Miller, Whitefoord, and Ellsu; Hon Treasurer, Mr Q. H. Blackwell; Hon Secretary, Eev E. A. Philips.

The New Bishop’s Reception. —On Friday evening it is intended to hold a public meeting in the Palace Rink to welcome the Bishop-elect. Addresses will be presented to him.and the new Bishop will address the people. The proceedings will be<*in at 8 p.m. Two thousand tickets will be issued, and will be distributed through the clergy and vestrymen. Holders of these tickets must be at the doors before a quarter to eight o’clock, as at that time persons without tickets will be admitted. The Eablt Closing Movement. —At Hike o’clock on Saturday evening a largo cc-acoujcae of people, chiefly young men and boys, fessemtiled in the Triangle on the High sweet side, and were evidently bent on emphasising their opinions as to the duties of the shopkeepers who did not ' cho<sja to close their establishments at the hour named. A few minutes after, as Mr J. F. Strata did not seem likely to dose his door, there was some groaning. This Mr Strata perhaps injudiciously resented by haranguing them in a rather excited manner, which did anything but soothe th\e trouble. Two young men who were prominent in the hooting were thereupon Arrested by Chief Detective O’Connor and removed to the watch-house, where they were charged with acting in a manner calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. This prompt action on the part of the police damped the ardour of the remainder of the crowd. Subsequently, when Mr Strata still kept his shop open and £ fresh approach was made, Mr Pender cautioned the assemblage that other arrests would be made if the conduct was repeated. This proved an effective dispersal-order. The two young men arrested will bo brought up at the Police Court this morning. Mko Baeyeetz’s Mission. —Tho Tuam street Hall was crowded last evening, when Mrs . Baeyerfcz, a Jewish lady evangelist, began her mission in Christchurch. Mrs Baeyertz has evidently the power of engaging the attention and enlisting the sympathies of her audience. She speaks with clear enunciation and good emphasis, and could be distinctly hoard in every part of the large hall. The semce began with singing and prayer, after which Mrs Baeyertz read tho third chapter of St John’s Gospel. After another hymn had been sung, Mrs -Baeyertz gave an address, taking for her subject “The Unpardonable Sin.’’ She Boo&e for nearly an hour, and was listened to with the greatest attention. Her power as a speaker was especially noticeable in the description of events which had happened in her own experience. She considered that the sin for which there was no forgiveness was the persistent and conscious rejection of God’s offers of mercy; and after bearing testimony to her own conversion, she made a powerful appeal to her hearers to accept the Gospel. A number of poisons remained to the after meeting. This evening Mrs Baeyertz will give an account of her conversion from Judaism to Christianity-

This Bible Socibtt.— On Friday evening the Rov H. T. Eobjohns, 8.A., addressed a meeting in the schoolhouae, Fernside, Archdeacon Dudley presiding, and Mr T. S. Mannering and Mr Evans speaking. The place was quite lull. Fernside raised last year £7 Os 6d for the Society, and gave at this meeting, hy collection, XI 14s 7d more. An interesting faatnre of this meeting was that Mr T. S. Mannering was able to give some facts connected with colportage work in Palestine, which fell under hia own observation there. In fact he stayed with the Bible Society’s colporteur at Nablous. On Sunday morning Mr llobjohns preached on the “ Unity of the Bible ’’ in the North Belt Presbyterian Church, from Ezekiel xun, 2; and in the evening in the Sydenham Wesleyan Church on the « Origin and Development of the work of the Colporteur,” from Luke x, 1. This evening in the Y.M.C.A., he is to give an account of the special Bible events of the year, of'a conference with the Maoris assembled in Church council, of the translation and revision of the Earatongan Bible, and of the Bible Society’s kiosk in the recent Paris Exhibition, and of how the Figaro helped to make known the nature and magnitude of the work.

The naemhara of the Loyal City of Christchurch lodge of Oddfellows arc summoned to attend a meeting this evening, , , A special general meeting of tho Sydenham Football Club will be hold to-morrow evening at the Sydenham Hotel. A meeting of dairymen will he held to-morrow evening at the Orange Hall, Worcester street, to take steps towards tho formation of an Associaannual meeting of the ratepayers of Tai Tapu will be hold at tho Library at noon on Friday next. The Master of the Queen’s Jubilee Memorial Home, Woolston, doairea to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of an invalid wheel-chair for tho use of those inmatoe who are unable to move about of themselves!, from Mr A. J. White; also fruit and vegetables from StJohn J 3, Woolston,and fruit from Mrs Watt.

Fish and Oyatara!!!—Tho undersigned are prepared to supply Stewart Island oystcre in any quantity at ten shillings per sack, at the Blnif. Vrwin and Co., Bluff Barbour.— [Advt.] Horse covers 11s 6d each. Sto B. Halo and Co.’s advertisement on page 2.

Eably Closing Movement. —Although ■we are not, and never were, members of the Canterbury Grocers’ and Storekeepers’ Association, wo are anxious and willing to do all in our power to assist the early closing movement, bo long as no injury is done to those interested in the trade. Consequently we intend to give the proposition to close at six o’clock on Saturday a fair trial, and trust our many friends and customers will exercise a little indulgence towards us, seeing our premises are altogether inadequate for the requirements of our business,'and endeavour to let us have their where possible, on Friday, or as early as convenient on Saturday, to avoid the tremendous crush on the Saturday-' afternoon. As an inducement for so doing, wo are prepared to guarantee that we shall maintain our reputation forgiving the bkst value in the ciTT, and having just revised our price list and reduced several important items, it will now be found we are giving not the best only, but a LONS WAY THE BEST YaLUB TO EE HAD Wo have not as yet been brought to the necessity of joining in Association, to enable uo to buy our goods or dictate to us at what prices we are to sell them, but have proved in the past that we are able to bold the premier position in the trado single-handed; and as to the future, we him? every reason to be sanguine. We take this opportunity of thanking the public for the very liberal patronage extended to u's in the past, and beg to assure them that nothing shall 1 be wanting on our part to merit a continuance of their supy-ort. —Waedell, Bros, and Co., Christchurch and Banedin. — [Advt.j Election Time in G-ski/tant. —The following is an extract from the letter of an English boy at school jk Germany, published lately in the Vaily Nw s:—“There was another election here yesterday. The rector of the is the chief person of’the Consoi vs vvo party. He told us astory-of apea-xT.it whowaa-'xmnng to vote,, when the rector asked him if he was going to vote for Herr — (that is the ono the rector ia ; trying co got-in,).

and the peasant said ‘‘Yes,* and the rector gave him a ticket for Herr ———, when he saw another ticket sticking out of the peasant’s other pocket for the Liberal candidate. It was folded up. The rector took it out of his pocket whilst he was speaking to him, and put one of his own tickets in place of it. The rector watched the peasant, and he threw the one the rector gave him away, and put the one he thought was his (the Liberal one) in the box. . . It is very cold here now, dear papa.” Arabella Goddard’s Deep Distress. —•Sir G. Grove, in a letter in a Home paper, says :— c< It will touch the hearts of many older readers to be told tbat Madame Arabella Goddard, who in years gone by so often charmed them with her brilliant performances on the piano, has been for months confined to her bed, and is now lying ill and in pain, and disabled not only from playing in public but from the exercise of teaching, on which her subsistence depends. It is, alas! the fact. This lady, who in our recollections is associated with one of the liveliest pleasures the mind can conceive, with youth, light and brightness, and the purest and strongest emotion, will probably never again rise from her bed of suffering. Her husband, tho distinguished musical critic, died some years ago, and his widow is now all but destitute, depending solely on the interest of the small sum of £2OO just granted to her by the First Lord of the Treasury.” A concert for her benefit was being organised by a sister artist. Miss Jaaotha.

Modern Competition. —The author of “ Looking Backward ” makes the Philosopher of the year 2000 remark follows on the evils of unchecked competition “ 'J he next of the great wastes was that from competition. The field of industry was a battlefield as wide as the world, in which the workers wasted, in assailing one another, energies which, if expended in concerted effort, as to-day, would have enriched all. As for mercy or quarter m [hla warfare, there was absolutely no suggestion of it. To deliberately -enter a field of business and destroy the enterprise oi those who occupied it previously, in order to plant one’s own enterprise on their ruins, was an achievement which never failed to command popular admiration. Nor is there any stretch of fancy in comparing this sort of struggle with actual warfare, so far as concerns the nsental agony and physical suffering which attended the struggle, au-d the misery which overwhelmed the defeated and those dependent on them. Now nothing about your age is, at first sight, more astounding to a man of modern times than the fact that men engaged in the same industry, instead of fraternising as comrades and co-Jabourers to a common end, should have regarded each other as rivals and enemies to be throttled and overthrown. This certainly seems like sheer madness, a scene from bedlam.”