TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9091, 30 April 1890, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Sale or a Libbabt. —We Lave been requested to draw attention to the postponement of the sale of the very valuable library of the late Yen Archdeacon Bowen. The sale will now take place on Tuesday, May 13, at Mr Charles Clark’s rooms. Medbhky Band or Hope, —This successful Society held a meeting the other evening, when an unusually attractive programme was gone through. A short address by the Rev W. Grigg brought a pleasant meeting to a close. Road Board Elections.— The nominations for the vacancies on the Gust Road Board closed at noon on Monday, when the following were received: Messrs W. Anderson, G. Biddle, E. Chapman, and J. Gallettly. The poll will take place on Monday next. New Zealand Athletic Team. —Those who are collecting funds in aid of this team are requested to return their lists, if possible, by to-morrow, to the Secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. Ashley Road Board Election. —Owing to the refusal of the North Loburn School Committee to allow the use of the schoolroom for a polling booth for the above election, the Returning Officer has made arrangements to conduct the business at Mr A. Philpott’s private house. Theatre Royal. The Yeomen of the Guard was performed at the 'Theatre Royal last evening to a fairly numerous audience. To-night is the last appearance of the present Company in Christchurch, when Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular opera Patience will be produced. Templeton Road Board. —Mr G, Gunn was yesterday elected, unopposed, as member for No. 1 sub-division of the district. Two candidates, viz., Messrs J. Taylor and W. Savill, came forward for No. 5 sub-division, and the election of one member will take place on Tuesday next, at the Road Board office, Yaldhurst. Sydenham Football Club.— A special general meeting of this Club was held last evening; Mr J. M‘Leau in the chair. The Chairman tendered his resignation as captain of the Club, and Mr A. J. Weeks was elected to fill the vacancy. MrW. Hoban was chosen a member of the Selection Committee. Mr M'Lean, who had played for the Club for eight years, and was the Club’s first representative in Interprovincial matches, was unanimously elected a life member of the C tub. The members were especially asked to patronise the Sydenham gymnasium. The meeting then adjourned.

Masonic. —The first communication of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand was held last evening in the St Augustine Hall, Manchester street, and a report will he found elsewhere. The gathering was a peculiarly gratifying one, by reason of its thoroughly representative character, and the proceedings throughout were characterised by thorough unanimity, and an evident determination on the part of every member to advance the interests of Grand Lodge. We are requested to remind brethren who desire to be present at the installation ceremony in the Oddfellows’ Hall, that strict punctuality will be observed, and that it will he impossible to gain admission after 6.15 p.m.

Canterbury Operative Bakers’ Association. A general meeting of this Association was held in Hobbs’ Buildings last Saturday evening, and was attended by upwards of fifty. Ten new members were enrolled on the hooka during the evening. Several letters were read from various parts of the Colonies offering assistance in case of strike. A deputation of the Association waited on the master bakers to receive reply to the rules laid before them last Thursday evening. The rules were all accepted by them but one, that being the log, which was allowed to stand over until May S, when a final decision is to be arrived at. After the reply was handed in to the general meeting, it adjourned until Saturday^aext,

Slaughterhouse Fees.— -The Selwyn Comity Council decided yesterday that they could not reduce the charges tor slaughtering licenses as requested by a recent deputation. Land Sale. —At Eangiora, yesterday, Mr W. Buss sold the equity of redemption of seventj'-eight acres of land at Ohoka, lately in the occupation of Mr P. O’Connor, to Mr ,T. Fulton for .£330, the amount of mortgage being £1217; £ls 10a per acre. Eangiora Literary and Debating Society. —At the fortnightly meeting of the above Society, on Monday night. Miss Williams, M.A., read an interesting essay on “ Parody,” and received a hearty vote of thanks from the members for her paper. Thera was a good attendance of both members and visitors. Scholarship Examinations. The annual examination for scholarships in Standards C and D of the Board schools is now in progress. There are six competitors for the Class C scholarship, three of either sex; and five competitors in Standard D, all of whom are girls. The examination concludes on Friday. Back Privileges.— At noon yesterday Mr W. Buss offered by auction, on account of the North Canterbury Jockey Club Committee, the privileges in connection with the May Meeting, and sold the following Confectioner’s booth, Mr Minchington, £i ; cards, Mr J. G. Wineloe, £4 10s; horse-yardo and sports, Mr W. Murfitt,£3. The publican’s booth was withdrawn. The San Francisco Mail.—Aa the Takapuna, with the southern portion of the San Francisco mail, leaves Wellington this afternoon, it should be delivered in town early to-morrow morning. The Post Office authorities in Wellington will detain the Doric in Lyttelton for a few hours, to enable the public to reply to correspondence by the San Francisco mail. Hospital and Charitable Aid Bates.— The Selwyn County Council yesterday passed a resolution allocating the amount required from the County for hospitals vs cb charitable aid among the Town and Roam Boards under the Council’s control. The! total amount required is <£3o-18 6a, The amounts apportioned to the various districts will be found in the report of the proceedings in another column.

Public Baths at Kaiapoi.— At Monday night’s meeting of the local Caledonian Society the sum of .£lO was voted towards the erection of these desirable buildings. It is to be hoped that the example of this most useful Society will be followed by the public to a sufficient extent to enable the scheme to be carried out. Nothing can be more desirable that the encouragement of bathing and swimming amongst boys and men. A familiarity with water, apart from its healthy effect, will always tend to lessen and prevent the many sad boating fatalities we hear of almost daily, Literary Society. —A Literary Society has been successfully set on foot by members of the Timaru Presbyterian Church as a means of improving the winter evenings. The Society meets fortnightly, and the two meetings which have already been held were well intended, and much interest was take-in the proceedings. At the first meeting the Rev W. Gillies read a paper on “John Curwen, the tonic sol-faist,” and at the second meeting, held on Monday evening, Mr A. C. Blake read a paper on “ Education,” which gave rise to an animated discussion. The Liedertapel. —At the request of the Bishop’s Reception Committee, and of a number of the subscribers to the Society who desire to bo present on Friday evening at the Rink, the Christchurch Liedertafel have consented to postpone their Ladies’ Social (Gemischtor Abend) from Friday to Saturday evening, when it will be held in the Tuam street Hall, at eight o’clock. It is hoped that the new Bishop, who takes a great interest in Societies of this kind, will be able to accept the Liedertafel’s invitation to be present at their concert oa Saturday. Presentation. —On Thursday, April 24, a pleasant gathering took place in the Pigeon Bay school, the object being the presentation of an address to Mr Watkins, late master of the main school, Mr John Pettigrew, who made the referred in eulogistic terms to the way Mr Watkins had carried out his duties; also, that the parents of the children attending the school had expressed their entire satisfaction with him, and regretted Ilia leaving. Mr Pettigrew then read the address, and concluded his remarks by stating that he had much pleasure in presenting the address to Mr Watkins, together with a pencil-case and meerschaum pipe, the gift of the children attending the school. These would remind him of the time he had spent in the. Bay. Mr Watkins suitably replied. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Pettigrew brought the meeting to a close. Plucky Acts.— ln connection with the runaway of the Rev E. E. Otway’s trap, on Monday, the courageous conduct of a cabman deserves notice. This man, whose name is George Johnson, clutched the reins of the bolting horse, as it was dashing up High street, dragging after it the buggy, to the splash board of which a little child was clinging. He held on to them, and though the forewheel of the buggy almost went over him, end cut his face badly and bruised him, did not let go his hold, until the runaway was brought up against the footway.—Another instance of pluckily stopping a runaway occurred yesterday, when the horse attached to a hansom cab, which was careering along Cashel street without a driver, was pulled up by a Mr Hall, wbo seized the reins just as the runaway was nearing the Queen’s Hotel. Post Takapuna.— The following is an extract from a letter written by a Permanent Artilleryman at Fort Takapuna, Auckland:—“This is the most wretched place out of Hades. Had I the power, I would not condemn a leprous Mongolian to live here twenty minutes for any crime short of murder. As for allowing a favourite dog or cat to remain in the barrack over-night—the bare idea is too repulsive to think of. If you leave your boots unattended to for a couple of days they are covered with mildew, and if yon neglect them a few days longer they ate absolutely rotten. Leaving myself out of the question, I feel sorry for my comrades. They are a splendid lot of young fellows, condemned by a soulless Government to live in a place wholly unfitted for human habitation, a place where they are hourly imbibing noxious gases and the germs of fatal (though, perhaps, slowly fatal) disease.”

Primitive Methodist Church. —The eighteenth anniversary of the Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge terrace, was celebrated by special services on Sunday last, and by a tea and public meeting yesterday evening. The tea began at half-past six o’clock, and was attended by a large number of people. The well-spread tables were provided and presided over by the ladies of the congregation. The public meeting was largely attended, and was presided over by the Eev W. S. Potter, pastor of the church, The report stated that the membership stood at sixty-six, eight new members having been received during the year. In addition there were fourteen members at the branch church at Phillipstown During the year a larger number ol sittings had been taken in the churel than formerly. The financial statement shewed the debt upon the church property to be J 2600, with .2200 additional on th« Phillipstown church. During the yea) .£SO had been paid off the debt & Phillipstown, and a further reductioi at an early date was expected. Th( various organisations connected witl the church were reported to be in i more vigorous condition than hitherto. I had .been decided to hold a bazaar ii October next to reduce the church debf Addresses were given by the Eeva J Orchard, C. Dallastou, W. S. Potter an Mr Earwaker. The choir, under the direc tion of the last-named gentleman, san; several pieces of sacred music, Mies Hide accompanying on tho harmonium. At th close of the meeting, votes of thanks wei passed to all those who had helped in th celebration. The church was decorate with flowers and evergreens in a tastefv manner, reflecting great credit on tl young ladies of tho congregation wb carried out tho work.

The City Accounts. —Mr H’Lsan, of the Auditor-General's Department, was engaged yesterday in auditing the accounts of the City Council for the last half-year.

The Sweating Commission. —Messrs F. Jones, M.H.R., and 11.I 1 . E. Wright, the Christchurch members of the Sweating Commission, left for Wellington yesterday in order to attend the meeting of all the Commissioners which is to be held in order to consider their report. Fxbb.—On Sunday last four stacks of oats on tho Springfield _ estate were destroyed by fire. The loss is estimated at £2oo’ and was not covered by insurance. Nothing is known of the origin of tho fire, which was discovered by soma of the men working on the estate. A Pbactical Bishop. —A correspondent sends us the following :—" The Bishop of Waiapu excited tho admiration of the assembled populace at the Railway Station yesterday morning, for, when he found that the cabmen had struck, he bailed a van, threw hia sticks in, jumped on the box, and drove off, hat, coat, gaiters, apron and all, laughing with the driver.” A Potato.—Tho soil of the Christchurch Hospital garden is evidently suited lor growing potatoes. Mr Miller, the Secretary, has shown us a specimen of tho Breeze e Prolific variety, weighing only halt an ounce less than two pounds and threequarters. It is a sound, well-shaped tuber, and not, as some big potatoes are, merely a number of smaller ones K tcaether somewhat in the form of a bunco. °f shpes. Accidents. —Tho Ora.ci corof the Riverton Star reports that oL Wednesday as tho evening train to Orejuki was rounding the corner at the old ballast pit it ran into a mob of horses, killing ivro; one the property of Mr Elliot, the belonging to Mr Horan, fine night previous a cow was run over between Colao Wr.kapatu. This latest horsofcilling exploit very nearly threw the train off the rails; several passengers standing OU/the platform of the carriage;! were all -Wt thrown off. Working Men’s Co- operative Society. ■—The second quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Working Men’s Co-operative Society was held iu the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street, last evening. The President (Mr J. Hislop), and-about forty shareholders were present, fi'hc Secretary read the quarterly report and balancesheet, which were adopted. _ Mr J. 13. Jackson was elected Vice-President; and Messrs T. Sylvester, H. Buraon and W. Biiltitude as Committeemen. The Committee were authorised to commence business at their convenience.

Dairymen's Association. — A general meeting of the Christchurch and suburban milkmen was held last night in the Hall, at which there were about thirty present, .Mr W. H. Whiting in the chair. The meeting decided to form an Association to be called the Christchurch District Dairymen’s Association. The rules, as prepared by the previous meetings of the Provisional Committees, were, with one exception, adopted, and the election of officers resulted in the return of Mr W. H. Whiting as President, Mr W. T. Oliffo Vice-President, and Mr E. T. Gillett Secretary. A Committee of twenty was elected, and the meeting terminated. The Cathedral School. —Last night the boys of the Cathedral School had their breaking-up entertainment, which consisted tor the most part of one of Mr Seager’s ever-popular performances, and for the rest of a very good musical programme of songs by friends, and choruses by the boys. While Mr Seagar was in the middle of one of his performances, he heard the bells pealing their welcome to Archdeacon Julius, and immediately called for three cheers for the Bishop-elect, which, it is needless to say, were lustily given ; also, three times three for Bishop Harper, called for by Mr Merton. At the end of the entertainment everyone enjoyed a very nice supper, kindly given in the schcolhouse by Mrs Merton. Visitors to Christchurch, Two causes have contributed to the fact that just now Christchurch is honoured by the presence of a number of visitors of importance—the consecration of the Bishopelect and the inauguration of the New gbaland Qrand Lodge of Freemasons. Tire Primate (Bishop Hadfield)* and the Bishops of Nelson, Auckland, Dunedin, and Waiapu, and Archdeacon Pancourt are our guests in connection with the ecclesiastical ceremony. Messrs Feldwick, G. Fisher, D. H. Macarthur, W. Harkness, and V. Pyke, M.H.R.’e, are also in town, together with the Rev Mr Eonaldson, Messrs R. C. Hamerton, E. T. Gillou, do Eenzi. Burton, M. Elliott, and a number of others. A Singular Accident.— The new scwb bell recently procured to call the Church of England congregation at Fernsida together for worship met with a mishap on Sunday last. The bell had been hung in a tower built for the purpose in the churchyard; but it seems that no caps for the gudgeons were sent out from England with the fittings. The consequence was that when the bell was in full swing last Sunday morning it left its bearings, and came down with a tremendous crash on to a roof five or six feet below, built to protect the ringer from the weather. The edge of the bell’s mouth which first came in contact with the roof cut through the boards, but fortunately the timbers proved staunch enough to withstand the shock and prevent the hell from falling lower. Had it been otherwise, the ringer would probably have lost his life. Luckily the bell was not injured. St Matthew’s Sale of Work.— A very successful sale of work and entertainment was held in St Matthew’s Schoolroom, St Albans, last evening. The object was to defray the expenses that several ladies of the congregation had been pub to in providing materials for kneeling cushions for the church. The ladies had given their time and handiwork in making the kneeling cushions, and, in order to purchase the materials, had spent many afternoons in preparing a number of fancy and useful irtides which were now spread out for sale in tempting display in the schoolroom. The Rev H. T. Purchas, in a few remarks, briefly stated the object of the gathering, md added that if any surplus remained it would bo devoted to the very necessary vork of enlarging the schoolroom. The vork stall was presided over by Mesdames Purchas, Mann, Norwood aud Speight, and be refreshment stall by Mesdames Dixie, 3ilton and Gretton. There was a largo ittcndance, and the ladies did fairly good msiness. The members of the choir gave m entertainment, which consisted of a lantata entitled " Picnic,” which was well ■endered, Mrs Leach being an efficient iccompanist. Several songs were also ung, and all present spent the evening 'cry pleasantly. Christchurch Poultry Society. —A Deeding of the Committee of this Society ?as held in their rooms last night, at rhich there were present Messrs E. ilvans (in the chair), S. Brooking, J. G. .'iarke, F. C. Robertson, R. T. Cooke, I. E. M. Evans, A. Clark, Moon, Lane, Pord, A. Smith and T. Gordon (Secretory), to apology was received from Mr S. C. Cesteven, absent through indisposition. l letter was received from the Otago >oultry Society suggesting that the Christhurch Society should maxo some arrangements whereby they could admit entries com members of the Dunedin Society on he same terms as their own, and stating hat they were prepared to admit Christhurch members to their show on the same sms; also suggesting that the various ocietiea in the Colonies ..imold consult dth each other respecting the dates of be respective shows, to prevent clashing, ’hey further suggested that entries for the aspective shows should be received by the meal Secretaries at each place. The aggesfcion was favourably received, and it as decided that the Secretary should offer le same concession to all other similar ocietiea outside of North Canterbury, Mr ! . Breeze, Ashburton, wroth protesting gainst a clause in the* prize schedule, hich provided for only half prize money sing paid in the event of leas than four itries being made in any class. The tier was received, but the Committee soided that they could not make any iteration in the schedule. Other routine asiness being transacted, the mestmg ijouraed.

Canterbury Rowing Club. —The annual distribution of prizes and smoke concert-in connection therewith is postponed till 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the boathouse.

The Bishop - elect. —The Yen Archdeacon Julius arrived in Christchurch yesterday evening, and was warmly received by a large crowd at the railway station. Several matters of interest in connection with his approaching consecration as Bishop of Christchurch appear in another column.

Kaiapoi Caledonian Society. The annual meeting of the Kaiapoi Caledonian Society was held on Monday. Tho chair was occupied by Mr W. Fraser. The report and balance-sheet, which showed the amount of £27 iu hand, were adopted. Tho Society voted .£lO towards the funds for the formation of a public swimming bath, and £2 12s 6d for prizes to be competed for at the Borough school. The following wore elected:—President, Mr W. Fraser; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. W. "Walls and E. Fcldwick; Directors, Messrs Marshall, Johnston, Hansen, Stewart, Ironsides, Diepenheim and Anderson. fi’iiE Cabmen.— Through an oversight the letter sent by the cabmen to his Worship the Mayor in reference to the trouble over the railway station cabstands did not reach hia Worship till yesterday morning, being received after the Mayor had gone away in tba afternoon, and put in the pigeon - hole where letters for his Worship are placed. The Mayor did not look there when he came, consequently it could not be brought up at the Council meeting on Monday. The letter asked that the Council should give the cabmen such relief as they could. A number of summonses for various charges which had been brought against cabmen by Constable Kelly were enclosed. Kawau. The New Zealand Herald Bays:—Wo understand that Kawau Island has been sold by Mrs Thomson, who purchased the property two years ago from Sir George Grey. Mrs Thomson, during her occupation of the property, has expended a considerable amount of money in improvements generally, and is prospecting for some of the mineral lodes on tho island. In the latter respect abundauc proof is now evident of mineral wealth awaiting development. Meantime Mr E. J. Dunn, the celebrated geologist from Victoria (formerly Government Geologist of South Africa}, has arrived for the purpose of making a complete survey of the island in every part, which will ha a costly and laborious undertaking. Mr Dunn has recently returned from an inspection of the celebrated Mount Morgan mine in Queensland, on behalf of Messrs Rothschild. The purchasers of Kawau are MrW. D. Holgate, J.P., and Mrs F. A. Buxton, of Victoria. 'The former husband of Mrs Buxton was Mr Robert Hoddls, the first Surveyor-General of Victoria, and this lady owns some of the finest property in Melbourne and suburbs. It is the intention of Mr and Mrs Holgate to reside permanently on the island, and continue improving and developing ita resources, whilst Mrs Buxton intends spending the summer months on Kawau, thus avoiding the excessive heat of Victoria at that season. Tiie Master of the Orphanage fcogn to acknqwlediro, with thu.uk u. the receipt of the following articles; —From the Church ot St Saviour, Lyttelton, fruit and vegetables, from harvest thanksgiving service ; same from church in Governor's Boy; big apples from Mr Fcrguanu, per Mr Garforth; box apples from K ossrs Titton nud Jiamford, Governor’s Bay: box apples from Mrs "Webb, Lyttelton; also a parcel of books from a friend, per Ur J. T, Smith, Cashel street. Fish and Oysters! 11—The undersigned are prepared to supply Stewart Island oysters in any quantity at ton shillings per sack, at the Bluff. Ui-win and Co., Blnff Harbour,- [Advt.J Horse covers 11s 6d each, Bee B. Hale and Co. s advertisement on pugo 2.

Early Closing Movement.— Believing after all the interest and ventilation the early closing movement has received, that there was an almost universal public feeling against shopping after 6 o’clock on Saturday, we were willing to give closing at that hour a trial; but after the experience of the last two Saturdays, and the very numerous representations of our customers that they find it simply impossible to shop before 0 o’clock, we consider the movement is premature, and until a different day is arranged for the payment of wages, and the feeling against late shopping much more general and sincere, we cannot close our establishment at 6 o’clock, but intend closing at 9 o’clock on Saturday, and 6 o’clock every other evening. This, wo may point out, is a very considerable concession on the present hours. Our case is simply this—We take after 6 o’clock on Saturdays, on an average, £IOO from about 500 customers. Last Saturday we lifted between <£Bo and .£9O from 400, thus proving one of two things, either the people don’t wish us to close at 6 o’clock, or they cannot conveniently shop earlier; the latter we believe to be the principal reason, as very many of them live in the suburbs, and don’t receive their wages till Saturday evening, consequently cannot make their purchases before 6 o’clock. We have always made it a rule to study the Interests and Convenience of our Customers First, and when they unmlstakeably declare they are in favour of closing at 6 o’clock we will be very willing indeed to do so. N.B.—As we are not members of the Canterbury Grocers’and Storekeepers’ Association, and have never been consulted by them with regard to closing at 6 o’clock on Saturdays, no resolution passed by that body is in the least binding on us. Our business hours, until further notice, will be from 8 o’clock to 9 on Saturday, aud 8 o’clock till G every other evening.— Wasdell Bros and Co,, Christchurch and Dunedin.— f A dvt.J