TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9167, 29 July 1890, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Society of Musicians.— Am advertisement of interest to all who may be desirous of joining this Society appears in this issue. Kaiapoi Railway Station. Some slight repairs to these buildings are being carried out, hut the highly necessary work of increasing platform accommodation is still neglected. Sooner or later an accident will result, probably on some dark, wet evening. School op Engineering. —Our readers are reminded that Mr E. Dobson’s introductory lecture to the course on “ Building Construction” will be delivered this evening iu the Lecture Hall of Canterbury College. The subject of the lecture will bo “The Successful Conduct of Building Operations,” and it will be illustrated by a number of diagrams.

Melbourne Mails. —The Te Auau, with the Melbourne mails, reached the Bluff early yesterday. Her mails are due ia Christchurch to-night. Garrison Library. —At the meeting of the Garrison Library on Friday next. Major Eicharda will read a paper on “Customs and Usages of Her Majesty’s Service.” Ashley Traffic Bridge. —ln the Gazette of July 17 notice appears of a special order, made by the Ashley Eoad Board, bringing the Ashley district under the Local Bodies Loans Act for the purpose of raising a loan of about £7OOO to extend the present traffic bridge.

Football. —The Linwood Third defeated the Lancaster Park Juniors by four points to nil. Tries were secured by Walsh, Pegg, Moses, and Inwood. For the Juniors, Hughes, Hayden and Bailey were the best, while M'Lenahan, Eudd, and Stewart played hard for the winners. Horse Sale. —Messrs Pyne and Co. held a most satisfactory sale of hacks, hunters and light harness horses at their Horse Bazaar yesterday. The attendance was good and bids for good sorts came freely. Up to £3O was obtained for some well-bred upstanding hacks, and the average obtained for the seventy lots submitted reached more than £2O. Meeivale Parish Entertainments.— We would remind those interested that the first of this winter’s series will take place this evening. In recently giving the names of the vocalists a printer’s error occurred, Mr Newman’s name having been printed as Needham. We are requested to state that Mrs Garrard has kindly consented to sing, so that, combined with the l well-known comedietta in the hands of Mr and Mrs George Humphreys, a good evening’s amusement maybe looked forward to. Heathcote Yalley. —A pleasant gathering took place on Friday evening in the Wesleyan Church, when Miss M'Dowell, who has held the position of organist for some time, was made the recipient of a silver teapot, by members of the congregation and others, on the eve of her approaching marriage. She also received some tokens of esteem from the members of the Bible classes of the Sunday school. The presentation was made by Mr Weir, and was suitably acknowledged by Mr Kempthorne on behalf of Miss M'Dowell. The Eev Charles Clark. —All who remember the Eev Charles Clark and his popular lecture entertainments, will not be surprised to learn that since his return to the Colonies he has been received with acclamation in Melbourne and Adelaide. His eloquence seems to be as effective and his humour as pleasing as ever; and although many lecturers have visited Australia during the last ten years, Mr Clark remains without a rival. Before finally settling down to church work in England, he is making a flying tour, which will include New Zealand; and it is stated that be will go to Auckland at the conclusion of his present Sydney season, I.O.G.T.—The Dauntless Lodge held its weekly session in tbe Blue Eibbon Hall on Friday, Bro Cawthine presiding. One candidate was initiated. The following were elected officers for the ensuing quarter, which commences on the first Tuesday in August, instead of Friday, as hitherto: —C.T., Bro Dyson ; Y.T., Sister Ashbolt, re-elected; Secretary, Bro Faulkner; F.S., Bro Parker; T., Bro Oates j C., Bro Shields; M., Bro Ashbolt, re-elected; D.M., Sister Hawker; T.G., Bro Ashbolt, junr.; 0.G., Bro Buggey. A good deal of routine business was got through, and the Lodge was closed by Bro Cawthine at the usual hour. Serious Charges. —At the Police Court yesterday Fred. M. Hadfield was accused of forging ten cheques for various sums, amounting.in the aggregate to £392 10s 2d. The preliminary investigation of three of the charges was completed, and upon these Hadfield was committed for trial. J. Harrop was jointly accused with Hadfield in five charges, including the three that were dealt with. The Bench concluded that there was no prima facie case made out against him in the charges they beard, and dismissed them as regards Harrop, remarking that there was no evidence of felonious intent on his part. The hearing of the remaining charges will be resumed at 2 p.m. to-day. The Wool Buyers. —At a recent meeting of wool buyers, at which Messrs J. M. Watt (Chairman), G. Pickles, G. Clark, J. Murgatroyd, W. J. Olliver, T. M‘Donald, and G. Kettlewell (Hon Sec.) were present, it was decided “that holding wool sales at Ashburton, Kangiora and Amborley is opposed to the best interests of buyers and sellers alike, and that we will use our utmost endeavours to centralise the sales in Christchurch.” Letters were received from Messrs Murray, Eoborts and Co., A. Macdonald and Co., and J. Broadbent, of Dunedin, expressing sympathy with the movement, and promising support to any action taken to carry this resolution into effect. Other buyers not present had also expressed their approval of the resolution.

A Pushing Man of Business. —On Saturday, at the Haiapoi Resident Magistrate’s Court, Malcolm Christian, alias Dungan, arrested by Constable Cartmill, was charged before Messrs Hansen and Wilson with trespassing on sundry private premises, and refusing to leave when requested. From the evidence, it appeared accused had a patent system of soldering holes in tinware. He pushed into houses and knocked holes in buckets, &c., for the purpose of demonstrating his ability. The accused made a piteous appeal for clemency, saying his “heart and soul were in the work.” The Bench, although desirous of encouraging local industry, did not consider this gentleman’s business mode a pleasing one, and unfeelingly ordered him to quit the town, with a severe caution against a further appearance.

Satisfactory Proof. —An amusing incident comes from Dobbo, New South Wales. Mr Wilson, Superintendent of Roads, with a four-in-hand, drove the Mayor, and Mr Muller, Manager of the Bank of Australasia, to inspect the road to Peak Hill, and decidejwhere the money voted should be expended. Mr Wilson alleging that the road is in fair condition, considering the late weather, the coach drivers were much offended. After much bumping they reached the now notorious bog, known as the “district surveyor’s bog,” he being bogged there recently and compelled to walk sixteen miles to Dubbo. Mr Wilson, not knowing the bog, drove the whole team right into it. The buggy was almost submerged in thin mud. After great efforts the Mayor was extricated by the combined efforts of the superintendent and the banker. Both being large and powerful men, rendered great assistance. After a short consultation it was decided to expend all the money on this place. The party then proceeded to walk the rest of the way, the Mayor acting as guide. The coachdrivers are jubilant, and trust the superintendent has received satisfactory proof of the condition of the road. Art Needlework. —A noteworthy feature of the production of The Palace of Truth was the splendour, richness, and tastef illness of the ladies’ dresses. These were almost too good fqr the stage, as they would hear a much closer inspection than is generally the case. As specimens of what the Christchurch artists in needlework can accomplish, the dresses worn by Mesdames Alan Scott, Boyle, and Lomax-Smitb, which were from the establishment of Messrs B. Strange and Co., must have been a revelation to the audience. The following brief description will give some idea of their excellence. Mrs Alan Scott s was a black velvet robe embroidered in silver, under which showed a petticoat of white quilted satin studded with pearls, a stomacher of white satin (cut square) also studded with pearls, and a high silver lace ruff. Mrs Boyle’s first dress was a cream velvet robe, showing a very handBOQI6 gold-embroidered pstticoftfc, &nd stomacher, with a high gold lace ruff; and her second dress was a gobelin plush robe, trimmed with point lace, a gold puffed satin petticoat and stomacher, Holbein sleeves, and lace ruff. Mrs Lomax-Smith's first dress was a terracotta velvet robe, gold-embroidered petticoat and stomacher, coral pink embroidered gold velvet and satin ruff; her second dress was a heliotrope plush, bordered with silver lace, a white satin brocade petticoat and stomacher, Holbein sleeves and-lace ruff.

Valedictory. —ln another column is a report of the presentation made yesterday; afternoon to Mr James Campbell, who isabout to leave Christchurch for the NorthIsland.

Personal. —Letters recently receivedfrom Mr T. H. Smeaton, the Secretary of; the Y.M.C.A., lead to the conclusion that; he will probably be back in Christchurch, about the end of August. Supreme Court. —His Honor Mr Justice; Denniston will sit in Chambers at 10.S0a.xn., to-day, and iu Bankruptcy at; eleven. After the Bankruptcy sitting, the. cross-motions for judgment in the case of! Nystrom v. Cameron and another will be ! taken.

“Justice.” —We have received a copy of the first number of a monthly paper, with the above title, published in Auckland as the organ of the Anti-poverty Society in that city. It consists of sixteen pages, principally devoted to vigorous advocacy, of nationalisation of the land by means of a single direct tax on unimproved land values.

Letters to the Editor, We must again remind certain correspondents that voluminous letters, which would occupy from one to two columns, and some of them even more, cannot possibly be inserted during the Parliamentary session. At no time, indeed, are such long letters either desirable or necessary save under very exceptional circumstances. Palace Eink. —ln our advertising columns it is announced that there will be no afternoon session at the Palace Eink to-day, in order to, allow of preparations' being made for tbe children’s carnival in the evening. The “ grand march ” will begin at 7.45 p.m., and will be followed by a competition for prizes, and Maypole dance. The rink will be open for general skating at 9.15 p.m.

Merit ale Children’s Temperance Guild. —The monthly meeting of tbe Merivale Children’s Temperance Guild was held in the parish schoolroom last evening. There was a good attendance. The Eev J. O’Bryen Hoare gave an interesting address on the advantages of total .abstinence. At the close a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Hoare, on the motion of the President, the Eev T. Flavell. Non-Commissioned Officers’ Smoke Concert.— The success of the gathering of Volunteer non-commissioned officers, to bid farewell to Sergeant-Major Finn, on Friday last, has caused a proposal to be made for holding a non-commissioned officers’ smoke concert once a quarter. The idea is a very good one, as such a meeting could not fail to increase tbe friendly feeling and esprit de corps which are so necessary for the welfare of the force.*

Personal. —-'Among New Zealand's notable visitors from Australia may be mentioned the Eev D. Cassidy, of Lismbre, New South Wales, who passed through Christchurch on his way from the West Coast, and left by the Hauroto for Sydney last week. He has been on a visit of some months to New Zealand, most parts of which he has travelled through. The rev gentleman spoke in very glowing terms of the nature and prosperity of the country surrounding Lismore, where the staple industry is that of sugar-raising. He is a brother of Mr H. Cassidy, of Springfield.

Y.M.C.A. Literary Society. —The usual weekly meeting of the Literary Society connected with the Toung Men’s Christian Association was held last evening. Notwithstanding the wet night there was a goodly number of members present, Mr E. C. Brown presiding. Those present were entertained by a very interesting paper by Mr G. E. Hart, giving his reminiscences of the early days iu Canterbury. The paper was listened to with great attention, and at its conclusion a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Hart. Next Friday evening will be devoted to impromptu speaking. Prizes for Hunters. —Mr George King has met with great success in response to the circular issued by him, asking for subscriptions towards the special prizes for banters and hackneys at the Metropolitan Show, as he has received altogether sixty guineas, in addition to the President’s Cup. Other subscriptions havo been proffered, but, as the amount received has enabled the Society to give the same amount of prize money as lost year, he has deemed it advisable to hold the remainder in reserve for next year. It behoves owners of good sorts of horses to make the Show an attractive one, and, doubtless, with the added prizes, there will be no lack of entries.

Wesleyan Church, Woolston.— The first of the meetings in connection with the jubilee of the Wesleyan Choreh in this Colony was held last night at the Woolston Church. Despite the wet weather there was a fair attendance. The Rev W. 0. Oliver occupied the chair. An epitome of the history of the Woolston Church, from the date of its formation in 1867, was read by the compiler, Mr W. Gimblett, and proved of great interest. The Rev J. J. Lewie, President of the Conference, gave an outline of the objects of the Jubilee Commemoration Fond, and the Rev W.- Morley followed with an address on the duty of church members. Cards were handed round for subscriptions towards the Jubilee Fund, and the meet- 1 ing was brought to a close with the customary votes of thanks. During the evening hymns were sung at intervals. A Derelict Letter.— lt is seldom that a letter remains unclaimed for more than one year, but there is one which reached the Christchurch Hospital on Saturday that has passed through many countries and has been en route for eleven years, it having been posted here on Jan 8,1879. It was then written by a patient at the Christchurch Hospital, and addressed to a friend at Portland, Oregon, TJ.S.A. The stamp by sheer use has been rubbed off, and the inference may be drawn that it has been to every Christchurch in the known world, till at last, having reached the Dead Letter Office at St Martin’s le Grand, it has been returned to this Colony. The writer of the letter is still en evidence in Christchurch, and will doubtless preserve his document as a curio. It has borne its various journeys well, and is in capital order still. What New Zealand Wants.— The following, reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, may be commended to the notice of our Railway Commissioners; —For a considerable time past the Railway Commissioners have had under their consideration a careful and exhaustive revision of the merchandise classification and rates in operation on the various railways of the Colony. Since they took office they have, as occasion required or opportunity offered, made a considerable number of reductions on previously existing rates, and the result has been that many modifications are in operation now which were not in existence eighteen months ago. The desirability of encouraging in every legitimate way the agricultural and mining industries of the Colony has been steadily kept in view, and in this connection the Commissioners have shown a keen insight into Colonial requirements, since the best interests of the Colony generally, and of the railways themselves, will be materially advanced by every action that is taken towards the settlement and prosperity of a large rural population. Amongst the redactions that have been made, it will be recollected by all who are engaged either directly or indirectly in farming pursuits that, in furtherance of this object, the rates f or agricultural produce of all kinds carried on the up journey—that is, from the country districts—were reduced by 20 per cent in the beginning of the present year. The Commissioners felt that they were fully justified in taking this important step, on the ground that, at the very time that transit was required for the great bulk of the produce, the circumstances of the traffic were snob that large numbers of waggons were returning from the country districts empty. They thus gave a strong incentive to farming, and, at the same time, assisted in meeting the working expenses involved in hauling the waggons back. The effect of this reduction has already been to cause a large development in farming pursuits, so that next autumn it may be confidently anticipated that the increased volume of traffic which will be carried will more than compensate for the redaction made, and in this way both the Colony and the railways will be benefited. The revised railway merchandise and live stock, rates are in ,«ome instances considerably reduced. '

Wellington Poultry Show. —Mr W. W. Good, of Gladstone street, Sydenwas also a prize-taker at this Show, winning one drat and one second. Exhibition Billiards. —A match is to be played this evening in the Commercial Hotel billiard-room, between Huchenson and Broalyn. Play will commence at eight o’ clock. , Tax Taph Dairy Company. —The fourth general meeting of shareholders of the ' Tai Tapu Co-operative Dairy Company will be held on Wednesday, August 6, in the district school. Cante bburt Industrial Association. — A general meeting of this Association will be held on Thursday evening at the Corn ■ Exchange, to resume the discussion on the railway tariff. Eichmond. —The City Council have accepted a tender for night soavengering in . the Eichmond Ward from August 1. The • Council is determined that sanitary matters in the new Ward shall receive every possible attention. Colonial Art.— By an advertisement appearing in this issue we notice that Messrs Bowman and Son intend holding a sale of Colonial art productions at their rooms early in September. Their rooms are well lighted for showing pictures to . advantage. _ Band opHopk.— The Papanux Wesleyan Band of Hope held their monthly meeting in the Town Hall last Thursday evening, there being a large audience. The Rev C. H. Standage occupied the chair. An address was given by Mr T. W. Glover, who urged the people to support the Bill now before the House of Representatives. Two new members were enrolled. Wesleyan Jubilee. —Public meetings in- connection with the jubilee of the * Wesleyan Church of New Zealand will be held in the Wesley Church, East Belt, to-day. This afternoon, at three o’clock, there is to be a gathering from all parts of the circuit for testimony and thanksgiving. Many of the old settlers in the district are expected to relate some of their early experiences in the Colony in church matters. The jubilee tea will commence at six o’clock, for which large provision has been made. A public meeting takes place at half-past seven, when the Rev J. Aldred, the first Wesleyan minister in Canterbury, will preside. Addresses will be given by the ,Eevs W. Morley, L. M. Isitt, W. C. Oliver, B. Taylor, and Mr E. 0. Brown. Collections will be made in aid of the Jubilee Fund. All the meetings are intended to be circuit gatherings, and open to the public. Standiah and Preooe, Photographic Artists, High street. Proofs sent of every photo. Finished copies within a week when desired. Popular priftaa. C. H. Mashiho’s photographic work, ah is now being produced by him, is wiueiug high encomiums from the public, his recant productions, with the moet modern appliances and newest chemicals, giving magnificent effects; his work is unsurpassed. Another new and brilliant display of photos now . on view at Studio. Some Enormous Hammers. —Sight-seers in St Louis always take a lively interest in the monster trip-hammers used in various large iron works, which, although as large as anything of the kind to be found within the limits of the United States, are but pigmies when compared with those used in the great roiling mills and gum foundries of Europe. At the Terni works in Italy there is a hammer which weighs fifty tons. * lb was cast in 1873, and is said to have taken ninety days to have cooled sufficiently to admit of being set in position. Alexandrovski, Euaaia, has one ten tons heavier that was cast in 1874. At the Crenstot works in France there is one of eighty tons. It was made in 1877, and set on an anvil block of one hundred and sixty tons weight. The Cookerille works in Belgium have a one hundred-ton hammer, and the Krupp gun works at Essen, Germany, have one of one hundred and fifty tons.. The lastnamed hammer is the largest now used in the world. Reigns op the Popes. —Leo XIII. is the two hundred and fifty-third Pope, a fact seldom thought of when the great pontiff's name is mentioned. Of the total 253 successors of St Peter, fifteen have been Frenchmen, thirteen have been Greeks, eight have been Syrians, six have ''Claimed' Germany for their birthplace, five have hailed from Spain, two were from Africa, two from Savoy, which was also the numbersentbyEngland,Sweden,Dalmatia, Holland, Portugal and Crete. Italy caps the climax with a total of 194, all since 1523 having been selected from among Italian cardinals. Eight of the number did not live a month after succession; forty lived less than a year, and twenty-two died when they had been less than two years on the pontifical throne, fifty-four between four and five years, fifty-seven when they reigned less than ten years, fifty-one before they had finished the fifteenth year, and eighteen died after reigning between fifteen and twenty years." Only nine lived over twenty years after their elevation to the “ Chair of St Peter.” Pius IX., who died during the early part of 1878, reigned longer than any of his predecessors, his pontifical life extending over a period of thirty-one years. Horrible Death in a Quicksand. — An extraordinary accident occurred on May 17 at Woodside, Long Island, New York, when a man engaged in clearing a drain pipe driven but a few feet below the surface was caught by quicksand, and, despite the utmost efforts of a large

Bomber of workers, perished after a straggle of five and a half hours. Strange to say (remarks a contemporary) amongst them were apparently just the men, next to miners, to use the most efficient means of rescue. They had amongst them a building contractor, carpenters, doctor, and many artisans and labourers, and, according to reports received, worked without confusion. At first it was attempted to dig the man out, but the space was too limited to work effectually in. Then a strong rope was passed about him, a purchase rigged, and, simultaneously with the digging, it was attempted to haul him out; but the strain was too great to be borne, and he begged them to desist. Then the rope was made fast with a less strain in the hope that he could be held until rescued, but it had to be slowly slackened from time to time. Meanwhile, a rubber tube had been passed to him, that he might breathe when completely engulphed. At this time his head only was above tbe surface, but his bauds were free. A gang of men began excavating a pit near by, in order to draw off the quicksand and reach him from below. He sank slowly, inch by inch, and lived for an hour after being entirely submerged, except one hand, still breathing through the tube. An hour after he died the body was cleared from below, and was then drawn out.