TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9495, 18 August 1891, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Williamson’s Juvenile Opera Company.—The box plan will be open this morning at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s music warehouse. Mb E. T. Smith. —Mr E. Tennyson Smith, accompanied by hia wife and Secretary, left Christchurch, for the West Coast yesterday afternoon, lecturing at Waddington last evening. A reception meeting at Greymouth is arranged for Wednesday evening. Gazette Notices. —Mr W. L. Dean baa been appointed Deputy Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages at Timaru. Mr W. Sillier has been appointed postmaster at Belfast. A post office, under the charge of Mr M. A. Smith, has been opened at Sockburn, and the post office at Riccarton has been closed. The Cathedral Bells. —The new bell for the cathedral, recently received from England to replace that which was cracked, was tolled for .the first time yesterday afternoon. It is the No. 9, or E ball, and the tone is (ulier, and has more body than that of the old bell. The new bell is 301 b heavier than the old one. ANew Auctioneer.— Mr J. H. Gilchrist, who is already favourably known in business circles in Christchurch, Lbs joined the ranks of the auctioneers; and, in our advertising columns, announces the first sale to take place at his rooms in Manchester street, opposite Barrett’s Hotel. Mr Gilchrist intends to devote special attention to general merchandise.

St Albans Borough Schools.— The Committee of these schools has prevailed upon the Bishop, who is a resident in the district, to give a lecture in aid of the prize fund. The lecture will be that on “ Outcast London,” and will be given in the Wesleyan schoolroom on Thursday evening. The double - purpose of enjoyment and of patronising a good cause will, doubtless, draw a big house.

St John Ambulance Association.— Members are reminded, that the second of Dr Devenish-Mearea’ lectures on “First Aid ” to medallion candidates and others, takes place at 4 p.m. to-morrow at the City Council rooms. It will be to the advantage of the ladies attending if as many of them as can do so will bring with them a boy or boys as models on whom the lecturer can demonstrate bandaging, &c.

Yachting. A Wellington telegram says .—Negotiations are proceeding between a local syndicate and some of the leading boatbuilders in England for the construction of tbe steel frame of a clipper yacht of about sixteen tons. It is proposed to use kauri for planking the vessel on her arrival in Wellington. If arrangements can be completed an order will be cabled Home at once so that the boat will be ready next season. Geeendale Baptist Sunday School.— The services in celebration of the anniversary of the Greendale Baptist Sunday school were conducted by Mr T; E. Fraser, of Christchurch, on Sunday. There were good congregations throughout the day. In the afternoon the preacher delivered an address to the united Sunday schools of the district in the Orange Hall, the building being crowded. The collection was the largest which has ever been received for the school funds. Supreme Court.— Hie Honor Mr Justice Dsnnistoa will sit in Chambers at 10.30 a.m. to-day, when Mr Weston will move for letters of administration in the estate of Samuel Eccles. At 11 a.m. there will be a bankruptcy sitting. The Official Assignee will apply for the public examination q£ G. A. Lindemann; Mr Flesher will apply for a day to be fixed for P. J. de la Cour to make application for his discharge. Mr Spackman will make a similar application on behalf of Michael Maynard. Akaeoa “At Hoke” Society. The weekly meeting was held last Friday evening, when about sixty members put in an appearance. After the usual lecture by the Rev J. B. Finlay, the debate, “ Which is the Greater, the Woman of Thought, or the Woman of Action ? ” was taken. Miss Cross very ably opened the debate by. taking the part of the woman of thought. Mr Thomas Finlay defended the woman of action. A warm discussion ensued, in which Messrs Black, Cross, Rov J. B. Finlay and others took part. A show of hands resulted in a decided win for women of action. Normal School Old Boys’ Club.— On Wednesday evening last this Club held its first annual supper in the drillshed attached to the school, when all present passed a very pleasant evening. Musical selections were rendered by Mesdames Garrard, Gibbs and Wilson (trio), Messrs W. Cookson and Hight (violin duet), Mrs Wilson and Mr T. Cookson (solos), Messrs Biiaz (violin solos, with pianoforte accompaniment). Advantage was taken of the occasion by members of the Club and the school-boys to present Mr C. D. Hardie with a handsome tea and coffee service on his leaving the school to take the position of bead master at Papanui. Before breaking up Professor Bickerton addressed the boys, and ia a few well-chosen remarks, gave them some sound and practical advice.

Oddjtellowship. —The officers of the Lyttelton District Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester' Unity, accompanied by P.P.G.M.’s J. J. Grandi and A. Mills, with a considerable number of the Brethren of the Loyal Timaru Lodge, proceeded to Pleasant Point on Saturday evening and opened a new Lodge in connection with the Order. Eighteen candidates were initiated, after which the dispensation was granted to carry on the Lodge. It was decided to call the Lodge the Loyal Pleasant Point Lodge, and the election of officers was held, and resulted as follows: —W.G., Bro J. Buckland; V.G., Bro W. J. Gibson; P.S., Bro C. Smith; Treasurer, Bro T. Bullock; E.S., Bro H. Robson. The officers - elect were duly installed by the district officers and briefly thanked the brethren for the honours conferred. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bros Scott and Buckland and to Dr Morris, for services rendered. After dealing with minor matters, and receiving the congratulations of the brethren present, the Lodge was duly closed. The choicest Rosea, Camellias, Magnolias, Heaths, Boroniaa, Rhododendrons, Pseonies and Lilium Auratum (the Japan Lily), at • Nairn and Sons, Lincoln road. X337‘"'-

Servants.— Great complaints ace made in Wellington about tho scarcity of servant girls. It is almost impossible to obtain them.

“Mr Sweetheart."— Mr Charles Palmer and his company will appear to-night and to-morrow at the Theatre Royal, where My Sweetheart should be produced with much better effect than was possible at the Tuatn street hall.

Sydenham Football Club. —A meeting of the Sydenham Football Club was held last night at Heath’s, when there was a large attendance of members, Mr Hoban in the chair. It was announced that the annual social gathering would be held shortly, and a Committee was appointed to carry out the necessary arrangements. The Eifle Range. —A party of fourteen members of the corps which have ©brained the exclusive use of one of the ranges at Bromley, wont out on Saturday and proceeded with the work of clearing away the scrub. They made very good progress, cutting down the broom, gorse, &c., from the 200yds to the 400yds range. Cotton-backed Satin. Sir George Baden Powell, in an article in the Fortnightly 'Review, accepts Mr Fortescue’s likeness of Australasia to " cotton-backed satin," and shows conclusively that just as “some Australians are prone to ask us to look only at the satin side,” their critic has concentrated his attention on the cotton side. Sir George has examined the “ stuff " yard by yard, and pronounces it " well-made, sound, durable and extremely useful both to Australasia and to the Mother Country." Sydenham Presbyterian Band of Hope. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham Presbyterian Band of Hope was held in its hall last evening, when there was a very large attendance. The programme for the evening consisted of songs by Misses M. Miller and Burnside; recitations by Misses M. Martin, M. Logan, E. Mason and M. Johnston, and Masters Jones and Midgley; also readings by the President (Mr Smith) and Vice-President (Mr Campbell). During the evening the Eev J. M. Simpson gave a very interesting address, which was much appreciated. Primitive Methodist Church, Cambridge Terrace. —An organ recital was given on Sunday afternoon by Mr E. Trist Searell. The church was well filled with an appreciative audience. The service was opened by the Eev W. S. Potter with praise and prayer; after which Mr Searell played four selections of music, which were interspersed by sacred solos rendered by Miss Hoidsworth, Mies Fuller and Mr Pusohel. The interest in the services throughout the day was marked, and the trustees and congregation are to he congratulated on having secured such a suitable instrument.Sheffield. —A most successful "social ” was held at the Eoad Board office on Friday, when fully two hundred persons attended at the invitation of the inhabitants of Sheffield. The object of the gathering was to raise funds to liquidate a portion of the expenses of forming the side streets. The Clerk to the Eoad Board, Mr Coltbart/assisted by the Misses Colthart (8) acted as host and hostesses, and a bountiful spread of refreshments was provided. The office was nicely decorated, and song and dance were kept up to an early hour. Mr Keys expressed the thanks of the gathering to the people of Sheffield and Mr Colthart for the splendid manner in which the visitors had been treated. Timely Assistance. —A case illustrating the practical benefit derived from attending the ambulance lectures, occurred at West Melton a few days ago. Through over-exertion, one of the best known residents in the district had the misfortune to burst a blood-vessel, and hemorrhage of an alarming nature sot in. Medical aid was at once sent for, but as the nearest medical man lived at Lincoln, fourteen miles away, there was little hope that he would arrive in time to be of any avail. In the meantime, Mrs John Jones, who has attended several courses of the Ambulance Society’s lectures, came to the sufferer’s rescue, and a few moments sufficed to staunch the flow of blood. Soon the doctor arrived, and he frankly admitted that had Mrs Jones' aid not been obtained, the patient would inevitably have succumbed.

The Ailkssdey Estate.— -A cable message in our issue of August 12 stated that the Court had refused to permit the Marquis of Ailesbury to disentail his Savernake Forest property for the sum of £750,000. Light is thrown on this by an item in Vanity Fair , to hand by the San Francisco mail. It says;—'' Lord Iveagh has at length bought Savernake. There was a difficulty for some time about the price, which has been finally settled at .£700,000, though Lord Ailesbury thought ho should have received more,, and stood out for £BOO,OOO for a while. Savernake is one of the finest places in England from a scenic point of view, the park being particularly beautiful, especially that part known as Savernake Forest, wherein is an avenue five miles long—only second, if anything, to the one at Windsor. Lord Ailesbury is now left shorn of alLhis acres, as he sold his charming seat, Jervaulx Abbey, in Yorkshire, to Mr Lister, a few years ago, when he got nearly the same price as he now gets for Savernake.” Salvation Amur.—There was. again a large assemblage at the Salvation Army barracks last night, the revival meetings conducted by Colonel M'Kie being continued. A tea meeting was held to welcome Colonel M'Kie, Staff-Captain Plant and Ensign and Mrs Hoaro, the provisions being donated by the soldiers and friends. Five hundred persons partook of the tea. The Army subsequently marched in procession through the town and held .an open-air meeting in Cathedral square. Here the rather novel spectacle was witnessed of a man kneeling at the drumhead seeking salvation. For the meeting which followed in the barracks a great crowd gathered. Solos were sung by StaffCaptain Plant and Mrs Ensign Hoare. Colonel M'Kie delivered a very powerful and telling address from I. Kings x., 21, " How long halfcye between two opinions ?” As at the previous meetings, hundreds of people remained to the prayer meeting, great excitement being manifested, as, one after another, men and women, loft their seats and knelt at the penitent form, a large number of “ captures'” being made. A ”holiness meeting” will be held this afternoon at three o’clock, and another great “ Salvation meeting ”tat night. Sydenham Wesleyan Chueoh. —The Sydenham Brass Band held a church parade at the Wesleyan Chiuroh on Sunday morning. The Band mustered at the practice-room, and marched along Battersea street and down Colombo road. When opposite .the church a halt was made, and a selection of musici'waa played. Seats were reserved for the members of the Band in the centre of the church. The Eev J. N. Buttle conducted the service, and preached on the subject of ‘‘True Manliness,” taking for his textx Cor. xvi., 13. Previous to commencing his address Mr Buttle, in the name of the congregation, extended a cordial welcome to the Band. He expressed an opinion that Christianity should endeavour to show its sympathy with every movement having for its object the elevation of mankind, and it was quite possible to make the work in which the bands were engaged operate in that direction. In the evening a memorial service was hold in connection with the death of the lata Mr James Hooper, of Addington. The deceased had been a member of the church for many years, and was greatly respected. The Sev Mr Buttle conducted the service, taking for his text ir. Tim. iv., 6-8. The musical part of the service was appropriate to its solemn character, and excellently rendered. The opening voluntary was " The Dead March ” in Saul, and the hymns were specially suitable to the occasion. The anthem “I Heard a Voice” was most effectively given by the choir, with orchestral accompaniments. The musical arrangements at both morning and evening services were under the charge of Mr George Daltry (choirmaster!, Mr Hayfiold (organist) performing his duties most efficiently. The congregations were large at both services. Being overstocked with choice Hybrid Ehododendrouo of all the boat kinds, I am selling at a cheap rate, from Is to 10s each. Special quotations for large lots. W. Gimblett, Seedsman, Colombo street. X 403 Pare Sweets.-^Aulsebrook's—£A®tt,] s

Musical Society.— lt is notified by the Honorary Secretary of the Christchurch Musical Society that there will be no practice to-night. Football. A meeting of the team chosen to represent Canterbury in_ the match with Wellington was held last night, when Mr J. Hswkes was elected captain. _ Whooping-Cough. —Whooping-cough is extremely prevalent in Wellington just now, and the gas works are invaded by numbers of children taken there to get the benefit of the fumes.

The Eiver Avon. The dredging steamer now at work in the lower reaches of the Avon is making excellent headway in her work, and there is a perceptible difference in the depth of the river at the Stanmore bridge. Cricket,— The Otago Daily Times has set a good example in the formation of a Cricket Club, The membership numbers twenty-five, an efficient Committee has been elected, and a captain will be chosen as soon as a first eleven is established. Entertainment. —Arrangements for the entertainment at St John’s schoolroom on Thursdayarabeingsatisfacfcorily completed. The dress rehearsal of the Club takes place to-night. We are requested to state that the admission to both concert and faros is one shilling. Queen’s Cadets. —The art union in aid of the funds of the Queen’s Cadets promises to be a success. The tickets have been sold well, and the drawing will take place shortly. As the object is such a worthy one, it is to be hoped that the public will continue to give their support liberally. Sydenham Swimming Bath, The Sydenham Borough Council last night confirmed the action of the Swimming Bath Committee in deciding to issue tickets to ladies at five shillings each, |t was also stated that the Sydenham gymnasium classes would give separate exhibitions of their skill shortly in aid of the hath fund.

Another Seal Caught.—A seal wuii captured on the beach at Amberley, on; Saturday afternoon, by Mr Thomas Osborne, who found it asleep on the, sand. Ho was equal to the occasion, and soon made some rope out of flax, with which he proceeded to fasten it. On being aroused from its slumber it endeavoured to roll back into the sea; but the action caused it to be more firmly secured. It is not known to what class of seal it belongs. It measures between nine and ten feet long, and may be still seen alive at the Crown Hotel, Amberley. Bicycle Touring Club Debating Class. —The first debate under the auspices of the Bicycle Touring Club was held at headquarters last evening. There was a capital attendance of members, and the interest which was evinced showed that the debating class would do much to bring the members together. The subject for discussion, which was the Shop Hours Bill, was introduced by the Chairman, Mr E. L. Adams. Messrs E. P. Clarkson and J. B. Clarkson spoke against the Bill, while the supporters were ably represented by Messrs T. Carr and C. Cotton. A vote was taken, which resulted in favour of the Bill. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated a very enjoyable evening. ' Obituary. —The friends of Mrs T. M. Hassal will this morning notice with regret that her youngest son George has passed away. But a few weeks ago Mca Hassal was mourning the loss of her son Harold, and this further bereavement very much intensifies her great trouble. George, better known perhaps as Harry, was on the staff of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, and was a general favourite with hia fellow-officers and all with whom he came in contact. For some time Mr Hassal had been 'in weak health, the result of a bicycle accident, but his sadden end will come as a great shock to his many young friends and comrades. The funeral leaves Mrs Haaaal’s residence, Opawa, at 2.30 p.m. to-day. Property Sales. —Mr T. Bullock reports having offered by auction, at the Arcade, Ashburton, on Saturday, August 16, 940 acres near the Methven township, divided into small farms of from 86 to 204 acres, all of which was sold, excepting two lots, at the following prices, viz. t—Lot 1, 33 acres at .£ll per acre, Edward Heer; lot 2, > 40 acres at .£8 10s per acre, William Morgan; lob 2a, 40 acres at £8 10s per acre, William Morgan; lot 3, 100 acres at £8 per acre, George Chambers j lot 4, 100 acres at£7 10s per acre, John Baker; lot 7,164 acres at £7 per acre, Angus M’Kay j lot 8, 76 acres at £7 10s per acre, John Baker; lot 9, 56 acres at £9 6s per acre, George Chambers. The laud was not in l good heart, being in stubble, a crop of wheat having been taken off it last season. The auctioneer also sold rural section 20673, containing 63 acres, Wakanui, at £l2 10s per acte.Conoeet at Kiewbe.— On Friday last a concert was held in the Kirwoe ball in aid of the funds to provide prizes for the school children. Mr James Gough oooupied the chair. An excellent programme was provided, and was well carried out by Mrs Croskill, Misses Meredith, Mangin, Croskill and Craze, Messrs Gough, Belgrave, Grainger, Johnson and Bamsay, the " A.8.C." duet of Mrs GroaldU and , Mr Belgrave being worthy of special ■ mention. Miss Paterson and Mr Bfpckett played the accompaniments. The children’s contributions were excellent, doing full justice to the careful training of their teachers, Mr Stewart and Miss Meredith. The laughable farce Should This Meet the Eye kept the audience in roars of laughter, the characters being well sustained by Misses Meredith and Drummond, Messrs Drummond, Ramsay, Lord and Simpson. The usual votes of thanks Laving been proposed and unanimously carried, the singing of the "National Anthem " brought the entertainment to a close. A dance followed, in which Mr Brockett kept the young folks merrily footing it for a few hours. Trade With Canada. —The following is from the Toronto Empire of June 19 While the Toronto Board of Trade and members of the Imperial Parliament have been interesting themselves in the closer trade relations of the Empire and protesting against the maintenance of certain treaties which appear to prevent such action being taken, echoes of the rising sentiment come from far - away New Zealand, where we find Mr D. Belihouse, of Canterbury, New Zealand, urging a consideration of the question with facts, figures and energy. Mr Belihouse, at one of his meetings, stated, amongst other interesting matter, that as these treaties stand at- present, if " Canada decided to admit Queensland sugar free, Germany could claim that her beet sugar should enter Canada exempt from duty.” The lecture in question appears, from the reports, to have been an able one, and reflects credit upon Mr Belihouse, who, by the way, was at one time a resident of Montreal, and is now Secretary of the New Zealand branch of the Imperial Federation League, ' • Simplicity of Life. —There was a good attendance at the rooms of the Young Men’s Christian Association last night when the Eev J. Hoatsoa delivered a lecture under the auspices of the Christian Ethical Society. Mr J. L. Scott presided. The lecturer said that one feature of modern life was its enormous complexity. National, social and individual life was full of complications. It must not be supposed that all complexities were to be condemned, but every individual should endeavour to got rid of superfluities. vVithout endorsing all the principles of the American transcendentalist Thoreau, who illustrated his ideal of simplicity of life by living for over two years in a lonely hut in the Walden woods, he had no doubt that Thoreau had laid down the direction of the course which should be adopted in order to obtain simplicity of life. The lecturer quoted, with approval, a recent article by Grant Allen urging* that men should do nothing merely for show, and contending that the world would be revolutionised only by the general development of moral elevation of character. Mr Hoatson concluded by urging his audience to cast off superfluities, to practise plain living, and high thinking. In this the power of woman, the arbiter of fashion, would avail much. ! .

ApyLE Tubes ! Apple Trees!—Apple and otter Fruit Trees ia great variety, two to four years old. T. Abbott, Exeter Nut< aeries, Papanui toad, Cbrietcburcli. X 389

Buffalo Minstrels.—Therewas a good '"SISKSS* Point state that there are seventy miners workinl on Coal Island and the mamland. U tkaf all are doing well. It w now expected^ that the field will be a permanent 011 Bbnbtolbncb.— As a substantial proof of their sympathy with the widow of the late Mr W. Hackshaw, the sporting cominanity started a subscription list. Already the contributions, it is said, amount to over £4O. Sydenham Borough Council. ihe fortnightly meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council was hold last night. The business transacted was unimportant. A report of the proceedings appears elsewhere.. . , , Women’s Franchise. —A telegram from Punedin says that the Executive of the ■National Liberal Association telegraphed to the Premier apd city membera 'of the Executive, respectfully to urge the passing of the women’s franchise through the popular elective Chamber, believing that no fctiie Liberal can oppose it* Mutual Improvement Society.— The East Belt Mutual Improvement Society held its usual meeting on Thursday evening. Thercl was a fair attendance of memand friends. Mr J. E. Eanderson occupied the chair. The " pro-duced-some interesting questions on the Eight Hours Bill, the Chinese Poll tax and the Increase of Sex>resentatives’Honoraria. The discussion upon each subject was most interesting. .The Shop Hours Bill.— At a meeting of master butchers held last night, at the A 1 Hotel, to consider the Shop Hours Sill now before Parliament, there were about twenty present, and Mr W. H. Cooper was voted :tq the' chair. It was decided to communicate with the membera of the Legislative Assembly for Canterbury, asking them if the Bill is approved to place butchers on the same footing as confectioners and fruiterers, as their goods i being perishable, it would be unfair to '■ bind them down to hard and fast rules for closing, especially during the summer months. ‘ •Bankruptcy.— The first meeting of the creditors of Thomas Lafty, farmer, Kirwee, appointed for yesterday, lapsed for want ‘of a quorum. The bankrupt’s statement showed unsecured creditors .£343 6s 3d; the principal being Tcdhunter and Jennings .£ll 9a 7d, Booth, Macdonald and Co. £8 9a 4d, Andrew Chrystall £l l6a 4d, Steinitz Bros. .£6, C. S. Howell £8 6a 6d, J. W. Belgrave £5lO 2s, Black, Beattie and Co. <£6 Is lOd, Samuel Sherrard, Dunsaxidel, £5160, G. W. Dranton £5 13s, John Lawty,, Kirwee, £355, E. J. Walsh JB2O 10a. The assets were furniture, £>ls, leaving a deficiency of £2327 6s 3d. Mr Kippenberger was present as solicitor for the debtor. . ■Extinction op Native Birds. — A paper which. was. read by Mr J. Eiohardson before the Otago Institute on Tuesday night, upon the extinction of the native birds on the West Coast, gave rise to an interesting discussion, all of the contributors to which were agreed upon the desirability of the establishment, upon some of the outlying islands of domains, whore the birds should not bo molostedi Mr Richardson referred particularly to the diminishing numbers of the kiwi, kakapo, weka and blue duct, and attributed the disappearance of these birds to the depredations of ferrets, stoats, and weasels. With this view’ three of thedther speakers concurred, but another theory was advanced by Sir Walter Bailor, whose presence on such an occasion can only be regarded as particularly opportune, as he is admitted to be the greatest authority ©n New Zealand birds. Sir Walter pointed to the disappearance of certain species of native birds before the introduction which, however, ho deplored—of ferrets, and gave it as the conclusion, at which after considerable thought he had arrived, that the-chief factor in the work of destruction was the introduced rat. Sir Walter expressed the opinion that a recommendation from the Institute to the -Government to establish domains for the preservation of the birds would be fruitless, but suggested that in co-operation with the other Philosophical Societies of the Colony, the good offices of the Earl of Onslow, who was alive to the importance of the subject, should be invoked, and in that way he was hopeful that something remedial might be done.

Eden I3oorga Company, Limited, tha lending photographers of Cihriatohurch, whose photography la hy far and away the boat in WawZsialand, taka one dozen fcoautifnily enanuillod cabinatu, taken and finished in any style and position for 15?, Studio, 214, Colombo sti-eot on!y. Jabot Dnitaa Cohtohed.—Special arrangements have been made by C. H. Mabbibo for photograph* ing all who may doslroto be tuhen in this attire daring the present month. New back-ground?, accessories, &0., for the occasion. Prize plates of England and boot photo material used only; kouce the exquisite results produced at this studio. .Appointments advisable. tsTiHDisn asd Pasroß’s photographs are characterised by their truthfulness and originality. Studio, 218, High street.

' New Tippeeabt to be Sole. —The town and district of Tipperary are placarded ■with notices containing the following:— " New Tipperary, to be sold by private treaty, in lots to suit purchasers. Pour ■treeta, : one mart, and one weighing machine. For particulars of gale apply to the Eev David Humphreys, Presbytery, Tipperary, or to John Vincent Eburke, C.E., New Tipperary/*

; Boulanger's Black Chakgek.—A muehanimal—no other than the famous black charger on the back of which General Boulanger caracoled into popularity—has been discovered, after a disappearance of several years. Poor Tunis was sold some time ago to a retired tradesman' in the environs of Paris, and now, broken in knees and in spirit, may be seen daily dragging wearily a. lumbering carriage between Joinvillo and Champigay. Imposts op Tasmanian Apples. —During the month ended Juno 30 of the present year.there were imported into the United Kingdom no leas than 64,034 bushels of apples, of the value of <£37,854, as against 8798 bushels, valued at iC6337, in the corresponding month of 1890. This remarkable increase is entirely duo to the largo, shipments received from Tasmania Hpd Nqw Zealand, which, arriving at a time when the supplies from America are almost over, have met with an eager demand at remunerative rates. So satisfied are the Australasian growers with tbo results,achieved that preparations are being made for still larger supplies to bo placed upon the English markets during the next season.

The Executions by Electricity : . A BtiETiiNG Story. —The body of Smilor, oae Of the men executed by electricity at Bing. Sing, arrived in Hew York on July 8, ■Ud was taken to an undercakor’a at 265, West street. The undertaker and his assistant say that tho face ia burned, and seems as though it had been partially broiled. The hair upon tho front of his head and his moustache and eyebrows were singed and nearly burned off. The face is scarred and presents a horrible spectacle. Tho reporter who writes this account states ■ that he saw the faco, but the undertaker would not permit him to remain and see the entire body when it was uncovered. Tho assistant reports that the left log is burned. The eyes are also burned, but tho eye-balls are not destroyed. Warder Brown was questioned regarding tho alleged burning of Smiler, and he would neither deny nor confirm the statements. Father Orecclon ia quoted as saying that, when tho etory came out, it would be disclosed that all the bodies were burned, but they were so mutilated by the surgeons afterwards that the facts would be difficult to prove. The other executed men were buried on July 8. Nine convicts lowered tho colliua into the grave. The Premiership.—lfc ia rumoured we are about to have a change of Premiers, and various are the opinions as to_ who will make the most competent Minister. But whoever may be selected to be Premier in politics, there can be no questioning tho fact that the "Matchless” Brand of Teas is tho Premier in the Ten trada, aud likely to remain so for some time to come. To be had of all storekeepers. X33'.)

Fruit Trees in great variety, Kosea and Haerocarpa at Nairn and Sons, Lincoln Mtdj, ghristchursh, X 337