TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9512, 7 September 1891, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Sale of Books. —Mr Charles Clark will Tiald-a. Halo o£ books at his auction rooms at noon to-day.

Avon Rowing Club. —Members of the Avon Rowing Club are reminded by advertisement appearing elsewhere, that the annual general meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 14, at the Royal George Hotel, East Belt, at 8 p.m. The Rainfall. The rain on Friday ceased in the northern district at midnight. At Eangiora the gauge registered ■s3Bin, this being the heaviest fall since May. The weather on Saturday morning being dull, the soil will have the full benefit of the rain. v Nobth Belt Litbbabt Association.— The weekly meeting of this Society was held last Tuesday evening. There was an average attendance, and Mr R. Torrance occupied the chair. Essays on the subjects of "Fiction” and “Federalism” were given by Messrs A. M'Cready and T. Watt. Each essay was treated in a capable manner, and a brisk discussion followed.

. Illness op the Rev J. Aldbed.— The Rev J. Aldred, one of the oldest colonists in New Zealand, and one of the first missionaries here, is lying seriously ill, and as he is advanced in years, much anxiety is felt as to the outcome of his malady. Mr Aldred has been a prominent, membet of the Wesleyan Church in New Zealand for more than half a century, having landed here early in 1840.

Abt Club. — A Press Association telegram says :—The Dunedin School of Art Club, composed mainly of students, opened an exhibition on Saturday night.. The members were complimented by the President of the Art Society on the nice exhibition, and he said he was quite satisfied that the Club had the germ of very considerable artistic talent, and the fact that the pictures were executed after most of those belonging to the Club had done their ordinary day’s work, was all the more creditable.

•St John’s Temperance Guild, Woolston.—The ordinary monthly meeting of this Guild was held on Thursday evening. The Rev 0. H. Gosset presided. An excellent programme was opened with an overture by Mrs G osset. ' A dialogue, "Pironetta,” by some of the Sunday-school children, under the tutorship of Miss Buxton, was thoroughly enjoyed. Miss Leah Dunford’s representation of the part of the Princess and that of Miss G. Orange of the Wizard, are worthy of special mention, and the other characters in the piece were well sustained. Some quartettes were well rendered by Misses Moody and Buxton, Messrs J. R. Douglass and W. J. Trewern. A recitation by the Rev C. H. Gosset was highly amusing. Songs by Mias Moody and Mr W. J. Trewern were excellently given. A reading was contributed by Mr Wass. The singing of the National Anthem brought an enjoyable evening to a close.

Chiustchuech Wobking Men’s Club. —A smoke concert was held at the Christchurch Working Men’s Club on Saturday night, when Mr J. M'lndoe, Hon Secretary of the Eifle Class, in the absence of the Captain (Mr J. Glanville) through illness, presented the following prizes won in competitions held since the commencement of the present season :—Mr W. B. Scott’s wedding trophy, Mr F. G. Voyle ; box cigars presented by Mr Burton, Mr,J. Hastie; Mr J. Gould’s rifle, Mr A. W. Jones; Mr W. M. Lewis’ biscuit jar, Mr Garwood ; Messrs Flaisted and Oo.’s lamp, Mr O, W. Turpin; Mr E. M. Taylor’s pipe, Mr C. W. Sherwood ; Mr E. M. Taylor’s pipe, Mr Caldwell; Messrs Coates and Co.’s sleeve links, Mr Cookson ; pencil case, Mr Hastie; watch chain charm, Mr Eobertson. On Friday next a new series of Morris-tube rifle matches will be commenced by the Club for prizes worth .£2O, presented by Messrs J. Gould, Mason, Struthers and Co., Ashby, Bergh and Co., and Eden George. On Saturday, Sept. 19, a further series will be started by the Club. Some capital music was given at the concert, which seemed to be thoroughly appreciated by those present. The following are the scores made on Friday evening in the Manning Trophy competition Voyle (scr) 33, Taylor (2) 33, Wells (scr) 32, M'lndoe (scr) 32, Frost (scr) 31, Joss (scr) 31, Turpin (scr) 30, Caldwell (1) SO, Garrard (1) 30, Haydon (2) 30, Hall (3) 30. , "Arab” and “Shah” brand Teas, from all grocers and storekeepers.

Riooarton.— The entertainment which was to have taken place on Friday evening has been postponed till Tuesday evening, when the following pieces will be played: —“Pickwick v. Bardell” and The Area Belle.

Hospital Lady Visitors.— The performance of London Assurance, in aid of the Hospital Lady Visitors’ Belief Fund, takes place on Thursday and Friday nighh The box plan will be opened this morning at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s. Organ Recital. —A recital will be given in Holy Trinity Church, Avonside, tonight, at 7.30. by Mr E. Trist Searell. A most attractive selection has been made, Mr Searell, in deference to a special request, having obligingly drawn up a popular programme. Supreme Court. —His Honor Mr Justice Williams will open the Criminal Session of the Supreme Court at Oamaru fco-morrow morning, when a calendar containing five cases will be dealt with. Two of these are for sheep stealing, and will probably occupy the Court. for some time. Passing Counterfeit Coin.—A man named J. W. Jackson was arrested on Saturday, by Chief Detective O’Connor, on a charge of wilfully passing a counterfeit half-sovereign to Mrs Sarah Hickmott, on Sept. 2. The coin passed was a sixpenny piece gilded over. The accused will be brought up at the Police Court this morning. Joe Dicks’ Case. —Joe Dicks, formerly landlord of the Waltham Arms, who was arrested at Oamaru on a charge of attempting to abscond from his creditors, was discharged from custody on Saturday by an order from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, on entering into a bond of .£SOO to attend all the proceedings in connection with his bankruptcy. Literary Society. —The weekly meeting of the St Albans and Crescent Road Musical and Literary Society was held on Tuesday evening, the President in the chair. The evening was devoted to the study of “Mozart,” on whose life Mias Smith read a very able paper. During the evening musical items were given by Misses Smith and Henley, Messrs Cooper, W. and J. Lucas, and the St Albans choir. '

Lyttelton Garrison Band.— The anniversary social gathering in connection with this band was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Friday evening, and proved a great success. There was a large attendance, and dancing was kept up with considerable spirit until the small hours of Saturday. During the evening a waltzing competition was held and resulted in favour of Miss Williams and Mr G. Rutherford.

Leeston Football Club.— The annual “social" of the Leeston Football Club was held in the Town Hall, Leeston, on Friday evening. There was a very large attendance considering the unfavourable state of the weather. Between seventy and eighty couples took part in the dancing, which was kept up till the small hours of the morning to the excellent music supplied by Mr Fleming’s quadrille band. The refreshments were provided by Mr J. M. Phillips. Malicious Tbeb Stealing.-~TIi6 City Council recently planted a number of Pinus insignia trees on its reserve at Shirley, and on Thursday it was discovered that some paltry thief had removed every one. The trees have now been replaced, and steps are being taken to ensure their remaining. The reserve is one on which these trees should thrive well, and it is hoped that the neighbours will, for their own interests, see that no damage is done to them in their early growth.

Angling Prospects at Kaiapoi. —Our correspondent writes;—Prom some cause or another those harbingers of the fishing season, tbe whitebait, have pnt in a very early appearance this year at Kaiapoi. It is some weeks since the first take was made, and with reasonable weather the local market will shortly he well supplied. The smelt has also been seen in considerable quantities, and, according to precedent, the mullet, or so-called herring, will not be far behind. Meanwhile the trout, which infest the lower reaches of

the Waimakaciri, are making good use of their opportunities, and anglers are anticipating plenty of sport during the ensuing fishing season. Telephonic. The application of the Bangiora Borough Council, made through Mr E. Moore, M.H.8., and supported by tbe Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for the connection of Bangiora with the Christchurch Telephone Exchange, met with a reply to the effect that the bureau would be established on a guarantee of £25 per year for five years being given the Government. This reply was telegraphed by Mr Moore to the Mayor, but for some reason farther action was not at once taken. On Saturday, however, Mr J. Fulton interested himself in the matter, and within half an hour obtained the necessary guarantee from twenty business men. of the place. Consequently the establishment of the bureau may be looked for at an early date. Creditors’ Meeting. —The first meeting of the creditors in the estate of Matthew Mitchell, of Doyleston, engine-driver, was convened for Saturday. The only two creditors present were. Messrs J. Doyle and S. Pearce, and Mr M. Hart appeared for the bankrupt. The bankrupt’s statement showed unsecured creditors £136; assets, furniture £ls; deficiency £l2l. The debtor attributed his bankruptcy to sickness in his family, and stated that he had been ill himself. He had been compelled to file owing to the pressure of one creditor. Messrs Doyle and Pearce said that Mr Mitchell had undoubtedly suffered very much, and the creditors had every sympathy with him, and wished him better success in the future. Mr Graham said the case was one of those unfortunate ones where the sooner the man got his discharge the better for all parties, and he would take the earliest opportunity to recommend the debtor’s discharge. The meeting then terminated.

“ Picturesque Atlas.” —ln giving judgment in a case brought against a subscriber of the “ Picturesque Atlas ” Company, and in which the decision had been held over, the Invercargill Magistrate said that the value of the work was a matter of opinion. He did not attach much weight to the statements that the various Governments were to subsidise the work, and that it was to be distributed gratis to the public libraries of Great Britain and on the Continent, as they did not go to the root of the contract. It was probable that the agent did say that it was optional how many parts the defendant took, but the plea of such a misrepresentation was untenable in the face of the memorandum ordering forty-two parts. There was little doubt that it was represented that subscribers could take as many or as few parts as they liked, and, moreover, that whatever parts they ordered could be paid for by instalments of 5s per month. This was where the real hardship fell, but it appeared to be out of the power of this or any Court to give those who had been so misled substantial relief. Judgment would bo for plaintiff, with costs.

Good Temflab Chtjech Pabade.—Yesterday afternoon about a hundred members of the Good Templar Order attended a church parade at Addington. The procession formed at the corner of Selwyn street and the South belt, and. headed by the Addington Total Abstinence Band, and marshalled by Bros Shields, D.G.C.T., Bro Long, P.D.G.C.T., Bro Allpress, P.C.T., and Bro Rogers, M., proceeded by way of the South belt. Park road, Hazeldean road, Lincoln road, Harman street and Selwyn street to the Bible Christian Church* where Bro Orchard, supported by Bros B. H.- Ginger, C.T., Hugh Bennetts, C.T., and J. J, Parker, D.D., gave a stirring temperance address from the text " Abstain from all appearance of evil.” The reverend brother sketched briefly the early, temperance movements in the United States, Ireland, Scotland and England. He pointed out the good accruing from the Good Templar Order, and referred to the marked increase of its membership, and pleaded earnestly with those present who were not members of tbe Order, to join it. After the service, the procession* marched along Selwyn street to the South belt, where it dispersed. Beautiful Palms and Norfolk Island Pines for table decoration. Pot Plants in great variety at Nairn auction's. Nurserymen, Lincoln road. 1337 '

Temperance Journalism.— The current number of the Temperance Herald announces the impending incorporation of that journal with the Prohibitionist, City Council Election.— A of the supporters of the candidature of Mr W. I. Ballinger for one of the vacancies on the City Council, will be heW this evening at the Industrial Building Society a rooms. , Obituary.— On Saturday evening another of Canterbury’s early settlers, in the person of Mrs Kirton, a resident of Rangiora, was removed by death. The deceased lady, who was a sister of Mr H. Blackett, was the relict of the Rev H. Kirton, a Presbyterian minister well known in the northern part of the Province in the early days. Christchurch Amateur Minstrels.— On Saturday night the Christchurch Amateur Minstrels repeated their perform-' - ance at the Theatre Royal to ft not too numerous audience. The visitors, however, in a measure made up for their paucity of numbers by their evident enthusiasm, and encored most of the songs. The minstrels introduced a number of/new jokes, and heartily amused those whayrere present. Taxation.— A gentleman, who h«a exceptional opportunity of judging, informs the Southern Standard that only • dozen persons in the Gore district will be injuriously affected by tbe new taxation. An overwhelming number of the other . settlers will be benefited; some to a eon- ■ siderable extent. The dozen settlers will not really be injured—they will only pay their fair share of the taxation of the Colony; but that will necessitate their contributing more than they have heretofore done under the Property tax. • j Lincoln Temperance Society. The usual fortnightly meeting for members and tbeir friends was held in the Presbyterian schoolroom on Tuesday. In the absence of the President, Mr Restail took the chair. The programme was contributed by members and friends. Songs were given by Mrs Dunn, Messrs Osbourne, Galletly and Gabites. A duet was given by Misses J. Galletly and Watt, a trio by the Misses ... Finch and Mr A. Finch, a recitation by Master Eddie Galletly, and readings wees contributed by Mr W, Kennedy and Master Willie Thomas. Five persona signed the pledge at the end of the meeting. . ■. ■ Young Women’s Christian Association.—The second quarterly gathering of ■ the T oung Women’s Christian Association was held in the rooms on Thursday evening. About fifty members were present, . and a most enjoyable evening was spent. ' Tbe Committee took the opportunity of presenting Mrs Dallaston, the President, who is removing to Wellington, with a volume of Miss F. E. Havergal's work “ Life Chords.” AH present expressed themselves sorry to part with Mrs Dallaston, who has always done what she could to farther the interests of the Association.

The lata Secretary, Mrs Easton, is also to ; ! receive a present. Canterbury College Science Society. . —The usual fortnightly meeting of the Science Society of Canterbury College was held in the chemical lecture-room at the College on Saturday night. About ninety were present, and the chair was occupied by Professor Bickerton. A very able paper was read by Mr J. P. Grossman on “ Personal Identity," and this was criticised favourably by Professor Bickerton and Messrs Adams and Ward. Mr W. B. Pye read a paper on the “ Evolution of Psychology,” the difficult subject being: well handled by the essayist, whose paper was i favourably commented on by Messrs Buchanan and Grossman. At the con- ' elusion of the meeting refreshments were ' served as usual. ; Minister pob Lands.-—The Otago Daily ’ Times , one of the most consistent opponents . of the present Ministry, referring to the s recent difference between the Hon J< , ) M’Kenzie and Mr George Hutchison, the • . member for Waitotara, says;—ln the ■ point raised by Mr George Hutchison, we > certainly think the Minister for Lands wee , in the right. We can see nothing what- > ever objectionable in the statement made f by Mr' M’Kenzie that he had received a I letter, from a late Constituent of the mem- • her for Waitotara to the effect that in the 1 latter district the principles of the Govern- . ment Land Bill are held in favour, i Neither can it be seriously argued that. . having made such a statement, the ’ Minister was bound to name the writer or L withdraw the remark. The statement, : b whether correct or. not, conveyed no sort ■ of reflection upon the character of the : member for Waitotara. It amounted,, at i most, to a declaration that in a certain i line of action in the House Mr Hutchison was not representing the views of the i majority of his constituents a thing . which the Minister had a perfect right to ■ say if he chose, either on/his own re- . sponeibility or on that of somebody else; and which, in any case, could not possibly be anything but a mere matter of opinion. ■ The claim repeatedly put forward by Mr . Hutchison was altogether overstrained. Wedding at Annat.—Our correspon--1 dent writes Wednesday was quite a red- ’ letter day at Annat, the occasion being the marriage of Mr George Lindsay to i Miss Nellie Barr, third daughter of Mr J. P. Barr, of Mountain View Farm. The ' 1 ceremony was performed by the Eev J. : Maxwell, at the residence of the bride’s , father, in the presence of the family and about forty guests. The bride wore a dress of brown silk, beautifully trimmed. The bridesmaids .were tbe Misses Marian and Mary Barr, sisters of the' bride, . and Mr Robert Barr was grooms-/ man. In the eyening Mr and’•Mrs Barr ' gave a dance in the Annat Orange Hall to a large circle of friends. A feature almost unique in tbe annals of dancing took place during the evening, in the shape . of a quadrille in which four generations in direct line of the bride’s relatives took part. It may be added thatthe bride’s great , grandmother intended being present,; bat as tbe old lady lives a few miles distant, and is slightly indisposed, it was thought . scarcely advisable to risk the journey and , excitement. Mr Colthart, in an appropriate and humorous speech, wished long life and happiness to Mr and Mrs Lindsay, and at the same time expressed the regret of the residents at the departure from the . , district of Mr and Mrs Barr, who are . . about to take up their residence in the , North Island. The party broke up in the small hours of the morning, all agreeing that the dance had been the most enjoyable of the many pleasant gatherings held . in the Annat Hall. Poisoning Dogs.—On Saturday, Messrs F. J, Kimbell, J. N. Hamer and D. Bellhouse waited on Mr Inspector Pender at his office, to ask his advice as to dogs being poisoned in the city./ Mr Kimbell pointed out what the Dog Society had done, and asked Mr Pender what assistance could be given to check the evil before something serious happened. Many of the dogs that had been victims lately had died of strychnine, and it had been ascertained that the poison had been laid in cooked' food. There was every probability, if this continued, that children would fall victims to the poison. Mr Hamer said that, no less than twenty-three dogs, some of them of considerable value, had been poisoned within the city during the past few weeks! Mr Bellhouse said that the loss would be considerable to the Dog Society as well as to the owners, as many of the dogs were to have been shown. As it was now, persons having good dogg’’ could not give them the necessary exercise, as they were afraid to let them run out. Poison had been laid in the Richmond district also, apparently, on or near the Stanmore bridge. Mr Pender said that the police were as alive to the malicious poisoning that was going on aa the Society, and knew the persons to whom poison had been sold, but it wag very difficult to trace the crime to anyone Sergeant Briggs himself had been a loser* ■ and it was evident that poison had been laid near the police station, as ■ several other dogs had died near there. He suegested that a larger reward should be offered, and assured the deputation that the police would endeavour to have the offender or brought' to justice. The deputation thanked Mr Pender, and withdrew. u

The choicest Roses, Camellias, Mag. nohas. Heaths. Boroaias, Rhododendron! Paomea and Lihum Aurafrum (the Japan Ldy), at Naira and Lincoln w»d. '• • XM7

‘&sss=s=s. mmm " The New Taxation.— -Computed on t e totalioator investments during the pass racing mmoq, £9532 17s 64 would have been the amount derived therefrom by the gnopoaedtaz of 1£ per cent. From tins it ■will be seen that the expected yield of £IO,OOO from this source is likely to do yftifclfflpfl Complimentary DiNNEE.-Oa Friday niahtndirmer was given to Mr W. 0. Walker atMount Somers. Mr Walker was also presented with a handsome gold watch and * parse of in recognition o£ his mmmf public services. There was a largo gathering of representative-men of the iAshborton County. A report of the proceedings appears in another column. Land Sams.— Messrs Ayers and Co. on Saturday sold a 20-acre farm, situate at the. corner of Spring’s and Harewood roods, near Prebbleton. The farm was odd by order of the trustees in the estate of the late Samuel Harwood, and there woo a large attendance of persons interested.' [Bidding was very brisk up to £2O anaore.at which price it was knocked down to -Mr T. Bowman, of Hornby. Messrs Tonka, Norton and Co'; at the same time offered' on' behalf of the mortgagee 28 acres 2 roods and 3 perches in St Albans. The properly was ultimately bought in by the mortgagee. Technical Education. —In the course of his address from the chair at the Graduation Ceremony in connection with the University of Otago on Friday, Sir -Robert Stout made the following allusion to technical education; —The proposal that has been carried is that certificates should be issued by the University to students who distinguished themselves in the Agricultural School at LiAc&ln rid in the College of Engineering at Chrieillnrch. The course that has been l»;j down in the Engineering College is equivalent to what is required in some Universities fox' a degree in engineering. . Provision at present! however, has only been made for granting certificates, but no doubt some science degrees will be conferred hereafter. This would necessitate the science degree being specialised so that a degree in ’science may be obtained if a graduate has special scientific knowledge. This is at present done in some Univer- ; aities. The Senate has provided for certificates, and this is an advance in tbo interests of technical education. Technical ednention can never obtain the position it is entitled to until _it has been recognised by the University _ as a specific branch of culture and until its ■indents are enabled to obtain the same university distinctions as students in arts or medicine or law. t also that by the University recognising technical education in this way a great impetus will he given to it in the Colony; Secondary schools will be encouraged to, have special courses, and perhaps the higher classes in the district schools may have some extra branches that will , aid the student _of technical science in his future studies. The recognition by, the University also of the Agricultural College at Lincoln and the Engineering College in Christchurch carries out what I believe is necessary in our present circumstances. - It is impossible to centre in any one place in New Zealand allithe special colleges requited for a complete 1 university education. You may have a nucleus of a university at the different centres sufficient to give what is required ,ixa an arts curriculum, but you cannot; expect to have centred in one plaice all' the special schools that are necessary for a complete higher education. Canterbury is providing, and providing weD, ! for agriculture and engineering; Otago i^doing the same for medicine and mines; Auckland at present has a music course ; and I think Auckland ought to bav* a* school of agriculture and forestry connected with its University College. - The Secretary of the Christchurch Hospital dedms to acknowledge with thanhs, fl wars from - Un J. Higher, Papuuui ; old linen from Mrs a. GMforth and a friend; books from Mrs Woodard - eadr afrrDudley; books for the children from ••OHte Md Keith," and Mrs G. Trcleavon; periedleals from Mrs W.Beeca and Mrs W. P. Beatson lor th* use of the patients. , , . Thotuwnda Of ladies literally packed Sden George's entrance throughout Saturday, viewing the - pretty fancy costume pictures therein shown. On ' the eve of her departure, Mrs Humphreys, in a latter to Mr Kdea George, expressed her admiration and Surprise at the excellent result of every portrait and her pleasure in accepting thealtmm, whlijh will follow her-nest mail.—CAdvt.J Don't bh Deceived.— It you want the bast medicine the world has ever produced, tryColeand Son’s Eucalypte Estraot; for ooldn, coughs, and all affections Of the client, gravel and kidney complaints, and fevers of all kinds it has noeaaal. Under tbe distmauiahed patronage of EaslJersey. Awarded medals and diplomas, Adelaide. Sydney, Melbourne, beating all competitors. Only Mid in lea and, Joz vials, price Is 6S and 2s fld. * Sold everywhere. Wow Zealand Branch, Lichfield street. Christchurch. Alls

Voting bt Post.— 'An interesting article appears in the Argus of August 25, written ■fcy Mr Alexander Sutherland, of Carlton Collegia,' proposing that voting at election*- should be done through the post. He points out that fifty or one hundred years ago no one would have dreamed it to be possible that money should be sent'by letter, as it is now sent •very day with safety and_ despatch, and, if money, why not an election paper P He ■writes—** What a large saving of money there would be in our Council elections if, instead of the many polling booths that are sprinkled over a great province, there were only one central Returning Officer, who ■honld cause all the ballot-papers to be sent out as registered letters, to be duly signed foe when received by the elector or his" authorised substitute. The voter has «fortnight or so in, which to fill up the paper as he pleases, and then, having properly enclosed it, he drops it into the post and has no further trouble. The one Betorning Officer receives all the papers, and himself makes up the poll in less than an honr from the time announced as the lasi at which papers could he received. Such a system would not only he much more convenient to many voters, but would offer distinct advantages in the way of superior orderliness and accuracy Cremation in Japan.— Cremation followed Buddhism into Japan about a.d. TOO, but never entirely superseded tba older Shinto custom of disposing of the dead by interment, ludicrous as it may appear, cremation was first discontinued in the . case of the mikados, on the representations of -a fishmonger named Hacmboi, who clamoured for the interment of the Emperor Go-Komei in 1644. On July 18, 1873, cremation was totally prohibited by the Government, v/hose members seem to have had some confused notion as to the practice being un-European and therefore barbarous. Having discovered that far from being un-European, cremation was the goal of European reformers in such matters, they rescinded their prohibition only twentytwo months later (May 23. 1875). There are now' (1890) five cremation grounds in Tokyo (the capital, formerly called Tedo). The usual charges for cremation according to the old native style are s-First-olaas. 7dol (J6l ?s 2d), second-class 2.50d0l (10s sd), and third-class, l.oOcloi (6s 3d). But the charges for cremation according to . the improved European methods, which have begun to come into vogue during the last two or three years, are. —first-class, 7dol (JB1 9a 2d) 5 second-class, 4.50d0l (18s 9d), and third-class, odol 6d. It should be added that, on Juno IJ, 1874, a law was passed against intra-mural interment, except in certain special cases. It is still prohibited, unless when the body has been cremated before burial.