TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9926, 4 January 1893, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Contents.— " The important review of the harvest prospects in Canterbury ia begun in this issue, and is commented upon in our leader columns. Agricultural and pastoral readers will also be closely interested in the items referring to the butter and wheat markets received from Loudon. In Imperial Politics the projected disarmament of the Irish Constabulary is a notable item, and it will be seen that the vexed question of the proportional taxation of Ireland continues to be a potent factor. Whilst the excitement in Paris with regard to the charges of corruption is sub - siding, Berlin is in a ferment relative to the alleged malversation of the Guelph fund; and the indiscriminate use of rifles in a public street constitutes a further sensation. In the Labour world, the London unemployed are forcing their chums upon the attention of the public in a remarkable way; a gigantic strike of minors is reported from Berlin; two and a half millions of the Russian peasantry are said to ba unemployed; Spain has its tens of thousands of idle hands ; and ia Holland there bar. been serious rioting. The Pamirs question is still in evidence, and in connection therewith the proposed extension of Russia's strategic railways is not without significance. Skating fatalities in England seem to be increasing, though happi-y there has been no calamity of such magnitude as the wall-remembered breaking up of the ice on the Serpentine. Bishop Luck (in London) is appealing successfully on behalf of the Maori Mission ; the scheme for bridging the English Channel is again brought forward ; and the great subject of immigration is being trenchantly discussed by United States politicians. In New Zealand, tba first day’s play in the Wellington v. Otago cricket match, the progress of the Chess Congress, and the sporting meetings at Auckland and elsewhere are duly reported. Sumner Excursions. —The Canterbury Tramway Company announces that return fares by the 10.10 a.m. tram to Sumner will be fid.

Knights or Labour.— -The members of the Eawhiti Assembly will hold a meeting for special business, at half-past seven o’clock this evenin'?. New Zealand Yachting Association. —The annual meeting of the Ne w Zealand Yachting Association, which was fixed for yesterday, was adjourned until this evening, at eight o’clock, at the British Hotel, Lyttelton. Yachting. —A match for £lO was yesterday arranged between Messrs B. J. Scott amt C. Brown, owners of the yachts Zephyr and Onawe. The race will bo sailed in Lyttelton harbour on Saturday next. tk U KCU&iiviED Lands.— -The Public Trustee is engaged at present in preparing a course of procedure iu connection with the Unclaimed Lauds Act ot last session. Mr Win-burton believes that many local bodies will receive valuable endowments as a result of the passing of the Act. “ Canterbury Directory”, —This work, published by Messrs H. Wise and Co., is to bo ready about July l.and is to be entirely a local production. With this view the publishers have taken permanent offices in the A.M.P. Buildings. Cathedral square, and have appointed Mr Hatton their resident representative. Mr Hatton has bteu connected with Directory work for a number of years. The whole of the work of compiling, printing and binding is to bo done in Christchurch.

Fiek at Akaroa.— -At 4.15 a.m. yesterday a iira broke out in a store situated in street, Akaroa, and resulted in the total destruction of the ttore and its contents and the shed and four boats belonging to too Akaroa Boating Club. The store was owned by Mr M. J. Daly, general storekeeper, and was insured m the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company’s Office for .£309, the contents being insured, also in the same office, for ,£350. Mr Daly estimates his loss above insurance at .-6350. The boatshed and its contents were insured in the .South British Office for .£SO, but tbo Club to which they belong estimates its loss at Sl'6o in excess cf insurance. Nothing is known as to the origin of the fire. Dunsandbl Ju.bix.kk Bicycle C A concert aad dance in connection ’with this Oiub took place in the Dunsandel Hall on Monday evening. There was a very good attendance. Songs were contributed by Messrs W. M. bates, J. B. Vatos, L. S. iiovereux, F. Lill and H. Price; Mr Killridge gave an Il'ich jig, and Miss Soanes played the various accompaniments. At the conclusion of the concert Hr F. Lill thanked the audience for its patronage and the performers for the assistance they had given. The room was then cleared, nod dancing wan kept up till the small hours of the morning-. Mr B. B, Kill wsa M.C„ and Messrs J. ■ Burgess, F. Lill (violins) and Mies Scaaos {piano) supplied the music.

Tua Bishop of CmusTcnußcn. The Right Rav the Bishop of Christchurch and Mrs Julius loco Christchurch yesterday afternoon by the four o’clock train to Lyttelton on their way to Wellington, where they will embark for England in the Doric. Amongst those who aesembled at the Christchurch railway station to wish his Lordship and Mrs Julius bon voyage were the Very Rev the Dean, the Eeva H. C. M. Watson, W. Harper, F. Knowles. H. T. Purchas, and Fox, Sir Arthur Douglas, and several ladies. The Rev P. Knowles, Diocesan Secretary, accompanied the Bishop to Port, where a number of clergy had assembled to wish, his Lordship “ Good-bye.” Polo. —The North Canterbury Polo Club had a very successful opening of its season’s play atSnngiora yesterday afternoon. A number of players from Christchurch aud Waikari were present, and the local club was well represented. The game took place in Sir Buss’ paddcck, off the Oxford railway lino, aad the ground being level and tho grass short, it was oil that could bo desired for the play. The opening game was between Messrs G. Palmer, F. wrArcher, J. Buckloy and the Hon E. Parkes, of the Christchurch Club, aad Messrs L. Lane, C. B-.e, J. DampierCroaslsy and E. Wilder, of the North Canterbury Club. Two spells were played, and the game, which was fairly fast, and even, was won by the Christchurch players by a goal, scored by Mr J. Buckley. Three other games were played by mixed teams, and the afternoon was altogether a thoroughly enjoyable one. Afternoon tsa was provided for players and spectators by Mrs E. Wilder and Mrs A. Templer. Thera was a large number of onlookers, and keen interest was taken in the play. Annat Band of Hors.—A tea and concert in connection with the Annat Band of Hopowcre held in the schoolroom, Annat, on Friday, Dec. 23. There was a largo attendance. Tables were provided by Mesdames Montgomery, Blcor aud Humm. The bachelors’ table was presided ever by Miss Martha Tresidder. Recitations were given by Misses Montgomery (3), Teague and Isherwood ; songs by Miss Fleming and Messrs Williams aad Brydon; glees by Misses Tresidder (2), Montgomery (2) and Teague (2). The choir sang selections from the “ Crystal Springs” hymns. Violin solos were given by Mr G. Bradshaw. Prizes for recitation were awarded to Blisses Eva Tresidder, Rebecca Montgomery, Grace Isherwood, Montgomery, Laura Teague, Hannah Stokes and Eleanor Isherwood, Masters Andrew Nnttal acid Leonard Finer. Addresses wevo given by the Chairman and tho Revs J. Maxwell and J. Clemente. The chair whs occupied by Mr C. Gamble, and Miss Martha Tresidder presided at the organ.

Vital Statistic. —The following are the vital statistics for the Geraldine dis* trict for the month f Decemberßirths, 15; marriages, 7; eaths, 0. Cueist’s Collegi Grammar School.—4 Mr C. F. Bourne as telegraphed from! Auckland, intimatilt his definite accepts anca of the head tasterahip of Christ’s College Grammar Spool. Visit of the GogsrHor.— Hia Worshpj the Mayor has rec<jved a telegram from Lord Glasgow’s private secretary, stating 1 that his Excellency and Lady Glasgowwill visit Christchuch about Wednesday#! Jan. IP, and will emain here for a few days. Stranding of a Ketch,— The ketch Kestrel, laden with wheat and produce i for Lyttelton, in atempting to cross the! Waimakariri Bar a Monday morning,' was stranded, but nas got off next tideJ She will bo taken aongside the wharf at* Kaiapol this afternon, when the cargo; will be discharged, and the damage, if any, that has beei received will ba ascertained. Dairy Expert. —Er W. W. Crawford,; Government onginee; for the erection oft dairy factories, arrivd in Christchurch onj Monday night on hisvay to the Peninsula,; where be will aasisl the settlers in thai erection of their davy factories, and en-| deavour to promote :he establishment of! others where none have been begun* During his stay in Christchurch he will! visit the Tai Tapu anl Belfast factories. ! The Chess Congjbss. —The seventh* round of the New Zealand Champion Chess) Congress was played jesterday. Mr Siede-; berg beat Mr Sexton, Mr Barnes beat Mr! Byre, Mr Cleland leat Mr Wood, Mr; -Jowitt beat Mr Milner. Messrs Hookham; and Tait drew their gsme. At the present; stage Mr Siedeberg, of Dunedin, is leading,] with Mr Hookham, of Christchurch, second,! and Mr Barnes, of Wellington, third. Two! more rounds have t> be played. The' eighth round will be 'oegun at 10 a.m. to* day. Theatre Royal. —rho Wills Surprise! Party last night coneluded its season at the Theatre Royal with one of the best] programmes submitted during its stay; here. Mr Friedman ras particularly good; in his Dutch character sketches, which fairly brought down the house. The 1 attendance was the laigest of the season,; It may bo mentioned that the theatre' , closed last night for the first time since; Sept. 24, since which date it haa been continuously occupied, tie longest term for many years. The Weather ani the Crops. —Our Ashburton correspondent writes The; weather during the past week has been] most favourable. The nice rain on New; Year’s eve has done nuch to repair tha damage caused by tie nor’-wester of - Boxing Day. The present still, mild weather is just what is wanted to enable the crops to fill out before they are quite ripe, and as the ground is now moist they’, will be greatly benefited by a little delay in harvest. The grass ii very much dried up, but still there is abundant feed everywhere, and stock continue to look well. New Zealand Rifle Association.— Lieutenant Davy, a member of the Council of the New Zealand Rifle Association,: was in town yesterday, and stated that the ! beginning of the annual prize meeting has been fixed for Jan. 12. Entries from , intending competitors from this district' are being received by Me T. H. Anderson.; It is expected that about twenty-eight or ! thirty representatives from Canterbury; will go to the meeting. The Honorary! Reserve Corps will, it is anticipated, send seventeen or eighteen men, and the Christ-! church, Kaiapoi and Eangiora Rifles will bo represented.* Mount Grey Downs School.— A meeting of the Mount Grey Downs School Committee was held on Friday, Dec. 23, Mr J.; Deads being in the chair. Accounts: amounting to Is 5d were passed for. payment. A letter was received from theEducation Board, stating that the Inspector’s annual examination was very, satisfactory, and highly creditable to both] teachers, Thera were only 2‘5 per cent of; failures in the whole school. The Chair- 1 man was asked to convey the thanks of the;Committee to the teachers for the very; satisfactory manner in which they hadj . conducted the school during the past yoftr.'' It was unanimously decided that the Boh6bl|s-* should be closed for six weeks on Deo. 30, reopening on Feb. 13. Exhibition op Japanese Curios. fiThere ia now on view, in Messrs Bowman and' Son’s saleroom, in Hereford street, a very* large and varied collection of Japanese' curios of all classes. The large saleroom: haa been completely transformed, having! elaborate curtains and Japanese blinds; hung round the walls, while on each side tables are nicely arranged with the curios; set out in the order of the catalogue. The pollection will be open to inspection until; eleven o’clock to-morrow morning, when; the various articles will be sold by order of 1 the importer, Mr M. Both, who places no reserves whatever on the goods. Some of the fans, screens and other ornaments are of a very elegant design, while the delf and ornamental metal wares are of superior quality. Capturing a Shark. —The Otago Daily Times reportsA very large shark, which has infested the lower harbour for soma time past, was taken after an exciting con- ' test, which lasted over five hours, on Saturday, by three fishermen named JJ Noble, J. Gibbs and J. Abernethy. The monster was hooked at 6 a.m., and fought furiously, towing the boat about the harbour as though she were a reed. It was harpooned and twice lanced before it succumbed, and in its dying fury put its teeth completely through the boat’s keel.' It was afterwards towed up to Port Chalmers and landed, proving to be one of the blue or bottle-nosed species, and is apparently a female. It weighs considerably, over two tons, and measures 17fb 6in long, with a girth, taken from the dorsal fin, of 19ft. The monster was taken to Dunedin for exhibition.

Lyttelton Regatta. -—Lyttelton was yesterday suffering a recovery from the effects of the great aquatic gathering on Monday, which, by the way, claims for itself a record attendance of the public, for it is estimated that no fewer than 20,000 were assembled in the seaport. The Railway Department ran no less than! eighty-seven long trains from Christ-; church, and the officials, under the supervision of the Lyttelton stationmaster, Mr Ashley, were hard at work till 1 a.m. getting the pleasure seekers away. On' Monday Major Sir A,rfchur Douglas,, of the Defence Department, very kindly; placed the torpedo boat at the disposal of the Committee, and during tho afternoon, some of the officers aud a few of their, friends availed themselves of the opportunity of taking a trip in the swift little craft and enjoying the sensation of being carried through tho water at the great speed at which she can travel. The display of fireworks on the water was got off without any mishap, whiio eeveral private residents worked up vary pretty displays.

Tna Massex - Habbis Harvester.—— Messrs Clarkson and Co., the Bangiora agents for the Massey-Harria harvester,, exhibited one of the machines at work in Mr J. Hurse’s paddock, Ashley street, yesterday. Mr A." L. Smith, the manufacturer’s expert, had charge of the machine*' The crop operated upon was oats, rather light and quite green, the owner’s intend tion being to use it for chaff. The harvester opened out in a perfect manner, and worked throughout the trial in a way which left nothing to be desired. Although in places there were numbers of large stones lying about, the ■ stubble was left very even, and all the sheaves were’ neatly and tightly tied. The knotter on; this machine is one of the simplest in use, I and it does its work in an admirable! manner, the tying being so close that, there is absolutely no waste of twine. The way the canvases run is also a speciality, the upper and lower canvases on the elevator being speeded to move in unison, so that when the grain reaches them from the platform it is rigidly held until delivered on to the binder table., By this arrangement no grain is shelled ? out as it passes up the elevator. The' j machine and its work were examined by a| good number of farmers, and all seemed; pleased with what they saw. A. three-1 horse team wns used, driven by Mr A.i. Horne, but two horsea could have worked',, the machine very well.

- Masonic.— The installation of tho Eight Worshipful Master of tie Crown Masonic Lodge, Scottish Constitution, will take place at the hall, Sydeifiara, at 7.30 p.m. to-morrow. Dbxtnkknness. At the Christchurch Police Station, yester&y, before Mr K. Westenra, J.P., a first offender was fined 6s, and Is cab fare, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Presentations. —At the Canterbury Bowling Green last evening, Mr VY. Thomson, late President of tho Club, was presented with a pair of silver-mounted bowls. Messrs P. Bevtrly and Qrqnhart were each presented wfch a gold-mounted greenstone pendant am silver match-box, on the occasion of tbdr departure for a trip to Europe. Se'eral toasts were honoured, and complimentary speeches made. Mr Shand. President of the Unb, made the presentation! on behalf o *lO "TstopblM Visit.— The inmates of the Magdalen Asylum mel with an agreeable surprise last night, wken they received a visit from Mr E. W. Seager, who treated them to a couple of hours of mirth, magic and music, in which he succeeded admirably in creating merriment, inat Mr Seager intended making the visit was known only to the Lady Superior of the Institution, so that till the arrival of the party, the inmates were unaware of tho provision that had been made for their entertainment. In a very short time, however, willing hands transformed the large ironing-room into a suitable hall for tho performance, and the sisters and inmates, numbering nearly a hundred in all, were soon seated in a well-lighted room. Mr Seager has previously given similar entertainments at Mount Magdala, so that? many who were present knew the treat than was in store. On this occasion he gave some of his more recently-acquired feats of legerdemain, including the cabinet mystery. At the close of the performance, which was watched with the keenest interest, some of the inmates sang ballads, and the Mayor, who was present with Mrs George, made a few remarks. Miss West, of Dunedin, presided at the piano during the evening. Cards, Books fob Gifts. —“ Truth. Bound volumes ready. Health books, both Christchurch productions; muscle rollers. Suitable, sensible presents. Inpectiou invited, catalogue sent. 179, Colombo street. Show rooms upstairs.— [Advt.] _ , , Startling News.— The New Zealand amateur wheeling “flyers” and Wally Kerr, mounted on English and Colonial cycles were defeated on New Y ear’s Day from scratch at Eangiora by A. C. Wilmot. New Zealand champion and record holder, mounted on a “ Star ” racer, in the Onemile Handicap, won in 2min 322aec, Hew Zealand amateur record,and in the One-mile Scratch. At Oamaru on New Tear's Day Stars were " shining,” having secured three firsts again, beating all makes of cycles. Half and One-mile New Zealand amateur records held by “Stars.” Thirty-five hands; English, Australian and Colonial cycle engineers employed making “ Stars.” “The wheels for the people.” Time payments from 5s a week. Adame, Curties and Co., 70, Manchester street, Christchurch. —[Advt.l Deposit tickets.—Owing to tne nrer/ilance of influenza preventing: many persons from using their deposit tickets, the Kdou Georgo Company, Limited, have decided to allow parsons holding deposit tickets to übo them even afto ■ the now* year. The photos and opals now being produced by tho Eden George Company, l imited, are giving each universal satisfaction that tho studio is daily crowded wit n sitters. Standiah and Preoce hivo just complex I extensive alterations to their studio, aa.i tba new display of photographs is well worth a, visit.