TOWN & COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9948, 30 January 1893, Page 4

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Contents. A prominent man in American politics, ex-Secrotary Blaine, is dead. A bloodless revolution has taken place in Hawaii; the Queen has been deposed, and the people are petitioning for annexation to the United States. A forecaste of the programme of the Imperial Government is published, the items indicating a busy session. Affairs in Egypt are comparatively peaceful, though Russia is represented as intriguing with Turkey in the matter. In France, the Panama scandal continues to be the absorbing topic. Mining news, the results of Saturday’s cricket matches, letters to the editor and Current Topics are included in this issue. Municipal. —The ordinary meetings of the City Council and the Sydenham Borough Council will be held this evening. The 0 Hospital. —Dr Mearcs ia the surgeon and Dr Deamer the physician in attendance at the Christchurch Hospital this week.

Union Bank, Eangioba. —Mr W. Stewart, one of the staff of the Christchurch branch of the Union Bank of Australia, has been appointed to the charge of the Eangiora branch in place of Mr R. Cotton, who retired at the end of the year. A Vessel from Hamburg.— The barque Advancement arrived at Wellington from Hamburg yesterday morning, and, coming from an infected port, was taken to the quarantine ground. The health officer and the harbourmaster visited the vessel yesterday afternoon, and found the crew enjoying the beat of health, and the vessel will be admitted to pratique to-day. Christchurch Pigeon Flying Club.— On Saturday a race was flown from Waikari for a prize presented by Mr Smith, which was won by Mr W. E. Sime’s Fleetwing ia Ihr Bmin. The following is a list of the placed birds s—Mr W. E. Sime’s Fleetwing, 1193yds pet minute; Mr A. B. Menzies’ Shack, 864yds per minute; Mr G. Pearse’s Missile, 852yds per minute; Mr F. Bull’s War Cry, 835yds per minute. The Club wishes to thank the stationmaater at Waikari for liberating the birds. Boys’ High School.— Thoiollowing boys have been elected to the eight Governors’ exhibitions, awarded yearly to the eight boyo who stand next the winners of the junior scholarships given by the North Canterbury Board of Education at the December examination:—George Habgood, Normal School; Henry Klingenstein, West Christchurch School; Edward Ayrton, Seafield School; Sydney Asquith, Sydenham School; Arthur Sherris, East Christchurch School; Herbert Bowden, West Christchurch School; Herbert Collier, Normal School; John Poison, Barfield School.

Druids’ Art Union. —The announcement that the drawing of the Druids’ Art Union would take place in the Druids' Hall on Saturday evening, attracted a very large attendance, and long before eight o’clock the hall was crowded, and fully two hundred persons were unable to gain admission. Before the drawing took place, Bro F. W. Penfold, D.G.P., President of Gala, requested any of the ticketholders to challenge their number, and several persons availed themselves of the opportunity, but in not one single instance was the corresponding number to that held by the ticket-holder found to be missing. All the tickets were then put into a box by Messrs Eden George, H. O. D. Me sires and William Jacques, the Mayors of Christchurch, St Albans and Sydenham respectively, and Messrs E. Sandford and_ J. Joyce, M.H.E.’s. The Mayors of Christchurch, St Albans and Sydenham and Messrs Sandford and Joyce conducted the drawing, and Mr James Anderson, Secretary of the Gala Committee, and Mr W. r. Barnes, Lyttelton, acted as scrutineers. The following are the winning numbers of the principal prizes:—4ol2, first prize, gentleman’s bicycle; 3649, second prize, piano; 13192, thirdpvize, suite of'fucmture; 14680, fourth prize, American organ; •19181, fiftieth prize, ladies’ bicycle; 13770, one hundred and twenty-fifth prize, gentleman’s bicycle. The complete list of the winning numbers "is ftdvertised.

Max O’Relii.—M. Paul Blouet, with Madame Blouefc, Mdlle. Blooet, and Mft E. S. Smythe, left Lyttelton, for Welling* ton by the b.b. Penguin on Saturday evening.

Central Dairy Company -—A general meeting of the shareholders elf the Canterbury Central Co-operative Dairy Company was held on Saturday aftjarnoon, when satisfactory progress was reported, and the action of the Directors approved. A report appears elsewhere. A Shark. —As the_ tug .Lyttelton was returning from the ship Soiikar on Saturday, a shark some fourteen feet long vu observed outside the Heads, and evidently making for the harbour. Bathers wrill do well to keep a sharp look-out in case of the fish coming up the harbour. The Public Librae*.— During the year 1892- seven hundred and eighty seven books were added to the circulating department of the Public Library, and over two hundred volumes, which had - become unserviceable through long use; were replaced by new copies. _ The reference library was increased .during the yeaif by three hundred volumes. Picnics.— The employees of the Christchurch Gas Company held! their annual picnic on Saturday at Diamond Harbour. They were conveyed across by Messrs Agar and Roberts’ s.s. Canterbury, and the same;; steamer took the members of the Avonside Church choir to Rhodes’Bay, as also, a private picnic to Port Levy. The weather was all that could be wished for holiday making. Eangioha Courthouse. Tenders for the erection of the new Courthouse have at last been advertised for, and it is the intention of the Public Works Department to push on the building as quickly as possible. The alterations in the, plan suggested to the Minister for Public Works by the Eangiora Borough Cohhcil have been adopted; the length of the public-room having been increased by four feet, to give better accommodation to the Bench. In other respects the plan igj in the main, the same as that used for the' Kaiapoi Courthouse. Tae Holloway Company, —Mr J. St Clair, advance representative of the Holloway Dramatic Company, arrived in ■ Christchurch last night, from Wellington, to make arrangements for a season of ten nights at the Theatre Royal, beginning on Monday next, Feb. 6. The Company will open in the nautical drama My Jack, which had a run of seven nights in Wellington. It will be succeeded by the farcical comedy. Uncles and. Aunts, by M. Lesfeocq the author of Jane. Two of Harvey’s dramas. Judge Not and The Workman, Will follow. All the above-named pieces are new to Christchurch, and new scenery has been obtained for them from Melbourne. The membership of the Company, it may be remarked, is exactly the same as on its former visit here. Mr St Clair states that it had a successful season in the North Island, and played for no less than four weeks in Wellington. The Company is due in Dunedin for the race week—the last week of February.

The Rival Steamships.— The Melbourne Argus, in a recent issue, writes as follows Ocean-going steamers continue the game* of record breaking in different parts of the world, and the competition of rival companies trading between Australia and New Zealand gives an opportunity for local indulgence in the pastime. On this occasion it is the Miowera, of Messrs Huddarb, Parker and Company’s new line, which has distinguished herself by * traversing the distance between Sydney and Auckland in eighty-five hours ana forty minutes, beating the previous rbcord of eighty-seven and a half hours, which lay with the Union Company’s steamer Alameda. The Miowera’a successful attempt to cover the distance in less time than it was ever done before was rendered additionally interesting by the coincidence that the Union Company’s steamer Rotomahana happened to leave Sydney, bound for the same port, just one hour after her. Of course, there was no racing in the strictest and most disquieting sense of the word, but neither steamer lost time unnecessarily, and eventually the Miowera • reached Auckland four hours and twentyfive minutes in advance of the Rotonm-\ hana. The engines of Messrs Huddarfc, t Parker and Company’s speedy new boat have evidently improved with use. Her sister ship, the Warrimoo, enjoys the distinction of having made the record passage from London to Australia vifi, the Cape of Good Hope. The Harvest.— -In North Canterbury oa Saturday and Sunday the weather was perfect for harvesting, and a good deal of the bad effects of the rain has been neutralised. The grain dried rapidly on Friday and Saturday, and on the latter day some was put into stack.—Our Dunsandel correspondent writes:—The recent weather has pub our farmers on the alert to have their grain cuttand stacked very rapidly. Although put behind by the changeable weather, harvest operations are fairly well advanced in this district. Generally speaking reaping is done, while there are several stacks looming up, and every fine day will now add to the number. The unpropitious weather in the middle of December has had the effect of doing more damage to the spring wheat crop than many anticipated, by breaking down, and in many cases causing the wheat to die off, thus causing a thin sample (principally in Tuscan wheat). Winter wheat seems to be filling' very nicely indeed. Barley is a very fair crop, while oats are very good. The showery weather did much good to turnips and grass. There are some magnificent turnip crops in Dunsandel, especially that of Mr J. Gemmell, which is, I think, the best ever seen in our district. Threshing has commenced from the stook, but, owing to the rapid changes in the elements very little progress is being made.— Our Kaiapoi correspondent writes: — Much anxiety is felt by farmers in the Kaiapoi district owing to the doubtful weather. Although the rain, so far, has not been an unmixed evil, having done perhaps more good than harm, farmers are now looking for more settled weather, to enable what should prove a very fair harvest to be safely gathered in. Extra labour is in great request, and complaints of its scarcity arq being made. There should be plenty of work at fair wages for all willing hands for the next sis weeks. Personally Attacked. —A Wellington correspondent writes:—The Wellington Land Board this morning (Jan. 26) was enlivened by an unexpected manifestation of political feeling. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., rose and said he had been “ personally attacked ” and otherwise referred to by the leader of the Opposition, who spoke with a view to damage certain settlers ia the Wairatapa. The Commissioner of Crown Lands interposed to prevent a political speech being made, which, he said, was outside the purposes of eudh a place. He only partially succeeded., The proceeding is reported in the Post as follows t—" Mr Hogg insisted that as a public man he was perfectly entitled to Speak on the subject in ■ question, especially as ho had been personally attacked by Mrßolleston. Not only had he been attacked, but the leader of the Opposition had asserted that every third man in the Wairatapa wag nothing more than a land speculator. Mr Pirani said he considered that if Mr Hogg continued to address the Board on the subject it would bo exceedingly unfair to Mr Baker as a Civil servant. Mr Fisher said he qilite agreed with Mr Pirani’s remarks. Perhaps the best place for Mr Hogg to .ventilate his grievances would be in the columns of the Press. Mr Hogg again rose to address the Board, when he was once more interrupted by the Commissioner, who remarked that he had no doubt in his own mind that the hoard-room was not the place for any member to deliver a political speech. Mr Hogg said he would bow to the ruling of the Chairman, as perhaps ho had said sufficient to vindicate his own character as a public man. He knew the leader of the Opposition, and from what he had seen of him in the House he was surprised at nothing -that Mr Eolleston said. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and a friend of land sharks and land grabbers.’ The subject was then dropped. \ Beautiful flowers, bridal bouquets, bridesmaids’ aad hand bouquets, wreath* and crosses, sprays, button-holes, outflowers, &c., table palms and pot plants in great variety at Nairn And Sons’, florist*; ,Liuooluxoad,vChrißtchurch^-[ADVT,j

> SBBSSSS , “ - Athletic .Championships.— The Canter-bury-Amateur Athletic Club trials, postpaid from Thursday, will be held at Lancaster Park this afternoon at five o’clock. Members wishing to compete must inform the Secretary of the Clubby noon to-day. Nkw Brighton Sailing Club. —Coneiderable interest was taken in the race held era Saturday afternood between six boats belonging to the members of the New Brighton Sailing Club, for a trophy given by Mr'A. Wyatt. Six boats competed, ana after an exciting contest the race was won M Wallaby (one minute) from Python (sue minutes), Ariadne (three minuses) being third. , _ 7 Meat Freezing.— The Clntha Leads? learns that the Hon J. G. Ward has just purchased from Messrs Begg Brothers, Hillend, 10,000 sheep for freezing, the sheep to be delivered in May or June; ana that Mr Ward has also purchased » few thousand from the N.Z. and A. Land Company, Clyde vale Station. It would thus seem that a large traffic m this class of sttrek is how setting in between this district and the Bluff. New Brighton.— There was a largo number of visitdra at New Brighton yesterday, particularly in the afternoon, when the Stanmore Brass Band, under Mr 3>. M’Killop; the bandmaster, played a number <sf sacred ‘Selections in front cf the pier. The New Brighton pier was patronised durihg the day by four hundred and fifty people, many of whom indulged in a bathe in the sea, the stock of bathing clothes being hardly largo enough to supply the demand upon it. The Tramway Company carried between .seven and eight hundred people to and from the city. A Stakeholders Privilege,-—A rather curions action was brought before the Masterton E.M, Court on Jan. 2d, when it was fsbVzght ; 'to ’ recover the sum cf JE3, whibh had been deposited as a wager ih a dispute between two persons. Tho stakeholder had paid the money to one ot the parties, and this course did not satisfy the loser, who accordingly took the matter intd Court. The defence was that if two persons were foolish enough to make a wager and depojit the stakes with holder, according to tho law of New Zealand, the latter might keep the money the depositors would have no remedy. His' Worship upheld this contention and dismissed the case. Hotting of Bandsmen. — A meeting of Christchurch bandsmen was held oh Saturday night 5 present—Messrs M’Lean, W. Mitchell and Bellingham (Sydenham), M’Killop, Stokes and Show (Stanmore). .Tanner .{Engineers), Mitchell, Gordon and Painter (Garrison), J. Painter and Mansell (Stanmore). The acting Hon Secretary having given a riswnxi of business already \ transacted, it was resolved —“That this meeting adjourn till Friday, Feb. 3, at the practice-room of the Christchurch Garrison Band.”- It was reported that representatives from the Lyttelton and Christchurch Bands. would attend, and various questions of > more (him ordinary interest to bandsmen would be brought forward. Christchurch Regatta Prizes. —There is now qn yiqw in the window of Messrs B. Pakerien and Co., a handsome silver cup, presented by the President of the Club. The jpup; which is of goblet shape, stands ten Inches high, and is inscribed as follows “ Christchurch . Regatta., The LaHieS’ Plato, presented by the President (Al Ej G. Rhodes, Esq., M.H.R.).” The cup is fitted in a silk-lined Morocco leather case, and forms a very handsome trophy. There is also another handsome trophy on view, which has been presented fcy Messrs Petersen and Cp.‘ lb is a goblet cup. with two silver medals. The latter are to be given anniially to the winners of the cup. The following is inscribed on the cup B. Petersen afad Co.’s prize. Maiden Pair Oar.” Dbtjidism.—The annual meeting-of the feoyal Arch Chapter was held in the Druids’ Hall on Friday evening. Bro J. B. Tulley, P.D.G.P., presided, and there was a very good attendance. The installation of officers took place, and the following members were installedßoyal Arch

Braid; Bro F. W. Penfold, D.G.P.; Royal Vice-Arch ■ Droid, Bro J. Rose, D.G.V.P.; ICoyal Arch Secretary, Bro T. Walker reflected • District Grand Treasurer, Bro A. C./Bitt; District Grand Guardian, Bro

W. Bailey. Bros T. Smith, P.A., Ivy of Jiinwood, and T. Marriott, Pioneer Irfdge, were elected Royal Arch Bards, and Bros J. W. Tulley and W. Darlow were elected Vice-Royal Arch Bards. Six cahdidatcs received the P.A. and A.D. degree. The ceremony was performed in a •very impressive manner by Bro W. Willptead, P.D.P. It wait decided to hold the next Royal Arch Chapter meeting on the

•last Friday in July. The usual votes of thanks werdJjaSSfed to, the retiring officers Imd-the installing' officer, after which the iphapter was closed in due form. Larceny of Beer. —A man named John O’Brien, an"old acquaintance of the police, appeared before the Terri uka Court on a charge of the above nature. It would Appear from the'facta which have so far come to light, that John O’Brien, who is a thirsty sonl, entered the Teinuka Brewery during the night and proceeded to help himself. He managed to draw the bung cut of a hogshead of beer, but found it impossible to stop it, and so when Mr Taylor arrived next morning he found the brewery flooded with the fruits of hia labour. He aJao found that a backet was missing, and concluded that someone had cleared out with it full of beer. A search resulted id discovering Mr O’Brien sleeping placidly tinder the railway bridge with the bucket half empty beside him. He was literally saturated inside and outside with beer. All his Clothes were saturated with it, and the theory is that when he drew the bung out the beer spouted out onto him and wet him all over. At any rate,'Mr O’Brien had glorious times of it, but told the Court that he knew nothing about if, and hinted that someone else had placed the beer beside him while he was sleeping. His plea, however,idid not avail, for ho was remanded,iand, will havd to stand bis trial for having stolen the whole hogshead of beer.

Lord Hopetoun.— Wb (Otago Daily Times) are . indebted to Mr Ralston (private' secretary to Lord Hopetoun) tor the following information as to Lord Hopetoun’a movements: Lord and .iiady Ilopetoua, Lord Northcsk and Mr Balaton will stay at Invercargill on Monday bight, where they will meet the Earl and Cduntesa of Glasgow. On Tuesday Lord Hopetoun’a party will proceed to Ed4ndale> inhere they will be the guests of .Mr ferydeno. On Wednesday they proceed to Queenstown, via, Gore and the Waitues Plflihs, and on Thursday visit the Head of the Lake, returning to Queenstown thesame evening. The party will leave for Dunedin oh Friday morning, and will reach here the same bight. After spending Saturday and Sunday hove, they proceed by the exufess on Monday, Feb. 6, to Totara and Elderslie, where, Jhoy will epehd the night. Tuesday and'Wediiesday forenoon’will bo devoted to visits to the surrounding districts, and on the afternoon of Wednesday thdy j*o on to Mht ' Studholme’s, WBimate. On Thursday a visit will be paid to the Levels estate, and the night spent there. it will depend on the weather and other circumstances whether a journey will bo made to Mount Cook, hut it is intended to visit Mr John Grigg’a Longbeacb estate and Mr j. C. Waeoa’s property near Rakaia, Christchurch being reached on Thursday, Feb. 16, aud b stay made there over Friday. On Saturday, Feb. 18, Mr Lance’s Horsley Down estate will '-be reached, where Sunday will be spent. The following Monday the party will proceed to Mr Northcofce’s, riigrifleld, and on-Tueaday to Buukoura. On Worir.e; day Kekerangu will be reached, and next day Starboro, near Blenheim, the property of Mr E. Beaumont, cousin of Lord Hopetoun, where two days will be spent. Wellington will he reached on Saturday, Feb. 25. We understand that Lord Hopetoun’s tour is of an [entirely private natures with the view of sewng the capabilities of Now Zealand asan Agricultural and pastoral Colony, as Loid Hopetoun takes a special interest in these matters. Aa he is especially fond of riding, that mode of travelling win be adopted wherever practicable, and especially between Nopier and Auckland. Dorothy Basket. —Useful, ornamental and inexpensive. Buy one from your grocer orooafeotioner.—[Adyt.]

The Weather.— There was rain at the Bluff on Saturday, and at Dunedin the sky was overcast. Fine elsewhere; light variable winds and a rising barometer. Yesterday in this district the weather was fine and warm. Barometer falling slowly. Crops in the South. —A correspondent haa favoured the Oamara Mail with the following informationl may state that I had a drive’through the Papakaio and Awamoko districts on Thursday, and that I saw fifteen reapers and binders at work. Tbe grain seems to be in very fair condition ; indeed, one sample of Velvet wheat that I took borne with me, seemed in splendid condition; and, as far as I can learn, all that is wanted now is about three weeks of fine weather to ensure one of the best season’s crops we have had in the North Otago district.

Volunteering. —On Friday evening, m Hurse Park, the Kaiapoi Rifles and Cadet Companies, with a conjoined strength of nearly ono hundred, woro put through battalion drill, under the supervision of Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon. After an hour’s smart exercise tho Companies were marched, under command of their officers, to the Drillahed, where they were dismissed. At a meeting held afterwards in the orderly-room, ten new recruits were sworn in, and Mr John Simpson was unanimously elected lieutenant. It was resolved to hold a bazaar in aid of the Company’s funds, about July next. Union Bowing Club. —Tno firstfiieat of the Union Sowing Club’s Trial Double Sculls was rowed on Friday evening, when A. C. Moltaeu and G. Minifia beat D. Bates and G. Stevenson after a good race for half a mile. The event was finished on Saturday. In the first heat Moltzen and Miaiiie as easily defeated W. H. Etheridge and P. Collins as W. Smith and A. Wright did L. Loaguet and A. Jenkins. The final produced a very good contest. Moltzen and Minifia obtained a lead at the start, but could not get far away from Smith and Wright, who, though defeated by a length, pushed their opponents all the way. Oddfellows hip. —Tho Loyal Perseverance Lodge, \\ oolston, held a special summoned meeting on Wednesday, to consider the Auditors’ report and the balance-sheet of the past year. There was a very good attendance of members, and the newly-installed officers, G.M. Bro J. Gatehouse (who was also elected L.M.) N.G. Bro J. Turner and V.G. Bro A. E. Orange took their seats and performed their duties in a very efficient manner. Tho .balance-sheet, showing a very substantial increase in finance and members, and a favourable report from the Auditors, were received and adopted. Two delegates were elected to represent the Lodge at the conference of fries dly societies. One candidate was initiated, and Bro W. G. Woodford, P.P.G.M., on behalf of the Lodge, presented a beautifully framed certificate to P.G. Bro A. Day, who suitably acknowledged the gift, and thanked the Lodge for its apprsciation of his services. Attar a long discussion on general matters the Lodge was closed in due form.

Volcanic Activity.— The Taapo correspondent of the JVciu Zealand Herald writes : —Hgauruhoe and the other volcanoes are still vary active, the heavy -rains having transformed the dust originally thrown out into mud. - A peculiar result hao been the consequence; the boiling mud runs over the lip of the crater and flows into thd did ones, which have been thus filled up, and as a result many of the minor fain'Srdlss have beeil closed. This is doubtless the cause of the tremendous outburst of Ta Mars, which 1 reported by wire a short time ago. A certain qu'aufcifcy of steam must escape within a given time, or something must “ bust,” and on this occasion To Mare “busted.” Where the nest outbreak may be no one can conjecture, but with such a quantity of vents in and around Tongariro, there, is nob the slightest danger either to tourists or residents. Several parties have visited Te Mare sinco its eruption, and everyone deed bea the scene as awfully grand. A tremendous rent has been made, about a a quarter of a ruilo long, and through it steam is seething and hissing at such a rate that conversation in the immediate vicinity is impossible. Labour Dat Demonstration.I—A 1 — A meeting of the Committee was held in the Trades Hall on Saturday evening, Mr W. I. Ballinger in the chair. There was a large ijmd representative attendance of delegates. The Treasurer (Hou J, E. Jenkinaon) presented the balance-sheet of the late demonstration, audited by Messrs Winter and Earwakor, and which showed a small surplus after paying all liabilities. The balance-sheet was unanimously adopted, and after discussion it was resolved to hand the surplus to the Trades arid Labour Council. A small sum was voted to the auditors for their services. A very hearty vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the President (Mr W. I. Ballinger), the Treasurer (Sou J. E. Jenkinsou), and to the judges, handicappers, and other officers, for their gratuitous services in connection with the demonstration. A like compliment was paid to those ladies who materially assisted in_ making the day a success. Borne discussion took place in regard to the date for holding Labour Day in the future, but the discussion was adjourned until Peb. 25. After heartily thanking the donors of prizes and girts, the meeting terminated.

The Jubix.be Singers.— The audience st the Oddfellows’ Hall oa Saturday evening, though fairly numerous, was not so large as the merits of the concert given by the Jubilee singers deserved. It was, however, enthusiastic, and re-demanded many cf the items. Miss Carr was enCOrsd for her admirable singing of “ When the Swallows Como Again,” a song in which her fine soprano voice was heard to great advantage. Misc Enola Saunders recited "Asleep at the Switch ” with much tragic force, and the audience was so pleased that it insisted on her giving another recitation. Mr Orpheus M’Adoo’s baas song, “ Out on the Deep,” waa given in his usual excellent style, and was encoded. A similar compliment v/aa paid to Mr Hamilton Hodge’s artistic singing of the baritone solo “ Anchored.” The mixed quartette “ Come Where the Lilies Bloom,” was sung splendidly, and was redemanded. The part song "Jingle Bells,” with its accompaniment of sleigh bells, was another very popular item, and received a well-deserved encore. The choruses were given with tho spirit, harmony and taste which characterise the singing of thsae artists, and several of them were encored, Mr Orpheus M’Ad’oo announced tha t the company would probably revisit New Zealand in about twelve months' time. It will leave for the south this morning, and will give a concert at Ashburton to-night. Likwood Football Club. —The annual picnic of the Liawood Football Club was held oa Saturday afternoon at Bligh’s Gardens, New Brighton. Xfco party left town by a special tram at 2.15. On reaching tho gardens tho proceedings were opened by a cricket match between sides captained by Messrs T. S. Marshall and W. Collins, which was eventually won by the former’s side by 38 runs. Mr Stapleton was tho nioit successful trnndler for the winners, and waa also top scorer with 21 runs. Of the losers Mr Collins was the only batsman to reach double figures. A swimming race, for which there were twenty starters, was won by R. Mr.ddren, H. Dollan being second, with about a dozen others close up. Upon returning to the gardens all sat down to dinner, which was laid under the shade of tho trees in one of the avenues. After dinner a number of races and athletic contests were held. Darkness rendering it impossible to continue these, the party gathered on tho verandah of Mr Poiutz’s hon e, where a number of songs were given. Three cheer.-; having been given for the host and hostess, a start was made for home. The following are the results of the sports :—Swimming Race—J. Maddern 3, H. Dollan 2. Kicking Football—F. Plunket 1, T. S, Marshall 2j “ Aunt Sally ” Competition—T. Wood I, J, Moses 2; 110yds Handicap—W. M’Namara (9yds) 1, A. Noal (Syda) 2, T. Wood (6yd*) 3 ; Tug-of-War, Sailors v. Pootbaiiore—Tho former won after an exciting tusflo ; Three-legged Race T. Wood and VV. Price 1, IV. Irvine and W. Cox 2 ; I’ick-n-back Competition IV. Irvine and W. Price 1, P. Trigga and F. Plunket 2. A Perfect Food—Aulsebrook’a Biecuibs —[Advt.]

Departing. —Sir Walter Bailer and Miss Duller, who are about to visit England, will probably leave Wellington in time to catch the Ophir which sails from Sydney at the end of next month. The Mobeton Art Gall ary. The attendance at the exhibition of Mr Moretou’s pictures in Hobbs’ Buildings continues satisfactory. On Wednesday evening Mr Moreton will give a short lecture descriptive of the series of pictures on exhibition. Knights of Labour.— On Friday evening tbe Linwood Assembly of tbe Knights of Labour held its ordinary meeting, the Master Workman presiding. Tho delegates to the Parliamentary Committee gave in their report. Tbe regulations for working the proposed co-operative farms were discussed at some length, and consideration was adjourned for fuller information. Various labour matters were brought forward and dealt with. Thera was a good attendance. Milkmen’s Picnic. —Tho Milkmen’s Picnic Committee ihet on Saturday evening and received satisfactory reports from the collectors. The Committee decided to disqualify all competitors for the prizes to be awarded in Cathedral square who do, not attend punctually at 10.30 a.m. The Committee decided to pay the prizes at tho Zetland Arms Hotel next Saturday evening. It was agreed to award second and third prices fer tho employees’ competition regarding length of service if sufficient funds could be procured. Women’s Institute.— The opening meeting of the photographic class conducted by Mr Page under tbe auspices of the hygiene department of the Institute took place on Saturday afternoon. About a dozen persons were present. The class is hold from 3 to 5 p.m. every Saturday, and Mr Page devotes a portion of his time to theoretical work and the remainder to students’ practice with tho apparatus provided. The charge for the session of ten lessons is 12s 6d, and as the work is now begun, intending members should join at once. This class ia the first held in Christchurch for popularising photography.

St Stephen’s Church, Ashburton. — A gathering of the parishioners of St Stephen’s, to welcome the now incumbent, the Rev T. A. Hamilton, took place on Friday evening, whan there was a large attendance. The schoolroom was prettily decorated with flowers snd evergreens, Ac. Dr Trevor, who presided, on behalf of himself, the churchwardens and the parish, extended to Mr Hamilton, his wife and family, a hearty welcome. Apologies for the absence of the Rjv J, Holland, Eikaia, and the Rev Av Blake, of Tinwsld, were received. Addresses were given by the Revs A. M. Beattie, T. Farley, S. Lawy, J. Cooker and J. W. Sawle. Songs were contributed by Messrs P. Williams and J. Stevenson, and the Rev T. A. Hamilton. Refreshments were provided during the evening. A Minister and His Wore.— The Weilington Post of Thursday has the following :—The Hon Mr Seddon, with Mr T. Hamer, his private secretary, arrived by the Rotorua between five and six this morning. Mr Seddon’s subsequent proceedings would prove of interest to those of his supporters who advocate “ eight hours work and eight hours play,” &c. He went direct from the steamer to his office, and worked there at matters requiring his attention till shortly before ll a.tn., when, aftbr a cup of tea by way of breakfast, .he went into Cabinet. As he has some weeks of correspondence to go through, he will bo working night and day for some time. Such is a glimpse at the daily life of a busy Minister. Yet we ato told by those who do not know, that Ministers have hot much to do! Ashburton High School. —A meeting of the Board of Governors of the Ashburton High School was held on Friday ; present—Hon W. C. Walker (Chairman), Hon Major Steward, the Mayor of Ashburton, and Messrs D. Williamson and A. Orr. Tiie Chairman said that the meeting had been called principally for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken with a view of popularising the school. After discussion, a Committee, consisting of*the Chairman, Messrs Orr, Steward and Williamson, was appointed to bring up a report oil the subject. The same Committee was also instructed to report as to the expenditure for stationery, &c. It wae determined to make enquiry as to the best method of carrying out the Inspectors’recommendation as to theasßimilation of the text-books used in both schools.

Old and New Liberals.— The following is from the Temuka Leader Sir Harry Atkinson waa in the habit of making speeches bh laud nationalisation, and the geherous soul of Mr Kolleston expanded bo that he actually established village settlements of quarter-acre allotments. This is what Mr Roileston has been boasting of, but those he settled on quarter-acre sections will appreciate his generous action when they recall the fact that during the couple of years Mr Ballance held office he increased these holdings to an acre, five acres, ten, twenty and fifty acres, as circumstances permitted. This is one of the differences between the old and the new Liberals. Mr Eollaston’s idea was a quarter-of-an-acre section; Mr Ballance gave the working men as much land as he could under the circumstances. The village settlers know this, and they will appreciate Mr Eolleston'e thanks to God that the interests of the poor are being attended to.” Wheat Carrying in Victoria. Writing of tho incoming wheat, the Horsham Times says " The railways are run oh such strictly ‘ commercial principals ' by the 'prentice commissioners, that they will certainly be utilized by farmers as little as possible. Messrs Broadbent Brothers are now carting wheat from Dooen to Horsham at 9d a ton less than the railway charge, and are doing a large business that by rights belongs to the Railway Department, which ia speedily driving away every customer who can possibfy avoid doing business with it. If 9d a ton is saved by road cartage in five miles, tho saving in a journey of one or two hundred miles would, though not so great in proportion, bo very considerable. A carrying firm lately made an offer to a Horsham merchant, to cart general merchandise from Serviceton to Horsham, a distance of eighty-two miles, at 5s a ton less than the railway freight.” “An Unhappy Institution.” The Sydney Bvlletin of Jan. 21 has. the following : —“The ‘New Zealand and River Plate Investment Company,’ a year or two p.go, (lathered up its spare coin and retired from Maorilsud to Buenos Ayres, under an impression, so it is alleged, that the former country, during the Ballance regime, wasn't a fit place for tho investment of British capital. This unhappy institution has just been heard of once more, after a long silence, aa having paid an emaciated dividend of 2 per cent per annum in Argentina. It used to pay ah obese 15 per cent in the old days wrien its coin wiu lent out to Canterbury farmers. When tho Company wound up its M.L. business all the Tory papers whooped about capital being * driven oat of tho country.’ Tnat capital will never drive back to the same country any moro, but it hopes to walk back on crutches some day when it hau got rested after its Argentine experiences.” The Bowling Tournament. —The New Zealand Champion Bowling Tournament will be opened hero oa Monday nest, Feb. 6. The following players will represent the local Clubs:—Christchurch (aix rinks): No. 1 rink, J. S. Guthrie, W. Barnett, H. Toomer and H. Thomson (skip); No. 2 rink, W. H. Spackman, W. B. Scott, V. Parsons and E. Struthera (skip); No. 3 rick, Dra Guthrie and Anderson, R. D. Thomas and L. H. "Wood (skip); No. 4rink, Captain Mar,shall, Dr Bdotio, Geo. Lam’oie and J. C. Maddieon (skip); No. 5 Rink, T. Mollet, Hon J. T. Peacock, Dr Thomas and S. Manning (skip); No. 6 rink, H. J. Raphael, J. M. Batham, H. N. Nalder and C. Jackson (skip). Canterbury Club (two rinks): No. 1 rink, H, Oakley, E. C. Ashby, J. Delbridge and J. Taylor (skip); No. 2 rink, J. Mercer, W. Thomson, B. Hale and B. Toomer, The skip of this risk has not been selected. It ia probable that the Canterbury Club will send a third rinx. Sydenham Club; No. 1 rink, W. H. Meikiehum, H. Brinkman, A. V. .Bishop and B. Trirop (skip) ; No. 2 rink, J. Hadfield, W. Jacques. W. Skelton and J. Marsden (skip); J. Forrester and T. Beate, emergencies.

The Normal School.—l reply has been received by Mr E. Sandford, M.H.R., from the Minister for Education, stating that the request of the deputation which waited upon the Minister when he was in Christchurch, that the Normal School district should be proclaimed a school district, must be referred io the Education Board, and enquiring whether the placing of the Normal School under the management of the West Christchurch School Committee —in whose school district it at present falls —would meet with the approval of the deputation. The other matters submitted by the deputation had received the attention of the department. It is intended to convene a meeting of the householders of the district at an early date to discuss tho position. Prohibition at Mi lehr a.—The attempt to prohibit the. sale of liquor at Mildura appears to have been more expensive than successful. In the Legislative Assembly Mr T. Smith drew attention to a quotation made in the Argus of Jan. 5 from a private letter, which stated that there were now thirty full-blown hotels in the placo, that on New Year’s Ere whiskey could have been bought in any of them, and that four hundred cases of whiskey had come up in iu tho previous week for one publican. Mr Smith asked what steps were being taken to stop this illegal traffic. The Commissioner of Customs replied that twentyeight esses had been brought before tho Court for the illegal sala of liquor last year, ia respect of which fines had been imposed amounting to £305 and coats amounting to £s2 ln addition to the police, there are two officers of excise permanently stationed at Mildura, and an extra cost of £2OO was incurred last year in tho endeavour to suppress the traffic, but the facilities for bringing liquor over tho river Murray are so great that it is extremely difficult to stop the importation of spirits. The Atkinson Memorial Meeting,— The Manawaiu Times, generally a strong Opposition organ, comments very severely upon the lack of spirit shown by the party in connection with the meeting called to organise a memorial to the late Sir Harry Atkinson. Our contemporary remarks;— “Of course it was very thoughtful and graceful for Mr Bell to step forward and take the responsibility of the fiasco, but those behind the scenes can see it was brought about by the haughty disregard the members of the party, so long and ably led by the ' fighting Major,’ manifest for the sll-importanb essential of organisation. That is the cause of the whole trouble; Had the leaders of the party studied the pros and cons of the matter, and spent from their abundance a few pounds to further the movement, they would have avoided lest night’s failure. This contretemps, taken in connection with the miserable amount contributed in Hawke’s Bay—said to be =£l3 13b—will almost bill the movement. The fatuous imbecility and parsimonious spirit which the leaders of the party show are positively beyond all bearing.” J ‘‘Lyttelton Times” Sick Fund.—The fourteenth annual meeting of tho Lyttelton Times Sick Fund Society was held at, the Clarendon Hotel on Saturday night. There was a good attendance, and Mr J. C. Wilkin, President, occupied tho chair. The annual report of the Committee was very satisfactory. It showed thp.t there had been a profit on tho working of the Society for tho year, and that the amount spent in sick pay during 1893 had been £59 13s lOd less than during 1891. The number of members on the roll was 105. Appropriate reference was made to the deaths of Messrs W. Taylor and C. Lucas, two members v/ho died during the year. The report and tho attached balance-sheet, audited by Messrs Ollivier and Grierson, were adopted. Tho following officers for tho ensuing year were elected: —Patron, Mr F. de C. Mulct; President, Mr J. C. Wilkin; "Vice - Presidents, Messrs S. Saunders, E. J. Pauli and T. H. Davey; Treasurer, Mr P, Hyman; Secretary, Mr 6. Gerard ; Librarian, Mr J.“ Jackman ; Committee, Messrs A. T. Washer, J. E. Tulley, O. W. Esall, T. S:one, J. E. Davidson, G. Ardley, J. M’Millan, C. Edgar, A. W. Woodward, D. Lumsdsn, A. Sugden, W. Hay, J. Shaw and Tasman Thomson. A vote of thanks waa ‘passed to the Auditors, Kescra Ollivier and Grierson, and a similar compliment to the Chairman closed the meeting. Booming of Stars.—Brand new Star Safeties supplied to working men on easy payments, from 5s a week. Deposits from 20s. No, 6 Star Diamond' frame, specially made for working men, fitted with solid or pneumatic tyres.—Adams, Curties and Co., 70, Manchester street, Christchurch. — f Adtt.] Modern Methods and Medicine.—Drs Forest and Scbuaaler combine sense, simplicity, science and economy. Their books give advice worth £SO for £l. Musclorollers, syringes, &c., in stock. Health Supplies. 179, Colombo street, Christchurch. —[Adyt.]

The Eden Georgo Company, Limited, have engaged a leading artist from Sydney, who will ehoitiy visit all the surrounding districts and puotogro.ph famlias and thoir houses at town prices, viz., 3.H Cabinets and cue Large Opal ior 15a. Persons who hold deposit tictrota are informed that they can uao them up to March, but are advised to come early, as no further extension can he made, and the rush at tho finish will be very great. The beautiful photographic studies now exhibited in Standish aad far.KCß’s vestibule, High street, are ehciting tin highest encomiums.