TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10600, 8 March 1895, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Contents. —It is announced that Li Hung Chang has started for Japan to negotiate on behalf of China for termsof peace. Port-of-Spain, the capital of the island of Trinidad, in the West Indies, has been partly destroyed by fire, the damage being estimated at half a million sterling. The Admiralty has decided to strengthen the navy by the addition of a number of vessels of various classes. The cost of the new ships is estimated at six millions and a half. The Wesleyan Conference yesterday passed a series of resolutions on the subject of Methodist union. The Victoria Racing Club's Autumn- Meeting was continued yesterday. At a swimming meeting held at the Lancaster Park baths three New Zealand championships were decided.

The " Stab.” To-day’s Star will be virtually a Friday’s and Saturday’s issue;, as the paper will not be printed tomorrow, on account of the office picnic being held da that day. The Star, to-day, ■will qonsiat of eight pages, containing all the popular features- of the Saturday issue, including tales, sketches, Idler ” and " Tomtom’s ” .Band Notes. It will be oa sale in the streets on Saturday in order to’ S jnott the wishes of those who prefer tJieSSe weakly budget of reading on that day.

Picnic.—’ The members of the Ljrttelton Bwk Band held their annual pxcnio at Pdrau yesterday... -w«te tdCBB ftmOM - .-the harbour, '

v Sotesmb Court.—His Honor Mr Justice senniaton will sit in Chambers to-day. Trade and Currency. —Mr Morton ?rewea will give a public lecture on trade ud currency in the hall of the Chamber of Commerce at 2 p.m. to-morrow. Christchurch Sailing Club.—-At a meeting last night it was decided to postpone the next performance race indefinitely. Votsa of thanks were passed to those who had assisted «t the lato regatta, and accounts were parsed for payment. . McsiSTsa of Education, The K»n ’Ah P.’ Heaves .arrived from the - iiCt"- j . sterday morning. Mr Reeves Sur-anda leaving for Wellington on Monday, in order to attend a Cabinet meeting, Which will be held there on Tuesday. Christchurch Hospital. The Hon W. P. Reeves yesterday had an interview With Messrs Wood and Hamilton, of the Christchurch Hospital Board, and the outcome will probably be that the Board will be granted the use of the old gaol at Addington on certain conditions. ; Canterbury Limestone. —At the meeting of the Committee o! the Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday afternoon Sir John Hall exhibited a specimen of limestone from the Malvern Hills, and stated that there was a very large deposit of it there, which should pay for opening Out. The specimen was declared to ba of first-class quality. Sydenham Band.— The Sydenham Brass xPnd, under the baton of Mr W. F. MC•.»*«. wOi play the following programme cl mt!-*:- .••...via Eotunda to-night, commencing as 7.43 : —Quick march, “ Honour to Praguepolka (cornet solo), “ Athan selection' (contest),“ II Diarolofantasia, J* Challenge;” valae, “ Elfin Rsigein quadrille, “ Yeomen of the Guardquick march, “Cyclone;” “God Save the • Quean.” .1 Canterbury Rowing Clue, The Racing Committee has selected the following crew to represent this club in the Champion Fours to be rowed at Picton in Easter Monday:—F. I. Cowliahaw ■roke, H. F. Nicoll 3, J. T. Daly 2 and F. f. Hobbs bow. The men average just ,ves 12st, all four rowing within a few Vanda or one another. Mr N. L. M’Bsth, : Hug to business engagements, was : liged to decline a seat in the boat. , T'ep.e at Waimate.—A fire broke out in >.A.ck of firewood of about fifty cords at / p.m. yesterday, at Messrs John Adams mi Co/s wood yard on the Waimata railway station premises. Had it not been 'or the many willing hands present, the gooda-sheda would have been estroyad. A strong north-west wind was 'lowing. The fire is supposed to have ssn caused by a spark from an engine I 'tiling in a stack of dry firewood. ;Frbs Passes for Firemen.— Mr W. W. CbUius, who telegraphed to the Hon the .fernter .of Railways, urging that the fecision to withdraw the free passes from representatives to the Fire Brigades Conference should be rescinded, has received s -.o following reply from Mr Cadman: I" I mot a deputation from the fire yesterday morning, and explained if pericJph, informing them that the ■S tier would be reconsidered later on.” Band of Hope. —The usual monthly (boating or St George’s Baud of Hope was aeld at Kirwee on Monday evening. There were upwards of one hundred and • twenty persona present, and the chair was Occupied by the President, Mr J. W. ■Belgrave. An excellent programme was provided .by Misses Anderson, Boulton, . Belgrave, Cowan, Drummond, Lilley, Lindsay, Meredith and Stewart, Messrs Belgrave, Crysell, Dixon, Finlay, Hitchens and Simpson. Miss Meredith was accompanist. Land fob Settlement. —Mr E. Meredith. M.H.E., interviewed the Minis-, i.or of Lands and Mr M’Kerrow a few days 'aw.-,, with mftrence to the acquirement of a part '.r -iac Ashley Gorge estate and two blocks a L'r.iii the Midland Railway area at .Oxford, for .rsttloment purpose®, and it was arraus**. that Mr M’Ketrow should .Inspect rim properties at the end of this week. Mr IfXradith also asked the Minister to have xr.e stock paddock, recently acquired onthe Glenmark estate*,dealt frith at ( ,ie, uo as to make it available for . Tfce Hon' J. M’Kenzie promised to nss.a the matter attended to without delay. University Examinations. —Those candilates Irom Canterbury College who gtoed first-class honours in the recent Nvember examinations were Messrs J. ■ AErskins (Mathematics and Physics), W. HDawsoa (Chemistry), amd James Bight (Inguagos). Messrs Buchanan (English ari Latin), Craig (Mathematics), Dunn ail Ngativ (Political Science), and Misses Rihmond,, Inghs and laherwood (English ad French), gained second-class honours, ail Miss Baber (English and French), gmed third-class honours in the same elimination. Mr A. Gray gained the Saior Scholarship in Physical Science, Mr GLancaster that in Chemistry, and Mr HCraddock that ia Greek. , tsaiUKA Town Board, —The monthly , rue ting of this Board was held on Wecl,‘aisday evening j present—Messrs Mason fnabetnan), Scannell, Coira, Comer and . A dr-nutation was received from u- .--vahaaics' Institute relative, to .the 'V. ..-s o’ the institute. After a short distasiou cue Board decided to allow a grant If HiO if the institute remained on the lans footing, and also agreed to paint the oulding. Correspondence was read and > iiHt with. The tender of Mr Eattorbea each for lighting lamps v/aa accepted. < '/i-Oieraaei'u report was read and ; : Idopted. It was resolved to invite tenders om various works. The Clerk was in- ■ ited to sue for outstanding rates. ■ uata to the amount of .-£44 8a 8d were H jd for payment. "iMURA Rifle Volunteers. The rianal meeting of the Temuka Rifles took ■dace after parade on Wednesday. The' lalanoe-sheat showed a credit after a very fispenßivo year of £36 14s 7d in the general, pd £0 14a 9d in the capitation account. |he report stated that there bad been a \arkect improvement in the shooting, tore interest being taken in it than had sen the case for some years. The reports nd Hlonce-aheets were adopted. The ..;u-r.f officers resulted as follows: Committee —Corporal A. Clinch, Ofhoral Nicholas, Corporal Carr, Private •‘Killin'* ?jT«.d Sergeant Leveas j Shooting oinmiTi..- — Corporal Clinch, Corporal ’ichoiss, Corporal Sim, Private Phillips nd Private Chapman; treasurer —Corjpof Sim; haudicappers—officers of the jeor); secretary—Lieutenant Whitehead. iTht sum of £2O was voted for match Kansas, Sitlement. —With this issue is en- ', \ supplement giving particulars of b; a.-,.- drapery by Mr T. Armstrong, who -or England in a short time. i..- unanimous opinion ia that Oates's Zeaandia cycles are the best possible machines, made of tho best possible * material ia the best possible way, and the price is only £2O, or £5 deposit and the balince to suit you. N. Oates, Zeaiandia Cyrie Works, Christchurch and Napier.—(Aovt.l Chance foe the Pots. Juvenile ‘-Urn” fitted with cushion tyres, ball ' V ato all parts. Price £lO 10a cash, -“"‘ij, ■'t, Curties and Co., 70, ManoL'it&£ Ctreet, Christchurch. —rADVT.I J Tear Ahead of the Times. —We ■ro .now fitting to “Rapids” all 1895 Stanley Show improvements, namely, large übing and chain wheels, detachable gear, arrow tread, swing chain adjustment and atonfc head-lock; finished second to none. !ferita tor catalogue. Waller, Myhra and b., 48, Manchester Street.— [Advt.] mphatically No! lam not to be persuaded to vay photo taken by anyone but C. K. Slanninir, • yi" .twork is simply a perfection of the art. His TDVjj)!"r Cabinet Photos arc only 15s per dozen, urn’ x 32 Opal Enlargements 20s each. 150, '■■-rotitre.-.. Zl2lO -'■siwrir j Fbxecx,photographers by special C> his Excellency the Governor and ot Glasgow. Studio, Hign Straet.— lUi Payiecnts—2a 6d per week, 2s fid per week. W. rtions, quarter and half-acres, tho favourite pk.«6t r pic rues, at Now Brighton North, Trams rdw Jne« daih.’ To bo sold cheap. Small deposit, haki:| 2afid weekly; no interest charged. Blan fe hot-a and all information at W. Thomson’s, {W, C, }W Lo Hlreet,—[AdVt.j

Canterbury Masonic Lodge. The regular monthly meeting of this Lodge will be held at the Masonic Hall, Manchester street, at 7.30 this evening. Cantata. Last evening Pattison's cantata The New Jerusalem was repeated in the St Asaph Street Free Methodist Church. There was a fair attendance. New Zealand Workers’ Union.—A special meeting of the members of this Union will be held at the office of the Union at 7.30 on Saturday evening. Temperance Society.— A meeting of St Michael’s Temperance Society was held in tho schoolroom on Wednesday evening. The Rev P. J. Cocks occupied the chair. Recitations were given by Misses Linder, Jarvis and Freeman, Messrs E. Clark, Bourdot, Schneider, Foster and Griffin. A uianoforte selection was played by Mias Wilson. Miss N. Coom presided at the piano.

Stack Fire.— The Arrowtown correspondent of the Otago Daily Times reports that at Mr R. B. Baird’s Bendemere Estate, Lake Hayes, a stack and a half of oats, one of hay, and one of rye straw, three sheepfeeders, and a dray and harness were destroyed by fire, the origin of which is shrouded in mystery. None of the property was insured. The men left the locality of tho fire at eight o’clock on the night previous to tho fire, when everything was all right. The property destroyed belonged to Mr R. H. Baird, nephew of Mr E. B. Baird. The loss is estimated at £l5O. Little River.— The annual school treat and distribution of prizes to the children attending St Andrew’s Sunday school took place on Saturday last. The children, together with teachers, parents and friends, were conveyed to the Okute Valley, where running and various games ware enjoyed. After partaking of an excellent tea, provided by Mr H. D. Buchanan, the party returned to the cricket ground, where the prizes were distributed to tho children by the Rev H. T. Purchase. An address and a puree of money were presented to Mr H. E. Ty&on, superintendent of the Sunday school, as a small token of esteem and appreciation of his long and valuable services. PRESENTATION TO THE PREMIER. A telegram from Hokitika states that a public presentation from hia constituents to the Hon R. J. Seddon took place yesterday. Mr Seddon, Mrs Seddon and party arrived by train at midday, and wore received by the Mayor, Borough Councillors, school children and a band. Bouquets were presented to Mrs Seddon. The Premier proceeded to the hotel, aud addressed the children. lathe afternoon he received deputations. In the evening the public presentation took place at the theatre,which was packed. The Mayor occupied the chair. Mr Seddon’s speech was almost entirely of a personal nature. At the conclusion of his speech, cheers were given for Mr Seddon and family. A presentation will he made at Greymouth to-morrow, and the Westport people will meet the Premier on Saturday. MIDLAND RAILWAY LANDS. Mr Guinness, M.H.R,, has (according to a contemporary) approached the Premier on the matter of dealing with mining reserves within the Midland Railway endowment under the Mining Districts Land Occupation Act Qf last session, which provides that leases of land for farming purposes may be issued within any proclaimed mining reserve. The Premier resolutely refuses to interfere in any way with the land locked up for the railway. A CHAMPION OF CHINESE. The North Otago Times says: —“On Saturday the Hon S. E. Shrimski was the recipient of a silver tea and coffee service, presented by the Chinese residents of the North Road. The presentation was made •by Mr W. Ah Tong. Tho gift indicated the esteem in which Mr Shrimski ia held By the Chinese residents of the place, and this is due to the action Mr Shrimski took in the Legislative Council in defence of what he considered to be the rights of strangers in a strange land, and for tho sympathy ha hap always extended to aliens. The gift, Mr Shrimski said, was not expected, but he would treasure it, although ha could not tmderstaud fihat a politician deserved a gift for what was simply the performance of a duty he owed to humanity generally. The country should be open and free and afford protection to everyone who came to it, and who desired to live honestly and according to its laws. DISILLUSION. A writer in Harper has lately stripped of his romance that terrific hero of our youth. Captain Kidd, stripped him to his last rag, leaving him as harmless and respectable as any churchwarden. Rightlyconstituted boys of all ages, from twelve to eighty, will bear that Yankee writer of Harper’s, Mr Thomas A. Janvier, a grudge. He proves that the captain was sent to put down piracy, that Kidd went in all honesty, that he was made a pirate in spite of himself by his impatient craw, and that, as ha hated fighting, his crew battened him down below the hatches while the shooting and tho slashing proceeded with the usual briskness “ upstairs.” He was hanged on false pretences, when the proper thing to have dona with him was to get him some land-lubberly berth, such as a tide-waitership or a post in a marina store, or something in that line. Of all the disillusioning feats performed by tho historical researcher, this relegation of Captain Kidd to the ranks of tho respectable is about the worst and cruellest. A MILLIONAIRE’S PALACE. The Daily Chronicle learns from New York that Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt, tho New York millionaire and railway king, opened his new palace with a grand ball. This modest home, which ia to shelter about ten people during six months of tho year, and to remain closed during tho other six, stands at tho corner of Fiftyseventh Street and Fifth Avenue, and has cost its owner £l,(]p0j000. It ia of Spanish design outside, built of grey stone, with red facings, turrets and battlements. It is three storiea high with a lofty attic. The ballroom is the largest private ballroom in Now York, being 75 feet long by 50 feet wide, decorated in white and gold, Louis XIV. style. Tho ceiling coat a fortune, and ia made in the form of a double cone, covered with painted nympho and cupids. Round the cornice are delicately-modelled flowers, each with an electric light in its heart, while an immense crystal chandelier hangs from tho centre. The walls on tho night of the opening ball ware covered from floor to ceiling with natural flowers, e.t a cost of £1000; and the entertainment is said to have cost the host £SOOO. Adjoining the mansion is the moat expansive garden for its size in the world, for, although it is only the biz a of an ordinary city lot, tho sum of £70,000 was paid for it, and a house which had cost £25,000 to build was torn down to make room for the few flower-beds. SIX CHAPTERS. Charter 11. An object lesson to the world ia the war between China and Japan. The slow, nonprogressive Chinese ia the midst of an attack waited death at Ping Yang protected from tha weather by an oiled paper umbrella. The ’95 “ Modern Star ” is attacking; tho battle-field is New Zealand, and to-day trumpets are sounding victory for progress and modern improvements. Tho new frame of tho ’95 Star ia made more rigid by fitting larger tubing, and on tha scales our roadster weighs 301 b. We are loaders; coma and see our wheels an the show, 70, Manchester Street. Adams, Curties & Co. — [Advt.] X 1435