TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10704, 13 July 1895, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Contents.— The Trades Union Congress of Great Britain has decided to support candidates favouring the establishment of a legal eight-hours day and the nationalisation of the land and the means of pro-duction-and exchange. It is predicted that the Eepublicana will return to power in the United States next year, and that the duty on wool will be zeimposed. The Sydney sheep sales were continued yesterday, and business was again unsatisfactory.

Parliauentart. —ln the Legislative Council yesterday several Bills were intirc* duced. The Institute of Surveyors, Industrial Schools and Sale of Goods Bills-" were passed through committee. In the House of Representatives the afternoon .: sitting was occupied mainly with the answering of questions. Tho Premier announced that the Financial Statement would ho delivered about July 24. lathe evening the Hon J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, made a statement with regard to the prospectus issued by the AgentGeneral prior to the three per cent loan being raised. A, debate followed, which had not concluded when the telegraph office closed at two o’clock this morning., Oddfellows’ Ha el. Messrs Hugo Brothers’ Buffalo Minstrels will give another entertainment at the Oddfellows* Hall this evening.

Building Sooibit.—On Friday evening nest the annual meeting of shareholders in the Sydenham Co-operative Building Society will take place in the Social Hall of the Sydenham Working Men's Club. Theatrical.— -Mr George Darrell, who has lately been playing in Dunedin, hu engaged the Theatre Eoyal for Grand National week, and will appear here with > hia company reorganised and considerably strengthened. Skating.—The spectacle, unusual in Christchurch, of skating on ice, was witnessed on Thursday and yesterday in a paddock on the south side of the railway line near the gasworks. ■ A large-pool of stormwator accumulated there was covered with ice sufficiently thick to allow several young fellows to disport themselves on skates over its surface. n Moaais - Tube Shooting. — The first, competition of the Eangiora Mortis-Tube Club, for trophies given by Messrs Blackett and Sons, S. W. Turpin. W. Gower and G. Luxton, was held on Thursday evening. The highest scorers wore:—A. Payne 35 (the possible), P. Beker 34 and G. Jones, W. Efford. sen., C. d’Auvergne, W. Moor and W; Bffocd, jun., each 33. A Woekmen’s Lien. Yesterday, on the application of Mr F. W. Johnston on behalf of several workmen, his Honor granted leave to register copy of claim of lien against certain land under the Contractors and Workmen’s Lien Act, instead of under the original claim. It is understood that this is the first instance in Cantezbury in which workmen have availed themselves of . the provisions • enabling them to register their claims against laud.

Golf.— At » meeting of the committee of the Ashburton Golf Club several new uembeca were elected. _ Mr W. B. Denshire- was elected captain. The opening day was fixed for July 18, when a match between sides chosen by the captain and secretary will be played. Obituary. —Mr John Corbitt, farmer, of Ashburton Porks, died early yesterday mqrning. Mr Corbitt had been ailing for some months. He was an old settler, and 19 the early history of the county was closely identified with sport. He was one of the first Oddfellows in the county, and was also a Freemason. Lyttelton Litebaby Society. The usual weekly meeting 0! this society was held on Thursday evening, when Mr P. Couch read an interesting paper on the life of Charles Dickens. Sketches of some of the characters in “Pickwick Papers” ware given by Mrs H. Green, Messrs H. Conriok, A. float and H. N. Hiskens. A ipirited discussion followed the reading of the papers. v

> Fancy Dbebs Ball.— There was a large gathering in the Volunteer Hall, Geraldine, on Thursday evening, on the occasion of a fancy dress ball given in aid of the funds of the local cricket club. The club has lately spent a considerable sum in preparingl a new cricket ground in the park oval. Mr Bissett made a very efficient M.C., and music was supplied by a band from Temuka. Some of the dresses were specially handsome, and the hall was beautifully decorated.

Church of England, Belfast. —ln •pits of the bad state of the roads a largo audience assembled on Thursday evening in the Belfast Town Hall, when an entertainment was given in connection with the Church of England. The Eav H. T. Porohaa addressed those present, and the chair was occupied by the Eev T. A. Meyer. Songs were contributed by Mesdames Ellis, and Smith, the Misses Lindsay, C. Barrett, Bipa Masks, and Mr Barrett, the three latier from Kaiapoi. Miss Kissel played an introductory overture, and, together with Mrs Bussell, the_ accompaniments. Refreshments were provided by the ladies. Heathooth Valley. - -An entertainment was held in the Heathcote Valley schoolroom bn Tuesday, in aid of the school prize fund: There was a very large attendance, and the Chairman of the committee (Mr W. H. E. Dale) presided. The following programme was gone through Overtures, Mrs and Master Dale; Bongs, Mesdames Wylie and Walmsley, Messrs 6. E. Collins, G. Qaerree, Woledge and Gleeson; duet, Mr Gleeson and Miss Williams; character songs, Mr E. G. Blackwell; recitation, Mr G. Weir; parlour magic and legerdemain, Mr E. G. Blackwell. Miss O'Brien presided at, the piano. Votes of thanks brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.

Oddmllowship.— The installation of the offioere of the Washington Lodge, No. 45, A.C., took plaoe on Monday evening, when there waa a Very large attendance of members and visitors. N.G. Bro H. Jamea preaided. Two candidates were initiated, and one waa proposed. D.D.G.M. Bro Turnbull installed the following officers : N.G., Bro S. Sullivan; V.G., Bro J. Moore; secretary, Bro J. T. Donaldson; treasurer, Bro J. T. Faville; warden, Bro A. Townsend, jun.; K.S. to N.G.,8r0 F. Greening; L.S. to N.G.. Bro C. Greening; B.S. to Y.G., Bro T. H. Moore; L.S. to V.G., Bro Schmoll; conductor, Bro Townsend, sen.; 1.G., Bro P. Goodman; 0.G., Bro Golding; 8.5.5., Bro W. A. James; L.S.S., Bro Sturgess. The impressiveneas of the ceremony waa enhanced by the contributions from the choir. The D.D.G.M. gave a short addreaa, after which the Lodge was cloaed. The brethren then adjourned to the aupper room. P.G. Bro J. T. Faville presided, and songs and toasts enlivened the proceedinga. Addington School Committee.— The uaual monthly meeting of the Addington School Committee waa held in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening; present— Messrs Bowden (Chairman), Bell, Brown, Cutler. Down, Freeborn, I. Anson, Moore and Woods. The head-master reported the number on the roll to be 373, with an average working attendance of 341; The Chairman reported that a quantity of shingle had been laid on the school ground near the various entrances, toward the coat of which a special grant had been made. The Visiting Committee was

empowered to obtain a few loads of screenings for the footpaths. It was decided to apply to the Board to have the present fire grate in the infant’s room removed, and to substitute Ordinary college bars. The Inspector’s examination report showed the school to be in excellent working order, the percentage of passes obtained at the recent examination being over ninety. Messrs Bell, Cutler and Woods were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing three months. Mr Bell moved, and Mr Freeborn seconded—“ That the head-master be recommended to dispense with all home work for the ensuing six month?.” Mr Cutler moved as an amendment—“ That the head-master be recommended to dispense with all written home work for that period.” Mr Brown seconded the amendment, which, on being put to the meeting, was lost, as also was the motion. Accounts to the amount of JBB 8s 4d having been passed for payment, the meeting terminated, Burst Pipes and leakages in roofs through severe frost repaired promptly by experienced plumbers. The Crown Iron Works Company. Ltd., Armagh Street. Telephone number 85. 1343 Excelsior Boot and Shoe Company.— We are very pleased to learn that the old and well-known firm of Toomer Bros, has keen formed in a Limited Liability Company, under the name of the Excelsior Boot and Shoe Company, Limited. The factory will be under the personal super-* vision of Mr H. W. Toomer, which is a suf- . Sclent guarantee that the company’s productions will fully sustain the favourable name'that, the old firm have gained throughout the colony. We understand a first-claaa " staff; are now hard at work getting stocks ready with new, and improved machinery lately imported from Europe and America. 1330 op Lands, New Plymouth.— Messrs Harcourt and Co., of Wellington, will sell at New Plymouth, on July 17, a block of 22,759 acres in the Mokau district, forty miles north of New Plymouth. The block has been surveyed into sections of from 300 acres upwards, and the interest in the same will be sold for forty-three years free of rent, with the exception of the legal peppercorn annually. The terms are easy, 25 per cent being required in cash, the balance by instalments payable in-the third, fifth, sixth, twenty-first and forty-second years of the term. The auctioneers anticipate good competition for the sections, as the district is one which has been rapidly developed of late by the opening of the roads and the establishment of steam service with Waitara. The cattle track, giving through communication between the Waikato and Taranaki, should also be open very shortly. 1347 Epps’s Cocoa,—Grateful and Com»6rtxn«.—“ By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and toy a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr Epps has provided for our breakfast and supper a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bill a"—Civil Service Gazette. —Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in quarter-pound packets by grocers and storekeepers, labelled, “ James Epps and Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, London, England.” X 1527 Open on Saturdays. —The “ Rapid ” Cycle Works will remain open on Saturdays until 9 p.m., thus giving all a chance to"infcpsct the high-claas stock of cycles > now on view. “Rapids” from £2O; small deposits and easy terms. Waller, - Myhra and Co., Manchester Street (next Coker's).— [Advt.] Standish and PiiEECß.photograpJiers by special appointment to bis Excellency tbe Governor and the Countess of Glasgow. Studio, High Street.— lAdvt.i 1 Tnr Them.—Tbe celebrated Islington Sausages at -tpl lb; delicious, made by Loudon expert; bumping weigh t,.six on a string. ‘I elenhone ;UO. Wholesale and retail at Smithfleld Provision Harket.—[Apvx.3

“ Hunting.— The meets of the Brackenfield hounds for July and August are advertised in this issue.

Sblwyn County Water-backs.— The Selwyn County Council advertises its intention to construct water-races in the Hororata district.

Mbeitale.— The first of the present series of winter entertainments in the Merivale parish will be given in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. Enginbeeing Cbetificate.— Mr Arthur Ayers, late of the s.s. Tongatiro, has gained a river certificate in an examination conducted by Mr George Croll, Board of Trade surveyor.

Foeestby.— The members of the Court Star of Canterbury will give a return “ social” to the Ladies’ Lodge on Thursday evening next, at the Foresters’ Hall, Oxford Terrace.

Ball at Eanqioba. — A ball was held at the Institute Hall, Eangiora, last night, in connection with the Lawn Tennis Club. The room was handsomely decorated, and the invitations having been freely accepted, the evening passed most enjoyably. Mr Fleming’s band provided the music. Chbibt’s College. —The second of the winter entertainments will take place in the big schoolroom at 7.30 this evening, the items being contributed principally by old hoys. All interested in the school are invited to be present, and it is hoped that old boys will muster strongly, and keep in touch with the school.

Mutual Improvement Society.— The St Asaph Street Mutual Improvement Society held its usual meeting on Friday night. There was a good attendance of members, and the evening was devoted to two papers on the “Modern Young Man,” by Miss K. Newton and Miss Turner. The papers were freely discussed by those present. City Mission Home.— The Board of Advice met at the Home yesterday to receive the report and to inquire into its present financial state. It was announced that the present need of the Home for immediate financial help, owing to the great increase of the work and increase of men admitted during the month of June, was greater than in any previous year. St Maey’s CatSPDlic Club.— The usual weekly meeting of this Club was held on Monday evening. The Vice-President occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The programme of the evening, comprising songs, recitations and readings, was carried out by the Eev Father Malone, Messrs Chase, Inkaon, Cooper, Blake (2). Slattery, Stinnear, O’Connell and Crook.

Lecture at Mayfield. On Friday evening last a lecture was given in the Mayfield Schoolroom on New Guinea, the Now Hebrides and Earatonga groups, by the Eev A. Blake. Coloured drawings of the natives, thair dwellings, canoes, churches, &c., were exhibited. Mr Tweedy occupied the chair, and Mr Burke moved a vote of thanks to Mr Blake for his interesting and instructive lecture.

Chbistchubch Prohibition League.— The ordinary weekly meeting waa held last evening, when there was a large attendance, Mr W. Edwards in the chair. Nominations for new members were received and eighty-eight were elected, making a total of 148 new members within the last three weeks. The final arrangements were made for the men’s meeting on Monday night, and other important business waa transacted. Fabmebs’ Co-opbeative Association.— The annual meeting of shareholders in the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association will take place at the offices, Cashel Street, at one o’clock to-day, when the balance-sheet will be presented, and the election of directors will take place. At the close of the ordinary business, an extraordinary general meeting will bo held, at which special resolutions will be submitted concerning proposed alterations in the articles of association. Social Gatheeing. The annual « social ” of the Lily of the Valley Juvenile Lodge of Druids, Bangiora, took place on Thursday evening. Although the weather was bad, about a hundred attended, and the proceedings were in every respect successful. Included in the programme were songs by Bros Matthews, Holcroft and Mackay; and Readings by Bros Morrall, Evens and Thwaits. There was a liberal supply of refreshments. Votes of thanks to the ladies, and others who assisted, closed the proceedings.

Peohibxtion. —A prohibition meeting will he held in the Opera House to-morrow afternoon at three o’clock, when an address will be given by Mr T. B. Taylor, in which he will define “The aims of the Prohibition Party, from the moral, social and religions standpoints, and the degree of interference with the liberty of the subject the adoption of national prohibition will impose.”—Prohibitionist meetings will also be held at Annat on Monday evening, and at Glentunnel on Wednesday evening, when addresses will be given by the Kava J, Hosking, T. H. Lyon and C. Porter. Entertainment at Kaiapoi. —The Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade gave an entertainment in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday evening. The attendance was very good, considering the weather. The first part consisted of a concert, given by the following: Misses Johnson, Mathews, M. and 3. Young, and M’Borie, and Messrs A. Drakley, Blackwell, H. Last, Templeton (2), L. Bennett and F. W. Burrows. This was followed by the farce Mad as a Hatter, which caused much amusement. The whole concluded with a dance, at which some forty or fifty couples were present. Mr J. Higgins was M.C., and the music was supplied by Messrs Blakely and Bennetts (piano) and Mr C. Hoskyn (cornet). The dance was kept up till an early hour on Friday morning.

Cheviot.— The “ social ” and concert to inaugurate the opening of the new school at Spotswood, took place on Saturday evening last. The building was well filled by an appreciative audience. Mr E, ffleming (chairman of School Committee) presided.- Songs were contributed by M T jss Lehman, Mesdames Fleming, Smith and Graveson, Messrs C. Barnes, Bradley, Fleming, Sloas and Wright, the character" songs of the latter causing much amusement* Mrs Wilkinson played the acoompaniEienta in an artistic manner, while the 'jrio lill play*®? of Mr Graveson was much Refreshments, provided by tb*' ladies’ committee, were handed round, during the intervals. A dance was afterwards held, the proceedings being brought to a close shortly before midnight.

Church of Christ.— Sunday ’school anniversary services were held at the Church of Christ, Durham Street south, on Sunday. The ftwilding was tastefully decorated with evergreens and mottoes. Suitable hymns were .sung by the children under the direction Mias Manifold, and addresses were delivered by Messrs T. Manifold, W. Crowe and 1 C. A. Wood. On Thursday the anniversa r„7 too* was held, afc which about two hund.wd persons were present. The tea was followed by a public meeting, presided over b.v Mr W. Crowe, superintendent. The achoM-ra contributed musical items and recitations, and addresses were delivered by Messrs H. .Hannam and T. Bull. The prizes gained by the scholars during the year were Miss Oakley presided at , the orgaiu A very successful evening was brought to a close in the usual way.

Business Changes.— Messrs Julbart Archer, A. C. Nottingham and E. M. Boulton, all of whom were for maay _ years connected with the old-established iu’m of Messrs Miles and Co., announce that they have entered into partnership, and will carry on business undor the title of F. Archer and Co., in the promises formerly occupied by Miles and Co, In addition ho acting as agents for the Royal Insurant® and the British and Foreign Marine, Insurance Companies the firm will carry on business as commission merchants, land, estate, stock, station, shipping and general agents. 1377 A Reliable Timekeeper maybe had by taking your Watch or Clock to be cleaned and examined by R. Eonuott, 183, High reet. XLSI9

VOLUNTEER jDECOEATION. At a volunteer pan'de at Wellington last night, the Imperial decoration for twenty years’ service mu' presented to four officers, viz., LieutemWt-Colonel Pitt, Nelson ; Lieutenant-Colont'l Bonar, Westland; Brigade burgeon Lieui-enant-Colonel Boor, Nelson, and Major Harris, Auckland.

A COAL FAMINE, A coal famine is threatened at Arrowtown, Otago. After a recent accident the mine at Gibbstown was closed by the Mines Department pending an enquiry. Owing to the snow access to other pits is either difficult or impossible.

NEW ZEALAND PISH. Mr Fernandos, a Wellington fish dealer, has entered into a contract with the Fres.b Food and Ice Company of Australia tft' supply it with regular consignments of fresh fish. Warehou ate exceedingly plentiful at Wellington just now. Between SOOO and fiUOO were caught at Porirua on Thursday, and after being cleaned, will be placed in a local freezer until the Mararoa, which it fitted with refrigerating machinery, is able to take them to Sydney. SUNDAY SBEVICES. At the Cathedral to-morrow, the Eev W, Dunkley will preach in the morning and the Eev W. A. Pascoe in the evening. At the Durham Street Wesleyan Church the Eev P. W. Isitt will preach in the morning and the Rev W. J. Elliott in the evening. At the East Belt Church the Eev H. B. Dewsbury will preach in the morning and the Eev F. W. Isitt in the evening. Mr J. L. Wilson will conduct the service at 7 p.m. at the Sumner schoolroom. A special service, in memory of the late Miss H. H. Pillow, will be held at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church at 6.30 p.m. The Eev J. J. Doke will preach both at this and the morning service. At the Trinity Congregational Church the Eev S. J. Baker will preach both morning and evening. Services in connection with Our Father’s Church will be held in the Art Gallery at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and at 7 p.m. THE BASQUE GANYMEDE. The barque Ganymede, forty-two days out from Newcastle, arrived safely at Lyttelton last night. With the exception of the loss of a little canvas she has sustained no injury by the recent severe weather. She has on many occasions been within a few miles of the port, only to be blown away again by the succession of southerly gales. BAILWAY PAEES. A telegram from Wellington says : Next week a now scale of fares for scholastic tickets comes into force on the Government railways, available up to fifty-five miles. The charges run from 10s second and 80s first-class, to 30a and 50a. Special tickets will also be issued to teachers for Saturday classes. JAPANESE CASUALTIES. In the late Chino-Japaneae war it is estimated that the number of men killed in the Japanese navy was 253, including 17 officers and 24 non-commissioned officers. The total number of deaths from cholera among the Japanese troops at the Pescadores Islands up to May 2, was 1172; caees under treatment 150, dysentery 20, It is reported that 30,000 medals have been manufactured in Japan for distribution to soldiers who distinguished themselves in the war. They are described as “Medals o! the Golden Falcon,” the falcon being historically regarded in Japan as a bird of victory and a good omen in war.

A SPENT BULLET. At Timaru yesterday, a resident of Pleasant Point was summoned for discharging firearms in a public place so as endanger life. A person who was walking along the main road heard a missile strike something near him, and be picked up a good-sized bullet. Defendant admitted that he was firing a revolver at the time—he fired two shots at a dog that was worrying his ducks—but the main road was a quarter of a mile away, and he had no idea that the revolver would carry so far. He produced the weapon, a largecalibre revolver. Majpr Keddell, Stipendiary Magistrate, expressed a little surprise at the shot going so far, and pointed out the necessity for the greatest care being taken in the use of firearms. His Worahio imposed a fine of 5a and costs 22s 6d.~ AMBERGRIS. A correspondent of a southern paper has asked for some information as to the nature of ambergris, a find of which, valued at S2OOO, is reported to have been made near Auckland by a lucky individual who went to view a stranded whale. Ambergris is a fatty substance of an ashgrey colour, with yellow or reddish striae, like those of marble. It is a morbid secretion of the intestinal canal of the spermaceti whale, and is derived from the bile. It is highly valued because of its agreeable smell, and is largely used in perfumery. The price of ambergris varies a great deal according to the supply, and ranges from £1 to £2 an ounce, or even over the latter figure. It is claimed that ambergris possesses medicinal qualities of a special order, but it is scarcely used as a medicine in Europe. In some parts of Asia and Africa it is freely used for that purpose and in cookery as a condiment. A DISASTROUS CYCLONE. The New York correspondent of the Age states that a recent cyclone in lowa caused the death of nearly one hundred persons, and destroyed several villages so completely that not a single building remains in them. A schooJhouae with its occupants waa swept away, the teacher and two pupils being found dead fully a quarter of a mile from where the building stood, and the bodies of other pupils were scattered over a considerable area. One woman was blown into a tree top, and so severely injured that she died a few hours after being discovered. Several other victims of the fury of the storm were found lodged in trees, and more or leas injured. Two young men were carried bodily in the air for about half a mile and then dropped to the ground. Strange to say, they suffered very little injury, and were able to render assistance to others leas fortunate than themselves. Wires were stripped from posts, and in many instances posts were torn up by the force of the wind; horses, cattle and vehicles were hurled through the air like chaff, trees were uprooted, fine residences were swept away and reduced to kindling wood, and fields were stripped of sprouting grain and the soil in which it grew. Railway trains were blown from the tracks, and in one instance a heavy locomotive was turned on its side by the force of the wind.

INTEMPERATE PROHIBITION. The Neio Zealand Times, referring to a matter that was mentioned in these columns last week, saysMr Taylor, the notorious prohibitionist from Sydenham, has achieved tlio further distinction of breaking the record for scurrility at a public meeting in New Zealand. He spoke of the Premier in a way which we will not disgrace our columns by printing. It was in remarkable contrast to the way in which tho Premier had dealt with him a few moments earlier. Mr Taylor had cited several cases of what he and his friends regarded as malpractice on the part of tho authorities, and these the Premier proved with calm logic to be against him. Mr Taylor had also made many assertions, from which he withdrew on the challenge of the Premier. The Premier’s vary just comment, and very merciful comment, was that Mr Taylor, not being a judge of the meaning of language, had been led by his ignorance into grievous exaggerations. It was a comment which never departed a hair’s breadth from the strictest propriety of courteous

public speech, and told with tremendous force for that reason. Mr Taylor rushed off to the public meeting, and vented his venom there in public like a Billingsgate fish-fag. The meeting ought to have vindicated its self-respect by compelling him to withdraw either his language or himself. By taking no notice of his coarse larrikinism, the meeting made itself responsible for Mr Taylor. It the Temperance Convention does not promptly expel him from its meetings, it will have itself to blamo for the grievous discredit his fanatical and outrageous intemperance must cast on the temperance cause.

THE FALKLAND ISLANDS. The prosperity of the Falkland Islands is wholly defendant on the use of the vast tracts of pasture land for sheep. With no fear of drought, with no rank vegetation, but, on the contrary, succulent grasses, with an equable temperature throughout /.he year, these islands have proved to ba peculiarly well adapted for sheep. The pastoral prospects, according to the Colonial Secretary, continue to be of a chewing character. The increase of flocks, the in troduction of late years of machinery, the oi&re careful shepherding and judicious breeding, have secured larger profits to the producer. Sheep continue to be exported to Chili and Patagonia, for the purpose of stocking the north of the Straits of Magellan, where concessions of land have been obtained from the Chilian and Argentine Governments by some of the lessees of the Crown Lands of the Falkland Islands.

STARVING NATIVES. The AJcaroa Mail says During the recent severe wither the Natives at the Onnku Kaik ha we been in a very bad plight. Their potato crops this last season have been a comparative failure, and the capacity the ordinary Native has of running into debt has resulted in the fact that the rents of som-e of them are pledged to the local storekeepers for some considerable time to come. Do ring the recent inclement weather the children of some of the Maoris of different pfc'.hs have boarded themselves out on John Tlabuki, an old and decent Maori, his total family, for whom he had to provide for tbe laiat seven weeks, amounting to thirteen sonlsvv The terrible state of the weather prevented the getting of shell or other fii'h, and the result was that for the past l’ew days the thirteen people have been absolutely without food.' Tabuki, during the heavy snowfall of Wednesday, made tin's way to Akaroa, and made the condition of his family known to Mr McGregor, who at once telegraphed the circumstances or the case to the Native Department, gating that the eoutoes of local chanty wen' exhausted. At the same time our re presentative, Mr Montgomery, was re quoted to see the Native Minister on the subjact. The result was that yesterday mornit'g Constable Scully was directed to expemd in relieving their immediate wants, ami Messrs Montgomery and Parata wired Mr* McGiegor to forward particulars of the case, which we understand that gentleman has done.

WITNESSES AND COUNSEL IN AUSTRIA. The Australian Minister of Justice has published a decree which gives genera] satisfaction. The Minister says that he has lately noticed that during proceedings in the Courts, the private lives of witnesses and other persons are unnecessarily exposed. Questions are frequently addressed by the judge and by counsel to the parties concerned, which have absolutely no bearing on the case before the Court. The Minister declares that the sanctity of private and family life should be spared as much as possible, and that it is the duty of the Court to see that this is done. The case which no doubt prompted the Minister to move in this matter was a very remarkable one, and called forth universal indignation. A woman, with a little girl, sought out her lover in a public-house late at night to ask him for a little money, as she was in great distress. The fellow, a student, pushed her cut of the place with such violence that she fell. A watchmaker named Koellmer, who was passing, called him a coward, with the result that the student sued him for “offending his honour,” and had the courage to attempt to prove in Court that the woman’s character was such that to knock her about in the street was not cowardly. The poor woman became so excited when her private life was revealed in court that she appealed to the Judge to protect her, and reminded him that she was not accused, but only a witness. The Judge ordered her removal, and she tan up to a passage window and tried to fling herself out, being only prevented by an usher. The Judge in the meantime actually decided that she really was a woman who could be knocked about without cowardice, and sentenced the watchmaker to a fine of twenty-five florins.

A FRENCH NATIONAL MONUMENT. The French Government haa tabled a Bill to erect a national monument to the soldiers who have died tor their country. The Paris correspondent of the Daily News writes on May 20This monument is to be erected on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the war of 1870. The proposal comes in a sudden and unexpected manner, and I should be much surprised if even a member of the Government dreamed about the vanquished of 1870 forty-eight hours ago. Within this short interval, however, something has occurred which has impelled the Government to a patriotic manifestation. The Boulangists have not been able to stomach the ‘proposed visit to Kiel. Yesterday one of them asked M. Eibot, half in irony and half in scorn, whether the French fleet would leave at Kiel the German Imperial flag which they were taking there with the date of 1870 embroidered on it at the Brest flag shops. The Premier said such a question was unworthy of notice. Another ex-Boulangist then announced his intention of asking why an order of the National Defence Government issued during the war in the height of patriotic fever had never been carried out. It provided that the stone statue of Strasburg on the Place de la Concorde should be cast in bronze. It would be absurd and impolitic after a lapse of a quarter, of a century to set up a Strasburg in bronze, but French Chauvinism is so curious that the Government could not oppose such a proposal without risking its existence; or it must go one better than M. Castelin. It haa chosen the latter course. The Monument of 1870 will satisfy French patriots, and it will not offend Germany. This is the whole explanation of a very sudden manifestation of patriotism.