TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11187, 8 February 1897, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

j Contents. —Proposals for increasing the j strength of the army have been submitted j by the Government to the House of Com- | mens. They include the formation of a j garrison artillery for the defence of coaling | stations and colop’il ports. The House of I Commons has passed a vote of =£779,000 to j defray the cost of the Dongola expedition I and necessary railway extension along i the Nile. Sir M. Hicks Beach, Clianj | cellor of tho Exchequer, stated that | s. further advance into the Soudan j was contemplated, and ho gave some • indication of the probable policy of I the Government with regard to Egypt. Sir \Y. V. Harcourt and Mr John Morloy pro-

tested against Sir M. Hicks Beach’s statements as amounting to an impudent defiance of Prance and Russia, and the Paris newspapers are much irritated by the speech. There has been heavy fighting in Canea, the capital of Crete. The troops assisting the rioters, the Christian quarter of the town has been burned and three hundred persons have been killed. The trouble is extending throughout the whole of the island, and the foreign consuls are powerless to restore order.

Meetings.— -The following meetings will be held to-daySelwyn County Council, 10.30 a.m.; Diocesan Choral Association, adjourned annual meeting, 8 p.m.; Cricket Association Committee, Warner’s Hotel, 8 p.m.; meeting with reference to the Indian famine fund, City Council Offices, 8 p.m.; Caledonian Society, annual meeting, 8 p.m.; Sydenham Borough Council, 7.30 p.m.; South Island Trotting Association, City Hotel. 7.30 p.m. Musical Union. —A full attendance of members of the orchestra is specially requested for this evening’s practice. .

Supreme Court. —His Honor Mr Justice Denniston will leave for Timaru to-day to open the sessions of the Supreme Court in that town. Ministerial. —The Hons W. C. Walker and J. Carroll arrived from Wellington on Saturday. 'The latter will leave for Dunedin by the express to-day. t Kaiafoi Musical Society.— On Saturday afternoon a garden party was held in tho grounds of Mr G. H. Blackwell, Kaiapoi. The party, which was a large one, had tea in the afternoon, and various out-door games were played. During the evening a concert was given, and was very successful. Personal. —Mr George Jameson, who has been acting as London agent for the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative, and other associations, loft Loudon by the Tongariro. Upon arrival here he will take over the management of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association at Christchurch. Congregational Union. —ln connection with the annual meeting of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, the Eev C. Bradbury will read a paper on “ The Duty of tho Church in the Training of the Young,” in the Trinity Congregational Church, on Tuesday, at 2.30 p.m. At 7.30 annual sermon will be preaclmd tnpKw B. T. 'Hallowes. of the Governor. —Or Saturday the Mayor of Christchurch, on behalf of the citizens, telegraphed a farewell to Lord and Lady Glasgow, and received tho following reply :—“ On behalf of Lady Glasgow and myself, I thank you for the kind expressions you use in your telegram just received. I bid farewell to you, the councillors and inhabitants of Christchurch, remembering the pleasant times we have often spent in your .Glasgow, Wellington.” JmP

tvhkec Worrying. —Onr South Sakaia correspondent writes : —For some few weeks a number of township residents have been much annoyed by stray dogs prowling about their premises at night. Unfortunately the dogs have now taken to sheep worrying. During tno past two days and nights they have visited Mr John Gardiner’s farm alongside the Eakaia and Ashburton Forks railway. About fifteen sheep have been killed and many others torn about considerably. Harbour Board Elections. —The polling for two members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board for Christchurch will take place to-day at the City Council office, the candidates being Messrs W. H. Cooper, F. Graham, R. M. Macdonald and E. Pitcaithly. The polling for a representative of the united boroughs of Linwood, Woolston and Sumner will take place at the respective Borough Council offices, Messrs J. Connal and E. E. Deacon being the candidates ; and the poll for a representative for Lyttelton will bo held at the Lyttelton Borough Council office, the candidates being Messrs T. M’Clatchie and N. C. Schumacher.

Queen’s Cadets —The Queen’s Cadets, under Captain Jones and Lieutenant Lane, have been camped at Dr Weld’s paddock, New Brighton, since Wednesday last, and will remain there till Thursday next. They have done very good work under the direction of Staff Sergeant-Major Purvis, having had a parade at 5.30 a.m. and another in the evening daily, for instruction in company drill, and the manual, firing and bayonet exercises and physical drill. Yesterday morning the company attended divine service at the English church, and in the afternoon there was a parade and a number of ladies and other friends visited the camp and were entertained with afternoon tea. The attendance in camp yesterday was 40, and during the week it ranged from 35 to 38, out of a total of 42 on the roll. The Cadets have behaved themselves very well and kept their tents and the camp generally in highly creditable order. To-morrow evening the Garrison Band will play at the camp.

The Harvest. —The harvesting operations in North Canterbury are now well advanced, and all the threshing machines have commenced work. At the end of last week showery weather caused a suspension of work for twenty-four hours; nevertheless, the farmers looked upon the rain ; as a great boon. The late crops are now commencing to ripen, and the rain has assisted in the filling out of the ears. The beans, potatoes and root crops generally have been much benefited by the showers and cooler weather, and the grass is beginning to spring nicely where the roots were not thoroughly burnt up. The red clover crop promises to be a fair one unless appearances prove deceptive. The grain samples are said to be satisfactory, but, as expected, the yields in many instances are much below the average.—Our South Eakaia correspondent writes : —On Friday morning we had the best rain experienced for four months, and its effects can bo now seen. The turnip crop, as a rule, is a total failure and much of the grass and clover sown with the crops is dead. The crops are not turning out what was expected. The last week of hot weather made a great difference to the wheat, and the heads were simply dried up. There is very little stacking to be done now.

Dkuidism. —The usual fortnightly meeting of the Olive Branch Lodge was held in the Islington Library on Friday evening, A.D. Bro W. J. Lawrence in the chair. A large number of visitors wore present, including D.G.P. Bro Swinuerton, D.G.V.P. Bro J. J. Hunter, D.G.S. Bro H. D. Ea.yner, DiG.G. Bro T. Smith, P.D.G.P.’s Bros C. Tomson and W. Bailey, P.D.P.’s Bros Willstead, Eose and Dyer and members from the Pioneer, Mistletoe, St Albans, Perseverance and Angelsea Lodges. Correspondence was read from the Oak of Sydenham Lodge, inviting the members to pay an official visit to that Lodge. Nineteen candidates were proposed, balloted for and initiated, the D.G. officers officiating. In replying to the toast of the District Grand Lodge, the D.G.P. congratulated the Olive Branch upon the groat Success it was making, its membership now being forty after one month’s work, showing great zeal and

energy on the part of the new officers. He offered a prize for tho member introducing tho greatest number of candidates during the next six months, which offer was accepted with applause. D.G.V.P. Bro J. J. Hunter also replied. The remainder of tho evening was spent in harmony. Light refreshments were handed round, and songs sung by several of the brethren.

Sunday Lectuke. — The Lyceum was , very well filled last night when Mr W. W. Collins lectured on “The Twelve Apostles.” Large Eel. —In the Waihi River Messrs Cook and M’Kay last week caught an eel 1 which measured 4ft llin in length and 17in 1 in girth. It turned the scale at 28lb. ' Lyttelton Picnic. The Mayor of ■ Lyttelton invites business people to close > their places of business on Thursday next, ; on the occasion of the annual trades picnic. i Theosophy.— The usual public meeting of the Theosophical Society was held in the lodge-room. Opera House, yesterday • afternoon. An interesting paper on “ Theo- ; sophy and Shelley,” was read by a member. The usual discussion followed. Our Father’s Church.— There were good attendances at the meetings of Our Father’s Church yesterday. In the morn- ’ ing Mr O’Bryen Hoare began a series of lectures on mental science. The subject in ! the evening was “The Consecration of ! MaAincry.” 4 Famine Relief Fund. — The Mayor of Christchurch desires to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt from the Mayor of Sumner of .£lO 15s, as a contribution towards the Indian Famine Relief Fund. The amount was obtained by means of a concert given at Sumner by the P-/s College Rifle Volunteers. irth of Cornsacks. —Some of the tamers of South Canterbury who wished to thresh early were prevented from so doing by want of cornsacks, the season’s supply being late in coming to hand. Merchants had to get some railed up from Dunedin, being unable to wait for the usual transhipping steamer. A good many were landed last week, however. Union Rowing Club. —At a meeting of the committee on Friday, which has on hand the dance in connection with the opening of the new boathouse, the members reported excellent progress with the sale of tickets and the engagement of Mr Fleming’s band; also, that several leading citizens had accepted invitations. Everything points to a most successful gathering. Death of an Old Identity. Mr Strong Work Morrison, one of Timaru’s old identities, died on Friday evening after a long and painful illness which had confined him to the house for years. He arrived in Timaru forty years ago, and was at first engaged in the surf-boat service on the beach. Ho was the first licensee of the now enlarged Ship Hotel, \nd after spending a few years in that line of business he retired. He leaves a widow and two step-daughters. Pigeon Flying. The Christchurch Pigeon Flying Club flew off a race from Dunedin on Saturday. Owing to a strong north-east wind against tho birds the velocity was very poor. The winner was Phillips’s Kapua, with a velocity of

TOs'2yds jicr minute. The club desires to thank the station-master for liberating the birds. The following is the result: —Mr Phillips’s Ifapua, 995 - 2yds per minute; Mr Pearce’s Snapshot, 995yds per minute; Mr Thompson’s Kiaora, 933yds' per minute; Mr Falconer’s Aeronaut, 923yds per minute.

The Visiting Bowlers— Some of the southern bowlers left Christchurch by Saturday morning’s express. Mr E. C. Bishop, president of the Canterbury Bowling Club, Mrs Bishop, and several leading bowlers and their wives, were on the railway platform to bid goodbye to their late guests. Cheers were given with impartiality for those who left and those who stayed behind. Several of the northern bowlers left for their homes by the steamer on Saturday night.

Presentation. —Mr S. K. Garrick, who has been for some years in the employ of Messrs H. Matson and Co., and who is leaving to go into business for himself, was on Saturday presented by the firm and employes with a very handsome inkstand, in the shape of a horse’s hoof set in solid silver, and also a silver sovereign case and match-box. Mr H. Matson, in making the presentation, referred to the good feeling always prevailing between Mr Garrick and the rest of the staff, and wished him prosperity in his now sphere.

Sydenham Brass Band. —On Saturdayevening this band visited Eangiora and played an excellent programme at the corner of High and Victoria Streets to a large and appreciative audience. Afterwards the visitors were entertained by the local baud at their practice-room, where two hours were pleasantly spent, several of the members of the bands contributing songs. Bandmaster M’Lean made some interesting remarks on the working of bands, and gave the Eangiora players a hearty invitation to pay a visit to Christchurch at an early date.' After refreshments had been partaken of, a very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by singing “ Auld Lang Syne.”

Angling. —The recent rains have improved the condition of South Canterbury streams, and some good baskets are being taken at Temuka and Winchester Several visitors have had good sport, and local anglers have taken fish scaling Sib and 10lb with the minnow, and with the fly als many as thirty fish, averaging fib, have been landed by one rod. The bar at the Opihi mouth has again been opened. The South Canterbury "Acclimatisation Society’s rangers have instituted proceedings against several persons who. are charged with poaching. There has been a deal of poaching, especially in upper reaches, but it has been difficult to secure offenders. All sorts of devices are said to be resorted to for the destruction of fish. Dynamite and lime, as well as spears, gaffs, and gloves provided with hooks, are spoken of, and there is ground for believing that occasionally nets have been used. The society intends to rigorously suppress these practices.

Canterbury Women’s Institute.— The annual meeting of the Canterbury Women’s Institute was held on Saturday evening, in Chancery Lane Hall. The President’s report of the work done during the year 1896 was adopted, and it was unanimously resolved to ask tho editor of the Lyttelton Times to print it in extenso. The honorary Secretary, in the absence of the treasurer, presented the balance-sheet, which was considered satisfactory. Its adoption was unanimously agreed upon. The election of officers resulted in the appointment of the following ladies :—President, Mrs May; vice-presidents. Miss Sherriff-Bain, Mesdames Black, Sheppard and Blake ; honorary secretary, Mrs Wells; recording secretary, Mrs Eoss ; honorary treasurer, Mrs Henderson; committee, Misses Cabot, Hookham, C. B. Mills, Garstin and Clark, Mesdames Atkinson, Page, Simpson, Eobinson and Wallis. Two new members were elected. The subject for discussion at the next meeting will be “ Homes for Homeless and Neglected Children.” Members of Parliament will be invited to attend. Undoubtedly the best of all tho colonial built bicycles is the “ Atalanta,” which has stood the test of time, increasing in popularity every season. Manufactured by T. Boyd and Son, Manchester and St Asaph Streets, Christchurch. 1796 Medical Electricity.— Massage, with galvanism and all kinds of medical baths ; Mr Hammond, galvanist. Health Supplies Company, 245, Cashel Street. Inquire for our Health Food, Drink, Lemon Juice, Fruit Crystals, and do pot forget our Universal Cleaner. 1863

Watches. —Watches for men, watches for hoys, watches for ladies, watches for girls; bargains for all. I sell good watches, low prices. David Bowman, 186, Colombo Street.—[Advt,] The Result of Riding the Best.— The One, Two and Five-mile Championships • of Canterbury, at Christchurch, Rangiora and Timarji respectively, just been won by riders of Oates’s .£2O Zealandia bicycles. Works, Christchurch and Napier. —[Advt.] £2500 worth of special clearing lines at enormous discounts for cash now selling at Shaw, Robinson and Co.’s, Cashel Street. Great reductions. — [Advt.] STJUtIHSH an® Prr Rf's.Photoitrdp'hpTs tv speoial ? T,';ra;;t to hi.-; voljurwy the: O'.W'-uor rv.vi , ot U --1: .--It.', , ti-xTk uji.ro&t.— f.AJ'ff'.'l

Canterbury Caledonian Society. The annual general meeting of the Canterbury Caledonian Society -will be held tonight at the Society’s rooms, Hereford Street, at 8 o’clock.

Presbyterian Church,— The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand will commence its sittings at St Andrew’s Church at 7.30 p.m. tomorrow.

Kaiapoi Rifles.—' The volley and independent firing of this corps were conducted on Saturday under the supervision of Colonel Gordon.* The results were:—No. 1 Squad —Volley firing, 20'61; independent, 23'66. No. 2 Squad—Volley firing, 19'61; independent, 18-44; No. 3 Squad Volley firing, 18'50; independent, 24'14. There were eighteen men in No. 1 Squad, eighteen in No. 2 Squad, and fourteen in No. 3 3 Squad; total, fifty out of a possible fifty-two. The average at volley firing was 19'66, and at independent firing 21'92. Stanmore Band. —Mr D. M’Killop has tendered his resignation as bandmaster, and will sever his connection with the band in three months’ time, as he intends to leave Christchurch for Invercargill. Mr M’Killop has been connected with the Stanmore Band for fifteen years, during which time he has seen many changes, about three hundred bandsmen having received tuition from him. His resignation was received by the band with regret. Before leaving Christchurch Mr M’Killop intendss to give performances in the Opera .House, and on the rotunda, with the band that played at the late contest, and it is the intention of the band to hold a “social” amongst past and present members at an early date. Oddfellowship— The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Sister Pearce Lodge was held at the Temperance Hall, Gloucester Street, on Thursday. The auditors’ report was received and adopted. One candidate was initiated and one proposed. Invitations from the Loyal Benevolent and Volunteer Lodges to visit them on their next Lodge nights were received and accepted. The “third sentiment ” was responded to by Prov. G.M. Bro Gough, on behalf of the district Officers. P.P.G.M. Brq Woodford (Perseverance), Bro Colo ' (Volunteer), Bro Read (Benevolent), Bro Cooper (City of Christchurch) and Bro Russell (Victoria) also responded. Sick pay for one sister was passed. Mobbis-tubb Shooting. —On Friday evening the members of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club rifle class fired another competition at the 300yds range for prizes presented by Messrs Ashby, Bergh and Co., Fletcher, Humphreys and Co., Mason, Struthers and Co., the Crown Brewery Company, the Saxon Tea Company, Mr W. W. Collins and Messrs Bates and Co. The following were the highest scorers: —D. Ashton (1) 35, G. Jones (2) 35, E. Barlow (3) 35, C. Lummis (3) 35, W. A. Caldwell (4) 35, J. Hastie (scr) 33, A. J. Lummis (1) 32.—0 n Saturday evening a match, nine men a side, was fired between the Christchurch Working Men’s Club rifle class and the Sydenham Working Men’s Club Morristnbe class, on the range of the latter club, which, after a very even contest, resulted in a win for the visitors by 10 points, the total scores being—Christchurch Working Men’s Club 268, Sydenham Working Men’s Club 258. For the winners the highest scorers were :—J. Hastie 35, E. Barlow 32, J. Kermode 32, C. W. Sherwood 31, and for the losers J. Broome 32, C, Oliver 32, F. Vemazoni 32, J. Watt 30. At the conclusion of the match the visitors were entertained at a. smoke concert.

The Socialist Church. —A meeting of this body was held in Cathedral Square yesterday afternoon, when an address was given by Mr T. E. Taylor, M.H.E. He said there was a Socialism that loved anarchy and a Socialism that loved humanity. He emphasised the importance of forming an acquaintance with the facts underlying the problem of life, and said the Socialist Church had for its aim the investigation of these facts. Mr Taylor then dealt with the religious aspect of Socialism. He instanced the growth of the Jewish conception of the Deity as an example of the fact that religious faith is an_ organic growth, and said that the religion of all to-day should be bound up in the two words “Our Father.” A church that did not influence social life was dead. It was useless preaching to men to be good whilst conditions were against them, without at the same time doing all in their power to alter those conditions. The moving power in all modern legislative reforms had been faith in the sacredness of humanity. If the Church could only get a grip of this faith, a revolution in social life could easily be effected. It was this faith on which the Socialist Church was founded. Its desire was not to level down, but to give all equal opportunities for developing their manhood and womanhood, and rising to a higher plane. THE NEW COMMANDANT. Colonel Penton will leave Wellington for the south this week on his first visit of inspection of the forts and forces there. A DAEING EOBBEEY. The highway robbery of two mining managers, at Coolgardie, some particulars of which were cabled to New Zealand, took place in broad daylight, at three o’clock in the afternoon of Jan. 22. The victims were Mr John Mitchell, manager of Burbank’s Birthday Gift mine, and Mr J. W. Pauli, manager of North Burbank’s mine, who were proceeding in a buggy in the direction of the mines. They were about a mile and a half from Coolgardie when they were suddenly surprised by three men, whose faces were partly blackened, and who wore slouch hats. The robbers emerged from behind an ambush that was placed alongside of the road on a hill, and compelled the driver of the vehicle to pull the horse into a walk. One man held the horse while the other two attended to the buggy and its occupants. After tying Mitchell and Panll up the robbers took the vehicle into the bush, one hundred yards away, and then removed the treasure, which amounted to <£723. The robbers Burned their rifles, and portions of the charred stocks were discovered by the police about half a mile away. After Mitchell and Pauli had been tied up, gagged, and with sacks thrown over their heads, a third person named Haughton came in sight, and the robbers, thinking he might prove troublesome, secured him in a similar manner to a tree, but having no more bags they were unable to cover his head. It happened that Haughton was not firmly bound, and within a few minutes ha was able to release himself and go to the assistance of the others, whom he soon set at liberty. The robbers are supposed to have returned to Coolgardie.

A FATAL JOKE. The danger of joking with a certain class of men when they are in liquor was illustrated at Adelaide on Jan. 26. Andrew Drummond, a blacksmith, was proceeding to the Semaphore from Port Adelaide by a late train, when an altercation ensued between him and John King, a clerk in the railway department. Drummond, who was under the influence of liquor, argued in an angry manner, after the common habit of men' in his condition, while King, instead of ignoring what he said, replied to Ills remarks in a lighter vein. Drummond got so enraged with King that he struck him a blow in the face. King appealed to some' of his companions whether he should retaliate, and he was advised not to do so. King sat quietly for a time, but when the train stopped, in passing Drummond, he touched him lightly on the face witli his open hand. Drummond set after King, chasing him

over the open space in front of the railway station, and King, still treating the matter as a joke, dodged about instead of hastening to get safely out of the reach of the infuriated man. All might have been well had not King in the darkness tripped and fell. Drummond bounded upon him as he lay on the ground, and stabbed him several times on the back of the neck with a sharp instrument. Drummond then ran away. King’s companions, who had witnessed the occurrence, were unable to reach him quickly enough to prevent him being stabbed. King died a quarter of an hour afterwards.

GEAR CASES AND DRESS QUARDS The latest Ladies’ Stars are fitted with perfect dress protectors and gear cases. Adams Star Cycle Company, Christchurch and Wellington.— [Advt.]