TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11368, 8 September 1897, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

“ The Canterbury Times.” —The content:; of this week's number of the Cuttle rbvi'n Times are as comprehensive, varied and attractive as usual, and for their full reception a supplement is found necessary;

The special articles include a stirring outline of the career of a person known as “The Divine Healer,” who effected some miraculous cures during his progress through the wild south-west of the United States. A second budget of “ Life in

Mashonaland” appears, and will not encourage New Zealanders to follow tbeir countryman, the writer of the article, to that unwholesome part of South Africa. The serial and complete short stories are of the highest class, and the other articles and sketches are both entertaining and instructive. All sections of sport and pastime receive ample recognition, and the articles and notes on Agriculture, the Garden, Mining, Amusements, Music, Chess, &c., are particularly readable and reliable. The Ladies’ Page and Navy, Army and Volunteers’ columns also are amongst the leading features in this excellent weekly magazine. Meetings. —The following meetings will be held to-day:—Charitable Aid Board, 2.30 p.m.; Acclimatisation Society’s Council, Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Eooms, 4 p.m.; Samaritan Home Committee, City Council Chambers, 7.30 p.m.; Annual meeting Sydenham and Addington United Cricket Club, Sydenham Chambers, 7.30 p.m.; Canterbury Trotting Club, Secretary’s Office, 7.30 p.m.; adjourned meeting Pioneer Bicycle Club, Booms, 8 p.m.; °general meeting Christchurch Cycle Association, Chamber of Commerce, 8 p.m., Avon Eowing Club, annual meeting, boatshed, 8 p.m.; _ Young Men’s Christian A ssoeiation Eowing Club, annual meeting. Association’s Eooms, 8 p.m. Ashburton Hospital. Subscriptions for the convalescent ward at the Ashburton Hospital have now reached <£244 2s lid.

Beautifying the City. — A public meeting will be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall at 8 o’clock this evening to form a society for beautifying the reserves of the city. The Richmond Loan. —Tlio Mayor has declared that' the poll taken at the Foresters’ Hall yesterday resulted in the defeat of the proposed 2216-10 loan for the Richmond Ward of the city. Ashburton Borough Council. —Mr C. M. Brooke having withdrawn his candidature, Messrs Henry Davis, Charles Reid and David Thomas have been elected members of tho Ashburton Borough Council.

Queen’s Cadets. — A special meeting of the Queen’s Cadets will be held at the Drillshed to-night at seven o’clock sharp, when all unsold tickets for their concert to-morrow night, at St Michael's Schoolroom, will he called in. Women’s Political Association. — Owing to the wet weather last night it was decided to postpone Mr Charles Hull’s lecture on “Capital Punishment” until next Tuesday evening at the Coffee Eooms, Gloucester Street. West Etbeton. Arrangements are being made to erect a building suitable for the purposes of a public library. A site has been promised and a number of subscriptions have been obtained, and in order to further supplement the funds an entertainment will be given in the course of a fortnight. Personal. Sir Robert Stout was a passenger by the steamer Eotorua from Wellington yesterday.forenoon.—Mr Birch, who recently resigned the post of manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Timaru, has been confined to bis house for some time by illness, and latterly his condition has become somewhat serious. Tiieosophic al Lectures. —Colonel Olcott and Miss Lilian Edger, M.A., will deliver theosophical addresses at the Art Gallery this evening. The Colonel will speak on “ Spiritualism,” and treat it from a scientific point of view, and Miss Edger on “Reincarnation and ICarma.” The first lecture will commence at eight o’clock.

Gust Literary Institute. —The contract for re-roofing the hall has been completed. The inclemency of the weather on Friday rendered it necessary to postpone the ball which had been arranged for that evening. It has now been decided that a dance shall take place after the Irish concert, which will be held at the end of the month.

Cribbage Match. —Last night the City Guards and Lyttelton Navals played a cribbage match, twelve men a side, in the Navals' orderly-room. The result was a close one,.as the garrison corps won thirty games to the Navals’ twenty-nine. A very pleasant hour was then spent in harmony, and an excellent supper was provided by the Port men. Waimakaeiri-Ashlet Water Supply Loan. —The poll to decide whether a further loan of £3OOO should he obtained to complete the Wairaakariri-Ashley water supply works was taken yesterday. Motions in favour of the proposed loan were carried at all centres in the district last week, the Fernside meeting on Saturday night being particularly favourable. Eangiora Fire Brigade. —At a meeting of this Brigade held after practice on Monday night Engineer C. Tyler resigned, his reason being that his business requires all his attention. Hr Tyler has served fourteen years in the Brigade, and has been a useful member. In 1892 he was appointed engineer, having served as assistant engineer for three years previously.

A Disagreement.— A correspondent writes: —A summary way of fixing an overdraft was witnessed yesterday at Ashburton. A farmer met his banker in the street, and as they were not able to agree concerning the amount of monetary accommodation required, the farmer knocked the banker down and jumped upon him. It is likely that more will be heard of the affair. .

Tinabu High School.— Arrangements have been made by the Governors of the Timaru’ High School for carrying on the school work pending the re-erection of the buildings destroyed by fire the other day. The boys’ classes will be conducted in the rooms added to the volunteer drillshed, and the girls’ classes at Miss Lissaman’s residence, which was built to serve the purposes of a private school.

Health Lecture. —Considering the unfavourable state of the weather, the attendance at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening at Dr Eussell’s health lecture was good. lu his discourse the doctor dealt with the structure of the eye, the diseases to which it is subject, and tho care needful in the treatment of such a delicate organ. Some interesting limelight view’s were shown to illustrate the lecturer’s remarks. "The Ear” will form tho subject of next week’s lecture.

Divine Healing. —Colonel Olcott has, by special request, consented to complete his lecture, begun on Sunday evening, on tho “ Art of Divine Healing.” He will introduce as fresh topics “ Vampires,” “ Medical Clairvoyance,” “ Cremation, and its effect on the astral body.” This lecture will be in addition to tho course of lectures previously advertised, and will bo given in tho Oddfellows’ Hall at eight o’clock to-morrow evening. Agricultural and Pastoral Association. —A. meeting , between the subcommittee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Directors of tho local Freezing Companies has been arranged to take place at the Agricultural and. Pastoral Association’s Booms at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1(5, for the purpose of discussing the question of freezing lambs out of season. The meeting is consequent on Mr G. Gould’s motion brought forward at tho last meeting of the committee of tho Agricultural and Pastoral Association.

CimcußA- Remedies are the most wonderful skin cures, blood purifiers, and humour lemedies ever compounded. 'They may be used on the youngest infant and most delicate invalid with gratifying and unfailing success. Warm baths with Cuttcura Soar, gentle anointings with Cuttcura, purest of emollient skin cures, followed by full doses of Cuticuka Eesoevent, greatest of blood purl Hors and humour c.urcp, will afford instant relief and jxiint to a speedy and permanent cure in the most torturing and disfiguring 0 f itching, burning, and scaly skin and scalp humours when all else fails. 17

“Pound Social.” — A “pound social” will be held in the hall, Montreal Street north, this evening. Papanui.—A tea meeting, to be followed by an entertainment, will be held in St Paul’s schoolroom, Papanui, this evening. Broadpield. —The annual meeting of the Broadfield Sports Committee will be held at the old Wheat'sheaf Hotel on Saturday evening. Oddfellowship. —The members of the Papanui Lodge will celebrate their anniversary by a “ social ” on Friday evening. Complete arrangements have been made for a very pleasant evening. Fabian Society. —At a meeting of the New Zealand Fabian Society, to be held in Hobbs’s Buildings at eight o’clock this evening, Mr O’Bryen Hoars will lecture on “ Eeform: Moral and Social.” Salvation Army. —The Salvation Army will hold a missionary meeting at the Victoria Street Barracks this evening, when a returned missionary from South India will relate some of his experiences.

Wesleyan Church, Tinwald. —This church was opened on Sunday by the Eev P. Yv r . Fairclough, president of the Conference. There was a large attendance at both morning and evening service. The collections were in aid of the building fund. Industrial Association. —ln consequence of tho municipal elections taking place to-morrow, the meeting of the committee of the Industrial Association, which was to havo been held on; that day, stands postponed until the evening of Thursday, Sept. 16, at S p.m.

Socialist Church. —Tho members met in Cathedral Square on Saturday evening, when addresses were given by, Mr H. A. Atkinson and Mr M’Culloch. The meeting was afterwards continued in the Institute, Tuam Street, and Bernard Shaw’s essay entitled “ Socialism for Millionares ” was read. On Sunday afternoon the usual open-air meeting was held. Prebelf.ton. —A variety entertainment will be held at Prehbleton on Friday evening next in aid of the Halswell Catholic school. The programme will include items of fancy skating by Mr Norris, the champion skater of America, and Mr Sidney Clifford, of St James’s Theatre, and others, have been specially engaged for the purpose. Drags will leave Lonargan’s corner at 6.50 p.m.

Band of Hope. —The monthly meeting of the Sydenham Wesleyan Band of Hope was held on Monday evening. The Rev W. G. Parsonson presided, and there was a good attendance. The programme consisted of songs, recitations, instrumental solos and duets and dialogues, contributed by Mrs Ford, Misses Bonnington, Adnams, Fuchs, Hammond, Chegwin and Lancaster, and Messrs West, Britton (2), Adnams, Halford, Huvcomho and H. and W. Hulbert, and Master Harry Voice.

Avokside Entertainment. —An excellent programme has been arranged for the second of the series of winter entertainments, to-morrow evening. Miss Jennie West will play “The Vicar of Bray,” and a mazurka by Lescbitzky; songs will be given by Misses Annie Lake and Esther Davie, Messrs Corbett, E ipbael and Newman ; Mr Norman Smith will tell a Maori tale, and Mr Newman will recito “A Black Job.” Box and Cox will bo given by Messrs Brittan and Day and Miss Barns. Druids’ Meeting. —There was a good attendance at the regular meeting of the Bud of Hope Lodge of Druids, Eangiora, on Monday evening, the District President, Bro Hills, being amongst those present. The Sons of Temperance wrote inviting attendance at the annual meeting on Tuesday evening next, to arrange the Friendly Societies excursion. A quantity of routine business was transacted, and two candidates were initiated and two proposed. The Juvenile Lodge was also well attended and one candidate was admitted and three were proposed. Prohibition.— The weekly meeting of the Christchurch Prohibition. .League was held on Friday evening, Congregational Schoolroom. Mr H. GiJSlbipresided. It was reported that Mr E. H. Taylor, of the Thames, lecturer of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars, would shortly commence a mission in Christchurch, and a subcommittee was appointed to co-operate with the local lodge. The resignation of the Rev E. Erwin as vice-president was received, and it was resolved to accept nominations for the vacancy at next meeting. Forest Conservation. —A petition is being circulated throughout the district between the Waimakariri and Ashley Elvers, requesting the Minister of Lands to reserve part of Mount Oxford, with the bush, for scenic, recreation and water and forest conservation and other purposes, and to vest it in the Waimakariri-Ashley Water Supply Board. This step is being taken mainly in the interests of the Cooper’s Creek Water Supply Works, it being feared that if the bush is all cut away the water supnly will be seriously interfered with. It is to he hoped that the petition will be largely signed, and that it will be granted by the Government. Waikuioj. —The weekly meeting of the Waikuku Social Society was held on Saturday evening, when Mrs A. M’Qnillan presided. There was a fair attendance, and the evening was devoted to tho “ Journal.” which was read by the editor and editress, Mr S.- Griffiths and Miss S. Burne. The subjects dealt with were—“ Womens Eights,” “ Should Breach of Promise Cases be Abolished?” “At What Age Does a Woman Become an Old Maid?” “The Old Maid: Does She Improve?” “The Experiences of a Sunday School Teacher,” “Is Ability Necessary to Success?” “On Preserving Husbands,” “How to Charm a Husband,” “The Effects of Breathing Through the Mouth,” “ Local Items,” “ Fun Column,” and “ The Poet’s Corner.” The “ Journal ” was much appreciated by those present, and the readers were afterwards accorded a vote of thanks. St John Ambulance Association.— The examination of the men’s class lately instructed in First Aid hy Dr Bolger, took place in the City Council Booms last week. Out of tho class of thirteen seven presented themselves for examination, and passed. Their names are as follow: —Constables T. Barrett, J. Cummins and G. Fitzgerald, Messrs H. F. Bickerton, T. Parry, H. W. Phillips and C. H. Smith. At the same time Captain F. _ Creswell, of the City Guards, passed his first re-examination in First Aid. The examiner. Dr E. W. Anderson, reports that “ most of the candidates have thoroughly learnt their work, and displayed great intelligence in their answers. The following are tho percentages of marks earned by each candidate: No. 1 58, No. 2 9-1, No. 3 92, No. 4 100, No. 5 07, No. 0 86, No, 7 84, and No. 9 (re-ex.) 92.” Any of these men can now attend the Nursing Class, just starting, and if they pass the examination they will be able to bo examined for medallion next year. Dr ClonneU Fenwick gave the first lecture of tho nursing course last night to a class of nine men. Others wishing to join will be in time if they attend next Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Opening of Cricket Season.— Messrs Edward Ecece and Sons announce in another column arrival of what appears to bo a splendid selection of cricket and tennis goods. 1481 Cyclists who want Dunlop tyres (which aro the best tyres) should always see that the Dunlop brand is on the tyre, and insist upon having it.— [Advt.] A Popular Acknowledgment— That tho most graceful lady cyclists ride “Zcalaudias” built to their order. Comfort! gracefulness!! perfection!!! Best quality. T 23. Oates, Lowry and Co,, Zealandia Works, Christchurch.—[Advt.] Visit Hubbard, Hall and Co.’s Warehouse, Manchester feticot, next Milner and Thompson's. EnameLed ware, brushware, tinware, teas, sugars, butter, cheese, eggs, bacon, ■ hams, Vo., m any quantities °at lowest prices. 1013 Sweet Music.— Violins— Ui 0 ] f j n „. 0 f instruments. I have a few special violins for sale at very low prices. David Bowman, 186, Colombo Street, • Triangle, i —[Advt,]

Social Gathering. —Tho dairymen of Christchurch and suburbs have decided to hold a second social gathering in Hobbs’s Buildings on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

Eangiora Catholic School. —A musical and dramatic entertainment, in aid of the Eangiora Catholic School, will be given in the local Institute Hall to-morrow evening.

Building Society. —The fifth annual meeting of the shareholders in No. 3 Industrial Building Society will be held at the offices. Worcester Street, at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20. Motor Car. —Mr W. H. Montgomery, M.H.E., who is expected to reach the colony before the opening of Parliament, was commissioned to purchase, during his visit to England, a motor car for Sir John Eennie, but he reports that none of the oil cars are entirely satisfactory, and that it will be better to defer the purchase until electricity is made more readily available.

Southern Quadrille Assembly.— Owing to the inclemency of tho weather, the “ social ” which was to have been held last evening in connection with this assembly was postponed, dancing being kept up only till midnight. At a meeting of the committee, the “social” which will conclude the assembly’s season was definitely fixed to take place on Tuesday evening next.

The Weather. Shortly before four o’clock yesterday afternoon a strong southerly wind came on, accompanied by heavy rain, and tbo side channels were soon full to overflowing, and the Avon was discoloured to an unusual extent. As evening drew on the weather cleared beautifully, and the south-west breeze died away shortly before midnight.—A strong northwest wind at Lyttelton yesterday veered into the south-west during the afternoon, and brought heavy rain with it. During the late afternoon the rain came down in torrents, while snow and sleet fell on the hills on the southern side of the harbour. New Brighton. —At the termination of the meeting of the New Brighton Borough Council last night, a pleasant hour was spent by the Councillors and some of the residents, in wishing good-bye to Councillor Thomson, on the eve of his visit to Sydney. The Mayor, Mr R. C. Bishop, in a few well-chosen remarks, referred to the high esteem in which Mr Thomson was held, and wished him, on behalf of those present, a pleasant trip and a safe return. Messrs Marshall and Winuy spoke in similar terms, and Mr Thomson suitably responded. Mr 11. D. Pine proposed the toast of “the Mayor of New Brighton, Mr E. C. Bishop,” and Mr Bishop replied. Refreshments were then served, and the remainder of the evening was spent in speeches and conversation.

Lyttelton Borough Council Electxon. — A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Colonists’ Hall, Lyttelton, lastnight, for the purpose of allowing the candidates for tho three vacancies an opportunity of expressing their views. There was a good attendance, and the Mayor presided. There are seven candidates for the three vacancies, and the only matter of any importance dealt with was in connection with the appointment of the health officer. Messrs Webb, Cook and Haydon declared themselves opposed to the appointment, while Messrs Meld, Lowin and Willcox supported it, and Mr Smith declined to give an expression of opinion until he had had an opportunity of reading the correspondence bearing on the subject. The meeting was very good humoured, and all the candidates received a patient hearing.

SETTLEMENT OP INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES. On the motion for adjournment of the New South Wales Assembly on its closing sitting a few days ago, Mr Edden, Mr Watkins, Mr Fegan and Mr M’Gowen urged upon the Minister of Labour and Industry the necessity of introducing with as little delay as possible a measure providing for the settlement of labour disputes by arbitration and conciliation. The Minister of Labour, in reply, said that he had been watching very closely the operation of legislation of that kind in other countries, and especially in South Australia and New Zealand. . During the recess he would bestow further attention upon that matter. C aided by the experience they had had of such legislation elsewhere, he was having prepared two Bills of a different kind. During the recess he would confer with his colleagues upon the matter. He trusted that when the House met again he would have the opportunity of presenting some Bill of the kind to tho House. A GUN ACCIDENT. The Wyndham Farmer reports that an extraordinary gun accident befell Mr B. W, Ballantyno, cheesemaker at Glenham Dairy Factory, last Friday evening. It appears that the barrel of a Remington rifle he owned had got a bullet stuck in it, and by way of getting rid of it he put some powder into tho cartridge chamber, and then placed the gun over the kitchen fire, in order to have the bullet dislodged by the force of the explosion. Having done that, Ballantyno went out of the house, and was-talking to Mr J. A. Greer, of Wyndham; and while thus engaged they heard not one, but two distinct discharges from the Remington. On returning to the house, Ballantyne seized hold of the gun by the muzzle, but as may be imagined it was so hot that he quickly let the stock end Ml on the floor, and iio sooner had he done so than a third discharge occurred, when a bullet was shot into the palm of the hand with which he was still grasping the muzzle. Ballantyne rode into Wyndham for surgical advice, the pain in the wound meanwhile being considerably aggravated owing to tho hot bullet burning the flesh. Drs Stockwell and Rogers were called in, and advised the patient to be chloroformed and submit to an operation, but he declined to undergo the treatment, and returned home with the pellet still embedded in his hand. Ballantyne recently was pig-shooting with the gun, when three or probably more bullets had somehow or other got lodged in the barrel; hence his experiment and its painful sequel on Friday last. BENCH AND COUNSEL. In the course of a recent proceeding in the Magistrate’s Court in Invercargill, in which a man was charged with criminal libel, Mr Poynton, S.M., characterised as cowardly a question put by Mr Macalistor, the defending counsel, to the husband of the prosecutrix. On the case being called on for the resumption of the hearing on Saturday, Mr Macalister said (tho Southland Times reports) that he did not remember that remark being made by his Worship, otherwise ho would have had some explanation to make at the time. He maintained that he had never acted in a cowardly way, and in that respect tho word was meaningless when applied to him. He maintaintained that the question put by him was open and in order, and he therefore thought that the remark by his Worship was uncalled for and as far as he (counsel) was concerned, meaningless. Mr Poynton said he used the word taken exception to after deliberation, and ho was still of opinion that it was a cowardly thing for a counsel to bully a witness. The words used by counsel were “You’re a thief, are you not?” and in his (Mi Poynton’s) opinion a lawyer exceeded his privileges in making uso of phrases of that description, as the witness, unless ho was a wit, could not reply sharply, and it was therefore tho duty of the Court to protect him. His Worship read the section of tho Act which showed that it was the duty of the Court to protect witnesses when questions, oven if propel, were put in an offensive form. Ho considered the way the question under notice was asked was offensive and insulting. _ Mr Macalister stated that ho was not fright-

ened of any magistrate or solicitor, and lie could not be called cowardly in his conduct of cases or in any other way. Mr Poynton said he did not want Mr Macalister or anyone else to he afraid of him, hut it was his duty to protect the witness, and, should a similar occasion arise, he .would most certainly cliaracterise the conduct in the same manner.

FORCED MARCHES IN INDIA. The Calcutta Englishman, of July 17, gives particulars of the expedition sent to punish the Mulilrs concerned in the attack on Mr Gee, political officer, Tochi, from which some idea may he gathered of the terrible work involved in, forced marches in India. For instance, a telegram from Datta Khel states that the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders marched in there 517 rifles strong. This meant that in thirteen marches nearly 300 men had become non-effective. The relieving column of the Rifle Brigade performed a march of i nearly nine miles in an hour and a half, i On everything that a European private : carried being weighed, including rifle, 100 rounds ammunition, and clothing the total was 371 b lOoz. The weight carried by a 14th Sikhs in the same march was 431 b Boz, or slb 14oz more than his British comrade.

A SERIOUS CHARGE. The New Zealand Herald asserts that Auckland has a specialty in the suborning of witnesses and the corrupting of juries. It is, the Herald says, a matter of common knowledge and of free conversation that for a certain sum, ranging from Ao upwards, witnesses can be procured and purchased to swear anything that may be necessary for perverting justice in our Courts, and that through the same agency juries are approached with the object of successfully defeating the ends of justice. NEW ZEALANDERS AT MANCHESTER AGRICULTURAL SHOW. During the Jubilee week, commencing on July 23, and extending to July 29, writes Mr R. M’Nab, the Royal Agricultural Society’s show' was held in Manchester. I took advantage of the show season to run up on July 28 and have a look at the stock and implements. Mr W. H. Montgomery, M.H.R., for Ellesmere, and Dr Newman, late M.H.R. for Wellington Suburbs, accompanied me to the great cotton city. We found it naturally in holiday garb. The Duke of York was present at the show, and the attendance was the record attendance in the history of the Royal Agricultural Society, In general got-up it was much like shows everywhere else, except that all stock wore kept under cover, and there appeared a larger show of agricultural implements and the etceteras of agricultural and pastoral pursuits than is usual at most gatherings of a like class. I did not expect to see such a fine display of implements, considering the backward state of the implements in use generally, but they showed a higher class than the farming community generally used. The horses took the palm in live stock. Some of the most interesting exhibits were beekeepers at work among their hives, closed in by nets, explaining their methods to crowds gathered around outside. Everything that could be suggested to add to the comfort of visitors was° employed to the full, in the way of sitting accommodation and protection from the fierce glare of the sun, and the extensive catering arrangements all helped to while away the time. Wherever it could he done at all, agricultural machinery was shown at work, and butter-making was extensively carried on, and sheep-shearing machines were at work all day long. “ A DEED PROM THE DEAD.” Under this head and various sub-heads, the New York World, of some date in February, recorded the death, by suicide, of a printer named J. P. Pearson, who, in a letter left behind him, bequeathed to his boarding-house keeper the title deed of a town lot in the town of Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand. Inquiries made have elicited the fact that among the purchasers at an early (if not the first) sale of lota in the Government township of Timaru, was a man named J. F. Pearson, who bought a quarter-acre numbered 291, on Princess Street, and that a printer named Pearson was employed in the Press Office, Christchurch, in the early days of that journal. PRISON REFORM. On Saturday Mrs Cunnington had an interview with Colonel Hume on the subject of prison reform. The Inspector expressed himself in sympathy with the movement in almost all its details. On the question of the lady official visitors being granted, within prison walls, the same powers as visiting justices, he said that he considered such a change—in the female gaol—as distinctly just and right, and promised to see what could be done in that direction. Colonel Hume also approves of the future appointments of prison matrons being open to the public under certain limitations. The interview was most satisfactory, and Mrs Cunnington is anxious for the public to know that in all her efforts to ameliorate and improve the management of female prisons the Inspector of Prisons has invariably treated her with the greatest courtesy and con■sideration. The expert knowledge and wide experience of the Inspector must prove invaluable to the women’s organisations that have taken up the subject of the treatment of criminals. Colonel Hume is very emphatic on the inefficacy of the present mode of dealing with habitual drunkards. He states that the short sentences passed on them in the courts are worse than useless. INSPECTION OF SLAUGHTERHOUSES. An unusual function took place at Wanganui last week, namely, the semi-public installation of an inspector for the slaughter-house of Mr T. Mitchell, an enterprising local butcher. Objecting to join in the Corporation abattoir scheme because he had large slaughtering premises of his own, Mr Mitchell asked a committee of townsmen to select an inspector, he guaranteeing his salary, and the committee volunteering to see that there is no collusion between the proprietor and the inspector in regard to the latter’s duties. THE TASMANIA’S HORSES. One of the horses on board the ill-fated s.s. Tasmania escaped the doom that it was thought all the poor creatures met with (says the Poverty Bay Herald ). The animal, which was a racehorse, managed to get free from its fastenings and swam ashore, being found on the Mahia Peninsula. A WONDERFUL ESCAPE. Some people bear charmed lives. An exchange reports that after the down train to Palmerston had left Halcombe the other morning, and was travelling at the rate of about twenty miles an hour, the passengers were horrified to see a second-class passenger named Victor Lambqvist, who had been riding on the platform, pitch headlong out of the carriage. Guard Bretherton was immediately informed of the occurrence, and the train stopped without delay. On returning to the scone of the accident everyone expected to see the man seriously injured, if not dead, but they were surprised to see him sitting up quite uninjured, and waiting for the train to come back.