TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11537, 25 March 1898, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

"New Zealand Cyclist.” —Prominent features of this week’s issue of the New Zealand Cyclist are reports of the cycle racing at the St Patrick’s Bay sports throughout the colony, as well as a report of the Otago Jubilee Demonstration sports. An interview with the Secretary of the Wanganui and West Coast Cycling Club furnishes an interesting account of the progress of cycling in the North Island. The editorial, "Rights and Wrongs of the Road,” deals with a subject of vital importance to the general body of cyclists. A description is given of the first appearance of motor-cars in New Zealand, and all the other departments of the paper will be found full of up-to-date news. The portraits include those of some well-known racing men, and also of an Auckland lady cyclist. Meetings. —The following meetings will ho held to-day:—Pioneer Bicycle Club, at rooms, Cathedral Square, 8 p.m.; Canterbury Women’s Institute, Hobbs’s Buildings, 8 p.m. : Dairymen’s “ Social,”— The dairymen of Christchurch and suburbs will hold a social gathering in the Art Gallery this evening.

Supply of Eiple Buckets. —The Defence Department, Wellington, announces in another part of this issue that the Undersecretary for Defence, Wellington, will receive tenders up to Monday, April 4, for the supply of 800 rifle buckets. Samples and specifications can be seen at the district office, Christchurch.

Art Exhibition. —The annual exhibition of the Canterbury Art Society was fairly well patronised yesterday, both in the afternoon and evening. In the afternoon an excellent musical programme was provided by Mr A. Corrick’s juvenile band. In the evening a musical programme of more than ordinary interest was provided by Miss Jennie West, who contributed several pianoforte solos, and also played the accompaniments. Songs were sung by Misses Graham, Shanks and Tribe, Mrs Jennings and Mr Allen, and Miss Freda Marsden played violin solos. The exhibition will be open only until 5 p.m. to-day, and to-morrow afternoon Mr Corrick’s juvenile band will again supply the music.

Obituary, — A nonagenarian and an old colonist died at Sydenham yesterday, when Mrs Catherine Fraser passed away at her son’s residence, Milton Street, at the great age of ninety-two years. She was a native of Scotland, and came to New Zealand in the ship Robert Anderson in 1862, landing at the Bluff. After residing for two years in Invercargill she came to Canterbury and lived for several years on Banks Peninsula. She afterwards went to live with her son, Mr Simon Fraser, at Sydenham. Mrs Fraser was much respected on account of her charitable and kindly disposition. She leaves four sons and three daughters.— Another early colonist, Mrs Norman, widow of the late Mr William Norman, died yesterday, at her residence, Papanui Eoad.. At the time of her death Mrs Norman was in her seventy-sixth year.

Depasture. — Detective Benjamin will leave for Napier on Monday to-take up his duties as chief detective in that-city.

Arrest. —A young girl was arrested by Detective Fitzgerald yesterday, on a charge of stealing the sum of 7s from a drawer.

Sailors’ Home. —The Superintendent of the Lyttelton Sailors’ Home desires to acknowledge the receipt of three guineas from Mr Adam Chalmers per Mr J. G. T. Wood.

Yaledictort. —Mr H. Taylor, late of the D.1.C., who is leaving Christchurch to take up the management of a business in Wanganui, was entertained by his friends and fellow-employes at a social gathering in the Clarendon Hotel on Wednesday evening.

Personal. —Mr A. G. Ashby, late assistant clerk at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court, left by the express yesterday to take up his new duties at the Riverton Court. The Hon Captain Brand and Dr Nedwill arrived from the north by the s.s. Tarawera yesterday morning.

Meetinos in Cathedral Square. Several applications for permission to hold public meetings in Cathedral Square have been received at the City Council office. Some of those who have been in the habit .of meeting in the square deny the right of the City Council to take up the position it has done in the matter.

Excursion. —Lyttleton yesterday received a temporary addition to its population by the arrival of the Rangiora excursion party, numbering nearly one thousand persons. Marine excursions were largely indulged in, and a large number visited the dock and inspected the direct liners lonic and Perthshire.

“ Social. —A “ social ” was given by the young ladies of Halswell in the schoolroom last Friday evening, and dancing, interspersed with songs, was kept up with vigour for many hours. Refreshments were supplied by the ladies, and music by Mr Williams. Mr Rathgen was M.C.

Alleged Sheep-stealing. —At the courthouse, Temuka, yesterday, before Mr E. Cutten, J.P., Michael Sheehan, a Rangitata Island charged with sheepstealing. He Mpiibn the application of the police, remarfpwS for seven days. Bail was allowed, accused in £IOO and two sureties of £SO. East Christchurch School Committee. —At a meeting of this committee, held at the main school last evening, all the members were present, and it was resolved to recommend Miss Kate Baldwin to the Board of Education to fill the position of head-mistress at the main school, in place of Miss M. V. Gibson, resigned.

Hocket. —The Grocers and Post and Telegraph Hockey Clubs held a practice match at Hagley Park yesterday afternoon. Sides were picked by Messrs J. Wilson and C. Samuels, the side of the former winning by five goals to one. For the winners Chambers scored two goals, Gerard two and Wilson one, and Jacobs was responsible for the goal scored by the losers. Alarm op Fire. —An alarm of fire was given at 3.40 yesterday afternoon from the the box near the triangle. The engines promptly turned out, but their services were not required. The alarm originated through a youth burning old papers in the middle of the floor of a top room in the Grain Agency buildings, and a passer-by, seeing the reflection ..or flames through the window, gave the alarm, thinking a fire had broken out. The Mill Island. —lt is the intention of the City Beautifying Association to start work on the island formerly occupied by Lane’s mill as soon as the next spell of wet weather has rendered the ground suitable for the commencement of operations. The first task to be taken in hand will be the planting of the retaining walls, which are to he covered, with various flowering plants which, will thrive in such a situation. Work on the surface of the island will be undertaken next season, as the present time of year and the condition of the ground are unsuitable.

The Shooting- Season. —The North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society recently wrote to the Government recommending that April 1 to June 30 should be the season for the shooting of native and imported game in the North Canterbury district, also that the hare shooting season should be extended until July 31. A reply has been received by the secretary, stating that the usual warrant embodying the recommendations of the Council of the Society will be duly gazetted. The latest Gazette contains no notice of the alteration, but was probably published before a decision had been arrived at.

Sale of Work. —The annual sale of work in aid of the funds of the Linwood Congregational Church was opened in the church schoolroom yesterday afternoon by Mr W. W. Tanner, M.H.E.. There was a very good attendance, and brisk business was done at the various stalls. The following were the stall-holders Work stalls, Mrs Dobher, Mrs A. Dobber and Miss Alexander; refreshment stall, Mrs Newburgh ; fancy goods stall, Mr Smith, Miss Smith and Mr and Mrs Woodhamproduce stall. Miss Aldwin and Miss Bradbury ; jumble stall, Mr Henderson and Mr A. Dobson; fruit and confections, Mr M’Callum and Mr Alexander; shooting gallery, gramophone, galvanic battery and weighing machine, Messrs A. and H. Boon, Speak and T. Newberry; flower stall. Misses Dixon and Greig; bran tub. Misses p. Boon and C. Dobber, and Mr Hume.

Durham Street Methodist Church.— A tea meeting in connection with this church was held in the schoolroom last evening. There was a large attendance, and the refreshments were presided over by the Misses Wilkinson, Morley and Mannings and Mesdames Gill, Smith, Clarke, Curlett, M’Nicoll, Searell, Tregear and others. A well-attended meeting was afterwards held in the church. Mr G. J. Smith, M.H.R., occupied the chair, and after a brief speech, read the annual report and balance-sheet, which showed a small debit account. A lecture was then delivered in a very happy style by the Eev S. F. Prior, of Nelson. The lecture was entitled " A Little Child,” and was based on Matthew xviii, 1,2. Mr Prior was listened to attentively by the meeting, and at the close he received a vote of thanks. An organ solo by Mr E. T. Searell, and a solo by Miss P. Andrews, were also on the programme. Special Announcement. —Messrs, Shaw, Eobinson and Co.'s announce by circular, with this morning’s Times, the opening of their first winter shipments, together with a parcel of several thousand yards of serges, dress tweeds, &c., bought at 33g discount in London; also, 85 maids’ covert coating cloaks, 90 ladies’ mackintoshes, including 50 children’s, with detachable capes. These we shall sell at half price. There are plenty of them, so that one and all can have a bargain. Kindly read our circular through; it will pay you well. 2661

Dressmaking. —Ladies are advised that in anticipation of heavy demands upon this department for this approaching season, a leading Melbourne dressmaker has been engaged to take charge of a room at the D.I.C. The styles introduced will be quite a departure from those in vogue in the Christchurch shops, with the further inducement that a specially moderate list of charges has been arranged for every model of gown made to order. 2228

Excelsior Bicycles, guaranteed for twelve months, are the highest of high grade. Send for artistic catalogue. Barlow Cycle Co., 48, Manchester Street, (next Coker’s L 2164

Bicycles for Easter can he supplied from stock or built to order at a few days’ notice for <£2l. Oates, Lowry and Co., Zealandia Cycle Works, Christchurch.— [Advt.]

Mobepobk Celebrated Mild-cured Hams and Bacon can be had in any quantities from Hubbard, Hall and Co., Manchester Street, next Milner and Thompson’s. 2192 Dunlop tyres and Dunlop Welch rims are the fastest and most reliable combina- 1 tion in the world; guaranteed for twelve I months.— £Advt,] 1

Little River Timber Sale,— The excursion train to Messrs Wood and Laurie’s sale of timber at Little River yesterday was not so well patronised as in former years, only about 150 persons going by it. The weather was fine, and those who went for amusement enjoyed themselves thoroughly, picnicing in the hills and valleys. Those who went on business were hospitably entertained at luncheon in the goods shed, where there were two relays of tables. After luncheo.n Mr Conway Matson submitted for sale about 220,000 ft of timber, but less than half of it changed hands. The timber was nearly all totara, and the difficulty of getting heart timber has caused the proprietors of the mills to raise the urice for this class to such an extent as to prevent business. The highest price realised was 16s 3d for Bxß. Six x U brought 13s 6d; 9x2, 14s 3d; 8x8,6 x 4, 6x 1 and 5x 2,13 s 3d; 0 x 2,10 x2, 10 x 34 x 3 and 4x2, 14s 3d. Secondclass—Eight x 8 and 6 x 6,12 s ; Bxl, 7s 3d to 10s 6d; 6 x 1. 8a 6d; 6 x 2,6 sto 7s 3d •3 x 1 and 4x 1,7 s; and miscellaneous lots of small stuff at from 5s 6d to 6s 6d per 100 ft. A number of bundles of pickets (25 in a bundle) were sold at 2s each.

Mr Frank Thornton at the Theatre Royal. To-night Mr Frank Thornton and the members of his Comedy Company, fresh from triumphs in the south, _ will commence a brief season of twelve nights at the Theatre Royal. The opening play is one of Mr Thornton’s latest London novelties, a hilarious faice - comedy by Robert Buchanan and Charles Merlowe, entitled The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown. It was originally produced at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, where it enjoyed a successful run, and is most successfully fulfilling its destiny as a laughmaker in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Thornton will be supported by tbe company organised for his tour, and with whose assistance he achieved brilliantly successful seasons in Melbourne and Sydney. Most of the members are new to this country, as the names show; namely, Miss ElsieCarew, Miss Clare Manifield, Miss Florence Poole, Miss Iza Millott, Miss Meta Pelham. Mr Fred Shepherd, Mr W. J. Townsend, Mr George Rowlands, Miss Madge Corcoran, Mr George Carey, Mr A. Cochrane and Mr E. Haygarth. Mr Frank Thornton is a distinctively original delineator of charater, and it will be peculiarly interesting to see him in the part of Miss Brown. The box plans are on view at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s office.

THE MINISTER OP RAILWAYS. The Wellington Post gives currency to a report of the early retirement of the Hon A. J. Cadman, Minister of Railways, on the ground of ill-health. THE BARQUE ST KILDa. The harquentine St Hilda, which went ashore outside the Wanganui Heads last week, was successfully floated off yesterday. CRUSADE AGAINST FOOTBALL. The crusade in America against football, which is described as “ the most deadly sport known,” to which “bull-fighting is gentle in comparison,” seems to be growing. A list has just been drawn up of the casualties recorded during a period of four months, and the “butcher’s bill” gives eight killed, seventeen injured for life, 120 seriously hurt, and 286 injured. In Georgia a State law has been passed prohibiting the game, while other States are seriously considering the advisability of doing likewise. Even Mr James Corbett, once the supreme glory of the prize ring, is against the sport, on the ground of its danger and brutality. WOMEN IN WYOMING. At a meeting in Melbourne to support the extension of the franchise to women, one of the speakers described from personal observation the operation of women’s franchise in Wyoming. The first man brought before the first lady justice of the peace of that territory was the lady’s own husband, who stood accused of drunkenness, She sentenced him to thirty years. On one occasion the speaker was on a jury trying a murderer. Two of the jurors were ladies. All the male jurors wanted to bring in a verdict of not guilty, but this the women would not hear of; it was no use arguing with them, because they only went into a corner and prayed fervently for the ten obstinate men. It ended in the murderer being convicted. A MEAN THEFT. The Southern Standard reports that the whole of the collections taken at the Presbyterian Church were filched from the vestry on Sunday. It seems that it has been the custom to leave the plate containing the collections in the vestry till the conclusion of the service, when the proceeds are handed to the treasurer. On Sunday evening last this was done, the members of the committee leaving the money on the vestry table, but covering the plate containing the money with another plate. At the conclusion of the service the treasurer went to get the money, but found that the money and a plate were both missing. On search being made the plate was found behind the church, but no trace has been discovered of the missing money. NEGLIGENT MAIL CARRIER. At the Masterton District Court yesterday, Harry Langley, a mail carrier in the Forty-mile Bush, was found guilty of having delayed a parcel, which he put into the hollow of a tree and forgot to hand to the postmaster. Judge Kettle said there was no excuse for failing to post the parcel when it was put into his hands. The Judge inflicted a fine of £5 and costs, which he considered sufficient penalty owing to the youth of the accused. AMERICAN WHEAT CORNER. A despatch from Chicago of Feb. 15, referring to the wheat market, says:— Wheat opened at slightly under a dollar, and it was some time before the true situation was unfolded. Then everyone scrambled for the grain, and there was none for sale. Shorts tried to cover, but could not. Leiter would not sell a bushel, and he is the only one who has anything. “Leiter can put the May wheat to Idol 50c if he wants to,” said Philip D. Armour to-night. “He need not make a move; he has only to keep still and do nothing. He has the wheat and the other fellows have sold it. The puzzle is that people will take the risk with a situation so plain; but there are so many built that way. This is their day of reckoning. There will be good prices for wheat for another year at any rate. These matters go in long runs—years of plenty and then of scarcity. The empty places cannot be filled up in one season. This wheat will go out at Idol 25c.” WELLINGTON HARBOUR BOARD. The annual report of the Wellington Harbour Board shows a balance to credit on the working account of =£8259, and a balance of assets over liabilities of .£152,543. The sinking funds have accumulated to the extent of £30,911, the loans they are intended to extinguish amounting to £200,000. There was an increase of sixty-one vessels arriving in the port, representing 109,273 tons. The shipments of wool show an increase of 26 per cent. The wool trade of the port has doubled in the last eight years.