TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11593, 31 May 1898, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Shortly before midnight last night a man was arrested by Constable Fahey on a charge of having stolen a watch. He will appear before the Bench this morning. Mr W, H. Salhnon, M.A., travelling secretary of the Australasian Students’ Union, will meet the members of the Canterbury College Students’ Union this week. Ho will meet a gathering at Bishopscourt to-morrow afternoon. There are sixty-one men employed in. the engineering branches of the agricultural implement shops in Christchurch, of whom seven are Unionists. In Christchurch the employees-engaged inthe manufacture of agricultural implements average £2 6s per week, as -against £2 Os 9d earned by men at similar work in Dunedin. There was a strong larrikin elementpresent at the Theatre Royal last/evening, and when the ball was darkened to allow the hiograph pictures to he displayed, the audience was subjected to considerable annoyance. Mr Heller, however, immediately read the offenders a severe lesson, and the exhibition was allowed to proceed in comparative peace. Mr J. L, Scott, at the Arbitration Court yesterday, mentioned the case of a man at the Addington Workshops who received AJBOO a year for special work. The man, he stated, was an expert workman, and a recognised specialist, hnt he drew all the wages that were due to the men, and retained the surplus. Mr Scott said that when in office he had done his best to stop the objectionable arrangement, hut had failed. Mr Justice Edwards remarked that if this was not an instance of “fanning a job,” he had never heard of one. The engineers at present employed in Christchurch number 151, and are distributed as follow Agricultural implement works: Blacksmiths 23, fitters 26, turners 10, pattern-makers 2; freezing engineers, 19; Hour mill engineers, 2; engineering fitters 23, turners 7, pat-tern-makers 8, blacksmiths 6, brass finisher 1, electrical engineer 1, machinists 11, printing engineers 2, tanning engineers 4, engineers of woollen mills 6. The total number of engineers employed in Canterbury is 522. A largely-attended meeting of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club was held last evening, Mr E. J. Ross presiding. A large amount of correspondence wasreceived with reference to the forthcoming show. The Secretary reported that over 1100 entries had been received. Nine new members were elected. Special prizes were allotted in the majority of the classes. Penning Committees for the show were elected. It was decided that the next meeting of the club should be held on Monday evening next in the Pigeon Plying Club’s rooms. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were opened at 11 a.m. yesterday before his Honor Mr Justice Denniston. A young man named Candhsh, who had been placed on probation for twelve months at the November sittings, was brought up under Section •12 of the First Offenders Probation Act, on account of his having since been convicted of another offence—being illegally on premises. As the man had received fourteen days’ imprisonment for the second offence, which had not been of a serious nature, his Honor gave him another chance and again released him on probation. George W. Stiles pleaded guilty to appropriating the proceeds of two cheques, amounting to .£245, the money of his employers, the New Zealand Farmers’ Association, and was sentenced to two years* imprisonment. “William Warner pleaded guilty to the theft of an oppossnm rug, and received a sentence of twelve months’ imprisonment. Several hours were occupied in hearing a charge against John Stewart of having assaulted James O’Keefe at Methven. The accused was convicted and fined £5. The following sentences were also passed on prisoners who pleaded guilty:—Charles F. Johansen, theft, six months' imprisonment; Frederick Crabb, bigamy, three years’ imprisonment j George Gladstone, forgery, twelve months’ imprisonment ; Daniel Spence, breaking and entering, three years’ imprisonment. The Grand Jury returned true bills in all the cases except those of Charles James Russell, charged with attempting to procure miscarriage, and Andrew Scott, breach of the Bankruptcy Act. The-sittings will be resumed at 10 a.m. to-day. The Taste of our Forefathers. —The astounding revival of taste in furniture is more apparent than in any other. People are now in a wider sense than ever before “ the biers of all the ages.” They have at their command all the styles from the days when the gloomy defensive . castle of the feudal lord made way for the mansion of the county squire, from the “spacious times of great Elizabeth,” with their magnificent aak-panelled interiors, down through the stately times of good Queen Anne and the late French Renaissance, the dainty luxuriousness of Louis Qninze, Louis Seize, the Empire, and our own Adams. The Elizabethan honse, the Queen Anne house, the Georgian house—people are now able to •come to accurate decision as to the suitableness for their own tastes-and their ownneeds of any, of these, and they can carry out decisions as to what their own houses shall he with perfect certainty and perfect success, provided, of course, they go to the proper quarter-. Associated with the progress and the prosperity: of the Victorian age will be the names of many firms in all branches. Among them is that of W. Bates, jun.,, of the Furniture Palace, 142, High. Street, whoso share in the revival of taste in furniture and decoration has been very considerable, 6468 Dr Rentoul, of Melbourne, writes:—“l made a minute and prolonged examination of the various high-grade cycles ; the result was my conviction that the “ Osmond " is, without fear of rival, the one supremely best bicycle as yet constructed. My use of it has proven this conviction true. Of half-a-dozen high-grade makes of cycles, it may be said it stands unique. It is the king amongst the peers, and, in addition to its positive qualities, it has a unique, comparative claim, Unlike most English companies, the “ Osmond ” Company stand loyally to the principle of building ONE GRADE ONLY, and that the highest grade possible. Thus it avoids hanky-panky tricks of trade.” Comment is unnecessary. Cali and see, 1898 “ Osmonds” at the D.I.CL Agency. 258 SEB'.HntrBT -Thompson describes natural aperient water sus vastly superior toarfcrficial (solutions, however skilfully prepared ; and “Hxtntadi Janos” as “the most concenTBA.TED OF THE SALINE QEOTJP.” Annual sale six million bottles. Signature, Andeeas Saxeehnee, on label secures genuineness.—[Ax>vt.! “Huntadx Janos.” This favourite Natural Water, in habitual use throughout the world, has established itself as a customary aperient in all climates. Remarkably and exceptionally uniform in composition ; free from defects incidental to others. — Brit. Med. Journal. Annual sale six million bottles. —[Auvt.l Invalid Cuaxes. —We are sole makers of tho celebrated Simplex Self-propelling Chairs. Highly recommended by medical faculty. Barlow Cycle Co., 48, Manchester Street (next Coker’s). 2164 The “ on or off in a minute ” Rubber Mudguards for Cycles. Price 6s 6d per pair. Oates, Lowry and Co,, Zealandia Cycle Works, Christchurch. 62 Dunlop tyres and Dunlop Welch rims are the fastest and most reliable combination in the world; guaranteed for twelve months. —[Advt.] McClinton and Thomson’s Barilla Soap is what Prof. Kirk recommends. (See r front-page.) 2224 ]

Sickness of various kinds is prevalent in Ashburton, and so many children have lately been absent from school that tho committee has decided to close the school for a week. When giving evidence before the Arbitration Court yesterday morning Mr T. Danks-said that a lad who had served his time in any branch of engineering work in New Zealand would be able to earn his living at similar work in any part of the world. A meeting of farmers and others was held in the Road Board office, Coalgate, on Saturday to consider the question of establishing saleyards at Coalgate. An apology was received for the absence of Sir John Hall. Mr Watson was voted to the chair. It was unanimously decided that saleyards should be established at Coalgate, and the sum of £lO6 was subscribed in the room. On Sunday night several heavy falls of rock took place on the Sumner Road, and caused some obstruction to the'tramway. One large boulder, estimated _ to weigh half a ton, fell on the line, and the 7 am. tram to town was unable to get through. Tho 8.15 am. tram,, however, got through. The fall did some damage to the pipes of the waterworks, but it was speedily repaired. Mr R. Coltbart, who for many years has ‘been a resident in the South Malvern district, is about to sever his connection with the Road Board. In order that expression may be given to the esteem in which he is "held, a valedictory address is being prepared for presentation at an early date. The work has been entrusted to the Lithographic Department of the “ Lyttelton Times” Company. The following nominations have been received for the vacancies on the Canterbury College Board of Governors: —Parliamentary roll—Rev W. Morley (re-elected) ; graduates’ roll—Mr G. G. Stead and Mr R. Westenra (both re-elected); teachers’ roll —Mr C. S. Howard (re-elected); school committees’ roll—Messrs-J. L. Scott, H. G. Ell and the Row G. Barclay. Tho election of one of the-school committees’nominees will he held on Monday next, the poll closing at 5 pm. His Excellency the Governor and suite were passengers for Lyttelton by the Rotomahana, which left Wellington last evening. Mr John Sawers and Mr A. R. Thornton, Government grader of dairy produce, went south by the express train yesterday. Although yesterday was the first day for excursion tickets in connection with the Dunedin Winter Show, very few took advantage of the opportunity of the reduced fares. The bulk of the Christchurch visitors will leave for Dunedin today. The ballot taken by the committee of the Christchurch Musical Union to decide what method should he adopted in the allotment of seats at its concerts, has now been completed. Altogether 332 votes were recorded, and of these 228 were in favour of the drawing for seats adopted at the last concert. This method will therefore be adopted in the future. The next concert of the season has been fixed for June 30, when Haydn’s “Clock Symphony” and Mendelssohn’s “ Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be produced. A meeting of the Show Committee of the Cheviot County Settlers’ Association was held in the Town Hall Chambers, Cheviot, on Saturday evening. Mr Joseph Gibson presided, It was decided to pay out all prize money at the Town Hall on Friday evening. The committee decided to disqualify Mr M’Parlane’s exhibit in the Prussian Blue pea-class owing to the exhibitor not showing the required quantity as provided in the catalogue; and to award the first prize to Mr F. Butt. Several accounts were passed for payment. At the Arbitration Courbyesterday afternoon bis Honor Mr Justice Edwards observed that while the number of men engaged in the engineering traeje in Christchurch was very Ikrge, the number of men who were, engaged in promoting the present proceedings appeared to be very small. Apparently the only men interested as Unionists were some seventeen or eighteen who were employed in private engineering shops, while there were fully 138 who- were either perfectly satisfied or did not consider it worth while to appear in support of their grievances. The gentleman who, as the old story goes, asserted that he-could not help prevaricating because he had lost three of bis front teeth, would probably have recognised a kindred spirit in a witness at the Supreme Court yesterday morning. This man had his jaw broken, as, be deposed, by a blow from another man. It appeared, however, that soon after the occurrence he told a doctor that he had been kicked by-a-horse. When asked by cross-examin-ing counsel to explain the discrepancy between the two statements, he replied that when he spoke to the doctor his jaw was so bad that he could scarcely speakat all, antLtherefore he did not know what to say. A very heavy southerly sea got up at Timaru during Sunday night, and at high, tide yesterday morning the waves poured in heavy volumes over the outer arm of the breakwater. Fortunately there was no shipping in port to be incommoded, as it would have been almost impossible to work at the wharves on account of the range. The direction of the sea was favourable to the northward drift of shingle along the beach, and the bank advanced along the breakwater to a point further out than it has reached before. A large quantity of shingle was washed over the breakwater under the main wharf. The sea was the heaviest since the winter of 1895. The committee-of the Industrial Association of Canterbury has issued a circular stating that, as tho ordinary members have not hitherto been in possession of all the information collected by the officers, it has been arranged to hold general meetings at stated periods. The meetings will be open to the public, and in order to increase the interest of members and of the general public, the committee has arranged for lectures to bo given on matters connected with the work of the Association. Mr J. M. Twomey r of Temuka, has consented to deliver the first of these addresses on June 2, and will take as his subject, “Local Industries Prom an Economic Point of View.” Professor Scott will deliver the following lecture on “ Technical Education.” The number of applications for exemption from service on the petty jury at the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court yesterday morning was unusually large. Several of the applicants were veterans of over sixty years of age, and therefore entitled to the exemption, which his Honor granted with the remark that they had better have their names taken off the roll. One man was excused on the ground of illness. The engineer of the Lyttelton Dock applied to be excused on the ground of the pressing nature of bis duties. The Judge seemed doubtful as to admitting the excuse, but the applicant happening to remark that he was over sixty years of age his Honor, with the air of one relieved in a dilemma, observed, “ That settles it.” The editor of a newspaper, who pleaded that his journalistic duties kept him up all night, and that he could not find a substitute, was allowed to go. A gentleman who acts as local manager for a steamship company asked to be exempted on the ground that his presence at his office was imperatively needed on account of the disorganisation of steamer traffic by the stormy weather. His Honor did not excuse him at once, but it happened that his name was the first called on the first jury empanelled. He was challenged by the accused’s counsel, and his Honor then released him from attendance for the day.

The funeral of the lute Mr Joseph Watson, of Ohoka, which took place yesterday, was very largely attended. The hearse was preceded by members of the Resolution Division of the Sons of Temperance, and following these was a procession of vehicles and horsemen nearly a third of a. mile in length. The Rev T. G. Carr read the church burial service, and Bro Ohatterton the service of the lodge to which deceased belonged. LAND FOE SETTLEMENTS. The negotiations for tho purchase of the Plaxbourne estate under the Land for Settlements Act, are in progress, and there is a prospect that they will ere long end in a satisfactory manner. The recent purchase of Starborough is having a facilitating effect on the negotiations. Fifty thousand acres of Flaxbourne are suitable for close settlement. MEETING OP PARLIAMENT. A “Gazette” issued last night convenes Parliament for the “ despatch of business ” •on Friday, June 24, at 2.30 p.m. AN ARMOURED CRUISER. IN AUSTRALASIAN WATERS. It is pointed out by a contemporary that the Huddart-Parker Company’s steamer Elingamite when constructed in England was specially surveyed, strengthened and fitted under the Admiralty regulations for service as an armoured crnlserdn time of war. T revision is made for the fitting up of four quick-firing 65-pounders, two of which would be fitted on-each bow and quarter. The guns are housed in the Admiralty’s store in Melbourne. It is understood the Elingamite is the only vessel trading to these .waters that can be requisitioned for-use-as an.armoured cruiser. THE GOVERNOR. Lord Ranfuriy and Captain Wellesley and the Hon C. Hill-Trevor, A.D.C.’s, are passengers by the Rotomahima, which left Wellington for Lyttelton yesterday afternoon They are-oua three weeks visit tothe South Island, extending as far as Invercargill. Lady Basfnrty has-quite-recovered from her late indisposition. FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. In the next annual report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies to Parliament, the mortality. tables will be based purely onl New Zealand experience, instead, as hitherto, on that of tho Mother Country. It is declared that the duration of life in the colony is longer. JOURNALISM IN CHINA. The Emperor of China, now that he has come is contact with the Mailed Fist, is plainly taking an example of the leniency with which offending editors are treated in the Fatherland. The other day a Chinese editor (how crassly modem and un-Celestial a sound there is in that combination of words!), having omitted, when quoting some dead Celestial emperors, to give them their full titles, was sentenced to be quartered. On reconsidering the matter, and w> doubt after reading that his brother of Germany only clapped offending editors for some months into gaol, the Emperor of China commuted the sentence, and Nong-tzi, the criminal, will only be beheaded. But in order that so vicious a family should not do any further harm, tho journalist’s children share their father’s fate. A CLERICAL CHALLENGE. Mr W. H. Perkins, ex-president of the Board of Trade in British Columbia, whilst lecturing recently in London on the Yukon goldfields, told a story of a London clergyman who went-out to the Yukon region as a curate. The reverend gentleman was shocked at the saloon drinking on Sundays, and remonstrated one day with a saloon-keeper on the subject. The latter took the hint in good part, and offered to dice the cleric for drinks. This offer was met by another. The reverend gentleman said he would “ throw ” the saloon-keeper-on tho Sunday opening question. The clerical challenge was accepted, and when the man in black won, the saloon-keeper promptly closed his doors, and has, it is stated, kept to his bargain ever sisce. FOR SEVEN DAYS ONLY. Shaw, Robinson and Co. are showing some wonderful bargains in tweed dress lengths from 3s lid, velveteens from Is, blankets from 7s lid, comnial flannel B|d, table damasks 91d, sheetings from 9£d, ladies’ and children's mackintoshes at half-price, flannelettes from Is lid per dozen, men’s tweed trousers from 6s lid (worth 8s 6d), colonial tweed suits 24s 6d,' knitted socks 41d, and working shirts from Is lid. 213, Street, opposite “ Press ” Office. 1519