TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11751, 1 December 1898, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The recent dry ■weather lias had a very ■bad effect upon the suburban roads, those 'travelled by stock being at present in very bad condition.

Yesterday, being specially dedicated to St Andrew, was observed as a close holiday by the various banks, and Government offices other than the post, telegraph. Customs and police. ' •

'ls i cyclists who are accustomed to rida ■with then* tyres pumped liard would do Well to avoid leaving them in the sun while the present hot weather continues. The 'cycle manufacturers and repairers report an abnormal number of “ bursts from this cause.

Detective Eitzgerald arrested a young man ■■ yesterday on a charge of having committed theft within the moaning of the Criminal Code Act, by converting to his own use money for which he should have accounted to another person. Detective Cassels arrested a man yesterday on a charge of wife desertion.

The Hon W. Rolleston, M.H.R., has been, elected to the Board ofGovemors of the Cartjterbimy'Agricultural College by the-Cantor-■bury members of tbb House of Representatives and of the Legislative Council, and. ■.Mr W.‘ Boag has also been elected-as a member of the same Board by the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies-of Canterbury. Both gentlemen were elected tmopposd. On Tuesday night no fewer than six -fires /were lighted by boating parties on both sides of the river between Dudley Creek and I) ailington bridge. One at least of these fixes was in, dangej‘ouS‘.pinximity _ b>«a.gorse .fence, and they wero-all likely to-frighten passing horses more--or less: These river-bank fires have been very -frequent during the past ■fortnight. The Superintendent of the Lyttelton Sailors’ Home wishes to acknowledge with thanks the 'tlie-following-do-nations;—Windsor Magazine, from MrOlliver, Lyttelton; illustrated English, ipapers from Mr Canton, ■Akaroa. ligiithousa; illustrated ■ papers from a. Friend, Christchurch; American papersfrom Mr-Murphy, HIM. Customs-; magazines from Mr W. G. Brittan, Christchurch. The committee which.has--imhaiid the-work of completing the Cathedral, is not allowing the grass- to-grow under its feet. A circular -has - been issued: to»all: principal-citi-zens, and probabkv subscribers, which discloses a comprehensive scheme of contribution, on a three years’ basis. It is confidently hoped that half the-monoy required for completion, viz., £6OOO, will shortly be forthcoming, and when this is the case the work will be immediately-started. ■ With the coming of Christmas we again purpose making it agreeable to our friends and customers by giving, in-addition to the very best value money can buy in a thousand and one lines that go-to make up a drapery and clothing slock, a-present to the value of ten per cent on the-amount of all cash purchases. . Thus, if you spend live shillings, you get- a-sixpenny-present of your own selection, if 10s be spent, a la-present, and so on right on to any amount. A number of these gifts are now on view in our centre window, while our Show Room upstairs is crowded with useful .and ornamental goods. This free gift distribution commences to-day, and continues from day to day till January 6th, 1899. Shaw, Robinson and Co., 213, Cashel Street, opposite “ Press” Office, 92 Haiunor Plains.—Visitors to the Hanmer Springs will find the best accommodation at Mrs Lahmert’s, Jack’s Pass Temperance Hotel, for 57s and 20t; week.—(Advt.) X 2366

When you think of buying a bicycle that will give satisfaction think of us, Oates, Lowry anti Co., largest makers of cycles in Now Zealand, Zealandia Works, Christchurch. 26 The new chiming clocks have arrived, and found to have a beautiful tone. They can be heard and seen at Kennett’s, the people's watchmaker, 185, High Street. He lias opened an assortment of new English-stylo chiming clopks. 57 Dunlop tyres and Dunlop Welch rims ore the fastest and most reliable combination in the world; guaranteed for twelve months. —(Advt.) Excelsior Bicycles, guarantied for twelve months, are the highest of high grade. Send for artistic catalogue. Barlow Cycle Co., 48, Manchester Street (next Coker’s). 2164 McClinton and Thomson’s Barilla Soap is what Prof.. Kirk recommends. (See sdvt. front page.) 2224

The» rainfall near Timaru during November was 2.86 m, about the average amount.

Amongst the visitors at the Addington Yards yesterday was Mr W. Weddelfa member of the well-known English firm of produce importers. The matron, of the Christchurch hospital desires to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of fruit and clothing from Mrs Inwood, Pendalton. The Burnham Brass Band will play a programme of selections on the Rotunda, Market Square, on Saturday evening, commencing at 7 o’clock. Miss Florence Menkmeyer, a pianisto who has made a name for herself in Continental cities and in Australia, will give a series of concerts in Christchurch shortly.

Among the passengers who went south by express yesterday were Messrs J. J. M. Hamilton, A. Millar, M. Cohen, A. Kaye,. A. W. Beaven, the Rev W. Ronaldson and the Hon L. Walker. Messrs E. O. Wright, M.H.R., and C. K. Meredith-Kayc, arrived from the south last night.

On Tuesday afternoon Mr F. West, who is leaving the job printing department of the “Lyttelton Times” Office, was presented by the staff with a silver-mounted pipe and tobacco pouch, and a walking stick. Mr Woodward, who made the presentation, referred to the pleasant relations that had always existed between Mr West and the staff during his many years of service in the office.

, Thousands of people residing in different parts of New Zealand are living testimonials to the unrivalled efficacy of Do Winton s Liniment. That there is not an ache or pain that this wonderful preparation will not immediately remove has been undeniably demonstrated in public and private throughout this country. Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Headache, Toothache, Earache disappear in a marvellous manner. See that the autograph Byron De Winton appeal’s in Blue Ink on each label. All Chemists 2s fid. 4 Tha-course of veterinary instruction at the Canterbury Agricultural College came to a conclusion on Tuesday, when the last lecture and demonstration of the session were given. At the close of, the leeture a compliment was paid to the lecturer, Mr J. R. Charlton, M.E.C.V.S., in the shape of a special vote. of thanks conveyed by Mr H. C. Pockley, Chairman of the Students’ Union, as representing tho students of Both classes, for the manner in which the lecturer had discharged his duties throughout the curriculum. A special day of intercession was observed yesterday at St Michael’s Church. Holy Communion was celebrated at 6-30 a.m., 7.30 am., and 10.30 a.m. There were, services of intercession at 10 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. The Bishop gave addresses in the morning, afternoon and evening, and the Rev A. W. Averill read a. meditation at the twelve o'clock service. At tho conclusion of the services the “ To Denm ” was sung as an act of thanksgiving for the manifest blessing which had attended the day. The servipes were numerously attended. A special meeting of the South Canterbury Board of Education was held yesterday to deil with a question relating to the scholarship fund. By inadvertantly commencing a system of two-year scholarships at once, the amount available for new scholarships differs very much iu alternate years, and after a good deal of correspondence with the Department, approval has been obtained to an equalisation scheme. This provides that next year the amount available for new scholarships shall he distributed in one year scholarships, and in 1900 half the amount in oneyear and half in two-year scholarships, after which the yearly distributions will he equal. The Board adopted the scheme.

At the Addington markets, yesterday, Mr. E. M., Morten entered one o£ the largest lines of freezing lambs ever seen at this market. Out of the line 450 were by Shropshire rams out of half and three-quarter-bred English Leicester ewes, and the balance were by English Leicester rams out of the same class of ewes. They were in prime condition, having been grass fed and finished off on rape. They were bred and fed on the well-known Heslerton Estate. Bidding opened at 11s, and they were ultimately secured by Mr L. W. Tosswill, who will freeze them for the London market. It is the purchaser’s intention to send the line Homo under one special, brand, so that the result of the shipment can be accurately ascertained. Mis Hull, the wife of Mr Charles Hull, the editor of the “Star,” died at her residence on the North Belt last evening. The deceased lady had been in feeble health for some time, and during the last few days her friends had been prepared ■ for the end. Mrs Hull came to Canterbury with her husband in the early seventies, and at once applied herself with great energy and cheerfulness to the multifarious duties of colonial life. She took a keen interest in everything appertaining to her husband’s profession, and though shrinking from publicity was exceptionally well-informed on literary and political questions, and delighted to discuss them with her intimate friends. She will be sincerely mourned in the social circle that had learnt to appreciate her womanly - sympathy and unostentatious kindness. THE WELLINGTON RAILWAY ACCIDENT. The Locomotive Superintendent (Mr .Peterkin) and a party of men succeeded on Sunday in placing the railway engine which-was overturned in the accident in 4he vicinity of Pigeon Bush back on to the rails again. This undertaking necessitated the construction of a special loop -siding and'the-temporary dislocation of the main railway line. Strangely enough, the ■engine is undamaged. Of the debris of ■the tracks, there were twenty truckToads of ironwork and other material which it is thought will be serviceable, besides the large quantity at present lying alongside the track suitable only for firewoofl. LEPROSY IN QUEENSLAND. A boy pupil, aged nine, attending a normal school at Brisbane, was discovered to be suffering from leprosy. There was no difficulty in diagnosing the case, which is the second from this school. PHARMACY BOARD. The following are the results of the Pharmacy Board elections: G. Aickin (Auckland), George Mee (Wellington), George Bennington, E. Skog, C. M. Brooke and J. Reashaw (Christchurch), Thomas Johnstone. (O tago). BICYCLE POLO. As will probably bo seen a.t the floral fete this afternoon, tho game of bicycle polo has points exclusively its own. The game is said to be very fascinating, .but even its strongest advocates hold that long practice is necessary in order to avoid casualities, and unless the weakest man in the teams is an expert in the management of liis mount he is certain to bring, not’ only himself, hut bettor players, to Mother Earth; The following trifles of misfortunes have occurred during the week of practice preceding the match to be played this afternoon ;- -(I) One front wheel with thirteen spokes knocked out; (2) one ditto, with five spokes ditto; (a) ono front spindle broken; (4>) forks broken ; (5) two handle bars broken off.' This list by no means includes the minor accidents arising from blows dealt at a venture with hard hitting sticks. These ptM-formances are not cited as records, but merely to show what experts are capable, of accomplishing when they start a new game, and it is probable that when purely amateur polo bicycle, clubs are established, there will

he some long lists of mischances recorded. However that may bo, the,opinion is freely expressed among cyclists that the game is a good one, and has come to stay.

THE RETURN TICKET QUESTION IN ENGLAND.

I observe (writes Sir Walter Besant in “ The Queen ”) that a certain railway company sets up a. placard in its stations to the effect that its tickets are not transferable, that a return ticket is issued to one person and one only, mid that it promises to prosecute any traveller who shall venture upon infraction of this law. Very good. Let us ask, however, what steps th£y mean to take in order to enforce this law, how they propose to discover tho culprit, and what penalty will be inflicted. For it is the common practice amongst tho most honest people in the world, to pass on or to exchange return tickets. For my part, 1 have no hesitation whatever in doing so ; no one is injured —certainly not tire company which has been paid a curtain sum of money for conveying a human body to and from a certain place ; it cannot matter to the company what human body it is. My name is not on the ticket; I have signed no contract with the company ; I am bound by no promise; and, so lar as I can see, the company cannot inflict any fine or penalty whatever. But in this view, as lam not a lawyer, I may be wrong. However, they do refuse to let one ticket carry another person. Now, it would lie perfectly easy to stop the practice of transferring tickets. Thus, before tho train started, each person with a return “half ".might bo compelled to make oath before a commissioner of oaths retained at every station on the line for that purpose, and to bring at least two credible witnesses to tho effect, that ho himself took this ticket for his own use ; that he himself was at the place named on the day that the ticket was issued. This ceremony performed in the presence of the stationraaster and the guard, the t.icketholder would bo allowed to proceed, and the train would start. Quite simple; but it would perhaps be simpler to abolish the regulation.