TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11782, 6 January 1899, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

In the current number of the “ New Zealand Cyclist,” .portraits of competitors at the Pioneer Bicycle Club’s recent meeting, occupy a prominent place. A ■ photograph of tire winner of the; Austral Wheel Race is also reproduced. Racing cyclists will be particularly interested in full reports of New Year’s Day race meetings, including those held at Ellesmere and Tiimjyu, with comments by a special'coiTespondent. Articles descriptive of the two great cycle shows which have recently, been held in England, give interesting information concerning the future models of cycles. “ Altiora ” deals capably with the pages devoted exclusively to wheelwcunjen, amPCaptan Cuttle 1 gives, as usual, many veiy useful hints regarding the care of a machine. This 1 week’s leading article is entitled “ Australasian Cycling Politics.”

The Hons W. C. Walker and W. HallJones were passengers by the steamer Rotomahana for Wellington last night. Mr and Mrs H. F. Wigram, of Christchurch, are passengers on the Himalaya, which arrived at Albany yttsterday from London.

Sergeant Dwyer, of the Police Eorce, who has been stationed in Christchurch for some time, bate been transferred to Wanganui, and will leave for that place to-day. Yesterday ha was the recipient of a portmanteau,* as a parting gift from his comrades in the Force here.

On Tuesday evening, an oil-lamp in the windowi of Mr A. M’DougaH’s tobacconist’s shop, at Kaiapoi, exploded and set fire to the woodwork. The fire was rapidly extinguished, but damage to the extent of about £ls was done. The building is insured with the Imperial Fire Insurance Company.

A further trial of Superintendent Smith’s patent combined fire-escape and ladder was held at Murphy’s Hotel, Manchester Street, last evening, A very large crowd gathered, and admiration was freely expressed at the ease with which persons were enabled to descend from the third storey of the hotel. In order to see how long it would take to empty the rooms on the top floor, the time occupied in getting ten persons to the ground was observed, and it was found that they were brought down in 45sec. Lady Gore-Browne, widow of Sir T. GoroBrowne, who will be remembered as Governor of New Zealand from 1855 to 1861, is at present on a visit to Dunedin, says the “ Otago Daily Times.” She is accompanied by her niece and Mr and Mrs Lock-King and Captain Steward, who was aide-de-camp to her late husband when Governor of the colony. That the people of Hobart cherish kindly remembrance of Lady GorCBrowne was shown by some three hundred ladies and gentlemen attending .a farewell reception given there before the party left for New Zealand.

The Christchurch Homing Society fleiw off a race from Culverden on Saturday last. Twelve birds competed, representing eight owners. The winner was Mr F. Kingsford’s What’s Wanted, which flew the distance of 52 miles 1202yds (air line) ' in Ihr 24min. The Society desires to thank the stationmaster for liberating the birds. The following were timed in: —Mr F. Kingsford’s What's Wanted, 1093yds per. minute ; : ,Mc E \ Rodger’s Veloce, 1097.2yd5; Mr Chambers’s Nance, 1085yds; Mr F. Wilson’s Venus, 1075yds ;Mr A. Stewart’s Bremen, 1069yds ; Mr E. S. Cliff’s Screw Gun, 1069yds ; Mr F. Robertson’s Princess, 1028yds. A somewhat dry discussion on the subject of grammar at the Educational Institute yesterday morning, was enlivened by an Otago delegate, at the expense of the North Canterbury members who fathered the motion before the Council. He said that in days gone by there was an old man down his way who used to frequently go shearing, in North Canterbury. Questioned one day as to the quality of the country, the old man shook his head dubiously, saying that there was no grass in the paddocks,' and the sheep'lived chiefly on verbs (meaning herbs). “Ah! There must be some fine grammarians up-there, then.” “No, only cross-breds, and merinos. ” Needless to, add, the little story brought down the house.

Will you please, he present to-day (Friday) at 9 o'clock, or any time before 6 p.m., at the opening of Great Summer F'air at “The Comer:” -This fair will be something quite out of the common, and is held for the purpose of reducing the stock of High-class Drapery and Clothing. Each, and every article has been faithfully reduced in price, and crowds of eager and' satisfied buyers are expected. Oblige us by carefully reading circular in “Times.”—Yours, etc., W. McClea and Co., “The Corner,'' Cashel and Colombo Streets. 8218

Solar Acetylene Gas Lamps for Bicycles. —Our third shipment to hand. Will be sent to any address on receipt <if 255. Oates, Lowry and Co., Zealandia Cycle Works, Christchurch. 62 Invalid Chairs. —We areisoie makers of the celebrated Simplex Self - propelling Chairs. Highly recommended by medical faculty. Barlow Cycle Co., 48, Manchester Street (next Coker’s). 2164

Holiday Season.—With the coining of the New Year we continue giving to our friends and customers, 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 stock, a present to the value of ten per cent on the-amount of all cash purchases. Thus,, if you spend five shillings, you get a sixpenny present of your own selection, if 10s be spent, a Is present, and so on right on to any amount. A number of these gifts are now on view in our cadre 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 dav till January 6th, 1899. Shaw, Robinson and Co., 213, Cashel Street, opposite “Press” Office. 92

Crown Brand Tea Prize Competition.— Next competition closes 31st tins month (December). —Ladies’ Silver Watches, Albums, Workboxes, Glove Boxes, etc. 60 prizes every alternate month. Hubbard, Hall and Co. 2384 Dunlop tyres and Dunlop Welch rims are the fastest and most reliable combination in the world; guaranteed for twelve raon the.—(Advt.) The oldest established bicycle firm in New Zealand holds record for first-class work. T. Boyd and Son, Gloucester Street, Christchurch. , 2374

Farmers in South Canterbury find that there is little response to their invitations for tenders for stocking and forking. This is partly duo to many hands being still employed in shearing, but there appears to he a scarcity of labour, and as the area under crop is larger than usual, some anxiety is felt as to the getting in of the grain ,in good time.

The “Sunlight Year Book,” for 1899, is now issued, Messrs Chrystall and Co. being the Christchurch agents. .T ho book contains information regarding the British Parliament, the army and navy, biographies of prominent men and women, and statistics of the British Empire. • It also gives a large number of household recipes, and notes that will lie useful to business men..

Cycling, both as a pastime and as a sport, is at present enjoying a decided boom, and this fact is well by the remarkable' progress of the “New Zealand Cyclist,” the organ of wheelmen and whechybmen in this colony, which this week contains no fewer than forty pages of illustrations and reading matter relevant to cycling. Tho price at which the paper is sold, one penny per copy, makes it a marvel of cheapness. Mr J. 0. L. Scott, who presided over the deliberations of the Council of the Educational Institute, just ended, in declining re-nomination for office last night, stated that next year .he intended to take a holiday. Since he had been in Christchurch he had become an officer of so many institutions that his whole time was taken up in business. Ho had taken as great an interest in his office on the Educational Council as in any he hold., hut the position would be understood when he stated that he wa.s giving up simultaneously six of these offices, in order to enjoy a little more rest and freedom.

The results of the examinations for 1898 in the Science and Art Deportment, London, in science subjects, have 1 now been published. Those .that affect the Christchurch School of Art are as follow: —Practical Plane and Solid Geometry, advanced stage : Ist class—Henrietta L. Smith, Joseph F. : Mannings, Harry H. Green, Edward; Thompson and . Ethel S. Wocdhouse; . Building Construction, elementary stage: First class—Horace J. Goss, Alfred f H. j Allen, Gboi’ge A. J. Hart, Joseph F', Mutt- 1 nings and Samuel Glanville; second class —Harry H. Green. The matron of the Jubilee Memorial Home desires to thank tho friends who helped to make the Christmas season pass off so brightly for the inmates of the Home. Special thanks are given to Mr D. Rutherford. the Trustees of the Hyman Marks estate, Messrs Manning and Co., A. C. Not- > tingham, F. A. Conk and Aulsohrook and Co., the Ministering Children’s League, the Ashburton Girls’ Friendly Society, Mrs Anderson,’ Mrs Wilcox, Mrs Knowles and Mrs Glanville. Periodicals have been received from “ Opawa,” magazines from Mr Brittan, and clothing and gifts from “An early colonist ”

Yesterday the members of the Board of Aavice of the Burnham Industrial School paid a surprise visit to. the institution. Upon arrival there they found that the officer in .charge had gone to Christchurch by the morning train. They, however, looked over the place, and on the farm found some twenty-five lads weeding turnips. When some of the hoys had finished their rows three of them dropped their hoes and “bolted.”. The other'boys Were at once called in, and some of the warders went in pursuit of the fugitives on bicycles. Up to a late hour last night, however, they had not been caught. Considerable dissatisfaction is expressed at the arrangements in connection with the horse ambulance conveyance, which is under the control of the St John Ambulance Association. It is placed at a livery stable in the city, and whenever it is required the proprietor of the stables, who has to provide the horse and. driver, not unnaturally requires a guarantee that he will he recouped the cost before he allows the.vehicle t.o leave his premises. As the bulk cf the money with which the ambulance was purchased was subscribed by the general public, there is a strong feeling that it should be kept at the police station, or at some other institution where it would be readily available in cases of emergency. . The statement made by the Coroner at the inquest on the body of Reginald Cummins, that no information had been given to the police relative to the disappearance of the boy, was incorrect, as the two brothers reported the matter at the central depot on Dec. 31, two days after the lad was missed. During the time which elapsed between his disappearance and the recovery of the body a vigorous search was kept up by the relatives, both at Sumner and at New Brighton, and on Sunday they were assisted by two constables. It will thus be seen that every endeavour was made by the members of the family to ascertain the v. hereabouts of the boy, and the reflection cast on, them by the Coroner’s jury, which severely censured them for neglecting to advise the police of his disappearance, was not called for. The annual session of the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute closed last evening. It was decided to meet next year at Titnaru, and the South Canterbury town wais also honoured by the election of Mr J. A. Johnston as president. A large amount of business was transacted during the session, but a considerable .proportion of this consisted practically' in re-affirmation of resolutions passed in previous years. The opinion was expressed that this was a waste of time, and that the eossion should bo devoted to the discussion of new business, previous resolutions that had not been given effect to standing simply recorded. A resolution bearing in this direction was carried. On the other hand, it was considered that constant agitation was- the only way , to secure the demands of the Institute, ancli that repeated discussion was, therefore, advisable, in pursuance of this policy - . With the view of testing the facilities for catching and removing to other streams trout from the Temuka river,-- an experiment was made on Tuesday'. Mr W. Mendelson, the ranger and the secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, says the “ Temuka Leader,” together with a few volunteers, swept one short reach twice with the Society’s net. The distance covered was fifty yards. The first sweep landed sixty fish, the second fifty-four. The fish wore in poor condition, averaging perhaps gib. These are too large to be safely removed in ordinary cans, and it is intended to make use of a tank on wheels. There were no rainbow trout in the takes. As showing how plentiful fish must be, it must be stated that the spot netted was not picked, and the ranger, who manipulated the deep water end of the reach, stated that he was convinced as many fish as were , caught passed his end. The condition of the fish leads to the conclusion that the river is much overstocked, and that the fish are deteriorating as much, .from in-breeding as from want of feed. This season feed has been wonderfully plentiful, and fish, should be- in far better order. - ■,; ; ,

A NARROW ESCAPE. A narrow escape from, a; terrible death was witnessed by a large crowd on the’ Meredith railway station, Victoria, a few days ago. A young man named Nye and a Miss Donkin had just arrived by coach from Steiglitz, intending to take train to Ballarat. Having purchased their tickets they attempted to cross over tljk line, failing to notice in their excitement the 8.50 a.m. down passenger train, which was just dashing into the station. A number of those on the platform tried to warn the pair of their danger, and the driver of the incoming

train blew his whistle fiercely, hut they hurried across the line heedless of their apparently impending doom. A young Ballarat miner, named Reid, seeing that the man and woman were quite oblivious of their peril, exhibited great presence of mind in an emergency which had quite unnerved moat of the onlookers. As Miss Donkin and Nye reached the stone coping to ascend the platform Reid reached over, and grasping the pair dragged them on to the platform, just as the, train dashed through. They then realised for the „rst time the danger to which they had been exposed. The excite-. inenfc incidental to the event delayed the, train some ten minutes. NEW YEAR WISHES. On New Year’s Day, the' Governor, at! tiie request of the Premier, sent the following cable message to the Secretary of State lor ilie Colonies:—"Please to inform her ■ Majesty that, the people of New Zealand are desirous of sending their affectionate: personal and .heartfelt wishes for a bright, and happy New Year.” Yesterday, his Ex-; cellency received the following reply from ■ the Secretary of State:—“The Queen commands mo to express her thanks to the people of New Zealand, and, further, 1 an conmanded to convey to them her good wishes for the New Year.” PASSENGER TRAFFIC. Telegrams received by the Railway Department show that the passenger traffic during the Holidays was larger than in any previous Christmas and New Year time. CHRISTMAS CARDS. The old custom of sending Christmas cards to friends appears, like that of transmitting valentines, to be dying fast in Australia. Last Valentine’s ’Day was practically unobserved in this respect, and the experience of the Melbourne Rost Office during the holidays just passed leads the authorities' to the conclusion that the citizens are growing tired of Christmas cards. Comparatively few were sent through the post, especially for delivery within the colony, hut the local postmen’s burthen was made heavier by a budget of cards from West Australia. On the other hand, there was a manifest increase in the number of packets, containing useful presents, articles of jewellery being prominent. A CONTRAST. It is interesting, says the “Rost,” to compare the general condition of things in the Wairarapa district this time last year with that prevailing now. The first notable change last year’s visitor would note on nowgoing up again is the much less dry appearance of the land on all sides. In most places everything last year was ias dry as tinder, and a spark would set acres ablaze; now green is the prevailing colour, and so far moisture is not lacking. The push fires, too, which covered miles of country towards the end of 1897, and did so much havoc to the settlers, at the same time making matters unpleasant for travellers and residents in the towns, have not yet put in an appearance anywhere in this part of the island.

„ PAVING MATERIAL. Mr Charles Taylor, of Wellington, who has been on a visit to America, has brought back with,him a sample of bituminous rock, which is being broken up and used for paving purposes in the States. The stone is heing quarried in California in large quantities by a company, which has supplied Mr Taylor with particulars ai to cost, suitability for roads and pavements, etc., and these he has forwarded to the Wellington City Council. NEEDLEWORK IN SCHOOLS. Regulation No. 24 under the Education Act, 1877, has been amended as follows: “ All girls in any public school in which there is a mistress or assistant mistress shall learn needlework, and the inspector shall judge all other work done by girls .more leniently than that done by hoys, in such degree as would he implied in reducing’ by 10 per cent the minimum marks required for any examination pass.” ' ’ PHOTOGRAPHY IN COLOURS. Herr Selle, the German doctor who has perfected a process for taking and developing photographic pictures in their natural colours, was in London when the mail left. Herr Selle’s method (says the* “ Pall Mall Gazette”) is the, at first sight, simple one of taking the photograph upon one plate through ’ successive screens of yellow, red, and blue glass, and afterwards developing them in a series of baths of similarly coloured solution. But the main secret lies in the composition of the plate upon which the negative is taken, and in that of the solution in which it is developed; although there are, of course, other and subsidiary secrets connected with-the film and its transference, and with the method of reproducing the positives for lithographic purposes. “ I do not claim,concluded Dr Selle in effect, “ that my process will yet give every possible shads of colour, but it gives most of them, as you can see. It has been a long, long labour, but at length I have solved the problem.”

WHAT THE COLONIES MIGHT DO. The istrained relations bfctwen Great Britain and France have (says the London Correspondent of the “ Argus ”) induced several cf the Australasian colonies to cable Homo for guns, ammunition, submarine mines., and other war-like material. So far there has been no suggestion that the Australian squadron should be increased. In Anglo-Colonial official circles the idea has.been mooted that in the event of war Hie colonies could do good service by not adhering to a strictly defensive atitude. It is argued that the colonies now possess sufficient military strength to enable them, if properly organised beforehand, to strike powerful offensive blows, which might have a paralysing effect upon the enemy. Some of these sanguine, organisers foresee the easy solution of several Pacific problems, for which so far no adequate diplomatic solution has been found. ;