TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12430, 20 February 1901, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Work in connection with a new dormitory at the Te Orar.ga Home, Bmwood, will b? started soon. , : It. has - been decided to erect strong-room in. the Post Office Buildings fotj the Postal Department. ’ The Hon Major Steward has forwarded a -very tastefuly printed copy of Ms' vhraes L: on the death of the late Queen to his Majc.dy the King. A very heavy yield of oats is recorded from the . Greendale district,, wherej l Miri l Gy: : h:' ; Holland has threshed IQOA bushels to the acre from'' a, large .paddock-;' ■ ■ ■ y ; f.Ty-1 fs/ji Several large,'parcels .of .dlustrdtod; don papers and “'Strand ,? L ; ;, - magazines weie sent to the hospital yestcr-i day by the'Christ’s GoUego'-Maiga^ ■The afinual c sale cl" work in. ;:cbiinecfeSi|:!:|;;’ : /'I with, thetChurch of England, Ktriapoi ) ■ ‘opened yesterday; y,f tera-ppiv : t-he: i 1 1, \ *Ji m j-< towt 'ully Jecou ted. Tberhw : erc i ,.numeroi[!!jstuils.;;;an^^ and good business was done by those in charge. Tire Kaiapci Brass , Band played selsctkms duiiag the evening.

. A Carterton correspondent states that there is a great demand tor labourers by the Road Boards in that -district. The Westralia, from Melbourne and Hobart, arrived at the J>luff yesterday morning. Her mails will probably reach. Christchurch this evening.

, i At a public meeting held in Taranaki jlasfc evening, it was'decided to form a Botrough Ratepayers' Association, on the lines ’of the Association in Wellington. , -dr G. H. Blackwell, Managing Director ■pt’tho Kaiapoi Woollen Company, stated before the Federation Commission this morning that the .cost of coal in New Zealand made a large difference in the cost of bur manufactures.

i An applicant for an old age pension produced to the Stipendiary Magistrate ait Wellington on Saturday, -as his only proof of age, evidence tending to show that ho was jfchirty-four years of age in 1872. Then lie (became uivbjved.in an arithmetical struggle jte prove, from ;h,is starting point, -that he was now sin ty-five. Ho gave it up. ■ ilt is stated that some despicable individual has been going about the city_ collecting subscriptions on behalf of the widow of-the late Branchrnau Berry, -and appropriating the money to his -own use. Superintendent Smith desires that subscriptions should bs given only to firemen and to those Who are specially authorised to collect:

A well-known Dallington resident was {surprised to see his cat bring into the bouse ha animal unknown to him. Inquiry led to ata speedy, identification as a well-grown (weasel. This makes the fourth of these unpleasant visitors caught in this suburb {within the past month. It- is satisfactory, however, to. find, that the ■ domestic eat is Veil able to rope with thifcprsi. : Manukau Heads and Castle Point Veto the only places in the North Island Where the weather locked at all threatening

yesterday morning at nino o’clock. A light Iduiheriy wind -was blowing <at .Wellington, 'and thick rain clouds were over-' head. To the north of Christchurch the sea was, .practically smooth and tho sky clear, whilo at Timaru, Oamani.-Dunedin and the Bluff tho sky was overcast and gloomy, and the sea moderate.

.. A meeting of farmers and others, called by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be held this afternoon, at two o’clock, in the Canterbury Hall, when the question of Federation, as 'it is likely to affect the agricultural and ! pastoral interests of this colony, will be discussed. The chair will be occupied by Mr 6. Jameson, president of the Association, and amongst the speakers will be Mr G. S. Jaldns, who gave evidence before the Commission yesterday in favour of Federation.

By advertisement elsewhere, the Exhibition Concert Company announces an excel-

lent programme for Thursday night, in the Choral Hall- Miss Claries Hunt and Mr Kilburn-Heron will ring. Chieftain

Ran gin ia will render one of his own compositions, " Waikaremoana,” which was composed while he, was on- a holiday tour to the lake of that name. Miss Lily Cameron, who will make her debut in Christchurch, has a pleasing mezzo-soprano voice. The company will be assisted by blisses E. Lake, Freda Marsden. and Mv E. M’Namara. Tho proprietor of tho Mount Somers Colliery (Mr Gibson) has, after months of careful search, found a seam of coal of a much superior quality to that hitherto worked in

the‘mine there. It is said t o be an outcrop that extends dully 2000. yards, and has a 6, face of about 60 feet on the same cliff,, so that working it will be comparatively easy. The “Ashburton Mail” has been shown an analysis of the coal compared with Kair tangate, Wallsend, and Newcastle, and its of carbon is greater than that in the first-named, and nearly equal to that in. the latter, which are true gas coals. A few days ago the carpenter of the as. Whangape met with an accident on. board the steamer while at Lyttelton, and had to go to the Casual Ward for treatment. His symptoms led to the suspicion that the case might bo one of infectious disease, but this was proved nob to be the case. Dr Sym.es, •Medical Officer of Health for the Canter* bury district, waited upon the Lyttelton ’ Borough Council at its meeting on Monday night in reference to making provision for the reception of cases of infections disease at the Port. The Council decided to write to the Health Department on the subject. , At the meeting of the Jubilee Celebration General /Committee, yesterday afternoon, it was-stated that Mr E. W. Seager ' had offered to deliver his illustrated lecture on “The Queen’s Record Reign.” in. the ,public schools in and around Christchurch, in aid of the Memorial,' Fund. It has been ’decided to accept Mr SeageFs offer, and the 'Chairman of the Education Board will be approached, with a view to obtaining bis permission to give the first lecture of the series in the Normal School at an early date. It is suggested that separate evenings should be set aside for the girls and the boys. A circular letter will be sent to the committees of the various schools, setting forth the object of the lectures, and soliciting co-opera-tion. It is proposed to charge 3d for admission for children.

The quarterly meeting of the Christchurch Volunteer Eire Police was held. in. the City Council Chambers last evening. .Mr- A.- R. Kirk (captain), presided.' The 'Secretary reported on fires and attendances whereat since, last meeting. It was resolved that every member attending a fire or in the case of an alarm, should, in the absence of an officer, inform the secretary 'of such attendance for the purpose of a record. It, was also resolved that , a

.vote of sympathy should be forwarded to the widow' of the late Brapch-

man Berry. One new- member was elected. -A letter was received from the Christchurch Fire Brigade stating that in connection .with the Fire Brigade demonstration, a Cuiirch parade would bo held next Sunday ’at the Cathedral, and asking that the members of titlpTire Police should take part. iJt was deeded that the Brigade should be informed (hat the Fire Police will endeavour to be well represented.

The market is flooded at tho present time /with worthless preparations for the hair, ■many of them being injurious as well as worthless, but Hondy’s eggrjulep may be {honestly recommended as a most reliable (hair tonic for beautifying and cleansing (the hair. Price, Is per bottle. This 'elegant preparation may be procured from iSfcrange and Co.’s, drapers, Christchurch, Kvho are also solo agents for Hendy’s FrizIzaire, or curling fluid. X 2553

| “Famous Humber Cycles.”—A shipment; 'of these justly celebrated machines has just ;been landed by the Ango-New Zealand Cycle ! Company, and comprise all the newest ; models as shown by Hymbers, Limited, at ':the recent Stanley Cycle Show, London. ■lnspection invited at the D.1.C., and 226,' .'High Street. * Xl9lß Bicycle repairs ecfual to the best English .factory work. Bearings renovated to run iequal to new machines. Boyd’s Cycle ■Works, Gloucester Street, Christchurch. 44 Built to order bicycles fit the rider, cost no more, give complete satisfaction, are (rapidly superseding the “stock-built” bicycles. Oates, Lowry and Co., Chrisb--1 church, largest cycle works in New Zealand. X 1571

■ Sun Brand Chutney.—Best in the world. AU grocers. ( X 2775 Ideal lyres are popular throughout Australasia, because they are honestly constructed frolm Moseley’s celebrated rubber and fabric, are resilient, durable, and carry •a liberal twelve months’ guarantee. New Zealand Depot, A. G. Healing and Co., '222, Cashel Street, Christchurch. X 2721 : y Wedding and Birthday _ Presents.—We have just received a special shipment of ■beautiful and useful goods. We are making a splendid show in our windows; marked." in plain figures. We competition.. Fletcher Bros., Direct '''High 'Street,' Christchurch.' . M;.'. ' X 2565 Sun Brand Chutney.—Piquant, Peppery ad Pleasant. From all grocers, X 2775

Mr John Martin has been elected a member of the Heafchcote Road Board. The work of erecting tho new saleyards at Gust is well advanced, and will be completed before the opening sale, which promises to be a success. At a meeting of those engaged) in the furniture trade, held in the Trades’ and Labour Hall last evening, it was decided) to hold the annual "trade picnic at Tai Tapu on March -2. Additional donations to tire Jubilee Memorial Fund have been received from Mr ’ F E. Wright £3 3s, Mrs F. A. Bishop £5 ss, Mr G. T. Weston £1 Is, Mr Charles Clark £5 ss, Mr G. Bennington £3 3s, and Mr S. Hurst-Seager £3 3s. The Exhibition Concert Company has offered to give a sacred concert on Sunday evening, for the benefit of the widow and faimil/ of the late Branchman Berry, who was accidentally killed on Saturday night. An excellent programme has been arranged. Many of the stree fcs in the quieter portions of the town are becoming overgrown with weeds, which, in some places, axe taking root in the holes in tho asphalt. A number of streets in St Albans and Sydenham might bo mentioned as examples. Extensive road repairs are being effected in Colombo Street, and the section from Cashel Street through Cathedral Square will be asphalted. The portion of the work through Cathedral Square is nearly completed. The preliminary catalogue of the stock and produce show, to be held at Cheviot on March 21, has been issued. In the sheep section, there are nineteen classes, in horses eighteen, in cattle four, and in pigs seven. There are also classes for dogs, poultry, cookery, dairy produce, hams, grain, jams, and pickles, seeds, roots, vegetables, hay, fruit and flowers. A cablegram was received last night from Mr A. F. Lithgow (conductor of the Launceston. Orchestral Society, aiid Bandmaster of St Joseph’s Band) to the effect that he leaves for Christchurch next week. Mr Lithgow, a former resident of Invercargill and Christchurch, has accepted the -position of conductor to the Woolston Band. - His Honor Mr ‘Justice Denniston held -a sitting in Chambers yesterday morning. This morning, at ten. o’clock, he will hear the divorce case. Brown v. Brown, the wife’s petition, on the grounds of continued desertion. At 10.30 a.m. the case, Clayton v. Grantham, which is a claim for specific performances, or £IOO damages, and return of deposit, will be called. ’ ■ The Garrison Band will play the following programme in the Drillground this evening : Overture, “The Empress;” euphonium solo, “Alice, Where Art Thou,” (Bandsman Norris Gibbs); selection, “ Rienzi;” serenade, “Pleasant Dreams;” cornet solo, “The Old Kentucky Home,” (Deputy-Bandmaster Tankard); march, “ Taunhauser; ” waltz, “ Spanische Weisen;” march, Naworth Castle.” The concert will commence at eight o’clock. THE QUEEN AND MAORIS. Lady Seaiield, through whom the ,Maoris of Taurangai and Rotorua last year sent loyal messages to the Queen,, lately, received a gracious message of thanks from her Majesty, dated Dec. I,' only a little •while before tho Queen’s fatal illness. The message was as follow. Her- Majesty expresses gracious thanks for the -sympathy and devoted loyalty shown by the Maoris. Tho Queen is much touched by their feelings for her in the very many sorrows and anxieties which this sad year has brought to the Queen. Her Majesty says: —‘Tell 'my dear Maori subjects how I love them. I -am proud of their sympathy afftl devotion.’” NEWCASTLE .COAL.TRADE. x According to advices received by a leading firm of shipowners in Melbourne, the shipment of coal at Newcastle is now proceeding at an enormous rate, but the demand is still greater than the supply. Previous to the holidays (states the “ Age ”), the fleet of vessels detained there for cargo was reduced to under seventy, hut recent arrivals have brought the list up to 100, comprising some of the largest sailing vessels afloat. Some of the smaller coal companies have taken'advantage of the pinch to demand 12s per ton for their staple, which, in some cases, has been paid to obtain despatch. VOLUNTEER PRIVILEGES. ' A member of the Wellington Navals, who said he had served twenty-one years as a Volunteer, arid had just completed a sixteen days’ encampment, was exempted from service as a jurymen at the Wellington Supreme Court on Monday. Mr Justice Edwards, in remarking that Volunteers were exempt from service under the Act, said he could not understand why they should be excused. Immediately afterwards another juryman sought to he excused from service, on the‘ground that he was busy “ making -ornaments for the Seventh and Eighth Contingents.” His application was not granted. smart" WORK. A piece of smart work in box-making was performed at a Wanganui soap-works the other day by a young man named J. Vernon. According to the “Wanganui Herald ” ho put together 56 boxes in 581minutes, during which time he drove no fewer than 1120 two-inch nails (20 to each box) picked up and placed together 280 pieces of timber, turned each box three times during tho course of making, and walked 360yds, in order to stack the boxes as they were completed. It may be added that the timber was diy and hard, and all nails bent in t-he process of driving were pulled out and replaced. THE RALLYING CRY OP THE DEVONS. It is stated that a jeweller and a- commercial traveller were standing on a verandah in Manchester Street on the occasion of the arrival of *the Imperial troops, and the traveller cast some disparaging reflections on the marching of the local Volimfeers, as compared with the regulars, “ Look at them,” he said, as .the first of the visitors passed, “they march like machinery.” The jeweller said, “I’ll bet I can put one company out of step,” and the bet was made that he could not. He waited till the Ist Devons approached, and then called out lustily, “ Semper Pideles.” At the sound of the rallying cry, every man lost his step, and tinned to see who the speaker was. Afterwards the jeweller met the members of the company, and was cordially greeted by them as an old Exeter man. They expressed their surprise at hearing their rallying cry at the other end of the world, and said that though they had been round the world, they had never before been greeted with it. The Ist Devons are the first Volunteer corps formed in England. OLD AGE PENSIONS. There are over five hundred applications for the renewal of Old Age Pensions to be heard by the. Stipendiary Magistrate in Christchurch alone, and Mr Beetham has set apart only tjcee days for this object. Out of c onsider anon "for the old people, and acting upon the Deputy-Registrar’s suggestion, he has divided the summonses, so that one half summoned for one day will appear before him in the morning, the other half being called upon to be in attendance an the afternoon, thus avoiding unnecessary,, and vexatious delay. In addition to these, the new applications average between twenty and thirty a month; so that, with his ordinary business to cope with, Mr Beet-ham’s

Van/N are likely to be kept full till the end of the month. The new system worked exceedingly well for all parties on Monday, when over one hundred and fifty applications were heard before Mr Beetham. Nearly one hundred were’ determined before 1 p.m., and those applicants summoned for the afternoon arrived at 2 p.m., and their applications were disposed of before 4.30 p.m. ( TIMARU GAS WORKS. At the annual meeting of the Timaru Gas Company on. Monday evening, the chairman of directors, Captain Sutter, made a statement regarding the proposal of . the Borough Council to take over the works. The Council had) sent a gentleman, Mr Smithies, to value the works, and he put down their value at £15,500, added a,z500 for goodwill, and advised the Council to offer £IB,OOO for the _ works. Mr Smithies, however, did not include about £3OOO worth of plant in stock, and he depreciated unduly the value of -several important parts of the works. The directors had not had! a valuation made, but they had offered to sell to the Council for £33 000. This price was in the manner which was adopted ait Home in cases ■of compulsory taking of such- works. This was to fix the price at (according to the age of the works), twenty-five or thirty times the average annual dividend. Mr Smithies admitted that he had never known gasworks to be-taken'over on an estimated value of the plant, the usiml,wa«ping by capitalisation of the dividends. A shareholder deprecated complaints by outsiders that the company exercised)_ a “grinding monopoly,” the price of gas in Timaru being as low as anywhere, considering the amount consumed. The Chairman stated that there were twenty-eight miles of mains, and that recently three miles were added* at the .request of the Borough Council for street lighting, and this extension, had gained them only one additional private consumer. No motion was proposed regarding the negotiations with the Borough Council.