TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12589, 26 August 1901, Page 5

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Mr John G. Woo'! 37 saya that the CanWbnry Hall is a splendid place for speaking in, and he describes it a very fine hall. The membership of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has reached 120, and a vigorous canyass of the district has yet to be made. The Riccarton, Richmond, Sydenham, ‘Waltham, Spreydon, Woolston and Ohrist- ■ church East Schools have been closed for holidays a week earlier than was intended), on account of the influenza epidemic ana other ailments.

Arrangements have been made by the 'Ashburton 'branch of the New Zealand 'Farmers’ Union to hold a public meeting on Saturday’next. Mr Arthur Q. 0. Glass, the organising secretary, wSE be the principal speaker. He rill explain the objects of the Union and itq methods of working. \

The Mayor of Ashburton is appealing to the inhabitants of the Ashburton County for subscriptions -towards the cost of a new dock for the Post Office tower. The cost is estimated at £750, and' as the Government promises a subsidy of £1 for every £1 raised, the amount to 'be subscribed is £575.

The Pan-Celtic Conference which has recently mob alt Dublin ds composed of representatives from the five Celtic countries —lreland, the Scottish Highlands, Wales, the Isle of Man, and Brittany. The object of the conference is to consider the best means of preserving, the language, art, music, and general characteristics of the Celtic nations.

Now that a Bill to suppress Juvenile smoking has been inltrodiioed into the New Zealand Parliament it is of interest to learn that oin May 1, a drastic law came into force in Okiahama, forbidding the sale of cigarettes in the territory tand prohibiting the use of tobacco in any form by children under fifteen years of age. A similar movement has commenced in Canada.

The severe mater experiencediin the Mount Hutt district has had 1 a prejudicial effect on the fattening of stock for the market. Many Ikies of fat, sheep fiat should have been sent off a month, ago are still on trumps. Farm -work of- all hinds has also been delayed, and in consequence, along with the low prices for wheat, will result in a much smaller area being under crop this season than in previous years. Per some months past the Mount Somers Coal Company have been opening out their Pew mine, the output of which has mostly been used for steam purposes. They have now'reached coal of a harder nature, which is well suited for 'household use, and is now being nut on the market. It is anticipated that there will ‘be a large demand for this coal and that a number of extra hands will be required in the working of fehe mine.

At the close of the stock sale at Kirwee on Friday a meeting of farmers was held to discuss the question of forming a branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr G. Bedford occupied the chair, and there was a large and representative attendance. After discussion it was unanimously decided that a branch should be formed, and that a further meeting should be held in the Kirwee Town Es at a future date, and in the meantime to ask the general organising, secretary to be present. Mr G. T. Robertson was appointed secretary pro tem.

Mr Leslie Reynolds, the well-known water-works engineer, who has been engaged by the Rangiora Borough Council to report on a water-supply system for the borough, is now engaged upon the work. On Saturday afternoon, in company with the Mayor and councillors, he visited the proposed site of the intake, on the south bank of the Ashley, near Ngapara, and found that he could geo a fall of 175 ft to the level of the Rangiora Railway Station. At present he favours a percolation supply from the River Ashley, which would not be affected in .flood time.

The Queensland Bioscope Company mil appear oh Pidbbleton to-night, and at Ladbrocks on Tuesday night.

Influenza is very prevalent in the Methven district, and two or three cases of scarlatina have also been reported. Mr Buuz, organist at St Luke’s, will give an organ recital at 8 o’clock on Thursday evening next at the Cathedral! in aid of the music libauary. Mr Percy Denton will be the vocalist.

■Mr W. W. Collins lectured in. the Lyceum last night on “ Disappsariing Landmarks,” tracing the intellectual growth of the race from the time of ecclesiastical authority and its evolution towards a natural religion, based on reason and individual judgment.

The “ Christ’s College Register ” should be a flcamshanig. and prosperous magazine. “EemMscmoeS of School Life” by F.G.8., “From the Seat of War” by P.J.0., and an unusually interesting account of “ A Day of Cambridge Life” by L.H.G.G.., are the special features Of the current number. Full notes of the football season and the usual school amid old-boy jottings are published. The frontispiece is a photograph of the Rev 6. OottenHTs house in the early days. The story is told in Christchurch in connection with the recant Zealandiai Hotel fire that a jockey, returning from 'the races to find his lodging gutted, commenced poking about among the ruins to recover, if possible, some of his effects. He came upon the 'charred 1 remains of his portmanteau, and opening it, was surprised to discover his watch 'ticking away as if nothing had 'happened. It was quite xininijxired, and owed its escape! to being wrapped up among some flannel shirts.

It was .generally remarked by speebatora at the fire last evening that the Fire Brigade displayed erfraordinary smarfness in their operations in coping with the outbreak. Within five minutes of the alarm being received they were well on their* way to Clyde Street, andl almost simultaneously with the engines taking up their stations a connection Was obtained with the storm water sewers din Madras Street. A few minuteis later and the building would have been beyond saving, and as it was ■ the upper storey • was gutted. The death of Mr Donald M’Kenzie, at Woodend, on Friday evening, caused a genuine feeling of regret in the community, and to those with whom he had come into business contact, at the Rangiora market. He was a particularly stronglooking and healthy man, but succumbed to a severe attack of influenza, which baffled medical skill. 'A painful feature of his death is that he was married only about six weeks ago, and naturally very deep sympathy is felt for the young wife so soon bereaved.

The Stanmore Band having been engaged by the City Council ho give popxilar musical programmes in the Christchurch band rotunda during the summer evenings, die members have combined to get up a preliminary concert to raise funds to renew their old instruments. At the concert, which is to be held in 'the Canterbury Hall on Thxirsday evening next, the tastes of everybody will be catered for. Several of the performers are prize-winners in the Jubilee dnstruanental tournament. It maybe mentioned that this is the first appeal for assistance which the Stanmore Band has made to the public for twelve years, when the last set of instruments and xmiforms were purchased, and as the members have ever since been ready to volunteer their help when required, they deserve hearty support next week.

Mir George Musgrove's Grand Opera Company's season will begin on 'Monday next, September 2, and) is limited) to twelve nights, dlurifig which period' seven wpelras are imd'Srlimedi for performance, the first work to be presented) being Verdi’s fawtonriiba opera “11 Trovatore.” All the operas ana to be given in English. The whole organasatiom of principal artists, chorus and) orchestra, as welt as scenery, costumes, landl accessories, wifi .be precisely the same as seen and heard in 'Melbonm® emdl Sydlney. The box plan for tho first six rights wilt bo opened) at Milner and! Thompson's ora Wednesday next at nine o’clock, and) the management have decided to adopt popular opera prices, namely, 6s for dress circle and reserved) orchestra stall seats.

A grand display of meatemight have been seen in Mr H. Weston’s shop, Kalapoi, on Saturday last, consisting of three nice heifers, one especially, bred) by Mr John Deans, of Paocarton, weighing nearly 10001 b, also seventeen splendid merino wethers, from Mr Rutherford’s Daletfharpe Estate. Such a fine display of inspected meat-was never before seen in Kaiapoi. 1988

A great boon to any firm is to have keen and 1 capable buyers who are ever on the alert for anything new and l novel, or of special interest to the firm they represent. In this respect Messrs Death and Co. are exceptionally fortunate, they arc now opening up their first shipments, which have been bought under most favourable circumstances from the leading manufacturing centres. The goods are worthy a visit of inspection, being exceedingly good value, in everyway up-to-date, and likely to prove very saleable. X 2857

Messrs Hulbert and 00. (opposite Strange’s') announce that they are now making their first window display for the season of gents' straw hats for spring and summer wear. The bate in question comprise all the latest and most approved shapes from Tress and Co., the famous English makers. 2185

Anglo-Special Bicycles have several advantages over other makes. Ope of these being a 2-speed gear, changeable from high to low while riding at any speed, only Boz added weight, and no extra friction. Inspection of the new models cordially invited at the Anglo-New Zealand Cycle Company D. 1.0., and 226, High Street. X 1196

It isn’t the material whikh gee® into your repaired watch that results in a perfect job, it is the know how. Anyone can buy the fine kind of material that Clarke and Co. use, but the most valuable material that can be used in watch repairing is skill, and the bungler can’t buy it. Clarke and’ Co., Jewellers, 148, Colombo Street. X 1275 Townend’s Bilious and Liver Pills— Keep in Health the Liver, Stomach, Heart and Kidneys, free the skin of blotches, and purify the blood. Sold everywhere. Price Is. , W. P- Townend, 183, Colombo Streep Christchurch. " X 2521

Good tyres fitted to a bicycle make cycling a real pleasure. Fit “ Ideal ” tyres and you have an, ideal cycle. fdx years’ trial on the Australasian market have given Ideal tyres a most enviable reputation. X 2771

Sun Brand Chutney.—Piquant, Peppery, and Pleasant. From all grocers. X 2775 ’

The market is flooded at the present tune with worthless preparations for the hair, many of them being injurious as well as worthless, but Hendy’s egg-julep may be honestly recommended as a most reliable hair tonic for beautifying and cleansing the hair. Price, Is per bottle. This gant preparation may be procured from Strange and Co.’s, drapers, Christchurch, who are also sole agents for Hendy’s Fnzzairs, or curling fluid. X 2533

For bicycle repairs we specially recommend cyclists to Boyd and Son, who are combining first-class work with moderate charges. 191, Gloucester Street, Christchurch. Telephone 437.' , X 2588 Lodestar Carbide, petrol, arsenic, mineral naptha, benzine. Henry Markwald, Bowron’s Buildings. Telephone 1044. X 2775 We have them! The new Palmer tyres, new pattern hollow rims, new free-wheel, and back pedalling brake, new overhanging chain wheel, all fitted to New Zeakndia Cycles now, without extra charge. Oates, Lowry and Co. X 1571 Wire netting, heavy fencing, inch, 7d per yard. Fowl netting Igd per yard, by 100 yards coil, 10 yards 2s 3d. Sheep nettingl centre strand”, 2|cl, by 100 yards coil, j,, § and 1 inch, in stock at lowest prices. Fletcher Bros., High Street, Christchurch. T 2565

A special train will run to Greeney’s Road, on Thursday next, in connection with the Amberley Steeplechase Meeting. With the current issue the “ Boys’ High School Magazine” reaches its twentieth number. The illustration® are a photograph of the school cadet corps and a portrait of the late Lieutenant Palethorpe, who dic'd in South' Africa on March 23. In addition to the customary school notes there are one or two promising poems and a full budget of notes concerning old bays. Interesting from a literary point of view is a brief article on “What Our Boys Read,” and the number includes a lively account of “ De Wet’s Excursion into Gape Colony.” On Saturday afternoon the ceremony of hoisting the flag was performed at West Eyreton School. There was a large and representative gathering, and 1 the weather was fine though cold. A strong detachment of the Oxford and Gust Mounted Rifles attended xinider Captain Million and) Lieutenant Johnson. After drill, under SergeantMajor Coleman, the troopers were lined up opposite the school, and Trooper E. M’Gowan, recently returned! from South Africa, hoisted the flag, wich was saluted with three volleys. The children under Miss Letvorsedge, sang the “ Red, White and Bine,” and the Royal visit medals were distributed to the young people by Trooper E. Bennett, of the Second Contingent. Addresses were delivered by Mr ‘R. J. Twose, who was master of the school for twenty years, and by Rev J. Stubbs. Mr G. Martin presided. Refreshments were provided by the ladies and a dance followed in the evening.

A PENITENT MAORI. A few days ago the Premier received the fallowing letter from Hone Tola, who wrote on behalf of the Maori chiefs that caused a disturbance in the Jar north of Auckland some time ago:—“We deeply regret the trouble we gave. We are pleased' and delighted to have had a visit from the son of our King. And by way of making soma atonement, and wishing to prove our sincerity and our gratitude, will you offer to his Majesty from our people a company who will go to any part of the world to fight for the King.” Mr Seddoin quoted this communication at the Yorkshire dinner at Wellington on Thursday nigh t, and, amid applause, referred to the manliness and patriotism of the Maori character.

THE MARINERS OE ENGLAND. Lord Brassey in naval matters is never at sea, and, ill calling attention in the House of Lords to the insufficient strength c.f the reserve forces of the navy, he was on firm ground, writes the London correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times.” His point was this;—We need) not continue the rapid increase in the permanent personnel of the navy if only we strengthened! our reserves, which at present numbered 36,000. The “Inscription Maritime” gave to the French navy a muster roll of over 100,000 mera, of whom at least 30,000 were effective. While we ought to increase our reserve, our resources for doing so were failing. Lord Brassey’s prescription was that of the Manning Commissiora. State aid judiciously applied was necessary to maintain the supply of seamen. The Government should begin, by combining their efforts with those of the .committees of management of training-ships already established', and the system should) be extended gradually by establishing ships directly under the Board of Trade at the various ports. Lord Dudley thought that in the multitude of nationalities employed in British ships there was safety, and pointed out that even in the war with France in 1803 the navigation laws were partially suspended p to allow three-fourths of the crews of British ships to be foreigners. When the improvement in the. mercantile marine reached a certain point, and the merchant service offered advantages, as great as, or superior to, those offered by the ordinary shore employments, it would be able easily to draw seamen from the working classes. He preferred the private effort of the Shipping Federation, which recently called upon every ship-owner in the Society to carry at least two boys upon ships of a certain size, to any artificial means. Lord Selborne’s view was that Britain always must require a larger proportion of active service ratings to reserve ratings than foreign countries, for the navy is of vital importance, and the extent of tho Empire requires a large proportion of ships to be in commission in time of peace. He mentioned some improvements in the service the Admiralty is carrying out, the resuscitation of the naval volunteers corps, the increase of the cruiser squadron, and the training of crews in cruiser werch, the beginning of a school of naval strategy such as has long existed in the United States, the careful consideration of the report of the Victualling Committee, and the revival of the combined exercises of the Channel and' Mediterranean Squadron.

DISCOVERY OF A CAVE. Recently (says the Auckland “Herald") Mr M’Crao came ncro.s® a cavity in the ground at Puksmiro, near Huntly, leading to an immense cavern, estimated . about 600y-dJa in length, and of considerable height. The country is limestone, and many specimens of stalactite and stalagmite formations of great beauty and of crystalline appearance are visible. The entrance is about 300yds from the boundary of Messrs Dingle Bros., one of whom has been in the cave and penetrated it until want of light rendered 1 further progress impossible.

A JOURNALISTIC JUBILEE. A record of fifty years spent on the stormy seas of journalism is exceedingly rare, says the “ Daily Chronicle.” It is the experience of Sir John Leng, M.P., of the “Dundee Advertiser.” Perhaps the secret is incommunicable, though Sir John himself has a theory. “To be temperate in all things,” he says, “ to follow protracted work by corresponding rest, and ordinary work by cheerful recreation*. Another secret is to cultivate a hopeful, truthful, kindly disposition.” Bub one is inclined to suspect that the atmosphere of that stronghold of sturdy Liberalism in which Sir John’s newspapers flourish baa something to do with it. On Saturday last his beautiful residence on the Fifeslvire coast was the scene of a gathering of his employees and their friends, who met to celebrate—by presentations to himself, Lady Leng, and Miss Leng—his jubilee as editor and managing proprietor. In spite of all temptations, Sir John remains an 'Englishman, having been born at Hull seventythree years ago.