TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12620, 1 October 1901, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Moko-ia, from Melbourne and Hobart, arrived at the Bluff'yesterday afternoon. There was a sharp frost in North Canterbury yesterday morning, and the early potatoes above ground suffered' some damage- ■ Up; During the quaxter ended yesterday, there were only two bankruptcies in Wellington city, against sixteen for the corresponding period last 3'ear. , Ths Canterbury- College Board of Governors has decided to call for fresh applications for 'the position of toachet of mathematics and physics at the Girls’ High School. " ‘ The death-rate of the past month, 85, for Dunedin district, exceeds that of any month for the last ten j-ears. The total deaths for the quarter numbered 245, against 185 for the same quarter last year. The trolxt-fishlng season opens to-day, and the fishing tackle retailers are doing a good trade! Reports from the various rivers in Canterbury, show the streams to bfe generally in good condition for fishing, and they are also well stocked with good fish. i • 1 After a month of fine weather, a most welcome rain set in on Thursday all over the Peninsula, and continued ilt intervals until Sunday. Lambing is about finished, and from all accounts has been very successful. Fruit trees are new exhibiting a wealth oB blossom, giving premise of abundant yields.

According to Dr Pomare, Native Health Officer, tohungaism is still a strong article of faith among the Nalteve race in the. North Island. Ho sayt that- it is one of tie worst evils he has to contend with in his efforts to instruct the Maori population on the necessity of making their homes and- villages sanitary. The Akaroai Horticultural Society held a successful spring flower show in the. Town Hall oo Thursday, when, considering that many flowers were past their bloom, there was a very creditable display of, border and bulbous flowers. In- the evening there was a promenade concert, which was well attended.

A new stern-wheel steamer for the Clutha Rivep Board for use on the Clutha River, was, launched at Dilaedin yesterday -afternoon. The steamer was built entirely of steel by Messrs M’Gregor and Co. She is 120 ft long, with a brs-adth, of 27ft, a depth of five feet and has a capacity of about eighty tons. The whole cf the work, hull, boiler and engine, was dene locally. Recently it was announced that a Crimean veteran, formerly belonging to H.M.S. Algiers, had been successful in obtaining arrears of pension amounting to £127,. There are two ex-mombers of the crew ot the same vessel mow in Lyttelton,' Messrs Hewstone, sen., and W. Wales, sen., who also served during -the Crimean war, ’out so : far they have been unable to induce the authorities -to recognise their claims for pensions. - . The Superintendent of the Lyttelton Sailors’ Home- acknowledges with thanks ti« receipt of the following donations: trated! Home papers from Mrs C. Coates (Ly ttelton) and Mrs Hambrcok (Opawa); periodicals from Mrs S. R. Webb (Lyttelton), Mrs Mann (Lyttelton), a friend,.(Lyttelton) and Mrs Whitten (Barb a dees Street, Christchurch); London “ Graphics ” from Mr C. J. W. Cookson (Lyttelton); magazines. from Mr W. G. Brit-tan (Christchurch) and 1 playing cards from Mr Beswick. ■ The hews of the untimely death cf Mr Frank Wight, a native of Akaroa, was re-, coived in that town with a general expression of Sorrow. Deceased was a very popular young'man, and took a lively interest in all athletics. He was for three or four years captain of the Akaroa Football Club, and was also on the boating Club committee. Flags were hoisted half-mast at the boathouse as soon as the tews arrived. Mr Wight has been in failing health for some time, and about a month ago -was-; taken down to Fairlie, iu the hope that the change would benefit him.

A collection of seven stags’ heads is to bo seen at Messrs E. Reeco and- Son’s, Colombo, Street, the result of a successful week’s sport that Messrs Chas. Lewis and E. Hardcastle had at Mr E. Hodgkinson’s Longslip Station, Lako Hawea, North Otago, in April last. The beads comprise one twelve, one eleven, throe tens andjtwo eight pointers. They have been excellently mounted By Mr Harold Kodgkinson, who had thirty-three heads to set- up at Longslip this year, for different sportsmen. The rifles used by Messrs Lewis and Hardcastle were the American Savage, . which they found very suitable for tho purpose.

In an editorial article on “The. Wool Problem,” the “Wai-rarapa Daily Times” points out that some years ago butter was fourper.ee a pound and wool- a shilling; now tie position is reversed. J!achinery lias been introduced ; full advantage has been taken of the principle c-f s co-operation; and with butter a chilling a pound instead of fourpeace, the dairyman has be com 3 sleek ar.d fat. The journal find- the remedy for the lowprice of wool in the export of the manufactured article in place of the raw material. “Is there no machine to ooms to the aid of the wool-grower?” it asks. “ We fancy there is, and that, if wool were run on the lines of -butter-fat the growers could double the price which they now obtain for it. This district is quite able to get. eightper.ee or ninepence a pound for its wool if it went to work in the right way. We suggested an idea some time ago when we wrote ‘Don’t send Homo. bales of wool which fetch only fcurpence a pound send Homs bales of blankets, which ■ would fetch eighteen, pence or two shillings a pound; set up a factory in your own district which will turn out three or four toms of blankets per diem all the year round. Sell the blankets in London; and when the cost of making and exporting is deducted, there will surely L<‘ fght pence or pome a pound for tfce growers.”'

. The by-law j» regard to licensing motors in tie city has been confirmed by the City Council. It will come into operation on Oct. 19. " Steps will probably be taken soon to 'request Dr Mason, Chief Medical Health Officer, to report on the state of the Lincoln drain .near the Nurses’ Home, at the Hospital. Mr R. Clarke, Tinwald, has sold to Mr James Cook, Nelson, a three-year-old colt, by Prince Alexander, dam Flower, by Crown Prince. The horse was sent on to Nelson yesterday. The City Council has decided to have the* streets along the line of the procession on Labour Day closed for a short time, in order to allow those taking, part tohave a clear route. At New Plymouth, a man holding a second-class certificate was fined five shillings and costs for driving an engine- for which a first-class certificate’was necessary. His employer was fined! a similar amount. - r :

Messrs Kinsey, Bams and Co,, have decided not to send the Indradbvi to South Africa, as no cargo is' offering for 'that colony. The service to-South Africa will he continued with the Otarama if the demand for, space revives. The North Canterbury Centro of the League of Wheelmen has written to the City Council stating that it approves of the additions to cycle stands erected by the Council in front of the Post Office, in the direction of providing clips. The Centre suggests that the clips should be extended the °full ,width length of the railing. The question; of rating on unimproved values was discussed at the Linwood Borough Council meeting last evening, and a • resolution was passed, calling tho attention of the Government to tho fact that the principle only applied to three of the borough rates, and a resolution was passed, urging that legislation should be brought in making the principle apply to all rates. At- the request of the produce shippers, and in- view of tho new. tariff to be enforced by the Commonwealth of Australia after Oct. 8, the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, Limited, have arranged to despatch the s.s. Mokoia for Sydney on Thursday, Oct. 3, instead of oh Friday, Oct. 4, as'time-tabled, thus enabling produce- tb -be landed in Sydney before the new duties come into operation. “It is a great, pity that these scenes •hould occur in the city,” the Mayor (Mr A. E. G. Rhodes),' said l at the meeting of the City Council last evening. He was referring ‘to the “Mormon hunt,” reported in yesterday’s “Lyttelton Times.” He explained thiti the Mormon leadei’s had gone to him asking that they should be protected. He had explained that the matter of protection was entirely in the hands of the police, and that the City Council had no authority in that direction. Many of the footpaths in the city are getting in bad order. Mr A. D. Dobson, City surveyor, recommends that they should be Jarred as soon as the dry weather

sets fairly in. He also recommends that all the streets carrying light traffic that are in good order should be well tarred, . especially within six feet of the water channels. Tarring, he says, evidently greatly 1 checks the ' growth of grass, and saves the cost of chipping, besides greatly lessening the dust nuisance. Mr, Dobson’s recommendations were adopted at a, meeting of the City Council last evening. The Mayor '(Mr A. E. G. Rhodes), stated at the meeting of the City Council last evening, that most of the Welwyn County councillors were opposed) to the Waimakariri Empowering Bill. Presumably, it would instruct its members in Parliament to oppose the Bill; ‘ There was really no reason for the action, of the County Council, as the water, after being used by the city, would be returned to the river. The next evening Mr Dobson (the City engineer), and himself would go to Wellington ard would .place the position before the Premier. The County Council was evidently determined to maintain the position that it had sole right to the Water in the river. ■ On Thursday evening (Mr H A. Palmer, ■with, whom the naan© “Vitadatio” naturally couples itself, is to give a lecturejn the Choral Hall. The title of the lecture, is • “ .Vitadaitio, -andl Its Cures,” and from what wa have seen from Press reports of tha lecture in other cities, a treat is in store for'those who will be fortunate enough to be in attendance. Mr Palmer, who originally hails from the south,, has spent the last five years in building up his business in Australia, and we under-' st-a-ndl that this will be his last visit to Hew Zealand prior to his departure for South Africa arid America, where he intends to open branches in connection with Lis already large and lucrative business.. 1988 For really stylish up-to-date novelties' in blousings, dress material. 1 ?, mantles, blouses, < model hats,, toques and bonnets, ladies’and gents’ neckwear, etc., visit Beath and) Co.’s. popular drapery warehouse. . Sunshades, white and colours, 3a lid to 19s lid, coqu© • feather necklets 3s lid, 4s 6d, 5s lid, real ostrich necklets 14s 6d to 425, lace and muslin fichus 2s lid; to 6s lid. New ribbons, hosiery, aprons and ’ handkerchiefs, choice range of newest blousings to is 9d per yard, new summer serges, lustres, costume cloths and silks,- hi all the latest ■hades. Beath and Co. ’ X 2867 . “ Humbei) ” cycles embrace many specialities expressly designed and patented for use on them alone, and which cannot be obtained on any other make. - You should ■ee the latest Humbers before purchasing elsewhere. Sole agents, the Augld-New Zealand Cycle Company," D.1.C., and 226, High Street. ; X 1196 during the reconstruction of Dunstable House all arrangements possible will be mads by J. Ballantyne and Co. to prevent . •erious interference with business, but, in view of the increased accommodation and greater Convenience that will result; they trust customers will overlook any difficulties that may be caused. , \3612 Perhaps you want a Wedding or En<Wememt Ring. Be cautious, don’t be tempted by a so-cal led present worth Is 6d to pay £2 for an inferior ring. At Clarke and Go’s 18ct ring at 255. For eighteen years Clarke and Co.’s rings have been made on honour and sold; on merit. Clarke dnd Co. .u© ■ also best for ‘ watchedjewellery, silver 1 plate, etc. Cklko Wellers 148Colombo Street. ; ! ■ •' ! X 1275 4> Townend’s Bilious and layer 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 Street Christchurch. ! ’ X 2521 ’ Sun Brand Chutney.-~Piquant,- Peppery, «ud. Pleasant, From all grocers. X 2775 The market is flooded at the present time with worthless preparations for the ■ hair, many of them being injurious as well as worthless, but Hendy’s egg-julq> may be honestly recommended as a most reliable hair tonic for beautifying and cleansing tha hair. Price, Is per bottle. This elegant preparation may be procured from Strange and Co.’s, drapers, Christchurch, Who are also sole agents for Hendy’s Frizzairs, or curling fluid. X 2533 For bicycle repairs wo specially recommend cyclists to Boyd and Sou, who are combining first-class work with moderate ' charges. 191, Gloucester Street, Christchurch. Telephone 437. X 2588 Hanmer Springs.—Visitors to the Manner Springs can obtain excellent accommodation at the Jollie’s Pass Hotel, or the Hanmer Lodge. 4214 Lodestar Carbide, potrol, arsenic, mineral naphtha, benzine. Henry Markwald, Bowron’s Buildings. Telephone 1044. X 2775 Wire netting, heavy fencing, li inch, 7d per yard. Fowl netting l|d per yard, by 100 yards coil, 10 yards 2s 3d. Sheep net- - t ting, centre strand, 2by 100 yards coil, % and 1 inch, in stock at lowest prices. Fletcher Bros-, High Street, Christchurch.

The weather in the Ashburton district on Sunday and yesterday was perfect. The Lyttelton Borough Council last night decided, in response to a letter from the Philosophical Institute, to co-operate in giving a hearty welcome to the British Antarctic Expedition on its arrival at Lyttelton. Tlie Fire Brigade Committee of the City Council is making inquiries; in- regard to the advisableness of obtaining motor fireengines. ■ Tbs committee will report to the Council as soon as reliable information luis come to hand.

Last night, Dr Symes, District Health Officer, waited on the Lyttelton. Borough Council with a report on the sanitary condition of the town and the prevalence of disease there. The Council heard the re-Ec-rt in ‘committee, and referred it to the aniliary Committee to report upon.

The grass in the vicinity of Christchurch, which had become very parched and burnt up during the recent drought has been considerably refreshed by the rain which fell during the last few; days, and a fairly good spring growth is shooting up. The growing crops, which, needed moisture sadly, have also been stimulated to a marked extent.

A' movement is afoot for the- establishment in this colony of an association for the prevention of tho spre'adl of consumption, o-n the lines of tho English National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. The system will probably be to have headquarters in one of the centres,-andbranches in other parts of-the colony. The function of the association, which has the approval of the Medical Association, is (says the Wellington “Post”) to educate the people to take proper precautions 'against tho spread of the dread malady.

Tho two boys Adcock, who alleged that they walked from Invercargill to the Duke and Duchess of Corn wall and A ork, have certainly not justified tho honour conferred- on them by being presented to their Royal Highnesses. They were arrested at Invercargill last week, and brought up on 'Friday, charged with (1) breaking into a hut at Clifton, and stealing a number of fog signals belonging to the New Zealand Government; (2) stealing tools belonging to Andrew Dunlop; and (3), at Avehal, stealing a boat, the pro-pert} - of Thcmas Howie. They were represented by. a solicitor, but pleaded guilty,- and were committed to the Industrial School, of which institution another brother has been an inmate for some time.

Thomas Conn was charged at the Wellington Magistrate's Court yesterday with converting do his own use at Lyttelton, on July, 1899, £7o'belonging to the Bank of NeW Zealand by which he was-then employed.- Counsel for the'Bank declined to proceed with the information, and Mi- Bell, the Crown Prosecutor took the case up. A remand 1 to Oct. 7 -was granted. In the. a-flernohn the Stipendiary Magistrate, on the application of the Crown, granted an order- giving the Crown liberty -to inspect and take copies of certain entries- in the books of the Bank of New Zealand With reference to the case against Thomas Conn, which was before the Court in tih© morning. The -order was mad© under the Banks and Bankers Act of 1880 and 1887. The Linwood. Park was under discussion at the Borough Council meeting last evening, when tire Chairman of the Park Commit tee expressed his great disappointment ■with -the piece of land lately acquired for a Park. He said that even on the portion which was supposed to be level, he found tbit there .were places which required) filling, up to the extent of 18 inches. Fully £3OO or £4OO would have to be spent in levelling, and even Then the Park was not suitable for recreation purposes. A suggestion! had been made that the ground should.be let for two or three years for growing potatoes, so-that it could be, levelled, While another suggestion was that the. property should be cut up and sold for building section's, and a more suitable site for a Park should be procured with the proceeds. .

\ AN UP-TO-DATE COUNCIL, The Wanganui Borough Council is taking up quit® a unique attitude in legislating for the preservation of appearances. One of the new by.-la-vre it has-had drafted provides forjuniforimity ini verandahs and balconies abutting on -the public streets. Every portico within the borough-, at- sets forth, shall be constructed a-s to- position, shape, dimensions and material as will not be inconsistent With plans and specifications held by t-hiEi Council. • Any building having a portico shall be kept in condition, “so as not to be-unsightly;”. No placardts or advertisements shall) bn placed) on any .portico, EXCITEMENT AT ROTORUA. Nows from the north dhows that a great commotion was -caused at ‘Rotorua last week by the, sudden emigration of the Maoris of that locality 'incidental on the prediction of their tohuriga-s that- on a given: night the whole’locality would, be. blown into space by ; a volcanic outburst-. The panic was, naturally, contagious, several tourists and others seizing their “gripsacks,” and hastening away by train, and the remainder staying on the spot in fear and' trembling, and preparing for the worst. One lady is reported to have “sewn her money into her vest in case anything happened,” -and no doubt other equally adequate precautions were taken. However, the fateful night passed uneventfully* and when the inhabitants c-f Rotorua 'woke up next mo-mug ■they were agreeably surprised to find ..themselves all there, and very much alive. It is re-corded of a recent visitor to -the- Hot Lakes district—-a Lady So-a-nd-Sc —‘that, arriving at night, she' paid' a- visit to the sanatorium after dinner, and -after seeing the boiling .springs and bubbling caldrons in full play under the electric light—-and no doubt getting a whiff -of the sulphurous fumes into -the bargain: —she hurried away and offered the local stationmaster £SO to put on-a special train and) speed her out of 'those infernal pugiens. Failing in her mission, the lady spent a- might of fasting, watchfulness and prayer, and took a thankful departure to- Auckland by the first train on‘tbs following morning.

SCHOOL OP MILITARY INSTRUCTION. A telegram from Wellington states that the staff of instructors have now settled down to work in the newly organised School of Military Instruction. On- Saturday a class of thirty-five non-commissioned officers, representing every corps in the Wellington Garrison, completed a. five weeks’ course of instruction at the school. During that time- the men attended evening lectures and outdoor exercises on- Saturday afternoons. To-day fifteen officers from all parts of the coic-ny will begin- a course of instruction.

EDUCATING THE MAORI. The rain from the heavens, in some phases of the Maori belief, is sacred, and if it were to be caught from the roofs of their wh-ares in tanks it would be tapu, and could xao’!> be used. Where the natives Lav© to some extent become Europeanised the tapu is ignored, but in many instances Dr Pomare, Native Health Officer, says h© has experienced the Utmost difficulty in persuading the inhabitants that they must amt drink the water drawn from wells affected by surface soakage from insanitary villages. The most convincing argument he is able to use

(says the Wellington “•'Post”), ondi-one that is always effective, is .to place a drop of the well water under tire microscope and permit the eye of the sceptical Native to light upon the animalculae that he 'has long been accustomed to swallow at a ■draught.

“ THE CANTERBURY TIMES.” . “Samoa, and the Samoans,” is the-untie of a beautiful series of views of “the Pai'a- - disc of the Pacific” in this week's “ Canterbury Times.” The scenery, native customs, historical incidents and portraits of chiefs and beauties, supply material for niost attractive pictures. Some of the most notable flowero at the Christchurch Horticultural Society’s spring show are illustrated. A senes of views of the works on the Waipara-Cheviot railway will be of interest to those who are watching the progress of one of the finest agricultural and pastoral districts in the colony, and prospective settlers are shown in the groups of the scholars of the Amberl'ey School. Amberley is also represented by pictures cf the committee and the principal winners at the recent show of the youngest agricultural society in New Zealand, the Amberley Breeders’ Association. A children’s fancy-dress ball at the flourishing Taranaki town of Normanby, a scene at the free tennis courts in New York Central Park, where hundreds of persons play daily, views of New and other scenery, photographs of some choice poultry and a large number of portraits are given, and the number is, altogether, most attractive. It will be published early this afternoon.