TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 13000, 16 December 1902, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

To-day is the fifty-second anniversary of ii-e foundation of Canterbury. . The Kaiapoi Brass Band gave an enjoyable concert in the open air on Saturday evening. The cocksfoot crops on the Peninsula, are looking very promising, and there is abundance of feed everywhere. Dairy farmers are very jubilant over the good prices now ruling for/cheese. Mrs Herricl/desires to acknowledge, "witli thanks, donations of £5 from "F.P.,"-to-wards the Christmas work of Hemck'a Home, and of £1 16s 4d, per the Rev W.. S. Bean, the offertory at the Canterbury Engineers' church parade. ( On Thursday night the Bright Hours' Children will give an entertainment dn the Theatre R6yal in aid- of the Children's Convalescent Cottage. Mr J. C. Williamson' has kindly consented to the use of selections from operas copyrighted by him. Two Justices, Messrs C. Ferrier and J. Grubb, established a record for despatch; at the Lyttelton Police Court yesterday" morning, when thirteen accused, persons were dealt witli in fifty minutes. 'All,'were convicted except one, who was remanded to Wednesday. Mr A. W. Rutherford's first visit to Hanmcr Springs after his. election was marked on Wednesday night with a bonfire on the summit of Conical Hill behind the Lodge. Mr Hood had two or three tar ban-els taken to the hilltop and'they made an effective sight when set lire to.-. The statement of Customs duties collected during the week ending Dec. 12 at Lyttelton is as follows: —Spirits £717 18s sd, cigars, .cigarettes and snuff £302 Bs, tobacco £SOB 14s 6d, wine £92 lis, 'been £253 10s 6d, tea £ll2 6s 4d, coffee, cocoa, and chocolate £lO, sugar, molasses and treacle £212 12s 6d, weight £lOOl 0s 2d„ ad valorem £2907 Is, other duties £159 2s 9d, total for week £7277 ss.

The Secretary of the Jubilee Memorial Committee is now engaged in making a list of the fallen soldiers whoso names are to be placed on the Jubilee Memorial Tablet. He will be glad to receive from their relatives the names of those who lost their lives while on active service in South Africa. Birth or residence in Canterbury or membership of one of the Canterbury contingents is the necessary qualification. A four-footed bird is in the possession of Mr Carter, of the Pilot Station at Lyttelton Heads. It is a gcsling, one of seven hatched out of, a setting of nine eggs, and haa three legs, two of them on the left side, and on one of its" two left legs are two feet. It appears active and healthy, and is four days old. In walking it uses only twofeet, the additional foot on one leg being doubled up, and the third leg being dragged along as an encumbrance. ' The testing of the milking-quality of herds is a matter which should receive snore at-, tention from the dairy farmers of the country than it does at present, says Mr Kin- ; sella, the Dairy Commissioner, in a recent leaflet. The improvement of every herd, which should be the constant,'aim of the owner, depends upon regularly discarding those animals that are not reaching a certain standard. The owner should ami to keep only those cows which return the largest, net profit for the year. A conference between delegates of tho executive of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the Floral Fete Executive was held yesterday to consider a proposition from the Association, for an amalgamation. After discussion, it was decided that the delegates should recommend their various Societies to agree to an amalgamation for a harvest festival and floral fete, to be held on the show grounds in March, the question of the division of the profits to be adjusted at a. future meeting. '

The work'.of the Government Poultry! Depot for the present season is now be-* ginning in earnest. Yesterday 540 paira of fowls were killed and dressed at the depot, the day's kill being a. record for tiler colony. The dressers were paid 3d per pair, and one man was able to earn £llla for his day's work. Some of the dressers were easily able to make half-a-crown an, hour. The usual custom of closing down, for Christmas and the New Year will be observed, no poultry being received at the depot 'between Dec. 20 and Janl 5. The Timaru High School Board, at ita meeting yesterday, discussed the Education Department's new regulations for free secondary education. It was decided to write to all the South Canterbury schools with a, view of ascertaining the number of pupila each would be likely to send to the High. School if the new scheme were adopted, and a committee of the Board avas appointed to report fully as to the financial position and staffing of the High School under the new conditions. The opinion was expressed that the attendance at the High School would be doubled if tha new regulations . were adopted.

Whatever may be his fate in Ciristchurch, Sandow has scored a most exceptional success in the north, and his doings, his sayings, and the things lie has left unsaid and undone, are occupying 'quite their fair share of public attention, both in the newspapers and conversationally. Not that there is much fear of his failing to repeat this record in the Cathedral City, for, already the air is redolent . with physical culture, and all sorts and conditions 6i men are discussing, with more or. less'pro-; nounced ignorance, the various systems whereby they can add a cubit to their stature. The big model of the "strong <maa displayed in a window in Oashel Street has in particular com* in for most vigorous criticism. It is fairly safe to'predict that when 1 the Sandow season does open, on Thursday next, it will score a vigorous success. Thereafter it will rest on its own merits, and unless Rumour is veritably .-a', lying jade, this will be no unsubstantial basis. '"'.-'.'■'

At the meeting of the City Council,* lasb evening, a letter was read from ; the Sydenham Borough Council, appointing Mr A. W. Hulme to go into the accounts, in respect to Greater Christchurch, with Mr W. H. Gundry, and also stating that the poll, on the question would be taken in Syden-. ham on Jan. 22. The Mayor said that was the day fixed for the election of the Tramways Board, and the Greater Ghristchurch Committee, had asked him to suggest; that all the polls should be taken on that day. He moved that the Council should decide to take the poll on Jan. 22, contemporary with the election of a Tramway B 0 * 1 *; This was agreed to. The following poll-ing-places have been fixed for the,city:—• The Provincial Council Chambers, the Oddfellows' Hall (Lichfield Street), St John'» Schoolhouse,- St Michael's, the Oddfellows Hall (Montreal Street north), and th 9 Foresters' Hall (Richmond). Councillors Grav and Smith have b'een appointed to sign the roll for the Tramway Board election. •■' i',. ;

' • Ths City Council will nob meet again ; ttiilil Jan. 12. Mr G. Wootton has been appointed by 4he City Council head slaughterman at the tbattoirs, at a salary of £4 10s.a. week. Tlie City Council has approved of the draft agreement, and suggested amendments by the city solicitor, for the purchase of the Midland Saleyards Company's land at Sockburn. A return lawn tennis match was played on the Christchurch Girls' High School courts on ' Saturday hetween the school) team and the Rangiora High School. The former won by 58 games to 54. There was very heavy rain throughout North Canterbury for several hours on. Sunday night, and the weather, after clcar-t ,■ ing 'yesterday morning.' turned showery. ' again during" the latter part of the day. i A meeting of the Rangiora branch of the Fanners' Union wa,s held yesterday, all which the only business was the discussion of firo insurance matters as affecting; farmers. Mr H. F. Rcece was in the chair. A number of tickets issued for the entertainment in the Theatre Royal on Thurs* day, promoted by'the Ministering Children's League, were dated for "Wednesday,, but will be available for the evening arranged. Firing on the Rangiora rifle range on Saturday last'Mr D. M'Kay, of Rangiora,, made the following excellent score:—3oC) vds, 4,5, 5,5, 5,5, 5—34; 500yds, 5, 5,j 5,5, 5,5, 4—34; 600yds, 5,5, 4,4, 5, 5,| £—33; total, 101, or four short of the pos-,' sible. At the Rangiora .Police. Court yesterday, a first offender for drunkenness was fined 53 and costs, and on a similar charge ai man who had been locked up since Satur J day was convicted and discharged. Mr C.| I. Jennings, J.P., was on the Bench. v The- City Council last evening considered the-question, of payment far horsing the infectious diseases ambulance van when employed ■■ in carrying poor persons to tho Hospital, and it was decided to call the attention of the Hospital Board to tho matter. -"'"'.- The Sydenham and Addington Working Msri's Club opened its new premises in Sandyford Street last night. There was no formal ceremony, that being reserved for tho annual dinner on Jan. 9, but a few well-wishers of the club met and congratulated the President on tho opening of the spacious building* that have recently hecn exectel,. at a cost of £2700. The concert to be given this evening in the' Theatre R-oyal, as a benefit to Mr Charles Carter offers one of tho very few attractions which have been provided for Anniversary evening. Judging from the programme on paper simply, it ought to be a most enjoyable feast of musical good things. The numbers, while -all good, arenot too heavy for the popular taste. The booking has been excqitionally strong for CLristchurch, and there appears to be every prospect of the concert boing a pronounced success. .Mr Frank Thornton's Comedy Company, which has been playing a successful season , in-the south, will open in Christchurch on Boxing Night.' The first piece to bo produced will be "Facing the Music," a comedy which had a long and prosperous (London run. This success was repeated in Sydney and Melbourne, where the complications and funny situations of tns piece secured it a .hearty reception. Mr Thornton las a part' which is said to suit him adrnnably. "Facing tho Music'' will be preceded by " A Test Match," which is described as an amusing musical trifle. ;: The Departmental Committee of the City Council has received 105 applications for the position of junior inspector. At the meeting of the City Council last evening it -■ recommended the Council to appoint cither Mr-C. B. Massey or Mr P. H. Vemtbles, Councillor G. Payling moved that- Mr MasBey 'should be appointed to the position.

Councillor J.-.T. Smith "said that as it was a personal .matter a ballot should be taken. Councillor C. <M. Gray and other Council-lors-urged that there should be an open .'vote. It was decided not to take a ballot, : and Mr Massey was appointed, on the mo- • tibn of Councillor Payling, seconded by i Councillor C. D. Morris. The New Zealand Wheel Race meetings which will take place to-day at Lancaster 1 •■- Park, is the premier cycling meeting of thecolony, and a record entry has been received for all the .events. Riders have' x come from all parts of the colony for the gathering, and the Wheel Race, of £75,| has an entry of thirty-five. The programme also includes a motor bicycle five mile,hnndicap and two ajutiteur events. The first race will start nt 2 p.m. sharp, and, as there are twenty-six events to be decided, there will be no waiting. Derry's band will be in attendance, and special trams) •will run to the Park. The final of the Wheel Race will bs run at-" 3.45 p.m., after which the winner will be decorated with the blue ribbon of New Zealand by Mrs Wigram, wife of the Mayor of Christchurch.

Lovers of the beautiful should certainly toav a visit to Messrs W. A. Tribe and Co.'s establishment to see the pretty four-panel-led handsomely painted photo-screen which is being given away this month to purchasers to the extent of 20s. Tastefully / arranged amongst the flowers are spaces for photographs to slip into, and the Maori. carvings themselves will certainly be valuable in years to come. The artist who painted the flowers has been' most signally happy in result, and his drawing and scheme- of colour are alike unexception4X 2989 A big thing in-sales is now on at Butcher's, jeweller. You can save a lot of money, as the ordinary prices have been almost cub in half. No money will be re-- ' fused. We are making a big bid for your trade this Christmas, and have things you can't do without. You may be satisfied where you are now dealing—you won't bs if you try us once. Butcher, jtweller, High Street. X 3157 Invention the royal read to wealth, see handbook on how to obtain "Patents." Obtainable free by post from Baldwin and Rayward, 17!J, Gloucester Street, Christchurch. A. H. Hart, representative. . .', X 3055-3 Why buy worn-out, second-hand bicycles when you can get fint-rate new ones built by Boyd and. Son, Gloucester Street, for £ll- Come and see samples. X 2588 Pianos and Organs, new instruments, 10s per month, no deposit; five years' guarantee. Milner and Thompson. X 2961 How very thick and long your daughter's hair seems to be growing, Mrs Smith. Ye.?, I was recommended by a friend, who has used it for some time, to try Hendy's Egg Julep, for strengthening it, and really the result is wonderful. It has already grown several inches longer, and has cured the dandruff completely. You should certainly try it. W. Strange and Co. are sole* agents for Christchurch. Bottles Is. X 2896 Dinner and tea-sets.—Fletcher Bros, have just opened up another fine a'ssortment of dinner-sets from 19s 6d upwards; tea-sets from 7s 9d; bedroom sets from 13s 9d ; China cup* and saucers, W. and G., 2s lid; pink', celeste and three gold lines, 3s sd; plain white earthenware, Is 9d'; all per half dozen. Fletcher Bros., Lower High Street. X 2565 If you have the faintest suspicion that your eyes aro not just right, if they bother you in any way, it's best to have them examined at once. Do not go to the average optician or spectacle seller, for he is unable to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, but consult John JLI. Proctor, 180, High Street, Christchurch, ■who will give you a thorough examination free of charg*. X 2681 i 600 Gold Rings, Jones and Sons., X 2497 Bett English Marmalade, lib tins, 6.1 jXVardellV " 1

A man was arrested yesterday afternoon by Detective Fahey on a charge of assault.

A man was arrested yesterday, charged with stealing £2OO worth of stamps, the property of Mr Fryer. The Elite Band will play a selection of music in the Band Rotunda, Sydenham Park, to-morrow evening, at 7.30. It has been raining at Waimate for several days, and, in consequence, the strawberry crops have suffered severely. The fruit is rotting on the ground. A party of anglers who left Christchurch on Saturday for a fishing excursion to the mouth of the-,'Selwyn, report that fish are plentiful and in good condition.

The Mayor, who will leave for Auckland on Wednesday, and will be away for about a fortnight, will take the opportunity to ' inquire into- the working of the Auckland electric trains. *

Every day about 800 gallons of tar are used on the streets in Christchurch just now, the City Surveyor having in hand considerable work in the way of tarring footpaths and so on.

Messrs Huddart-Parker Co.'s new intercolonial liner Victoria), which is making her first trip to New Zeahmid, arrived at the Bluff on Sunday evening. Her mails will probably reach Christchurch this evening. The temporary footbridge by the hospital has now been completed, and a start was made yesterday in getting the steel girders ready to be placed into position when the foundation work of the new bridge is completed. The fourth edition of Cook and Son's handbook, entitled, " New Zealand as a Tourist and Health Resort," has been .published. The information is given in a concise and readable form. The book is to be had gratis at all the offices and agencies of Thomas Cook and Son throughout the world.

At the Magistrate's Court, at Waimate, yesterday, Alfred Harris, licensee of the Empire Hotel, was fined £3 for Sunday trading, and his license was- endorsed. The fine was raised to £5, to allow of an appeal. In a similar case against Brien Flynn, licensee of the Criterion- Hotel, judgment was held over by Major Keddel, S.M., till Wednesday. The City Council's workers have asked that they should have a half-holiday on Saturday afternoon,, making up the lost time by working longer hours during the rest of the week. The Council has granted) the request, and the city employees will) now 'be able to have their holiduy at the same time as the employees in Sydenham) and St Albans.

By the invitation of the local branch, of the Ministering Children's League, the Bright Hours' Children visited Southbridgs on Saturday evening, and gave an entertainment in aid of the funds of the Lea-gue. The Town'Hall was packed with a very appreciative audience, and at the conclusion of tho performance the Rev E. Hamilton expressed the gratitude of the Southbridge people to their little visitors.

The Christ-church Mcckl Yacht Club's race for the President's prize was continued at Victoria Lake on Saturday afternoon, when two heats were decided. The results M-erc: First heat: Mr M'Coll's Katie 1, Mr Nightingale's Advance 2, Mr Bothamley's Mini 3. Second heat: Mr Hurt's St Elmo 1, Mr Haydon's Buttercup 2, Mr Bobby's Sceptre 3. Tlie four leading boats are : Advance 44 point?, Katie 40 points, The Maid 51 points, and St Elmo 27 points. Councillor J. Clarke asked the City Surveyor, at the meeting of tho City Council lost evening, if ho had teen a letter in the "Lyttelton Times" charging the Council with having " sweated " some of its workers, Mr Dobson replied that he had scon the letter. The facts were that lie received a large number of applications for work. Some of tho men, for the first two or three clays, knew nothing of the work. In those circumstances they were taken on at 6s a; day. ■ After being subjected to a few days' trial they were paid the same wages a* other workers, if they were kept on. On Saturday only six men out of 100 were receiving Is less than the usual wage. Some of them would be employed for only two or three days. There were some men who were not able to do very heavy work, and it seemed hardly fair to pay them, the same rate as able-bodied men. Councillor Clarke : "Is it a matter of charity?" Mr Dobson : " No; I do not like to refuse men if they, are anxious to. secure work." The Mayor; said that the system was a matter of trial, not of charity. THE NEW ZEALAND NURSES.. The Premier, has received, through his Excellency the Governor, a copy of a letter from the 'War Office, acquainting ; him ,-with the fact that the war gratuity, drawn by members of the Army 'Nursing Service and the Army 'Nursing Service Reserve, will he granted to the ladies who were sent out officially as nursing sisters from over-sea colonies, and also to those ladies w'ho proceeded! to South Africa from the colonics at their own expense and were taken into employment locally. The gratuity will bo issued at once. AN APOLOGY. In April last tha Wangamii Education Board passed a resolution conveying reflections : on teachers- engaged in a case which came before tho Appeal Court, and copies were sent to the Minister of Education, the Educational Institute, and other Education Boards. The- teachers took umbrage at statements made in the resolution, and legal proceedings were threatened. The Board has since rescinded the resolution,' expunged it from the minutes, and passed a resolution of regret at its action in placing the resolution on record. THE FLAXMILLING INDUSTRY. Some finxmillers in tlie Manawatu district are paying as high a.s 22s 6d per ton of green flax as royalty for the right of cutting. As it requires eight tons of green flax to make a ton of fibre, the owners of flax lands must be " making their pile," says the "New Zealand Times." The Makerua Company, which purchased the extensive flat swamp lands of tlie Wellington and Ma'nawatu Railway Company, is about to sell a number of flax farm?, so as to enable fiaxmillers to acquire their owii freeholds.