TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CX, Issue 13192, 30 July 1903, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Empire Hotel, Wellington, has been purchased by Mr Herrman Lewis, of thafi city, for £80,1)00. An alarm of fire was sounded at about--11.15 yesterday. The fire proved to be in a chimney in Victoria-Street.; It is reported that in South Westland oatsheaf chaff is retailed at from 10s to 12s per bag, and bread (at Is per loaf. There was a false alarm of lire at about 10.45 last night, from a box near the White .:. Hart Hotel. The City Brigades turned out. ' At a special meeting yesterday the Wellington Harbour Board decided to ' instruct its engineer to proceed with the preparation of plans for a dock at Te Aro., Mr W. B. Hasclden sat as Commissioner of Old Age Pensions at -Lyecel-, ton yesterday, , and renewed three old age pensions : in., full. One application , for renewal was adjourned for the production of fuller information. The members of the deputation appointed by the retailers in Christchurch to wait : on the Premier in regard to the, compulsory half-holiday on Saturday leit for Wellington last evening. They will protest strongly against the proposal, „;

. A Cbrirtchurph firm of agricultural engiiHje'is is sending ohaff-cnitters out of its .works at the rate of about three a week jurt now.

. It has been found necessary to re-arrange th© whale. of flic classes lender th© control of tie Technical Tte Class Committee ir®t last evening and prepared a now time-table. , A bv-eleci-ion to fill the vacancy c(n-the Ashburton Borough Council, cam©.!, by the I'esagnat'.-cvn of Mr John IV. 1 'O-n, was uiteld ves'tei'day. Mr H. A. Maekay m’civ: <1 18>J votes, -aid the other candidate, Mr G. W. Andrews, 136. Little interest was taken fti. the contest. '

d Thirteen new students joined the claStso; of tba* Technical Associat on last ©vendnig. Tha additions a m a> follow:—Gregg *-■ ffborthaad ciais, . three; mensuraitdoa, three ; iron and brass-moulding, two; commercial law, two j . book-keeping, two ; geometry, one..

Eight students attended th© lesson in iron andi brass-moulding jgiven Lust evening by Mir H. "Willis, in Messrs J. and. A. Anders only foundry, in omm-ectic-n wit th© technical classes. The students'gather©d 'round the instructor, who gave practical illustrations. .

A Bluff girl, aged seventeen years, got on a departing train, intending a short ride and jump off.. She landed between the train and the platform, and was rescued by a bystander after having been dragged some distance, holding on desperately to the stanchion." She escaped with a tom dress.

■Mr T. G. Russell hais offered, to give.,, without any charge, instruction, in advanced oomm-efcin.il law in ccrmoo'tiom with l the Christchurch technical class:©-. The offer has been, placed before tha Board of Managers, who view it with much favour, and it 'is understood that they will make arrangements SO' that students will he able, to’take.advantage of Mr Russell’s instruction.

Mr G. T. Booth, president of the Canterbury Employers’ Association 1 , will deliver an aS'dress at the ammuali meeting pf the'Assaciatiaa this evening. A motion, dealing with a new scale of members’ subscriptions, will be moved by Mr E. C. Brown.. The -annual report deals with finance, federation, the work of the Vigilance Committee, prefenanoe of empi'oyment to unionists, , trade sections, industrial di-.putes, and other ■ubjects. Mr 6. Hursfc-Seager delivered the fourth lecture of his series on “Art in Architecture” in the College Hall lost evening. He dealt with Gothic art in its various phases, tracing its progress towards the forms which characterised the fifteenth century. The lecture, which proved' a very interesting one, was illustrated with) view’s of many of the best examples of Gothic art in Europe. Mr Sea-ger will deliver his fifth lecture on August 5, and will deal with “English Domestic Art.” An individual is at .present {ravelling round the suburbs offering a household preparation for sale to trusting housewives. The price of this precious article is a shilling, and the inducement is offered) that for the purposes of advertising' all purchasers will receive a present of three handsome cups and! saucers. On the 'strength of this representation, quite a number of persons have purchased the preparation. So far the subsequent present has not been know’ii to put in an appearance. Shortly before- eleven o’clock on Monday night a well-known business man, when passing hear the Kaiapoi Woollen Factory Company’s works, was attacked frdin behind by a person who attempted 1 to garrote him. The gentleman attacked) managed to wrench himself free, and', becoming in turn th© a'ggressor, knocked his assailant down with' some force. He then made his escape as two men, apparently confederates of the original assailant, put in an appearance. to assist their friend. ’

"The annual report which will be"submitted to the Canterbury Employers’ Association this evening 'States that the financial position, of tha Association is' 1 better now than, it has been ifi previous year.?. 'This has been brought about by the increase in subscriptions, the chief object ctf _ whiled was to enable the As-wiatiictn to 'prov.d'e a substantial sum for federation puirposas. Til© expense in connection with federation, however, will' he much smaller than -was originally expected, and the committee has therefore decided to recommend ai reduction in members’ subscriptions.

The results of a. shorthand theory examination, held in April,. far pupils attending Miss E. E. Digby’s shorthand and technical- school, have been received l Sir* Isaac'Pitman and Sons, England. There ‘were fourteen candidates, all of whom were successful in obtaining Pitman’s shorthand theory certificate, namely:—‘Misses Rosa E. Marshall, Kathleen Thornhill, Vera. M. Jamieson,. Maud Caygill, 'Ella Sandford, Mabel Cartwright, 'Sybil El. Kirton, Kellie TV. Marshall, Dora. He.ney, Olive Butler and Lily Woodham, and Messrs S. Yogan, Percy V. Hooper and Arthur 'H. Clemens. It wae resolved at the meeting of the Sumn-cir- Borough Council on Tuesday fra write to the Ohriatcburch: Tramway Board, drawing its attention, to the dhiigerous ocndrtion of the Sumner tom line rtb thei stopping place at The Pines, whena tihei line was so high, above the road that passengers, when alighting from the tram, more especially alnnight, were in danger of falling.' The Board is requested to approach tire Tramway Company, wilih tme view df having an nltarfitian made a(i once. It was also decided to inform the B6ard of ‘the dangerous condition of the permanent way, particularly the points, betweten the stopping plia.ee alb the tanks and the town. It was. considered that prompt action should be taken to remedy this serious state of affairs, which was regarded as a 'grave source of danger to the 1 lives and limbs of the travelling public.

We have received from Messrs Samuel Peach and Sons, manufacturers of lace curtains, Nottingham, England (see advertisement) j'i supply of their illustrated 1 catalogues and price lists. It Us a 136-page catalogue, and! is a‘beautiful sample of the printer’s art, containing hundreds of illustrations of their Lace Curtains, Laces, etc. Any of our subscribers who. desire a copy can secure one by sending address, and l 2jd 1 cost of-postage, or calling at our office. . 1905 ,

Further reductions at Death’s great drapery sale, the whole stock for positive clearance, enormous sacrifices of costumes, ■ jackets, millinery, underclothing, etc. Kaiapoi costumes 635-for 18s lid, 72s for 22s 6d, 90s for 37s 6d, Kaiapoi jackets, 36 and 40in in covert tweeds, fawn and black i cloths, new shapes, 55s for. 22s 6d, 59s 6d for 27s 6d, 80s for 39s 6d, dark tweed Kaiapoi jackets 42s for 27s 6d, girls’, felt hats 4s 6d for Is, ladies’ French sailors 4s 6d for 6d, 7s 6d for Is, stylish trimmed Ijats 14s 6d for 6s lid, 21s for 10s 6d, 42s for 16s 6d, washing tunics 4s lid for 2s 6d, ribbed wool vests Is 3d for 9d, Is 6d for Is, 2s lid for Is lid. Further reductions, see windows. Death’s, Cashel Street. -X3300

At‘Black, Beattie’s Sale, Ladies’ Kaiapoi Jackets 21s for 5s lld t 225-6 d for 6s lid, 27s 6d for 8s lid. X 3262

If you have the faintest suspicion that your eyes are not just right, if they bother you in any way, it’s best'to have the In 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 It. Proclor, 180, High Street. Christchurch, who will give you a thorough examination tree ofreharge ' X 2681

Lamps, Lamps.—Fletcher Bros, hold a large stock of Reading, Hanging and Hand Lamps, and wo guarantee to give better Value than any other firm in Christchurch. Ssee' best show in window for prices of Reading Camps, complete, with shade, 3s fid ; Hand Lamps, brass or glass. Is each; Chimneys from 3d, Wicks la; also. Lamps that burn without chimney. Fletcher Bros., Ihrect Importers, Lower High Street. X 2565

At Black, Beattie’s Sale, Genuine Baribins., See -window disnlaj, £3262

The Westminster Abbey Glee and Concert Party twill pay ,a. return visit to New Zealand about the end of September.

Two of the Ashburton hotels, Butler’s Family and the Central, have been.let as boarding-houses. The lessee of the Central intends utilising , the cellars for baconcuring. The election Judd yesterday to fill a vacancy on the Wcolstou Borough Council resulted in th© return of Mr John Milne, who polled seventy-three votes, a majority of twenty over the number got' by the only other candidate, Mr James Scott. Mr, Duncan, lessee of the Ashburton Railway refreshment, room?, lias receded a cnmmunicfttion from the General Manager of Railways seating that ho cannot make a refund of any rent already paid or agree to terminate th© lease .of th© refreshment rooms.

Chief-Detective Chrystal and Detective Fahey arrested a. man yesterday afternoon on a charge of having ’committed two forgeries, one at Rangiora and one at Christchurch. In each case, it is alleged, a cheque was forged, and the sums- involved are £3 13s and £3. The accused will be brought before the Court to-clav-

The Northern Steamship Company has completed the purchase of the- Taranaki Collieries Company’s steamer Mangapapa, which was built for the 'Mokau coal trade, but was found unsuitable. She will be engared in the Auckland coastal trade. The Collieries Company has purchased the Northern Company’s 'Ngunguru for the Mokau trade.

A meeting of barley and hop-growers w r as held at Nelson yesterday" to consider th© advisableness of co-operating with the Marlborough bailey-growers, who purpose sending a deputation to wait on the Premier respecting the licensing laws. The opinion was favourable to action that wall safeguard th© interests of growers, and meetings are to be held in country'districts. Mr A. T. Ngata stated at the sitting of the Tni-Eawhiti Council last week that the only lands on the coast (Poverty Bay) that were unoccupied were those lands which had 1 not been through the Court, and the Natives were trying to bring them before the Council. Any country which had gone through the Court was leased to Europeans or worked by th© Natives ‘themselves. During the progress of judging operations on Friday at th© Gisborne Poultry Show a number of birds were found, to have been artificially prepared for exhibition. Mr Palmer, the judge, noticed that the legs of some of* the buff Orpingtons were a little too pronounced in-, colour. He astutely tested the leg and ascertained 1 that the dye was not “ fast,” but came off on his wetted apron. Other bird's of the same exhibitor were subsequently found to have been subjected to the same treatment. Writing in reference to the movement in Marlborough-to get better prices from, the Christchurch Meat Company for sheep sent to the Picton Freezing Works, ai correspondent states in the ‘'Express”:—“There are a. -few notable exceptions, but, speaking Generally, I am safe in saying that Marlborough farmers have nob subscribed one-tenth- of the shares) the company had a reasonable right to expect. , Th© company is apparently doing its work in a, 'thorough and energetic manner—a. work which a local company tried its hand at and failed—and, to a disinterested observer, the Christchurch: Meat Company deserves what it does nob get, namely, the hearty and wholehearted support of the producers of Marlborough.” -

The new fisheries regulation prohibits any person, under a- penalty sip to £2O, from taking, selling, exposing for sale, or having in'possession during the months of June, July, August and September, in each year, any fish known as the “ dab'’ of a less size than Bin in length; and during the remaining eight months of the year the size may not be less than 9in. This regulation applies to the waters in the Auckland provincial district." - Regulations under the Fisheries Conservation Acts having general application provide that all fines recovered for breach of regulations and all license fees are to bs paid to the Secretary of the Acclimatisation Society in whose district they are collected, and are to be appropriated to the expenses of distribution, rearing, cultivation, and protection of fish. Where there is more than one registered 1 Society in a district-the fines and fees are to be apportioned in such manner as the Colonial Secretary may think fit. Delegates from Road Boards in the Selwyn County met at the City Council Chambers yesterday, and discussed the suggestion of the Riccarton- Road Board that main roads throughout the county should be declared county roads, so that the maintenance of a main road in general use should nob' be -thrown upon one Board. Mr S. A. Staples, chairman of the Riccarton Board, presided. • It was moved by Mr T. Leathern, and seconded by Mr W. Gilmour, that, in the opinion of the meeting Road Boards should look after their own interests in their own districts, but that in respect to roads that carried heavy traffic, either the Government or the County Council should subsidise the Boards controlling the road districts through which such roads ran. After some discussion, however, an amendment, mbved by Mr H. E. Petyro an, and seconded by Mr J. T. Dougall, that a committee should be set up to consider the matter, and report to a future meeting, was carried. , The report of the committee will be sent to the Road Boards .interested, so that they may express, an opinion before the next meeting of delegates is li&ld. Th© following delegates attended tho meeting.:—Messrs S. A. Staples (Riccarton), A. B. Morgan (Avon), W. Henderson (Halswell), J., Wolfe and J. Marshall (Springs), W. Gilmour and T. Leathern (Tai Tape), C. Rudd (Courtenay), W. Hartshorn (Spreydon), J. Murchison and G. Gerard (Lake Coleridge), W. Bailey (Templeton), H. E. Perymau and John Overton (Lincoln), F. W. East (cleric to the Lincoln Road Board), R. N. Bealey (Rakaia), J. J. Dougall (Riccarton), C. W. Comer (Halswdl) and J. Martin and G. Scott (Heathcote). H. J. Pither, engineer, cycle manufacturer 24, Colombo Street. Standard cycles. Repairs a speciality. Cycle motor to oAier. ‘ X 3277 I forgot to mention that the only Cultivator that is worth having is the “Excelsior.” No-weak points. X 3208 At Black, Beattie’s Sale, Stylisji Trimmed Millinery 19s fid for 5s lid, 22s fid for 6s lid, 25s for 7s lid, 27s fid for 8s lid.’ X 3262 Any make of bicycle rc-enamelled and replated for 255. Our enameller is the best in tho trade. Our nickel-plater is an expert from Melbourne. Our workmen the best that highest wages can command. Oates, Lowry and Co., Manchester Street south. X 1571 1 Please Note.—Jewellery made or repaired ; high class workmanship; moderate prices. Reliable watches, rings, brooches, bangles, etc. Jones and Sons, near Bank N.Z., High Street, Christchurch. X 2497 In cold, wintry weather, warm woollen clothing and underclothing are indispensable for health and comfort. Rheumatism, sciatica, influenza and similar complaints find their natural enemy in pure, all-wool Kaiapoi hosiery and clothing. Kaiapoi woollen hygienic sheeting, and Kaiapoi blankets, will keep away chills where nothing else will succeed. Kaiapoi. woollen goods can bo purchased in all the leading shops and stores throughout Canterbury.; X 3236 The following conversation between two Christchurch ladies was overheard at a dance last week. “What a wonderful gloss your daughter’s hair has, Mrs Jones.” “Yes; it’s really marvellous, too, th© length it has grown during the past six months. Someone advised her to *wash it with Hendy’s Egg Julep, and it has acted like magic, entirely freeing the scalp from dandruff, leaving it beautifully soft and glossy, as you se© it now. It is undoubtedly a splendid tonic.” Strange and Co., drapers, arc sole agents for Christchurch. Bottles Is; everyone should try it, X 2896

An adjourned meeting of the Farm Labourers’ Union will be held on Saturday at 8 p.m., at Inglis's Buildings.

Mr AV/R. Haselclen, S.M., held, a sitting of the Lyttelton Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. There, was only one matter for hearing, a civil ca.se, IV. G. Johnst-du v. T. Thompson, in which judgment was given for the plaintiff for,£3 by default. At the Addington Yards yesterday a. very fin© line of bullocks, fattened by Messrs Thatcher Bros., at Okaiu’s Bay, lopped the market. On© -that had won several prizes at metropolitan shows brought £lB 10s, and two others realised £l6 and £l4 10s. The Ashburton County Council, since the snow began to fall recently, has distributed 1500 bags of poisoned grain. On AVedncsda.y £26 was paid out for birds’ heads, on a basis of 6s 3d per ICO heads. Last week £2O was paid out in three days. Over five hundred fowls per day are being shipped from New Zealand to South Africa, 'and Mr Hyde, the poultry expert, says this is not a tithe of the orders waiting. A young lady living in the Waikato, with 200 Minorcas on less than two acres of land, is reported to have made a net profit of over £SO last year, while a Levin poultry keeper is said to- make £5" a week net. A building in brick and stone, three storeys high, will soon be erected in Lower High Street, opposite Messrs A. J. AAdiite and Co.’s premises, replacing the old wooden buildings. , Tire building is being erected by Mr AA r . H. Bowen for Mr J. J. Sinclair, and' the contract price is between £13,000 and £14,000. The idea is to lease the rooms as shops and offices. There will be five shops, and three have been taken already, “ AVellington consumes four times more fruit than any other city in the colony,” remarked a well-known AVellington merchant, recently. “ The reason is that the working* classes here take more of it because the Chinese retailers can afford to sell it at a minimum profit. The Chinese are satisfied. with very small returns, and dress‘up the fruit in an attractive form. AVhate'ver else may be said of the Chinee they certainly know how to conduct the retail fruit trade here.” A telegram from AVellington says:— Mrs AV. R. AVilliams, widow of the late Captain AVilliams, has presented £7OOO to the Mission to Seamen for the erection of a memorial -of her late husband. The memorial will take the form of a building fronting the Supreme Courts at AVellington, and will be for the benefit of seamen of all nations and creed's visiting the port. Plans have already been prepared for the building, which will bo a very fine one. The Eighth Contingent Reunion Committee met-on Tnosdy, when final arrangements were mad© for the reunion which will take place at the Art. Gallery, on Thursday next. The offer of free services from several prominent vocalists was unanimously accepted. It was decided to engage Fox’s orchestra. . Colonel Porter, C. 8., Officer Commanding the district, hao given permission for returned troopers to wear their uniforms, at the re-union. The Auckland Anti-Compulsory Vaccination League telegraphed to the Minister for Public Health protesting against the- edict requiring Post Office employees to be vaccinated as unnecessary, futile and a great moral and physical wrong. Sir Joseph Ward replied that the general public must be considered, and that it was only’'decided! to take the course that had been adopted lifter the matter had received 1 the most careful consideration. The League, in answer to' this, a further protest. Th© question of allowing teachers to apply for positions outside their own district was brought under the notice of th© Auckland Education Board by the Educational Institute of Otago. That Institute sug- ; gested that now that a uniform scale of salaries had been fixed there was no reason why teachers should not be allowed to obtain promotion, from one district to another. It asked, therefore, that it should be informed of future vacancies in the Auckland district., The Chairman remarked that vacancies were so rapidly filled that there, would not be sufficient time for distant applicants to apply. It was deoidted to reply accordingly. Mr T. N. Horsley, of this" city, arrived in San Francisco on Monday. He is on a visit to America, to make inquiries in regard to improved machinery for- making bricks, and it is likely that he will bring back with him an American machine. Some time ago, samples of Canterbury clay were sent to the United States. Thef came back in th© shape of bricks, wdiose quality, it is stated, could not be surpassed. The improved method 'of dealing with the material ’is obtained’ by enormous pressure. All 'dampness, is taken 'out of the bricks, which are left in a non-absorbent condition. The process will allow the bricks to be taken straight from- the machine to the kiln, and a .great deal of handling is done away with, expense being obviated. Mr Horsley has taken some clay with him, aifd he will watch a test to which it will be subjected. , AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT. The correspondent of the Manawatu “Daily Times,” who occasionally, reports sensational Mangaweka happenings, supplies th© following:—A young lady had a strange experience on Saturday. >She was anxious to catch the first train, and had ripen a bit early. Sitting in a chair she began to yawn to such an extent that she dislocated her jaws. All kinds of remedies were tried by the occupants of the house to set the jaws in motion, but without effect.. The local dentist was then called in, and a few minutes after the young lady was released from a very peculiar, if not dhng-erous, predicament. THE FINSEN LIGHT. ~ •-Professor Finsen, through the agency of the Queen, is now saving lives and features) in Whitechapel. But his advocacy of light iu lupus is by .no means all. Ten years ago he declared that tho very rays by which he now cures lupus were th© cause of the suppuration in small-pox, which killed 1314 persons in London last year. Half of these deaths, says Finsen, could have been averted if red light alone had been admitted to the patients’ rooms. The treatment of small-pox patients in broad daylight is not Warrantable; and ho declares that even in unvaccinated persons the majority of cases may be saved by the red light, treatment. J’insen points out that when a patient from a particular disease, such as small-pox, is compelled’ by the public health authorities to go into a hospital he has the right to demand that there he shall not bp exposed to dangers that may bo fatal. In Denmark, where small-pox is very rare, and where vaccination is strictly enforced, all the hospitals have red light wards for the few cases that do occur. This treatment, which will soon be familiar to everybody, was first' suggested by an American doctor in 1852/AN INTERESTING BIRD. Captain Bollons has presented to the Canterbu% - Museum a specimen of the Bounty Islands shag, Phalacrocorax ranfurlyi, which be obtained on his recent trip to the southern islands' in the Hinemoa. Tho capture of tho specimen at this time of the year shows that the bird lias a crest in the breeding season. This fact was not known before, as the previous specimens examined, which were obtained in January, had no crests. The feathers that compose these head-ornaments are evidently lost in the summer. The Bounty Island shag was named after Lord Ranfurly, and it . is the last bird added to the list of birds of New Zealand, which, for all practical purposes, is now complete and closed. The total number of species belonging to the colony is 217. DIVINATION. The unfortunate man Bentley, who died at Ashburton yesterday, after an operation- in the local hospital, seems to have possessed in a rather remarkable degree tho faculty of divination.. Shortly after his

arrival in Ashburton, some weeks ago.Jie contributed an article to onb of the nowsjianers', in which he said that if he should have the misfortune to fall down a flight of stairs and break bis arm or his log, or his head, there would bo no place to which ho would rather go for repairs than tho hospital which had been provided by the kindly forethought of the County Council. Tho article was scarcely in print before he fell down a flight of .stairs and suffered injuries which necessitated his removal to tho institution ho had just inspected. On Monday last it was found that one of his fractured bones was not joining as it should have done, and the doctors decided upon an operation which they hoped would facilitate his recovery. On learning of their decision, Bentley, who had appeared to bo-in excellent spirits sill through his weary confinement, wrote a letter to a member of tho staff of this journal, in which he seemed to have some foreboding of his fate. “ The operation will lie performed 1 some time tomorrow,” he said, “ so 1 must writ© a few lines to you in case any serious_ issue at-] tend the ‘butchery.’ 1 have still a small reserve left of philosophy, patience and courage; bdt I must confess that i cannot face to-morrow’s ordeal altogether free from apprehension. It isn't that X dread the knife at all; the chloroform provides a merciful oblivion for that torture, and I have suffered so much and so acutely already that any subsequent pain can probably bo endured with the necessary fortitude ; it is the horrible uncertainty as to whether the operation will be- successful or whether it will wind up the whole wretched business. If the latter it can’t b© helped, and I shan’t be missed. Even an untimely dissolution offers one solatium, as in the spirit-land I might bump up against onr mutual friend M.G. If that is my fate I would just ns- soon -embark on th© grim boatman’s Stygian barque from here, as from any other port of call Charon picks np his passengers at. Anyhow, I thank you for some years of pleasant friendship ; friendship which has been marred to some extent by my own folly, it is true, bub which I can still look back upon with pleasure.” It should be added that Bentley always spoke in the warmest terms of appreciation of the skill and kindness of the doctors and nurses who attended him in the hospital.