TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13888, 24 October 1905, Page 4

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The San Francisco mail will close in Christchurch to-day. The current nurabpr of the “Canterbury Times” contains information on all colonial events, and, with an excellent series of illustrations, the popular weekly journal would bo welcomed by friends across the sea. The Trafalgar Day celebrations are dealt with extensively in the illustrative department of the magazine. District Judge Ward will retire on a pension of\£6oo per annum. The loss of graduated land tax caused by the sub-division of large estates among relatives of the owmers, for the ton years from April 1, 1895, to March 31, 1905, is £9153 10s 9d. During the three years ended July 30, 1905, the Railway Department has rejected 305 applicants for positions as medically unfit, and forty-seven as being unable to furnish the educational certificate. When steamer Cygnet was working cargo at Port Robinson yesterday afternoon, a pinion of the winding-gear of the slip ashore broke, disabling the apparatus. It is expected that repairs will ho affected w ithin a couple of days, A party, comprising Misses Wells, Hal mo and Franks, Herr Zimmerman and Messrs L. Bnckoridge and Wright, gave a concert on Saturday evening at Nurse Maude’s camp for consumptive men. The programme was much appreciated by the patients. The return of South African trade shows that the total value of produce carried by the subsidised service since its inauguration is £919,262. From June 30, 1904, -to October 4, 1905, the total value was £17,659. The largest item was butter, valued at £89,700. Other refrigerated produce carried included beef £8854, lamb £10,083, mutton £271 and poultry £14,415. Other large items w'ere oats £24,800, wheat £20,000 and bran £7OOO. Tlio members of the Canterbury Master Butchers’ Association held their annual dinner in the Caledonian Society’s Rooms on Thursday evening. The following toasts were honoured: — “The King,” “The Founders of the Association,” “ The President,” “ Hie Inspectors,” “The Secretary” “Musical Friends,” and “The Entertainment Committee.” Vocal and instrumental items were contributed by Messrs Blunt, Dougall, Cooper, Aikin, Tankard, Lewis, Jones, Wolledgo, Brinkman, Broome, Sparks, Milne, Matthews and Moore, and Mr W. Horwell danced a hornpipe. The writer of an article, entitled “Moribund Institutions,” in the October! number of the Canterbury College “Review,” takes the present students to task for a lack of interest in the College societies. “In the ‘ gerund-grinding ’ section of our University life,” the critic declares, “we are well able to hold our own, and hitherto v.'o have by no moans disgraced ourselves in the eyes of cur sister colleges in the other and almost as important social side; hut unless some improvement is shortly manifested in the amount of interest accorded to our various societies, wo must be relegated to a place among the groundlings. That this apathy on the part of a considerable proportion of the present students exists there is, unfortunately, too much evidence. ”

Last evening the Canterbury Band of Hope Union’s contests were continued at the" Choral Hall, and a new programme was enjoyed by a largo audience, The chief items were exercises wit’n hoops and dumb-bells, and the displays were cleverly given. Harmonium and violin solce were well played, and tho young artists were_ enthusiastically applauded, especially Misses Collier and Gibbs, whose violin numbers were exceptionally meritorious. The prize-winners on Saturday night were:—Piano tsolos, Class B Edith M. Cotton (Durham Street), 1; W. M. Lav. ry (Sydenham Methodist), 2 ; Elsie Westlake (Linwood Primitive Methodist), 3. Vocal solos, Claes B Mary Thomas (Woolston), 1 ; Ruth Masters (Knox Church), 2; Elsie Westlake, 3. Recitationa, Class A—lvy Butterfield (Crescent. Road), 1; Marjory Terris (Knox Church), 2; Ernest Down (Solwyn Street), 3. The competitions for this evening will include principally vocal soke and recitations.

The Coupon Age-—U a man gets £3 per week, or £l5O a year, and buys everything ho wants off firms who give a discount of 5 per cent, it would mean 3s per week, or £7 10s a year. Little Jim is the only boot firm in Christchurch who gives coupons, and _in order to advertise it and get it well known, is now holding a great coupon sale and giving a special discount or.os off every £, or 3d off every Is spent. Now, (supposing his prices are the same as any body else, and his boots just as good, think what you are losing this month by going elsewhere. 28 If you waht a first-class bicycle at reasonable cost, go to Boyd and Son, 191, Gloucester Street, Christchurch, who are selling bicycles for £ls 15s equal or superior to any being sold at £2O; second grade £ll, with best DunMw tyros., .. - 1338

A public meeting of ratepayers will be held at Sumner on Friday evening for the purpose of considering the scheme for forming an esplanade. Anglers in the Blenheim district are experiencing a successful season. Big trout are still frequent, several fish over lOlb having been caught and some whose weight x-anged up to 171 b. Telegrams from the country report that the Ashley, Rakaia and both branches of the Ashburton are discoloured, and not in good condition for angling. All the other rivers are clear. The Highland Rifles will parade on Sunday next to attend divine service at St Andrew’s Church. The arrangements for the concerts to be held m Carnival Week in aid of the kilA’ fund are well in hand. A large number of gifts of heather, from Scotland, have been received by the Scottish 'Society, and will be distributed free at the piping and dancing competitions, at the gathering of the clans, in Carnival Week. The Wellington “Pest” states that it is understood that Mr Peter S. Hay, superintending engineer of the Public Works Department, is to become ©ngi-neer-in-chief for the colony when Mr W. H. Hales retiree, at the end of the financial year. In connection with the Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Show, to be held on Thursday, November 16, the following tenders for privileges have been accepted ;—Luncheons and refreshments, Air A. W. Edwards; publican’s booth, Mr A. J. Marshall; music, Burnham Band. During the hearing o f a charge of vagrancy at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a woman rushed from among the spectators into the centre of the Court, and shouted “ I have got something to say in this case.” She held the floor for only about ten seconds, after which she was ejected. On reaching the street she was promptly arrested on a charge of being an incorrigible x'ogue and vagabond.

A telegram from New Plymouth states that as a result of sixty-four hours’ continuous pumping about one thousand gallons of petroleum have been seed-red from the bore at Aloturoa, which, is equal to nearly ten barrels per day. The water is decreasing and the oil increasing. The expert estimates that the flow of oil is now equal to twenty barrels per day. The Bay of Plenty “Times” has noticed that the Alaori women who of late visit the cockle beds in tho vicinity of the wharves to collect that shellfish, are gradually ridding themselves of tli© old superstition that they must gather tho cockle with their backs turned to the sea, or els© the next-tide will wash the beds away, as they may be seen in numbers nowadays gathering while facing in all directions. The fifth and sixth heats of the Christchurch Alodel Yacht Club’s race for the A.B.G. trophy were sailed at A 7 ictoria Lake on Saturday, with the following result:—Fifth. beat: -Mr Haydn’s Doris 1, Air Hurtz’s Aliru 2, Air M’Coil’s Katie 3. Sixth heat; Air Al’Coil’s Katie 1, Air Hurtz’s Aliru 2, Air Haydn’s Doris 3. The final placing on points was :—Mr Al’Coil’s Katie 1, Air Haydn’s Doris 2, Air Aliller’s Alert S.

A Queen Street restaurant proprietor, Peter Franchi, was charged at tho Police Court at Auckland yesterday with working three assistants more than fifty-two hours weekly and failing to allow >a weekly halfholiday. The assistants said in evidence that they had worked seven days a week. A shopman said his hours one week totalled 116 J. Two waitresses said they worked ninety-s'x hours, their wages being 12s and Ss respectively. Air Dyer, the Stipendiary Alagistnate, characterised the case as one of white slavery, and fined Franchi 30s on each of the eleven informations, with costs, the total being nearly £3O. Tne Trades and Labour Council has received the following letter from the Hon AA 7 . P. Reeves, the High Commissioner:—“ AVestminster Chambers, 13, A 7 ictoria Street, London, S.AV., September 9, 1905. The secretary Trades and Labour Council. Dear Sir, —I have the honour to thank the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council very heartily for their kind and courteous resolution congratulating me on my appointment to the office of High Commissioner for the colony. I need hardly say that any' token of kindly remembrance which may reach me from a New Zealand labour organisation is always pleasant, and that it is .especially gratifying tofind that I am not forgotten by the representative AVcrkers’ Council in my old constituency.—AA 7 ith cordial good wishes, believe me, yours very sincerely, AY. P. Reeves.” ' On Saturday night a young man named Harry Norton, a resident of To Awaiti, the historic whaling station in-Alarlbe-rough Sounds, was presented with a gold medal and an address, subscribed by a number of admirers, in recognition of an act of bravery performed in June last, in saving his father from drowning in Cook Strait. The Mayor, who made the presentation, referred to tho circumstances of the deed as particularly meritorious, Tho party had made fast to- the whale they were pursuing, and tho- tv..t was being .rushed along in a rough van of tho Strait at the rate of from o’ il.t toten knots an hour. The rope knocked Norton senior overboard, and, as the elder man (though he had boon whaling' for many years) could not swim, the son jumped after ham and held him until rescued. It is considered certain that tho deed will be recognised by tho Royal Humane Society. Young Norton is a half-caste.

The annual examinations are progressing at Canterbury College. These testa form the subject of humorous comment by a. lady writer in the Canterbury College “Review.” “Perhaps,” she says, “it would not be unsuitable to introduce hero a few words of cheer to the first-year students. In the first placo it is well recognised amongst' the older students (especially those who have failed) that one’s mental abilities have nothing to do with one’s passing examinations; in the second place it is also a recognised fact (if wo are to behove cm - predecessors again) __that each professor has his own way of marking papers—ono stern examiner weighs the papers sent in to him and passes those over a, certain weight, another puts them in a hat and draws out a certain number, a third throws them at a chalk mark on the floor and passes those which pass the mark, and with a fourth if your first question is correctly answered you will ‘ get through.’ ” The M’Comick Rake gathers all the hay! Morrow, Bassett and Co. X 3203

A bonus of 3s in tho £ on every complete 10s spent. Tills is what Beath and Co. are giving to you during tho month of October on all cash purchases from their new season’s up-to-date stock of household drapery, fancy novelties, millinery, _ mantle's, underclothing, house _furnishings; also off furniture, tailoring, dressmaking, clothing and mercery. All goods marked in plain figures. Letter orders must be accompanied by remittance in order to obtain the discount. Remember, for one month only. Beath and Co., Limited, the people’s own warehouse, Cashel Street. 99 Convincing proof of the value wc give is in the wear and satisfaction which follows a purchase at. our store. See our Black Voiles, at Is lid the yard, usually 3s 6d. Black, Beattie and Co.. Ilisdi Street- 8262

There was a clean sheet at the Kaiapoi Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning. v The Westport Coal Company’s ooaj output last week was 8913 tons 2cwt, and that of the Seddonville State mine 835 tons Icwf. Entries for the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Metropolitan Show _ are coming forward vary plentifully, giving promise of a record display. They will dose to-morrow. Definite arrangements have now been made for a debate on the nolicense question between the Rev L. M. Isitt and the Rev W. Thomson. It will take place at Dunedin on Friday next. ’ : A missionary meeting for the promotion of interest in . the Maori Mission will be held in the Art Gallery at eight o’clock this evening. The Diocesan Synod will adjourn for the occasion, and Bishop Julius will preside. The speakers will be Archdeacons Harper and Averill and the Rev.J. de B. Galwey. The Ashburton County Council recently promised to build a bridge oven the Kinds River at Toner’s Crossing if the ratepayers in the vicinity would construct the necessary protective works. This they agreed to do, and on Thursday a working-bee commenced operations, and by neon on Saturday Jiad the works completed. A telegram from Auckland says:— For the last three months the Waihi mine has steadily been establishing records, each return beating the former* one. The yield for October eclipses all former ones by £IO6O, the total being £58,240 from 24,759 tons of ore. This brings up the total output to date to £4,383,963, of which £1,802,896 • has been paid in dividends. The second express train for the south yesterday carried a number of builders on their way to Timaru, for the annual conference of the Builders’ Association. Delegates from Auckland, Napier, Wanganui, Palmerston and Wellington were on the train, and with them were the Christchurch representatives, Messrs W. Jacques (president), and T. W. Reese (secretary of the New, Zealand Builders’ Council), K. F. England and F. Stubberfield. The conference will open to-day, and its most important business will he a conference with architects, to be held on Wednesday. During the twenty-fifth week of the Lincoln College egg-laying competition, 944 eggs were gathered, bringing the totals to date up to 15,350. Mr H. Hawke’s Silver Wyandottes still lead, with a total of 687, and 20 for the week. Then come Mr John Mann’s White Wyandottes, with 586 and 34; Air A. AI. Price’s Buff Orpingtons, 538 and 24; Air J. H. Shaw’s Brawn Leghorns, 627 and 28; Air R. E. AI. Evans’s Silver AVyaindottes, 524 and 24; Air Edmond Wilder’s Buff Orpingtons, 521 and 26; Airs John Studholme’s Anoonas, 50-5 and 29; and Air J. H. Bristod’s Buff Orpingtons, 502 and 19. Alany of the other totals are coming up steadily. “Is it not time a few of the old gowns to be seen in dozens after every lecture, were consigned to some decent species of oblivion?” asks the Canterbury College “ Review.” “ They certainly do have their value as examples of the repairing ingenuity of the male student, but for utility or ornament they have been worthless for many a generation. We did hear of a cycling genius who fixed bent nails in various likely places about the College, and every night, went round and collected the spoils for ‘ bike rags.’ This, however, would not account for -a tithe of the rents, burst and tatters to bo observed on the present-day student, and the sooner a few reasonably new gowns are introduced in place of the venerable and fragmentary relics now; in vogue, the better for all of us.’l At the meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council last night,- a return was presented showing the comparative results of carbonising ooal for six months ending September 30 with the regenerative furnace, and for the corresponding period of 1804 with the direct fired furnace. It showed that the gas made per ton of coal with the regenerative furnace was 11,476 cubic feet, against 9940 cubic feet with the direct fired furnace. The gas sold, per ton of coal used, was 10,258 cubic feet with the former, and 8668 cubic feet . with the latter. The difference between the quantity made and the quantity sold is due to gas used on works, etc., and to leakage.-. The latter was 6.53 ft with the regenerative furnace and 10.79 ft with the old furnace. The tar obtained was 11.16 gallons per ton with the new process against 10.5 gallons with the old, and the coke - sold per ton Bcwt, against s.scwt. The net cost of the coal used to produce every 1000 cubic feet of gas sold was 5.47 d with the regenerative system and i1.82d with the direct fired furnace. Household Requisites. Fletcher' Bros, have a good assortment of baths, buckets, saucepans, kettles, fry-pans, brooms and brashes. AAA and G. cups ami saucers from os lOd, plates from 2s. incur dishes from .Is, big dishes 2s s'-a. toilet sets from 8s 9d, lamps, cutlery. glassware, etc. See windows. Fletcher Bros., Crockery and Glassware Merchants, Lower High Street. 1983 Graham, AVilson and Smellio wish to intimate that, owing to the Centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar being held on Friday, their establishment will be closed at 1 p.m. on that day, andropen all clay on Thursday. 3532 AA'antcd Known—l am selling the Best Reliable AVatches, best value given in Engagement Rings, AVedding Rings, and all other classes of jewellery. All sold up to the standard guarantee. K. Grieshaber, jeweller, 155, Colombo Street. X3S7I AA T o desire to draw attention to our stock of Di'apery. Everything required in drapery can be obtained at one counter. Our reputation for value is beyond dispute. Sse our sunshades, all silk, at 6s 6d each. Black, Beattie and Co. . 3262 If you have the faintest suspicion that your eyes are not just right, if they bother you in any way, ft’s best to have them examined at once. : Da not go to the average optician or spectacle seller, for he is unable to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, hut consult John K. Proctor, ISO, High Street, Christchurch, who will give yo.i a thorough examination free of charge. - X 2681

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS. A telegram from Wellington states that the Bible-in-Schools LeagUe has issued a manifesto. This says that, it is clear that nothing can be obtained from the Premier nor from Parliament till members are convinced that the Bible-in-Schools question is a serious one. For this reason the League urges all who are interested to make their influence felt at the coming elections, and unless there are si-iong reasons to the contrary, to vote only for such candidates as pledge themselves to supoert the question being ref erred to the‘direct vote of the people. The question proposed to be submitted to

the electors in the ©vent of a plebiscite being taken, is as follows:—“Are yon in favour of the proposal that, subject to a conscience clause, the public schools shall be opened daily with the Lord's Prayer, and that in such schools Bible lessons shall be given to children, by teachers during school hours, the teachers’ duty being strictly confined to explaining the dictionary meaning of words, and to seeing that children remember what they have read.” The text-book, shys the manifesto, is _ a modified form of that used in Victoria, and it has received the approval of a committee consisting of Ministers and laymen of every Protestant churcn in the colony. A NEW GUN-SIGHT. A new sight, differing essentially from those’ at present in use, has been invented by Mr Howard Grubb. The instrument acts upon the. principle of the old camera-1 ucida, at one time recommended as an aid to artists, by the use of which an apparent image of tli© object to ho sketched was projected upon a sheet of paper, and the outline could he followed with a pencil. In the Grubb sight the apparent image of a- whit© cross is projected on to the target aimed at. The cross is in reality scratched upon a translucent screen on the top ' of the instrument, hut the rays of light coming from it are so bent from their course by a double reflection that it appears to be suspended in the air just in, front of the object at which the J gun points. By an ingenious optical contrivance the image of the cross appears sharply defined, although the ey© is focussed upon the distant object, and this suggests the great superiority of the new sight over the old one, for the novice is always troubled noth the difficulty of seeing the near sight point and the distant object at the same time. In the new sight the mark appears to ho as distant as the target, and when they superpose, the piece is correctly placed, provided, of course, that due allowance has been made for elevation.