TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13890, 26 October 1905, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Ashburton County Scottish Society’s Pipe Band will play at the Agri, cultural and Pastoral Society’s show to be held next week. This will be the band’s first public appearance. The Dunedin City Council last night decided to appoint Mr R. W. Richards, of Sydney, to the position of acting town clerk, to be appointed town clerk at the end of the present town clerk’s leave of absence. Several farmers in the Ashburton County have had to re-sow their crops on account of the first sowing having been drowned by storm-water. On© farmer recently did this at an expense of £SO for wheat, grass seed and clover, and this sum does not include the cost of the extra labour involved. The annual meeting of the Ashburton County Stock and Saleyards Company, Limited, was held on Tuesday, when the balance-sheet showed a profit of £2Bl on the year’s transactions, and a dividend of 8 per cent was declared. The retiring directors, Messrs F. B. Standish and, J - Priedlander were reelected. A telegram from Wellington stated that within the last few days Bank of Now Zealand shares have been sold at £6 18a 6d, and sellers are asking £7. The cause of this rise is assumed to bo that some local brokers over-sold in connection with the recent issue of forfeited shares, and have had to purchase heavily in order to fulfil contracts. In a return issued recently, it is stated that in the United Kingdom over 61b /of tea per head of the population is consumed yearly. The consumption per head has remained practically stationary for the last five yeans, but increased by about lib per head in the preceding ten years. There is no other European country, with the exception of Holland, where the consumption of tea exceeds 11b per head. On account of the lambing season in the Ruapuna-Cracroft district (Ashburton County) having escaped the greater portion of the bad weather, the percentages are somewhat better than in other less favoured portions of the county. Messrs Bates and M’Donald, of Oracrofb, have a percentage of over 140, while Mr Jones, of Ruapuna, haa obtained 103 per cent of lambs. Stock is said to be looking well, and the prospects of farmers are good. On September 80 the Ashburton County Saleyards Company completed the twenty-third year of its existence, and during that period the following stock was yarded at the TLnwald and Ashburton yards Sheep, 6,285,443; rams, 81,404; cattle, 51,118; pigs, 21,151. The record year for sheep was 1896, when 372,064 were put through the yards, 1886 being the lowest period when only 185,902 sheep were yarded. In 1884 there were 5029 cattle recorded, while in 1893 only 1275 went through the dbmpany’s books. During tbe year ending September 30, 1905, 248,505 sheep, 1593 rams, 2192 cattle and 156 pigs passed through the yards. Jabez Balfour will be a free man in a few months’ time, but, from wbat a correspondent t of the Edinburgh “Evening News” is not looking forward with anything like profound relief to his release. A legal friend of his visited Balfour recently at Parkhurst, and found him quite cheerful and as courageous as ever. The difficulty is that the convict, who has borne his punishment without a murmur, has few friends or relatives in the country to whom ho can turn for at least temporary shelter and assistance,- he being entirely without means. Little or nothing of what goes on in the world is known to the hapless convict. ■ The committee of the School Committees’ Association met last week, the president (Mr H. A. Owen) -in the chair. A letter was read from Mr Mark Cohen (Dunedin), calling attention to the alterations mad© by the Education Committee to Mr Sodden's Education Act Amendment Bill. The writer asked the Association to take at once against the Education Committee’s proposals, and support Mr Seddon’s original Bill. It was resolved that, as the Association had already taken action in regard to the Bill, and Messrs T. E. Taylor, T. H. Davoy and G. Laurenson having replied to the Association’s request to the effect that they would convey its views to the House when the Bill is before it, the committee could noVsee its way to take any further action. The honorary secretary asked to be allowed to resign his position. The committee expressed regret, and hoped that he would reconsider his decision.

Writing on August SO, from Zabalkansky Prospect, St Petersburg, Mr P. Mijuel, in a letter to the Premier, says:—Sir,—l have the honour to send you under separate cover the third edition of my book on New Zealand, founded, as I hope, on careful study of many books and some official publications of your Government. Maybe, you will bo kind enough to lighten my efforts to follow the evolution of Now Zealand life and institutions, and will order to be sent me such’ official publications which may be useful for mo for a subsequent edition of my work. Specially, I would be happy to receive a copy of the constitution of Now Zealand, ns all my efforts to get it from Loudon by London booksellers were fruitless. I suppose that, though many are persons who trespass on your scanty and precious leisure, there were none till now from Russia—the country which has most to learn from "Tho Most Advanced Democracy of the World of To-day ” (the title of my work on Now Zealand). Mr Charles Claris: holds the important Cashmere township subdivision to-day, at two o’clock. This auction sal© is a very notable event in the suburban land market, as it offers a greater number and a greater variety of sections than has yet been available in a suburb which has shown the most phenomena, growth in recent years. 6957 Wedding and Birthday Presents.— Six Engraved Tumblers and Jug, on Tray, from 5s 9d. Splendid value m Tumblers, Glassware, Olunawaie, Cutlery, Household Ironmongery. See window's for Sale Prices in Dinner and Bedroom Ware. Big Reductions. Fletcher Bros., Direct Importers, Lower High Street. X 3014 Wo desire to draw attention to our stock of Drapery, • Everything required in drapery can bo obtained at one counter. Our reputation for value is beyond dispute. See our sunshades, all silk, at 6s 6d each. Black, Beattie and Co. ’ 8262 Wanted Known —I am selling the Best Reliable Watches, best value given in Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, and all other classes of jewellery. All sold up to the standard guarantee. K. Grieshaber, jeweller, 156, Colombo Street £3371

At the Builders’ Conference at Timaru, on Tuesday, several delegates condemned the Conciliation Boards as “no good at all.” The Telegraph Department has received the following advice from Capo Town.—“ Australasian traffic is being delayed on this route owing to bad working of land lines. 'Work now diverted.”

It is expected that Mr Holmes, Government Engineer, t will arrive in * Christchurch this morning to- inspect the Riccarton tramline. Cars will begin to run on the lino as soon as ho has passed it. ' v The rivers report yesterday stated that the Ashley and the Rakaia streams were dirty for angling, the, norfcn branch of the Ashburton and the Opiln were discoloured, but all the others Were clear.“I would abolish ‘Hansard’ altogether. It gives too much encouragement to unlimited talk and free speech. Mr John Duthie, M.H.E., when replying on behalf of Parliament at the Wellington Industrial Association dinner on Monday evening. Miss Jessie Maclachlan has offered a medal of the value of £5 5s to the Scottish Society, to he- competed for at the annual “forgathering” in Carnival Week. The medal is offered for tae champion piper of the gathering, to bo won two years in succession.

During September 117 patients were admitted to the Christchurch Hospital; 111 wore discharged, and thirteen died, leaving 118 remaining on September 80. Eighty-one operations were performed under anxasthetics, and there were 993 attendances in the out-patient department. At the Dunedin Polios Court, in the case of James Geddes, charged with having signed his- name as witness to a claim for, enrolment without seen the claimant write her signature, it was shown in evidence that before witnessing it defendant > asked the claimant if it was her signature and she replied affirmatively The case was dismissed, defendant being allowed £1 Is professional costs. The funeral of Mr Thomas Argent, late ,of the s.s. Kumara, who died at the Hospital on Tuesday morning, took place yesterday afternoon at the Sydenham Cemetery, \and was attended by the Marin© Superintendent and representatives of the Christchurch and Lyttelton agents of the Shaw, Savill and ■Albion Company. The R-ev P. Hagitt bonducted the burial service. The disturbing element was not absent at the opening of St Paul’s Presbyterian bazaar yesterday. “ One of the 'finest lasses w© have seen for a long time,” said an old Scot, as Miss Jessie Maclachlan rose to speak. “ What a lovely face she has,” he remarked later. His interruptions, though embarrassing, were not as objectionable, however, as those of an old lady who shouted, “What about the Irish?” The silence was becoming painful when Miss; Maclaoblan remarked, “Dearold Ireland, I raise my. hat to her.”

An indignation meeting was held in the Hanmer Hall on Tuesday evening to protest against the Royal Mail coach being compelled to call at the Government Spa, instead of going direct to and from the post office. The chairman, Mr R. W. Hood, pointed out that the new arrangement was detrimental to all private boarding-houses, as it gave the Spa an unfair advantage. It was resolved to send a telegram to Air A. W. Rutherford, M.H.R., and also to have a petition signed for presentation to th© House of Representatives. • Air J. D. Bywater, local manager for the, International Harvester Company of America, appeared_ before the North Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, and gave his side of the' Trust picture. He said that he had written to various newspapers rebutting statements which they had published m criticism of his company. He had received replies from some editors to the effect that his letters would be D’ Ushed at Ss - and 6s am inch. Others offered to insert his writings provided he forwarded advertisements. He admitted that some editors had behaved like gentlemen, and had given him an opportunity of answering the arguments of his opponents. ,

The Wellington “ Evening Post ” last night says;—“ W© have been served with, a writ at the suit of Sir Joseph Ward claiming a sum of £SOOO damages. This we have handed to our solicitors in the ordinary course. The matter or ' which the plaintiff complains appeared in cur advertising columns, and, of course, we had no part in its preparation, but we desire at once, and before any communication takes place between our legal advisers and those of the plaintiff to admit in the fullest terms that if due car© had been, ©xer- . deed by us the advertisement would not have appeared, and that the publication can neither he justified or excused, and without regard to the result of legal proceedings,' w© express to Sir Joseph Ward our unqualified regret that such imputations should have found place in our columns. As we have made clear the matter complained of was contained in an advertisement, and has no relation to editorial comment, which, as our are aware, the 'Post’ is wont to justify.”

A decision of great importance to Trade Unions was riven, in the Lyttelton Magistrate’s Court yesterday by Air H. W. Bishop, S.M., in tho case of C. M. Hansen v. th© Lyttelton Stevedores’ Union. Th© plaintiff had left Lyttelton to go to the Peninsula grass seeding, contrary to the rules of tho Union. Ho was suspended on his return, and prevented from working for a month. He therefore claimed £l2 damages. Mr Bishop decided that the Union’s action was within its rights, and gave judgment for tho Union. The plaintiff had contended that the Union’s action interfered with his common law right to dispose of his labour according to hia will, but the Alagistrate pointed out that under New_ Zealand labour legislation, the conditions governing labour her© are entirely different from what they are in England. The decision is very important to the maintenance of tho system obtaining at Lyttelton in regard to work on tho wharves, for it upholds th© right of the Union to prevent its members leaving the port to seek employment. That restriction is imposed in consequence of the Stevedoring Association having undertaken to give preference of employment to members of tho Union, which has agreed to always provide a certain number, 275, of men for th© work. Had th© Union’s power of restraining its members been overthrown, tho Association, of course, would have been unable to guarantee preferenc© to Unionists. Last days of Cash Discounts. _ This great money-saving ©vent positively closes on Tuesday, October 31, at 6 p.m. If you want to save 3s in ©very pound on vdur drapery purchases: you must buv before Tuesday, October 81, as that is absolutely the last day on which this large Cash Bonus can be given. If you wish to have 3s returned to you out of every 20s you spend in dash, buy your clothing and mercery before Tuesday, October 31, tho last day of Cash Bonus. Boath and Co., Ltd. Direct Importers, Cashel Street. ’ 1111

We no tie© that Messrs Graham, Wilson and SmelHe aro advertising in another column some Gloves of good, reliable quality, which they consider represent the best value in Gloves procurable. Their advertisement is_ certainly worth reading. %oQ2

A man named James M’C-aughan, who was reported missing, has been found at Kaiapoi. A correspondent having raised the question, “ How many of the New Zealand football team are native born?” the “New Zealand Times ” has made inquiries, with the result that it finds that the whole of the men, including Duncan, were born in the colony. The manager, Mr Dixon, alone scorns to bo an Englishman,, and he has been a long time in Now Zealand.

The now scheme decided upon for tho development of the dip workings at tho State mine at Port-Elizabeth includes the erection of extensive haulage and pumping plant, large fans, and installation of electric power transmission. It is expected that the work will bo immediately proceeded with. At the Seddonville Colliery, the management is extending the haulage system to the southern portion of tlip 1800 acre block, and in connection with this a bridge is to be built across Chasm Creek. The new southern workings will 1)0 developed from tho present working levels.

Tho Pope’s Swiss Guard is preparing to celebrate in a fitting manner the 490th anniversary of its existence. The first convention for the recruiting of Swiss mercenaries for the Papal service was concluded with Julius 11. in 1505, hut the fortunes of those who enlisted wore unhappy. The Constable da Bourbon massacred them to a man' when ho sacked the Eternal City, finding them barricaded in St Peter’s Church. The nest convention was concluded twenty-one years later. There hare been two interruptions in tho service of the mercenaries in consequence of the French occupation of 1798 and 1809; but the Guards expelled on that occasion returned with Pius VII., and have never since been obliged to leave tho Vatican. They are the only organised mercenaries which Switzerland, once so famous for its mercenaries, now supplies. Tho stock of whisky in warehouse in Scotland at the close of the last financial year was, tho “ Glasgow Herald ” points out, 121,778,039 gallons, an increase during the past twelve months of 331,000 gallons, and of 113 millions of gallons in five years. On the other hand, stocks in England were reduced by 030,000 gallons, and Ireland by 1-) million gallons during the year. In the decade stocks in England have been increased by nearly on© million gallons, in Scotland they have been increased 87 per cent, and in Ireland they have been reduced by 500,000 gallons, with the net result that the total quantity in bond in the United Kingdom is 165 ,million: ten years ago it was 108 million. In tho interval the quantities, of British spirit required annually for home consumption and exportation have increased from thirty-four million bo forty, millionand for methylation from 3i to oj million. The music for tho North Island Brass Band Contest, to bo held at Hawera from January 22 to January 26, was opened at Palmerston North on Oc’tobsr 23, by Mr S. M. Cohen, president of the Association. The music is as follows:—Grand selections(l) Renault's “ Roland a Ronceveaux ” (as arranged especially for the Grand National Bahds’ Festival, IOOOgs festival, at the Crystal Palace); (2) “L’Etoile Du Nord,” by Meyerbeer, arranged by Rimmer. The quickstep competition music will bo “ Mount Bgmont,” composed by Mr 0, Trussed, the _ Waihi bandmaster. The music is being distributed to the various contesting bands by Mr B. Holben, the Association’s secretary. These who will go to th© ballot for tho position of judge are:— Messrs S. Wolf, Dunedin: F. J. Mellor, Sydney; R. Squariso, Dunedin; W. S. King, Christchurch; T. Herd, Wellington; E. Hubs, Auckland; and J. Schwartz, Wellington. Prince Ferdinand© of Savoy, cousin of Queen Margherita, and nephew of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy, Who will visit New Zealand_ shortly, on th© Italian cruiser Calabria, is also a cousin of the Duke d’Abruzzi, who was here as commanding officer of the cruiser Liguria. This is Prince Ferdinando’s first cruise into th© Pacific, .•or anywhere outside of European waters. He is twenty-one years old, a son of Admiral Prince Thomas of Genoa, and this cruise of the Calabria is being made especially for his benefit. He fills the position of first lieutenant, and stands his watch like the other young officers on. board. When Prince Ferdinando boarded the Calabria _ at Venice last February orders, were given to Commander Marengo di Mori undo to encircle the globe for the instruction of the royal sailarman. So the cruiser went down into the Mediterranean and out into the Atlantic past Gibraltar, heading for th© South American coast. Visits were mad© to Mont© Video and Buenos Ayres, Punta Arenas, in the Straits of Magellan, and Valparaiso and all th© principal ports in the Pacific. ; From Acapulco the cruiser proceeded to San Francisco, and thence was to ''make for Honolulu, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia, subsequently returning to Venice via th© Far East. The Dunedin correspondent of this journal telegraphs that the sureties named by Messrs Scott and Luttrell in formally submitting for signature their agreement for the construction of a now dock gave rise to some discussion at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Otago Dock Trust. Attention was called by Mr Cable to the fact that Mr G-. G. Stead’s name was not set down as one of the sureties, and Mr Gourley said that Messrs Scott and Luttrell’s tender was accepted on condition that Mr Stead was one of the sureties. The chairman said that Mr George Soott and Mr G. G. Stead were th© names originally submitted, but the names now inserted were Mr George Soott (engineer Christchurch) and Mr George Palmer (grain merchant, also of Christchurch). Mr De Mans and Mr Braithwaito remarked that the'names of sureties were an essential part of the agreement. Mr Luttrell, being called in, said that there was no substitution of name. Mr Palmer was Mr Stead’s, partner, and his name was mentioned in the tender. The chairman said that the tender was net at that moment before the Board. Mr Hay had it in hi? office. Mr Cable and Air Gourley both said they were under tho belief that they heard Mr Stead’s name read when sureties were previously mentioned. Th© chairman said that there was no mention of sureties in the minute. Mr Braithwaito said that the Trust had voted under a misapprehension. Mr Barclay said that the reference to Messrs Stead and Co. was now found to bo erased. Mr Luttrell said that it was only put in for the guidance of the Trust as to who Mr Palmer was. He believed that Air Stead would act if the Trust preferred, him to Air Palmer. Air Gourley said that it was a remarkable thing that no member recollected Air Palmer’s name being mentioned. It was eventually resolved, on tho motion of Air Braithwaito, seconded by Air Gourley, that the, matter should bo considered at a special meeting to be called at an early date. ■ Tho Coupon Age.—lf a man gets £3 06r week, or £l6O a year, and buys everything he wants off firms who give a discount of 5 per cent, it would mean 8s 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 groat coupon sale and giving a special discount of 6s off ©very £, 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 Convincing proof of the value we give is in the wear and satisfaction which follows a purchase at our store. See our Black Voiles, at Is lid the yard, usually Sa 6d. Blaok, Beattie , and Co., High Street. 5262

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Air V. G. Day, S.M., John Kniglir was charged with having wilfully obstructed persons employed by the Tramway Board while in the execution of their duty. jMr Louglfnau appeared for tho Board and Air Cassidy for tho defendant. Mr Day said ho had found that the point previously raised regarding tho jurisdiction of the Court had boon provided for by statute. Tire case could bo proceeded with. After tho case for the defence had been heard, the Magistrate said that he must convict, but the penalty would not be heavy. Defendant would be fined Is and costs, with witnesses’ expenses for tho four witnesses who had actually been brought from their work.

A good number of pelople gathered in tho Choral Hall last evening, when tho Canterbury Band cfvHopo Union s contests wore resumed. The programme included recitations, vocal solos and addresses, and th© items were well ,received by the audience. Tho prizewinners oh Tuesday night were:— Vocal solos, Class D—Alice K. Borrows (East Belt) 1, Ivy Lawrence (Orescent Road) 2, Nina 'Wheatley (East Belt) 3 ; gentlemen—F. Johnson " (Knox Church) 1, C. V. Harr© (East Beilt)_ 2. Recitations, Claes B—Lucy Smith (Knox Church) 1, Ruby Cook (Rangiora) 2, Elsie Butterfield (Crescent Road) 3, William H. Ready (East Belt) 4. The oompotitions will Conclude tonight with vocal duets, tries and quartets, ' and club exercises. The prizes will be distributed to-morrow evening. The greatest labour-saving implement at present on the market for the farmer is undoubtedly the Benicia Disc Plough. Morrow, Bassett and Co. X 3208 If you want a first-class bicycle at reasonable cost, go to Boyd and Sou, 191, Gloucester Street, Christchurch, who ara selling bicycles for £ls 15» equal or superior to any being sold at £2O; second grade £ll, with best Dunlop tyres. 1988 Household Requisites. Fletcher Bros, have a good assortment of baths, buckets; saucepans, kettles, fry-pans, brooms and brushes. W. and G. cups and saucers from os lOd, plates from 2s, meat dishes from Is, big dishes 2s 9d, toilet sets from 8s Bd, lamps, cutlery, glassware, etc. See windows. Fletcher Bros., Crockery and Glassware Merchants, Lower High Street. 1988

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 them examined at once. Do not go to the average optician or spectacle seller, for ho is unable to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, hut consult John R. Proctor, 180, High Street, Christchurch, who will give yon a thorough examination free of charge. X 2681 MISS MACLACHLAN ON AIUBICAL EDUCATION. While speaking at the opening of St Paul’s bazaar yesterday, the Rev T. Tait referred to tho presence of Aliss Maclachlan, and stated that when eh© was travelling through Canada (at London, Ontario, Jhe believed), filie said something in connection with the education of young children in Scotch music, and that hint had been taken up, with the recult that through the State schools in that district Scottish music had been introduced, and had since been sung with a good ring and swing. If she had anything to say to help om the teaching faculty in New Zealand it would bo very acceptable. Speaking later on, Miss Alaclachlan said eh© had heard with surprise and very great disappointment that musio was not taught in the schools of New Zealand. She did not know whether it was true, but if it was she was very sorry, for the children were losing a great refining influence. She did not ask that they should be taught Scottish songs, but that they should not bo denied such a source of refinement as the teaching of singing would prove, THE FIRST CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN NEW ZEALAND. A movement has j been started in A norland, and will bo extended tluroTiabout tlio colony, to fipeot a mcrxnorial on tbe spot where the Rev Samuel Mansdem conducted the first Christian service in New Zealand. The day was Christmas, 1814, and the place was Rangihoua, in 'the Bay of Islands. It is proposed to erect there a stone cross, the idea having been adapted from “The Prayer Book Cross,” which marks the spot on which Sir Francis Drake’s chaplain, held the first Anglican Berries on the Pacifio coast of America. It is not likely that New Zealand will erect a gigantic monument like that which, stands near the “ Golden Gate,” but it is thought that tho movement will be sufficiently well supported to provide for a substantial cross, which will be a conspicuous land mark that can bo seen • plainly from vessels entering th© Bay of Islands. The dimensions of th© cross will depend on the funds available, but it is thought that there should be no difficulty in obtaining a sum sufficient to erect a really worthy monument. One promise of £IOO and three promises of £5 each have been made on the condition that the memorial should be in the shape of a stone cross to bo erected on, or as near aa possible to, the spot on which the service Was held, and that the matter should be taken in hand without delay. The Bishop of Auckland has given his cordial approval to th© movement.