TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 13949, 4 January 1906, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Garrison Band will give a concert at the rotunda, Victoria Square, this evening, commencing at 8 o’clock. A largo grain shed is in course of erection at the Lake Road Station to the order of Mr H. Neave, Leeston. The building will bo capable of storing a largo quantity of grain. The superintending Steward of the Lyttelton Sailors’ Home wishes to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of London “Graphic’s” and “Tit-Bits” from Mr C. J. W. Cooksou, Lyttelton. The cocksfoot crop on the Peninsula is reported to be ripening rapidly. The crops are very promising, although a' few showers of rain would bo beneficial. In a few_ of the more advanced localities cutting will be in operation -in a few days. The names of Lieutenant-Colonel Slater, V.D., Captain Strouts and exSergeant T. F. Fountaino, representatives of the “ Blue Jumper’s Association,” were inadvertently omitted from those present at the military funeral accorded to the late Sergeant-Major Lewis, on Tuesday. At the Akaroa Magistrate’s Court on Saturday before Mr G. Armstrong, J.P., and Mr W. Sims. J.P., W. Vincent, charged with having been drunk and with having used profane and indecent language, was convicted and discharged on the first charge, and on the second a fine of 10s, with costs amounting to £1 6s was imposed. A first offender, who did not appear, was fined £1 and costs for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Recently a petition from a number of residents in the Heathcete Valley and the surrounding districts was sent to the Minister of Railways, through Mr G. Laurenson, M.H.R., asking that"a train might be put on to leave Lyttelton for Christchurch at ten minutes past noon on Saturdays. Mr Laurenson has received a reply from Sir Joseph Ward, stating he is looking into the matter, and hopes to be able to give a definite answer in the course of a week or two.

A swarm of bees took possession of a well-known store at Mohaka on Saturday last (says the i Wairoa “ Guardian”)) and so effectually garrisoned it that on the return from lunch of tine manager he was unablo to effect an entrance. But the use of lire in a kerosene tin, fed with sulphur, gunpowder and anything else handy, capable of producing a thick smoke or pungent odour, the invaders were routed or slain in time to enable business to be resumed in the usual manner of Saturday evening.

On the occasion of the marriage, recently, of the eldest daughter of Mr P. Burke, for many years caterer at Addington Saleyards, some of the many friends whom Miss Burke had made at the yards subscribed to give her a token of their esteem, and yesterday, the souvenir, a gold watch and chain, was handed by Mr E. H. Hughes, on behalf of the subscribers, to Mr Burke, to be forwarded to the recipient. The watch bore the bride’s monogram, and the inscription ‘‘Miss Burke, from a few Addington Saleyards friends, on the occasion of her marriage,. Nov., 1905.” A handsome New Year’s gift has been made to the Christchurch Hospital by the workmen engaged on. the. Midland Railway at Staircase ■ Gully. An entertainment was organised among them, and the net proceeds, amounting to £l4 3s 6d, has been donated to the Hospital. The donation was accompanied by the following letter :-A“ The secretary, Christchurch Hospital.—Dear sir,—Herewith I beg to band you the sum of £l4 3s 6cl as a contribution to the funds of the Christchurch Hospital. I may state that this sum has been got together by Mrs Byers, Mrs Smith, and self from the tent dwellers on the Staircase section of the Midland Railway, men who work in tunnels and cuttings, who needed little coaxing to put in their mite when the object was explained. The amount is little, but it baa been subscribed by those who earn small wages. I trust that the sum will bo found useful and beg to remain, sir, yours faithfully, Mrs Elisabeth Mayo, Staircase. December 30, 1905.” The Dunedin correspondent of this journal telegraphs:—The New Zealand. Boot Manufacturer's’ Association is likely to consider at an early date/the advisablencas of increasing the .prices for boots and shoes. A meeting was called for December 24, but it was subsequently decided to hold it over until after the holidays. It will probably eventuate this or next week. Prices for all kinds of leather, waxed calf, chrome, etc., have risen considerably, and manufacturers are receiving notices flora colonial and Home firms of increased charges, necessitated by the extreme prices of hides and calfskins. The circular of the Home association states that with. leather at its present rates the only way to keep down the prices of boots to the present level will be to provide an inferior article. Perhaps one way of coping with the position locally would be to put an ' export duty on skins. A largo quantity of sheepskins .and hides are bought for export. Apart "altogether from the price of leather, tue present award, it seems, has raised the scale of wages for the employees of the trade. r

At Plimmerton on Sunday a boating party, composed of a young man named Thomas Steel and four ladies, had a .perilous experience (says the “Post’'). They went out for a row some distance' further than they intended, and on attempting to return to the shore found the tide and wind too strong to permit of their making much headway. Mr,Steel rowed wjth all his might, but no sooner did h© make a few yards’ progress than a squall would drive the boat back. His predicament soon came under the notice of the people on the shore, those with glasses observing that the boat was not only in danger of being., blown, out of the bay, but of swamping. Another crew soon put out to the rescue, adjusted a tow-line on to Mr_ Steel’s boat, and eventually, after considerable difficulty, succeeded in getting ashore at Paremata. / Fortunately, the ladies did not become' aware of their danger until the tow-line was thrown to them, Mr Steel having occupied their attention by getting them to sing and joke until assistance' arrived. Those who witnessed the incident'state that Mr Steel, who was a vishtor from Wellington, managed his boat excellently, and assert that had it been in less skilful bands in would have swamped. The D. 1.0. premises will remain open to-day (Thursday) till six o’clock. 2077. For peas and clover use a M’Cormick Folding Daisy Reaper. Morrow, Bassett and Co., Bedford Bow. X 3208 Strange and Co. announce (for tho information of holiday visitor's and others) that their establishment will be open all day to-day (Thursday). Special attractions! - 20S0 Many and varied guesses have been made during the holidays regarding the price that .will bo obtained for the freehold property in High Street occupied by G. H. Fail and othere, that Messrs C. A. Lees and Co. are offering at auction on Tuesday, the 9th inst., particulars of which appeared in yea* teixlay’s issue of this paper, '2043

Detectives Bishop and Kennedy arrested a man yesterday afternoon and charged him with committing an unnatural offence. At the Lyttelton Police Court yesterday, a first offender, a man, who had been remanded for medical treatment for the effects of drink, was convicted and ordered to pay 10s fid expenses. : i it The sister in charge of St Mary’s Homo acknowledges donations from Mrs Bridge and Miss Thomson; cakes, Leithfield, per Mrs East; meat, Mrs Edwards; clothing, Mrs Menzies and Miss Tripp. An effort is being made to get up a handicap race for motor launches at Lyttelton. Messrs W. Radclifie and G. A. Rich have the matter in hand, and it is hoped that the contest may take place on Saturday afternoon. 'The Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s 5.6. lonic loaded 9913 bales of wool at Lyttelton for London. This is not only a record wool shipment for the port, but is considered to be the largest shipment in one vessel from any port in .the colony. The Lyttelton Harbour Board’s telephone at the Heads was slightly damaged during the thunderstorm of Tuesday afternoon. A flash of lightning set fire to the grass on the lulls near the Bridle Path. The rain doubtless prevented the fire from spreading. A telegram from Napier states that an anonymous donation of £7OOO has been received by the Anglican diocese of Waiapu, the interest on which is to bo devoted towards the support of clergymen in poor and_ scattered districts throughout the diocese. The north branch of the Ashburton was discoloured yesterday, and the Rangitata and Rakaia were dirty. The Ashley, the Selwyn v the north branch of the Waimakarirl, the south and upper branches of the Ashburton, the Opihi and the Waitaki w T er.e clear. A special meeting of members of the Canterbury Industrial Association, convened by the president, Mr W. W. Charters, will bo held this evening to consider what course the Association should take In regard to its shares in the Canterbury Hall property. A curiously addressed postcard has just reached a resident of Christchurch. It was addressed simply “ To his Wife,” and on the reverse side was a photograph of the husband, a well-known figure in the city. The meagre address did not puzzle the postal, authorities, and the card was delivered promptly. Mr 0. B. Pemberton, secretary of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, has a letter from an agent in England, giving some information regarding efforts that had been made to secure humble bees to assist in the fertilisation of red clover in New Zealand. It was expected that a batch would be shipped at about the middle of last month.

Annie Clements, on remand, appeared before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, charged with using obscene language within the hearing of persons in Salisbury Grove. On the previous day, being under the-influence of liquor, she had elected to be tried by a jury, but yesterday she changed her mind, and agreed to be dealt with summarily.. In view of her record, she was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Nelson is to hold a great carnival at the end of the month, and the residents of “ Sleepy Hollow ” promise to belie their euphonious appellation. Their advertising is not wanting in originality, as is shown by the envelopes which the committee uses for its correspondence. In addition to the words “ Nelson carnival” and the dates

writ large on the front of the envelope, “Sunny Nelson’s” sunshine record for 1904 is represented as radiating from a golden sun. Tho record of an average daily sunshine of 8i hours is in itself a valuable testimonial. The third wool sale of the season will commence at the Canterbury A. and P. Hall to-day at 7.30 p.m., and will ' be continued on Friday at 9 a.m. The order of sale, with the number of bales _ to be offered, is as follows:—H. Matson and Co., 2500 bales; Dalgety and Co., 3194 bales; New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association, Limited, 2019 bales; National Mortgage and Agency Company, Limited, 704 bales; Pyne and i Co., 8844 bales; F. C. Tabart, 723 bales; Friedlander Bros., 624 hales; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, 1 Limited, 1700 bales. Approximately the total number of bales to be offered is 15,308. A deep-sea diminutive species of whiting has made its appearance in Sydney Harbour, particularly in Watson’s Bay. The visitation is an important one, as it marks the return of a species which were thought to be trumpeter whiting until' recently. The fish rarely exceed six inches in length, and are mature at that size. They are distinct from the sand and trum-

peter whiting, and are not included in the schedule of .weights issued by the Fisheries Board. They have a number of indistinct red spots and a broad silver band along the sides. While the legal length at which the trumpeter whiting may be bagged is nine inches, the new species may be taken under that length. The flesh of the fish is extremely delicate. _ During the Thetis’ - trawling cruise immense quantities of these small whiting were caught, and their appearance' in Sydney was hailed with derision by market sellers, buyers and netters, who • mistook them for immature sand and trumpeter whiting. The report of Mr W. S. Short, Government Commissioner, on heavy haulage conditions in Marlborough has been published. The inquiry was held in - November at the instance of the Marlborough Traction Engine and Machine Owners’ Union, which complained that separate license fees by local bodies practically prohibited Its industry. Six road boards and the Blenheim Borough Council were cited to the inquiry. The commissioner now finds that the total of fees leviable in Marlborough on one engine alone amounted to £llO per annum, or £l7O for engine and waggons, which is far in excess of similar fees imposed in any other county in the colony'. He makes a number of suggestions for the alleviation of these conditions, among them being that local bodies should be invited to adopt a system of low-priced permits, that the Counties Act should be brought into force and that the present legislation should be amended to provide for combined action on the part of local authorities. We are giving the best value in bicycles ever offered in f Christchurch. Brices from £ll to £ls 15s. Genuine English-built B.S.A. Bicycles £l2 10s. Repairs, unequalled in quality, at moderate prices. Boyd and Son, 191, Gloucester Street,-Christchurch. 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 he is unable to distinguish between optical defects and diseases, but consult John R. Proctor, 180, High Street, Christchurch, who wjll give you a thorough examination free of charge. X 2681 Tailoring Extraordinary.—You want a knock-about suit, to see you through the summer and well into the autumn, but you do not want to give too high a figure; well, here is your chance, exactly what you want at genuine sale prices. We will make to your measure (during the sale, only) one of our second grade suits, cut iu the latest style, at the price of an ' ordinary slop-made, viz., 63s for 555, 67s 6d for 59s Gd, 75s for 655. Order early. Death’s Sale, now on. 198®

Mr J. E. Thomas and Mr Ralph Hoiland have boon appointed members of the Wakamii River Board. __ There are still three vacancies on the Board to be filled.

Messrs J. G., Doak, A. Elliss, A. Mori land, T. Power and J. M. Young have been elected, unopposed, members of the Mandevillo and llailgiora River Board. A meeting of ratepayers will bo held in the Public Library,- Wookton, at eight o’clock this evening to discuss matters in connection .with the Drainage Board election. Some good sized trout are being taken from ,±ho Ashburton River. One angler, in his maiden effort having grassed two weighing- 31b and 81b respectively. Another angler caught an eight-poundc-r. The Peninsula Horticultural Society’s annual summer show was held in the Akaroa Town Hall on Monday. The number of entries was largo, many of the exhibits being of fin© quality, and the show proved a financial success. During the visit of Mr Joseph Piper, of Petone, to Christchurch, he has infused frefill interest into the ‘ ‘ Blue Jumper” movement, and it is arranged that a meeting will shortly be held / with the object of forming a “ Blue Jumpers’ Association ” to carry on the successful “socials” which were twice held here in memory of the volunteering days in Canterbury before uniforms were issued. The conference of the New Zealand Dental Association was continued at Dunedin yesterday. The delegates wore entertained at luncheon by Mr C.„W. Hay, president of the local x\ssociation. The forenoon was devoted to practical demonstrations, in which various members took part. In the afternoon Mr F. W. Thompson (Christchurch) read a paper on “ Dentist ethics,” and then followed a practical demonstration, and other papers and discussion. A syllabus committee was set up to confer with the University Senate with regard to a dental curriculum.

f Nominations for the South Waimakariri River Board have closed, and in only one district will an election he necessary. That is the Avon district, in which the sitting member, Mr C. dlurgess, will bo opposed by Mr W. P. Spencer. Tho poll will take place on Tuesday. For the remaining eight districts all the sitting members have been re-elected, namely, Messrs T. Gapes (North-West Christchurch), C. F. Money (North-East Christchurch), R. W. England (South-West Christchurch), J. Glanville (South-East Christchurch), N. K. Bowden .(Sydenham), W. E. Samuels (Heathcote), G. F. Carpenter (Riocartoii), and H. W. Peryman (Lincoln).

At Auckland on Friday the mail steamer Sierra landed about 1700 sacks of potatoes from Sydney, which had been brought down from San Francisco by the steamer when she called at Auckland on December 12. The consignment Was shipped at the Californian port, to be landed either at Auckland or Sydney, at tho option of the consignees. It was intended to have discharged the whole consignment at Auckland, hut as the weather was very wet during the night the steamer was discharging, it was decided that they should be carried on to Sydney. On arrival at that port it was found, however, that prices .had dropped considerably, and the whole consignment was returned to Auckland. One of the incidents in connection with the storm that passed over Christchurch on Tuesday was the falling of a thunderbolt at Red cliffs. Many residents of the township watched the progress of the storm with interest, and at about 2.30 p.m., when the storm was at its height, there was a specially loud clap, and a hall of fire was seen to fall a short distance from the post office and about thirty or forty yards in front of the cottage on the beach. It came to earth ii:si lo high-water mark, but as the tide was not full, sanx into the soft mud, where it disappeared. Its advent caused a good deal of consternation among some of the visitors to the seaside, The play of the lightning along the ridge of the hills is described as a splendid sight. From Clifton also a good view of the storm was obtained, and its course over land and sea as it travelled north was the object of much observation. We are clearing the deck of Straw Hats just now, when people have use for straw *liats. Usual price 3s 6d, special bargain price Is 6d. Black, Beattie and Co. 3262 At Black, Beattie’s, great bargains are in evidence. Dainty French Muslin 2s 3d, now Is per yard; Ladies’ Fancy Straw Hats 6s 6d to 10s 6d, for Is each; Coloured Crash Skirts, 10s 6d, for 5s lid each. , 8262 Jewellery Sale. Best Reliable Watches, Gold Muff Chains, Engagement Rings,' Gdld Bangles, Gold Brooches, Wedding and Christmas Presents, all Sold at Great Reduction for one month only. K. Grieshaber, Jeweller, 155, Colombo Street. X 3371 Christmas and New Year presents, useful and ornamental. Fletcher Bros, have just landed vases from 6d to 8s 6d each. Jugs 6d, tumblers and tray os 9d, 6s 9d, 9s 6d. Moustache cups and saucers from Is. Shaving mugs from Is 3d. Tea sets from 7s 9d. Dinner sets from 16s 9d. Reduced Prices. See windows. Fletcher Bros., Crockery Merchants, Lower, High Street. 1988 STAGE STRUCK. Edward Riddle, a well-dressed, intelligent boy of thirteen, was charged at Sunderland (England) recently, with being beyond control. The boy had been away from home beforo. The last time he ran away he went to Leeds, <and sought out Miss Ellen Terry, who was performing there, tolling her ho wanted to go on the stage. Miss Terry telegraphed to his mother, and kept him until a missionary arrived and took him home. The poy wanted to go on the stage; he had a will of his own, and seemed determined to carry it out. The Bench sent the lad to the Wellesley training ship on tho Tyne. WOOD SEASONING. A process has been invented by an Englishman for giving artificial age- to wood. He replaces tho sap of trees by beet sugar or saccharine. Newly felled wood is laid on a waggonette, which is rolled into a huge cylinder, provided with pipes. The cylinder is supplied with sugar or saccharine. Hot water is then forced through the pipes. Tho heat boils the sugar, which penetrates tho pores of the wood. The cooling is accomplished by cold water forced through tho pipes. The cylinder is emptied and tho waggonette, with its burden of wood, is rolled into a special room, whore it is dried by a current of hot air. After being cooled again the wood, properly seasoned by the sugar, is ready for use. It is said not to spring or gather dampness, and to be proof against destruction by insects. THE EVOLUTION 3F FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES. People are apt to think that plants, and especially vegetables, were found by man when he first made his appearance on the earth just as they are today. This is, of course, an entirely erroneous idea, for in no sphere have science a"d evolution played a greater or more important part than in the gradual development of flowers, fruit, and vegetables. This is fully shown in an article in the “ English Illustrated Magazine.” . In th© kitchen garden tho changes have been equally astonishing. Of all cultivated vegetables none ex-

bibits so remarkable a range of variation as the cabbage. Few people are aware that a common British p.ant, still abundant at many spots along tue south coast, is, practically speaking, the direct ancestor of every known variety of cabbage. Another example is to bo found in asparagus. In a few isolated localities, on the south coast, notably above Clvcesil Beach at Portland, and on tbs island bearing its name in Kynanco Cove, Cornwall, the thin shoots of the wild asparagus, no thicker than goose quills, may still be found in the month of May. By what means this inconspicuous plant was raised to the status of a dainty and highly-prized vegetable, or to whom the praise for the inception of this remarkable feat of horticulture is due, can never be known. It is a curious fact that the majority of the highly-prized vegetables, certainly the potato, the cabbage, the asparagus ,and- the beet, were all originally maritime species.

MR BRYAN’S BLUNDER. . Mr W. J. Bryan, the American democratic leader, got into a curious difficulty when Admiral Togo maoe his triumphal entry into Tokio. During tno ceremony, which was in accordance with ancient “Shinto” _ rites, _and based on the hoariest traditions' of old Japan, the hero of Tsushima, had to seat himself on a “ehoji” or war stool. The particular “ shoji ” used had been iu possession of the family of Viscount Ogasawara, the Clnct Ritualist, for several centuries, and was therefore a valued heirloom. Mr Bryan (says the correspondent of the “ Otago Daily Times ), knowing nothing of its associations, or, for the matter of that, of the feelings which educated and refined Japanese entertain for ancient religious objects, desired to possess himself of the stool. To him it was an archaic piece of furniture o'u which Togo had sat, and was therefore worthy of a place in the Bryan homestead. He, therefora, without any further ado, asked for the “ ehoji,” and, on hie request being politely waived aside, added insult to injury by offering money for it. viscount Ogasawara was in a quandary. The “ shoji ” was a priceless heirloom of the family, which neither love nor money could purchase, but, then no belonged to a nation that can never refuse anything to a guest. Mr Bryan persisted, and in the end received the “shoji.” But next day the incident was in all the papers, and lie realised what a blunder be had committed. He apologised, and returned the 6 “°R: The incident onlv adds one more to the long list of unfortunate happenings which bring tho blush of shame to the cheeks of foreign residents in Japan. BUTTER BOXES. , Immense quantities of white pine aie annually shipped to Australia from New Zealand for conversion into butter boxes. An agitation has been set afoot to displace the New Zealand timber with Queensland white pine, and sa,wmillers m this colony are -watching with interest the tests which are being conducted by ex pouts-in Australia witli the object of ascertaining whether the New Zealand article can be done without. In the most recent test by Government experts in Sydney, butter from the same churning was placed in boxes made of New Zealand white pine and Queensland white pine. The butter (says the “ Sydney Morning Herald ) was placed in cold storage for a time, and was taken out two days before the examination, so that it might d© in about the same condition in which butter usually appears on the grocer s counter. The boxes were brought out with the outsides covered so that the wood could not be recognised. The Chief Dairy Expert and an expert in the trade then made a very careful examination, driving the trier down sevoral times beside the wood and withdrawing samples. The butter was then turned out of the boxes, and again examined very carefully. Each of the experts detected a slight woody flavour in one box, but it could not be described as a taint, 'and was not sufficient to affect tho sale of the butter. Tho box turned out to be that made of Queensland pine, but the experts were satisfied that if both butters were offered for sale there would not he-a hair’s difference in the price. So far a® it goes, the test proved that butter put up and kept under ordinary conditions in Queensland pin© was not depreciated in value, but whether tide result can be safely taken' as a guide to what would happen if large quantities were packed in this wood is problematical. PICTURES WITH HISTORIES. A writer in the “ Grand Magazine ” truly says that the irony of life, with its ups and downs, is never more strikingly shown than in the career of great artists and the varying fortunes of the works that have procured them immortal fame. Christie’s famous sale-rooms have been the scene of many of these vicissitudes. One day, a few years ago, the postman delivered at the rooms a roll of brown papifr which was found to contain a crumpled, worth-less-looking old print with this accompanying note: “I enclose stamps for the return of the print in case you co not think it worth selling.” There was little chance, however,- of the stamps being required for such a purpose, for the print, flattened and framed, soon figured thus in a catalogue of sale: “ 9 A.—Lady Catherine Pelham-Clin-ton, after Sir J. Reynolds, by 1 J. R, Smith; first state, with untrimmed margin.” On the day of the sale five guineas started the bidding—six, seven, ten, twenty, fifty followed swiftly; the hundred was passed, then two hundred, and, mounting higher and higher, an offer of £567 was made; and for this sum the despised engraving, which its owner expected to see back again , as not worth selling, was knocked down to a delighted purchaser. It is a fitting crown to this romance of a picture that its owner was a poor man, to whom a five-pound note would have seemed almost a fortune. These instances of artistic treasure trove have been by no means uncommon in recent years. It is not long since a Captain- Treharne, while exploring an old curiosity shop at Barmonth, brought to light a sea-piece, painted in cals on an old oak-panel, unframed and dilapidated. The dealer was delighted to accept twenty-five shillings for what be considered so much lumber, but which, on being cleaned, proved to be a veritable Turner, bearing the great artist’s initials, and valued at £7OO. Equally remarkable is the story of the Parisian artamateur who, a few years since, packed up for a modest 50 centimes a study in rod chalk which struck him as a -remarkably clever piece of work. And it certainly was, for it proved to bo Raphael’s original design for his great picture, “ La Disputa del Sacramento,” one of tho treasures of the Vatican, and at a moderate estimate its value is at least £4.00. A second-hand dealer not long ago bought _ from a poor widow -a dirty canvas which, after careful cleaning, was recognised as a

fine example of Gainsborough, and worth several thousands of pounds; and at a sale in Carnarvoneliiro a purchaser secured for a five-pound note a very old and dirty canvas which proved to be a Rubens, worth £7OOO. A FAMOUS CYCLE. Beeston Humber road racers have always stood apart from any other make of cycle, no of labour having been” spared in their production. The machines are designed with short heads, and wo are in a position to supply them fitted with handle-bars, gears, rims and tyres to order, so that road-racing cyclists can get a machine to suit their requirements. Price £22. Easy terms arranged. Second-hand bicycles taken in part payment. Inspection invited. Adams Star Cycle Co., 138-140, High Street, and 198, Colombo Street, Christchurch. 14