TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The fire brigades turned out about ton o’clock last night in answer to a call from Richmond, but could find no trace of a fire. The Scottish Society has added two more events to its programme at the Gathering of the Clans, a middleweight Scottisli wrestling championship and a singlestick championship. Tenders were recently called for the erection of six workmen’s homes at Sydenham, in terms of the Act passed last year. Three, of the houses are to be in wood and three in brick. For the wooden houses the tenders ranged from £lO7l to £1260 for the three, and for the brick buildings from £1245 to £1529. Mr James Greig is the successful tenderer in both, cases, and has signed the contract.

The flags on the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s s.s. Rangatira were hoisted half-mast high yesterday as a mark of respect for the lata Captain Streeter, who died from the results of an accident on the s.s. Ayrshire at Auckland. Captain Streeter was for a considerable time commander of sailing vessels of the Shaw-Savill fleet, but latterly carried on business at Auckland as a stevedore. His death caused much regret in Lyttelton, where he was well known and popular. With this morning’s issue is distributed an illustrated circular descriptive of the new season’s goods now on sale at Hulbert, Slaymaker and Co.’s (next Freeman’s, High Street), and which include a host of novelties especially imported for tho Exhibition season, in the shape of ties, shirts, underwear, hosiery, hats, and a very choice lot of spring and summer suitings, etc. 3372 We are giving the best value in bicycles ever offered in Christchurch. Prices from £ll to £ls 15s. Genuine English-built B.S.A. Bicycles £l2 10s. Repairs, unequalled in quality, at moderate prices. Boyd and Son, 101, Gloucester Street, Christchurch. 1988

Tlio Bank of New Zealand is about to open a branch at Fairlie, where it will supply a long-felt want. This season’s output of several of the Peninsula dairy factories has been sold at prices ranging from 6d to 6 13-16 d per lb. The coal export from the port of Greymouth for the week ending Saturday was 6076 tons lowt, contributed to as follows:—State mine 3625 tons Bcwt, Brunner and Tyneside 1672 tons 7cwt, Blackball 778 tons Gent. The Westport Coal Company’s output last week was 14,908 tons 16cwt. At a meetng of the Eanmer Rifle Club held in the Hall on Saturday evening for the purpose of -electing a captain to succeed Captain R. ActonAdams, Mr D. Leishman was elected. The secretaiy reported that the financial state of tho club was satisfactory. Five new members were -enrolled. Mr John M’Arthur, speaking to tho toast of the pastoral interests at Haiv mer, on Saturday evening, said that Canterbury settlor® as a body did not realise how much they had to thank some of the Amuri squatters for, especially Mr Duncan Rutherford, to whose energy some years ago was due the erection of rabbit-proof fences all through the north country. This fence had checked a scourge, which many Amuri men. have had to fight so hard against, and which, otherwise, would undoubtedly have spread all over Canterbury. A deputation representing the employees of the Manawatu Railway Company asked the Minister of Railways yesterday to do what ho could to get the company’s employees brought under the operation of the Government Railway Superannuation Fund as soon, as possible. Tire Minister, in reply, said he could not he expected to introduce a measure which would serve the employees of a private company, and pass over the Civil Service. He would like to see a whole comprehensive scheme dealt with, but it did not seem possible this session. Ho would, however, consult the Cabinet, and see what could be done. For several years past the catches of blue cod made at Stewart Island and Fcveaux Strait have been on tb© decrease (says the “Western Star”), and it will only be a matter of a few years before fishermen will have to go further seaward to procure this much-relished fish. An old “salt” has given it as his opinion that it is due to the importation of trout to our rivers, aa the latter are now plentiful along the whole coast line. Last year a. party of fishermen did some trawling in Taewaewa© Bay, and for one day alone over two- tone of trout were procured, some of which weighed up to 261 b. A short time ago-, Mr 0. D. Hardie, president of the branch, made an appeal to the teachers in the North Canterbury educational district, who are non-momberfl, to join tho Institute. Sixty-six teachers responded to this appeal, and at a meeting of the Committee of Management held on Saturday were enrolled. The membership is now well over two hundred. In order that the Institute may he represented by five delegates at the annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Educational- Institute to be held in Christchurch in January, twelve more members are required, and it is hoped that these will be secured within the next fortnight. Intending members are to be again urged to- forward their names as early as possible. The following have passed their examinations in connection with the Ashburton branch of the' St John Ambulance Association :—Ladies’ das®: Misses H. B. Askin, M. Collons, W. Collins, L. Dent, A. Digby, A. Forriman, J. Hosken, E. Harris, I. Muirhead, M. Tresize, A. C. Watson, L. Watt and N. Watson; gentleman’s class: Messrs A. T. Andrews, C. Collins, F. Crawford. P. Dixon, J. W. M’Gregor - , J. E. Purchase and A. ,Y. Winchester. Tho ladies’ class had a roll of twenty members, thirteen of whom presented themselves for examination. The ! gentlemen’s class had fifteen members, eight presenting themselves for examination. Dr Hunter was the examiner, and Dr Home Bett delivered th© lectures to both classes. The evil influence of the -recent “prophet ” movement is strongly- felt among the Maoris even now, and very few of them have gone to work yet (says the Waimana correspondent of the “East Coast Guardian”). The few who have started work have not averaged half an hour a day for the past six months. The Government has announced that they will be supplied with clean seed potatoes free of cost, and the Maoris feel sure that flour and sugar will be forthcoming too." During the fine weather of the past month anyone riding through the Waimana Maori pas would see any afternoon scores of able-bodied men who are physically able to earn 8s a day basking in the. sun, and waiting for Government charity. They refused the road work which was offered to them by the Roads Department. The annual meeting of the Scargill Defence Rifle Club was held on September 1, Captain Overton presiding. The following officers were elected for th© ensuing year:—Patron, Sir G. Clifford ; president, Mr A. W. Rutherford, M.H.R.: vice-presidents, Messrs A. W. Byrch, W. Elliot, S. B. Gibb. J. Cameron, WV Banks, R. H. Wood. C. Sawtell and Dr W. Fox; captain, Mr Angus Cameron; vice-captain, Mr W. Harrison ; auditor, Mi- F. Banks; secretary and treasurer, Mr James Cameron. The official opening of the range will take place on October 13, when three valuable trophies, presented by one of the vice-presidents of the club, will be shot for. A sura of on© guinea was voted to the secretary. Eight new members were enrolled. The opinion was very strongly expressed that rifle clubs should receive more consideration, from the' Defence Department, ammunition being a very expensive item under existing conditions. Mr J. E. Baker, chairman of the Christchurch Land Agents’ Committee, is forwarding to the Canterbury members of the House of Representatives and of the Legislative Council the following letter, signed by thirty firms of auctioneers and estate agents in Christchurch:—“Wo, the undersigned, practising as land agents in the Christchurch district, respectfully request that you will do us the favour of not only supporting the Land Agents Bill, introduced this session by Mr George Witty, but that you will kindly use your influence to ensure the passing of the measure. The Bill did not emanate from land agents, but originated with the Government. We recognise, however, that while necessary in the interest of commercial morality to protect _ the public against unscrupulous dealings, the Bill will put our business on a much more satisfactory footing. Therefore anything you can do to ensure its passing will be greatly appreciated by us.” If you have tho 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 will give you a thorough examination free of charge. X 2681 Our suits will please you just as long as, you wear them. We nave now opened 'up our new spring and summer suitings. Our tailor-made suits are built with a painstaking care, which ensures perfect fit, retention of shape, latest styles, and our prices cannot be beaten elsewhere. See our patterns and place your orders at once. Black, Beattie and Co. 3088

■MMIHUMIMHIIlIW Up to date New Zealand has turned out 21,701,419 tons of all classes of coal, last year’s record being 1,685,756 tons. At an adjourned meeting of tho Katapoi Licensing Committee, held yesterday, at which Mr V. G. Day, S.M., (chairman), and Messrs R. Coup, C. Leech and J. W. Foster were present, tho license of the Mandevill© Hole! was renewed to J. W. Manning, tho alterations to the building ordered at the annual meeting having been carried out. A dozen members of the Royal Naval Reserve joined H.M.S. Pioneer yesterday for their annual, period of training. The vessel is expected to leave Lyttelton about October 19 for Wellington, in order to be present at the Trafalgar Day celebration. She will return, to Lyttelton about October 22, and will remain there till the second l „ week in November, when she is to leave for Dunedin. Deputations, consisting of th© honorary secretary and members of the executive, from the School Committees’ Association, waited upon the Bromley, and Burvvood School Committees last week, with a view of inducing them to join the Association. It was pointed out that these wore the only two committees in the central ward not affiliated to the Association. The deputation, after stating their views and answering questions, thanked tho committees for having agreed to the interviews. It is the intention of the executive to wait upon other suburban, school committees. The return furnished by tho State Under-Secretary for Mines for New South Wales shows that the gold yield recorded for the month of August was 19,5450 z crude, equal to 16,7840 z fine, valued at £71,294, as compared with 26,4730 z crude, equal to 20,4890 z fine, valued at £87,032, for the same month last year. The yield for the first eight months of the year was 202,9090 z crude, equal to 168,8920 z fine, valued at £717,407, as compared with 197,6150 z crude, equal to 162,5130 z fine, valued at £690,312, for the same period in 1905, thus showing an increase of 63790 z fine and £27,095 in value. . At the Police Court yesterday, Messrs W. H. Hargreaves, J.P., ami C. H. Winny, J.P., heard a case in which Charles Atkinson was charged, on tho information of the secretary of. th© Tramway Board,, that, not being the original purchaser of a' discount tramway ticket he had ■ .used it in payment of his fare. . Mr Izard, who appeared for the prosecution, said that the defendant had tendered to the conductor. a resident’s coupon, not transferable, which he had obtained in th© New Brighton car at the same time, from the'original purchaser, who was in his company. The Board felt that the practice was becoming common, and the case had. been, brought to bring the matter into public notice and check the practice.', . The Board was convinced that the defendant had had no wish to evade the bylaw, and a nominal penalty only was asked for. A fin© of 6s and costs waa imposed, with solicitor’s fee end witnesses’ expenses. At Tapanui yesterday John Munro and James Robertson were charged with keeping for sale alooholio liquor in the no-license district of Clutha. Mr J. F. M. Frasier, Crown Prosecutor, said that Munro was a storekeeper at Kelso, and Robertson lived with and* worked for him. A very systematic, a somewhat extensive and *an exceedingly open trad© of sly grog selling had been carried on. A number of informations had been laid against Munro and his wife, hut as Munro had pleaded guilty all except one charge would he withdrawn. Mr W. Sinclair, who appealed for the accused, denied that an, extensive business had been carried on. When Munro purchased the business he did not think there would be any harm in keeping a_ supply of liquor and" treating his customers occasionally when they paid accounts. He had no idea of soiling it, but he found that when customers had a second nip they would insist on paying for it. No liquor was supplied except to customers at the store. There was no profit to speak of. Mr Cruickshank, S.M., fined Munro £4O, and Robertson £lO, with costs £4 6s 2d. In replying to a deputation of flax growers at Shannon yesterday, who wanted the Government to grant a bonus of £SOOO for the first 500 tons of flax artificially produced in five ton. lota tho Eon R. M’Nab made an important statement regarding the policy of the Government towards this rapidly growing industry. He said ho could hold out no hope of th© Cabinet entertaining this request, but if th© deputation had asked for £SOOO for investigating the growth of flax he would have been with them up to the hilt. Tho Government was preparing a scheme whereby students at College studying for the Science degree would be able to devote a considerable portion of their time to investigating New Zealand material. .It had been arranged that one thing these students would direct their attention to would he flax, so that particular students would b© aide to concentrate their whole attention, on - this material. In this way the Government hoped to be able to arrive at better methods of treating and using flax, and to bo able to ascertain what was the most profitable way of utilising the by products. The Government also hoped to ascertain which species of flax were most amenable to artificial cultivation, and which were most profitable to cultivate. These were lines which the Government intended to. follow in regard to this and kindred industries. The total number of eggs laid for tho eighteenth week of the Utility l Poultry Club’s competition at Lincoln College was 1337, making, a grand total of 13,417. The following pens have laid over 200, last week’s laying being stated in parentheses:—M. Blanch, Silver Wyandottes (27) 345; J. Ashton, Silver Wyandottes (20) 331; F. O’Brien, Silver Wyandottes (22) 307; H. Walton, White Orpingtons (16) 261; H. Pannell, Buff Leghorns (19) 259; J. Jacknuta, Silver Wyandottes (24) 249; W. Stalker Silver Wyandottes (18) 235; Mrs Gordon, Brown Leghorns (27) 231; W. M’Rae Peacock, White Wyandott.es (9) 226; D. M. Peek, Black Orpingtons (14) 225; A. H. Existed, Buff Orpingtons (17) 224; Mrs Steer, Golden Wyaadottes (26) 223; J. H. Shaw, Silver Wyandottes (12) 205; A. L. Webster, Silver Wyandotte® (15) 203; C. R. Wilson, Black Orpingtons (11) 201; H. Pannell, Buff Orpingtons (8) ' 200. Other good totals for tho week are:— C. Cummings, White Wyandottes, 29; M. Steel, Silver Wyandottes, 28; A. Petrie, Silver Wyandottes, 27; H. Walden, E C. Brown Leghorns, 25; W. E. Jones, White Wyandottes, 25; W. D. Williams, Black Orpingtons, C. R. Wilson, Minorcas, 25; J. J. Royde, Buff Leghorns, 24; A. M’Entee, Silver Wyandottes, 22; W. A. Nixon, White Leghorns, 22; Alexandra Poultry Company, Whit© Plymouth Rocks, 22; John Mann, White Wyandottes, 21; J. Steir, Whit© Wyandottes, 21; E. Goodman, Silver Wyandottes, 21; L. Birkiior, Black Orpingtons, 20; W. A. Nixon, Silver Wyandottes, 20; A. Tyree, Brown Leghorns, 20; E. Scott, White Leghofns, SO.

Nimmo and Blair’s Vegetable Seeds, 3d 'packets. Peas, Beans, Radish, Leek, etc. Flower Seeds Id packet, 100 varieties. Free catalogues. Also stock, Parrot and Canary Seed, 6d bags. Seed Potatoes. Fletcher Bros., Lower High Street. 1 The mail order department of traders may be extended and operations facilitated by arranging for collection of amount of invoice by tho New Zealand Impress Co., Ltd. Prompt reports and remittances guaranteed., 3235

The members of tlio Canterbury! Hookey team, which defeated Otago, at Dunedin, on Saturday, returned to Chrietchuroh last niglit. The members of the Ashburton County Council made an inspection ot the various bridges, water-races, and other works in the upper portion of the district yesterday. The Salvation Amy Austral Women’s Hand had a good reception at Timaru, their three services in the Theatre on Sunday being very well attended, the • theatre being packed in the evening The superintending steward of the Lyttelton Sailors’ Home wishes to acknowledge the receipt of magazines and illustrated papers from Mr J. 0. Hay, Pigeon Bay, and of London -Graphics” and' “ Tit Bits” from Mr G. J. AY. Cookson, Lyttelton. At a meeting of subscribers to the Hocken gift fund, at Dunedin, last evening, it was decided to erect a building for housing the valuable collection on the Museum site. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Dr Hookeii for his generosity in handing over so valuable a collection for public purposes. The Timaru Association Football Club during the last season undertook to coach eighteen boys of the primary schools in town in the “soccer” game, and as a result they wore able to get seven teams to play a five-a-side tournament played to wind up tho seaeon last Saturday. The biennial election of a Board of Commissioners for the AmberJey Town District will take place to-morrow. The candidates for the seven seats on the Board are Messrs G. Baker, B. Burland, J. E. Chamberlain, F. G. Lewton, J. M’Lean, jun., H .AY. Mookett, 3D. A. Rogers, T. Sloper and E. S. Turner. Two vacant Cathedral choristerships Trill be competed for on Thursday, at the Cathedral, at 10 a.m. Successful candidates will hold scholarships at Christ’s College, and have the advantage of a good musical training. Boys should bo from eight to eleven years of age. Exhibitions are granted to exchoristers, and there are also prizes and other advantages. A telegram from Greymouth says:— Great indignation 3s ( expressed at the Government’s action in stopping sur- . vey work at Point Elizabeth. -A meeting of the Borough Council will be held to consider the matter, and confer with the Harbour Board, so as to make a strong protest. Tho survey, _if - completed, would settle the question as to ‘ whether it is possible to make a harbour or-not at Point Elizabeth. At a' special meeting of the Council of the Scottish Society of New Zealand, held last evening, arrangements were made for according a Highland funeral to the late Dr Maobean Stewart, one of tho oldest members of the. Society. It had been an oft expressed wish of tho deceased that ho should be buried in accordance with the customs of the Highlands. Members of the Society and their friends are requested to attend the funeral, which will take place at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. At the Kaiapoi Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a prohibited person charged with, having procured liquor stated, in defence, that he had a. law point to ad- . vanoe. He then read a newspaper paragraph to the effect that a Magis- ' trate in the south had stated that it was a point for argument whether, in a charge against a prohibited person of having procured liquor, it was necessary to show when and where the liquor was procured to prove a breach of the prohibition order. Mr Day quickly disposed of defendant’s law point by saying that he required no argument. If a prohibited person was under the influence of liquor it was sufficient evidence to prove that he had procured liquor. On Thursday evening at tie-Choral Hall Mr C. Reginald Ford, who was a member of the Discovery expedition, will give a lecture on “Farthest South;” This is not a lecture in the ordinary acceptation of tho term, but rather a vivid word-painting, descriptive of life and adventure in the southern realms of the Grim Ice King, net a record of trials, hardships, peril, pluck and endurance, but a thrilling description of those vast snow-bound lands which are unknown, except to the -very few who have risked their lives in the cause of scientific research., Mr Ford has many stirring tales to tell of the dangers of the dreaded ice-pack, tho perils of sledge travelling, etc., and has a splendid set of slides with which to illustrate his story. An . effort is being made by the officers of St Mary’s Church, Addington, to raise funds for the purchase of a bell and belfry as a memorial to the late Right Hon R. J. Seddon. Mr Seddon attended the church whenever he was in Christchurch, and last March gave a subscription towards such an addition to the church. Under the circumstances this will be expended in another direction. . A church parade of the -North Canterbury Battalions and tho Ordnance Corps will be held at the Show Grounds on October 7, and the offertories on that occasion will go towards the memorial fund. Already £SO of the £l6O which is estimated to cover the cost has been subscribed, and it is hoped that tho full amount may be subscribed to allow of the completion of the memorial during the Exhibition , period. The Pioneer and Garrison Athletic Clubs have appointed the following officials for the sports carnival to be held in the King Edward; Barracks this overling:—Referee, Mr J. E. Green; . judges, Messrs J. F. Waehsmann, H. . S. Batchelor, F. Farthing, F. H. Salter , and T. H. North; timekeepers. Captain • , Finnia, Captain Jones and Mr A. Lowry; handicappers, Messrs P. Men- . ei«s and F. H. Salter; stewards, Messrs A. J. Allard and C. R. Shanu; Press steward, Mr A. Donaldson; secretaries, Messrs F. L. Murray and AY. AY. Garton, Tho track is reported to be, in excellent order, and special seating accommodation has bedn provided for spectators. On© of the chief events of ‘. the evening will be a three-mile steeple- > chaise, for which fifteen entries have been received, and there will bo some interesting novelty events. At a largely attended meeting of the . Duller Railway League, at Westport, last night, the members of the deputation that recently visited Wellington reported the results of their interview with the Premier and Minister of Pub- , lie "Works. It was pointed out at the meeting that two coal leases had just been applied for on the railway route. Mr Bailiie, a member of the deputation, said that samples of the coal taken from the outcrops had boon analysed by the director of the Westport School or Mines, and gave better results than the coal from other parts of the district. The hope was expressed that the Government would push the railway forward as speedily as possible, in order bo allow these coal measures to be worked and tho timber brought to the port for shipment. One member stated that mails from Melbourne, via Westport, for Christchurch, would cover a shorter distance by 137 miles than going via AYellington. You are invited to call and inspect First Shipments of New Season's Drapery, Mercery, Model Millinery, etc, now showing by Messrs Death and Ooy. In view of Exhibition seaeon, this firm has ordered very largely from all the principal centres of laebion. The values promise to excel anything shown in the past, and should meet with ready sale. Customers , should place their dressmaking and ' tailoring orders early to avoid disappointment. Remember we can, and will) & ve satisfaction. 19S8

John Kilgour, who was fined £3O, in default six weeks’ imprisonment at Ashburton, on September 7, on a charge of having sold liquor and was given a week to pay the fine, has surrendered himself to the police in order to undergo the term of imprisonment. The Wool Fires Commission sat at Timaru yesterday afternoon, ami took the evidence of Messrs AV. R. M ; Loren, manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, E. R. Guinness, of Guinness and Lo_Cren, 1. D. Young, manager of J. Neill and Co.’s wool stores', and A. S. Palmer, wool buyer and fellmonger. All the witnesses stated that there had been very little beating of wool known at Timaru, and nothing approaching firing. Mr Guinness recalled a case wherein some bales of merino wool shorn wet, were specially marked, and these actually realised more money at Home than the other wool. -Mr Palmer had known caeca where some bales of wool stacked outside a station shed got wetted, and one bale of locks was rotted to black muck. It was hot, but not more than 170 or 180 degrees. In every case of hot wool be had met with it was so damp that he could not see how it could fire. The Commission will resume its sitting this morning. ■ Jewellery Sale. Best Reliable Watches, Gold Muff Chains, Engagement Rings, Gold Bangles Gold Brooches, Wedding Presents, all Sold at Great Reduction for one month onlv K. Grieshaber, Jeweller, 100, Colombo Street. X 3371 THE STAMP DUTIES. An interesting point in the matter of the stamp duty came before the Magistrate’s Court at Napier yesterday, when AY. M. Newman was charged with failing to stamp a duplicate receipt. The defendant, entering a plea of guilty, said that he was totally unaware tliqt a duplicate required stamping, and such a thing was unheard of in local business circles. Ihe Inspector of Police said there was no reason to doubt that the original was stamped, but the Department considered that duplicates also should bo stamped. Subsequently the defendant withdrew the plea of guilty and entered one of not guilty, to enable the Magistrate to go into the question lyDISEASED TROUT. / With reference to a report that certain fish at the Masterton trout hatchery are suffering from a cancerous growth, Mr AV. D. Ayson, the curator, stated that tho growth was a tumour called “ gill disease,” and frequently found in fish kept in hatcheries for spawning purposes. The disease had only been contracted by a few of tho fish at the hatcheries, and was not at all general. _ Those suffering from the growth were being experimented upon by Mr Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian. The' disease was due to lack of certain natural food. The fish in a natural state, through preying upon one another, obtained pancreas or sweetbread food, which was necessary to healthy, thriving fish. At the hatcheries they had been partially fed with animal pancreas, but this did not appear to be a satisfactory substitute for the pancreas of fish. AYHITE SLAVES IN FLORIDA. The Now York correspondent of “Tire Times” state® that stories by men who have escaped from Florida show that immigrant® from Europe, after arriving in New York, have been persuaded to go there on promises of good pay, and are now living there in a condition of absolute slavery. The men are taken to Flodira in steamships, and .after.-their arrival are set to work in turpentine camps and , eke where. They are made to live in huts guarded by negroes, and when they demand their wages they are told that they owe their employer® for board far, more than the sums' they have earned. Two men who arrived in New York recently from Florida camps were in a terrible condition, their bodies being covered wtih scars left by the whips of the overseer®. At least fifty immigrants are known to have started for Florida in the last six months, and they have not been heard from since. A letter received by a woman, in New York from her son say®; —“ This is written at night and forwarded by a friend who is in greater danger than I am in. If he should be caught with it he would b© killed like a dog, as others have been.” The writer’says that he doe® not dare to tell the place where ho is enslaved. Ho once escaped, hut was recaptured and beaten. SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. Tho question of Sunday selling of newspapers has lately been the cause of some solicitation on the part of members of the New South Wales. Legislative Assembly. Mr Arthur Griffith put a question to tho Chief Secretary on the subject. He asked: (1) Is it his intention to enforce the law against the selling of newspapers on Sundays? (2) If not, why not? Amid some hilarity on the part of members, Mr Hogue made tlio following reply :—The laws on the subject of Sunday trading and Sabbath observance apply inadequately to modern conditions of life. Their strict enforcement would entail ; serious public inconvenience and much injustice. The stoppage of the sale of newspapers on Sundays would be but a partial and unsatisfactory way of upholding the law, especially in view of the fact that the enforcement of Sunday-solling laws depends upon tho application of the provisions of two antiquated Acts, which, inter alia, provide that "no persons shall use, employ, or travel upon the Lord’s Day with any boat ? except it be upon extraordinary occasion to be allowed by some justice of tho peace, the penalty in default of distress being that the offending party shall be set publicly in the stocks for the space of two hours. (.Loud laughter.) One of the Acts (No. 19, Charles 11., chap. 7) further provides that any person or persons who may bo robbed while travelling upon tho Lord’s Day shall be barred from bringing any action for the said robbery, any law to-the contrary notwithstanding. Perhaps I had better, for greater accuracy, read from the volume itself. (Cries of “ Oh, no; don’t trouble.”) One of the Acts provides “ That if any person or persons whatsoever which shall travel on tho Lord’s Day shall then be robbed; that ho hundred or the inhabitants thereof shall be charged with or answerable for any robbery so committed, but the person or persons so robbed shall be barred from bringing any action for tile said robbery ; any law to the contrary notwithstanding.” The law was passed in the year 1706, and is still in force. I may add that the Government is alive to the importance of maintaining tho Sabbath as a day of rest, and it is in contemplation to bring the whole subject under review with the object of improving the existing law. TAVIN-CYLINDBR MINERVA MOTOR CYCLE. We have just received a sample 4Jh.p. twin-cylinder Minerva motor cycle. This is a very powerful machine and suitable for a heavy rider for use on rough roads and hills. It is the latest production of tho great firm of Minerva Motors, Limited, who are famed for the manufacture of reliable motor cycles. Usual price, £75; sale price, £7O cash. Terms for payment can be arranged. Full instructions to purchasers. Call and inspect. Adams Star Cycle Co., : 138-140, High Streep Cbristchwoh, 20