TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14340, 8 April 1907, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The illustrations of this week’s “ Canterbury Times ” are exceptionally interesting, as they deal largely with incidents of the Easter holiday season. At the Exhibition, on Easter Monday, the photographic staff of the journal was busily engaged, and: a fine series of snapshots is the result. The pictures give an excellent idea of the enormous crowd of people present on that day. The Easter manoeuvres of the Canterbury Volunteers in the Sheffield country are extensively dealt with several pages being given to the reproduction, in pictorial form, of the loading incidents of the manoeuvres, while there are four very fine groups, one of the scene during the parade for divine service, another of the whole of the officers, taken immediately after the service, and the other two being photographs of the officers of the Blue and Red Forces. The football carnival at the Exhibition is the subject of aspecial series of illustrations, and amongst the extensive collection is a group of the delegates who attended the Conference of Good l Templars in Christchurch last week. The leading pages this week are brimming over with special reports in the various columns of the doings of Easter week. This very interesting number of the popular household journal, the “Canterbury Times,” will be on sale locally to-morrow. Seventy-three teachers attended Mr Tankard’s school on Saturday morning for instruction in physical culture. Mr W. J. Dickie has been appointed a member of the Selwyn Licensing Committee, vice Mr J. Batty, resigned.

A man who is alleged to have assaulted some children while they were playing in Sydenham Park was arrested last evening. At the last meeting of the Ashburton County Council the clerk reported that up to date seventy •motor-cycles and cars had been registered. So tar only eight traction-owners had registered. The “ Clutha Free Press ” is informed that on Monday a syndicate of Christchurch men went through to visit Clydevale Estate, Clutha, with a view to purchase for cutting-up purposes. This is the estate that was under offer to the Government. At the quarterly meeting of the Ashburton Methodist Circuit officials beia on Thursday it was decided to hold Sunday services once a month at nyndhuret. A motion appreciative of the ministerial work done in the district by the Rev A. Peters and the Rev G. F. Stcckwell was carried unanimously and suitably acknowledged. Tbe following is a statement of the Customs duties collected at Lyttelton for _the week ended April s:—Spirits £2170 Is 7d, cigars, cigarettes and snuff £3ll 19s 2d, tobacco £lOl6 6s 3d, wine £195 Ms lOd, beer £72, tea 6e Bd, sugar, molasses and treacle £IOB 17s ; 9d, ’ weight £438 12s sd, ad valorem £1442 15s 3d, other duties £167 16s 8d: total £5924 10s 7d. _ The Ashburton Acclimatisation Society’s balance-sheet for the year ended March 31 shows the receipts to have amounted to £323 Is 2d, the principal sources of revenue being balance brought forward £lls 17s 2d and licenses £205. The expenditure amounted 1 to £205 2s 6d, and the credit balance carried forward to the current year was £lOl 8s 6d. The question of maintaining the grass plots in the Agricultural Department's exhibit at the International Exhibition will probably come before the Domain Board at its meeting to-day. Mr Ell has been in communication with the Minister of Lands, who has asked that the Board should apply for the plots and that arrangements should be made for someone to look after them. At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton County Council held on Friday the chairman reported that Messrs C. A. C. Hardy and John M’Lachlan, members of the House of Representatives, had been written to regarding a Government grant toward the repairing of the Rangitata traffic bridge. It was reported that from October 1, ISO 6, to March 31, 1907, 529,000 eggs and heads of small birds had been paid for, and. during last month 412 harestails, 503 birds' heads and 126 ratstails had been purchased. The Works Committee’s report on the Mount Somers tramway was read, recommending that the lease of the Mount Somers tramway should be for the remaining period of the present loan, expiring on February 1, 1914, and that the tariff should be as follows: —Coal 4d per ton per mile, lime or stone at 6d per ton per mile, all. other conditions to be the same as in the present lease, rolling stock to carry equal to not less than 60 tons through traffic and 15 tons local or intermediate traffic per day. The report was approved. The tender of Mr Robert Don, for painting Digby’s Bridge, was accepted. Accounts amounting to £615 14s lid were passed for payment. Last week s “ Gazette ” records the amalgamation with the City of Christchurch of the suburb of Beckenham. This is the result of three agitations by the residents of the suburb. The previous petition for the amalgamation was opposed by the City Council, on the grounds, among others, that, as the municipal elections were shortly to take place, the inclusion of the new area would upset the arrangements. Of the last petition, however, the Council approved. Last year, through the work of a residents’ committee, of which Mr T. H. Davies, of Sydenham, was chairman, drew up a petition. A counterpetition was also circulated, and signed hy about thirty residents, who, it is stated, were in many cases owners of vacant sections in the Fisherton Estate. Their objections to the amalgamation were replied to by Messrs G. Laurenson, M.H.R., and H. G. Ell, M.H.R., in a joint reply, and by Mr T. H. Davies, who telegraphed Ms reply to the objections. The Colonial Secretary telegraphed to them later that the objections stated in the counter-petition had been disallowed, and that the amalgamation would take place. TMs step brings within the city boundary a very desirable residential area, on which residences of a high-class nature have been built on good-sized sections, and takes the city boundary to the Heathcote River from the Colombo Street Bridge to the Tennyson Street Bridge, the boundaries of the suburb being these streets and the river. Prior to the amalgamation, Beckenham was rated on the capital value basis, the system in operation in the Heathoote road district; but now, being within the city, the rating will bo according to the land values only. No competitors uc the New Zealand International Exhibition have received as many awards (4 gold medals and 3 silver medals) for teas, coffee and cooca, as Messrs Ridley and Son, opposite Clock Tower. 17 Franz Josef Aperient Water, the best general and laxative recommended by doctors, especially for constipation, liver troubles, obesity, gout and rheumatism. Agreeable to take, certain and: prompt in its action, it produces no after discomfort. Ten gold medals. , Bold everywhere, ° 7S I

Throe small keys and, a lady's fur, picked l up in the city, await their owners at the Police Station. Messrs J. Thorn and A. Paterson, labour candidates for the City Council, will address the electors in the Alexandra Hall this evening. In the annual report of tho Temuka Rifles it was stated that £3l would ba deducted by the Government from tho capitation for repairs to the rifles of the company. Three men, charged with drunkenness at the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court on Saturday, pleaded guilty, and were fined 10s each, in default twentyfour hours’ imprisonment. Dr Findlay, Actin g-Postmaeter-Gen-eral, has written to Mr Ell, stating that in future there will be a second delivery in King Street, Huxley Street ana Southampton Street, Sydenham. The monthly meeting of the Christchurch Cathedral Union will he held in the Christ’s College Library at eight o’clock this evening. Professor Wall will lecture on “ The Introduction of Christianity into Northern Europe.

• a meeting of the Ashbuton County Council, held on Friday, Mr Stitt gave notice that at tho next meeting of the Council he would move—“ That tho Council rescind its resolution with respect to the payment of 3d per tail of hares, suoh payment to cease on May 15, 1907.” J The Dunedin “Star” states:—An informant writes as follows:—“ Thera was a somewhat disturbing shook ol earthquake this morning. It started at thirteen and a half minutes past twelve and continued for a minute and a quarter, the movement being from east to west.” Superintendent Smith has received a cheque for £3 3s from Dr Neeley, in recognition of the Fire Brigade’s services at the recent fire at his residence in Holly Road. “ I wish to express raj appreciation of the services rendered,” he says, “as I should have been a heavy loser had the house and contents' been completely destroyed.” A number of cases of broaches of th« Stamp Act were before the Policy Court at Auckland on Saturday, and adjourned. William Dodds, who plead* ed guilty, was fined 53s 6d and costs. Tho Magistrate, Mr Kettle, said that there was a good deal of laxity among business men in regard to stamping documents and failure to cancel the stamps. At Auckland on Saturday, Arthui Robert Purcell and James Johnston, youths who admitted having committed seventeen different thefts in Auckland during loss than a week, were sentenced by Air Justice Cooper to three years’ imprisonment. The prisoners had aj> propriated five bicycles and a quantity ■of harness and clothing valued at £147, most of which was recovered. In the chairman’s report to the Ashburton County Council on Friday, it was stated that a re-measurement ol the watcr-raoey of the county which had jys-.t been completed, showed a con* -sidcrsble augmentation of the previous chaiaage. The re-measurement-gave a total increase in the measurement of 239 miles 56 chains, which meant additional water charges amounting to £333. Speaking to the Natives of the Wai* mate Plains recently, and in reply to a Native objecting to pay rates, the Native Minister said: “ What was paid in rates? What they were called on to pay was nominal. They would spend in five minutes more money in a ‘ pub.’ than would pay a couple of years’ rates. In one case, too, they would get nothing for it but a sore head, and in the other they would gain a recognised status in tho district and a voice in local govern-* iug affairs.” Before tho Hon J. Carroll left for Wellington last week a deputation of Kaiapoi Maoris waited on him in regard to the services of the- resident doctor who received subtidy to attend to them. They were afraid that his services would he withdrawn. It was explained to them, however, that the doctor had only been instructed to obtain fees from the Maoris who are able to pay. and that he had not been instructed to completely withdraw his free ser* rices.

Mr T. H. Race, the Canadian Com* missioner, was tlie busiest man at th< International Exhibition on Saturday afternoon. He took in hand the heavy task of giving every child who visited the Canadian Court a cake of sugar, made from Canada’s famous maple syrup, and conveying Canada’s Ea-sbef greetings. Taking up a position nea< the main entrance to the Court ha handed out nearly ten thousand cakes, and while the gift was being mado_ it was hard to say whether the occasion pleased the receiver or the giver.best. The first annual baby show and sports under the auspices of Corrigan’s Military Band was held at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon. All the events were keenly contested. Bandsmen Brown and Yates were handicapper and judge respectively. The baby jshow was the principal attraction, and the judges were Dr C. J. Russell and Mrs Williamson. The prize for the heaviest baby under two years fell to the lot of Hubert O’LoughUn, that for the lightest baby to Clarence Rhodes, and that for the prettiest baby to Ronald Everex. The prize for the vest turnout, baby and pram, was accorded to Winny Sutherland. The Kaikoura whalers, says. the “ Star,” intend prosecuting the whalecatching industry this coming season with greater vigour than heretofore, Arrangements have been made through Mr F. H. Flower for the purchase oi a muzzle-loading bomb gun, for killing whales, and immediately the gun arrives, which is expected this month, operations will be commenced at South Bay. By the means of _ this gun, whales, immediately on being harpooned, will bo shot, thus saving the long and trying ordeal of being towed several miles out and having the heavy “ pull back. Then should the harpoon miss, a bomb will bo fired at tha whale, each hit killing instantaneously. A public meeting was held in T©muka on Thursday evening to discuss the position of the Temuka Municipal Band. The Mayor (Mr T. Buxton) presided. The balance-sheet showed that there was £69 17s Id in the bank, and against this there was £65 4s 3d owing. The instrument fund was in debt to the amount of £l5O, but against this the property of the band was valued at over £4OO. Mr Crox« ford, the bandmaster, in explaining the, position, said that for some reason members had ceased attending prac-’ tices. After the Waimate band contest things had gone flat. They must either get recruits or import players. A long discussion took place, the feeling of the meeting being strongly in favour of keeping the band .going, and the Mavor suggested that fifteen gentlemen should guarantee the liability, and this was done. The fifteen guarantors, with Messrs Croxford and Chapman, were appointed, a committee to manage affairs. The instruments, when paid for, are to bo vested in tha Borough Council. The record attendance is expected to bo reached during the Easter holidays, when Beath and Co., Limited, anticipate a great rush on their Fancy Department, where pretty Tartan or Leather Belts are selling from Is 3d to 4s Gd; all sorts of lovely ribbons from Is; now scarves and ties from Is to 7a lid; furs from 4a lid to seven guineas, and muffs to match from 6s lid to five guineas. Our millionth visitor will get just as much attention as anyone else, but no photos will be taken. 1988 Messrs J. M. Heywcod and 00., Limited, have received notice that their tender has been accepted for the delivery of parcels, etc., from the railway for the next three year*. 8056

The Nelson City Council lias accepted the tender of Mr _G. M. Frazer, Auckland, fora new bridge over the Maitai to replace the Normanby bridge. The price of tlie successful tenderer is £l7lO 10s. There were six tenderers from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Nelson. The ©lection of Mayor and Gounlillora for the Borough of Lyttelton •will take place on Wednesday, April 24. Nominations will close at noon on Wednesday, April 17. Nino Councillors are to be elected. There are three candidates for the office of Mayor, Messrs J. T. Brice, C. Kay, and S. It. Webb. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Messrs Fuller are negotiating for the lease ot the Theatre Royal and a number ot adjoining properties fronting Lambton Quay, with a view to the erection ot a new theatre. It is understood that the transaction has been practically completed. At Foilding recently, two Chinese storekeepers were fined _ for keeping their shops open after nine o clock on Saturday night, and now two informations hare been laid against hum ixee for keeping hie shop open after nine o’clock on Saturday night, and for keeping a Chinese assistant at work after that hour. The Minister of Labour told a reporter on Saturday that labour generally is in a very satisfactory position m New Zealand. There is plenty of work available in the North Island for those ■who wiU go out into the country and undertake bush-felling and scrub-cut-ting. The wages range from 25s to 85* a week, and “ found. In connection with Mr Churchill a *tatement in the House of Commons, that Sir B.* im Thurn, Hig Commissioner for the Western Pacific, had been consulted with reference to the N*w Hebrides agreement, the inji “ Times ” points out that a memorangum published at Melbourne on March h shows that the High Commissioner condemned the Commonwealth s policy regarding the islands, and Mr Deakm replied justifying it. The first exhibition of aerial advertising in Dunedin was witnessed on Friday forenoon in the vicinity of the railway station, says the “ Otago Daily Times,” when two flags, floating in mid-air, apparently without any support, set out some announcements by a business firm. An inspection of the methods adopted to secure the result achieved showed that the flags were held in position by a number of kites flying at a higher altitude, and that the whole of Hie string arrangements were controlled from terra firma. The Police Court statistics for Auckland show that in regard to breaches , the licensing law, drunkenness, disturbing the peace, etc., in 1906 2890 males and 469 females were dealt with, against 2372 males and 463 females for the preceding year. Licensing prosecution increased from 140 in 1905 to 831 in 1906, and sly grog selling cases from 21 males to 50 rnales_ and seven females. In 1905 198 prohibition orders were issued, and in 1906 there were JOS. Drunkenness shows an increase 6f from 1393 in 1905 to 1498 in 1906. The annual conference of the United Commercial Travellers’ Association of gralasia opened in Melbourne on Friday, and continued on the folg Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. New Zealand representatives were ns Dugald M’Pherson and James Brown (Dunedin). The annual report showed the total number of members to ho 3327, with 3478 club members. Of the former, 244 were located in New Zealand. There was a total net gam in membership'of 352 during the year. The net assets of the affiliated associations totalled £78,303, an increase during tHe y€ar of £7462. The accident and insurance portion of the Tvork of the Association showed a total pf 1902 policies, an increase of 367 during the year. New Zealand, having its own scheme of mortnary benefits, does not come into this. New Zealand has 244 member*, with assets totalling £5796. A new regulation regarding parcels post packets is gazetted. It is as follows :—A parcel (other than one containing jewellery, or any article of gold or silver, or any precious stone) received from a place beyond New Zealand, addressed to a post office “to he called for,” or for other reason required to lie at a post office, will, after it has remained in the office seven clear days (excluding Sundays and holidays), be charged demurrage at the rate of Id a day. A parcel containing jewellery, or any article of gold or silver, or any precious stone, received from a place beyond New Zealand, after it has remained in the office fourteen days (excluding Sundays and holidays), will be charged demurrage at : the rata df one per centum per diem on the declared value thereof. No demurrage, however, will be charged on a parcel addressed to a place at which Vhere is no house-to-houee delivery, or for a person on board ship. That the Wairoa geyser is not any la-ore partial to fountain pens than it |» to soap, was exemplified on Sunday last (says the “ Hot Lakes Chronicle”). Mr Baverstock, a gentleman who is fkiting Rotorua at present, with >th«ra, was at Whakarowarewa on Sunlay to witness the eruption of the Jsyesr. Just prior to the did being E amoved from the mouth of the geyser, his gentleman had been peering through the holes in the lid, and while doing so his fountain pen slipped out >f his pocket on to the lid and found its )ray into the geyser. The lid was almost immediately removed, and the toap applied. After being immersed In Wairoa’s boiling water for over three-quarters of an hour, Mr Baveritock’s fountain pen was shot about 130 ft into space, accompanied by a beautiful stream of boiling water, and >ventualiy descended to earth, with the fap off. The cap was first discovered y the owner, and later on the pen was picked up. The cap was broken, but the pen, beyond the gold nib being Wnt, was in good order. On September 18, 1908, Pope Pius X. will celebrate the golden jubilee of jiia ordination to. the Roman Catholic priesthood, and as his Holiness takes a deep .interest pi Catholic Young Men’s Societies throughout the world, it is proposed to hold an international congress of young men in Rome on that occasion. A communication received by his Grace Archbishop Redwood was forwarded to the Catholic Young Men’s Conference which was lately hold in Christchurch. The Eircular-memo. has been issued well ahead of the appointed date, presumably to advise Societies in various parts J»f the world of the projected event, in the hope that there will be a largo [©presentation, and thus do honour to the visible head of the Catholic Church. Che Catholics of Italy are to provide [ho necessary funds in connection with jhe festivities and entertainments, rhich will be carried out on a somewhat )msh scale. A committee of citizens )f Rome will direct and conduct the jeremonies. The question of representation of New Zealand has been referred to the Federation Executive, knd it is quit© possible that this colony JWill b© represented. Just to hand, Now Goods at a very low figure, gold and silver watches, muff, chains, necklets, curb bangles and 511 other classes of goods. K. Griesab®r, Jeweller, 155, Colombo Street. X 3371

Paterson's Assigned Stock Sale Tosay5 ay at Black. Beattie and Co.’s. This i an opportunity to secure autumn )nd winter drapery at greatly reduced Jrice*. _ Every lino is fresh and new. >mprieing general drapery, which will limply walk out of our fixtures at the feric«a quoted. See our circular, 1988

On Wednesday Mr Justice Dennieton granted probate of the will of the late Mrs Jane Unwin, on the application of Mr D. Bates. The number of bankruptcies in the Invercargill district during the quarter just ended was four, two less than in the March quarter of 1906. The election of Mayor for Christchurch will take place on Wednesday, April 24. Nominations will close at noon on Wednesday, April 17. The general election of Councillors will take place on Wednesday, April 24. Nominations must be delivered to the returning-officer not later than noon on April 17. During February 3610 persons arrived in New Zealand, as compared with 3227 in the corresponding month last year. The departures in February totalled 3176, as against 22 1 5 in February, 1906. The rent from the Invercargill Municipal Theatre since it opened is £468 6a 4d. The Mayor -estimates that if things go on as prosxierously as they now appear, the undertaking will cost the ratepayers practically nothing next year, when the revenue from Victoria Half the municipal offices and the market reserve are taken into account.

A Conference of delegates from tne Waihemo. Waikouaiti and Waitaki County Councils was held on Saturday at Palmerston, to consider the motor by-laws to be submitted to each Council for approval. There is provided a speed restriction of six miles per hour at all indicated dangerous places, and drivers of cars may be called on to stop altogether when meeting or drovers, vehicular or horse traffic, hi® will affect the running considerably between Dunedin and Christchurch. The by-law will probably be confirmed by the Councils. A meeting of the North Rakaia Riyqr Board was held at Southbridgo on Jmday, Mr R. Lochhead presiuing. XU© clerk was instructed to write to Messrs Izard and Loughnan, solicitors, asking for a definite opinion in regard to Air Hubbard’s lease. The carrying out ot necessary work to be done at the liver was left in the hands of Messrs Thompson and M’Millan. It was decided to give Mr Baxter notice to grub up all gorse and repair fences where burnt between las property ami that of Mr Gilbert, on or before May 1. The .Board decided to give tne School Commissioners notice of its intention to fence section 1243. Xn© Board decided to fence the oak plantation at its own expense. Accounts amounting to £3B 8s 6d were pasecd for payment. At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton Hospital Committee held on Friday, Mr H. Davis presiding, the surgeon reportedi that thirteen patients had been admitted during March. Twenty were discharged, two died and eleven remained in the institution on March 31. Two infectious cases were admitted. The architect reported the completion of the Drummond annexe, and the accounts in connection with its erection were passed. A letter was received from the Executive Committee of the Sanatorium for Consumptives, stating that the committee was prepared to proceed with the work provided the Ashburton Board sent a. representative to join the committee. This, it was pointed out, would not bind the Board. It was decided to refer the letter to the Board. The fees received for the quarter ended March 31 were reported to have amounted to £331 12s 3d. Accounts for £575 3s Id were passed for payment.

Eye-strain.—Mr Ernest M. Sandstein, F.S.M.C., D.8.0.A. (London), Ophthalmic Optician, may be consulted on all casee of defective eyesight remediable by glasses. Fees moderate. Consulting Rooms, Cashel Street W. (next Ballantyne’s). Hours, 9.30 to 6, or by appointment. Telephone 397. • 1898 Wedding and Birthday Presents.— Suitable Water Sets Jug, 6 Tumblers and Tray, from 5s 9d to 9s 6d; Wine Sets 7s 9d: other Glassware, Butters, Sugars, etc., equally cheap at Fletcher Bros., Direct Importers, Lower High Street. 2 SCHOOLS IN THE BACKBLOCKS. The Auckland correspondent of tho “Lyttelton Times” telegraphs-Ex-amples of what serious difficulties face country settlers in the “ out-back ” districts in the matter of education of their children, coma before almost every meeting of the Auckland Board of Education. One day it is an appeal on behalf of children who have to walk miles over roads that bog bullock teams. Another day it is a question of providing a half time school in some remote neighbourhood, where half a dozen children have been running almost wild in the bush, and again the Board is called upon to look into a case where a woman teacher is required by the exigencies of her work to reside in surroundings that _ offend every sense. At Friday’s meeting Inspector Grierson reported having visited Tirohanga, where there is a building which, instead of being called a school, should have some special name designed for it. The inspector said: “ Nineteen scholars were present in a shed 104 ft by 7ift, built of palings with sft studs, a mud floor, and no ventilation but that provided by gaps between the shingles of the roof. A school building about midway between the present school and the beach is urgently needed.” -The secretary said the Board was at present awaiting information from the people of the district before recommending to tho Department that a grant should be made for a building. A JAPANESE VISITOR. | Mr N. Nakamura, a Japanese journalist, who is on a tour ot the world, arrived from Wellington yesterday by the e.s. RotomaUana. His travels have already extended over 90,000 miles, and have occupied six year©. He is writing journalistic correspondence with inquiries into industrial and commercial matters, and after “doing” New Zealand ho will go to Australia, and then home to J apau via the Philippine*!. Mr Nakamura leu. Tokio in 1901, and went through Korea, North and South China, Siam, Java. India, Persia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, England, Scotland, Egypt, Algeria, Spain, Portugal, South Africa. Thence back by way of the Red Sea to France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Servia, Bulgaria, Roumania, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium. Returning to London, h« crossed the Atlantic, visiting the principal cities of Canada and uio United States, then proceeded to Mexico, Gautemala, San Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chili, Argentine, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, West Indies, Cuba, back to the United States, and thence to tho Hawaiian Islands and Now Zealand. He bears with him, as a land of combined souvenir and credential, a book containing the seals of the principal municipalities wdiioh ho has visited, and also the signatures of Governors, Mayors and other high officials.

SALE OF SECOND-HAND BICYCLES We are running a big sale of secondhand bicycles. We have 100 machines ready for sale. We aro prepared to sell below cost price for cash, and, in fact, no reasonable offer will bo refused. We are determined to clear our stock, and offer to sell on terms during the sale. Deposit £l, weekly payments of ss. Every second-hand bicycle for sale has been carefully overhauled, re-enamelled and re-plated, and can guarantee that every machine is in perfect order. Only a big firm can afford to overhaul all the second-hand bicycles token in part payment for new bicycles. Call and inspect dur stock of Ladies’ and Gents’ second-hand bicycles. Adams Ltd., late Adams Star

Cycle Coy. 138 and 140, High Street, and 198 Colombo Street, next Broadway’s. ■ 1988