TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14609, 17 February 1908, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The recent disastrous fire in Christchurch, following immediately on the destruction of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association's premises at Timarn, quite overshadowed the southern conflagration, but that means a loss to the insurance companies of about .£50,000, and the extent of the fire may bo ganged from a perusal of 6ome photographs which will appear in this week's number of the "Canterbury Times." One picture shows the big blase at its height, and in all respects it is a capital illustration. The Kaikoura show will be pictorially described in an extended series of fine camera " flashes," and the farming community will be further catered for in a special lot of pictures taken at the recent annual show of the Foilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Amongst illustrations of local interest, ono describing the laying of the foundation-stone of tho gymnasium of the Boys' High School will prove very acceptable as a pictorial record of a notable event. The wonderful progress of "Wellington's maritime industry will be exemplified in a grand panorama of the King's Wharf, which is now rearing completion. Another illustration which will prove popular is that which will depict the memorial to be erected over the late Right Hon R. J. Seddon'e grave on Observatory Hill, Wellington. There will bo a page of local snapshots, several groups of public and business-men, a fine picture of the building in London in which the Home offices of the " Lyttelton Times," the " Canterbury Times" and the "Star" are situated, and several good seonic photographs. The reading pages will contain an excellent selection of short stories, special articles and news ■ and notes on many subjects. Tho Dunedin Central Mission, which has held- services for years in the Garrison Hall, proposes to erect a building in the centre ol the city at a cost of £12,000. Miss H. F. Powell lectured at the Metaphysical Club's Rooms last evening on " Arts and Manners." There was a large attendance, and the speaker dealt in an interesting manner with her subject, touching on social customs and the observances of modern taste. A number of employees of the Christchurch Tramway Board were entertained by Mrs Knowles at the Burwood Tea Gardens yesterday. A pleasant day was spent in the grounds, and teams of motormen and conductors played a cricket match. Three cheers were given for the hostess before the gathering dispersed.

Mr Hamer, engineer' of the Auckland Harbour Board, reported that the cost of widening the Calliope Dock, as suggested by the Board, would be about £120,000, nearly as much as a new dock. He thought that ho could devise a scheme under which, with an expenditure of £IO,OOO or £12,000, the dock could be altered so as to accommodate the Corinthic or Powerful. Further consideration was left in the hands of a special committee. Messrs Oraddock and Simes wrote on Saturday:—" In the report of yesterday's Supreme Court proceedings in to-day's issue of your paper there is an action, Wilkinson v Craddock and Simes, referred to. This is an error. The case is, wo presume, that of Wilkinson v Craddock, Sims and Company. Will you please enter a correction in Monday's issue of the ' Times,' stating that Craddock and Simes, auctioneers and estate agents, are not in any way connected with or interested in the case in question?" The few days which hare intervened since the big fire of February 6 have been exceptionally eventful ones, no fewer than fifteen fires having occurred in the district. A six-roomed houses at Linwood, a sawmill on Moorhouse avenue, the Colonial Manufacturing Company's factory in Creyko Street, a two-storeyed house at New Brighton and a large boarding-house on River Road are the meet important items in the list, and there have also occurred seven " rubbish-box fires," a trifling outbreak in the "Press" Company's new building, and two grass fires near the city.

On Friday a well-attended meeting of ratepayers of the Ashley district was held at Loburn to discuss the question of the reconstruction of the Ashley traffic bridge. Mr 11. M'lntosh, chairman of the Ashley Road Board, presided. The proposal discussed was to replace the present wooden structure with a bridge constrndted entirely of reinforced concrete, 1000 ft in length, with 23 spans of 40ft each, and a roadway 20ft Gin in width, at an estimated cost of between £6OOO and £7500, the money to be borrowed under the Loans to Local Bodies' Act, the interest and sinking fund to be paid by-the several local bodies interested in the proportions agreed upon at a conference held at Rangiora some time ago. After giving the matter very full consideration, the meeting unanimously decided in favour of the concrete structure in preference to wood, and it was decided to placo the matter before the other local bodice interested. The prices in the Show Rooms at Armstrong's, Limited, defy all competition, being for perfect goods than obtainable anywhere. Compare. 3 Your eyesight is a most precious gift. Do not let ib suffer for want of proper attention. I can give you skilled attention, and if glasses are required, can give you them accurately a: , scientifically adjusted to your special requirements. Note address: Walter J. Watson, F.1.0.C.,D.8.0.A., London, Consulting Optician, upstairs 230, Colombo Street 9

Jam, Jelly and Fruit Jars at wholesale prices; largest, assortment in Christchurch. Tie-over jars (lib) 2s 6d, (21b) 3s 6d. Mason's quarts 4s 6d, half-gallon 7s Gd, all per dozen; alsoin stock, jelly tumblers, _ wide-mouth preserving jars, preserving pans in brass, cast-iron, enamel and light steel enamel, from 2s lid each. Fletcher Bros, direct importers, Lower High Street- 1938

Messrs Eugene Spitz and Co., Limit; ed, have received by the s.s. Papanui the most exquisite materials for tailormade gowns, and it would be advisable for intending customers to make their selection early, as there is only on& costume length of each design, 3§12

The police require an owner for si good Rover bicycle, sold by Messrs Inglis Bros, some time ago. A letter-box has now been erected eft tho parcels post office in Hereford Street, and will be cleared hourly between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Out of the five Canterbury candidates who passed the Senior Civil Service examination in all subjects two, Miss Phosbe F. Borthwick and Leslie E. Judd, were pupils of the Ran* giora High School. At the meeting of the Christchurctt' Domain Board to-day, correspondence from the Exhibition authorities, dealing with the matter of rent and the restoration of Hagley Park to its origi. nal condition, will be considered. Nominations to fill the vacancy upon the Christchurch Drainage Board closed at noon on Saturday. Only one nomination, in favour of Mr Frederick Storey, was received, and that gentleman will be, declared duly elected. The American weed-duck and drake which were some time ago placed in. tha Canterbury Acclimatisation . Society'* gardens have recently bred, and four young ducklings have been added to tha Society's collection of acclimatised, birds.

Mr Widdowson, S.M., in the Police Court at Dunedin on Saturday, decided that Charles Mack was an habitual drunkard within the meaning of the Act, and committed him to the Pakatea Inebriates' Home, Auckland, for two years. This is the second man ta be so dealt with under the new Act in Dunedin. 1

' The following is a statement of Customs duties collected at the port of Lyttelton during the week ended Friday, February 14:—Spirits, £1671 0s 2d; cigars, cigarettes and snuff, £321 19« 2cf; tobacco, £B2O 4s 6d; wine, £11613s lOd; beer, £l2B 16s; coffee cocoa and chocolate, £74 19s 6d; weight, £970 5s Id; ad valorem, £8920 18s 6d; other duties. £617 7s 4d; total for week, £13,642 4s Id.

The Canterbury Dairymen's Employees' Union, at its meeting on Friday, decided to si-pport Messrs H. R. Rusbridge and G. R. Whiting as workers' representatives on the Conciliation Board A resolution was carried resenting the unfair action of the writer of "The Labour World" column in. the "Lyttelton Times" of Febrnary 8 in omitting Mr Whiting's name from the list of candidates for tho position.

A meeting of the Ashburton Technical Classes Association was held on Fndav evening, Mr H. Davis in the chair. The credit balance at the bank; was reported to be £lB2 Is 6d. The balancesheet for the year showed a credit balance of £lO3 6s Id, the expenditure having been £494 9s lOd and the receipts £597 15s lid. The year had commenced with a credit balance ol £149 Is lid. The salaries paid to instructors had amounted to £269 IS* 9d. Donations of £l2 12s from Mr J. C. N. Grigg and £3 from Mr John Studholme were received with, thanks.' The secretary was instructed to make inquiries regarding the advisableness or starting a laundry class. The Marine Department has written to the Westport Harbour Board referring to a report from the Board s engineer and secretary on the subject'of making Westport an. efficient harbour for the coaling of his Majesty's ships, and stating that the marine engineer to whom the matter was submitted-re-ports that he concurs in the opinion of the Board's engineer that by continuing the moles into deeper water a deeper channel could be easily maintained by dredging If the Board proposed to go on with the works, it would be necessary to submit proper plans to the De-; partment for the approval of the Go-' •vernor-in-Council, together with a statement showing how it was intended provide the necessary funds. The Canterbury Automobile AssociaA tion had a veritable "presentation night" on Saturday. Besides the presentation of prizes to the successful competitors in the reliability there was a double presentation F. H. Chamberlain, one of the judges in the trials, who will shortly leave Christchurch. The Association made ai presentation to Mr E. H. James, in recognition of his work as superintendent observer in the trials, and the honorary observers presented framed; <n-oup photographs of themselves to Mr James and' to Mr E. Nordon, secretary, of the Association. Then, as a concluding episode, a personal turn was given to the toast of the Press, and presentations were made by the committea to the Pressmen who had reported the trials for the Christchurch newspapers.

A meeting of the St John Ambulance: Brigade. Christchurch Division, was held in the Association's rooms on Wed*. nesday, there being a very fair attendance, including six visitors. The chief business of the evening was an in. temstinw and instructive lecture on fractures bv Dr H. M'L. Inglis/honorary surgeon to the Division. The lecture was listened to with much interest by those present, and was much appreciated by them. After the lecture practice was held for the annual demonstration, and also instruction in improvising 'stretchers was given by Mr A. S." Lindsay (District Chief Superintendent, Canterbury and West Coast District). Notice was received that MrJ&. M. Watson, of the Division, had been appointed travelling representative oftns brigade in the Canterbury and YVest Coast District. , ;

At the annual meeting of the Temuka; Technical Classes Association on Friday evening, Mr H. M." Miles presided. The balance-sheet showed receipts £407 os stl (capitation £137 Us 9d, material <n ; ant £39- subsidies on contributions £l2l 14s. fees £37 9s, contributions £59 •?s 6d, grant from Education Board towards janitor £l9 19s 6d), expenditure £386 13s lid (salaries of instructors £212 4s, office expenses £sl 4s, lighting and heating" £25 10s Bd, material £4b 10s Gd). There was a credit of £7O 9a 6d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The South Canterbury Education Board wrote, stating that the Department had limited the number of managers to seven. It was_ decided to protest against the reduction. At a meeting of the newly-elected managers, Mr H. M. Miles was re-elected chairman and Mr D. M'Caskill. 8.A., was reappointed director. The director was requested to make inquiries regarding instructors and pupils for the following Masses -.—Cookery, dressmaking, wool sorting, blacksmithing, painting, relief carving, carpentry, chemistry, elocution, commercial work and practical mathematics. For top value and latest ideas in Took if or all purposes, Hastie, Bull and Pickering (eppoeito Ballantyne's). 1988 Ernest M. SandsteLu, F.S.M.C, D.8.U.. . (London), Consulting Optician, may be consulted on all cases of defective eyesight. Fifteen years' special study and experience. The most complete and up-to-date optiual parlours in the colonies. Consulting' rooms, Cashcl Street W. (next Ballantyne's). Hours, 9.30 to 5.30. , Telephono 397. 6 Our advice is, go through Ara> strong's before buying Drapery or Clothing anywhere. 4 The Papanui immigrants: " So this is Christchurch, is it? Well, now show us Minson's. They told us on the boat that is the shop wnere our money will go furthest." X 2613 A decidedly original offer is made by our most enterprising jeweller, Butcher, 210, High Street. The first person to purchase a wedding ring from Butcher on a certain day m February, known only to Butcher and the Mayor of Christchurch, will bo presented with half a ton of coal. Sample, shown ia Butcher's window. Result will be totfi»» Hshed March let. 1988 > ■■;.; '-V,..: 1

A picnics in connection with the IsEflgton freezing works will be held at Ashburton on Saturday. Nurse Maude acknowledges with thanks, donations of clothes, books and fruit. She would be very grateful for rid linen .__: , """The Napier School Committee has acceded to the request of the local ministers to be allowed to give Scripture lessons once a week in the State school from 9.15 to 9.45. The Christchurch Fire Board.is inviting applications for the positions of deputy-superintendent, senior and junior foreman and firemen, of whom eight are to be engaged. The Standard Insurance Company's Annual report shows a balance of £19,886. Of this sum £SOOO has beon added to the reserve fund. A_ halfyearly dividend at the rat© of 7* per cent absorbs £2812. It is recommended that a bonus of -\ per cent, amounting to £1875, should b© allotted, and '£7386 carried forward. A public meeting under the auspices of the Canterbury Women's Institute and other bodies interested in social work will b© held in the Alexandra Hall to-morrow evening, for the purpose of considering matters in connection with the neglected and destitute children of the State. There will be n number of sneakers. Lectures in connection with the course of higher commercial instruction provided by Canterbury College will be commenced on Friday, March 6. The College provides a complete course of instruction extending over three (years for tho degree of Bachelor of jCommerce, as well as less extensive courses. The lectures are to be delivered in the evening, and are open to non-matn-tulated as well as matriculated students. The Hastings Borough Council held ia* special meeting to consider a report by Mr Metcalfe, C.E., on the whole system of sewerage of Hastings, and the proposed extension; also a supplementary report by Mr J. Rogers, C.E., but instead of discussing the engineers' reports tho Mayor moved that the road overseer should be instructed to prepare a report as to the pest means of dealing with Hastings sewerage. The resolution was carried by five to three, despite the fact that three men who are associate members of the Institute of Civil Engineers had j already supplied lengthy reports. Of two hundred and twelve immigrants who arrived at Auckland by the Oswestry Grange ninety-three were assisted, tJTe remainder paying full fares. The assisted immigrants were all farmers or farm labourers, and were all possessed of capital. Several brought their wives with them, _ and many wives arrived to join their husbands, who had preceded them. Sixty-eight of the immigrants landed at Auckland, seventy-one will proceed to Wellington, fifty-two to Lyttelton and twentyone to Dunedin. The immigration officer considers the immigrants a splendid class of men, and just the men required in the dominion. Dr Teichelmann returned to Hokitika oh Friday . from his annual mountaineering trip to South Westland. He intended scaling Mount Aspiring, but found the conditions . unfavourable on account of th© absence of high snow and the lateness of the season. The Waiatoto Valley, which was traversed, is one of the longest in Westland. A river flows through country rich in beautiful bush scenery and abounding in waterfalls. He found" numerous river flats suitable for pastoral purEoses, and until within a few miles of lount Aspiring the grade was that of a good carriage road. Native birds iwere numerous in th© natural sanctuary. The doctor was favoured with glorious weather, and had a most enjoyable excursion.

x The Collector of Customs at Nelson has received a telegram from a wharfinger at Motueka stating that the following message has been picked up in a bottle on the beach of Luke Island :—"December 25, 1907.—F0r God's sake send help. The ship Lena has been wrecked on tho North Cape. All are saved, but wo hav© no provisions. The Lena left New York on November 24, bound for the Chatham Islandis with a cargo of wheat. Salvage is impossible as the ship fell to pieces about midnight, about two hours after she struck. Send help nt once. About twenty survivors, but nearly all are starving.—Jas. Robinson, Chief Mate." The Marine Department has been advised, but probably the matter is a hoax, as the voyage was impossibly short." A wheat cargo for the Chathams is unlikely, and th© North Cape would be out of a vessel's course.

On the voyage from San Francisco to Auckland th© Foreric experienced a verv strong south-easterly gale when in the neighbourhood of the Kermade© Islands. For two days the vessel made scarcely more than 60 or 70 miles in th© twenty-four hours, and at times ■was practically at a standstill on the ocean. Some terrifio rolls were encountered, one especially fierce sea breaking on the beam. Several of the guy ropes staying the funnel gave way, and for a few minutes the funnel was in danger, but as the mishap luckily occurred in the.middle of the day, repairs were at once effected. Once or twice the rails on th© bulwarks of the main deck were under water, while tho vessel rolled and pitched violently. Th© steamers Kia Ora and Oswestry Grange, which arrived at Auckland from Hobart on Saturday, .also reported rough weather with gales from the oast.

"The remission of duties on a number of articles of food and clothing gives welcome relief to the taxpayer and helps to lessen the cost of Jiving," admits the Council of the Chamber of Commerce in the annual report. " Increases in duties of other commodities, such as boots and confectionery, appear calculated to reduce the benefits thus conferred, but it has to be recognised that this action is in accordance with the avowed policy of the Government for the encouragement of local industries. On the . whole this measure lightens to some extent the burden of taxation, and has removed certain anomalies and complexities from the tariff. It also gives a further measure of preference to the manufacturers of the Mother Country, although the council would have preferred to see ■ this accomplished by a reduction of duties in favour of British manufacturers instead of by higher duties against the foreigner." Table Damasks reduced to Is 6d, Is f i, 2s 2d, 2s 9d ; Servietto 5s 6d, 6s 6d; Linen Runners Gd, Sd, Is; Large White I*ace Curtains 2s 9d. Armstrong's - Forced Sale. 2 Marvellous value in Table and Deseert Knives, Spoons and Forks, at Hastie Bull and Pickering's (opjx>site Ballantyne's). 1988 Matchless, Meritorious, Money-sav-ing at Armstrong's Great Sale. Suits to measure 35, 38s 6d, 425, stylish doth, perfect fit. 1 __ THE FOREIGN LABEL. " I ask, as a consumer," explained Judge Rogers, in inviting witnesses in the District Court at Sydney recently to give him some information about u =

cigars. From th© replies offered, it appears that the prejudice in Australia against locally-made goods applies to these as to other commodities. It was etatod that labels with foreign names were imported from Europe and put on cigars made in Sydney. "But they are really good cigars," interposed counsel, seeina; his Honor's look of inquiry. On© witness advanced as a reason that there was a prejudice against the local article, although it contained the best imported leaf. He added that tho bottom of the box had a colonial mark, th© number of the factory. His Honor objected that this number, for all the buyer knew, might be that of a foreign factory. " Oh," said tho witness, " I have aeon buyers turn up the box and look at this number." "Yes, those in the trade, perhaps." " Not only those," the witness replied, amid laughter, " for I have seen civilians do it, "too." "Well," remarked Jiidpe Rogers, in the tone of on P who had made up his mind, " I will do_ it in future." • It was pointed out in the course of evidence that those in the trade were quite satisfied with the goods sold, that they were not asked to purchase without a trial, and that the grading of tho leaf made the groat difference in the quality of the cigars. CHRISTCHURCH TO NELSON ON TALBOT MOTOR-CARS. Mr A. Macfarlane, of Culverden, wires from Nelson:—"Both my Talbot cars made non-stop runs." ' The 12-16 h.-p. 4-cylindcr Talbot (now over a year old) was driven by Mr A. Macfarlane, and a 10-12 Talbot by one of his station hands and used as a lugcago car. The distance from Christchurch to Nolson. via Blenheim, is 307 miles. Mr J. E. Green, compiler of th© "New Zealand Road Book," supplies us with the following information in reference to the difficulties of the trip : —" Motorists' troubles commence with the river Mason, where the track (you cannot call it a road) runs up tho middle of the riverbed for a distance of four or five miles. The whole of th© surface is composed of rough boulders, soft sandspits and .loos© shingle, while th© stream is crossed and recrossed as many as twenty times. Further north the Conway riverbed is even worse than the Mason as regards surface, and although shorter, there is always a great volume of wkiter in tho river. Nearing Kekeranga, the road, or rather bullock track, skirts th© bench for a couolo of miles, and is nothing but drv, loos© sand, in which you sink almost"to your boot-tops." The above motor-cars wer© supplied by Adams Limited 138-140 High Street, Christchurch. Sole Agents in New Zealand for Talbot cars. We can give immediate delivery of Talbot cars from stock. Inspection invited. IJbb