TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14975, 22 April 1909, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

At a meeting of the Tai Tapu school committee held on Monday evening, Mr B. Peulington, of Darfield, was selected as headmaster of the school. The annual report of the Auckland Education Board shows that there are 506 schools and 981 teachers in the district. Eight hundred and sixteen teachers are above the rank of pupilteacher. The difficulty of filling vacancies with eertincated teachers has been intensified by the Education Act of last year. A meeting of the General Committee that is organising a social gathering and presentation to Air W. IV. Tanner was held last evening. It was decided that the gathering should be held on Tuesday, May 4, in the Scottish Society’s Hall, Manchester Street. It was reported that Sir Joseph Ward and various members of Parliament had consented to speak, and it was hoped that the Hon I). Buddo would bo present. The following promotions and transfers in the Post and Telegraph Department are announced by the Postmas-tor-General:—Mr AV. S. Furby, telegraph engineer, Wellington, to be telegraph engineer at Auckland, in place of Sir W. G. Meddings, who is being retired as he has reached the age limit; Air C. C. Robertson, telegraph engineer at Nelson, succeeds Air Furby at Wellington, and Air H. W. Harrington, officer in charge of the local telegraph office, is promoted to the position of telegraph engineer at Nelson ; Air C. B. Alanu, assistant controller of stores, is promoted to the position of controller of stores at Wellington, in place of Air J. Black, who has been retired, having reached the age limit. On Friday evening the pupils of the Tai Tapu school and the ex-pupils of the past four years entertained the children of Air A. C. Alaxwell, who has resigned the headmastership of the school, at a farewell gathering in the school. Tlio gathering was organised and managed entirely by the "pupils and ex-pupils of the school, and was a groat success. Aliss A. Macartney presided. Alissos Gladys and Dorothy Alaxwell wore presented with handsome silver-mounted pursebags ; Alias Vora Maxwell, with a gold scarf pin; Aliss Rita Alaxwell, with a girl’s companion; Alasters James and Douglas Alaxwell with pocket-books and purses combined and substantial pocket knives. The presentations were made by Alisses Alacartney, J. Anderson, A. Barnett and D. Heinzmann and Alaster J. Michall. Supper was provided by the.girls and a programme of music and games gave all present a very enjoyable evening. There is a good opportunity to get good land at a low price in Bay of Plenty. Several sections of famous Kaimai estate for sale. Address :R. Alcorn’s, or call Alcorn’s Public Trust Buildings. 6155

The Dunedin Savings Bank Trustees have donated £SOO to the Art Gallery. The Ashburton borough electors’ roll numbers 930, which is the largest number recorded in the history of the town. Last year the number was 830. At a general meeting of the Canterbury Chess Club, held on Tuesday evening, it was decided to register the club under the Unclassified Societies Act. A handicap tournament was commenced for prizes given by two members of the club, and somo evenly-con-tested games were played.

A fortnightly meeting of the Oak of Sydenham Lodge, No. 15, Druids, was hold in the Friendly Societies’ Hall, Hazeldeau ltoad, on Wednesday, A.D. Brother Philpott presiding. A candidate presented himself find- was initiated into the order, and two others were proposed. The balance-sheet and report of the dispensary were read and received. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to two visitors from the North Island for their attendance.

MrR. M’Nab believes Mn bobbies. Speaking in Timaru, lie said that he would liko to see every man with a hobby. He was convinced that if a man’s attention was concentrated in a sufficiently small scope, in three years he could get to the outside limits of human knowledge. It was men who specialised who added to the world’s store of useful knowledge and not the men who were generally well informed.

At a meeting of the members of the Ashburton County Brass Band, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Deputy-Bandmaster, Mr H. Hartly; drum-major, Mr T. M’Donald; sergeant, Mr W. Hodgson; corporal, Mr C. Tisch; lance-corporal, Mr J. C. Green; custodians, Messrs 0. Caldicott and C. J. Cooper; committee, Messrs H. A. Humphreys, H. Hughes, H. Hartly, C. Tisch, J. C. Green, C. Gass, It. Matlieson, D. M’Donald and H. Gillies. A conference of local bodies interested in the asphalting and kerbing of the footpath leading from Ashburton to the Cemetery, Saleyards, Show, Grounds and Racecourse was held at Ashburton on Tuesday. The following apportionment of the cost of the work, approximately £l7O, was agreed upon:— Cemetery Board £SO, Hampstead Town Board £SO, interested ratepayers half the cost of the asphalt and work opposite their properties, Ashburton County Council £SO.

The Woolston Brass Band will play the following programme on Victoria Square rotunda to-niglit at eight o’clock :—March, “ Dreadnought” (Rammer) ; soprano solo, “ Tancredi,” soloist, Mr Williams (Rossini); concert overture, “Boccaccio” (Von Suppe); grand selection, “Lucia di Larnmcrmoor ” (Donizetti); cornet duet, “Ida and Dot” (Loeey); grand selection, “Roberto il Diavolo ” (Meyerbeer); euphonium solo, “ Euphony,” soloist, Mr Estall (Sutton); march, “ Tho Enchanter” (White). The proposal of the Ashburton County Council to asphalt two chains of tho Ashburton traffice bridge has not mot with tho support of tho Ashburton Borough Council, which is a contributing body. At its meeting on Monday evening, the Borough Council Council passed the following resolution: —“That, iti view of the unsuccessful experiments of asphalting on street crossings, this Council is of opinion that the experiment on tho traffic bridge as proposed by the County Council would not be successful.” Statements have been circulated that Wellington’s new railway station will not bo erected for four or five years, and that when the station is erected “ the capital of the dominion will have to bo content with but a poor apology for a railway station.” Tho Minister of Railways (the Hon J. A. . Millar), however, states that nothing definite has yet been decided by tho Government. Tho whole subject is being carefully considered, and the details of tho scheme will be announced when tho Minister lias completed his plans. Figures submitted to tho Wellington City Council’s Tramway Committee by tho electrical engineer, bear out the announcements made somo weeks ago, that the year’s revenue would bo over £IO,OOO. The actual figures were £10,593, being £713 less than the amount realised in tlie year ended March, 31, 1908, but as that year was leap year, and therefore had an extra day’s revenue, the amounts are practically equal. The working expenses for the year just closed (£7452) were £295 less than those of tho provious year.

An amusing incident occurred ou the Feilding racecourse on Alonday afternoon. During the running of the Feilding Cup, while tho field was on the outer side of the course, a hare entered tho straight near the home turn. With ears down, it raced up the centre of the course, leading the horses by a good iu lf-mile. Nearing the judge’s box it ra.sed its ears, and, amidst the cheers of the crowd, dashed past the post and on up the course in true racing style. . Reaching the trees near the bend, it turned in and disappeared from view.

At a meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council, held on Alonday, reference was made by councillors to tho conscientious and painstaking manner in which tho Alayor (Air 11. Davis) had carried out his duties during tho past six years, ami a' hope was expressod that' Air Davis would again seek reelection. In reply, Air Davis stated that as none of the councillors intended to stand for the mayoralty lie would ■again he a candidate. During his term of office he had endeavoured to institute reproductive works, and to keep the rates down. At a later stage of the meeting the Alayor and borough councillors were all nominated for re-election. A man named Crombie was nearly blown to pieces at Picton a few day 3 ago. He was carrying a sack containing a charge of gelatine," powder and detonators up the face of a hill on the western . side when he tred on a waterpipe and slipped. The hag fell, and he thinks a detonator must have struck his foot, causing an explosion. Crombie had the presence of mind to kick the bag further away and clear himself. The force of the explosion sent him down the hill, and, Iris clothes being afire, he dashed into the sea. His mates immediately went to the rescue, to find tho skin was taken oil his face, hands and arms, his hair was singed, and his legs scorched, hut from the neck to the waist there was not a mark. His faco was blackened with the powder. At the spot where the explosion ’occurred there is a hole in tho hill quite two foot deep. Crombie is now in the local hospital and will ho ready for work again soon. Eyestrain Headaches. —Air E. AI. Sandstein, F.S.AI.C., D.8.A.0., Ophthalmic Optician, may bo consulted ou all cases of defective eyesight remediable by glasses. Fifteen years’ special study and experience. The most up-to-dato and completely-equipped optical parlours in the colonies. Cashel Street W. (next Ballantyne’s). Hours, 9.30 to 6. Telephone 397. 1898 True patriotism does not find expression in hooting, yelling and vituperation. The True Patriot is tho man who is prepared to Do something for his country—something that will influence others to follow his example. The truest patriotism, therefore, is expressed by tho immediate purchase of one of Butcher’s 18-ct. Gold Wedding , Rings, 210, High Street. XSIBI

Owing to tho scarcity of grain trucks tho goods sheds at Winslow and tho Hinds are full of grain, while at the latter place a largo quantity is stacked in the open.

Tho Government has decided to call for tenders for a police station at the Chatham Islands. It has also accepted a tender for connecting Lyttelton gaol with tho borough drainage system. The Master Bakers’ Union of Napier, at a meeting last night, decided to introduce the coupon system as from May 1. It was also decided that tho price of bread would have to bo raised. The Pioneer Lodge of Druids, No 1, celebrated its thirty-third anniversary with a smoke concert-on Monday evening, tho hall being full. The District Grand Lodge officers and visitors from other lodges were present. A very pleasant evening was spent.

A social gathering given bv tho ladies of the Waiau Hockey Club was held on Friday in tho Waiau Hall. Mrs Lunn contributed the music, and Mr Franz was master of ceremonies. Musical items were given by Messrs R. Young, J. Stratton, F. Lunn, A. Henderson, and-J. G. Poison. Supper was provided by the ladies.

A party consisting of Messrs H v Hammond, H. L. Penlington and W. Cabbledick, who went from Leeston on a deerstalking expedition to the Bine Mountains, have obtained eight heads. Mr Hammond secured two, Mr Penlmgton two (one a fourteen pointer), and Mr Cabblcdick four, comprising ten, thirteen, seventeen, and twenty-three pointers.

The following is a synopsis of 156 different cases which have been brought under the notice of the Charitable Aid Committee, or dealt with temporarily as urgent by authority of the chairman, since February ,24:—Relief granted (new cases), 14; relief granted (medical), 9; relief continued <?r resumed, 74; relief increased, 4; relief reduced, 2; applications refused, 2; applicants referred elsewhere, 2; reports ordered by committee, 8: applications otherwise dealt with, 8; admitted to institutions, 17; left institutions or died, 12; industrial schools, 4.

The mayoral chain, a handsome piece of work consisting of nineteen links, with a heavy centre medallion, ivas presented to tho Mayor of Dunedin (Mr M’Donald) yesterday. The links in the chain wore contributed by past mayors, and the medallion by tho Chamber of Commerce. A Press Association telegram states that tho Investiture was carried out by Mr D. M’Pherson (president of tho Chamber of Commerce) and Ml" James Gore (the oldest ex-mayor present), and several congratulatory speeches were made. Two youths, named Thomas Cox and Henry Cox, were committed for trial at -Timaru yosterday on a charge of robbing John Joseph Cremin of £2 10s in Timaru on the night of April 13. The complainant, a resident of Waimatc, gave evidence that he met the two accused on tho afternoon of April 13, and they spent tho evening in various hotels. ' The complainant was then inducod to go to the railway yards, where tho two accused knocked him down and took the money from bis trousers pockets. Bail was fixed at £IOO each.

A Press Association telegram from 'Wellington states that Cap>tain Henry Seaton, who is walking round the world, arrived from Sydney last night. Ho has taken up tho London “Daily Mail’s ” challenge to walk 45,000 miles in six years. He loft England in .March of last year, and has now covered about 8200 miles on foot, an average of twenty-five miles a day. He is earning his 'living by giving lectures, it being a condition of tho challenge that lio must mako liis living en route. He will leave for Auckland in two or three days. A meeting of ladies interested in the proposed free immigration of domestic servants was held at Ashburton on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs 11. Davis presiding. After tho matter had boen discussed in a conversational v.-ay tho following resolution was carried: —“That Mrs Davis be asked to write, in reply to the circular received from Christchurch, stating that the meeting was not in favour of a free immigration system for domestic servants to the dominion.” The motion was carried, and, after Mrs Davie had thanked those present for their attendance, the meeting adjourned with the customary compliment to the chairwoman.

Tho annual meeting of the committee of the Children’s Convalescent Cottage at New Brighten was held on Tuesday. There was a full attendance. The quarterly report was received and accounts were passed for payment, and a tender lor the children’s shelter-shed was accepted. It was decided to install a telephone at;the Cottage, the necessary funds having been subscribed by friends. The annual report was read and adopted for publication, and votes, of thanks were passed for the use of committee-rooms and to Air T. D. Condcll, honorary auditor, for his services in auditing the accounts. It was reported that the Cottage had been full to overflowing during all the summer months.

A fund that is being raised to provide. new uniforms for the Rangiora Brass Band benefited substantially from the proceeds of an entertainment given at the Rangiora Institute Hall on Tuesday evening, tlio room being crowded in every part. A new kindoispiol “Hie Alidshipmito ’ was performed by the St John’s Kinderspiel Society, the production reflecting credit on Air Windsor Luxton and Aliss Luxton who were chiefly responsible, for the training of the young people in their parts. The staging of the four scenes was effectively done, and tho singing was blight and tasteful. Those who represented the principal cliaiacters were Air L. B. Midgley, Alisses G. Rogers, E. AVright, Rose Horrell, E. Smith, ’ Trixie Barrell, and Eileen Mathews and Alasters Gordon Smith, Alan Luxton, George Brown, Selwyn Fend ill, and Roy Mathews. Ihe Alayor of Rangiora (Air C. AA. Boll) presided. Some time ago the Auckland Board of Education expressed an opinion that something should be done in the direction of encouraging swimming among the young people of New Zealand. The matter was referred to tlie headquarters of the Swimming Association, asking its opinion as to making swimming and life-saving compulsory subjects. The reply of the Association was read at a meeting of tho Board yesterday, states a Press Association telegram. It was to the effect that it would. he difficult to do this without interfering with other work. If swimming were substituted for woodwork and cookery fqr a part of the year tho idea would ho feasible in the case of most of the city and suburban schools. Air George said that a number of country schools had taken tho art of swimming up as a study. Ho suggested that the summer holidays should bo utilised in teaching children to swim. That was the ideal time foY swimming. If tho matter was hold over for a few mouths lie would present a scheme. Air George’s idea was approved, and ho was asked to report to a subsequent meeting. J. AI. Heywcod and Co., Ltd., have a largo and experienced staff of Customs experts, and are in a position to deal expeditiously with tho passing of goods through the Customs. Prompt delivery to all clients at low rates. N 4039 Ladies’ Gold and Silver AVatches, Engagement Rings, Muff Chains and all other classes of Jewellery too numerous to mention at greatly reduced prices. Iv. Grieshaber, 155, Colombo Street. X337Q

All the trout rivers and streams in the province Aero fishable yesterday. The Auckland Railways League has decided to hold a conference on May 26 of the various East Coast RailwayLeagues and tho Rotorua League to discuss tho route of the East Coast railway. Tho secretary of tho New Plymouth Harbour Board has been advised by the chairman and treasurer, who are in London, that tho Board’s loan of £275,000 has been underwritten at 101, for thirty years, at 4£ per cent.

Tho Mayor has received a post-card from Mr W. Reece, one of the city’s ex-Mayors, addressed from Leipsic, with a picture of a handsome new “rathaus” there. The writer says that ho sends tho picture as a model for a now town hall for Christchurch.

At its meeting on Monday evening the Asburton Borough Council decided to join other local bodies in establishing a superannuation fund for employees. If a fund is established the council will pay a subsidy of twenty-five per cent on the contribu-; tions of the employees to the fund. | ’ Tho Canterbury Horticultural Society will hold its chrysanthemum l l show in the Alexandra HaH, on May--4 and 5. The following gentlemen* have consented to act as judges:—j Messrs W. Jones and H. Brown, pot plants and cut blooms; Messrs J. Young and R. Millar, fruit and vega-1 tables. j

The building fund of tho. Young: Women’s Christian Association lias reached £341 9s. The following are recent donations: —F. £3, L.R. 10s, D. 1 2s 6d, N.. £3 3s. R.C. £l, S.B. £2,; J.S. £2, S. 10s, C.S. £5, J. Bs, P., £l, H. £l, O. £1 Is, A. 2s, F. Is, G. ss, T. ss, S. £5, J.C. £l, A. 5e,l T.D.B. £l. j The Canterbury College Christian 1 Union has arranged for a number of lectures to bo delivered, by clergymen to members of the union. _ The first of these lectures was delivered, last evening by the Rev J. Mackenzie, to a very large audience. The Revs Dr Envin, C. W. Carrington, and C. H. Laws will deliver other lectures.

At a. meeting of the committee of the Canterbury branch of the Amalgamated Society. of Railway Servants, held last evening, the following resolution was carried:—“That this meeting regrets the comments made on tho Addington Workshops inquiry by the Hon J. A. Millar, as reported in the ‘ Hawke’s Bay Herald,’ believing that, any such comments should have been withheld until such time as the report had been made public.” At the Magistrate’s Court at Rakaia cn Tuesday, before Messrs C. A. C. Hardy and L. Oxley, J.P.’s, Mary Davies pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a number of articles of clothing from Rakaia residents. She. was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment. David Seeler was charged with the theft of a swag, rug and portmanteau from the railway platform. He was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. One of the, witnesses in this case, named H.; Schwann, was arrested as soon as the Court rose and charged with wife desertion. He was remanded to New Plymouth. j A swimming carnival organised byi the Canterbury Centre of the New. Zealand Amatour Swimming Association will be held at the Municipal Tepid Bath,' Manchester Street, this The half-mile swimming championship oi Canterbury and the first round of the water polo championship will be decidj ed, and handicap races and a display o-f' fancy diving are included in .the programme. During the evening Mb George Harris, president of tho Swim-; ming Association, will present some Royal Human© Society’s awards fori bravery and a number of trophies and badges won at tho last New Zealand championship meeting. j Winter, with its long evenings, is drawing near, and consequently one has : now time to devote to reading oF studying, which perhaps would in summer time be spent in outdoor pursuits.! When the print is blurred and the tetters seem to run into # each other, thus' showing a defect which can be remedied by consulting John R. Proctor, Oculists’ Optician, 180, High Street. X 2681

Preserving Jars—Just arrived. son’s pints, quarts and half-gallon; AtUs jars, wide-mouth, pints, quarts and half-gallon; glass jars, 3 in nest, Is 2d; white jars, 4 in nest, Is 4d; tumblers, 2s 6d dozen; preserving pans, cast-iron enamelled, 5s 9d, 6s 9d, 7s 6d; light enamel, from 3s 9d. At Fletcher 8r05.,, Itnpotters, Lower High Street.;

AN ELEPHANT’S ESCAPADE, j Residents in Botany Road, near tlid Lakeside AA 7 oolscouring Works, Sydney, were roused from their sleep about srs o’clock one morning recently by the sound of smashing timber and build, ings being hurled with violence t<J Mother Earth. Above the noise off wreckage strange® trumpetings rose, and startled, people rushed out of doors in sleeping garb in anticipation of the Crack of Doom being in the vicinity. No doom was to bo found, but a' bolted elephant was providing crack with a lavish trunk. This Jumbo earns his living as a side, issue in a circus, hut on that morning he was taken from the romance of the tents and the comfort of the sawdust to drag a waggon laden with waste' material through the gloom of the sleeping - city out to Botany. AA r hether the indignity of the load annoyed him or, as haw been, advanced* a gun sliot scared, ium# is not certain, hut the fact is demon-*; strable that lie became unmanageable.' Had he kept to the roadway all might have been well, but he made a dash at a terrace of houses. He banged through a fence and nearly knocked out one side of a weather-board cottage. Then ho set off through the nearby hack yards, leaving behind him a trail' of smashed fences and overturned out*; houses. Finally, lie tore through th® dividing fence of the Lakeside AA'ool* scouring Works, and espied the night* watchman. That worthy, from all accounts, did not stand upon the order of his going, but went— unobtrusively* but with much speed. Yet, my lord tho elephant had seen him, and the onlookers were afforded the strange spectacle of a man streaking for the rising sun pursued by several tons o£ enraged elephant and a hounding waggon. En route to the sun-rise the leviathan brought up in the wool6ccuring works, wliero he parted company > with hie waggon. His attendant, wlie had pluckily attended on his charge as well as lie could, there captured tua escaped animal, and, quietening him, conducted him back to the place whence he had come, subdued and very disreputable. THE RESULTS OF THE MOTOR. CYCLE RELIABILITY TRIAL. Christchurch to Akaroa and returnDistance, 114 miles; 19 competitors. • Tho motor-cycle reliability lull-climbing and petrol consumption trial was run on Alarch 6, and resulted in a sweeping victory for the 34 h.p. Triumph motors. Everybody knows liow the Talbot cars wiped out 36 competitors in tho late motor-car trials, and again wo have the pleasure to report to the public that the Triumph motor-cycles, in competition with seven well-known makes, have repeated the victory or, tho Talbot team by winning all the premier prizes. Air R. English, the ludge, awarded the prizes to the 3i h.p. Triumph riders as followss—-toi* reliability, open class: Ist, \\. Blun- ’ dell; 2nd, F. Howarth. Private owners 1 ' class: Ist, C. Bailey; 2nd, A. Bekernd Hill-climbing, open class: G. B. Brown- ■ Private owners’ class: F. S. BarnettLowest petrol consumption, open class S AA 7 . Blundell. Private owners’ class* A Beken. Best performance in hill climb: G. B. Brown. Highest aggregate marks, for reliability, lowest*

petrol consumption and hill-climbing: (• 3, grown. Making a total of eight hist prizes awarded to ridors of Triumph motor-cycles. What a victory for Triumphs I A world s record 1 All other makes of motor-cycles wiped out. lie success of the Triumphs in the trials is our reward for selling to the public the highest class goods. .Fifty Triumph motor-cycles now arriving, price £7O. Adams Limited, sole New Zealand agents, 138-140, High Street, Christchurch. 1988