TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15920, 4 May 1912, Page 10

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The following auctioneers' announcements will be found on page 19 of this issue:—H. Matson and Go., W. E< Simes and Co., Tonks, Norton and Co., Harris Bros., M'Kenzie and Willis, Charles Clark," H. B. Sorensen, Conway Matson and Sons, and National Mortgage and Agency Company.

The opening ceremony in connection with the new Town Hall at Temuka, will take place next Thursday evening* The Wanganui County Council has decided, states a. Press Association telegram to abolish the road boards within its district.

aiAj. ss Assoc i*tion telegram states that two men were arrested in Auckland in connection with the theft ot £6O worth of jewellery, money and clothing from a passenger on the Aorangt on her voyage to San Francisco.

Messrs O. A. O. Hardy and G. Renme, members of the North Canterbury Education Board, visited- several schools in the Ashburton County yesterday. v \ site close to the Hinds Cemetery was inspected with a view-to removing the Huntingdon School there. Tlfu rday was Ambulance' Day in •byttelton, and sixteen members of the Association and brigade went to Port, to take up a collection in aid of the Association's funds. Stations were established in the principal streets, and Wo 10s was collected during the day* The bazaar held in the assembly hall of *s£ Ash burton District High School on Ihursday, to raise funds for the building of baths in the school grounds, was very successful. The takings, including donations amounting to £4O, were about £IOO, and this, together) with the Government subsidy, will, defray the entire cost.

The opening social in connection witK the St Albans Wesley Guild was held on Thursday evening, and was most successful. In addition to a brief address from the Rev H. E. Bellhouse, who presided, contributions were given by Mrs Hindio, Mrs Stallard, Misses E. Smith and Davies, Messrs Stout, Conimins and L. Flavell. The accompanist was Miss Eleanor Smith. Refreshments were.provided by the ladies.

The half-yearly meeting of the Ashburton Hakatere Young Men's Club was held on Thursday evening, when Mr W. .G. Hillierpresided The., report stated that the membership had increased. The assets exceeded the liabilities by £4OB. The following committee was elected for the ensuing term:—Messrs M. J. Moriarty, H. R. M'Elrea, J. Grant, O. Stills, T. Turtill, T. Slade, C. Thomas, A. E. Clarke and W. Dalton.

At a special meeting of the Ashburton Borough Council held yesterday morning, Mr H. Davis (Mayor) was appointed to represent the Council,at the meeting of representatives of local bodies which is to be held to elect a delegate to attend the conference re. farding the Local Government Bill, he members condemned the Bill, more particularly the proposals in regard to rating for education purposes. It waa contended that the establishment of large districts would weaken local government administration rather than strengthen, it. " 1

A largely-attended meeting of the Cambrian Society was held last night to discuss the' British Insurance Bill. In the absence of Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., who was unable to attend, the Rev T. A. Williams presided. Mr Franklin, who introduced the subject, gave a lucid exposition of this comprehensive measure of reform. He dealt ably with the various aspects of the Bill, the clauses for the prevention and cure of consumption, provision for medical aid, unemployment and disablement, maternity benefits, and the gradual removal of slums. The outcome of the Bill, he said, would be to produce more contentment amongst employer and employee, affording the worker better facilities for the future, and offering a much safer existence and a fuller life. Mr Franklin was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The annual meeting of the New Brighton Beautifying Association was held on .Thursday evening, Mr C. H. Winny (vice-president) bemg in the chair. The secretary reported that satisfactory progress had been made during the year. A large number of donations had been received. During the year over 100 tamarisks, 100 cabbage trees and a number of poplars and willows had been planted along the banks of the river and in different parts of the borough.. These were all growing well. The balance sheet showed receipts totalling £3l 18s 6d, and _. expenses amounting to £3l 0s 6d, leaving a balance of 18s. An account for £4 3s 2d was due for timber purchased. The report was approved and adopted. . The following officers were elected for the year:—Patron, the Hon G. W. Russell, M.P.: president, the Mayor of New Brighton; vice-presidents, Messrs W. H. Bellamy. R. O. Bishop. H. W. Bishop,- G. E. Goodwin and C. H. Winny, and Captain Owles; executive committee, Mesdames Winny. Bellamy. Ross, Goodwin, Cook and O'Donnell, Messrs Thompson;' Malaquin, Lees, . Ward and Stokes; honorary secretary, Mr E. Langford; honorary treasurer, Mr J. Cook. The question of holding a horticultural show under the.auspices of the Association was discussed, and the executive was recommended to take preliminary steps in the matter and call a meeting of the Society at a later date. The question of the planting of George Street- was considered, and it was decided that the executive should communicate with the Borough Council, urging that it should take the matter in hand. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr Langford, .the secretary, for his work during the year, was carried.

It's an ill wind that blows no one any good. This wind . has brought Mr Toomer's wholesale stock of boots on the market. Stewart Robinson, of Cashel Street, opens hi" great Clearing Sale this day. We advise the public to shop early., 2064 An ideal drink for cold winter evenings—-" Gold Star Cocoa," manufactured by special process, which retains all the "nourishment of tho cocoa and excludes undesirable elements, making " Gold Star Cocoa" a perfect beverage. Pure, ho/althful and nutritious. Specially suitable for growing children. Ask for "Gold Star Cocoa." 1756

Constable Regan arrested a man yesterday on a charge of having stolen • bicycle in October last. Mr W. O. Cleary, J.P., presided at a ■itting of the Lyttelton Police Court yesterday, when a first offender for drunkenness, on remand from Ashbur-ton,-was fined 10s and costs. He was also ordered, to pay 15s Medical expenses., • The Wanganui County Council at a meeting yesterday carried a motion to take o\'Cr the control of all roads in the'Road Board districts' within its boundaries. This practically means the abolition.Of the seven Road Boards in the county and the substitution of tidings. .

In consequence of a dispute between the aerated water manufacturers and the hotelkeepers in Auckland, due to prices being advanced over 60 per cent, the hbtelkeep'cre have resolved to start % business' to bo known as the Auckland licensed Victuallers' Aerated "Water Factory, with a capital of £3OOO in £1 . shares. The capital was subscribed immediately. It .is intended to sell only to hotelkeepers. The following is a statement of Customs duties colleoted at the port of Lyttelton during the week ending May 3:—Spirits, £2732 9s 1; cigars and cigarettes, £345 3s od; tobacco, £687 2s 6d; wine, £67 5s sd; beer, etc., £93 7b; chicory, cocoa and chocolate, general tariff, £lB 10s 9d. preferential £3 14s Id: goods bv weight, general taritt £4OB 9s 3d, preferential £2 Bsi 6d; goods ad valorem, general £1799 2s 9d, | preferential £llO 14s 3d; other duties, general tariff £372 3s Bd, preferential £l3 ss; total, £6653 15s Bd. On Thursday the new cemetery in connection with the Prebbleton Presbyterian Church was formally dedicated. >There was a vood attendance- A brief religious service was conducted by the pastor, the Rev S.-E. Hfflj who was ■ssisted by Mr James Moore, elder of the congregation. After Mr Hill had narrated the steps taken to secure the aanotion "of the Government, Mr H Anderson, sen., of Woodlaw. Prebbleton, gave a short address, and officially declared the cemetery open for public use. At the close, afternon tea was provided by /the ladies in the grounds of the church. A > : machine-hand named Harold Clarke, who was arrested last week at Doyleston by Constable Greacy on a charge of theft, appeared on remand at the Leeston Court on Wednesday, before Dr Gossett, J.P., and Mr W. Halley, J.P. He was then charged with causing a fire on the night of April 22 on Mr T. Greenan's farm, at Doyleston, where the threshing machine on which he was employed had been working, by which some peas in sacks and a quantity of pea straw were destroyed. The man stated that four gallons of beer had been consumed by. the mill-hands on the night in question. He pleaded guilty to the charge, and was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. The effects of the recent labour- unrest in Great Britain are reaching New Zealand by devious ways, says the " Auckland Star." A local importer states that an all-round rise in prices is being experienced in practically every line of hardware, partly owing to the big coal strike, which, however, has not had 1 time to exercise its full effect in that direction, and partly to a general increase in the price of material. Crockery in particular with its dearer price in the home market and its consequent heavier duty is the most affected, the invoices for newly' imported lines ruling at well over fifteen per cent higher than' a few* months ago. Glassware,. tinware and copper ware have also risen materially. The new conditions will rmt, however, be generally felt until the present stock is sold out, and then for a time the rise will be only gradual. . A fatal accident was averted by presence of mind at the Ravensbourne rail- , way station on Wednesday morning, • says the Dunedin " Star." As the 7.15 a.m. train from Dunedin dashed up to the platform, people waiting at the station to board the train were horrified to see a young porter lose his footing as he jumped from a carriage platform. The young fellow fell backwards to what seemed instant death beneath the revolving wheels. As he fell, how- ' ever, he managed to swing his arm' round one of-the iron stanchions of the carriage platforms, and to hold on to it; The moving train swept his pro- . truding 'legs and body clear of the station platform, and when it seemed as though he was to be drawn under the wheels, another young porter, who had come in the same carriage from Dunedin, and who was standing on the carriage platform, bent down, caught hold of his prostrate mate, and held him up until the train came to a standstill. The spectatqrs heaved a sigh of relief, ■ and the young porter who had so narrowly escaped went away without a scratch. ' _ "Gilby's College Magazine," just issued, contains a letter that has some unique features. It is dated from Lyttelton gaol and 'is addressed to Mr C H. Gilby. It is as follows:—"I have been going to write to you for some considerable time, but I have kept putting it off I would have written this letter in shorthand, only the prison regulations will not allow that. We find shorthand writers in very unlikely places; in this prison there are two others who, havo some knowledge of the art. You will remember reading some time ago of a man in the> Dnson who was .studying shorthand, and" was being assisted in his studies by another prisoner who had some knowledge of the art. That other prisoner referred to was myself. Some prisoners here take up the study .of shorthand, but very soon give it up as too hard. The knowledge that I myself possess of the Winged art' has been* acquired in this prison. Ihave been here just on six years, and out of that six yeara I have spent 51 .years in studving and practising shorthand. I taught myself, and .many a time I thought about throwing 'tip the study, but I am glad to say that I have kept pegging away, and now I can write fairly fast, but of course there is a lot of room for improvement I desire to havo a thorough acquaintance with the system, and I also wish to be a fast writer. Being uriablo to attend lecturer and so forth, 1 have another method for getting up speed, and that is, when T <am reading a book I trace the characters on my knee at the saine*time; I believe this is very good practice. I also ' take' the sermons on Sunday, having a book for the purpose. As for reading practice, well, I have been supplied from your college, through Adjutant St"Dhenj>, of the Prison Gate Home at Addington. Adjutant Stephens has now gone awav, and his place has ber-n taken by Staff-Captain Barnes. I will be very glad if von will continue to furnish me with literature as you havo done in the past, and remember. Mr i Gilby. it does not matter to me" how old the literature R as it is .nlways new to me. I would be vorv glad, if yon would care to answer this" letter, to hear from you, and to hear any advice which you may think n"cp«i?nry. I am serving ten years here. - J deserved what 1 got, mid it has been a lesson which shall last me as long pis I live. I have jnft twenty-two months to serve now, and T mean to become a member of yonr college upon my release (circumstances permittin"')." When moving, employ J. M. Heywood and Coy., Ltd., as they employ 'none but careful men to handlo your furniture. They havo three largj f>antochnicons, so that no job is too arge or too small for them to undertake. 19°8 , "Neither workmen nor fools can work without tools." For Local Industries Week, Messrs Hastie, Bn'l and Pickering, opposite Ballantyne's. are making a special display of. ma.jhme and hand tools for metal and wnnd- '; »orkinc- All ♦*• l«.w. .vi-0.. maa

I ' A Gore telegram says that a deer has been scan in the Wendon district, forty I miles from the deer country. No deer has been thero bciore. ! Thirty immigrants, who arrived in Wellington on Thursday by the New Zealand Shipping Company'3 Ruahino, came to Lyttelton by the Mararoa yesterday morning. The chairman of the Board of Governors of the Technical College last night referred to the death of the late Mr jC. Hood .Williams, and a motion of 1 sympathy was carried in silence, those j present standing.

Tho following entries have been received for tho theory examinations, which are to be held by the Associated Board of tho Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music: —Local centre—Counterpoint 1, harmony 1, rudiments 10. School—Lower school 1, rudiments 2, primary 6. Mr R. Moore, deputy-chairman of the Lyttolton Harbour Board, has instructed Mr R. Hay Arlow, the assistant secretary, to communicate with the Hon A. M.v Myers, inquiring if, when he is arranging for his visit to Christchurch, about tho middlo of this month, he can fix a date on which to I receive a deputation from the Board I to discuss the Canal Commission's reI commendations in regard to increased I facilities at Lyttelton. A business man who has been on a visit to Canterbury, states the Greymouth- correspondent of the " Lyttelton Timesj" in conversation with "a reporter, said that he found trade very dull, both in Christchurch and Timaru. Money was very tight, and was likely to become more so. Timaru, however, was likely to do well this year out of its produce, since the bad weather experienced in Southland had affected the crops considerably there, and prevented anything like the usual yield. 1 The morning and evening anniversary services in connection with the Greendale Primitive Methodist Church had to bo abandoned last .Sunday on account of the inclement weather. In the afternoon the Rev J. Nixon, of Oxford, conducted the service. On Monday evening a very successful tea and public meeting were held. At the public meeting the Rev A. Harding was in the chair, and addresses were given by the Rev G. O. Cule (Baptist) and tho Rev J. Nixon. Solos were sung by Miss C. Rudd and Miss M. Rudd, instrumental selections were rendered by Mr 3 M'Clelland, Miss Johnson and Mr M. Johnson, of Kirwee, and a pianoforte duet was given by Miss K. Rudd and Miss L. Rudd. A welcome social was tendered to tho Rev A. N. and Mrs Scotter by tho members of the Sydenham Methodist Church and congregation on Thursday evening. Mr Jl Horsley presided over a large audience. Speeches of welcome were made by the chairman, tho Rev T. A. Williams, of the Sydenham Baptist Church, Mr G. R. Whiting, representing tho Sydenham Brotherhood, Mr W. White, circuit steward, and Mr D. Jones. Mr, Scotter suitably acknowledged the kindly welcome extended to Mrs Scotter and himself. He hoped that his work in Sydenham would bo of benefit to the church and neighbourhood. During the evening the choir gave several anthems, and refreshments were handed round. One of the methods by which the Political Labour League has secured a considerable part of its success in organisation has been what are known as speaking teams, states the " Sydney Morning Herald." The speaking teams are organised at a meeting of delegates from the branch leagues, and their duty is to go, as required by other leagues, and deliver speeches on the Labour platform in various electorates. The system provides an excellent-train-ing for young speakers, and guarantees that fresh speakers can always be secured by the electorate branches to carry on the work of organisation by public addresses. Tho system is usually relaxed immediately after elections, but now, probably with the idea of the next elections, both State and Federal in view, the League speaking teams are being reorganised.

The question of providing special train accommodation for tho school children who come to Christchurch from the country each day was discussed- at a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Technical College last night. Mr A. J. Bell stated that on one occasion, when he was , travelling in from the countr* Sn a carriage in which' were several school children, a man entered and used extremely bad language, the children meanwhile sitting there and taking it all in. Ho moved that the Manager of Railways should be approached with a request that he should endeavour to provide special accommodation for children travelling to and from school. The proposal was endorsed byother members, ono suggesting that special first class accommodation should he provided for girls and second class for boys., a sex distinction that was jocularly resented by tho Board. The motion was carried unanimously.

At Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr V. G. Day, S.M., .D. Gedye, W. 0 Campbell and F. D. Westenra were each fined 4Qs and 7s costs for driving motor-cars over the Ashburton traffic bridge at an excessive speed. For similar offences with motor-cycles, Herbert Hunt, E. G. Seelye, A. C. Patterson, J. Hatton and B. Sparrow were each fined 20s and costs. John Holland, for driving a vehicle at an excessive speed over the same bridge, was also fined 20s and costs. William Nevin, for cycling' at night without a light, was fined 20s and costs. ' John M'Dowell (Mr Buchanan) was charged with giving an order on April IS for liquor to the licensee of., the Winchester Hotel without civing him particulars for whom the liquor was intended. The Magistrate ordered accused to pay the costs. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default with costs in-H. C. Orbell v. Everybody's, Limited, claim £1 Is.

A meeting of members of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society was held in Lyttelton on Thursday, the Mavor (Mr M. J. Miller) being in the chair. It was reported that tho Society had been incorporated under the Friendly Societies' Act, 1908, and a Board of Directors was therefore appointed. The following officers were elected:—Patrons, his Excellency the Governor, the Hon G. Laurenson, Mr G. F. Bullen. and the Mayors of Christchurch and Lvttelton; honorary treasurer, Mr F. W. Anderson; honorary secretary Mr R. S. Badger. It was felft that, on the completion of tho new institution a rermanent missioner should be pointed in order to carry on the wider work which would then come within the scone of the Society, but in of the fact that the Society dep-md«d unon voluntary rubscriptions, it was decidprl to make no appointment until sufficient annual subscriptions were se cured +o warrart the Society in so doino:. It wns decided to aprrint the RevG. Coates rn orrani ßsr with a'view to interf-stincc tho people of Canterbury in the Society's work, wl f:e Cure tl)e j' co-op°rntion so that the new hnildinc mi>R be opened fy"e -if fo\ yt ;.„;,7 month.. Tt wns decked U h O M a a a » vwa' Co 1 lection on Sa+urdav. Mav 11 the fund" to go !iqiii-^ti n '« «U debt, on'the new MuMr-cr. Those Vill': in* +o nsmt should send .in thoir names to the secretary.

When von think of miUinerv, fhiniof .irmstrouf.'s. Tfc *. great reputation for wear ot 10~ once*. A visit4o";tl, P i," showroom "i 1 H,-a\ >0... Wo would remind cur readers +W tho Special Salt; of the of W. Scale? and Company i s ab £° ; full Bwin.«. Meesrs 1 the pui-elir-ers.fi the above stcck, «' port"record and £- ing buvers to viMt- ,hor ordor to avoid ip§

A Vfestport Press Association tele- ] ,7™ savs that the trade demand there for <»al is brisk at tho present The New Brighton Marino Band will Yilnv of music on the local rotunda to-morrow afternbon, commencing a* 2.45. " The manager of tho Christchurch Re,>mviiiir Home desires to acknowledge the receipt of fruit from Mrs Aschman i and Sm Mr T. Archcy. I The staff will take possession of tho : new brick Post Office at Westport next week The official opening will be held ntpr on by tho Postmaster G-eneral. Sir fosenh Vv'ard will unveil the Seddon memorial clock at tho Post Office on his return from Australia. The Mayor stated yesterday that he had noticed, during the late heavy rains, that hundreds of down-pipes, taking water out of the gutters on roofs of buildings, discharged the water on to the footpaths, causing a great deal of annoyance. Ho intended to try to stop the practice. Mr R Badger, acting honorary secretary of tho British and Foreign Sailors' Society, Lyttelton branch, has written to the Mayor asking for permission to conduct a Sailors Saturday " for the purpose of collecting funds in tho city on May 11. The Mayor has given the permission asked for.

At the Magistrate's "Court yesterday, th|3 defendant in" a case indignantly protested against the action of the City Council in prosecuting him instead of the builder who had built an outhouse for him that was not in accordance with the city by-laws. It was absurd, he said, to expect a private man to have a working knowledge of the bylaws relating to buildings. Mr H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works, has written to the Mayor acknowledging receipt of an inquiry in.regard to the rate the Government will charge for electrical energy supplied by the Lake Coleridge scheme. In reply, he says that Mr Parry, the Department's electrical engineer, is being requested to confer with the City Council and negotiate for a contract for the wholesale supply of electric power. A conversazione was held in the Parish Hall, Temuka, on Thursday evening in connection with the anniversary of the Temuka Methodist Church. A splendid programme was provided by the choir, and performers from Timaru. During the evening interesting addresses were delivered by the Rev J. Macdonald (Presbyterian), Rev W. Harris (Primitive Methodist), and Ensign Lee, and at tho close supper was served.

A committee of ladies has been set up at Templeton to assist the original committee to wipe off a debt of- £IOO on the Coronation baths. The committee consists of Miss Zinckcraft (president), Mrs Sinclair (treasurer), Mrs Fox (secretary), together with Mesdames Arnot, G. Alsop, Hampton, Williams, Gordon, Clinton, 11. Haplin and Miss May Bailey; The committee meets fortnightly, and the members are working industriously. A meeting of the newly-formed St Peter's Club, Temuka, was held on Thursday evening, the Rev A. H. Norris presiding over a fair attendance. The rules, regulations and general procedure of the club were considered, and the following officers elected: —Presidents, Rev A. H. Norris and V. Coira; vice-president, Mr F. W. Salmon; secretary, Mr J. Chapman; treasurer, Mr V. Morris; .committee, Messrs Whitehead, Reeves, Carew, Moore, Proudlock and C. Talbot.

A callous misogynist steod in the wit-ness-box at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, and gloried in his ascetism. Ho described how he had been besieged by the attentions of a lady, who had approached him in an hotel and flung her arms around his neck, exclaiming, "I love you, Jack!" The Court was obviously affected by this touching example of the pure, disinterested affection of an ingenuous young soul. The defendant, however, had repudiated the charmer, and not in the impassioned language of self-abnegation, but with the brutally candid words, "Take your dirty hands off my neck." The transports of the fair one he unkindly attributed, not to the emotional temperament of'youth, but to whisky. The Lyttelton Marine Band will play the following programme of music on the rotunda at the port to-morrow afternoon, commencing at three o'clock: —" German Dead March : ' (Beethoven), in memory of those who were lost in the wreck of the Titanic; quickstep, "Roll Away Bet" (Ord Hume); morceau, " Les Cloches de St' Etienne" (Shipley Douglas); selection, "St Paul"' (Mendelssohn); cornet solo, "The Lost Chord" (Sir Arthur Sullivan), soloist, Bandsman E. Sullivan; intermezzo, " Rondes-vous " (Aletter); euphonium solo, " Land of Hope and Glory" (Sir E. Elgar), soloist, Bandmaster W. Sullivan; quickstep, " The Cornet" (Rimmer). The Lyttelton Fire Brigade will take up a collection on behalf of the sufferers by the Titanio disaster.

A meeting of the Christchurch Card Association was held in the Trades Hall on Wednesday evening, Mr A. Johnston presiding. It waa decided to resume the competition which had been abandoned during last winter. The following officers were elected for the coming season:—Chairman, Mr W. Ware; vicechairman, Mr A. Johnston; secretary, Mr H. P. Bradwell; treasurer, Mr W. R. Stevens; catering committee, Messrs Ware, Stevens and the secretary; protest committee, Messrs Borough, A. Johnston, Niven and Adams. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers. It was decided to open the season in the Foresters' Hall on May 10, when Gas Company would meet Addington and Linwood would meet Duncan's.

The annual meeting of the Canterbury College graduates' Association was held on Thursday, when* Mr T. S. Foster presided. The seventeenth annual report stated that the membership now stood at ninety-one. During the year the death had occurred of Mr James Hay, M.A.,LL.8., who was one of the early members of the Association, and who for many years represented the graduates of Canterbury College on the New Zealand University. The.'Association had entertained the new graduates at afternoon tea on last diploma day. The balance-sheet showed" receipts £9 3s, expenditure £8 14s Gel, leaving a credit balance of'Bs (3d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr T. S. Foster; honorary secretary and treasurer, Miss L. Manning; council, Mrs Talbot, Mrs Hurst Seager and Messrs T. W. Rowe, H. W. L. Disby, W. J. Hunter, L. Jennings and J. M'Leod. It was decided to nominate Dean Harper and Dr Talbot as the representatives of the graduates on the Board of Governors of Canterbury College.

Local Industry Week has an important mission to perform in this great and growing country, and it behoves pverv patriotic New Zealander to visit Grsham. Wilson and Smelhe's Store and inspect their most interesting collection of goods manufactured in this dominion. The beautiful quality of the goods and tho moderate prices asked, are the subjects of comment among the hundreds who have visited this store during the past few days. It is a mistaken idea *&£?» people to put olf wearing Wf*" I '^ 0 S long as possible when they . them. They strain their eyes more and more and irreparable harm ' « done, which.glasses in some casea never entirely overcome For spectajf. oon suit John It. Procter, ami, 200. Hi-h Street, Chnstehurcn.

The guessing competition held at. the Malvern Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show on April 30, resulted as follows:—Total live weight of the three sheep, 31241 b. Mr Kennedy, Annat, who guessed 3131 b. won the prize There wcro seventy-one g« 6sse |' co ?" d the figures ranged from 137 to 3681 b.

It has been decided that the ceremony of driving the first pile of tlio Waii-oa Harbour works by Sir James Carroll will take place on May 20. Ihe Maoris are arranging a big meeting, and the settlers will give a banquet to visiting Ministers and Sir Janies Carroll in tho evening, when Sir James will bo presented with a testimonial in recognition of his long services to the country and the borough. Sir James Carroll was born in Wairoa. i In connection with a movement to ! improve the position of tho Young Women's Christian Association, Mies MacNeil, tho general secretary of tho Association, visited Rangiora yesterday, and arranged to hold a public meeting in the town on May 17. An address will be given on the, objects of the Association, illustrated with . lantern views, and a musical programme will also be provided. Prior to the public gathering there will be a meeting of business men willing to interest themselves in the Association. A drawingroom meeting of ladies and a. Sunday afternoon gathering have also been arranged. The annual meeting of the New Brighton Money Club, was held on Wednesday evening, m the UubS. room, Sea View Road. . The report, which was adopted, showed a credit balance on the last half-year's transactions of £l9 9s lid, which, ,w»th the previous half-year's dividend, enabled the Society.to pay a dividend of Is 6d in the pound for the year. The Capital of the Society, it was stated, amounted to £sll 16s, an increase of £283 6s 6d during the half-year, and loans amounting to £295 were granted during the saraa period. Ihe totn sum out on loan was £497. The sum of £l5O surplus cash had been placed on deposit at call at a low rate of interest There were seventy members holding 299 shares. The election of officers resulted as follows : —President, Mr W. H. Bellamy; treasurer, Mr H. Greenfield: secretary Mr A. L. Ross; trustees, Messrs C. H. Winny and G. W. Staniland; committee, Messrs J. Clarke and G. W. Lockwood; auditors, /for the committee) Mr D. Hi 11,,, (tor the shareholders) Mr A. H. Clarke. The new hall at Orari, erected in commemoration of the Coronation of King George V., was opened On Thursday last. Mr Nosworthy, MP,, •congratulated the residents of the district on securing so excellent a building tor their meetings and amusements. Mr G A. Macdonald, who was presented with a gold key, then opened the building, and those present entered. Mr Piper, chairman of the' Building Committee, presided. 'iho Geraldme Brass Band was in attendance, and played selections, and speeches of a congratulatory order were delivered. . In the evening a capital entertainment was given, when the hall was.packed. Ihe programme included songs by Mr K. Morrison and Mr Hall, pianoforte solo bv Miss Piper, pianoforte duet by Miss Hawko and Miss Scott, violin solo by Mr Cliff, operatic scenes by*Mr Hill and Mr Piper, Highland Fling by Miss R. Glover, mandolin solo by Miss Piper, recitation by Mr B. R. McDonald, and action songs by the school children. All the items were encored. The concert was' followed by a dance, which proved very enjoyable. At a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Technical College last night, the-chairman, in his report, stated that the members on their visit to the Kaiapoi' factory were reminded of the fact that a number of the factory girls had left tho primary schools on reaching the age of fourteen, even before getting into Standard VI. Under the present system, no provision whatever was made for the free further education of such boys and girls. They were already handicapped as against the cleverer ones, and the handicap was increased by providing facilities for free education to those who had passed Standard VI., ivhile those, the less able, were obliged to pay. It was surely urgent that every . encouragement should be given to these to continue their education, and that the Department should make provision for suitable free courses in connection with evening schools, at any rate for those under seventeen years of age, who had not reached the standard at present required for free education. The matter was briefly discussed, and a deputation_ was appointed to approach the Minister and ask that provision should be made to overcome the difficulty. At a meeting of the Congregational Union of New • South Wales at Newcastle last week, the Rev F. D. Dowling said the lack of proper welcome accorded to immigrants in Australia was regrettable. Many immigrants had had the experience of tramping Sydney streets vainly endeavouring to obtain lodgings. They found Australia a very inhospitable place. The other day .no fewer than 100 of these forlorn people returned to the steamer and asked to be allowed to sleep in the bunks. Ample provision should have been made for them, but apparently the Government did not want them until j they had proved themselves Labour i people. Other denominations were do- j ing something for these people, and ! the speaker thought the Congregation- j aliste should also "do something. It was a bitter experience for immigrants, j and one they were not likely to forget. The speaker also stated that the conditions on board the steamers were unsatisfactory. Some of these immigrants arrived, in tho country ruined morally. The Rev F. Binns, in speaking on Mr Dowling's paper, characterised the arrangement for receiving immigrants as "miserable and disgraceful." It was, he added, a crying shame for a Government to advertise for people in the Old Land and then j not to welcome them on their arrival

Shooting Season, 1912.—Reliable guns of British make, by Pope, Bonehill, Cogswell and Harrison, Wingtield, etc., from £4 10s to £3O; single-barrel gumvfrom 355. Tin and pneumatic decoysj ammunition in all leading brands, ■special price for quantities.—Lewis and Anderson 112 Cashel Street West. 1988.

THE VANISHING OPOSSUM. It may not b? good news for the ladies of New South Wales, who are| most intimately concerned in his welfare, says the Sydney "Dally Telegraph," that the opossum is in such! grave danger of extinction that the; Government has found it necessary to extend tho period of his protection to the end of ttie year; and there is every reason to assume that the littlo animal, whoso fur is .so much in demand, will bo a privileged resident in New South Wales long after the year has turned.! The eastern slopes of the State are the I only districts where the 'possum is; now to be found in any numbers, and there have been such onslaughts upon-, the animal during the past few years! that the recent rate of destruction only;

ne<;aea to be carried on a little longer, for the result indicated to happen. A) great ground of complaint is that young animals have been recklessly slaughtered, and on representations being made to tho Government it was decided that the slaughtering of any kind of opossum should for the time being bo absolutely prohibited. In this connection it may be observed that both, the police and Museum authorities de-' clare that the second half of the year is the best period for the close season in ordinary circumstances. | , r £N ABORIGINAL LEGEND. i Mr b red Turner exhibited at the last meeting of tho Linnean Society in Sydney, some samples of the fruit of Owenia acidula, from the Darling River, New South Wales. When vipe

the fruit, which is about three inches in circumference, and resembles a small rough-skinned apple, has a succulent outer portion of a rich crimson colour, and a pleasant acid taste, and is eaten by both the white settlers and tho blacks. The aborigines know the tree and its fruit as r< colanc" and " gruey." Some years ago, when botanising in the Bogan River country, Mr Tumor was told by the blacks- an interesting legend Concorning tho propagation of this tree. The legend is that "little fellow moth comes out of fruit, flies along the plain, lays egg.in the ground, and up Comes ' colanc. According to information contaihed in some of the western newspapers several years ago, some of the municipal authorities, who desired to cultivate this singularly handsome tree in the intenor, had failed to propagate it from seed. Many western men regard the colano as the most beautiful umbrageous tree in the interior. Its foliage is' valuable feed for sheep in dry seasons. In Mr Turner's report to the Royal Commission on Western Lands, on' the economic value of the vegetation in the interior, he strongly advised the conservation of this handsome and useful fruit tree.

SEIZURE OF KIWIS

Some New Zealand kiwis were taken by the Moana to Sydney last week by a visitor, who intended to take them to England by Orama, but they were seized on arrival in Sydney by Mr Montgomery, New Zealand Agent, Under instructions from the New Zealand Government. They were not allowed to remain long in Australia, states the " Sydney Morning Herald," being shipped back to New Zealand by the Wimmera. Among the most interesting and curious of living feathered creatures, the kiwi is becoming exceedingly rare in New Zealand, which is the only country in which it is found. Not only is it wingless and tailless,_ not only is it the oddest-looking of all birds, but there are several other remarkable features about the kiwi. For example, it lays an enormous egg, out of all proportion to the size of its body, the males are considerably smaller than the females, and only the males sit on the eggs. In these, and in other respects, it constitutes a ouriosity in bird-life such as is not anywhere else to be obtained. The birds, which are nocturnal in their habits, live in the darkest and densest of forests, and at one time were plentiful in all the wooded portions of New Zealand. In order to save the kiwi from extinction, the Government has conveyed a number to the Little Barrier Island and other bird sanctuaries, and has iniposed/'heavy penalties against hunting the birds, while thoso taking them out of the dominion render themselves liable to a fine of £SO. Frequent surreptitious attempts to take the birds away are made, over £2OO apiece having been offered in England for live specimens, and thus the four secured by the visitor would have been worth about £IOOO in England, though he states that he was not taking them home for sale, but to liberate on his estate, in order to make a study of their habits, and to see ther the birds would thrive and multiply under the changed conditions.

SECOND-HAND TRIUMPH MOTOR

CYCLES—AN- UNUSUAL OPPORTUNITY.

It is.but seldom that "Triumph" motor-bicycles come into the open se-cond-hand market, as tho popularity of these well-known machines is so great that it is usually easy for v the owner to dispose of his machine very profitably privately. We havo on hand, however, at present, about a dozen second - hand " Triumphs," taken ,by us in part payment of 1912 model machines. They have all been carefully overhauled in our factory, and are guaranteed to bo in -perfect running order. Tho present opportunity to secure a second-hand "Triumph'/ at a very moderate prico is unique, and unlikely to occur again for some years. The " Triumph" is always > a sound investment, as it is readily disposed of at a good price. It is unnecessary to say much regarding "Triumph" quality. The marvellous performances of these machines iri| competition speak louder than words. Among the second-hand "Triumphs" we have on offer are a 1908 fixed engine model at £35, > seven 1909 fixed gino models at prices ranging from £35 to £45, a 1910 fixed engine model at £45, two 1911 free engine models at £52 10s and £62 10s, and a 1911 fixed engine model at £SO. Any trial will be given to intending purchasers, and as, a speedy clearance is expected inquiries should be made at once. Adams Ltd, agents for "Triumph" motorcycles. High Street, Christchurch (G. B. Brown, representative). 1988