TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16193, 20 March 1913, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Tho “Lyttelton Times” will not be published to-morrow, Good Friday.

Mr A. H. Shury, honorary secretary of the Ashburton Acclimatisation Society, has received word from the Minister of Internal Affairs that an open season for ducks of all descriptions will be granted in tho Ashburton district. Tho kiflds of native game to be shot are under consideration.

The Wellington Trades Council has been actively oanvassing. for signatures to a petition urging the City Council to take a poll on the question of securing a universal Saturday half-holiday. Five thousand names have been obtained and the issue will be placed beforo the electors at next month’s election.

The Greymouth correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times” telegraphs that Mr Darley, the Sydney engineer who was engaged to examine the harbour works at Greymouth, in a voluminous document to the Harbour Board yesterday stated that tho financial position of the Board did not warrant the large expenditure which the construction of an outer or deep-sea harbour would involve.

A petition is being circulated amongst tho residents of Papanui asking that tho new post office should be erected on the site known as the Weighbridge Corner, situated at the old tram terminus, that being recognised as the most convenient and central site for the purpose. Mr G. Witty, M.P., has promised to place tho matter before tho Postmaster-General at an early date.

St Patrick’s Day was celebrated at Ashburton by a banquet in the Commercial Hotel in the evening. . The Very Rev Dean O’Donnell presided, and there were about ono hundred persons present. During the evening speeches were delivered, toasts were drunk, and a musical programme was carried out. At tho conclusion Mr D. M’Donnell proposed a hegrty vote of thanks to the chair, which was carried' by acclamation.

Professor Macmillan Brown is among those who view with delight the dismemberment of tho Turkish Empire in Europe. Addressing the Canterbury Women’s Social and Political League yeoterday afternoon, he referred to tho Turks, who wero being " bundled out of Europe,” and added that it would have been a very good job if that fate had befallen them centuries ago. His opinion was apparently snared by tho audience, which applauded the speaker for lus outspokon comment. “ I noticed,” said Mr John Talbot to the Prime Minister yesterday at Timaru, “ that while at Lincoln you expressed pleasure at meeting so many young men who wero to be the future farmers-of New Zealand- I do not think that you met a great many or them. Farming under the conditions of to-day is taken up by farmers sons, ploughmen, and so on, who have to scrapo together and borrow every shilling they can. They aro not so much the class of people who take advantage of Lincoln College, although I do not say that it fulfils no useful purpose. Mr Massey replied that although those in training at the College were large!}' tho sons of men who had plenty of land, tho training they receivecl was undoubtedly useful to them and. to their neighbours. Nothing adds a bettor appearance to wearers of pince-nez than an eye-glass cord or chain, which also makes them secure from breakage. A veiy laigo assortment is open for selection Et John It. Proctors, Oculists Optician, 201), High Street, Christchurch, including automatic eye-glass chains, and the prices are extremely reasonable. IvBB ,

Two women were arrested in Sydenham yesterday by Constable Robertson on charges of vagrancy. There was a good attendance at the Art Society’s exhibition yesterday, and many sales wero recorded. The Art Gallery will bo open as usual to-day, but will bo closed on Good Friday.

In view of the approaching holiday season there has been a considerable increase in tho number of passengers travelling by tho respective steamers. Last evening nearly eight hundred persons' travelled to Wellington. There is also heavy booking for to-night’s boats.

A proposal has been mooted at Redcliifs to form a recreation ground on tho sandhills on the New Brighton sido of tho estuary. Tho idea is to plant trees and sink a well, and make an up-to-dato picnic resort, which would also he of value to Christchurch pleasure-seekers. It is proposed to call a meeting shortly, when the scheme will be fully discussed. I

Representatives of the Ironmasters’ Association met delegates from tho Metal Workers’ Assistants’ Union on Tuesday night, and discussed the Union’s proposals for increased wages and alterations in the conditions of work. After some discussion, no agreement was arrived at. The representatives of the employers expressed their willingness, to continue under tho present award. Miss Hodge and Miss Newcomb, the two British suffragette ladies who are touring tho world in the interests of an international suffrage movement, will address a public meeting to-night in tho Alexandra Hall. The Mayor will preside. Members of the Women’s Social and Political League, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, tho Canterbury Women’s Institute, tho Fabian Society and the Creche and Kindergarten Association are invited to attend.

The Christchurch representative of tho Auckland Exhibition has received a letter from tho town clerk, Ashburton, stating that at a meeting of representatives of the borough and county it was decided to unito with North Canterbury in providing and installing a Canterbury Court if South Canterbury will also join. Though tho question of a Canterbury Court or Ashburton, South Canterbury and North Canterbury courts has delayed matters, it is understood that arrangements have been made with farmers and others in North Canterbury to retain eample sheaves of wheat, oats, barley, eto., of exceptional excellence, so that a good display may bo possible in this section. While the chauffeur was filling the petrol tank of a car owned by Mr A. P. Smith in the Hanmer garage recently, tho fumes became ignited by a lamp hanging some distance away. The chauffeur, with great promptitude, ran the car outside, and so sharp was his action that three parts of the tin of petrol which ho was using still remained in tho tin, tho outside of ’ which was considerably blackened by the smoko. Tho car was soon a mass of flames, but fortunately a number .of young men who have been lately .practising with tho fire hose were on the spot, and the Lose was soon connected and the fire got under, but not before a considerable amount of damage had been done to tho car. A party of farmers from North Canterbury arrived in Greymouth on Saturday morning per coach and four spanking horses, the latter being much admired by local residents as excellent specimens of the equine (says tho “ Greymouth Star The members of the party reported a good trip overland, and said that with tho exception of a slight mishap crossing, the Bealey River (where a swingle-tree broke), the trip had been a very pleasant one and tho scenery of the Gorge much admired. Tho party, consisting of Messrs Ironside, Vincent, Struthers, Winter and Webb, were combining business with pleasure, and intended going through Murchison and Nelson on tho look-out for land suitable for farming. Their intention was to make a general tour of inspection and 6igbt-seoing. They spoke very highly of the land they had seen and expressed satisfaction with their trip so far. A stiffening of the requirements in the last matriculation examination has not, acoording to the Registrar.of tho New Zealand University (Mr Hector), lessoned the percentage of passes. He combats the suggestion, says the Wei-, lington correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times,” that a larger proportion of candidates failed at the recent examination than in previous years, and fives tho following figures:—ln 1903 7 per cent passed, in 1909 39 per cent passed, in 1910 37 per cent passed, in 1911 40 per cent passed and in 1912 42 per cent passed; bun if partial passes are added the percentage for 1912 is 53j and this is in spite of a distinct raising of the standard. “The examination,” he adds, “ should be criticised only as what it is intended for, an entrance examination to tho University, not as a school leaving or general proficiency examination. The secondary schools, from which almost exclusively the University students are drawn, have welcomed the raising of the standard of the matriculation examination. Tho headmaster of the largest secondary school in New Zealand has stated emphatically that no boy from his school who has failed in 1912 deserved to pass.” Tho Hon F. H. B. Bell, commenting on the announcement that Miss Bromner, officer in charge of the women’s branch of the Labour Department at Wellington, was forbidden to go on board incoming liners in future, said it was a fact that ns Minister of Immigration he had directed that Miss Bremnor should not again attend ships on their arrival to interview immigrants. “ Miss Bremner is an officer of tho Department of Labour,” he said, “and her position has not been affected, nor has her salary been affected. Her statements before the Commission were • mostly matters of opinion, and not facts within her own. knowledge, and, as it appeared from her own. statements that she had neither been able to obtain opinions from girls arriving as to their employment, nor to keep in touch with them afterwards, there was no object to be gained in hor meeting them. The statements made to the Commission affected, not myself nor tho present Government, but past Governments, because on the establishment of the Department of Immigration alterations had been made which obviated her comments, but it is only fair to past Governments and to female immigrants who have arrived that I should say that the result of my. inquiries has led mo to an entirely different conclusion from that to which Miss Bremnor’s statement tends. I am satisfied that tho femalo immigrants selected by the High Commissioner, and who wero under the care of tho New Zealand Government during the passage, liavo been well conducted and entirely suitable immigrants.” REGENT Cigarettes are fragrant, cool, and the ideal smoke for the inhaler. Try them and share in the Great Free Gift Scheme. Forty beautiful presents to choose from. 10 Regont Cigarettes do not dry or burn the palate. Smoko them and sliaro in tho Groat Free Gift Scheme. Write for Free Gift Catalogue to Regent, Box 331, Wellington. 1

Not for twenty years have we had Easter fall so early after Christmas, but the fact that Faster is here before tho summer is roallv finished allows a tremendous number of people coining in from all over Canterbury to personally attend' the closing days of tho greatest sale of thp season Strange's sale is open until Saturday night (March 22), and theso last- few days of this momeiitous event will be marked by colossal bargain giving, in _ which everybody is asked to share while the salo lasts. 1860

The police require an owner for a leather purse containing money which was found yesterday morning at tho Christchurch railway station. The annual meeting of tho Canterbury District Law Society was held yesterday in the Supreme Court library. The election or officers resulted as follows: President, Mr T. W. Stringer, K.C.; vice-president, Mr H. D. Andrews ; honorary treasurer, Mr G. H. N. Helmoro; honorary secretary, Mr W. J. Hunter; council, Messrs G. LarPer, H. J. Beswick, F. G. Raymond, M. Donnelly, and G. T. Weston.

Some discussion took place at. <-«t night’s meeting of the Acclirnatisation Society upon Dr C. M. Anderson’s report of the evidence given by him before the Forestry Commission. Mr E. Hardcastle stated that from close observation ho was convinced that no harm whatever was done to valuable trees by deer, as they only cropped the bush on the outside of the forests. Cattle were much more destructive to forest trees than deer.

Some weeks ago, the defence authorities. applied to the Railway Department for 112 trucks to convey the members of the mounted regiments and their horses to the camp at Yaldhurst. hor some reason, the Department has 0n j been able to supply fifty trucks, and as a consequence the majority of tho men have to. “trek’.’ to the camping ground, tho journey in some cases occupying two days. Men from all parts of the district lying between the Waitaki and the Conway Rivers have been ordered to attend, and the trucks available will bo used to bring the forces from the farthest points. All the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles, with, the exception of the D Squadron, Ashburton, will entrain, but the Ashburton men will march. All Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry men will march to the camp, with the exception of the 1 eninsula men and the D Squadron, which comprises men north of the Waipara River.

■ becoming afraid that the battleship Now Zealand will not visit its harbour, and Mr James Craigie, membei for the district, made an eloquent ajppeal to the Prime Minister, only to have the vessel anchored in the roadstead, but to send the Tutanekai and Hinemoa to tender her with the school children of South Canterbury. .Timaru, he said, had a keen Merest in the battleship, and held from which # tho income went annually to the ship in shooting prizes. Ihe New Zealand, in fact, was tha best endowed vessel in the “navy. Tho ladies of Timaru had prepared a silk nag, which was to be presented to the ship, and he hoped it would be possible to make the presentation in limaru. The Prime Minister said that no programme of the vessel’s movements could be given until she arrived, but . the Government would certainly advise ihe Imperial authorities to let tho battleship visit Timaru. He promised that the Tutanekai would carry visitors to the ship, and tho Hinemoa would bo available if necessary.

The committee of the Sumner branch of the Royal Life Saving Society met on Tuesday, Mr K. Bassett presiding. Beardsley wrote offering a gold medal for competition amongst local life saving teams. . It was decided to writo and thank him. Tenders were received for the erection of the pavilion, and the committee accepted the ■ lowest tender. It was decided that a ! deputation, consisting of Mrs H. J. j Marriner, and Messrs F. N. Kerr, R. > Mitchell, A. Christensen and J. Cairna should wait upon the Head Centre at its next meeting to assert the claims of the branch for assistance. It was decided to hold a series of social evenings during the winter, the arrangements being left in tha hands of Messrs Mitchell and Cairns. Mr W. Winter was elected to a vacancy on the committee. Five new members wore elected. The. instructor reported that classes of instruction in life saving land drill would bo held throughout tho winter in the new building, and that a competent lady teacher was prepared to take classes of girls and women on Wednesday evenings. It was decided to hold a water carnival at Sumner early next season.

A Press Association telegram from New Plymouth states that allegations of a grave condition of affairs In connection with the administration of the Infant Life Protection Act, which call for tho fullest inquiry, wore made at vesierday’s meeting of the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The “ cause celebre ” was a respectable and bright young girl under the care of the. Board, who is in fhe fullest possession of her faculties, and who, it is alleged, was literally hounded to earth by certain Government officials desirous of committing her to a home for mentally defective girls. An officer of the Education Department contended that the girl was mentally unfit, and sought to remove her from the control of the Board. The Board being convinced of its own mind, and having expert assurance that the girl was quite rational, and of unblemished character, fought the departmental ukase tooth and nail, even going to tho length of ignoring a warrant for tho girl’s arrest, and hiding her from the police. As an upshot of a long and, at times, acrimonious discussion, the following moved by Mr Maxwell, was unanimously carried: “ That the Board requests that a searching inquiry should be held into the condition or affairs that permits of. tho perpetuation of such a gross injustice as is shown .to have taken placo in the case of the girl, and, further, that the removal of the officers immediately responsible is demanded.” Mr A. H. Halcombo then moved: “ That the Minister of Justice be requested to stay the warrant for the arrest of tho child admitting her to a mental defective home, pending tho inquiry asked for by the Board.” This was seconded by Mr J. Brown, and was also carried’ unanimously. Tourist (to guide): “ That’s a very imposing statue, guide.” Guide: "Indeed, you are right, sir; most people aro imposed on by it. They think it’s marble, but it’s only painted wood.” Nothing better in convalescence, Stearns’ Wine of Cod Liver Extract nourishes and strengthens—puts you on your feet in a hurry and keeps yon there.

3s lid Watch; nothing like it ia town. Safety Razor 2s Cd; perfectly all right too. Chair Sente Cd, 7d, Bd, all sizes, three shapes. Minson’s. 1983 Pocket Lunch Tin Is. Ika All-night Lamps Is 3d. Luxol Lights (no globe) 6d. Coal Tongs Is 3d. Tea Trays, °O-inch Is, 22-inch Is 6. Minson’s, 19SS

Your best companion on your weekend trip is a packet of REGENT Cigarettes. Smoko them and share in tha Great Free Gift Scheme. Forty Beautiful Presents to choose from. 7 Every tobacconist sells Regent Cigarettes! Inhalers should try them. Smoke them and share in the Great Free Gift Scheine. Write for Free Gift Catalogue, Box 331, T~illington. 4 The benefit of sixty years’ business experience is at the command ot all importers who employ J. M. Hey wood ana Col, Ltd.,' to clear their. goods through F.M. Customs. All the leading firms employ them. Why not you fl 1766.

A very busy time is anticipated today at Strange’s Sale, which closes on Saturday next, at 9 p.m. There aro only two days in which to save money, and ns the bargains offered arc more extravagantly generous than ever, very enthusiastic buying is expected till tho close of tho sale. Many of the remnants and oddments are being cleared at less than half price, and the whole warehouse is making special filial clearance offerings which are cconomi- i cally irresistible to all who are pur- ■ chasing now. 3SSS ]

The manager of the Christchurch Receiving Home acknowledges with thanks the following gifts:—Pears from Mrs Gossct and Mrs Sanford, Eears and tomatoes from Mr W. Gimbitt, from Mr S. Hill. The Fire Brigade received a call at light minutes past 7 o’clock last night from the box at the corner of Tuam and Rolleston Streets. On arriving, it was found that a gorso hedge in f\he neighbourhood was ablaze. Tho Brigade promptly extinguished the outbreak without damage to any property but the hedge. In the courso of discussion at tho Spreydon Borough Council meeting last evening on the matter of entertaining tho officers and crew of tho H.M.S. Now Zealand, a councillor emphatically said he did got wish to be unpatriotic, but he thought tho ratepayers’ . money should not be spent on assisting the fund when tho ratepayers wore already taxed on the two and a half millions sterling which was voted for tho gift pf the warship. Three Senior Cadets were charged at the Magistrate’s Court at "Wellington yesterday with interrupting a parade. All pleaded “ not guilty,” and denied interfering with tho parade. They admitted that some hilarity was caused by the issue of short trousers, most of which were much too large for the wearers. “ These are offences which I characterise as minor broaches of discipline, and as such should be dealt With at tho time in the drill hall,” said Mr Riddell, S.M. ‘‘l think it ridiculous that they should be brought before a criminal court, thus wasting the ' time of the Court.” He entered a conviction against the youths, but inflicted po penalty. A lantern lecture, “ Ten Years on the Trail of Livingstone,” was delivered by the Rev H. Johnson in tho Trinity Congregational Church last night. The church was well filled, and. tho audience fully appreciated the interesting manper in which tho subject was handled by the lecturer. The story of Dr Livingsfpne’s lifework, his enthusiasm, and faithfulness to his great task, his privations and his wonderful achievements were told by one who had been through the same land, and shared some of the great missionary’s experii ences. The lecture was illustrated by a long series of clear and interesting slides, depicting incidents on the march, native costumes, and villages and places of interest. A collection was made to defray expenses, the surplus being handed over to the Livingstone fund. Ladies be sure your men friends Smoke REGENT Cigarettes. Thus they will be able to secure splendid Free Gift for you. Write for Free Gift Catalogue to Regeht, Box 331, Wellington. As Easter draws near many 'will be balled upon to provide something in the way of a wedding present to friends who have decided to share their joys and sorrows. Six months back we did our part in ordering a fine collection of suitable goods, and to-day we proudly assert that nobody is ahead of ua in style, assortment or value. The new goods include Solid Silver, E.P. Ware, Art Pewter, Leather Goods, 'Artistio Brass and Copper Ware. These new goods are well worth inspection. iAshby, Bergh, Ltd., High Street. 1756 Terrible • VOYAGE.. Information was received at .South Shields a few weeks ago giving a thrilling narrative of the voyage of the Glasgow steamer Polirio, from Yokohama to Seattle. When in midPacific, a fire broke out among the bunker coals between decks. As the weather was exceedingly stormy, the crew experienced great difficulty in getting the hose to work.. When the pumps were got in operation, the vessel rolled ana pitched bo much that v the men had to be lasbed to their posts while playing on the fire, and their shipmates drenched them with water to protect them from the intense heat. For four days tho officers and crew oontinuod with their hazardous task. When the flames had burnt the starboard cabins, it was fearev they Would reaoh 32,000 bags of sulphur, which formed part of tho cargo, with magnificent courage, the men worked strenuously, and succeeded in saving the sulphur from catching fire, and the outbreak was got under control. For the rest of the voyage to Seattle, the vessel was so hot that the officers and men could not remain in their ' luarteri. B.S.A. AND TRIUMPH SUCCESSES AT THE BEACH RACES. When we aocepted the agency of the •‘B.S.A.” motor-cycle, wo did so bolieving that it was the only dangerous rival of that popular and famous machine, the “ Triumph.” The result of . Saturday’s beaoh events, conducted under the auspices of the North Canterbury Motor Cyclists’ Club, proves that cur belief was well-founded, and it is a matter for self-congratulation that the honours should have been shared by the two machines which in our judgment are the most reliable, most economical and most consistent motorcycles In the world. The results of the races speak for themselves. In the 24 miles event, H. E. Douglas (8.5. A.) was first, O. Bonnington (Triumph) second, C. Moffat (8.5. A.) third, G. B. Brown (Triumph) fourth, A. J. iSichs (Triumph) fifth. Fastest time was made by H. E. Douglas (8.5. A.). In the eight-mile side-car event, H. E. Douglas (8.5. A.) was again tho winner, running into first place with over a minute to spare, and leaving a muchadvertised “sweeping victory” to a raotor-oycle which finished second. During . the post twelve months tho “ Triumph ” has had it practically its own way in all competitive events in Canterbury, the. 100-mfles bench race, tho reliability trials and the Kaikoura record being amongst the leading events in which first honours wore scored, and now the B.S.A. is commencing to repeat in New Zealand its fine competitive record in Britain. Wo have large stocks of “ Triumphs ” and “B.S.A.ts” of all models; ana can give immediate delivery. “ Triumph ” prices are:—Fixed-engino, £7O; free engine, £80; three-speed, £B7 10s. “8.5. A.,” fixed engine, £7O; free engine, £80; two-speed, £BS. Adams, Ltd., agents for “ Triumph ” and “8.5. A.” motor-cycles, High Street, Christchurch. (G. B. Brown, representative.) 1988