TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16518, 6 April 1914, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Dr Mawson returned to Australia from Antarctica with a magnificent series of pictures portraying the Ice King’s realm in tho South Polar regions. The proprietors of the “ Canterbury Times” have been fortunate in securing the photographs for reproduction in their popular weekly illustrated magazine, and the fine selection of pictures will _ appear in this week’s number of the journal. Leading incidents of the expedition’s work will bo a splendid group photograph of the returned members of the land parties. There will also he pictures of Lieutenant B. E. S. Ninnis and Dr X. Mertz, who lost their lives while sledging with Dr Mawson. The cross erected near the winter quarters to the memory of those two intrepid explorer's and the tablet and inscription at the foot of the cross will be also seen. The terrible fire and explosion tragedy at the Upper Hutt will bo another leading feature of the illustrations and three pages will be devoted to portraying the catastrophe. Besides snapshots depicting the scene of tho tragedy and the effects of the explosion, there will be. photographs of the six victims and of those who had narrow escapes. The scene at the funeral will be also shown. The opening ,of the General Booth Memorial Training College for Salvation Army officers, and also tho Salvation Army Maternity Home at Wellington will be very finely described, while on two other pages will be shown a capital series of pictures of the hop-growing industry in Nelson, and scenes in the picturesque city of Nelson. “ Farmers’ Day ” at the Belfast Freezing Works will ho portrayed in . an interesting manner, and the pictures will show some of the field growth, besides the largo attendance of farmers and others interested in experimental agriculture. The accident to the DunedinCliristchurch express near Timaru will be described, and also a big motor smash near Hokitika. Several illustrations portraying remarkable Easter customs will prove acceptable, as will two photographs depicting the unveiling of a monument on the Lauraret Pass, French Alps, to the memory of Captain Scott, tlio Antarctic explorer. The unveiling by the Hon J. Allen of the memorial to commemorate the historical battle at Orakau will form another fine feature of tho illustrations. The pictures of this series will prove most interesting. It will he remembered that it was at Orakau that Rewi made his famous reply to the demand to surrender: “Wo will fight on for ever and ever.” One of the pictures will portray that incident. There will be many other illustrations in the “ Canterbury Times,” dealing with matters of the moment and to present the complete selection of pictures to advantage it has been necessary to increase, the number of illustrated pages considerably. No oxtr'a charge will, however, bo made. Tho “ Canterbury Times ” will be on sale locally to-morrow.

The Wellington City Council has reaffirmed its previous decision to charge double fares on the tramways on Good Friday and Christmas Day. As a sequel to the scenes in the Wellington Town Hall on Friday night at the Hon F. M. B. Fisher’s meeting, John King was charged on Saturday, before Mr Cooper, S.M., with disorderly conduct while drunk. Accused pleaded guilty, states a Press Association message from Wellington, and was fined £2 and costs, with tho alternative of fourteen days’ imprisonment. The usual Easter Monday demonstration of tho Band of Hope Union having been' postponed, it has been decided to bold a Temperance Rally . at Hagley Park on that day. Those taking part will march from Latimer Square soon after 10 a.m., headed by tho Sydenham Salvation Army Boy’s Band. Sports will be held and addresses given by prominent citizens. More than half a million cigarettes went up in smoke at Messrs Clouston and Co.’s bonded store, destroyed by firo at Blenheim on 'Tuesday night. Tho quantities of the dutiable goods ruined aro as follows:—Whisky, 1368 gallons; wine, 993 gallons; gin and schnapps, 441 gallons; brandy, 169 gallons; rum, 140 gallonstobacco, 70141 b; candles, 18251 b; matches, 240 gross of boxes. The exact number of cigarettes burnt was 567,000, and 1600 cigars wqre destroyed also. At tho Young Men’s Christian Association’s roams yesterday afternoon, the secretary of the Association, Mr E. C. Brownell, gave an address on “ Twen-ty-five Years’ Service in the Y.M.C.A.” Mr Brownell celebrated his anniversary on April 1. He said that the Yon“~ Men’s Christian Association was fu . formed by Mr George Williams in London on June 6, 1844, and the speaker entered the Association, work at Orange, Now Jersey, iu 1889. He spent most of his time in tho middle West of America. When he first took up his duties the boys’ work was just beginning. He had seen work inaugurated by the Y.M.C.A. for soldiers, sailors, Indians and coloured men, and also in the industrial parts of America. At Panama the Government had helped tho Association considerably by erecting five buildings. The speaker said that he had been connected for some time with the foreign work, in which section America alone had nearly two hundred men in the field. He had had the privilege of meeting and working with such distinguished men as Messrs John Mott, Sherwood Eddie, and Fred R. Smith. Most of his time, however, had been taken up with city work, and since ho had been engaged in that branch the Association had passed through four, periods, building, expansion, extension and perfecting tho organisation.

Dainty Gifts for Easter Brides. Very “chic” and charming are the Wedding Gift Goods just now being shown by Messrs Hastie, Bull and Pickering, opposite Ballantvne’s. New designs in silverware, antique brass and copper, porcelain, etc., and all at strikingly low prices, quality considered. 1988 Special courses of treatment for falling hair, premature greyness, dandruff, etc., from ono guinea. The latest approved methods and appliances used. Personal attention by appointment; hair work of every description. Mrs Rolleeton, Cathedral Square. Telephone 373,

At. a meeting of the committee of the Retailers’ Association, held on Friday, it was unanimously resolved that members should keep their shops open on Easter Saturday until 9 p.m., and that the late night should be observed on Friday as usual in the following week, tho shops to remain open until 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. Superintendent J. Carter, of the Sumner Fire Brigade, has consigned the old French helmet which he brought from Akaroa to the well-known auctioneers, Messrs Christie, Manson and Woods, of London, where it will be offered for salo by public auction. The relic was insured for £IOO against loss of any kind during its journey to England. .

At the opening of the tramway line to St Martins on Saturday the chairman of the Tramway Board, Mr J. A. Flesher, said that the motorman of tho first car to pass along, Motorman Ruck, and Conductor Oossins, the conductor in charge, had been in the tramway service since 1887, practically from the beginning of the car service in the city. The general manager of the Tramway Board adds that there are three, employees with longer service still in the Board’s service, Messrs Redmond (blacksmith) and Moyle and Gilpin (engine-drivers).

“Can you tell me where I can get a servant girl?” was a question put tho other day to an “ Ashburton Guardian ” reporter. The interrogator was a benedict, and therefore not a candidate for matrimonial honours, but he unfolded a woeful tale as regards the scarcity of servant girls in Ashburton county. “We lost our girl five months ago,” he said, “ and since then have been trying hard to get one, hut are apparently as far off from success as ever.” The servant girl in Ashburton is no longer a drudge, for the simple reason that there are not nearly enough girls to go round. For a mistress to lose a girl nowadays is little short of a calamity, for it is very uncertain when another will be available, sq‘ the girls are consequently treated with great consideration and the housewife who has a good one is considered a very fortunate person indeed. Mr John Talbot, chairman of the Timaru branch of the Farmers’ Union, at the annual meeting on Saturday, states a Press Association telegram, said that the blade shearing classes at the technical schools had turned out a number of competent and greater success was expected in future seasons. Referring to the wharf strikes, ho said that fortunately, the trouble was got over at Timaru before a gen©, ral strike commenced. Mr Talbot reap* ed that the bitter feelings engendered would affect the general election. Many men went out from a sense of loyalty. Hard words should cease. It was better to forgive and 'forget.

Interesting and forcible reference was made to the duty of the New Zealand Territorial by Captain Stevens, of the New Zealand staff, at a reunion of veterana in New Plymouth on Tuesday night. In responding to a toast on behalf of the army, he remarked that the New Zealander could be taught more in fourteen days than any other man could learn in three or four months. Perhaps it waa from the independent life they led that they got tho self-reliance which made them so adaptable. “I am talking now,” he said, “of the men on the- outback farms, not of the youths who 6moke cigarettes and loaf round training stables. The rising generation needs a reverence for command, which it does not learn at home, and it is this which we are endeavouring to instil into it at parades. Wo want to foster a respect for the service and the uniform, and we must- not cheapen the on© or make the other tawdry.” Considerable improvements have been made in- the Wanganui River during the year. The most noteworthy work has been the removal of a dangerous whirlpool at Tarepokiore, where the removal of obstructions and the cutting back of a seventy feet cliff has effected a complete transformation and rendered safe what was formerly a great menace to navigation. The greatest difficulty that the Trust has to face is moving shingle which, every year, comes down from the tributary streams in enormous quantities, forming dangerous bare and filling the navigable channel. <r Settlement,” says the chairman of tho Trust (Mr T. D. Cummins), “ is steadily increasing along the river, especially at the Taumarunui end. The whole of the numerous landings are being constantly used, and very large quantities of cargo are being bandied, both up and down stream. There can be no doubt that, without a river ser- . vice, settlement would have been irn- . possible in these localities.” The Hon R. H. Rhodes, interviewed by a Dunedin “Star” reporter with reference to the Pacific cable, pointed out that the Department had at various times urged upon the Pacific Cable Board a reduction of ordinary cable charges for messages to and from the United Kingdom. ’The negotiations extended from May. 1912. In February last the High Commissioner telegraphed that ho had carried a motion for the reduction of the cable rate, but notice had been given to rescind the motion. Tho Postmaster-General sent a reply approving of the High Commissioner’s action, urging ratification and strongly opposing rescinding. Mr Rhodes said'that tho system for the despatch of week-end cables between New Zealand and the United Kingdom was being well supported.* Tire system had been inaugurated on January 4, 1913, and a return for the year ended December 31 showed that the number of messages forwarded was 2645 via Pacific, of a value of £3155, jind 539 via Eastern, of a value of €725; messages received, 837 via Pacific, -71 via Eastern. Mr Rhodes showed ai eturn indicating the deficiencies on the working of the Pacific cable since the inception. The total deficit last yw was £32.269, -the amount paid by New Zealand being £3585.

In his presidential address to the annual meeting of the Timarti branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday, Mr John Talbot remarked that the farming prospects in the district on tho whole* were of a favourable character, especially for tho pastoral interests, as tho weather had produced an abundance of feed, and lambs, which had not done so well in the early part of tho year, would be got off all right in the end. Tho fly in the ointment was wheat growing, in which the prospects were not encouraging. Yields were not turning out up to expectations, and the quality was not first class. There was not so great an area in wheat this year, and there would probably be an insufficient, supply to meet the needs of the dominion. He thought there would be a further decrease in the acreage sown next year. Owing to the protracted nature of the harvest, tho unsuitable weather, and the promise of poor prices for exported wheat, farmers would probably turn their attention more towards stock raising and do less grain growing. A telegram from New Plymouth received by tbe firm on Saturday, notified Messrs T. Armstrong and Co., Limited, that the stock of Moray and Moore (in bankruptcy) secured by them should reach Christchurch this week. XI.

The excellent delivery service arranged for the various Boroughs, notably Lyttelton, Sumner, and New Brighton, by Messrs T. Armstrong and Co., Limited, the leading Cash Drapers, is appreciated hugely. A free delivery at their doors, almost as prompt as the city service, is being en- j couraged and appreciated by our sear j side .neighbours- X2\- .

Yesterday morning the Government steamer Tutanekai arrived in Lyttelton from Wellington. This morning the vessel will take the Governor’s household party on board and will return to Wellington about noon. The West Coasters’ Association is Issuing “The Digger’s Story,” which is a collection of tales and reminiscences of the early gold rush days in Westland. The book is said to be full of startling incidents and to include many stories of humour. It will he published at Easter. .

In an account of a visit of inspection paid by the Mayor of Christchurch to the Lake Coleridge hydro-electric installation,. published on Saturday, it was stated that the power-house was situated on the bank of the Wilberforce River. The station is, of course, on the bank of the Rakaia.

It is quite a common thing for Government departments to receive “ conscience money.’’ Usually, however, the amount is microscopic, a matter of shillings and pence. An exception to the ride occurred last week, however, when the Minister for Financo received the sum of £lO7 in bank notes, sent by some person unknown to atono for an undiscovered delinquency. A Press Association telegram etates that at Timaru on Saturday two Canadian lady teachers read instructive papers on the Canadian system to a large meeting of teachers. Miss Parker’s paper was on “ Official Administration’’ and Miss Pilling’s on “School Work.” Tire papers are to be published in the school journal. The visitors were “filled with horror” at the size of classes in New Zealand city schools. Nelson College has decided to hold a cadet camp on similar lines to that recently held by the Christ’s College authorities here, Commeucing next Wednesday, the camp will occupy five days. It is to be held at Brightwater, a few miles from Nelson. As in the case of the Christ’s College camp, Major Pinwill will assume the command, and will leave to-day for Nelson. He is to be followed on Monday by Captain Crichtley-Salmonson and Sergeant-Majors Colclough and Crampton, who will carry out instructional duties at the camp.

Arrangements have now been made between the Railway Department and the Union Steamship Company by which passengers on board the ferry railway to Lyttelton may obtain a railway ticket to Christchurch. The stewards in charge of the saloon and steerage passengers will issue tickets between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., and from 6 a.m. till the vessel arrives at Lyttelton. On Sundays tickets will be available from 7 a.m. till 10 a.m. The innovation came into force on board the Maori yesterday and was much appreciated by the passengers.

His Majesty’s Theatre was filled by a large audience last evening when Dr J. 0. Bradshaw, the City Organist, gave a request organ recital, which was thoroughly enjoyed. The following were the items played Overture for full orchestra, “ Ruy Bias ” (Mendelssohn) ; song, " Serenade,” (Schubert); legend, St Francis d’Assise “La predication aux oiseaux (“St Francis preach' ing to the birds”), from the pianoforte works (Liszt); introduction and variations on a theme by Beethoven (Op. 45; chorus from “ The Childhood cf Christ,” (Berlioz); finale to the overture Solennelle “1812” (Op. 49) for full orchestra, (Tschailcowski); Romanza in E fiat, from the symphony “ La Reine ■de France,” -(Haydn); the Miserere scene from “II Trovatore,” (Verdi); and chorus from the “Messiah” “Hallelujah” (Handel).

A young man, an employee of the Upper Hutt Town Board, had a narrow escape from death on Thursday afternoon, at Upper Hutt, states the “Dominion.” He was' attempting_to recover a number of cases of benzine that had been dropped down a®-well at .the hack, of, the Provincial Hotel on the night-of-the big explosion. -He descended the well by a rope 80ft long, and had sent up three cases and three tins of benzine. He gave no further call on the rope, and Mr Thomas Edwards, a member of the Town Board, suspected an accident. He went down the rope, and found the young man lying unconscious at the bottom of the well, overcome by the fumes escaping from the benzine. He was quickly brought.to the top, but it was not till early on Friday morning that he regained consciousness. . Mr R. O. Jarrett, of Masterton, has received another report concerning the progress of the Missouri egg-laying competition. This shows that the leading pens for the month of January were as follows White Leghorns, Mr T. Barron, England, 727 eggs; Buff OrDingtons, United States, 323; White Leghorns, British Columbia, 226; White Leghorns, Mr Irvine, Auckland N.Z., 205; 'White Leghorns, Vancouver, 199;' White Wyandottes, Canada, 196; White Leghorns, Australia, 158; White .Leghorns, South Africa, 127. The best individual record pen for New Zealand was that of Mr Jarrett, with .143 eggs/ The Director of Experiments, in a covering circular, states that the Australian and New Zealand birds" having encountered two successive winters are competing under unfavourable circumstances, and cannot possibly do themselves justice. Men who go down to the sea in ships are not always ill-furnished with goods and chattels, says the 'Wellington “ Dominion.” So much at least was indicated by the members of a deputation from the Seamen’s Union which conferred on Wednesday evening with the Minister of Marine. It was stated incidentally that a seamen’s effects were frequently valued at as much as £SO. ■When a seaman was not married, he naturally carried all that he owned about with him. If he did not possess a chest, he would probably have a large and well-stocked bag. When a chest was carried, it was often in itself an asset of value, some seamen being furnished with chests of cedar wood, or of “camphor wood from China.” Such chests were worth £3 or £4. ’ Another fact mentioned was that it was not unusual for a seaman to carry with him five or six suits of clothes. Practically every nurseryman and seedsman in North Canterbury district attended a gathering held at Mr Hervey’s rooms in Cathedral Square on Friday, for the purpose of meeting the secretary and organiser of the Now Zealand Association of Nurserymen, Mr G. A. Green, of Auckland. The chair. was taken by Mr R. Nairn, and an interesting and instructive address was given by Mr Green, dealing with the work and aims of the Association. It was unanimously decided to form a Canterbury Council, with a similar constitution to the North Island councils. At a subsequent meeting of the newly-formed council the following officers were elected:—Chairman. Mr R. Nairn; vice-chairman, Mr C. E. Gibbons; secretary, Mr Sydney G. Smith. A committee was formed, consisting of one member from each firm represented, five members to be » quorum. At the conclusion Mr Green was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

The public are warned that Broadways employ no canvassers for hot cross bun orders. 6223

Be Your Own Vet. —Berry’s Colic end Gripe Drench for horses should be in every stable in case of need. Very effective and saves many vet’s fees. Post free 2s 3d or 2s at stores. J. Berry, 670, Colombo Street. XI Sale notice, crockery and household Ironmongery to be sold cheap. Premises to be enlarged. Huge extension Bale now on. Tea sets 8s 6d, dinner sets iSs lid. Every customer spending Is or over will receive a .neat Vjtter plate free at Drayton’s crockery *rjd hardware store. 765, Colombo fetrpeb 1988

Nominations of candidates for a seat on the Lyttelton Harbour Board to represent the northern counties and the town districts of Mackenzie and Amberley in the Harbour Board district, will close on April 14 at noon. The election will be hold on April 29. A number of members of the New Brighton Motor Boat Club intend to make a trip to Akaroa for the J‘ ''•■ter holidays. The party so far includes the crows of the lola,. Active, Nimrod and the Marnnui. . Tho fleet will leave • New Brighton on Thursday evening, stay overnight at Sumner, and cross tho bar on Friday morning. The return trip from Akaroa will ho made on Monday.

At a meeting on Thursday evening of tho committee set up to consider tho proposal to establish a brass band in the Addington district, Mr C. D. Harris was unanimously elected president. Mr Harris congratulated members on tho splendid .progress already made and the hearty response, which had met their appeal for subscriptions. Mr R. Wood’s offer to arrange a first class concert to further augment the funds was heartily accepted with thanks. A meeting of the committee of the New Brighton Burgesses’ - Association was held on Thursday evening, Captain A. W. Owles presiding over a largo attendance. It was decided that tho Association should moet on Ti’jirsday evenings, and that the meetings should be open to all membors of tho Association. It was resolved that the Chief Postmaster at Christchurch should bo requested to place a postal box at the corner of Hood and George Streets for tho convenience of tho residents in tho locality, and the president undertook to interview tho Postmaster upon the subject. It was decided to hold a social on Thursday, May 14, and a committee was set up to make arrangements. Hockey sticks first-class selection from Gunn and Moore, Sheffield, Bussey, Sykes, Ayres, Prosser, etc., from Is” to 21s. Full stocks of pads, Shillcock’s balls, rings, rules, etc. Lewis and Anderson, 112 Cashel Street. 1988 “AN EDUCATIONAL ASSET.” On the walls of a little country school there is a photograph of an old horse (states the Sydney “Daily Telegraph”). At first eight thoughts run to Carbine and Princo Foote, while almost as a matter of course, an inclination is felt to ask the teacher what is favourite for the Doncaster. A little further inquiry however, shows a superscription on tho photograph—“An Educational Asset” —while alongside is tho following: “‘Old Mick,’ as the. hoys and girls call him, has the honour of being by a long way tho senior scholar of this school. In 1899, when two years old, he began carrying scholars to Blackville Public School. During that time he has been responsible for the education of six pupils who live seven miles from the school. It is estimated that up to Juno 30, 1913, he had travelled 30,300 miles for the cause of learning, and is still going strong. Long live • Old Mick.’ ” Tho “ responsibility of education ” has been charged against the Government and against the parent, hut this is probably the first time that a horse has had to carry tho burden. JUST ONE BIG STUDEBAKER. Every motorist knows tho . big 35 h.p. Studebaker—the car which comfortably seats six persons, and which has won such a magnificent reputation for hard service in tho hands of dozens of‘owners in-this dominion. Tho new “Thirty-five” Studebaker is a distinct advance on its predecessors. It is, of course, electrically self-started, and equipped with electric lamps. This electrical equipment is now an essential for any car claiming to be high-grade and up-to-date. Other special features are the “Jiffy” Cape hood and side curtains, which convert the car in . a few seconds into a wind-proof, rainproof limousine, the quick detachable rims, and the big 875 x 105 Michelin tyres. Tho standard equipment, included with the other features mentioned in the New Zealand selling price of £395, comprises a handsome adjustable wind-shield, speedometer, clock, spare wheel, and cover and tube. We have just received delivery of one of these fine cars. It is fitted with an artistically designed torpedo body, on the latest and most stylish European lines, finished in French gray, lined with black and with black running gear. We can give immediate delivery of this car to any purchaser, and. in the meantime we invito all motorists interested in the latest developments of American car construction to inspect this very fine example of the products of tho great Studebaker Corporation. Adams, Ltd., Agents for Studebaker cars; Garage, Tuam Street, Christchurch, near High Street establishment. (J. Hamlet, Studebaker Representative.) 1988