TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17029, 2 December 1915, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Telegraph Department advises that deferred cable messages for Italy or for transmission over Italian lines may now he accepted. Additional regulations under the War Regulations Act have been gazetted, prohibiting tho introduction of liquor to any military camp and authorising police sorgeants to issue permits for the sale of firearms.

The wounded soldiers who are regaining their health at Hanmer will be entertained during the week-end by Mr Herbert. Brooks,' the illusionist, who is now appearing at the Opera House. Ho will perform his card tricks and also his mysterious steel trunk illusion. The Ashburton Dairy Company, Ltd., have erected a cheese factory at tho Black Bridge, Lynn ford, and it was intended to open it this season. Owing to the continued dry weather, however. and the shortage of the milk supply, there is a. probability that the factory will not bo opened until next season.

The Dunedin Patriotic Committee has accepted the offer of the National Committee of tho Young Men’s Christian Association to distribute comforts to New Zealand men through its secretaries in Egypt and at Gallipoli. Tho treasurer, Mr John I. Royds, received a cheque for £IOOO from tho Patriotic Committee on Monday, and yesterday the money was cabled to Mr Jessop, at Cairo, tho national secretary, and will be used at once for the above purpose without any cost to the Patriotic Committee or any deduction for expenses. One or two other Patriotic Committees arc considering similar action.

Norvousness, despondency, genera] lack of tone 4»ro all cured by Loasby’s Nerve Tonic and Blood Enricher; - 2s Gd. 4s 6d. Chemists and Stores. X Give your Soldier friend a portrait of yourself. For naturalness nnd beauty let Steffano Webb take it. X 5

After tea, enjoy a cigarette from Red Jacket Cigarette Tobacco. Cool, fresh, soothing It roils evenly, draws freely. X

At yesterday’s meeting of the Conciliation Council, in the hearing of the stonemason.*;’ dispute, the Hon J. Barr said that the average trades unionist knew nothing at all about the principles of trade unionism and would not make any more sacrifices than the average farmer in Canterbury to-day was making in the interests of the Empiro.

Tho cold “snap” which was experienced in the Hawke’s Bay district a week ago left a deadly trail in its wake among the newly-shorn flocks, says a Napier journal. '1 ho mortality is reported as being very severe, especially among settlers’ flocks along the middle road to Patangata. ‘Although tho f’atangata district is said to have suffered most, settlers generally sustained considerable losses, and one farmer is reported to have lost -100 out of 800 sheep. The carcases are being sent, to tlic freezing works for boiling down. Reports received from the coast stations indicate great losses of sheep, especially in the Oinnkero and Edenham districts. It is stated that one farmer's loss runs into three figures.

Writing to a friend in Now Zealand, a Japanese merchant in Tokio states:— “ Hitherto an enormous nniount of military weapons has been sent to Russia from our country, and now as it is an urgent obligation on our country to assist Russia by supplying her with various ammunitions and weapons for her military use, all the arsenals in Japan aro excessively pressed with the works, all the expert workmen working day and night with all their powers, iu number about sixty thousand. We sincerely hope that Russia will be soon able to drive the Germans away from the Russian land. lam very sorry to hear of the heavy losses of the Allied armies at Dardanelles, but I think great results have already been achieved against the enemies.” A meeting of the Officers and NonCommissioned Officers’ Club of the C.D.CJ. was held in the recruiting office on Monday night, Captain Morris presiding in the absence of Colouel Smith. In regard to the Tait Cup it was agreed that teams should consist of sixteen men and a non-commissioned officer. A Shooting Committee consisting of Messrs Walker, Bevan and Corporal Piorcy was set up. The oommandant outlined a plan for an instructional class for officers and non-coms., and suggested that Captain Morris should ho placed in charge of it. The suggestion was agreed to. The commandant and Captain Morris reported oil the Wellington conference, and the report was received. It was agreed to meet on the last Monday in every month.

The express trains that come into the Christchurch railway station aud go out twice a day, carry large numbers of passengers, and the ferry steamer trains are ns well patronised now as they ever havo been at normal times. As far as Christchurch is concerned, indeed, judging by tho impressions of experienced men, the railway traffic is considerably heavier now than is usual at this season. In Wellington, the Minister of Railways, the Hon W. H. Homes, discussing the system of weekend excursion tickets, which camo into operation on tho first day of last mouth, said that tho tickets had been selling well, hut to discuss the success of tho scheme it would first have to be ascertained whether the ordinary issue of tickets was showing the effects of tho new departure. This c&uld only be ascertained over a more lengthy term than ono month.

At the meeting of tho Lyttelton Licensing Committee yesterday, Mr H. W. Bishop said that a complaint had boon received by the committee in regard to alleged Sunday trading at Governor’s Bay. He did not wish to express any opinion on it, hut the committee wished him to say that if such was the case the licensee should put his house iu ordsr and stop it. There was strong prima facie evidence, as people had neon seen under the influence of liquor. Tho licensee of tho hotel in the locality asked whose report the information had comfe from. Mr Bishop stated that that did not matter, and the committee had no desire at present to prejudge tho ease. All lie knew was that if tho circumstances existed as stated it would have to be stopped. A most amusing story, which also indicates how easy it is to arouse suspicion against persons whose acts would pass without comment in normal times, was related to a Wellington resident while on a receut visit to Plimmerton, states the “ New Zealand Times.” It appears that, a certain family living thore was in the habit of obtaining meat from a man who keeps sheen on Mara Island. For last Sunday a joint had been ordered as usual, but the sheepman found that he was prevented from leaving tho island by the bad weather. To explain the absence of tho expected leg of mutton he dispatched a message to the mainland by carrier pigeon, and firmly believed that all was well. Unfortunately. the bird was espied by someone—either a practical joker, or a person with a had attack of spy fever—and word was hastily sent to the authorities that “carrier pigeons were being used for communication between Mana and the mainland.” Tho story was believed, and a posse of police was sent off to investigate the mysterious happenings! What they said when they discovered the weather-bound sheep fanner and his leg of mutton is not to be recorded.

Corporal Bassett, of Auckland, the first New Zealander to win the V.C. in the present war, was invalided to Malta, and from there taken to England on an Italian hospital ship, the Regina d’ltalia. Speaking of it in a letter to his parents in Auckland, Corporal Bassett says:—“ She is an Italian boat, and this is her first voyage as a hospital ship. She is beautifully fitted everything white and clean. Her crew, doctors and orderlies are all—with the exception of a few R.A.M.C. men Italians. As two or three of the heads are the only ones aboard who speak English, things are pretty awkward sometimes. However, we are getting better treatment than we have had for some time. The food is excellent but. of course, Italian, and some of tlie fellows are not used to it, and are not satisfied. But it will do me all mv life—or till I get home again, anvwav.” “ I cannot speak too highly of the wav we are being treated by these Italians” writes Corporal Bassett, a few davs later. “ They are a fine lot of people- They are clean, smart and highly intelligent, their doctors and cooks are excellent, and it is plain that their main object is to do everything in their power to pleas© the English troops in their charge, and see that thev land at Home as fit as possihlo.” After leaving Gibraltar, the Regina d’ltalia passed another Italian ship full nf Italian reservists from America, who heartily cheered the wounded British soldiers. Fxpert Knowledge is the only kind that counts. Over sixty years’ experience in Customs Shipping and Forwarding work, including Furniture Removals. Call or telephone J. M. Heywood and Co., Manchester Street. Established 1851. X2 Our Toy Department is a permanent n-irt of our business, and we carry a splendid stock of Mechanical Toys of all descriptions:—Steam and Clockwork Engines, Boats, Motor-cars, Train and Tram Sets, Meccano Sets, Plasticene, otc which represent the very newest productions in the toy line. John R Proctor. Oculists’ Optician, 200. High Street, Christchurch. 1756 “ \ good name is better than riches.” Cervantes. A good name means merit. ' Merit nloue has made Baxter’s Lung Preserver « household word throughout the, Dominion. It is a thoroughly effective remedy for coughs oud colds,'and is a splendid tonic. Famous for fifty years. Prise Is 10d. XI

The “Lyttelton Times’’ companionship's eighth monthly donation to the Patriotic Fund, amounting to £7 10s, has heen received at the “ Lyttelton Times” office.

Mr W. A. Gray has given the site for a caretaker’s house on the Port track at Kaituna Valley, near Parkinson’s Bush scenic reserve.

The Board of Managers of the Mnsterton Technical School is erecting an up-to-date domestic economy room. Applications are invited for the position of home science instructress.

Mr M. Dnlzicl, at tho meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board yesterday, complained that text-books on temperance in use in public schools arc too technical and scientific in character. He said that, charts alone wera insufficient as a moans of education, and later on 1.0 intended to move a motion to have the text-books made more suitable. Tliq board decided yesterday to print and distribute to head teachers and school committees a letter from the 'Minister of Education in order that temperance charts may be displayed mo;-' prominently in the schools and may be used regularly.

A meeting was held in tho eliureh schoolroom, Cracroft Terrace, Cashmere, last evening for the purpose of organising a committee to canvass tho district for regular subscriptions to the Bed Cross Fund. Mr Guise Brittnm presided over a fair attendance. Mr J. A. Fieslier, chairman of the Central, Executive, delivered an address on the importance of Bed Cross work, and at the conclusion answered a number of questions. It was decided that an organised attempt should he made to assist tho movement, and a committee was appointed to make all arrangements, Mr J. A. Pannett being elected chairman and Mr Bricknell secretary and treasurer.

The South Waimakariri River Board met yesterday, Mr N. K. Bowden presiding. Tho overseer reported that there had been a large flood in tho river since last meeting, the largest since 1911, and within 3ft 4in as high as the one in 1900. No damage was done to any of the works. The river had changed its course in several places, but it was not touching any of the embankments at the upper works, and only one small stream was touching No. 1 Embankment at Mason’s Flat. This change has caused the river. to flow down the north branch, which was taking two-thirds of the water. Accounts to the amount of £621 1-s od, were passed for payment.

It was reported at the meeting of the North Canterbury' Education Board -yesterday that the following county councils had given permission for children to collect seed on the roadsides for the Patriotic Fund:—Kowai. Waipara, Ellesmere, Selwyn, Eyre, Springston, Oxford, law era, Wnimairi, Hoatheote, Cheviot, Kaikoura, Akaroa, Warfield and Mount Herbert. In tho case of Rangiora, an opinion was expressed that it would be better for the local bodies to sell the right of cutting cocksfoot- to those vho are accustomed to that class of work, tho local body to hand over tho proceeds to the Patriotic Fund. The Springs Comity Council stated that there would bo practically no seed on the roads in its area this year, ancl it could, therefore, not see its vay to accede to the request to allow children to collect.

During the north-west storm on Tuesday there was a considerable fall of snow on the hilltops in North Canterbury, states the correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times,’’ and uuless it melts before tho weather thoroughly clears up a severe frost may result. Yesterday afternoon a thunderstorm passed over the northern district, and a heavy downpour of rain occurred, lasting for about two hours. Showers afterwards fell at intervals until about 10 p.in., when tho weather cleared. Tho rain will be of great value to the farmers, tho majority of tho crops being urgently in need of moisture. The early-sown oats aro maturing too rapidly, tho harvesters already having been put. into some of tho crops. Feed is becoming very scarce, and some of the poorer crops aro providing pasturage for tho sheep. There is practically no sale for store sheep, most of the few linos that find their way to the markets failing to find buyers. v A Christchurch business man informed a reporter yesterday that a great deal of inconvenience had been caused through tho noil-arrival of tho latest British parcel mail, which reached Auckland on Monday. He had madeinquiries at the Post Office, aud had boou informed that the mail would not be m Christchurch until next Saturday'. His firm was anxiously awaiting delivery of tho mail in order to fulfil overduo orders, and was being put to a considerable amount of inconvenience. Inquiries made bv a representative of the “ Lyttelton Times at the Chief Post Office elicited the mformation that the parcel mail was too bulky to be sent by tho Main Trunk trains and would have to wait till a boat was due t<3 leave Auckland for the south. The Christchurch portion was uot expected until Sunday morning. A Christchurcr firm which telegraphed to Auckland yesterday, however, received a reoly' to the effect that- the boat was not'leaving there till Saturday morning. The Union Steam Ship Company states that the Tarawera left Auckland on Tuesday and will arrive in Lyttelton on Saturday, but it is not known whether she is bringing the mail.

At all times Carey’s well-appointed men’s departments are thoroughly stocked with the newest items of mon’s wear, and customers will find that the values Carey’s give are of the same high standard that have characterised this firm in the past. X

BUILT TO LAST—THE “ 8.5. A.” There is a feature about the best British engineering workmanship that does not receive as much attention from motorists as it should do, and that i& its extreme durability. The motorcyclist, in especial, is apt to discard a machine after one, two or three seasons, in order to obtain something more up-to-date. There are two points to bear in mind in reference to the “ 8.5. A.” motor-cycle, which is not only the most efficient and most serviceable British motor-cycle on the New Zealand market to-dav, but, also the most durable. One point is that the motor-cycle has nearly, if not quite, arrived at finality in dosign and equip; meut. The push-bicycle reached that stage a dozen years ago, and the only improvements made in the motor-cycle in recent years have been in matters of detail. It may happen that the B.S.A. of to-day will be quite up-to-date ton years hence, and its durability is for that reason a very valuable feature. Another point is that such a machine as the B.S.A. always has n high .neoond-liaiid value, due to its durability and the fact that it has an exceptionally long working life. In weighing the merits of the B.S.A. against those of machines built outside Britain or by firms loss reputable than the Birmingham Small Arms Co., this factor of durability should be borne steadily in mind, in addition to the fact, proved in competition, that the B.S.A. is the best solo and the best side-car machine at present on the New Zealand market. Adams, Ltd. Headquarters Showrooms. High Street. Christchurch (G. B. Brown. Headquarters Representative): Rangioru (11. Dix); Oxford (TV. Alford); Waikari (Charles Blake); Cheviot and Kaikoura (A. Laugesen). Other Agents throughout New Zealand, 1898