The Marlbrough Express. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1893. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIX, Issue 311, 27 December 1893, Page 2

The Marlbrough Express. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1893. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS

Coiting Crops. — For cutting ths crops at Ugbrooke, tenders closiDgon Saturday next, are invited by Mr A. R. Ward. Methbological.— Capt Ed win telegraphed at 1 22 p.m. as follows : — West to south and southe ast winds, and glass rising. Almanac— We have to acknowledge the receipt of the Commercial Union Company's almanao for 1894. Messrs Holmea and Co. are the local agents. The Borough Election.— Mr W. Ching has withdrawn from his candidature for the North Ward seat m the Borough Council, and the contest will now be between Mwsrß A. J. Farmar and D. Wemyss. Volunteers. — The Blenheim Rifles have a special parade to-morrow evening, the last for the year which also counts as an extra m the second series of parades. A general meeting of the company takes place after drill. Pehsonal. — Mr Furby (of the Auckland Telegraph Department) his wife, and Miss Dodßon, who arrived m London by the Ooeana early m the summer for a year's | holiday, have decided to start homewaid by the Britannia on January sth. Mining — Our Cullensville correspondent wires this morning: Davis and Carr Company have declared a dividend r>f Is 6i per share, making 143 per share. The Hibernian ctairn is again m fu : l swing, and the tributors are getting a fine sample of gold. Tno> King Solomon Company hove stopped work for the holidays. The Alice Fell and Golden Gate are still idle. Accident — At Budge's Island yesterday, Mrs Marple, of Maxwell Road, unfortunately met with an unpleasant accident. She was putting the harness on a horse when the animal kicked out, and hit her on the side belew the arm, breaking a rib, and inflictiDg a few bruises. Mrs Marple will now be confined to her bed for some time, the shook having affected her system rather seriously. Excursion — The excursion by the Tarawera from Wellington to Picton yesterday was largely patronised. There were over 1100 on board, and nearly 250 were left behind on the Wellington wharf. The boat made a quick run over, and those of the excursionists who journeyed to Blenheim were landed on the railway station here m six hours from the time of leaving Wellington. A Ushfcli Book. — One of the most useful publications we have received this year is the " Sheep Breeder's Companion." The book, though small, is well got up, liberally illustrated, and is brimful of information that cannot fail to be of service to a great many people. We quote some of the contents : Ages of trees ; animals' lives ; area, population, and revenue of Australasia ; breeds and breeding of sheep ; British imports ; capacity of cisterns; jibbing horses; land measure, and a great deal of information useful to sheep-owners. The brochure can be obtained free on application at the office of the New Zealand Land Association. The Hack Club. — Aativa preparations are being made by the committee for the race meeting to be held on New Year's Day. The arrangements will he very complete, and to popularise the affair it has been deoided to reduce the charges usually made on the course as follows : — Admission to ground, adult gentlemen Is each, ladies and children free; grand stand, 2a 6d; (-'addling paddock, 2s 6d ; top stand, Is ; each horse, la. A committee meeting will be held at the Club Hotel this evening at 8 o'olock, and owners are reminded that nominations for all events but the Consolation Handicap will close with the Secretary at 9 o'clock to- night. Druids' Picnic. — A large number of people went down to the Druids' pic nio at Budge's Island by the steamer Neptune. The boat which started about 830 was fully crowded, and many persons were unable to obtain a passage, and were left on the wharf. About 500 people were on the Island, and eDJoyed themselves by instituting impromptu sports, exploration parties etc., and a very pleasant time was spent. The garrison Band was m attendance, and played several enjoyable selections on the Bteamer and at the Island. The Druids are to be congratulated upon having provided an enjoyable day's outing and the Secretary was the right man m the right place. The Nepune arrived at the wharf at about seven o'olook. The Holidays. — The town on Christmas Eve presented a gay appearance, and the spectacle was perfectly entrancing. Perhaps the largest number of people that has ever congregated m Market Place paraded up and down, and the shop windows nhone forth with a brilliancy which does credit not only to the gas supply of the borough, but also to the enterprise of our business people. Trade waa bri3k, and the paths were quite impassible. Besides those shops whioh we mentioned m a previous issue, Mr H. V. Browne's well kept establishment attracted considerable attention, the fine stock being displayed to advantage. The weather has not baen at all propitious, the rain on Christmas Day and yesterday sadly interfering with the enjoyment of picnic and camping parties. A great many people found their way into the oountr , the excursion steamers have been liberally patronised, and so far ac we have bpen able to learn no acoident of very serious import haß happened m the community. Sacred Concert. — The eacred concert held m Wesley Hall on Monday evening (Christmas Day), was fairly well attended, and a varied and most pleasurable musical programme was rendered. The first anthem, The Sun shall be no more (Woodward), wag a particularly pleasing item, and the other anthems, There were shepherds, and I will Sing of Thy Power, were well rendered, Messrs John Rose and W. Coster, as the soloists, singing m their usual fine stylo. The first soloist on the programme was Mr Coster m Before Jehovah's awful Throne, and it was given with effect. Mrs Kerr's beautiful roice waa heard to advantage m The Old Cathedral (Pinsuti), and abo m O Rest m the Lord. Tho latter rendition was especially delightful. A trio, Lift Thine Eyes, from Elijah, by the Misses Agnes and Annie Rose and Mrs Kerr, was perhaps the most enjoyable item of the evening, tbe harmony being perfect. .Mr Kerr m his clarionet solo was very successful, and Miss Agnes Rose sung Adoremus m a feeling manner, which was much appreciated, the violin obligate by Miss Annio Robo adding much to the eii'ect. Two choruse3 from Elijah, He Watching over Israel, and He shall Endure to the End, worn given by the choir m a manner which showed careful tuition. Miss Kose, as orgaDist, contributed not a little to the exc-llenoe of the concert, playing with a softness and sympathy whioh was much admired. At tho conclusion of the concert the benediction was pronounced by the Rev W. B. Marten.

Tenders, — The tender of Mr Jordan for ' cutting Mr Chas. Goulter's crop has been accepted. PELORua Road Board. — Tenders are invited by this Board, closing at noon on the 10th January, for metalling about three miles of road on the North Bank of the Wairau. Specifications may be seen at the Express oflice, and the work will be shown on Friday, sth January, starting from Mr 3 Green's Accommodation House at 11 e.m.g| Choral Society. — Members of this Society are notified that there will be no practice this evening, owing to the Christmas holidays. It i-> expected that copies of the cantata St John's Eve will be to hand during the week, and if so a practice will be held on Wednesday evening next. Inebriates. — The only case of drunkenness which has come under the notice of the police during the holiday season was before the Court this morning. Messrs R. D Nosworthy and W. B. Parker were on the bench, and accused —a first offender —was convicted and ordered to pay 2a costs. Land Sale.— Attention is drawn to an important sale of a portion of the Hawkeabury estate, which will be held on the 27th January next. The land, which is wirenetted, is of excellent quality, and the sale should attract considerable local and outbide competition. Particulars appear m our advertising columns, and plans and conditions of sale may be inspected at the offices of the New Zealand Land Association. The Chcbches —As a recognition of the festive season of Christmas the Anglican Church of the Nativity and the Roman Catholic St. Mary's Churches were very prettily decorated for the Sunday and Monday Christmas services. At St. Mary'a, green creepers had been twined round the columns and around the pulpit with a remarkably pretty effect, and the red cloth which had been hung on the walls inside the altar rails and the flowers and illuminations on the altar gave the Cburob a softened and graceful appearance. At the Church of the Nativity no pains bad been spared to transform the ordinary appearance of the building, and the efforts were crowned with success. The toi »oi leaves around the building gave a charming effect to the place anl the well worked texts which graced the walls were at once appropriate and pleasiDg to the eye. In the other churohes, no special efforts at decoration had been made. The Marian Willis Company. — This company opened their Blenheim season m Victoria Hall on Saturday night, Chriatmii Eve, m the musical comedy " Erma the Madcap." There was a poor attendance, but this was dus, no doubt, to the counter attraction which had boon provided m the shape f the Christmas Ere decorations of the business places m the town. Last night, Boxing Night, the company appeared again m the same pieoa, when the curtain rose on a more numerous and appreciative audienoe. The company is really a good one, and will doubtless receive better housea when their merit* baoome known. " Erma tbo Madcap " is a stirring production peculiarly suited to the capabilities of the actors, and the frequent plaudits of the audience testified their approbation. Mr T. Ward-Lyons, acting as Boberfc Baikes, the repulsive villain of the piece, was a most admirable display of histrionics, and he was certainly one of the most supreme villains that has ever lived. Mr Keogh, as Mr Bluff kins, an eccentric, kind hearted old gentleman, was without compare, and quits keeps up his reputation throughout the Colony as a first-class artist. The character of Erma, the madcap, was taken by Miaa Marian Willis, and she proved herself to be a capable actress and an excellent voaalist. Her renditions of ' Mary Green " and " Toe Lullaby " Bong were well received, and her personation of his Satanic Majesty the Devil was very effeotive. Miss Potheringham as the ill- treated wife of Baikes was very good ; she has a pleasing appearance on the stage, and a true conception of the pathetic. Mr J. Collins, as Oscar Horton, the gentleman villain, mads the most out of the character, and Mr H. Jaggers, as Harry, the accepted lover of Erma, although a trifle listless, was very pleasing m some parts. The part of Signor Bosanco is quite a study, and was very interesting m Mr D. Alexander's bands. This gentleman re ceived an encore for a patter song, and his Irish reoitation was also very good. Miss Farrington, as Araminta, deserves special mention, and the minor pert of He'en was taken by Miss Gibson io good stjle. Mr Cheek on the first occasion, and Miss Elbeck last night were efficient accompanists. The company appear to-night m Wilkie Collins 1 New Magdalen. For Sale Cheap.— l 7 Table?, 9 Washstands, 4 Couches, 4 Beisteads, 3 Cheffoniers, 2 Meat Safes, 2 Sewing Maohineß (nearly new), 2 Child's Cots, Chairs, Filters, Japanese and Fancy Goods, Nails at Id lb, and a lot of other goods too numerous to mention. Agent for Climax Cloth Cleaner and Linoleum Renovator. — M. Smalb, Wairau Store. — Adyt. It is wise to provide against emergencies which are liable to ari?e m every family. In sudden attacks of cold, croup, asthma, etc., a bottle of Ayer's Cherry Pectoral will prove a never failing remedy. Star Cycle fob Onk Shilling. —The '93 Art Union Committees of the Druids and United Bands have bought Stara for prizas. This proves that Stars are the best value and up to date. Call and see our stock, and get a copy of our catalogue. Easy payments from oa a week ; immediate de-> livery. Tuition free to purchasers. Messrs Adams, Ourties and Co., Manchester street, Chrigtchuroh. Local Agent, Mr G. J. L. Kerr. — Advt. Christmas Sales.-— We are clearing 50 Men's Strong Tweed Suits at 15s suit, cheap at 30s ; Strong Cotton Shirts Is lid each, usual price 3a Gd ; Men's Regatta Shirts at 2i lid each, never sold under 4s 6d. Boy's Strong Serge and Tweed Knicker Suits at 2s lid suit, less than half price. A splendid assortment m Ladies' Blouses at Is Gd, Is lid, 2g 3d each ; Ladies' Cashmere Hose 6d pair, usual price Is 6d. 1000 yards of Superior Flannallata at 3a 9d dozen yards. Large Linen Bath Towels at lOJd each, usually la 9d. 2000 yards of splendid allwool double-width Dross Stuff at Is yard, or 63 for the whole dresa, honestly worth double. Boys' very pretty Washing Suits at 2s lid, 33 lid suit, the vary latest style. -~R. Allah. We are informed that the business of Mr H. Hillman, of Renwio'*, will shortly be closed. We strongly advise a visit to the etore, as we understand the goods are bsing disposed of at absurdly low prices. — Advt. Baldness may be prevented, and a thick growth of hair stimulated, by the use of Ayer's Hair Vigor. This preparation also restores the natural color to gray hair, and renders it soft, pliant, and glessy.