TOWN AND COUNTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3008, 21 December 1896, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Bowling and horse-racing news will be found on tho first page. On the fourth page is published our report of the cycling sports on Saturday, and also letters to tho editor, mining telegrams and turf items. The insurance companies notify that Thursday, 21th, will be quarter day. Tenders are called by the Danevirke Borough Council for the laying of pipes for the water supply. The half-yearly summoned meeting of Court Sir George Bowen is to be held tonight at 8 o’clock. The installation meeting of New Zealand Pacific Lodge No. 2 is to be held ra tho Masonic Hall to-night. The pupil teachers’ examinations under the auspices of the Education Board were concluded on Saturday. We hear that Mr Seaton, surveyor has been employed to survey the proposed new course of the Wellington Racing Club at Miramar, A man named Henry Walter Dunn was yoatorday arrested at Now Piynioutk on a charge of wife denertion at Palmerston North. The New Zealand Chess Congress opens at Christchurch on Saturday (Boxing Day). Messrs Barnes, Cooks and Mason are to be present from Wellington. Excellent entries have been received for the Caledonian Society’s annual sports to be hold on New Year’s Day. So far the total is 163, and farther entries are expected from Wanganui and tho South. While bathing near Island Bay last week a well-known Wellington resident, Mr J. Pringle, was bitten in the by a katipo. Tho wound was dressed by Mr W- E-Woods, and though great pain has resulted from tho bite, no serious consequences are feared.

The s.s. Rotomahana will make an excursion to Pioton on Boxing Day, leaving the Queen’s Wharf at 8 a.m., and Pioton on the return trip at 5 p.m. The return fare will be ss. If sufficient inducement offers the Botoraahana will make a day excursion to Poloras Sounds on New Year’s Day. At the last meeting of the Dnnedin Operative Bootmakers’ Union the following resolution was passed—” That this Union congratulates the Hon the Premier on the success ol tho Liberal Party at the recent general election, and trusts that he will continue to give us progressive and remedial legislation. The Yersx and Jones Company have removed to No. 48, Willis street, and on Saturday night made a very fine display of Columbia, Victor and Victoria bioyoles at this more central shop. The many strong points of these machines were admirsd by large numbers of visitors. A young man at present resident in Westport (states the local Times) was in Sydney when Bntler was advertising for a partner, and was on the point of seeking an interview with the alluring advertiser. Something else, however, turned up, and possibly saved tho Westportian from being added to the list of Blue Mountain victims. The Wellington City Council notifies that it is necessary to forbid the excessive consumption of water now taking plaoo, and therefore any parson found using garden or other hoses except in terms of the waterworks by-law will be prosecuted. This bylaw provides that no person shall use any hose connected with the oity water supply, exaept snob hose be held by hand, and not fastened np and allowed to run by itself. The police wore inform.d on Saturday morning that a four-roomed cottage at Carterton, owned by Messrs Levin and Co., and occupied by George Edwards, was -burnt down at 2 o’clock that morning. About £1 worth of goods was saved. Tho homo was insured in tho Phoenix Insurance Office for .£IOO, and the furniture for -€SO in tho New Zealand Insurance office. The cause of tho fire is unknown.

The Wellington Tourists’ Cycling Club bad a run on Saturday, the -route chosen being Island Bay. The wind which prevailed somewhat retarded locomotion, but the ride proved a most enjoyable one. The committee of the club have adopted a design for a badge which is unique. Inside a wheel is a map of the two islands, the hub of the Colony being marked at Wellington, the headquarters of the association. The badge is a dual affair, and the ticket of membership, or any other souvenir, may be placed inside. On Saturday, at the Magistrate’s Coart, a woman named Annie Dimond was fined 10a, or -18 hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness. The young man Henry Barton, who was arrested in Napier on a charge of wife desertion at Wellington and who, it wul be remembered, made an attempt to escape from the minions of tbo law, was brought up. Hie wife, not wishing him to be sent to gaol, withdrew the charge, as he had promised to behave himself. The case was adjourned for one mouth to see if he would comply with hia promise. In the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday argument was heard by Mr A. Greenfield, S.M., and Captains Wheeler and Von Sohoen, Nautical'' Assessors, with reference to the alleged stranding of the steamer Takapuna on a reef off Motu Ngara, Guard’s Bay. Mr Skerrotfc contended and the Court decided that there was nothing in the evidence before the Court that brought the case within the provisions of section 237 of the Shipping and Seamen’s Act of 183 S, and therefore the Court had no jurisdiction. Mr Gully said that the case was an important one, and a decision would bo got from the Supreme Court./ Mr John Fuller, the famous tenor vocalist, and his New Myriorama Company are to give a performance on Christmas Night at the Opera House. The musical portion of the programme will be entirely aacred, consisting of such items as “ The Holy City,” Ora Pro Nobis,” “ The Star of Bethlehem,”/* Adeste Fidelos,” etc. The'pictorial part will consist of 44 A Hay Around Windsor Castle,” and " Interesting Places in English History.” Several of the song* will be illustrated by the “ Eleotrinopticon,” iu the capable hands of Mr John Flora, the London operator. The company i« said to be a very strong one, and with Mr John Fuller’s items a pleasant evening’s enjoyment is assured. The company open at the Exchange Hall on Boxing Night with an entire charge of programme. } The box plan for the forthcoming season of Pollard’s Opera Company will be opened this morning at Holliday and Co.’s, when there is certain to be a rush for seats. The arrangements for tbo first week are a® followsOn Saturday, December 26th, and -throe following nights, Planquette’s melodious work “Rip Van Winkle” will be staged ; on Thursday and Friday, December 31st and January Ist, the attraction will be 14 Paul Jones”; and on Saturday, January 2nd, Mr Pollard will produce for the first time here Buccolossi’a celebrated comic opera, 44 The Black Cloaks.” The company arrived yesterday from the South, and will enjoy a well earned rest until Saturday next. The Rev F, Hales preached at the Church of Christ last night, and took for bis text the 18th chapter of the 2nd book of Samuel, 29th verse, “la tbo young man safe?” The preacher first spoke of Absolom’s rebellion against hia father, which had led David to ask the question, and then went on to apply it to young men, whomhe divided into six heads as follows ;—’The dissipated young man, the dishonest, the sceptical, the indifferent, the immoral and the procrastinating young men, and after dwelling on the danger of any and all of these courses, he drew a comparison between a youth who followed them and one who led a moral, honest life. On the one hand the end was dishonour and. shame, while qa the other a happy life and a peaceful end. In Banco on Saturday morning Mr Justice Edwards heard an application by the Australasian Incandescent Gaslight Company, Limited, for an injunction to restrain Messrs Wilkins and Field from selling incandescent gas burners, which tbo Australasian Gas Company alleges to be an infringement of their patent rights in New Zealand. Affidavits wore filed by Mr W. Skey, of Wellington, and Professor Brown, of Auckland, as expert evidence as to whether the defendants had infringed the parents or not. Mr Montcath appeared for the plaintiff company and Mr Campbell for the defendants. Mr Justice Edwards held that there was a primx facia case of infringement, and granted an injunction subject to the plaintiffs giving security in the sum of .£2OO for any damages that might be suffered by the defendants if they ultimately succeeded at the trial. His Honor also granted a commission for evidence to be taken in Germany and in London.

Very busy men are Mr Taylor and Mr Bowley (of E. T. Taylor and Co.), and with the holidays coming thick and fast upon them, they are “fairly up to their eyes in it,” to use a familiar expression. Christmas and New Year hampers for the city and the country are lying all round their premises, and it is hard to get hold of either of their private ears for five minutes. Butjmention of the Old White Horae Cellar brings up all Mr Taylor’s well-known enthusiasm, and he will tell you of its good qualities, how it is recommended in Wellington by the faculty, is a favourite tipple over Sydneyaide and in Melbourne, ia “ good iron ” in hot or cold countries, used on tho P. and O. boats at Home and also on tho South American coast. The firm are the sole agents for Wellington province, and they ape highly pleased with the way in which the Mend ia catching oa hereabouts. That tho White Horae ia good all Scotchmen will tell you, for it is made from the original recipe bv Vlaokie and Oo , of tho historic Island of Inlay an 1 G.enlivet, and our local agents have it in bulk and bottle. Mr Taylor also deals largely in all other bottling badness, and many there are who testify as to the quality of the liquors and the promptness and c jnrtesy of one of the most popular firms in the city.

We have received several useful wall and pooket calendars for 1897 from tho National Insurance Company. Tho Commercial Union Insurance Company also sands one of its wal 1 calendars.

A mooting of the Provisional Committee of tho new corps of Now Zealand Vetsraus was held on Friday night, when the proposed rules were discussed. The committse is to meet again, and will report to a general meeting next month. Superintendent Watsrworth, of the Napier Fire Brigade, who has been on a visit to the Southern lakes for the benefit of his health, arrived here yeitarday. His many friends will be pleased to hear that ho has very ranch improved in health. Mr Milhis, of tho Public Works Department, met with a serious accident at Khan.t-, dallah the other day. He was suddenly sprung upon by a dog while entering tue backyard of a labourer’s house near by. Ihe animal seized him by tho leg and tore the musoles and sinews badly. It will be some time before Mr Millais will bo able to be about again. On Saturday tbe busy hum of the workroom of tbe tailoring department of To Aro House was temporarily stopped while Mr Manifold, in a few well-chosen words, presented Miss Luke, who is leaving to get married, with a cruet and jam dish from her fellow-employees, wishing her a long life of happiness. Miss Luke briefly expressed her thanks for their kind gift and good wishes on her behalf, Tho Fire Brigade was called out yesterday morning shorty after 4 o’clock for a fire in Hawker street. The house, which belonged to Mr Goodie and occupied by Mr Koberta, was an eight-roomed one, and was gutted. The flames had a big hold when the brigade arrived, and it was impossible to save the place. So far as has been ascertained, there are no insurances. Only a portion of the contents of the building were secured. On Saturday, and especially in tho evening, the Kinetoacopo was patronised by a considerable section of tho public. Those who have not aeon tho Kinotoscope would do well to do so.- Natural as life the small pictures show every movement of the figures as accurately and distinctly as if the observer were looking at the actual occurrence. The invention is certainly on© of tho most remarkable given to tho world by .Edison, f ihe machine, supplemented by one of Edison’s improved phonographs, will be on exhibition in Willis street to-day.

A large number of larrikins, who were .refused admission at several hotels after hours, kicked up a great row in Tory street on Saturday night. They not only smashed .windows, but insulted passers-by. One gentleman was assaulted, and his hat kicked along the road. A constable came along and took a few names but didn’t get the real delinquents, who ran away. However, it is understood that their addresses have' boon ascertained, and that prosecutions will follow. It is to bo hoped that, for the safety of the residents of Tory and adjoining streets, a constable will regularly patrol the thoroughfare mentioned, especially on Saturday nights. The preacher at the Catholic Apostolic Church, Webb street, last evening took for his subject the vision of the cherubim seen by the Prophet Ezekiel. To understand this vision, he said, it is necessary to refer back to the account of the creation of man in his threefold nature of body, soul and spirit, and reference was next made to the Tabernacle, its throe parts corresponding to man’s constitution. Attention was next drawn to the river of Eden, which was divided into four streams, symbolising God’s grace and blessing flowing forth from the fountain head by four defined channels. A short description was given of the cherubiras and flaming sword which guarded the entrance to Eden; then mention was made of the fact of oherubims adorning the curtains of the Tabernacle, and stress was laid upon the living creatures seen by Ezekiel being designated oherubims, and their four-fold character. The correspondence between this vision and that of John in the Apocalypse was pointed out, and finally the preacher said that these living creatures with their peculiar characteristics symbolised the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ to man in the four offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist and Pastor, and said ho hoped next Sunday to show this more in detail, and the necessity for these ministries to prepare the Church against her Lord’s appearing.