TOWN AND COUNTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3011, 24 December 1896, Page 2

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

As previously announced, the Nkw Zealand Times will not be published to-morrow or Saturday, 25th and 2flth inat. With Monday’s issue will appear the supplement usually published on Saturday. The Catholic Apostolic Church, Webb street, announces another sermon on Sunday evening next, on the subject of the Cherubim. ThoHuddart Porker liner Anglian is expected to arrive from Lyttelton this morning and is advertised to sail for Napier, Gisborne, Auckland and Sydney at 3 p.m. Messrs Clere, Fitz Gerald and "Richmond have in hand the preparation of two plans for churches, one for the Anglican ooramunity at Birmingham, aud the other at Apiti. Owing to tha election of Mr C. T. Browne, of the Melrose Borough Council, to the position of Mayor of the borough, a vacancy has occurred in the Council, and Mr James Clark has been nominated for Kilbirnie Ward. The nominations close on the 29th inst. The picnic to be held by the Catholics of Wellington on Boxing Day. 26th, in Father Lane’s favourite grounds, promises to be the chief attraction of the day. The united committees of the Hutt and Wellington are making great preparations to ensure a most enjoyable day for all their friends. . It is hoped that the gymnasium in connection with St. Paul’s Sunday School, in Sydney street, will be completed in time for next winter. It is understood that the church authorities are in a position to make the necessary arrangements for building the gymnasium, aud tuat the land has been secured. A man who was brought up yesterday for drunkenness was arrested twieo on the previous night. Ho got bailed out on the first occasion, and celebrated bis liberty by indulging in further libations. Tho consequence was that he spent tho remainder of tha night on tho look-up floor. The following hours will be observed at tha Telegraph Office on Christmas Day (25th December), Boxing Day (2Gth December) aud New Tear’s Day (Ist January)Morning, 9 to 10; evening, 7 to 8. Midnight cable service as usual, and the Telephone Exchange will bo open continuously. The kinetosoopo still attracts many patrons in Willis street, tho evolutions of tho lifelike little figures being a source of wonder and delight to all who avail themselves of the opportunity of seeing tho machine, which is certainly the most wonderful of Edison's many inventions. Those who miss it loss more than they know of. The Railway Department have decided, after experiments made on tho railways, to ’ charge passengers excursion fares of only 2d and Id per milo during all future holiday seasons. The department has also decided to extend the period during whioh return tickets are available to six weeks, instead, of one month. The question as to whether a club can include a condition in their regatta programmes that there roust be three starters or no race has been submitted to the Appeal Council of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association for consideration by the Managing Committee of that body. Passengers by the Christmas Eve train tq Wanganui who intend doing the Wanganui yiver trip are reminded that the river a team era connect with tho train at Aramoho on Christmas morning. Passengers will disembark there and j oin the steamer lying at the Railway Bridge. The Premier has sent a tastefully-de-signed card wishing us a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We cordially reoiprooato Mr Seddon’e good wishes, and hope that he may enjoy many years of happiness and prosperity, and may be long spared to continue his good work for the people of New Zealand. From details of tha meetings held In Maibourne on Hth inst. to consider the taking over by tho National Mutual Life Association of tho business of the Mutual Assurance Society of Victoria, the proposal was adopted by the members of both societies with considerable enthusiasm. Another meeting is to bo held on 29th inst. to confirm tho res.olufioni. A young u?an named Daniel Santry appeared in Court yesterday with a damaged eye to answer a charge <jf assaulting William Brown. Tho offence was alleged to have been committed on one of tho boats now in port Evidence was tendered briefly, and defendant, who appeared to have got tho worst of if, was fined a pound or seven days’ imprisonment. A ease in which a son summoned his father lor assault was hoard at tho Lower Court yesterday, when Herbert Clark charged Joseph Clark with striking him on tbe eye with a stick. Defendant, who pleaded great provocation, was asked to find a surety of J>lo to keep tbe poaoe for a period of twelve months, and also to pay £1 Is costa. Complainant was represented by Mr Devine. No less than 200 entries have been received for tho Wellington Caledonian Society’s sports, to be held on New Tear’s Day. This number is 98 in excess of last year’s total—a very satisfactory result. Bspooial interest will he centred in the big handicap, for whioh 130 will have to be handicapped, athletes from every part of tha Colony having entered. The bicycle events have filled well, pnd the gathering promises to be far and Way the best yet held by the Society. Three WQUjtep appeared before tho Stipendiary Magistrate; yesterday morning for drunkenness, and ip each, ease previous conyiations wore mentioned. Annie Diamond was fined 395, or three (Jays’ imprisonment, and Mary Murray and Alice O’ Donnell IQs, or 48 hours in gaol, others dealt with for this offence wore William Cfjmerdij, Williatif Ward and Robert Gillespie, who were eaoi) fined 5s and costs. At a meeting of St. Peter's Vestry Committee, the vicar in tho chair, it was decided, with regard to the new church at Crooklya, that a mooting of parishioners should be held on the -st£ pf January, at which a resolution will be* brought forward authorising tho purchase pf u site Ipr church purposes in the township of Brooklyn. The sup-committee, who -have had tbs ques'jpn jp hand, have already received very encouraging promises, amounting to over JitO, towards tho scheme. The arrangements for the CatUolio excursion and pionio, to be hell at Belmont on New Year’s "Day,.-’wore advanced another stage last evening. The programme of sports apif a valuable prize-list were adopted. Arrangements were made with the railway authorities that the excursion tickets are available for aljl trains, and, so as not to crowd opt the general public, a special train for the school children and their parents has been .provided, to leave To Aro at 8.40 and Thorndon atS.SO a.m. A liberal supply of refreshments has been promised, and tha committee are leaving no stone unturned to make the outing the attraction of tho day. T.wp ypptbs named Henry Benzoni and Paul Bidmead were yesterday charged with assaulting John Breen, who lives on tho Town Beit, and is tho lessee of a small reserve fiom the Corporation. Aocovding to the evidence of complainant, for whom Mr Skerrott the defendants were trampling down hid garden; and be was about to take measures with a stick, but before be could nao It be jyaa knocked down and kicked on various parts of thobody. A number of wi.nesaes wore called to corroborate the opening testimony, but defendants were not asked to get Into the box, Mr Greenfield, S.M., being of opinion that Breen had brought the trouble on himself. Tbe case was dismissed, no .costs being allowed. Mr Young appeared for the defendants. Worsor Bay is rapidly growing inpopulvit 7 as a holiday resort for jaded Wellrngtoniaua, The 15 or 20 houses erected by Messrs Hearn add Williams are now all occupied, and are, Vfo understand* let right up to tbe end. of March next. Other houses, the property of . Mi Marshall. W also overly competed for bywonld.be tenants, i,nd several new houses are in course of erection. The beach at the 1 Bay daily presents a moat animated appear- I ance, and as parties from Wellington are | frequently going out to visit their friends f ther* D quite ibmv ai- about-th* Biy, Good Uthiug and fi thing aro aanmat. the attractions offered, and the walk along the rooks to Karaka and “ Scorching " < Bay affords a very pleasant way of passing a j couple pf hours or so. As Worsor Bey gets better known and more bouses are built it I bids talr to become one of the most popular ' of <?up reaorta.

The Rotomahana runs an excursion to Picton on Boxing Day. Excursions will be run to Day’s Bay to-day and on Boxing Day. A suit of clothes, placed on view amongst a collection of exhibits, was stolen from the Exhibition on Tuesday night. The half - yearly summoned meeting of Court Robin Hood, A.0.P., will be held on Monday evening next.

The Union Steamship Comoany’s steamer Mawhera will leave for Westport and Greymouth atO p.m. to-day, instead of to-morrow. The Wellington Public Library will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and the Corporation offices from Friday to Monday, inclusive. The D.I.C. will remain open until 10.30 o’clock this evening. One of the attractions will be a Christmas tree laden witi dolls, toys, books, &o. The Wellington-Mauawatu Railway Company will run au extra train for Paikakaciki and intermediate stations on Alonday next, leaving Wellington at 11.10 a.m. The principal attraction in town on Boxing Day will be the cricket match between the Queenslanders and all New Zealand. Play will start punctually at 11.30. The place to spend a day’s outing on Boxing Day will surely bo PUramerton, where the Druids’ sports will he held, A large number of entries have been received for the various events. There will be a carol service, with organ I music appropriate to the Christmas Festival, ! at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral to-morrow evening, at half-past 7. The offertory at this service will be for the choir fund. There will be a celebration of the Holy Communion at St. Peter’s Church at 7 a m., another at 8 a.m. and a third at 11 a.m. on Christmas Day. On the following Sunday, the Rev A. C. Hoggins will preach in the morning. The final heat of the 200yds, President’s Cup, of the Wellington Swimming Club, was decided in the Te Aro Baths evening, and resulted in a win for T. Crabb, G. Wilkes being second and E. Dodd third. Time, 3min Bsec. Several alterations have been made in the running of the Union Company’s steamers to suit the convenience of intending passengers during the holiday season. Particulars can be gleaned from tho Company’s advertisement in this issue. It is expected that the special excursion trips of the favourite steamers Kennedy and Charles Edward to Nelson will be well patronised. Passengers have tho option of returning by the Charles Edward, leaving Nelson on Sunday, or the Kennedy on Monday. The return fare has been fixed at the very moderate sum of .£l, The music at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Christmas morning will be of a special character, the choir being strengthened for the occasion by tho members of Mr John Fuller’s company. The music will be Novello’s “ Adeste ” and “ Haydn’s _ First Mass,” and the offertory piece will be Garcia’s “Ave Maria,” sung by Mr John Fuller, with violin obligato by Mr W. Fuller. We notice that Messrs W. Littlejohn and Son have, in view of the Christmas season, opened up a splendid shipment of goods, and from the crowd continuously going in and out of the shop and admiring the appearance of the window it is apparent that the efforts of tho firm to provide for the Christmas season are being appreciated. We would advise all to glance at an advertisement by the firm in another column.

The half-yearly summoned meeting of Court Lady Glasgow, No. 8261, was held last evening in the Foresters* Hall, Lambton quay, C.R. Sister Woolcott presiding. The following officers were duly elected for tho ensuing six months: 0.R., Sister M. Ovorond; S.C. R., Sister E. Bull; S.W., Sister Larnach; J.W., Sister E. Travers; 5.8.. Sister Higgins; J. 8., Sister Palmer; auditors, Sisters Fulton and Edwards.

A young man who came down from the country by the Manawatu train last night, on pleasure bent, had rather au un* pleasant opening to his holiday. On joining the train he placed his portmanteau on tho seat of the carriage, and on arriving at Wellington found that some unkind person had out the side out and removed his clothing ; also some money. The thief gob clear away with his booty, and the owner of tho goods will probably take greater care of his luggage next time he travels.

Friday, 25th December (Christmas Day), being a Boat Office holiday, all branches of the General Post Office will bo closed. A delivery of letters, usually delivered by will take place over the public counter, General Post Office, between tho hours of 7 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, 21th December. Mails- for dispatch on Friday, 25th December, will close at 8 p.m. on Thursday, 24th December. Saturday, 86th December (Boxing Day), tho Post Office will be open in all its branches between the hours of 9 and 10 a.m. only, St, Paul's schoolroom in Tinakori road was crowded last night, when the Christmas tree prize*distribution took place. Children who hold tickets were entitled to a prize, and there were many beaming faces when the tree was being unloaded. Miss Ashcroft made tho distribution. During tho evening vocal selections were given by Miss Phoebe Parsons, Mr Harold Widdop and Mr Fred Twiss, whose items were greatly appreciated. Tho promoters desire to thank many kind friends for their donations, whioh contributed so materially to the success of the affiir. A summoned meeting of the Loyal Antipodean Juvenile Lodge, 1.0.0.F,,M,U., was held last evening, when officers for the ensuing half-year wore elected as follows QM.y Bro. O. E. Watson; N.G., Bro. W. Bead; V.G., Bro. G. Peck; R.S. to N.G , Bro. R. W. Webb; L.S, to N.G., Bro. A. E. Urwin. A challenge to play a cricket match on New Year’s Day was received from the Loyal Wellington Juvenile Lodge and accepted. A committee was elected to make arrangements for the match, which is to take place at the grounds of P.P.G.M. Bro. W. C, Brown, at Waiwetu. To-morrow, Christmas, night, Mr John Fuller, the eminent tenor vocalist, is to appear at tho Opera House with his New Myriorama Company. The programme is a very inteieating one. Tho pictorial portion will consist of “ A Day in and Around Windsor Castle " and “ Interesting Places in English History." Several of tho songs will be finely illustrated- Mr John Fuller will sing, among other solos, “Ora, Pro Nobis” (with pictorial effects), “The Holy City" and “Deeper and Deeper,” and will, bo assisted by other members of the company. The company go on Boxing Night to the Exchange Hall, with a change of programme. The Brandon street fire brigade station is the scene of some very pretty decorations, the usually sombre-looking appurtenance room been converted into a veritable fairy’s bower. Greenery has been arranged neatly and profusely, and from the centre of the roof there 1 hangs a fantastically designed Japanese umbrella, of huge proportions, a variety of coloured fancy paper adjuncts adding to tho beauty of the general arrangement. Throe mottos grace the walls—“A Merry Christmas," “ Welcome to All," and “ United to Servo and Always Ready," Upstairs the monthly meeting room presents a striking appearance. The staff have bad an eye to the artistic, and the effect is charming. Tho public are cordially invited to pay a visit to the station to.-nigfit after half-past 7 o’clock. .Tfio sunqal meeting of tho Loyal Antipodean Lodge, 1.0.0.F.jM.U., was field'last evening, N.(j. Bro. W. McQoldrick in the Considering the many attractions iij tbe city tho large attendance was remarkable- The election of officers resulted as followsN.Q., Bro. Qr. Parkins ; V. 0., Brq; A. H. Smith; auditor, Bro* W. McQoldrick; management committee, Bros. Fupuosa, and G. Reed ; lecture master, Bro. I. Wilson, For district officers the nominations were:— Grand Master, Bro. Johnston* of the Loyal Petone Lodge ; Deputy Grands, Bros, Ludwig and Maxton. Tbe consideration of tho proposal to form a governing body for the whole of New Zealand brought forth a long discus* slou. P.C. Secretary J. Kershaw was askol by tho N.Q. to give his version of the suggestion, and gave an able address on tbe benefits .to accrue from its adoption, but on tho vote being taken the matter was negatived. P.G. Bro. R. Smith was roquested.to withdraw his resignation as sick visitor, a position bo has held for a period of 27 years. The receipts of quarterly subscriptions amounted to J 3210. A meeting of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists was held afternoon, tbe president (Mr B-, chair. On the motion oc Mr F. a regplutiqn was ordered to bo forwarded to Mrs £}U* widow of the late secretary of the branch, expressing £he high appreciation in which Mr Dix was held hv the branch, both personally and on amount of his valuable services to the institution. A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr Chaa. Earle for the manner in which he had conducted the dut : os of temporary secretary. Tfio treasurer (Mr Ilott) reported that the branch numbered 36 members. It was decided to take stops to have the Institute incorporated under the Act. Messrs R. H. Hooper* Bq,rlp and W. J. Poison were elected associate members of tbe Institute. On the motion of Mr G, Lukin, it wu* decided that the treasurer,secretary, Mr G, Martep, and tho mover be constituted a committee to can* vass among those eligible for membership. It was also resolved on tbe motion of Mr Lukin that the chairman, Messrs J. Gibbons, Chas. Wilson, W. J. Poison and the mover should be appointed a committee to make the neoea* savy arrangements for a social gathering to be held at an early date, Notice of motion was glvou—" That any member referring in any newspaper article in offensive or opprobrious terms to any other member should be either fined, suspended or expelled according to the finding of tbe central Council," A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.