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Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8746, 14 December 1896, Page 2

Hops in Melbodbse.— The 'Argus' of ; Nov 23th reports -" A- moderate business has been dona in Viotorian hops at op to 1/3, and in imported at up to 1/2. Sebioub Loss.— We are sorry to learn from Mr Thomas Hunt, veterinary surgeon, that Mr Thomas Greig has lost his entire horse British King. The cause of death waa a ruptured Btomaoh whioh resulted from a strain the horse had reoeived some time ago. The Nelson Gabbhon Band.— Yesterday afternoon a considerable number of the public, were attracted to tbe Botanioal gardens where the Nelson Garrison B jod, under the oondnotorsbip of Herr Handke performed a number of selections, including a Triumphal March composed by Herr Handke, the overture "Crown of Honor" by Ohas Biohards, other marohes and a test piece selected for performance at tbe forthcoming band's contest in Wellington, and the laßt item was a saored seleoiion, entitled "Till we meet again." The solos in the several pieoes were taken as follows :— Corporal Jaoobs (euphoniom), Bandsman Graham (come'), Bandsman J. Davieß (trombone), and Bandsman Bird (soprano cornet). The Band and their able conductor are to be highly complimented on tbe excellence of tbeir performances yesterday, and whioh were highly appreciated by those present. Pigeon Flting. — The Nelson Pigeon Flying Cnb having arranged a race lor homing pigeons, some birds were sent to Pioton on Friday last, and liberated about midday on Saturday. The race was won by W. Bannehr's Bata, whioh accomplished the dietanoe in 1 hoar 17$ minutes, N. Usher's Tallavera 1 hour 90 minutes being Becond. Thb Regatta.— The programme of even's drawn up by the Regatta Committee appears in this issne and we are glad to learn that there is every proßpeot of the several race 3 being keenly contested. There should be a large gathering at the Port on the 26th inst. Loyil Mabinb Lodge. — This lotJga intend* to throw its weekly meeting open to the public on Thursday next when an attraotive programme is promised. The meeting will commence at 8 p.m., and thare will be a collection in aid of the Mission Fund. Moonught Cosokbt.— The Band Rotunda at the Botanioal Gardens Reserve, which, although nearly gompleted waa not used yes- I

terday, is to be formally opened within about a week from now, when the Garrison Band will give a m .onlight oonoert, the proceeds of which will go towards the expense of tending the band to Wellington, where it will take part in the brass bands contest, which will ba held on the 30th 31bi December and Ist and 2nd January. Great progress i'r being mada by the Band under its instructor Herr Handke, and it is espaoted that the whole of the members will be able to attend, 001. Pitt is interesting himself vary much on behalf of the Band. School of Music Concert. — A conoert will be given in the Theatre Royal this evening, at which the perfornlarS will be pupils of the School of Music. This excellent institution is doing good work, and to-night the public will have the opportunity of forming judgment on this point. We hope to see a large attendance. Holiday Fun *nd Pbolto — Tbig pretty cantata was repeated at the Theatre on Saturday night jbefore an appreciative audience. Carrier Piqedns and Sparrow Hawks. — With a view to obtaining the result of the polling at the Croixelles for publication at the earliest possible moment we arranged for the liberation of carrier pigeon?, and aa the poll had to be kepi open till the time of sunset three birds were sent, in the eipaotation that one at least wou'd return that evening. As a matt; rof f aot only one of the birds returned, and tben not till Sunday, when it arrived in suoh a bedraggled and fatigued condition that the cause Was won-> der^d at. We now hear from Mr Holland of the Oroixelles, who very kindly undertook the oare and. liberation of the birds, and whose letter explains the cause of our disappointment. A similar message was attached to a leg of each of the three birds, and they were all liberated about seven o'clock on the day of the eleotion, but as they oirq'ed dp to rise above the lofty and wooded hills they were attacked by sparrow hawks, and one of the three was captured. The other two eluded the bawfcs by skimming amongst the trees, and they eventually returned to near Mr Holland's house, darting into some gooseberry bushes away from their enemies. The pigeons were caught and cared for, and ■ next morning they were again liberated, when 1 again they were chased by hawks, and ul-im-a'ely they again returned, one of the birds flying into Mr Holland's house through the open door. On Sanday morning (hop were onoe more set free with fresh messages attached, but they at onoe alighted and pecked the paper from their legs, and then ttiey mounted, but a hawk was seen to poimse on one of the birds, while the other flaw off, and it reached home in about an hour. This s*me bitd was Bent to Pioton on Friday, and was there liberated on Saturday, when it flew home in 1 boor 17£ minutes. Interesting and Bare Coins.— On Sunday afternoon, at the Port Sunday School. Mr Kiogeley exhibited to the scholars four interesting ooios, namely, a mite (lepton), of Herod the Great, who died n c. 4; a farthing (quadrans) of Herod Archilan*, bo. 4 to a.d, 6 ; a farthing, of Herod Agrippa 1., a.d. 37---44 and a farthing issued by Pontius Pilate, a.d. 29-32. The3e interesting 'and valuable coins, we learn, were received last Friday from a friend residing in Jerusalem as a token of gratitnde for help and sympathy shown by Mr Kingsley in the mission work among the Jew?. In the present day, when so many curious are " manufactured." it ig only just to state that they were submitted to an expert before being sent, and pronounced to be genuine. Cycling.— Mr W. A Thornton, who it will be remembered broke ths record from Nelson 'o Foxhill, and later the record from Wellington to Nspier, has written to Mr Poole, stating that be will be at the Nelson A. A. and Cyclic g Club's sports on January Ist, also that several other good eye'ists are ormiag with him. Mr Thornton will attempt to put up a fifty mile r cord on the Ntlson track, which has baea improved, and is now in good condition. Mr Thomson will also try to break the record between Nelaon and Havelook. Mr Thomson cow claims, and fairly bo, to be the champion road rider in this Colony. In bis ride belweßn Wellington and Napier b?s pace on the flit was e'ghteen nrles per hour, while Bhorland (of Christchuroh). wnos9 reoord he broke, wett fifteen miles per hour. Shorland was off his mwhine thirty minutes altogether for refreshmar.ts and rest, while Thomson tnok two boars and a quarter for same. Mr Thomson did the journey in a little over fifteen hours' riding.