The Star. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1897. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5839, 5 April 1897, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1897. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

The ladies attending the Women's Convention are entitled to great credit for their very moderate, but none the less effective, handling of the debate on the Temperance question. For it is strange, though none the less a fact that, though both professional and amateur prohibition orators ■ abound, no one would think of looking for a temperate speech in their vicinity, nor do they appai'ently keep any such in their rtpartoirc. The Women's Convention is entitled to every credit for having been the first public bo.iy in Christchurch to treat temperance in a temperate way. Those shining temperance lights who consider it necessary in ihe interests of their pet hobby to call those who differ from them opprobrious 'names, who advocate the boycott with regard to all outsiders, and whose public utterances do not adhere to fact nearly so closely as could be wished, might well take a leaf from the Women's Convention note-book. It is probable, however, that were they to do so, tho absence of the strong spires with which the temperance meat is usually garnished might fail to attract adherents — or subscriptions. But, whether this is so or not. the ladies have set an example which is worthy of imitation. And, judging the future by the past, it seems highly im-probable that the record performance which the ladies have set up in Christchurch will be beaten. "Oxford wins ! Oxford wrns!" The University boat race has been won by Oxford for the thirty-first time, tho score now standing: — Oxford 31, Cambridge 22, and a dead-heat in 1877. And, by the way, this is the eighth successive win for Oxford, the rival University's last success being in ISB9, when a three-lengths' victory was recorded. Last year the race was a particularly close thing, the boats being never separated by more than a length and a half throughout the course, aud the win being; by two-fifths of a. length only. This year the race, was more of a runaway nature. Accouoixo to the "cable- crammer, 1 ' " Lachms, the eminent composer," is dead. Tho name is presumably translatable into Brahms, the noted German musician who was born at Hamburg sixtyfour years ago, and who, in the course of his long career, has writtou many songs. Wkllingtom having no art collection, cither industrial or artistic, our students (says Mr A. D. Riley, Director of the Technical School, in his annual report), labour under exceptional disadvantages as compared with those of other towns, aud especially tho English schools, where loans of the most artistic and valuable obje^P arc constantly obtained on behalf of tne schools. It is understood, however, that a collection of works from the National Competition in connection with the Science aiid Art Department of South Kensington — in which a Wellington student, Miss Millicent Igglosden, obtained a prizo for design — has been promised to the Education Department for six months. This will enable a comparison to be made of the local work with that of the English schools. It is this want of comparison, Mr Riley says, which tho Home students have yearly, which tends to lessen tho aims of oiir students, who have only local examples. Is there not a hint in this for the Canterbury Society of Arts ? The Honorary Eesevve Corps, in the person of Corporal Banks, comes out on top in the contest that was arranged for tho purpose of determining the second Canterbury candidate iv the Bisley rifle team. From tho details that appear else-whuro-in this issue, it will iie seen that some excellent shooting was done ; and it may be taken for granted that tho best man has Avon the position. Ax>ropos of riflo shooting, there is a good story on record that is worth repeating. It is as follows : — An odieor in attendance at a shooting compotitiou noticed two of the men lii-iuir with anything but William Tell-like precision. Approaching them he angrily exclaimod: " You fellows don't know the, way to shoot ; lend me a riflo and let me show you." Bang, r*JKI the shot missed the target. A broad grin overspread the faces of tho two privates, but tho officer was equal to tho occasion. Turning to the first, with a frown upon his countenance ho remarked: "That's the way you shoot, sir." A second attompt, and a similar result. Turning to tho other he continued : "And that's tho way you shoot, sir." A third shot, and an inner was

fluked. With pardonable pride, the officer returned the rifle, triumphantly adding: " And that's the way I shoot ! " The men ever since have entertained a very high opiuion of him as a marksman.