NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11491, 26 January 1903, Page 7

NEWS OF THE DAY.

The Weatport Coal Company's output wt week was 11,572 tons lTowt," "* The ordinary meeting of the City Council Will be held this evening at 7.30."

Upon two days last week the local rail*«y authorities had demands for over iWO ■wep waggons.

About thirty-five visitors left Hanmer Springe on Saturday, that day being the «*d of the New Year holidays. At 4,10 a.m. yesterday morning Con•W>le Trehey noticed a human hand clasp«ig one of the iron uprights of the Cathedral •IBWe tank. The owner of the hand was t*<H»ptly pulled out by the constable, and ITed to bo one Ucorge Waterman, an old •(J* pensioner. When rescued. Waterman *k< thoroughly and waa attwxfed by Dr. Kvnivs. -who ordered his iv-

asoval t*> the Ho-spkal, where the ks doing ■ i**U. Waterman, wuen sufficientiv re- ■ covered v, speak, .said that he liud to .»• bottom twice, and could not have held J* much longer. Being unablo to Bleep *fter tlu; unusually lurt. day, he went for a "sk, and seeing the water, thought lie **uld have a '"ewwh." He Ktates lie *ld no inttution of committing suicide. Him "«tt wae found hanging on the iign wii- '-!*» yrbieh «nol<w« Khe tank.

The Lyttelton Marine Band visited H.M.S. Archer on Friday night, and played an excellent programme on board. Tiny were entertained by the crew, and on leaving were heartily cheered.

At a largely attended me&tiag- of threshing mill owners held- in Timaru on Saturday, it was decidod to increase the wages paid to ilia Lands from 8s to 10s p?r thousand for oats, and from 10s to 123 per thousand for wheat. A proportionate increase in the prices to be charged was agretd upon, 2|d for oat«, and 3d for wheax and barley.

A meeting re Greater Obristchurch ln connection with the poil to be taken in Sydenham on February 4th, will be held tonight, in the Methodist schoolroom, >Selwyn street, ateitrht• o'clock. AddTesscs will be given by Messrs T. E. Taylor, M.H.R., Kll, -U.H.R., andU. Booth.

The Kala]K>i Wesleyan .Sunday school anniversary sermons were pivached. yesterday by the R<:v. Dr. Erwin, who also addressed the children. Special hymns and antii'-nis wore «umg, .Mr R. Blakeky presiding at the organ. In spite of rain there were, good attendances.

At a meeting of t)w vestry of St. Andrew's Chumh, Tinwald, th-. , proposed alUrahon yf hi/ur.d;iiifs was discussed. It was rc<u!V:.d that the bsiD way of meeting tho jtifNeiit ditlirukiiis re sfciviues and visiiinj; wtiiild be by having a curate for th;.' Lonybeaeh paiochiai district to assist thivitar. and that the vtstry would uso their b-.'sfc endeavours to increase their shcue of t.ha stipend for that puipos-d.

A coiTespondent points out that the (.'hristchurch Kailway Station platform is. t.specially on the dtpartute and arrival ol tli, j express, largely iwvd as a public promenade, and a rets or t for idlers. He - s ug<h'".slh that it" platform tickets were issued ut 2d <?nch. and the proceeds given to some local charity, and the passengers from Lyttelton drafted out through a especial entrance, there would be room enough and 'o spare- both for tht passengers and for tlio.se whom legitimate business takes to the station.

Th fifth, annual show of the Southbridge Horticultural Society was held in the Town Hall on Thursday, and in the point of attendance was a record one. The entries were good and competition keen in certain clashes. The judge for fruit, flowers, vegjfrtable.s and the decoration class was Mr J." Guntrip, for produce Mr McLachlan and Mr Baxter, and for industrial work Mr Den by. During the day the amount taken at the door was £22. The Kllesmere Brass Band, under Mr Minifie. played during the evening.

The following letter bearing on the river packet licensee, has been sent to the "Wanganui Herald":—"As a traveller and a teacher Irom Sydney Technical Colfege lor pleasure and recreation through this colony with several others, I wish to record my twrious protest against being catered f° r in a manner which, tseeme to please a section of this community. Had I known that prohibition existed on your river andi at IMpiriki, I should not have travelled through this district. Those persons could keep the sights (which they are eojinxious for tourists to see) for the benefit of the country for their own edification.—H. Gale, Sydney."

Auckland must be a cold p'.ace for Chinamen, says a North Island contemporary. During the hearing of the grocers' dispute in the -northern l>ity, Mr Justice Cooper remarked thai in Auckland tlwre did not seem to be any great number of Chinese in the grocery trade, though in Wellington there were a great many. Mr Templer, who appeared for the Master Grocers' Union, replkd that tie conditions of the grocery trade i-n Auckland were sitci* by reason -of competttdon amongst the whites that even a Chinese could not make a. living at it!

On Thursday evening the congregations of the Anglican Church at Barry's Bay, French Farm, and Wainui "held a social gathering at French Farm to bid farewell to the vicar (Rev. Jasper Sinyth), wlio is leaving ttoa pui-ish to take charge of the Lincoln Church. Mr J&s. Wright occupied the onto", and a musical programme was performed. During the. evening occasion was taken to present Mr Smyth with a puree of sovereigns. The reverend gentleman, in returning tkmks, expressed liis deep regret at parting with so many old friends.

Tlie annual public meeting in connection ■with the Lincoln Public Library took place on Friday evening, Dr. Cook occupying the chair. The treasurer's balanoe-aheet and report showed the receipts to have been £16 6s 2d, and expenditure £12 3s Id. The following were elected a Committee foe- the ensuing year: —'Secretary, Mr W. Bartram (re-elected); treasurer, Mr H. Exon (re-elected); committee, Messrs AynMu, Booker, Howell, McMillan, and RostaliV. It was ißbolved to recommend the Committee to obtain two papers for the Library, also to luive- the books of the Library, insured. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies who act as librarians on Friday afternoons, also to the gentlemen who aot as librarians throughout the year.

An unanticipated event occurred at Wellington during the first part of the programme at the Theatre Royal on Thursday night, remarks the "New Zealand Times." While a lady member of the company was singing, a piece of canvas and wood, fifteen or twenty feet long, fell from the "flies," and landed on ita end at the exact spot where one of the "ciillud genelmen" of the show hud a seat. Hβ vacated his position with great celerity, and thus escaped injury, but the structure struck the singer on the top of tdie head so severely that she had to retire from the stage. When the dust and excitement bad subsided, the merry circle was re-formed, and the injured performeT returned to the stage to complete her interrupted melody.

A pleasant bowling match took place on Saturday afternoon on the green of the Canterbury Club between teame selected by the President of the Xew Zealand Bowling Association, Mr W. Jacques, and Mr P. CJilkinsoii, Vice-President. The President*, rink was composed of Canterbury Club men, and' that of the Vice-President of Southland representatives. The VicePresident won by one point- after a very exciting game. The remainder of the bowlers attending tli* tournament leave today for the South by the express. Great regret was expressed at the absence through illness from tJia tournament of Messrs K. T. Wheeler and J. Hislop, and also of Mr T. Moodie.

On Saturday afternoon a special train was run from Christchuich to No. 7 wharf. Lyttelton. for the convenience of some six 'hundred guests, who had been invited to afternoon tea on board the Corinthic. The first and second saloons were bountifully supplied with refreshments for the ladies while the gentlemen trere catered for in the smoking-room. Captain Sealby and his officers were unwearied in their efforts to pleaae all and in showing Ihe visitoft over the grand eteanier, the arrangements of which delighted ail and surprised many. The Lyttelton Marine Band, stationed on the saloon deck, did much to enhance the pleasure of the afternoon. It need hardly be said that the •visitors were profuse in their acknowledgements of the courtesy extended to them.

Two first offenders' for inebriety were dealt with by Mr R. Beetham, b.M., at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday.

Melba sings at Launceston on February 12th, and then cornea to New Zealand.

A man who was arrested at Sumner by Constable Hampton, was on Saturday commit ted to tlw Sunnpade Asylum, on a charge of lunacy.

As the Kaiapoi Borough School improvements have r.ot been completed, the holidays have been extended far another week.

Duly seen off by the local exponents of the ganw, most of our Southern bowling visitors loft for their homes by the express on Saturday.

While riding on the north express from Dune-din oil Saturday, Minnie Henknen, aged ninctet-n years, standing on the p.atfurm, fell off. * The train was going round the Sawyers' Bay crossing at the time, and the young lady lost her footing. She was admitted to, the Dunedin hospital, where it was found she had sustained slight concussion and a acalp wound.

A conference of the Tβ Ante College Students' Association was opened at Tuparoa- on Wednesday, and ended on Friday. There was a large and representative attendance, and subjects of interest to Maoris were discussed, including the land question. the Maori Councils, the Church, and similar matters.

At Lyttelton on Saturday, before Captain Whitby, J. P., Patrick Reilly and Brien Kennedy, for being drunk and climbing on to a railway train in motion; were fined 10s each. The Bench commended the prompt action of the acting-guard. Packer, who had saved the men from imminent danger of serious injury or death.

sA correspondent writing from Mount Soraers says a 14ft eeam of coal was struck last week on the Woolehed Fiat Coal Company's mine, about six miles above tim Mount Somen* ratiway-station. Mr John Orr t merciiant, Ashburton, is chairman of the company. Arrangements are un<k-r way for tht> Hon. W. Hall-Jones to visit the localilv shortly.

Ovtr 200 shetp arrived in Wellington from Lyitelton on Friday morning by the Pvotomaliaua. • They were principally hcuthdowns and English and Border Leicester.-, and were shipped by Messrs Field and IWils for NoiLh Island client* The Suutiidowns were bred by Mr John Deans, of Canterbury. the English Lfckcster* by Mr Tut ton, of Amberley, mid the Bonier Leicester;* by Mr (liant, of Timaru. Me.--.sis Fii-ld and "Royds's representative (says our Wellington lorresI'tndent) state Una South Island dealer* leund it quitf impossible to eupply the demands of the North Island for Southdowns tlii.-s year.

In vitw of t-he p<"tt that small birds have bect-m* in N't-.v ZeaLuul, the lollowing paragraph, from -'Casse'il's Illustrated Family Paper.' , of October 15th. 1859, will excite' soiite derisive comment : — "U.so of !>pM.ri-ows.—Three hundred sparrows, carefully selected from the b.st lreduerowa in England, have been lately sent to New Zealand. The food tx\vni' put on board for them cost £18. The necessity cf small birds to keep down the grubs that devastate the crops in that colony has long been felt. The farmer is beset with myriads of caterpillars. Should the sparrow become acclimatised and multiply, the greatest benefit will liave been conferred on the country.

There has just been sent to London «> the Papanui the largest shipment of butter that ever left New Zealand. It amounted to 1115 tons, made up as follows : —From Wellington, 341 tons; Taranaki, 277J, tons; Patea, 1934 tons; Auckland. 153 tons; Lyttelten, 75 tons; Diuiedin 59 tons; Bluff, 14 tons At present quotations, tl»« value of thj butter at Home is £105 per ton, which would make the butter in the Taiatfiui holds worth £116,865. In addition to the butter, there are 275 tons of cheese on board—lss tons from Wellington. 91 tons from the Bluff, 19 tons from Lyttelton, said 10 ton* from Dunedm Cheese at Home is quoted at £62 a ton, and at that price the shipment is worth £17,050. On the same working,, the total value of the dairy produce on the steamer amounts to £133,915.

Mr Henry Festiug Jones, a. friend of t-ho kte Samuel Butler, writes as follows from London to Mr O. T. J. Alpere:—'l Juive told you that Streatfield is Butlers literary executor. He lias given to the British -museum nil tho MSS. of 'Krewlion' ar.d 'Erewhon Re-visited/ and I have written to Vurallo offering them the MS of 'Ex Voto' to the town; to Acireale, offering them tho MS. of the translation of the 'Odyssey to them; Mid to Trapani. offering them tsie MS. of the 'Authoress of the Odyssey.' It has occurred ito us that possibly the Library or Museum or town of Christchuich would like- the MS. of one of -his books; one naturally thinks of 'A Year in Canterbury Settlement.' There may be some difficulty about that because though legally it may faave been S.B.'e property, he had not got it; possibly he destroyed it, or it may be in the possession of his eister, representing liia father, who saw it through the press, and they may wish to keep it. But there would be no difficulty about your having the 'MS. of one of the other books if you think the town would value it. At the some time I do not like the idea < <f 'Life and Habit' going out of tlxU country: perhaps you Would choose one of the remaining books."

Our cycle rejiairing capacity ie 30 to 60 machines daily. We .have the most complete manufacturing plknt in Australasia, therefore we can effect the most intricate xopaira faithfully and reasonably. Oates, Lowry and Uo., "Zealandia" Cycle Works, Christc'hurch. 4746

A sure indication of the prosperity of Canterbury ds the suocese of the D.I.C. great clearing sale. Enormous crowds throng tliis iinnienso e.sta,bli»hmefifc dailyThe management declare that this sale as the most successful, so far, they have ev;r held , . This i» accounted for by the fact that every article is reduced and marked at sale price, ami also by the genuine bargains offered! in every deipairtnient. For this week the D.I.C. are advertising further bargains, and reductions in ail departments. %2

Wanted Known —Jewellery sole, for one month, of watchee, clocks, rings, brooohes, end aU other classes of jewellery, cold at greatly reduced prices. K. Qrieshaber, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 185 Colombo street. '463

3*000,000 Envelopes, well assorted; 2000 reams note and letter papers, good and oheap; folio papers, every size and quality. Thousands account books, all sizes and bindings, now on sale by H. J. Wood and Co., at unpreeedentedly low prices. Office requisites and stationers' sundries, of best quality. Large new stock of photo, albums and photo, frames. Thousands of new books, just landed, aieo immense assortment of cheap reading. A great eale of tnncy goods upstairs. Inspection invited by H. J. Wood and Co., Stationers' Hall, High street. Remember the whole fitcek ie to be sold off. 2362

If you have the faintest suspicion that your eyes are not just right, if they bother you in any way, it's best to have them examined at once. Do not go to the avvTage optician or spectacle seller, for h& ie unable to distinguish between optical defect* and diseases, but consult John R. Procter, 180 High street, Christenurcb, who will give you a thorough examination free of charge. 2115

For a really reliable watch the public can do no better than call at M. Bandstein and Son, Cashel street. Special Xtal lever, 12 months' guarantee, 255. Their large stock of greenstone goods is well worth inspection. Those requiring engagement or dress rings ehould see their choice selection. —(Advt.)

Those who have friends in the Old Country could not do better than send them one of Messrs Tribe and Co.'s photo screens, depictive of New Zealand flora and rare Maori carvings. We understand these are given away free to every purchaser to the value of 20s and upwards. 8

Dinner and tea set*.—Fletcher Bros, have just opened up another fine assortment ot dinner sets from 19s 6d uparards, tea sets from 7s 9d, bedToom ssta from 13e 9d, Ohina cups and saucers, W. and G., 2s lid, itink and celeste, 3 gold lines, 3e 6d, plain unite earthenware Is 9d, all at half-dozen. Fletcher Bros., China and glassware importers, Lower High Street, Chrirtdsurch. —<Advt.)

BicydtM for 1903. Just arrived, shipment ex c.». Turakina, o( new Hudeon'i latest models. Ladies and genta. Adams Sun Oycle Depot, 136 Lower High etreet.

How ia it done, the prices are so ridiculously low? is the question asked by hundreds who visit Beath's great sale. The drawer is, they mark very many of the lots regardless of cost, sw that a clearaiioe is certain. Don'i mias the following bargains: —Black lace, worth Is 6d and Is lid, all 6£d yard ; wide pink flannelettes, desperate bargains, 4s lid, 5s lid, 6s lid, 7s lid dozen ; lace, job lot, 4s lid for dozen. 9s 6d f<w 3e 9d doeesi ; costumes, in serge, cloth, ■ peque, avid drill, 21s t<, 37a 6d, all 7s lid; black esteen blouses, 7s 6d for 4s 6d. Beaih's, Ca&he , atxMt, »» window*. 1

Yje, s>ir! The "McCornvick"' reaper and binder has -won every field trial of importance in Europe the la*t two seasons. 5001