TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17279, 21 September 1916, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

The Lyttelton Mariue Band will play a programme of music in the band rotunda, Lyttelton, to-night, at eig.it o’clock-

in response to his appeal, the Bishop of Christchurch begs to acknowledge tho following subscriptions" to the Hornchurch llut Fund:—Miss Alice Bowron £l, Mrs Smith (late of Kaiapoi) £l, Miss Moorhouse £2, E.M.K. (Waikari) £l.

At tho close of the evening service at Durham Street Methodist Church on Sunday Mr and Mrs Ernest Firth will give an organ and vocal recital, when a retiring collection will be taken to provide Christmas gifts for the fifty church members on active service.

At the meeting o[r the Spreydon Borough Council last night a letter was received from the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon G. W. Russell), drawing attention to section 13 of the Cost of Living Act, 1915, and stating that the Government was prepared to consider applications from borough councils for the making of regulations conferring the powers contained in that section. Tho Mayor (Mr W. H. Winsor) said lie thought that municipalities should help in tho matter if it was possible. There was -a good deal of overlapping in certain trades, and this naturally increased the cost of living. Councillor O’Rourke contended that tho Government had started at the wrong end of tho stick. It was the high price of land that had increased the cost of living. Tho letter was referred to tho Finance Committee for a report. In tho course of a. letter to tho secretary of cho Auckland Orphans’ Club, Sir Charles P. Lucas, who visited New Zealand a few years ago in tho capacity as one of the Commissioners on behalf of tho British Government, and who spent several days in Christchurch, says: “Dio Orphans are indeed doing their duty in sending so many of the club to fight for tho Empire. I fear the Now Zealanders have lost many of their number, as wo havo all lost, but their work will never be forgotten ns long as there is a- British Empire; and tho eauso is steadily going forward towards ultimate success. _ '■ lie overseas’ soldiers are now, I think, rs much at homo in London as the Londoners themselves, and it will scorn quito strange, when peace comes, not to meet them in the streets. I passed a very fins Now Zealand hospital at Waltou-on-Thames tho other day, and the convalescents wore much iu evidence.”

Mr P. Miller, of Pukokoho Hill Auckland, in a letter to the “ Now Zealand Herald,” condemns the proposal to introduce the grey opossum into certain districts of the Auckland province. “ Having lived for over thirty years in Australia when grey opossums were very plentiful,” he says, “ I claim to know as much as most Australians on the subject They gr-.y opossum is an excellent judgo of good flavoured fruit, apples, pears rncj poaches being his favourites. Wo were so troubled by thorn iu our orchard that we tried tying dogs under the trees that were the opossums’ special favourites. On several _ occasions on goine to loose the dogs in the morning 1 have found opossums up the trees, having stolen a march on tho dogs while they were asleep. The falling fruit or smell of opossum awoke tho dog, who kept him prisoner until my arrival. The grey opossum is also a great pest on potatoes growing in the field or in the pit; also on lip.o wheat. I have seen half a chain wide round the outside of a crop not worth reaping when tho pest ’ r '"' ""7””.' . . I well remember one moonlight mght going around with my i*. > mg twenty-five in about an hour in nearest trees to the wheat crop. Those remarks refer to the grey opossum, as I have never como in contact with tho black ones.”

Iu support of the Methodist Home Missions Fund, a meeting was held last evening at the Rugby Street Church, when tho main feature of the proceedings was an interesting lecure on tho ‘‘Mystery and History of the Maori." by the Rev Robert Haddon, tho wellknown worker among the Maoris. There was a. very good attendance, and the Mayor (Mr R. Holland) presided. The lecturer dealt in a very interesting manner with tho ancient and modern history of the race, beginning with the early migrations, aud describing ancient customs, legends, the marriage customs, and tho work of the early missionaries. In conclusion, Mr Haddon gave some details of his ancestry, and of his career, and spoke _of his work among the Maoris, and his fight against the drink traffic, he having been instrumental in obtaining, the prohibition of the drink traffic in Taranaki, and later in all Maori areas. He also described the efforts to break up the pa system, and to improve the social atmosphere, and said that on the west coast of Taranaki, tho Natives were coming back to Christianity, He had recently married nine couples at one service," but got no marriage fees. Rut lotelv lie attended another wedding. and the chief gave him a five nound note. That showed they were being educated. (Laughter.) . The war had checked tho Maori mbs'on work, and help was needed. 'White rmople should always remember when t.Vmv saw a Maori drunk that it was white people who taught the Maoris to drink. A collector was taken up on behalf of tho Home Mission Fund I/iasby’s “Stop It,” cures coughs ouickly.' Suits all ages. Pleasant to take—-Is 6d, 2s 6d, 4s Cd.. Chemists and' grocers. X

Don’t let your children grow up without their being frequently photographed by Steffano Wobb, 252, High Street, and mail their photographs away iu time to reach Home for Xmas. 3 “ Prompt, Efficient, Economical.— Ibis is tho kind of service you get iu Customs, Shipping and Forwarding Work by making use of J 7 M. Hoywood and Coy., Ltd., Manchester Street, near Clock Tower.” X

A pathetic letter was received by the Mayor to-day. It is from Mrs C. A. Frae’*, of Tualiivvi, and enclosed a onepound note. Mrs Fraer stated that the sum was the savings of a little boy who was drowned, and it was sent to the Mayor by his mother to he used for relieving distress amongst Belgian children.

A meeting of the retail employees of W. St ran go and Co., Ltd., was held on Monday evening to consider the question of giving further assistance to the various patriotic funds. After some discussion, it was decided to make the following contributions:— Rod Cross “ Our Dnv ” Fund £25, Nurses’ Christmas Gift Fund £5 ss. Soldiers’ Christinas Gift Fund £lO 10s. Chaplains’ Fund £lO 10s, making a total of £sl ss. Tho figures issued by the Labc/ar Department for the week ending September 16 show that during that pc'

eighteen married and thirteen singlo men have applied for work. .Work lias been found for fourteen men, ten of that number being employed by the Government. Work is still required for seventeen men. Tho only work offering at present is at tho Culvevdcr ballast pit and on the Bealcy tunnel works.

“A groat story is going the round of the trenches about ono of the Parlliamcntary visitors,” writes a Gisborne soldier in France. “ The visitor was fitted out in a lieutenant's tunic, and of course the star on the uniform got the salute it was entitled to from all tho inen who were passed. The member was greatly delighted, and insisted on shaking hands with all who saluted him, thinking ho was being recognised by old supporters. Ho said to nearly all: ‘ I know your face, where have I seen you beforeP’ and did quite a_ lot of electioneering in the trenches. Nevertheless he was a sport. At one flaoe he was in, the Huns opened a ombardment and between shots he was out front under cover looking for curios. Another member grew rather excited when shown three aeroplane photographs of the sector he had been over. Ho seized the hand of one of the officers and shaking it vigorously said. 'Man, to-day I have lived; yes, lived, lived, lived.’ ” Mr Frank Connor, ono of the northwest cattle kings, and for many years a member of the Queensland Legislative Council, met his death recently under tragic circumstances near Bunbury. Mr Connor had arranged a kangaroo hunt, and was accompanied on tho expedition by Mrs Connor and the Rev Father Roggero. About four o’clock in the afternoon Mr Connor went into an ante-room, the dimensions of which aro sft by 3ft, to obtain the guns. A few minutes later lie called Mrs Connor, for what purpose cannot bo conjectured. When Mrs Connor reached the room she found tho door shut. In order to open the door, which was defective, she had to throw her wcigiiT against it, with the result that it flew open suddenly and struck Mr Connor on the elbow while lie was standing behind it, and apparently engaged in loading the gun. The weapon immediately went off, and the whole charge entered Mr Connor’s head. Death was instantaneous.

A farewell message was delivered at Auckland on Sunday to abc'at thirty Niue Island .soldiers who have returned as unfit from the front, by tho Hon Dr Pomare, Minister in charge of Cook and other Islands Administration, arm chairman of the Maori Contingent Re cruiting Committee, prior to their departure for their homes. Since their return from active service tho Native, were accommodated at the Auckland Hospital Annexo and at tho Epsom Convalescent Home. Dr Pcmaro expressed liis pleasure at the fact that' the Niue Islanders had offered to assist tho Empire in'tho way they had done, and said ho regretted that the climate in the land to which they had been sent did not agree with them. The Natives had shown a fine spirit, ana their experienco abroad would stand them in good stead when tlrev returned to Niuo. The discipline they hau learned would enable them to assist in the progress of their Island home. The speaker said tho Empire and the Government would not forget what had boon done by the people of the Niuo Islands in the great war. A easo heard at tho Supremo Court yesterday boforo his Honor Mr Justio Ponniston presented peculiar features. The plaintiff, a widow, held a life tenancy of a property under her late husband’s will. Tho lands on which the building is situated were bequeathed to other than the widow, subject to the trusts of the will. The trustees, who wpre named as defendants, included the plaintiff, and she sued tho trustees to obtain the Court’s direction as to whether moneys amounting to £ll4 spent on improvements to the property should bo paid out of tue j capital or tho income of the estate. His Honor remarked teat it was not tho English practice to permit a plaintiff to be joined to defendants of an action, though he admitted that it was permitted in New Zealand. Another peculiar feature was that the solicitor for defendant had to admit that he could not oppose the claim of tire plaintiff (who, as defendant, was his client). The question at issue was really a matter for his Honor to decide. His Honor remarked on the peculiarity of counsel being unable to offer suggestions or assist in arriving at a conclusion. Counsel for defendant replied that he was merely acting as solicitor for defendant, and tho nature of the transaction made it clear to him that ho could not oppose plaintiff’s claim.

In an interview just before the last mail loft England Mr Parr, M.P., speaking' of the marriage of soldiers, said: “A few soldiers marry French girls with the idea of taking wives back to tho colonies, but this is nor encouraged in England. lam sorry to say some Now Zealand lads have entered into improvident marriages, though, of course, tho same thing has happened in regard to boys from other dominions. This is being stopped, and it is now necessary to get the consent of tlio commanding officer, which prevents men from marrying women who marry just for tho sake of tho separation allowance and pension, which there is reason to believe has happened in some cases. A funny thing occurred recently. Two Maoris brought two girls and their mother to the officer commanding, and told him that they had agreed to get married. The officer, who was an Auckland man, pointed out that to take these ladies back to a pa in New Zealand was unthinkable. One Maori, however, disclaimed any desire to leave England after ho was married. He informed the commander that the mother of his sweetheart kept an hotel in Manchester and that alter his marriage lie was invited to stay as a guest at the tel for an indefinite period Needless to say flu- commanding officer’s consent was not forthcoming.”

“ Livo and Learn.” —Take advantage of others’ experience. Thousands praise Brster’s Lung Preserver as the surest remedy for coughs and colds. Don't experiment longer—use and benefit by “ Baxter’s,” the best. Is lOd buys big bottle anywhere. 1

As soldiers have no room for useless impedimenta friends will be .advised to give practical gifts such as Military Service Compasses, with the aid of which bearings can bo ascertained by dav or by night with perfect accuracy. John It. Procfor, of 200, High Street, has a fine selection of these most useful articles at various prices. 0

Pleasure in graceful lino and wellbalanced form are universally inborn. My portraits are based on simple, natural linos, yet with full appreciation of tho artistic responsibilities they entail. H. H. CliFord. Studio, 153, Cashel Street. X

Tho spring show of the Canterbury Horticultural Society will be held today in tho Art Gallory, commencing at 2 p.m. The Auckland waterside workers’ resolved yesterday to ask for a public inquiry into the recent acid explosion on the Monowai, by which a number of men were injured. Tho lecture which was to be given by Mr W. Martin to-night in the Y.M.G.A. in connection with flic teachers and school committees has been postponed until Thursday, September 28.

In connection with tho New Zealand Board of Industries, a public meeting will bo held in the Chamber of Commerce, at eight o’clock this evening, The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) will preside. and it is expected that representative citizens, connected with all classes of trade and industry will bo present. The speakers will bo Messrs J. A. Frostick, G. T. Booth and A. Yv. Beaven.

Some excitement was caused on tho ferry wharf at Lyttelton last evening prior to the departure of tho Pateena. It is the custom to draw tho luggage vans along tho wharf by horses, and last night one of tho vaus was being drawn alongside tho hold of the steamer when a lady pushed a pram containing a baby directly in front of it, her view being obscured by the ticket box. Hearing the woman scream, Mr Gillespie, railway yard foreman, sprang forward, and, although he was not ablo to prevent the perambulator being knocked over, hauled it away before the wheels could pass over it. The baby was unhurt, but the hood of . the perambulator was smashed. Mr Gillespie sustained abrasions of the bands and injured bis right arm. At the Juvenile Court yesterday, before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., a girl of seventeen (for whom Mr Dart appeared) was charged on the information of the mother with being an idle and disorderly person in that she had no lawful means of support. Tho mother asked for an adjournment to enable her to get a solicitor. Tho Magistrate said that there .was not much in the case, as far as the police report went. He asked the mother why she had taken the proceedings. The mother said that the girl should be under a firm hand. Tho Magistrate said that tho girl was keeping company with a man who was quite respectable, according to the police, and was earning her own living. Mr Dart said that the girl was living with respectable folk, who were prepared to keep her. The Magistrate, in granting an adjournment until Friday, said that in any case he would not bo likely to order the girl t» go back to her mother. Ho would allow her to stay meanwhile with the people that she had been staying with. < Among tho thousands of passengers carried by the Union Steam Ship Company, each year, it would bo too much to expect that all would make the trip without leaving behind some article of luggage or apparel, and a glance at tho miscellaneous collection on view yesterday at Messrs Brown, Little and Company’s auction rooms, showed that many things aro lost to sight, and not subsequently claimed. It would appear that men aro more careful than women to see that they take away all that belongs to them, for although the “lostluggage” offered for sale vesterciay included 6uch masculine articles as safety razors, walking sticks and cigarette cases, most of the goods were belongings of the other sex. Umbrellas and sunshades are apparently very easy to overlook, and several brushes and combs were left behind*! It seems strange that ladies should forget their purses and handbags, but there were several of these among the articles auctioned. Jewellery left behind included watches and brooches, and among the articles of clothing were ladies and children’s hats and coats and boots and shoes. Men forgot their overcoats more than any other item of their outfits, but perhaps the most unexpected “passenger’s luggage” left behind was a motor horn. A number of cushions and books, evidently “wauled on the voyago ” only, and various mysterious parcels were also included in the collection submitted by the auctioneer. A recent Army order, warning soldiers against the folly of disclosing military information, eithei in letters from the front or by unguarded conversation in public places, deserves the attention of every man to whom it is addressed, writes the London correspondent of the “Sydney Morning Herald.” ■ It is quite obvious that military information which ought to be secret is freely bandied about in Tendon, where, at clubs and restaurants, and in other such places, attentive ears can catch and do catch hints of things that should be kept carefully out of their range. It is understood that when it is detected the punishment for this class of misdemeanour is short and sharp—as more than one carelessly garrulous officer has discovered to his cost. The present Amy order is a result, it is understood, of the enemy’s very thorough acquaintance with the date of tho beginning of the British offensive, as a consequence of which his preparation for it was complete enough to disturb the course of some of the earlier operations. There is undoubtedly too much free and easy talking* of this kind in the public places o' London. The knowledge of Lore Kitchener’s proposed visit- to Russia, for examnlc, was quite widespread, and now we have soon a project so essentially secret as the date and place of a long-prepared advance a. matter of club and dinner-table gossip. MORE PROOF OF “8.5. A.” RELIABILITY. This is the rim pie story of the recent Australian 24 Hours Motor-cycle Reliability Trial,, conducted bv the Victorian Motor Cycling Club. There were sixty entries, and forty-eight actual starters, the great majority of the starters being mounted on big twincylinder machines. Out of the fortyeight three were “8.5. A.” riders, all with side-cars. Tim result of the S;dccar Section, under 600 c.e.. was as follow:—D. Y. Rennie (“8.5.A.”). 1; F. L. Yott ,(“ 8.5. A.”), 2; E. Tayior (“8.5.A.”). 3. The only other make to return three machines with no points Inst was n. “big twin” American machine. which had no fewer than twelve starters. Air D. Y. Rennie’s porformnnce has hpen especially commended bv tho Victorian newspapers, because It was bis first essay at a relinbilitv trial. It is the story of the New South Wales trial over again. In that trialthree “B-S.A.’s” started, and they were winners of first, second and third prizes in the side-ear section. _ Inc’dentallv, the weather conditions being vorv severe, they were the onlv maebines to finish at all in the side-cay section. In the more recent Victorian Trial the weather conditions were ideal, and Hie percentage of machines to complete the journey was corriderablv larger. Nevertheless, the “ 8.5. A.” team acquired the very highest honours it was possible for it to attain, and maintained the “BS.A.” record rf “ three entries—the three fkst prizes.” Vo are now showing the new 1917 ser ic= 44 h.p., three speed, “ B.S.A.’ c .” in which are incorporated many useful improvements. Call and have a look at them. Adams. Ltd. A fronts for “8.5. A.” Motor-cycles; Headquarters Motor-evele and Showrooms. i- T igh Street. Christchurch. <G. B. Brown, Motor-cycle Department Representative.) 189 S