TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 6

TOWN AND COUNTRY.

To-day (Dominion Dny') will lie observed as a holiday by the Government offices and banks.

Owing to trouhlo having been caused to tramwav motormcn in Auckland by dazzling headlights on motor-cars, the police throughout the city have been instructed to enforce the authority they possess uuder the Lights on \ chicles Act.

“ Pooplo complain of tho price of butter to-dny,” said Mr John Barnett in reminiscent vein at Tai Tapu on Saturday, “ but when I was a boy we used to walk over from hero to Lyttelton carrying our butter, and tho people used to come and meet ns arid give us half-n-crown for every pound of it.' The Citizens’ Defence Corps Band held its usual concert and recruiting meeting in Cathedral Square on Saturday evening, when there was a good attendance. Tho Mayor, who presided, after appealing for recruits to help the shortage in Westland, urged all young men going to tho front to become members of tho Overseas Club, so that if invalided in England they might avail themselves of the many privileges the club extended to its members from overseas. Tho speaker for the evening was tho Rev J. J. North, who delivered a stirring recruiting speech. The collection was in aid of the Lady Liverpool Fund, to provide Christmas parcels for men in the firing line in France. An officer of the ship that conveyed portion of the Thirteenth Reinforcements to their destination has loud praises to sing on behalf of tbe troops. The troops, who were under Major Turner, were most exemplary in their behaviour; in fact, the officer stated, thoy were tho best-behaved lot that had been taken from Now Zealand by that ship. Every part of the ship was kept in* good order, and the fatigue parties were most assiduous in their duties. The “New Zealand Times” states that the ship was two months on the voyage, so that the nerves of some of the soldiers could, with justification, be excused for being frayed somewhat. The citizens in the various ports called at had mado a point of expressing their apnrociation of tho fine behaviour of the members of the special part of the Thirteenths referred to.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the foundation stono of the Darfield Soldiers' Memorial Home on Saturday, Mr G. Witty] M.P.. said that much iiupiovcmcnt had been effected in the district by the clearing of gorsc from unoccupied sections, especially since the •inception of the Malvern County Counoil. There were, however, still a good many areas of gorse-covercd land, and some of this property was Crown-own-ed. He thought the Government should allow the uso of this land to men willing to clear it. (Hear, hear.) The Hon G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, said that if the Malvern County Council would forward a requisition to the Government that unoccupied or non-vested Crown sections should be leased to approved men, and would arrange that the sums so received should go towards the tmkeep of public facilities such as a library, he would bo prepared to give tho request his most capable consideration. T*>e emincil could communicate with Mr W ; tty on the subject.

That tickling, irritating cough will disappear if you take Loa-sby's “ Stop It ” —ls 6d, 2s 6d, 4s 6d.' Chemists and grocprs. * X Yon will never look better than in the photograph we will make of you. Send one Home for Christmas- Steffano Webb, 252, High Street. IX Cooking by Electricity—Miss Trent will give a demonstration in her Electrical Kitchen on Tsesday, 20th inst . at 3 p.m. X

11l response to Jiis appeal the Bishop of Christchurch acknowledges receipt of £1 from J. C. Adams towards the Hornchurch Hut Fund. Tho slackening of the scarlet fevor epidemic has enabled the Christchurch Hospital authorities to remove the restrictions on visiting the hospital, and yesterday afternoon there was a record attendanco of patients’ relatives and friends.

Tho concert hold in the Riccarton Town Hall on Saturday evening in aid of the Riccarton Rand of Hope (RAW.) and tho Y.M.C.A. Hutment Funds was very successful, a large attendance being secured. An excellent and varied programme was presented, and the numerous vocal, instrumental and elocutionary items were much enjoyed by lno audience. On Saturday it was announced that for tho purpose of purchasing horses for tho mounted riilos tho remount odicer would bo in attendance at the Addington Show Grounds to-day, at Ashburton to-morrow, at Rangiora on Wednesday, at Oxford on Thursday, and at Lceston on Friday. Owing to now circumstances having arisen it has been found impossible to carry out this programme, and in tho meantime it has been cancelled. It is expected, however, that new arrangements for meeting owners of horses will be made shortly, and the remount officer’s fixtures will be advertised.

When the Sixteenth Reinforcements were leaving the band rotunda, a lad placed, in the hands of one of the departing soldiers a small parcel, but Lhere was no timo for explanations. ■«nd the receiver did not know the giver. On gettiug aboard the boat the parcel was opened, revealing a pocketbook, but unfortunately a piece oi paper which had been enclosed with it and which, no doubt, contained the name of the donor, was carried away by the wind and fell into the sea. Tingift is one which the receiver very warmly and he is. anxiousto get into touch with the giver. A letter addressed to 244 Ivilmoro Street west, will be forwarded to the soldier The difficulty in obtaining supplies of steel for public works was referred to by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon W. Fraser, in Auckland.- Steel at present, ho said, could not be obtained from Great Britain at any price. Recently a contract was let for tho erection of a bridge, containing a large quantity of steel, across the Waikato River at- Ngaruawahia. The tenddr was based on a high price for steel, but after tho contract was signed it was discovered that tho steel could not be obtained. Tho question of what shall lie done in the matter has not yet been decided. The Public Works Department, Mr Fraser snvs. finds that it cannot get tho class of steel required from America.

A meeting of the united preachers of the' Christchurch Methodist churches was held at Addington on Thursday evening. The president of the Mehtodis* Church (the Rev A. C. Lawry) delivered an inspiring and encouraging address on tho work of the preacher. During tho evening mention was made of the death of Brother "VV. Craddock, who for fifty years had been a preacher in tho Church. Several of the members testified to Brother Craddock’s sterling qualities, both as a preacher and a citizen, and the meeting recorded its deep sympathy with his family in their bereavement. Mention was also made of tho sickness of Brother B. Gott, who for many years had laboured faitlifullv as a. preacher in the Church, and high appreciation was shown of his character as a citizen.

Tho possibility of profitable employment- being found for partially disabled soldiers in tho production of potash from seaweed has beeu brought under tlio uotieo of tho Government by-Mr R *R„ Hunt, of Auckland. In a letter recently sent to the* Hon A. L. Herdman, Minister in charge of the Dischargedl Soldiers’ Employment Department, Mr Hunt pointed out that seaweed abounds in largo quantities on certain portions of tbo New Zealand coast. It is pointed out that, before tho Stnssfurth potash deposits in Germany wero developed a great deal of potash was produced from seaweed cast up on tho coast of Scotland. A similar industry is now providing work for a largo number of people on the coast of California. A sample of dried weed from the Hon E. Mitchelson’s property on the West Coast has been forwarded to the Minister. Mr Herdmau has replied stating that the matter will have his careful consideration.

The plucky action of Mounted Constable 'itorko in rescuing a man from almost certain death by being run over by a train was related in the ‘Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, when a first offender- was being charged with drunkenness. Inspector Bendvey stated that tho constable was on duty on the Butt road, when he observed what appeared to be a man sitting on the railway Ijno at a spot where tho train takes a steep inclmo and enters tho tunnel. With considerable promptitude and presence of mind, Constable Roche dismounted and scrambled up the stceo bank. Ho called out to tho iran, who merely stood up and remained on the line, apparently oblivious of impending danger. Breathless, tho ooustable at last reached the line, and had just time to grip the man’s coat and drag him to the side of the rails when the express train dashed out of the tunnel. The man was not actually drunk, but the constable arrested ‘him for his own protection.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has been criticised in Auckland concerning the liberation of opossums in the Auckland district. The Minister made a reply to these criticisms in Wellington last' week. “The information in'the hands of the Department.” said Mr Russell, “clearly indicates that it is not desirable that opossums should bo liberated in fruit districts. They are, however, capable of being made a most valuable asset in bush districts. Not only is the skin of the opossum a marketable commodity, but it is one of considerable value, ranging from 14s to 21s. and there is an assured market for these skins. If liberated in the backblocks districts they are likely to prove a welcome source of income to the bush settler in the earlier days of his occupation. The information we have is that these opossums do not injure grasses or feed that is' required for stock, as they live upon •shoots and leaves of trees. In one bush district in the South Island £60,000 worth of skins were obtained in ouo year. Provided the animals are confined to bush districts, tliero seems to me to he no reason whatever wliv they should not be extensively distributed throughout the North Island.” Cricket Material from all tlio leading makers now to hand at Lewis and Anderson Ltd. ' Aa

Dustless Cleaning.—Messrs Hastio, Bull and Pickering are showing today’s methods of cleaning. Their latest Vacuum Cleaner is a marvel. It is simply pushed along like a Carpet Sweeper, and the dust is drawn up like magic! Price 455, Dustless Mops 3s 9d to 8s 6d, a Dustless Broom 7s 6d Dustless Dusters, etc., are also shown. 4391

Lawn Mowers and Rollers, Spades, Forks, Rakes, Hoes, Grass Shears. \V 5 have, the best lines possible. Lewis and Anderson, Ltd., Cashel Street. X2 For summer sports—Cricket, tennis and bowling trousers Os lid, 8s liu, 12s Od; grey flannel ditto 7s lid, 12s Gd; hats 2s 6d, 2s lid: white felts 4s Gd, 5s Gd; blazers 8s lid, 12s Gd. Armstrong’s, Ltd. 1 Pleasure in graceful line and wellbalanced form are universally inborn. My portraits are based on simple, natural lines, yet with full appreciation of tho artistic responsibilities they entail. H. H. Clif'o-d. Studio, 153, Cashel Street.

The manager of tlio Christchurch Receiving Home acknowledges with thanks receipt of a bag of vegetables from the principal of the School for the I>cnf, Sumner, which was carted free by Messrs Gibbs Bros,, Sumner. Mr G. W. Forbes, M.P., has received a letter from the Hon W Fraser, Minister of Public Works, stating that he will be engaged for another month in tho North Island, after which he will come to Christchurch, when ho will be prepared to receive public bodies in connection with tho matter of grants- “ When I was a boy, I thought the late Mr Robert Rhodes tho finest man I had over seen,” said Mr John Barnett at Tai Tapu on Saturday. “ Every time he saw mo ho gave me lialf-a-crown.” Remarking that he was nowapproaching his second childhood, he trusted that the Hon R. Rhodes would not forget his jdther’s example. (Laughter.) , Hundreds were turned away from the crowded Colosseum -on Saturday night, when Dr Platts Mills lectured to women on “ Social Diseases.” Mrs J. Wilson presided. Tho lecturer dealt in pointed fashion with the social scourges and was followed throughout her discourse with intense interest. At tho conclusion of the lecture she was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks. Tho lecture will bo repeated this evening. It is not always easy to define real progress, but Mr G. Witty, M.P., speaking at Darficld on Saturday, in congratulating tho residents on the growth the township had made of late rears, said that among other signs of progress lie noticed since his first visit to the township were the handsome Cmirthouso, tho constable, and more recently a doctor and an undertaker. Fortunately, lie added, none of the last-named three was called upon to do much.

Week-enders were treated to glorious weather on Saturday and yesterday and tko hills and seaside resorts claimed a heavy toll of visitors, the tramway traffio yesterday being particularly heavy. Some excitement was caused at New Brighton during the course of the afternoon by a horse backing 'a trap into No. 10 cur, breaking a car frindow and causing the horse to fall down. Nobody was hurt. From half-past nine onward last night the city and suburbs were wrapped in a dense fog.

A meeting of shoepfarmers and others interested will bo held oh Wednesday, October 4, at tho Chamber ot Commerce, Christchurch, to consider tho question of tho commandeering of meat by tho Imperial Government and the discrepancy in tho prices received by the .producer and the prices retailed at Home, and also to secure representation on any committee cr board set up to arrange prices for produce, freights, etc. The meeting has been convened liv Mr W. P Parkinson, president of tho Canterbury Shcepowners' Union, and Mr G. D. Greenwood, chairman of the North Canterbury Sheepfarmers’ Freezing Company.

During the course of a few remarks at Rapaki on Saturday afternoon. Mr E. A. Hastings made reference to the patriotic manner in which the Maoris had answered the Empire’s call. He said the imputation of Rapaki was sixty-four all told. and. out of that •'umber no fewer than nine had fought for their country, whilo two others had been rejected on accoulft of their inability to pass the doctor. Several of those who had gone forth bore wounds received on Gallipoli, while others were still in the thick of the conflict. His own son. with others, had laid down his life for King and country. Mr Hastings’s remarks drew forth hearty nDplau.se, and at a subsequent stage of the proceedings the Hon R. Moore congratulated the Rapaki Maoris on their uoblo response.

Speaking: at tho' opening of the wharf at Rapaki on Saturday, Mr Cyrus J.. R. Williams, engineer and secretary of tlio Lyttelton Horboui Hoard, said that with the exception or the railway, tho whole of the timber used in the construction of the jet+y ww? in tho vicinity of thirty years old. It had seen good servico in Lyttelton, but ho had no hesitation in saymg Mi<vt it was in excellent condition that day and many of the youths of the pa would grow up to be men before it would outgrow its usefulness. It certainly spoke well for the quality of the timber, “ Gallinol, Jetty,’’ conceded Mr Williams. ‘Mias cost a°on+ AISU. hut a jetty of new timber would nave amounted to four times that sum Had the board been asked to spend the -latter sum T don’t suppose you would have had one built.” Mr A. Fitzgerald, of Ashburton, received bv post on Saturday a sample of the latest typo of British gas helmet. In appearance, states the “ Ashburton Guardian,” it is like a small sugar-bag, only thematenalis flannel, which is saturated with some chemical. Two rounds of glass are placed in the “bag ’ to enable the soldier to see. In order that the weaver mav breathe a tube is inserted which the soldier holds between bis teeth as lie would tho stem of a pipe. Ho can then breathe out, but not in, the tubo working oil the principle Oi a bicycle valve. The helmet is placed over tho head, and the skirt of the bag is tucked under the coat- Tim whole tiring looks very crude, but evidently answers the purpose for S, it was designed. • Save Money 1 Champion White Dinner Ware, 32 pieces, easily replaced, 27s 6d ; also the ‘ ‘ Ideal ’’ Blue Pattern at 31s 6d; High Grade Chester, 47s Si fall set G7s Cd. Try Dm*.'., Colombo Street. '*Bl “Tho weakest go to the wall”—Be strong and healthy. . Take Baxters Liin" Preseiwer to resist coughs, colds and "throat trembles. _ Nothing else so -rood. Splendid tonic, tob. Get a bottle to-day. Is 10d everywhere. 2 All this week special millinery offerings—Beautiful specimens newest sprmg hats 21s, at Armstrong’s. Thirty-four-inch Tussore Is 5Jd, white Jap Is, black aud coloured poplins, 40inch, Is Hd: newest French voiles, 40ineb 2s lid; 40-incli coloured gabardines Is lid, at Armstrong’s. 3

THE “B S \ ’’—THE UNIVERSAL MOTOR-CYCLE. Tlio “8.5. A.” motor-cycle or the most recent model, wijli three-speed (countershnft) gear, represents the practical attainment of an fdcal towards which British motor-cycle engineers have been working tor many years past—an economical machine, suited for either solo or side-car service, and capable of giving absolutely satisfactory service, on an economical basis, in either capacity. This result has been possible owing to two factors—the perfection of the design of the smgleevlinder type of engine, and tho perfection of a gearing system especially adapted to the motor-cycle. The tremendous efne’ency of the sincle-evb'n-der oiioino, and -its extreme flexibility hare been utilised to an extent never Worn realised by the application of the “8.5. A.” throe-speed gear. The result is a machine rated at 41 h.p., and having a proportionately low rumrng cost, which has time and again beaten machines of double its rating in open side-car competitions, both on speed and reliability. The “ 8.5. A.” holds tho side-car champ : onsbip of the South Island, to go no further afield. The beauty of design and handsome finish of the “ 8.5. A.” speak for themselves. Wo can supply tho latest “ 8.5. A.” in two styles of drive—combined belt and chain; or complete chain drive. Call and sec the new 1917 models, just landed. Adams' Ltd., agents for “8.5. A.” motor-cycles. Headquarters Motorcyclo Garage and Showrooms, High Street, Christchurch. (G. B. Brown, Motor-cvclo Department Representative.) * ••sya