TIMARU.

Otago Witness, Issue 1456, 11 October 1879, Page 20

TIMARU.

(FEOM A CORRESPONDENT.) Timaru, October 2nd.

Since writing you last the financial cloud Beems to be showing the silver lining. Our Resident Magistrate has been congratulating the public upon the number of contested cases that are being heard — this, to his mind, being a much better sign than allowing judgment to go by default. At present there are certainly not so many distressed traders seeking shelter under the wing of the Court, In regard to the present apparently flourishing condition of some of the late bankrupts here, considerable amusement has been caused by an inquiry in our morning paper as to " how it is done."

It would certainly be edifying to know how many, after the process of whitewashing, seem suddenly to burst into a state of conspicuous comfort, if not luxury. One of the great "whitewashed" is charged with

laying out fine grounds and building a big house, another with employing too many gardeners, besides committing the heinous sin of using a tooth-pick ; a third is said to be revelling in every comfort, and his estate is not expected to realise over a shilling in the pound.

The most interesting of these unholy doings is the fact that the bankrupts are boldly taking up the cudgels in their own defence. One of them thinks that it is hard to be written about in such a cruel manner, when he is " trying to be good, and to do good." O ye shades of Ohatband and Sniggins, hide your diminished heads ! The cheek of some bankrupts is certainly immense. One of the "unfortunate," after filing his few paltry thousands, attended the auction sale of his assets, and before he has received his discharge, unblushingly made a sporting offer of £500 for assets amounting to over £3000. After competing up to £1400, a fit of modesty came over him, and he suddenly collapsed, exclaiming, " I'm done !" The question still remains unanswered — " How is it done ?"

A well-attended meeting of the unemployed was held here last week, when certain resolutions were unanimously carried to petition the Government for work. There were about 300 persons present, a proportion of whom were casual spectators. It is a sad fact that there is considerable distress here at present amongst some of the working men. The men about the street do not look starved by any means, but one or two cases have come under my notice which lead me to believe that a number of families have a struggle to keep the "wolf "from the door. It is a pity that the new railway station could not be proceeded with at once, for the purpose of relieving any pressing cases of distress.

There has been a considerable improvement in the price of horses at late sales, and a more evident disposition to purchase.

I am credibly informed, that the bank balances at the end of the month were more satisfactory than anticipated. Money ia coming in from some direction or other, as the rate of 9 per cent, is now said to be the ruling interest on good security.

I have been told rather a good "yarn" about the times when high figures were ruling for shearing. Some four or five years ago the shearers were getting somewhere about 20s per hundred, but they were not satisfied with this, and struck for 255, and were successful. The natural effect of so much good fortune on such an improvident class was a general "drunk," A body of the shearers were holding high jubilee on the night of their victory, amongst the numbers who carried too much sail being a very old hand, one of the ringleaders. A detachment of the squatting fraternity from Burkes Pass had the good fortune to drop across this victim of prosperity, and a brilii&nb idea at once dawned upon them. A big case was found outside one of the ironmongers' shops, large enough to hold half an hour's supply of air. In this improvised coffin the victim was duly incarcerated, and the case loosely nailed up. On the outside was printed "The evil effects of 25s per hundred." The case was then placed against a well-known hotel, where the guardians of peace love to hover round towards the small hours, and the denouement was anxiously waited for. Presently a man in blue appeared, and just at this moment the prisoner awoke to consciousness, assailing the walls of his "lock-up" with vicious kicks, accompanied by the most unearthly howls. Mr Bobby stood stock-still, thunderstruck ; then, uttering a shriek of dismay, turned and ran. It is believed, however, that he must have returned soon after with armed assistance, as there was no coroner's inquest held.

You will be pleased to hear of the unqualified success attending the rendering of " Maritana" by our Harmonic Society. The choruses were remarkably well given, "Angels that around us hover" being most beautifully sung. The Society have decided to repeat the concert, charging only a nominal amount for admission. It is incalculable the good that is done by a society of this nature in any community when properly conduoted.

Another society just started amongst us promises to meet with a fair measure of succesß. I refer to the Timaru Literary and Debating Society, The elements in this Society appear to be of the soundest naturemerchants, teachers, lawyers, and bankers being well represented. The Society has been established on an unsectarian basis, and will, no doubt, supply a felt want. The opening address is to be delivered on the night of the 9th October.

It is unfortunate that the Rev. Mr Byng, from your city, ie going to deliver a lecture on " Matrimony" on the same evening. I remember on one occasion, in the course of an eloquent sermon on "Practical Christianity," the reverend gentleman inviting all his congregation to come and stay at his house for a week, so that they could see how he treated his wife, children, and servants. Perhaps he did not mean to take all the congregation at once, but he didn't suggest that they should come in dozens or so week about. I have no doubt the reverend gentleman's matrimonial experience is of the happiest nature, as who could doubt it, when he issues invitations wholesale. But unless he is going to suggest some easy method of divorce, it will be difficult for him to sustain the interest of his audien.ee. If Mr Byng could invent some soothing spell by which anxious mothers could solace the many young Macbeths who " murder sleep," he would be for ever embalmed in the memory of Buffering parents. The reverend gentleman's last lecture on "To be or not to be " was very highly appreciated here, and he is sure to have a good audience at his next. It is somewhat strange, however, to come to a place like Tiinaru for the purpose of raising funds in support of a Dunedin church.