TOWN & COUNTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2571, 7 December 1897, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Visitors to Timaru are invited to visit the fancy bazaar now held at Penrose's Drapery Establishment, the variety of novelties is bewildering, 5s will purchase enough presents for a country Bchool, so very cheap are they this Xmas.— [Advt.] As the steamer Westralia was leavimg Lyttelton on Saturday evening, a man who was aloft clearing a fouled signal halliard was seen to fall to the deck. Aa the steamer -did not put back it is probable that he was not killed. Captain Edwin's forecast for yesterday was :— >f Wind between VV. and S. and S.K. at all places. Barometer rise everywhere. Sea moderate on all the western coast; and north of East Cape, considerable but decreasing from thence southward. Moderate to strong southerly winds are to be expected m all parts of the country with cold weather." The mistake made at head-quarters m regard to the extra Thursday train asked for on the Fairlie branch has been rectified m part, an advertisement appealing this morning that a train will run from Timaru to Fairiie andbackon Thursdays as on Mondays for a few weeks. " The monthly meeting of the TTpper Otaio School Committee, was held on Saturday evening last. There were present— Messrs McCarthy, Hampton, Bell, and the chairman. It was decided to break up the school for Christmas holidays on Monday the 20th inst., and to hold the annual picnic and sports m the school grounds, on Tuesday the 21st inßt., and to distribute the school prizes on that day. The school is to open again on Monday, January 10th. It was decided that the ladies- of the distiict be asked to meet m the schoolroom on Tuesday, the 14th instant, at 3 p.m., to arrange about the provisions, &c, for the picnic. What might have proved a serious fire was averted by the prompt action of Mr T. Sheen. of Temuka. He occupies the tent and tarpaulin premises of Mr J. Brown and " baches" on the premises. At one o'clock on Sunday he had just removed a baking dish, from his stove. This he placed on a shelf erected m a disused passage leading to what was originally an outlet to the dwplling house. A few minutes afterwards he noticed a smell of burning, and found that the paper on the sheif and on the adjacent wall had ignited, presumably from a spark left on the dish, and that the flames had already secured a hold on the lining boards. Mr Sheen was fortunately able to put out the fire, but not before some boards had been burned through. Mr C. A. Wrav, S.M., and Mr Makepeace Howe, J.P., presided at the Magistrates Court yesterday. The charge of indecent assault against a Timaru young man was called on. Sergeant Fraser stated that the chief witness (the young woman) was too ill to attend. She had been admitted to a private hospital a few days ago and on enquiry that morning he had been informed that she was unable to lpave her bed. He must, therefore, ask for an adjournment of the hearing. Mr Raymond, who appeared for the accused, said that he would not oppose Sergeant Eraser's application, but he. wished to say that, aa the illness had nothing to do with the alleged assault, medical evidence should have been tendered m support of the application. The Bench concurred, but m the circumstances granted an adjournment until Friday morning next. Some alteration has been made m the contour of the Washdyke beach within the last six weeks or so, probably by the heavy sea of October chiefly. A quantity of shingle has been lodged opposite the Freezing Works drain, where there had for some time previously been very little. It is, however, of the same character aa the southern part of the Washdyke beach generally, " land shingle," as it was well described by a member and the overseer of the levels County Council the other day. The beach beyond the usual outlet of the lagoon (just now closed) appears to be considerably narrower than it was some months ago, as if the beach had been drifted north. The Government Life Insurance Commissioner, m reply to an inquiry from Captain Russell, re voluntary provisions for old age pensions, wrote that, v The annual payment commencing at age 18 to secure an annuity of £28 a year, payable at and after age 65, would be £1 " Us, subject to the following considerations :— l. Ho charge whatever is included for expenses of administration. 2. Interest on money is taken at 3 per cent. 3. The death rate assumed is the average rate experienced by the general population of males only m New Zealand for a recent period of 12 years, excepting for very olii people, of whom there are not a sufficient number m the colony to form a reliable experience, 4 The pay- . ments are not returnable m any case m the event of death before arriving at the annuity age." This official and expert statement is published as a Parliamentary paper. A concert and dance, m aid of the incidental funds of the Makikihi School Committee was held m the schoolroom last Friday night. The room was well filled, and Mr Childs occupied the chair. He briefly explained that as the last concert had been apoiled financially by a wet night the Committee had had to get up another. Mrs Goodall and Miss Childs opened the first part of the programme with a pianoforte duet. Five school children then gave a song, " The Cat m School," and for an encore gave "Gently Rock the Cradle." Miss C. Hamilton gave a good rendering ol ♦• Coming through the Rye " (encored), and Mr Goodall sang " Green Grow the Rushes Os> (encored). Mr Hanley sang " Grace Darling " (encored), accompanied by Miss Fuller on the violin. Miss M. Mcllwrick and Miss A. Goodail sang the duet " Sweet Home." Mrs Goodall sang "Tit for Tat" (encored), and two school children amused the auiience with some readings. The first part was brought to a close by the school children singing " Hurrah Boys, Hurrah." The second part was supplied by the Makikihi Christy Minstrel Troupe. Their songs and choruses were very good, and the dialogues and conundrums were much appreciated by the audience, the local hits taking immensly. Miss Childs and Mrs Goodall played the accompaniments for the various singers. Votes of thanks were carried to all who had assisted to make the affair a success. Refreshments were handed round. The room was afterwards cleared for a dance, at which Mr Childs, junr., acted as M.0., and Messrs Jackson and Englebert supplied the music. Altogether the pro* cpeds will considerably aid the Com mittee m their straitened circum.* stances.

The Monowai arrived at the Bluff at 1 p.m. yesterday from Melbourne. The adjourned meeting of the Albury Saleyards Company will be held on Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. Some particulars are advertised today respecting a fishing competition under the auspices of the South Canterbury Anglers' Club, on Anniversary Day. Entries close with the hon. sec. at 9 p m. on the 15th. Members of the Port Guards are informed that the parade ordered for tomorrow evening is cancelled, and that ""the annual inspection of arms and accoutrements will be held the following evening. A grand entertainment m aid of the Pleaßant Point school prize and library funds will be held m the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday evening next. A splendid programme is m course of preparation. Members of the Tourists' Cycling Club are reminded m an advertisement elsewhere to meet off Thursday at the Post Office, at 2.15 sharp, for a club run out to Rangatira Valley. Mr and Mrs Jamef Wright have given the club a hearty invitation to visit them at their residence. On Saturday last Mr George Evans, who had been for about five years m the advert ising office of the Timaru Herald his firstemployment after leavinu school, left TitnaiU for Christchurch, where he has obtained a situation m the office of Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co. Mr Evans had eai-ned the goodwill and esteem of his fellow employees, and they testified this on his leaving by presenting him with a travelling bag. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Albnry Saleyards Co.— Adjourned meeting on the 11th inst. Pleasant Point— Graud entertainment en Thursday next. Anglers' Clvb — Annual fishing competition on Dec. 16th N.Z. railways— Trains on Albury branch on Thursdays. Barrytown Flat <roldmining Co.— Secretary will be at Grosvenor Hotel this evening, i rari Gorge— Shear ng beirins on 10th inst. Lerelft County Council— Call tenders for road work, j H. A. •■ helch— The place for hats, curtains, etc Hutton and Co. - Full details of Xmas goods, baskets, plaques, etc. J. h Geckingham - Bargains m furniture, Xmas presents, etc. j N.Z. clothing Factory — Sell Victory sewing machines Port Guards —Notice of muster parade. Tourists' Cycling Ulnb— Run to Rangatira Valley on Thursday. Funeral notice— By A. Bloomfiold. Wanteds-Six notices.