The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1879.

Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 523, 11 December 1879, Page 2

The Ashburton Herald AND Borough and County Advertiser (With which is incorporated the “Evening Echo”). THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1879.

Accident 'at Rakaia. — An accident happened to Mr. Charles Lake, lively stable keeper, on Wednesday morning. Mr. Lake, accompained by Mr. Anderson, was driving a young horse through the town when the—horse bolted, and the buggy in which they were riding came in contact with the fence at the -old post office, throwing out both occupants. ■ Mr. Anderson j umped out without sustaining much injury, but Mr. Lake, who was thrown out, had one leg cut a good deal. The buggy was entirely smashed. Inquest. —There will be an inquest held on the late fire in Tancred street on Monday next. Chertsey School Committee.— A meeting of the above Committee was held on Tiiesday, the 9th inst. Present—Messrs. W. A. Brown (Chairman) A. R. Markham (Secretary), L. Maugham, T. W. Wilkinson, R. Campbell, and H. Childs. Tlie Secretary read the report of the Inspector of Schools, and also a general resume of the work done since the opening

of the school, forwarded by the master, Mr. Jas. Borthwick. Mr. T. W. Wilkinson proposed —“ That the Committee, having received the Inspector's report, perfectly agree with him as to the general efficiency of the master, and the progress made during liis term of office. ” The Secretary was instructed to forward copies of this resolution, which was adopted, and the Inspector’s report as appended—“ This school has been recently established. It is commodious, well ventilated, and fully

supplied with working materials. , Owing to wet weather, the attendance on day of examination was small, but as only four of those doing standard work were absent, the result attained may be taken as a fair test of the proficiency of the whole school. The methods of instruction are intelligent and fairly applied, and considering the short time the teacher has been at work, good progress has been made. The children were orderly and attentive. Singing and drawing are not taught. At a recent election meeting the walls of the schoolroom were slightly damaged.” The result of examination in standards was 100 per cent. After passing accounts

and authorising the Chairman to have certain repairs executed it was decided .that the Committee give the children a treat on Tuesday next, Dec. 16. Arrangements were made for the supply of edibles and refreshments, and also for an entertainment to be held in the evening. A cliargeiof one shilling was decided to be made for the tea and entertainment for persons not connected with the children attending the school. The Committee then adjourned. A Circus on Fire. —At Wanganui on Monday night, the attendance at Chiarini’s Circus was about 2000. At two o’clock on Tuesday morning the tent used as a stable for the horses and zebras caught fire. The night watchman loosened the animals and let them go. The tent was burned down and the animals scampered .wer the town, but all were safely recaptured. The huanacos were much s.wrched. The loss Mi about L4OO. Horsewhipped.— At the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday a young man named F. White was fined ss. for hoise-whipping Wethers Watts, son of Dr. Watts, who had sent an insulting letter to White’s sister. The fine was subscribed by several gentlemen in the Court, and the balance was placed in the poor box.

Drunks. —Business in drunks is looking up at the R.M. Court, Mr. C. P. Cox, having had four of these helmless individuals befoie him to-day. One, John Robertson, had been before the Court before, on one or two occasions when his dinner bad had more liquid than solid matter in its compilation. This tune, the constable yesterday morning at 9 o’clock steered him up to the public hostelry where many a hotel-contracted somnolence is dispelled. John managed to persuade the sergeant that he wasn’t so tight after

all, and got bailed .outbut at the same evening the alcohol with which he had seasoned hi 3 food told upon him again, and as a penalty for contributing too heavily to the public’s and the publican’s revenue he was run in for his own safety, |j and the public good. To-day he told Iris ; tale. He didn’t often get drunk—drunks uiever will believe that they get tight fre--1 quently—he hadn’t been drunk for a long time, and hadn’t had much this time. His “not much,” however, was too much for him. Mr. Cox said he was willing to

take a lenient view of the case, and would let the man off if he would promise to go straight back to liis work at the Hinds. That was just the chance prisoner wanted, and he closed with the offer forthwith A dentist named Allan next waltzed up to the public confessional. Drunk last night. Hadn’t anything to say to the charge. Had been almost a teetotaller for mouths,, but this drop had a ‘ ‘ most terrible ” effect upon him. The phrase is a strong one, but the man’s face and general appearance said il Amen ” to its

truth. Sergeant Pratt raid there was nothing against prisoner in Ashburton, but the Christchurch Court knew all about bis liquor weakness. Mr. Cox was again iincllwjed to be lenient, and ex- ! tracted a jpico/nise of abstemiousness in ' future. The m*k one was let off, with a

jjfic fine, and a ©action, however, that his next entry for the honoring event would be handicapped with his previous convictions. Joseph O’Brien had a skinful of what a greater than he has “distilled damnation.” It turned Mm at Fried]ander’iS store, where he lay down.. He did his “ suiting ” gently, however, for the apprehendi-feg constable said he was very quiet—very qufet, Mr. Cox was a /rain merciful, and on frmsph promising to find :* .softer bed in the fixture than Friedlander’s doorstep, and thait a safe distance frora;tlie Ashburton township, £e 1 was permitted to take himself off without .! a fine One Sinclair, drunk, and also I charged, with .the larceny of a pipe, was * remanded till to-pioj^wr.

Ashburton Waterworks Bill. —The new County Waterworks Bill, introduced by the Hon. W. S. Peters in the Upper House, passed its second reading last night.