The Press. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1868.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1728, 19 September 1868, Page 2

The Press. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1868.

Teetotaliand Temperance Societies are able to point to many evidences of the unfortunate effects which, the excessive use of strong liquors has upon the well-being o£ society, and with considerable reason they are able to urge upon all an abstinence from what is so palpably pernicious. But the abuse of a thing need not of necessity debar us altogether from its use, and we may fairly inquire whether the quality of; the stimulants in general use be not as a class answerable for the grave objections which by some are urged indiscriminately; against all fermented liquors.

Wβ are inclined to believe that mufch of the evil effects of dram drinking is clearly traceable to the exclusion from our market of the cheaper wines —a beverage naturally agreeable to the human constitution. Our customs duties are framed on a tarift* aimed especially at the consumption of the wealthy classes in Eogland ; wines are taxed as mere articles of luxury, and in a manner to prohibit entirely the importation of cheap qualities. There is no distinction between the most rare delicacies from the Old World, and the commonest draught -wine from Australia. This is a virtual prohibition of the class of wines most suitable to our climate, and of a means better calculated to promote temperance by superseding the use of spirits than the efl'ofta of the most strenuous advocates.

In Australia, wine to a great extent is the drink of the people. In the country public houses a tumbler of wine is the grateful and wholesome substitute for the "nobbier"— the home Idea of strong wines only to be pipped in small glasses as liqueurs has given way to that of a wholesome beverage tbat can be cjuaffed from the goblet—the true wine that makes glad the heart of man. We are fully per-

Buaded that the free introduction of Australian wines to Xew Zealand would be a great boon to the people at large, Dot only by supplying them with a refreshing and wholesome drink, but by checking the present inordinate consumption of spirits by means far more practical, and conducive to public morality than any coercive law that could be framed.

That a great amount of spirit is obtained from illicit stills in this province is no secret; neither is it wonderful that under such singular temptations to profit, the revenue should be defrauded. But it is lamentable as a fact that such pernicious mixtures should be dispensed by our publicans, and more so that they should be debarred supplying a wholesome wine by an absurd inconsistency in the Customs duties.

Kaiapoi Building Society.—The election of two directors and one trustee of this Society takes place at the next meeting. The accounts have been audited for the year, and found correct.

Cbickst. —A match between the boys attending St. Michael's and the Wesleyan Schools came off on Thursday and Friday on Cranmer square. At tho close of the gamo it was found that St. Michael's had scored 58 and the Wesleyan school 38.

Hoeticultuhe.—Steps are being taken by a few gentlemen interested in horticulture to hold an exhibition during the ensuing "season at Lyttelton; and with this object a public meeting has been called for this afternoon at the Colonists' Hall. It is earnestly hoped that all persons interested in the matter wi)l attend.

Weslhyan Missionaby Society. — The annual public meeting of the Lyttelton branch of this society will beheld at the Wesley an Chapel on Monday next, the 21st instant. A report of the proceedings for the past year will be presented, and addresses will be deli ; vared by clergymen of different denomination?, and a collection will be made in aid of the funds.

Accident. —On Thursday last, a horse belonging to the Eev. J. B. Richardson, of Kaiapoi, bolted with a gig from near Mr Taylor's on the North road, and went over a steep bank into the river, at tho end of Adam street. They were found about half an hour after, on the shingle spit" in the town. The trap and harness were got out, the trap being much damaged, but the dead horse was allowed to float down the river to the sea. The value was about £25. The cause of the accident is unknown.

Agbiculttteal and Pastobal Association. —A meeting of the committee was held yesterday afternoon, at tho office of Messrs Wilson and Alport. It was resolved to offer prizes for the following subjects: —Basket?, boots, candles, leather, malt, preserved meat, preserved fruits, rope, saddlery, soap, sugar, tweed cloth, wines, corn sacks, gunny bags, and woolpacks. The prizes for the above aro mostly fixed at 20s and 103 each. A silver medal will be given for the beat sample of ale made in New Zealand, from no other saccharine matter than that obtained from barley grown and malted in the colony. A bronze medal will be given for the second prize. The Cube Rowing Cutb. —We are happy to congratulate Kaiapoi on the addition of another rowing club: for of all good sports that of rowing is one of the best. Though for some time this club has been in the hands of a few, it is now constituted bj as to take the position vacated by the Kaiapoi Rowing Club. Its working members are to be confined to twenty, while its honorary member* are unlimited. The annual subscription will be a guinea without extra entrance fee. At a meeting of the embryo club at the Pier Hotel on Monday last, the following officers were appointed from those present:—President, Mr C. Sims; vice-president, Mr G. F. Diy ; treasurer, Mr W. D. Buddie; secretary, Mr JEL Feldwick ; committee, Messrs ft. Wright, E. H. Matthews, A. Bell, A. Clark, J. W. Buddie and H. Middleton, coxswains for the boats Cure and Undine, were also named. A resolution to alter the name of the club to •? Kaiapoi Rowing Club" was almost unanimously negatived. . The rules of the club were drawn up, and a uniform, consisting of scarlet cap with white piping, and white jersey and trousers were adopted. After some other business the meeting adjourned till Wednesday evening. .

VoLtrarTEEE Geheeai Committee. — A meeting took place last night in the Criterion Hotel. Present —Captains Lean and Hawkea, j Lieutenant Pavitt, Ensign Papprill, Cornet Sleei Sergeants Urquhart, Hawley and Stedman, Corporals Gulliver and Nelson. The chairman said he called the meeting to get a range. During the year some damage had been done 1o the range. A cow in rear of the target had been wounded. He had examined the beaat with Mr Hill, veterinary surgeon, by whose suggestion the covr had been shot. If the committee were liable to repair damages done to the range, no one should be allowed to use it but Volunteers. It was a known fact others than Volunteers were in the habit of firing. This should be etopped at once, and he would suggest that for the future no one should be allowed to fire in plain clothes. Unless this was done, any damage done by any man would havo to be met by the General Committee. He was glad" to see so good an attendance, and hoped the matter would bo thoroughly ventilated. The Mayor's cup would be fired for to-morrow, and suggested some better attention to disciplino in future firing. The following resolutions were passed: —" That the chairman be authorised to communicate with the owner, and pay for the cow shot on Friday last." " That the amount for payment of the cow be contributed by the several companies equally, and that the secretary be requested to write to the officers commanding companies, asking them to forward the sever.ul portions of their amount when | ascertained." " That tho Range Committee bs instructed to report on a site fora range to be secured for the use of the Voluateors during the ensuing year, and draw up regulations for the conduct of shooting at the same, and i report at next meeting of this committee." Messre Hawley and Gulliver were appointed to audit the accounts of the late treasurer. The meeting then terminated.

HOKTICFLTUaAIi SOCIETY. —A meeting Of the Horticultural Society was held last evening in the side room of Ihe Town Hall. Mr W. Wilson occupied the chair, and introduced (ho essayist, Mr Duncan, who read a very interesting esjay on the subject "Hints to Amateurs." Tho object of the essayist was to placo within the reach of all and especially to the holders of email gardens, practical hints i founded.oa. Jong experience and observation. One of the most essential parts of good gardening , was neatness ; splendid ami expensive fiowen? have but little charm if the place where they grow is the scene of disorder. A ! well mown gras3 plot may be mentioned as [ one of the first and most striking manifesta- | tions of neatness. This in the spring and airly summer months ehouH be mown st least once a week. The beat moile of keeping clear of weeds \ras ako pointed out, and the necessity of removing ell decayed stems was ineistc-d on. Tho: essßy conceded with sonic ! remarks on the importance of the study of i regetablo physiology to tho amateur. Severa! members expressed their admiration of the manner in which the subject bad been treated, I end expressed a desire for its continuance. A vote of thanks was proposed to Mr Duncan, and carried unanimously. Tho subject of holding an exhibition in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association's grounds on the game day as their exhibition was discussed and a i special meeting for Friday was fixed for its discussion. After a vote of thanks to the] chairman, the meeting separated*- - - '

Kaiapoi Totai, Abstinence Society — The annual social gathering of thi* society is now den'nitsly fixed for the 2-ith instant at the Institute.

Pigeon Bat.—A meeting of the ratepayers was held at the Pigeon Bay hotel on Wednesday evening, Mr McKay in the chair, to consider what steps could be taken fo secure an acre of land for a school-house, ac required by the ordinance. Proposed by Mr iiarshcll, and seconded by Mr Burtna, " that Messrs Marshall, Hemingway, Budna, and McKay, be appointed a deputation to wait on Mr Stewart to enquire whether he would sell an acre of land for the purpose." Proposed by Mr. James Stewart, and seconded by Mr Budna, " that a public meeting be held in the schoolhouse on Monday next at 7 p.m., to receive the report of the above deputation, and that the report be advertized." A vote of thanks to the chairman having been unanimously passed, the meeting adjourned.

Waimate Road Boabd.—A meeting of this Road Board was held at Waimate on Tuesday, Bth instant. Members present—The Chairman, and Messrs Parker and Manchester. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read from the Secretary to the Timaru and Gladstone Board of Works, stating that £72 Bs., being the amount of rerenue derived from land sales for month of May, including £8 omitted in a previous return, had oeen paid into the Bank to the credit of the Waimate Board. From the Secretary for Public Works, regretting that the Government cannot give any further assistance to the Board out of the grant to main roads. From Messrs Teschmaker and LeCren calling the attention of the Board to the condition of a district road near Mahkikihi. Frbm j Messrs Smith and Gaitt, contractors, stating that the coat of getting out of the bush, he long timber for the bridges will greatly excoed what had been reckoned on, and asking the Board to make them an allowance. From Mr H. Poingdestre, resigning hie seat on the Board. It was resolved that the Board cannot, under existing circumstances, take into consideration, the letter from Messrs Teschmaker and LeCren as the main roads must be attended to before district roads, and that a letter to that effect be written to Messrs Tesehmaker and LuCren. Resolved that the Board cannot accede to the request of the coniractors, Messrs Smith and Gaitt, to supplement their price for cartage of long bridge timber. Resolved that an advertisement be inserted in the " Timaru Herald," calling-a meeting of ratepayers of the district of Wainiate on Saturday, October 3, at noon. Resolved that on the completion of the respective works on main ronds marked red in plan received from Government, a certificate be prepared by the engineer, signed by the chairman to the Board, and forwarded to the Secretary for Public Works. Sums to the amount of about £127 having been passed for payment, the meeting adjourned to Saturday, October 3.

Winter Entbetainmenxs. —The last but one—and certainly the best so far as regards the musical performances—of these entertainments, took place on Thursday evening last in the Colonist's Hull, Lyttelton. After a short address by Captain Gibson, the Choral Society sang a glee, which was followed by a reading from ,s Sam Slick," by Mr. A. Lean. Mr. C. Coombe3, who was ably seconded by Mr. Zinegraff, the pianiet, gave a cornet solo in his best style, and which wo need hardly say wa3 loudly applauded amid shouts of " encore." A reading by Captain Gibson was followed by the song ''Oh, Gently breathe," nicely sung by Mr. Plimmer—the chorus being given pianissimo by tho Choral Society. The Rev. J. D. Fergusson then gave a short reading, which was followed by the duet, " I know a bank whereon the wild thyme grows," by lady amateurs ; and a reading by Mr Grange was succeeded by a violin solo',by Mr Carlßunz. This is, we believe, the first time this gentleman has played a solo to a Canterbury audience ; but we trust it will jjnot be the last. Jndging by the applause with which he was greeted at every pause in the music, and the loud "encores" which burst forth at the finish of a difficult selection, we think that Mr Bunz promisee to become a-valuable addition to the musical community of' Canterbury. After a comical reading Mr VV. B. Jones, a duet by the Choral Society, and a reading by Mr F. E. Wright, the entertainment concluded with the National Anthem.