TIMARU TALK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXI, Issue 7228, 30 April 1884, Page 5

TIMARU TALK.

[from odb own correspondent.] The excellent weather that has prevailed of late is worthy of mention (common as the subject is), because of its being so unusual to have fine weather at this time of the year, and because of the effect it has on business in general. The grain, what there is of it, comes in daily, and that alone imparts some little briskness to the business of the town. The new crane which Messrs Kincaid and M'Qucen have constructed for the Harbour Board will be in full working order in a day or to. It is a huge affair, very ingeniously constructed to run on a curve, and it can pick up and carry blocks of 50 or 60 tons weight with ease. The engineering trade will always be a successful one in this Colony, and some of our firms have already turned out very superior work. I believe I have remarked before that the post of night watchman on the breakwater was not too desirable a one, and “from further information received,” I am confirmed in that opinion. The solitary sentinel paces up and down the wharf all the livelong night, on the alert for all sorts of undesirable things; and not unfrequently his vigil is disturbed by the advent of a party of sailors, who have been supping in town, and who probably endanger their lives bydisorderly, reckless conduct; and if ho (the watchman) should offer a word of civil advice, they forthwith turn upon him, and “shamefully entreat” him. One may exnect Jack in his cups to be a little bit careless of his actions, but when he makes it his nightly practice to sot upon the unfortunate Geordie Davis—-so much so indeed that Geordie finds it quite exceptional to pass a night without a row it is high time the law was invoked to protect him, and to teach these truculent tars that the night watchman’s person is as sacred a% that of any other subject. Geordie had a bit of a shindy the other evening with a “ skipper ” who came down “mellow,” and accused him of encouraging his men to insubordination, usingviolent language aud physical demonstration. Now Geordie’s nature prompted him to have it out in a pleasant way with fisticuffs. But Jus superior, the Harbour Master, had stinted him of the luxury, and ordered him to proceed against any future assailant at law, and the watchman obeyed. Horan away from the combative skipper, and reported to his superior. Now, Geordie is known to bo the pluckiest fellow in town, and ho has repeatedly shown ins quality in rescuing drowning seamen at the risk of his own life; besides, I can myself testify that he takes kindly to a tussle, and I do think the self-denial he exercised in retraining from battle, and transferring the quarrel to the hands of the Bench, ought to bo recognised and rewarded.

Mr Dunning, who, by the way, is but a shadow of his old self , is scoring in Timaru. His company has enjoyed the most successful season over had by any company here for years—at any rate since Williamson's last dramatic company had a run. Our amateurs ought to have picked up some valuable working hints from this capital company. Those of the outside public who have seen them on the boards, and the

few who have met them privately, retain none but pleasant recollections of them. •There are, as doubtless you know, “ imps ” among them— and these good fellows invited a few gentlemen to meet them at a social gathering on the stage (in an extemporised drawing - room) on Sundaynight. The leading ladies of the Company were present, and the hospitality extended by t!ie professional gentlemen to their visitors was hearty and complete—and I can assure you that, though it was Sunday evening, the occasion was pleasing and profitable.

The plantation bordering the public school ground has been dealt with. The lower branches have been lopped off, so that persons passing along the road can easily see through the plantation—which, before, they were unable to do, owing to the density of the lower foliage. The Committee justify the cutting down on the ground that the trees’ lives and the lieges’ health would be improved by the influx of air and light. There is wailing among the lovers though; for the sweet’ shades wherein love-vows were wont to be spoken exist no more.

The Associated Ministers have followed the lead of the Archdeacon, and taken up classes for Bible-reading at the Public School. The Christian meekness and forbearance of the rev gentlemen is being sorely tried, and I feel quite sure if they were not parsons they would swear horribly at the Arch —(enemy), for having stolen a march on them. Being parsons they have to swallow the pill and make believe it isn’t griping them. The Archdeacon’s countenance shines, and his eye has acquired a special brightness. Speaking of this leads me to remark that the finances of St Mary’s Church are not in a flourishing state, and the churchwardens had yesterday to face the parishioners with a deficit. Their deficit, by the way, would be a great deal bigger but for the goodness of the clergyman, who donated £l5O himself. Now, I don’t think this right; Ido not think a parson ought to be allowed to subscribe towards the funds of his own church. There is a certain money value attaching to all services spiritual as well as temporal, and the earnings of a clergyman should not go back to the treasury of his church. Besides, the prosperity which is sustained by such contributions appears to me to be a fictitious one. Again, if a bachelor clergyman gives donations of this sort, he sets up a standard which his married brethren cannot hope to reach, and acquires a reputation by purchase, as it were. These are the comments of a worldling, however, and, therefore, of no value. I will only add that if the parson helps to support the church financially, the church officers will become lax; and when, in the natural course of things, a new clergyman takes charge, the position will be somewhat embarrassing.