THE Marlborough Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1888.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 310, 24 February 1888, Page 2

THE Marlborough Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1888.

Nelson Jockey Club Races.— Norn:nations for the Hurdle Handicap, Nelson Cup, Waimea Plate and District Handicap at these races close on Saturday noxt, 25th inst.

Inspection. —lt is probable that MajorGeneral Whitmore will visit Blenheim and inspect the local Volunteer corps about the end of next month. Temperance. —The well-known Temperance orator, Mr T. W. Glover, who is at present lecturing in Nelson, will be in Blenheim next week and deliver a series of addresses, due notice of which will bo given.

A Disorderly Subgect. A man named Dan O’Brien, against whom five previous convictions were recorded, was brought before Mr G. W. Riley, J.P., on Wednesday, and fined 20s and 2s costs, or 48 hours imprisonment. The fine was paid.

Osaka Licensing District.-— Mr F. M'Gregor having withdrawn his candidature for the election of this committee, the remaining candidates nominated, viz., Messrs A. D. Bird, A. G. Mills, Hugh Fraser, R. J. Paul and W. Tapp, junr., have been duly elected members of the Ornaka Licensing Committee. Havelock R.M. Court. —At the last sitting of this Court the Pelorous Road Board obtained judgment against Samuel Green for £1 Is lOd for rates. This was the only caso brought before the magistrate, several others being settled out of Court.

Horticultural. —The autumn exhibition of the Marlborough Horticultural Society takes place on Thursday next, March Ist, when in addition to the ordinary prize list a number of special prizes will be given. The Secretary, Mr Gillespie, will no doubt be gbid to hear from anyone inclined to supplement the special prize list of this most useful exhibition.

Concert.— Tho second entertainment given in Ewart’s Hall last evening by local amateurs was again well patronised, and tho programme was as favorably received as on the previous evening. Mr Mason’s dancing was much admired, and it may be hero mentioned that that gentleman intends to continue his dancing class another quarter, when those wishing to join should make application at once. At tho conclusion of the programmo a dance took place, which was numerously attended,

Havelock School Committee. Tho Havelock School Committee met on Monday evening last. Present: Messrs Clark, Smith, Dorreen, Brown, and C. 11. Mills (chairman). Mr Reynolds handed in his report, complaining of the non-attendance of some children, and suggesting that stringent means should he taken to increase tho attendance. It was resolved that the parents of any children who have not attended school tho requisite number of days during the present quarter, as provided by the Act, should, after March 31st next, he proceeded against without further notice. The Chairman was instructed to have the necessary repairs to the outhouses and maps completed at once by Mr Jones. The committee then adjourned until Monday, March 19th, 1888.

Leaving Havelock.— Mr C. F. Horton, builder, etc., who has resided in this district for many years, is now about to take his departure, with hie family, for Wellington, and will then probably proceed to Sydney. As one of a small community he has always taken his part, and willingly devoted his time to any matter of public interest. As the Chairman of I lie Pelorus and Havelock Licensing Committees for many years in succession his decisions have given great satisfaction, and in his business capacity, in fact, in the energy and push he displayed in everything fie undertook, was universally commented upon, He leaves many friends throughout this district ffho all join in wishing himself and family every prosperity wherever they may go, and whatever they may undertake in the future. The shop Mr Horton occupied has been purchased from him by Mr C. 11. Mills, and his private residence by Mr W. Pickering. 1

Warden's Court. —The following business was transacted at the Warden’s Oojirt, Havelock, on Tuesday last: C. Nelson applied for extended claim of about two acres at Sydney Flat, on the western side of tho Wakamarina, about half a mile from the Deep Creek. By permission of the Court, Mr Nelson withdrew his application and took up a frontage claim. There was an objection raised against the application, and after some discussion it was agreed to hold over the matter for the present.—C. Nelson also applied for permission to construct a dam on reservoir about half a mile above Deep Creek, on the western side of the Wakamarina river. This was granted on tbo understanding that if the ground so occupied should at any time be required for mining puip >ses it should always be available. C. Nelson was granted a continuance of his old water race at the terrace, jbout 200 yards below Johnson Creek, No i ; and he was also given permission to construct a tunnel 300 feet long, 7 feet high, and 3 feet wide from tho river into Sydney Terrace. —Thomas Pearson applied for abandoned aud partly-constructed wafer ?ti«o, commencing opposite Teal’s o d garden, Birch Hill Creek, Wairau Valley, and terminating about a mile south ct Charles Hopkinson’s old claim. Application granted. —John Reuben Skelly applied for 1000 feet of the Wakamarina river situated at Deep Creek, in what is known as the Gorge Claim. After the Warden had ascertained the requisite number of miners right? bad beep bjken out, the application was granted.,

Another Fire. —About 7 o’clock yesterday morning famiiiar sound of the fire bells was heard pealing forth; the B<3<me of the conflagration being a sixroomed house in Beaver street, occupied by Mr John Rerfrew. By the time the bells were rung, the fire had a strong hold on the building, but willing hands were soon on the spot and an effort was made to save the out-liouse, containing two rooms, which was used as a dairy. Owing to some misunderstanding, tho fire brigade were unable to procure a horse to drag the engine and gear to the scene of the fire, and so a few of tho members went on foot to lend what assistance they could. Owing to the supply of water close at hand, tho efforts to save tho detached building proved successful, although it was very much scorched and its contents damaged. Mr Renfrew lost a cheque for £25 and £25 in notes. He had them at tho head of the building but forgot all about them until it was too late to enter the building with safety. Tho building was insured for £l5O, and the furniture for £SO in the New Zealaud office. Mr Renfrew is unable to account for the origin of the fire, although it was probably caused by some sparks igniting the shingle on tho roof. Literary Yictim. The Wanganui Herald, says “Typo,” has soored the finest typographical blunder of the season. Somebody is giving a series of lectures on tho Tabernacle and the Holy Vessels, and one of these, “ The Laver and his Foot,” the compositor set up as “ The Lover and his Food.”

Curious Material for a Writing Desk. —Among tho gifts lately presented to Prince Bismarck was an immensely massive and heavy writing desk, made of cannon balls, sent him by an English admirer. When he saw it the Chancellor exclaimed: “ God grant that cannon balls may be always peacefully employed. ’

Football.— The Wellington Pres* says: —Tucker, the man who played so well as throe quarter for the Blenheim team last year, and scored against the Rivals hi the return match on Newtown Park, is at present in Wellington and has ceen playing in the Midland second eleven in that Club’s late matches. He is not certain whether he will play football this season, having hurt h : s shoulder, and has not made up bis mind yet which club lie w 1 play for. Not Very Loyal.— An Auckland telegram to a contemporary Bays : Ihe military reception of tho Governor was a big fiasco, as on tho last occasion. No. 2 Batallion was instructed to find a guard of honor. About 30 men turned up. A. half hearted attempt was made to give threo cheers, but the voices gave out at tho second and died away in a kind of hoarse whisper, the effect of which was most ludicrous. Tho Governor and Admiral drove rapidly away to Government House, and the 30 Volunteers went off homo sadder if not wiser. The public were in good force, and heartily cheered tho vice-regal party. Government Economy !—Here appears to be a striking instanoe of economy : The second lot of bricks for the Napier Gaol arrived from Wellington, says the Daily Telegraph, by the Suva on Friday last. With 20s per thousand cartage from yard to steamer at Wellington, GOs per thousand freight, and another 20s for cartage from steamer to the gaol, makes the cartage £5 per thousand, with no mention for cost of tho bricks. We would like to know who is responsible for this want of management, as good, sound, unbroken bricks could have been placed in the gaol yard for £2 17s per thousand from the Napier kilns ! A Long-Lost Heir. Some novelists delight in introducing into their works such incidents as the return of long-absent heirs to claim their heritage froin wrongful possessors (says the Post), but it has remained for one of tho Wairarapa townships to produce such an episode in real lifo- A young man who has been away from tho Colony from boyhood arrived in his native town some weeks ago, and found that certain property which formerly belonged to his father was now in tho occupation of a stranger. Acting upon legal advice, ho broke through the enclosure and took possession of tho property, and tho consequence is that he has now boon summoned for maliciously causing damage, and tho whole question will have to be ventilated in the law Courts. The property in dispute is said to be worth about LBOO, and it is probablo that some singular questions of titlo will be involved in the litigation which may arise from the young man’s effort to assert his claim. Sir Julius Vogel’s Scheme Anticipated.—The Auckland Star says :—Telegrams from Wellington state that th s object of Sir Julius Vogel’s mission to England is to bring out a work for the Pacific Islands on tho same lines ns “ Picturesque Australia.” If tips.statement is true, Sir Julius will bo late in the field, an elaborate work of this description having been in preparation for the last year or two at this office. Mr Moss, M.11.R., undertook the chief editorship, and has now the whole of the manuscript ready for the press. Special photographs have been taken of tho more inaccessible islands which possess special interest, notably one at Ponapi, the ruins on which are not less remarkable than those which have made Easter Island famous. Mr Schmitt, manager of the Star lithographic department, has just returned from a visit to Europe where he made arrangements with some of the best houses in the world for executing the pictorial part of the book. The matter is now well in hand, and long before Sir Julius can even arrange the preliminaries of an undertaking of such vast magnitude subscribers will be in the possession of it. It is hardly necessary to add that no man in Australasia is more competent to do justice to the sjibiefit than Mr Moss, who has travelled oyep part of the South Pacific) and who was a former settles? in Fiji, and member of the Parliamentary committees to HhoU South Sea questions have been referred. He has made the subject a special study.

Killed by Gambling. — Our anniversary pegutta passed off as usual, but one could only the passing away of the glories of the olden times, when ce had something like a regatta, though Agckland did not boast then a tithe of her present population. It is said that owing to tire bickerings and disputes over the Champion Whalebo.aj; Race, it is likely to be blotted out of next year’s programme. Thcs 3 disputes and the ill-feeling principally arise out of gambling, and the anniversary regatta is being killed by the same national vice which has made our horse racing a byword and a jest. The Wairoa crew were backed to the extent of L-100 by the people of their district, many of whom find it a difficult matter to find bread for their families, a:id the most of this money has been dropp id to Auckland bookmakers. As to the whaleboats,” any idea of promoting a good build of boats for the whaling industry is out of the question, and they are a little better than racing gigs, and buik exclusively for racing purposes. In the good old days we were accustomed to see eight or nine whaleboats, manned by stalwart whalers; but all that has passed away, and a regatta now interests Ijqr.jcfj] akers more than any other class in the couimunUy, and it j.s only another peg on which to hang more gambling, Th 3 continued development of this vice is attracting the attention of the press, and the fact deplored as ominous of evil days for the community.—Correspondent Otago Daily Times.

Rabbits in Canterbury. —Regarding the Ministerial visit into the rabbit country, tho Christchurch ’ Telegraph says : —“lt will be of interest to state that the Hon. Mr Richardson is of opinion that in addition to the wire-net f ming to he erected for defence purposes from the Pukaki lake to the Bluffs several miles above Mr Burnett’s property, as well as at van >us points from tho east side of the Tekapo river across to tho Hekateramea and the Waitaki at Kurow, extensive p i-offing will have to be dene. The Minist. r is of opinion that the. i.'or beds have been much neglected, and that great attention will have to be paid to thoso parts to prevent the rabbits crossing over, and he favors tho idea of turning out the natural euimy to deal with the high country. When the proposed fences are erected, huts will be built at terminal points, and men put ou to do.-t:-oy any rabbits along the fence hues, and also to keep the fencos in repair. A rabbit-proof-gate will be immediately erected at tho railway bridge on tho main lino < ▼ r the Waitaki, and another at the bridge over tho same river at Kurow, as each of th s) bridges —particularly the ono at Ku:ow —now affords a free passage for rabbits from Otago into Canterbury. Theie gates, of course, will only be kept closed at night. Traces of rabbits were sec non the Otago side of the Tasman, up close to the spur of Mount Cook, but it is believed that bunny does not exist there in any force. Tue Minister immediately put on a man with a dog and gun, and left instructions that ho was t > work abaut in the locality till he had shot or otherwise killed every rabbit that could be possibly found.

Somewhat Mixed. —In a school not 1000 leagues from Balclutha, although not in that borough, the master is occasionally wont to tost the junior pupils’ power of expressing their thoughts in words. The following is a specimen of a composition exercise by a bright youth after receiving a object lesson on the ostrich. Evidently the thoughts of a_ previous lesson ou cork or water were still on his mind:—“Dear Sir, —I take up my pen to lot you know what I know about a osstritch, An ostroch is the biggest bird in the world. It is opaque and boyant, and lives in the deserts of araba and africa it is of tho camel class because it has a long neck. An osstritch has three feathers which the Prince of Wales says is “I serve.” It has three states solid liquid and gas. Thoy have two toes on each foot, An ostrich lays 10 ego-s at a time, and tho mail bird helps the hot sand to hatch them. They are very fast runners and they would never manago to catch them if the horses did not run very fast in a zigzag style like a Z, It pays well if you can catch a good lot of birds, and the Hawklanders are trying hard to rear ostritches in that province, because they can’t grow oats there and the Maores eat their sheep.” The above (the Leader says) is an exact copy of the exercise.

Father is Getting Well. My daughters say “ How much better father is since he used Dr. Soule’s American Hop Bitters. He is getting well after a long suffering from a disease declared incurable, and we aro so glad he used your Bitters.” A Lady of Roohester, N.Y Utica Herald.