THE Marlborough Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1888.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 4 May 1888, Page 2

THE Marlborough Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1888.

Postponement. —On reference to our advertising columns, it will be seen that the sale of the lato Samuel Weller’s effects, which was to have been held at Okaramio to-day, has been postponed at the direction of the Public Trustee. The Hunt Club. — Mr Weller, the huntsman of the Marlborough Hunt Club, has arrived from Nelson with 26 dogs, all in excellent condition and welltrained, in readiness for the opening meet, which takes place on Saturday, 12th inst. Mr Weller has taken up his quarters at Mr Dicken’s farm, Grovetown. Followers of the hunt may expect a good season’s sport.

A Good Suggestion.— On dit that the Marlborough Football Club are discussing the probability of their being able to send over a team to Wellington on Saturday week, to play a return match with the Rivals. The match, England v. Wellington takes place on that date, and it is proposed to play the Rivals in the morning. A large number of the local players are anxious to witness the match, England v. Wellington, and it is suggested, if practicable, to “ kill two birds with one stone.” It is also probable that the Kanieri will run at excursion rates on condition that a certain number of passengers are guaranteed. We hope that the affair will not end in smoke. Warden’s Court, Havelock. The sitting of this Court was held on Wednesday, when the following busmesc was transacted : Application from T. R. Skelly for protection of a water race from Dome Creek. Granted. Application from same for protection of a licensed holding.—Granted. Lauritz Bourck applied for a water-race at Johnston’s Creek.—Granted. James Byrne applied for a prospecting license other than gold. —Tho warden, after considerable discussion, granted this on payment of the license fee, £5 6s Bd, and with the understanding that certain conditions should be attached to the license.

The Havelock Commonage.— A public meeting of the ratepayers was held in the Town Hall, Havelock, on Tuesday evening last, Mr J. H. Reynolds being in the chair. After the Chairman had explained the object of the meeting, the following resolution was proposed by Mr C. H. Mills, and seconded by Mr George Crichton, “That the Havelock Town Board be requested to take the necessary steps for issuing licenses to allow milking cows and horses to be at large on the commonage, reserves, and public streets, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., within the Havelock town boundary, and in the meantime the Board instruct the officer in charge not to enforce the provisions of the Police Offences Act in reference to cattle being at large within the township of Havelock.”—Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings. Waibau Road Boabd. —The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held in the Secretary’s office yesterday afternoon, there being present: Messrs Ward (Chairman), Avery, Carter and Richardson.—Mr Ward was re-elected Chairman of the Board for the current year.—lt was decided to request the Picton Hospital Committee to refer their claim for rates on land north of the Wairau River to the Wairau Hospital Committee. —Mr G. Watts interviewed the Board with a view to purchasing a portion of section 4, Avon, and it was resolved that the Chairman and Mf Carter be authorised to dispose of a portion of the section on behalf of the Board as they think lit.—Mr G. H. Crisp wrote complaining of the state of the road between Birch Hill and the Tophouse. It was decided to instruct the Inspector to see Mr Chrisp and arrange for certain repairs being made to the road lines between Birch Hill and Tophouse, cost of same not to exceed £2O. —lt was resolved that the Property Tax Commissioner be asked to provide the Board with a supplementary roll, divided into districts, —After some discussion a motion was passed to the effect that Messrs Connor, Horgan and Frank Hammond be written to requesting them to prevent the gorse from spreading from the hedge on to the road on the Meadow Bank Lane.—lt was decided to call for tenders for metalling certain parts of the road line between Monro’s Creek and Starvation Point Cutting.—The following accounts were passed for payment:—W. Ronowicz, Ll 7; W. Tapp, L 2 5; R. Forbes, L 44; Inspector, L 6 13s 4d; Dog Registrar, L 3 Jls 6d; W. G. P. O’Callaghan, 10s 6d ; printing and advertising, L2 13s 6d; Returning Officer, L 6 6s; Collector, L 8 8s 4d; B. S. Penney and Co., 8s; District Land Registrar, LI; total, L 75 3a 2d.—The Board then adjourn^.

The Quake. —The shock reported as having been general all over the North Island early yesterday morn’ng was not distinctly felt here. At any rate, none of our staff who Were oh duty at that hour felt the sensation.

The Club., —Tenders were received as follows for the earthwork in connection -with the site for the building to be erected for the Marlborough Club:—W. Gosling and Co., L4O (accepted) ; J. Blackburn and Co., L4l ; H. Homer, LSI. ' String Creek River Board. The members of this Board intend to make a tour of inspection of the rivers under their control, and for that purpose will meet at the Opawa Bridge at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, 9th inst, taking the Wairau river the following day. Lower Waibau River Board.—Last night was the date fixed for this Board’s usual monthly meeting. Messrs C Redwood and A. J. Litchfield were the only members who turned up, and after waiting vainly for a quorum for threequarters of an hour, it was decided to adjourn the meeting until Thursday next, at 7.30 p.m. Night School. —We are informed that it is the intention of one or two wellknown gentlemen of the scholastic profession to open a night school in Blenheim shortly. This ought to prove a boon to a considerable number of the youth of the town, and there is no doubt that the venture will turn out a success, both from a teacher’s and scholar’s point of view. Football. —The following will comprise the junior team of the Union in the match against the Marlborough juniors on Saturday: Tovey, Simpson, Priddlo, M'Cusker, J. Ewart, C. Scott, A. Farmer, Beck, S eifert, Terry, Shepherd, Green, Normanby, Hutcheson, Aston, E. Ewart, Beauchamp. Emergencies, Brunmer, Nosworthy, and Malcolm. The following will do battle for the Marlborough’s : Baillie, Clark, F. Redwood, Young, Driscoll, Dobson, Draper, Rothwell, Murphy, A. Douslin, H. Robinson, S. Hodaon, and Bums. Emergencies : Ball, Coward, Healy and Bartlett. Play commences at 3 p.m. sharp in Seymour Square. The Greenwood Family. —This talented company made their second uppearanoe in Ewart’s Hall last evening to a most appreciative audience. With the exception of one or two items the programme was an entirely new one, and proved more conclusively, if that were necessary, the naturai and acquired talents of this gifted family, Every item on the programme was appreciated, the features of which were the pianoforte soli - (with variations) “ Massa’s in the Cold, Cold Ground,” by Miss Nora, and “Home, Sweet Home,” by Miss Greenwood; “The Jewel Song,” by Miß* Mari be 1; the duet, “Trust Her Not,” by the Misses Maribel and Agatha; the violin solo, “ Sizieme air Varie,” by Miss Maribel, “Ave Maria,” by Miss Agatha, with violin obligato by Miss Maribel; and the recitation, “Poor People,” by Miss Maribel. The programme for this evening will be an entirely new and particularly attractive ono, and will include a charming recitation by Miss Ruby, “ Nothing but Care,” and a duet by Mrs Greenwood (piano) and Miss Maribel (violin). The prices for this occasion have been reduced to 3s, 2s and Is, when there should be a full house. Havelock R.M. Court.— Police v C. H. Mills, T. Brown, Mrs Pear, Mr Congdon and Jabez Wells, for allowing cattle to stray in a public place.—Mr Mills asked the Bench to treat all the cases as one, as all tho defendants were agreeable to abide by the result.—Sergeant O’Donovan sworo to having seen Mr Mills’ cow at large in Laurence-street on April 21st, and ho called on Mr H. B. Adams, the informant, to corroborate his statement. Witness would not hare thought these proceedings necessary only for the information laid. In reply to questions, Mr Adams replied that he had not laid the information through animus, and admitted keeping a largo number of cattle himself formerly. He asked Sergt O’Donovan to let him put his horse in the Government paddock while his fence was being mended. This was after the notice re prosecuting people had been issued by the police. He intended to see everybody keep their cattle in paddocks.—Mr Mills read a copy of a resolution passed at a public meeting last Tuesday evening, showing that the ratepayers still wished oattle and horses to be at large.—His Worship said the cases did not call for a heavy penalty,; the defendants would in each case be fined Is, and 7s costs.— Brownlee and Co. v E. Maddock, claim for L 3 6s 7d, for goods supplied.—Judgment by default, and 6s costs.—Havelock Correspondent.

Spring Creek Road Board. — The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board took place on Wednesday afternoon, the mombers present being: Messrs J. H. Redwood (Chairman), W. Murray, Isaac Gifford and G. Dodson. Mr A. Eyles waited upon the Board and asked permission to open up a road to section 29, Omaka, agreeing to pay all expenses connected therewith.—lt was resolved that the request be complied with. The Wairau Hospital and C.A. Board wrote intimating that the levy for the year amounted to L 54 13s sd, payable in quarterly instalments of LI3 13s 4d each. The levy for the previous year was L7B, being about L 24 more than this year, which may be accounted for by the lower rate levied. A letter was also received from the Borough Council, re road through section 75, Omaka, leading to the gravel pit on Opawa river-bed, informing the Board that in consequence of the Omaka and Spring Creek Road Boards having carted so much gravel over the road, it had got into a very bad state, and that if these Boards did not repair the road, it would be closed to them. On the motion of Mr Dodson, the matter was held overuntil nextmeeting. Tenderswere received for metalling portion of road, Spring Creek to Redwood’s mill: — Cameron Bros , LI ds per chain; M. Ohlsen, LI 6s ; Andrew Bros., Ll 5s 6d. The lowest tender was accepted. The Inspector brought under the notice of the Board the bad state of the road near Mr Paul’s. He said that at present it was badly cut up by timber waggons from Kaituna, and it required metalling very badly. The Board was sorry that it had not funds at its disposal to metal the road at present, but they hoped to be able to put it in repair by the spring time. The Inspector also reminded the Board that it expressed it 3 willingness at the last meeting to spend some money in repairing the road to the Peninsula Flax Mill, and ho stated that if the work was not gone on with at once, it would be too late for the season. It was resolved that LlO be expended on the road withouti delay. The accounts passed were:— Cameron Bros., LSO ; W. Robinson, LI2 ; Murray, 17s.

4. New Oratorio— ln a certain school in Edinburgh the other day a teacher asked his class the meaning of ‘-‘ oratorio ”—a word which occurred in their lesson. As no one could give an intelligent answer, he proceeded to an explanation. He told them that it was a kind of musical drama usually founded on goipe Scripture story ; and he instanced the “Messiah” and “Israel in Egypt” as examples. He then appealed to the class to give him other examples. One boy who was manifesting a growing impatience at not being allowed to show that he knew all about oratorios was at length asked, and fairly nonplussed the master by' his answer—- “ Aaron oa the Rhine 1”

Hightamjers as Soldiers.— lf you depopulate the Highland-, says Sro'i, where will you find your Highlander., hi case of war? 'The same question is asked by a Highland officer. He says—“ For thirty-seven years I have commanded and associated with Highland soldiers. But of them all I have never found an equal to the men from the Lew’s for a combination of martial aptitude, sublime courage, and child like obedience. In a word, they are mentally as [well as physically, the finest soldiers I have ever seen in the course of a life which has taken mo into all the capitals of the world and some of its hottests campaigns.” These are the men for whom extirpation is proposed. “ Grander weapons for the defence of a country.” says the Highland officer, “ God never gave to any rulers.”

The Other Way About. —lt is not always that a lunatic takes charge of a keeper, but the following story, which shows that such a state of things is possible can bo vouched for. A steamer recently passed through Nelson on hoard of which was a lunatic with his keeper. As time permitted it, the keeper being kind hearted brought his charge up to have a look round the town, and it is presumed he must have met a good many friends vs hose healths he did not fail to drink, for to the amazement of the officers of tho steamer later in the day they saw approaching, not the keeper with the lunatic in charge, but the latter with his overseer firmly grasped by the hand to keep him steady. Needless to say this remarkable sight caused no little merriment.

The Kimberley Goldfield. —Writing from Derby, under date 30th March, the correspondent of the Argus says : —“ According to the latest accounts from the goldfields, the general opinion seems to be that the future of Kimberly as a permanent reefing field is assured, and each arrival in Derby from the diggings adopts a more hopeful tono. No one seems to know what is being done in the way of alluvial mining, but the faot that there is no lack of ready money on the field goes far to show that the wet season has not been an altogether unprofitable one. There is great scarcity of labor, the majority of the 400 men on the ground preferring to fossick for themselves, though a high rate of wages still prevails. The road to Derby is now in very good order.

The Californian Thistle. —Some idea of the difficulty of eradicating the Californian thistle can be formed from the following experience of Mr M'Pherson, manager of tho Totara station, Oamaru. He says : “A piece of land infested with the Californian thistle was lot for potato cropping, and the cropper undertook, when he leased the land to completely kill this patch out. But after all the ploughing, harrowing, grubbing, drilling, etc., that the land got in planting the potatoes, the thistles still kept growing. He then set his men on to pull up every shoot that could be seen. This they did at three different times, but it grew as luxuriantly as ever. They then hoed it down threo or four times, but that did no good. Mr M'Pherson then advised them to keep cutting it above ground, which they did nine times before harvest commenced. Now, when they are digging the potatoes, the plants are all about the size of tho sample sent (twelve to eighteen inches high), and cover about a quarter of an acre of land. It is no ir proposed to cover the patch with straw, and see what effect that will have.

Disappointing. —A Nelson Exchange says:—We are sorry to hear that there is but little probability of the English footballers playing in Nelson. They play in Wellington on the 12th May, and are duo to play at Auckland on the 19th. From Wellington they journey overland to New Plymouth, meeting teams at the different places en route; but ’we understand that should the Nelson Rugby Union agree to guarantee the L7O the Englishmen ask for, before playing here, they would go to Auckland via Nelson instead of patronising the overland route. However, the Union here have docided not to pledge themselves to pay this amount, so that unless the visitors agree to take less and decide to call in on their return from Auckland, we are afraid Nelson will not have the privilege of seaing the English football team in the field,

A Good Yarn. —The following rather good yarn comes from Wanganui, and is told in the Weekly Press : —At the race time the hotel was crowded to overflowing, and the result was that the bedrooms had to double hank, and shakedowns pervaded the whole establishment. One of the bedrooms contained a station-owner, and a bank agent of slender form, and one or two others unknown to fame, and, like tho rest of the party, unknown to each other. After all had gone to bed, and quietness was aspiring to the throne, the sonorous tones of unmistakable snoring commenced to emanate from one of tho sleepers. The dealer in bullion stood it for a time, hut as it got louder and louder yet, until it resembled peals of distant thunder, his patience became exhausted, so that he resolved to put an end to the disturbance. Quietly getting out of his bed and walking to that of his room mate he laid his hand gently on the erring one and said, “ I don't know who you are, or what you are, bat if any more of this confounded noise goes on you will be chucked out.” Amidst yawns and grunts came the very deliberate reply : “ I don’t know who you are, or what you are, but lam Slavin.” History gives no more.

Recent Wrecks. Why (asks the Lyttleton Times) are so many ships lost on the West Coast of tho North Island as they near Wellington? That question has puzzled the public for a good many years. It has puzzled shipmasters, too, for many a skipper has been startled by finding himself miles from where he considered he ought to have been. The inquiry into the loss of the Weathersfield gives us reason for believing that these fatalities happen because in strong gales a current draws into the Wanganui Bight. Very naturally the suggestion has been made to place a light on Stephen’s Island. That question can not, of course, be decided right offhand. The location of a light for the guidance of seaman is an enterprise of pith and moment no to b lightly undertaken. Many things have to be considered, and many persons c:nsulted, before the au horiiies can come to a decision which may be binning for all time. But at (he out-et it should bo understood that- one thing should not lie heard of in this mu’ter. We msan exp:nse as an objection. A people which aims at taking a high place among marj time commercial nations, must be above grudging a few hund ed pounds in miking a dangerous pirt of its coast site for life and property, The Wanganui Bight is dangerous to vessels which bar ■ pass d Cape Farewell at night, and are steering for Cook Strait in a nor’-wester. For this reason : They have got out of the range of the Cape Farewell light, and they have not got within range of the light at the Brothers, at the Cook Strait entrance. In order to avoid D’Urville Island, they shape a coarse westwards ; while doing so the current carries them off, and when looking for the Brothers j .they go ashore in the Bight, A light on Stephen’s Island, a few hundred yards north of D’Urville' Island, would enable them to shape a course for the opening of the Strait without danger. That is the case for the light on Stephen’s Island. It seems unanswerable.