THE Marlborong Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1885. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1885, Page 2

THE Marlborong Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1885. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

♦ Boycotting the Expbebs.— We have received an intimation from a number of Catholics m Marlborough declining, m consequence of some remarks made by us during the late River Board election, to subscribe to the MißWinitounu Expbssb any longer. On a close inspection of the list of names, we discover that only twenty-five at present subscribe to this journal, and a reference to our books reveals the fact that several of them are very slow payers. We have no objection to stop sending the paper at the expiration of the present quarter to any who so desire, but it must be distinctly understood that all back accounts are then to be paid. We expect to reap a " golden harvest." This miserable attempt at Boycotting will defeat itself. Pelorus Foreshore.— The license to Mr Wm. Brownlee to use and occupy a part of the foreshore of the Pelorus Biver, for the erection of a wharf, is published m the Gazette. Salvation Army.— The Aimy will hold its usual weekly meeting at Picton tonight. An Intebebtinq Election.— lt was three years last night since a contested School Committee Eleotion took place m i Blenheim, and the fight yesterday was keen. Two of the retiring Committee deolined to stand again ; and two of those who did stand were defeated. The new Committee consists of two of the former members, and five new men. 103 hotwoholdarß voted, and recorded G69 votes. There was only one informal paper.

Tenders.— Contractors should bear m J mind that tenders for erecting n. cottage m i Alfred Street close at Mr Douslin's office t at noon to-morrow. c Free Pard».y.— The Department of ' Justice offers a free pardon to any acoom- I plice m the incendiary fire at the New E Zealand Timber Companies premises, < Auckland, upon such accomplice giving ' information which will lead to the con- ■ viction of the other offenders. | [ Good Attendance. — It may be found ; interesting to record the attendance roll of the retiring Blenheim School Com- j : mittee, which is as follows : — Oat of 19 I meetings, Messrs Purser, Falconer, and Nosworthy each attended 18, Mr Huetwick 17, Mr Ching 16, Mr Pirani 14, and Mr Dodeon 8. We trnat the new Committe will make it their business to attend as regularly. Auction. — Messrs Green and Nosworthy will auction the farming stock, implements, and sacks of rye grass, clover, and hay, at Messrs Coo 1 * and Davidson's farm at half past 12 p.m. tomorrow. Catalogues of this highly important sale can be procured of the auctioneers. The attendance of buyers is likely to be large. Postponed, — In consequence of the death m the Rev. D, McNicoll's family the Public meeting of the Blue Ribbon Army called for to-night has been postponed to a date hereafter to be fixed. School Committee,— Subsequent to the meeting of householders last night the newly elected Committee held a meeting, as provided by statute, for the election of chairman. Present : Messrs ■Ta9. Robinson (who was voted temporarily to thu chair), Terry, Birch, Healy, Ching, and Nosworthy. On the motion of \lr Ching, seconded by Mr Birch, the office of chairmau was conferred on Mr Terry. An amendment m favor of Mr Nosworthy (who had previously declined to act) was moved by Mr Heily, but met with no seconder. Mr Terry acknowledged the appointment, which he considered was the greatest honor conferred on him since he had been m Blenheim. It was resolved that the monthly meetings be held on the Thursday prior to the Education Board meetings as heretofore. Ihe Committee then adjourned. Class-books.— The Gazette contains an order m Connoil approving of the following class-books for use m public schools:— Huxley's "Physiography," Henry Hill's " Geography adapted to Standards 11, 111 and IV," " Stories from English History— Historical Reader No. 1," and " Modern England— Historical Reader No. 4." The Weather.— Capt. Edwin telegraphed at noon to-day :— Bad weather between N.E. and N. and W., and glass will further fall, and within 12 hours from now very heavy rainfall, and rivers high after 24 hours. Public Trostee.— lt is satisfactory to see that the protection to estates afforded by the Public Trustee's office is being extensively taken advantage of. The wills of three well-known Wellington peopleCaptain Doile, Mr Jamieson of the Bank of New South Wales, and Dr Diver— have been proved by the Public Trnstee dnring the past week. Neglected Childrbn.— At the R.M. Court this morning, before Mr Allen, R.M., three obildren, Thomas, Kate, and Walter Longman, aged respectively 10, 7, and 4, were brought up by the police on the charge of being neglected children with no means of subsistence. The evidence of Messrs W. T. Daikie and Alfred Sowmnn shewed that the children had been m a destitute, starving state recently and had begged for food at the neighbors' houses. Mr W. Craig said that he had supplied the family with rations for the last 9 or 10 months by order of the Government, but they were stopped at the beginning of the month. Since then he had given them a few things on his own account. The mother's house, off the Grove Road, was a disorderly honse. In reply to His Worship, Mr Craig said he could not say why the rations had been stopped, but he received orders from Mr Parker to stop them. He thought the children did not goto school. They were negleoted, 'and bad not enough to live upon. Constable Sherry's evidence shewed that the mother was a drunken woman of abandoned character. Her house was very filthy, and kept m a disorderly way. She was not fit to have charge of the children. Constable Flaherty corroborated the last witneaa. Sergt. White suggested that His Worship should put a few questions to the ohildren. The Sergeant added that they were of tho Church of England persnasion. His Worship said it seemed to he a bad case, but the taking the children away from the mother would relieve her of the sole inducement to her to behave herself, and would encourage her to persevere m her evil habits. Had any information been laid against the mother? Sergeant White said that an information for vagrancy had been laid, bat she was too unwell to appear. He reminded the Court that the Act contemplated the children being rescued from a life leading to their destruction. Hia Worship was aware of that, but thought it did not interfere with his former contention. At the same time it appeared as if the case waa fully proved, though he would like to have had the mother before him and hear what she had to aay. A witness named D, A. Macleod said he was instructed by the mpther to ask the Court not to send the children away too long, as she intended to turn over a new leaf and go away from Blenheim. His Worship said that if he sent them away he must do so for the full time. Sergeant White said there was a clause m the Act which enabled the mother to regain the custody of her children, whenever she was m a fit state to receive them, thongh the authorities would always have control over them. Mr: Allen then ordered the children to be sent to the Burnham Reformatory School until they attained the age of 15. He requeited Mr Macleod to tell the little children that this step was taken for their good, and not to pnnish them. Sergeant White said, m reply to the Court, that they would be sent away to Christchurch to-night. The case then terminated, the thrte poor little ohildren, the youngest of whom was lying dirty, barefoot, and asleep on the Court floor, and the two others of whom cried bitterly, were removed m charge of the police. Subsequently they received every kindness and attention at the look-up. The case is a very sad one, though it has ended fortunately for the children. The mother is the widow of a platelayer on the railway, who met with an acoident and has been dead some time. Cricket. — The Pioton cricketers will come through on Saturday to play the Wairau Club m Blenheim. They have not yet settled whether to drive through or come by train. A Committee meeting of the Wairau Club will be held at the Empire Hotel this evening at eight o'clock, to select a team and make arrangements. WiLiMOTT Company. — The opening performance of Willmott's Dramatic and Comedy Company drew only a moderate house at Ewart's Hall last night, owing to counter attractions. The performance was thoroughly successful, and those who were present must have been delighted with the way m which the comedy of "The Guvnor," was presented m all its parts. Mr Frank Willmot made his debut m the character of Theodore Maooleßfleld, aenr., the deaf boat- builder, and made a good deal of an undeniably strong part. With continued study Mr Willmott will fully equal the original impersonators of the old man who " can't hear a bloomiu' word," anyone says. Mr Arthur Herman wai fnirly g«od aa lit I

Butterscotch, the retired confectioner; and Mr R. W. Rede as his son, the stuttering Freddy, left nothing to be desired. We have seen Mr Rede m a good many parts m our time, and he is a carei fnl stndy and painstaking actor m them all. Mr Oscar Bp'.feas Macclesfield's son, and Mr Charles Marter as the miscbiefmaking Jellicoe, were both good. Mrs Frank Willmott was charming as Carrie, the boat-builder's daughter, and Miss Lizzie Lawrence filled the pp-t of old Mrs Macclesfield with her usual care aid 1 attention to detail. M ; ss Gertrude Duke ss Butterscotch's second wife of whom he is idiotically jealoua ; and Mies Lena Wyatt, a promising young soubrette, as Kate Butheracotch, pleased the audience satisfactorily. The minor parts were appropriately filled. To-night "Withered Leaves," a' pleasant little comedy and " The Factory Girl," which is Madison Morton's "AH that Glitters is not Gold," under a new name, will fill the bill. T Ve hope to se9 a good house. Wesletan Church.— The second draft of the Wesleyan ciicnit stations piaces the Rev. D. M'Nicoll as senior minister at Ashburton, and the Rer. J. Crump at Blenheim. -— mmmmmmmmmmmmm