CHRISTCHURCH

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2141, 31 January 1880, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH

[from our own correspondent.]

The renewed search by the police during the last few days for George Vennell, who has been missing from his home, New Brighton, since August last, led me to think that something unusual must have arisen to cause it. In answer to a question put by me to a constable on the beat, ho told me he did not know, but I felt certain from his manner that he did. Further inquiries have elicited the fact that the evening before the search was renewed, a tomahawk, which bore marks of blood and had a few grey bail’s affixed to it (Yennell’s hair was grey), had been found in a gorse fence, near Vennell’s house, and handed to the police authorities. It will be remembered that the man was missing a fortnight before it was publicly known, and when the house was examined, spots of blood were found on one of the Avails, and also a number of shot-marks. Gn dragging the river subsequently the police drew up portions of sheets on

which wore stains of blood. During the late search, however, nothing satisfactory was discovered to shed a new light on the mystery. The shortest meeting of creditors I ever heard of, lately happened in a line hotel not a hundred miles from Cathedral Square, and the circumstances will have some interest for 3 r our numerous readers. Old Timaruites will remember in the by - gone palmy da3 r s, the owner of a gentlemanly appearance in the Ihyval billiard-room, whose cries of “ 3'ellow on red,” “ green on yellow,” “ lirst off 3’ellow,” were familiar, the last-named given in such a S3’inpathetie tone as to often raise a hearty laugh. Poor 8. could not disguise that lie was a hit of a gentleman, although, like

many others, a fool only to himself. His next promotion was to a eookshop for an old friend at Geraldine. Family withdrawals into a better land, caused enquiries to be made for this scrapegrace, and the unpleasant news was gently broken to him that until an uncle saw lit to “ shullle,” he would have to try anil Jive on £4OOO a-year, the hulk to follow on the decease mentioned. Out of the first instalment received, y. gave his old friend a complete rig out, and as the latter had often expressed a wish to be able to visit some friends at Wellington, S. presented him with £IOO

to take the trip, and having seen wild and daring life for a bit, started himself for Home, He has returned older in appearance, but not much sobered with age, and often it is not so much the length of the street that troubles him as its width. His money comes out every quarter, and while it lasts the cabbies and others have a roaring time of it, but towards the end of it he has occasionally to draw it mild. Well, to my story. The last instalment did not arrive when due, and

some new creditors who did not know S. as well as the older ones put down the expected remittance as fudge, and took out summonses accordingly. S kept out of the way for a little while, and at last determined to call a meeting of his creditors. This was done, and the day and hour fixed at a certain hotel. At the appointed time three creditors had assembled in a large room, when in solemnly marched S. (just ballasted, so to speak), followed by the hotel buttons with a long pen nearly as large as himself stuck behind one ear,,and carrying an armful of foolscap on which he was to take notes of the proceedings as secretary to S. Having, with much formality, taken his seat at the headnjf the table and seen his secretary fixed, S. suddenly noticed that one face of the three creditors was not familiar to him, and, looking at him straight, said, “ Who the ‘ahem!’ are you?” “I,” meekly replied the person addressed, “represent Mr .” “Oh ! sit down then and make yourself at home.” The convener having now seen that all was ready, and that his secretary was doing his best to keep his long pen in a perpendicular position, spoke as follows : “ Gentlemen, I declare this meeting open for business. Now, my noble heroes, the money’s not come, and I’mstumped. It’ll come though, and you know it will. If you like to wait, I’ll pay every one of you, and if you don’t you can all go to Hong Kong. Boy, bring me a cab. I declare this meeting closed." And the convener arose and strayed out to fake a refresher leaving the creditors with their mouths extended to nearly the size of a parish oven. Before they had quite recovered the jovial Boniface came into the room and explained matters, which resulted in their taking a drink and departing perfectly satisfied. Of course none of the numerous old creditors had turned upas they knew that everything would eventually be all right. Members of the House of Representatives in addition to their free passes arc allowed to store their luggage gratis at any railway station during the time the House is sitting or immediately after the session, under the supposition, I suppose, that they are going to or returning from their Legislative duties. But how this rosy little privilege is sometimes abused the following instance will show: Lately we were honored here with the presence of a Member who resides down South, and who, when he thought of returning home sent a package to the Christchurch terminus. A short time before the South train started he went to the oflice, got his package, and was about to depart when the Clerk respectfully suggested that there was eightpenee to pay. “ Eightpenee to pay,” said the other indignauily, “Do you know I’sh member.” “Yes sir,” said the clerk, “ but as the Asserabty is not sitting, I am obliged to book it.’.’ “ Oh ! nonsensh, I’sh member,” and away into the carriage went the descendent from Abraham’s bosom, in a direct line, carrying the package with him for which the poor under-paid railway clerk has since had to pay eightpenee storeage. While on railway matters, 1 really do not know what to think of half I hear from the railway quarters. One of the last rumors is that in two of the sheds hero the foremen belong to a certain religion, and those workmen who are not co-religion-ists are weeded out. Perhaps I know a little more, but I must hold it over until I can start fair.

Although the Opera Company, for want of patronage, expect to lose from £SOO to £OOO (f have this from a vdry old friend and leading member of the Company), on their Christchurch season, yet those who say that we, of this very blue-blooded district, are not familiar with, and do not appreciate and encourage high art, cannot know us, as know ourselves. What makes me so sure of our love for the beautiful is that, although the Theatre Royal, with “Carmen” magificently produced, was about three-fourths full, and the audience looking as if they had each a season ticket to attend funerals, the Odd-fel-lows’ Hall, with Abe Hicken, the Australian champion, some amateurs and retired pugs, having sets-to, was crowded iu all but the front seats, and these were fairly filled, at ss. But it was beautiful, and how we applauded them,and how Abe “propped” “ plugged ” “ undercutted ”, and “ ducked,” was worth going miles to see. It was, though, the best satire on the bosh we assume that I have instanced in my experience here.