Untitled

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4978, 10 April 1889, Page 3

Shoals of small fish, said to be the same as with the Picton herring, are now swimming about tho roadstead, attended below by predocious fishes and above by a swarm of golls. We understand that the fishermen have no nets small enough in mesh to catch them, or they could swamp their boats with the hauls they could get.

We would call attention to a lecture to be delivered to-morrow (Thursday)evening at the Baptist Church by Mrs Brown (who for six years was constant visitor to the Hindoo Zenanas) descriptive of the customs and ceremonies of India in connection with the births, marriages, and deaths of the people. The Rev. B. Austin (Congregational Minister) is to take the chair. Admission is free. Collection on behalf of fund for repainting the church. Some native dresses will be shown.

The Geraldine County Council epent most of their morning sitting in committee, and the reporters were requested not to publish even the resolutions which expressed the decisions arrived at. This was no doubt proper as regards one subject, a matter now before the Supremo Court. But in another case all that was involved was the publication of- the fact that the Council had blundered badly on an important matter of a legislative character. To have published this fact may have given a certain license to evil disposed people, but it was not quite the proper thing for the council to screen themselves from blame in that way.

The Minister for Public Works has just received from the inventor a splendid set of photographic prints illustrating the Abl system of mountain lines which it has been proposed to apply to the Midland Lino in the Southern Alps. The illustrations give a most complete and exhaustive view of every detail of the system, and its practical working, ns it is carried on in connection with several steep railways of importance in various parts of the world. So far as can be judged from these illustrations and the information appended, the system appears likely to work very well, and to answer most practical purposes in connection with the alpine section of the Midland line.

Mr F. Arenas,, proprietor of the Cafe de Paris, Christchurclx (formerly proprietor of the Orari hotel), has had an unpleasant experience of a tenant. He made money in the Cafe for several years—from £6OO to £IOOO a year, and in 1887 let it to one W. Savage for 7 years at £766 a year, and went to live in Melbourne. Savage shut up the house in February and sold off all the furniture. Arenas retook possession and sued Savage for £IOOO damages. The case was heard on Monday when the jury, though there was no defence, and the plaintiff’s case seemed perfectly clear, gave the plaintiff only a farthing damages. They have a free and easy way of doing business in the E.M. Court at Waipawa. In a case the other day there was no appearance of the plaintiff, so that Mr Loughnan, who appeared for him, asked for an adjournment. This was granted, but Mr Cresswell for defendant demanded costs. It came out that though three of Mr Cresswell’s witnesses (Maoris) were present and sudpoenas taken out, these had not been served. Mr Loughnan objected to paying costs to witnesses not subpoenaed, “ Well, I’ll soon get over that ” said Mr Cresswell, and turning to the Clerk of the Court he said, “ Where are those copies," and grabbed up a sheaf of blue papers. “I’ll soon serve them," he said “It is contempt of court to serve them in

the court,” quietly remarked the R.M. “Oh I know that," replied Mr Cresswell. “ Here, (naming the Maoris,) “come outside and get your subpoenas.” Out the Maoris went and got their bits of paper. Then Mr Cresswell returned, and the R.M. remarked. “ I don’t think I can give costs when the witnesses have not been served.” “But they have been, your Worship,” said Mr Cresswell, “ and that before your Worship has given judgment in the matter!" There was a smile (audible) and the R.M. saw that Mr Cresswell had scored. Costs were allowed of £1 9s Bd, and solicitor’s fee £1 Is, and the case stood adjourned.

At a committee meeting of the South Canterbury Hunt Club held at the Ship Hotel thi s morning there were present, Mr E. T. Ehodes, in the chair, Messrs T. Hamlyn, J. A. Gracie, H. G. Bristol, 0. K. Meredith Kaye, B. S. Black, treasurer, M. Gray secretary. A letter was read from Mr J. S| Eutherford, suggesting that the club should have definite control of the hounds by purchase from present owners or otherwise j and referring to sundry matters of account. Also from Mr Qodby’s representative, and Mr Hamlyn, offering to hand over their respective shares in the hounds to the master for the time being, so long as the club remains in existence, provided that should the club cease to exist they bo returned a similar number of hounds. The secretary was directed to hand over to Mr J. 8. Eutherford balance of cash from last year’s account, and subscriptions of 1888 collected this ycar> and to thank him for his liberality in keeping the hounds ponding the rearrangement of the club. The fixtures for May were then arranged. The opening meeting will be at the Kennels on Saturday 4th (day after Timaru races;, and in the Sports Week following, nt Saltwater Creek on Tuesday, and Washdyke on Saturday, so it is to bo hoped that Mr E. T. Ehodes will have largo fields to welcome and support hiip in his new position as was-: ter. It is probable the pack will bo taker* up to Albury and Fairlie Creek for a few runs before ;commencing regular hunting in the low country, when the retiring master Mr J. S, Eutherford will no doubt enjoy a spin with bis old favourites, although hunting men will regret that ho will no longer be seen loading the field on “ Otuio,"

The list of grand and common jurors for service at the Supreme Court on the 30fch inst. was struck by the sheriff (Mr 0. A. Wray) this afternoon. Notices will bo served in duo course during the next few days. Princess Hohenlohe has recently met with an awkward rebuff. For many years Her Highness has been in the habit of gating her smartest dresses from Paris. There were no difficulties when she was German Ambassadress, but after the Prince was appointed Governor - general of AlsaceLorraine it was deemed expedient by his wife to change her dressmaker, and she has since conducted her negotiations with the now modiste under an assumed name. The other day, however, the secret was divulged by accident, whereupon the patriot with whom the Princess dealt with declared that no true Frenchman could take money from the wife of the Prussian ruler of Alsace-Lorraine, and she was requested to remove her account elsewhere, and the orders which were already “in hand” were not completed.