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Southland Times, Issue 15006, 29 July 1901, Page 2

Death of Serjeant Mofkett.- Sergeant VV. A. MofFett, who was stricken with an attack of malarial fever a few days after his return from South Africa, passed away quietly yesterday at 5 p.m. It will be rememWered that the deceased joined the Fifth Contingent, which left the colony in March of last year, and soon obtained the rank of sergeant. His contingent landed at Lk*ira, and while journeying through Portuguese territory he had five attacks of this insidious malady. Recent medical .works on the subject show that those who have Buffered any way severely from malarial fever are almost certain to have a fresh attack if moved quickly from a warm to a cold climate, and there is reason to fear that Sergeant Moffett'a return even to his native place at the most inclement season of the year induced tho attack to which he has unfortunately succumbed. His own friends and the wider circle of the friendu of the family will be deeply grieved to learn this morning of Sergeant Moffett's death, and his parents and household will have the consolation derivable from a very widely extended sympathy. The death of their son \» practically the first breach in the family circle of Mr and Mrs MotFett during their long residence of forty years in lnvercargill. It is also consoling to know that Sergeant Moft'ett was highly esteemed by his com rades for his kindness and self-denying attention to tho sick in the stress and mani- j fold discomforts of warfare. His funeral, i an is fitting, will be a military one. Roi'THr.Avn Hospital. — Tho hoHp'tal returns for hist week wore :— Admitted : 9 males and 4 females ; discharged : .» males and 3 females : died -. Philip Powell, aged h7 vcars ; remaining : 36 males and 13 females. The visiting trustees for this week are Messrs J. K. Watson and B. Allen. IJAR'jrE Ai.exa Lost. — A cable message received this morning from Noumea reports the wreck of Mr W. H. Waterston's barque Alexa at Surprise Island, where she was loading guano. The Alexa, which was a strong, sightly craft, was built at Sunderland in 187S, "and was 42") tons register. R.Mi> on Gamblers. — The police yesterday afternoon arrested eight young men en gaged in playing <- Yankee Gran." For some time pait the police were aware of the existence of a gambling " school' conducted on Sundays in the open among the rushes to tho north-west of thn hospital, but were unable to catch the gamblers owing to their always having a sentry posted. Yesterd-iy, however, rive of the police were early on t lie scene and secreted themselves closo to the spot where the gamblers congregated and pouncing on them caught them red-handed. They were admitted to bail and will be brought before the court this morning. Master Tailors. —At a meeting <jf m v-t^r tailors on Friday night it was decided to form the "Southland Master Tailors' Association," aiul a set of rules was drawn up on lines similar to those of .similar associations in the northern towns. The objects of the (Association are mainly to protect the interests of its members in any matters or disputes atlcding the trade. Most of the masters in Southland have intimated their intention to join the association. Harrin<;to\\ — A nodal was tendered to Mr and Mrs Win. Murphy on Friday night upon their leaving the district. Mr Cowan occupied the chair and in making presentations, referred to the long connection of the family with the district and of the respect in which Mr and Mrs Murphy are held. Mr Hunter also made a fow remarks. Mr Murphy appropriately replied, stating that he liked the district, and it was simply on account of his health that he wished a change. Miss Steadman, Messrs Hinchey, SieaiTman mid Anderson entertained the company with song and recitation ami, after tea, dancing was c*n joyed for a. few hour*. " Auld Lang Syno" and " For he's a jnlly gnod fellow" brought the evening to a clone. -Own correspondent. Noktjiem) Bowline Cli'b. — The first annual meeting of members was held on Friday evening, the president (Mr Gilkison) in thechair.and I-tmetnbersbeing'preseiit. From the report und balance sheet it appeared that there were 37 annual and 8 life members for past year ; that £347 18s 9d had been laid nut on the property, but spoil sold brought the nett outlay on the ground to £27ft 9s 6d, including laying on water. £80 was paid off purchase of land and preliminary expenses. General charges and caretakers wages brought the total outlay to £463 19s 3d. Towards this £260 has been lent to the club on debentures, and allowing for receipts, tho year closed with a debit balance to the bank of £2 3s 6d, and £160 yet to pay on the land. It was decided to make the subscription for full members this year £2 'is, and for country members £1 Is, and that the members of th^ Southland Club might be made honorary members at 10s 6d, without any right to play in matches or to take any part in the management ; the Southland Club having also resolved to reciprocate. Mr Cilkiaon was elected president, and Messrs W. Guthrie, .Small and Morris, vicepresidents : Mr K. Allen, secretary and treasurer ; Messrs J. Findlay, -T. Ham, Speirs, Craig, Walker and Uawson, committee : Mr R. A. Anderson, auditor, and Messrs Findlay, A. E. Smith and Ham, grounds committee. The meeting passed a hearty vote of thanks to the president and secretary for past services. A Rei'Mox. — Mr H. King about 2.3 years ago was a fireman on the Southland section of tho N.Z. railways, but left for New South Wales. From there, after 1 1 years' service, he returned to New Zealand with a firstclass enginemaii's certificate. He took up land in the North Island- and farmed till recently, when he leased it and started as a bookseller uiiil stationer at Pahiatua. He visited Invercargill last week to have a look at the district and to see his old railway friends. He was astonished at the revolution in railway and other matters since he left. He invited a few of the old stagers of the service here, with other friends, to meet him at the London Hotel and on Saturday night a most enjoyable time was spent, Mr .1. Brass, one of the oldest drivers in the service, and Mr . l. Holmes, guard, were present and bore testimony to the qualifications of Mr King an a railway man and citizen. Toa.stH were given in honour of Messrs Brass, Holmes, Forrester, Greenwood, Walsh, Hartle and Thomas, and duly responded to, the latter making a presentation of a cigar-holder to Mr King, who expressed his admiration of the gift in a very appropriate manner. Mr King also presented all in the room with a large photo of the Invercargill railway premises, which w*s hijjlily thought, of liy thoso present. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the usual toast to the host and hostess, who richly deserved same, and " Auld Lang Syne." Thk Pollards. — Those of our readers who are desirous of witnessing the performance of Florodora on Wednesday or Thursday night ought to book seats early, otherwise they may not have an opportunity later on, as already a rush for seats has set in. The company cannot remain here longer than two nights, as they are to open in Punedin on 3rd August. The traffic manager has arranged to run late trains to Bluff after the performance each evening, thus giving the Portitos and othora on the line opportunities of witnessing the most successful comic opera brought out for many a long day. it is only necessary to mention the fact that the company compries its old and talented mombers, as well as some fresh faces, to convince that a real treat is in store for theatre-goers. Admit as Reasonable as Tohincainm. — After a half century of growth and decline American Spiritualists, in taking account of stock, find small encouragement. Since. Jhristian science came in it has thrown Spiritualism into the shade. In twenty-one ">f the States its membership is said to be steadily decreasing. There are now reported iess than si.xty Spiritualist societies and lycoums, the survivors of ten times as many n the palmy past. Spiritualists attribute ;his decline to a lack of organisation. Most >eople will regard it as a case of satisfied :unosity turning aside to fresh novelties, especially those of Theosophists with their astral bodies,' etc. Horse Salk — Messrs Wright, Stepheiison md Co. report having held a very successful lale of draught and light horses in Sweetnan's bazaar, Otautau, on Friday, when ,hoy offered 45 horses and sold a largo proportion. Buyers were present from Gore, iOdondale, Mataura Island, Invercargill and ill the surrounding districts. Following tro some uf tin* principal prices : Draught nares, £49, £48, £38 Ids and £33 : colts, t!SO and £4o ; geldings, £41, £38 10s, £3,"), £29 and £27 10s ; buggy mare, £20 10s ; illy foal, £19 10s. They also sold the •lydeßdale stallion Willie, on account of MiFames James, to Mr Patrick Gorman of tlatama Island.

Bluff.— The bazaar and carnival was open on Thursday and Friday nights, good business being done each evening. The i etall-holdera received their due share of patronage, and varioua attractions were put on and favourably received. The bazaar concluded a very successful run on Saturday night. Oreplki.— The English Church bazaar, which was held last Wednesday in Sorrenson's Hall, under the auspices of the Key. Mr Donaldson and Mrs Davidson, was not very largely patronised, yet they managed to realise about £36. On "Friday afternoon an accident happened on the railway extension to a man named Middleton, who had his thigh fractured. He was stopping a trolley and was knocked down. Dr Stockwell wii" soon on the scene, and made the sufferer as comfortable as circumstances would permit, and he was conveyed to the Riverton Hospital. The shale works annual ball came off on Friday night in Cassel's hall. The affair was very successful and a pleasant evening was the result. Kiugsland and Sons catered in their usual up-to-date manner. —Own correspondent. Social to Cori-okai. Bissett.— On Friday evening Corporal llissett was tendered a social in the Waianiwa hall, over 100 sitting down to an excellent repast supplied by Mr J. G. Steans, grace being said by the Rev. W. White. Mr v\. A. Young made an ctli'.'iont chairman and, after the loyal and patriotic toasts had been disposed of, proposed " Our guest," and in doing so congratulated Corporal Bissett on his sate return, and presented him with a gold Maltese cross medal bearing the following inscription: — "To Corporal R. Bissett, N.Z.K.R, 2,7/1901, 4th Contingent." The recipient made suitable response, and said that if more men were wanted from New Zealand he would be among J.he first to offer his services. Mr E. R. i. Mackay (Makarewa), in proposing the " Army, Navy and Citizen Soldiers," paid a high tribute to the defenders of the Empire and to the efforts made by the Imperial Government in the matter of defence. Mr M. J. Fordi? replied in a neivt speech. The Rev. W. White proposed "The N.Z. Contingents," and in doing so said that were he asked what was the most important event in Australasian history he would say it was the sending away of the contingents, which h*s had for its issue the solidifying of the Empire. Ho maintained there was no country which contended for liberty like the British Empire. Mr Colin Gray in responding said many people thought when the contingents went away that it was only the scum of the earth tli.it were being sent, but ho knew them to be men who had their hearts in the right place. He mentioned that he remombered Corporal Bissett's grand uncle leaving the Old Country for active service. A number of minor toasts were duly honoured and songs were sung by Mrs Noble, Miss Crengle and Messrs G. King and R. Murray. A dance which followed was patronised by about 30 couples, the musicians being Messrs Bunion and King, and Mr W. A. Young making a capable M.C Ckvim. in the Wilderness.— A writer to the North Otago Times says. — Thero are mmv thinking men who are conscious that this' colony is rapidly drifting to the sad position which tin- Master has described in the words!— "A houso divided against itself cannot stand. " There are others who are unconsciously in a state of fearful unrest because of the perils of never-ceasing change which characterise our legislation on social, industrial and political subjects. There is no need for the slightest attempt to justify those assertions. Overwhelming proof of the dismal outlook is forthcoming in the daily papers, and no one of influence or authority comesforward to pronounce the de mand " Halt !" to the leaders in the mad crusade of " turning the world upside down " by their frantic use of the doubleedged weapons of so-culled ieform. There is a very close and appropriate analogy between the various functions of the human body in its members, and the body politic of society. This has been lost sight of by outblinded progressive leaders in this young country. It were well for them and their victims if they should quietly study thu writings of St. Paul who, )1 he had not been tingreat apostle of the Gospel to the Gentile, would have been a statesman of the first rank. Ho dealt with the great tir.st and abiding principles of righteous action. In inimitable terms ho writes of the body and the relation of its members in Ist Corinthians, 12th chapter. Now, in direct op position to such a definition of relative duties, and the inherent principle of cooperation, we have seen and do see now our politicians of New Zealand setting " the feet against the head." Wo have so lowered the standard of the franchise, and so extended it that we are by majorities of ailly women and thoughtless men bound to a course of destruction of the prime elements of a well organised society. The whole community of New Zealand is being shattered into shreds and patches, and the word '' union is becoming a bye-word and reproach, in fact, a synonym for discord, disunion, and dissatisfaction. Over all the seething mass of warring sections in our industries, the great Seddon reigua and smiles, and, it may be, laughs in his sleeve at the utter folly of his deluded follower*.