Richmond Notes.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9269, 6 September 1898, Page 2

Richmond Notes.

(fbom our own cobbesposdknt.) The fine weather during the last week has enabled " farming operations to be carried; on successfully, but the southerly winds Hare had a very drying effect on tbij soil, and a few warm showers would encourage the growth of young crops generally. The fruit trees are also coming into blooms, more particularly peaches and plums. Mr George Silcock having purchased the premises opposite Mr May's store, formerly occupied by Mr Leonard, has opened a butchering business. The front shop has been fitted up in approved style for the exhibition of meat, while a sausage machiue is kept constantly at work in the back I premises. In the rear of the building he ■ has erected a commodious and useful three stalled stable and cart shed. He has further made arrangements with Mr May for the use of his refrigerating chamber, whicn should prove a great acquisition to any butchery during the summer months. Mr Silcock, who is so well-known through^ out the district, has apparently the goodwill of the entire commnnity, who will wish hini well in his enterprise. Mr May junr;, whilst riding over the Moutere hills on his bicycle, determined to test the resisting power of Moutere soil by allowing the machine to run from under him. He is now satisfied that the result was not favorable to himself, although n« bones were broken, he has been at great inconvenience through having to carry his arm in a sling, as the effect of the fall. Mr McConkey on returning to the Babbit Island from Richmond met with a nasty accident which might have proved fatal. A dog jumped out on the road under the horse's head, causing the latter animal to shy, bringinging the spring cart on to a bank. It then shot across the road, upsetting the cart and its occupants. Mr McGonkey was thrown out, but the boy escaped unhurt. The former is very much cut about the face, hands, and body, but nothing of a serious nature beyond personal disfigurement. He wag fonnd on the roadside after the accident, and carried to the White Hart Hotel Richmond. At the Literary Glass the subject under discussion this week was, " Has the reading of fiction a beneficial influence?" Mr Cowles, who presided, endeavored to define fiction, its matter and extent, including the Parables of Soripture, which he considered the highest order of fiction. Mr Hodson considered the reading of novels of a certain class beneficial, as enabling the upper classes to . become acquainted with the manners and methods of life of their humbler brethren, and vice versa, and also as a means of mind culture on every-day life. He also alluded to a certain class of books, which would be better unread, or even unwritten, on account of their lack of moral tone. He valued criticism, as it saved a lot of useless reading by allowing the critics to do the reading, and expressing their opinion on what would otherwise eaus,e waste of time to wade through. Mr Fittall considered novels did not always convey correct ideas of character, but very often either overdrew or were not sufficiently descriptive of the life and character desired, and consequently somewhat misleading if one depended on them entirely for imformat ion. He objeoted, however, to Bible parables coming under the head of pure fiction. Mr Rotton believed in novel reading as a recreation more particularly that order of fiction founded on fact, and showed the necessity of discrimination in the works selected, as a quantity of twaddle and immoral rubbish was constantly being placed before the greedy devourer of modem literature. A social in connection with the Anglican Church was held on Thursday evening in order to reduce the debt on the choir fund. It proved a success in every way, and the debt was reduced to one shilling.