OBSERVER’S OBSERVATIONS OF MEN AND THINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 339, 11 January 1881, Page 2

OBSERVER’S OBSERVATIONS OF MEN AND THINGS.

What has become of the .ntg collected for the Organ Fund of the is a question that has been lately. That a vigorous staff of collectors went forth and with a fair amount of success, ami that a concert was held for tho purpose of raising funds to this end is well known ; but as the affair commenced with a loud flourish of trumpets, and as suddenly collapsed, the public have o right to know what bus becdme of the money, and whether the amount is in quantum sufficit for the purpose.

Speaking of the collection of this fund, rather a novel way of raising the wind was adopted by one of them—a young lady. Calling upon a local storekeeper she presented him with a small pass-book showing a list of subscribers, and requesting a donation: The storekeeper suddenly remembered that the church was in no immediate need of an orgau, but promised to consider, inwardly chuckling no doubt at hia cleverness in evading the fair collector. About a week afterwards this same collector called again, requesting a sample of tea, &c —her father being about giving him a turn. The storekeeper’s countenance by this time having assumed a benevolent aspect, the young lady again produced the pass book above referred to, and this time her zeal met with commensurate success. Need I say that that storekeeper is still waiting for the order.

The Rev. J. C. Welsh was on Sunday Jan 2, inducted to the pastorate of St. Saviour’s Church. Daring the evening service Mr Welsh referred in a most feeling manner to the great responsibility resting on a minister of the Gospel, and he sincerely hoped that the congregation would assist him in every possible way. A wish in which I heartily join. Knowing as I do that without a minister’s hands are strengthened by the congregation his labor is in vain. lam glad to welcome Mr Welsh.

The approaching elections of School Committees gives a fitting opportunity to those habitual growlers who maintain that School Committees do nothing. That the Committees have little status is admitted, but the charge of their doing nothing is a most unfounded one, and moreover most ungrateful to those gentlemen who spend their time often at a great inconvenience to themselves in not working out their own aggrandisement, but for the good of the children attending school, and consequently benefitting some of those very growlers. That the School Committees cannot do more than they have is because their hands are tied by—lst, the unsatisfactory state of the finances of the colony, and, 2nd, by the red tapeism that exists

amongst certain cliques connected with the Board of Education. Sweep away the Boards of Education, give pommictees mqre power, and twq eyfls are thus remedied. As it is generally understood that the present system of Education canqot last for ever, bqt that mighty changes may occur during the next 12 mppths, I shall expect to see a full meeting at the school on the 24th January, and the apathy shown in these matters in the past give way to a new order of things.

An advertisement appeared some time ago in one of your contemporaries calling for tenders for makin r 21 suits for the C.Y. Cavalry, Timaru, and it is satisfactory to record that one of our local tailors was the lowest tenderer. But it is most unsatisfactory to record the fact that he did not get the job, and why 1 Not because he was unable to manufacture the articles. Oh no, but because he did not reside in Timaru. I have always fought shy of Timaru for various causes, aud I have always opposed our member because his interests were too much bound up m Timaru, but I will go further now, and advise people to spend their money where they earn it And a word of advice to employers of labor, employ only those who spend their money in the town, and on no account allow a man to get on your books who spends his ready money in Timaru, and makes only a convenience of you.

Mr W. Binley has the honor of capturing the largest trout of the season, that gentleman grassing one a week or so ago weighing BJlbs.

Can any of your readers oblige the lady mentioned below by giving the address of one Ben Boswvll. The said Ben Boswell being indebted to a certain storekeeper (who shall be nameless), and hearing that his former residence was in Ashburton, addressed a note to him requesting a settlement, failing which by a certain date, ho should take legal proceedings for its recovery In a few days that storekeeper received the following from his indignant wife :

“ Sir, —You are under a grand mistake to take legal proceedings with me that never bought a tent or tobacco in your shop You must find Ben Boswell I would like to know where he is I’m his wife I want to know where he is M A Boswell”

If this should meet the eye of the abovementioned, let him steer clear of Ashburton