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Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1466, 3 June 1879, Page 2

Tbmuea Licensing Coubt.— The annual Licensing Court for the district of Temuka will to-morrow (Tuesday) be adjourned to Wednesday, June sth. DrsTBiCT Cotjbt. — Owing to the continued illness of His Honor Judge Ward, the sitting of the District Court, adjourned from Testerday morning to next Wednesday, has been since further adjourned to the 25th instant. Educational. — Intending applicants for the positions of second masters of the Tiinaru and Temuka Schools, are reminded that their applications must be forwarded to the Education Office to-day. Point Races.— The Secretary to the Committee for this race meeting notifies in our advertising columns that the races will be held on the 9th, ins'ead of the 10th instant, as previously advertised. Vital Statistics. — During the month of May six births, one marriage, and three deaths were registered in the Temuka district. In Waimate there were seventeen births, seven deaths, and one marriage. Sale at Temuka.— At the Royal Hotel, Temuka, yesterday, Slessrs Maclean and Stewart offered for sale several sections on behalf of different owners, and succeeded in disposing of lots 82, 83, and 84, in the townahip of Wallingford, at £45, £48, and £61, respectively ; also, sections 66 and 68, in the Arowhenua, at £23 and £17 respectively. Rifle Cobps.— We understand that it is intended to form a rifle corps in Tiinaru. About two years ago an effort was made in this direction, but the Government declined to accept the services of any new corps. That offers of services from various other places have been accepted no doubt leads the promoters of the scheme to hope for success now. Ohaei School Committee. — At a meeting held at Orari, May 31st, there were present : Messrs K. A. Barker (Chairman), May, AlcLeod, Austin, and Henderson. Resolved — " That Mr Hugh Brosnahan be elected a member of the Committee in placo of Mr A. Wadsworth." A letter was rend from the Secretary of the Board of Education, enclosing a plan, and copy of a letter received from Mr Marshman, informing tho Board that he would recommend the Government to reserve 3a. lr. 2p., as shown on the plan, for ft school site. The Secretary also stated that ho would endeavor to have the lnnd secured at once. The Chairman stated that he had heard nothing further from the Secretary, but that, as the timber had already been placed upon the proposed site, he presumed that the land was secured. The contractor for the school buildings having asked the Committee to point out on what part of the sections they would like the buildings erected, it was resolved — " That Mr May see tho contractor, and ask him to place tho school upon No. 17, and tho master's residence upon No. 20, as shown on the plan, and that both buildings be placed half a chain back from the street." A letter was read from the Secretary to the Board of Education, requesting the Committee to nominate two gentlemen qualified to bo members of the Board. Resolved — "That the Chairman forward to the Board of Education the following names : Keith Forbes Gray (Temuka) and Richard Alfred Barker (Orari)." The meeting then adjourned. Gebaldine Beaglr Club. — On Saturday last the members of the Beagle Club met at Mr W. Postlethwaite's, Raukapuka. 'Jhe beagles, as is not unfrequently the case in the Old Country, are kept by individual members of the ( lub, and are brought together when a day's sport is decided upon. The meet of last Saturday morning was a novel and pleasant sight for the district, but one which, no doubt, will soon bo as common here as at Home. '1 he day was favorable for a run, and anxious sportsman were not doomed to be disappointed. Horsemen tothe number of 18 followedtlie pack, and some excellent though risky jumping took place, some of the fences being ugly customers, in the shape of post and rail with a cap wire. The only fall which occurred was that of Mr E. Cox, whose horse " not performing what he might and gladly would have done" in the way of clearing a fencs, his rider waa violently thrown to the ground. Nothing more than a good shaking resulted, and the gentleman was soon ahead again. No hares were killed, but two good runs were got, the dogs working very creditabl* and every . one seeming to be thoroughly delighted with, the day's sport. Among those present we noticed Mr A. L. Barker, Mr R. A. Barker, Mr W. Postiethwaite, Mr Rolleston, Mr A. Cox, Mr P. Cox, Mr.E. Cox, Mr Hardcaatle, Mr Macfarlane, and other gentlemen of the district. Fibe Brigade. — The usualjnonthly meeting of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was held last evening in the engine dep6t, Captain Turnbull in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting wore read and confirmed, and two accounts passed as correct. Resolved — " J hat the sum of £5 be contributed towards paying expenses of Mr Wildio's presentation." A notice of motion — " That members of other Volunteer bodies be not eligible for election as firemen," was withdrawn by the mover, with the seconder's consent. Resolved — "That Captain Turnbull, Lieutenant Mills, Foreman Murray, and Fireman Barry wait upon the Works Committee of the Borough Council re boots." One new member was elected and one proposed for election at the next monthly meeting. Foreman Murray intimated his intention of resigning office in July. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Theatre Royal. — The Royal Illusionists gave their last performance in Tiinaru yesterday evening, and leave for Ashburton by the early train this morning. The first part of the programme consisted of a number of new tricks and illusions. After the iuterval three of the audience went on to the stage to assist Professor Thorn in his table raising. They took their seats round an ordinary oblong table, but failed to discover any mystery about it. According to the Professor's showing it appeared that he had on shoes with framework in them, by which he was enabled not only to lift the table x>ff the floor, but to jerk it away some little distance, and as a proof of his statement he exhibited his double shoes. The next part of the performance consisted of Slade's writing on a slato, which Professor Thorn explained was done by writing backwards underneath an ordinary table. He had found out this and the preceeding trick by the use of a mirror, which he held between his knees, thus being enabled to observe all that went on underneath the table. After this Professor Thorn entered the cabinet, and in a very Rhort time tied himself up, hands, feet, and all, most securely, as the persons on the stage solemnly declared. A coat was then handed to him, and after he had put it on by some mysterious process, its sleeves were sewn together at the wrists. No sooner, however, were the doors of the cabinet shut again, than the coat flew out of the top. Subsequently one of the audience entered, the cabinet, and after being placed on a chair with his hands hard pressed on Professor Thorn's knees, the doors were shut. When next the interior appeared in view, the unfortunate young man hod a pail on his head. This trick waa also explained to the satisfaction of the audience ; j and then came the Katie King Mystery by Mr Darvin. This seance was an imitation of that of the renowned Anna Eva Faye, and in it a number of spirit faces appeared at an aperture in the front of the cabinet. They included Captain Kitt, Ned Kelly, the bushranger (who declared he was not dead), Mrs Jennie Holmes and her child, Mahomet Ali (the noted Indian pirate) and Katie King. The last-named left the cabinet twice, and considerably frightened the committee-man still on the stage. At the conclusion of the performance, Professor Thorn thanked thepablie of Tiinaru for their liberal patronage,and the Press for their kind criticisms. As he acknowledges himself, Professor Thorn ,is a veritable humbug, but he is none the less umpiring for all that.

Tiif. Steam Chase. — The breakage done to the harbor works crane on the occasion of its test ha3 now been fully repaired, but owing to it having been decided to alter the shape of the cogs of the travelling wheels, it will not be in full working order again before Saturday next. Timaiht Waterworks. — The dam in the Pareora Gorge has proved a most satisfactory piece of workmanship, and reflects great credit on the late Mr Wrigg. The water has risen to a height of fully eighteen inches above it, and is now pouring oTer in a splendid cascade. Ihe dam itself is standing splendidly and there i3 now not tho slightest fear of it giving way. Behind it, a deep still weir, fully half-a-mile in length, has been formed within the steep rocky walls of the gorge, presenting a sight as beautiful as it is interesting. Licensing Court. — The anuual sitting of the Timaru Licensing Court will be held today. Mr McLeod is to apply for a licence for a new hotel at Albury, to be called the Railway Hotel. There are two applications lodged for the licence of the Royal Hotel. One 'has been lodged by Mr Michael Mullins, and the other by Mr Alexander. Mr William Mullins will apply for the licence of the Melville Hotel. Railway Accident. — An accident occurred on the Albury line yesterday, in wluch a guard named Shepherd narrowly escaped serious if not fatal injuries. The report of the guard is to the effect that he was going from one carriage to another, when his foot slipped and ho fell off, but fortunately escaped being injured, with the exception of a slight sprain to his ankle. His clothes were also torn. The train was brought to a standstill, and the guard taken into the carriage again, but it was found that his injuries were so slight that he was able to attend to his business until ho reached Timaru. It is expected he will be all right again in a couple of days. Thb Steam Launch. — The Harbor Board Committee will sit again to-day, to take evidence as to the best description of steam launch suitable for the port of Timaru. We learn, however, that certain membeis of tho Committee have managed to carry a point, by which all evidence as to the actual utility of a launch or teg is virtually excluded, and thus the main question is burked. If this is to be the sort of way in which our Harbor Board matters are to bo managed, it speaks ill for tho ultimate success of tho works. What possible use is there in soliciting opinions as to the Bhape or power of a launch or tug until it has been proved that one is required ? In the face of the expressed determination of tho Auditor not to pass any sum voted for a steam launch, the action of the Harbor Board Committee would lead us to believe that they are utterly reckless whether the £100,000 endowment is spent honestly and legally or not, so long as they can ride their own hobby. CON'GUBGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. — An entertainment wa3 given last evening in the Congregational Church, North street, consisting of dissolving views show by the aid of lime light. The representations were the Arctic Regions, Cruikshank's pictures of " The Bottle," views of tho Holy Land, and a variety of beautiful bush and waterfall scones in tho North Island (kindly lent by Messrs Coxhead and Sargeant), together with a variety of views of local interest. These were photographs of the Main South Road, the Timaru Breakwater, the new Congregational and St. Mary's Churches, the public school, tho windmill, &c. Several hymns were sung by the scholars, and two hymnsset to music on tho canvas were sung by all present. Some pleasant surprise and amusement was caused by showing the portraits of two persons well known to be connectod with tho church and school. Hearty votes of thanks were given by the audience who seemed delighted with their evening's entertainment. Australian Coal. — Under the heading " Australian Coal," the Colonist says : — " It has been very truly said that coal is the richest treasure that any country can possess ; and now that the difficulties attending the supply of the transports at St. Yiicent are commented on, it may bo as well to point put one or .two facts with reference to the wealth of. the British Empire in this respect. Our men-or-war are practically useless unless a convenient coaling-station is within a week's steaming ; and, owning possessions as we do in every sea, there should be no difficulty in keeping n squadron supplied wherever it might bo ordered to cruise. The public generally is unaware of the enormous wealth of New South Wales in the matter of conl. In the month of May last year as much as 96,592 tons wero exported from the port of Newcastle alone ; whilst in the first five months of 1878, 363,772 tons were shipped. Wollongong, Bulli, and other . towns have also a large output ; and much of the coal produced is but little inferior to the best Welsh Bteam coal. For years past it has been tlw rule for emigrant ships, after discharging at Sydney or Brisbane, to proceed to Newcastle and fill up with coal for Hongkong or Shanghai, whence they return with a cargo of tea ; or for San Francisco, where they ship grain for the long voyage home round the Horn. New South Wales, in case of war, could keep Cape Town, the Mauritius, Aden, Bombay, Guile, Singapore, Hongkong, Fiji, New Zealand, Vancouver's Island, and the Falkland Islands .fully supplied with coal ; leaving Ascension, Gibraltar, and the Mediterranean stations, Bermuda, the West Indies and British Guiana, the Canadian ports, and Heligoland to receive their stores from the mother country. Roughly speaking, the collieries of New South Wales could easily keep our possessions in one half of the world supplied with fuel, and England the other half. The material is always ready at hand, and there would be no difficulty in chartering a fleet of ocean-going steamers in Australia to act as colliers. As befits the greatest maritime nation, the resources of England and her colonies in the matter of coal and coaling surpass those of all other countries combined, and Australia may well bo proud of the help she is able and willing to accord to the Moth-r country in any emergency." Manufacturing Silver. — A valuable discovery has, it is alleged, been made by a Dr. Thomas Farris, in the United States — namely, the art of making silver out of cheap materials. This gentleman, it seems, was employed in the laboratory of the lowa Wesleyan University in 1873 as under-teacher, and while treating of chemical analysis before the class one day, his attention was directed to the condition of the waste materials, or " washings," in the earthen vessel where they had remained all night. Various metals and acids hod been used in the illustrations. In emptying the vessel he noticed that a metal had been formed from the waste materials, which lie concluded was platina. This led him carefully to note the ingredients and proportions that had been used, hoping to be able to reproduce the same substance. He afterwards ascertained that the metal was not platina, but silver ; and, resolving to keep the information to himself, followed up his investigation without publicity. In continuing his experiments he would sometimes succeed, and other times he would fail. These experiments continued over a period of some years, and he has at last been able to perfect the process. He has now entered into business arrangements with two gentlemen to whom he has confided the secret of the art, and preparations are being mode for the manufacture of silver on a large scale. The reports of experts who have made assays of the metal produced leave, it is stated, no doubt as to its being the genuine article. In the present condition of financial affairs Dr Farris' "discovery " will hardly be deemed a boon, except to himself and his collaborateurs. The Cbeed op Socialists. —Tho doctrines held by the Russian Socialist Propaganda are enunciated with a frankness which leaves nothing to desire, in some extracts published by the Krymski List oh. The following are passages from the Vpered (Forward) : — " Republican ideas are a chimera. Garibaldi and Felik Pyat are behind the age." The burning of Paris by the Commnne in 1871 •'threw a ray of light on the future;" but the Commune "took no decisive step : it only imposed a task on the social revolution which it had not the courage to achieve itself." The new Socialist school will not restrict itself to the "half-mea-sures of the Commune ;" it " will not shrink from any amount of severity ," and will wage "a merciless war' against society" — "a war of plunder, incendiarism, and assassination.'' The Nabat (Alarm Sell) preaches "the annihilation of middle-class society and the burial of the old world beneath its ruins." " The institution of the family ia to be destroyed, the right of pro-

perty abolished, religion ignored, and even liberty disregarded as an empty question." According to the Narodnaya Easprava (National Execution) the Socialists will " como forward with arms in their hands to execute all hangmen, traders, and landed proprietors;" will " spread terror among all of different opinions from themselves;" and will "destroy everything — persons, things, or circumstances — that disturb tho work." "Those who are not with us," concludes this paper " are against us, and must fall under the bullets of our revolvers." The Sciileswig Question.- -In the treaty forced upon Denmark by the united military and civil powers of Prussia and Austria, by which her territory was sundered, and Sehleswig and HoUtein taken from her by the two conquerors, there was' (says a recent American paper) a stipulation that a future adjustment of the boundary should be had ; for it had not been claimed that the northern portion of Sciileswig rightfully had been in dispute. Holstein, and the southern port of Schleswig, were peopled mostly, or to a great extent, by Germans, and under some old law of inheritance, or sovereignty, about which it is no worth while to inquire, those two nations claimed them as rightfully belonging to the German nations. But the northern portion of Schleswig, is, or was, essentially Danish, and the gallant little Kingdom haa been anxious to retain that portion of the captured Province. But she is weak, and Germany is strong, and Bismarck is slow, especially when the question is one of concession, whether it be of privileges or territory. And he has seen fit to keep Denmark waiting for tho rectification of that boundary until tho present time. But tho telegram says that the King of Sweden has accepted the position of umpire between Germany and Denmark on the pending question as to Northern Schleswig. The Swedish monarch has undertaken a delicate task. On one side is the little kingdom whose daughter appears destined some day to be Sweden's Queen ; and on the other the acute, grasping, determined Bismarck, backed by forty millions of Germans on any national question. Were Sweden proportionately as powerful as once she was when Charles XII pushed his victorious army almost to the centre of Russia, driving Peter the Great b«fore him, the present King might possibly decide not in accordance with Bismarck's ambitious views. But as it is, there is a chance that litlle Denmark will scarcely receive her dues. However, tho Swede is an honorablo and intelligent ruler, and probably would not have accepted the trust except upon a basis of complete independence. A great many Danes and Swedes have come to the United States ; they make good citizens, and, hence, what concerns their native lands cannot but be an interesting question with them, although no longer subjects but citizens. Promise of Pbogbkss in Cuba. — An American paper says : — There seems a prospect of progress in Cuba at last. After ton years of cruel warfare for liberty, during which she was abandoned by tho world to the cruel treatment of Spain, surrounded by a cordon of gunboats and other men of -war, cut off from the world beyond her interior insurrectionary districts; finding all other means a failure, offers of forgiveness and settlement were made and accepted. Cuba was to bo entitled to a representation in the Cortes, and at tho next election she will cVioobc her representatives. But what indicates an advance in a more humane sense is the proposition and apparent determination to give the rising generation of colored children the advantage- of public schools. Whereover it is feasible, special schools are to bo established for them, but where this cannot well be done, the colored children are to be admitted to the schools already established in common with whito children. If the long and desperate struggle for freedom which the the Cubans waged shall eventually result in breaking the bonds of the slave, and educating his children, the toils, suffering, and death of many most worthy men will have achieved for the enslaved a compensation worth the costly effort. A Dangeroub Position. — The narrow escape of the French ironclad Implacable, whieh was in company with the Arrogante when tho latter vessel foundered off Toulon on the 19th of March (says the Pall Mall Gazette), affords a curious and instructive illustration of the way in which the very means provided to ensure the safety of a vessel may cause her destruction. Liko all iron ships, the two French floating batteries were divided by transverse bulkheads into water-tight compartments ; and during tho storm in which, the Arroganto went down the Implacable, which, was almost within hail of her consort, shipped (we learn from an account of the disaster printed in Ihe Army and Navy Gazelle) so much water through her hawse-holes before these could be Btopped that the water-tight compartment forward was filled with water. In this condition, with an immense weight of water in her bows, the Implacable was pitching in a most dangerous manner, and was in imminent danger of going down head foremost, when her captain ordered her bulkhead which confined the water to be broken through. This " brought the water aft, immediately relieved the bow, enabled the pumps to go to work," and the vessel wm saved. Whether if the same step had been taken on board the Arrogante the latter would also have been able to ride out the itorm it is impossible to say ; but ths account describes the vessel as " dipping her nose be« fore she went down, so that the pumps could not be used with effect," and it is added that when an attempt was made "to run her ashore it was found impossible to steam ahead or astern," presumably because of the altered trim of tho vessel caused by her foremost compartment being filled with water.