Untitled

Timaru Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 1478, 17 June 1879, Page 2

Timabtj Bobouchi Council. — No nominations were received yesterday by tho Keturning Officer, of candidates for the four vacant seats on the Timaru Borough Council. Timabu Habbob Boabd. — A special meeting of tho above Board will be held on Monday next, the 23rd instant, to consider 'what action shall be taken m regard to the steam crane, and other matters. HAEiioNio Socikty. — A special concert will be given by the above society, m the Mechanics' Institute, on tho 26th June next. The first part will consist of miscellaneous selections, and tho second part of the Bose of Castile. Tho prico of admission will be, single tickets, 3s ; 4 tickets for 10s ; and 10 tickets for 20s. No honorary member's tickets will be issued, as the proceeds of the concert aro to be devoted to a special purpose. At the same time it is soecially requested that honorary members will attend, and lend their assistance making the concert a complete success, and thus show that they feel a hearty interest m tho society. The Wages Question. — Wo aro informed that a number of the largest employers of agricultural labor m this district have intimated to tho hands m their employ that, owing to the dullness of the markets and other depressing causes, they aro obliged to lower the rate of wage 3by five shillings a week. Ploughmen's wages have been reduced from twenty-five shillings to a pound a week, and ordinary laborers' from a pound to fifteen shillings a week. We are glad to hear that, m all the cases brought to our notice, the men have cheerfully agreed to tho reduction, and are proceeding with work on a good understanding with their employers. Pleasant Point School Committee. — A special meeting, for the election of two members to fill the vacancies m the Board of Education and other business, was held on Friday, 13th inst. Members present — Mr D. Anderson (Chairman), and Messrs Acton, Dunlop, and Colder. Re vacancies, it was proposed by Mr Acton, seconded by Mr Dunlop, and carried — " That Messrs B. Barker and K. F. Gray bo elected as members of the South Canterbury Board of Education." Through the Bank of New Zealand ceasing business at the Point, it was resolved to transfer the Committee's account to the Union Bank of Australia at Timaru. He increase of Btaff, Mr Dunlop proposed and Mr Acton seconded — " Xhat Master Henry Henri be recommended to the Board of Education for appointment as an extra pupil teacher to the Point District School." Carried. Mr Acton informed the Chairman that ho had been requested by the Library Committee to get the sanction of the School Committee to allow a table to be placed m the porch, so that newspapers might be easily available. The request was granted readily. The meeting then closed. Supbemb Coubt. — The civil session of the Supreme Court was resumed yesterday, before Hb Honor Mr Justice Johnston. Tho caso of Franks v. the Temuka Koad Board occupied the Court until 5.30, when it was adjourned. Mr Harper announced that he had six other witnesses to examine for tho plaintiff, and that the cose would occupy the whole of to-day. His Honor said that consequently it would bo well to proclaim that jurors and witnesses summoned to attend today should be informed that they would not be required, and m obedience to the wishes of the Court, the Sheriff advertises m another column that jurors and witnesses will-not be required, except those engaged m tho case before the Court. The Steam Cbane. — From all wo can learn fully another week will elapse before the Harbor Works crane will be m working order again. It is high time that the Harbor Board brought Mr Anderson to account, and put an end to the useless 60-ton tests of tho crane. It is now generally acknowledged on all hands that the crane, as at present constructed, is not up to the specifications. It is also agreed that Timaru, m the broad sense of the word, is Buffering' most severely from the stoppage of the construction of tho Breakwater. It rests with the Board, then, to put things ship-shape immediately, for it is no use procrastinating any longer. The people have brooked sufficient delays already, and if the Harbor Board do not feel themselves capable of acting firmly and promptly m the matter, it is high time they said so m plain language. The best plan they can pursue now is to call npon Mr Anderson to make the present crane a 50-ton instead of a 60-ton one, and deliver it as such, at the same time deducting n sixth part of the contract money. He has already rendered himself liable for something like £400 as penalty for non-delivery, and if he will not agree to the terms suggested, the Board ought to enforce every penny of it. Philanthropy had better be thrown to the winds now. Timabtt Steeplechase Meeting-. — A very largely attended meeting of gentlemen favorable to the holding of a steeplechase meeting m Timaru this winter, was held m the Qrosvenor Hotel last evening, Mr F. Egan m the chair. The Chairman submitted to the meeting a programme which ho had drawn up, and which provided for four events, viz. : — a Maiden Steeplechase of £40, a Handicap of £100, a Steeplechase Cup of £60, and a Consolation of £30. He also read a statement showing that about £50 would have to be collected over and above the ordinary receipts. The programme was approved. It was decided that tho following gentlemen should be requested to act as stewards : — Messrs A. Turnbull, G-. Lovegrove, J. Meikle, J. Baine, F. Archer, A. St. &. Hamersley, W. Williamson, J. .Paterson, J. King, J. Murphy, W. Deßenzy, A. Perry, J. W. White, S. A. Bristol, J. A. Gammack, E. Cox, — Barker, H. Ford, F. Egan, G-. Cliff, H. Cain, and P. Macintyre ; and that the following gentlemen be requested to act as officials : — Messrs Studholme as judge ; C. N. Orbell, starter ; M. Mitten, clerk of the scales ; Q-. Thompson, clerk .of the course, and H. Lance, handicapper. Mr G. F. Clulee was appointed hon. secretary and treasurer. It was resolved to request Messrs Jonas, Cliff, Murphy and Meikle to canvas the town of Timaru for subscriptions, and to ask the secretary and Mr Cliff to wait upon Captain Cain, re the use of bis land for the meeting. The 16th. of July was fixed as the date of the meeting, the Ist for receiving nominations,' the sth "for the declaration of the weights, and the acceptances are to cloW on the 10th of that month. Arrote of jthanis: to;the Chairman brought the meeting to a clow. .-^m :, ;

CitßisTr Mi>"strei,s. — Owing to an emu 1 m the advertisement, the date of the opening night of the great Mammoth Minstrels was given m our last issue ns the 28th of June next. We find this to he a mistake, as arrangements have been made for their appearance here next Saturday evening. Piscatobiai..— A day or two ago, Mr J. A. Young's son was spenring eels m the Waihi river, near the bridge, when, by a fortunate or unfortunate accident, he speared a splendid trout, weighing llilbs. The fish was brought into Thnaru to Mr F. Archer, Chairman of he South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. Lover 3of the "gentle sport" will be interested to learn that tho trout are thriving so well m this river. Theatre Royal. — There was an exceedingly large attendance at Professor Baldwin's second performance, which was given last night m the Theatre Royal. The lower parts of tho house were filled to their utmost capacity, and the dress circle was unusually well attended. The entertainment was immensely moro agreeable than that of last Saturday night, and so far as we could judge, the audience were highly satisfied. Professor Baldwin had senso enough to see the justice of the remarks made m our last issue, and to adopt tho suggestions which we threw out to him. In no instance did one harsh word escape his lips m reference to any ono of tho audience, and the result was that he was paid full attention to, and that perfect order was maintained throughout. He was consequently enabled to give more of his very racy and laughter - provoking jokes, and no one left the theatre with feelings embittered by the severity of some reply made to a harmless jest. Professor Baldwin's talking capabilities are certainly extra horsepower. Indeed, wo have seldom heard a public entertainer who, without being extraordinarily tedious, could talk half so much as ho does. His capabilities m that direction appear inexhaustible, and his discourse is always spiced with sparkling sallies of wit, racy, apt jokes, and quaint humor. His entertainment, on the whole, was a vast improvement on tho one which he gave last Saturday "night. The two first tricks wero the same as those of tho previous evoning, and though ho said it cost liim a large sum of money to learn the secret by which they wero worked, auyono who understands Chemistry thoroughly could havt easily performed them. We do not think that any Spiritualist -would bo such a fool as to submit any of them to any intelligent man as a spiritual manifestation. However, tho other tricks which Professor Baldwin performed wero extremely clever, and the rapidity with which he executed them quite bewildered the audience. They appear so impossible at first glance that it is not a matter for surprise that many have been duped by them to the oxtent of believing that they could not bo performed by human agencies, yet when explained they are exceedingly simple. Professor Baldwin was tied, by a committeo of gentlemen chosen from the audience, m tho cabinet witli iron chains around his hands and feet. It appeared impossible for him to niovo, but m the twinkling of an oye after tho door of tho cabinet closed, bells were rung, and a fearful din created within it. When the door opened, tho Professor was still tiod, and no ono had the least idea what had produced the noise. The Professor, however, explained that lie had a, very thin hand, and that he forced the strap around his wrist up his arm somo five or six inches, and m this manner he disengaged his hand to an extent that enabled him to reach to a bell hanging beside him on tho wall of the cabinet, with which he created the noise. He also explained the spiritual rope tying trick m a manner that left no doubt on tho mind of anyone present, that the person who first introduced it as a spiritual manifestation was a thorough impostor. Ho took ono of tho committee into the cabinet with him, and put a soh'd iron ring on his arm without that gentleman knowing how it got there. Ho repeated the trick on tho stage, and every one saw how tho trick was performed, except the gentleman on whose arm the ring was put. Several other tricks were performed, but not explained, tho Professor announcing that ho would explain them this evening. There are some of them that seem impossible of explanation, Buch ' as Katie King mystery, the pillory trick, and the hand-cuff trick, and we really look forward with considerable interest to the timo when tho mystery shall bo revealed to us. We therefore recommend persona desirous of witnessing the performance, to come this evoning. Oamajhj axd the Exhibition. — The North Olago Times of Saturday says :—Yesterday we had the pleasure of inspecting, at the stores of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, several samples of wheat, barley, and oats intended for tho Sydney Exhibition. There are altogether eight samples of wheats ; four of tho velvet variety, grown respectively at Ngapara, Airedale, Hakateramea, and Papapaia, and two of the Tuscan variety, grown at Papakoio and Seadown. The other two samples wore grown on tho Hon. Mathew Holmes' Awamoa estate. One of the varieties of oats was grown ab Mnerewhenua, one at Awamoa, and the other at HeadowD ; while the two specimens of barley were both grown near Ngapara. The wheat is especially fine : that grown at Ngapara being about the finest we liavo seen. The Hakateramea grain is a beautiful specimen, and for plumpness and general uniformity would be hard to beat. Mr Holmes' wheat is also far above ordinary samples, and the barley and oats are very superior. Whatever else this part of tho colony may bo deficient m at the Exhibition, it may with confidence be asserted that m grain it will hold its own. Intbbebtino- to Epioubes.— -A new table delicacy was recently described by the Rev. J. G. Wood, m delivering the first of a series of lectures, on natural science m Dr Chaning Fearce's Geological Museum, Brixton Hise. Having m the course of his lecture to allude to the hedgehog and the squirrel, Mr Wood observed that it -was well known that these animals, when properly cooked, formed excellent articles for human food. Few people, however, were aware that when similarly treated the flesh of a rat hod a finer flavor, and was altogether a greater delicacy than cither of them. There was literally nothing of which he (the lecturer) was so fond as a rat pie. This was a dish which frequently made its appearance on his table, and -was greatly enjoyed by all the members of his family. Ho had several friends, too, -who, like himself, had overcome their prejudice, and thoroughly enjoyed a good helping of rat pie. The "Totamsatob" ik Brisbane. — The writer of " Turf Gossip " m the Australasian says " The Vagabond " has taken to a new line of business, for a telegram from Brisbane announces that at the meeting held there on the Queen's Birthday, he " ran " tho totalisator with great success, and was so wel patronised that he was enabled to return far better odds than the bookmakers could afford to give. It appears that he borrowed the instrument from tho proprietor (Mr Franck), and journeyed north for the purpose of initiating the Queenslanders into the mysteries of a little machine -which lias struck more terror into the hearts of the bookmakers than could the victories of 10,000 favorites. As I've said before, I believe m the totalisator, and if the A. J.C. and V.R.C. will introduce it under their auspices, the public will have entire confidence m the working of the affair, and we shall get rid of a class of bookmakers whose presence is not at all beneficial to turf interests.