NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2553, 27 November 1882, Page 2

NOTES.

Somo months ngo wo devoted nn article to what Bomo folks may h.ivo considered rather a far-fetched subject, namely, a consideration of the question of whether tho dispersion of princely treasuries of art, such as that of tho Duke of Hamilton, should bo regarded as an evil or a blessing to mankind. Wo came very clearly to tho conclusion, for our own part, that, instead of boini; looked upon as a calamity, every sale of a vast collection of pictures, sculptures, antiquties, books, manuscripts, and curiosities shnuld rightly bo welcomed as tho only means by which thc9o instruments of pleasure and enlightenment can be most widely distributed and mado to influence the greatest number. In that articlo we had no idea of discussing tho subject m any but its general aspect, but wo hinted, nevertheless, that m tho case of the Duke of Hamilton's sale, the dispersion might be so very wide as even to reach to the uttermoat parts of tho earth. Wo observed ahout the same timo m an English paper, a remark that though tho contents of that superb collection had passed into the hands of innumorablo purchasers, there was liltlo likelihood of any of them finding their way to tho colonies ; but we could not sco on what ground that opinion was arrived at. It is true the taste for art is scarcely beyond the, nascent stago m theso young countries ; nnd it is equally true that tho people hero have neither much spare money nor much leisure timo for tho purchaso or contemplation of such objects. Wo have not yet fully emerced from the utilitarian period of national development. But wo are emerging from it both rapidly and steadily. We aro beginning to realiso thn truth of Victor Hugo's mnxim that " tho beautiful is somotimes as useful as tho useful, if not more so." Thero aro amongst us too, largo hearted nnd public spirited men of fortune, who tako a dolight m putting their wealth to tho best of all purposes, tho enfranchisement of their fellow men from tho bonds of ignoranco, dullness and bad taßte. At Christchnrch wo have seen Mr George Gould and othors contributing freoly to establish nn art gallery worthy of a cultivated community, and now we learn that Mr McKelvie whom wo may briefly describe, as the Georgo Gould of Auckland, has crowned his generosity to tho people of that place, by presenting to tho Museum there a noble group of purchases from tho Duke of Hamilton's sale. These consist of two pictures by Guido Roni, and ono by St.infield, and a collection of Koinan antiquities. Tho pictures are probably tho most important works of art m (his colony, if not m nil tho Australian colonies, for it is nn extremely rare occurrenco for genuine specimens of the old masters at all ovonts, to loavo Europe. Wo nro curious to know which of Guido Reni's works Mr McKelvio was fortnnato enough to secure. That groat pninter was very unequal m his stylo. Born m I*>7s, ho began painting when very young and wasted his strength at first m socking to imitato tho inimitable Caravaggio, a master whose singular genius bolongod to himsolf alono, who novor mado a pupil, and novor could havo formed ft ochool. Guido, however, fortunately for art and for himself, came m duo time-under tho all-pervading influonco of tho Caracci, that extraordinary family of painters who founded the Bologneso school. It was under that influonco that ho becamo a truly great painter, but lie throw off, nevertheless, an immenso number of unworthy works beforo ho formed lis own stylo or dovolopod that undoubted originality on which his famo rests. Ho lived noarly seventy years, and as ho worked with wonderful despatch, and always under tho pressure of pecuniary troubles, ho produced a greater numbor of pictures than almost any other master of his rank. Those rango m order of merit from such glorious works us tho "Crucifixion" m St._ Loronzo, tho " Aurora " of tho Rospigliosi palaco, or tho celebrated "Boatrico" at Florence, down to more nasty, half-

finished daubs which aro to be found m every third-rsito gallery m Europe. It may bo laid down as a pretty safe rule, however, that tho later the date of any considerablo picture by Guido, the better it is likely to be. In his wild youth ho squandered aliko his money and his talents ; but towards the close of his careor, when hi 3 reputation was made, and his excoases were moderated, he mado a far better nso of his too short time. Ho died m 16i2, and it was probably not until tho succeeding century that his works wcro at all commonly known m England. How any of them camo into tho possession of tho Dukes of Hamilton wo aro unable to say ; but it is reasonable to presume that thoso which did get thero were, good ones, and wo shall look forward with interest to a detailed description of Mr McKelvie's purchases whon they aro ready for exhibition m Auckland. StanGeld was an English painter of great merit who died m 18G7, and whoso pictures have lately been very much sought after. We should say thero is no cxamplo of them at present m this country, and Mr McKelvie's gift to the Auckland Museum will afford our artists anew revelation m marine painting. This lioblo contribution to tho scanty art treasures of the colony, indeed, is calculated to do a ju.reat deal of good m many ways, and m nono moro than that of showing rich colonists bow to apply Ihcir niouej' well and wisely. Mr McKelvio has not only displayed a handsome profusion iv disbursing so largo a sum 11s theso woiks must havo cost, but also an excellent judgment m upending it on a few really valuable models of art, instead of a multitude of inferior pictures. In beginning tho art education of a people, the creation of a high standard is of paramount importance, and ho is doubly a benefactor to tho public who gives what hogives m quality rather than m quantity.

A correspondent on Saturday last sent us somo very interesting information m rcsponso to 0 recent Noto on tho insect which attacks currant bushes, and Mr Mackay of ltaincliff, has now kindly furnished us with specimens of the insect m nil stages from tho e«jj to the living modi, together with a number of cuttings of currant bushes, showing exactly how tho pest operates. Theso specimens tally exactly with the description of TrucltUum tiindifurmc given by our correspondent "A Gardener," and leave no doubt as to the identity of the insect. We aro much obliged to our friends for their assistance m elucidating this matter, and we wish country Bottlers generally would moro often communicate to us their observations of nature. Much good may somelimes bo done by this very simple means, and even where no practical results immediately follow, the intelligent discussion of such subjocts is always elovating and entertaining. Popular scieuce is one of tho most effective as well as ono of tho most delightful branches of public education ; and every'ono who makes an effort, no matter how unpretending, to expand the study of natural history from museums and c<>l!eco3 and dry-as-dust treatises to the newspapers and the homo, helps to increaao tho sum of human knowledge, and to that extent confers a benefit on society.

Waimatk County Council. — The next meeting of the Wainiate County Council will be held on Wednesday next, 29tli inst.

S.C. CLrn. — A meeting of the members of the South Canterbury Club will be held m the Ship Hotel this afternoon at two o'clock.

Bohoi'ch Couxcil. — An ordinary monthly meeting of tho Timaru Borough Council will be held this evening m the Council Chambers at 7 o'clock.

Off the Track. — Tho shunting engine got derailed on the wharf on Saturday, but was restored to the line again with little trouble, the whnvf crime being brought up to givo n lift at the helpless end of the engine. Magisterial.— Thero was a clean sheet at the Timaru Court on Saturday. At the AVaimate Court, Charles Towusend was fined 5s by J. Manchester, Esq., J.P., for being drunk m a public place on the previous day. Suui'-uoat Aduiit. — A stilt north-east breeze blew over the sea most of 'yesterday, raising a slight sea. One of the new iron jurf-boats belonging to the Landing Service broke adrift from its moorings, nnd washed up alongside the landing ways, but it was secured before it sustained any damage.

Mb axd Mrs Patrick Rvax.— Mr J. W. White, solicitor, received a telegram from Melbourne on Saturday staling that Mr and Sirs Ryan had been committed to New Zealand and would leave m about 15 days, when an extradition warrant would be m force.

The Transit op A'uxra. — The Yen. Archdeacon Harper will deliver a led tire on the coining transit of Venus, iv the Barnard street Hall on Thursday evening. A charge of Is will be made for admission, the proceeds (o be given to the funds of St. Murv's Sunday School.

Ri'iiriLDiN'O. — On Saturday n commencement was mado m the work of demolishing the ruins and clearing away tho debris of the lire at Suiter's buildings, m tho Main North Road, preparatory (o tho erection of new premises. These will compriso three shops of one storey, with highly ornamented streetfronts.

Siiifmisxt ov Dairy Produce to London'. — Messrs Miles, Archer and Co., the local agents for the s.s. Sorrento, advertise that sho is prepared to take dairy produce from Port Chalmers to London iv her cold air chamber. This offers our farmers an excellent opportunity of shipping butter, hams, &c, and we hope to see it largely availed of.

TiirsDEnsTonM. — A light, thunderstorm passed over Timnru and tho neighborhood last evening, travelling from south to north. A sharp shower fell m Timnru, while heavier ones appeared to fall inland. The sky at times presented a striking appearanco, imnieiiso masses of cloud slowly moving about among themselves, and dnrk scud Hying rapidly beneath them. Leoal/. — We arc pleased to notice among the names of tho successful candidates m the General Knowledgo Examination, under the Law Practitioners Act, those of Mr Charles H. Franks, son of Mr F. Franks, of Tomuku, and Mr James Kclman, son of Mr A. Kelman, Greenfield, Gcraldine. The latter lias been attending tho Timaru High School, wo believe, from its opening. Tun Town Cr.ocK. — The town clock will be stopped for three or four days from this morning, the maker, Mr Littlcjolm, of Wellington, having come down to make some alterations and improvements m it. The heavy pendulum has become detached once or twice, and this is to be moro surely fixed. Another proposed improvement, and ono which would undoubtedly be a great improvement, is the alteration of tho position of the bell, so as to cnablo it to be better heard.

The Montmknt. — Steady progress is being mado with the construction of the base for the monument to be erected m memory of tho disasters of May last. Part of tho concrete foundations has been lain, and stonecutlers aro busy nl work dressing the blue Mono steps. One workman has a large rough block under his chisel. This is intended for tho cap io the pedestal. He estimates that ho has three weeks' work before him m getting this stone into shape.

A Nauhow Ebcai'U. — A curious accident is reported from Wainiate. A plasterer named Hawkey, who is working at the new school buildings there, on Friday was nl work on a scaffold, when something gavo way and ho fell. It happened that immediately beneath him was a well 35ft deep, and ho tumbled down this m addition to falling from the scnlTolil. Some boards and tools accompanied or followed him, so that it appeared inevitable that lio must suffer serious injury. There was only about a. foot of water m" the well, not enough to drown him, nor enough, on tho other hand, to break his full. 110 was im- j mediately helped out, when, to cveryono's astonishment, bo declared himself nono the ■woivc for his fnll.

The Picton Cotxiemes. — Although little has been heard of tho Picton Coal Company of late, tho Directors have not been idle, as will been seen from tho following paragraph, which appears m the AVcllington Hceiting Post of Thurediy lxtt : — " A correspondent

who has just visited the Pieton collieries gives the following interest ing information as to the work going on : — ' The Pieton Coal Company

has now commenced work m good earnest. The original intention of the shareholders was to lmvo begun by removing the large block of coal that had been partially stripped and examined. It was close to the wharf, and from it more than 100 tons had been already taken out and distributed. This block was '\i feet

thick at the bottom, and 23 feet high, the breadth exposed being 50 or 60 feet. The mining engineer recently appointed has however condemned this plan as being likely to bring down earthslips from the, lull, and prefers v more systematic plun of procedure. He lias therefore accepted tenders for sinking a shaft of GO feet behind the present coal exposure, from which he can drive along the seam with less inconvenience from water, and less risk of disturbing tbo surface of the hill. Trial bores have shown that ut 51 feet down the coal gets harder, and there is every reason to believe, that fie next borings will prove that it continues to v very much greater depth still. On the western side of the harbor, at the 350---feet level, the Company are now working the 8-feet seam, along the lino of which coal has been found at many ppots between the hiyh level and the sea, a distance of a mile and a half. The Queen Charlotte Company have followed the line two miles further m the other direction up to their own boundary, and are said to have found coal upon it within their own ground. The Connolly mine is also being worked, and has found coal. The shaft of the Picton Coal Company will soon be finished, when all doubts will be set at rest about the prospects of the Company, on the eastern side of the harbor at any rate.' " For the sake of the colony at large, as well as the sharehelders, ive trust this enterprise will bo a success, and those who are the most competent to judge seem to be the most sanguine now. A Female Maori Doctor.— Siys an Auckland contemporary :— The well-known Maori chief Paul, of Orakci, is at present on ii visit to Alupara with his wife, for the purpose of consulting a celebrated female doctor, who is causing a great stir throughout Maoridom by her remarkable cures. Paul's wife consulted her some months ago, but being again seriously unwell, has gone back for further advice and treatment. The doctor is a woman, and it is said that her success has been amazing, especially m cases of chronic asthma. Maoris from Waikalo, the Thames, and all parts of the North, have (locked to her m hundreds during the past year. She is n Christian, and has an aversion to seeing any patient on Sunday. The natives regard her as a prophetess. Sho steadfastly refuses to receive any payment for her services, believing it will cause a loss of inlluencc and power, and she has been almost eaten out of house and home by her multitudes of visitors. In order to avoid this patients now keep away i'rom her place as much as possible, stopping at some settlement near at hand. A general collection is now being made throughout the North to provide her with an annuity. Her mode of treatment appears to he mainly hydropathic. She enjoins the strictest cleanliness with frequent baths, which m itself must have a beneficial cnVl- on most Maori patients, and she lays down the most detailed rules for diet. To these cases, hci cures, which seem to be tolerably well attested, may bo fairly attributed.

Uahuly Wouth I'noußi.iso Auoct. — A correspondent writes as follows to the Melbourne Aye : — Among the passengers by the Austral lately arrived m our port were 22 Roman Catholic priests, including a bishop mid liis chaplain. The conduct of the clergy, with the exception of the. bishop, was most distasteful to the other passengers, and also to the crew of the vessel. Upon any toast being drunk to the health of Her Majesty the Queen, the most marked disrespect was shown by tbc Catholic priests referred to, who would remain seated and covered. The same course was also pursued whenever the National Anthem was being played. On one occasion the bishop, who always rose and uncovered at either toast or loyal anthem, called upon a priest near him to do the same, but w as pointblank refused compliance, whilst a young priest, who did remove his hat, was openly rebuked by the others. Nearly all these clerics were from Jlaynooth, and their disloyalty was a subject of conversation amongst all the passengers and crow of the Austral, the latter being so exasperated as to threaten, but were deterred from inflicting summary punishment upon the offenders. The 21 priests are a contingent to reinforce the Koman Catholic staff m the colonies.

Sheep is Ghbat Britain. — The vapid diminution of the sheep of the United Kingdom is attracting attention (says the London correspondent of. the Argus), and is viewed as decidedly serious m consequence of the steady simultaneous growtli of the human population. In 1874 there were nearly 33,000,000 sheep m the kingdom, while now there are only 28,000,000. The decrease m Ireland last year was over 300,000 head. The Press urge the farmers to spare no pains to increase their flocks and prevent any deficiency m the home supply of muttou.

Tiik Xcmbkii or the Beast. — The following is from the Tall Mall Gazelle :— A journal published m London, devoted to the craze that the English are Israelites, inserted last week a letter from a correspondent m Yorkshire identifying Mr Gladstone with the Beast m tho prophetic vision, whose number was 6G(i. Ho says: — "For more than two years past I have felt confident m my own mind that Mr Gladstone, our Prime Minister, was tho great deceiver who is to deceive all those carnal professors whose names arc not m the Book of Life. Hero is his word and the number; m the Greek language every letter stands for a number : — G stands for 3, L for 30, A for 1, D for 4, S for 200, T for 300, O (short) 70, N 50, E (long) B— CGG. Now, hero you have, it, and we know that Gladstone is a l'uscyite. What is a Puseyite but m spirit either a Greek or a Roman Papist ? Therefore, ho who bids Mr Gladstone God-speed, bids m truth the wicked one God-speed. Working men, never rest till you have driven this wicked Puseyito Gladstone from being the Trimc Minister of Great Britain."

The GKiorAh- Railway Regiment. — According to Engineering, about the middle of August this regiment constructed, on their exorcise ground at Schonberg, n railway bridge of nbout 395 feet m length, m the short space of one night. The middle pnrt of the bridge had a clear span of about 98 feet, resting at each end upon piers of round timber, nml the remainder was supported by similar piers and trestles ; tho latter wcro L'onstructcd of round timber, secured m tho simplest possible manner by means of ordinary fishplates. The piers consisted of poles driven into the ground ; crossbeams rested on tho top of these, and served to carry the bridge. The work was designed by a captain of the regiment, the construction was superintended by one of tho second lieutenants, ami tho work was executed by carpenters, locksmiths, und other artisans of tho regiment. The necessary light was obtained from four electric lamps, the bright light of which was experimentally toned down by globes of various kinds. This undertaking was preliminary to tho drill of the regiment at KlausdorfT, on August 22nd, 23rd and 21th, when two companies on a war footing and one detachment, under the command of Major von Bosse, were practised m field railway and bridge construction. The course of drill (which included camp duty) consisted of the construction of a field railway nearly a mile m length, with several sidings and a turntable, the erection of a wooden viaduct, 30 feet high und about 280 feet long, and the building and testing of a bridge of new design, of about 03 feet span ; three inclined planes for rope tramways (to be worked by means of a Fowler* traction engine) and a quantity of telegraph and telephone work wcro also carried through.

"Dr Wilkins, Oculist and Aurist, will arrive m Timaru to-day, and will remain m to«ii for fivo days. During his fifciy m Timarn ho may bo consulted at tho Grosvcnor Hotel.— [Advt.[

Inoiponaivo (samples of choicest designs m cheap crookory— Old Dorby, Cholsoa, and yEnthotic patterns— ordered direct from threo or tho first English makors, are now boing unpneked at tho Timarn Tea Warehouse. Lovors of old fftshioncl plain artistic ware, bavo now nn unusual opportunity of obtaining spcoimens at noiniaal cost. — [Advt.j

K. F. Gray-Sale of furniture and sundries on the 20th inst. C. Boivfccr, Lund A;rent-Bu»iiic3s announcement. Tenders Wantcd-Uy Tho Marker, Albury, for excavating and pitting liyiiitc ; (.1. F. L'ivcVruvc, Makikil.t. for cutting, tyinjj, and stockin- -r;is< scod. H. Bclficld, as Attorney for 0. Woullcumuu-Xotics to persons tresi]aisin<.'oi! Ailibury cs'.aU-. Lecture- liy tho Veil. Archdeacon Ilariior, on the Tf nxit of Venus, on Thursday next. H. Clajiham, Main Xortli Koad, tailor, clc.--Biii.i-ncis notice. liaiikrnptcy notice- Kc Dennis Hi .arc.