NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2749, 16 July 1883, Page 2

NOTES.

The Board of Education have got into a curious fix m connection with the dispute with their late, architect. They gave him three months' notice, instead of terminating his engagement summarily, m order to avoid all risk of a law suit. The architect, however, during those three months initiated several large works for the Board, and when his time was up, sent m a thumping bill for his services to date. The Board admitted some of the items, but declined to recognise the rest. They offered something less than half the amount claimed, m satisfaction of the whole. The architect thereupon went to tho contractors who are building the new schools, and asked to be allowed to see the plane. Having got them into his possession, he said the plans were his, and calmly walked off with them. The result is that the contractors cannot go on with the works m tho absence of the plans, and the Board cannot get tho plans back without a law Buit, unless they yield to the architect's demands. How the Board are going to escape from this dilemma, vre havo not the slightest idea. The worst of it is that it gets worse every day, because the works are at a standstill for want of the plans, and the contractors have a right to claim compensation for loss of time. The position is particularly comical from the fact of the Board having given the architect three months' notice expressly to avoid all risk of a law suit ; whereas it appears that by that very step they rendered a law suit inevitable. Tho difference is that the Board must bring the suit now, while before it was the architect, if anybody, on whom that unpleasant task would have devolved. Mr M. W. Green has changed sides again. Last session he began as a Government supporter, but soon went into Opposition. This session he began again as a Government supporter, then went Into Opposition, and has now gone over again to the Government. How long he will remain under his present leaders, is a matter of the wildest uncertainty. His letter to the Opposition Whip, conveying the sad news of his latest conversion, is one of the most delicious things we ever read. — " Having " come to the conclusion," ha says, " that, although I may not fully agree " with the principles of either party " m the House, yet it is necessary that I " should identify myself with one or the " other, and I find myself more or less m '•' sympathy with tho Government on " general matters than with the Opposi- " tion, I have concluded to give the Go- " vernment my support until sue i time " as I find them to act so flagrantly that " to support them longer would be a " crime. You will not agree, I dare say, " that I act wisely m deciding to do this ; " but I am sure you will at least give me " credit for openness and honesty m " writing and telling you of it, so that "you may know where I stand." He evidently thinks it isquiteon the cards that the Government will act so flagrantly that to support them would be a crime ; but until their iniquities reach a point beyond whioh his precious conscience will not permit him to go with them, he is determined to give them his vota if not his confidence. The most amusing part of it is that the Opposition are greatly distressed by this defeotion, while the Ministerial party are correspondingly jubilant. It is a fine illustration of the state of party politics, that a Member should be welcomed as a Government supporter who openly avows his conviction that the Ministers are capable of acting so flagrantly that to support them any longer would be a crime. We should say the party who have lost Mr Green, not the party who have gained him, are to be congratulated, — if only they could be certain that he will not come back. Mr Green aays he has taken this step, "so that he may know where he Btands." He does not seem to us to know whether he it standing on hia head or his heels.

District Cofbt. — Tho ordinary monthly sitting of the District Court commences today before Acting Judge Harvey. Tho list of cases will he found m another column. CANTBEBTTBTFABirBBS'CO-OPKBITITB ASSOCIATION, Tiiiabu. — At a full meeting of tho Directors held on Saturday, Mr John Bradshaw, J.P., Biverside, St. Andrews, was unanimously elected Chairman of the Association, m placo of Mr W. Postlethwaito, M.H.E., who nos resigned the chairmanship. Tbmuka Daib? Company. — In a report m our local columns m Saturday's issue of the late meeting of the Directors of the, above Company it was stated that the Architect was instructed to call for tenders for the necessary "plant." This should hare read "fittings, etc."

Tub Blue Ribbon Aumy.— Meetings arc to bo h<>ld m the Barnard-street Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings, at which addresses will be delivered oppressing and explaining the views of the Blue Ribbon Army and Gospel Temperance Mission. T.A.P.A. — A meeting of the Committee of the Timnru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was to have been held on Saturday, but iv quorum of members did not turn up. There was, however, little or no business to be done. Faihlik Cheek. — A public meeting is to be held m tho school-room, Fairlie Crfek, at seven o'clock tl'is evening, m connection with tho opening of a Lodge of the Ancient and Independent Order of Oddfellows m that township, and at eight o'clock a Lodge will be formally "opened and members initiated. Tne Fhozbx Meat Tbadb. — A report appears m another column of a meeting held on Saturday to discuss the above subject. Owing to the sparseneas of the attendance, no attempt was made to decide on or even to indicate any positive course of action, further than that a second meeting shall be held on the 28th insfc., when it is to bo hoped there will bo a good gathering of stockowners and of all interested m so valuable an industry. Fire. — About nine o'clock last evening a fire occurred m a wooden bouse occupied by Mi- Larkin m Wellington street, caused by a son of tho occupier accidentally upsetting a kerosene lamp. Tho ceiling of the bodroom, as also that of the kitchen, and the wall dividing the two rooms were considerably burnt, but as there was a good supply of water handy, tho neighbors got the fire under before it had gained a firm hold. The flrebell was rung and the Fire Brigade mustered promptly, but before they arrived on the scene their services were not required. The house is insured m the Imperial Office for £150. Accidents.— A lad named Woodley, about 13 years of age, while playing among some machinery m Messrs Henry and Findlay's yard at Temuka on Wednesday, set a piece of machinery m motion to that it struck him on the knee, dislocating tho knee joint. He was taken to I)r Campbell, who reduced tho dislocation. — On Thursday a boy aged nine, son of Mr J. Kennedy, blacksmith at Geraldine, met with a nasty accident. He was running after a pony near the house and trying to hit it, when the animal kicked him m the fnce, knocking several teeth out and cutting his under lip severely. The lad was taken to J)r Fish, who dressed his hurts. The lad bore his pain very bravely. Knolish Cable Nbws.— The following telegrams appear m a contemporary : — "London, July 12th. The commercial industries and shipping interests are unanimous that the concessions made for the construction of tho second Suez Canal are inadequate for tho purpose. A large section of the House of Commons is generally hostile to the proposals, and it is doubtful if tho Government will persevere m them. Mr Gladstone admits that Baron Do Lcsseps has exclusive rights as to tho construction of a canal across the Isthmus of Suez. — The latest news from the Cape states that tho attack which Cetewayo made upon Oham lias been unsuccessful. — The Bishop of Peterborough is m a critical 6tato of health. — The Comto de Chanibord has recognised tho Comto de Paris as his successor." 1.0.G.T. — Tho regular weekly meeting of the Lifeboat Lodge, No. 101, took place on Friday evening m the Oddfellows' Hall, Sophia street, the chair being occupied by Bro. G. Brown, W.C.T. The officers were all present except two. Tho initiatory degree was conferred on one candidate who presented herself for admission, and one by clearance card. Various matters pertaining to the furtherance of the interests of the Order having been considered and amicably discussed and settled, Bro. J. L. Potter reported re the Blue Ribbon movement, that the firstmission would open on Thursday evening m the Oddfellows Hall, Barnard street, and that it would be duly advertised m both the Timaru papers. Owing to it being degree night, other business was held over until next meeting. Tho Lodge was closed m doe form at 9 p.m., after which the Lodge opened m the third degree, or Degree of Charity, when one brother and two sisters had the privilege of that degree conferred upon them by the L.D., Bro. Proctor, assisted by tho officers of the subordinate Lodge. Abtillbby Bajtd.— The Timaru Artillery Band played a number of selections near Stone's Hotel on Saturday evening, and the evening being fine and moonlight, a considerable number of people extended their usual promenade beyond North street, to hear them. The Band, with the assistance of some Timaru vocalists, intend to give a concert, to be followed by a ball, m the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, to-morrow evening. They have never played yet at Temuka, we believe, and this concert will give the people there an opportunity of comparing this Band with their own. The time of their visit aeems to have been somewhat unhappily chosen, as the Temuka Glee Club give their final concert nnd dance on Thursday, and the one may interfere with the success of the other. It appears that the Timaru Band made their arrangements m ignorance of the fact stated, and were not made owaro of it until too bite to alter the date of their concert. Football. — The long looked for match between the Timaru Football Club Light Weights and the Crusaders came off on Saturday. The presence of a good number of ladies among the spectators gave encouragement to the players. After the skill and pluck displayed by the Crusaders at Temuka, it was supposed that the Light Weights would havo nil their work to do to hold their own, and the result of this match shows that the supposition was not at all a wild one. The youngsters were captained by 51. Shepherd, through whoso efforts and encouragement of his team m fighting an uphill battle against superior weight and skill, they won the match by two goals to two tries. Tho ball was kicked off by Shepherd, and did not touch earth until it roboundod from one of the goal posts of the Light Weights. It was smartly returned by G. Wood, their captain. During the first ten minutes, the ball lingered near the goal lino of the Crusaders, until King made a grand effort, and passing tho ball, Smith obtained a try. No goal resulted. Shepherd kicked off, and encouraging and helping his men, thoy kept the boll m the centre for some time. F. Jones finished the spell by a run on to tho goal line of the Crusaders. The second spell was a great snrpriso to the spectators, and took the breath away from tho Light Weights. The change m the play of the Crusaders was startling. By rush after rush they carried, tho ball on to the goal lino of the Light Weights, where McGuinness, being as usual to the fore, obtained a touch. Shepherd took tho try, and kicked a goal, and deservedly obtained the hearty cheers of both sides "for a splendid kick. The spell ended, as did the previous one, with the ball just outside the goal line of the Crusaders. During the third spell the play was pretty even until Eichbaum got away, and by a smart run scored the second touch for the Light Weights, which G. Wood tried, but failed to convert into a goal. Soon after, Cole by a smart piece of play obtained a try for the Crusaders, from which Bothune nicely kicked a goal. During the whole of the fourth spell tho Light Weights worked their hardest, Haylock, G. and W. Wood, and Smith doing wonders. At last Jones made a splendid run and got bohind goal, but by bad luck slipped, and Cole, just behind, touched down. Special mention must be made of the play of Bethuno and Melton for the Crusaders, who, with Kay and several others, wo may oxpect to see make a narao for themselves m senior Clubs by-and-bye. All through the game hearty goodwill: was displayod by all, and both the players and the spectators voted that this was the best match this season. Navigation of the Mubbay asd its Tbibutadies. — From a paper m the Adelaide Olstrver wo extract the following figures, which show the importance of Australia's principal river as a highway of trade and commerce : — From Wentwortb. to Walgett ia about 1130 miles, and the Darling is occasionally navigable all the way. This river drains about 250,000 square miles of some of the best pastoral country m Australia. The Murrumbidgee is ISSO miles long, over 500 of which are navigable, and it drains 250,000 square miles. Tho Murray is navigable as far up as Albury, a distance of nearly 1500 miles from Goolwa, and it drains -an area of country exceeding 270,000 square miles. It ia impossible to state exactly^ the precise dimensions assumed by I the trade of the vast tracts of country com-

monly known as the Riverina and Darling districts, but it is probably not far short of i' 5,000,000 per annum, and 92 steamers are employed m this trade, 4% being registered m South Australia and 48 m Melbourne and Sydney. Each of these boats ha 3at least one barge, the majority two and some of them three. The average carrying capacity of each steamer and her barge may be placed at a little under 200 tons, but occasionally as much as 500 tons hnvo been taken up the Darling as far as Bourke by a steamer and one barge. Of course, when two or three barge 3 are used the cargo is very much larger. Several boats with two barge 3 have brought down as much as 3000 bales of wool from the Darling at one time." The number of trips made during the season depends on the quantity of water m the rivers and the times when the rises take place. It is this fact also which makes the Darling navigation so uncertain. The river has several very large tributaries, but it is almost wholly dependant for its rises on the rains, and these do not always come when expected. The usual rises are three m number : the main one, due to tropical rains generally occurring m the hitter part of January or the beginning of February, and continuing through March and April ; the second about August or September, enabling the boats to away with the clip ; and a third sometimes occurring about Christmas. The rises m the Murray and Murrumbidgce, occasioned by heavy rains and the subsequent melting of the Bnow on the mountains m which both rivers take their riso, are of a much more certain character. They commence about April and continue till November ; indeed, it is a very unusual occmafneo for these two rivers to be open for less than seven months out of the twelve. But this peculiarity may very often bo observed when the Murray is up the Darling is down, and when the Darling is up the Murray is down. Stbanob Peey fob Dogb. — The Wellington Times of the 9th inst. describes tho landing, on the previous day, per Tni from Wanganui, of two diminutive bits of horseflesh m the shape of a pair of dun Shetland ponies, bred by Mr G. V. Shannon on his farm at Manawatu, and brought down to his Wellington residence. Their landing attracted a considerable crowd of people, many of whom appeared to be of opinion that they were not horses at all. They had made the voyage down m two ordinary packing cases, which had been placed on tho deck of the steamer, and m which they appeared to have been very comfortable. The process of landing them was exceedingly simple, a couple of sailors lifting their packing case stalls off the deck to the wharf. The biggest stood between eight and nine hands high, and weighed, only some 2501 b. The littlo fellows soon came to a sad end. Mr Shannon took them to his house and turned them loose m a back yard, where a couple of fine maßtiffs were also kept. The dogs took no notice of them when they were placed m the yard, and no suspicion of any harm happening to the ponies was entertained. Next morning, however, both the Shelties were found dead, worried to death by tho dogs, who were nearly as big as their prey. The owner was so incensed by the misconduct of his mastiff*, that though they were valuable animals, he caused them both to be destroyed. Olives and Abbowboot m Auckland. — The Auckland Herald says: — "The growth of olive trees m the province is slowly but steadily extending. In many different places a few trees, which may have been planted years ago, are one by one beginning to bear fruit. If the habit is persisted m for several years to come of putting m a few olive trees around theiomes of our settlers m country districts, the time would come insensibly when a very large number of bearing trees would be found m every district. The other day we received from Mr James McGregor, Coromandel, a specimen of the olives grown m his garden there, and he has informed us that the crop this season ia a very large ono, and that bushels have fallen off as they became dead rioe. In the course of timo these olive trees will become sources of wealth, but they require to bo planted m greater numbers." The same journal says :— Mr J. H. Garner, Rosette, Epsom, has in* formed us that a very keen interest has been excited m regard to arrowroot m many parts of this province. He haa hod applications from nearly all places between Poverty Bay and Mangonui, and his stock of roots is exhausted. We have heard of one p'ivate garden m Auckland where the root has been cultivated, the itarch extracted, and the result cooked and compared with the best arrowroot obtainable m the shops. The result of the comparative trial is said to be decidedly m favor of the home production, though the appliances used were not of an elaborate character. The local article was of good color and excellent flavor. No estimate has been formed of the probable yield per acre, but it is satisfactory to know that the article can be grown here readily enough, and that when subjected to the final test it loses nothing m comparison with that ■which is imported from abroad." Stbbl Sailway Slbepbes. — Some of the largest manufacturers of steel m the world met at Middlesbrough at the recent meeting of the Iron Trades Foremen's Association. As usual, thoy differed as to the prospects of their trade. One of them, pointing to the production last year of 2,100,000 tons of steel m this country, and a make increasing at the rate of 30 per cent, foreshadowed a still larger increase arising from the coming sub« stftution of steel sleepers for wooden ones. This process has begun with great success m Germany, and, said the speaker, the world would wake up some fine morning and determine to replace the existing wooden sleepers with steel ones, when - it would take the whole of the world, working at the rate of last year, four and a half to five years to supply" that demand — a pleasant prospect truly for all interested m coal, iron and steel. Thb Cost op Amusements. — According to an American calculation, thore are thirty-six theatres m London, which represent an investment m land of more than £40,000,000, m buildings of more than £25,000,000, and m other property enough to make up the gross amount of £100,000,000. These theatres regularly employ 10,000 persons, and give employment indirectly to as many more. Their aggregate seating capacity is 75,000 ; the average attendance each, night is 51,004, as shown by the Lord Chamberlain's report. The average admission is Is 7d. A Question of Style. — The CountyCourt Judge of a London district, who has made himself rather famous for certain eccentricities of character, was endeavoring, the other day, to elicit from a female witness the terms of friendship on which she was with one of the parties m the cause. " How did you write him?" asked the Judge. "By post," she replied. "That's not what I wanted to know," continued the Judge. " Did you write to him as ' Sir,' ' Dear sir,' 'My dear sir, 1 or '2> » your eyei,' or how? * The editor of the " Polite Letter- Writer " may take a suggestion from this m laying down rules of conduct for the guidance of the uninitiated m addressing their inimical correspondents. BYNOPBIB OF NSW ADVERTISEMENTS. J. Mundell »nd Co^?Hold a clearing sale of freehold property, stock, imnßteent*. &c, on Wednesday. Fleming and HeißMr Will sell a tana and bush land on 21st instant. &v N.Z. Grain Age*«i*hd Mercantile Company, lA.— Have Tuscan seed wSeat tor sale. Smith, DennistoOh and Co.— Hive land to let for cropping. J SteY»ißon— lnvites tenders for ploughing, ic. Frozen meat trade— A meeting of persons interested will be held at the Ship Hotel on 28th Inst. T. Bullick— Notice re debts due. Wanted— Three notices.