NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2782, 23 August 1883, Page 2

NOTES.

In thocourso of the recent discussions on the question of establishing a meatfreezing company at Timaru, it was strongly urged by several practical men tliiit it would be unwise to rush hastily into a large expenditure on the erection of works h«re, because the freezing process is still m ita infancy, and tho machinery and appliances at present m uso may bo superseded any day by now discoveries. Tho telegram from Wellington which wo published yesterday, shows that this was sound advice. Mr Larkworthy, a gentleman who is deeply interested m all matters affecting the welfare of this colony, states that a Birmingham firm have patented an improvement m freezing machinery which will reduco the cost of the operation by more than one half, and that an order has been uiven for fitting one of the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels with the new machinery. Now, this is very important intelligence indeed, for all who are concerned either m the freezing industry or m the shipping of meat. It means not only that the profits of tho trade will be greatly increased, but that those companies who have already set up works on the old principle will have to roorganise the whole of their arrangemontß. It is very fortunate, therefore, that tho promoters of the enterprise down hero have not gone farther than they have ; because they will now be able to take advantage of the experience of others, before looking up capital m exponsive plant which would be altogether behind the times. They would do well, wo think, to make the fullest enquiries by the outgoing mail, as to the Birmingham patont which Mr Larkworthy speaks of, with a view to employing it, if it should prove equal to expectations, when they come to face the question of erecting works. Iv the meantime they need not be idle, but may make, sufficient provision for the export from the district, by means of slaughtering yards and the uso of the freezing apparatus on ship board.

The English papers very seldom contain any reference to New Zealand or ita affairs, but whon they do, it is generally a highly interesting one. A botanical journal called the Month seems to give special attention to this colony. In a recent articlo on the struggle for existence between different sorts of plants, it states that m New Zealand, water cress grows to such an enormous size that it is frequently found with stems twelve feet long, and ia bo serious an impediment to river navigation that the Government annually spend a considerable sum tokeepit from altogether choking up the water way. The same article mentions that the small white or Dutch clover (Trifolium repens) with a weakly creeping stem, usually not much more than a foot m length, when introduced into New Zealand attacked and defeated an indigenous species of flax, an exceedingly tough, robust plant with strong leaves over six feet high. The vegetable Goliath hnd to succumb to the floral David, and the little clover is actually driving the big flax out of existence. This reminds us of tho old lady's homoeopathic cure for a cold. "Put your feet m hot water and mustard, my dear, and take a basin of gruel, and get into bed, and keep nice and warm, and have a tumbler of toddy as hot as you can drink it, and get a good sleep, and lie m bed the next day, — and take one of these globules every twelve hours, — and you will be quite well m a day or two, if you do not catch fresh cold. It's wonderful what an effect these minnto doses have." So with the flax and the clover. If a swamp is drained, and burned, and broken up and cropped a few times, and sown down with white olover, the flax will disappear m the most astonishing manner and the enmparatively feeble little clover will completely take its place. This we know for a fact, because we have seen it for ourselves. But we cannot recall any instance, within the range of our own observation, at all eyenti, where the white clover has invaded the natural domain of the flax, and single-handed terminated its ancient solitary reign.

Ebbatum. — In a local m yesterday's issue it was Btated that Messrs Thomson's greyhounds arc to be sold nt Teinuka on the Ist Sept. This is an error ; the sale takes place at Maclean and Stewart's Horse Bazaar.

U.A.O.D. — The members of the Timaru Lodge, No. 152, United Ancient Ordor of Druids, are requested to meet at the Forcstors' Hall at 3 p.m. to-day, for tho purposo of taking part m tho funeral of their late brother, William S. Bezzant.

Theatbb Royaii. — There was a fair attendance nt the Theatre last night, to witness the performances of the Royal Mariorinettes, and tho audience woro well amuted by tho performance.

Tub Latb Captain Bascakd.— Tho nett proceeds of tho concert given m aid of tho family of the late Captain Bascand, amounted to £37.

Blue Ribbos Abmt. — A meeting of those who havo joined the Blue Bibbon Army will bo held m the Weßleyan echoolroom, Bank street, this evening. C Battkht, N.Z.A. — The members of this Battery are under orders to parade at their headquarters, m review order, at 2.30 p.m. to-day, to attend the funeral of their lato comrade Gunner Win. S. Bczzant ; also to parade m marching order at 7.30 p.m. tomorrow for inspection by the officer commanding the district (Government parade). Missionary Wobk. — The Rev. G. O. Newport, who has been a missionary m Madras for many years, is to give an address at the Congregational Clinch at 7.30 o'clock this evening. Tho subject ho has chosen, viz., " Christian Work Among the Women of India," is such ns should ensure a good attendance of those who desire the higher welfare of tlio nations. Mr Newport is now on a missionary tour through the colony, and it is hoped his visit will increase our zeal m Christian missions.

Lunacy. — A man named Cliaa. Eiddlo was brought beforo T. W. Hull, Esq., and F. Archer, Esq., J.P.s, yesterday morning, charged with being a lunatic unfit to bo at large, and was, on tho certificates of Drs Drew and Macintyre, committed to the Sunnysidc Asylum. Riddle was m the Asylum for a whilo during 1881. Ho is suffering from religious mania, nnd lately look to praying m the streets about town. He was taken up to Christchurch by the express train yesterday. English Cable News. — Tho following special telegrams appear m the Prezi : " London, August 20. Tho following further appointments m tho Victorian Defence Force have been made : — Staff -officer of tho Artillery, Major Walker of the Royal Artillery ; stafToflleer of the Infantry, Captain Felloes, of the first battalion of tho East Surrey Regiment.—The British Government, fearing diuicultics m tho Punjaub m connection with tho projected visit of tho Maharajah Dhulcep Singh, have induced him to postpone it. — In the sculling race over tho champion course, for £200 a side, and the championship, George Bubear beat Largan by four lengths." "August 21. Tho Comte de Chambord 'is m a state of coma, and it is apparent that his end is fast approaching. — The Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Undcr-SceretaryfortlioColonies.has intimated that the action of the Queensland Government m ordering an. armed vessel has been approved by the Imperial Government. — Earl Spencer, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, has visited Cork, whero ho received a most respectful reception. -Mr Shaw, tho British missionary at Tamatave, is accused by the French authorities of complicity with tho Hovas. — M. Tricon has never left Shanghai. Ho proceeds to Japan, and will then learo for France."

School Committee. — The ordinary monthly meeting of tho Tcmuka School Committee was held on Tuesday evening last. Present — Messrs Gray (Chairman), Kirk, Blvth, Bolton, O'llalloran, and Brown. The minutes of the previous ordinary and ono special meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence innards and outwards wus read and considered. Tho Head Master's monthly report showed J>"o. on roll — Boys, 213 ; givla, 191 ; total •104. Highest attendance, July 19th, Boy?, 158 ; girls, 124 ; total, 282. Strict average, Boys, 135 ; girls, 90 j total, 225. Mr Wood, Hea/I Master, attended by request of the Committee, for tho purposo of giving information as to tho necessary alterations m the teaching staff, caused by the school being formod a District High School. Mr Wood having retired, a long discussion ensued, after which it was resolved — " That the Board of Education be written to nsking tho Board to invite applications for the office of second master, at a salary of £130 per year, one able to teach singing preferred." A letter was read from Mr Pearpoint, resigniug his position on tho Committee, as ho was leaving the district. Tho resignation was accepted with regret, and Mr W. G. Aspinall was unanimously elected to fill tho vacancy. It was resolved — " That tho Board be asked to forward cheque for rent of school teacher's house and Good Templar's hall." The Chairman, and Messrs Blvth and Kirk were ap- ' pointed Visitors for the current month. Tho meeting then adjourned.

DiSTiiicT Cocht.— His Honor Judge Harvey was occupied neavlv all day yesterday m hearing tho case Durni r. the Board of Education, which was not completed, and will be continued this morning. All the evidence lms been taken, and it only remains for counsel to address the Court, and His Honor to give judgment. The case is being fought very hard, and counsels' addresses threaten to be very technical indeed, the tnble and floor being half covered with books of law. Mr White, counsel for tho plaintiff, found tho Secretary to the Board rather restive under cross-examination, and several smart passages occurred between them, relioving to some degree the tcdiousnesa of the case. Asked when a certain circumstance occurred, the witness said " I can refer to the exact date." Mr White : " Then I wish you would refer. You don't secin to know much without referring. It takes you a long time to answer anything." A few minutes later the witness observed tho plaintiff giving his counsel a hint, whoroupon ho remarked "If you put Mr Duval m your placo, ho would get on much better." Mr Whito retorted "You are not my Secretary, and must not give mo instructions." Mr Hammond suid " I havo to answer two of you." His Honor advised him to answer ono; he -would find that enough. He claimed to havo drafted certain plans, and being asked who prepared the pluns for lender, desired Mr Whito to define the word " prepared." Mr Whito said he would be satisfied to accept the usual interprc tation ; he could not pretend to instruct an Inspector of Schools.

The Mauiued Women's Peopehiv Act. — Tho Law Times rcniarki that the forco of tho blow dealt by tho Married Women's Proporty Act 1882, has reeeivod its best illustration m tho decision of Mr Justice Chitty on tho 18th mat. m "He March's Will. 1 ' 1 A testatrix, who died m the year 1883, by her will, made m the year 1880, gave all her property to a husband and wife and third person. His lordship held that having regard to tho new Act, which, Bince the decision of the late Master of the Bolls m " Hasluck v. Pedlcv," must be held to apply to an antodatcd will, the proper construction to be put upon such a gift wns, that it was a joint tenancy among three persons. Previously to tho passing of the Act the legnl rule was, as is well known, that the husband and wifo took only v moiety, because they were by the common law but ono person. Without venturing to dispute tho wisdom of the now enactment, we would submit that its applicability to the construction of a will is open to question. A doubt as to tho iutention of a testator cannot be solved by referring to Acts of Parliament ; but whon tho intention of the testator has been arrived at, then and then only is the Act of Parliament applicable. Taking this view, and applying tho Married Women's Property Act 1882, to the caso of a gift to a man and his wife and a third porson, whilst tho husband and «ifo would etill tnko a moiety only, the wifo would, by virtue of the recent Act, take for her separate use a half share of the moiety. Deceased Wife's Sistebs. — Everyone (says a Homo journal) has a right to his own opinion on tho question of the deceased wifo's sister ; but when a politician puts his views on legal grounds, ho should bo sure that his grounds are legal. Mr Bright, m a letter recently publishod, says : — " A man may have a legal wife m the colonies, and another legal wife m England. Ho may bring his Canadian legal wifo to England) where, when ihe touches our shores, she 19 not a legal wife, and where lier children born here are not legitimate. If you can justify this I will not argue with you. Tho statement may or may not be justified, on the ground that we are not bound to alter our laws to suit the taste of those who visit us, but it may safely bo traversed. If a Canadian, married to a deceased wifo's sister m Canada, wero to come to England, his wifo would not cease to bo his legal wife, and his children born here would bo legitimate. In fact, the legality of a man's marriage does not depend on the place where he happens to be, or tho legitimacy of his children on the place where they are born. It depends on his domicile at the time of his marriage. A man is not married and unmarried as ne crosies a frontier. i

How a Locomotive was Baibbd pbom a Rivbh.— Tho Elccatcd Bailroad Journal relates how the feat of raising a huge freight engine from the mud m Bush River, on the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad, below Havre dv Grace, was successfully accomplished a few days Bince. Tho engine fell through tho drawbridge sometime ago. The difficulties of tho feat may be imagined wheu it is understood that the engine was several feet below the watcr'a surface, and completely buried m the mud. The wreckers have been at work a week, the first thing accomplished being the placing of heavy chains beneath the great mas 3of iron. Two divers, sent down for this purpose, were compelled to dig several feet under the soft mud at the bottom of tho river. The chains were made taut to four heavy scows, which were filled with water at low tide. Everything being satisfactory, the water was pumped out of tho scows, thus tightening the chains about tho engine. When the tido began to rise the engino was pulled a few feet from the mud. Then other scows were brought, and when the tido was again low water was pumped m and the chains fastened to them. The tide went up again, and so did the engine, which rame to the surface. After this had been repeated a number of times, the engine was swinging clear of the water, and was then placed on a large float, only slightly damaged, and wanting but few repairs to mako it as good as before its tumblo into the river. Tho railroad will now take charge of its fishod-up property, and tow it to tho rivor bank nenr tho railroad track. To that point, when tho tide is high, a temporary track will bo built connecting with the railroad, and whon the tide has fallen sufficiently to platio the wheels of the engine on a level with the temporary structuro, the engine will then be run on the wharf and to the main track. It will be taken to Wilmington and repaired. It cost 1000 dols. to fiib. the engine out.

A Balloon Under the Ska. — A Marseilles correspondent writes to a contemporary : — " The International Exhibition of JJico is reserving some wonders for the foreigners who may propose to pass a portion of the winter of 1883-84 upon tho borders of the Mediterranean, Ono of these wonders is a balloon, which its inventor,"!!. Toselli, cnlls ' the observatory under the sea.' It is made of steel nnd bronze, to enable it to resist the pressure which the water produces at a depth of 120 metres. This ' observatory under the pea ' has a height of eight metres, and is divided into threo compartments. Tho upper apartment is reserved for tho commander, to enable him to direct and to wgk'h the working of the observatory, nnd to give to the passengers tho explanations necessary as to tho depth of tho descent, and what they will sec m the depths of tlio sea. Tho eecond apartment, m the centre of the machine, is comfortably furnished for passengers to the number of eight, who are placed so that they can sco a long distance, from tho vessel or machine. They have under their feet a glass which enablea them to examine at their case the bottom of the sea, with its fishes, its plants, and its rocks. Tho obscurity being almost complete at 70 metres of depth, the observatory will be provided with a powerful electric sun, which sheds light to a great distance m lighting these depths. The passengers have at their disposal a telephone, which allows them to converse with their friends who have stopped on the steamboat which transports the voyagers to such places ns are known as the most curious m the neighborhood". They have also handy a telegraph machine. Beneath the passengers an apartment is reserved for the machine, which is constructed on natural principles, tbrt is to 6ny, as the vessle of a fish, becoming hcarier or lighter at command, so ns to enable the machine to sink or rise at the wish of tho operator."

Tub Antiquity of Man. — An interesting discovery, of much importance for geological and archaeological science, has recently been made m a coal urino at Bully-Grenay, m the French department of Pas-de-Calais. A new gallery was being pierced, when a cavern was broken into, which discovered the fossil remains of fivo human boings m a fair state of preservation — a man, two women, and two children composed tho group, Hie man measured about seven feet, the women six feet six and six feet, the children four feet and ruther less than this. In addition, some fragments of arms and utensils of petriGcd wood and of stone, with numerous remains of mammals and fish, were brought to light. A second subterranean chamber enclosed the remains of eleven human bodies of large size, several animals, and a large number of various objects, with some precious stones. The walls of the cave exhibited drawings representing men fighting with gigantic animals. Owing to the prcsonco of carbonic anhydrido a third and lurger chamber, which appeared to he empty, was not searched. Five of the petrified human remains will bo exhibited at the mayoralty of Lens. The remainder of the bodies which havo been brought to the surface nro to bo conveyed to JJille, there to await a thorough examination by tho experts of tha Faculle des Sciences. Information has been telegraphed to the representatives of the Aeademie des Sciences of Paris aud to those of the British Museum. If the discovery bo a real one, no doubt can bo entertained of the toluo of the find, which would on the face of it scorn to show that prehistoric man is anything but a myth. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean and Stewart— Will sell horses, drays, harness, &c, on Saturday. C. Newton and Son, Chriatchurch— Will sell the thoroughbred horses, Natator and Grip, on September Ist, N.Z.S. Company- Notify »j. British King will leave Lyttelton on September Ist for London. J. Ashwell, Temuka— His a valuable property for sals by tender. 3. H. Taylor— Wants teams for ploughing. U.A.O.D.— Members meet at Foresters' Hall nt 3 p.m., this day. I. ft. Morris, photographer, Dunedin— ls exhibiting enlarged portraits m oil, etc, at Nower's Hotel. • Congregational Church— Services In connection with the Zenana mission by tho Her. Q. O. Newport, at 7.30 this evening. O Battery— Parade at head-quarters at 2.30 p.m., this day. Wanted— One notice. •