NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2881, 17 December 1883, Page 2

NOTES.

Whenever a ship arrives from England with a great numbor of passengers, there aro almost sure to bo some complaints. The food has not been good, or the water has been dirty, or the sleeping accommodation has been inadequate, or there has been flirtation with the female immigrants, or something or other has been done or left undone which has given offence to somebody. It does not require many malcontents to get up an agitation on board ship. There are some people who have a peculiar faculty of finding fault and instigating others to make themselves disagreeable about trifles ; and lucky is the captain, bringing a largo number of passengers, who has not one or two of the3e among them. We have got ao used to this kind of thing in New Zealand, that we look for it almost as a matter of course on the arrival of each steamer ; but no real importance is attached to these complaints, and in nine cases out of ten, they die out in a few days, and are heard of no more. At the same time it is a pity that in instituting tho direct steam service, tho success of which mainly depends on its popularity in the colony, tho New Zealand Shipping Company did not manage to avoid these little unpleasantnesses. Tho general sathfaetoriness of the Tongariro's trip has unquestionably been marrod by the discontent which prevailed among tho passengers. The captain and officers Beem to have been singularly unfortunate in failing to obtain the goodwill of thoso entrusted to their charge. It is not nice to hear of_ the passengers on leaving the ship, giving " groans for Captain Hallett." Wo have not much respect for people who " give groans " for anybody. . The absence of cheers should bo quite significant enough. A man who condescends to show his feelings by groaning must be a poor creature, not much above the intellectual level of tho lowing kine. But still, there is no mistaking the sentiment which is intended to be displayed by that sort of demonstration. It is quito plain that Captain Hallett did not get on with his passengers. We met a day or two ago a colonist, a thoroughly experienced traveller, who has just returned from Home in tho saloon of tho Tongariro, and we asked him -how lie liked her. "Oh" he said " she is a splendid ship mismanaged, and that's all there is to be said about it." Wo thought that was quito enough. The truth is, tho management of large passenger steamers is a business which needs special training, quito apart from seamanship or social qualities. Captain Hallett, if we mistake not, is an officer of tho Navy, who has for years been Commander of a Royal Yacht. It will tako him some little time, probably, to shake off tiio ways of tho Navy and the Royal Yacht, and to shako into thoso of tho merchant service and the passenger steamer. Tho rising generation aro uo rospecters of persons. They rise occasionally to the hoight of impudence. In the course of the onquiry into tho conduct of sonio frugivorous juveniles, who were dealt with iu the Resident Magistrate's Court a few days ago, it came out incidentally on their own confession that they recently cleaned out all the cherries from the garden of no less terrible a personage than the Inspoctor of Police ! Amateur gardening is admittedly one of tho most innocent and peaceful of all pursuits, yet none, perhaps, brings more trouble orstrife to its devotee. The natural pests with which he has to contend are bad enough, but they are nothing to the foes on two short aunbrofrned legs whom it is impossible to keop out of a garden and equally impossible to satisfy when they are in it. Insects and birds take their share, and no gardener who has ever been a boy would seriously grudge the larrikins theirs. But the larrikins are not content with their share. When they [ once get their hand well in they take the lot, and what is worse they take it before , it gets ripe. Thus the unfortunate nomi- | nal proprietor is deprived of the sad j pleasure of oven aeeiiii,' the fruits' of his labor in perfection, knowing ho shall ) never onjoy them. Hie vos noil vobis. If the < despairing horticulturist in' a moment of t undue warinthjßummarißeß tho just punish- '

nent of the marauders, and chastises them Da ho would hia own beloved brats, \o ! he falls foul of their infuriated parents, and speedily becomes involved in an uncivil war with his nvighbore. If ho aeeka the protection of the law, he finds himself in the painful and ridiculous position of prosecuting a bevy of babes and sucklings, who are brought into Court shining with soap and water and truthfulness, and clothed in innocence and their best Sunday clothes, — all assumed for this occasion only. He has to stand tho racket of their weeping mothers, who too evidently regard him as a heartleas monster and a blackened perjurer, and long to write the ten commandments in capital letters on his rueful visiigo. Nobody has the smallest sympathy with him. When his friends meet him in the street, they cnll out " Ah, ha ! 1 sea you had those poor little fellows flogged. I supposo yon never pri™ged any apples when you were a kid. Oh no, certainly not! &c, &c." If he goes out to tea, and tries to drown his sorrows in the flowing bowl, s'iiho lady whom he particularly wishes to stand well with, suddenly enquires whether they beat children with the cat-o'-nine-tails, and, of course, without waiting for an answer, exclaims with tears in her eyes " What a horrid shame ! They ought to pass an Act or something to put a stop to such wickedness." Finding himself unpopular, ho leaves with ;i muflin sticking in his throat, and sneaks home to bed, muttering something f v< m which it might be Buppo3ed he was going to make all his fruit into jam with a big, big, J. We have- bean accustomed from early youth to expend a vast amount t f pity on Adam and Eve for being turned out of the garden of Eden, but on cool reflection we are not sure that it was not the kindest thing that could have been done to them. We have received a letter from a person at Waimato, signing himself "Insurance Stockholder," in which, after abusing the Harbor works at Tirnaru, and protty well evorybody connected with them in the broadest terms, concludes by saying "not wishing to bo abused in tho real Timaru style, I refrain from giving my name." We inako it a strict rule never to publish a letter unless it is accompauied by the name of the writer. In this instance, however, we have stretched tho smallest fraction of a point, just to show tho extent to which impudence can be carried. We do not know what tho " real Timaru style" of abuse is, but if Insurance Stockholder's is an average sample of that used in Waitnate, we can only say we would not like to bet on Timaru. The very fact, though, of a correspondent not forwarding his name with his letter as a token of good faith, almost invariably leads us to believe that he has either a bad cause, or else he is somo nreak-minded individual who doe3 not know right from wrong. Drunkenness. — A female charged for the first time with being drunk in public, was fined 5s on Sutiuxlay. District Court. — The fitting of tho District Court will be adjourned nfc 11 o'clock this morning tilt January 15th, 1881. Orari. — A ball in aid of the Orari school treat i3 to be held in the schoolroom this evening. Gbhaldine. — A gift auction and bazaur in connection with tho Presbyterian Church, Gcmldine, will be held in Messrs J. Mundell and Co. '9 rooms to-day. Resident Magistrate's Coubt, Waivate. — At this Court on Saturday, beforo J. Manchester, Wsq., J.P., a man was fined for being drunk and disorderly on tho previous day. He was also fined 20s for using indecent language in a public plnce. The San Francisco MAIL.-»-Xhcro was no word of the arrival of the Sun Francisco mail at Auckland up to the closing of tho Telegraph Oflice last evening. The steamer was due on Saturday, inujor the now arrangement. Phize FIRING. — Wo publish in another column tho result of the district prize firing, which look place on tho C Battery's range on Friday last. The firing for the ordnance prizes will take place this morning at Fatiti Point, commencing at 8 o'clock sharp. Both tho 2'tpr howitzer and 2-lpr garrison gun will be used. T.A.P.A. — The usual monthly meeting of tho Committee of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was not held on Saturday, only three members of the Committee turning up. This makes two inenlingß at which there has not been a quorum of members present. Concert. — Tho choir of the Trinity Presbyterian Church intend giving another of their vorv pleasing sacral concerts on Wednesday crening, in the church, Barnard street. Some choice anthems will be given ; also solos by several Indies and gentlemen. Admission will be free, but a collection will be made during the evening in aid of the elioir fund. Sat.b op Privileges. — Messrs R. Turnbull and Son, having received instructions from the Sports Committee of the Friendly Societies, will sell by public auction, at their rooms, on Wednesday, the following sports privileges : — Refreshment Booth, fruit and confectionery, toys mid fancy goods, right of games, and gates. Full particulars of above can bo ascertained on application to the auctioneers. Tub Flower Suow. — Tho annual exhibition of the Timaru Floral and Horticultural Society will be held to-day, as usual of late years, in Messrs Maclean and Stewart's buildings. This is the twelfth year that the Society has given holiday-makers on Anniversary Day something to see, and this holiday in Timuru woidd now seem like "Hnnilot" with Hamlet left out, if the " Flower Show '' wero wanting. The nocessary preparation, fitting up of stages, et<*., were made on Saturday, and judging from the brilliant appearance of the gardens, favored by the cool season, the Show ought to be a great success. Spi'Reme Court. — Tho last enso on the criminal calendar was finished soon after noon on Saturda}-. This was the cuso of James Choyne, charged with assaulting with intent to rob a person named M3 - crs in the Waimnto Gorge, on the night of July 21st. The jury found him guilty of a common assault only, for which ho wns sentenced to seven months' hard labor, His' Honor considering tho circumstances to have given a very ugly complexion to the assault of which ho was found giiilty. Tho Court was then adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow inorning, when a longer list than usual of civil cases will be commenced. To-day's Haces.— The Timaru ; Tradesmen's Racing Club have got mailers well in train for their first meeting, which comes off to-day. Trains leave Timaru for tho nicecourse at 11.25 a.m., 12.10 p.m. and 1.10 p.m., and return at 4.40 and 4.50 p.m. Tho express from the North will stop at Washdyko to allow pass»nger»~ to "connect," as the Americans say, with one of the specials to the course. Tho firet special from tho course "connects" at "Washdyke with tho evening train to Ashburton, and the second one will rim on to Oamnru, 50 minutes later than usual. Both trains to and from Albury run 50 minutes later than usual, calling at the racecourse. I.O.G.T.— The usual weekly meeting of tlio Lifeboat Lodge was held on Friday evening in the Lodge-room, Sophia street, ' Bro. J Watson, W.0.T., presiding. Tho minutes of tho previous meeting were read and confinned. Bros. Wutaon, Potter and Proctor wero appointed a Committee to enquire re two brothers violating their obligation. It wns resolved that the Secretary summon all tho members for next meeting, to arrange for faking part in the united monster procession and picnic and other business. After transaction of the rogular rontino work, the Lodge closed at 9 p.m. Tho Lodge was thon opened for conferring tho degrees, when four brothers and two sisters had degrees couferrcd on them. Theatre Royal. — Wo remind our readers that HegartyV Court Minstrels and Hibernicon Variety Company open this ovening in tho Theatre Royal for a short season. Tills troupe is entirely different from th» ordi'nwv

in of BUeh combinations, more tlmn half of the !C»ibors being Indies, whilst only the two corner ion have recourse to tlie burnt cork business, he wholeof Uic performers — fourteeninnumar — are clad in " court" costume, the varied jlors of which hive :i very pleasing effect, he first part of the entertainment includes a umbei' of ballads and comic songs, the orner men being assisted as soloists by Miss r esla Amor, Miss Bella Sutherland, and Miss !va Winnetlo. The second part consists of the reat Ilibernieon comedy " llollie O'Connor ; r Ireland in Shade and in Sunshine," and is tartly a farce, partly a variety entertainment, ni partly a panorama — many places of ntercst in Old Ireland being shown and noving on as the play proceeds. The piece 9 illustrative of a trip from New York to the nost picturesque part of Ireland, and is ■nlivened by bnllads, comic songs, dances, ind the broadest comedy. The whole perT ormnnee, in fact, is brimful of fun nnd minor, and there is not the slightest doubt jut that the Company will have si bumper louse this evening, and do a good business hrough the week. The Hakbor Wobks. — The progress made n itti the Breakwater has not been very vapid >f late, owing to t lie weather having been so unsettled, but it is nevertheless stretching jut. About 40ft of foundation blocks in tho lew contract have been laid, and in a few ;lays these will be covered with temporary monoliths. The system now to be followed is to lay a short length of foundation blocks, forty or fifty feet, and then cover them with rough monoliths, which will be broken up and thrown over tho side to form the " wavebreaker,' when Hie foundations have well settled, and the permanent monoliths will then be put on. This syetem, while securing the perfect settlement of the foundations before finishing the wall, will lessen or entirely prevent loss from the capsizing of loose blocks by heavy sens. It hns been observed on those occasions alien such accidents have happened, that the da'nage was done, not at the extreme end of the work but some distance shoreward, where the wave rose highest through the resistance of the wnll. By adopting the system referred to, this critical point will fall on the completed work, nnd the blocks being tied down by monoliths there is little or no chance of damage being done. It is to be expected that the temporary monoliths will crack more or less as the lower blocks settle, but this will not interfere mueh with their usefulness as bonds to the foundations. At present there is no sand at the end of the works, a slight scour round the | works clearing it awny to the solid clay. The first part of the present contract includes tho " curve," of 2ft (iin iu 50ft, and already the departure from the straight line is quite perceptible. On Saturday the boring operations for testing the bottom where one of the screw-moorings is to be laid down, were completed. The rods first passed through six feet of hard sand, and then a Btratnm of stiff clay was reached. This was bored into eleven feet, when it was considered needless to go further. Heavy Fixes on Milk Sellers. — At Wolverhampton, recently, William Childley, milk seller, West Bromwieh, was fined £10 I and costs for refusing to sell milk to an officer under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. On being asked for a sample of milk, which the inspector required for analysis, the defendant refused to sell it, and said he would rather throw it away. Ha hud been previously fined twice for selling adulterated milk. Another milk seller named William Brooks, of the same town, was fined £5 and costs for refusing to sell milk for the same purpose ; and another milkman named Joseph Hill, of Sponlane, was fined -Ms and costs for selling adulterated milk, from which the whole of the cream had been removed and 10 per cent of water added. The Mixisteb vob Public Works. — " Tho Hon. Mr llitohelson visited the breakwater this morning (says the Oamarn Mail of Saturday evening) in company with the Chairman of the Harbor Board (Mr Sumpter) and Messrs Shriinski and Duncan, M.tl.R.'s, who are also members of tho Board, nnd appeared greatly interested in the works. The contractors, taking advantage of the quiet sea, were engaged at the head of the breakwater making preparations for laying the large monolith which will complete this portion of the harbor works. The Cliaimiaubrought again under theuotico of the Minister tho questions of payment of compensation for tho land taken from the Harbor Board's property for railway purposes, pointing out its position and value. The Minister requested that full particulars should be sent to him personally, when the matter would have his best consideration. He expressed himself as being much pleased with the harbor, which be said would form a very nice basin of water." Tho Minister arrived in Timaru by special train about 12.30 p.m. on Saturday, and after a few miuutea stay left for Christcuurcb. English Cable Sews. — The cable news which we publish this morning contains several items of interest. Two brigades, comprising 3000 men are to be added to the French force in Touquin, which will then be 15,000. It is also stated that the usurper of the throne of Anam, and who caused the late King to be poisoned, will declare war against the French in defiance of the treaty made by his late Majesty, whom he put out of the way. As regards the Soudan rebellion, it is anuounced that authentic information has been received that Hieks Pasha, wus not. killed, as reported, but effected his escape, and is now at Birket, a town in the district of Darfur about 450 miles south-west of Khartum. The Arab tribes who recently fought under El Mahdi's banner aro reported to have disagreed, and are now returning to their former isolated positions. Spumous Sovebeigns. — The Pall Mall Gazette says :— The fright produced nniong the public by the discovery unit many thousands of spurious sovereigns are in existence is likelv to be made use of by those who advocate'a currency of £1 notes in this country. It seems that (ho sovereigns in question arc so well covered with gold as to stand the tests which any but experts can readily apply. Ycry well, then, runs tho argument of advocates of £1 notes, let none but experts bo compelled to accept sovereigns. Like other valuable articles, our gold coins ought not to be receivable — this is what advocates of a note currency eay — without the guarantoe of some good authority. The worst of this view is tho alternative suggested ; for it would be at least as easy to imitate £1 notes as tho sovereigns which dexterous coiners now fabricate to their own profit. The Only Right Wat.— Mr Stephen Powers says, in the Ohio Farmer, thero is " only one right way." It consists of eight sheaves — no more. The first three aro set close together in a row running east and west, and well chuckod down. Two more are set on each side of this row, the butts well flattened against tho ground and at tho tame time jabbed into the butts of the others. This makes tho shook round, knits it together and makes it firm on tho ground. To knit it closer togcthor tho shocker embraces the tops in his arms, hugs them close and finishes by giving tho heads a kind of twisting lap. Then, holding the sheaf intended for a cap between his knees, 119 loosens tho band, slips it down within a foot of the end, where lie tightens it again, and then proceeds to break tho heads down clear to tho band and very thoroughly. It is laid ou with the heads to the west. A cap prepared in this manner will cover the shock liko an apron clear down to the bands and two-thirds of the way around— so completely, in fact, that no wind will ever blow it off unless tho shock goes over with it. Wheat shocked in this way 111 our fields stands up in a galo which send* a third or a half of tho shocks to grass, or at least uncaps them, in neighboring fields ; and in an hour they will be dry enough to thresh after a storm heavy enough to precipitate half an inch or more of water. A Scolding Woman. — The barbarities of tho ducking-stool for the cure of scolding women, though abolished by law, aro now oftentimes practised by a kind of eooial barbarity none tho loss reprehensible. Women 3eold only when tbey are ill. Instead of blaming them we should prescribe Hop Bitters. The entire system will undorsro a jonial, pleasant change Tho nerves will be jnioted, and acerbity of word and thought vill (jive place to amiability and affection. ffenlthy women do not scold or frot. Head. — Advt.) IjAdt Beactijiers.— Ladies, you cannot nako fair skin, rosy oheeks, and sparkling lyes with all the cosmetics of France or* loautifiers of the world, whilst in poor health, aid nothing will give you snch rioh blood, rood health, etrength and beauty ae Hoj.