NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2945, 1 March 1884, Page 2

NOTES.

Sir Robert Douglas, of Glenbervie, who has just died at Wanganui, belonged to a very ancient Scottish house. The family of Douglas of Glenbervie had a grant from James V. of Scotland of the ri»ht to the first vote m Parliament, to be the King's Lieutenants, and to carry the Crown at coronations. The female representative of this family married, late m the last century, a Mackenzie ; and her son, Kenneth Mackenzie, colonel of the 58th Foot, who was created a baronet m 1831, then assumed the name of Douglas by royal license, as representing the Douglases of Glenbervie through the female line. Sir Kenneth was succeeded by his son Sir Robert, who, dying m 1843, was Bncceeded by his son, Sir Robert Andrews Mackenzie Douglas, who died the day before yesterday. Sir Robert Douglas was born m 1837, the year of Queen Victoria's accession, and entered the army as an ensign m the 57 th Foot at the age of seventeen. He came with his regiment to New Zealand m 1860, and served with it hero through the Maori war. On the withdrawal of the Imperial troops m 1865-6, he went to England for a while, but retired from the army m 1867, and returned to the colony, where he married and settled down as a farmer at Whangarei. We well remember him as a captain m the 57th, a smart, energetic officer, strict m discipline, but popular among the men, and liked, as far as he was understood, by his brother officers. He was always very eccentric, however, and had a peculiar reserve that prevented his better qualities from becoming as well known as they deserved to be. In the general election of 1875 he was returned to the House of Representatives as Member for Marsden, a country constituency north of Auckland, and he speedily developed a very considerable aptitude fur politics. As a debater he was distinguished by great vigor and quickness, and one of his dashing speeches often used to revive a dull discussion, or cut a short way to a division. He had, moreover, a fearless, soldierly habit of going straight to the point, regardless of opposition, which was much liked m the House at that time. He was one of the Opposition Whips m 1878 and 1879, and assisted hia party not a little by his indefatigable energy, and by a strange faculty which he possessed of influencing men whom nobody else had any control over. He was said to be the only Member that ever could manage that curious character Edmund Barff, at that time Member for Hokitika, an undoubtedly clever man, with great powers of work, but so solitary and capricious that nobody ever knew what he might do from hour to hour. Sir Robert Douglas seemed to exercise a complete fascination over him — who might have been his father m politics — and so long as he was Whip, the leaders never troubled themselves to enquire where Mr Barff wns. The wits used to call them Prospero and Caliban. But Mr Barfi was by do means the only unmanageable member whom " the honorable and gallant baronet " used to produce m (rood order and condition, m the right lobby, no one knew how, when they were particularly wanted. Sir Robert Douglas will be best remembered, perhaps, m political circles, by his inimitable caricatures. He had an extraordinary talent for drawing, and especially for portraiture, and many a time, when a Member addressing the House, imagined he was busily engaged m taking notes for a slashing reply, he was m reality sketching the face and figure of the speaker m some ludicrous guise, and reproducing with wonderful accuracy his prevailing mannerism or some other peculiarity by which he could be recognised m an instant. These pictures, some of which were highly finished drawings, he would afterwards have photographed, and there are still m existence collections of them which supply a far better clue to the political history of that period than Hansard does. Sir Robert Douglas, though ho gave his satire a good deal of liberty sometimes, was never intentionally ill-natured m his caricatures ; and nothing upset him more than to learn that anyone had taken offence at his sallies. Some of his most successful sketches, we know, were destroyed, before th«y had been multiplied, or were suppressed afterwards from this cause. Sir Robert Douglas retired from politics at the general election m 1879. He was a member of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service m 1880, when he displayed liis characteristic eccentricity, by appending to the Report a formal proteßt on his own part from the conclusions of his colleagues. He has not since ap- j peared m public affairs. Sir Robert j Douglas had a brother, Kenneth, who died at Wellington some few years ago ; and we fancy the baronetcy goes to the son of that brother, who is now Sir Kenneth Douglas of Glenbervie. In a few months' time the Tichborne Claimant will have served ten years out of the fourteen years' penal servitude to which he was sentenced m 1874, and having been uniformly well conducted during that period, will be entitled to his discharge, m accordance with the regulations. It is anticipated that there will ho some sort of demonstration on his release, and there will assuredly be a good deal of excitement among his old supporters. Many of those infatuated people still believe firmly m the Claimant's innocence, and persist m regarding him as Sir Roger Tichborne ; though his identity with Castro was established as clearly as any fact can possibly be established by human evidence, and though the whole story of his fraud, disclosed by his accomplicos, has beon published over and over again. We see the English papers still circulate the story that the Claimant is to be set up m a publio house. The Home New.i af the 11th January improves upon the original report, by Btating that "a magnificent hotel on the south coast has been licensed for him by his rriends. Mine host will be interesting for a time, and be able to enter;ain the guests of his hustelrie by

sciting his life and adventures during ie timo he occupied a Government jtablishment." It is rathor strange that Ilia should fitill be so positively asserted, rhen well-known public men, who have ever censed to watch over the Claimant. iave emphatically and indignantly denied b m the 2'imes, and publicly announced hat arrangements have been made for ' Sir Roger Tichborne". on his release mm prison, to live m comfort, and m lecoming retirement, with his family. Our iwn idea is that so bold, clever and inscrupulous a rascal will not be so easily lisposed of. He has some grand opporunities before him yet, if he chooses to nake the moat of them ; and he is jimt he man to do it. As for Ilia living m lignified retirement with his family, we magine his domestic relations are nut altogether of a satisfactory nature, acsording to the ordinary ideas of good moiety. Not very long ago his wife npalied for pariah relief somewhere, and il then came out that she had two children r>orn since the " nnhappy nobleman," hei husband, was confined m Portland. This looks awkward for the dignified retire tnent ; but perhaps " Sir Roger," like many other " noblemen," will complete the many-sidedness of his career by a divorce suit and a brilliant second marriage. Borough of Ashbueton. — The valuation of the Borough of Ashburton lor municipal rating purposes this year is, with amendments made at the Assessment Court this week, £25,0(14 13s. Education Board Election. — The St. Andrews School Committee h;ivo voted for Messrs W. ,T. Steward, George Gray Emisell J. C. MeKerrow, to fill the vacancies on the Board of Education. ScnOLAßsniP Examination.— The examination of candidates for the Board of Education's scholarships commences on Tuesday neit. Candidates for the AVaimate High School scholarships will be es dunned at the same time. Ddnkikg's Opeba CoMPAj-y. — We have good reason to believe that Dumping's powerful Opera Company, now performing m Dunedin, will appear for a season of six nights m Timaru. They will go to Christchurch iirst, and return her<i for the race week. The Mackay Case.— The hearing of the charge of embezzlement against Joseph Mackay will be resumed at Geraldinn this morning, at 10 o'clock. Mr Eobert Stout was m Timaru yesterday, and we presume he will defend the accused" Cricket. — A game will bo played this afternoon oq the South Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club's ground, betwten sides chosen on the ground. All those who wish U) play are requested to be m attendance not later than half-past two o'clock. Lae&E Saxe of Stock — In our advertising columns this morning will be found particulars of a large sale of sheep and other stock, the property of ATr John Reid, of Elderslie, to be held at Elderslie on Friday next. Mr Beid's name is familiar as that of a successful exhibitor at agricultural shows, m nil classes of stock, and this should be a guarantee that the stock to be offered are worth the attention of buyers. Gbeildike Coubsix&Club. — A meeting of the Committeo of the Geraldine Coursing Club was held on Wednesday afternoon, when the 'Chairman, Mr Cunningham, laid beforo the Committee the balance-:iheet for the past year. This showed a balance m favor of the Club, and considering the late period at which the Club was started, the result was cocsidorcd very satisfactory. It was decided to present a bonus of three guineas to the Secretary, Mr D. Mackenzie, and two guineas to Mr P. Thomson for his services as slipper. The date of the annual general meeting was fixed for the Bth inst. The Museum.— Mr M. Jonas desires to acknowledge the receipt, for the Timaru Museum, of a pair of old flint-lock pistols from Mr I. Peters, and a greenstone mere from Mr J. D. Kett. The pistols are of very anciert appearance. They bear no date, biit their brass ornaments suggest that they were aimy cavalry weapons. One show j "on the look part of a maker's name, " Hob "-something or other. They have no sight*. Tho butt is weighted to make it a useful weapon m a hand to hand fight. Mr Jonas has now got a large number of articles for the museum m his oflice, of a various and interesting character. Among them is a collection of old and curious coins, some of them of very great age. Nsw Zealand Railways. — The official returns of revenue and expenditure on tho Jfew Zealand Government railways for the ton months ended 81st January have not (says the Post) yet been made up, but from au approximate rough balance sheet it appears that the gross receipts amount m round numbers to £800,000, and the working expensiis to £650,000. Tho receipts are thus about £50,000 less that 10-12thn of the estimate of the full year, :ilthough the traffic shows a large increase m all classes. The net profit for the ten mouths was about £250,000, which is at the rate of £1(00,000 per annum, ris against £360,000 for the last year, and £36'i,000 for the yoar before. Not Indebted"— At tho last meeting of the Waitaki County Council the following letter was read from Mr Lowe, on behalf of the Railway Department : — " During the ptst three and a half years the repairs to the Mooring of the Waitaki bridge have amounted to £897 4s 4d. As this outlay is entirely for tho benefit of the road trofiic, I am directed by the General Manager of Railways to request fchut your Council will kindly forward a cheque for" half that, amount, viz., £4-18 17s 2d, tho other half being payable by the Waimate County Council. I am further instructed to ask whether your Council are prepared to pay for fuluro repairs of this kind, which may be necessary from timo to time to t;ho above bridge." The Council declined to acknowledge any liability m the matter. The Waimate County Council have replied m similar terms to v like request. A Testimonial. — Last evening a number of residents met at the Ship Hotel to bid famwell to Mr Richard Sullivan, who hns been for the past eight years a member of tho Police force here, and for live years Inspector of Weights und Measures. 'Sir Jonas occupied the chair, and m a very complimentary speech presented (he following addross to Mr Sullivan: — " Timaru, Canterbury, N.Z., March Ist, 1884. Mr Richard Sulfivan, lato Armed Constabulary Departmont, and Inspector of Weights and Measures. Sir, — It is with great regret Hint wo learn you havo denidod to never your connection with the Armed Constabulary of JJevr Zealand and also with Timaru. During your long residence hnre, now extending over eight years, the manner m which you fulfilled your various dutief, which wore onerous and at times disagreeable, mot with public I approval, but m consideration of the ruled of tho Department m which you were employed, tho inhabitants of Timaru p.nd district refrained from giving expression to their satisfaction with your conduct. Sow that you havo retired from tho service, and are on thn evo of leaving us to try your fortune m another country, we cannot allow you to part wkh us without testifying to tl'io obliging, unassuming and unbiassed manner m which you performed your various dutioii, many of wlich, wo aro aware, were through your ability, eourteousness and tact, relieved 'of a certain amount of disagrceablences inhorent m thorn. Although wo regret your departure from nmongst, us, we part with you with tho iatisfacliion of knowing that wh»rever your future eivj-oor may bo vast, yom' straightforward and manly character will always gain you the reipoct Biid goodwill of your fellowmcn. and wo sincerely hope that that career may m every respect bo prosperous. We are, eto." The testimonial was signed by boi-weeu fyrtr and fifty loading citizens, professional and business men. Tho list was headed by His Worship tho Mayor, vhoso namo was followed by those of Messrs Tnrnbulltiiul Sul.tor, M.H.R. s, and of Mossri Ormsby, Kcrr, and Ehvorthy, J.P.'s. Mr Jonas remarked I;hat ut cslimonial boaringsuch signature j as did this, wns ono to bo proud of indeed. Several of thoso present spoke m high torn™ ?f Mr Sidlivan as a public oalcor, and all wished him every success m the future. Mr Sullivan feelingly expressed his thanks for tho Itiud and complimentary terms of tho address, oud for tho kind remarks midc. His health and success wero then diunk m bumpure of

champaigne. Mr Sullivan leaves Timaru to. day, en route for San Francisco. Th« address was very neatly prepared by Mr J. I E. Davidson. Reopbhino Business.— The AsKburton Mail saya that, having got the sanction of Government to re-lease the sections on the railway reserve recently occupied by him, Mr Alpheiis Hayes has decided to re-commence business m Aahburton under the old management. In connection with the business, auction Bales of timber will be held periodically, so that farmers who contemplate erecting homesteads after harvest will be enabled to obtain supplies of timber almost on their own terms. Masonic. — Mr A. 3 . Parsons, -who for the last two years has been Worshipful Master of St. John's Lodge, and one of the leading Masons here, was entertained at a banquet on Thursday evening m the library of the lodge. A large number of members of the craft were present, nnd during the evening Mr Parsons was presented with an illuminated address, expressing the great regret felt by all members of the craft at his departure from Tinioru. Mr Parsons leaves for Wanganui nest week, and will take -with him the good wishes of the residents of Timaru, while his departure creates a blank m Masonic circles which cannot easily be filled up. A Cußiors Accibknt. — While the nor'wester was blowing on Wednesday, threo platelayers were going along the railway line neur Papakaio on n. trolly undor sail, and were sailing along merrily. The wind being very strong the men all sat on the rear of the trolly to balance the pressure on the sail. Suddenly the wind lulled, the sail fell back, and the weight of the men tilted up the trolly bo as to lift it off the front wheels. These run on, and the wind coming on again that instant, the front of the trolly went down and struck the ground with considerable force. All the men were thrown off, and one of them received a severe scalp wound and lay unconscious for a considerable time. Thci woodwork of the trollies is not usually fastened to the axlos, but is placed loosely on them, so as to be easily lifted off. This accounts for the accident happening as it did. Cebtainlt Nor ! — The London butchers must be making a good thing out of the shiploads of New Zealand mutton that are being sent Homo every month. They buy it cheap and profess that they have to sell it cheap, but v/hether they do so or not is probably pretty truthfully indicated by the following story, told by tho Argus correspondent: — " A gentleman m a fashionable neighborhood discovered on the shank of a leg of mutton Tfben brought to table a very small piece of paper, which, on being unravelled, contained the name of the New Zealand Frozen Meat Company. Calling on his butcher next day, he s:iid, 'Mr So-and-So, you sent me New Zealand mutton yesterday.' The butcher, thus challenged, thought it best to admit it, and said, ' Oh, yea, sir, certainly I dill.' ' Then,' said the customer, ' of course you are not going to charge me English price.' ' Oh, cert ainly not,' said the butcher, and the little contretemps was easily adjusted. The customer, however, naid on leaving, ' I tell you what, though, Mr Butcher, you haven't sant me such a good bit of mutton as that for the 1 past sis months.' " Pbesbutatio:>-. — Miss Allan, who has baen for many years a teacher m the Timaru Pulilic School, and is now leaving, was yesterday afternoon presented by her fellow teachers nnd the senior pupils with a handsome set of knives and forks as a souvenir of her long connection with the school. Accompanying the present, a useful one to a young housekeeper, was an address, which was read by Miss A. Clark, as follows : — " Dear Miss Alan, — It is with the deepest regret that we take leave of you to-day — you who have been so long aniongijt us, not only as a valued instructress, but as a loved and kind friond. We express, m this address, not only our own feelings, but those of our Head Mistress and the lady teachers of the school, who uart from you, as one of their number, ilKth sorrow. We all unite m wishing you ffiany happy years m your future home, and trust that you will not forget us and tlie many pleasant days spent m our midst. Mr ficott will hand jou a gift from the teachers of the school and the girls here assembled, which may serve to re;all this day to your memory. Again wishing you many happy years, we bid you good-bye." The address bore the signatures of the teachers and senior pupils. Mr Soott, the Head Master, made the presentation, and m doing so bore testimony to the high estimation m which Miss Allan was held by all the school. Spobtikg Requisites. — Mr T. Q-. Rowley has just received his usual annual consignment of sporting goods, ex the good ships Mataura, Soukar and Oiiinaru. These consist of the latest and best patterns of briechloading choke-bore guns, cartridges, gun cises, field gle-sses, cartridge belts, and all t"io other necessary articles which go to make up the ideal sportsman' 6 equipment. The guns are by the very best makers — Colley, Scott, Greener, Adams — and are all doublebarrelled, single barrelled ones being found to be anything but good stock to keep nowadays. Among the guns are some liaumerle« onci, but this kind has not coma into much uso yet, the ordinary hammer lock being found to be by far the most serviceable. Of course the guns vary m price, but those desiring to invest m one have a large stick to . choose from, and the prices range freni £8 i 10s for an ordinary breech-loader, to 40 . guineas for tho latest improved choko-bore, the price including a very strong case f.nd all the fittings complete. A special lino, and rather a novelty, is an air gun which it quite a gem, and a very great improvement on the old-fashioned air gun, being much stronger and on a different principle. In compassing the spring, instead of acting as if he maantto poke the cud of the barrel through a 'Tall or through his boot, as m the old onia, the sportsman opens it at the breech— almjst tho same action, by-the-bye, as m the lireeohloading fowling-piece — and doubling the ban-el back towards the stock, compresses the spring and puts the trigger into gear The bullet is then put m at the breech, and reversing the motion the gun is ready to be fired.. The bore is under a quarter of an inch m diemeter, and with little conical balls, good stooting can bo made at a distance of about (iwenty yards. Mr Rowley also received targets and darts with the guns, so that they can be used m the house as well as m tho field. We were assured that for shooting sparrows and sueh-like small game i'; boats everything. Mr Rowley only got out half a dozeu of the guns as an experiment, but as he sold the lot very quickly, ho luis sent Home nn order for more. Another novelty is a leather gun case for the field. The case is the length of a gun barrel, is about nine inches wide at one end and three at tho other, is mado exceedingly strong and is fitted with a handlo for carrying it by. The case :s very light and handy, holds a gun and stock comfortably, and docs away with the bother of having to carry the heavy case m which the gun and all its fittings are generally kept, whenever one goes out for a day's shooting. This now case we should say is likely to como into general use, as sportsmen have been wanting such an one. The other articles are of tho usual kind, but m addition to his usual stock of cartridges, Mr Ro»ley has had sent out a few thousands which have been specially made for s'aooting rabbits. They were manufactured by Eley Bros., and are of first-class quality, nnd* should sell well, especially as they aro fivo or six shillings per 100 cheaper than the ordinary cartridges. As the shooting season is neur at haiid, Mr Rowley's excellert stock will no doubt bo rapidly drawn upon, and therefore, those who wish to secure good articles m his lino had better give him an early call. A Test fob Spikits.— The Hawk-.es Sag Herald says: — Wo ImTO seen a liquid sold m a Hawkijs Bay inn for whisky, which, when it was thrown on tho fire, put the fire out. We were not surprised to see, shortly afterwards, sovcral men about that publichouse m a stoito of semi-madness. The landlord must have neglected to post the usual warning " All spirits sold hero are reduced," and his mtstomera got semi-mad at him for taking his spirits from the vasty deep without letting them, into the secret. Another " Natural Enbmy." — In some parts of tho Moa Flat Run, Otago, where vigorous war is boing carried on again it them, the rabbits :iro said to bo infested with lico, and to bo dying m largo numbers. One of the men who recently returned from a crusade m tho ranges expresses the opinion that tho now troublo would be far more effective m disposing of bunny than the grain-poisoning

system, or eren the tuberculosis diseas There are now 45 men employed m rabbitir. on the station, and they sometimes kill 1 many as 10,000 a -week. Putting ox Sttlb. — Some of our Nort Island contemporaries have been inakin merry over the otatement t;hat all the officei of the New Zealand Railways are to be dresso m uniform. The Woodville Ei-aminer say it m not yet known publicly what will be th color and facings of the s overal uniforms, bu it is confidently asserted that that of tlv general manager will be startling m its magni ficcni.-e and beauty. It is not anticipated thai he ■nill wenr side arms, but gold spurs wil certainly form part of his full dross uniform. A Lovely Craplet. — A late fashion ro port Buys : — " Nothing can be prettier than t chaplet of hop vines m blossom." A rooenl medical review says: — "Clothing can be t botvr renovator of the health than Hoj Bittera. They aid m all the operations ol natnre ; toning np tbo stomaoh, assisting tbe food to beoomo properly assimilated, and pro mote healthy aotton m all the orgtwH. Th< diotatos of tashion, as we'J as the laws ol health, alike* favor a right application oi hops." Read. — (Advt.) S?NOPSIB Or NKW ADVERTIBRMENTS. Maclean and Stewart— Sell horses this day ; sheer. ■ir.il ctttle at Studholmo on the Snl March. R. Turnbulland Son— Sell produce this day ; household furniture and effects on Monday. Miles and Co., Ashburton-Sell lambs on 4th inst. Slll^, Archer and Co.- Hold a sale of sheep at Stuilhdmenn the 3rd la-it. ; sell Che Glen Rosl estate od the 14th inst. Wright, Stephenson and Co.— Hold large stock sale at Oaitaru on the 7th inst. Geo. Pearson, fruiterer, etc.— Business announcement. N.Z. Plato Glass Insurance Compuiy — Business notice. P. W. Eiby -Notice re J. M. Shepherd's estate. Weft and Barber— lnvite tenders for erection of a houso. Inspector ot Schools — Notice re scholarship examinaT. (1. Rowley— Has just received his season stock of guns, etc.; has valuable building site to let. Canterbury Frozen Mcot and r>airy Produce Export Coin puny — Business announcement. Funeral notice — One. Wanted— One notice.