The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26,1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3251, 26 February 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1885.

The question of mating " both ends meet " is one that has to be seriously faced by young housekeepers m the colonies, as well as elsewhere. It is true that here, as m older countries, love is prone to laugh not only at locksmiths, but also at butchers and bakers and all such prosaic personß ; and young people often rush into matrimony with a sort of blind confidence m regard to the future that is very touching at the time, but is not always justified by after events. " Love m a cottage " is admirable m theory, but unless the domestic dove-cote is furnished with something else, there is apt to be an illustration of another old pvoverb, that "When poverty comes m at the door love flies out at the window." However, it is of coui-se hopeless to attempt to preach prudence m these matters to the rising generation. Ihcyivill persist m following m the steps of their fathers and mothers before them, and so the older and more experienced members of the community are led at times to devise artificial restrictions to keep young people m the right path. For instance m some of the banks at Home it is made a fixed rule that none of the clerks m receipt of less than a certain sum — say £200 a year — shall be permitted to many. How it is enforced and what are the practical results we are not informed. Whether the unfortunate young banking clerk has not only to " ask mamma," but to lay the matter before the Manager as well, and whether the latter could ever be sufficiently hard-hearted to visit a breach of the rule with summary dismissal, are matters upon which we are at present ignorant. There is, of course, one way m which the rigid observance of the rule could be secured m a manner that would please everybody, and that is, whenever a banking official got married, by immediately raising his salary to the prescribed standard. This is so simple a solution of the difficulty that, if it has not already occurred to the heads of financial institutions at Home, — and m the colonies too, for that matter —it ought to be brought under their notice without delay, when no doubt it would be immediately acted upon. The question of domestic ways and means generally, we notice, is just now attracting considerable attention m Sydney, and some letters, which are appearing m the Town and Country Journal oh the subject, are sufficiently interesting to -warrant the reproclactiou

of some of the experiences of the ■writers. One young married woman, who seems to have approached the duties of life with a brave heart and a ! willing pair of hands, writes as follows — " My husband and I began life together four years ago, m one of our country towns, on £150 per annum. Friends said it was ridiculous to try and lire on such a pittance, and I do I not mind telling you now that I had many misgivings as to whether I could manage, but I determined to do my best. My husband had saved some money with which he partly bought a 4-roomed wooden cottage ; by partly, I mean he did not pay for it all at once, but half cash and the rest at the rate of £2 per month, so that our income was smaller than ever. I had been sensibly brought up, and could turn my hand to everything m the way of housekeeping — cooking, ironing, mending, and making, and very thankful I am for it now. I did not like scrubbing though, so I did away with that by staining and polishing the borders of our parlour, and laying down a square of drugget; the dining-room was stained and polished also, and strips of oilcloth surrounded the table, and were laid across to the door. The bedroom had strips of carpet over the bare boards. All the rest of the floor was stained and polished, thus I avoided labor and expense. A charwoman came once a fortnight for a day's wash- 1 ing, for which I paid 4s ; the ironing I did myself. My husband chopped enough wood, and drew enough water m the morning befoi'e he went to business, to last all day. We grew our own vegetables, and as far as I can remember, these were the items by the week — butcher, 7s ; milk, 2s ; grocer (including eggs and butter), 10s ; washing, 2s ; clothing for both £1 ; paying off house, 10s; firewood, 2s 6d; altogether, not quite £3. Of course I had to think and contrive a good deal, turn my dresses, clean and re-trim my hats, &c, and my petty economies were a source of much amusement to my better half, although I believe he appreciated them all the same. Our family has been increased by two, and our income is now £200, and as our house is paid off we have all the money at our disposal." Having arrived at this degree of affluence, the writer brings her letter to a close, evidently considering that all cause for anxiety is at an end, and that, as the newspapers sometimes say, " further comment is unnecessary." However, there ore other people who would regard their troubles as just commencing at that stage, and another lady correspondent, who writes m quite a different strain, is evidently of that opinion. "My father," she says, " was m very comfortable circumstances, and at home we had every comfort. I thought when I married on £200 per annum I could have the same, but found out my mistake. We had to pay £1 per week for a mean looking poky little house m a Sydney suburb, and I had to do all the work myself, for we could not afford a servant. Provisions were terribly high, at least we did not seem to eat much, but so much was spoiled and useless, and of course it had to be paid for all the same. My husband did not like ' everlasting chops and steaks,' as he called them ; and if a joint was bought it went bad before we got to the end of it. Milk used to turn sour, butter rancid, and bread be stale and diy m the hot weather ; and it seemed to me we had to throw away more than we ate. Travelling to town by train took away a great deal of cash, and we were only able to visit the theatre seldom. Our clothing was another heavy item. I could not get a nice, properly made costume, even of the plainest material, under three guineas. Hats or bonnets, nothing under £1 5s ; boots and gloves were pretty moderate, and my husband's suits never came to less than £7, so that with house rent, butcher's and baker's, and all the little etceteras of housekeeping we find ourselves at the end of the year m debt." She adds that " it is all very well for girls who have been taught to consider every penny, and to make nice dinners where other people can only find bones, to enter the matrimonial state on small means," but she herself would decidedly "advise girls with comfortable homeß and no want at all, to stay there ; unless, indeed their husband is prepared to give up the ' little game of billiards ' and the deposit of ' a few pounds ' on such a horse." It is impossible to help noticing the different tone which pervades these two letters, and one cannot avoid a suspicion that, although it is very wrong, of course, for husbands with a couple of hundred a year to go m for billiards and betting, yet that the lady herself is not altogether without fault. Certainly one would not infer from the tone of her letter that she is a model domestic manager. On the contrary, there seems too much i-eason to fear that m the " comfortable home " m which she was brought up everything was left to the servants, and it was not thought necessary for the daughters to have anything m the shape of domestic training. Finally, we may quote from the correspondence yet another letter, which gives quite an idyllic picture of domestic bliss. This time it is the husband who writes, and he unbosoms himself as follows : — " I do not know much about housekeeping, although I have a wife and a house of my own, but I think young people of the present day expect too much at the start. They want to step out of one nice house into another equally well appointed, and consider themselves badly treated when called upon to practise economies. My wife and I began on £170 a year and saved money. We lived m lodgings for two years, and then, when my salary was raised to £200, we were able to move into a house of our own ; it was very small and very humble, but it was our home, and we were quite content. My wife is a clever manager, and while ready to turn out the nicest little dinners from very ordinary materials, and keep our cottage m apple-pie order, she yet finds time for accomplishments, and there is no singer .1 would sooner listen to than her. If young people really love each other, and are prepared to help and help, I think they should not fear to commence on small incomes, and work their way up." This is such an exceedingly attractive picture that it ought to have an appreciable effect on tho marriage statistics of this district. We were inclined to think, at firßt, that it must have been written within the first three months after marriage, but as it appears the fortunate couple lived for two years inlotyiofs before »ovi»s

into " a house of their own," this theory is knocked on the head. "We can only hope that such a delightful state of things may long continue, and that there are more of euoh happy homes m the colonies than is generally supposed. The practical lesson to be learned from these letters seemß to be that after all more depends upon the habits and dispositions of the young couples than the actual amount of their respective incomes ; and that, since the rising generation will follow their own misguided instincts by rushing into early marri ages, despite the remonstrances and wise counsels of their elders, the best thing to be done is by carefully training them m domestic economy and frugal habits, to prepare them for the struggle that is before them. » The Lyttelton Harbor Board, it appears, are not disposed to reciprocate the courtesy extended to Christchurch excursionists, on their visit here, by the Timaru Harbor Board. The question whether the tug should be placed at the disposal of Timaru excursionists to Lyttelton was discussed at the last meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board, and a number of objections were immediately raised by members. One gentleman thought the Board might be incurring liability m case there should be any accident ; another thought they wo\ild be interfering with private enterprise, and so m the end a motion sanctioning the use of the tug was put and lost. There may have been sound reason m some of the arguments used against the motion, or it may be that the Board did not take a very broad view of the position. In any case we feel sure that, when our Chriafcchurch or Lyttelton friends visit us again, they will find just as hearty a welcome as ever, and we shall not trouble ourselves much about theoretical objections to our extending to them such small hospitalities as are m our power.

Thb Whabf. — Messrs Philp and Jones ore now putting the finishing touches on the new wharf, and expect to be ready to hand it over this weelc. The work is very substantially carried out, and the decking being all of bluegum, the etructure should last for many years. Special TbAIN. — The special train from Christchurch to Dunedin, with visitors to the races at the latter place, arrived at Timaru at 12.50 o'olook this morning, leaving again at 1 o'clock. On its departure it had about 140 passengers on board, some 20 of whom were from this station. Timabit Building and Investment Society.— The annual general meeting of shareholders of the Timaru Permanent Mutual Benefit Building and Investment Society will bo held on Thursday evening next, March 6th, m the. Oddfellows' Hall, Sophia Btreet. The business of the meeting is advertised m another column. Moeelmpbovembnts. — Whatwasknownas Messrs Wade and Shea's boot shop is now entirely pulled down, and m a few daya Messrs Drummond and Glasson will occupy it. The front will show a large window similar to the one m Messrs Drummond and Glaason's present shop, and when thia improvement is carried out the establishment should prove a very convenient one. The Latb Colonel Covenet.— A Sydney telegram says : — Lieutenant-colonel Coveney, who is reported to have been killed m an engagement m the Soudan, was a native of Sydney, where he spent the early part of his life. Ho was born at Darlinghurst m 1841, being the son of Mr Bichard Covenoy, who for a number of years was a wholesale provision merchant m Sydney. Waimate Licensing Disxeict. — Tho nomination of candidates for members on the Waimate Licensing Committee closed at noon yesterday. Eleven persons were nominated, viz. — Messrs R. Cameron, C. V. Clarke, S. Collefc, S. W. Goldsmith, D. Grant, P. Hughes, J. Haig, E. Hunt, J. Neilson, F. Slee, and H. Watts. Tho election will be held oh the sth of March. Hxaty Sba. — A heavy B.E. swell was rolling m to the Bay last evening, and spending itself on the cliffs to the northward, made a noise like distant thunder. Immediately to tho south of tho breakwater the waves piled very high, and tho surf over the reefs opposite Bruce's mill and at Fatiti Point was exceedingly rough. Two Schoolfellows. — Truth is stranger than fiction, Bays the Wairarapa Daily. Some forty years ago two boys were schoolfellows m a remote island, an Ultima Thule lying to the north of Scotland. When these two boys grew up they migrated to this colony and became New Zealand schoolmasters. One of them is yet a teacher of the standards m an obscure up-country Wairarapa school ; the other is the Premier of New Zealand and Minister of Education. Thb Paboquetb. — Says tho North Otago Times : — " The paroquets, having rim through the small-fruit season with considerable loss to growers, have now extended their ravages to pears, apples, and plums. Fruit-growers inform us that the ravages of these bird 9 m orchards are equal m destructireness to those of small birds m tho grain fields. One comfort exists, and that is that paroquets are not always with us, for an interval of seven years may elapse without another visitation." Confession of Mubdeb. — An old man named Bichard Harvey Gordon has surrendered himself to the police at Hughenden (Victoria) and confessed to a murder com* mitted by him m 1855. Ho is most concise m his statements, and tho doctors declare him to be perfectly sano. Ho states that m a dispute with his mate, Henry T. Bartlett, with reference to a claim m the Castlemaine district, he shot his mate dead, and put the body m a drive. He left Victoria soon after, and has never been back since. Ho states that his reason for surrendering himself was that his life had been a burden to him ever since the deed. Bail-way Excttbsion. — Tho first railway excursion from Timaru takes place te-day, an excursion train leaving the station at 9.45 this morning for Ashburlon. The fares are 6s 6d first class, and 4a second class. So far as we can learn, there will be a good many passengers from here, and as the train stops at Temuka, Winchester, and Orari, tho number of visitors to Ashburton should be large. As announced from time to time, most lavish arrangements have been made by the citizons of Ashburton m the way of amusement, and the welcome they ore prepared to give both the Northern and Southern excursionists, is said to be a very hearty one. "iNTEBrBOTINCIAL" OB "CITT?" — Our Oamaru evening contemporary referring to tho recent cricket m»tch says : — Tho cricketers of North Olago will generally rejoice that Otago has gained a victory over Canterbury m the interproyincial match which was concluded at Dunedin yesterday. But there was little for the Otago men to boast of, for tho game was a very close one. Once or twice during the course of the match, things did not look particularly bright for Otago, and on each of these occasions we felt that tho selectors of the team had committed a gravo blunder m not looking outside of Dunedin for players. Tho eleven selected was admittedly weak m bowling, and we have no hesitation m saying that it might have been materially strengthened m this department by the inclusion of an Oamaru player. The same thing was noticeable m connection with tho Canterbury eleven, which would have gained strength by one of the Timaru cricketers being selected. It would be well for those who are entrusted with the selection of teams m future to bear these things m mind. If the annual home and homo matches are to retain the title " interprovincial," the best available talent from each provincial district must bo selected, and the choice not limited to playors m and around Dunedin and Christchurch. If tho teams must bo selected from tho city clubs, then the title of tho matches must bo changed, and tho cricketing world be notified that 'tho contests are but matcbes between two towns.

# Pleasant Point Eacing Clttb.—Nominations for the above Club's meeting, to be hold on March 17th, close on Saturday next; weights to be declared on March 7th, and acceptances to be Bent m by March 12th. Child DbSRBTION. — A woman arrested m North Canterbury for the desertion of her children m Timaru was brought down by train yesterday, and will appear at the R.M. Court this morning. A Tebat to Excursionists. — A hot. lunch will be m readiness at the Railway Refreshment Rooms on the departure of the 1 p.m. Express for the South, all for one shilling. Still continuing tho original liberal menu. — [Advt.] "The Coknee." — Messrs Gabites and Plante's shop — The Comer — now presents a finished appearance. The large verandah of iron and glass looks extremely neat, and the shape of it is very " taking." The interior of the shop is well fitted up, and is well worthy of inspection. Sfobtihq. — A telegram from Geraldine states that owing to the autumn meeting of the Ashburton Baeing Club coming off on the same days as proposed by the Geraldine Club, the meeting of the latter has been postponed from 30th April and Ist May to sth and 6th May. Nominations of horses will be received till 19th March, and those 1 received now will be good till that date, or if preferred the fees will be returned. Pleasant Point School Committee. — The ordinary monthly meeting of this Committee was held m the schoolroom on Monday evening. Present — Messrs Butler (Chairman), Morris, Maize and Cartwright. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The quarterly attendance returns were received from the Board and laid before tho meeting. Mrs Coleman's tender for cleaning the school for the ensuing twelve months at 7s per week was accepted. A voucher from the Board of Education for £10 13s 4d for incidental expenditure was received. Circulars were received and read from the Board of Education and from the Geraldine and Geraldine Flat School Committees, all m reference to the election of members for the Board of Education, and a motion proposing that the Committee's votes be recorded m favor of Messrs Gray, Talbot and Dr Foster was carried. Several accounts amounting to £4 8s 5d were passed for payment and the meeting terminated. Rbbident Magistrate's Covet. — At this Court yesterday morning, before His Worship the Mayor, a first offender, charged with drunkenness, was fined ss. At the Court at 2 o'clock, before tho Resident Magistrate and E. G. Stericker, Esq., J.P., the ease C. Tizart v. tho Timaru Fish Company, adjourned from the previous evening, came on. In answer to His Worship, Mr White said his client agreed to pay plaintiff £12, that was at the rate of £6 per month for the two months the charter party existed. By doing this the Company wore incurring a dead loss of £6. His Worship suggested that £15 should be given m full settlement, holding that Tizart was entitled to ..something for acting as caretaker of the ship whilst m Akaroa, as ho was acting m accordance with instructions from his captain. It was finally agreed to accept his Worship's suggestion, and judgment was accordingly entered up by consent for £14 and £1 Is coats. Mr White said it had been reported m the evidence of the previous day that the Company had not paid the ship's crew, but the cheques now put m contradicted this, and showed plainly that the men had been paid. The Court then rose. At the Court this morning a large number of dog case 3 will come on for hearing. Patrick Ryan will also appear, on remand, on several charges of larceny. Otaio. — Our correspondent writes : — With one or two slight exceptions, the weather during the last three weeks has been all that could bo desired for harvesting, and the farmers have taken full advantage thereof. They are busy everywhere, and a large breadth of crop is now m stook and some m stack. So far ob I can learn, the crops are on tho whole m good condition considering the unusually cold and wet summer we have had. There are signs of a change, but it is to be hoped we shallbo favored with a continuance ■ of good weather for sometime yet. The small birds have caused considerable damage to the crop 3 m some places, and notwithstanding that a very considerable number of their eggs has been taken m the district, yet the nuisance does not seem to be mucl abated. Paroquets are also very plentiful still. Not satisfied with having consumed and destroyed a very large quantity of fruit, they can now be frequently seen on the stooks of wheat and oats, and helping themselves with aB much gusto as if perched among the branches of a fruit tree. — At a meeting of the School Committee held on Tuesday evening, Messrs M. Gray, J. Talbot and Dr Foster were voted for as members of the Education Board. Tho school being closed for the harvest holidays, there was no other business of importance to bo transacted. Resident Magistrates' Coitet, Temuka. — At this Court yesterday before J. Beswick, Eeq., R.M., and S. D. Barker, Esq., J.P., R. Burnett was charged, on the information of George CUff, of Winchester, with assaulting him on Feb. 19. The following evidence was taken : — G. Cliff said : Somo days ago he let .to tho accused somo work, and afterwards gave him £6 to throw it up. Accused left, leaving behind him his two horses at witness' farm. On the 19th Feb. accused camo for them, when witness told him that ho would not let them go unless he paid 7s 6d for tho grazing of one of the horses. Accused caught witness by the beard, and, putting his foot behind him, threw him to the ground. A. Shaw gave confirmatory evidence. The Bench said it was a most unprovoked assault, and inflicted a fine of 20s, Court costs, and 14s witnesses' expenses. — Thomas Glasson was fined 10s for neglecting to keep tho lamp alight at the Spur Hutt Hotel on the 21st inst. — James Davis charged his stepson John Bryan with assaulting him on 24th inst. at Tomuka. In evidence, J. Davis said : On going home to dinner on the 24th a quarrel arose between himself and wife, and she Btruok him. Accused then came behind witness and caught him by the throat and threw him to the floor. When witness got up he told accused to leave his house, but he refused. Accused said that plaintiff was threshing his mother, and lie interfered. Mrs Davis also gave similar evidence. Tho Bench informed accused that he would hove to leave plaintiff's house ; that he had interfered m a very rough manner, and would be fined 10s, stating that if any of the parties again appeared m Court they would be bound over to keep the peace. — The following civil cases were taken : —J. Blyth v. A. Leonard (native), claim £4 da sd, judgment summons. Defendant did not appear, and an order was accordingly issued for payment within one week, m default 14 days' imprisonment. A. Geddes v. J. Warren, claim £10. Judgment for amount claimed by default. The Court then rose. Alarming RusroßS. — The Wellington Post recently had a paragraph containing tho following somewhat alarming statements : — " It is stated on reliable authority that considerable fears are entertained as to tho stability of the magnificent new Lunatic Asylum recently erected at Seachff, Otago, at a cost of about £100,000. The foundations are said to be defective. The building is erected on a commanding site, overlooking the sea, and it is said that the whole hillside is slipping gradually down to tho sea. The Main Southern Trunk railway passes between the Asylum and the Sea, and thß line is also m danger. The movement of the earth is very slow, but it is said to be steady and unmis - takeable. It is of course on a scale which renders any preventive measures impossible." Commenting on this paragraph, tho Dunedin Herald says : — From inquiries we have made we find that though a defect has shown itself m the Asylum building, yet it is not of a very serious character, and the statements made by our contemporary are wild exaggerations. The facts are as follows : — In the northern wing, for the space of 15ft. to 20ft. ; cracks hare appeared m the foundations, widening, of course, towards the top of tho building. These have been caused by creeping ground. This creeping movement is not by any means general, and is boyond doubt confined to the small portion of the building referred to. Means are being taken by the Public Works Department to put tho matter right. In connection with a temporary building, put up before the main structure, and situated about a quarter of a mile away, a similar defect displayed itself. It was cured by sinking drains under and around the building and filling them with stones to of the percolation of water.

Probably a similar course will be adopted m this instance. So far as we can learn, there is no need for any fear being entertained as to the general stability of the building, or the safety of the railway line. Waimate County Council. — The monthly meeting of this Council was held yesterday. There were present — Messrs Manchester (Chairman), Studholme, Elworthy, McLaren, Hayes, Murphy, Hardie, and Douglas. The minutes of last meeting were confirmed. Letters were read as follows : —From the Clerk of the Licensing Committee, drawing attention to section 12 of the Licensing Amendment Act 1882, whereby the appointment of a presiding officer to take the local option poll m the County Licensing Districts is left to the local body. From Mr J. D. Collins of Buscot estate, and Mr W. Beattie, of Waitangi station, asking for improvement m tho bridle road from Hayes' farm to Waitaki Flat. From J. Ritchie, informing that the roads in* tho neighborhood of the Whito Bock and Pareora require to be repaired. From tho Clutha County Council, forwarding a resolution — •" That m view of the declared intention of the present Ministry to propose alterations m the existing system of County government, this Council is of opinion that some united action on the part of the County Councils m Canterbury and Otago districts is desirable," and asking tho favorable consideration of this Council, so that with tha other County Councils there may be unity m recommending the powers to be exercised, and as to the best system of raising funds for the necessary works. From the Public Works Office, allowing £35 for expenditure on public works to be done by the unemployed, on the condition of the Council paying an equal sum. From Mr W. Kennard, asking for a return of the sum deposited by him as security for the performance of his contract for work, which work he had commenced and given up j if this was not allowed he asked for payment of the work he had done under the contract before giving it up. From Mr T. Teschemaker, asking that the rates on the St. Andrew's Domain be not levied by the Council. From. Mrs E. Johnston, asking to be allowed to lease from the Council the gravel reserve at Pike's Point, old Ferry road, Woitaki. From Mr P. J. Murphy, asking that his name be placed on the Waihao Riding roll, for sections 24671, 24672, 28468, and 28680, . and that the names of Mr P. R. Corcoran and Mr F. Arenas be erased m respect of these sections. The Hospital Surgeon reported— Patients admitted during the month 6, out-patients 19. Discharged cured 3, relieved 1, dead 1, remaining under treatment 8. The Engineer's report, and the report of the Finance Committee were read. The following resolution was passed — " That Mr G. H. Graham be appointed presiding officer to take the local option poll for the County Licensing districts, the scale of charges to be the same as fixed by resolution of June 28th, 1882." Mr Ritchie's application was deferred until funds were available ; Mr Kennard is to be informed that his application for a return of tho deposit cannot be entertained, and that tho road m the Pareora district, as mentioned m the Engineer's report, be closed. The Engineer was instructed to take the necessary steps to have the road applied for by Mr Teschemaker transferred to the Council, Mr Teschemaker paying all expenses j and also to report on the most economical means of giving access by dray to the lands referred to m Mr McLean's application, with estimate of cost. It was resolved — " That m reference to the destruction of sparrows this Council would suggest the formation of Sparrow Clubs, which Clubs would be subsidised by the Council £ for £ up to £100. Amount towards each Club to be decided by the Council," and " That the Clerk pay for small birds' eggs and heads at usual rate." The Council then went into Committee to consider the report from tlio Committee appointed to investigate the financial position of the Council. The Chairman and Messrs Studliolme and Hayes were appointed a Committee to consider what alterations are necessary to be made m the Counties Act, and make any suggestions to the Government that they may think desirable, and report to next meeting. Accounts passed for payment as follows: — On general account, £525 Is 7d ; on Hospital account, £61 ss ; deposits returned, £49 2s. Sunstroke. — The Bruce Herald "reports that a lad named Grey received a sunstroke while bathing m the . Tokomairiro River on Tuesday, but lie is now recovering. We believe that a fatal case of sunstroke occurred near Dunedin last week. Reform: on the Atlantic Steastees. — They hare at last adopted on the Inman line of Transatlantic steamers the system of charging the lowest possible rate for saloon passage to and from America, and letting the passenger's living count as a separate item. Meals are now served a la carte as m a restaurant, and charged accordingly. A New Violinist. — Dresden is greatly excited over a promising aud wonderful young violinist, Emil Barach, thirteen years of age, whose compositions have already made quite a reputation for him m Vienna, where he composed his first song when only eight years of age, and received the gold medals of the Conservatory for his masterly cxecutiou of Paganini's first concerto. Gabdek Pest. — A peculiar little pest like a leech or snail is attacking fruit trees m Taranaki just now, particularly cherry, pear, and plum trees. It feeds on the upper part of the leaf, and several trees looked as if they had been scorched, all the leaves having a brown dead appearance. It is said that showering dust on the tree m the morning when the dew is on tha leaves, has so far been a cure. Perhaps some of our correspondents can say whether the great destruction of fruit trees m Timaru this year is owing to the same cause. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean aud Stewart— Sell leasehold property on Saturday. K. Turnbull and Son— Will sell a leasehold section on Saturday. E. B. Guinness — Holds a sale of sheep and cattle on Monday. Pleasant Point Baeing Clvb — Notify that nominations for their meeting close on Saturday nijfht. Timaru Permanent Building Society— Hold their annual general meeting on Thursday next. Canterbury Farmers' Association— Are booking orders for Newcastle coal. John Jackson— ls receiving orders for Westport household coal.