The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3260, 9 March 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1885.

If Mr Federli's lectures arouse the people of this colony to the necessity for developing the natural resources of the various localities, they will be productive of a great deal of good. For example, m his address at the Assembly Rooms on Friday night Mr Federli referred to the immense quantities of fruit imported into this colony yearly from California, Tasmania, and other places, and gave facts and figures to show that fruits could be grown and preserved far cheaper m New Zealand, and, what was more, of better quality than those imported. About £100,000 is sent out of the colony every year for fruit, jams, and jellies, the greater portion of which could be produced of much better quality m New Zealand. In regard to this particular district, Mr Federli remarked that he had inspected one or two orchards m Timaru, and the apples were the most magnificent he had seen m the colony. After this statement it is somewhat curious to find the lecturer hastening to state that what he especially wished to impress on the people was the advantage of the silk industry. Now, we do not wish to depreciate Mr Federli's especial hobby. Sericulture is certainly worth a fair trial m this country, m view of the apparent suitability of the climate and the fact that the supply of silk m older countries is failing from the spread of disease among the worms. We can hardly hope, with the enthusiastic lecturer, that if the industry is introduced, we shall have no more " \inemployed" agitation, and m fact live happily ever afterwards, like the virtuous young people m story books. It is very possible, however, that silk culture may prove a useful " cottage industry," and furnish an acceptable addition to the incomes of small farmers and others, and useful occupation for their wives and daughters, although m the majority of cases we believe the latter is far from wanting. Its success or otherwise entirely depends upon whether the returns are sufficient to compensate those engaged m it for the labor and trouble involved. On this point there is such a conflict of opinion that probably actual experiment is the only way to set our doubts at rest, and it is just as well the experiment should be tried. We should be disposed, however, to lay more stress on the subject which Mr Federli passed over lightly, namely, the cultivation of fruit. It does indeed seem monstrous that with the magnificent soil and climate which we possess, so suitable for growing all the temperate fruits, the majority of the apples, plums, &c, sold m our shops are imported from Hobart. Even among those who do possess fruit-trees, we are afraid there is a tendency to rely too much upon the soil and climate and too little upon human art and labor. Very often no care is taken m the selection of the young trees, and after they are once planted they

are left to look after themselves, as the saying is. Nature we know is very adaptive, and very generous m her endowments, but this is precisely one of the faculties— that of " self-help " — m which natural products, which have | once been under the care of man, are most deficient. If fruit-growing is to he successfully earned on, there must be a careful selection of the best varieties m the first instance, and the most assiduous attention afterwards m the way of pruning, manuring, and keeping down blight and other pests. If this is done, however, there is no doubt the outlay of the time and money will be abundantly repaid. We should think also that the cultivation of jliiburts and walnuts might be very profitably, entered upon m jthis district. The walnut is a tree of slow growth, but those planted m the earlier days of the colony are said now to be almost as good as small gold mines to their fortunate possessors. We wish Mr Federli every success m his labors, and hope that he may succeed m stirring up the people of the colony into taking a keener interest m the cultivation of all the products its soil and climate are capable of bringing forth. « A somewhat singular action has just been heard before His Honor Judge Ward m the Christchurch District Court. It appears that some time ago a plumber named Ward bought threepennyworth of hydrochloric acid from Mr George Bonnington, a Christchurch chemist. The acid, which was for the purpose of being used m Ward's trade, was put m a herbal beer bottle which he presented for that purpose, and no label was placed on the bottle by the chemist. Ward, having used a portion of the acid, left the bottle on a cask m the yard of a Mr Parker. There it unfortunately attracted the attention of Mrs Parker, who asked her sister, Mrs Lamb, who was staying m the house, to put it m the cupboard among the other bottles of herbal beer. Mrs Lamb did so, and subsequently took a drink from the bottle. Fortunately she had the presence of mind to swallow some milk immediately afterwards, and this to some extentneutralised the effect of the acid, and m point of fact saved her life. As it was she fell down insensible and was ill m bed under medical care for a month afterwards. As soon as she was sufficiently recovered, the lady and her husband brought an action m the District Court against the chemist, Mr Bonnington, to recover £200 damages forhis negligence m not having placed on the bottle a label indicating the nature of its contents. Strangely enough it appears that hydrochloric is not m the schedule of poisons attached to the Sale of Poisons Act 1871, and there was therefore no statutory liability on the part of the chemist to attach a label. The question was raised, however, whether he was liable under common law. Mr Harper, who appeared for the defendant, ai'gued that if the case were taken outside the Poisons Act, it must be shown that there was privity between the plaintiff and defendant, or that there had been gross general negligence. Mr Thomas, for the plaintiffs, contended that persons having the custody of dangerous substances, such as hydrochlic acid, were bound, m common law to take such precautions as would prevent danger to any person m whose hands the substances might come. His Honor nonsuited the plaintiffs, remarking that "It was, no doubt, a very proper precaution to affix a 'poison' label to a bottle containing hydrochloric acid, but it was not absolutely required by law, as if it were to be held that it was a chemist's duty to warn everybody against the probable effects of misusing everything purchased m his shop, the same rule would apply to all other classes of tradesmen. The schedule to the Poisons, Act contained no mention of any of the preparations of lead, yet it was well known that some of these preparations were used as hair dyes, and others as paint. It was not compulsory to affix labels to them pointing out the dangers of drinking hair-dye or paint." We have nothing to say against the decision m this particular case. There is no doubt it would have been rather ' bard if the chemist had been held responsible for the injury to Mrs Lamb, seeing that he sold the acid not to her, but to a plumber who knew perfectly well its nature, and that the accident was very largely due to the plumber leaving the bottle about after using it. We cannot help thinking, however, that it is a grave omission that a strong corrosive poison like hydrochloric is not included m the schedule of the Act, and also that it would be just as well if even poisonous hair dyes had their nature clearly indicated on the bottle. Certainly it would be a serious public misfortune if it ever became the fashion to serve them out m bottles labelled " herbal beer."

Borough CouNCiL.T-An ordinary meeting of tho Tiroaru Borough Council is to be held this evening at seven o'clock. Aetiilbby Band. — Tho C Battery Artillery Band will accompany the excursion train to Christchurch on Thursday, a Bpeciol carriage flaring been placed at their disposal by the Railway Department. The Band -will bo m charge of Mr T. Perry, who, we are pleased to see, is quite recovered from a very serious illness. Resident Magistrate's Court, Waimate. — At this Court on Saturday, before Dr Stacpoole, J.P., a man for being drunk was fined ss. A man named Jno. Samueleon was charged with using' obscene language m Queen street on the 6th inst. He said he wag drunk and did not mind what he said. The evidence of Constable Casey and D. Ramsay proved the charge. Accused was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labor. Constable Casey said previous convictions were recorded against the accused. Boating Club. — The Timaru Boating Club's shed was finished last week, and on Saturday the members of the Club floated the boats round to the new site, which proves a very convenient ono. The members of the Club desire to thank Mr F. Archer, of Mossrs Miles, Archer and Co., for so kindly allowing them to store the boats m his shed during the time the shed was being pulled down and re-erected. We are plensed to hear that there is some probability of the Club competing at the Oamaru regatta m May next. Resident Magistrate's Court, Timabu. T. W. Hall and W. G-. Rees, Esqs., J.P.'b, presided at this Court on Saturday, and finod two first offenders for being drunk 5s each. Eugene Rcissell, charged wiih wife desertion, and who was arrested here by Detective Kirby, was remanded to' Christchurch. Japes Wilson was brought up on threo informations for the larceny of clothing from the premises of Josephus Murphy, Pleasant Point. Af tor tho charges had been proved, acouaed was sentenced to a month's imprisonment on each charge, tho sentences to run conaecutively.

Thk Habbob Board Loan. — The Stock Exchange Committee have granted a quotation to the Timaru Harbor Board Fivo per Cent Loan (1883), bonds m lieu of scrip. Cbuehty to Animai.3.— The adjourned case against Donald Ross, charged with cruelty to animals, willbo taken at the Court this morning. The Cells.— A man arrested for being intoxicated on Saturday evening had the cells to 1 nself all yesterday. He will come befoi- o Bench this morning. That well-known and Popular Front Bar of the Ship Hotel is now Selling Marshall and Copeland's Ales at 3d per Glass and 9d per Quart. — [Adtt.] Sheep Team. — A special train containing , about three thousand sheop passed through Timaru yesterday morning on its way from the Washdyko to Gore. Faiblib Cbbek Races.— Nominations for the Fairlie Creek Cup, Handicap Hurdles and Easter Handicap must reach the hands of tho Hon. Secretary (Mr Thomas Caskey) not later than this evening. I New Buildings. — Mr W. Hall Jones, the contractor for Messrs Davies and Murphy's new premises, commenced work last week. The buildings adjoin the Timaru Hotel, and when finished will be among the handsomest m Timaru. The Excuesioh to Ohbistchuhoh. — The Railway Department will bo ready to-day to issue tickets for the Christohurch excursion. It is announced that no excursion tickets will be sold on Thursday, so that those who intend going must secure tickets before Wednesday > evening. The Foitbteenth of Mat Monument. — The Trustees of the fund look forward to receiving tho Aberdeen granite shaft for the above monument by one of tho next direct steamers from Home, and no time will be lost m placing it m position. We would suggest the occasion should be made a public ono. Lahoent. — A man named John Fulton was arrested on Saturday charged with the larceny of £2 from J. Mcßeth, publican, of Pleasant Point. The money was missed early m the day, and Constable Stanley getting on tho track of Fulton followed him into Timaru, and arrested him m a hotel hero. Accused will be brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. The San Fbancisco Mail. — The s.s. Australia, with the inward mails via San Francisco, arrived at Auckland at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, and a summary of the news brought by her appears m our telegraphic columns. The Timaru portion of the mail should rencli its destination some time during to-morrow evening. SpOBTINO. — Our cable message this morning contains a short account of the running for the Champion Stakes, which waß the principal event on the Victorian Racing Club's programme on Saturday last. The Hon. W. Pearson's grand old horse Commotion, according to the message, romped home on easy winner by ten lengths. Commotion won the Stakes m 1883 also, as a four-year-old carrying 9st, but he did not then have so easy a win as on Saturday, as after a clinking race down the straight he just managed to beat Sir T. Elder's colt Guesswork by a short head. The time, despite the struggle home, was only half a second quicker than that made by him on Saturday. Last year Le Grand, whoso death waß announced some days ago, landed tho Stakes for Mr Wallace, as a three-year-old having 7st 121 bup and making the same time as wae mado this year. Inquest. — An inquest was held at Temuka on Saturday, before J. Beswick, Esq., Coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr W. Ash well was chosen foreman, on the body of W. R. Uprichard. The following evidence was given : — Mrs Uprichard : I am the wife of deceased. About four o'clock on Thursday afternoon last my husband came home and said he was very ill. I told him he had [ better go to bed. About half an hour afterwards he told me that he had taken poison. I sent immediately for Dr Campbell, but he sent back word that he had met with an accident, and was unable to come. I then sent for Dr Hayes, who came m about an hour. Before tho doctor came Mr Russell gave my husband an emetic of mustard and water. My husband vomited all the time, and gradually getting worse, died about 1.10 p.m. on Friday. He had not been m good health for sometime past. I had no idea that he wu9 going to commit suicide. Lately I noticed an alteration m hiß manner, because when he was playing with the children he would suddenly illtreat them. My husband's age was 29 years. — L. Rayner : lam assistant chemist to my father. The deceased came into my father's shop on Thursday last about 2 o'clock and asked for some poison for poisoning rats. I showed him some prepared phosphorus. Deceased asked if arsenic would do. I told him the phosphorus was better. He replied that he would take the arsenic. I gave him arsenic, but colored it black so that he should not use it m mistake. Deceased was about ten minutes m tho shop. He seemed ia hia usual state of health. — Dr Hayes : I was called to attend to deceased. I asked him what time it was that he had taken the poison. He said about 1 o'clock. I used the stomach pump and gave him the usual antidotes for poison. I had no hopes of saving him as the poison had been taken about eight hours. Deceased said the reason he had taken poison was that he had been doing nothing lately. The deceased appoarod m a good state of mind. — The }ury returned a verdict that, the deceased died from tho effects of poison administered by himself, but that there was not sufficient evidence to show his state of mind at the time, he committed the deed. " Called Back."— Mr W. 8. Allen, M.P. for Newcastle-under-Tyne, who is at present with his wife and family m Auckland, has, it is stated, had his stay m New Zealand suddenly shortened by an urgent communication from the Liberal whip, requiring him to at once return to his parliamentary duties. He originally intended to remain for cix months m New Zealand, but ha is now going to return to England by tho Doric. Sore Throat qniokly yields to "Baxter's Lnng Preserver." In Consumption, " Baxter's Lung Preserver " has been signally successful. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean ami Stowart— Are now receiving entries for ram fair on 31st inst. R. Turnbull and Son— Continue sale of tinware tomorrow. W. Collins and Co.— Sell balance of Mr Wells' stock on Saturday next. W. Moody— Has rams for sale or hire. Union S.S. Company — Will despatch the s.b. Wakatipu for Sydney on Monday next. Mr A. I>. Wells— Continues Ills final clearing salo this day.