NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3268, 18 March 1885, Page 2

NOTES.

The war fever seems to be raging m all parts of the colony with unprecedented virulence, but its especial force seems to be concentrated on Dunedin and Auckland. The inhabitants of both theße places have evidently made up their minds that it is only a question of a few days, or at most a few weeks, before the Russian cruisers appear before their ports with decks cleared for action. The newspapers occupy themselves with elaborate descriptions of the defences that are available, — or m reality which are not available, but which ought to be, — and some of them are even discussing the question whether the people ought to " pay up and look pleasant," or invite the Russian cruisers to fire away and do their worst. It is as well, of course, to be prepared for contingenoies, and it is time the public mind was ' aroused to the necessity of providing means of defence when we find tho relations between the two Powers so exceedingly critical, and that already Russia has gone to the extent of purchasing cruisera m America. At the same time when once the popular mind has been roused to the necessity of taking action, it is hardly wise to foment anything like a panic. It will be quite time enough to talk about paying up when the cruisers have actually made their appearance. What we have to do is to push on with our defences, so as to be able to pay them m metal of a different color from that which they are likely to prefer. We would be polite even to a Russian, but there are occasions when one is compelled to study one's own interests first. Nor do we share the alarm of one of our correspondents as to what might be done by bands of desperate marauders landing from tho Russian vessels. The gentry m queation would have too much sense to land. If they did venture ashore, our volunteers and the stalwart New Zealand civilians who would become volunteers for the nonce, would soon convince them they had made a mistake. The only policy they are likely to adopt, as it was put to us the other day, is, " You shell out or we shall shell m." For that contingency we certainly ought, as prudent citizens, to make preparations, but there is no occasion to get over-excited about the matter. The people of Wellington are agitated by a rumor that an old citizen, Mr George North, has returned to New Zealand, and is at the present time m Auckland. "Though lost to sight" for some considerable time past, this gentleman has been to memory exceedingly dear, and there are not a few people m the provincial district referred to who would be very glad to see him again. Whether he would be as glad to see them is probably another matter, although if it be true that he has been impudent enough to return to the colony, it is most likely he would be quite equal to the encounter. North was a barber, who carried on business on Lambton Quay, and who combined with his legitimate calling, a far more lucrative trade as promoter of " sweeps," which had not attained to the dignity of " conBnltations" m those days. Monny was plentiful, North appeared to be a pattern of honesty and of straightforwardness, and the sweeps went off like wild Ore. The drawing. used to take place publicly m the Atheneeum Hall, and was a sight full of interest for the student of human nature. The building used to be packed with " all sorts and conditions of men," and women too for that matter. Staid old solicitors, Civil servants and Members of Parliament — who afterwards became exceedingly virtuous on the subject when the Gaming and Lotteries Act was introduced into the House — were to be seen cheek by jowl with "horsey" men and haunters of racecourses, all laughing and joking, pretending to be quite indifferent to the proceedings, but nerertheless keenly attentive when the numbers were called out. Among the orowd were occasionally to be seen nervous, shabby-genteel men, and pale, over-worked-looking women, following every movement on the platform with painful anxiety. Evidently these were Micawbers and their female counterparts, who bad long been waiting for something to turn up, arid had now scraped together every penny they possessed to buy a tioker, m the hope that North's lottery might be kinder to them than the world had been. Needless to say, the prize never fell to them. There was no reason

id doubt that the drawing was quite fairly ionducted, but with the irony of fate lsnally witnessed m Buch affairs, the big prize invariably went either to somebody ivho had too much money already, or would bo sure to fling it away m a fortnight. Finally when the agitation, which resultfid m the passing of the Garoing »nd Lotteries Bill, was actively commenced, North thought it time to make lub grand coup. He firat announced a £2000 sweep, which waa almost immediately filled up, and then he opened another for a like amount. That also " went off" amazingly— and North followed its example. One morning the barber's shop waa found to be without its owner, and it was stated that he had gone into the country to look up some of his subscribers. Such was the confidence felt m the man that even then no suspicion was aroused, until it was an- j nounced that he had been seen on board the outward-bound San Francisco steamer. Then, of course, the misguided public began to enquire after their ill-invested sovereigns. It was found that North had drawn every penny out of the bank and bad taken it away m gold, giving as his excuse tbat he wished to display the whole amount m his shop window as an advertisement. Needless to say the advertisement never appeared, and thereafter Mr North shunned publicity quite as much as he had previously courted it. The step had evidently been m contemplation for some little time, and it is an amusing illustration of the fellow's impudence and adroitness, that he even managed to get a legal opinion gratis from a solicitor, who had invested m the sweep, to the effect that he could not be reached by the law supposing he " bolted " with the money. North happened to be shaving the legal gentleman, and the conversation turned on the success of the sweep, as it not unf requently did with his customers. The barber remarked, with charming frankness, that now he had so much money m hand, he really thought he should bolt with it. This coming from a man of Mr North's well-known probity, of course, was an exquisite joke, and the solicitor waß so overcome by it that he got some lather m his mouth, and, but that Mr North had such a steady hand and was so careful an operator, might have had his nose taken off. " I suppose now," continued North, sfcill entering into the humor of the thing, " they couldn't touch me if I did run away with it V The legal gentleman was still amused at the idea, but told the genial promoter he was quite right m hiß interpretation of the law. The amount of confidence which North showed subsequently he possessed m the opinion thus given was no doubt gratifying to the lawyer's professional pride, but he never aeemed to enter quite so heartily into the spirit of the joke after North's disappearance, as he did before that event. As to what became of the levanting barber little definite information reached his victims. It was said that he went ashore at Honolulu and got smallpox — at which some of his old customers were unchristian enough to express their lively satisfaction — and afterwards, when he got to California, he soon squandered all his money and had to revert to his razor and strop for a livelihood. He certainly ought to return to Wellington and set up m business there once more. We like to sea completeness even m rascality and impudence, and that certainly would be a fitting climax to his proceedings. Postal Appointment. — Mr H. O. Smith has been gazetted postmaster at Fairlie Creek. Post-office Closed. — A notice m the Gazette formally notifies the closing of the Redeliffe Post-ofHco, m the Timaru district. Deaths from Deink. — Two deaths directly due to intemperance were registered during February, one from delirium tremeue at Dunedin and one from alcoholism at Chriatchurch. The Aomb Baebbd Wire Company.— Wo notice from the Gazette that this Company's tender for the supply of twenty-five tons of barbed fencing wire has been accepted by the Railway Department. O Battbby, N.Z.A' — Members are reminded that a Government parade m drill order will take place to-night at half-past seven o'clock, and that the annual general meeting will be held after parade. District Court, Timaeu.— This Court was occupied yesterday from 10.30 a.m. till 6 p.m. over a legal argument on he issues found by the jury at the last sitting of the Court m the case Colonial Bank of New Zealand v. the Timaru Fish Company. After a brief summing up, His Honor gave judgment for the plaintiffs. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AnNIVBBSABY. — The anniversary of this Church, which commenced on Sunday last, will be continued this evening by a tea festival to be held m the Assembly Rooms. After tho tea a public recognition of tho new minister, the Rev. John Foster, will be held m the Church, m which the Rev. Dr Roseby, of Dunedin, and the Rev. J. Hoatson, of Christchurch, will assist. The local ministers and other frionda will also address the meeting. Violent Deaths. — No fewer than nine violent deaths were registered m the four principal towns of New Zealand during February. These are classified as follows : — Fall from railway engine, 1 m Dunedin i injury to spine, 1 m Auckland ; fall from horse, 2 m Christchurch ; drowning, 1 m Wellington and 1 m Auckland j suffocated m burning house, 1 m Auckland j choking, 1 m Wellington ; suioide by hanging, 1 m Wellington. A Prevailing Epidemic. — The epidemic of infantile diarrhoea which prevailed m Timaru last month, seems to have been very general all over the colony. No fewer , than twenty-eight deaths of children under ! five years of age were registered m the four | principal towns of New Zealand as occurring from this cause. In Timaru the total number of deaths of children undor five years of age from all causes was only three. There were also three deaths of persons over fire years. The town again occupied the po»ition of one of tho healthiest m tho oolony. Resident Magistrate's Court, Timabtj. — At this Court yesterday, before His Worship the Mayor, an old offender named Peter Smith was oharged with drunkenness, and discharged with a caution, the Bench remarking that that would be his last chance. A man named John William Wentworth, arrested at Tetnuka yesterday by Detective Kirby, on a warrant oharging him with obtaining the sum of £55 by means of false pretences from a man named Max Bulling, at Invercargill on the sth January last, was remanded to that place, where he will be brought up on Saturday. The Hibernian Band. — Tho fact of yesterday being St. Patrick's Day had been almost entirely forgotten by the majority of the people of this town, when their memory was freshened about half-past eight by the enlivening strains of the Hibernian Band, which promenaded tho principal streets, playing selections aud airs suitable to the occasion. It is some time since we had the pleasure of listening to this Band, which has made considerable improvement since its last appearance m public The excellence of the Band's music last night was evidenced by the large crowd of people that assembled to listen to it. Miss Genevietb Ward. — This celebrated artist's name is now so well and favorably known that it is not necessarj to Bay more than that she, with Mr Vornon and her company, will appear m Timaru for a short season commencing Friday, March 27th, with the celebrated play of " Forget Mo Not," and followed by the '• The Queen's Favorite," and " Nance Oldfield." The costumes and appointments are handsome and correct to the period of which the plays take place. The box plan is now open, and the seats are rapidly being taken up, so we advise our readers to be m time.

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.— [Advt.] Plbasakt Point Races.— / These races, which took place yesterday, proved, as they generally do, a success. A further report of them will appear m next issue, but m the meantime we may say the Hurdles and the Maiden were won by Unit, the Cup by Hinorua, the Farmers' Plate by Twilight, the Trot by Waterwitch, St. Patrick's Handicap >y Little Doll, the Hack Race by Fanny and the Consolation by Shadow. £255 was passed through the totalisator during the day. The owner of Fanny, m the Hack Race, took £29, being the only investor on his own horse. The Artillery Band added not a little to the enjoyment of those present. About 50 proceeded by the special train provided for the occasion. Trial o* Patbht Steaw Tetjsbbe. — In our advertising columns this morning attention is called to a trial of a new patent straw trusser, which will take place tomorrow, at Willowbridge Farm, Waihao, and m one of Mr Studholme's paddocks at Studholme Junction. The machine m question, which is the first m New Zealand, is of the manufacture of Messrs J. and F. Howard, of Bedford, England, and wherever exhibited m the Old Country it has always secured a first prize. The machine is very compact, and when at work i» bolted on to the threshing machine, from which it receives the straw as threshed, carefully trusses it, ties it with string at each end, and delivers the straw m well-tied bundles over the elevators. We understand that the cost of twine at Home is only one shilling per ton of straw tied. Farmers will do well to inspect this ingenious machine, and Mr Mole, the English expert, from Howard's, who will be m charge, will be pleased to explain the method of working. Otaio. — Our correspondent writes :—Although the amount of rain which fell here the week before last does not seem to have been as great as that which fell m some other places, especially north, yet it has caused some damage to the crops m stook, and there happened to be a considerable quantity both of wheat and oats m that state when the rain came on. So far as I have been able to learn, the damage, on the whole, however, has not been very great. With the fine weather of last week (Saturday excepted) a large quantity has been gathered m, and by the end of this week there should be little or none left out standing ; that is, if the week continues as fine as it has begun. There has been very little threshing done yet. The school was re-opened on tho 9fch inst. after a four weeks' vacation, and the attendance is good considering that harvesting is still going on. I understand that only a very few from this quarter were able to avail themselves of tho excursion to Christchurch and Lyttelton last Thursday, as almost ever.* body was busy harvesting. Had the same opportunity been given, say two or three months earlier, there is little doubt but that a much larger. 'number from country places generally would have gladly availed themselves of the chanoo to pay the Cathedral City a vuifc. Let us hope that next season the same chance may be given earlier, and that times may then be better." ; -. ■■';-- .\[, Woobwabd's Japanese TBoiirpß^-This troupe opened m the Theatre Royal yesterday evening to, we regret ixy say, a very' poor house on the whole. The oircle was. nearly empty, but downstairs the house was fairly filled. The great attraction of the entertainment was of course the performances of the Japanese Prince Bungaro and his son Itch ie. The former, lying on his back oh a table, goes through most marvellous performances with a cask and five tubs, which he balances on his feet, and spins and twists about m a remarkably clever way. His doings evoked no little applause while the barrel was empty, but when Itchie got inside it, and Bungaro spun it about with as great apparent ease as before, th« audience were simply delighted. Not content with this, however, Itchie climbed m and out of the barrel and perched outside it whilst it was balanced on his father's feet. All this, however, was quite eclipsed by the screen gerfortnance, m which Bungaro balanced on is feet m a vertical position a large wooden screen about eight feet high and three feet broad, whilst Itchie climbed up and through and around it m a most fearless and graceful manner. This part of the performance m fact baffloß description, and must be seen to be appreciated. Prince Bungaro also performed gome excellent feats with a smaller screen, which he worked and twisted about with his feet m every conceivable manner, doing with them what it would puzzle most men to do with their hands. A further performance of tho same nature, with a large tub, was commenced, but, unfortunately, the tub carno to grief, and fell to pieces while the performer was twisting it about with his usual dexterity, luckily without hurting anyone. Some excellent tumbling feats, by Bungaro, Itchie, and another performer, brought the entertainment to a close. We must not omit to mention the special contortionist feats of Itchie, who showed a wonderful suppleness and strength of body, bending backwards to the floor while standing, first on one, and afterwards on two chairs, and picking up a coin ■with his mouth. The two Jap: also went through an amusing performance dreßsed as clowns, which was perhaps the more comical from being gone through m silence. The intervals between the Japanese performances were filled up by Messrs Delahatj and Benno, who acquitted themselves very creditably m character songs and dances. To-night the troupe will appear again with an entirely new programme, and will be assisted by Mr Matthews, who won the boxing match m Dunedin on Tuesday evening, and we strongly advise our readers to pay them a visit. MABTINI-HbNBT RIPIES FOR VotITNTEEHS. — A circular memorandum has been issued by the War Office authorities to the officers commanding Volunteer corps m Great Britain, requesting that immediate application be made for the Martini-Henry rifles. It is expected that m the course of a few weeks the general issue will be completed, and the whole force will then be m possession of one of the best weapons m existence. Bishop Babbt on the Militabt Spirit. — In the course of an eloquent and thoughtf o] sermon preached at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, by the Primate of Australia, on the eve of the departure of the New South Wales contingent, Dr Barry said : — " Nothing can be more hateful than what men call the ' military spirit ' m a people, if it means the reckless delight m battle, the spirit of ambition, and the passion for glory and aggrandisement ; the willing appeal on all occasions to force ; the ' woe to the conque-ed ' of the old barbaric chief. But what if, on the other hand, this military spirit yield, as its fruits, the temper of loyal selfsacrifice for our country, the readiness to endure, at the call of duty, hardiness and suffering, even to lay down life— r a» English soldiers do — not as a great heroic act, but as a matter of course, the resolution to maintain, nnder God's blessing, the place of high responsibility and power whioh ho has assigned to England ? To love peace for the sake of peace, and for it to make all possible sacrifice is divine. ' Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.' But to cling at all hazard to peace, simply because it preserves our ease and comfort and wealth ; to shrink, m fear of hardship and danger, from maintaining what we believe to be the cause of right, this is an ignoble cowardice. God grant to us and to our country, m this ns m all other things, to refuse evil and to choose the good." ■ ' . Don't Dib m the House,—" Eongh on Eats" clears out rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bngs, flies, ants, insects, moles, jaokrabbits, gophers. Moses, Moss and Co., Bydney, general agents— [Advt.] ' A Wish Dbacon.—" Deacon Wilder, I want you to tell me how you kept yourself and family so well tho past season, when all the rest of us have been sick so much, and have had the dootors running to us so often." " Brother Taylor, the answer is very easy. I used Hop Bitters m time, and kept my family well, and saved large doctor's bills. Four shillings' worth of it kept us all well and able to work all the time, and I will warrant it has cost you and most of the neighbors £10 to £100 apiece to keep sick the same time. I fancy you'll take my medicine hereafter." See [Advt.] We believe that if every one would use American Co.'s Hop Bitters freely there would he much less sickness and misery m the world, and people are fast finding this out, whole families keeping well at a trifling ooßt by its use. Wo advise you to try it. I Bead. [Advt.]

. -PoYBBTY " AND StTFFEBING. — " I -was dragged' down with ■ debt, poverty, and suffering for years, caused by a sick family arid large bills for doctoring, which did them no good. I was completely discouraged, until one year ago, by the advice of my pastor, I procured Hop Bitters and com menced their use, and m one month we wore all well, and none of us have seen a sick day since ; and I want to say to all poor men, you can keep your families well a year with American Co. a Hop Bitters for leas than one doctor's visit will cost, I know it." — A j Wobkino Mah. Head.— [Advt.] 1 How to get Sick. — Expose yourself day and night, sit too much without exercise, work too hard without reat, doctor all the time, take all the vile nostrums and imitations advertised, and then you will want to know How to Gbt Well. — Which is answered m three words — Take American Co.'s Hop Bitters! Bead— [Adyt.] The Bad and Wobthlbss are never imitated or counterfeited. This is especially true of a family medicine, and it is positive proof that the remedy imitated is of the highest value. As soon as it had been tested and proved by the whole world that Hop Bitters was the purest, best and most valuable family medicine on earth, many imitations sprung up and began to Bteal the notices m which the press and the people of tho country had expressed the merits of H. 8., and m every way trying to induce suffering invalids to uso their stuff instead, expecting to make money on the credit and good name of H. B. Many others started nostrums put up m similar style to H. 8., with variously devised names m which the word " Hop" or " Hops " were used m a way to induce people to believe they were the same as Hop Bitters. All such pretended remedies or cures, no matter what their style or name is, and especially those ■ with the word " Hop " or " Hops " m their name or m any way connected with them or their name, aro imitations or counterfeits. Beware of them. Touch none of them. Übo nothing but genuine American Hop Bitters, with a cluster of green Hope on the white label, and Dr Soula's name blown m the glass. Trust nothing else. 531*" Druggists and Chemists are warned against dealing m imitations or counterfeits. — [Advt.] SYNOPBIB OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean and Stewart— Will sell freehold property on 4th prox. J. Mundell and Co.— Hold a sale of sheep, cattle and pigs on Friday, E. K. Guinness --Sells ranis on 30tli. F. 11. Rickman— Will sell freehold land on Saturday. Timaru Borough Council— lnvite tenders for painting, tarring, etc Drummond and Glasson — Are opening out new drapery. S.S. Glaucus— "Will sail for Sydney on Saturday. Howard's hew straw trusser— May bo seen at work at the Waihao to-morrow. Congregational Church— Annual festival to-night at Assembly Rooms. Theatre Royal— Misa Genevieve Ward and company open a short season on Friday. 27th instant. John Jackson— Will receive a shipment of coal per s.s. Glaucus. S. C. Refrigerating Company— Notice of acceptance of tender. Wanted— Two notices.