Untitled

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3276, 27 March 1885, Page 2

Important Sale. — We would draw tho attention of those interested to an 'important sale of sheep, &c., by Messrs Jonas and Bourn, advertised m another column. Assessment Court. — A sitting of the Assessment Court for the Borough of Timaru will be held this morning at 11.30. TnE Late Concert. — The Boyce Benefit Concert Committee publish an " acknowledgment " m another column this morning. Tiiat 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.] TnE Moody Jetty.— Mr Chas. Pallisor has now got the concrete work of tho approach to this jetty about finished, and next week the approach will be filled m. The concrete walls and the eea oud of the work are very strong indeed. Our Railways.— The Traffic Manager announces this morning m an advertisement that possengt r accommodation has been provided at Coal Creek station (Albury branch), and trains will m future stop there to pick up or set down passengers when required. Ram and Ewe Fair.— A "Ram and Ewe Fair will be held under the auspices of the Temuka and Geraldine Agricultural and Pastoral Association, on the 9th April, on the grounds near Winchester. Entries will be received till the morning of the Fair. The New Wharf.— Mr Hillary, of the Railway Department, and his gang of men are rapidly pushing forward the work of laying the rails on the recently completed portion of the wharf. When finished the extra accommodation provided will provo very valuable. A Rifle Coßrs for Timaru. — We have every reason to believe that there are scores of men m Timaru willing and ready to form themselves into a Rifle Companj-, provided someone will take tho initiative m the matter. It is a trito saying that what is everyone's business is nobody'B business, and wo trust thereforo one or two of our leading citizens will not hesitate to take the question up. Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association. — The annual meeting of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held at their offices, Maclean and Stewart's Buildings, to-morrow at 1.30 p.m., to receive the annual report and balance-sheet and elect officers for the ensuing year. A Committee meeting will also be beld at 12 o'clock, at which the members of the Association are particularly requested to attend. Theatre Royal. — Miss Genevieve Ward and her Company open a short season this evening at the Theatre Royal m " Forget-me-JNot." Wo are pleased to learn that all the seats m tbe circle with the exception of half a dozen wore reserved yesterday, and that the audience promises to be a very largo one. In " Forget-me-JNot " Miss Ward takes the pol'fc of "Stephanie " and Mr W. H. Vernon that of the English baronet, "Sir Horace Welby." JFooTnALL. — A committee meeting of tho South Canterbury Football Club was held at Mr Ormsby's office yesterday. Present — Messrs Georgo Wood (m the chair), Mackay, Lough, Smith, Goodall, Campbell, Shirtcliffe, and Eichbauin. After discussion, it was resolved to recommend that the annual subscription for members under twenty years of age be ss. After transacting some formal businoss. and passing accounts amounting to £3 14s, tho meeting terminated. We remind members, and those desirous of joining the Club, that the annual general meeting takes place this afternoon at 5 o'clock at the Assembly JRooms. Swift Cruisers. — A recent Home paper says : — lt is stated that several noblemen and gontlemen of influence are considering the desirableness of forming a syndicate m order to raise fivo millions sterling for tho purpose of building a fleet of war cruisers. It is intended by the promoters of this movement to rapidly construct a number of vessels on somewhat similar plans to those described by Mr W. Pearce with a speed of not less than twenty-five miles an hour. If this project be carried out, the new cruiser fleet will be placed at the disposal of the Government, not for the purpose of securing a profit to the syndicate, but under terms which shall not involve them m any loss. A sufficient number of influential names have already been given to this proposal to encourage the belief that it will be carried into effect, though tho precise details havo not been decided upon. _ Camp Life. — As was anticipated, a considerable addition was mado to the ranks of the C Battery yesterday, and when the roll was called it was found there were about forty men under canvas. The men yesterday morning paraded shortly after fivo o'clock, and spent about an hour m company drill, most of the movements being executed very creditably indeed. In the evening detachments wero exercised m big gun and guard drill. All seem to bo enjoying their camp life very much, and it is hoped the weather will continue fino ovor next week. Tho cateriug, wo may mention, is giving every satisfaction, and taken altogether, the officers of the Battery are to be complimented on the very effective arrangements fche^ have made. I/ost evening the Artillery Band played at the camp for about an hour, their music, as usual, being very much enjoyed by the numbers of persons who paid " canvas square " a visit. Poisoned Grain. — It was mentioned at the lost meeting of the Waitaki County Council that the free distribution of poisoned grain for tho suppression of the small birds nuisance had resulted m ways not calculated upon by those who originated the idea. One member (says the North Otago Times) stated that a settler m his neighborhood, who was under tho conviction that as the grain was meant for small birds, only small birds would cat it, scattered it rathor profusely about ono of his paddocks, with the result that ho had to mourn the demise of 27 geese, 12 ducks and a host of fowls. Another membor, however, had to rolnto qirite a different experience. In his district a settler had procured a quantity of the poisoned grain, but was anxiously careful to put it only where his fowls could not reach it. His garden was surrounded by a high paling fence, and the poison was placed m it. Tho gate, however, happened to have been loft open, and his fowls obtaining admission, " scoffed " all the poisoned grain. The only effect the unusual meal had upon thorn was that each individual fowl started from that day to lay with a recklessness and assiduousness at_ once gratifying and perplexing. The "poison" hadn't been very strong. A Bird-Catching Tree. — Among the "Transactions of the JNew Zealand Institute," Mr B. H. Covott givos somo startling facts as to tho bird-killing powers of Pisonia TBrunoniana, or P. Sinclairii. A sticky gum is secretod hy the carpels when they' attain their full size, but is nearly as plentiful m their unripe as m their ripe condition. Possibly attracted by the flies, which embalm themselves m these sticky seed vessels, birds alight on the branches, nnd on one occasion two silver-eyes and a sparrow were found with their wings so glued that they were unable to flutter. Mr

Covctt's Bister, thinking to do a merciful act, collected all the fruit-bearing branches thut wero within reach and threw them on the dust - heap. Next day about a dozen silver - eyes were found glued to them, four or fire of tho pods to each bird. She writes : — " Looking at the tree one sees tufts of feathers and legs whore the . birds have died, and I don't think the birds could possibly get away without help. The black cat just lives under thc tree, a good ninny of the hirds falling to her share. JB ut a good many pods get into her fur, and she has to come and got them dragged out." In a note Mr T. Kirk says that TPitonia umbellifera is found m eeveral localities north of Whangarei, both on the east and west coasts, also on tho Taranga lalands, Arid Island, Littlo Barrier Island, and on the East Cape, possibly m the last locality planted by the Maoris. Tho fruiting pericarp is remarkable for its viscidity, which is usually retained for a considerable period after the fruit is fully ' matured. It can be readily imagined that smnll birds tempted to feed on the seeds might easily become glued to a cluster of fruits. Geraldine School Committee. — The ordinary monthly meeting of this Committee was held m the schoolroom on Wednesday evening. Members present — Messrs N. Dun- ; lop (Chairman), A. Sherrat, R. 8. Cook, W. R. Lawson, \V. H. Lodge, and George Ward. Tho minutes of the last meeting were road and confirmed. Messrs Lawson and Farrell, the Visiting Committeo, reported that tliey had found everything working m a satisfactory manner. The attendance of children on the day of inspection was 186. Nothing had been done m regard to the bees m the woll of the schoolhouse. Tlio walls of the rooms were m a bad state, and wanted cleaning and staining. The Chairman reminded the meeting that an application was mado to the Board for a grant to repair the walls, nnd an answer had been received from the Board. The Chairman further stated that the fences were m a bad stato of repair. He would suggest that a sub-Committee be appointed to make an estimate of the cost of painting the fences and other necessary works, and that an additional grant for carrying out the work be asked for. Mr A. Sherratt proposed, Mr Lodge seconded, and it was carried—" That an application be made for a grant of £25 for painting and repairing the fences." Mr Sherratt reported on behalf of the Committee appointed to select the prizes that a number had been obtained m Geraldine, and that the balance would be obtained beforo the distribution, which it was proposed should take place next weok. It ' was proposed that the school break up for Easter holidays on Wednesday, Ist April, the prizes to be distributed on the evening of that day, the school to reassemble on Monday, 13th April. It was proposed by Mr G. Ward, seconded by Mr Lodgo, and carried—" That the Oddfellows' Hall be engaged to distribute the prizes m, and that a chargo of 6d for each adult be made." It was further resolved — " That the cost of tho room be paid out of tho incidental fund." Leave of absence for four months was granted to Mr Thos. JFarrell, a member of the Committee. The Head Master, Mr Hughes, reported for the past month as follows : — ' The average attendance for the past four ' weeks has been 174. Several of the cords by : which the sashes m the windows were sus- • pended having given way they need to be renewed. At present the windows are m l continual danger of being broken, through dropping suddenly. Tho plaster has again fallen near the door leading from the largo \ schoolroom into tho infant room. The damage is not very great, and there is sufficient material on hand to replace the fallen plaster. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Lodge, seconded by Mr Ward — "That the repairs to the windows and plaster be left totho Visiting Committee to sco to." The Chairman nnd Messrs Ward and Sherratt were appointed Visitors for the month. Sundry small accounts to the amount of £2 16s ld were passed for payment, and the Committeo adjourned. Ventilation.— Mr M. Tobin has patented what is claimed to be an improved system of ventilation. In this invention several modifications of the well-known system of ventilation introduced by Mr Tobin aro here protected. They consist of arrangements for allowing fresh air to be admitted without draught by window sashes, doors, or orifices m the walls of the apartment. In the form best known whero ventilation is arranged by ' tubes m tho room if the current of air is strong i outside, it -would, being admitted vertically, i strike, and bo doflected from a low ceiling, and produce a downward draught. In the • present improvement, air is admitted by cir- ' eular orifices, arranged m groups or lines. , Immediately m front of tho group of lines or holes, a vertical bafllc is arranged, against) which the currents of air strike, and are deflected m a series of vertical eddies. Fresh ' air is thus imperceptibly introduced throughout the apartment without possibility of • draught, direct or deflected outlets for the foul air being provided. A German Opinion on English Bravery.— No more evidence is needed to prove the extraordinary impression ! which the British operations m the Soudan have made m Germany than ' the following extracts from the Cologne Oazette. This Anglo-phobist journal, which ' but the other day compared the British nation to the Phoenicians and Cartha- ! genians, and predicted for it the same < fate, has evidently changed its mind, and I now writes : — "General Stewart's bold ad- * vance again reminds the world that the samo manly energy and dashing determina- • tion still lies m the British race wliich '. have raised England to the greatest civilising Power on the earth. We see that ocean-encircled Britain still brings forth i soldiers not easily equalled m the world for I martial experience, contempt for death, and i hardiness, and that the British Army still possesses officers who unite audacious valor with prudent caution and circumspection. Even taking into consideration that it is only Soudanese who stand opposed to tho English troops equipped with all the weapons of civilisation, one cannot refuse to admire and sympathise with the men who know how to ' strike their enemies with the rapidity of lightning, and the precision of a well-directed engine. For centuries England has learnt how semi-savage nations can and must be dealt with. Englishmen have not passed through this school m vain, and we Germans have much to learn from tliem m this respect." A Wise Deacon. — "Deacon Wilder, I want you to tell me how you kept yourself and family so well the past season, when all tho rest of us have been sick so much, and have had the doctors 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 J to work all tho 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 medicino hereafter." Sco (Advt.] j We believe that if every one would use American Co.'s Hop Bitters freely there ! would bo much less sickness and misery m * the world, and people aro fast finding this out, wholo families keeping well at a trifling ' cost by its uso. We advise you to try it. Read [Advt.] Easily Remembered. — The latest medicine for horses' legs is called " Neurasthenip- ' ponskeleaterizo." One of the big beasts i at a cattle show was called " Llanfair ' Pwllgwyngyllgogerchwyrwyd Robw Llan- ' disiliogogogoch." Farmers will easily re- ; member this. <