NOTES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3330, 30 May 1885, Page 2

NOTES.

It is very amusing to read of the stato of excitement into which the Wellington people have been plunged by the " clairvoyance" and " thought-reading " of the Baldwins. Evidently there ia the profoundest conviction that the whole thing is " uncanny" and supernatural in the highest degree. Accordingly we find the papers discoursing learnedly about " psychology," and even a medical man writing to say that "certainly there is something in thought-reading, although that is an admission that for a long time I . have been chary of making." There may or may not be "something in thought-reading." That is a question which we do not propose to discuss on the present occasion. We certainly do say, however, that there was nothing in either the " thought-reading" or the " clairvoyance" of the Baldwins, as exhibited here, that could not have been accomplished by ordinary legerdemain, without resort to any principle not thoroughly and entirely understood. It is the easiest thing in the world for a clever conjuror to deceive the ordinary public, ivhen lie chooses his own conditions. In the first place, Mr Baldwin himself selected one member of the committee who were present on the platform. This addition could not have been requited for the satisfaction of the audience, and the suspicion is at once raised that the gentleman in question was a confederate. Some of the most startling " thought-reading " manifestations were performed with this person, and we also noticed that he went to fetch Mr Baldwin when the latter had left the stage while a pin was being hidden. Is it impossible that he gave Mr Baldwin a hint where to look for the object 1 Any " thought-reading " not explained by these theories could easily be accounted for by the unconscious muscular indication given by tbe subject who was experimented -upon. The " clairvoyance " seemed to us to be capable of an equally simple explanation. It may, perhaps, be remembered that after asking his audience to write questions, Mr Baldwin sent two of his assistants—young men, having no doubt aharp eyes and good memories, to give papers to those who did not possess any. A considerable interval then took place, during which there was a display of ventriloquism, and Mr and Mrs Baldwin and the two assistants were behind the scenes. In these circumstances, what was there to prevent the sharp young men when they were among the audience, from snatching a look at papers which had been already written, and commuuicating the contents to Mrs Baldwin, prior to the latter coming on the stage, and giving the answers ! Ab throwing some light on the subject, we may mention a suggestive circumstauce which occurred in Timaru. Two gentlemen sat together in the dress circle, and each wrote a question. One folded up his paper immediately, but the other, under the impression that the papers were to be collected, handed it to the assistant when he came round. It wa3 given back to him after the young man had taken a glance at it, and that question was the firet answered ; the other question which had been carefully kept from the sight of the assistant was never referred to at all. It may, however, be objected that some of the questions were Btated to have been merely thought of, and not written at all. True, but in tbe majority of caßes they wore questions of a general character sure to be thought of in a large assemblage of persons. "Is Gordon still alive ? " may be mentioned as a sample. If there were cases to which this explanation would not apply, it has to be borne in mind that it is easy for a conjuror to have confederates among an audience. It would be the simplest thing imaginable, for example, to arrange with somebody to get up in the middle of the entertainment to make a neat little speech, throwing doubt on the genuineness of tho affair, and challenging the " clairvoyante " to read the number on his watch. This, of course, she could easily do — provided she knew it beforehand, and the incident would probably " bring down the house." We don't say this is how the Baldwins actually did perform their " wonders ;" we only say they could have performed them in this way, and when there are two explanations of an affair— one natural the other supernatural, we prefer to take the former.

Wemustgive Mr Baldwin credit for being and an exceedingly clever prestidigitatcur, especially as a thorough proficient in the art of " humbug " — using the word as Barnum applied it, and not in an offensive sense. He came round the colony some six or seven years ago, and gave what he called a private spiritualistic sianct to members of the Press only. They were asked to write questions on pieces of paper, to fold them up in square pellets, and place them in the centre of the table. Baldwin used to apply them to his forehead, get tbe subjects to write mpre questions while he went to the window "so that he should not see what they were doing,' and then after repeating tho process two or three times, he gave them answers, professedly from the spirit-world. Ine whole-thing was a mere conjuring trick ; Baldwin substituted othor pellets for the real ones while going through the mindreading " business, and when he wont to the window, he calmly read what had been written, and, of course, his fertile brain was ready enough vrith answers. Yet we blush to say that numbers of newspaper men were " taken in," throughout the colony, and wrote graphic descriptions of these "wonderful manifestations," the result being that the smart Yankee got a free advertisement of the very best type. And yet the bold, bad man used to say that he only showed this performance to newspaper men, because he knew they were accustomed to sift things to the bottom, and they, at any rate, would not be imposed upon !

Teaciiebs' Examination. — The pupil eachers 1 examination is advertised to comnence on June 23rd. Local Option Poll. — The number of otes recorded at the Town Hall yesterday in he Local Option Poll for an increase of Publicans' Licenses in the Borough of Tiniaru was one, and against an increase, eleven. Political Addbess.— Mr Kolleston will uldress meetings of the electors of tbo Geral3i>.e district at the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, sn Tuesday evening, and at the Oddfellows' Hall, Geraldine, on Wednesday evening. New Zealakd Loan. — It will be seen from our cable messages that the New Zealand loan of £1,500,000 has been placed on the London market, at a minimum of 974. Money is evidently unusually plentiful, judging from the low Bank rate of discount, Mid it is expected that the loan will reach an iTerage of 99. The Government Insubancb Assocu.. riON. — At the recent meeting of the Association at Wellington, Sir Julius Yogel stated that it was the Board's intention to do away vrith the industrial branch of the Institution. Aru i' er step that had been decided on was fco increase the rates of premiums to policyholders. The latter couveo had been adopted on the strong recommendation of their actuarial advisers. Concert at Pleasant Point. — A concert and miscellaneous entertainment will be held on Friday, 12th prox., in the Assembly Rooms, Pleasant Point. One feature of the entertainment will be the exhibition of the Italian dwarf Alphonso Gurano. Tho proceeds of the concert are to be given as a complimentary benefit to the Organist of St. Alban's Church. We understand this concert will bo of a similar nature to the last one held ut Pleasant Point, which gave such great satisfaction. G-obfbl Tejifebance Mission. — We hare been handed the following : — The Committee on Mr Booth's mission deeply regret that through failure of his health he was unable to fulfil his engagements, and intimate that those who purchased tickets may have tho money returned on application to the parties from whom they obtained them, before Friday sth June, unless they desire to give the amount as a contribution to the expenses incurred by the Committee. Resident Magistrate's Couet, Waimate. — At this Court yesterday, before His Worship the Mayor, and A. Hayes, Esq., J.P., the only business disposed of was a few civil cases. Judgment by default was given in the case Sanderson v. McEwen, claim £3 5s 3d. Same v. Cunningham, claim £7 15s Id, judgment for plaintiff for £4 16s Id. Manchester v. Spain, claim £6 18s, judgment for plaintiff for £4 11s. The case Manchester v. Plntt, claim £16 Is 2d (judgment summons), was adjourned at plaintiffs request to June 12th. Chess. — It is pleasant to record that the members of the Timaru Chess Club are bestirring themselves, and have already made their rooms cosy and comfortable, and a favorite resort for lovers of the game. The practices bo far have been fairly well attended, many games being skilfully contested throughout. Now that a tournament is being arranged for, and there is a probability of a considerable addition to the number of members, a still more animated scene will no doubt be presented each, evening. Owing to many of the players -wishing to attend the Parliamentary Union meetings, Tuesdays and Thursdays are now the practice nighte. A Clean Sweep. — The large pile of short lengths, odds and ends, and remnants of ail descriptions of drapery goods, which have accumulated sinco the commencement of the Monster Removal Sale at Messrs Davies and Murphy's, the Cash. Drapers, will be offered for sale this day and to-morrow (Saturday) at an enormous sacrifice under English cost prices. The room is required, and, as usual, we stick at nothing to effect an immediate clearance. In addition to the above, we will have a grand show of new goods just opened, which have been specially reduced, a glance at which will convince the most sceptical of the genuine saving to be effected by purchasing new and seasonable drapery for a mere trifle. — (Advt.) Geraldinb School Cojoottbe.— The usual monthly meeting of the above Committee was held in the schoolroom, on Wednesday evening last. Members present — Messrs N. Dunlop (Chairman), E. S. Cook, W. E. Lawson, and A. Sherratt. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter advising the payment of £11 14s Bd, to the credit of the School Committee, for incidental expenditure for the quarter ending June 30th, was read ; also the master's report. The latter showed the average attendance to be 174. The action of the sub-Committee in accepting the tender of Mr John Dean for a supply of firewood at 22a per cord, and Newcastle coal at 44s per ton, was approved. Tbe Visiting Committee were requested to attend to certain repairs to the pump. Mr E. S. Cook, on behalf of the Visiting Committee, reported tb%t on the day they visited the school there was an attendance of 181, and that the school was in satisfactory working order. He also reported that the spouting around tho master's house required repairing, aud that another class-room was needed, as teaching a class on the verandah during the winter was injurious to the health of the children. Messrs Lawson and Sherratt were appointed Visitors for the month. The following accounts wero passed for payment : — Jno. Dean (for coal and firewood), £6 Is ; Secretary, Oddfellows* Hall, 6s 6d. The Chairman was authorised to writo to the Board of Education for six copies of the Education Act. The meeting then adjourned. Eechabite Anntvebsary at Waihate. — The members of the Eechabite Tent at Waimate celebrated their first anniversary on the 28th inst. by a social gathering, admission to which, was by invitation. The hall was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens for the occasion. There were nearly one hundred persons present, among whom wore the Rev. J. and Mrs McKee, the Eev. J. and Mrs and Miss Gray, His Worship the Mayor and Miss Clarke and Mrs Goldsmith. The members of the Tent mustered in full force, dressed in the regalia of the order. The chair was occupied by Mr J. Neilson, C.E., who opened the meeting by giving a hearty welcome to the guests. Apologies from the Bevs. C. Ctftts and J. Gautognoir and others for absence were read. Mr D. Hutton, Secretary to the Tent, read a report of the proceedings of the year, and the present financial and numerical position of the Lodge, which showed the .progress made by the Tent since its start about a year ago. The Revs. J.McKee and J.Gray also addressed the meeting, expressing their great pleasure at the hearty welcome given to the guests, the ample provision of music, decoration! and everything required to make the gathering one of the most pleasing kind in a social sense. Mr T. Evans, N.G. of the Oddfellows' Lodge, and Mr J. Atwill, Chief of the Foresters' Court, in short addresses spoke of the working of the Benefit Societies to which they respectively belonged, and wished well to the new Eechabite Tent. During intervals of the speaking songs were given by Mm Bullein, Mr Neilson, Mr Hutton, Master Griffin, and others. Mr J. Yf. Gaitt, in a forcible address, recommended the adoption of total abstinence principles by all. Mrs Hardy efficiently contributed to the pleasure of tho evening by excellently performed overtures and melodies. Masters Griffin, Robert Long, and Charles Cunningham were deservedly applauded for their performance of a piece called " Doctor Quack and hii patients." Tea, coffee, cake aud fruit were provided during the evening. Mr D. Hnttou was presented with a beautiful watch by the Chairman, for tho Tent, as a token of the esteem of tho members for his untiring efforts during the year to secure the* prosperity and advancement of the Tent. A suitable address to Mr Button was at the same lime read by the Chairman, to which Mr Hutton replied, expressing his gratitude for tho testimonial. Mr E. Hunt was also presented with a regalia collar by the members. Mr O. V. Clarke, in a short address, congratulated the members of the Tent on the success of the conversazione that evening . Votes of thanks to the representatives of the Benefit and Temperance Societies present were responded to by Mr Graham ; to the speakers and guests by Mr A. Watt ; to Mrs Hardy by Mr Weichman ; and the caterer (Mr E. Hunt). The sentiment of " Success to our Army and Navy," proposed by Mr D. Hutton, was replied to by Mr J. W. Gaitt, and to that of " The Press," proposed by Mr Gatenby, Mr Collins replied. The meeting closed by tbelsinging of " God Bare the Queon,"

The Club Hotel —To suit the convenience of the public, from to-day the Is luncheons at the above Hotel will be from I<J uoon sharp to 2.30 p.m.— [Advt.] The Rifle?.— This corps is just now goin b - in very assiduously for drill, and is letting into something like order. On Thursday evening they marched out, aud were put through their facings iu the open roadway. The night was a beautiful moonlight one, and tho men enjoyed I heir outing very much. Tjin Weathee. — Last evening a sudden change camo over the weather, a very heavy squall passing over tho town at about 8.30. The squall lasted about ten minutes, and during that time the vain and hail which fell were particularly heavy. The dark stormy-looking clouds had all disappeared by ten o'clock, and fine weather once more prevailed. Of late the weather has been exceptionally fine and seasonable. "Halt! Fbont!" — As the Timaru Rifle Corps marched along the Main North Road on Thursday evening, they were, of course, followed by au admiring crowd of theii fellow townsmen. On approaching Sutter't Buildings, the monotony of the march waa broken by some person on the footpath, in a commanding tone of voice, shouting " Halt ! fbont!" The Rifles promptly came to a standstill, and when they did so the laughtei that came from the crowd showed plainly that they had been " had." One fact to be learned from this little incident is that our Rifles are obedient, — too much so, perhaps. Thb Royal Hotel. — In our advertising columns this morning Mr Alex. White announces that he has taken the Royal Hotel, one of the oldest established aud most favorably known of the Timaru hostelrie3 ; Since moving into the hotel some days since, Mr White has had considerable alterations made iu it, not the least being the erection of a bir on tho frontage on Cain's terrace. This bat should prove a most convenient one, and is evidence of admirable forethought on the part of the proprietor. Visitors to the house will find that the place has been thoroughly renovated both inside and outside, and been made extremely comfortable. The Royal, as most townspeople are aware, is renowned foi the excellence of its beers, wines and spirits, and the new proprietor has made all arrangements for continuing such supplies, so that customers can always rely on obtaining the beat of everything. The table also being under a special management, will always be supplied witli what is pleasing to the taste and beautiful to the eye, and should therefore give its patrons entire satisfaction. Shortly, we understand, what is known as the old portion of. the Royal will be pulled down and an entirely new addition put up in its place. When this is done the hotel will then be second to none in Timaru. Effect of the Railway Taeiff. — At the meeting of the County Council on Wednesday (says the North Otago Times), attention was called to the fact that the excessively high charges for freight for short distances on the railways caused additional traffic to be thrown on the roads, with tho result that, so far as this district is concerned, the County is put to enormous oipense in keeping the roads in repair. It was resolved that the Chairman write to the Member for the district calling his attention to the tariff, and requesting him to endeavor to obtain a modification of the same. We may state (adds our contemporary) that the injustice of the tarifi (even in its revised state), has been frequently pointed at by us, but we were unaware that the obtuseness of those who framed it had the effect of saddling the district with so much expense. We understand the estimate of the County engineer is that it will take close upon £1000 to put the roads in the same state as they were a year ago, owing to the cutting up they have undergone by dray traffic. If the Bailway Department had, without altering the tariff for distances over eight miles, begun a cheaper scale for distances under eight miles, it would have secured all tho traffic, would have shown better returns, and would have saved the expenditure of enormous sum3 by County Councils for repairs to roads. What are the railways for ? They were surely not constructed for the purpose of running empty trains on them, while farmers are compelled, through excessive charges, to resort to the old method of getting their produce to market. No matter how long delayed, a reduction will have to be made in the railway charges for distances under eight miles. Pbhbions. — The London Solicitors' Journal mentions that since the death of Lord Cairns' there is now not a single law lord in Great Britain in receipt of a pension as an ex-Lord Chancellor, a state of things which is unprecedented for nearly 60 years. AGBICPLTrBAL DEPRESSION IN ENGLAND. —Several farms in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have recently been let at enormous redactions in rent, in Borne cases over 50 per cent below the average of recent years. In Lincolnshire a farm which up to 1883 was taken at a rental of £1 3s 6 per acre has now been let by auction at 12s per acre. London Hotels. — A remarkable change has been witnessed in the hotel system of London of late years. The old-fashioned hotels are gradually giving place to buildings of great dimensions and novel appointments. A recent example of this new order of things is seon in the Army and Navy Hotel, in Victoria street, Westminster. This great structure is fitted with every convenience that modern science has placed at the disposal of the builder and decorator. Attached to the hotel are splendid Turkish and swimming baths, billiard and banqueting-rooms, and a bureau for booking seats at the theatres. Each bedroom is fitted with a fire-escape, and in all the corridors are fire-hydrants supplied with water at high pressure. The electric light is laid on in every part of the building, including the kitchens and larders at the top of the hotel. The rooms look out upon a well-wooded garden. There are suites oi rooms entirely enclosed by doors opening ov to the corridors, so that families may reside there for any length of time in the enjoyment of every home comfort and of the strictest privacy. TUBNIN& THE SPEAB ISTO THE PLOUGHSHARE. — Some time ago wo (Ayr Observer) chronicled the fact that the Messrs Thomson, Maybole, had presented the Rev. John Thomson, of St. John's Established Church, Havrick, with a handsome little plough, completo, manufactured out of old swords and Bpears. It was exhibited at a meeting of the West Teviotdale Farmers' Club, and w< understand that the Queen has now intimatec her willingness to receive the wonderful little article as a present, accompanied by at illuminated scroll, with the following address — "This plough, made from swords, dirks and spears, -is presented to Her Majesty th< Queen, by Her Majesty's most obedient anc humble servant, John Thomson, minister oi St. John's Established Church, Hawick.' The scroll is beautifully illuminated in golc and colors, and is tastefully brought out, The Scottish thistle is introduced with golder grain springing from the illuminated capital, with a lovely little landscape of ploughing it the Borderland as a centre. Intersperscc amongßt the floral decorations tLere arerepresentations of the claymore, the spear, the sword, and the dirk ; and last, but not least the "Teribus" flag— dear to the heart of all Hawick's sons and daughters — is made to dc duty as part of the harmonious whole.