The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3508, 26 December 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1885.

Ihe political combat has .as yet reached nnly a very mild stage; Major Atkinson m. his opening speech at Hawera Sid little more than clear the ground. It is true that he made a keen criticism of the Government policy and administration m many points, but there was little of the dash and fire about the speech which generally characterise bis attacks. As for the reply of Mr Stout, delivered at Dunedin on Wednesday night, we are afraid that it will not add much to the oratorical reputation of that gentleman. It is satisfactory to learn that he is able to point to some reductions m the cost of the government of the colony. We hope it will prove economy of the right sort — that it will be found that the Armed Constabulary removed from the native districts are no longer necessary, and that the curtailment m the Survey Department is not prejudicial to the progress of settlement. Still, allowing the most favorable view to be taken of the retrenchment effected m these two departments, the saving to the country is a long way under the £100,000 a year which Mr Stout originally spoke of, and which lie said should be saved or he would resign office. As to the numerous new billets created by the Government, and, m particular, the large number of their friends provided with pensions m the Upper House, the Premier was judicionßly silent. Manifestly it will take a good deal of economy m the Armed Constabulary and Survey Departments to make up for the extravagance displayed by the Ministry m rewarding political partisans. A large portion of the Premier's speech was taken up m discussing the momentous question whether or not this Government had m the early stages of their existence devoted themselves to abusing their predecessors. That is a point, we apprehend, upon which the country is not likely to be particularly agitated. As a matter of fact the results of government m New Zealand are just now regarded with so much dissatisfaction that the general feeling appears to be that any Ministry deserves as much abuse as it is likely to get and can hardly have too much of it. The public also are perfectly sick and tired of Mr Stout's tv quoquc style of argument. Whenever the present Government are accused of doing anything wrong, his almost invariable reply is that Major Atkinson did something just as bad if not a great deal worse. Surely the AttorneyGeneral of the colony is able by this time to offer tib something better m the way of argument and defence than the schoolboy's elegant " You're another." Even his special pleading is better than thiß, because although it may not cany much weight vt ha.s at any rate the merit of amusing us by its ingenuity. As for Mr Stout's cool asumption that " not a single fault could be pointed out m their adminis-tvat)OD,"^-we are simply amazed at tbo audacity of the statement. Why, (he whole country has been ringing with denunciations of Ministerial mal-ad-ministration. What else, we should ] like to know, is the meaning of the i wholesale condemnation of the nnneces- J sary, and m many cases improper, appointments made by the Government, ] their bungling m regard to securing the land along the North Island Trunk Line, and their mismanagement of tbc colonial railways, resulting m a mini- 1 mnm of receipts with a maximum of dissatisfaction P When Mr Stout says there are " no complaints against their administration," therefore, it is difficult to listen to him with ordinary courtesy. At any rate if he does really labor under such a misapprehension, we fancy he will speedily learn when Parliament meets that he has been mistaken. Perhaps the moat important part of the Premier's speech is its conclusion. He tells us that he " will not be a party to any wild scheme of borrowing." Can it then be that he disapproves the monstrous proposals shadowed forth m such a seductive manner by his colleague, the Colonial Treasurer, the other day ? We observe that he explains himself by saying that " moneys borrowed should be expended on reproductive works that would pay some interest." The question is, of course, what m Mr Stout's opinion constitutes reproductive works ? Would it be a reproductive undertaking to borrow three or four millions at 4 per cent to construct the West Coast railway, which, m the opinion of its sanguine supporters, may perhaps return one or two per cent, but which the outside public firmly believe will leave a deficit on tho working expenses ? This is a point on which we should like some definite information. We gather from the Premier's speech that he is at last tired, if not a little ashamed, of the humiliating position m which the Government have hitherto been placed. The policy of I " keeping Ministers m and their measures out," may sound very nice, but it does not leave the unfortunate Ministers themselves m a very dignified position. Mr Stout now Bays that unless the Government get a loyal support from the House, and (m the event of a dissolution) from the country, they will place tho trust m other hands. We confess we are heartily glad to hear it, and hope the pledge will be rigidly adhered to. It would have been better for the reputation of all the Ministers, if they had oorne to such a decision long ago. Mr Stout has done himself immense damage bb a politician by his queer companionship with his present colleagues, and the queer transactions he has sanctioned m that position. It will do much, however, to restore him to his old Btatus m the eyes'of thepublic if he willnow boldly refuse to allow his name to be associated with any gambling schemes that can only result m ruin to the colony, and if he will also make clear his conviction that the position of Minister of the Crown is one of real independence, and that to cling to office for office* sake is despicable m the extreme. Advice to Travellkrs. — Lotusromombor, then, that m paoking, tho ideal wo havo to aim *£, is to got onr possosnions into tho smallest -eatapasH consistent with tho least possible crmimryr, and the problem before ua is — How is thin to bo dono 't Why, by gottinK ono of A. Baxwotl's Portmontcanx , made to order, tbrongh yonr Ar»f>er.~ [Advt.] Ods Solioitohc. — Clio solicitors' offices aro to be closed from yestqwlay ,tp the morning of the 4th January.

P«to.— The polo match, Otaio Club t. hrfotchnroh Club, comes off this afternoon i Saltwater Creek. Play commences at 3.30 .m. Oeicebt. — -The return match Oamaru v. imaru is to be played to-day. Anexpress is ) tears the -Ship Hotel for the ground at 0.30 aim. — An amateur theatrical enterlinment is to be given m Geraldine on the 9th and 30th inst. The programme will be ound m another column. School Picxic. — The annual picnic and ports of the St. Andrews and Upper Otaio chool children will be held m the front laddoek at Pareora station to-day. Con•oyances will leave the St. Andrews schoollouse at half-past nine sharp. The City Band.— The Timaru City Band, inder Mr Dickenson, were abroad at an early louryestcrday morning, and played Christmas rarols ut various houses m town. Their nusic was excellent, and they were well revived wherever they played. Faiehb Cheek Spouts. — The Fairlie >eek Athlethic Club's annual sports will be neld at Fairlie Creek to-day. The sports start punctually at noon. In reference to these sports we may mention that visitors from rimaru and from Btation» along the railway lino will have to take the excursion train which leaves Timaru at 8.20 a.m. It will start on its return journey ot 6.5 p.m. Accidekt. — A seaman belonging to the ship Canterbury fell over the shore end of the wharf early yesterday morning on to v concrete block and fortunately escaped with only a severe scalp wound. Ho lay stunned for a few minutes, but there being plenty of assistance at hand, he was soon got on to the wharf and attended to. Ho was then taken to his ship, and had so far recovered last evening as to bo able to take a walk ashore again. Special Trai>s. — The two special trains that passed through Timaru very early yesterday morning were crowded with passengers, and both took m large numbers of people at Timaru. The one going South reached here at 12.45 a.m., and left at 1 a.m. ; the one going North nrrived at 2.40 a.m., and departed at 3 a.m. Both expresses yesterday wero also well filled, and the morning trains took away many passengers. Passenger traffic was m fact very heavy, both on Thursday and yesterday. Resident Maoisteaie'B Couht, Thmoka. — At this Court on Wednesday the case Dr Hayes v. Dr Campbell was called on . The defendant was charged [with having assaulted and used abusive language on the 17th inst., to the plaintiff. Mr Aspinall appeared for complainant, and Mr Tosswill for defendant. Mr Tosswill stated that the summonses had only been served on defendant the night before at a quarter to six, and applied for an adjournment. This was granted and the case adjourned to Wednesday, the 6th January. The O-ARBiaoN Baud. — The South Canterbury Garrison Band mustered at the C Battery drill-shed at 4 o'clock yesterday morning, and after dividing forces marched out to play the Christmas carols m accordance with lime'honored custom. One party under Bandmaster Herd took the Southern division of the town, and tho other under Bandsman Budd the Northern. The enrols played were : — " Sound tho Loud Timbrel," " Jesus Christ has Risen to-day," "It is Well," " Angels from the Realms of Glory," "While Shepherds Watch," "Tell me tho old old Story." The music m the sweet still hours of the Christmas morn sounded most delightfully, and -was splcndibly played by the bandsmen. Both parties were treated by those they visited m b lavish manner. We may add that by specinl request Mr Budd's party played " Home, Sweet Home" at Mr Arthur Perry's residence, and delighted the family circle by the way they executed this most memory-stirring piece of music. CIIBISTMAS DAY AT THE HOSPITAL. — -Our readers will, it may be taken for granted, be very pleased to hear thnt the staff and patients at tha Timaru Hospital celebrated Christmas Day m a right royal mnnner. Thanks to (lie liberality of Timaru residents who m a very short time collected nearly £5, to the members of the Tinoaru Dramatic Club who fonrarded a donation of fire guineas and to Messrs Gilehrist and Tomlinson who sent ns a gift a splendid fat lamb, the patients had a sumptuous Christmas dinner. Lamb and roast goose, with a bouutiful supply of green peas and delicious new potatoes from the kitchen garden at the Hospital, with numberless other dishes, made up a menu that at once had tho effect of wooing back lost appetites and of sharpening good appetites m an almost alarming degree. Mr and Mrs Jowsej? presided at the tnble,nnd were joined by all the uatienU that were at all convalescent. Those who were too unwell to be moved enjoyed their dinner m bed, sans ceremony. The wards, halls and corridors were beautifully decorated with brilliantly colored flo were, and branches of evergreens were bo twined and fastened around such words as " A Merry Xmas," "A Happy Nor Year," as to make the. whole effect most charming. The whole of the interior of the Hospital was a perfect picture ; one too thnt rivetted the attention and caused no end of delight. Some of the gifts hare been retained to that a grand spread can be partaken of on New Year's Day. School Entertainment.— Tlie annual entertainment was held m the Oddfellows' Hall, Geraldine, on Wednesday evening, m aid of tho prize funds. A capital programme was placed before an appreciative audience, and it was generally remarked that it was the best entertainment ever held m Geraldine m connection with the public school. Great praise is due to the teachers — Mr T. Hughes and Miss Hamilton— for the pains they took m instructing the children. The Amateur Dramatic Company kindly lent their scenery for tho occasion, which greatly added to the appearance of the platform, and the luceees of' the entertainment. Mr Dunlop (tlio Chairman of the School Committee) presided, and performed his dutieß m a very able and satisfactory manner. Ho called upon the Misses Fish to open the entertainment with a duet on the piano, which was played with great skijl, and was loudly applauded. The next item was a song by the children, " The Sailor Prince," and proved a groat ■uccos. A song by Mr Lodge, " I Fear No Foe," and a «ong by the infants, "Patriotic," under Mies Hamilton, »ere received well. Miss Boswell sang " Cherry .Ripe," m a very pleasing manner, as alio did Mr Moore " Tho Gauntlet." Song by the infanta, under Miss Hamilton, " The Peasant." This wa§ an action song, and as tho children had been well drilled, they acquitted themselves remarkably veil, and had to go through the song again. |Miss Dunlop sang "Tho Wishing Cap with much effect. A racitation by Master B. White, " Tho Travelling Tinker," was given m a L-lear and rendy manner, and caused much laughter. Mrs Brisco next Bang " Parting " with such cuecet* that sho fairly brought down the house, and a most onthusiastic encore was demanded. A song by fclie infants, under Miss Hamilton, " Quadrille," wot considered even better than the " Peasant," and was greatly applauded. A song by MUa Coltman, " Eve s Lamentation," was given with much feeling, and was loudly praised. A dialogne by threo infants, entitled, "The Fooluh Mouso," was given very distinctly, and highly delighted the audience A song by Mr Lodge, " Tho Bugler," was tho next item. This gentleman was m good voice and song well. The infanta again delighted tiio audienco with the song " Good Night." For the second part a play was acted by a number of the bigger boy*, entitled, " Tom's Dream." Thii wag really a treat, and the interest was kept up throughout the whole piece. The Chairman thanked the large audienco (thero scarcely being standing room m the hall) for their attendance, and for their appreciation of the items on tho programme, and railed upon Mr Cook to propose the thanks. Mr Cook ascended the platform, and proposed a voto of thanks to the Misses Fi§h, Mrs Foster, Miss Foster, and all those ladies and gentlemen who had kindly assisted with tlioir songs ; also to Mr Hughes and Miss Hamilton for tho way and mnnnor tho ohildren under their instruction had acquitted themselves. The vote was carried with acclamation. Mr Hughos, on behalf of Miss Hamilton and self, thanked tho audience for their kind approval of their efforts, and proposed a vote of tlianks to the Chairman for presiding ovor tho ani}i\nl entertainment, and to tho School Committee, for tho kindness ho had always received at their hands during tho past yoor. This nlso was carried by acclamation. The Chairman acknowledged tho thanks, and the entertainment closed with the singing of the Nations! Anthem.

Tbmcka Spobts. — "We would remind our' onjuka readers that tho Temukn Annual oijng Day Sports, under the auspices of the loyal Alexandroyna Lodge, 1.0.0. F., take lape m the Temuka Park to-day. The emuka Volunteer Brass Band will be m atmdance, and will enliven the proceedings by ieir excellent music. FORB9TBR9' SpoBTS. — We remind our Daders that the A. O. Foresters' eports are to c held m Mrs Watkin'a paddock to-day, {embers muster at tho Lodge-room at 10.30 bis morning. The sports promiso to be very uccessful, as O'Connor, McAuliffe, Clarke nd a number of other well-known pedestrians ire to competejat them. Businbss Notice. — In noticing the various jusineßa premises m our issue of Thursday ye inadvertently omitted to mention that of ilr David Zander. As most of our readers ire aware his shop is m tho Main South Road — that lately occupied by Mr Friedander — and his stock of tobacconist's goods ire equal to any m the colony. He has m addition some splendid articlos, all of which ire suitable for presents at this festiro leason. Resident Magistrate's Court, Tisiarc. —At this Court on Thursday F. LeCren, Esq., J.P., and His Worship the Mayor presided. A first offender charged with being drunk whilst m charge of a horse and dray was fined 10s. James Black, for allowing one cow to wander at large, was fined 7s 6d and lls costs; Bobert Button, for a similar offence, was fined 5s and lls cosU ; Thomas Hawkey, for allowing two cows to wander at large, was fined 5s and costs, 7s, and James Graham, for allowing a similar number of cows to be at large, was fined 5s and lls costs John Sullivan, for riding on the footpath m Main North Road, was fined 5s and costa, 16s. This being nil the business, the Court rose. Timaku WootLBN Factobt.— A special general meeting of the shareholders of Ibis Company was held at the Company's factory, Arthur street, Timaru, on Thursday, at noon. Mr H. B. Courtis presided, and thero was a good attendance of shareholders. After the minutes had been read, the following special resolutions, unanimously passed at a meeting held on the 10th instant, were confirmed : — " That tho capital of the Company be increased from £10,000 to £20,0J0, i'u 20,0 0 shares of £1 each." " That this meeting now approves and nflopt" as the Memorandum and Articles of Association those now submitted, antl of which a copy has been sent to the address of every shareholder." " That the original Memorandum and Articles of Association be rescinded from this date, and that the new Memorandum and Articles now passed be substituted m lieu thereof." The meeting then terminated. " Tennis with Variations." — Tennis with variations is very popular m England. Couples are formed, iind lots are drawn for the choice of court*. Bach court is numbered, and the umpire at the top or first court blows a horn for the game to begin. Whenever a couple is defeated at tho top court three out of five games, the winning couple take another court, the losers at the top going to the last court. All courts except the first, pUy till the game is called, and games half through are not finished. The time for stopping is agreed upon before- j hand, one and a half hours being the average. The winning couples at the top court are each given a colored bow, or other token for a victory, and the losers at the bottom court receive similar tokens. At the finish the lady having the most top court bows, receives the first prize, and the one having the most bottom court bows receives the " booby " prize. The men receive similar prizes. ■ St. Mart's Church. — A service was held m St. Mary's Church on Christmas eve. The church had during the day been decorated by the Yen. Archdeacon Harper, and some members of the congregation, and at night it presented a most beautiful appearance. At evensong there was a very large attendance, the church being well filled. The carols, which were as follows : — "Hail to Thee, Jesus of Nazareth," " See, amid the Winter 8now" " The Kings of Orient," "Good King Weneeslas," and "The First Noel," were well rendered, and heartily joined m by the congregation. The Yen. Archdeacon delivered a suitable address after the singing of the carols, and the service was brought to a close by all joining m singing i)io hymn " Christians Awake." On Christa.as morn Holy Communion was celebrated at half-past eight, and at eleven o'clock Matins and Holy Communion. At both services there were good congregations. Cathohc Cuvbch. — Christmas Day was suitably kept at the Catholic Church. Timaru. In the morning mass was celebrated and m the evening vespers, all the services being attended by crowded congregations. The altar and church, which had been decoraled with flowers and evergreens by the ladies attending the church, from the design of Mr M. de H. Duvnl, looked rery beautiful, especially when lit up m the evening by over three hundred candles. The mass and vespers were conducted by the Rev. Father O'Halahan, and tho sermons were prcucheJ by the Rev. Father Foley. The singing by the choir was very good, and comprised some of Weber's and Mozart's grandest music. Several solos were sung at vespers by Mrs Filraer and Mr Bowe. Mrs Dennihey presided at the organ, aud accompanied the singing most ably ; iv fact too much cannot be said m praise of this lady's playing. In conclusion wemust mention that Mr Wood's excellont band had been spccia!lv engajed to assist m the music, land fulfilled their part very satisfactorily. Lotal Timarl' Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0.F. — The half-yearly meeting of the above Lodge was held on Wednesday evening last, Bro W. Norrie, N.G., presiding. After the minutes of tbe previous meebing nnd a great amount of correspondence, both inwards and outwards, had been read and dealt with, (he election of officers for the ensuing term was proceeded with, the following officers being declared elected : — Bro Berrieman, N.G. j Bro Rochester, V.G. ; Bro Goldsmith, Permanent Secretary ; Bro Norrie, G.M, j Bro Doig, B. Secretary ; Bro B. W. Marshall, Treasurer ; Drs Hogg and Lovegrove, medical officers. Bros P.G.s A. Mills, J. Christmas, and R. W. Marshall were elected delegates to the Grand Lodge meeting at Lyttelton on January 9th. Three candidates were initiated, and two proposed. Tho receipts of tho evening were £112 16s Bd. The installation of the nowly-elected officers was performed by Provincial G.M. Bro. J. J. Grandi. Votes of thanks wore passed to visiting Bros Mohoney and Mayer, who kindly acted as scrutineers. The Lodge was closed m the usual manner at 11.30 p.m. Introduction of English Salmon to South Cantbrbury. — One of the most interesting events m the annals of pisciculture m Now Ztaland took place at Temuka on Wednesday last, when Mr 8. C. Farr, the Hon. Sec. of the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, arrived from Christchurch by tho Northern Express with the first instalment of English salmon for liberation m the Temuka and Opihi rivers, as settled at the last meeting of the South Canterbury Accllmatisalion Society. Just twelve months fince Mr Farr left England with salmon obtained from the rivor Tweed, Bt Peebles, m Scotland, and after endless trouble and anxiety was enabled to land m Now Zealand ovor 100,000 healthy ova, and from part of this the fish mentioned were hatched. Mr Farr was met nt the station by Mr Arthur Prrry, Hon. Sec. of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, Mr Aspinall, Hon. Sec. of tho Geralditie County Acclimatisation Society and a number of others deeply interested m acclimatisation. Mr Charles Nicholas of Temuka having kindly provided tho necessary vehicles for transporting the fish from the station to tho rirer, a start was soon made for tho river Tomuka. On arrival Mr Farr having tested the temperature of the water m the stream with tlmt of the cans containing the flth, it was found necessary to reduco the heat of the particular pool where the fish were to bo turned out. This was done by placing blocks of ice, obtained from the Canterbury Refrigerating workß at Belfast, m tho water, and m about half an hour's time 1000 healthy young salmon, übout seven months old, and from three to four inches long, seemed quite at home m their new abode. Mr Farr is to bo congratuled pn his great success m thus introducing tlieso fish to the rivers of South Canterbury. Wo understand that ho has also kindly consented to superintend tho conveyance nnd liberation of about 2600 more salmon at Tcmiiia, and it is to bo earnestly hoped the same success will attend his future efforts, and the rest of tho fish will arrive, as they did on Wednesday, without a single loss.

Caledonian Sports. —Tho annual sports ndcr the außpices of the Wainmte Caleonian Society will bo hold at Waimato toiay. Westport Coal Co. —The Weatport Coal Company, Limited, invite tenders for stores, ("nil particulars will be found m our advcrising columns. De Anna Potts.—Dr J. C. Gilbert, an American lecturer, now iv Wellington, writes is follows to the Evening Press : —" Under he heading of ' Who is Mrs Dr Potts ?' I lotico you wish to be told something about lim or her. I happen to know something of Mrs Potts. I know she is quito ft clever ivoman and a graduate of tho Medical University of Philadelphia: that she has been mimed ; has a family of children, who must be nearly or quite of age now, who call her mother: and that people, including the medical faculty and others who know her and hare known her for years, nevtr doubted that she was a woman. I may say lam not Mrs Potts' champion —am not even her friend —and I do not believe m her quack practice of medicine, because I do not believe m tho drug system of medication— although I boHavo she bas as good a right to drug people as other doctors have, —but I deem it only due to the public to state what I know on information which I deem us reliable as that which convinces me that Queen Victoria is a woman ; and I trust that no ' venerable' or other females will go into hysterics over the humbugging assumption that Mrs PotU is not a woman. ,1 may say for the information of those who ar<S anxious to know the facts about Mrs Potts that they may obtain all the information they desire by writing to the medical faculty of the Medical University at Philadelphia ; and I judco it would be quite as manly to do this before publishing as to slander a woman m her absence, and when it is out of her power to defend herself. I trust you will pardon this trespass on your space for the sake of the truth and fair play." Don't Dib m thk House. —" Bough on Bats" dearsont rats, mice, beetles, roaches, bed-bngs, flies, ants, inseota, moles, jackrabbits, gophers. Moses, Mobs and Co., Sydney, general agents.—[Advt. I That Husband of Ainu is three times the man he was before he began using " Wells Health Henewer." Droggiata. Moses, Moss and Co.. Sydney. OennnO Aeents.—f Anvr.l (2 " Buchu-Paiba." —Qoiok, complete onre, all annoying Kidney, Bladder and Urinary Diseases. Drturgista. Moses, Moss and Cc: Sydney, General Agents. —[Advt . The best if not the only remedy for consumption. Doctors disagree as to the relative value of Cod Liver Oil »nd Hypophosphites of Lime and Soda m consumption and wasting diseases. The Hypophosphites give nerve power and act as a tonic, while Cod Liver Oil heals the (inflammation, gives strength and flesh. Being both contained m Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphites the effect produced by the use of this renicdy is wonderful. Thousands who have been cured by it can testify to this fact. 10