The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3552, 16 February 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1886.

The fnmonß caae of Crawford v. Crawford and Dilke has come to a conclusion which cannot be regarded as altogether satisfactory. The action, it will bo remembered, was brought by Mr Crawford against his wife, a young and attractive lady, for a dissolution of marriage, on the ground of her alleged misconduct with Sir Charles Dilke. The case rested mainly, if not entirely, on the statements of the lady herself, and when the proceedings were commenced, the public sympathy evidently lay with Sir Charles Dilke. The general impression was that Mrs Crawford was the victim of hallucinations not nnf requently met with m women of a hysterical temperament, and that at the trial the case would fall utterly to the ground. Sir Charles Dilke, who represented Cbelsea m Parliament, placed himself iv the hands of his constituents m an address that was generally commended on account of its good taste, and offered to resign his seat and withdraw himself altogether from public life pending the conclusion of the trial. The Chelsea electors, however, would not hear of anything of the kind. They held a , public meeting, passed a resolution expressing confidence m his innocence, and what is more they re-elected him ) without hesitation at the general election. Final arrangements for his inclusion m the new Ministry were held ' over until the conclusion of the trial, and m the event of his clearing himself from the charges brought against him it was understood that he was to be appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a position for which his train--1 ing, natural abilities and determination • of character rendered him probably the ' most suitable man to be found m the i Liberal ranks. An even more striking proof of belief m the hon. gentleman's freedom from blame was given by Mrs • Mark Pattison, a wealthy widow, to > t whom he was engaged to be married. This lady, who was m India when the cselandre was first bruited abroad, at once wrote to Sir Charles expressing . her utter disbelief m the truth of the charges brought against him, and r suggesting, as a practical proof of her 3 confidence m his innocence, that their marriage should take place at once. Sir Charles Dilke assented, the lady hurried home from India and the nuptials were celebrated quietly but with the least possible delay. 5 So far everything seemed to betoken an overwhelming refutation of the charges made and a triumphant return of Sir Charles Dilke to public life, more popular than ever on account j of the trying ordeal to which he had been subjected. Under all these circumstances the result of the trial must be a grievous disappointment to • the friends of Sir Charles Dilke. It is true that he has secured an acquittal at I the hands of the jury, but according to the telegrams which we published yesterday, it is regarded by the public merely as a technical acquittal. The j most extraordinary feature about the case is that Sir Charles Dilke did not ventui'e to go into the witness-box to • give a denial on oath to the charges , made against him. His couusel advised t him that it was not necessary for him to do so m order to secure a verdict, and events proved his counsel to be right. > Surely, however, this was a case m 1 which something more than a mere question of costs or damages was at stake. The reputation of one of the most prominent public men. of the I day had been very seriously attacked, - A stain rested on his character which " it was his duty, at whatever cost, to 1 remove absolutely and entirely, since but a solitary smirch left unerased would for ever have a damaging effect on a most brilliant career. One would have thought that a man m Sir Charles

Dilke's position would have insisted on going into tie box to clear himself, and would have invited the freest and fullest cross-examination. That was a duty, as it seems to us, which he owed not only to himself, but to his friends who had been so open and generous m the avowal of their unshaken confidence, and most of all it was a duty which he owed to his wife. That he failed to discharge this very obvious obligation is a matter for sincere regret, and we cannot wonder that such conduct should have excited m England a surprise bordering upon consternation. » , The career of Sir Charles Dilke is m many respects of a very remarkable character. His father was the first baronet of the name, and Sir Charles was born at Chelsea m 1843, so that he is now m his 43rd year. He was educated at Cambridge, where he graduated as senior legalist, and was soon afterwards called to the bar. In 1866 he made his famous voyage round the world, visiting New Zealand and the Australian colonies among other places, and published the result of his travels m his singularly interesting book entitled " Greater Britain," which speedily passed through a large number of editions, both m England and America, and at once brought the author into a very enviable amount of fame. Principally on the strength of this work he was elected member for Chelsea m 1868, and was at the time the youngest man who ever sat for a metropolitan constituency. His opponent, whom he defeated by a majority of nearly two to one, was an even more famous litterateur, Dr William Howard Russell, the great war correspondent of The Times. Sir Charles was always a politician of the Radical school, but m 1871 openly avowed his Republican sympathies. His re-election m 1874 was m consequence strongly opposed, but he was again returned at the head of the poll. Most people will be surprised at the extent of the measures successfully carried m Parliament by Sir Charles Dilke. When Mr Forster brought down the Education Bill, he proposed that it should be administered by Committees of the Boards of Guardians. The member for Chelsea brought forward an amendment m favor of School Boards elected directly by the ratepayers, and this was carried. To him the fair Bex are indebted for the municipal franchise, and he it was who brought about the abolition of the barbarous penalty of drawing and quartering prescribed, m addition to hanging, m cases of treason. When Mr Gladstone returned to power m 1880, Sir Charles Dilke was appointed Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, which office he exchanged m 1882 for that of President of the Local Government Board, with a seat m the Cabinet. Sir Charles was always listened to with especial interest when he spoke upon colonial and foreign affairß, and would undoubtedly have shown m charge of tha Foreign Office a vigor m which Lord Granville was lamentably deficient. Sir Charles Dilke ia the proprietor of the Athemeum which was owned successively by bis grandfather and father, and he is said by Men of the Time to have at one time followed his grandfather's example by editing it himself. He is also the proprietor of Notes and Queries, and the principal proprietor of the Gardeners' Chronicle.

Wool Betijrns. — Up to tho 13th inst. there were received by rail at Timaru 16,170 bales wool, and by rond 4937 bales, making a grand total of 21,412 bales. State Fokests. — Tho Gazelle of the lltb inst. contains tho appointment of tho Chairmen of the Qcraldine and Waimate County Councils as Conservators of State Forests. Spouting. — In another column this morning will be found a list of tho nominations for the S.C.J.C. annual meeting. Tho number of nominations compares very favorably with those of former years. Committed iob Trial. — At tho Resident, Magistrate's Court yesterday John Kiddle, for maliciously wounding a cow at Fairlie Creek on the 11th of February, was committed for trial. Accused was allowed out on bail. Pleasant Point Cemetery:. — The following gentlemen have been gazetted as Trustees for tho maintenance of tho Pleasant Point public cemetery : — Messrs W. B. Howell, W. Halstead, James Gamraie, Edward Acton, George Butler, and John Groig. DistbiCT CotfßT. — His Honor Judge Ward will hold a sitting of tho District Court this morning, commencing at 11 o'clock. The causo list, which will be found m another column, is an unusuully long one, and it is hardly likely to be got through to-day. Waimatb Distbict School. — In our recent summary of tho Head Toachcr's reply to tho Inspector's report on the Waimate liistriet School published recently an inaccuracy occurred. What tho master said with regard to tho two lowest classes of tho infant division was not said of the school as a whole. Larceny/. — On Saturday last, whilst Sir T. Taylor, junior, was engaged m a paddock occupied by Mr Gregon, lie left his waistcoat some distance away, when somo person or persona unknown took out of the pocket a silver hunting watch and chain of the value of £8. The matter has been placed m the hands of the police. ' PbIMTTIVE MBTHODI3T SUNDAY SCHOOL. — The anniversary soireo m aid of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School will be held m the Oddfellows' Hall, Barnard Btrcet, at 6.30 o'clock this evening. After tea a public meeting will be held m the Church, when addresses will be given by tho Beys. Morley, Clark, Dean and others with singing and recitations at intervals by tho children. A Tumble. — A gentleman who wa9 riding down George street had rather a nasty tumble yesterday afternoon. He was cantering slowly down, and on reaching tho paved crossing between " The Corner " and tho Bank of New Zealand his horso slipped and fell on its right side, throwing him heavily to the ground. Besides a severe shaking neither tho rider nor the ridden suffered any injury. Licbnsino. — Tho nominations o£ candidates for seats on the Levels, Temuka and Baukapuka Licensing Committees wore made with the respective Keturning Officers yesterday, and will bo found m another column of this morning's issue. Tho poll for tho return of five of the candidates nominated for each Committee will take place on Monday next, tho 22nd inst. Patents. — The following new patents have been applied for :— By Arthur Wemyss Hbrsbrugh, of Auckland, settler, for an invention for St. Helier's gold-saving process ; by John Howard Dallon, tailor, and Riohard Morgan, Civil Engineer, both of Auckland, for an invention for an improved method of clipping horses, etc. ; and by Bobert Eldred Martin Beove, of Bangiora, carpenter, for Beevo's improved guide hose-coupling. The Humble Bbc. — A humble bee on Sunday found its way into the residence of Mr Henry Mackintosh, of Oarnaru, and was captured m order to identify it. There can be no doubt (says the Mail) that it was. a veritable humble bee, and that it must have emanated from those that wero imported to Canterbury from Homo, with the object of fertilising the grasses m that district. It may, therefore, be assumed that this useful insect is increasing m numbers, and that the object the importers had m view will be accomplished m a way that will, sooner or later, be productive of benefit to the whole of the Middle Island. Of course, Mr Mackintosh liberated the interesting insect after inspection.

Obioket. — Mr W. St. Lindsay, Hon. See. to the Timaru Cricket Club, writes to us as follows: — "I notice m your report of the Saturday's cricket match that ' the muster was not so good, owing no doubt to the fact that no notice of play had been given.' Would you kindly insert this as notice to the Club that thero is always play every Saturday afternoon during the season at two o'clock (weather permitting), whether notice has been givon or not." " Don-'t do it Again." — The three naughty boys who were summoned for unlawfully bathing on Sunday week, were brought before the Resident Magistrate yesterday morning, severely cautioned, and discharged. The boys, wo learn, went m bathing near the boat-sheds about 10.30 a.m. on the day named. The information m this case was laid under Borough By-law No. 6, clause 26, and as the clause may be of interest to our readers, we quote it m full, as follows :— " No person shall within the hours of seven o'clock m the morning, and eight o'clock at night, bathe near to or within view of any street or private street, or public place of resort, so as to offend against decency." Besident Maoistbate's Court, Uebaldike. — At this Court yesterday, before H. Clinton S. Baddeley, Esq., R.il., Dr Fish, the Bey. Qco. Barclay, and W. M. Moore and R. H. Poßllethwaite, Esqra., J.P'e., T. Farrell was charged with allowing ono cow to wander on High street, and was fined 15s and costs 7s. Civil Cases.— A number of cases were settled out of Court. B. H. Pearpoint v. J. Bull, claim £8 10a. Mr Walton (plaintiff's shopman) asked for an adjournment for fourteen days, on account of plaintiff being away on special business at the Rangitata. The application was granted, the plaintiff to pay Court fees and defendant £1 Is. If. Connolly v. John I/. Cook, claim £3 ss. Judgment for amount claimed and costs 12s. Accident at Pentland Hills. — A man named Denis Dooley, whilst engaged at (he rock cutting on the new road now being formed m tho Upper Waihao, met with a serious accident at I'entland Hills on Saturday evening last. An explosion of a charge of powder m the rock occurred before he had removed to a safe distance. Tlio force of tho explosion threw him several feet, and some fragments of rock struck him on tho head, arms, and body, causing severe injuries. Ho is suffering from the effects of tho shock and numerous severe bruises and lacerations, but it is hoped his lifo is not m danger. Ho was removed to the Waimate Hospital at an early hour on Sunday morning, and attended to by Dr Nicoll. The Queen's Bounty. — Triplets eoein to bo becoming lv.tber fashionable m tho Old Country just now. The wife of a guard named Axten, employed on the Southwestern Eailway, gave birth, on December 23rd, to three remarkably fine healthy children— two boys and a girl. Dr Michael Whilmarsh, who attended her, has written to the Queen to nsk for the usual bounty. By an Edinburgh paper of Decembor 18th we learn that no less than three strings of triplets had been recorded m that city m one week, whilo the Daily Telegraph chronicles four others, all arriving about the same time. Whether these Christmas boxes were hailed with delight or otherwisa by their parents the newspapers do not say. Each of them, however, was entitled to receive tho Queen's Bounty, £1 per head. Town Boaed Reserves. — The following reserves have been vested m tho Tcmuka Town Board as an endowment m aid of the Town Board funds: — Sections Nos. 67 and 68, containing 1 aero ; Nos. 210, 211 and 212, la lr 13p ; Nos. 115 and 116, 2r 12p j Nos. 129 and 130, 2r 6p ; Nos. 44, 55 and 4G, la 2r 13p ; Nos. 179, 180 and 181, 3r 18p ; Nos. 190, 191 and 1 92, 3r 3Sp ; and that parcel of land containing 16p, being paH of Reserve No. 168, situate iv tho Arowhenua survey district, and on the southern side of the part of the said reserve set apart for a fire brigade sito ; and that parcel of land situate m the said survoy district containing 6a 2r 21p, and which is partly bounded by sections 3133, 3699 and the South Road. Harvesting. — Our Waimalo correspondent writes :— Harvest work is now being actively carried on over the Waimate district, the weuther being so far highly favorable for cutting and securing tho crops. Immediately around the town thero is but a small area under grain crop, and throughout the district there is less than has been the case for several years past. Ihe crops are vory fair without being heavy. If anything they will be rather above tho average m yield of grain, and below tho averago m bulk of straw. Both oats and wheat will prove more productive than was expected five or sii weeks ago. . Grass is very bare throughout tho district, water being scarce, aud potatoes m many places are showing symptoms of failure, apparently from the dryness of tho land. Fdnebal.— There was a very numerously attended funeral procession on the occasion of tho burial of Mr Thos. Adams, of the Hook, on Sunday last. The funeral left the late residonco of tho deceased about noon, attended by the settlors and farmers of the Hook district. On coming near Waimate, tho procession was joined by a laTge number of persons, so that on reaching the Wcsloyan Church not more than halE tho number of persons attending the funeral could find room m tho church during tho service, which was conducted by the Roy J. H. Gray. After leaving tho church, the procession again formed and followed tho hearse to the cemetery, tho members of the choir, assisted by several othors, singing hymns all the way from the church. Tho funeral was amongst the largest seen m Waimato, all classes joining iv paying their last tribute of respect to the deceased. Destructive Stack Fibes. — A Cro broke out on Sunday night among some stacks of wheat belonging to Mr ffm. Budd, of Winchester. They woro situated m a paddock opposite Mr Deßenzy's residpnee on the main Geraldine road, some seven or eight chains from the road fence. The crop was a splendid one, and saved m magnificent order. The loss will fall heavy on Mr Budd, as it was only vory lightly insured m the Union office Strong suspicions that it was wilfully set on fire aro entertained. Mr DoEenzy appears to have been the first to observe the fire, and at once gave tho alarm, but nothing could bo done to savo the four stacks destroyed. There were several others scattered over the paddock but the fire did not extend to them. — By a firo on tho farm of Mr P. F. Thin, Makikibi, on Sunday night two stacks of hay were totally destroyed. They were uninsured, and thero is no clue as to the origin of the firo. Deedoing. — The public of Timaru will probably have an opportunity of seeing the dre.dge " Progress " at work this afternoon m the harbor. Yesterday a number of men, under the superintendence of Mr Bain, Engineer m charge of the dredge, and Captain Webster, were, by means of tho surfboat generally used for putting down moorings, laying two sets of mooring chains m the harbor from the end of tho Breakwater to tho too wharf, parallel with the main wharf, and this morning lengths of chain will be laid hetwoen the two first rows of. buoys. This plan o£ mooring will, it is thought, act much better m our harbor than if the dredgo was mado fast to anchors. When starting dredging the Progress will niako fast to the chains and when filled, ready to deposit the spoil, will simply let go, and as the chains will be buoyed it will he an easy matter to pick them up again on coming m. It is reckoned the dredgo will bo able to make three trips a day. Her carrying capacity is about 200 tons each trip, and the time m filling her will bo a little over an hour. This will mean something like 600 tons of spoil shifted per day. To about 2-1 or 25 feet at low water will bo tho greatost depth tho Progress will be able to dredge. This, however, will givo a sufficient depth of wnter to accommodate vessels of largo tonnage. Dredging operations, as we have said, aro expected to bo commenced this aftornoon, and should the weather remain favorable, the dredge should do splendid work hero. Pbogeess op Cremation. — Last week (says the British Medical Journal), tho third human body was cremated at Woking. By the desire of tho relatives, tho body was burnt m its elm coffin. The process was very satisfactorily completed m an hour and half, although tho body — that of a lady — weighed fourteen Btone. Tho residual ashes were quite white. The Cremation Society requires the fullest information as to the cause of death from two registered medical practitioners. It reserves the right of refusing tho use of its furnace m any case where it thinks fit. Sanitary reformers generally will join m congratulating the Society on the steady progress of cremation m public opinion, In Franca a vory ira-

portant advance has been made as the Prefecture of the Seino ha 3 decided to spend £8000 m tho erection of acrema'orium m the great Parisian ceruefery, Pore la Chaise. We trust the Commissioners of Sewers for the City of London will not bo far behind the Paris authorities, but will again consider the proposal of carrying out the practice m their cemetery at Ilford. As Sir Spencer Wells put it m ono of his speeches, " The choico is between cremation or corruption, purification or putrefaction."