The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3580, 22 March 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1886.

Sib Geoegb Geey was asked at one of his recent meetings whether he did not think that a bankrupt's discharge should be withheld until he has obtained the unanimous consent of hi 3 creditors. It does not appear that Sir George gave a direct answer to the question, but he said : — " My own view for many years has been this : that probably the greatest cause of litigation m the world, and one of the things that troubles the world most, are bankruptcy laws, and I have arrived at the conclusion that the best thing that could happen for men would be if there were no bankruptcy laws, and if every debt were a debt of honour. We ccc that gambling debts are paid because they are debts of honour, whilst other creditors are cheated." Clearly Sir George is m error if he believes that men who defraud their other creditors are induced to pay their gambling debts by considerations of honour. Nor, if we regard the gamblers aa a separate body, can we admit that they stand on a higher level, from a moral point of view, than the rest of the community. Man for man we should prefer the nongamblers to the gamblers. Perhaps, however, it would be safe to admit that, aß a fact, gambling debts are paid more readily than others. A strong compelling force to prompt settlement is the gambler's knowledge that, if he makes default, his occupation will be gone, or at all events, very seriously interfered with. He must pay his losses, or for the future he will be deprived of the opportunity of winning. The "ring "and the betting public cannot enforce their contracts m the law courts, and have therefore devised a remedy, or a safeguard, which, m the long run, proves more effectual and less costly than judgment and execution. But under the present commercial system, merchants and tradesmen are a trustful and long-suffering race. They give credit to an enormous extent, and put off the day of reckoning to suit the pocket of the customer, because they know that m the last resort they can go into court and obtain a verdict. We do not mean to imply that such a consideration is always present m the mind of the man who gives credit, but it nevertheless exercises a potent effect on tho general character of bis dealings. Consciously or unconsciously he takes his remedy into account, and long reckonings are the result. When Sir George Grey gave his voice m favor of the abolition of the action for debt and the repeal of the bankruptcy laws, be was ennnciating no new doctrine. The same odurse has [been advocated by many shrewd and thoughtful men fof far more practical business experience than is possessed by him. Their contention is that the merchant and tradesman would on the whole profit largely by the change. The would-be innovators say that if there were no power of recovery there would be far less reckless trading, and far fewer bad debts, whilst at the same time respectable persons would still be able to obtain sufficient credit. The class, if any, which would suffer would be tho same class that now furnishes a great part of the bnsinees for the civil side of the courts. But trade would not be perceptibly diminished, because even rogues must live, and finding that they could no longer obtain credit, they would be forced to pay cash for their purchases. Such a system would tend to make men honest m spite of themselves, or to speak more correctly, would deprive them of numberless opportunities for being dishonest. And after all, what is the remedy of the action for debt really worth. There are some traders who are constantly having recourse to it, whilst others, dealing with the same classes, never darken the door of a courthouse from one end of tho year to another. It may well be questioned whether tho former have not, at the end of a given term, to write off as large a proportion for bad debts as the latter; who have meanwhile been saved the worry and enormous expense of law proceedings. We are by no means sure that the day will not come when the views expressed by Sir George Grey on this subject will be accepted by the mercantile community as correct, and be adopted by the legislature. It took a long while to educate traders out of the belief that they had a valuable remedy m imprisonment for debt, and we Buppose a few of them mourn their loss to the present day. But it was not till a large proportion of the traders had become convinced that the " squeezing " process cost far more than it was worth, that the Imperial and colonial legislatures were enabled to sweep the nuisance away. Trade is not a whit the worse for the alteration m the law, and a fruitful source of hardship and injustice has been got rid of. The question of the repeal of the bankruptcy laws is closely connected with the question of the abolition of the action for debt, and at the present timo the sense of the majority m the community is opposed to both alterations. Nevertheless, m the session of 1883, wbeu the new bankruptcy act was being discussed, the total repeal of all bankruptcy law met with a warm advocatein the member for Taranaki, a gentleman of large commercial experience m British and American trade. He said : — " Ido not believe m bankruptcy laws ; I do not believe they will do one particle of good, whatever amendments you put into them. I claim to have bad some

little experience m business, and I will state one or two facts to the House, which have struck me. I worked from the year 1847 until 1867 m a very large business m a country where there was no bankruptcy law, and I can vouch for this : that the dividends declared upon estates were very much larger than those which any English creditor would ever dream of getting, and I know of no ca.Be of hardship that arose from the fact that there was no bankniptcy law. I will take one particular year which a great many of the older members of the House will recollect. 1 refer to the winter of 1857-58. In October of 1857, I think it was, a panic commenced m New York, and extended to England m November, and it lasted until the early months of spring. Now m the house with which I was then connected we had a very large number of suspended debts. They amounted to about £40,000 m English money — 190,000 odd dollars. Oat of that, without any bankruptcy law at all, we recovered over 90 per cent of the indebtedness. During the very same panic the average of the dividends upon estates m England amounted to under 2s m the pound. Now, it may be said that this waß exceptional ; but I venture to say, after twenty years' experience of business witbont a bankrnptcy law [m America], that the general course of that experience was similar to that I have given m regard to this particular instance." The Member for Taranaki did not advocate the abolition of the action for debt, but his testimony was that, without a bankrnptcy law, creditors did not press unfairly on insolvent debtors. The latter surrendered all they had, or made terms, and the former, m their own interests, gave a release. Generally, however, the one alteration and the other find the same set of advocates, whose numbers have probably been increased by reason of the comparative failure of tha Act of 1883 to realise the great expectations which were entertained concerning it. An ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council will bo hold this evening. Nominations for the Oamaru Jockey Club's Autumn mooting close to-night. A meeting of tho South Canterburj Caledonian Society will be held this evening. The Roy. Mr Coates, of Waimato, is to preach at St. Mary's Church, on Wednesday evening. On Thursday next a parade .'of all corps m South Canterbury will be held m Timaru at 2 p.m. A case against a country publican for selling liquor after hours will m all probability come beforo tho Bench this morning. At a meeting of tho Beaconefleld School Committee held a day or two ago it was decided to accept Mr G. Binning as the hoad master vice Mr A. Mahan resignod. John Jones, a ship's carpontcr of the Aorangi, committed suicide by hanging himself on board that vessel on Friday morning. lie had lately been drinking to excess. On Friday last a notico was posted at the Public Works Office, Christchurcb, to tho effect that all the relief works sanctioned by the Government were now fully manned. We understand that Mr W. Gibson, son of one of tbo candidates for Cheviot at tho last genoral election, will contest the eamo seat on tho first opportunity. In another column wi'l bo found an account of tho doiDgs of our Volunteers yesterday. Tho weather being lino, tho turn-out of the military was exceptionally good. A meeting of tho New Zealand Woolgrowers Association will be held on Thursday next m Christchurch. It i 3 particularly requested that all having an interest m the sheepfarming industry will attend. Tho repairs to tho machinery of tho dredge Progress are expected to bo completed to-day, and it is anticipated she will then resume active operations. Up to tho time of the accident she did hard and constant work, tho quantity of spoil removed being moro than was anticipated. Tho burnt portion of the buildings at the corner of George street and Cain's Terrace were submitted to public auction on Saturday by Messrs W. Collins and Co , and wore knocked dovrn for £11 10a. Wo understand tho work of removal has to ho carried out immediately. A lecture and concert m aid of tho Fairlie Creek School Building Fund will tako place on tho 30th instant. Tho Boy. George Barclay will deliver tho lecture, taking for bis subject "Some points m tho Progress of Liberty, civil and religious." Tho tickets will be 2s. Sir Georgo Grey arrived m Oamaru from Dunodin by Saturday's Express. During his stay m Oamaru ho was tho guest of Mr John Mcliean at Bcdcostlo. He will pass through Timaru by to-day's Express for Ashburton, whera ho addresses a public meeting to-night The Christchurch papers have recently been occupied m discussing tho dismissal of the master and matron of the IJyttelton Orphanage. Tho authorites eeem to have acted very harshly, not to say unjustly m the matter. A public meeting is to be hold for tho purpose of obtaining a reconsideration of the case. Among other improvements to be made shortly m buildings m town aro additions to tho Melvillo Hotel, Main North Road. Mr Moore, who has lately taken possession of the houso is calling for tenders for tho erection of two bedrooms, two sitting rooms, and a kitchen m biick. A six feet hall, lit with fan lights and sky-lights, will run botween them. Whon tho alterations aro completed the accommodation at the Melville will bo m overy way first-class. Wo aro glad to learn that a movement is on foot to hold an annual prize firing meeting for South Canterbury. Tho idoa is to encourage greater proficiency m tho use of the riflo. A greatqr incentive exists this year from tho fact that tho next Now Zealand Riflo Association meeting will bo held m Cbristohurch, and will allow a greater number of men to test their skill with tho crack Bbots of the colony. Hitherto tho Association meetings have been held 80 far away from South Canterbury as to prevent tho fair representation of the district at them, and thoro can bo no doubt that these riflo meetings do very much to popularise and cnoourago tho volunteer movement. In the course of a fow days we hope to bo able to state that definite proposals have been laid before tho various corpa m tho district. Thoro is no reason to fear that tho movemont will not receive the Bupport it deserves at the hands of our citizen soldiers. It is more than likely that the Queen's Birthday will be tho day flxod for holding tho prize-firing.

A meeting of the Wainiate Borough Council is convened for this evening, when business of somo importance is expectod to bo brought forward. Two men, one arrested on Saturday and the other yesterday for drunkenness, will appear at the Timaru Court this morning. Several summons cases are also set down fo r hearing. The Waimate Bifle Corps will Bend some thirty men to Timaru. At tho last muster the Waimato Corps numbered more men than any other country corps m tho district, namely, twenty-five, and this year they hope to take tho same position. Father Fauvel, the much respected and long resident parish priest of Temulca, was on Friday presented with a small token of lovo and affection by his parishioners and their children. An account of the presentation, and the text of the addreßS, will bo found elsewhere. Sparrows seem to bo rather on the increase than decrease m Timaru and the suburbs, despite tho scattering o£ poisoned grain. The trees are full of them, and their twitterings are becoming stronger than over. For one that dieß by artificial means or otherwiso, two or three are apparently brought to life to take its place. The flocks visible lately m town have been largor than for years past, and this at a time when grain is plentiful. The Thursday half-holiday movement is taking definite Bhapo m Waimate. A meeting has been convened for this afternoon, and as most of the leading storekeepers and business men m tho township are m favour of the concession, and all the employees naturally eager for it, it is probable that an arrangement will bo como to granting the clerks and storemon the benefit of a weekly halfholiday. We hear that the C Battery intend to have a camp fire on Tuesday evening about nine o'clock, when without doubt we shall discover what tho Navals and Artillery can do m the way of singing. The competition for Mr Sinclair's cup will tako place on Friday at G a.m. The various detachments of the Battery aro working hard, and we hope they will continue to do so, bo that there may be a close contest. Mr Sabiston, tho Immigration Barrackkeeper, has at present m cages over 300 canaries, besides bullfinches, goldfinches and a siskin, and they aro well worthy of inspection. Mr Sabiston is a great birdfancier and has been for years. All his little feathered tribe show that they aro well attended to m every respect. There is not a sick one amongst them. Last year 250 were sent to Dunodin, and the previous year over 600 to the North Island. Is it right to tie fowls by the legs and carry them alivo head downards ? is a question which has been asked ovor and over again. Tho Cruelty to Animals Associations m the Old Country havo protested against the practice times without number but, so for as wo aro awaro, without success. It certainly seems to stand to reason that birds were never by Nature intended to stand on their heads or have them dragged m that fashion along the ground any more than human beings were. Wero a man held up by the heels as roosters or hens are he would m a few brief moments be seized with an apoplectic fit. On Saturday afternoon the Handicap Junior Sculling Bace of the Boating Club was commenced, threo heats being rowed. In the first heat McLean, with 15Becs, met McGuinness, with 25secs, and finished about two lengths a-head of the latter. The second heat! 1 between Hughes (ssecs) and Gooch (scratch)J was very closely contested, tho formor winning by about a length. In tho third heat Tate (Sscos) met Cole (53ocs). After rowing about Iths of the course the latter fell behind considerably, and was out of Iho race. Webb having drawn a bye rowed over tho course. There being now four left m the raco two heats will bo rowed this morning (Monday) and tho final probably to-morrow. An accident happened at the saltwater baths on Saturday afternoon, which, though very serious, fortunately did not turn out a fatal one. Mrs J. G. Cowan, who is, by-the-bye, a very expert swimmer, was giving Miss Ballantyno a lesson m swimming, and was wading out towards tho deep part of tho baths, when she suddenly stepped into a hole, and the young lady's head being pulled nndcr suddenly, she at once grasped her instructress round the neck. Tho latter having to swim for it could not get freo from her companion's arms, and called loudly for assistance Her cries soon brought Mr Finlayson, tho caretaker, who at once plungod into tho bath, and succeeded m bringing both tho ladies to tho landing stage. Mrs Cowan was, wo wero glad to hoar yeßterday, nono tho worse for the accident, but the othor lady has not yet quite recovered from the effects of it, Tho baths were very full at tho time of tho accident, and tho waves were dashing right over the sea wall. The single handed game of lawn tennis between Mr Pinckney, representing Temuko, and Mr Tosswill, Timaru, which had been postponed on account of tho rain, from the week previous, was played on tho Timaru ground on Saturday last, as were also games between lady representatives of tho Timaru and Alexandra Clubs. The first-named contest was expected to start at two o'clock, but it was nearly four o'clock before the game was commenced. This was owing to the nonarrival of the Timaru player, and caused no littlo annoyanco and disappointment owing to other contests having also to be postponed. As soon as a start was made it became apparent that Mr Pinckey was not playing up to anything like his usual form, and as little improvement was made as the game progressod, Mr Tosswill had no difficulty m scoring an easy victory. At tho conclusion tho score stood : — First set : Timaru, 6 gameß ; Temuka, 1. Second set : Timaru, 6 games ; Temuka, 4. The honours are thus left with Timaru. Mrs Howloy and Miss M. Rees appeared as representatives for tho Timaru Ladies' Club, and Misses King and M. Smith for tho Alexandra. Tho advantage throughout was greatly m favor of tho firstmentioned players, who won their sets with tho greatest of ease, the scores beiDg: — Timaru, 6to Alexandra's 4, and 6to 1. The single handed seta, m which Mrs Tosswill played for Timaru, and Miss Mcc for tho Alexandra, resulted m favor of Miss Mcc, whoso scores were 6 to 1 and 6 to 4. The afternoon's proceedings wound up with a double handed set, Messrs Tosßwill and Howloy facing Messrs Clark and F. Smith. As tho light was poor, brilliant play was not to be expected. The laurels fell to Messrs Clark and Smith. Notwithstanding tho long spell of wet weather the ground was m good order. Tho numbor of spectators was large, taxing to tho utmost tho seating accommodation provided by the Club Committee. Tho Secretary and other members of tho Committee deserve thanks for their trouble iv attending to tho comfort of all who wero present,

A paddock of red chaff wheat, containing about 30 acres, at Makikihi, Las threshed out an average of 90 bushels to the acre. It is tho property of Mr Nicholas Quinn. This is, wo think, tho largest yield yet recorded m. tho district. i The Sydney Government are providing relief works for the unemployed m that colony. Iho Bull Court m Melbourne has decided that newspaper reports of public meetings notwithstanding their faithfulness and that they are published for the benefit of tho public, are not privileged. Tho confession of Crooks, the manager of the Commercial Bank of South Australia, discloses an ingenious mode of reducing bank overdrafts. The bookkeeping of the Commercial Bank (saya tho correspondent of tho Sydney Telegraph) includes a loan account, and when an overdraft had grown to unpleasantly large proportione customers were made to appear to suddenly reduce it to a material extent by tho transference of the bulk of tho overdraft to the loan account. Thus a man owes the bank £30,000, which. sum is too great to appear constantly against his name m the ordinary balances, so £23,000 is charged to the loan account, the comparatively small sum of £7000 being his total debit m the tho ordinary balances, which, would be all that would be disclosed on a casual inspection of the books, It is staled that an actual debit of £40,000 appears among the overdrafts as about £6000. The annexation of Burmah was brought about m this simple and matter-of-fact fashion. A notification appeared m the Calcutta Gazette as follows :— " By command of the Queen-Empress, it is hereby notified that the territories formerlygoverned by King Theobaw will no longer be under his rule, but have become part of Her Majesty's dominions, and -will, during Her Majesty's pleasure, be administered by such officers as the Viceroy and GovernorGeneral may from time to time appoint. — DurFßßttr." The Spectator speaks of tho act as one of remarkable significance. It points to the fact that at Home they seem incapable of governing " a little island which, wo have owned, if not ruled, for six centuries." At Home, "one Irishman threatens to tear from ub an integral portion of tho Homo Kingdom, and we defend ourselves with seas of words. There, another Irishman, without a single speech or a moment of debate, by an ordinary notification m a Gazette, adds to ovv dominion a country five times as large as Ireland, ten times as rich m natural resources, and inhabited by a people more numerous than tho three niiUions who, we all seem to think, must be permitted to dispose of our future and our fate." An anonymous leaflet has been widely circulated ia Auckland (issued either by tho Government or other rival. office) adverse to the Equitable Life Assurance, purporting to be an extract from the "Insurance Post," stating that " James B. McKay, of Chicago, sued the Equitable life for the recovery of five premiums paid on a Tontine policy for 30,000 dollars," alleging that the profits had been over-estimated by the agent. We ca^.ed at the Equitable Life Office and were informed that the- statement on the leaflet was a misrepresentation by omission, and that Mr James B, McKay allowed himself to be influenced by the misrepresentation of jealous and envious rivals, with the result that on discovery and further enquiry into the tontine Bystem, Me McKay not only ■withdeew the suit above alluded to without cobtb, but having allowed his policy of 30,000d01s to lapse, has taken out a fresh insurance m the Equitable for 50,000ctols. Such an answer is complete, and we do not think the public will be Blow m condemning such underhand methods of attacking rivals. Our recommendation to all life offices is that they will turn over a new leaf, and conduct their business on its own merits." — Auckland Star," Late files from England contain a good many items about ensilage, winter being the season at which it is used m England. An ensilage show wai hold m London, and tho judging, as on a previous occasion, was nob regarded by certain authorities as satisfao* tory. The Mark-lane Express, m particvlar, commented adversely on the judges' decisions. It said: — "The 'natural man'— the mere amateur — might suppose that the more closely silage resembles sweet hay m odour the better it would be considered. If hay is ' stinking,' wo tl"'nk it bad, and not wholesome for stock, and if it is sour we cay it is of low value. Tho professional ens'!ors, however, as represented by the judges of tho Ensilage Show, ore quite superior to such popular prejudices. They prefer a keen acidity or vinous flavour m their silage. In every class there were two or three samples of silage quite sweet, like well-made clover hay m appearance and scent, but not one of theso obtained a prize. Some of the prize samples were nearly sweet, and not at all unpleasant m econt ; but others were very sour, and a fow quite nasty, while not one sample with a full hay-like scent found favour with the judges. In somo cases the reason might hare been that tho sweet samples were a little burnt through overheating, and it is a fair question whether they were as good as those less sweet but not burnt at all. This was not the case with all the sweet samples, however, and at all events tho need of a standard for judging silage is clear." In his new work on the Parnoll party, Mr T. P. O'Connor, M.P., comments as follows upon the effect of the assassination of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burko upon the fortunes of the Nationalist party :—"Everybody knows how man hour Mr Parnell waa reduced from this eminence of omnipotence to a position of absolute and apparently irretriovablo disaster. Tho tragedy of the 6th. May produced a tempest of passion thati swept away for the moment tho power of Mr Gladstone and of Mr Parnell for good to Ireland. Thoeo who remember tho fatal Sunday when the news reached London, and saw tho Irish leader and his colleagues that day, can find consolation ia tho reflection that their fortunes can never see a darker or gloomier hour. One of the victims of the knives of the . Invincibles was known to and popular with tho Irish members, as ho was with all sections of tho Houso of Commons, and the kindly feeling was recognised which impelled him to offer himself as tho bearer of a new message of peace to Ireland, Wherever the Irish race lived tho depth and pilifulness of the tragedy and magnitude of the disaster wero felt and appreciated j and m cities as distant as St. Loui9 or San Francisco, or Melbourne or Wellington, the fatal day filled Irish households with mourning. The Government found themselves unable to resist the tido of passion that passed over their country ; there was a hoarse cry for coercion, and the Ministers felt that unless coercion were dealt out with a liberal hand, they could not hold I office for 24 hours."

It tho sufferers from consumption, scrofula, and genoral debility, will try Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil wiili Hypophosphites. thoy will find immediate relief, and without doubt a permanent benefit. The medical profession m tho various countries of the world universally declare it a remedy of great value, and as it is very palatable it can he readily -taken by the most sensitive stomach, and never fails to give relief and comfort to tho sufferer. — [Advt/J 4 Ambbican Co's Hop BrrxEßa are the Purest and Best Bitters ever made. They are compounded from Hops, Malt, Buchu, Mandrake, and Dandelion, — the oldest, best, and most valuable medicines m the world and contain all the best and most curative propertioß of all other remedies, being the freatest Blood Purifier, Liver Regulator, and life and Health restorer on earth. No disease or ill health can possibly long exist where they are used, so varied and perfect are their operations. They give new life and vigor to the aged, and infirm. To all whose employments cause irregularity of the bowels, or urinary organs, or who require an Appetizer, Tonic, and mild Stimulant, American Co.'s Hop Bittors are invaluable, being highly curative, tonic, and stimulating, without intoxicating. No matter what your feelings or Bymptomß are, what the disease or ailment is, use Hop Bitters. Don't wait until you are sick, but if you only feel bad or miserable, use Hop Bitters at once. It may Bave your life. Hundreds have been saved by so doing. £500 will be paid for a case they will not cure or help. Do not suffer or let your friends suffer, but use and urge them to use American Hop Bitters. Remember, American Hop Bitters is no vile, drugged, drunken nostrum, but the purest and best medicine ever made. Try the Bitters to-day. Get at Chemists or Druggists. Beware of imitations. Genuine has Dr Soule's name blown m bottle.— [Advi.] SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVEBTISEMENTS. James A. Grade and Co., with D. Maclean, auctioneer, on the 21th inst. — Stock at Geraldino monthly sale. J. Mundell and Co., on tho 31st inst, at Waihi Bush — Important sale of property. Miles, Archer and Co., on tho 25th inst., at tho Washdyke Yards— Sheep. K. F. Gray, on tho 23rd inst.— remuka monthly O. C. Milc3- Is a cash purchaser of oats and potatoes. William Mooro— Tendors. Fairlie Creek School— Lecture and conctrt on 30th Inst. Major Stuart Newall -District orders. C. Bowker— Business notice. Wanted— Sportsmen to sscuro their shooting boots. To purchase a newspaper. Wanted Known-Scotch tweed suits at 25a 6d.