The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3738, 24 September 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1886.

ITem some reason, which is to us totally unintelligible, a section of the "Wellington press is endeavouring to make its readers believe that there is a great deal of " bitter disappointment" m Canterbury at the present time on account of the Midland Eaihvay. It is said that the people were told " a hundred times that tho immediate effect of the undertaking of the railway by a company would bo to afford employment to all who need it, to raise tho rate of wages, to put sums of money m circulation, to make property saleable at tempting prices, to provide a profitable market for produce, and generally to pi'oduce a flush of prosperity." "With regard to all these matters it is said that there is "bitter disappointment" especially m Christchurch. "We are told by this sapient commentator that business men m the City of the Plains " acknowledge that the operations of the Midland Railway Company will not benefit trade thero m the least until the railway is nearly completed—that is to say, four or five years hence. Tho reasou is obvious.

Those operations are to be begun und continued for a very long timo m a part of New Zealand which is much more remote from Canterbury than Wellington or Otago is, "[The Midland Kailway from Brunnerton to Eeefton, or from Brunnerton to tho summit tuunel, is of no more present interest to Canterbury than the Otago Central or the North Island Main Trunk is. In a word, the Midland Kailway Company are not concerned m the slightest degrcd m relieving the depression m Canterbury, and havo not the smallest intention of spending any money thero until they come to the Canterbury sections towards the completion of their enterprise. Even their plant is to bo Bent direct to Greymouth or transhipped thither from other ports. From the perfectly straightforward statements of the contractors, too, it is quite evident that instead of raising tho rate of wages they calculate on lowering it very considerably." We need scarcely say that this story of " bitter disappointment" is altogether an invention. Canterbury people may or may not have b»en wrong m their estimate of what tho Midland Eaihvay when completed will accomplish for tho provincial districts principally interested, but there hns been no such misunderstanding of the position aa the Wellington newspaper asserts. No one expected that Canterbury and especially Christchurch would be galvanised into a state of activity. Some good was looked for — is still looked for — from the expenditure on the works, but the main dependence was and still is on tho finished railway as a meaus of opening up n large extent of valuable country and the creation of n, large trade between tho two sides of the island. Whatever tho future may have m store for Canterbury, thero is at present no ground of disappointment on account of the Midland Railway, and no foundation for the assertion that the work is to be pushed forward from the western end until completion. The present contractors have no voice m that matter. Their interests begin and end with the portion which has been entrusted to them, and there is good reason for believing that the company will commence operations at tho eastern end as soon as the ! necessary arrangements can be made. Mr Allen Scott, who will act as the representative of the company on the Board of Advice which is to be appointed, has stated distinctly that he is instructed to mako arrangements for commencing operations at the two ends of tho line at Nelson and Springfield. Nor is tho community "bitterly disappointed " that thero lias been no advanco m tho rate of wages, though there certainly is still the hope that the works will gradually absorb some of tho surplus labour, and that tho expenditure will create a demand for more of it m othor directions. Those are reasonable and legitimate expectations, and it passes comprehension why a Wellington pressman should Bit down and pen such rubbish as that to which wo are referring. According to him tho people of Canterbury allowed themselves to bo grossly deceived by tho promoters of the railway, and are now just begiunmg to havo their oyes opened to the diaagreeablo truth, namely, that tho work is valueless. Ho is anxious that there shall be no further deception, and pleads hard for a full and fair revelation. He says : — "What the public ought to be told honestly is that the I contractors are determined to construct tho line at a profit; that thoy cannot do 60 if they pay tho rato of wages now current or hitherto prevailing m the colony ; that they can get any number of hands from elsewhere at a much lower rate ; and that they quite openly say that the result of their effective organisation and the magnitude of their operations will be permanently to reduce the rato of wages to tho standard which they consider feasible and reasonable. Wo can see no good purpose to bo served by keeping up what has been from tho beginning a hollow sham. Empty promises and fallacious predictions are like curses and chickenß. Thoy come home to roost, and they are flocking home to Christchurch at present." Possibly wo have given too great prominence to this Wellington sermon, but it is as well to know what is being said iv other parts of the colony about Canterbury affairs. Pleasant Point is determined to make an effort to secure some of tho spoil at tho approaching Goraldino race meeting, Mr Rolleston's Larry, and Mr Burgess' Derby being m active training for the coming events. Dorby will run for the Sirea and County Plato, whilo Larry will figure m the Maidon and Selling Races. A number of the Borough Council employees havo for tho last couple of days been engnged lifting and raising the gutter at the bottom of Strathallan street. When this is finished the street will look much better, and there will not be tho same danger thore has bocn m the past of pedestrians when stepping off the kerb into tho street running tho risk of dislocating their ancles. A special general meeting of tho shareholders m tho Timaru Woollen Factory Company Limited will bo held m tho Foresters' Hall, George street, at half-paßt sovon o'clock this evening, to confirm the resolutions making additions to tho articles of association passed at a special general meeting of shareholders held on the 10th inst. A coursing match between Mr Thomas Bnllick's greyhound Tenakoo, and Mr J. Meßeth's Tcapo, has been arranged to come off m Mr Georgo Beck's paddock, at Pleasant Point, on Monday, tho 27th inst. The stakes aro £5 a side. Considerable interest is evinced m the contest, and a deal of money is likely to change hands, tho betting bo far being m favour of Teapo. Mr Rollcston will officiate as judge, and Mr Hunt as slipper. A Government parado of the Timaru Naval Artillery and tho O Baltory, N.Z.A., was held yesterday evening. There was a fair muster, fifty-three of the Navals, under Captain Meason, and forty-seven of the C Buttery, undor Lioutcnant Jackson, answering to their names. Tho Garrison Band was nlao present m good numbers. Major Hamersley, who is m temporary command of the district, was the inspecting officer. A detachment of Navals, under Lieutenant Wood, was engaged m learning tho drill of their new 6<lpr, whilo the rest of the company was practised m guard mounting. The C Battery was engagod entirely at gun drill. A parado of tho throe garrison corp3 will bo held this evening, at half-past seven, m drill order, whon tho mon will be inspected by Major Njypjll, district Adjutant.

Tho contractors for tho breakwater successfully filled m another monolith nt the end of the mole yesterday. The start was made at two o'clock m the morning, and the monolith was finished off at three o'clook m tho afternoon. Fine weather with a smooth sea favored the contractors, and the work was carried through with but very littlo delay. It is hoped the fine weather will continue to allow of the contractors making progress with their work. So far they havo had some very bad weather which had considerably retarded them. A very successful concert was given m the Waimataitai schoolroom last evening m aid of the school funds. There was a good attendance of tbo public, who evidently enjoyed tho evening's entertainment. The pupils gave a couple of glees m a style that showed they hud been carefully trained, and they were well applauded. Mr Rees' two Bongs, one a comic one, wero much cujoyod. Miss Clarke and Mr Qilchrist sting two duets, "lho Sailor Sighs" and " Money Matters," both of which elicited much, approval. Miss Innes was m splendid voice, and rendered "Scotland for Ever" so well that she had to respond to an encore with " Tho Blue Bells of Scotland." Iv the second part Miss Innes sang "Sing to me the Auld Scotch Sangs," very feelingly. Mr Martin next gave " Good Company," and later on " Sailing." Mr Mitchell's comic songs, m character, " Tho Pawon and the Clerk," and " I'm a Dandy Copppr," were some of tho gems of tho evening, and proved very acceptable. Mrs Currio gave the audience quite a treat when sho sang " The Blue Alsatian Mountains" and " You'll Remember Me." Mr R. Foster was heard to great advantage m " The Skipper's Flag" and " Stranded," and thoroughly deserved the applauso ho was greeted with. Misa Evans sang very pleasingly tho song " Home to thy Heart." Mr M. Ryan, well-known now for hU dancing abilities, treated those present to the Sailor's Hornpipe, which found general favour os also did Mr A. J. H. Bower's excellent Scotch reading. Tho programme was brought to a close by tho pupils singing " God Save tho Queen." Tho room was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up with groat spirit till went into tho amall hours of the morning. A dramatic entertainment was given m the Catholic Boys' schoolroom last evening by the G.V.B. Dramatic Club m aid of the Hibernian Band uniform fund. Tho schoolroom was well filled by a most appreciative audience. Tho entertainment consisted of two parts, the first being tho comic drama m two acts by J. Brougham, Esq., entitled " Tho Irish Emigrant." Tho characters m this comedy wero well sustained, those of Sir Granite (Mr T. Kenny), Tom Bobalink (Mr C. Wilson), and O'Bryan (Mr T. J. Kennedy), especially so, and their acting won the universal approbation of all present. Mr B. McGowan, as Sterling (an old clerk), and Mr J. McKennah, as Henry Travers, also took their purls well, whilo m tho female characters Miss M. Collins as Mrs Grimgriskin, " tho woman of fow words," was quite at home, tho part suiting her remarkably well. Miss E. McKennah made a very good wife, and acted tho part of Polly Bobalink with credit to herself. As Mary Travers, Miss S. Kenny had not much to do. The entertainment concluded with tho Ethiopian sketch "That Boy Pete," and tho audience all through were kept m roars of laughtar. Mr T. J. Kennedy was a host m himself as " That Boy Pete," and waß well supported by Mr T. Kenny (Colonel Rogers), Mr J. McKennah (Sambo), Mr C. Knight (Jack Scattcrbras), Mrß. McGowan (Baliff), Miss E. McKenoah (Miss Podgors, an old maid) , and Miss M. Collins (Julia, the Colonel's daughter). The entertainment cannot be considered otherwise than as a decided buccess, and a good round addition to tho funds of tho band should bo tho result. The club havo improved vory considerably since their last appearance beforo tho public, and justly deserved tho various marks of approbation passed on thorn. The club intend to give another performance during the show week. Tho London Electrician is the authority for a new and easy method of relieving the toothache It says that if a tbin plato of zinc be placed on one side of the gum and a silver coin on the other side, with the aching tooth between them, and then the edges of the metals brought together, a weak galvanic current will bo established that will euro the pain. It was recently asserted m a Nelson paper that a stoat which had killed a lamb, had been capturod at Richmond, m Nelson, although no stoats were known to havo been liberated m Nelson, or nearer than Picton. Official investigation has now proved that the supposed etoat was really a largo Indian mongoose, which had escapod from the Rev. J. C. Andrew's place, near Nelson. It was found feoding on a dead lamb, but thero was no proof it had killed it. " The Phontom Horse " of Rotorua has at la«t been discovered to bo a stag. It was seen by some natives a few days ago, and they, having never seen such an animal before, becamo scared, and made off, thinking it was tho evil one. A few settlers getting wind of it, determined to unravel tho mystery, and obtaining horses, arms, &c, ontercd into pursuit, with tho success of discovering what tho animal really was, although they were unablo to capture it. The stag escaped m the neighbourhood of Whirinaki creek. The London correspondent of tho Dunedin Slar says : — Prominent amongst the " distinguished" Victorians at all current festivities is Dr L. L. Smith, erstwhile of advertising notoriety, now tho " member for Mornington," and a person of considerable importance —m his own estimation. The worthy doctor has no notion of hiding his light under a bushel. He nearly had a fit when the World referred to him — let us hope quite innocently — a3 " Mr Smith of Australia" ; and now when tho ushor at big receptions asks " What name shall I announce ? " tho liltlo man responds with dignity : " Say tho Honourable Hell Hell Smith, and Mrs Smith! " The fierceness of woaaels is strikingly shown by tho following story, which comes from Caitline3S»hiro:— Mr McLaren, gamekeeper, Wick, has had a narrow escape of his lifo from an attack upon him by weasels on the farm of Stirkoke. While on his knees setting a mole tiap he was surprised by a strango Bound, as if from a hive of bees at his back. A lot of weasels appeared on either side, and began to climb on him. Instantly realising his dangerous position ho sprang to his feet, but the animals attacked him ferociously, screaming as if m a rage. McLaren struck them from his legs with a stick, killing nino. McLaren's legs were black and blue above tho knee from the strokes of tho Btick. There wore two young broods near tho hedge, and as many escaped as were killed. McLaren brought home eight of tho animals as ovidenco of the battle. This is the second timo he has been attacked by weasels. On tho first occasion he had to beat a retreat tg cave his life.

In excavating for tbo new Government docks at Cockatoo Islands, Sydney, a discovery has been made of a most interesting fossil, which Professor W. J. Stephens has identified as the tnnstodonaurus, of which a similar fossil specimen, from Stuttgart, is m tho colleclian of the Sydney University. This being the first discovery m Australia of the labyrinthodon (a gigantic amphibian), is of scientiGc importance, as proving tho trias?io ago of the Hawkesbury sandßtopo formation. The Auckland Herald Bays that a Inlo of the hot baths, equally good and true, is that a lady was meditating a dip into a certain warm bath. Incidentally sho mentioned the fact that she was the possessor of a heart as weak as her head, whereupon the bathkeeper informed her that she must not, batho, na she might die m the hath. " That would not matter," said she, " for I should go straight to heaven!" "That's all very well," replied t'io bathkeeper ; " but lam not thinking about you; I have to think. of tho baths. Why, if you were to die m it, there would not only be tho bother of getting you out, but of getting other ladies m !" A New South Wales country paper says that one may now travel for weeks m the back country without meeting a single aboriginal. They're all dead, and rum has killed them. Tbo only blackfellow we have heard of who did not die exactly from rum was Flatfoot Yarry, a Eivorina king, who started out ono day grog hunting. His rambles were not very successfull, but ob ho was wearily and dejectedly returning to his gunyah, where his royal consort was already engaged m baking tho veapornal 'possum, ho thought he would look m at the kitchen of the Shearers' Arms just to see how things were going on. The first thing that caught his eye on entering was four bottles of his favourite liquor — gin — standing on tho mantelpiece. Ho boro thorn off, nnd next morning, as the Turkish patrol, consisting of Sergeant O'Rofferty aed Constablo O'Donohue, were going off duty, it came across a corpse, Bmelling rathor highly of kerosene, lying m the gutter of tho main street. It was Yarry's. Another scene occurred m the New South Wales Legislative Assembly on the 10th inst. between llr Wisdom and Mr Dibbs. Tho Colonial Secretary, while speaking upon the proposed railway from Bcdfern to Circular Qimy, made some remarks which were speoially directed at tho member for Morpeth, and on his rosuming his seat Mr Wisdom rose, and addressing the Houso with special reference to Mr Dibbs, commonced with the words— "The blatant, blustering, bungling, and blustering man who has just sat down." Mr Dibbs at once interrupted, and said the hon. member was using language which was was unparliamentary, and if such language were permitted he would not be responsible for what might follow. Tho Speaker called upon Mr Wisdom to withdraw the words and make some apology to tho Houso, but that gentleman seemed disinclined to do bo, and proceeded to question the Speakor as to what was parliamentary language. Ho asked, "Is ' blundering' unparliamentary f " "It is better than being called a drunkard," interjected Mr Dibbs. " That is not so bad as being a perjurer or a forger," retorted Mr Wisdom. After a little trouble tho Speaker prevailed upon both members to withdraw their expressions. A remarkable broach of promise caso was tried at Nowenstlo recently. Plaintiff was Emma Jane Archer (17), and defendant a middlo-aged ship's steward named George — a widower with threo children. Loving correspondence had passed botween the illassorted pair. Defendant had married the stewardess of a steamer — a good middle-aged soul who had nursed him m his illness. Baron Huddleston, who tried the case, was much impressed with the beauty of the fair plaintiff. Ho said " plaintiff was Undoubtedly a pretty and a well-dressed girl. His feelings were much interested m her, but he must warn the jury that their feelings must not be interested." Tho jury roturned a verdict of £5 damages. Baron Huddleston was applied to by counsel afterwards for directions as to coets. Hia lordship again acknowledged the charms of the youthful plaintiff. He said sho was pretty, and prettily dressed. His lordship related the ttory of a murder case m which he was engaged at Oxford Assizes. A handsome Italian, with magnificent beard, and good clothes, murdered his nephew. Fearful of the effect his aristocratic appearance would have on the jury, he (his lordship) directed that prisoner's beard should be Bbaved off, and that he should be differently dressed. Tho man was hanged. It was agreed that, m addition to the £5 awarded plaintiff— against whose fascinations his lordship was anxious to wnrn the jury — should have £20 towards her costs. Nineteen Chinamen arrived at Portsmouth recently to study British methods of naval construction and British naval tactics. An Italian opera company, organised by M. Ferrari for a professional tour m South America, a few weeks ago, had scarcely landed m Rio Janeiro before its members wero attacked by tho yellow fever, to which no les» than fifteen of them succumbed. Strange to say, the malady ieemed to spare the vocalists, and fastened on the musicians and ballet dancers, two of the best of whom (Angelina Glandoni and Cattarina Lucca, the lattor only fourteen years of age) have been laid m tho grave. M. Saracco, tho jin'mo ballerino, hastily took ship for Europe, and has already reached Florence. Tho Government have issued special instructions (o collectors of oustoms throughout the colony to see that tho close season for shore or mud oysters is rigidly enforced. The regulations issued with the order-in-council prescribes that tho close season for shore and mud oysters extends from tho Ist October to tho 31st January m each year. No time will bo allowed for disposal of oysters m stock after 30th September. Proceedings are to bo taken m all cases of infringement of regulations, eithor for having m possession, buying, soiling, or exposing for »alo. A curious case has just boen tried at the Arioge Assizes, France. M. Jean Abadie, having learnt through an anonymous letter that liia wife was engaged m a desperate flirtation with a young man named Goujon, determined on avenging his honour, and accordingly proceeded to a gunsmith's to buy a rorolrer. Gouion had just gone to the thop for the same purpose. Burning with rage, M. Jean Abadie made use of his purchase on the spot j Goujon replied with his new revolver, and ton shots thus were exnhangod. Goujon alone was wounded, and M. Jean Abadie tried for attomptod murder, was acquitted. The passage of the Suez Canal, which until recently occupied from thirty-six to fortyeight hours, can now bo made m sixteen hours by vessels fitted with the electric light apparatus. This important advanco is the result of a very interesting report by Commander Hector, of tho steamer Carthago, belonging to the Peninsula and Oriental Company, and addressed to tho directors. This report was written after the Carthage made the first continuous passage, under tho authorisation of the Canal Company, given Dceomber Ist, 1885. Tho Carthage arrived at Suez after a run from Port Said of eighteen hours. Tho actual running time was aixteen hours, there having been two delays causod by impediments m the channel ; the mean speed made was 543 miles per hcuy.

The sumptuous new edition of " Now Zcnlond Birds ". whioh Dr 'Duller is going to bring out during his stay m England, will, tho publisher anticipates, cost not less than £8000 to produoe. President: Cleveland is economical. Tho money ;paid by him for his country place, £4300 has been saved from his salary since ho became President. The President, it is said, sayes £5000 a year o£ liis salary, which is £10,000. We havo been shown, says the 2?etp Zealand Serahl, a letter recently received from England, which contains the following'pasfage : — "Louis Steelo has made his mark as an essayist, although he is but 14 years old. The Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offered prizes for tho best essays, 22 subjects being given, and the competition was open to all schools m tho United Kingdom. , Ninetesn thousand papers wero Bent m from [ schools m England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and even from Malta, and Louis* essay took the first prize of all, which was presented to him m St. James' Hall recently by Princess Beatrice. The prize was a valuable work, m eight volumes, on ' British Birds, ' and when his name was called out, and he proceeded to the platform to receive his reward at the hands of the Princess, his motherseemed much moved. He has also taken the first prize for an cciay on the abuse of alcohol, which was deemed so good that the Temperance lierieio published it m its columns." The Louis Steele hero referred to is the son of llr Louis J. Steele, of the Victoria Arcade, whose etchings and painting* have attracted so much notice here lately, and who, by means of his sketching club, is doing so much service to the cause of art m Auckland. Mr George Darroll is m hot water. He recently produced a drama entitled "The Soggarth for Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrore. Upon this aMr Edmund Finn writes to the Melbourne Telegraph : — "I find that Mr Darrellhas done mo tho honour to appropriate the plot of a atory entitled ' The Priest's Secret ' which I wrote and published m Melbourne some eighteen months ago. I need not treßspass on your space m detailing the coincidcncics m stoy and situation for ' The Soggarth' is a straight-out plagiarism, the finale being altered to suit stago requirements, and certain ties of relationship being weakened to suit the adapter's inartistic and incorrect idea of the strength of a priest's regard for the secrecy of the confessional. Tho whole of the plot was, so far as I am aware, new and original with myself, but to heighten the effect I began with an author's note, which ' suggested ' very strongly to the reader tho actual truth of the pure fiction which I was writing. Mr Darroll must have fallen completely untlor Iho spell of my literary wand, for I evidently lied co like truth that he presumed I told a true story. He, therefore, announces ' The Soggarth ' as founded upon facts connected with a certain great criminal trial." Beware of pnekages of injurious stuff, purporting to make genuino Hop Bittera, also preparations and fluids said to contain all the properties of American Hop Bitters. They spring up on account of tho great popularity of the genuine, which is only put up m largo square-panel nmber-coloured bottles, with the names " Dr Soule," and " Hop Bitters " blown m tho glass, and is thp best family medicine ever made. Bead Truth and Soberness. — What is the best family medicine m the world to regulate the bowels, purify the blood, remove coaliveness and biliousness, aid digestion, and stimulate the whole system ? Truth and soberness compel us to answer, American Co. 'a Hop Bitters, being pure, perfect and harmloss. See.— [Advt.] Scott's Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with Hypophosphites, is more reliable as an agent m tho Cure of Consumption, Bronchitis, and General Debility, than any other remedy known to medical science. Bead the following : — "I havo prescribed 'Scotts Emulsion* and have also taken it myself, and can fully endorse tho opinion that it is both palatable and efficient, and can bo tolerated by almost any one — especially where Cod Liver Oil itself cannot be borne. — Martin Miles, M.D., &c, Stantonbury, Bucks, England." — (7) Coffee. — DrHassell, the celebrated analyst, states that tho reason why coffee is not more generally used as a beverage, is owing to the difficulty m procuring pure wholesome coffee. The underaigned import their own, and only use plantation berry, which is roasted and ground on the premises, customers can thus rely on getting genuine coffee. Sold at Is Gd, Is 9d, 2s per lb. J. Anderson & Co., Tea and Coffee Merchants. — [Advt.] Post Card Proof. Salisbury, Term., April 4, 1883.— Gents : I was afflicted with serious Kidney and Urinary troublo for twelve years. After trying all the doctors and patent medicines I could hear of, 1 used two bottles of Hop Bittera and am perfectly cured. B. F. Booth. Washington, D. 0., April 3, 1883.— T0 the Hop Bitters Co. — Sirs: I write this as a token of the great appreciation I have for your Bitters. I was afflicted with Inflammatory Eheumatism seven years, and no medicine seemed to do me any good until I tried three bottles of your Hop Bitters, and to my surprise I am as well to-day as ever I was. I hope you may have great success m this great and valuable medicine. Anyone wishing to know more about my euro, can learn by addressing me. — E. M. Williams, 1103 16th street. Prosecute the swindlers ! — If when you call for American Hep Bitters (see green twig of hops on tho white label and Dr Soule's name blown m tho bottle), the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters, refuse it and shun that vendor as you would a viper ; and if he has taken your money for anything else indict him for tho fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you iberally for the conviction. (3) SYNOPSIS OP NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Gracie, Maclean and Adam — Will hold clearing Bale of farm atook and implements on Tuesday. Jonas and Bonrn — Will sell turkeys, also horses, &c.,on Saturday. E. Tnrnbull and Son — Sell hawkors van, horse, and piano to-morrow. O. P. McCallnm — Important notice to trout fishers. John Alexander— Stud notice re Early Morning. Now Zealand Railways — Notice of fares for Geraldino race 3. J. Ballantjyne and Co. — Havo jnst opened latest novelties ; inspection invited. Dr Speers— Busino33 notice. District Land Registrar — Important notices under Land Transfer Act. Managor, Orari Estate — Wants tendors for cropping. Tiraatu Woollen Factory Company— Hold special general meeting to-night. Dranght Btallion " Chancellor of Blackhall" — Will stand this season m South Canterbury. Timiirn Harbour Board— lnvite applications for position of Assistant Harbour Master.