The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1880.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3743, 30 September 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1880.

We should be sorry to write a single Hue which could be understood as a note of triumpb at the recent disaster to tbo Oam aru breakwater. The few remarks which we shall make are prompted by a very different spirit, and we shall be heartily glad to hear by and by that the damage bas been repaired, and that operations ax-e being pressed forward successfully to completion. But, unless we arc much mistaken, tbe Oauiaru Harbour Board ia ia dauger of falling into an error which may eventually be tbe source of infinitely greater loss than bas yet occurred. Tbe Oamaru breakwater bas proved itself unable to stand the strain to which it is subjected m very rough weather. A large portion of tbe work bos been washed away bodily, and tbe breakwater might have become a total ruin if the strain on it had been much longer continued. The Oamaru Harbour Board knows by this time that it mnst be prepared to face a very large expenditure (1) to rebuild tbe portions which have been washed away, aud (2) to strengthen the entire work so thoroughly that it will be able to defy tbe heaviest strain which is likely to be put on it m the future. Tbe board is no doubt alive to the gravity of the situation, and would not hesitate to adopt all possible safeguards if money were plentiful. Unfortunately that ia just where the shoe pinches. Money is not plentiful, and, though the Oauiaru Harbour Board has not yet got to the limit of its rating powers, there is a natural disposition to increase as little as possible the burdens of a community which has already quite enough to bear. On tbe one band the people of Oamaru — both town and district — are anxiou* for the completion of the breakwater, aud on tbe other hand they are troubled, not without reason, by anticipations of an expenditure for which provision cannot be made without recourse being had to the further rating powers of the board. It is within our knowledge that there bas already been a good deal of murmuring at the bare thought of the increased demand, and the board has been blamed for not having constructed the breakwater so that it would havo resisted the force of the waves. We may be very sure that those who desigued the work and those who sanctioned it brought themselves to believe that it would be equal to any ordinary strain ; but nevertheless the breakwater would m all probability have been of a more substantial character m itself, and -would have been furnished with plenty of outlying protective blocks, if it had not been for a mistaken notion of economy. At least we heard that opinion freely expressed long before the recent heavy weather made a breach through the breakwater and played havoc with the ratepayers' money. The error which the Oamaru Harbour Board is m danger of falling into is that of again allowing itself to be swayed by false ideas of economy. The position is obviously one of great difficulty, and, if the work ia ever to be completed, true economy will have to be rigidly exercised. But there is the true and the false, and unless the Oamaru Harbour Board distinguishes between the two aud carefully rejects the latter, the sequel to the story will be of a breakwater pushed perhaps close on to completion and then overthrown and swept away by some such weather as that which has caused the present trouble. If we are told that it is absurd to suppose that the Oamaru Harbour Board will not do all that is necessary to make the work secure, we reply by asking whether the advice of professional men with regard to outlying protection has been followed m the past ? Was such advice not given ? Was it attended to,

and if not, why ? The design of the. Oamaru breakwater might have been improved upon considerably, but there I is some ground for believing that, if the . work as constructed had been protected , throughout its entire length by a barrier of random blocks, the recent disaster would not have occurred. What bas happened once may happen again. The board may repair the breach m as cheap a manner as possible, and then, m view of the great expense and of the disinclination of the community to bear further rating, may leave the placing of ■ the random block protection to a more j convenient season, or may scamp that \ part of tbe work and hasten on to make i a pretentious show of progress on the breakwater itself. It would be a fatal blunder, for at some time or other there ! must be a recurrencejof the frightful i weather which prevailed on this coast : m August and m the earlier part of this ' month. Tben the unprotected Oauiaru breakwater -would again go down, and; the last state of that Harbour Board . would be infinitely worse than the first. ! We suppose that at present money can . be found for doing the work properly, ; but a. second overthrow when the break- ; water was further advanced might mean the last straw on the Oauiaru camel's : back. The patience and pocket of the long-Buffering ratepayer might alike be '■ exhausted, and it might be left to a future generation to accomplish a work which with reasonable prudence could have been done by the men of to day. ' Mr Blackett — the best marine engineer- , ing authority m tho colony — bas just ; completed a survey of tbe Oamaru breakwnter, but we understand that his report has not yet been sent m, or has ! not been famished to the Oauiaru : Harbour Board. That body has, how- J ever, already caused estimates to be made of the cost (1) of a rubble and concrete facing, and (2) of a concrete facing. It is said that tbe first would cost £28,000 and the second £38,000. , Although nothing has yet been deter- j mined on, the getting of those estimates j before Mr Blackett's report has been j furnished raises a suspicion that the ] Oamaru Harbour Board is inclined to ! net independently of the advice which j it is to be presumed will be embodied m the report. Far better wait and hear what he has to say on the oubject and j then do as he directs. It is recorded that the favourite motto of Mra Macawber's father was — " Experientia does it." Let us hope that experience will be allowed to do it m the case of the Oamaru Harbour Board, and that, taking warning by the past and its errors, that body will so order matters under the sound counsels of Mr Blackett that the breakwater, from which so much benefit is reasonably expected, may be completed without further mishap aud so strongly that it will endure through the ages. There was a " clean sheet " at the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterdoy morning. Owuera, jockeys, and stewards who attend Mm Gcnildino Racing Club's meeting to-day, aro requested to wear a band of crapo out of respect to tho Club's late judge, Mr M. Sludholme, and handicapper, Mr MoKcnzic. Mr Brunton notifies by advertisement this morning;that his lime-light and panoramic •views of the late volcanic eruptions, will be exhibited m the Oddfellows' Hall, Barnard Street, this evening. The views are said to be very good indeed, so that on onjoyoble evening should be spent by visitors. Tho monthly meeting of the Waimate County Council called for yesterday was postponed to Tuesday next (sth prox.) m respect to the memory of the late Mr Studholme. Mr Studholme was a memborof Iho council from the date of its initiation to the timo of his deeeaso, and during several years was chairman of the council. Tho quarterly meeting of tho members of the Timaru Garrison Band was held last ovening at Mr Sidney Wolf's rooms. There was a good attendance, and Mr Wolf (Bandmaster) [occupied the chair. A quantity of bueiness of a privato nature was transacted. The usual band practice this evening stands postponed till to-morrow evening. Mr Murdoch, tho well-known painter and varnisheris just now busily cngiged varnishing the boat s belonging to the Timaru Boat ing Club, So far tbe workmen have got tho two four-oared and one stump out-rigger varnished ; the other stump is expected to bo finished to-day, and then tho painting done, tho boats will be roady for uso on tho opening day. It is said tho boating season is this year oxpected to be a very good one, and that now the halfholiday movement is such a success the list of members will bo very much augmented at tbo annual meeting. A meeting of tho Arowhenua Town Board was to have been held on Tuesday evening. Aftor waiting tho specified timo, however, only Messrs Lee and Story turned up. Three being required to form a quorum, the meeting lapsed. We understand that Mr Leo, Chairman of tho Board, has received a reply from tho Lands Office, ChrUtchurob, regarding tho lands sold for cash under deferred-payment, and as it is deeirablo to hold a meeting to discuss tho letter before conferring with the Road Board, which moots next Tuesday, a meeting of tho Arowhenua Board will bo hold on Saturday evening. Tho quarterly meeting of tho Timaru Lodgo, U.A.0.D., was held on Tuesday night, Bro J. P. Thomson m tho chair. There was a good altsndanco of members. Aftor a largo amount of correspondence had been dealt with, Bro Keith gave an interesting account of tho working of tho Grand Lodge, and pointed out tho great benefits which would arise by having a Grand Lodge of their own m Now Zealand. He hoped membora would take an interest m securing their rights at the next Grand Lodgo sittiug After passing accounts tho lodge closed at 9.30. Tho receipts of the evening amounted to £42. At tho special meeting of tho South Canterbury Board of Education held on* Tuesday. Mr James Gibson Gow, M.A., was appointed Inspector of Schools for South Oanterbury # Mr Gow has only recently arrived m Wow Zealand, and is at present m charge of the Waiareka School, Otago. We learn from the documents forwardod with Mr Gow'g application that he is a graduate of Ediuburgh University, and during a period of 15 years his career as a toachor has been most successful. Mr Gow had a two years' special training m the Church of Scotland Training College, Edinburgh, and at one time acted as sonior assistant m GiHc3pie's school, Edinburgh, one of tbo largest and most important educational establishments m Great Britain. The new Inspector is expected to get into business hero early m October, as the Otago Board has courteously mot our Board and consented to roliove Mr Gow of his duties at Waiareka as sopn as possible.

The arbitrators on the matter m dispute between tho Waimato County Council and tbo South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will meet and consider the matters submitted to them frr arbitration at Timaru on Monday next. Class firing, under tho superintendence of Staff Sergeant-Major Jones, will take place on the Otipua range for tho Timaru Naval Artillery, C Battery, and Timaru Riflo Volunteers, at tho undermentioned times and dates until further notice :— At 5.30 a.m. on every Monday, Thursday, Friday and 3aturday, and ! at 2 p m. on ovevy Thuraday, Friday and Saturday. Firing will only be allowed at the i 100, 200 and 300 yards range until further ' orders. The caretaker, with two assittants, haß been ! very busy during the last few days cleaning ! out tho Timaru Sea Bathing Company's con- ' crete bath. The heavy seas of last month swept 6omo very large boulders into the batli, and also a great quantity of seaweed, and • rubbish of various kinds. Tho boulders had | all to bo lifted, and the rubbish, etc., forked out, the bath being emptied for this purpose. ; The bath is now very clean, and owing to a soft sandy-shingly deposit, tlia bottom is now far better for bathing purposes than it was last season. But extensive repairs are needed ' to the fences befere bathing can commence. ; The greater part of the fences nt both ends of tho bath were completely wrecked by the seas, which caused the strong posts to snap short off on a level with the concrete wall, : and smashed the fencing boards considerably. • Luckily the dressing boxes were not injured, ■ but we notice that some mischievous boys have smashed nearly all the panes of glass m the caretaker's box. As the bathing season commences m a fow days, tho fences, etc., . rill be repaired as speedily as possible. I At the B.M. Court, Temuka, yestorduy, before K. R Gray, Esq., J.P., Darby Dunn pleaded guilty to a charge of using insulting language m a public place, at Temuka, on the 1 22nd inst. Mr ToßswiU defended, and urged , m extenuation that on the day m question, the ' foundation etone of tho Volunteer Hall had I bjen laid, and accused was overcome by mingled loyalty and beer. Constable Morton ! said that on tho evening of tho 22nd, he saw ■ a disturbance going on outside the Salvation Army barracks, several volunteers m uniform, amongst whom was accused, being prominent :in the melee. Dunn was using bad language, and was challenging a Salvationist to fight. In answer to Mr Tos3will, ho gave accused a fairly good character, but said he was too fond of loaGng about the streets m tho evenings. Mr Tosswill applied for a light penalty, pointing out that the burden would fall on the widowed mother of the accused. The Bench, taking this into consideration, let Dunn off upon payment of the costs, 13s. Mr Gray, however, administered a severe reprimand, characterising the offence as a serious one, and tho more so aj accused was wearing the Queen's uniform at the time. That uniform should confer honour . and dignity on its wearer, and volunteers should be especially careful not to bring disgrace upon it and themsolves. This was all the business, and the court rose. • On the 28th instant tho fortnightly meeting of tho Waimalo Mutual Improvement Society was held, and 03 the meeting was an " open " one, several frionds and visitors were present. The chair was occupied by the Bey. J. H. Gray. The members of tho Wesloyan Church choir, accompanied by Miss Gray on tho organ, rendered selections from Sankey's hymns during the ovening. Tho programme was well arranged, and excellently carried out, Jthe speakers, singers and reciters evi--1 dently gaiuing the approval of their audience 1 Recitations were given by Mrs Mnyfitld, Mis 3 ' Dash, Messrs Noilson and E.Banncrman, Mastors G. Dash and R. Long ; readings by Mrs ' n. Bateman and Miss D,i>h ; quartette by ! Misses Mayfield and J. Gray, Messrs Gray, ' senior and junior ; duets by Mc3dames Mayfield and Berryman, Messrs Opie and Gray, junior, and Mesdames Mayfield and E. Chiles ; ' songs by Messrs J. Williams, Opie, J. Neil--1 son and Gray, and an address by Mr G-. H. Graham. The chairman said he was pleased to see such a good attendance, and was sure the members of tho Bociety wero gratified at the success of the meeting. A rote of thanks to Messrs Keilson, Bannerman and Opie (not membors of the society), whoso valuable assistance had been so freely given, was passed by acclamation. The meeting then terminated. Mr F. W. Marchant, Resident Engineer to tho Timaru Harbour Board, received the plan of the sidings and connection to tha Moody wharf from the Public Works Office yesterday. Most of our readers are no doubt aware that at present three lines of rails run up to aud partly past the Harbour Board's landing service. It is intended that tho middle line of rails shall be utilised whereon to connect a temporary line of rails to tho Moody wharf. Four lines of rails will bo laid on the wharf, a "diamond" crossing being put m about two-third* distant from the shore end of the wharf. A surveyor was busy yesterday taking levels, and as Messrs Dolaney Bros, are vigorously prosecuting tho work of laying down tho decking, the rails should bo laid m a week or two. Wo may add that Mr Marchant also received tho complete plan of tho railway sidings and connections about the harbour works, the plan showing the amendment which is to be made m tho line of rails north of Strathallan street. This work when fully carried out -will alter tho present state of things m the vicinity of the wharves and broakwater m, a most marked manner. The annual prize distribution of tho Technical School takes placo this evening m tha hall of the Mechanics' Instituto. The session, which has ocnupiod four months, has been a very successful one. Classes liavo been held m freehand, drawing, building instruction, projection, book-keeping, arithmetic, algebra, Latin, and English. Thirty students have been pretty regular m their attendance. The success that hu3 attended this institution shows that its promoters were right m saying that it would meet a great publio want, and they deserve every credit for tho sacrifices of time and money they have had to make to launch the con- . cern. As the school is on a self -supporting basis, a fee ha 3to bo charged, but tho 1 council have seen tho wisdom of making it as ' low as possiblo so as to securo a greater at--1 tendance, and to mako tho institution as 1 popular as possible. This evening the chair 1 will be occupied by Mr E. G. Kerr, and his ' Worship, Mr Jackson, will distributo a fow - prizes to the successful students. Mr A. J. I H. Bower will have something to say about 1 tho need for technical instruction at the 1 present time when tho old apprenticeship ■ system is crumbling to pieces under the altered economic and industrial conditions of 1 our times. Somo of the drawings and work p of the pupils will be oxhibited, and all who take an interest m this movement aro . cordially invited to be present. We hopo to see a good meeting.

Considerable animation has been caused among the disciples of Isaak Walton of late by a sboal of mullet and heirings which at present is visiting our harbour. Kvery day now large numbers of amateur fishermen are to bo seen with rod and line fishing off the southern side of the breakwater. Sport has been lively, the fish biting freely, and as a result several rodsmen have Becured large bags. The fish are of a very good size. The programme for the Timaru Racing Club's Spring meeting, to be held on the 26Ui and 28th prox— the Show week — will be found published m another column. Nominations must reach the hands of the Hon. Sec. (Mr W. Collins) by Saturday evening ; the weights will be declared on tlio following Saturday. Acceptances and entries for the Novel, Selling, and Pony Daces must be made on the 19th prox. The Hai/f-homday Movement. — The employees of Timaru thank the public of South Canterbury for their hearty sympathy ia supporting the Thursday half-holiday movement, which under their continued patronage, will prove a lasting benefit. Customers are requested to complete their purchases beforo one o'clock on Thursdays to ensure punctual closing. — [Adtt.-] The demand for the great American remedy, Hop Bitters, m this part of the world has become so great that the Hop Bitters Co., whose headquarters are at Hocheater, New York, U.S.A., have been compelled to open a laboratory m Melbourne. It is m charge of Mr M. H. Van Bergh, a gentleman of several years' experience with this company, and the trade may be assured of receiving goods equal to the parent house, and the most courteous treatment. The H.B. Co. have establishments at London, Paris, Antwerp, Belgium, Breda, Hollnud and Toronto, and their American Bitters are probably the bestknown medicines m the world. — [Advt.] Coffbb. — DrHassell, the celebrated analyst, states that the reason why coffee is not more generally used as a beverage, is owing to the difficulty m procuring pure wholesome coffco. The undersigned 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 6d, Is 9d, 8s per lb. J. Anderson & Co., Tea and Coffee Merchants. — [Advt.] Post Card Proof. Salisbury, Term., April 4, 1883.— Gents: I was afflicted with serious Kidnoy and Urinary trouble for twelve years. After trying all the doctors and patent medicines I could hear of, I used two bottles of Hop Bitters and am perfectly cured. B. F. Boom. Washington, D. 0., April 3, 18S3— To the Hop Bittera Co. — Sirs : I write this as a token of the great appreciation I have for your Bitters. I was afllieted with Inflammatory Bheumatism 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 today as ever I was. I hope you may have great success m this great and valuable medicine. Anyone wishing to know more about my cure, can learn by addressing me. — E. M. Williams, 1103 16th street. Prosecnte 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 the 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 the fraud and sue him for damages for the swindle, and we will pay you iberally for the conviction. (3)