The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16. 1880.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3756, 15 October 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16. 1880.

"We sincerely trust tbat there is no truth m the report given currency to by the North Otago Times, that the people of Oamaru are ou the loot-out for a method of repudiating their liability for the interest on their borough Joans, and tbat tbey have indeed actually discovered what is believed to be a practical way of obtaining such nefarious relief. Everybody knows that the Oamaru borough has contracted heavy liabilities, »nd that the large rates tell severely against the prosperity of the town. But we never heard this rumour of repudiation until it stared us m the face m the columns of the North Otago Times. Our contemporary says that it has been evident for some years that properties m the borough have been over-valued, | and that the ratepayers object to a continuance of that state of things. If the valuators do not make the necessary reductions, the cases "will be carried into the Assessment Court ; and, m short, there is said to be a determination that the valuations shall be substantially decreased. Our contemporary states I the case thus : — ■" The values of property m the borough for rating purposes mast be reduoed by close upon one-half, and as the security of each loan is specifically stated, and cannot be increased, the interest cannot bo raised, and the borough, to use a vulgar phrase, must • bust.' If this view of the matter is a correct one there will be large numbers m the place despairing of progress and dreading what they call direct repudiation, who will be only too glad to avail themselves of the opportunity of lightening their burdens — at the expense of the bond holder. We would not care to assert that the above view is absolutely correct, or that there may not be something that will override the opinions held, but there can be no doubt tbat the I resolutions of the council at the time the loans were raised, specifically stated what the securities would be." We are not m a position to say whether or not there has been general over-valuation m the Borough of Oamaru, but at all events the special rates have not been more than sufficient for their respective purposes. Our contemporary says : — "It is well known that at the present time all the rates, with the exception of that for general purposes, are absorbed m paying the interest on the borrowed money, and m some cases fall short of being able to do so owing to values

having fallen so much since the rate was originally struck." Obviously, therefore, what is suggested is that there shall be repudiation to the extent of the deficient ratrs consequent on lowered valuations. We should have agreed with the Noiih Olago Times if it bad suggested that the legislature should grant further rating powers, so that the valuation might bo reduced without robbing the public creditor. That would have commended itself to the judgment of all reasonable men, for an over-valuation is always liable to successful nttack by individual ratepayers affected thereby, and we apprehend that the court could not uphold an excessive valuation merely on the ground that without it the rates would not be sufficient to pay interest on loans. But our contemporary made no suggestion about further rating powers, and said not one word about the gross immorality of repudiation. "We take the article to be a distinct recommendation to repudiate. We can read it m no other way, although, m a subsequent article and after having heen very properly taken to task for giving such abominable advice, the North Otago Times denies that it ever countenanced repudiation. The people of Ouinarn are not the rascals one of their local journals would have the colony believe. They very naturally chafe under their burden, but do not wish to throw it off dishoncEtJy. That, at least, is our opinion on tlu-cnse; but even if it were otherwise the Legislature would not permit repudiation, and would devise machinery (if it be wanting) for compelling the locality to meet its engagements. There was a clean sheet at the Hcsident Magistrate's Cosirt ye.=( enlny morning. The annual general meeting of the Tininru Cricket Club takes place this afternoon nt 5 o'clock, m the GrosveHor Hotel. The next ordinary meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board is convened fiir Wedneslay neil.. Xlio business will include the appointment of .m assistant harbour master, t'.io ro port of the standing committee, etc. Mr T. Jowscy, steward of the Tinisru Huipitnl, desires to acknowledge flic receipt of n donation of £o ,'s from the ftrnids' Lodge, m aid of the fund for tlio purchase of furniture for the convulescent patients. The concluding lecture of tho series delivered during the wiutrr months m connection with the Gleniti Institute, will be given tli 13 evening. The lecturer is Mnjor Bamficld, and his subject " Ancient and Modern Egypt." Tlie services m roniKvlion with the anniversary of the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Timaru, will bo eondueled by tlie Rev. Dr. Stuart, of Knox Church, Dunctlin. On the following Tuesday evening the Conversazione will be. held In tlio Garrison DrilMieri, commencing nt six o'clock. The boating season opened yesterday, but owing to the rain the club decided not to carry out their intended progrntnme of a process-ion of boats and a race. Ihe formal opening of tlie season has therefore been postponed until to-morrow nfternonu, when, if tho weather is more favourable, doubtless the procession and nice will draw a large crowd of spectators. Tha boats will start it half-past four. Tho >'ew Zealand Bible, Tract and Book Soeioty has just opened a shop next door to Begg's Music Warehouse, whero tho publiea lions and importations of tho society can be obtained. The stock comprises n largo vnricty of religious and moral works, and special advantages as to prices are offored. As the depot is only a temporary on?, intending customerj should pay an early visit. * meeting was held last evening at the Oddfellows' Hull re proposed Hospital Sunday Church parade. There were present — Messrs A. Mills and K. Goldsmith, representing tho Oddfellows, and Messrs J. S. Bennett and W. 0. Burd, the Foresters. Mr Bennett was elected chairman, and Mr Burd, lion, secretary. After somo conversation, it was proposed by Mr Mills, nnd seconded by Mr Goldsmith — "That it is desirablo to hold a church parade m aid of. the hospital funds on n date to bo fixed."— Carried. A letter was read from tlio U.A.O.D. stnting that whilst sympathising with the movement, thoy could not see their way to joining at present. The hon. secretary was instructed to make certain inquiries re on available church and date, and the meeting then ndjournod. Ou Wcdneiday afternson last the Geraldine Lawn Tennis Club held its annual meeting. Present— Dr Fish, Messrs Moore, Cunninghame, Hawkins, Webster, Phillipson, and Maben. The minutes of the previous meeting were read »nd confirmed. The annual balance-sheet showed tlie receipts to have been ,C 9 iss, and the expenditure (incurred principally «pon improving tho court) £10 fis Gd, leaving a. deficit balance of 11s 6d. Tho following officers were elected for the ensuing year: — President, Hon. W. Eolleston ; VicePresident, Mr A. Maedonald ; Secretary nnd Treasurer, Mr Hawkins ; Committee — Messrs Cunningham, Hawkins, Briseo, Puarpoint, Webster, Moore and Dr Fish. The subscription feft was fixed at 10s for the year. The meeting then terminated. At the annual general meeting of the Geraldino County Anglers' Society, held on Wednesday evening, at tho Wallingford Hotel, Temukn, Mr D. Inwood took tho chair. A satisfactory balance-sheet was preBonted, showing funds m hand to the amount of £8 03 lOd. All the former officers wero re-elcftod. Tho following now members were proposed, subject to their consont : — Messi-s Flint, Cutteo, Morris, and C. H. Verity. A resolution was passed recommending tho committee to nrrango for a fishing contest about Christmas. Mr Gray drew attention to tho increase of salmon, and tho danger of their being hooked and killed by mistake. Mr Inwood signified his desiro of throwing open his waters, not only' to membors of the socioty, but to visitors properly accredited by the secretary or a member of the committee. Ho trusted that no fishing would be done on Sundays. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the hou. secretary and to tho chairman. Poverty and Suffering. — "I was drugged down with debt, poverty, and suffering for years, caused by a sick family and large bills for doctoring, which did ' them no good. I was completely discouraged, until one year ago, by the advice of my pastor, I procured Hop Bitters and commenced their use, and m ono month we were all well, and none ot us havo seen a sick day sinco, and I want to say to all poor men, you can keep your families well a year with American Co.'a Hop Bitters for less than ono doctor's visit will cost. I know it." — A Woukinq Man. Head How to Get Sick — Expose yourself day and night, sit too much without exercise, work too hard without rest, doctor all the time, take all the vilo nostrums and imitations advertised, and theu you will want to know how to get well, which is answered m three words-^Take American Co*. Hop Bitters ! Bead [Advt,]

The French Railway Commission, snys the Froqrfs.Militaire (Paris), ha* derided that a special red mark shall m future be painted on all rolling stock that is lousidered unflt for the transport of men, horse* and matiriel. By this means all possible confusion between what is and is not suitable for military use will be avoided on mobilisation. In unloading a vessel at Chicago a barrel of kerosene was dropprd and burst, ana tho oil npread over tho surface of the water clear acro?s tho river. After the vessel left the ilock a slevcdoro threw a lighted match in'o the etrenm just to " fee if the stuff would burn." There wns a flash and a sheet of flnme nnd emote rolled across tho stream and toward Clark nnd Htnto street bridges. The excursion bout Albert J Wright was m tho midst of the lire, nnd everybody m the vieinil.y set up the cry that the river was afire. The oil burned out without doing any damage beyond singeing the piling "f the docks on each side of tho river. A report which comes from Paris is enr-.ugh to make a shorthand writer's hair Btand on ond. Some lime since, a cording to Paris papers, two lurlies m tho higher stratum of society irmtlo a wuper at* to which of them could talk tho quickest ! They both had to rend a manuscript. One of them managed to l end 203,500 words m three hours, but she was beaten by her rirnl who brought up her total to 206,311 words. In other words tho averago rale of epeed of the first was 1,130 words a minute, and of the second 1,6-lfi ! May a kind providencn protect us from ladies of the higher stratum of French society. A Rev. M. Davics bus published a record af tho incomes and personalty left at death by tho various English bishops Nono of the incomes are under £l'ioo per annum, from whii-h sum they range np to £10,000. "It appears from t'lia," snys Mr Daviea, " that whatever inn y huro been ' the demands on tiieir purees ' these bi.-hopi were, at the time i f their deMh m possession of per; onnl property varying m value from £I 2 00f> to £140,000 ; tho average being about £st,< 00 apicco and the total personalfy of the 39 bishops being over £2,000,000 j this sum being exclusive of any renl estate they may have possessed, and exclusive also of any sums invested m policies of life assura'cc, or otherwise settled for tlie benefit of their fnmilics." The Xcik l'orl- -Yew.v says :— The most effective bomb ever indented has not yet been brought into play. It is a copper sir be. filled wilh nit-ro-glycerino, nnd when used is thrown like a boy's toy bullet from a strong rubber ba-d. You can buy these cartridges ready loided from any store where blnsting materials are sold from 75 cents to Idol. All that is necessary to keep them safe until you use them is to eink them m cold water — a washbowl will hold enough to butcher a regiment. They are infallible. Wherever they strike they explo.le, and one will mnlie a hole m the ground b under and deeper thnn a grave. An expert can send such a projectile a couple of hundred ynnla "ith a good stout, rubber sling nnd so be perfectly safe himself, except for n shock to his nerves. The dynamite bomb is only a toy pistol behind such a handful of rumienfed death Its uso <loe« not mean murder but massacre However it m >y be m Australia (saysawriter m the Austntltisian), tho squatter does not m New Zealand get tho bettor of tho wily " rabhiter." Mr Simplex, under the impression that tliero were only n few long-cared liv»»a«scr» on liin run, employed two professional citcrmiuitors, paving each of them £1 per week, with mtions, and further giving a bonus of U per skin. At iirst, they did not bri^f; m many pelt*, but after a timo they (."•ndually increased the number, apparently Irving how many "the boss" would stand. 'liie ?<iunlter, finding that he had more r.ibbits than he luul suspected, decided to knock off the men nnd try poison, ns tho winter was nppro.iehing. So he told them to bring m their tent, &<:. They did so, but they also brought m, to the owner's great surprise, some 3000 skins. Ho aakod why theso had nut been brought m before. " Oh," eaid one of the men, with refreshing r/nndour, "we thought if you know we were getting 50 many you would either knock us oft or reduce the bonus." Thus did tho nstuto rabbiter circumvent the guileless Now Zealand squatter. The city of Breslnu celebrated tho 500lh anniversary of an oecurrenco which was memorable m the history of the town, and is known wherever German poetry finds a home. The bell whioli hangs m tbo southern towor of St. Mnrv Mnpdnlen's Church, and is named " St. Mary's Bell," but is usually known as " tho poor sinner's bell." rang out morning and evening on tho 17th'{of July to remind nil who heard it that it wus cast on that day 500 years ago. Ncit day, Sunday, the preacher reminded his congregation of the pathetic story which has made it singular among bells, how" when all was ready for tho casting the bell-founder withdrew for a few moments leaving a boy m charge of the furnace, warning lnmjnotj to meddle with the catch that secured the (seething metal m, tho cauldron. But the boy disregarded the caution, and then terrified on seeing the molten metal beginning to flow into tho mould, called to the bell-foun-der for help. Rushing m nnd seeing what he had intended to bo his masterpiece ruined, ns he thought, angered to madnes9, he slew tho boy on the spot. When tho metnl had cooled and the mould wns opened the bell was found to bo an exquisito work, perfect m finish, nnd of mnrvellous sweetness of tone. Coming to his senses be recognised his bloody work and etrai^htnny gave himself up to tho magistrates. " Blood for blood " was tho law, nnd he wascondemmed to die, and he went to his doom nhilo his beautiful (bell pealed an invitation to all to pray for " the Ipoor sinner," whence its name. Tho Lancet states " that hard-working minds and fatigued bodies aro tho bettor of some gentle stimulant that forces into activity the nerves, nnd which ministers to nnimnl life and comfort. The peculiar effects of tea and coffee (when pure) aro of a refreshing character, and arc due to the alkaloid." Tho increased §n!e of our Blended Teas is the best proof that the public appreciates our effort to place before them a pure, wholesome Tea, Bold nt 2s, Zs Cd and 3» per lb, and m tius of 3lb, 61b and 121 b each. J. Anderson and Co. [Advt.] Scott's Emulsion of Puro Cod Liver Oil with Hopophosphitcs, is a combination of two most valuable remedies, m a palatable und easily digested form, having great healing and strengthening properties, most valuable m Consumption nnd wasting diseases. Rend tho following : — " I havo found ' Scott's Emulsion ' of great benefit m the treatment of phthisical nnd scrofulous diseases. It is extremely palatable, and does not upset the stomach — thus removing the great difficulty experienced m the administration of tho plain oil.— D. P. Kenna, L.R.C.S., Surgeon, St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin." ADy chemist can supply it. (8) Rbmember'This.— lf you are sick Hop Bittors will suroly aid Naturo m making you well when all olse fails. If 'you aro costive or dyspeptic, or are suffering from any other of the numorous disenscs of the stomach or bowols, it is your own fault if you remain ill, for Hop Bitters is a sovereign remedy m nil such complaints. If you are nervous use Hop Bittera. If you have rough, pimply, or sallow skin, bad breath, pains and aches, and feel miserable generally. Hop Bitters will give you fair skin, rich blood, and sweetest breath, nnd health. That poor, bedridden, iuvalid wife, sister, mother, or daughter, can be made tho picture of health, by American Co.'s Hop Bitters, costing but a triflo. Will you let them suffer ? In short they cure all Diseases of the Stomach, Bowels, Blood, Liver, Nerves, Kidneys, Bright's Disease. £500 will be paid for a case they will not euro or help. Druggists and Chemists keep. [Advt.] Prosecute tho swindlers !— lf when you call for American Hep Bitters (see green twig of hops on tho white label and Dr Soulo's namo blown m the bottle) , the vendor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters, refuse it and shun that vendor as you would a viper j and if he has taken your money for anything elso inilict him for the fraud and sue him for damaßes for the swindle, and we will pay you iberallr for the conviction. (3)