The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1886.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3758, 18 October 1886, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1886.

The Colonial Treasurer appears to be anxious that the local bodies shall avail themselves as speedily as possible of! tho provisions ot' " The Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1886," 'and "The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act, 1886," which were both passed during the recent session of Parliament. Witli that end m view he has issued a circular to local bodies, covering a precis of the provisions o£ the two acts. The information thus supplied m a handy form will no doubt prove useful to those interested, and, bo far, we see nc objection to tho course pursued by the Colonial Treasurer. At the same time it is obvious that tho interpretation of the law might very well havo been left to the local bodies and their respective le^al advisers. But there is one point on which wo are disposed to think that the Colonial Treasurer went further than the circumstances warranted. "With regard to the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act he says : — " Tho Act empowers tho Government, when power to borrow has been properly obtained, to lend the money to the local body on terms of a favourable nature. Applications for loans will be received on the Ist December next, and notice thereof appears m tho Gazette of this date (October 14th). As this is the first occasion of calling for applications, and as there is reason to suppose the loans actually authorised by the ratepayers are not large m amount, T have determined also to receivo applications from local bodies which have proceeded no further than to resolve to recommend borrowing to the ratepayers, and to consider their applications, together with those for loans actually authorised by the ratepayers." This is certainly putting the cart before the horse. Until the ratepayers have given their formal consent to the loan, the local body has no right to apply to the Government fortlie monoy. However, we do not know that the point is of much consequence, as no payments could bo made until after tho sanction of the loan by the ratepayers. Now that wo may reasonably expect warmer weather to set m, it will be learned with pleasure that the Tiniaru Baths will bo opened again on Thursduy next. An advertisement m another column gives full particulars of the hours during which the baths are available, and of tho rates of season and other tic Vets. Mr Mason, ofTomuka, tho other day caught about the best basket of trout of tho season. He captured five beauties, scaling together about forty pounds, and as grand and even a lot of fine full as have been landed from the famous Temuka waters for some time. Angling still goes on merrily io tha district, and nearly every sportsman has at lea<t one giant to brag about. We learn that the annual conversazione m connection with the Presbyterian Church, to bo held m the Garrison Drill Shed tomorrow evening, promises to bo very attractive. Tho committee hare gone to considerable trouble, m decorating the hall with evergreens and flags. There also will be several tables with oxhibits, including a model of the tabernacle, m addition to a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music The Timaru Orchestral Society, under tbo leadership of Mr Wolf, R.A.M., will play sacred selections during tho evening. The privileges of the forthcoming spring meeting of 'the Timaru Bacing Clnb were offered by public auction by Messrs William Collins and Co., at their rooms on Saturday last, and drew a largo attendance of buyers and tho general public. Tho grand Btand booth was knocked down at £17, Mr Scannell being the buyer. General licenso booth, £13, Mr J. J. O'Connor ; games, £4, Mr P. Chapman ; refreshment booth, £4, Mr J, Carmichael ; cards, Mr Brown, £7 10s; gates, Mr A. Waugh, £11. When a colonial Shakespearo arises he will not describo Patience ns sitting on a monument — that is, if he has ever visited the Timaru breakwater and watched tho fishermen who " most do congregate " thoro. It is no uncommon sight to sco a dozen or fifteen men and boyß sitting side by side along tho wharf, as closely packed as the herrings they try to ensnare would be m a barrel, with a determination worthy of a nobler aim. How on earth, or rather m the sea, tho little fishes manage to escape the long array of hooks which danglo aide by sido so closely together is a marvel, but escape they do somehow, as no one has yet seen a breakwater fisherman with a decent bag. Hope's eternal spring must be waxing very faint m some of their breasts. An adjourned meeting of tho Committee of tho Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society was held m the Secretary's office, on Friday evening last, Mr J. Pye, vice-presi-dent, m the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmo 1. Tho following correspondence received was read : — From Dr Fish, accepting the presidency of the Society. From Messrs Scaly Bros., Ashburton j Adams & Son, Christchurch ; and Mr Yates, Auckland, re special prizes to be given by them at the next show. The special prize list, which is a lengthy one, was then gone through. Tho Secretary was requested to prepare tho catalogue of prizes, anil obtain tenders from tho local papers for printing 150 of the same, tenders to ba sent to the treasurer, Mr J. W. Pye. The following were appointed a sub-committaa to accept a tendon—Messrs G-. H. Patrick, J. W. Pye, and the secretary (Mr A. Fisher). Ttic Secretary was instructed to convene a meeting of the comrmtteo on receipt of the printed catalogues. Tho meeting then terminated.

Owing to pressure on our space this morning, we nre compelled to hold over our commer.ial and truining notes. Members of the C Battery ere reminded that a Government parade of their corps is ordered for this CTening at half-past eeven. Drill order with side arms only. Tho Mahinapun, with the Southern portion of the Sun Francisco mail, sailed from Wellington for Lyttelton at 11.15 last night. The Timaru portion of the mailshould reach here) tomorrow. A cricket match was ployed at Oaniarn on Saturday between the Timaru and Waitati High Schools, and resulted m a win for the former, the scores being 79 and 70. The Caulfield Cup was run on Saturday and resulted m a victory for almost an outsider, Ben Bolt, who was quoted on Friday night at 100 to 8. The favourite, i. ilvcr Mine, came m second, and the soeond favourite, Britisher, third. The anniversary services at the Presbyterian Church yc3tcrd;iy wcro conducted by tho Rev Dr Stuart, of Dunedin, wboao mast impressive addresses were listened to with the deepest attention by crowded congregations both morning and evening. At tho R.M. Court, on Saturday, a first offender was fined 6s for drunkenness. Frederick Turner, also a first offender, wai <li^mijsed with v caution, on the same charge. TurnerTvas further charged with indecent exposure m George street, 'Jimaru, on Friday evening, and was sentenced to sevon days' hard labour. SYNOPSIS OF NKW ADVKItTISKMENTS Gracic, Mncloan & Adnm— Hold a cloaring sale of farm stuck on Friday. Jumea Grander— Has 3 acres to let for cropping with potatoes. Samuel Slosinger — Important bnsinoss notice re his bnlaama, ointments, otc. Tho Stallion " Satirist"— Will stand at tho Pareora o-stite thi» season. Wm. Balfour — Wants some graRS land. Miss McGnirn— Has opened her ladieß* repository next Old Hank Hotul. Tho tiuiaru Sea Baths— Will bo openod on Thursday.