TOWN & COUNTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5602, 29 December 1892, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Dr A. G. Nioolls, of Waimate, was pte^ sented on Tuesday evening last with a puree of sovereigns, prior to his departure to Arrowtown, whore he is to take charge of tbe Hospital. The Taranahi Herald says: -fix barrels of oil bava been obtained from tbe blubber of the whale recently stranded at Tutsraimaka. A good deal of whalebone has il o been obtained. There is some talk about preserving the skeleton for exhibition m the Becreation Grounds, but no defii ite action has been decided on. , Tbe Otago Daily Times #ays : —The men on the Otago Central were paid up on Thursday, December 22nd, and left for their -various homes for the Christmas bolidaya. In most cases they havo made fair wages, and appear satisfied with their lot. There it no doubt that tho co-operative rystem m. vogue hero is highly appreciated, and bs a result the piece of iiue between Uydo and Middlemarcb has been very cheaply constructed. The members of the Tiroeru Tourists' Bicycle Club did fairly well at tho Pioneer Club's meeting at Christchurch on Monday and Tuesday lost. A. Dorm was second chief prize-: aker with £25; and F. Truman took £5. Mr M. J. fchepherd, the Tourists skipper, wm among thoss who responded to the toast of 'The visitors," at tbe annui-j social on Tuesday evening. The Wellington Evening Post reports tbe death on Saturday morning of tho Very fiev. Father Augustin Seauzaau, S.M., of heart disease, at the aga of 67. Father Seauzeiu I was woll known throughout the colony. He was born m the Ven^e ', Prance, and came first to tbe colony m 1861, aad was stationed m Napier (or about two years, bis memory being still revered m Uawko's Bay. From Napier be went to Blenheim, where he was parish priest until 1882, ia which year be wai made Vice-Provincial of tho Marist Order, and returned to France m the year following. In 1881 he returned to New Zealaud and became parish priest at Tituaru, but m tbe same year he met with an aeoident at Waipawa, and has been more or less of an invalid ever sinco. A New Zealander writes to the Detroit (U.S.) Free Press, giving a very fair and imparlial description of the colony, m the course of which he says ; -Invercargill, a few miles from tbe Bluff, is becoming an important lown. The grain shipments frm this province (Southland) are greatly increasing yearly. Almost the whole of the, land from Blenheim down to the Bluff ia magnificent stook growing and grain producing country. The average yields per acre of much of this land are equal to that of any part of tbe earth's surface, and it is settled and farmed by hard-beaded, practical, industrious men, whose method of agriculture ia well up to the | times. In farm maohinery— much of it American— we are fifty years ahead of the Old Country. . • . . New Zealand is not one of those countries (if any exist) where large fortunes can be easily made, but with tbe magnificent climate, and the large amount of rich, well-watered soil, it is not a bad plao to make a home m. There is fair employment for both capital and industry, and few men need be hungry who ere really able and willing to work with brain aad bands. The Wellington Evening Press vouches for the following Christmas story s — "A certain man, who had become so poor that bis wife bad to assist by her own industry to make a living, and so ill and crippled with rheumatism that be bad to become an inmate of the hospital, was worrying over ways, and me*r.e to carry his household through tbe Ohrie'mas (oason In colonial parlance, be was com. pletely ' utono broke.' Scanning through the shipping column he noticed that a vessel, of which a cousin of his was an officer, nas m port, and he made his way tq the wharf, feeling sure of a helping hand from his relative. Their first greetings over, tbe next objeot of tbe visit was broached, when the cousin, m a surprised tone, said ' Hare you seen Hislop, the lawyer?' ' No,' laid the other, ' What should I see him for ?' ' Why , our uncle has diod and left you a share m £16,000 !' The poor fellow — poor no longer i was not long, crippled as be wae, m reaching the offioes of Messrs Brandon, Hislop, -and Brandon, where he announced his name, and was then informed that the firm bad been inquiring for him for some time past, and tbe statement of his cousin was confirmed. Today (Christmas Hve) he receives a cheque for a portion of bis inheritance from the solicitors mentioned, and a very happy Christmas ib certain for one Wellington household at least." Tbe Auckland Evening Star states that the manufacture of salt at Rangitoto has now fairly started , and that it, has every prospect of proving highly remunerative to the originators of the sobeme. Tbe works, which are capable of an output of from 35 to 40 tons per week; comprise Several buildings. There is a panhouse 14ft by 39ft, an evaporating pan 32ft by 25ft, an iron and steel plate, whioh is heated by four furnace*, a drying shed, 40ft by 30ft, aad a shed for storing rock befure dissolving, 40ft by 20ft. Book salt is imported from Adelaide, and ia dissolved with the assistance of sea-water, and by this means the proof brine is made. It is then evaporated and purified, when the marketable article ia produced. Tbe proprietors state but there is an import duty of 10a per ton on Adelaide rook salt } but notwithitnnding this they will be able to place the local manufacture on tbe market at the tame rate as the imported material. They hope, however, that the Government will be induced to remove tbe existing duty, as they can import the eauie stuff from England duty free at £1 1 per ton. Tbo latter answers the purpose just as well, but it is more convenient to use the Adelaide rock salt on account of it being procurable ia smaller quantities and as required. As the imported refined salt casts £1 per ton, it will thus be seen that there is a good margin to irori upon m the local g uii>nut'«i-torf. '

The Canterbury and Otago Almanac ie now published and may be obtained from all bookiellori, country storekeepers, and agents of the TiMAßtr Heeald. Tbe book oont&ine I a mass of useful information and ia good valne {or ono ehillmg. The following will rapreoent the Timaru Cricket Club id tbe match against Ashburton on the Athlbtio Club's grounds to-day :— Jefferson, Perry (2), Raymond, Wallis, Oay- j ley, Malcolmson, Fritt, Fraior, Wood and Wicksteed ; emergenoy, 0- Buchanan. Ac the Waimate Caledonian Society and the Waimate Band could not come to terms, to play at the Socioty'e gathering on Boxing Day, the Band held a picnio m opposition. I The pionio was well attended, and apparently this had an effect on the Society's gathering, which wai not so well attended as m former years. Among the * bosh ' telegraphed by PreßS usaoctation agents at this time of year we giro the following as a cample : — Xmas has been ft brisk »nd profitable ono • all shopkeepers have done well. This item is from a place called Sew Plymouth, and we fail to see what interest it ib to people here. Another agent sends us word that the streets m his town wers orowded on Christina* eve ; apd another that ' Boxing Day ' was kept a close holiday. The quarterly meeting of the Timaru Lodge, United Ancient Order of Druids, was held on Wednesday, m Foresters' Hall, George street, Arch-Druid, Bro S. Robinson, presiding. Tbore was b large attendance of members. A quantity of correspondence wa? read and disposed of, and sundry accounts were pitted for payment, after which the nomination of officers took place. Next lodge night being election and installation night, it wua resolved that the usual spread be made, arraDgomenti for whioh are to be taken m hand by tbe executive officer!. The lodgo waß closed at 10.30 by the Arch Druid. Tbe receipts for the OTsniug wero £87 12) 2d. Mr K. Busba, an expert m tin mines, who has been reporting on various tin fields m Australia and Tasmania, writes to a friend m Invereorgill — " So far none have been any good, nor are they half as good as our pre ■ perty m Pegajus. A bore everything do not lot the property run out, ac m all my travels I hare not come across a more promising property than it. It is a great pity it cannot be prospected well, as I am more certain than ever of there being good lodes m the tuuael, if only prospected for, and I should only be too happy to oome at any time and undertake the work." The teaohers of Maori scholars have (aja the Rangitiltei Advocate) apparently to walk very ciroumepectlyi or they may find their schools deterted. When the young Maori David, vfho recently died at Onepuni, was being interred, Mr Tompkins, the schoolmaster at Porewa, was present. Next morning he was surprised to find that all hit Maori scholars wore absent, and the same thing occurred the day following- On making inquiries he was very much surprised to find that he bad been tapued through hsving been m the cemetery. Tbe following day, however, a school pionic and distribution of prizes took place, wbea tbe inpu was removed, for the Maori youngsters were then very much m evidence, and their sisters and brothers as well. The oriokefc match between the Geraldioe Club and the Asbburton Club, came off on Tuesday at Geroldine. The day wae bad fo r the game, s strong nor'-wester blowing throughout. The match resulted m a easy w.a for Geraldine by an innings and 60 runs. In thoir first innings Ashburton knooked up 41 rune, G. Andrews (10) and Raymond (15), being the only ones to get into double figures. In their second essay, the visitors were less successful, only totting up 31, " extras" adding 12 of the runs. Geraldiae made tho excellent score of 126, F. W. Smith (28), H. W. Moore (29), F. Fish (24), fairly cellaring the bowling j while extras ran up to tbe total of 25 which saje but little for tbe wicket-keeping qualities of the visitors' representatives. Tbe Ashburton men wero entertained by tbe Geraldino club m the ev«Ding. An Auckland paper says trade is booming with the Kauri Timber Company. They are working at the mill every night to seven o'clock, and even then not able to keep abreast with tbe orders pouring m. Xbey find a difficulty m getting sufficient experienced men to do the joinery work required from the company. At do time since tbe formation of the company baa there been suoh a pressure of work. They have reoently cbartored a batch of vessels for the purpose of convoying tiuiber to Australia, and two •hips' to load for the home market. On all hands they are met with demands they are not able to supply, and it is the opinion of the management- that, so far as the timber trade would give an iudioation, trade distinctly shows signs of a general revival, Tbe marriage took place on November 8, at St. Peter's, Eaton Square, London, of Captain VV. 8. Gordon, Royal Engineers, son of the lute Sir Henry Gordon, X 0.8., and nephew of tbe late General. Gordon, end Miss Annie Stafford, eldest daughter of Sir Edward W. Stafford, G.0.M.G., late Premier of New Zealand. Tbe service was ohoral, and the church was tastefully decorated. Tbe officiating clergy were the Ber. John Storrs, vicar of St. Peter's, assisted by tbe Bcv A. Thornton. Sir Edward W . Stafford gave tbo bride sway. There wero six bridesmaids — Misses Minnie and Edith Stafford (sisters of tbe bride), Miss Buisell, Mias Agnes Bowen, aad two ohildren, Mies Dorothy Oharrington, and Mies Edme's do la Pasture. The reception held by Lady Stafford at 19, Eaton Square, was largely attended by military and diplomatic friends. In the afternoon Captain and Mrs W; 8. Gordon left for Paris and the Riviera. A well attended meeting of directors of the Caledonian Society was held last oveniog, Mr A. Pringle (president) being m the cbair. Boutine business was transacted, and reports received showing that all matters were well forward for the gathering on JSfoaday and Tuesday next. M*d will be busy- on the ground on Friday end Saturday next fixing up the dancing platform, obstacles, etc The Hat ot entries was submitted, when it was seen that for tbe running and walking events the nominations were numerous-; but that m tbe bioyole races they were not c.6 good as usual. It was agreed, to exteud the time for all track events until 8 o'clock this evening, md intendißg competitors will find parLiuulars iv an advertisement. The handijappere will do their work on Friday, and ha sports' cards are expected to be on sale by Saturday. It was reported that shopkeepers yere agreeable to close on Tuesday next from iojv, and Ihe president and vice-president vere asked to wait on the business people to. [et them to eigu a rttjuefl (a Hie M/ayor to, hut effect. ' '

Tbe recruits of the Timaru fiilles firs today for prizes given by the company. .Th» condition! are ten shots at 200 and 300 yards, i any position. Dealing with the prevalence of gambling, the Wanganui Herald says:—"So great is " the mischief wrought, that it is nothing oat '' of the usual to find m our factories and workroom! that somo lad, probably m the receipt 81 of let ua tay 15j per weak, is' makiDg a book ' (»&to the mark!) on the Wanganui Cup, or n an.v other event his fanoy diotatei.' ' This is 1 not, nor can it corno to good.' Tho miaohief must be stopped, and that at once. There muet be no shilly-shallying about Buch a matter, but prompt notion must be taken. ( We may say, and truly too, that a great proportion of tbe evil is the result of a lack of parental authority. But (he fathers, m most cases, gamble, too! The boys get to know of it, and on the principle that what father does must be right, tho youngsters go and do liknwise." '