TOWN & COUNTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LV, Issue 5720, 11 July 1893, Page 2

TOWN & COUNTRY.

Tho frimds of the Bey J. McKee, late of Wttimate Presbyterian Church, will be glad to learn tbat he is settled m the charge of Penrith, Now South Wales. The drawing of the Poultry Society's art union took place last evening at the (hop m Butherfurd's buildings, and the winning numbers will be found m our advertising columns. Our Geraldine correspondent sent us a report of the installation of officers of the Oddfellows' Lodge and the social which followed, which were held on Thursday last, but unfortunately tho report has gone astray, and we are consequently unable to publish it. At a meeting of the Ashbutton County Oounoil last week it was deoided to forward £438 to tho Government, they having expresied their intention to proceed with the erection of a stook bridge over the Esngitata river on receipt of a cheque for the amount passed. The clearing away of mud from the main thoroughfares yesterday afternoon cxp>sed several places which would be all the better of a ooating of metal now that tho bed of the road is soft, so that a good foundation will be ready for (he spring. Iv one or two plaoes the heavier traffio has been very marked, both on tbe main street and m tbe more frequently used bye streets. The Trinity Presbyterian Literary Debating Society met m the vestry of the church last evening. There was a large attendance of membars, and Mr J. Lane occupied the ohair. Tho president of the society, Mr Robert Bell, read a paper entitled " Three aspects of life m tropioal Queensland," m which he graphically depicted oity life, bush life, and life among the blacks. The papur was subjected to a good deal of both complimentary and also adverse crifcioism, but on the whole was very well received and much enjiyed by thoße present. Many persons m Timaru loomed with deep regret that Madame Antoinette Sterling, who was to give a ooncert here to morrow evening, had become a widow. The news of the death of her husband, Mr John McKinlsy, was received by cable tueesage from Adelaide on Saturday. He had been m failing health since May 17th, and was consequently unable to accompany his wife to this colony. In consequence of his death Madame Sterling oancolled her engagements at Ghristchurcb, and it will, therefore, not surprise nanny tbat tbe engagement for Timaru bos aleo been cancelled. Mr B. Kennedy who was making the arrangements for the concert received the following telegram yesterday : — " Madame Sterling indisposed ; will not sing at Timaru." Muoh sympathy ie felt for Madame Sterling m hor bereavement.

The Railway Department have just com leted a footbridge across the cutting, giving > i :cess to the cliff overlooking the sands of aroline Bay, The bridge is placed opposite le southern end of Mr Elworthy's town totion, and should be found most convenient 1 the summer months. The cost was paii by le Timaru Borough Council. We learn that Mr James Campbell, Kingsown, has Bold a grand young Clydesdale oree to Mr J. Struthers, Otipua. The colt i rising throe yeara old, and it by Chancellor f Blackball, out of an Ivanhoe mare. A» llydeßdale breeders will know the colt is a ighly bred one, equal to any m the colony, nd ia an exoelleut mover. Full particular of his colt will be made known when the Eeasoe pens. Tho Wellington correspondent of the Press ays:— I understand that the Minister for .labour, while insisting that all shops ba compelled to observe a general half holidaj m one day m the week, will agree to Wedleeday being the day on which the hilfloliday is to be maintained m Canterbury md Otago, as beet suiting tho requirements >f thoso provincial districts. He will also sonaent to the exemption of tobacconists, Tuitorers, and confectioners, owing to the isturo of the perishable goods kept m otcci. The 9ydnej Bulletin says:— The knocking >ut of so many Baok bottoms has so increased the Bank of Few Zealand's Australian buei ness t'.a*; twenty extra clerks ere being brought from Muoriland to the Australian branches. Dcp sit receipts m the suspended »r reconstructed Banks are now much m the market. The figures are curious as showing the relvive value of each Bank m public BBtimation. Federal, 7s to lls m tho £ ; National if Australasia, 13s to 15» ; Commercial of Australia, 18j 6d j London Charter d, Hs 3d to 15? ; Australian Joint '-Hoik, English and Australian Chartered, each 14. 3d to 16s 3J,; Bankuf North Queensland, 15* to 18; ; Commercial of Sydney, 17s 3d to 18:And, last if all, Queensland National, offered at 14; 61, apparently without bujers. Readers of the Home papers (aays the New Zealand Church News) will lnve noted the disastrous poverty which has overtaken the majority of the clergy, owing to the great reduction m values of tithes and glebes. In the Convocation of Canterbury recently the Dean of Worcester eaid that a speech of his at a Diocesan Conference had brought to him a shower of letters from all parts of England, giving details of the distress ia which the olergy were living. One of them had to givo up fires, another bad to atay m bed because he had no clothes fit for cold weather, another had not tasted meat fjr months, another had to sell his books and furniture, another wis unable to give his children education, and another had b.eu compelled, by dire necaseity, to drop his life assurance. These are merely camples o f the suffering to bo met with m all parts, and m the majority of cases the pinch of povert has to be shared mby wife and children. It is estimated that ten mi lion pounds would be required to raise the endowments of tho poor livings to £300 a year, and there is some hope that an endeavour to raise this sum will be made. A case bearing on the liability of boardinghouse keepers for the safety of luggage left m their charge came before the Resident Magistrate at Invereargill last wok. A mau named Robertson, who recently arrived frm South Australia, stayed a few duyj at Mrs B>ggott'B boardioghouee, and whoi ho went awaj he left a trunk and a glidaione bpg with the defendant's husband, who promised to keop tham for him, the articles having his name on them. Wheu the man returned the gladstone bag was mies'ng, and defendant's husband admittod that ha had given it to a man who oame to the house with the owner. After hearing evidenoe and counsel on both sides His Worship said that he thought it was clearly a case of gratuitous bailment, and of course a gratuitous bai'ee was only liable when groas negligence was proved. Of course, if tho loss of the goods had boon duo to accident the bailee would cot be responsible, therefore gross negligence had to be proved. He was satisfied that Mr Buggott as agent for the plaintiff had accepted the responsibility of looking after the goods, and also that it was owing to negligence on his part that they disappeared Counsel for defendant had said that it had been shown that there was contributory negligence on the plaintiff's part, but he (Hie Worship) failed to see where it came m. Had the bag been left m defendant's care not having plaintiff's name or other distinguishing mark on it then the plea of contributory negligence might be entertained, but it was not bo. Tho evidenoe showed that defendant gave the bag to some unauthorised person, and as the name of tho owner was on it the sot was the result of gross negligenoe. Judgment would be for plaintiff for £11 ; with costs £2 la. At the inquest into tho cause of death of Thomas Masson, who died last Monday from injuries he received while playing a game of football between the employes of (he Mataura paper mill and tho froczing work?, Walter Mill (captain of tho trill team) said that the play that day was rougher than usual owing to lack of knowledge of the game by some of the players - about half tho team knew the game— but deceased was not worao treated than anyone else. Ho mentioned to witneßß towards tho end of the game that be bad got a knock on tho head, but did not say how he came by it, There was no intentionally rough or dangerous play. Deceased did not oomplain of being roughly treated, and seemed all right at half time The game was " Eugby," and Mr Masson seemed to know the play. Other witnesses showed that the injury was received by a fall through deceased being " collared " by the captain of the opposing team, who thought at tho time that he got th 3 worst of the fall. Two dectors gave evidence, one of whom, Dr Stockwell said, "I coneidnr it a cine of contre-coupe ; t> put it vulgarly, a smack on one side of the head and o r< fiVx action, which caused a rupture of a vessel m the brain. It would nesd a very violent blow to cause conouesion, and I bolieve that this foo' ball game is the most blackguard game going." The coroner minimised the effect of the last remark by saying that it appeared that it was impossible to avoid a certain amount of roughness or danger. But danger was not absent from oricket or b.ating ; m faot, all euch pursuits had their concomitant dangers, and if they were to giro up gamos on aocount of danger there would be an end to all sports. Whether the dangerous points, which were apparently known to the associations and olub?, could not by come common understanding be reduced, was a question for these bodies 1 consideration. The jury added the following rider to their verdict of accidental death i— " In our opinion the Eugby game of football, as played m New Zealand, is j dangerous to life and limb, and the tiegislft' ture should tabe steps to regulate the game so as to improve the system, tomewhat on the Uses of the Victorian game,*'

On Saturday the extra parapet blocks, whioh have been placed to prevent extra high ai Beaa from washing shingle on to the break- tl water were shifted seaward. There aro eight b of theee blooka, and the Bhoreward end one n rests on the lower blook wbioh bears the n marks for "High water, January 15th, 1892." tl As this marhed bock is where the Priestman' crane was dipping shingle out of the aea faoe 18 monthß ago, the removal of the blooks givos a rough indication of the advance of the shingle m that time. Mr Joyce, member for Lyttelton, wishes to " lighten the burder s " of his constituents by legislation reducing the Bize of sacks of wheat and a Wellington paper sneers at him and bis " gospel of coddle." It ia probable tbat Mr Joyce and his cons' ituente know rather more about wheat oocks than a Wellington editor, and the latter's mention of tae six buehel bags used m Bouth Australia m the early days ia a email set off to the practice of using small bogs m Americi, tha busiest grain producing oount'-y m the world. One of the advantages of Timaru is that though the streets become very muddy during rain, they soon become dry again. There are exceptional spots where they do not, and aome of these unfortunately happen to be where there Is a good deal of traffic— on the roadway m front of the railway station from George to Strathallan elreel-, the crossing to the breakwater, and the coal and timber siding road on the eea side of the railway yard, Mr Vecht, the representative of a big mess pork company, told the Wellington A. and P. A'Bociation that the company was about to orscfc works at Isgahauranga, that the plant was now on its way to New Zealand, that he wos propared to enter into contracts with breeders for a term of years, the price to be paid to be 33 per lb live weight delivered at a railway station, that each pig must be from 180 lo 1401 b, and that for the last two or three weeks the animals b) fed on any kind of grain except maize, bo n s to ensure guccee fal preserving New Zealand, he pointed out, was one of the best countries m the world for pig-breeding and ho was certain that the industry would pay settlers oven better than sheep. In Denmark, where the conditions were not bo favourable as here, each sow was worth £2<L a jear to her owner. The Timaru Fubiic Schools were re. opened yesterday, but the attendance was only about 300, or a third of the normal average, and the headmaster and committee decided to close the school for another week. The measlea ore still prevalent, and the weather is too bad for those who are convalescent to turn out. The Waimataitai school was oUo to hive resumed work but only a third of the pupils turned up— loß out cf 329 - and it was decided to close tho school for another vieek. We have it on good authority that the Health Officer for the borough was not consulted as to the adviaabihtj of ie opening tha echools this wetk (•? me would thiuk he should have been), aid Let if he had been consulted his advioe woul 1 bavo been emphatically againßt it While a youDg man named William Brinsdon wm rabbitting near the Kaikorai Greek on Sunday, Ist instant, about a quarter of a mile blow the North Taieri road, he discovered a cave, which, for curiosity aako, he decided to explore. On entering, he struck a match, and, when coming to the heart of the oave, was muub surprised to "find a portion of a human fkeleton, and cloee alongside it an old pick and a spade. The matter was reported to Constable Carmody, of Roelyn, who, with Brinsdon, visited the cave, and on examination they found the skeleton to bo intact, with the exception of the upper tetth, portions of the back bone, and several ribs. It appeared to the oonstable, says the Star, that the remains, which were those of a middle-sized man, had been lying m the cave for miny years. The cave is situated on the right hand Bide of the Kaikorai Greek going down, is about 4ft high, 6ft wide, and about, Bft m length. The epade and the pick have been unuied for many years, and have bush stick handles. There were ligns of an old camp not ixt from the j cave, which seems to have beau gradual'y falling m. The contemplated acfhn by the Timaru Harbour Board to compel the Railway Commissioners to recognise an agreement made by the board with the Public Works Depart* ment some years ago, respecting the division and use of the shingle reclamation, came' before Mr Juatice Denniston m the Supreme Court Bt Ohristohurch on Friday last, when 1 Mr Joynt, for the Commissioners, applied for an order for the inspection of doouments Mr Kippenberger, for tha board (representing Messrs Perry, Perry and 1 Kinnerney) objected that the application was premature, as tho plaintiffs had not yet moved so far as to call upon defendants for a defence. His Honour took this view. Defendants were, , to use a popular phrase, crying out before they we>e hurt. A statement of claim bad been filed, and defendants could not cay that anything more would be done. Mr Joynt supposed plaintiffs intcuded to follow up their procedure, anJ his olients wished to be ready. The upplioation was dismi^s^d, but tho board were net allowed costs, as they had served the nolioo of action. The Fairlie Athletic Club's long talkorl of fancy dress ball came off last Friday night, and although the weather was not as giod qb might have b;en desired, it waa largely attended. The committee worked well m having the room niosly deoorated, and with the overflowing eatables kindly provided by the ladies the ball was a brilliant success and a good financiul result to the club. Mr Pigott presided at the piano, and with tho assistance of some of the visitors the mueic was very good and was kept going with good spirit throujhout the longtby programme. The following were some of the fonoy dresses : — Mrs B. Rutherford, Folly ; Miss St. Martin, (Jipvy Fortune Teller ; Miss B. GiUiugham, Milk Maid ; Mrs Hayter, Night j Miss Galbraith, Butterfly • Mies Wilson, Betty Blue ; Miss Nelly MoEay, Kate Qreenaway j Miss Milne, evening dress ; Miss Maggie Milne, Ivy ; Miss Flora Welch, Red Riding Hood ; Miss Susan Welsh, Hospital Nurse ; Miss Guff, Flower Girl ; Mrs Watts, Hospital Matron ; Mrs Goodwin and Mils Islip, evening dress ; Miss G-ooeh, Daughter of the Begiment ; Miss Maggie Gilmour, evening dress ; Miss Nelly Gilniour, Sailor dress; Misses Frenie, evening dress Dr Dryden, Mounted Trooper ; Mr P. R Gillingham, 0.7.0. ; Mr 0. J. leCren, Sailor j Mr A, J. Dopping, Admiral ; Mr J. D. Hamilton, Indian evening dress ; Mr Bussell, Timaru Biflas ; Mr I. Bliseott, Nigger Minstrel j Mr R. L. Banks, Monk ; Mr A. H. Maolean, Highland costume ; Mr Aekin, Bailor ; Mr W. Watte, Baker ; Matter Robert Gilliogham, Sailor Boy ; Mr Outhbert Butherford, Tennio Dregs ; Mr W. Tozer, Jookey ; Mr B. Oopestake, Mounted Rifles j Messrs Goodwin and Dixon, evening dreee,

The Evening Post sa/s :—The Ministerial 38ertionB as to the progress of settlement and tie success of the co-operative system, mute c takea cum gram sails. They are, no doubt, lade m all good faith, but there is generally lore than one way of looting at matters of his kind, and the success boaßted of as obieved may not, perhaps, stand the test of trict examination and close analysis. There rasa decided disinclination evidenced among large aeotion of the House to accept Jit iVard's official statements on these points as onolusiro and indisputable.