ST. ANDREWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1706, 20 March 1895, Page 3

ST. ANDREWS.

: .• ♦— : The friends of Mr C. J. Cowan, stationmaster, St. Andrews, met m the Masonic Hotel on Monday evening last to wish him God-apeed to his new home m the North Island. The chair was taken by Mr D. Stowell, who m a few appropriate remarks alluded to Mr Cowan s succeßsful career m St. Andrews, and at the conclusion of his speech called upon Mr Sutherland, of Eskbank, to make the presentation to Mr Cowan of a very handsome marble clock, and a gold albert chain purchased from Messrs Bowetfand Furgusson, of Timaru. Mr Sutherland, who was received with cheers, made a very happy speech m reference to Mr Cowan's courteous and kindly.manner while holding the positions of stationmaster, postmaster and telegraphist fo? the period of five years. During that time he had endeared himpelf to the whole of the inhabitants of th^ district. It was with feelings of sincere regret that all met to-night to bid him farewell for the time being. Mr Cowan feelingly and suitably replied, and said that he did not want to make a long speech as he had to make a greater to-night on behalf of Mrs Cowan, whoalsowas receiving a very handsome present from the ladies and congregation of St. Andrews church. The presentation to Mrs Cowan took place m the library hall, and consisted of a goUL watch and chain, purchased at Messrs Tj. and T. Young's, Timaru, suitably inscribed as being presented by the choir of Up. Andrews Church, conjointly with tlie friends of Mrs Cowan. The ladies of the district provided refreshments, and a number of them helped m preparing the room and rendering the various items of music much to the enjoyment of those present. The Rev. L. C. Brady, who made the presentation, said that the district was losing one of the most popular ladios whom St. Andrews ever possessed, and that the church was also losing an excellent organist, and it was with the deepest feeling of regret that everyone parted with Mrs Cowan and her husband. After refreshments had been handed round, the singing of the National Anthem by the company brought a most enjoyable but regretful evening to a close. _^ It is said that the London gas companies do not pack the joints of their pipes, hence the soil is always impregnated with gas to such an extent that when any excavation is made adjacent to the pipes, the stench is unbearable. The creation of chambers for access to electric cables makes a kind of reservoir for the leakage of the gas pipes, which a smoker might easily ignite oy throwing down ! afusee. This is the explanation given of some recent street explosions m London.