GARDENER AND COOPER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7678, 11 April 1903, Page 6

GARDENER AND COOPER.

♦- SOME CHRISTCHURCH COMPLICATIONS. Robert Thomas, a landscape gardener of Christchurch, has been shining in some very interesting experiences with a local cooper*. The story is going the rounds just ;'.s Mr Thomas gave the facts to' the Christchurch Press. " Tho beginning of my strange complicated ex]>eriences," •'•aid Mr Thomas, " dates back long before T met my friend the cooper: It is now more than nine .years ago that I was suddenly doubled up by a strange Siiootino; pain in the buck, and," continued Mr Thomas, when seen at 110, Durham Street, Sydenham, " Dr Williams' pink pills alone, saved me from being crippled for life. It proved to be sciatica. The first attack made me shriek aloud in excruciating agony. A doctor was immediately sent for. Lotions, internal medicines and an eleclTii battery were tried — but, oh, tha agony and anguish of those terrible pains! My flesh seemed to be stuck full of redhot wires that were being continually drawn in and, out of the quivering flesh! Year after, year I continued to suffer, and often prayed for death. One day Mrs Thomas paid, 'Robert, you haven't tried Dr Williams' pink pills for .pale people. I have read in the daily 'Press' that they strike right at the cause of all 'blood and nerve disease lik? anaemia, indigestion, neuralgia and sciatica.' I would not hear of it, but she was determined. So at last a supply was bought. — the genuine kind, with the address, Wellington, New Zealand, in red on the outside- wrapper. I was careful too, to see that tlie pills were in/ boxes and not in glass bottles. Well, I had used only one box when I felt a great deal better. My limbs had been str.ff and painful before, but now the joints and muscle* became easier;. Soon I was walking about actively. It took over a dozen boxes to cure me. but now I .can go cut; in the rain and wind and work all day without ill effect. lam certain that these pills, by purifying 6nd enriching my blood, fed, strengthened, toned and soothed the nerves, so that everv trace of sciatica was rooted out. - Indeed, I feel tjyenty years younger. As I was cured several years ago, there isn't any doubt about, the permanency." ! . THE COOPER'S TROUBLES. '* " But I must tell you about my friend the cooper," said Mr Thomas. ' "Some timelr ago there was a cooper living near us her^ 1 in Durham Street. He had rheumatism so ! badly in his shoulder-blades that' he was kept awake night after night, and! could only walk slowly with ..the greatest difficulty. Every movement of his- arms seemed to wrench his shoulders. I told him about these pills, aud how they cured me. So he began taking tliem. Well, I didn't see him till three months later, and then he was as hearty and (robust a man as yon :ould meet. 'Five boxes of your pilla irove every bit of acid from my blood,' aid he, ' and I have never had tbe slightest :winge of rheumatism sinoe. ' I have just ;old you plainly what happened to both of js," added Mr Thomas, "and my friends , md neighbours can verify every word I say. [ am .sure my experiences are interesting anwigh- to jjnblkdi/'

his clever playing was acknowledged to en- j title him to first honours. Tolmie, a player of marked ability, whose fingering was thesubject of bight praise, but whose tempo in tb,e' strathspey was considered too fast, was awarded seeoncl honours. Both competitors had a strong following of supporters and ajdm-irers, but the verdict met with generail satisfaction. Macqueen, the third prize-taker, was highly complimented. The impetus given to the culture of pipe music was evident, and the next gathering proved: it. On Dec. 17 (Anniversary Day) Caledonian sports were again held. The members were determined to command success, and their efforts were duly rewarded with regal weather and a. splendid, display. The entries for the pipe music competitions were full, and keen interest was displayed. The judges were: — Dr Macßean Stewart, Struan Robertson and H. A. Watt. In the first contest, for pibrochs only, David Campbell won, Robert Munro was second and Thomas M'Kay third. The winner played " Donuil Dhu," the runner-up " Mackintosh's Lament." In the strathspeys, reels and marches tbe first honours were awarded to Aiick M'Kay, with R. Munro a j creditable second. Here again the growing ! popularity of pipe music was more evident j than ever, and it has increased from then j up to date. On Dec. 18, 188.5, a. pipe band, consisting of about twelve pipers, formed - up in Cathedral Square, and, to that good J old tune. " The Heights of Alma," marched ' to Lancaster Park. Mr J. M'Gregor, with j drawn sword, acting as marshal, ma.de ' every Scotchman's eye glisten (o the thrill , of the chanter and drones. On arrival at the Park the Scottish Royal Standard was presented to the Society by the late la- ! men ted Mr Peter Cunningham, the band playing meanwhile- '"The Braes o' Mar." David Campbell was again successful in taking fii-Kfc prize for pibrochs, his selection being " Milibank's Salute." James Macdcnald waa second, playing the same tune, and Alick M'Kay third, playing " Mackintosh's Lament." For the strathspeys, reels j aind marches James Macdonald was first, David Campbell second and H. Munro third. The winner played the " Duchess of ■ Edinburgh " march, while Campbell played the "Prince Albert" march and " Tullochewan Castle." Mr P. Cunningham's \ medal was awarded to D. Campbell.' but the judges had some difficulty in deciding ; which man should have this-' most coveted prize, MacDonald or Campbell, but finally j they gave it to Campbell, who was the ad- j mired of all who ever heard a chanter. From that period up to- date pipe bands in Maoriland have made rattling good headway. The Southland Pipe Band has travelled afar and made a proud name for itself. Here in Christchurch we have two highly promising organisations, and their steady advance is thoroughly characteristic of the Scot. Memories of Piper M'Tavish (now in Wanganui) amd his merry men, and further information in regard to pipe bands will be dealt with later, and the doings of the Scottish and Caledonian pipe band's frequently recrordod. I wis'h to thank Messrs Sturrock, G-reig, M'Lean, Cowan, M'Kenzie, Walker and others for past favours, and future " minims '' will have ai goodly percentage of the doings of our pipers and their bands.