The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22, 1880.

Western Star, Issue 403, 22 December 1880, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22, 1880.

Christmas time has'a gam came round. It I» weil that it should be observed. From the dawn of civilization until now, nations the most diverse from one another have set apart particular periods of ;the year a* dimes of festivity, and rest from, labor. The - artistic Greek, and the massiveminded Horn an in bye gone days were on this point at one with the busy Englishman and gloomy Russian now.. Even the 'laborious Cninaman, who - keeps no Sunday, or any day answering to it, has yet Ida New Tear’s festivities, when not merely his own race, but the outside’ barbarian from Europe also is wc’eomed to partake of his hospitality. In all Christian lands we ha'e ample ground for holdi"g one time of the year as a spc-ial holiday; that time when the great doctrine w s 3 first promulgated, “ Glory to God in i the highest, on earth peace and good will towards men”—No grander or more praties! motto has ever yet been 5 adopted as any one of the great religions of the world. And if Christi-. 7 anity has not yet accomplished all that its preachers claim for it, it has unquestionably done much to benefit mankind. The wisest intellects of the E Pagan world were almost hopeless wheel it w&dfirst promulgated, and the • wisest intellects of the Christian world ■ have never been hopeless since. And 1 oven in the material enjoyments of life, we New Zealanders, at any rare, have much to bo th uikfal for. Our climate ie unsurpassed by that of any one of wide spread British possessions at any part of live world. The soil is rich, . beyond the average of most other countries. And if this colony seems to be at present a little under a cloud, we have nothing but our own extravaI gance and that of our rulers and representatives to thank for it. The evil we have done by our extravagance, we can obviously undo by our -economy and careful management in future. ‘ And even as regards our poverty at 1 the present moment, upon which foolish people, Oamaru Jonahs of the Poster type and others, love to dwell, what is it as compared wiih the poverty " of whole countries, Ireland and Poland for instance, in the old world? The very word poverty means a different i thing here from there; with us poverty means incapacity for saving money * fast, not destitution of food or cloth- ( ing, or anxiety about the aiomis of supporting life. Happily for us we « might try in vain to find parallels in f our largo to win to what we see every day in almost all the courts and alleys 3 of London and Glasgow. If we look down our ratepayers’ rolls in some districts, and those not the wealthiest places in the colony,-wo observe that , three out of four of the residents own 1 the freeholds of their own property. Notwithstanding our twenty-nine I millions of dc*ht we are still a wealthy r people. What we want, as much perhaps as anything, is a little more of that ‘‘good wM towards men,” which we so glibly repeat as an important part of our creed. It is the mutual jealousy and animosity of society which prevents that confidence of man in man, that co-operation which even matter of fact political economists already recognise as one of the two great factors of national wealth. The political demagogue spits out his. venom at; the character or capacity of his neighbour, because of some trumpeiy difference of political opinion, and thus one grand obstacle is presented to the people of any (own or district all working together for the public good, the common welfare of all. This evil is one which every man happily may do something :o chock, by refusing to allow his sympathies and co-operation to bo bounded by his political creed. It is I an evil which has originated not in our

surrounding circumstances, but in ourselves. A little more of that world f wide benevolence, which Christianity was designed to teach as its great practical lesson, might do more for our material prospects than most of us imagine. By all means then let us keep holiday and feast, and amuse and i recreate ourselves for a while, but at the same time not forget what. Christmas is intended to commemorate.

On Saturday next (Christmas Day) wo will, issue a Christmas supplement, containing.-ih-teresting .matter suitable for the season/ Our monthly Fanners’ Supplement wHF also,-be issued on that date. j Mr Marchie, the Secretary of/the Caledonian Society, succeeded yesterday in inducing the railway authorities to put on special trains between Invercargill and Riverton anp Otautau and Riverton on Monday next,/ to give visitors an opportunity of attending tho Caledonian sports. Tho Invercargill train will probably leave about 8 a.m. ; v tjhe ordinary time-table will be observed’,! on the Olautau line. \ The Treasurer of (he Hospital desires ns to acknowledge with thanks the following receipts: —-Black Diamond Company (prVeeads of entertainments), £l9 11s; Star Minstrel Company, T.hornbnry entertainment, £(0; Graham, Dewar and Co., Railway worky, £6 17s; Limestone Plains Presbyterian\ Church, £5 lls 8J ; Ben Wymark, 21s ;W. J. Collins, 2Us; Jas. Borland (part prize money dairy produce), 20s ; Mark o‘Neil, 10s.; a friend, 6s and 4s. The Riverton Brass Band paraded on Monday evening, with a view to testing a number of new instruments which have just arrived from home. With this addition to the instrumental strength of the band, it is now nearly fully equipped, and now that the disadvantage under which the members have been laboring for sometime past has been removed, we anticipate their more frequent appearance , in public, which will be gladly welcomed. We learn that the number of in-door patients in the Hospital at present is five* ■ Last week a man named John Preston died, aged 60 years. Deceased was mining at Round Hill, and had been an inmate of the Hospital for some weeks. Ou dit that Mr M'Caughan, the member for Otautau, is about to pay a lengthened visit to England, and -will in consequence shortly resign his scat. A meeting of the Wallace County Council was opened yesterday, at 11 a.m. The Chairman (Mr H. Hirst), Messrs Johnston (Aparimp),. M'lntyre, Cuthbertson, Johnston (Wairio) and Capt. Tlankinson were present at the commencement of the meeting ; Messrs Mackintosh and Basstian entered at a later stage. We are unable in this issue to give a full report of the proceedings. The votes passed were—For road along east bank of Mararoa river, £400; Otautau and Waiau road. £4OO ; works between Merrivule boundary and Fenham Creek, £330 ; Grassy Croak road, £SO. The Chairman was authorised to appoint in various centres of tho county, registrars under tho Nuisance Act, 1880, which comes into force on Ist January next; and a motion was passed affirming the principle that rebbit dogs should be taxed as well as others, and requrstimr the co-operation of rabbit trustees to that end. Mr Cuthbertson moved a motion in the direction of endeavoring to ohl’itiit from Government, tho 20 per cent land fund and subsidy taken from comities last session,; and asking the co-operation of county councils generally. The motion was warmly supported by members, and carried unanimously. The application of tho Apa- ' rima Road Board to declare road from Fairfax railway station to M’Phee’s, Limestone Plains, was negatived on tho voices. On account of some informality in striking a rata in June last, the Chairman explained that it was necessary to commence de novo. A sum of 6d, 4d, 9d, Is was proposed, the latter being ultimately carried. Mr Ashby’s pigeon “ Waif,” liberated ut. Invercargill lust week, flow to Christchurch, 369 miles, in eleven and a-half hours. At the Conference of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars held last week ut Wellington, Bro Parry, of tho Riverton Lodge, was elected G.S. We notice that Mr J. Hay, of Riverton> took two prizes at the Tapanui cattle show on Friday last—lst for tho best Ayrshire bull, and Ist for the best two-year-old Ayrshire heifer, Mr W- G. Fox, late Inspector of Police, was on Saturday last, presented with a purse of sovereigns, subscribed by members of tho force. The election of-a Councillor to represent North Ward takes place to-day, at the Town Hall, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tho candidates are J. W. Chapman and M. Hayes. Considerable interest is evinced in tho result, it being generally anticipated that the contest will be a close one. Attention is drawn to an alteration in the date of Messrs P. Grant and Co.’s sale of Christmas presents, Ac., which was announced to take place yesterday. The sale has been postponed till Friday next, at 2 p.m., at tho auctioneers’ rooms, Tho collections next Sunday at the various diets of worship throughout tho parish of Riverton in connection with the Presbyterian Church will bo in aid of the Wallace and Fiord Hospital. In making this announcement on Sunday last, tho Rev Mr Cameron expressed a hope that tho donations would be liberal. Ho bad perhaps better opportunities than most people of judging of the value of that institution, as ho bad frequent occasion to visit it, and he had no hesitation in sa mg it had proved a blessing to the district. Wo desire to draw attention to the entertainment to be held this evening in aid of Niehol Millar, who for many months has been suffering from a severe illness, which has incapacitated him for work, and whose family 1 in consequence, arc much in need of assistance. The “ Black Diamond ” Troupe and a number of well known amateurs have tendered their services, an I the entertainment will bo under the patronage of the Mayor and Town Council. Tho season of the year is opportune for the exercise of a spirit of charity, and the knowledge that all will possess that their presence at the entertainment, will help to cheer a home darkened by the shadow of misfortune will not detract from ( the pleasures of Christmas lime, j The efficacy at this season of t.iio year of j poisoned oats for the destruction of rabbits is ■ very much doubted by many, settlers. The • testimony to tho contrary, however, of Air T. | : Sutton, Jacob’s River, is of considerable value. That gentleman writes to our local chemist, j Mr Myers, on 18th hist., as follows: —“ Please j semi another 100!bs of poisone 1 oats. I think j the last is a great success.”

The L'.lmsdeu annual races take place on Satur lay nest, 23 th inst. (Christinas Day). The following are the entries and weights for the principal events : —Lumsden Handicap. La Bohemionne, Sst. 7ib ; jessamine, 7st 12lb ; Tera, 9st; Eenohia, 6st 101 b ; Arien, Sst 21b; Aminadab, fist 81b; Stirling, Sst; Croydon Sst. Ladies’ Purse.—Lady Irvine, list 10lb . Aminadab, 10st. 7lb; Jessamine, list 71b; Arien, 12st. Trotting Bice.— Davie, scratch ; Jessie, 500 yards start. General entries, accompanied with necessary qualifications and acceptance money, must be lodged not later than 8 p.m., Thursday, 23rd hist., addressed to the Secretary, Waimea Hotel, Lumsden. ''Sports, horse racing, &0., will he held at Wrey\ Rush on Boxing Day (Monday nest.) Wo have pleasure in recording another important purchase of valuable stock on the part of one of our most enterprising settlers—Mr W. Hopcroft of Gtvmmie’s Bush. The stock referred to are two very fine pure bred shorthorn cows, which both carried off prizes at the Invercargill show. The roan cow Violet is by Stafford, dam Rosa, by Omar Pasha, g. dam Rose, by Morning Star, g.g. dam Cheeky by Maori jack. The other a yellow cow, Nancy, is also by Stafford, dam 1 Milkmaid by Omar Pasha g. -dam Lady by a bnl' imported by the late Mr J. Nitmno, gg.dam Old Lady by Maori Jack. An important alteration in the hour of departure and arrival of the Dunedin train from \lnveroargill took effect from yesterday.' Tiny passenger train will leave Invercargill at AO a.mi'iqstead of 10.30 a.m., and will arrive at 4.35 p.'mT-Justead. of 6 p.m. jThis'alteration will enable theTnrougfr-trt)s'from Dunedin to Rivertonto be performed in one day, and will also ensure (hehsonvenience of a more expedi- ■ tions mail service. Alterations in the timetable of the following lines are also announced : —Tapanui branch : Leave Kelso for Waipnhi at 12 noon; leave Waipahi for Kelso at .1.30 p.m.' Elbow and Kingston 1 ine : Trains Dom Elbow for Kingston will be 1 despatched at 4.10 p.m. instead of 6.26 p.m. Waimea Plains lino : Leave Elbow for Gore ’ at 10.25 a.m., arrive at Gore 12.10 p.m.; leave Gore for Elbow at 3.20 p.m., arrive at Elbow | 4.5 p.m. . A meeting of the Committee of the Caledonian Society was held at the Marino Hotel on Saturday evening—the President, MrP. Grant, in the chair. Messrs Young, Ireland, Howell, Burns, Instone, and Mills wore present. The action of the secretary in making several additions to the program me, without consulting and after it had been passed by the committee, * was condemned. In the absence of the score* 1 tary, consideration of this matter was, after 1 considerable discussion, postponed until Monday evening, when an explanation was real, * which it was resolved to accept. Mr Instoue introduced the question of prohibiting games 1 of chance from being played on the ground, 1 and moved that al. such be disallowed. The ’ motion was seconded by Mr Young, and all 1 bat unanimously approved of, Mr Howell being the only dissentient, he being in favor of imposing a charge upon (jl persons who had ) any gambling appliance on the ground. The ’ motion was carried. A sub-committee, con- ’ slating of the officers of the Sooivty and ’ Messrs Young and Burns, was appointed to deal with all accounts. . The advantages of railway communication 1 ghould be fully demonstrated by a price list published in our alverlising columns by Mr , H. Campbell, of Otautmi, in aniu)um»ing which ho states that he is in u position to compete successfully with the merchants of the metropolis of Southland We learn from the Committee of the Presbyterian Church bnziuir, that the quantity of articles —useful and ormirmcntal —now to hand, has far exceeded their expectation, assistance having been tendered from most tinloolccd for quarters. Preparations arc iul- , vaneed for opening the bazaar on Monday, , An every article has been marked at a modern) <■ r price, purchasers may depend upon receiving good value for their money, while, at the same time they will be assisting a deterring object. ) Mr Horace Bastings, the member for A’aikaiu, speaking at the dinner given at the opening’of the railway to Tapanui last week, said : “He hud always experienced the greatest s kindness from the people of the district urid ho certainly felt some melancholy feelings come over him—(laughter)—when ho thought ’ of the Waikaia electoral distrist being rubbed out, because in creasing the district from I lie ’ map, he should be, politically speaking, 1 rubbed out also, and he could not stand that—(laughter). He should therefora use his utmost endeavors to • keep the district intact. There was one thing he could assure the Ministry of, and that was if they rubbed ! his district out and therefore deprived him of his seat, he would to a certainly rub out. one of i their present supporters—(Loud laughter), i He would stand far Dunedin, and was egotistical enough to believe that he would be returned.”—(Cheers). , The Philadelphia “Ledger” tells this : —“ As a woman in Whitehall township, Leigh County, iu this State, , was scolding her children, the neighf bora, a hired girl, and everbody in I general, her husband entered, and interposed a kind word. She opened her month for an angry reply, but a spasm contracted her cheek, her lower jaw fell, and she could neither speak ! nor shut her mouth ; her tongue hung out, and her eyes nearly started out 1 of their sockets; she dislocated her jawbone in her effort to make a stinging reply to her husband. A surgeon “ was called, who reduced the dislocation, bound up her head, and prescribed a quiet diet.